• Those who are sick, suffering, or in need: Amanda and Curtis; Jim; Helene; Rhea, Paul, Jen, Mitch, Bob, Kohen.
• Those who have died; and 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.

The annual Bishop's Fund event returns on May 2, at 5 pm, as a reception with light bites, wine and other refreshments, at the University of Alberty Faculty Club, 11435 Saskatchewan Drive, NW, Edmonton. You are invited to meet members of the Bishop’s Fund who generously organise this fundraiser in support of Anglican clergy. Bishop Stephen London will speak briefly at the reception.   

Tickets to attend the Bishop’s Fund Reception are $100/person; $75 for clergy. All funds paid will go directly to the Bishop’s Discretionary Fund and will be eligible for a tax receipt.   

Tickets can be purchased by calling Carmen Kohlman at 780-448-9275. Please advise of the number of tickets you require. You can donate to the Bishop's Discretionary Fund HERE, or by e-transfer to treasurer@edmonton.anglican.ca. Please include your name, and indicate that the funds are for the Bishop’s Fund Reception in the comment section.  

Bishop Stephen London is pleased to announce that on Pentecost, Sunday, May 19, it is his intention, God willing, to ordain to the diaconate Christa Eisbrenner.

He will also be welcoming to the diocese the Rt. Rev. Nigel Shaw, Anglican Bishop Ordinary of the Anglican Military Ordinariate, as he intends to ordain Helen Chan Bennett to the diaconate.

At this service, we will also be pleased to install Mr. Rob Reynolds, K.C., as the Chancellor of the Diocese of Edmonton.

The service will be at All Saints’ Cathedral at 7:00 pm. Members of the clergy are invited to vest and the colour is red.

Photo: marek-studzinski-TyA49J14w40-unsplash

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 event and/or service dates have been scheduled:

• April 21: St. David's, Edmonton, 10 am
• April 25: Joint Clergy Day with Ecumenical partners, Glory Lutheran, Sherwood Park, 10 am
• April 27: Anti-racism Policy Lens Training, 9 am
• April 28: Baptism and Confirmation Service, St. Luke's, Edmonton, 10 am
• April 28: Final Celebration of Ministry for Holy Trinity Riverbend, Providence Renewal Centre, 2 pm
• April 28: Cursillo Moonlight Service, St. Timothy's, Edmonton, 7 pm

Bishop Stephen London travelled two hours east of Edmonton for a service with the Rev. Colleen Sanderson at St. John's in Sedgewick on the morning of Sunday, April 14.

In the afternoon, Bishop Steve was a guest presenter at an ecumenical-themed Youth Day for the Trinity Lutheran Edmonton Confirmation Class. He was joined by the Rev. Erin Thomas and the Rev. Prema Samuel (Lutheran); and Pastor Aaron Linville (Moravian); the confirmands and their families for a fun and meaningful time.

Photo: Trinity Lutheran Edmonton / Facebook

In this time of transformation and newness of life, we ask you to think about your parish community and its current reality: In what areas are you flourishing? In what areas are you struggling? What do you envision our future as a family of 46 parishes to be like?

Led by Anna Bubel, Another Way Consulting, and supported administratively by Jacqui Chesterton, a member of our diocesan family, we are embarking on the next phase of the Finding Our Way strategic planning journey. 

A leader in your parish may have shared with you a link to a short, online survey that all members of the Diocese of Edmonton are asked to complete. To enable as many people as possible to participate, the survey deadline has been extended to April 24. You can link to the survey below.

If you require a print version of the survey, please ask your parish leader to print one for you. For more information about the Listening in Spirit | Shaping Our Future Together process, please see Frequently Asked Questions

During Lent, the Sunday school children of St. David’s watched an animated video about Jesus washing his disciples’ dirty feet. (Their toes may even have touched some camel’s poo, too). The Sunday previous, the Rev. Eric Kregel had offered an inspiring children’s talk about God’s infinite love for all people.

So, the children were very enthusiastic when their teacher suggested we might collect socks for Pastor Eric to distribute to the homeless at The Mustard Seed drop-in in Old Strathcona. (Continuously wearing wet socks is uncomfortable and can result in sores and infections.)

