At this extraordinary time - how might we be missional? 

So many of our parishes are sending out worship, prayers, and comfort via social media and websites. We know for a fact that MANY churches have had a huge number of people tuning in to those. In our Diocese, one church had over 1000 people join on a live stream worship time. 

How might we invite non-church goers to our times of prayer and worship? 

Assume that in these extraordinary times that there ARE people listening and watching that are not Anglican and maybe not even sure of what they believe. 
Perhaps we have been given, in these extraordinary times, an extraordinary opportunity and responsibility to minister HOPE. 
After all, it's the one thing we have and the world needs. 

GOD BLESS YOU all during this most incredible of times - and remember - there are lots of searching souls that are watching us and clinging to our hope.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified: do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Also, note that our Commissary will be sending out another letter on the weekend to keep everyone updated.

Archbishop Greg asks all Anglicans in the Diocese of Calgary to participate in the day of prayer as invited by our Primate on Sunday.

Send David your links to add to our online list.

at communications@calgary.anglican.ca

All non-essential Diocesan meetings will be cancelled until further notice. Anything that is considered essential will be attempted as a video meeting.

Thank you for all your faithful service in these peculiar times.

We appreciate all you are doing to keep the faith and encourage the hope we have in Christ Jesus.

Thank you also for your patience with all of us in the Diocesan Office as we attempt to do our very best for each of you.

We send you our loving support.

Clergy Conference:

This year's Conference is planned to take place May 4-7, at Waterton Lakes Lodge.

Because of the rapidly changing circumstances, this may change. We will inform you as soon as we can.

78th Convention of Synod:

This year's Synod is planned to take place June 5-7, at High River.

Because of the rapidly changing circumstances, this may change. We will inform you as soon as we can.

More to come soon on these two events.

Deadline for Synod Documents:

A deadline of April 1 has been decided for the reception of the following Synod-related documents:

-- Written reports from Committee chairs, for publication in the Convening Circular.

-- Biographies from all persons wishing to put their name forward as Nominees for the Election of Delegates for Diocesan Council, Provincial Synod and General Synod (both clergy and laity).

These items can be forwarded to diocese@calgary.anglican.ca

Town Halls:

If anyone is interested in the recording from a previous town hall, please contact  cmoore@calgary.anglican.ca and she will provide you with a link to that video as well as the handouts and resources used that day.

Be aware of an email phishing scam:

If you receive an email from clergy or staff to get in touch urgently, PLEASE check the email address carefully. There is a scam targeting churches with emails first requesting urgent contact followed by a request to purchase gift cards. Contact details, including names and titles, are being scrapped by the scambots from church websites. 

Please send your Annual Return to Carol Tubman if you have not already done so.

The Missional Footprint is on the website under “Resources | Documents  | Downloads”.  In the Missional Footprint, each Parish is invited to highlight their activities. The template has been updated and the format is much easier to fill out and to work through.

The Annual Returns can also be accessed here and scrolling to the bottom of the page.  If your parish has not yet submitted your Annual Return, please do so at your earliest convenience.

St. Stephen, Calgary: Incumbent, full time; Job Posting here, Parish Profile here

For more information on this position, please contact pgateman@calgary.anglican.ca

Holy Trinity, Calgary would like to bless another parish with 100 like-new teacups and saucers.

These cups and saucers are a surplus to our needs and have either never been used or rarely.

Please contact Debbie Bradley at wbradley@shaw.ca or 403-968-2758, or Holy Trinity office at office@htacc.org

Find online events by clicking here.

Do you have news and events from your parish for next week's newsletter? Click here to send them to David by Tuesday noon.

Find online events by clicking here.

Do you have news and events from your parish for next week's newsletter? Click here to send them to David by Tuesday noon.

Find online events by clicking here.

Do you have news and events from your parish for next week's newsletter? Click here to send them to David by Tuesday noon.

Find online events by clicking here.

Rescheduled: Handel’s Oratorio “Israel in Egypt”

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have rescheduled the Cathedral Choir's performance of Handel's Oratorio "Israel in Egypt" to Saturday, September 19 at 7:30 pm in the Cathedral.  Those who purchased tickets in advance for the original date (March 27) have been contacted via Eventbrite.  If you hold such a ticket and have not received a message, please contact Neil Cockburn.

