• Those who are sick, suffering, or in need: Bob, Jen, Rhea, Paul, Mitchell, Elliott, Elaine
• 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 (List of Twinned Parishes - updated May 19, 2026). 
• 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.
• Email to add a name to 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.

Find Anglican and ecumenical prayer cycles on our website.

Anglican Communion: Eglise Anglicane du Rwanda.

Anglican Church of Canada: Diocese of Toronto: the Rt. Rev. Andrew Asbil, Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Kevin Robertson and the Rt. Rev. Riscylla Shaw, Suffragan Bishops.

Diocese of Edmonton:  Emmanuel, Gibbons: Anthony Kwaw, Rector.

Buyé:  Giteranyi Parish: Jean Pierre Nsabimana, Rector. 

Treaty 6: Louis Bull Tribe. 

Lutheran-Anglican-Moravian Prayer Cycle:

- ACC: The Rt. Rev. Andrew Asbil, Bishop; The Rt. Rev. Kevin Robertson, Suffragan Bishop; The Rt. Rev. Riscylla Shaw, Suffragan Bishop, and the clergy and people of the Diocese of Toronto.

- ELCIC: The Lutheran Collegiate Bible Institute in Outlook, Saskatchewan.

- MOR: The Rt. Rev. Paul Graf, Bishop of the Unity residing in the Northern Province.

Please pray for Bishop Stephen London 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 meetings, events, and services:

• Sunday, May 24 - Immanuel, Wetaskiwin, for Confirmation
• Wednesday, May 27 - Episcope Circle
• Thursday, May 28 - Legislative Committee Meeting
• Friday, May 29 to Saturday, May 30 - Cursillo Retreat
• Sunday, May 31 - St. Aidan and St. Hilda, Rexboro

Bishop Stephen London is pleased to appoint Archdeacon Ifuero Osamwonyi as Honorary Assistant of the parish of Good Shepherd, Edmonton, effective May 19, 2026.

Scroll down for more local and parish events in the "Join In" Section!

Over the next few weeks, we will be moving the Synod Scene onto a new platform. This will improve our newsletter administration, solve some subscription glitches, and improve your control over your subscription preferences.

Please check your email to make sure you received the Synod Scene test message on May 20.

If you received it, you don't need to do anything more. You will continue to receive news and events from the Diocese of Edmonton each week in your inbox. 

If you did not receive it, please sign up below. If the test email landed in your junk mail folder, be sure to add us to your safe senders list.

*We do not share your information beyond the Synod Office.

Free African Song Workshop

Saturday, May 30, 2026, 1:00 - 3:00 pm

at Good Shepherd Anglican Church, 15495 Castle Downs Road NW

Raise your voice in joy at our African Song Workshop with Sokhana Mfenyana! Sokhana is a talented vocalist and graduate of the MacEwan Fine Arts Program. She has taught African Choral Music around the world with the Korora Choir Association. We are very excited to spend the afternoon learning and singing with her.

This workshop is open to everyone, and we hope you'll bring your friends along too. No choir or singing experience needed! A light lunch and refreshments are included. Sign up for free by emailing parishadmin@goodshepanglican.org. We are happy to accommodate dietary needs & allergies if you include them in your email. 

Are you interested in hearing about where social justice, global health, and human rights intersect?

Partners in Health was born out of the work of Paul Farmer, a doctor who responded to the call of liberation theologians to elevate the dignity and rights of those least served by modern medicine.

Come hear Dr. Joia Mukherjee of Partners in Health, an Associate Professor of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School, speak on the amazing work of the PIH organization in the world. 

POSTER

ABOUT PARTNERS IN HEALTH

Are you looking for fun kids' activities this summer? Here are offerings from several Diocese of Edmonton parishes. 

Just Like Me Vacation Bible School at Good Shepherd, Edmonton: every Thursday from July 30 through August 27

Come join us in the garden! We're celebrating who we are, learning how to use our voice, and sharing our gifts with our community. Visiting gardeners will explore a series of Old and New Testament stories and learn that people in the Bible are just like us! Join us as we wonder, shout, share, build community, and help others. Expect an all-ages dinner and stations for the whole family to enjoy. Scholarships are available. More information.