Over four Sundays, St. David’s collected donations of new women’s and men’s socks. This week, we gave three bags stuffed full of socks handed to The Mustard Seed drop-in! Pastor Eric and the staff were thrilled. Before we left after a short visit, they had already begun to hand out socks to their clients.

Every Sunday we give thanks for God's amazing and never-ending generosity and love made known in the life, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus. When we blessed the sock collection last Sunday, we prayed that God’s love would be made known through the work of The Mustard Seed and made tangible in these socks.

Submitted by the Rev. Dr. Renée Desjardins, rector, St. David’s, Edmonton

Join St. Mary's Anglican Church musicians on April 21, 2 pm, at 5042-48 Ave. in Vegreville, for many good old Gospel songs. Admission is by donation. Enjoy complimentary refreshments after the singing.

Church leaders will have another opportunity to hear about how the gospel is being lived out in different contexts at a Joint Clergy Day with ecumenical partners on Thursday, April 25 at Glory Lutheran Church in Sherwood Park, 22577 AB-16. There will be a time of networking, fellowship, worship and prayer, from 10 am to 3:30 pm. Refreshments and a light lunch will be provided. Register here by April 17. 

Join Queerly Beloved as we engage in the spiritual practice of forming a rule of life from a queer context in a safe and open environment. Beginning on April 26, we plan to meet every fourth Friday of the month for 12 gatherings in person at Lodgepole Communitas Highlands, 11203 68 Street NW, Edmonton, from 7 pm to 8:30 to 9 pm. We will provide coffee, tea and light snacks. Please note: the book we are using for this book study, Crafting a Rule of Life,  is not written from a queer viewpoint, but we will be engaging it from a Queer Christian lens. To Register, or information, email queerbelonging@lodgepolecommunitas.ca

Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 101 St and 84 Ave NW, Edmonton, is holding a two-day Spring Rummage Sale on Friday, April 26, 3 to 8:30 pm; and Saturday, April 27, 10 am to 3 pm. Donations will be accepted from April 21 to 24 at noon. 

Please join Immanuel Anglican Church in Wetaskiwin as we remember the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit folk in our community and beyond during Red Dress Week:

• Saturday, April 27, at 2 pm, to hang red dresses in Diamond Jubilee Park
• Sunday, May 5, at 3 pm (at the Peace Cairn), for a short
  memorial

You are invited to the Final Celebration of Ministry Service for Holy Trinity Riverbend on Sunday, April 28, 2 pm, at Providence Renewal Centre, 3005 119 St NW Edmonton. Bishop Stephen London presiding. All are welcome!

Interested in learning about common practices individuals participate in during Lent and Ramadan? Interested in getting to know our neighbours a bit better? Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 10037 84 Avenue NW, Edmonton, is hosting an "Interfaith Conversations and Community Connections" event on April 28, at 2 pm. If you might be interested in attending, please contact Rev. Rob Key (rob@holytrinity.ab.ca) to ensure your spot at the table.

Have you considered going deeper in your faith by attending a Cursillo Weekend? The weekend runs from Friday evening, May 3 to late Sunday afternoon, May 5. It revolves around a series of talks given by a team of laypeople and clergy. Small group discussions follow the talks. There are times for worship, fellowship, personal reflection, prayer, and song. As a Christian, the weekend is a time for you to be strengthened in your spiritual journey. This weekend is open to all Christians 18 years and older. For more info, e-mail cursilloedmonton@gmail.com | BROCHURE | POSTER

"Cursillo means a little course in Christianity. But it is so much more. It is, in fact, a profound experience of deep Christian community. It is a weekend of learning, but also of fellowship, worship, laughter and friendship." Bishop Stephen London

Anyone interested in the work of the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) is invited to a spring gathering with Jeffrey Hanger, the representative for the Diocese of Edmonton, on Saturday, May 11, 10 am, at St. George's, 11733 87 Ave NW, Edmonton. Please RSVP to jeffhanger71@gmail.com 

The Anglican Foundation of Canada, in partnership with All Saints’ Anglican Cathedral in Edmonton, is pleased to celebrate Evensong and host the Anglican Foundation’s Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. The Most Rev. Linda Nicholls will preach,  and the Rt. Rev. Stephen London will preside. Everyone is welcome. Pre-registration is encouraged. 

