• Those who are sick, suffering, or in need: Maria, Malcolm and Alicia; Kelly-Deene, Les, Dan, Norma; Aaron; Anne and Roger; Holly, Paul, Jen, Megan and Rhea; Karen, Bob, Lorelei, Marie, Cathryn, Sue, Connie, Doreen.
• Those who have died. Those who mourn.
• Those affected by conflict or natural disasters around the world.
• Archbishop Sixbert and the Diocese of Buyé (Updated list of Twinned Parishes).  
• Our relations in Christ from Treaty 6 and Treaty 8 First Nations, from the Métis Nation of Alberta, and from the Métis Settlements in Alberta.
• Click here if you would like someone's name included in this prayer list. We will use first names only. Names are kept on the list for two weeks unless intentionally renewed at the end of those two weeks.

Bishop Stephen London led a baptism and confirmation service with the Rev. Myron Penner, rector of St. Paul's, Edmonton, on Sunday, January 7. "... I had such a great time doing this baptism, confirmation and reception," said Bishop Steve on Facebook. You can see more pictures on his Facebook Page. 

Please hold Bishop Stephen London in your prayers as he serves parishes throughout the diocese and connects with our partners and friends beyond the diocese. The following public services and events have been scheduled:

• January 20: Epiphany: Revelation!, St. Paul's, Edmonton, 7 pm
• January 21: Holy Eucharist and Town Hall, Good Shepherd, Edmonton
• January 21: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Ecumenical Service, St. Joachim's Catholic Church, Edmonton, 7 pm
• January 25: Executive Council Meeting
• January 28: St. Luke’s, Edmonton
• February 4: St. Mary’s, Ponoka

Bishop Stephen London is pleased to announce the appointment of the Rev. Ruth Sesink Bott as Interim Assisting Priest of Christ Church, Edmonton effective January 15, 2024.

Due to recent changes to governmental regulations and processes, the Diocese of Edmonton has identified a pressing need for a group of faithful volunteers to help assist with refugee settlement monitoring for the refugees coming to Edmonton through Diocesan and parish sponsorship.

We hope to build two unique refugee support teams consisting of individuals with a heart for refugee and resettlement support (individuals may serve on both teams if they are so called).

The Rev. Tim Chesterton, warden of lay evangelists, and the Rev. Eric Kregel, a priest in the diocese, are training the next cohort of licensed lay evangelists in the Diocese of Edmonton. Hear how they came to evangelism.

The Edmonton diocese is now accepting applications for the 2024-25 Lay Evangelist Formation Program. The formation will be led by the Rev. Tim Chesterton, Warden of Lay Evangelists, over 10 Saturday modules (approximate time frame 10 am to 3 pm), at Good Shepherd Anglican Church, 15495 Castle Downs Rd, Edmonton. We anticipate completing seven modules in 2024, and the remaining three in early 2025, concluding with a licensing of new evangelists later in the spring of 2025. If interested, please see the following documents and application forms:

1. Lay Evangelists in the Diocese of Edmonton
2. Lay Evangelists Outline of Modules 2024-25
3. Lay Evangelists Application Process 2024
4. Lay Evangelist Application Form 2024
5. Rector Endorsement Form 2024
6. Vestry Endorsement Form 2024

A few days ago, our website host completed a server migration. While the intent is to improve access to the information on our website, it has created some issues which are being addressed. In the meantime, please call the Synod Office, at 780-439-7344, if you cannot access the necessary information. 

'Stargazing brought us here
To this young master's door
To discover we are stardust
One in God forevermore
One in God forevermore'
from "The Magi" by Alana Levandoski

St. Paul's Anglican Church, 10127 145 St. NW, Edmonton, and Interface Worship will celebrate the season of Epiphany with the Feast Day worship service Epiphany: Revelation! This service, to be held on January 20, from 7 to 9 pm,  will feature the Bread of Life liturgical sculpture, a Black Water Reflecting Pool, prayer stations, meditative time, open art tables, and the extensive use of original symbols, rituals, and imagery. 

The Lodgepole Bakery is participating in a pop-up market at Lodgepole Communitas - Highlands, St. Mary’s Anglican Church, 11203 68 St NW, Edmonton, Saturday, January 20, from 11 am to 4 pm. Sample the bakery's warm sourdough bread with a piece of cheese or honey or even both! They recommend ordering your bread ahead of time to pick up at the market since they sold out very quickly last time. The newest offering is sourdough bread with kimchi and green onions! 

All are invited to participate in the musical meditation with scripture, silence and songs of Taize on Sunday evenings, 7 to 8 pm, at Holyrood Mennonite Church, 9505 79 St, Edmonton, or  St. Luke's Anglican Church, 8424 95 Ave, Edmonton. Join together in Prayer for Christian Unity, on January 21, at St. Luke's. See the attached Schedule or read more on Facebook

The Edmonton District Council of Churches (EDCC) invites you to the annual Ecumenical Prayer Service for the Week of Christian Unity, to be held on Sunday, January 21, at 7 pm, at St. Joachim’s Catholic Church, located at 9920 110 St NW, Edmonton.

The theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (January 18 to 25, 2024) and the supporting materials were prepared by an ecumenical team from Burkina Faso (in western Africa) facilitated by the local Chemin Neuf Community. While Burkina Faso is predominantly a Muslim country, about 26 percent of the population is Christian (20 percent Catholic, 6 percent Protestant).

We are hoping to have as many faith communities represented at the prayer service as possible. For any questions please contact the Rev. Danielle Key at danielle@holytrinity.ab.ca 

You are invited to join All Saints', Drayton Valley on Thursday, February 1, 6:30 pm, for a Paint Night with Creative Spark. Get creative and make beautiful art you can take home in support of All Saints' refugee ministry. To reserve your spot, $50/seat, email office@allsaintsdraytonvalley.ca . POSTER

Jeffrey Hanger, Primate's World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) rep, Diocese of Edmonton, invites all parish reps and those who are interested to join him at a gathering and lunch at the Synod Office on Saturday, February 10, 10 am to 12 pm. This is an opportunity to meet Jeff and parish reps from across the diocese. There is no cost to attend, but please RSVP for lunch by February 7.

We are always happy to share news and pictures, or help promote upcoming events (ie. youth gathering, parish fundraiser, worship service, community outreach, public lecture) in Synod Scene, our weekly e-newsletter to clergy, parishes and subscribers. Please click the link to the form below to tell us about your news and event . Upload a graphic or picture (horizontal / landscape orientation; 1500x784 px), and your event poster (if you have one). Submissions must be received by Tuesday at noon to guarantee their inclusion in the current week's newsletter. Have questions? Email Margaret Glidden, communications@edmonton.anglican.ca; or call 780-439-7344

Will you help save a life this year? In 2023, members of Team Anglican made 131 blood and plasma donations to Canada's lifeline through Canadian Blood Services (CBS). Can you help us grow that total in 2024? 

To book your lifesaving appointment, call 1-888-236-6283 or visit Canadian Blood Services. Check your eligibility, then click here and enter our Partner ID: ANGL696986 to join Team Anglican. You won't just make a difference. You can make all the difference.

Happy Season after the Epiphany!  

We are less than a month away from Ash Wednesday and the start of the season of Lent. As some of you may know my main gig right now, in addition to parenting and being an honorary assistant at St. Margaret's, Edmonton, is working on a PhD in the area of children’s faith formation.

Along the way, I have come across several helpful resources for cultivating and encouraging discipleship in the home. Periodically, I will write about books, materials and/or practices you are invited to use in your parishes or homes.

First up is a lovely book titled, Twas the Season of Lent, by a wonderful children’s author I have had the pleasure of coming across, Glenys Nellist. 

Hosting the Remembering the Children Weaving is one of many ideas Fiona Brownlee, Aboriginal and Rural Communities Liaison, Diocese of Edmonton, has for parishes to continue to move forward on our journey of reconciliation. If your parish would like to host the weaving (perhaps during Lent?), and/or a presentation by Fiona, either in-person or via Zoom, please contact her at f.brownlee@edmonton.anglican.ca or 780-312-9070. 

Cold and flu season is upon us, and COVID persists in all its variations. As we spend more time indoors, it is becoming more difficult to contain germs and protect vulnerable members of our communities. Please remember that a minor infection for one person can develop into a major sickness for someone else. If you are feeling unwell (ie. have a cough, runny nose, sore throat, chest congestion, fever...), please stay home.

Archbishop Linda Nicholls, Anglican Church of Canada Primate, asks congregations to consider using the True Freedom resource, possibly as a Lenten study, to raise awareness of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery. 

The World Council of Churches (WCC) invites clergy and parishes to a webinar this Thursday, January 18, at 12 pm MST, introducing the new Lent resource True Freedom, which was developed to support Christians in responding to modern slavery. Click here to register for the webinar.

Dr. Sylvia Keesmaat, an author, activist, biblical scholar, and past co-chair of the Bishop's Committee on Creation Care for the Anglican Diocese of Toronto, will lead a public lecture titled, "Following Jesus in the Ruins of Empire," (January 19) and retreat (January 19 to 21), at Star of the North in St. Albert. More information at www.starofthenorth.ca/empire

The Micah Centre invites justice-seekers, church communities, and people of faith concerned about our changing climate to an evening of personal and biblical exploration with Dr. Sylvia Keesmaat on Monday, January 22, 7:30 PM, in Room N102 at The King’s University. In "The Lament of the Land and the Tears of God,"  Dr. Keesmaat, a biblical scholar and farmer, will explore the themes of creational destruction, God’s lament, and faithful human response in the biblical text and our own lives. Keesmaat’s reflections will be followed by a panel discussion, hosted by Dr. John Hiemstra, with the Rev. Jonathan Crane, rector of St. Augustine of Canterbury, Edmonton; Dr. Gerda Kits, an economist; and Céline Chuang, an artist and activist. All are welcome. POSTER

St. Albert United Church, 20 Green Grove Drive, invites you to attend a showing of: “Doctrine of Discovery: Stolen Lands, Strong Hearts,”  on February 28, at 7 pm. Embrace an understanding of the Doctrine of Discovery and why it continues to be detrimental to the progress of reconciliation

Snacks and coffee will be provided. Q and A and discussion to follow. Free will donations may be made to the Justice and Reconciliation Fund.