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Missional Minute
Welcome back! As we turn the calendar page to September, our thoughts often turn to taking on activities and resuming the busy-ness of our lives. Classes, courses, meetings, new deadlines, picking up where we left off in June. As we prepare to enter this season, where on our calendars are we scheduling time for mission? Are we allowing enough time for the activities that God is calling us to? Being missional means taking the necessary time to pray, to serve our friends, family and neighbors, to love well and to walk alongside others as we witness and listen to them. Are we over-scheduling ourselves to the point where this necessary time is being pushed aside? What are our priorities? This week, take time to pray over your calendar and ask God to reveal to you where you need to take the time He has given you to serve Him in serving others. |
Diocesan Announcements
St. George, Calgary: We are delighted to announce that The Rev. Deacon Joan Carson of St. George will be ordained to the Order of Priests on Tuesday, September 14 at St. George. Archbishop Greg has appointed The Rev. Greg Clark as Interim Priest, part time, for St. George, beginning September 7.
Christ Church, Calgary: After serving in the Diocese of Ottawa for several years, The Rev. Commander John Wilcox will be returning to Calgary, and has been appointed as Interim Assistant Priest for Christ Church beginning September 1.
St. Andrew, Calgary: The Rev. Christine Conkin, Incumbent of St. Andrew's, has resigned her position, and will be moving to The Diocese of British Columbia, to the parish of St. George's, Cadboro Bay in Victoria. Her last Sunday will be September 26. Christine has faithfully served in several parishes of this diocese for the past fifteen years, as well as serving as Regional Dean of Palliser. Her leadership and ministry will be missed.
St. Augustine, Lethbridge: The Rev. Deacon Gillian Breckenridge has been appointed as Associate Clergy for St. Augustine's, beginning October 1.
We ask for your prayers as each of these faithful ministers transition to these new roles. |
Making a Difference in Meota Parish
At a time when money is tight and bills need to be paid, two ladies from St. George, Turner Valley came up with some fundraising ideas. During a recent parish Zoom meeting, Carol started turning her camera around her living room for her fellow parishioners to see her many plants. She decided to sell them and donate the money to the church. The amount came to over $1000. Then the idea of selling pies was proposed, and Carol, along with her fellow parishioner Janet, took on the task of baking and selling about 90 pies. This, too, raised almost $1000. Now, in the month of August, there was another bake sale last week, and this time there were 120 pies available for sale. These two women are true Disciples - using their time and talents to give back to their parish. Well done, Carol and Janet! |
AFP Prayer RetreatSeptember 11, 2021 The Anglican Fellowship of Prayer is inviting all AFP Reps from each Deanery and each Church in the Diocese to a Prayer Retreat via Zoom, on Saturday, September 11, from 9:30 to 11:30 am. If you do not have a designated AFP Rep for your parish, please select someone to attend. To register and receive the Zoom Link, please contact The Rev. Deacon Betty Nadurak. The agenda for the meeting can be found here. |
The Cathedral Church of the RedeemerChoir and Organ Scholar positions available Section Lead Positions - Applications are open for paid Section Lead vocal postions (Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass) for the 2021/2022 season. The tentative start date is October 1, depending on the COVID-19 situation. Full details are available on the Cathedral Website. Organ Scholar Position - Applications are open for an Organ Scholar position for a student organist for the 2021/2022 season. The tentative start date is October 1, depending on the COVID-19 situation. Full details are available on the Cathedral Website. The initial review of applications for both positions will begin September 15, and applications will be considered until all positions are filled. For further information, please contact the Director of Music. |
Fall 2021 Group Marriage Preparation WorkshopOnline beginning September 28 This class will consist of four Tuesday evening meetings from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm on September 28, October 19, November 9 and November 30. Couples who are planning to get married are invited to register for this workshop as part of their journey to their wedding day. Participants will receive information and resources, and be asked to complete "homework" between classes. Topics to be covered: Communication, Conflict Management, Family Culture, Finances, Goals and Values, Intimacy, and Spirituality. The program will be lead by The Rev. Brian Way, Counselling Therapist and an approved Gottman Seven Principles Program Educator. Couples can get more information and register for the program by emailing Rev. Brian. |
Companions of the Bishop Dinner
Now that we can gather together in person, we are excited to announce plans for our next “Companions of the Bishop” Dinner. This event raises funds for the Bishop’s Discretionary Fund, which provides funds to help with pastoral and other needs that arise for which other funds are not budgeted or available. Please consider attending to support this worthy cause. We are excited to announce that this year's guest speaker will be our Primate, the Most Rev. Linda Nicholls. To request a ticket order form and/or a donation form, please click here . Any questions can be directed to The Rev. Deacon Marcus Herrel. |
