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Missional Minute
As Secretary to the Bishop and of Synod, one of my tasks is responding to or redirecting emails that are sent using diocese@ or info@. Prior to the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban, I would receive approximately five emails per week from refugees seeking assistance. Since the Taliban took governing control of Afghanistan, the number of refugee emails has doubled and with the recent announcement from the federal government that Canada would accept 40,000 Afghan refugees, this number has jumped dramatically. And they keep coming. I respond to each one with a cut-and-paste response, that our quota as a Sponsorship Agreement Holder is full, that we are only allowed to assist 30 individuals a year, and that we have a waiting list that will take ten years to process. I offer to pray for them. However, these latest emails are heart-wrenching. People in high positions, like judges or women’s rights advocates, pleading for assistance. A women’s volleyball team. A father whose three daughters have been removed from school for being girls. A female office employee who has lost her job and has received death threats. This last one resonates with me – she could be me! How can we be missional to people on the other side of the globe facing these dark and frightening times? How can our little efforts bring hope and peace for these victims? First, we need to open our eyes and inform ourselves of the dire need that is out there. We need to be supportive of the newcomers to our communities who have made it to this place of sanctuary. If we are able, we need to give generously to the agencies working to bring people to this country. And above all, we need to pray – pray for the victims in their struggle; pray for the workers in all levels assisting refugees, for strength and wisdom and courage; and pray for peace. Leviticus 19:34 The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. Matthew 25:40 Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of my brethren you did it to me. |
Diocesan Announcements
Two new Transitional Deacons - new date: We are delighted to announce that on Wednesday, December 8, God willing, Archbishop Greg will be ordaining Adam Bedford of St. Laurence, Calgary and Rob Petkau of Holy Trinity, Calgary to the Order of Deacons, at the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer.
Chaplain at Medicine Hat College: Since 2017, the Medicine Hat Ecumenical Campus Ministry has been blessed to have The Rev. Kristy Reimers-Loader as their chaplain. As of October 31, she will be stepping down from this position. Thanks are extended to Kristy for all her dedicated work at the College.
We ask for your prayers as each of these faithful ministers transition to these new roles.
Diocesan Office: The Diocesan office staff are mostly working from home at this time. Staff are available by email. Please email diocese@calgary.anglican.ca for confirmation of contact information on the staff person you are wanting to reach. |
First Aid - CPR 'C' - AED CourseSunday, 7 November - 1:00 to 5:00 pm St. Barnabas, Calgary is hosting a CPR/AED Course (in person) on Sunday, November 7 from 1:00 - 5:00 pm. The course is being led by First Aid Training Calgary, and the cost is $75. Participants will receive certification. St. Barnabas, like many other parishes, has recently acquired an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for use in a cardiac emergency, and would like to provide this opportunity for instruction for anyone in the Diocese who would like to become certified. Please contct the parish office to register. |
Items for SaleSt. Martin Anglican Church, Calgary As St. Martin’s has been moving into their new church building and going through the items that have been in storage, they have a number of items to sell. Solid oak wooden pieces, chairs, folding tables, and some small items are available. A complete list can be requested by emailing here. |
Artist's WebsiteBethany Vanderputten We are pleased to announce that a talented artist of our Diocese has a new website. Bethany Vanderputten will have a calendar available in November, as well as stickers, art cards and more. Well done, Bethany! |
Custom-made Tartan Kiltsmade with the Episcopal Church Clergy Tartan The Rev. Jerrod McCormack makes kilts in his spare time. He is offering to do a custom run of the Episcopal Church clergy tartan (shown above) if enough clergy or interested people would like to have a kilt made. Rev. Jerrod can do custom-made kilted skirts of various sizes and prices. Scarves and vests are also possible. Please contact Rev. Jerrod if you would like to participate in this opportunity. |
The Wisdom CentreTwo Fall Events Please join us for these updoming virtual events: Freeing Jesus: Conversations with Diana Butler Bass about Re-Imagining Faith - Wednesday and Thursday, 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 or to register, please contact The Wisdom Centre. |
Survivors of Suicide Loss DayOnline event - Saturday, 27 November 9:00 - 1:00 This day marks the international day to build support and community for those left behind. Organized by the Canadian Mental Health Association, Calgary. Join the event here. |
Dare to Lead in the Church21, 22, 28 October and 4 & 5 November - 9:30 am to 1:30 pm CDT Is "authentic leadership" just another meaningless buzzword, or can it be something bigger (and even better) than a hashtag? When we are separated from our values, even unconsciously, we become separate from ourselves. It takes courage to live and lead authentically. That kind of integration takes courage. It can start now. This online course will provide theologically grounded spiritual practices for leadership that empower your day-to-day life as a follower of Jesus Christ. Registration for this course is limited to church leaders: pastors, judicatory leaders, lay leaders, church planters, bi-vocational pastors, and new, emerging or discerning leaders. The course consists of eight live webcasts (three hours each), 24 contact hours, experiments and assignments to try in context, and a safe space to connect, discuss and share. Cost is $600, a reduced rate only offered for church leadership. To register or for more information, click here. |
RESTORE Online Conference19 - 20 November, 2021 |
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, November 16 - Funeral Planning To download the printable schedule, click here. |
Marriage EncounterRetreat Weekend - In Person or Online Retreat Weekend Experience: In person OR NOW ONLINE 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. Deadline is October 22. |
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. Advent Retreat: Finding Hope in Liminal Times - Join Bishop Anna Greenwood-Lee and musician Deb Koning as we begin the Advent season with an examination of what it means to be in liminal times. Advent has much to teach us about waiting, about preparation, about ambiguity, about hope, about daring to be incarnate despite the chaos and uncertainty of our world. Over the weekend, we will read texts and watch videos to explore the theology of Advent. We will also use poetry and art as a way to explore the themes of Advent. Begins Friday evening, November 26 until Sunday morning, November 28. More information and to Register. |
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, Monica, Barb, Howard, and Travis; - those who have died and those who mourn; - the victims of violence and natural disasters and victims of racial attacks; - our Indigenous brothers and sisters, especially remembering their hurt and grief at this time; - 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; - refugees, remembering this week those fleeing the Taliban regime. 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. |