There are moments in teaching when the teacher looks over the room and sees a beam of light from one or more students being emitted as a brief gleam of understanding or recognition of the concept.  This moment is formally known as conceptualization, an "I got it" moment: a thumbs up sign, a smile and nod, or, in some settings, even a "God moment."

These moments are certainly not new to many of the Missional Coaches, some of whom are former teachers and educators.  The course material refers to these moments as a mindset shift or the light turning on when some in the group give a collective sigh and say, "I get it."

To illustrate this, I choose an example from a Missional workshop that we presented earlier this year.  Three of the Missional Coaches were out on a lovely sunny day in June, presenting a workshop to two parishes in Southern Alberta.  These two churches were diverse in nature and really not sure of how both would proceed in the future in trying to be more missional.  The morning went on and it appeared that there were a few rough edges that we needed to address and work out.  The three Coaches got together during the lunch break and prayed to let the Lord and Holy Spirit go to work and help the participants understand the principles we had talked about.

None of the Coaches could believe the results of the afternoon session.  The two diverse groups were now working together to arrange events, missional outreach and cooperation.  All and all, a good day's work for all involved.  Together, the Coaches de-briefed and tried to make sense of what had happened.  A few conclusions were formulated and some serious changes of mindsets took place.

The next day (Sunday), the Gospel reading appointed for the day put most of the previous day into perspective.  The reading was from Mark 5:21-43, and was the story of Jesus raising a dead girl and healing a sick woman.  Like the synagogue leader Janais' daughter, what appeared to be dead may, with the Lord's help, be merely something that was asleep and can be returned to life.

"At this they were completely astonished" is just another way of saying, "We get it."

This month's Missional Minute contribution comes from Michael Larsen of St. Augustine, Lethbridge.

December 7 - Diocesan Council meeting by Zoom or in person, beginning at 10:00 am

December 8 - Confirmation Service at St. Augustine, Lethbridge

December 12 - Deacons' Gathering via Zoom, at 7:00 pm

December 15 - Baptism and Confirmation Service at Holy Cross, Calgary

December 18 - Glenmore/Palliser Deanery Christmas service and Lunch

Please hold Archbishop Greg in your prayers as he serves as our Bishop and Metropolitan.

On Sunday, December 1, Archbishop Greg inducted The Rev. Jesse Holland as Incumbent of St. Michael, Canmore.

On Tuesday, December 3, Archbishop Greg inducted The Rev. David Matthews as Incumbent for Holy Trinity, Calgary.

This new course will provide you with a foundation to understand the writings and theology of the New Testament. It will explore how the four Gospels reveal the life, ministry, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus of Nazareth as herald of the “Good News” of the coming of the Kingdom of God, and as the founder of a new Covenant with God. It will also explore, as reported in the book of Acts and the Epistles, the coming of the Holy Spirit as the creator of the Church by means of the renewal of the Image of God. You will also learn about the variety of literary genres present in the New Testament and how they detail the life and growth of the early church, as well as learning about the broader context of the ancient world in which the New Testament was written.

NOTE: This course will represent a serious time commitment (attending class, reading and assignments) for those taking the course for credit.

Date: Wednesday Evenings, January 22 – April 9, 2025

Location: In Person at St. Augustine’s Church, Lethbridge, or On Zoom

Time: 7:00-8:30 pm

Cost: $95

Instructor: Rev. Br. Jason Carroll

Please join us this Advent for an exploration and conversation around the Incarnation of Jesus.  We will have three remaining sessions focusing on different aspects of the Incarnation and Jesus' entrance into creation and human experience.  We are excited to have each session led by a different person from the Diocese - The Rev. Elizabeth Short, The Rev. Chris Roth, The Ven. Dr. Pilar Gateman and The Rev. Br. Jason Carroll.  This study will enrich your Advent journey.  We'll gather via Zoom on Sunday evenings throughout Advent (December 8, 15 and 22) from 7:00 - 8:30 pm.  

Please contact Br. Jason Carroll at the Diocesan Office to register for the study.

Cost is free.

Our program provides food hampers for clientele who have applied for the hamper program.  Pick up dates are December 9 to 13 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.  For those who have requested delivery, the hampers will be delivered on December 14.

We are in need of volunteers to assist in the evening with pick ups, and drivers for the Saturday, December 14 deliveries.  

Prior to the pick up dates, volunteers are needed to prepare bags of sugar, macaroni, coffee and rice. There are various other tasks that need to be completed, as well.

We would welcome your phone calls if you have questions about volunteering at the Food Bank, at (403) 288-6330 Mondays and Thursdays from 9:00 to noon.

Bethlehem was the birthplace of the Messiah, the Christ of God.  Oswald Chambers asks, Are you a Bethlehem for Jesus?

To answer that question, we will explore three metaphors for Bethlehem.  We will reflect on those metaphors to determine whether we are a Bethlehem for the Son of God, or how we can become a Bethlehem for Him.

Led by Rev. Nancy Cowton, retired Spiritual Care Practitioner.

Monday, December 9, from 1:00 - 4:00 pm, at St. Luke, Calgary (Fireside Room).