Summer Day Camp with Hastings Lake Bible Camp at St. Thomas, Sherwood Park August 4-7

Hastings Lake is partnering with St. Thomas to bring you camp-style activities, skits, songs, Bible studies, silly games, and all the wacky excitement you expect from Summer Camp!

$65/camper. For more information: www.hastingslake.com/day-camps or contact St. Thomas

Rainforest Falls Vacation Bible School at St. John the Evangelist, Edmonton August 10-14

Registration Open! Get ready to step into a vibrant rainforest at St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church this summer as we put on Rainforest Falls: Exploring the Nature of God!
Vacation Bible School will be held August 10-14 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm each day, for kids ages 4-12. To register a participant or as a volunteer, please do so here. If you have any questions, please contact Abby.

Download the May 2026 issue of The Messenger, a collection of news and stories from the Dioceses of Athabasca and Edmonton.

Click here to receive a print copy of The Messenger or change your subscription address. The Messenger and the Anglican Journal are mailed to subscribers for a suggested donation of $15/year.

The Messenger welcomes story ideas, opinions (Letters to the Editor), and photo submissions relating to news and events of the Dioceses of Athabasca and Edmonton. 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.

Note: The Messenger is published once a month, except in July and August. Please send submissions for the September 2026 edition to anglicanmessenger@gmail.com by August 10.

We can do more together! Please make sure your parish knows about these important Diocese-wide events and initiatives by including them in your bulletin, announcements, calendars, and other channels.

The Diocese of Edmonton is hiring a Coordinator for Lay-Led Parishes.

A growing number of our communities are led by lay staff and volunteers. This mode of being an Anglican community comes with unique gifts and challenges. This position will develop supports and systems to help these parishes find renewed viability and vitality as the lay leaders hold mission and ministry for their communities. You will work with diocesan staff and volunteers as well as directly with the lay-led communities to coordinate their facilitation, education, and oversight needs. As most of these parishes are in rural areas of the Diocese of Edmonton, you must be able to travel.

This is a quarter-time position for one year with a possible one-year extension. The application deadline is Thursday, June 4.

For more information, see the POSITION DESCRIPTION.

This section contains events from parishes across the Diocese.

May 29-30 Cursillo Mini-Retreat at the Providence Centre

June 7 The Art of Community Regeneration with Dr. Ronald Pate

June 20 Cursillo Year-End BBQ at St. Timothy's, Edmonton

July 17 Edmonton Elks Faith & Family Night

September 19 Cursillo Welcome Back Ultreya & Ice Cream Social

November 21 Cursillo Christmas Celebration

WEEKLY EVENTS (please confirm events directly with parishes)

Sundays at 7 pm Compline from St. Peter's, Edmonton (Facebook)

Wednesdays at 11 am Lectionary Bible Study at Good Shepherd, Edmonton

Daily except Sundays at 8 am Morning Prayer at St. Paul's, Edmonton (Zoom)

Daily at 9:15 pm Evening Prayer at St. Paul's, Edmonton (Zoom) 

Ignatian Exercises: Free Info Evening (Zoom) on May 26 at 7 PM

For more than 500 years, the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola have guided Christians into a deeper relationship with God as they pray through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Retreat in the Real World is an ecumenical journey within a supportive community, from September to May. Participants spend an hour daily in personal prayer, keep a journal of their prayer experiences, explore their prayer journey with a spiritual director every two weeks, and gather monthly for small group learning and sharing via Zoom, one Tuesday a month from 6:30-9:00 pm. Contact estorch@providencerenewal.ca for more information.

Becoming: Called in Love spiritual formation year

This stand-alone spiritual formation year is offered ecumenically through the Providence Renewal Center, Edmonton. Becoming is designed for those seeking to deepen their self-knowledge and spiritual life within a supportive community, with the option to continue a second year of PRESENCE: Sent to Serve, completing training in the ministry of Spiritual Direction. Participants meet monthly from October to June to engage in small group learning modules and retreats, with a blend of online and in-person learning. Application deadline is May 31, 2026. Contact estorch@providencerenewal.ca for more information.

