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A Missional MinuteThe Rev. Canon Erin Phillips I’ll never forget the time a priest in his sermon described the Feast of the Reign of Christ as a papal temper tantrum. In the context of movements to enhance democracy and limit monarchies and papal political authority, he said, Pius XI established a feast to emphasis the power and authority of Christ over secular governments. The irony of this really struck me as I prepared my sermon for this past Sunday on the Gospel reading from Matthew 25. Here, the image of Christ is not of a sovereign on a throne but of Christ among the poor, the marginal, and the vulnerable. The image that it brought to mind was of the wood cutting by Fritz Eichenberg, The Christ of the Breadlines. When I was growing up, friends had a reproduction of this image hanging in their home. I was fascinated with this image of Jesus standing in line with the poor waiting for food. It was an image largely associated with Dorothy Day and the Catholic Worker Movement. Day and a group of fellow believers and sympathetic supporters began providing food and shelter to those who needed it in the Thirties and continue to do so even though Day died in 1980. Recently, I received a reproduction of another image of Christ that echoes in this reading. It is an icon by Kelly Latimore of the Holy Family as refugees, in this case looking like Syrian refugees. I find this image especially meaningful because in 2015 a group of us began a project to sponsor an extended family of Syrians who had been forced to flee the civil war there. In the end, all three Anglican churches in Lethbridge, Coaldale, and Taber, along with a group of doctors and the University of Lethbridge welcomed five families to Lethbridge. We discovered the joy of welcoming Jesus in the stranger, in the five families, in other refugee families, and in the members of the community we hadn’t known before. The project has been life changing for so many of us. We began the project because we saw a need in light of the Syrian crisis. Now, many of us are committed to new projects of refugee sponsorship because we see the ongoing need to welcome the stranger who like Jesus, Mary, and Joseph have been forced to flee for their lives. It is particularly moving to hear parents say that they abandoned everything they had worked for, businesses, homes, their whole lives, to find in Canada new lives for their children. Now that we are living in the strange uncertain times of Covid, I find my Syrian friends are teaching me how to live with uncertainty and with loss for they’ve experienced so much of it. The Diocese is a Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH) registered with the Government of Canada so we are able to assist groups wanting to sponsor refugees. If anyone in the Diocese is interested in learning more, please contact us at anglicancalgaryrefugee@gmail.com or ecm.erin@gmail.com. Dorothy Day welcomed a homeless woman into her home one evening. Someone pulled Dorothy aside and said, "Can’t you see she’s diseased?" Dorothy responded, "No, I see only the face of Christ." May we see in the faces of the world’s refugee only the face of Christ and open our homes and hearts to them. |
"Maranatha - Come Lord Jesus"A Message from Archbishop Greg Kerr-Wilson For more infomation visit:
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The Wisdom CentreStolen Words: The Nazi Plunder of Jewish Books On Wednesday evening, November 25, Rabbi Mark Glickman of Temple B'Nai Tikvah will share the story told in his book, Stolen Words: The Nazi Plunder of Jewish Books, at 7:00 pm via Zoom. Stolen Words is an epic story about the largest collection of Jewish books in the world -- tens of millions of books that the Nazis looted from European Jewish families and institutions. Rabbi Glickman will explain why the Nazis bothered to gather so many books, how the books were looted, and the fascinating story of what happened to the volumes after the war. Zoom in and hear this amazing account of a little-known chapter in the history of the Holocaust. You can find the Zoom link here. This event is sponsored by the Calgary Council of Christians and Jews, and is open to all. |
Experiences in the Wilderness Pt. IIThe Power of Hope - Saturday, December 12, 2020 We all know that Christmas this year will be a lot quieter, with a lot less laughter and song. For many, Advent will be a time of anxiety, hardship and grief, not happy anticipation. Yet the liturgical year moves us along our Christian journey, and calls our hearts to hope. What does Christian hope mean at the end of this challenging, sombre year? Why is it important for us Christians to persevere in hope? Join our Rural Missioner, the Rev. Clara King as we explore the three great Canticles of the Christmas story, the Song of Mary (the Magnificat), the Song of Zechariah (the Benedictus), and the Song of Simeon (the Nunc Dimittis), and learn to listen anew for what God is doing in our hearts, even in the midst of a global pandemic. Email blabrecque@calgary.anglican.ca to register For more infomation visit: http://calgary.anglican.ca/events/experiences-in-the-wilderness-pt-11/2020-12-12
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Pastoral Care Course via ZoomThursdays, January 21 to March 4, 2021 The time has come and the course is ready for you! I am very pleased to announce the dates for the Zoom Diocesan Pastoral Care Course. Course dates: Thursdays – January 21, 28, February 4, 11, 18, 25 and March 4. Time is 6:30-8:45 pm. Due to popular interest, the course is now full. If you would like to add your name to a second list, please contact Tracey. For more infomation visit:
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Diocesan Announcements
Our Archbishop's services and events: Archbishop Greg is available to participate via Zoom in your parish vestry, council, and online services if requested. Even though he may not be able to gather in person with you, he welcomes the opportunity to share in worship or to meet groups of any and all ages, to listen to your stories and faith, and to engage in conversation about our experiences and learnings from this journey through the COVID-19 pandemic. Contact Carol Tubman to schedule. Clergy Movements: On Sunday, November 22, Archbishop Greg presided at the Service of Induction for The Rev. Steve Bateman, Incumbent of St. Augustine, Lethbridge. The Diocese Office is pleased to announce the appointment of The Rev. Dr. Jane Rowland as Interim Priest-in-Charge of St. Laurence, Calgary for a two-year term, and The Rev. Andrew Lees as Intentional Interim Priest-in-Charge for Christ Church, Fort Macleod, for a one-year term. We are also pleased to announce that the Ven. Pilar Gateman has successfully completed her Doctorate of Ministry (D.Min.) at Tyndale University, and now becomes the Venerable Dr. Pilar Gateman. Please pray for each one as they continue to minister to the love of God in these roles. |
Diocesan Committee Meetings
All Diocesan essential meetings have moved to an online format.