Dying to KnowFall Sessions 2021 Hospice Calgary's Dying to Know education program is for family caregivers, patients, volunteers working in any setting and anyone who is interested in the variety of topics from living with uncertainty to self-compassion. The sessions are free on Zoom on the third Tuesday of each month from 6:00 to 7:30 pm, and feature professional, expert speakers. Tuesday, September 21 - What is Hospice and Palliative Care? Tuesday, October 19 - Advanced Care Planning To download the printable schedule, click here. |
Upcoming Events
A Compassionate Comeback - Held online - September 8, 2021 As we make plans to re-gather and return to a less isolated time, is your organization ready to support your community members? Can we go forward and leave no one behind? Click here to RSVP. Mental Health First Aid (Basic) Course. Held at St. Andrew Anglican Church - September 17 to 19, 2021 This course focuses on the four most common mental health disorders including substance-related, mood-related, anxiety and trauma-related, and psychotic disorders. Participants who take this course are well-prepared to interact confidently about mental health with their family, friends, communities, and workplaces. Cost is $140/attendee. Click here to RSVP. 2021 Mayoral Forum - Online - Thursday, September 30 - 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm Please join this online forum to hear from candidates about their vision for Calgary. This event will be moderated by the Calgary Alliance for the Common Good and Action Dignity. Not only is this an excellent opportunity to hear directly from the candidates, it also demonstrates to our future mayor that Alliance members (such as our Diocese) are engaged and paying attention - a strong and active community organization. Click here to register and learn more. |
Chair of Christian Thought LecturesTwo Upcoming Lectures Broken Promises, Broken Systems: An indigenous view of theodicy in the form of systemic injustice - Friday, 17 September, 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne analyses theodicy - why a loving God should permit evil - and the ways in which our failure to act on the side of justice allows for the proliferation of evil in the form of systemic injustice. The current context in Canada where non-indigenous people were "shocked" by news that was (in reality) not news to indigenous peoples about our complicated history has borne witness to the ways in which individual intention has nothing to do with systemic injustice. Register here. The Chair of Christian Thought Iwaasa Lecture on Urban Theology: Lessons from the Streets: The liberative wisdom of Brene Brown in addressing multiple existential threats - Saturday, 18 September, 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm In this lecture, Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne explores why empathy and courage are so deeply important to urban theology and our aspirations towards a liberative future. The streets of urban centres are often where those most marginalized in multiple ways end up. Their problems are a microcosm of all our problems, and without deep empathy and deep courage, we will continue to recreate and enforce the systems that continue to deeply stratify human existance at the expense of our planet. Register here. |
Light for Every Birth ProjectFundraising with the YYC Helping Hands team The PWRDF is fundraising to purchase and install solar suitcases for 50 rural health clinics in Mozambique. Each suitcase costs $5800 including transportation, installation and training. The village health clinics have no electricity. By donating to this project, you will reduce the incidence of baby and mother mortality during birth. Marlene Wiens and her team, YYC Helping Hands, will be riding to raise funds. To join the team or donate, please click here. For more information on this amazing project, view here. You can contact Marlene directly here. |
The Wisdom CentreTwo Fall Events As we continue to live in uncertain times, these two new events will be virtual. Registration opens September 1. Freeing Jesus: Conversations with Diana Butler Bass about Re-Imagining Faith - October 20 & 21, 2021, 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Holy Wisdom, Mother of God: Exploring the Divine Feminine - Friday, November 5 at 6:00 pm and Saturday, November 6 at 10:00 am. To find out more, please contact The Wisdom Centre. |
Basically Babies
Basically Babies is a registered charity that supports families with newborns living in situations of extreme need in our community. Our purpose is simple: to outfit newborns in need. Through this, we communicate worth, value, dignity and hope to the recipient families by providing a beautiful and practical, color-coordinated, appropriately-sized and season-specific "layette" that will outfit the baby for his/her entire first year of life. Each layette contains approximately 110 items including summer and winter clothing, snowsuits, jackets, hats, mittens, sweaters, socks, shoes, slippers, sleepers, undershirts, blankets, towels, washcloths, toys, books and much more. We use gently used baby items that are donated by the community. We are working hard to grow our Calgary donations so that we can continue to help more families with newborns who are living in situations of extreme need in the greater Calgary community. Basically Babies is now seeking a donation drive/collection in the form of clean, good quality, gently used or new baby clothing (sized 0 to 24 months) and small baby supplies and items. The demand for our layettes is constantly increasing. If your church is able to help us meet this need, we will provide materials and collection boxes and work together to create a donation drive that works for you and supports our needs. Please contact Jennifer or phone (587) 436-2843 to set up a phone or Zoom meeting to discuss working together. For more information about our work and the families we serve, please visit our website. |
