Reflecting on your last week – who did you cross paths with?

Who did you notice on your social media news feeds, or Zoom meeting, emails, or even at the grocery store? In what ways might you have shown them the Good News (Gospel) that we know and love?

Sue went to the grocery store for her family's weekly shopping with mask and gloves during this pandemic crisis. She greeted people in the aisles and exchanged pleasantries with the check-out clerk. The clerk remarked on how pretty the cross was she was wearing around her neck. Sue answered, “yes, I wear it to remind me of where my hope lies”.

Mission isn’t always taking trips with a bible in hand. Sometimes it’s sharing the hope you have.

What opportunities did you have this past week?

During this time of journeying through the COVID-19 pandemic, you may appreciate being able to speak with someone; to have a pastoral listening ear and someone to pray with.  A number of our diocesan clergy and Lay Ministers have agreed to be on-call daily to respond to this need.

If you would like prayer support, please call the number below.  Any information shared will be kept in the strictest confidence.

This ministry will be available daily from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm until further notice.  

587-320-1345 or 1-888-999-1551 ext 107 .

The shut down of our economy was necessary in order to protect our health system from collapse under the strain of Covid cases. Our prayers go out to all those that have been impacted by this shut down. 

This has affected some parish’s finances much more harshly than others. The federal government is offering financial relief to those who are affected in the form of a 75% wage subsidy for 3 months. To qualify, revenue must have declined by 15% in March 2020 compared with March 2019. (30% for each of April and May)  

The legislation that was passed now allows the Diocese of Calgary and its parishes (“Group”) to consolidate revenue for purposes of determining the Group’s eligibility for subsidy. If our Group suffered at least a 15% drop in “qualifying revenue” in Period 1 (March 2020 vs. March 2019 or the average of January/February 2020), the Group will be eligible for a subsidy – 75% of “eligible remuneration”.

An urgent need from all parishes

Even if your Parish revenues are not affected by the shut-down, we need your input because others are affected and need the assistance.

In preparation for the application of subsidy, please submit your parish revenue information during the indicated qualifying months. My thanks to those that have already done so and we will transcribe it onto the new template for consistency purposes.  We may need to contact you to confirm the new form.  

For consistency across the Diocese, for those parishes that have not submitted the spreadsheet previously sent out (cashflow worksheet.xlxs), please request the new template from Marc Herrel at mherrel@calgary.anglican.ca and email the completed form in Excel to Barb Gogol bgogol@calgary.anglican.ca no later than April 27th, Tuesday.  

How to Apply

The Diocese will take care of subsidy applications for all clergy and lay staff under the Diocesan payroll account. 

If your parish has its own payroll account, please apply separately for CEWS for clergy and lay staff under your payroll account. The application can be done through the CRA’s My Business Account portal.   

For more information, please visit canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan/wage-subsidy or contact Marcus Herrel.

Two new Regional Deans: 

We are pleased to announce the appointment of The Rev. David Pickett, of Christ Church, Calgary, as the new Regional Dean of Glenmore Deanery, and The Rev. Dr. Robert Sears, of St. John, Olds and St. Cyprian, Lacombe, as the new Regional Dean of Red Deer/Drumheller Deanery.  We ask God's blessing on them as they begin these new ministries.  Thanks goes out to the outgoing Regional Deans, Rev. Natasha and Rev. Chris, for their leadership.

Retirement:

The Rev. Canon James Robinson will be retiring as Incumbent from St. Augustine, Lethbridge as of June 1.  We thank him for his many years of faithful service to the church, the Diocese and to God, and wish him all the best in his retirement.  

78th Convention of Synod:

This year's Synod is now planned to take place October 23 and 24.

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. 

These oils will now be available at the Diocesan Office.  All Clergy in Calgary and surrounding area may make an appointment with the Executive Officer to pick up needed oils.  All Clergy out of Calgary please contact the Executive Officer and your oil will be shipped to you.  Contact pgateman@calgary.anglican.ca  with any questions.

Consider donating it to help students who need one to connect with their teacher during this lockdown.

Archdeacon Wygiera was in touch with the Diocese of the Windward Islands. He asked Bishop Friday if there were specific things he would like us to pray for when we in the Diocese of Calgary remember the Windward Islands in our prayers.

Tap the "Read More" button for his response. There is also a downloadable map of the parishes in the Windward Islands. Thanks to Anneke van der Merwe, (Parish of St Aldhelm, Vulcan) who prepared this map.