Further information is available on the Cathedral web site:
http://www.anglicancathedralcalgary.ca/israel-in-egypt

Tickets for the September performance are available in advance on Eventbrite:
https://cathedralyychandel.eventbrite.ca 

Do you have news and events from your parish for next week's newsletter? Click here to send them to David by Tuesday noon.

Find online events by clicking here.

- St. Edmund's Food Bank Closed due to CoVid-19: The decision was made to close St. Edmund's Food Bank for the duration of this pandemic crisis.  All of our volunteers are in the high risk categories as are many of our clients, and the space at the Mission Hall is not conducive to allowing the six feet for Social Distancing.  The other big issue for our little Food Bank is picking up more groceries with our volunteers in self-isolation.  We are monitoring the voicemail at the Food Bank and the church, and will respond to any emergencies on a case-by-case basis.  It is hoped the Calgary Food Bank will reopen soon with their new protocols in place to help people in this time of great need.

Note: we are not accepting donations of food items at this time.  If you have already done a food drive, please contact us at email@stedmundscalgary.org and we will make arrangements to receive them.  We will let everyone know when we re-open and if we have donation needs at that time.  Please keep all our usual clientele and volunteers in your thoughts and prayers in the coming weeks.  Stay safe!

 Do you have news and events from your parish for next week's newsletter? Click here to send them to David by Tuesday noon.

This year's international launch of Thy Kingdom Come, the global ecumenical prayer movement, took place at Lambeth Palace. The event runs from Pentecost to Ascension (May 21-31) and will involve more than 90 percent of countries around the world.

Friends in Christ,    

The Primates’ Task Group, on which I served, presented its final report to the Primates’ meeting in January.   Included in its work was a key recommendation to ask Anglicans worldwide to enter a season of repentance.   

We are deeply aware of the pain of division in our midst.    All have shared in hurts given and received.   In the spirit of Matthew 7:3-5, a call to prayer and self-reflection in repentance has been made for Lent 5 – March 29, 2020.     

Click "Read More" for the letter.

You can share it from:

Facebook   Vimeo  

Save the dates:

Christine Conkin of St. Andrew's and Anna Greenwood-Lee of St. Laurence will teaching a course at Sorrento Retreat Centre from July 5 - 11 entitled "The Turbulent 2020s: A Theological Field Guide".  Click here for more information.

Pip Nicolls, September 17-20: Three-day Retreat at Kingsfold Retreat Centre

For more information on the Wisdom Centre, click here.

All Saints Retreat Centre is located in The Parish House, a beautiful space next door to All Saints Anglican Church in Cochrane set aside for programs and outreach.  There are rooms available for meeting on two levels, with both inside and outside areas to enjoy.  It would be a lovely spot to hold a Parish Council meeting, Small Group Retreat, or any other gathering.  For more information or a tour of the facility, please contact Elizabeth Short at (403) 660-5636 or email allsaintsretreatcentre@outlook.com

What's Happening Next Door at The Parish House?: 

Sacred Space CoWorking: We have opened an ecumenical sacred co-working space for those who need a professional work setting free of distractions that holds both productivity and spirituality as equally important. If you are interested or would like a tour of the facility, please contact Elizabeth Short at (403) 660-5636 or email allsaintsretreatcentre@outlook.com You can also click here for more detailed information, pictures and pricing.

Spiritual Direction: We are excited to introduce Karen Wold who is a Spiritual Director and part of the Ministry Team for All Saints Retreat Centre.  For more information on what she has to offer or to get her contact information, please click here.

Walking into Holy Week: Saturday, April 4: This event has been cancelled.

Group Marriage Preparation Workshop: Saturday, May 2, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. This workshop is now full.  A second workshop has been scheduled for Saturday, June 13, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.  The workshops involve short presentations followed by guided couple communication exercises on communication, conflict management, family of origin, intimacy and sexuality, goals, finances, and spirituality. For further information and registration, go to www.relatewellcounselling.ca

St. Laurence Anglican Church invites you to join them in participating in the Episcopal Church's Lent Madness.  St. Laurence has joined the online community of people having fun as they learn about 32 saintly men and women, ancient and modern, who have followed the way of Jesus.  

Please remember in your prayers:

- Archbishop Greg, during this time of sabbatical;

- our clergy and churches as we find our way forward in these strange days;

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

- those who have died and those who mourn; 

- the victims of the violence and natural disasters;   

- our Companion Diocese of the Windward Islands, and their Bishop Leopold Friday.

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 communications@calgary.anglican.ca.