• Those who are sick or suffering: Amy, Elsie, Norman, Stephanie, Donna, Hy.
• Those who have died and those who mourn.
• Our brothers and sisters in Christ from Treaty Six and Treaty Eight First Nations.
• Bishop Sixbert and the Diocese of Buyé (List of Twinned Parishes).
• Request a prayer Click here to email the Synod Office and let us know what you would like 'pray-ers' in the diocese to pray for. We will use first names only for personal prayer requests.

Bishop Jane Alexander has appointed the Rev. Joanne Webster as Chaplain of the Canterbury Foundation and as Associate Priest at St. Matthias parish in Edmonton, both effective April 1, 2018. 

Our Bishop is always on the move! Here are some of the events which Bishop Jane will be attending over the next few months: 

• Apr 8: St. Luke's Edmonton, commissioning Pastoral Visiting Team

• Apr 9-13: House of Bishop’s Meeting

• Apr 17-19: International Committee of the Compass Rose Society Visiting Edmonton

• Apr 18-23: Michael Harvey visiting the diocese. To book an appointment with Michael, please call or email Jennifer: assistant@edmonton.anglican.ca / 780-439-7344. Limited spots available.
  
  Are you hoping Bishop Jane will attend your event or visit your parish? Fill out the Parish Visit Form or contact Jennifer at assistant@edmonton.anglican.ca

DEADLINE for TICKETS is TODAY - Wednesday! 

The annual Education Chaplaincy Dinner is an important fundraiser for the diocese's Anglican Student Ministries. Tax receipts are issued for a portion the cost of the ticket and all additional donations received. The theme this year is "Gracious Speech" with guest speakers Andrew Murtagh and Adam Lee, authors of Meta: On God, the Big Questions, and the Just City (an Uncommon Exchange).

You may support our event in a variety of ways:

1. To purchase tickets* for yourself and your guests, please follow the link below to reserve and pay online.    

2. If you are unable to attend the event yourself, you can donate online via Paypal here**,

3. If you would like to purchase a ticket to enable a student to attend the event; or you would like to purchase tickets or make a donation in a format other than online (the Synod Office now accepts credit cards), please call Margaret Glidden at the Diocese of Edmonton Synod Office: 780-439-7344.

*Each ticket purchased will receive a $25 tax receipt **Donations will receive a tax receipt for the full amount

The Neighbourly is a monthly publication of the Capital Region Interfaith Housing Initiative, of which the Anglican Diocese of Edmonton is a founding and active member. This month's edition features the interfaith gathering at city hall in the week before Easter, as well as the story of Hope Terrace, a housing facility run by the Bissell Centre which recognizes that some people need ongoing support to overcome chronic homelessness; and which provides that support.

The decision between paying the ever increasing rent or providing enough food for one's family is the dilemma facing too many hardworking families. - Fraser Williamson, CRIHI

This spring faith communities will be volunteering with Habitat for Humanity at the Carter Place and Fort Saskatchewan projects, changing people's lives by building 74 affordable homes. The project hopes to engage 500 volunteers!

How can people in your congregation get involved? Please see attached POSTER for details and check out the Recruiters' Package to sign up. It is that easy. No experience necessary. Volunteers are also needed to provide lunch for the crews. You decide which volunteer opportunity best suits your congregation. 

For more information, go to https://www.hfh.org/ or email volunteer@hfh.org or 780-451-3416, ext. 237. And here is a video (just under 2 minutes) that you can show at your place of worship: https://youtu.be/6lCmOZ3RpiA

Please share this Flyer in your church bulletins. 

This course is sponsored by the Diocese of Edmonton as a way of exploring how the Church is called to be present within particular 'communities' as a means of forming Christian 'communitas.' Communitas is essentially about carrying and cultivating a shared sense of gospel mission into every sphere of life.

The course will combine independent reading and two written assignments with online learning modules and three in-class Saturday sessions featuring clergy from across the diocese on a range of topics such as urban and rural ministry, mission and evangelism, pastoral work, and organizational leadership both within and beyond the church. The primary instructors are the Rev. Canon Dr. Scott Sharman and the Rev. David Tiessen.

The course runs April 14 - June 8, with Saturday in-class sessions running 10am-3pm on April 28, May 12, and May 26 in the Synod Office Boardroom. Cost is $250 to audit; $500 for one course credit in the Certificate in Theology (Anglican Studies) program at Newman College. For more information and registration details, please email Scott Sharman at: ssharman@newman.edu / POSTER

You and your congregations are invited to gather with other rural parishes at St. Mary, Vegreville to learn with one another and pray together about your mission, your part in what God is doing in the world. POSTER

Saturday April 14, 10am - 2pm @ St. Mary's, Vegreville (5042-48 Avenue).
Please RSVP to Rev. Chelsy by Thursday, April 12th so we know numbers for lunch.

