One of the facts that stunned all of us Missional Coaches and usually surprises folks who come to the workshops is the statistic that 81% of people we meet are open to a discussion about faith.

An Angus Reid Poll which was first taken in 2017 and then again in 2022 asked a number of questions about practices, beliefs and attitudes. In the results of the poll there were categories which came from the study. Those who were Religiously Committed, those Privately Faithful, those Spiritually Uncertain and Non-believers. The non-believers only took up 19% of the total responses. Meaning 81% of those who responded were open to discussions of faith.

What does this have to do with mission? Well, we often hold back speaking about our faith with people because we hear the sometimes-loud minority who are not interested. However, the large majority are interested, and in many ways seeking to find hope in a world and lives which feel a little unstable a lot of the time.

What might happen if we simply asked the question each morning: Lord, is there someone, outside the church, you want me to connect with?

If we believe the Holy Spirit wants to invite people to a life of faith, hope, love – and wants us involved, perhaps it's as simple as trusting God to let us know who we might connect with. It may end up being a simple conversation, a kind exchange, or maybe they need support or care. 81% of people are open. The Holy Spirit is ready.  Are you?

We encourage you this new year – during your regular prayer time – to ask the question above and then just notice who you are invited to pray for, interact with, or encourage someone who God shows you.

This month's Missional Minute contribution is from The Rev. Dr. Pilar Gateman.

Ordination Announcement:

Archbishop Greg is pleased to announce that, God willing, he will ordain to the Priesthood The Rev. Deacon Luke Lima of Grace Anglican United, Blairmore.  The Service of Ordination will take place at Grace Anglican United on Saturday, January 17 at 2:30 pm.  Please pray for Luke as he prepares for his new ministry.  Clergy in the High River Deanery are expected to attend; we ask all clergy to attend if they are able, to support their colleague.  Color for this event will be White.

Clergy Moves:

Archbishop Greg is pleased to announce that he has appointed The Rev. Brandon Witwer to be the new Incumbent for the Parish of All Saints, Cochrane as of March 1.  We ask for your prayers for Rev. Brandon as he transitions to this new role, and ask God to bless the parish as they journey together.

The Rev. Daniel Joseph has stepped down as Incumbent of St. Francis of Assisi, Airdrie.  He has announced his intention to return permanently to Singapore.  We thank Rev. Daniel for all he has done for the parish and this Diocese, and wish him every blessing on his future.

Sabbatical:

Archbishop Greg will be on sabbatical from January 18 until April 16.  During this time away, he has appointed The Right Rev. Michael Hawkins as Commissary for Episcopal acts and representing Archbishop Greg at Diocesan committee meetings.  He has also delegated oversight of the Diocesan Office to The Rev. Deacon Charmaine Evans, our Executive Officer.

January 8 - Synod Steering Committee meeting, St. Edmund's House, 4:00 pm

January 9 - Cursillo AGM, St. Barnabas, Calgary, 7:30 pm

January 11 - Blessing New Church Home and Christmas/New Year's celebration, St. Paul Dinka, St. Peter, Calgary, 2:00 pm

January 12 to 15 - Communion Partners Annual Retreat in Texas

January 17 - Ordination of Rev. Luke Lima to the Priesthood, Grace Anglican United Church, Crowsnest Pass, 2:00 pm

January 18 to April 16 - On Sabbatical

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

The Ministry Development team offers time for lay ministers from around the diocese (new and locally ordained too!)  to gather each week to discuss and reflect upon the readings for the week in preparation for preaching. Academic resources (commentaries, etc) will be made available for participants, and it will be a great opportunity to share ideas and resources for lay ministers who are preaching in their local services.  

Time: Tuesdays from 1:00 to 3:00 pm

Location: on Zoom

Please contact Br. Jason Carroll to sign up or for more information. 

The Ministry Development team offers time for lay ministers from around the diocese to gather once a month for discussion and conversation around the opportunities, challenges and needs of lay ministry. It is also a great opportunity to create connections and fellowship with other lay ministers in the diocese. 

In the third week of each month, we will be producing a podcast with a different guest and topic for discussion. The Round Table will be held on the fourth Thursday of the month on Zoom in the afternoons, where the podcast and any other issues are on the table for discussion!

Please contact Br. Jason Carroll for more information (jcarroll@calgary.anglican.ca)

This course will provide students with a foundation to understand the Old Testament.  In particular, this course will provide an understanding of God's covenant of faithfulness in the creation of humankind in his Image, and in the history of the redemption of his people through his covenants with Abraham, Israel, David and the New Covenant promised by the Prophets.  Students will also learn the variety of literary genres present in the Old Testament and how they function in making God known to his people, as well as learning about the broader context of the ancient world in which the Old Testament was written.

This is one of the required courses for CSD licensing.

