You will notice some changes to the Synod Scene this week. These include fresh colours that match our Diocesan Strategic Plan branding, as well as adjustments to reduce the length of the newsletter and help you locate different kinds of information more quickly.

Here are the new sections:

1. Let Us Pray: diocesan prayer requests (as before)

2. Bishop's Corner: Bishop Steve's itinerary (as before)

3. New this Week: events and content appearing for the first or second time in the Synod Scene (new)

4. Spread the News: please promote these diocesan items in your parishes (new)

5. Join In: upcoming parish events. Posts move to this section after they have appeared in "New this Week". This keeps them available for reference and avoids burying new events among items you have read before. (new)

6. Quick Links to Programs: information for ongoing programs moves here after it has appeared in "New this Week" (new)

7. Make a Difference: opportunities to support ministries with money or time (new)

8. Resources: administrative, liturgical, and seasonal resources, including those from ecumenical partners (new)

Where are the articles? They're still housed on the website, edmonton.anglican.ca, and available through links (bold, underlined text) in the Synod Scene, but now you don't have to scroll through material you have already read. 

As we are in an interim period at the Communications desk, you may notice other adjustments to this publication in the coming months as I refine the flow of information. I appreciate your patience.

I hope these changes will enable the Synod Scene to continue serving as a valuable resource for sharing information throughout the Diocese. 

- Stephanie London, Interim Communications Director

• Those who are sick, suffering, or in need: Deb, Wayne, Elaine, Naomi, Noreen, Josh, Floyd
• 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 to include someone's name 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 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:

• Tuesday, September 16 - Administration and Finance Committee
• Friday, September 19 - Induction of the Rev. Jordan Giggey at St. Timothy's, Edmonton
• Saturday, September 20 - Deacons' Gathering
• Saturday, September 20 - 7 pm Diocesan Youth Gathering at Launchpad
• Sunday, September 21 - All Saints' Anglican Church, Drayton Valley

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation events in Edmonton and Wetaskiwin,

Alongside Hope Sunday resources,

St. Margaret's Ministry Centre opening,

the new Diocesan Youth Ministry,

a Windswept Prayer event,

The Church Admin Corner,

and the October Messenger

Join the Lodgepole Communitas, Diocese of Edmonton, and community partners at Rundle Park for a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation event on Sunday, September 28.

The event begins with a Pipe Ceremony at 9:00 am and continues with live performances, inspirational speakers, vendors, and a free BBQ.

The parish of Immanuel, Wetaskiwin, will be participating in the Orange Shirt Walk again this year.

Since Immanuel initiated the walk nine years ago, it has grown into a large community event in partnership with the Heritage Museum in downtown Wetaskiwin. Over 200 people attended last year. 

The Orange Shirt Walk begins at the Heritage Museum at 2:00 pm on September 30 and proceeds down the main street to the Peace Cairn, where a brief ceremony will be held with prayer and singing of the Grandmother's Song. Everyone is welcome to participate.

The Grandmother's Song will involve community members this year. A rehearsal of the song, led by Gloria Rogers, one of the leaders of Immanuel's Reconciliation Team, will be held on Thursday, September 18, at 5:00 pm at the museum.  

We are looking forward to holding Alongside Hope Sunday across the Diocese on Sunday, September 21.

Alongside Hope (formerly PWRDF) is the Anglican Church of Canada's agency for sustainable development and relief. It works with trusted partners in Canada and around the world to bring positive change and to improve health, food security, and livelihoods where needs are greatest.

Alongside Hope Sunday provides an opportunity to hold up in prayer the Anglican Church of Canada's development and relief ministry and to learn about our work around the world.

Resources for Alongside Hope Sunday have been mailed out to your parish. You should be receiving them sometime between Tuesday and Saturday. There may not be enough for your whole congregation, so you may prefer to download and print items from the website:

Service with hymn suggestions and a draft sermon

Bulletin Cover

After many setbacks, frustrations, and a great deal of prayer, St. Margaret's Ministry Centre is finally complete. On Sunday, September 7, the community of St Margaret's gathered with Bishop Steve for the official opening.

The Ministry Centre, a new addition to St. Margaret's building, moves the church offices to the main floor and contains a large multi-purpose community room. It provides a fresh, bright space for clergy and staff to work, for Bible studies and group ministries to thrive, and a place they hope to share with their community. 

The Rev. Aaron Parsall-Myler, Rector, extends "a big thank you to everyone who has been involved over many years to bring this project to life. We look forward to showing you around. Please come and visit!"

