• Those who are sick, suffering, or in need: Jim; Réal; Jordan; Jean and Cheveyo; Lorelei, Marie, Sue, Marguerite and Doreen; Paul, Rhea, Mitchell, Bob and Jen; Megan and Christian.
• 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:

• July 3 to 17: Visit to Companion Diocese of Buyé, Burundi
• July 27: Padstow Cemetery Visit, 11 am
• July 28: St. Mary and St. George, Jasper, 10 am

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

• The Ven. Lee Bezanson: July 12 to 17, 2024.
• The Very Rev. Alexandra Meek: August 1 to 29, 2024.

The past week has been full of excitement and blessings for Bishop Stephen and the Rev. Stephanie London. If you have seen any of the daily Facebook posts by Bishop Steve from Burundi, Africa, you will have a sense of how exciting and meaningful their visit to our companion Diocese of Buyé has been. 

Bishop Steve and Stephanie arrived safely in Bujumbura on July 4. They were met at the airport by Archbishop Sixbert (Macumi) and Canon Dominique (Ciza). 

“Sixbert's genuine joy is so warm. We went to lunch at a place on the shore of beautiful Lake Tanganyika. After that, we went to the provincial offices. Just to note: Archbishop Sixbert is both the bishop of the Diocese of Buyé and the Primate of the Anglican Church in Burundi. So, he has two offices, and the national office is in Bujumbura.” 

We are full-on into summer and planning for our 69th Synod to be held in the fall. If you are a Synod delegate or appointee, or simply someone who is curious, please take note of the following:

• The Rev. Canon Dr. Scott Sharman has written this Prayer to be used in the weeks leading up to the 69th Synod of the Diocese of Edmonton, to be held on Friday, October 18 and Saturday, October 19, 2024:

O God our Creator, you have always sent out your peoples in every age along unfamiliar paths as witnesses to your mercy and love. Each time you have shown us that it is in our faithful steps of journey into the unexpected where you will meet us afresh and anew. Draw near to us now, your church in synod, and walk closely with us as we prepare to travel this stretch of a shifting and uncertain road. Tell us yet again of your Good News for the strivings and longings of this time and place and cause our hearts to burn within us as we remember our call to become the story we tell. Through Christ, in the Spirit, for the life of the world. Amen.

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.

“Then the righteous will answer him, saying “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and gave you drink?”

And the King will answer and say to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.” Matthew 25: 37, 40

Fifty people enjoyed burgers, hot dogs and smokies with all the trimmings at the Kate’s Kitchen barbecue hosted by Holy Trinity, in Edson, on June 27. 

In the summer of 2009, the Town of Edson conducted a survey to find out how many people were homeless in our community. They identified 69 people who were without shelter, but it was believed there were many more who chose to remain invisible. It doesn’t sound like many compared to the city, but to us, it was a shocking number.

As a congregation, we knew we were not able to house these people, but we knew we could do something. We knew they would be hungry, and we all know how good Christians are at feeding people. So, after a brainstorming session, we decided to provide a meal for anyone in need, and Kate’s Kitchen was born. The name originates from St. Catherine’s, as our parish was the name of our parish before we blended with our friends from Grace Lutheran church to become the Shared Ministry of Holy Trinity.

A recent musical Coffee House at Holy Trinity in Edson was abuzz with a youthful energy.

The coffee houses were started by songwriters and friends Myrna Downer, Ingrid Heise and Judy Heise, known as the music trio Jumyin, 20 years ago, to share original songs and raise funds to help make a positive difference in their community. 

The most recent coffee house, held in June, attracted a younger audience with crafts and games before the musical performances, and children volunteering behind the scenes. Kids opened the event by carrying chimes tuned to “Amazing Grace,” and joining in with the musicians on percussion once the music started. Three young musicians then played alongside the adult performers.

The Diocese of Edmonton Children's Choir (DECC), directed by Laura Hawley, is gearing up for its third season! The children's choir is comprised of enthusiastic singers from across the diocese. The choir provides opportunities for children and youth in grade 2 and up to learn music to offer at church services, care facilities and special liturgical events throughout the diocese.

Running from September to April, the choir will meet on Wednesdays, from 5 to 6 pm, at Christ Church, 12116 - 102 Ave, Edmonton.

Choir conductor Laura Hawley has extensive experience leading children's choirs in the Anglican faith tradition and choral conducting. The choir's accompanist Tammy-Jo Mortensen has over 30 years of experience in sacred music, pedagogy and accompanying.

