• 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:

• 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. Augustine-Parkland, Spruce Grove, 5 pm
• December 8: St. John the Divine, Onoway, 10 am
• December 14: Church of South India Ascension Service, St. Augustine of Canterbury, Edmonton, 10 am
• December 17: Auggie's Cafe, St. Augustine-Parkland, Spruce Grove, 11 am
• December 17: Administration and Finance Committee, 4 pm
• December 18: Advent Service, St. Thomas, Sherwood Park, 7 pm

When overwhelmed by other's needs and a servant's heart's desire to meet those need, it can be helpful to reflect on the story of a man who walks the beach every day when the tide recedes. With every step, he picks up a stranded starfish and throws it back into the water, likely saving millions of starfish from drying out on the low-tide sand. 

One day, a young child asks the man what he is doing, and without stopping, the old man explains that if left on the sand, the starfish will die. They need to be thrown back into the water. The young child then points out there are “hundreds of starfish on hundreds of beaches. How, does this old man really think he can make a difference?" he wonders.

Members of the Executive Council of the Anglican Diocese of Edmonton met on November 28 at All Saints’ Cathedral for their first meeting since the 69th Synod in October.

Between synods, the Executive Council functions as the governing body of the family of churches comprising the Edmonton diocese. Members are elected to represent each of the four regions of the diocese. Because members of the newly-elected Executive Council reside in Edmonton or the surrounding cities of Sherwood Park and Devon, meetings will be convened in person, except during inclement weather when they will move online. 

Strategic Planning

According to Bishop Stephen London, “the most important issue” this Executive Council is tasked with is the creation of a strategic plan for a dynamic, sustainable future, based on the findings of the first phase of the strategic planning process, a comprehensive environmental scan as presented to Synod by Anna Bubel, Another Way Consulting. Bubel’s report identified an abundance of assets upon which to build, such as: “spiritual dedication, talented people, land and buildings, commitment to community service and diversity/inclusion.”

However, she used a health metaphor to underline that although approximately 25 per cent of parishes are “in good health and/or thriving,” approximately 42 per cent of parishes are “experiencing chronic health issues,” and 33 per cent are “palliative” and “actively dying.”

Did you know there are prayer cycles for our diocese, the national church and the worldwide Anglican Communion to help us pray for the church at various ministry levels?

The diocesan cycle of prayer is produced three times per year (Jan-Apr, May-Aug, and Sep-Dec) and includes the different parishes and ministries of the diocese.

The Anglican/Lutheran/Moravian prayer cycle is produced annually (starting at the beginning of the liturgical year) and includes ministries of the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC), the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), and the Moravian Church in Canada (our full communion partners).

The worldwide Anglican prayer cycle is produced every three years and includes Anglican dioceses of the world.

To access any of these prayer cycles, please visit https://edmonton.anglican.ca/parish-info/pages/prayer-cycle.

The Christmas and New Year edition of In Touch, the ACW newsletter, is available to read and download. As the mail strike is ongoing, subscribers can pick up their print copy of the newsletter this Thursday, at the noon service at All Saints' Cathedral.

• 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

This Advent, an online prayer group is starting for people in the Diocese of Edmonton to pray the Daily Offices together twice a day, except Sundays. We intend to use the orders found in the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) and the Book of Alternative Services (BAS), and are open to using other resources. If praying the Daily Offices, whether you've done it before or not, interests you, please contact Mr. Brad Lindseth CD at brad.lindseth@gmail.com or 780-903-1484 for details and to sign up.

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 Sacred Priesthood on the Eve of the Feast of St. Nicholas of Myra, 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 that incense and smudge are used in this service. 

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. Enjoy turkey, potatoes and stuffing provided by Cursillo. We ask that you bring a side dish or dessert, along with your own plates, mugs and silverware to ensure a speedy clean-up. Everyone is invited to this Christmas celebration dinner with Cursillo Edmonton! RSVP to: cursilloedmonton@gmail.com | POSTER

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.

Join St. Patrick's, 334 Knotwwod Rd N, Edmonton, for Advent and the Blues, on Sunday, December 8, at 7 pm. All are welcome! POSTER

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.

You are invited to a Queer Belonging Advent, as we share our sorrows and joys, celebrating the warmth of God’s love together! Let’s fill our queer hearts with joy and let our lights shine bright this holiday season. We can’t wait to see you on December 18, 6 pm, at Lodgepole Communitas, Alberta Avenue, 11725 93 St NW, Edmonton. POSTER

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.

Continuing our Walking Together series with Temple Beth Ora and Oskya Matchetawin, All Saints' Cathedral is planning a moment in the river valley (Rio Terrace community) on Sunday, December 22, at 3 pm. There will be a short walk (200m) to a view of the River Valley, where we will smudge, pray, and reflect together as long as the weather allows. Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate (provided) in celebration of the Winter Solstice. The meeting location will be provided when you sign up. Please share 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

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 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.