Did you catch the good news story about the woman in Calgary, who describes herself as a "lapsed Anglican", and who has been watching the online services of an Anglican church in Ontario since Lent? 

She sent them this cloth which she wove, inspired by the colours of their stained glass windows.

[Click the Read More button below to see the Facebook post.]

You CAN be "digitally missional" during this period of pandemic privation.

We salute all you hard-working clergy, staff and volunteers who have risen to the challenge of learning, designing and implementing your digital ministry outreach!

The gospel is universal, but it gets its expression in the lives of each culture in our human family. This past Sunday, we celebrated the gospel through the spiritual perspective of our indigenous sisters and brothers.

I am blessed by these perspectives that come to us from the life and work of the ministry of indigenous peoples in our Anglican Communion. To me, these are great gifts that help us focus on our Divine Creator and that Creation is meaningfully alive with the presence and the power of God.

May we be still and know that Creator God is with us. Let us take a moment to go out and look at the stars that God has spread and be reminded that the heavens are telling the glory of God. The firmament shows forth His handiwork!

May we be reminded that we do not live in some mechanistic world, but one that is ALIVE with the power and the presence of God and that God is speaking to us moment by moment through His creation.

Let us also remember that we have brothers and sisters around the globe who declare the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ in ways that express their own context. The gospel is being incarnated in different times in different places proclaiming the love of God and the truth of Jesus Christ. Let us open our hearts and minds to these truths.

Archbishop Greg Kerr-Wilson along with the Diocesan Council announces that the 78th Convention of Synod has been called for Saturday, October 24, 2020. Licensed Clergy and Elected Lay Delegates to Synod are to attend.

Preparation will include the reading and being familiar with all materials sent out prior to Synod.  Delegates, both Clergy and Lay, should consider putting their names 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)

During this time of physical distancing, Synod will be held via Zoom.  In an effort to make good use of limited time, only the essentials of Synod, in accordance with the Canons, will be dealt with.  No motions will be addressed at this event; we intend to hold a Special Synod in 2021 to respond to motions and other business.

Please ensure that Clergy and Lay Delegate contact information is submitted to ctubman@calgary.anglican.ca no later than August 1st.

Any questions or concerns can be forwarded to Mrs. Kim Getty, Registrar of the Diocese (registrar@calgary.anglican.ca) or The Rev. Bob Mummery (calgarylr@gmail.com).

Our Archbishop's services and events:

Archbishop Greg is available to participate via Zoom in your parish vestry, council, and online services if requested.

Even though he may not be able to gather in person with you, he welcomes the opportunity to share in worship or to meet groups of any and all ages, to listen to your stories and faith, and to engage in conversation about our experiences and learnings from this journey through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Contact Carol Tubman to schedule.

Online Services streamed on the diocesan web site:

Thank you to all the parishes who provided their video of morning prayer to be streamed on the diocesan web site for the past three months. We will be showcasing one last online service from our parishes this Sunday on our web site.  We will continue to display the direct links to parish online services. If your live streams or video channels are not yet listed please send David Allan an email.

Ordinations to the Priesthood:

We are pleased to announce that on Sunday, June 28, at 4:00 pm at the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer, Archbishop Greg will be ordaining three Deacons to the order of Priests: Rev. Deacon Jacqui Durand of Meota Parish; Rev. Deacon John Chuol of St. Paul Dinka Congregation; and Rev. Deacon Seth Enriquez of St. Michael, Canmore and St. George-in-the-Pines, Banff.  This will be a closed service with participating clergy, presenters and a very few guests for each ordinand, with full physical distancing protocols observed.  Please pray for Jacqui, John and Seth as they prepare for their ordinations and their new ministries.

Appointment of Vice-Chancellor:

At its meeting on June 13, Diocesan Council ratified the nomination by Archbishop Greg of Mr. Jeff Davidson as Vice-Chancellor for the Diocese of Calgary.  We look forward to working with Jeff as our newest officer of Synod.  Welcome, Jeff!

