I am starting this missional minute with a quote we saw in an earlier submission: 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!

According to my note in my phone on January 11, 2025, an education student named Haylee approached my husband and I at our usual karaoke night at a local pub and told us she was going to Thailand to teach for three and a half months, starting in April, and asked if we knew anything about Thailand.  I said my daughter-in-law's mom just got back and I would ask her.  I saw Haylee the following week and gave her what I had been told and said to always travel out in a group.  I said I would continue to pray for her and told her to enjoy her adventure.  She said thanks and joined my husband to sing “Sweet Caroline” at karaoke that evening.

In early December 2025 we were sitting at karaoke when a person came up to me and gave me a hug and placed a postcard on the table (see the photo).  It was Haylee and she sat down for a minute.  She said she was back for awhile and wanted to deliver the postcard from Vietnam in person.  She had elephant keychains for us and just wanted to thank us deeply for our prayers and support.

As a missional coach, this postcard spoke volumes.  We don’t need to know the outcome of our encounters. But it was wonderful to get a postcard addressed to the pub (she didn’t know our address or our last names), sent to say thanks.

Humbly submitted by Karen Larsen (grandparent of Karaoke)

Ordinations:

Archbishop Greg is pleased to announce his intention to ordain, God willing, two candidates to the Order of Deacons.  We ask for your prayers for Mrs. Pat Kover of St. Andrew, Calgary and Mrs. Kari Pentland of St. Aldhelm, Vulcan.  The Ordination Service will be held at the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer, Calgary on Saturday, May 2 at 2:00 pm.  Clergy are asked to vest for this service; color will be RED.

Sabbatical:

Archbishop Greg will be on sabbatical until April 16 and will return to the office on April 28.  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.

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

- Ordination Service at the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer, Calgary on Saturday, May 2 beginning at 2:00 pm.  Clergy are asked to robe; color will be RED.

- 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 has been sent out to clergy.

On Tuesday, March 31, clergy from all over our diocese gathered for the annual Blessing of the Oils and Renewal of Ordination Vows Service.  We were grateful to have our Assistant Bishop, the Right Rev. Michael Hawkins preaching and presiding.  Our thanks to the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer for preparing this service and providing a delicious lunch.

January 18 to April 16 - On Sabbatical

April 17 to 25 - Provincial and National House of Bishops

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!  This month, The Rev. Dr. Pilar Gateman discusses Missional Coaches.  Tune in to the Podcast here.

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

It is becoming more and more difficult to remain resolute and hopeful in a world where so many forces are competing for our souls. As Christians, though, our identity and devotion are oriented to the One in whom our love and life is found, Jesus Christ, whom we are bound to in the vows of our Baptism. This meditation on “Living Our Baptismal Vows” will lead you through both the Biblical meaning of our Baptism, as well as giving you the opportunity to reflect on how to live out your Baptismal vows in this present world. Each week, we will begin with a short time of teaching, and then spend time in conversation and Lectio Divina. You will also be given some short Christian texts from the saints of the past and present to reflect on during this journey as well. Please join us in this post-Easter time of reflection.

Date: Wednesday Evenings, April 22 - June 24, 2026

Location: On Zoom

Time: 6:30pm-8:00pm

Instructors: Rev. Elizabeth Short & Rev. Br.  Jason Carroll

To Register, please contact Barbara Labrecque.

Have you been reflecting on how we care for one another within our parish family?  Are you curious about pastoral care and how you might share in this ministry of compassion and presence?

We invite you to join us for a seven week online Zoom course, where we will gently explore the heart of pastoral care together. Topics include the theology of pastoral care, caring for self, compassionate communication, and the realities of grief, death, dying and loss, alongside themes of healing, wholeness, and joy.  There will be opportunities to learn, reflect, and practice in a supportive environment.

Together, we will share resources and build a sense of pastoral community.

Whether you are beginning to explore pastoral care, hoping to deepen your skills, or discerning your place within a team, you are warmly welcome. This course is open to both clergy and laity.  Please ask all questions or register by contacting Rev. Tracey.

When: Wednesdays from May 6 to June 17

Where: Zoom

Time: 6:30 pm to 8:45 pm

Cost: none

Number of participants: Minimum of 6; Maximum of 14

Deadline to register: April 22 or a full course.  A waiting list will be available.

These workshops will give students a basic understanding of the theology, structure and purpose of the Daily Office, the Eucharist and the associated rite of the Reserved Sacrament.  Students will be trained to organize appropriate services from the Book of Alternative Services (BAS), the Book of Common Prayer (BCP), and locally developed service books approved by the Bishop.  Students will be able to plan a service of worship effectively, taking into account the sacramental context and liturgical season, and selecting appropriate Propers, readings, hymns, prayers and collects.  The course will also cover practical matters such as appropriate strategies to navigate unexpected events in worship and the use of appropriate postures for leading worship.

All Anglican Church Women are invited to our annual Conference via Zoom on Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18.

The Theme this year is "Come and Journey with Our Saviour - Being a Pilgrim and How It Changes You."

This year's guest speakers will be The Rev. Steve Bateman, "On Being a Pilgrim,"; Lois Reid and Tessa Muirhead, Companions on the Alongside Hope Kenya 2025 Trip; and Pauline Hoskin, "The Transformational Effect of Pilgrimage."

