• Those who are sick, suffering, or in need: Bob, Paul, Rhea, Mitchell, Jen, Mercedes, Pam, 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 (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.
• 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: The Church of Pakistan (United)

Anglican Church of Canada: Diocese of Saskatchewan: the Rt. Rev. Richard Reed, Bishop. 

Diocese of Edmonton: Holy Trinity, Edson: Johnny Pooten, Rector.

Buyé: Buyé Synod Office: the Most Rev. Sixbert Macumi, Archbishop; Dominique Ciza, Diocesan Executive Secretary and Development Officer; Leonidas Nizigiyimana, Treasurer; Damascene Bagirubwira, Vice-Development Officer. 

Treaty 6: Ermineskin Cree Nation.

Lutheran-Anglican-Moravian Prayer Cycle:

- ACC: The Rt. Rev. Susan Bell, Bishop, The Most Rev. Colin Johnson, Assistant Bishop,  and the clergy and people of the Diocese of Niagara.

- ELCIC: Bishop Ali Tote, the people and rostered ministers of the Saskatchewan Synod.

- MOR: The Rt. Rev. Douglas Kleintop, 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:

• Wednesday, May 6 - Ordination Planning Meeting
• Wednesday, May 6 - Episcope Circle
• Thursday, May 7 - Bishop's Fund Dinner
• Friday, May 8 to Wednesday, May 13 - Away from the office
• Thursday, May 14 - Ordination at All Saints' Cathedral

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

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.

ACW Spring Vendor and Bake Sale

May 9, 2026, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM at Good Shepherd (15495 Castledowns Road, Edmonton)

Good Shepherd's Anglican Church Women are kicking off spring with their annual Spring Bake Sale. This year, vendors include: Fifth Ave Jewelry, Popcorn Sweet Treats, Sunset Gourmet, Strings & Things Cross Stitch, Adisyn's Crochet, and more.

A light lunch will be available for purchase.

A small number of vendor tables are still available for booking. Contact Linda at lindaandterry2.0@gmail.com for information. 

POSTER

You are invited to the Relaunch Celebration of Sanctuary of Peace (formerly known as ICPM or Inner City Pastoral Ministry). All are welcome!

• Saturday, May 23, 1:00 to 3:30 pm
• Bissell Centre East (10527 96 St, Edmonton)
• Program: 1-2 pm, lunch: 2-3:30 pm

Sanctuary of Peace is an interdenominational ministry of presence in the Boyle McCauley neighbourhood. It is founded on a decades-long partnership of Anglican, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and United churches. It provides a vital gathering of faith, a weekly food ministry, and pastoral support to Edmontonians who need it most.

Please share the poster with your community.

Today, let’s talk about the importance of parish registers and the records contained therein.

Parishes need to keep five different registers. Four of these keep records for significant events, including baptisms, confirmations, weddings, and burials (which includes all funerals completed at the parish – not just burials), and the fifth is a record of services performed, including attendance numbers and officiant name. The best course of action is to update each register as the services take place. This ensures that the information is accurate and does not rely on a memory of an event to later record the information.

While it may seem excessive to fill out the parish registers, these registers are a vital resource of information for archivists, genealogists, and many other researchers. Additionally, some of these records can be used to prove identity, residency, or citizenship when official vital records are not available. In some cases, individuals may need proof of baptism or confirmation to attend a religious institution (such as a Catholic school) or may need such information to apply for employment at a religious institution. The vestry books (registers of services) are useful in determining parish attendance over long periods of time. These historical registers are also used to determine where clergy were posted over a given period of time or to determine when a particular clergy person was active at a particular parish.

So, if your registers are being neglected, take some time this month to get them updated and keep them updated going forward. Future generations will thank you for it!!

Does your faith bloom when you walk alongside children and youth in their own spiritual formation? Do you want to be part of a warm and welcoming ministry team? St. George's by the University is hiring a Children and Youth Ministry Assistant, and we'd love to hear from you. You can find more information here: 

JOB POSTING

St. Paul's Anglican Church, Leduc, is seeking a half-time Community Facilitator to work alongside dedicated volunteers to create new connections between St. Paul's and area churches, groups, and non-profits to generate a shared vision for new initiatives. The application deadline is May 22.

Position description

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.

**NEW: for these events in an easy-to-copy Word document for bulletins and slide shows, click here** (updated March 24)

For more information and promotional materials, click the bold, underlined text links.

This section contains events from parishes across the Diocese.

May 14 Ordination at All Saints' Cathedral, Edmonton

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

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

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

Fridays at 9 pm Night Prayer Livestream from 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) 

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

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

We are blessed to have the Star of the North Retreat House in St. Albert host clergy retreats, Cursillo weekends, and more. Now you can help this beautiful place continue to offer ministry in the Edmonton area.

You are invited to attend their fundraising dinner on May 21.

Come celebrate with us by attending a Starlight fundraising dinner hosted by the Star of the North Retreat Centre in partnership with the Missionary Associates of Mary Immaculate (M.A.M.I) on May 21.

Our theme for the evening, “Living Mission Through Community,” celebrates two centuries of missionary enthusiasm, faithful service, and Oblate commitment bringing hope, healing, and Good News to the most abandoned.

As part of this anniversary, and guided by our motto “Renewing our Spirits – Transforming our World,” the Star is renewing our mission and vision for the future.

Find resources here to support your ministry and parish administration.

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

Churches Now Hiring: Immanuel, Wetaskiwin (Rector - apply by April 30). See our Ministry Opportunities page for more information.

Easter Video Series from St. George's College Jerusalem

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:

- NEW COURSE: 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