Dates: Wednesday Evenings, January 14 to April 1, 2026

Location: on Zoom

Time: 7:00 to 8:30 pm

Cost: $100

Instructor: Dr. Joel Anderson, PhD

To register, please contact Barbara Labrecque.

This course will introduce students to the discipline of theology. We will discover the "why" and "how" of theology, drawing on some of the most important theologians of Christian history. The course will be structured around the Apostles’ Creed as the backbone of theology. We'll also cover how Anglicans approach theology.  And we will begin to see how theology is lived out in our daily lives. 

This is an entry-level course and will be tailored to different levels. It will, as much as possible, be seminar-style or discussion-based rather than lecture-based. We will be reading both primary and secondary sources.

A second class may be considered if this time does not suit many students or if interest greatly exceeds the 12-student limit.  A syllabus is available.  Students should register early to secure a spot and order their texts.

Date: Saturdays, January 31 to April 18, 2026

Location: On Zoom (and Google Classroom)

Time: 2:00 to 4:00 pm

Cost: $100

Instructor: The Rev. Greg Clark

To register, please contact Barbara Labrecque.

In many people's minds, the word "ministry" refers to a domain restricted to clergy.  All baptized Christians, however, are called by God into ministry.  This course will explore how our personal faith journey and the living out of our baptismal vows relates to how we are called to engage the world as followers of Jesus.  Jesus calls us to follow him, and that means he also calls us to be a Christian for others.  Students will explore how their spiritual formation and discipleship engage the world.

This is one of the required courses for CSD licensing.

Date: Saturdays, February 7, 14, 21 and 28, 2026

Location: on Zoom

Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Cost: $60

Instructor: The Rev. Chris Roth

To register, please contact Barbara Labrecque.

Two workshops are being offered, open to all interested persons and are free of charge.  The first will be held at the Coaldale Public Library (2014 - 18th Street, Coaldale), and the final workshop of February 28, 2026, which will be held at the Anglican Church of the Ascension, Coaldale.  Registration is required as space is limited.  To register, Click Here.

1. Creative Problem Solving: Saturday, January 31, 12:00 - 4:00 pm.  Facilitated by Jonathan Legg, artist and educator.

2. Spiritual Practices and Healing: Saturday, February 28, 12:00 - 4:00 pm.  Facilitated by educator and musician Helen Raczuk and chaplain and musician Reno Guyon.

For more information, the poster or the brochure, please be in touch with The Rev. Canon Erin Phillips.

Sponsored by the Anglican Church of the Ascension, Coaldale with financial support from the Anglican Healing Fund for Japanese Canadians.

The Kakuma Empowerment Program (KEP), a refugee-led initiative established in 2021, is dedicated to empowering refugee youth in the Kakuma Refugee Camp and the Kalobeyei Resettlement in Northwestern Turkana County in Kenya.  KEP has been supporting young people through biennial high school scholarships, tutoring, and mentorship initiatives designed to build capacity, resilience and leadership among refugee communities.

Currently, KEP operates on member contributions of $10 a month, which provides the foundation for scholarships and other programming.  Now the organization is seeking innovative and sustainable fundraising approaches.

The ReCYcle for EduCAtion project aims to address this need by creating a recycling-based fundraising model.  Starting in September 2025 in Calgary, the project will mobilize volunteers to collect reusable bottles and cans from partner institutions, including churches, schools, and residential apartments.  These items are delivered to recycling depots and proceeds will be directed toward KEP's education fund.

This is a pilot project to serve as a foundation for possible expansion across Canada.  The goal is to increase the number of KEP's scholarships from two to three, creating more opportunities for refugee youth to pursue secondary education.

If any one has recyclables, they can contact Rev. John Chuol who will pick them up and take them to the depot.  The money will be sent to support the KEP project.

St Barnabas Anglican Church, Calgary conducted an Advent Fundraiser for “Buzzing with Excitement” for beehives in Columbia. They raised over $2400. Above is the poster used to advertise it.  Well done!

The Wisdom Centre announces that Dr. Hillary McBride will be in Calgary for two events on January 25 & 26.  This includes a public lecture (with livestream option) to be held on the evening of Sunday, January 25, and a professionally oriented workshop to be held on Monday, January 26.

Tickets are available for the lecture (live or livestreamed) or as a package which includes the lecture and workshop.  

Please remember in your prayers:

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

- for the Anglican Communion, and our new Archbishop of Canterbury-elect, The Most Rev. Sarah Mullally;

- for the work of the General Synod, and for our Primate, The Most Rev. Shane Parker;

- for our Companion Diocese of the Windward Islands;

- for those who are sick, suffering, isolated or in need.  We ask for prayers for Barbara, Maureen, Karen, Ruth and James, Kate, Rosemary, Patricia, Rob, Gloria, Joan, James, Doug, Beth, Janis, Faten, Janice, and John and Lucille;

- 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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