• Those who are sick, suffering, or in need: Tara; Lorelei, Marie. Sue, and Doreen.
• Those who have died; and those who mourn.
• Those affected by conflict or natural disasters around the world.
• Those who are organising and attending the Cursillo Weekend.
• 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.

Reflecting on the first week in May 2024, Bishop Stephen London writes: "I had two great Gospel experiences this last week which helped me to reflect on the shared nature of our Christian ministry. 

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:

• May 10 - Diocese of Edmonton Creativity Exchange, Synod Office, 4 pm
• May 12 - Sunday Services, Christ Church, Edmonton
• May 18 - Deacons' gathering at St. George's, Edmonton, 10 am
• May 19 -  Sunday Service, St, Augustine of Canterbury, Edmonton, 10 am
• May 19 - Ordination Service, All Saints' Cathedral, 7 pm

Bishop Stephen London is pleased to appoint the Rev. Canon Chelsy Bouwman as Archdeacon for Rural Ministry, and the Rev. Jonathan Crane as Archdeacon for Mission and Discipleship in the Diocese of Edmonton. 

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

The Social Justice Committee of the Diocese of Edmonton invites all who are interested to St. Columba Anglican Church, 5703 50 Ave, Beaumont, on Saturday, June 1, from 10 am to 12 noon, to engage in supportive and encouraging dialogue with Christians from different denominations to help answer some of the most common questions:

• What are the different ways my church can meaningfully address some of the cultural issues happening in our area and the world right now?
• How do I deal with opposing views among parishioners?
• Truth and Reconciliation: what does it look like in our parish? What could it look like in our parish?
• How is our church defining justice and is it biblical?
• In what ways has our church dealt with racism? What has worked, what hasn't?

You are also welcome to share ideas and ask any questions. We invite you to stay afterwards and enjoy lunch together. Please register on Eventbrite.

POSTER

The Listening in Spirit process to shape a good future together is moving ahead at a steady pace. To date, Anna Bubel, principal consultant, Another Way, has led parish engagement sessions with several communities including St. Columba, Beaumont; St. Mary and St. George, Jasper; Holy Trinity, Edson; St. Mary, Edgerton; St. Thomas, Wainwright.

These listening exercises are intended to help your parish community identify its abundance of assets. The positive response to these engagement sessions on social media indicates we are off to a great start:

“Thank you to all who participated in the exercise with Anna Bubel today! It was a very valuable session, and we look forward to the next stage in the process.”

“Thank you to Anna Bubel and to Holy Trinity Church in Edson for hosting the Strategic Plan Project today! The Reverend David Prowse and I very much appreciate your hospitality.”

If you have not scheduled your Parish Engagement Session, please reach out to Jacqui Chesterton ASAP at jfchesterton@gmail.com  *For this engagement process to be of benefit to all, we need all parishes to participate.

For more information about the Listening in Spirit | Shaping Our Future Together strategic planning process, please see Frequently Asked Questions

Following a five-year hiatus, the Bishop’s Fund annual gathering in support of Anglican clergy and families was held on May 2, at the University Club of the U of A.

While enjoying light refreshments, supporters had an opportunity to mingle with members of the Bishop’s Fund who generously organised the evening which they aptly titled, “Springing Back to Life.” 

During his remarks, Bishop Stephen London expressed his appreciation for everyone who supported the fundraiser, especially Lois MacLean, former co-chair of the Bishop’s Fund Committee, and Bill Shores and Rob Reynolds, current co-chairs, for “really pushing hard to revive this Fund." 

The Anglican Church Women (ACW) of the Diocese of Edmonton decided to try something new for our annual meeting traditionally held on the first Saturday in May. The chapters of the ACW came together virtually on Zoom for our business meeting on Friday, May 3. 

The “fun with friends” portion of the Annual was reserved for Saturday when ladies from several parishes embarked on a road trip filled with fun, fellowship and education. 

The reconciliation team of Immanuel, Wetaskiwin came together, for the fourth year in a row, to remember Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit (MMIWG2S) folk. In April, the team gathered to learn a” Grandmother Song,” an honour song for the ancestors. Gloria Rogers also brought us all together to learn how to make rattles. At the end of the month, team members gathered with their community to smudge and hang red dresses in Diamond Jubilee Park, and at the Peace Cairn in Wetaskiwin. 

St. George's, Devon acknowledged the importance of Red Dress Day, May 5, in their prayers of the people. The Rev. Lisa Wojna focused her sermon on love (a strong motif in the letters and Gospel of John), and how standing in solidarity to recognise Red Dress Day is a demonstration of love. As Mother Teresa said, “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.”

The diocesan Disability Justice Team hopes you can join them for a Neurodiverse Family Service on May 11, 2 pm, at St. Timothy's, 8420 145 St, NW, Edmonton. This accessible and inclusive family service is designed for Autistic, ADHD and Neurodivergent children, youth and adults and is open to all to share in holy, messy community.

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 Voces Alegres Choir and Ensemble will present their Spring Concert on May 17, at 7:30 pm, at Good Shepherd, 15495 Castle Downs Rd, Edmonton. Donations welcome! POSTER

All are invited to the Taize Pentecost Prayer Service at St. Luke's, 8424 95 Ave, Edmonton, at 7 pm. Please join us! Come, Holy Spirit!

