• Those who are sick, suffering, or in need: Lorelei, Marie, Sue, Marguerite and Doreen; Jordan, Rhea, Jenny, Bob, Paul, Grayson and Megan; Tara.
• 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.

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:

• June 3 to 7: Living Our Vows Bishop's School, Virginia
• June 8: Cursillo BBQ, St. Timothy's, Edmonton, 5 pm
• June 9: Confirmation, St. Paul's, Edmonton, 10 am
• June 11 to 13: Clergy Camp, Star of the North Retreat Centre, St. Albert
• June 16: St. Philip's, Westlock, 10:30 am
• June 18: Administration and Finance Committee, 4 pm
• June 23: St. John the Divine, Onoway, 10 am
• June 30: Confirmation, St. Peter's Filipino Congregation, St. Matthias, Edmonton, 10:30 am

Bishop Stephen London has appointed the following people to be Commissary when he is away:

• The Very Rev. Alexandra Meek: July 3 to 11; August 1 to 29, 2024.

• The Ven. Lee Bezanson: July 12 to 17, 2024.

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 disciples on the Road to Emmaus were about at their lowest point. Their whole world had been turned on its head, and everything they thought they had known about their calling had seemingly come crashing down. But then they were met by Jesus, who had shown up as a fellow traveler willing to go with them on that wilderness path. And as they walked, he reminded them of the great story of God which had brought them to that point, and they began to glimpse a new chapter that included them too; one that was far more than they could ask or imagine. The walk turned from one snuffed out by frustration and sorrow to one rekindled with the fire of expectation and hope, and they ran to tell others while considering: “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road?”

The 69th Synod of the Diocese of Edmonton is gathering this fall around these biblical words as our theme. Like many churches during this time, our faith community seems to be on an "Emmaus Road" journey. There is a lot about our direction and vocation as a family of Jesus-followers that is shifting and is in disarray. We are beginning to see that we are setting out from static stability to move along new paths. But we are unsure of the right steps to take or where they will lead us.

The 51st Provincial Synod, held at Holy Cross Anglican Church in Calgary, gathered together bishops, clergy and laity from 10 diverse dioceses: Edmonton, Athabasca, Calgary, Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan,  Saskatoon, Brandon, Rupert's Land, the Arctic, and the Indigenous Spiritual Ministry of Mishamikoweesh.

Representing the Diocese of Edmonton at the Provincial Synod (as chosen by the diocesan Synod) were the Rev. Colleen Sanderson, Cathy Armstrong, Emily Stephen-Garneau, Matthew Mercer-Deadman, the Rev. Danielle Key, the Rt. Rev. Stephen London, the Rev. Clare Stewart.

“It was a lively, pensive gathering that had many wonderful moments and, like most gatherings of many people, tense moments,” says the Rev. Danielle Key, rector of Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Edmonton.

In a moment of jubilation, delegates voted to change the name of the Ecclesiastical Province of Rupert's Land to the Ecclesiastical Province of the Northern Lights as of June 1, 2024.

Anna Bubel, the consultant leading the Diocese of Edmonton in our parish engagement process, reports that she has now met with 22 parish communities. You might recall that Anna’s goal is to facilitate discussions, based on parish membership surveys, with all 46 parishes before the end of June. She has been crisscrossing the diocese to meet with people in their parishes. To gain further insight, she is also conducting one-on-one interviews with a select group of leaders.

This initial phase of our strategic planning process will conclude with Anna’s presentation to the 69^th Synod in October. Anna’s findings and the Synod’s discussions will form the basis of our diocese’s course of action over the next five years. By enlisting Anna’s help, Bishop Stephen London and the Executive Council are endeavouring to engage all members of our diocesan family. Thank you to everyone who has already taken part, and if you have an opportunity to attend a parish engagement session, please do so!

The June 2024 edition of The Messenger, a collection of news and stories from the Dioceses of Athabasca and Edmonton, can now be read online. The summer issue features events commemorating Red Dress Week in remembrance of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls; the Bishop's Fund Reception in support of clergy; 50 years of faithful ministry; 150th-anniversary celebrations; reflections on AI and church, the arts and faith, and the resilience of moss. 

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, their family and friends 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 and a lawn chair. We look forward to seeing you there! Please RSVP to cursilloedmonton@gmail.com

All are welcome to join St. David's, 8345 79 Ave NW, Edmonton, for a fun evening of music and poetry! From all-ages performers to surprise guest artists, this event promises soul-stirring melodies, captivating verses and toe-tapping tunes. Admission is by donation (a suggested donation of $25 per person or $35 per family). Donations of $20 or more will receive a tax receipt. 