Can't make this mission day? Stay tuned for more opportunities in the diocese.

All women in the diocese are invited to the ACW Annual Meeting.

A time of worship, fellowship and reflection on the call God has over the work and witness of the ACW centered on the theme “The Love of Jesus Calls Us,” will feature guest speaker the Ven. Richard King, Archdeacon for Mission and Discipleship. 

Invitations and registration forms are in the mail to each parish and to all Life Members. Watch for their arrival. Please share the info with others and return registrations before April 15. For more info, see attached LETTER

Base Camp heads north this summer from July 14-20 for a week of fun-filled adventure on the shores of Lesser Slave Lake... and we need some energetic, fun-loving volunteers to help make it happen!

Camp is looking for a lifeguard and counsellors, and for someone who is licensed and able to drive a school bus to get us there (have bus will travel?). Our trusty driver, Greg Rose, is retiring after about a decade of faithful service (thanks Greg!).

Please email the Synod Office if you're interested.

The Diocese of Edmonton will welcome 100 delegates and guests of the 49th Rupert's Land Provincial Synod, May 3-6, 2018. Members of the dioceses of Edmonton, Athabasca, the Arctic, Brandon, Calgary, Qu'Appelle, Rupert's Land, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and the Indigenous Spiritual Ministry of Mishamikoweesh will gather on Treaty 6 land to learn from one another about “Living and Sharing a Jesus-Shaped Life.”

All are invited to attend the Opening Eucharist at All Saints' Anglican Cathedral on Thursday, May 3 at 7:00 pm. The service will be followed by a reception featuring ethnic dishes representative of our culturally diverse diocese. See the diocesan website for more information.

Provincial Synod is coming up May 3-6, 2018 and two singers are needed to help lead music from the Friday the 4th to Sunday the 6th. Musical styles will be eclectic; mostly blues/gospel arrangements of traditional hymns. If interested, please contact Evan at 780-717-6657.

How do we move from social service to Jesus Shaped, gospel based social justice? How do we graft the idea of social justice onto our social service initiatives?

The Diocese of Edmonton Social Justice Committee is planning a workshop to explore this issue. Participants will develop a deeper understanding of the theology of social justice, enabling us all to become a more effective “change agent” in God’s world.

Lunch to follow - $10. Register by email at socialjustice@edmonton.anglican.ca  POSTER

Bishop Jane Alexander will help lead a Women of the Bible pilgrimage in Jerusalem, from June 5-14, 2018. The 10-day course, offered by St. George's College, tells the ancient stories of women in the Bible and their struggle, joy and tragedy. The itinerary will take participants from Jerusalem to Galilee, then back through the Jezreel valley and Samaria. See also St. George's new promotional video, which features a member of our diocese, Halcyon Clark of St. Andrew's, Camrose.

Click here to join Team Anglican. Our Partner ID is ANGL696986. To donate blood, call: 1-888-236-6283. There are many upcoming donor clinics in Edmonton and area. The Life Bus will transport donor groups (3-8 people) from any location in Edmonton. You can give blood at:

Edmonton Donor Clinic: 8249–114 Street, Monday – Saturday

Community Donor Clinics: dates and Locations for APRIL and MAY

Contact: 

The Ven. Travis Enright, Archdeacon for Indigenous Ministry: rev.enright@gmail.com / 780-477-5931

Fiona Brownlee, Aboriginal and Rural Communities Liaison: f.brownlee@edmonton.anglican.ca / 780-312-9070

Resources: Please see the Indigenous Ministries section of the diocesan website for leaflets, web links and other resources to help you pray and act for reconciliation. Please see the City of Edmonton Indigenous Relations Office to subscribe to their Community Bulletin.

St. Mary's, Ponoka is inviting one and all to join them on the first Friday of the month from 10 am to noon at their Tawow/Welcome times. There will be coffee, snacks and time for prayer if requested. Members of the parish's Reconciliation Team will be on hand for conversation. All are welcome.

 “In the seventh fire, the white race will be given a choice between two paths: one will lead to destruction, the other to the lighting of the Eighth and final fire, an Eternal Fire of Peace Love, and Brotherhood.” - Traditional Anishnabe prophecy as told in The Teachings of the Seven Fires and our Response Through our Song of Faith.  

In 2017, the Our Common Ground ecumenical committee hosted four community gatherings in response to the TRC’s Calls to Action. To keep the fire and dialogue going around reconciliation, the Inner City Pastoral Ministry (ICPM) and Moving Forward with Reconciliation invite you to "Living the 8th Fire."  