For more information: decchoiryeg@gmail.com

There is no cost to join! Register online HERE

Spiritual directors Pat Jameson and the Rev. Jonathan Crane, rector of St. Augustine of Canterbury, Edmonton, will be facilitating a Spiritual Exercises Retreat in Daily Life for small groups, from September 2024 to May 2025. 

The exercises have been described as:  “a compilation of meditations, prayers, and contemplative practices developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola to help people deepen their relationship with God.”

Read more on St. Augustine's website, and send inquiries to ignatianspirit46@gmail.com. 

Space is limited.  Please fill out the attached application form to apply.  You will be contacted for a simple one one-on-one conversation preceding our entry into the exercises.

Mark your calendars, invite your friends and get ready for the fourth annual Garden Concert summer series at Christ Church, 12116 102 Ave NW, Edmonton, on Wednesdays, 7 pm, in July and August. The summer line-up will feature new performers and fan favourites. Enjoy a free night of music with friends and neighbours. VIEW LINE-UP

Christ Church, 12116 102 Ave NW, Edmonton, invites  children in kindergarten to grade 8 to Vacation Bible School from July 22-26, 9am to noon. Plans are underway for the deep-sea adventure "Scuba - Diving into Friendship and God."  Spread the word to friends in your community and sign your kids up HERE! Cost is $50 per child or $75 for a family. Please contact the Rev. Sue Oliver if the cost is prohibitive. 

Join us on holiday Monday, August 5 at Lady Flower Gardens for a GEA (Greater Edmonton Alliance for the Common Good) fundraiser. There will be fun for the whole family:

• Refreshments and Food by the Yurt
• Guided Tours of Old Growth Forest
• Fern's Flower Garden
• Children's Games

SCHEDULE

Tickets (available on Eventbrite) are $25. Free admission for children under 14 yrs old accompanied by an adult:

• Click here to join between 9:30 am to 12:30 pm 
• Click here to join between 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm 

We're looking for volunteers! Please contact Gary Savard at gary@greateredmontonalliance.org to volunteer.

POSTER

Our children have the potential to restore the world! They have been bestowed with the abilities to nurture, heal, forgive, pray and rest; tools essential for rectifying the wrongs in our world. At Operation Restoration Vacation Bible School, to be held August 12 to 16, from 9 am to 3 pm, at Good Shepherd Anglican Church, 15495 Castle Downs Rd NW, Edmonton,  kids ages 5 and up (children over 14 will get to participate as Leaders-In-Training) will get to explore their restorative skills.

The registration fee for each camper is $75. A deposit of $25 per child is necessary and will count towards the total deposit.  For families with more than one child attending, the registration fee for the first camper is $75, and $50 for each additional camper. REGISTER ONLINE

In anticipation of coming together for Synod in October, join the Synod Planning Committee on Saturday, September 21, from 10 am to 11:30 am, for an online bible study on our theme: "Hearts Burning Within Us," and the Emmaus Road scripture (Luke 24:32); and, from 10:30 am to 1 pm, for a presentation of the Synod resolutions followed by an opportunity for questions.

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

Since we partnered with Canadian Blood Services (CBS), Team Anglican has increased our blood and plasma donations each year! However, CBS says that on the whole, donations tend to lag over the summer months. Will you donate this summer and, better yet, invite a friend/family member to join you?

To book a life-giving 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.

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

Christ Church, 12116 102 Ave NW, Edmonton, has a large and growing group of teens waiting for an animator to lead, teach and love them. If you or someone you know is interested, please send an expression of interest to rector@christchurchedm.ca

Have you lost a loved one to: Death? Divorce? Estrangement? Addiction? Have you experienced: Financial losses? Job losses? Health losses? Are you looking for a safe space to make peace with your broken pieces?

St. George’s Anglican Church in Devon will be hosting "A Sorrow Shared: Grieving Together Through Life’s Challenges" in September. This holistic, 6-week program is designed to provide:

• A safe and welcoming space for all.
• A support opportunity that examines life after loss.
• Freedom to explore a variety of tools for self-discovery and personal growth.

There is life before the loss—and life after the loss. How can we make sense of our new reality?

We are beginning to take registrations for this free program. To register, please email ldwojna@gmail.com, or phone the Rev. Lisa Wojna, MTS, CSHP, CT, at 780-860-0313.

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.

The Kidswise Montessori Daycare and Out of School Care program at St. Timothy's, 8420 145 St NW, Edmonton, is now enrolling. For more info, call 587-599-9185; email: kidswisedaycare@outlook.com 

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