COVID 19 Restrictions:

Until further notice, our diocese will continue only offering online services. No parish in the Diocese of Calgary will reopen physical gatherings without the Archbishop’s permission.  At this point, we remain in the protocol of not allowing physical congregational services including weddings and funerals. A Task Force of clergy and medical professionals is meeting to provide a plan to the Archbishop for re-opening of public worship.

During the months of July and August, the Newsletter will only be appearing in email inboxes every other week.

There will not be a Newsletter next week, so we wish everyone a Happy Canada Day in advance.

May you be able to find time over the course of this summer for rest and refreshment.

Purpose of the Task Force:  To consider the guidelines and protocols, including timelines, provided by the Province of Alberta for Services of Worship, and advise the Archbishop on both timelines and protocols for the re-opening of public worship services for the Anglican Diocese of Calgary.

Members:
Chair:  The Very Rev’d Leighton Lee, Dean of Calgary

Dr. Chris Bockmuehl, Medical Doctor, Parishioner at St. James, Calgary

Dr. Sebastian David, Medical Doctor, Parishioner at Christ Church, Fort Macleod

Dr. Brenda Ireland, Medical Doctor, Parishioner at St. Augustine, Lethbridge

Linda Kamhuka, Infection Control Practitioner, Alberta Children's Hospital, Parishioner at St. Andrew, Calgary

The Venerable Noel Wygiera, Archdeacon Rocky Mountain and Incumbent at St. Luke, Red Deer

David Peyto, a parishioner of Holy Cross Anglican Church in Calgary, has researched the early history of Calgary's Anglican Churches.

His article has just been published in the Chinook Country Historical Society's June Newsletter.

All Diocesan essential meetings have moved to an online format.

Tuesday, June 30, 10:00 am - BARDs

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.  

(825) 205-9623 or 1-888-999-1551 ext 109.

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

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

Recently the Diocese received the following information produced by our insurance provider, that provides you with some guidance in managing vacant and idle buildings which you may find of value. If you have any additional concerns, please feel free to contact the Synod Office.

Premises that are temporarily closed solely due to COVID-19: To ensure customers are not unduly penalized for temporary closures solely due to the restrictions imposed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we will not exclude damage to buildings and contents at locations which have become silent. In addition, for locations which have been temporarily closed following the restrictions associated with COVID-19 there will be:

•            no reduction in the level of policy cover

•            no increase in deductibles. We will not mandate that premises be inspected as a policy condition because this could potentially go against the current advice of the authority having jurisdiction.  However, we will recommend that customers exercise the appropriate due diligence, which includes the expectation of a premises inspection if safe to do.

All Saints Anglican Church in Cochrane is looking for a used bronze bell, weighing approximately 145 pounds, 18 inches across the bottom diameter, with the saddle and harness if possible for its bell tower. 

When the church was built in 1976 it had a bell but the original owners took the bell with them when they moved to a new location. 
 
Contact information:  Lynda Alderman at lynda363@shaw.ca

Looking for a way to deepen your understanding of the Christian faith and enhance the connection between what you believe and how you live your daily life?  The Education for Ministry (EfM) program combines independent study and weekly small group discussions to provide a basic grounding in theology to Christian laypeople. The EfM curriculum explores the content and origins of Scripture, follows Church history from its earliest days, and examines issues in Christian theology. Group members engage in individual and group theological reflection throughout their studies to bring our different life experiences and perspectives into conversation with our faith, helping to discern God’s call to each of us. EfM is an extension program of an Episcopal theological school; there is a lot to read (including the whole Bible) but there are no exams. Students commit to one year at a time and those completing all four years of the program receive a certificate of completion.  

Next year’s courses will run from September 2020 to May/June 2021, and registration is currently underway.  Please contact ctubman@calgary.anglican.ca for information.

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.

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;  

- for Michelle, Myrna and Darcy;

- 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.