Items Available
Prayer Desks: The Diocese Office has acquired three prayer desks. Snowblower: St. James, Calgary has a brand new John Deere Gas Snow Blower available, and would be happy to donate it to a parish who needs one. If you are interested in either of these items, please contact the Diocese Office for information. |
Items NeededSt. Edmund Anglican Church St. Edmund's is in the process of transforming our Rectory into a gathering space for the church and the community. We are in need of gently used padded office chairs/visitor chairs. If you are able to help us out, please contact David. |
Earth Jam 2021
From September 8 to October 8, join us for a series of events to participate in activities to engage with the climate emergency and be part of the change. To register or for more information, please click here. |
Marriage EncounterTwo Events Restore-Rekindle-Renew: Seven online sessions beginning Sunday, September 19. There is a limit of eight couples. Deadline for registering is September 6. For more information or to register, click here. Retreat Weekend Experience: In person retreat in Edmonton, November 5 to 7, 2021. What if ONE weekend had the potential to bring you closer and more intimate? Would you consider investing the time? For more information or to register, click here. |
Sorrento Centre
"All Verdant Greening" - The Right Rev. Dr. Lynne McNaughton, Bishop of Kootenay, will lead a retreat to explore the art and writing of Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179) from October 22 to 24. Themes of God's energy in Creation will inspire and resonate with those finding a life-giving spiritual path. Get the details here. |
Diocese of Montreal Open Enrolment Learning OpportunitiesFall 2021 Our open enrolment courses equip students for life in a changing church. Open to anyone interested in deepening their Christian faith and knowledge, and cultivating leadership skills in the church, we hope you will find in these offerings something that will help you grow as a follower of Christ. You can register as an individual but we encourage people to learn together, with a group rate and share the Zoom link to discuss the resources provided. Reading the Bible in the Season of Creation: Christian Discipleship in a Time of Climate Crisis: Tuesdays, 7:00 to 8:30 pm ET, September 21 to October 12. Luke: A Journey with Jesus: Tuesdays, 7:00 to 8:30 pm (ET), October 26 to November 23. Accountable Preaching for the Church and World: Thursday evenings, 7:00 to 9:00 (ET), October 21 to November 4. Information on these courses can be requested here. |
The Anglican Foundation of Canada launches Requests for Proposals (RFP)September 1 to October 1, 2021 Based on the success of the Say Yes! to Kids campaign, the Anglican Foundation of Canada (AFC) is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) that contribute to the physical, intellectual, emotional, or spiritual well-being of children, youth, or young adults within Canada. Grants for both ongoing and emerging projects will be considered: * Category A grants, of up to $5,000 will be considered based on impact and how they support young people in a local context. * Category B grants of up to $15,000 will be considered based on how they support the overall mission and service to children and youth in a city, diocese, or region. Eligible uses of funding include, but are not limited to, administrative expenses, equipment, technical costs, remuneration, honoraria, and food. Proposals will be accepted from September 1 to October 1, 2021. Proposals submitted in response to this RFP will not count as one of the three submissions each diocese is allowed per year. To read the full news release click here. For the 2021 RFP Criteria and Application form click here. |
Call Out for Submissions for the 2023 Canadian Church Calendar
Calling all shutterbugs! It's NOT too early to submit photos for the 2023 Canadian Church Calendar. If you haven't purchased your 2022 copy or wish to submit photos, details can be found on our website. |
A Reminder about Phishing Scam Emails
Once again, there has been a phishing attempt reported to the Diocesan Office in the past few weeks. If you receive a request from one of our staff asking for your help, and you are suspicious, please do not respond and delete the email. We ask two things: 1. ALWAYS read the email address the message is coming from; all of our correspondence comes only from @calgary.anglican.ca 2. Know that the Archbishop, or the our staff will never ask you for money or the purchase of gift cards on our behalf. These emails are not harmful to your computer, just annoying. |
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 continue to find our way forward in these strange times; - 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, Paige, Monica, Jane, Aus, Bill, Anne, Larry, James, Barb, Howard; - those who have died and those who mourn; - the victims of violence and natural disasters and victims of racial attacks. We pray especially for the countries of Haiti and Afghanistan. - our Indigenous brothers and sisters, especially remembering their hurt and grief at this time; - the forest fires in BC and throughout Canada and the US; - our Companion Diocese of the Windward Islands and their Bishop Leopold Friday, especially during these stressful days of volcanic activity on the island of St. Vincent. - for our country as we face a Federal Election on September 20. 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. |