Harmonia, a seven-piece string and wind ensemble, will perform a free-will offering concert at St. Matthew's, 125 Larose Dr, St. Albert, on June 9, at 2 pm. Harmonia has travelled through Europe performing in prestigious locations such as St. Patrick's Cathedral (Dublin) and Kylemore Abbey. The group plays a blend of well-known tunes including movie and show tunes, Gordon Lightfoot and Bob McMullin compositions. The group rounds out its set with popular tunes such as "Stairway to Heaven" and "Can't Help Falling in Love with You." The concert admission is free with a plate for donations at the door. Please come to enjoy an afternoon of incredible and uplifting music to start your week! POSTER

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

St. Mary's Anglican Church, 5120 49 Ave, Ponoka, is hosting its 9th Annual Steak and Lobster Fest on Saturday, June 15. Doors open at 5 pm. Prices are $55 for lobster dinner; $35 for steak dinner, or $80 for steak and lobster. Meals include baked potato, coleslaw, dessert and beverages; or $45 for a Lobster-To-Go  (cooked or live). Tickets must be ordered by June 10. Proceeds from this event will support the 2024 Anglican Church/United Church Vacation Bible School~Ponoka. For tickets and info, call Deb @ 403-704-3152; Heather @ 403-704-4041. POSTER

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 lifesaving act of generosity. Not everyone can be a donor, but if you are able, please consider becoming a donor. 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 St. John the Evangelist in Edmonton 

St. John the Evangelist (SJE) is a large community that is richly diverse and complex. As one of the largest parishes in the Diocese of Edmonton, it serves a broad multi-generational community that includes a vibrant children’s ministry and a robust youth ministry. The parishioners come from many racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds. View Parish Profile

For information on how to submit a complete application, please contact: Sarah Kemp, Assistant to the Bishop, assistant@edmonton.anglican.ca

Closing date: June 24, 2024

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 Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola encourages a closer relationship with God by praying through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. PRC has two offerings to experience the Spiritual Exercises in 2024: experience the Spiritual Exercises 30-Day Retreat this July 2024, and the Retreat in the Real World, the 19th Annotation of the Spiritual Exercises, from September 2024 to May 2025. Participants will commit to a daily prayer schedule, keep a journal of their prayer experiences, share their prayer journey with a spiritual director, and receive instructions in the main components of the Spiritual Exercises.

FREE Info Evening The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola: Join us via Zoom on Tuesday, May 28, 7 pm, to learn more about the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Registration is required by clicking this LINK

30-Day Retreat: The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola: facilitated by Faith Nostbakken, PhD.
Journey through the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola this July. Journey in spiritual growth and personal development as participants receive twice weekly instruction in the main components of the Spiritual Exercises, meet daily for spiritual direction and commit to a daily prayer schedule. There is a live-in or virtual opportunity. Enjoy a live-in retreat in the peace and tranquility of Providence Renewal Centre in Edmonton. Register HERE by May 31, as space is limited. Select your accommodation and pay the application deposit of $100 (non-refundable), and one of our team members will email you the application package.

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.

Did you know that our diocese is a member of the Edmonton & District Council of Churches (EDCC)? AS such, we are all warmly invited to an EDCC Spring Social on Tuesday, June 11, from 12 noon to 2 pm, at Providence Renewal Centre, 3005 - 119 St NW.  Join us as we gather for lunch and conversation with ecumenical partners and friends from across our city. Our meal together will be picnic-inspired!  The EDCC will provide burgers, hot dogs and beverages.  Attendees are invited to bring salads or sides to share.

Capacity for this event is 50 people, so please respond promptly to reserve your spot.  Click on this LINK to RSVP. We look forward to connecting with you!

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, 

Join the Ven. Jordan Haynie Ware, Archdeacon for Justice and rector of Good Shepherd, Edmonton, at Sorrento Centre, B.C. July 28 to August 3, as she takes inspiration from liberation theologian Leonardo Boff in exploring the God described by Jesus’s prayer, and how it can inspire daily practices of liberation for ourselves, our communities, and the world. Participants will use their whole bodies to engage in the work of study, art, prayer and action to make Jesus’ prayer daily practice. For more info and to register, Click Here