• Those who are sick, suffering, or in need: Jordan; Elizabeth; Nicole; Lorelei, Rick, N.J. and Doreen; Tracy Lee; Joanne; Bob, Rhea, Mitchell, Jen, Megan.
• 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.
• Students and educators starting a new school year this month.

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. God willing, Bishop Stephen will attend the following public events, meetings and services:

• November 16: Diocesan Social Justice Day for Young People, St. John the Evangelist, Edmonton
• November 17: St. John the Divine, Onoway, 10 am
• November 19: Administration and Finance Committee, Zoom, 4 pm
• November 20: Clergy Day, St. Luke's, Edmonton, 9:30 am
• November 21: Episcope Circle, Synod Office, 1 pm
• November 23: Deacons' Meeting, Christ Church, Edmonton, 10 am
• November 24: Confirmation Service, St. Timothy's, Edmonton, 10 am
• November 27: Induction Service, St. Margaret's, Edmonton, 7 pm
• November 28: Executive Council, All Saints' Cathedral, 7 pm

The family of parishes comprising the Diocese of Edmonton took another step forward in its journey of reconciliation and right relationship with the Indigenous peoples of Treaty 6 and Treaty 8, when, on October 19, the 69th Synod voted overwhelmingly to support changing Canon 5 on the Disestablishment of Parishes.

The Edmonton diocese is entering into a Season of Pakitinâsowin by acknowledging that “true richness comes only when you can give away unjust gains that were never really yours at all.” (Source: The Spirit of Pakitinâsowin: Reparations in the Diocese of Edmonton Introduction)

When a parish is disestablished, its property assets are allocated for ministry and mission through the Diocesan Development Fund. With the change to Canon 5, Synod must allocate a minimum of 10 per cent of the property assets of the disestablished parish to the Pakitinâsowin (Sacred Lodge) Fund for Reciprocity and Reparations, or successor Funds established by the Executive Council for reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.  

Please join us in welcoming the Rev. Breck McHan as an Honorary Assistant at Christ Church, Edmonton as of November 1, 2024.

Passionate about God’s call to act justly and love mercy?
 Saddened by the injustice you see around you?
 Frustrated that nothing ever seems to change? The Social Justice Committee of the Edmonton diocese is holding a Social Justice Day for young people, aged 13 to 30, on November 16, at St. John the Evangelist, 11111 57 Ave NW, Edmonton, from noon to 6 pm. Come for free pizza and a performance by Emmet Michael, and learn about how our Christian faith compels us to transform the unjust structures of society. Please share this info with your parish community: POSTER / POSTCARD  REGISTER

St. Paul’s, 10127 145 St. NW, Edmonton, in collaboration with Amorim-Rufino Studio will be hosting a concert celebrating the music of Johann Sebastian Bach on November 16, at 4 pm. This concert is FREE and there will be a reception in the Hall afterward! Invite your friends and neighbours! POSTER

An Advent Retreat Day for Edmonton diocesan clergy will be held on Wednesday, November 20, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at St. Luke's, 8424 - 95 Avenue NW Edmonton. Please bring your lunch.

All Saints' Cathedral, 10035 103 St NW, Edmonton, invites you to celebrate St. Andrew's Day and help stock the Food Bank, on November 30, at 2 pm. Bring a non-perishable food donation and enjoy Highland dancing, the Clan MacNaughton Pipe Band and Scottish Country dancing. Please share POSTER with your community!

St. Matthew’s Anglican Church presents Christmas Then, Christmas Now, a poignant reflection on what Christmas "used to be" and what it has become. This production, a poem written by the late Margaret Lumley and set to music. features a Canadian rendition of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" and Kenny Rogers’ "Til the Season Comes Round Again." It is sure to put you and your loved ones in the holiday spirit on the eve of Advent 1, November 30, at 7 pm. Tickets, $10/person, can be purchased/reserved by emailing stmattscommunication@gmail.com. POSTER

All are invited to attend the Anglican Church Women (ACW) Reunion Communion to be held on the first Thursday in Advent, December 5, 12 pm, at All Saints' Anglican Cathedral. Refreshments will be offered following the service. 

Bishop Stephen London is pleased to announce his intention to ordain, God willing, the Rev. Christa Eisbrenner to the Holy Priesthood on the Eve of the Feast of St. Nicholas, Thursday, December 5, 2024. The service will be held at All Saints’ Cathedral, at 2:00 pm. Members of the clergy are invited to vest, the colour is white. All are welcome! *Please note the earlier start time.

You are invited to join the Cursillo Edmonton community for a Christmas Dinner on Saturday, December 7, 5 pm, at St. Augustine-Parkland, 131 Church Rd, Spruce Grove. Please bring a side dish or dessert. Turkey, potatoes and dressing provided. RSVP to: cursilloedmonton@gmail.com 

All young people and their friends are invited to a fun evening of friendly competition building gingerbread houses. This free event, which will take place on Saturday, December 7, from 7 to 9 pm, is offered by the Edmonton diocese and hosted by Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 10037 84 Avenue NW, Edmonton. (*Ring the parking lot buzzer for access.) Please RSVP to the Rev. Danielle Key at danielle@holytrinity.ab.ca 

Lodgepole Communitas invites all to an inclusive Celebration of the Christmas Season on December 14 at the Lodgepole Communtias Alberta Avenue, 11725 93 STNW, Edmonton. The event will feature a market, food and live music. The doors and market will open at 6 pm, with music starting at 7 p.m. Entry is by donation.