To Register, please contact Mary Dymond.

The ACW is also asking parishes to submit names of those ACW members who have died, to be mentioned in a list of the Dearly Departed at the Eucharist Service.  These names can be sent to the ACW email address.

Please note that effective April 1, 2026, our email address will be:

stedmundsfoodbank@gmail.com

As of April 1, please use this e-mail address for e-transfers.

Church Banners Available: The Mission of St. Edmund's has approximately 12 colourful banners in excellent shape, free to a good home.  They are about 2' x 3' in size and  include most of the church seasons.  These are available from the St. Edmund's Foodbank, open on Mondays and Thursdays from 9:00 to 11:30 am.  We are located in the Mission Hall building behind the Diocesan Offices at 8336 - 34 Avenue NW.  You can also make an appointment with Linda.

Urgent Need for Prayers for Refugees in Pakistan and Afghanistan:

We ask for your prayers for refugees that we are currently sponsoring in areas that are under active conflict or war, in particular our Afghan cases in Pakistan (and also in Afghanistan).

Some of our parishes and other groups have teamed up with us to bring several refugees and refugee families from Afghanistan, and they are yet to arrive.  We have had the opportunity to communicate with all the refugees prior to deciding to sponsor them.  Many are human rights defenders, women's rights advocates, social workers, teachers, parents with small children and women escaping forced marriages and inhumane treatment.

Most of them are seeking asylum in Pakistan, but the government of that country is massively deporting all Afghans, while Canada's processing times are lengthy and currently not in the position to bring the refugees to safety as soon as needed.  Sadly, we have had several cases deported back to Afghanistan, where their lives are at significant risk from the Taliban.  To make matters worse, last week, a war broke out between the two countries, putting many innocent refugees at even more risk.

We would ask that you please pray for their safety and for a prompt arrival in Canada, where parishes and family members are ready to receive and fully support them.

We will share, in the near future, other ways you can help us advocate for these and other refugee cases so that they find safety in Canada sooner.

If you are interested in learning how you can support our work, please write to Joanne or Sofia.  

Do you know what Alongside Hope does?  What it really does?  Do you know in what countries Alongside Hope serves?  Do you know why PWRDF changed its name to Alongside Hope?

We are having a conference to answer these questions and more.  Our keynote speaker is the famous Kim Umbach, known for her work as National Volunteer Coordinator for Alongside Hope.  We hope to have a live Zoom with the partners in Zimbabwe about their Water Project.  We will learn what work is happening now.  We hope to make this conference fun, informational and inspirational! People from the Diocese of Athabasca, the Diocese of Edmonton as well as the Diocese of Calgary are invited to attend.

This is happening from May 22-24, 2026 (the weekend after the long weekend) in St. Albert (so it is accessible to the people in Athabasca, as well.)  Most expenses will be covered and carpooling will be provided.

Not a Parish Rep?  That’s OK, you are still invited.  Any person interested in the work of Alongside Hope is encouraged to apply.

For more information or questions, please email Lois Reid, Diocesan Rep.

This year's theme: Anchored in Mystery.

Come join us at the Anglican Laity Retreat at Mount St. Francis, Cochrane.  The silence starts after Friday's dinner and continues through Sunday morning.  More details are available at the Mount St. Francis website.

Suggested cost for the weekend is $230.00.  However, no one is turned away because of lack of finances.

If you grew up in Rural Alberta, many of you likely attended a summer Vacation Bible School facilitated by Vanners.  The Vanning Programme ran for more than 85 years in our province until its retirement roughly 20 years ago.  

Vanners were teams of two who would spend their entire summer travelling around rural Alberta in a van packed with craft supplies and story books. The Vanning Committee usually ran two teams each summer, and sixteen towns would receive a program each year. The program was completely free for the churches that we visited. For more information on the history, please click here.

Recently, we uncovered some boxes of brand-new Vanning t-shirts. The intention in purchasing these shirts all those years ago was to support children’s programming in our Diocese and also to remind everyone of the fun we had during the summer. I was a Vanner three times myself with partners Tracy, Jennifer, and Alida.

In the spirit of nostalgia, and if you would like your very own piece of history, please connect me at the email address listed below to purchase a shirt. We are asking $5 per shirt, with the proceeds being funneled directly back into Christ Church Family Ministries. We have both adult and youth sizes in green, and adult sizes in white.

Please feel free to contact Laurel for more information or to arrange a purchase.

This may be a bit of a long shot.  The Carewest Garrison Creen is seeking a volunteer who speaks Azorean Portuguese who would be willing to visit one of their residents.

The recreational therapist feels that this resident would greatly benefit from spending time with someone who speaks their native language.  Having a visitor who can communicate in Azorean Portuguese could make a meaningful difference in helping reduce feelings of isolation and support their overall well-being.

If you happen to speak this language and would be open to visiting this person at Carewest Garrison Green (3108 Don Ethell Blvd. SW in Calgary), please feel free to be in touch with their volunteer coordinator.

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.

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 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, Joan, James, Doug, Beth, Janis, Faten, John, John and Lucille, Ronalynn and Chris;

- 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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