Sometimes I wonder how a larger group of people can truly be on the same page. It’s quite a tall order to be unified in vision and execution. That’s why this past year I have been so excited to witness my church (and other churches in the diocese) embrace mission and start to weave it into the DNA of the parish. I’m involved in a few different ministries, from music to men’s group, and in each one I have consistently seen a push to add a missional element to what we do. In our men’s group ideas have started to percolate about a community clean up or a block party that we can invite our neighbours to. Holding the same events that we did last year, but advertising to the community around us this time around. These ideas always come back to that same question: how can what we already do be made missional? How can we create space for those who don’t yet know Jesus? Simple questions that make a massive difference if we are willing to answer them!

Clergy Movements:

The Rev. Bonnie Luft:

Archbishop Greg has appointed The Rev. Bonnie Luft as Interim Priest for Holy Cross, Calgary, beginning November 1.  Her last Sunday at St. Francis of Assisi, Airdrie will be October 23.  Please pray for Rev. Bonnie as she prepares for this transition.

The Rev. MJ Leewis-Kirk:

We also welcome back to the Diocese The Rev. MJ Leewis-Kirk, who has retired from her ministry in the Diocese of BC and is now living in Bragg Creek.  We look forward to working with her.

Collation - NEW DATE:

Archbishop Greg is pleased to announce that, God willing, he will collate The Rev. Jacqui Durand, currently serving at Meota Parish, as Archdeacon of Indigenous Ministries.  The Service of Collation will take place at St. Paul and St. Thomas, Kainai, NOW ON Sunday, December 4, at 4:00 pm.  Please pray for Rev. Jacqui as she prepares for her new ministry.  Color for this Service will be Red.

A vibrant parish in Calgary's Northeast is seeking a part-time priest.

Deadline for applications is September 30.

For a full Parish Profile or more information, please contact The Ven. Dr. Pilar Gateman.

St. Peter Anglican Church is looking for a part-time Parish Administrator.  The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, with superior organizational skills and the ability to prioritize.  Computer and MS Office knowledge is a MUST.  Accounting and bookkeeping skills are preferred.  Please send inquiries or questions to Rev. Jagdutt Singh.

 On September 30, we recognize Truth and Reconciliation Day, or Orange Shirt Day.

Resources can be found on the Anglican Church of Canada's website.

This class will consist of four Thursday evening meetings from 7:15 pm to 8:45 pm (October 13, October 20, October 27 and November 3).  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.  Cost is $180/couple which includes workbooks, sessions, and certificate.  For more information and to register, please email Rev. Brian. 

Do you have an interest, calling or are just curious about Pastoral Care? Maybe you want to be better equipped to support your church community, friends or your own family. We are all called to care and care deeply, as we are able, with one another. Maybe this is a “brush up” opportunity or time for skill refreshing. Please consider this an invitation to join us. Together we will reflect on who we are as pastoral caregivers and how we can use what we have to perhaps lessen the burden on another. Pastoral care is about listening and the ministry of presence, rooted in our love for each other and our faith in Jesus.  

Perhaps you know of someone in your church community that has taken this course or other pastoral training. Ask them about what they thought, what they learned; how things changed pastorally for them. In this course, there will be a bit of reading and/or reflecting as preparation for each of the evenings. There will be learning through new information, sharing and skill development. We will form a pastoral community on our own.  

I am extending two opportunities – November/December 2022 on Wednesdays and February/March 2023 on Tuesdays. This is a Zoom class.  

Dates are: Pastoral Care course 2022 Wednesdays – November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, December 7 and 14. The time is 6:30 pm – 8:45 pm.  Deadline to register will be October 24 or a full class.    

Pastoral Care course 2023 Tuesdays – February 14, 21, 28, March 7, 14, 21, 28. The time is 6:30 pm – 8:45 pm.  Deadline to register will be February 3 or a full class.    

There will be a minimum of 6 people and a max of 15.      

Please register with Rev. Tracey. Questions are also welcome. Please indicate which course you would like to attend.

The Calgary School of Discipleship is pleased to announce the Faith, Witness and Ministry Course is now open for registration.

The course will be held on four Saturday mornings, from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon, on November 19, November 26, December 3 and December 10, and led by The Rev. Chris Roth.

In many people's minds, the word "ministry" refers to a domain restricted to clergy.  All baptised Christians, however, are called by God into ministry.  Jesus calls us to follow Him, and that means He also calls us to be a Christian for others.  How our spirituality engages the world is the ministry we have been called into.  This course explores how our personal faith journey relates to how we are called to engage the world as we follow Jesus.

This is a required course for anyone pursuing any of the Licenses in Licensed Lay Ministry (License A, B or C), but is also open to anyone who is interested.

To register please email Barbara Labrecque.

Friday and Saturday, November 4 & 5: "Poetry Unbound" with Irish Poet & Theologian Padraig O Tuama:  The Friday evening public lecture will be held at the Calgary Central Library, hosted by the Wisdom Centre and the U of C 2022 Chair of Christian Thought Iwaasa Lecture.  The Saturday one-day Retreat is hosted by the Wisdom Centre, and will be either in-person or online (location to be determined).  For more information or to register, please click here.

Core Teams Training, with Guest Speaker Terry Moe: Join us on Wednesday, September 28, for an online conversation about organizing, core teams and community building.  RSVP here.

Annual General Meeting: This meeting is taking place on Thursday, September 29 at 9:00 am.  Attendees from the public are welcome, but only members can vote on items on the Agenda.  RSVP here.

Foundations for Community Organizing: Please join us for the October offering on Friday, October 21 for this training event.  RSVP here.

Vespers: Uncommon Prayers for Uncommon People.  More information can be found here.

October 12 – Vespers, traditional evening prayer in the Celtic tradition

November 9 – Lectio Divina, praying with Scripture

December 15 – Marian prayers, prayer beads

January 11 – Silentio, contemplative prayer

February 8 – Taizé, musical prayers

March 8 – Stations of the cross, praying and walking with Jesus

April 12 – Mandalas, drawing prayers

May 10 – Labyrinth, walking prayer

June 14 – Eco Divina – praying in nature 

The Wisdom of Trees - November 4: What trees can teach us about life and faith.  A weekend retreat at the FCJ Centre.

The Many Names of Mary - December 2: An invitation to sacred womanhood.

Please remember in your prayers:

- the Royal Family in their grief, and prayers for strength, wisdom and grace for our new King, Charles III;

- those who are sick, suffering, fearful or in need, remembering those suffering from COVID-19 and their caregivers, those feeling isolated and those who are vulnerable;  

- for peace within our country, and in the world, remembering the country of Ukraine; we pray for areas of unrest and riots, asking for wise discernment in our leaders;

- for Monica, Howard, Terry, Janet, Victoria, Rick and Deb, Donna, Sharon, Don, Adrian, Diane and Caroline;

- for those who have died and those who mourn, remembering our late Queen, Elizabeth II;

- the victims of violence and natural disasters;

- our Indigenous brothers and sisters, especially remembering their hurt and grief at this time; 

- refugees, remembering those fleeing the Taliban regime, and those fleeing war in the Ukraine.

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 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.