God specializes in sending people on adventures. Throughout the Bible, we see it: Abram and Sarai must pack up their house and move to a foreign land (Genesis 12:1-5), Joseph is sold into slavery and sent to Egypt (Genesis 37:12-28), Moses is chosen by God to free the Hebrew slaves and take them to the Promised Land (Exodus 3:1-7), and Jonah runs from God but can’t escape the adventure that God had planned for him (Jonah 1:1-3). In the New Testament, Paul was inwardly transformed and then sent to the far corners of the known world to share the Good News of Jesus (Acts 9:1-31), and Jesus himself was continuously on the road with his disciples having the Greatest Adventure.

God is sending you on an adventure, too. You have been chosen, handpicked for a purpose, to fulfill a role in the stories of our time. A part of your purpose and role is to share Jesus with people outside the church. Acts 1:8 says, “...but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.” This may feel like a daunting task, but it can be as easy as a daily prayer and then relax and let the Holy Spirit help you have a conversation with someone in your sphere of influence. The responsibility for mission is God’s. Pray these 14 words, suggested by Michael Harvey, every morning; “Lord, today is there someone you want me to connect with outside the church?” Watch for what happens and be ready for adventure!

This month's Missional Minute contribution is from Linda Bateman.

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 8.  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.

We welcome two new priests to our Diocese:

Rev. Lawrence Kopp has been received into the Anglican Church and will be assisting at St. Augustine, Lethbridge when needed.  Rev. Joshua Kwak, an Anglican priest from Korea is now residing in Calgary and will be assisting at Holy Trinity, Calgary, offering services in Korean.  We are thankful for the ministry of these two priests and look forward to getting to know them.

Ash Wednesday Service:

There will be an Ash Wednesday Service at St. Edmund's House on Wednesday, February 18 at 9:00 am.  This service will be officiated by The Rev. John Chuol.  All are welcome to join the staff.

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.

Archbishop Greg Kerr-Wilson along with the Diocesan Council has announced that the 80th Convention of Synod has been called for Friday and Saturday, October 23 and 24, 2026, to be held at St. Peter Anglican Church, Okotoks.

Licensed Clergy and Lay Delegates to Synod must attend. Each parish needs to ensure that appropriate Lay Delegates have been elected at their Annual Meetings of Parishioners. These delegates must meet the criteria detailed in Canon 13.4c, and be willing to commit to the preparation for and attendance at Synod. Preparation includes the reading and being familiar with all materials sent out prior to Synod. Delegates, both Clergy and Lay, may be called upon to put their name forward for the following nominations:
- Provincial Synod (required: 3 Clergy, 2 Lay, 1 Youth)
- General Synod (required: 3 Clergy, 3 Lay, 1 Youth)
- Diocesan Council (required: 1 Clergy and 1 Lay from each of the 5 Deaneries)

This year’s Synod will be held over two days to allow for time to consider Missional, Financial, and Budget issues, and to avoid rushing the consideration of other issues. We are pleased to be celebrating this 80th Convention of Synod, and ask for ideas regarding how we can mark this occasion.

Please remember: Annual Returns must be in by Saturday, March 14th, 2026 in order for parishes to be permitted to send Synod delegates.

Any questions or concerns can be forwarded to The Rev. Deacon Charmaine Evans, Chair of the Synod Steering Committee and Executive Officer of the Diocese (officer@calgary.anglican.ca).

Clergy of our Diocese are asked to mark their calendars for two events that are being planned:

- Blessing of the Oils and Renewal of Ordination Vows will be held, God willing, at the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer, Calgary on Tuesday, March 31.   Our Assistant Bishop, The Right Rev. Michael Hawkins will be officiating.

- the annual Clergy Conference will be held, God willing, at Waterton Lakes Lodge from Monday, May 4 to Thursday, May 7.  Registration for this event will soon be forthcoming.

Please note that according to our Canons, Annual Meetings of Parishioners must be held prior to February 28, and the Annual Return forms must be in by March 14.

January 18 to April 16 - On Sabbatical

Please hold Archbishop Greg in your prayers as he takes this time away for rest and refreshment.

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)

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 relate 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.

Along the road from Palm Sunday to the cross, Jesus told stories - riddles that revealed the heart of God's kingdom. Will Willimon invites us to walk that road again, listening to Jesus's most memorable parables as we journey toward the Upper Room. Through stories of reckless sowers, searching shepherds, prodigal fathers, and open invitations, we discover a God who refuses to take no for an answer.