A Free Will Offering will be taken.

To register or for more information, please contact Rev. Dcn. Keith Bird, or call (403) 354-0181.  

All are welcome.  Admission is free, but there will be an opportunity to purchase grocery cards in support of two local women's shelters, Big Hill Haven and Eagle's Nest.

Celebrate the joy of the Christmas season with a heartwarming Lessons and Carols Service at St. George in the Pines Anglican Church, nestled in picturesque Banff, Alberta.  Experience the beauty of the Christmas story told through scripture and song, featuring a talented group of Banff's seasoned musicians. Let the festive spirit come alive as we gather for a magical Christmas carol sing-along—perfect for all ages! Bring your family, friends, and holiday cheer. We can’t wait to celebrate with you on Sunday, December 15th, 2024 at 8 p.m. at 100 Beaver Street, Banff, AB. 

Join us for an enchanting magical, festive concert of Advent and Christmas favourites with violin, golden harp, Celtic harp, voice, and guitar.

The concert is free; however, donations for the Calgary Food Bank will be gratefully accepted. 

Christ Church, Calgary invites you to Nine Lessons & Carols, happening on December 22 at 4:30 pm. This service is a wonderful way to journey through the scriptures and look toward Christmas. All are welcome.

Taste and See...

Anglican Renewal Ministries is dedicated to bringing the life and power of the Holy Spirit to all Christians.  ARM has been serving the Anglican Church of Canada for over 30 years.  In addition to workshops on the person and gifts of the Holy Spirit, we also offer a quarterly magazine called “Taste and See…” with articles to uplift and encourage you in your walk with Christ.   We hope this magazine will be a source of encouragement to all.  Sample articles and a free copy of the magazine are available on our website. 

The Diocese of Calgary Anglican Church Women are very pleased to offer another Zoom Book Study!  This will be led by our Chaplain The Rev. Betty Piwowar.

There will be two opportunities a week to study: Tuesdays at 1:00 pm OR Wednesdays at 7:00 pm.  The Tuesday sessions begin January 14 and the Wednesday sessions will begin on January 15, and each will run for eight weeks (each session being 1.5 hours long).  

To register contact Margaret Newton or call (403) 734-2130.

For anyone wishing to join a new EFM On-Line group, one will be starting in early January, 2025.
The group consists of learners from across Canada and is likely to meet in the late afternoon to accommodate folks East of the Prairies.
Day and time to be decided in collaboration with those registered by January 1, 2025. Contact the Rev'd Paula Porter Leggett.

Prairie College has a long history of preparing men and women for a variety of roles in ministry. In January 2025, the inaugural fully-online cohort of this new Master’s program will begin. If you or anyone in your church may be interested in taking this program, please encourage them to apply now for free (Use promo code: CHURCH) by clicking on this link.

We are still collecting used postage stamps which the Canadian Bible Society magically uses to create Bibles to distribute to people in prison. Yes, the postal strike may interfere with those beloved Christmas greetings but those on strike will eventually get back to work. When they do, please clip those used stamps. Remember to keep the stamp on the envelope and cut out the stamp leaving a ¼” border around the entire stamp if possible. Leave the stamps in the collection box in the Holy Cross narthex or drop them off at the Diocese Office. Postage stamps – one of those little things that can add up to make a big difference. Questions? Please contact Donna Uncles or the Diocese Office.

Celebrate the JOY and HOPE of Christmas with New West Symphony & Chorus and New West Student Ensemble at Christmas with New West. This lively concert features choir and orchestra music from a wide variety of musical genres, including classical, gospel, contemporary, and new twists on traditional Christmas carols. It will definitely be a highlight of your Christmas season!

As New West celebrates its 15th season, this concert will feature a wide variety of our favourite songs from past “Christmas with New West” concerts, plus we’ll be adding a few sure-to-be “new favourites”!

Christmas with New West has become an annual tradition for many, so invite your family and friends to join you in celebrating the wonders of the Christmas season with us.

Come and celebrate Christmas with New West.  Tickets to this annual Christmas celebration are NOW ON SALE!    Tickets sell out fast, so don’t delay!

The Diocese Office has two desks available to a good home.  Both are dark brown in color, and measure 60" x 30".  

Please contact the Office if you are interested in acquiring one or both of these desks.

Please remember in your prayers:

- for peace within our country, and in the world, for victims of violence, war and natural disasters, and for areas of unrest and riots.  We ask for wise discernment in our leaders; 

- for the Anglican Communion, for our Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, and for healing and direction moving forward;

- for the Windward Islands recovering from Hurricane Beryl;

- for the people of the Parish of St. Mary & St. George, Jasper, suffering the loss of their church home;

- for those who are sick, suffering, isolated or in need.  We ask for prayers for Barbara, Karen, Maureen, Ruth and James, Kate, Rosemary, Patricia, and John.  

- for those who have died and those who mourn;

- for the poor, the homeless, and the needy in our communities;

- for our Indigenous brothers and sisters, and their leaders in our diocese and country; 

- for refugees, remembering those fleeing regimes around the world;

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.

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