How is our frustration missional?

John 16:33 says “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

It’s like the biblical writers knew that we would experience frustration. They themselves underwent many trials. Our trials, frustrations, aggravations, sadness are no different than theirs. We all go through tough moments.

So how can that be missional?

Perhaps it’s pretty simple. How do you react to frustrations and worries? What do you lean into when troubles come? If your faith upholds you, gives you hope and keeps you steady – sharing that with others who are struggling can be missional.

Being frustrated is not missional, but if others ask you how you are managing in that frustration – it sure can be.

How does God give you hope in difficult times? What do you do to access that hope? Next time someone is having a rough day, maybe there will be a natural opening in the conversation where you can share that hope.

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.

New Compensation Guidelines are now on the Website.  They can be found here.

Now that we have turned the calendar to 2021, parishes need to begin planning for their Annual Meeting of Parishioners.

Due to the continuing COVID restrictions, the Diocese is offering a set of guidelines to assist parishes in conducting online meetings.  They can be found here.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an annual ecumenical celebration. Christians around the world are invited to pray for the unity of all Christians, to reflect on scripture together, to participate in jointly-organized ecumenical services, and to share fellowship.

The 2021 theme – Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit (John 15:5-9) – calls us to pray and to work for reconciliation and unity in the church, with our human family, and with all of creation. Drawing on the Gospel image of vine and branches, it invites us to nourish unity with God and with one another through contemplative silence, prayer, and common action. Grafted into Christ the vine as many diverse branches, may we bear rich fruit and create new ways of living, with respect for and communion with all of creation.

Resources for participating in this week of prayer can be found here.

Also, on Wednesday, January 20 from 7:00 to 8:00 pm, join Bishop Todd Atkinson, Dcn. Trevor Jameus, Rev. Terry Fach (Ambrose University), our own Fr. Matthew Perreault of All Saints, Cochrane, and Rev. Adrian Martens, as they celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity live-streamed from Ascension Catholic Parish.  The link to the YouTube channel is here.  

A well-known definition of resilience is the ability to adapt well in the face of significant sources of stress.  However, equally important to our ability to build resilience is the ability to move towards meaningful actions when faced with stressful events.

Join us as we explore the many ways that we can use community organizing principles to make a shift that moves us beyond reaching out to connect people in times of need to deepening connection by equipping people to build their mental health resiliency through meaningful action.  

Click here to learn more and to register.

Grief Support Seminar Starting Monday, January 25 from 7:00 - 8:30 pm  

The loss of a Loved One is one of life’s most difficult experiences. There is no right or wrong way to “do grief." Nor is there a specific timeline to follow or on which to rely. Every individual is unique and it is to be expected that his or her journey of grief will be unique.

The purpose of this group is to gather people together who have lost a loved one. Elizabeth creates an atmosphere of safety and confidentiality that allows you to share aspects of your grief. Elizabeth specializes in life transitions, and grief will be examined from this context.

There is no cost to participate but you will need to register so that Elizabeth can keep track of numbers and send you the Zoom link. Click here for more details and to view a personal invitation video.    

Alpha Course at All Saints Online Course Starts January 27  

Alpha is an 15-week course that creates a space where people are excited to bring their friends for a conversation about faith, life and God.

Watch the video for a brief introduction by clicking here to find out more.

Fr. Tony will be offering the Alpha Course beginning January 27 at 7:30 pm online via Zoom. Alpha is a discussion group based course that offers opportunities for participants to discuss and ask questions about life, faith, and meaning. While the pandemic has caused many people to reflect on these important questions, Alpha provides a non-judgemental opportunity to ask those questions, and make some connections.  

Please begin praying now for those who will be running the course, and for anyone who might participate.

If you have any questions about Alpha or are interested in volunteering, please contact Fr. Tony or Fr. Matthew  

Beginning in January, Fr. Jerrod McCormack will be offering the Rosary Gathering via Zoom on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, coming up next Saturday, January 23, at 2:00 pm.  This is open to all who wish to participate.  For the Zoom link or more information, please email Fr Jerrod.

Archbishop Greg and Diocesan PWRDF Coordinator Alison Longson invite all clergy and anyone interested in the work of PWRDF to attend a meeting on January 26 from 10:00 am to 12:00.  Items on the agenda will be an overview and update on the Fund; how to promote and support PWRDF; a look at resources, tools and support available; how our partners are managing with COVID-19; and practical ways to help.

This will be an opportunity to meet with each other across the Diocese, and meet and talk with staff members directly.  We hope that all parish reps will be able to attend..

Please register in advance here.  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the meeting.

On Friday, February 12, we will hold the AGM via Zoom.  Secretariat members are reminded to submit their annual reports to the Secretary at their earliest convenience.  The positions of Pre-Cursillo Coordinator and Fourth Day Chair are currently vacant, as well as the Diocesan representative to CACs.  Please prayerfully consider if you are called to this ministry.  For more information on the duties of these positions, please contact Carol Tubman.

At this time of suspension of Weekends, we ask that Cursillistas consider support for this ministry by way of donation and prayer.

St. Luke's FREE Testimonies eBook (PDF) has been published.  A temporary download of this book is available here.  The permanent site will be propagated within the next week, and can be found here.  

Our prayer is that the link to the eBook will be forwarded and re-forwarded by email to bless many during these challenging times.  Would you consider praying with us?

Join us for this two-part presentation on Sunday January 24 and 31 at 4:00 pm via Zoom entitled Sabbath - Time for God.  Rabbi Binyomin Halpern of House of Jacob Mikveh Israel and Professor Mark Buchanan of Ambrose University will be presenting.  The link to the Zoom meeting can be found here.

The Department of Classics and Religion, University of Calgary warmly invites you to attend the upcoming virtual and free lectures to be given by the “visiting” Chair of Christian Thought Guest Speaker, Dr Kate Kirkpatrick, University of Oxford.

Thursday, January 28, 10:00 - 11:00 am: Writing Simone de Beauvoir  

Friday, January 29, 3:00 - 4:30 pm: Existentialism and Exemplars 

Saturday, January 30, 1:00 - 2:00 pm: The Death of God and the Lives of Women: An Afternoon with Kate Kirkpatrick  

Please click here for more information.

A list of resources and events for World Interfaith Harmony Week are now available online at the National Church website, found here.

This Conference is "for all those interested in deacon formation, supervision and pastoral care."  Details can be found here.

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.

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;  

- for Michelle, Myrna, Kim, Paige, and Monica;

- thanksgiving for successful surgery and complete healing for Rev. Tim;

- those who have died and those who mourn, remembering the family and friends of The Rev. Brian Woodrow;

- 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.