The programs below need your help to make a difference in our community!

For more information, click the bold, underlined text link.

The Gray House Guild owns and operates the Allen Gray Continuing Care Centre (5005 28 Avenue, Edmonton, T6L 7G1), named after Edmonton’s first Anglican bishop.  For more than 60 years, the Guild has been providing care and service to those requiring support because of age or disabilities. 

Its 156-bed facility in Mill Woods features everything from full care through independent living to an early learning and child care centre and adult day support programs.  The Guild is currently inviting applications for membership, as well as nominations for the Centre’s Board of Management.  For more information, see https://www.allengray.ab.ca/volunteer. 

St. Luke’s Hospital in the West Bank is operated by the Episcopal (Anglican) Diocese of Jerusalem. Alongside Hope has been supporting this ministry for many years, and more especially during the current war.

St. Luke’s serves a population of about 455,000 people, including 57 marginalized villages and four nearby refugee camps. But unreliable electricity and costly fuel make health care delivery a challenge in the best of times. During the worst of times, it becomes a crisis.

In partnership with the Diocese of Jerusalem, Alongside Hope is funding the purchase and installation of 407 solar panels for St. Luke’s Hospital. “Light for St. Luke’s” will cost $352,000. 

- from alongsidehope.org

Find resources here to support your ministry and parish administration.

To access the links, click the bold, underlined text.

Churches Now Hiring: See our Ministry Opportunities page for more information.

Hospital Stays and Spiritual Care: If you or your loved one is in hospital and you would like the Anglican Hospital Chaplain to visit you, you will need to give written consent during your hospital stay (the hospital will provide you with the form). Only then will the Anglican Hospital Chaplain receive your information and be able to provide spiritual care. - The Rev. Regula Brandle, Anglican Hospital Chaplain

Arrange an Alongside Hope mapping exercise for your parish, facilitated by the Rev. Helen Chan Bennett.

Retreats and Spiritual Formation programs: The Edmonton area is blessed to have two active retreat centres offering spiritual direction and programs to help you grow in your discipleship of Jesus Christ. Follow the links to explore offerings at the Providence Centre (southwest Edmonton) and Star of the North (St. Albert). 

Grief and dementia support resource for congregations: Sarah Rudd, a Lutheran Diaconal Minister, is available for worship service support, dementia compassionate community presentations, or to share more about a peer support grief program. Please reach out to srudd@alzheimer.ab.ca if you’d like to connect or explore how these resources can bless your congregation’s ministry.

Registration and more information for these courses are available on Huron's website. 

NOW OPEN FOR REGISTRATION:

- The Theology of AI: God, the Machine, and Everything in Between with Dr. Erin Green, beginning June 13

About this program: The Diocese of Edmonton is excited to begin a new partnership with Huron University. In 2026, tuition for courses in the LTh program is covered for members of the Diocese. Study towards a certificate or credential (e.g. Parish Leadership, Theology for Lay Readers, or Foundations in Diaconal Ministry) or learn more about something that interests you. 

We would love to connect with you!

• Sign up for The Messenger or manage your subscription through the Anglican Journal website
• Read The Messenger online
• Sign up for the Synod Scene by emailing communications@edmonton.anglican.ca

We take your personal information seriously and do not sell or share it with third parties.

Part of what unites us as a family of churches is the support we give one another and our ministries. We can do this by sharing our news and events (e.g., youth gatherings, parish fundraisers, worship services, community outreach, public lectures) here in the Synod Scene, the diocese's weekly e-newsletter. We have created a form to simplify this task. Click on the button below to upload a graphic or picture (horizontal / landscape orientation; 1500x784 px), and your brief news/event information. Submissions must be received by Tuesday at noon for inclusion in the current week's newsletter. Because the Synod Scene is public and posted to the diocesan website every week, please use parish (not personal) contact information in your submissions whenever possible. Have questions? Email communications@edmonton.anglican.ca or call 780-439-7344