This 9-week small group gathering follows a curriculum designed from the CBC documentary series 8th Fire, which is hosted by CBC journalist Wab Kinew, from the Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation in Northern Ontario. The curriculum is designed to help restore the 8th Fire vision in the hearts and minds of those who choose to participate in the learning. It is intended that participants, as vessels of hope, will seek out ways to get to know their neighbours.  

Living the 8th Fire will be held Saturday mornings, 10 am: April 7, May 5, June 2, October 6, November 3, December 1.

For more info, see the attached POSTER or email Michelle Nieviadomy, ICPM Oskapewis: michelle.iskwew@gmail.com   

All of us in the Anglican Diocese of Edmonton — Indigenous and non-Indigenous — can be ambassadors for change and further reconciliation and healing by actively seeking opportunities to learn. By taking the #Next150 Challenge via Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, you can join others from across Canada in discovering new books, music, movies and art.

The Rev. Rick Chapman, pastor for Inner City Pastoral Ministry (ICPM), will be honoured at the 12th Annual SAGE Awards for his efforts to foster truth and reconciliation as an organizer of the Our Common Ground community events, offered with support of the Anglican Foundation of Canada and Moving Forward with Reconciliation in 2017. In addition to his ministry leading the Emmanuel worship community at the Bissell Centre, Rick chairs the Diocese of Edmonton's Social Justice Committee and is co-chair the Capital Region Interfaith Housing Authority Board. Celebrate with Rick and other seniors who make our community a better place! Email JoLynn Parenteau for tickets. POSTER

The parishes of St. David, St. Augustine of Canterbury and St. Patrick gathered at St. Mary's in the Highlands neighbourhood of Edmonton on Saturday evening, March 31, for a joint Easter Vigil Service.

The congregation gathered around a fire for The Service of Light and sacred Indigenous drumming. The paschal candle (symbolizing the Light of Christ in the world - "a light no darkness can extinguish"), was lit by the Rev. Ruth Bott, curate at St. Mary's, who led the procession into the church to share the light of Christ. In her homily, the Rev. Renee Desjardins, rector of St. David's, described the "blessed excitement and urgency" of Mark's gospel (16:1-8) and its cliffhanger ending: “They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.”

During the eucharist service, which featured two hymns sung by St. Patrick's Filipino members, the congregation renewed its baptismal vows together, receiving a blessing from the Rev. Kevin Kraglund, rector of St. Patrick's, and the Rev. Jonathan Crane, rector of St. Augustine's of Canterbury. 

As a trumpet heralded Jesus' resurrection on Easter Sunday morning at Christ Church, children followed an alleluia trail to the empty tomb. The stone was rolled away and an angel appeared with a bouquet of balloons, leading one excited child to exclaim: "We are all risen!"

Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!

People of all generations are welcome to join us at All Saint's Drayton Valley (5212–47 Avenue) for crafts, stories, songs and some new, interactive ways of looking at the well-known story of Jesus' resurrection!

Please join us for an exciting and enlightening lecture-discussion series on monthly Saturday mornings at Holy Trinity. A 30-minute lecture is followed by 30 minutes of discussion. Refreshments provided. 11am to 12pm in the Upper Hall.  

**April 7 – Nathan Kowalsky: “Evil, nature, and God”
**May 5 – Mildred Thill: "Forgiveness in the Bible and What it Means to us Today"

For more info: 780-433-5530 or church.office@holytrinity.ab.ca

Tuesday, April 10 at 7 pm: Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Solemn Evensong with Devotions to the Blessed Sacrament

Tuesday, April 24 at 7 pm: St Mark the Evangelist – Solemn Evensong

Monday, April 30 at 7 pm: St Philip and St James the Apostles – Solemn Evensong

Parishioners from All Saints' Cathedral will volunteer with Habitat for Humanity as part of the Interfaith Works Project on Friday, April 20th. It's an all-day event happening at Carter Place (23 Avenue and 24 Street, Edmonton), though volunteers can join in as their schedules allow. There are a limited number of spaces! So if you'd like to come along, please register online with Habit for Humanity and let Barb Burrows know you're coming.

"The Five Conversations of the Church: Waking Up to an Expansive View of the Fullness of the Gospel" will help chuch leaders discover how relationships with the world’s most vulnerable people at home and abroad can be catalytic in the transformation of your church.

Pastor Keith Stewart is experienced in mutual transformation ministry and is a powerful advocate for people ensnared by injustice. He is a veteran pastor of 28 years at Springcreek Church in suburban Dallas, Texas knows firsthand how such change is possible and within the reach of every congregation. 