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

The Greater Edmonton Alliance (GEA) will offer its Foundation for Community Organizing Course on May 24 and 25, at 10540 108 St. NW, Edmonton. The Diocese of Edmonton is a GEA member organization and participation is free for all Anglicans. 

This training is for those who share an interest in strengthening civil society and working together for the common good. Part of the training experience will be working with other community leaders from diverse institutions on the universals of broad-based community organizing. REGISTER for FREE

The Prayer Book Society of Canada – Edmonton Branch presents will be holding a Trinity Sunday Evensong, on Sunday, May 26, at 4 pm, at St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, 11111 57 Ave NW, Edmonton. AGM to follow the service. All are welcome!

Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 101 St and 84 Ave in Edmonton invites you to a Family Board Game Night on June 1, from 6:30 to 9:30 pm. Try the games on hand or bring your favourites! Snacks will be provided. All are welcome. Hope to see you there!

The Cursillo Community invites all new Cursillistas to a Welcome Barbecue on June 8, 5 pm, at St. Timothy's Anglican Church, 8420 - 145 Street Edmonton. Hamburgers and hotdogs will be supplied. Community members are asked to bring a salad or dessert. New Cursillistas, please just bring yourselves. We look forward to seeing you there!

The first-ever Clergy Camp, a time for clergy to relax and gather through un-conference activities, will be held June 11 to 13 at Star of the North Retreat Centre in St. Albert. Facilitated by Julianne Gilchrist., who lives in Edmonton, is ordained through the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), and has worked in campus ministry and is a spiritual director, camp will provide space to process unspoken fears about our future, the sustainability of our ministries and the changes that we are navigating as a church. In addition to reflection, it will provide opportunities for relaxation and fellowship. Register by May 27. SCHEDULE

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

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.

The Bishop of Edmonton invites applications for the position of Incumbent of Dayspring Ministries. This is a full-time position supporting the ministry of three rural parishes in the Diocese of Edmonton.

Dayspring Ministries is a shared ministry of St. Saviour’s, Vermilion; St. Thomas’, Wainwright; and St. Mary’s, Edgerton led by one full-time priest and several lay leaders from the three parishes. The origin of Dayspring is rooted in the need to ensure the continuation of ministry in rural areas.

For the full parish profile, and for information regarding submitting a complete application, please contact: Sarah Kemp, Assistant to the Bishop, assistant@edmonton.anglican.ca

Closing date: May 24, 2024 For more information, please see JOB POSTING

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.

Did you know, you or a loved one can receive a pastoral visit from the Anglican Hospital Chaplain while in hospital? When you are admitted, please:

• Let the hospital staff know that you are Anglican;
• Consent to being visited by a chaplain. When you consent, you will be added to a list of patients who have requested a visit by the chaplain.

Please share this information with your family and friends. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the Rev. Regula Brandle, Diocese of Edmonton Anglican Hospital Chaplain, at revregula@edmonton.anglican.ca.

The Contemplative Enneagram Retreat, facilitated by Sherry Dahl, will be offered from Monday, May 27 (3 pm) to Saturday, June 1 (3 pm). Engaging with the Enneagram is a life-long journey, not a destination. Through a consistent practice of presence to develop greater self-awareness, we can embrace the gifts we bring to the world and confront the unconscious fears and defenses motivating us, impacting our relationship with the Divine, others and ourselves. This mostly-silent retreat is intended for those already familiar with the Enneagram as there will be less teaching and more space for personal reflection. Opportunities will be given to share with others for those who wish to. Please wear comfortable clothing and bring a journal. This retreat was previously offered in summer 2022. Cost: Suite $600; Single $550; Commute $500. Register by May 20 

This Pathways to Reconciliation public lecture, on May 31, 7 pm, and retreat are being offered both in-person at The Star of the North or online, via Zoom. Sister Sheila Smith is a member of the Society of the Sacred Heart. She is of Irish-English settler descent living in Anishinaabe Algonquin territory, Ottawa. Sheila is an Assistant professor at Saint Paul University, Ottawa, in the area of the Churches, Truth, and Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. This session is part of the Aurora Living Speaker Series. To register and find out more about Aurora Living please visit www.starofthenorth.ca/aurora or call 780-459-5511.

Outside the Vox is a concert unlike anything else in Korora Choirs’ 28-year history. For the first time, the organization’s three adult choirs are dividing, combining, and refiguring into an upper-voice ensemble (featuring the sopranos and altos of Òran, Vacilando, and ChandraTala) and a tenor-bass ensemble drawn from Òran and Vacilando. —plays on this sense of musical adventure and experimentation.

The program embraces a wide range of styles and emotions, from spiritual, to emotional, to jazzy, to sublimely silly. Along with the equal-voice pieces, the concert also includes a couple of mixed-voice gems.

Outside the Vox takes place on Saturday, May 11, 7:30 pm,  at McDougall United Church, 10025 101 St, Edmonton. Tickets ($25, students $20, children $15) are available online .

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,