Thank you for all the wonderful, positive feedback we are getting on the worship services that are being provided. We are happy to provide these and we are also so proud of our clergy and Lay Ministers who are attempting all sorts of new things and reaching out to parishioners in so many ways.

Send David your links to add to our online list.

at communications@calgary.anglican.ca

Avoid those "Zoom-bombers" disrupting your online meetings. Please do not post your Zoom meeting invites publicly on your website or social media.

Also, there are legal ramifications and privacy issues with recording online meetings with Zoom or other conferencing services.  We recommend that participants be advised clearly that the meeting is being recorded.  Turn off the automatic meeting recording function in your settings as the host.

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

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

- St. Edmund's Food Bank Has Re-Opened!: Our dedicated group of volunteers sought out expert advice on how to safely distribute food to people in need, and have implemented the appropriate protocols needed.  We have now re-opened for food hampers and donations.  Please note: By Appointment Only.  People in need can call us at (403) 288-6330 to set up their appointment (please leave a message if no answer) and will be given instuctions on the procedure for picking up hampers.

We are in need of donations - as you can imagine - the demand has already increased and we anticipate a sharp rise over the coming months with the unemployment rate and CoVid 19-related financial difficulties people are now facing.  If you are able to assist with donations of non-perishable OR fresh OR frozen food items, please contact us: (403) 288-6330 or email@stedmundscalgary.org for a safe drop-off time.  For monetary donations, please mail your cheques (payable to St. Edmund King & Martyr Anglican Church) to 8336 - 34 Avenue NW, Calgary, AB, T3B 1R2.  If you would prefer to e-transfer, please contact Linda Anderson, Bishop's Warden at email@stedmundscalgary.org or (403) 615-0651.  

Thank you for your patience with setting up the new way of doing things and for your continuing support of our outreach program!

Holy Cross, Calgary:

Lectio Divina Online via Facebook:  Join Rev. Kyle Norman as he leads a session of Lectio Divina on Tuesday, April 28, at 7:00 pm on Facebook Live.  The Scripture passage will be John 6:25-35.  For those new to Lectio Divina, contact Rev. Kyle to receive a practical guide to the four movements.

Scripture declares "My house will be a house of prayer."

Holy Cross is continuing to make this a reality in these times.

Thank you to all who took part in this. 

Group Marriage Preparation Workshops Online: Rev. Brian Way will be offering workshops for couples intending to be married in the church: Workshop #1: Saturday, May 2, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.   Workshop #2:  Saturday, June 13, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.   Limit for each workshop is 4 couples.  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. Because of COVID-19, these workshop will be offered online.  For further information contact brian@relatewellcounselling.ca or register here.   

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.

Over the past month, members of the executive for the 2020 CLAY Gathering National Planning Committee from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) and the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) have been monitoring updates as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to escalate.

After much discernment, the planning team shares that CLAY, originally scheduled for August 20-23, 2020, will be postponed to August 19-22, 2021. The event will still be held at the Southern Alberta Institute for Technology (SAIT) in Calgary, Alberta.

The CLAY Executive expresses its gratitude for the National Planning Committee, Production Team, and local volunteers who have been meeting and working over these past 18 months to create an event that is educational, faith-filled and inspiring for our young people. When we picked the theme of EnRoute, we knew we were going on a journey. Journeys often involve twists and turns. We will continue on this path and are dedicated to bringing this wonderful event to life in 2021. Just like on the Road to Emmaus, we know that Jesus walks with us on this journey.

For those who have already registered for CLAY 2020, we will transfer your registration to CLAY 2021. For those unable to attend the new date, registration fees will be fully refunded. If you are seeking a refund please contact Heidi, CLAY Registrar, at registrar@claygathering.ca before December 31, 2020.

Participants who have registered or were planning on registering for CLAY 2020 who will exceed the age limit for the event in 2021 will be allowed to participate because of these special circumstances. For clarification on this, please contact Heidi at registrar@claygathering.ca

We plan on opening registration again in January 2021. Home Team Leaders can make substitutions to their Home Team free of charge once registration re-opens. 

CLAY will continue being a biennial event, and therefore, the next CLAY will be planned for the summer of 2023. Should you have any questions, please contact: Sheilagh McGlynn, ACC staff person at smcglynn@national.anglican.ca or Gretchen Peterson, ELCIC staff person gpeterson@elcic.ca

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.

Please remember in your prayers:

- 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.