** Note that the time should be 7:00 to 9:00, not 7:30 to 9:30 as previously published. **

The Diocese of Edmonton is sponsoring a brand new regional youth group this fall, led by experienced youth minister Mr. Blake Holt. This group will gather youth (grades 7-12) from across the Diocese for fun and discipleship.

The first event will take place on Saturday, September 20, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at Launchpad Trampoline Park, 6142 - 50th Street NW, just a bit north of Whitemud Trail. Mark your calendars now for upcoming gatherings on Saturday, October 11 and November 8.

It's free and friends are welcome! Registration is required. Follow the link for the form and to fill out the waiver.

Click here to register

'Nothing says love like a quilt.'   Grambo (Beth) Robertson

You are invited to bask in the infinite, radiant love of God through the metaphor of snuggling in a homemade artisan quilt at our next Windswept Meditations.

Bring your favourite 'banky', perhaps one crafted by a person dear to you. We will have spares on hand for those who need them. 

Windswept Meditations is an ongoing project by Doug Parth, Natalie Bryson, and Jim Robertson. They blend meditation, contemplation, and creativity to craft places of spiritual exploration in a mutually supportive environment. Adherence to a religious tradition is not required to attend and participate.

Do you have a PDF that you need to insert into a document but you do not have software to convert it to an image? No problem!

The first option is to Print Screen on your computer. Look for the “PrtScn” button on your keyboard and press it. It will copy the image on your screen, and then you can paste it into a document and crop off the bits around the edge you do not need.

There are also a number of other free web services for PDF maintenance. https://pdf2jpg.net/ is a great site to convert PDFs into image files for free (for easy use in a bulletin or on a website). Some sites offer free PDF combining (merging multiple PDF documents into one document) and others that can do simple PDF editing (such as removing or adding a page). It has never been easier to work with your PDF files!

The October 2025 issue of The Messenger, includes a reflection on the Pride Parade by the Rev. Mark Vigrass, distributing medical cards in our partner Diocese of Buyé, and news from parish events and celebrations this summer.

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 $15/year donation.

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.

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

Coffee Hour Fundraiser for Buyé - September 1-30

New Diocesan Youth Ministry - monthly events beginning Sept. 20

Alongside Hope Sunday - September 21

Apply for the Edmonton Anglican Cursillo Weekend - Nov. 7-9

This section contains events from parishes across the Diocese.

For more information on each event, click the bold, underlined text link.

Sept. 21 - St. Matthew's, Viking 90th Anniversary

Sept. 25 - Compassionate Parishes Learning Day at All Saints' Cathedral. Expand your church's capacity to minister to people living with a serious illness, dying, caregiving, or grieving. Register by Sept. 21.

Oct. 4 - Consecration of St. Peter the Apostle Anglican Church at St. Matthias, south Edmonton

There are many ways for you to get involved in regional discipleship-growing and community-building programs.

Follow the links (bold, underlined text) for more information and to register.

Diocesan Children's Choir - free music ensemble at Christ Church for kids in grade 2 and up led by Laura Hawley

Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius: Uncover the Heart of Your Call - begins this month through St. Augustine, Edmonton

Centering Prayer begins Sept. 18 at St. Mary's, Edmonton

Christian Basics begins Sept. 23 at St. George's, Fort Saskatchewan

Heart Circle Grief Support begins Sept. 24 at St. George's, Devon

Traditional Approaches to Healing needs sustainable funding so it can increase its capacity in response to growing community needs. This life-giving healing circle is grounded in traditional Indigenous wisdom and supports emotional and psychological well-being. Led by Cree Elder Russell Auger at St. Faith's, Edmonton.

Alongside Hope (formerly PWRDF) is seeking donations to bring solar-powered healthcare hubs to 49 rural clinics in Mozambique and Madagascar.

Find resources here to support your ministry and parish administration.

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

Retreat Centre programs: The Star of the North Retreat Centre offers a sacred space of hospitality, healing, and renewal in St. Albert. This fall, they are offering programs on forgiveness, spiritual resilience, and more. Click here for more information.

Grief and dementia support resource for congregations: September is World Alzheimer's Month. The Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories is deepening its commitment to walk alongside people living with dementia and their care partners through a palliative approach and grief support initiative. Grounded in the understanding that grief is best carried in community, these resources offer practical tools, peer support circles, and gentle mindfulness practices that can enrich the care and accompaniment our congregations already provide. 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.

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. Have questions? Email communications@edmonton.anglican.ca or call 780-439-7344