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

Congratulations to the young people of St. Paul’s, Edmonton who were baptised and/or confirmed by Bishop Stephen London on Sunday, June 9. The parish shared some pictures and a write-up on social media:

“It was a big Sunday to celebrate the youth of our parish. One youth was baptised and confirmed, four others were confirmed, and four graduated high school! We are delighted to celebrate these young people as they commit their lives to following Christ and pray blessings upon them as they venture forth to new and exciting things!”

Also commenting on Facebook, Bishop Stephen said: “This last Sunday was really amazing celebrating several confirmations and a baptism at St Paul's, Edmonton. And I have to confess that this was my first ever full immersion baptism, and it was so powerful. For me, being a follower of Jesus has been so central and transforming, that I get so excited and honoured to be present with people who are making that commitment. I always say, 'it may seem like the end of a process, but it is also the beginning of a whole life!'”

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 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, 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.

Bishop Stephen London is pleased to appoint the Rev. Christa Eisbrenner as Interim Deacon at Christ Church, Edmonton. This position will commence on June 1, 2024.

Bishop Stephen London is pleased to appoint the Rev. Armand Mercier as Interim Assisting Priest at Good Shepherd, Edmonton. This position commenced on June 1, 2024.

Bishop Stephen London is pleased to appoint the Rev. Arthur Dyck as Incumbent of the Parish of St. Peter's, Edmonton. This position will commence on July 1, 2024.

“Why?” you ask, “should I attend a parish engagement session? What benefit is it to me?” If you are reading this news post, either on the diocesan website or in the Synod Scene newsletter, you likely have a connection to or an interest in an Anglican or Full Communion faith community.

And you likely know that the Anglican church across Canada is experiencing transformational change. As it has been said many times before, we are on a new path, and we do not know where God is leading us.

In adapting to change, the leaders of our diocese (Bishop and Executive Council) have asked for input from parishes about their successes and challenges in doing God’s mission. They have contracted Anna Bubel of Another Way Consulting to help us “listen well” by facilitating conversations with every parish in the diocese. The findings will be shared not only with the Bishop and the Executive Council but the whole diocese through our meeting of Synod in October.

All but 10 of 46 parishes have yet to meet with Anna, and many people have shared that they found the experience to be incredibly meaningful: "Our parish needed this." Only one person expressed that the parish engagement session had been a disappointment.

There are still opportunities for parishes to meet with Anna. If you have not yet done so, please reach out to Jacqui Chesterton (jfchesterton@gmail.com) who is providing administrative support, to schedule a time and encourage others in your congregation to attend. This is your chance to be heard and to help shape the future of Anglican faith in your community.

Parish leaders are responsible for submitting a Parish Officers' form to the Synod Office with current contact information. In a Synod year, this information is used to notify and update delegates. The deadline to submit Parish Officers' forms was extended to June 1, however, we are still missing forms from a few parishes. If you are a leader in one of these parishes, please check to see that your Synod delegates received the official notice of Synod. and submit your Parish Officers ASAP using the online form found HERE.

The parish of St. Augustine-Parkland in Spruce Grove is encouraging the Oilers hockey team on its quest for a 6th Stanley Cup. Let's Go Oilers! 

It was extra special for the coordinators of the Lodgepole Communitas ministry to be able to bring all our volunteer teams together, many of whom had never met each other, on Saturday, June 1 at Lodgepole Alberta Ave (St. Faith's Anglican Church), to share food, stories and laughter. 

Between September 2023 and May 2024, we served over 7,000 meals to our community members. For many of our community members, Prayerworks, our meal program, is an important space of belonging amidst daily life situations of loneliness, isolation, mental or physical distress, addiction and precarity.

The June issue of In Touch, the newsletter of the Diocese of Edmonton ACW (Anglican Church Women) can be downloaded here.

Parishes of the Diocese of Edmonton observe The National Indigenous Day of Prayer on the Sunday before or after June 21.  The Anglican Church of Canada provides these liturgical resources for parish use.

You can also find many resources in the Indigenous Ministries section of the diocesan website. 

Fiona Brownlee, Aboriginal and Rural Churches Liaison, Diocese of Edmonton, has prepared a bibliography to further our understanding of reconciliation.

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.

Are you looking for a pleasant way to spend a Saturday afternoon? This Saturday, June 22, from 1:30 to 3 pm, the Anglican Church Women of St. Andrew's Anglican Church in Camrose invite you to their annual Strawberry Tea and Bake Sale fundraiser. Enjoy strawberry shortcake cake with a cup of tea, and purchase treats to take home. They will also have books and puzzles for sale and a silent auction. St. Andrew's is located at 4713 50 Street, only blocks from the southeast corner of Mirror Lake. 

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 rector of St. Margaret’s in Edmonton.

Located in southwest Edmonton, the parish of St. Margaret’s is a supportive, community-focused church. They value engaging worship, spiritual growth and a strong sense of community. They prioritise involvement, outreach and pastoral care; reflecting their commitment to serving their members and the wider community.

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

Closing date: July 12, 2024

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

St. Margaret's, Edmonton has available 9 copies of the BCP, with the Blue Hymnal included. Please contact St. Margaret's by email, stmargaretsedmonton@gmail.com, to arrange for pickup. Thank you! 

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 Summer Centering Prayer Retreat, from Sunday, July 14 to Sunday, July 21 with Liz Rees and Mary Jane Yates, will include teachings on Oneness and Unitive Consciousness from Fr. Thomas Keating and Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault, along with multiple daily periods of silence in Centering Prayer as a group. We will weave in teachings from Thomas Berry, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, and Matthew Fox, while also providing opportunities to experience Forest Therapy and Lectio Terra. Register Online by July 8: Suite $700; Single $650; Commute $600 

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 

Edmonton Meals on Wheels has a shortage of volunteers to deliver meals. Although all areas of the city are impacted, they have recently been struggling to fill their routes in the Millwoods, southeast, southwest and central areas of the city.

Volunteers with a current Police Information and Vulnerable Sector check can start immediately. Alternatively, they are happy for anyone willing to obtain this clearance to apply. Meals on Wheels pays mileage, and hosts volunteer appreciation events throughout the year. "Above all else, the smiles and appreciation we receive from our clients, who more often than not are in desperate need of these meals, is incredibly rewarding." If you are interested in volunteering, please contact, Tara Lyon, People and Culture Manager, Meals on Wheels, by email: volunteer@emow.ca, or apply online at www.emow.ca