|
|
Missional MinuteTechnical changes vs. Adaptive Challenges Sometimes we think that mission is about plugging a program in and people will come to church or begin to pray or start considering a life of faith. A technical change is something that we put in place that changes something we do and uses knowledge we already have. An adaptive challenge is one where we don’t have a clear solution but it adapts to a new way of thinking. In the church a technical change might be something like including page numbers on a bulletin for newcomers. An adaptive change is something more along the lines of having a mindset that assumes visitors will come, and adjusting our worship, bulletin, language, and even timing of our worship to help newcomers be comfortable and feel welcome. It asks questions like how would this make a newcomer feel? Or even asking unchurched folks for advice. What are some ways that you and your parish might think differently about reaching out with the Gospel to people? How are you communicating that might be slightly altered to reflect your desire to reach others? How might you consider your budget or the way you structure meetings? What ways are your small groups reaching out to the community? How are you engaging the community - do they know you are interested in them? Missional mindset is about an adaptive challenge – not simply changing your bulletin (though, that helps). If you simply write the word “welcome” on your bulletin – are you being welcoming? Food for thought. |
Freedom to be Fully AliveA Message from Archbishop Greg Kerr-Wilson For more infomation visit:
|
Diocesan Announcements
COVID-19 Task Force Update – January 29, 2021 In recent provincial updates, Dr. Hinshaw was able to report encouraging news in our fight against the spread of COVID-19. However, she warns that now is not the time to relax measures. While we too are encouraged to see COVID numbers decreasing throughout the province, we will stay on our present course and continue to do our part to keep the numbers moving downward. Thank you for your patience. It is making a difference. The next update will be provided in two weeks time.
Preparing for Lent Workshop: Archbishop Greg is inviting you to join him on a Lenten preparation study for the next two Wednesdays, February 3 and February 10, from 7:00 to 8:00 pm via Zoom. These evenings will be looking at: Why should we observe Lent, and traditions and practices for observing a Holy Lent; with Archbishop Greg teaching and an opportunity for questions. For a link to the Zoom meetings, please contact Carol.
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. |
Compensation Guidelinesfor 2021 New Compensation Guidelines are now on the Website. They can be found here. |
Online Annual Meeting of Parishioners Guidelines
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.
|
Bishop Anna Greenwood-LeeFirst Woman Bishop of the Diocese of BC On January 30, former priest of the parish of St. Laurence, Calgary Anna Greenwood-Lee was consecrated and installed as the 14th Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of BC (also known as the Diocese of Islands and Inlets). The full press release of this historic event can be found here. |
ACW Zoom Lenten Book StudyFebruary 22 to March 29 The Diocese of Calgary Anglican Church Women are presenting a Zoom Lenten Book Study. Chaplain Rev. Betty Piwowar will be leading this six-week study from on Monday afternoons from February 22 to March 29. The book will be Soul Feast: an invitation to the Christian Spiritual Life by Marjorie Thompson. For further information, contact Rev. Betty. Please note that because you have to purchase your own book, we need to hear from you very soon. |
Rosary Gathering via Zoom
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, Febuary 13, at 2:00 pm. This is open to all who wish to participate. For the Zoom link or more information, please email Fr Jerrod. |
Leading Morning and Evening PrayerFebruary 15, 2021 at 7:00 pm Would you like to learn how to lead Morning and Evening Prayer? If you feel God's call to this rich and meaningful ministry, please join the Rev. Betty Piwowar for a seminar on how to lead Morning and Evening Prayer, on Monday, February 15 at 7:00 pm via Zoom. For more information or to register, please email Barbara. |
Lent in a BagA Lenten Practice at Home Because Lent looks different this year, with restrictions and suspension of services, creative ideas have been coming forward. We received this idea: creating or distributing small bags with symbols of the season of Lent assists individuals or family in practicing Lent at home. For full instructions on creating these bags, please click here. |
Cursillo AGM via Zoom
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. |
Illuminating the Middle AgesA Series of Lectures on Medieval Illuminated Manuscripts Dr. Brian Black of the University of Lethbridge will lead a series of talks on Medieval illuminated manuscripts. Come discover how the manuscript is constructed, the meaning and significance of its illuminations and its reflections of the life and thought of its era. The talks will also touch on other arts of the period, such as music, stained glass work and painting. These talks will be held on Friday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Friday, February 12: "Made by Angels": The Book of Kells Friday, February 26: The Carolingian Renaissance and its Imperial Books of Gold Friday, March 26: The Paris of Saint Louis and the Parisian Pocket Bible Friday, April 30: The Disastrous Fourteenth Century and the Rivalry of the Courts of Burgundy and France For more information on these talks, please click here. To register, please contact Brian. |
Testimonial eBook Release
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? |
The Wisdom CentreHuman Beings | Being Human - An unorthodox journey through Lent Wednesday Evenings | February 24 to March 24, 2021 Online | 7:00 to 8:30pm - hosted by Rev. Don McLeod So much of what goes on in a traditional Lenten observance is privatized. "Go into your inner room and shut the door." Yet, what our world and our planet desperately need right now is a larger picture; a renewed vision of what it means to be fully human. What if Lent was seen as an invitation to embody an expression of "Being" itself, the realized quality of our aliveness? Rather than a retreat from the world, Lent can be an invitation to embrace the world and our humanness. Seeing ourselves as part of an abundant and compassionate whole. What does being human mean especially now as we live through a time of wilderness, a time of uncertainty and upheaval, a liminal season? A liminal season is the time between the 'what was' and the 'what might be.' It is a place of transition, a season of waiting, and not knowing. Richard Rohr suggests that, "liminal space is where all transformation takes place, if we learn to wait and let it form us". Join us for 5 evening online sessions during Lent to reconnect and reimagine what it might mean to be fully alive... human beings being human. Through music and poetry, images and insights from wisdom texts (ancient and contemporary), we will explore together ways of responding to what poet Diane Ackerman describes as, “our yearning to find whole-ness as holiness, and at-one-ment as atonement, filling a need ancient and essential as air.” There is no cost for this event however we ask you to register so we can email you the Zoom information for the sessions. Please email us. |
Association of Episcopal Deacons ConferenceMarch 4 to 6, 2021 via Zoom This Conference is "for all those interested in deacon formation, supervision and pastoral care." Details can be found here. |
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. |
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; - for Michelle, Myrna, Kim, Paige, Monica and Michael; - 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. |