Join the Rev. Helen Chan Bennett in the Death Cafe YEG! at St. Augustine’s Anglican Church – Lower Level, Livingroom (Elevator Available),  6110 Fulton Road, Edmonton, December 20, at 7 pm. This non-religious group is for anyone interested in exploring the topics of death, dying, and end-of-life care in a safe and supportive environment. Inspired by the IDEA Cafe, Cafe Lovers, Conscious Dying, and Socrates Cafe philosophies, we gather to have open and honest conversations about mortality, meaning, and what it means to live fully. Whether you are curious, fearful, or simply interested in sparking meaningful discussions, we invite you to join us for thought-provoking conversations and connections with like-minded individuals. Let's embrace the taboo and explore the inevitable together. Come join us! Please share this UPDATED FLIER with your parish community.

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

The PrayerWorks community meal program is looking for 4 to 6 volunteers on Friday, December 13 to help prepare a meal for 150 people. Meal preparation takes place, from 12 to 4 pm, at Lodgepole Alberta Avenue (St. Faith's Anglican). To volunteer or to make a donation, please get in touch with Sarah Nicolai-deKoning at prayerworks@lodgepolecommunitas.ca; phone/text to 780-289-5730, or check out the Lodgepole website.

Thank you, Team Anglican! Your donations have increased by four percent over the last month. With six weeks to give in 2024, let's see if we can reach 175 blood and plasma donations! 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.

St. Paul's, Leduc is giving away a set of wax-insert candles. If interested, please get in touch with Nicohl at the church office: office@stpaulsleduc.org / (780) 986-3447.

Level 1 of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program, for children ages 3 to 5, is being offered this fall at St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, 125 Larose Drive, St. Albert.

This program gives kids an opportunity to learn about the Good Shepherd’s personal and unconditional love for each of us. It provides a foundation while continuing to guide children as they get older through the Good News of the New Testament by following the life of Jesus through a selection of parables.

Did you know the diocesan website has all kinds of resources for parishes? This is true, and we have recently added the resource of all resources: the Parish Administration Overview. This handbook, available to download as a PDF or WORD doc, is packed with useful information. Have a question about parish record keeping, website design or service preparation? You can find this information and so much more in the overview. If you stumbled across this item in the Synod Scene, please share this knowledge with other members of your parish community by word of mouth, in your parish bulletin and announcements, at your next AGM ...

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.

A parish in the diocese has two double-depth burial plots available for purchase (each plot can accommodate the remains of two individuals). Each plot is located in Section E of Westlawn Cemetery and is valued at $17,000. The parish is offering each plot for $12,000 or best offer. If you, or someone you know, is interested in receiving more information about either of these double plots, please get in touch with the diocesan office at churched@edmonton.anglican.ca.

The Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness invites you to a community education event on Saturday, November 23, 1 pm, at the Legislature Grounds (north plaza). Come wrapped in a blanket or tarp to show what life is like for the 4000+, homeless people in our city. Bring blankets, tarps, wagons, tents... These items will be donated to people who need them after the event. Invite your family, parents, children, neighbours, organization, co-workers and spread the word! POSTER

Join Faith Nostbakken for an Ignatian Prayer Retreat, from November 29 to December 1, at Providence Renewal Centre, Edmonton. Come away for some prayer and quiet before the busyness of December. This retreat, following the rhythms and styles of prayer from the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola, will invite spacious time to engage with scripture, music, art, and the details of your life in guided group sessions as well as plenty of time for silence and personal reflection. View Fee Schedule

On November 29, 7 pm, at Star of the North in St. Albert, join Ron Rolheiser for the public lecture "Domestic Monastery: God is More Domestic than Monastic." Your marriage, your family and your work can be your own monastery. The alarm clock that wakes you in the morning is your monastic bell and your work and duties each day are your monastic rhythm. Monks have secrets worth knowing. This presentation will draw wisdom from the monastic tradition to shed light on our own human and spiritual journey. Cost is $25.

From November 29 to December 1, join Ron Rolheiser for the retreat "Generative Discipleship: The Deeper Secrets Inside the Gospels." How do we move from being good to being great? How do we break the long-standing patterns and habits of mediocrity in our lives? How do we move beyond the last and deepest sadness of our lives? During this retreat, we will attempt to take a deeper look at the invitations that Jesus has given us to grow. The great mystics have always stated that when we reach the highest level of human maturity, we will have only one question left: How can I be more helpful? How can we be more mature and more generative? View Cost Schedule

The U of A Interfaith Chaplains and Mixed Chorus, and The Royal Canadian College of Organists - Edmonton present the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols for Advent, on Monday, December 2, 7:30 pm, at the Winspear Centre. The concert will feature the U of A Mixed Chorus, Adam Robertson, Director; Handbells, Jackie Malcolm, Director; Marnie Giesbrecht and Joachim Segger, Organists. Tickets are $25 (plus a $5 service charge) from the Winspear Box Office: (780) 428-1414. POSTER

Join St. George's, 11733 87 Ave NW, Edmonton, for its Annual Christmas Bake Sale on Saturday, December 7, from 11 am to 2 pm. Come for Christmas cakes, puddings, tarts and more! POSTER