• Evensong • 5:45 pm
• Reception • 6:45 pm
• Annual General Meeting • 7:30 pm

To pre-register: www.anglicanfoundation.org/2024agm

We are already on the home stretch of February and parishes have either had or are gearing up for their Annual General Meetings. People's wardens and synod delegates should save the date of October 18 and 19, 2024 for the 69th Synod of the Diocese of Edmonton. Details, including the official notice of synod, will be posted at: https://edmonton.anglican.ca/synod

We are 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

This week, blood and/or plasma donations from Team Anglican have decreased. Could it be the weather? 

Donating blood and/or plasma is a potentially lifesaving gift. Not everyone can be a donor, but if you are able, please donate. You will join a community of donors making all the difference for patients nationwide. Patient need is constant, no matter the season. Your support helps ensure people receive essential blood products when and where they need them.

St. Thomas Anglican Church in Sherwood Park is hiring a part-time music director. The deadline for applications is April 30, 2024. For more information, please see Job Description

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.

Korora’s three youngest ensembles invite you on a choral road trip at SongQuest, to be held on Saturday, April 20, 3 pm, at McDougall United, 10025 101 St NW, Edmonton.

Each spring, Tamariki (ages 5–9); Kikimasu (ages 8–12); and Shumayela (ages 12–16) get the stage all to themselves for a special showcase. The concert, which includes Canadian compositions and arrangements from coast to coast, will feature a delightful blend of musicality and youthful enthusiasm — along with the occasional dose of inspired silliness.

There will also be a guest performance by Calgary’s young-teen choir, JUNIOR HI.

Tickets: $20; $15, students; $10, children are available ONLINE with limited availability at the door.

Before we know it spring will be here, and joining a local Christian slo-pitch league is a great opportunity to share fun and fellowship. The ELMSP league, made up of various Christian churches in the Edmonton area, has been going for more than 30 years. Here are some specifics about the league:

• Teams consist of a minimum of 10 players, including at least 3 women and 3 men.
• All players must be at least 14 years old.
• Teams generally play one game per week beginning the first full week of May.
• Games days are Tuesday each week. 
• A year-end tournament is usually held on the third weekend of August.
• League fees are typically $475 per year (may be adjusted depending on how many teams join), plus a $100 refundable deposit per new team.
• If you can't find enough interest from your congregation, feel free to join with another congregation or use this as an outreach opportunity by adding friends to your team.

To play, sign up your team HERE by  April 24. For more info, please email Warren at elmsp.president@gmail.com

The Edmonton Grandmothers are hosting their spring fabric Frenzy on April 27, from 9 am to 3:30 pm, at Strathearn United Church, 8510 95 Ave NW, Edmonton. Find fabrics, yarn, notions and craft supplies for bargain prices! All proceeds go to the Stephen Lewis Foundation to support grandmothers in Africa.  POSTER

Saturday, April 27, 10 am to 6 pm, facilitated by Jo-Ann Badley: Before the resurrection, Peter is a coward and betrayer; after the resurrection, he gives leadership to the disciples and preaches boldly. Before the resurrection, Mary ponders these things in her heart; after the resurrection, she is among those waiting for the promised Holy Spirit. Before he meets the risen LORD, Paul is a persecutor of the Christian community; after his  encounter, he forms new communities of followers. By their stories, we can make better sense of our call to follow. Cost: $125 Register by April 22 

On Sunday, April 28 from 1 to 4 pm, join us for an afternoon of gardening workshops in celebration of Earth Day! Brought to you by St. Albert Backyard Gardening Group in partnership with The Star of the North Retreat Centre.

Youth Retreat: A Day Just for You

“Young people: They care. They know that this is the world that they are going to grow up in, that they’re going to spend the rest of their lives in.” (David Attenborough). On Saturday, May 11, from 10 am to 6pm, Providence Renewal Centre is hosting a Youth Retreat. It is “A Day Just for You,” a day of activities and programs including Stress Reduction, Art Therapy, Music, God & Sports, and Spirituality & Gaming with the aim of supporting young people. Ages 12 + $75 (first youth); $50 (each additional youth from same family)

The 2024 Anglican-Lutheran National Worship Conference will be held in Regina, Saskatchewan, July 18-21, 2024. This event will include keynote presentations by Michelle Nieviadomy, the Rev. Chung Yan Lam and Becca Whitla. The conference will also include workshops and networking opportunities among participants. Register online: National Worship Conference,