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Lessons and CarolsMonday, December 7 7:00 pm The Diocese of Calgary Anglican Church Women are pleased to invite everyone to join them for a Zoom Service of Lessons and Carols, Monday, December 7 at 7:00 pm. For further information and to register, please email the ACW, or President Margaret Newton. All are welcome to this family event. |
PWRDF Advent Resources
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A Monthly Rosary - via ZoomSecond Saturday of each month at 2:00 pm The Rev. Jerrod McCormack will be offering a monthly rosary via Zoom, on the second Saturday of each month at 2:00 pm. These services usually run for 30 minutes. Time is taken to share intentions with one another and then to pray the rosary together. If you are interested you can contact Jerrod, and he will send you the link. |
The 2021 Canadian Church CalendarVolume discount The 2021 Canadian Church Calendar is available to order. $5.00 each for orders up to 24 copies. $3.75 for orders 25+ copies. For more infomation visit: http://calgary.anglican.ca/news/the-2021-canadian-church-calendar
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Strathmore Youth Making a DifferenceReaching out to the Local Homeless A Facebook post by the Mayor of Strathmore related the initiative undertaken by the daughters of The Rev. Brad Everett, priest at St. Andrew, Gleichen. His younger daughter found out that the Homeless Shelter and the schools on Siksika Nation had to be closed due to COVID outbreaks. So she decided that she needed to DO something. Starting with $50 of babysitting money and matched by her mother, she bought twenty drawstring bags and filled them with thermal mitts, hot pockets (the ones that stay warm for 12 - 18 hours), thermal socks, toques, tissues, granola bars, water bottles, etc. She then compiled an email for one of her teachers, who met her with $20 the next day at class. She talked to her fellow classmates and explained that $7 would fill a complete bag to help one of our homeless neighbours. Something sparked, and people started giving her money. Now she has $250 to spend to make more bags. She gave a completed bag to her vice principal to let the staff know. They are currently collecting money. One person gave her enough to make ten more bags. She and her sister have been shopping and are hoping to make a bagged lunch to go in each bag, with sandwiches, muffins and fruit. Update: 30 more bags have been delivered. After 60 bags, she has money left to give to the Food Bank or Shelter, too. These girls are an inspiration to us all, on being caring and supportive in these strange days. God bless these efforts! |
Winter Youth Leadership Development ProgramSorrento Retreat and Conference Centre Sorrento Retreat and Conference Centre is offering a Youth Leadership Development program entitled WYLD, two four-month segments over an eight month period, beginning in mid-January. There are spots currently available. Information can be found here. |
Prayer Requests
Please remember in your prayers: - our clergy and churches as we find our way forward in these strange days; - those who are sick, suffering, fearful or in need, remembering those suffering from the Coronavirus and their caregivers, those feeling isolated and those who are vulnerable, remembering this week The Right Rev. Michael Hawkins, Bishop of Saskatchewan; - for Michelle, Myrna, Kim, Paige; - for Rev. Tim Webster - thanksgiving for containment of cancer and prayers for a surgery date soon; - those who have died and those who mourn; - the victims of violence and natural disasters; - our Companion Diocese of the Windward Islands, and their Bishop Leopold Friday. Request a prayer: Send prayer requests to ctubman@calgary.anglican.ca to let us know how we can pray for you. We will only use first names which will be removed after two or three weeks. We will also pray for you during our regular Chapel services each week. Please ensure that you have permission from those whose names you are submitting for prayer, and that they understand their name will be made public to all who subscribe to the Newsletter. |
We'd Like to Hear from You
We are interested in what is happening in your parish and would love to highlight those events and news in our newsfeed. We look forward to your contributions - feel free to forward your event announcements, your parish news, your stories. Send in your details and pictures to ctubman@calgary.anglican.ca. |