This leadership forum will be packed with challenging teaching, practical examples, and resources to equip you as a leader in the transformation of your church for God’s kingdom purposes. POSTER

Cost is $25 / Register For more info, contact church representative Tim Schultz: tim_schultz@worldvision.ca

All Saints', Drayton Valley is organizing a Jigg's Dinner for April 28th at 5:30pm. This is a traditional Newfoundland dinner, but anyone and everyone is welcome to come along. The event will be held at the 55+ club (5138 52 Avenue) in Drayton Valley and will include draws and comic entertainment. Tickets can be purchased at the church. Call 780-542-5048 or email emmavickery@mail.com. POSTER

St. Thomas, Sherwood Park is happy to be supporting Fusion Canada in bringing Sallie Hammond from Australia to lead a two-day workshop on parenting / grandparenting. The Families Course is an initiative of Fusion Australia. In this short course, parents, grandparents, care providers and anyone who is interested, included those who are involved in social work and childcare, will learn practical, fun parenting tools and strategies that work. The workshop will be held in St. Albert (see attached POSTER for details). 

Sallie Hammond will also be joining the parish of St. Thomas on Sunday, April 29 to share her ministry story during the 10:00 am service. All welcome!

Please let us know if you’re interested! Contact Ruth Heine at 780-975-5946 or email ruth@heine.ca for more information. Register at fusioncanada.ca/families-course

The following articles are from various organizations in and around Edmonton that promote activities related to the values of the diocese and may be of interest to parishioners.

Please have a look at this most recent edition of
Contact: a Newsletter for Council of the North.

Homeless Connect is asking churches and congregations to help with a Clothing Donation Drive for the spring event to be held Sunday, April 29 at the Shaw Conference Centre. Please post the attached POSTER on your church poster board or share with your congregation in whatever method you can.  

Homeless Connect is a one-day, community-inspired initiative that empowers those at risk of or facing homelessness by connecting them with over 70 free services they need to help meet their individual needs. This not-for-profit event is held twice a year and is coordinated by Homeward Trust Edmonton.

For more information on Homeless Connect, please visit www.homelessconnectyeg.com.   

Prepare for spring and the opportunity to grow produce for Edmonton's Food Bank by attending the Gardening 101 talk by Jim Hole. Reserve you seat by registering at Eventbrite: Gardening 101 with Jim Hole. For more info, email Judy Yawney: foodhub@edmontonsfoodbank.com POSTER

Join a team of 70 volunteers that make this annual event a special one for kids. The Snow Goose Chase provides an experience of nature for six or seven bus-loads of inner-city children, taking them out for a day of activities - this year in the Tofield / Beaverhills area. Cooperating agencies including Uncles & Aunts-at-Large, Big Brothers / Sisters, the Bissell Centre and the Mennonite Centre for Newcomers. 

The actual day of the event is April 28. However, volunteers are also asked to attend a preparation meeting on the evening of April 24. See the attached two-page description for full details, and feel free to share the attached flyer.

Are you a community-based, untrained English teacher supporting refugees or other recent newcomers? Come to one of our workshops and receive training, lesson plans, and a stack of ready-to-go teaching materials* (aimed at Beginner learners).  

Workshop Title: ESL in the Community – Basic Training

Date: Saturday – April 7, 2018 *NOTE CHANGE of DATE! 

Time: 9:00 am - 2:30 pm (30 minutes for lunch – lunch provided!)

Location: Cultural Connection Institute - The Learning Exchange, at #428, 10621 -100 Avenue, Edmonton

A $40 contribution toward the cost of the event (*not materials) will help us stretch our funding further. Please bring cash, debit or credit with you on the day of the workshop. That said we would not turn away an eligible participant due to financial need; please let us know if you need to have the fee waived. Visit our website www.teachbel.org for more information, to register and to check whether you are eligible to receive a free set of materials*.    brochure

Edmonton City Chaplain the Rev. John Dowds will present the keynote address (Sanctuary in the 21st Century) at the "No One is Immune: Taking Action for Mental Health in Congregations" conference - an ELCiC Congregational Life Event. All are welcome! To see the workshop schedule and to register, click here. POSTER

Chronos Vocal Ensemble, conducted by Jordan Van Biert, presents "FREE: The tradition of African-American spirituals" featuring concert arrangements of spirituals spanning a century of choral tradition. The program will include classics like “Soon ah will be done” and “Deep River,” and the gospel-infused writing of Moses Hogan. There will be a preview performance on Friday, April 13, 7:30 pm, More info and tickets starting at $15: www.chronosvocalensemble.com  

Homeward Trust Edmonton is organizing this year's Homeless Count and still needs about 200 volunteers to get the job done.

We are looking for outgoing, friendly volunteers to fan out across the city on predetermined routes in pairs and administer responses to a survey designed to gather information from people they encounter about their experience of homelessness. This is a great opportunity to learn about homelessness while contributing to our understanding of this issue.