• Those who are sick, suffering, or in need: Kathy; Jordan, Paul, Bjorn, Mike, Bob and Jen; Gabe; Glen.
• 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. God willing, Bishop Stephen will attend the following public events, meetings and services:

• November 28: Executive Council, All Saints' Cathedral, 7 pm
• December 1: St. John the Evangelist, Edmonton, 10 am
• December 1: Advent Lessons and Carols, All Saints' Cathedral, 7 pm
• December 5: Ordination Service, All Saints' Cathedral, 2 pm
• December 7: Retired Anglican Priests and Spouses Lunch, 11:30 am
• December 7: Cursillo Christmas Dinner, St. Timothy's, Edmonton, 5 pm
• December 8: St. John the Divine, Onoway, 10 am

St. Augustine's-Parkland Youth Group collected donations for the Kinsmen Christmas Hampers on Friday evening at the Red Apple store in Stony Plain. Boy, did Cameron, Ciara, Colston, Irene, Laelia, Jack, Karlee, Rhiley, and Sabine collect! They did an amazing job manning the table, shopping for the hampers and dancing outside at the corner to draw attention to what they were doing.

The December issue of The Messenger is full of good news, from coverage of the 69th Synod to a reduced and robust church, to rest as resilience. The Canada Post strike will delay the mailing of the papers. Fortunately, you can download a digital copy here. 

The Messenger welcomes story ideas, opinions (Letters to Editor) and photo submissions relating to news and events of the Athabasca and Edmonton dioceses. Written content should be limited to 500 words. Pictures must be high resolution, at least 1 MB (300 dpi), and include the photographer's name and a brief description of the subject matter.

Please send submissions for the January 2024 edition to anglicanmessenger@gmail.com by December 1.

As we all know, this is a busy season for parishes. However, by planning today, life will be easier a few weeks down the road. Start drafts of your Christmas Eve and Christmas Day service materials this week. You probably won't be able to finalise them, but having a draft version ready to go now, will make you much happier on December 23.

You can download, in Word or PDF format (printed on a single page, double-sided), a ready-to-go bulletin for all three BAS liturgical years and the full BCP liturgical year on the diocesan website. The bulletins outline the movement of the service and reference page numbers in the liturgical texts used. The Word version bulletins are fully editable and may be changed according to parish needs. To download the bulletins, please visit https://edmonton.anglican.ca/parish-info/pages/service-bulletins.

Give yourself the early Christmas gift of pre-planning. It is the gift that keeps on giving!! Watch this space for more next week from RJ Chambers, Synod Office Administrator

• Experience with others the joy of connecting with God.
• Learn tools to cultivate your spiritual life and know yourself as God’s beloved.
• Respond to the invitation to be on a journey of healing and transformation.
• Grow your capacity to engage love’s ongoing labour of making all things well.

Registration is now open for the next offering of the Revive discipleship program. The Revive program is offered at no charge to all who are interested. You may register to participate in person or online, Tuesday evenings, from 7 to 9 pm. Download Participant Guidebook

Due to the postal strike, we have made alternate arrangements to receive remittances from parishes that typically would mail their payments and Alongside Hope (PWRDF) donations to us. An explanatory email was sent to parish treasurers, administrators and clergy. If you have further questions, please contact the Rev. John Gee, synod secretary/treasurer: 780-439-7344 / treasurer@edmonton.anglican.ca .

Last week's story about St. David's collecting winter clothing for The Mustard Seed included an incorrect photo caption. The donations were delivered by the Rev. David Pickett, not the Rev. David Parker. We regret the error. 

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

The LAM (Lutheran Anglican Moravian) Advent Lessons and Carols Service will be held on Sunday, December 1, 5 pm, at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 101 ST and 84 AVE NW, Edmonton. The service will be followed by a community potluck. All are welcome! AD

All are invited to All Saints' Anglican Cathedral, 10035 103 St NW, Edmonton, for Advent Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December 1, at 7 pm. This service will feature the All Saints' Cathedral Choir and the Diocesan Children's Choir. If able, please bring a non-perishable donation for Edmonton's Food Bank. 

Join St. David's, 8345 79 Ave NW, Edmonton, on December 4, at 7 p.m., for a festive evening of Christmas carols. Sing your favourite carols as you savour delicious Christmas cookies and warm drinks. There is no charge for this event, but free-will offerings are welcome.

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.

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

Please join the Disability Justice Team of the Diocese of Edmonton for a beautiful, inclusive Advent service, welcoming people of all ages and abilities! This is a service for families with neurodiverse children, as well as youth and adults. The liturgy, designed with the belief that we all shine when we can come to church as we truly are, includes fellowship, crafts, stories, prayer, song and Eucharistic celebration. We welcome all God's children! For questions, contact Jennifer at js.prayerworks@gmail.com .

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 by December 4 to the Rev. Danielle Key at danielle@holytrinity.ab.ca 

Join Holy Trinity, 617-50 St, Edson, for a Community Christmas sing-along with special guest performances, on December 8, at 7 pm. Enjoy refreshments and browse the Christmas tables.

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 Bishop of Edmonton invites applications for the incumbent of St. John the Evangelist in Edmonton. The closing date is January 31, 2025.

St. John the Evangelist (SJE) is a richly diverse and complex community. 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. Read Parish Profile

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

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.

Team Anglican is a small and mighty group of people who regularly donate blood or plasma as part of the Partners for Life program. To see this team grow in numbers and help save even more lives would be amazing. 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.

No Room in the Inn appeals to the people of Edmonton and area churches at Christmas time to think about those living in our community who do not have adequate and safe housing. Some churches ask their members to contribute on Christmas Eve, some choose a Sunday in December and others contribute from the parish/congregation funds.

This year the No Room In the Inn Campaign is supporting Youth Empowerment & Support Services (YESS). A new roof is needed for the YESS Youth Support Centre (YSC), an evolution in youth care and crisis management, providing a centralised place for those in crisis to get immediate support, stabilisation and assessment.

Accompanying this invitation is a brochure that can be printed locally, as well as a page that describes more fully the work of YESS and its need for support. BROCHURE / YESS INFO

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.