This six-week Lenten study explores the parables Jesus told on his way to the Last Supper, where the Host becomes the meal and God's relentless love transforms betrayers into beloved.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Mike. (Your email is required to participate online or you can attend in-person at St. Martin's Church, 1009 Prominence Way SW.)  The book, "The Last Supper: Conversations That Led to the Cross"  by Will Willimon can be found on Amazon and Indigo. Speak to the St. Martin's office (403-249-3014) if you need help ordering!

February 28, 2026 starting at 8:30 am.

Please send a request for the Zoom Link here.

For more information or to RSVP, please contact James Lawton.

We have recently been cleaning out our cupborards and have some items available that a parish or worship space may be able to use.

Items include:  coffee cups, napkins, tea carafe, water jug, cutlery tray, seasonal and welcome banners, seasonal artificial flowers, vases, and crosses for altars.

As well, we have a complete zoom/presentation setup including a projector, camera, speakers, group microphone and laptop.  We would prefer this be given as a unit for worship purposes.

Please email Linda if there are items you would like held for you.  Items will be available for pick up on Sunday, February 15 from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm in the Mission Hall (located behind the Diocesan Offices at 8336 - 34 Avenue NW.)

Christmas Gift Cards: The Diocesan Refugee committee extends its deep appreciation to the parishioners of Holy Nativity, Calgary for their generous support of our newcomers through their Christmas Gift Card donation program!  For 11 families and individuals, the Christmas season was brighter and easier with your kind support!

The WOMEN IN NEED Initiative: In some societies, women and girls face discrimination and violence every day simply because of their gender. An ordinary task like collecting water or going to the toilet can put them at risk of rape or abuse. In times of displacement, this problem escalates.

Women and girls make up around 50 per cent of any refugee, internally displaced or stateless population, and those who are unaccompanied, pregnant, heads of households, disabled or elderly are especially vulnerable. (Taken from the UNHCR website.)

The Women in Need program is a new initiative developed by the Anglican Diocese of Calgary Refugee Committee for the sponsorship of women refugees and their children who are victims of torture, physical, sexual or emotional abuse, discrimination due to their gender, or other violations of their human rights.

The Refugee Committee is accepting donations from individuals and parish groups to help fund sponsorships for vulnerable women and children. Please consider donating to assist these very worthwhile cases through the WIN Project.  For more information, contact refugee@calgary.anglican.ca

You can donate by:

• Cheque - Make the cheque to “The Synod of the Diocese of Calgary” and note “Refugee Sponsorship Group - WIN project” in the MEMO Please mail to the Synod Office. Tax receipts are available.
• Canada Helps - Click the Donate button on the Diocesan Website and select “Refugee Ministry” from the drop down Please specify the donation is for WOMEN IN NEED Project.

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.

Alongside Hope (formerly PWRDF) is our beloved Anglican charity that provides immediate humanitarian relief and long-term livelihood sustainability.  Many churches throughout our Diocese support this charity and have Alongside Hope Parish Reps.

We are excited to announce an all-expenses-paid Parish Rep Conference, taking place from Friday, May 22 to Sunday, May 24 (after the Long Weekend), along with representatives from the Diocese of Edmonton and the Diocese of Athabasca.  We will be gathering at the beautiful Star of the North Retreat Centre.  

Parish Reps have already begun to register, and we are now opening registration to any interested persons in our Anglican churches throughout the Diocese.

Please contact Diocesan Rep Lois Reid by email to register.  Act soon, as space is limited.

The next Calgary Cursillo Ultreya will be via Zoom.

We invite Cursillistas to join us for an evening of praise, online fellowship and an inspiring talk from our speaker.

This is our 36th annual gathering and our theme is “Finding Comfort in the Valley” {based on Psalm 23}, with the Rev. Elizabeth Short.

The weekend is a nurturing and renewing time for women from a variety of Christian communities.

The Anglican Foundation of Canada (AFC) is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 2026 Say Yes! to Kids (SYTK) campaign, the Foundation's national fundraising initiative supporting children and youth-focused ministry across the Anglican Church of Canada.

Parishes, dioceses and Anglican-affiliated organizations can register by April 1, here.

SYTK equips local ministry partners with fundraising tools, matching incentives and communications support to help strengthen programs that serve children, youth and young people in their own communities.   Campaign teams will fundraise locally in the spring, with Say Yes! to Kids Sunday taking place on Sunday, June 14.

To support teams who are new to the campaign - or those who would like to learn more before registering - AFC will host a series of Say Yes! to Kids Info Sessions via Zoom on Wednesdays in February at Noon EST (10:00 am MST).  Participants can register for a Zoom Info Session here.

For questions or more information, please contact Michelle Hauser.

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, 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, John, 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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