1 Peter 3:15  In your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect”

Years ago, I was standing in a group of people that included a clergyperson and an undergraduate university student.  The clergyperson told an off-colour joke – which prompted the student to ask why clergy felt the need to tell such jokes whenever students were around.  The response from the clergyperson was to say, “Clergy are normal people just like anyone else;” to which the student responded by saying, “So what’s the point, what difference does being a Christian make?”  The issue of an off-colour joke may seem trivial, but the student’s question is anything but.  What difference does believing in Jesus make to our lives – what difference has it meant to my life?  For many of us who have grown up “going to Church”, the difference may be real – but we may also be so used to it that we fail to consider and articulate what the difference is.  It is certainly of primary importance that we learn the story of our faith – the story of salvation history; but it is also important that as members of the Body of Christ – as ourselves a living and concrete expression of faith – we are able to give “a reason for the hope that is in us.”  What is your story of faith?  What are the moments that you can identify when God touched your life? When have you felt the presence of God, or even the assurance of God’s love and presence in the midst of life’s struggles?  What opportunities has God laid before you to share those experiences with others?

What makes humans different from other species?

Scriptures reveal to us that we are made in a unique way in the image of God, with the ability to choose to follow the way of life or to turn our hearts and minds away from the way of God.

Let this mind be in you, that was also in Christ Jesus, allow your mind to be transformed and renewed in Christ by the power of God's Holy Spirit.

This is a hard thing to do. It is more than that rational ability to think through and make “intelligent choices.” It is the ability to use one's will to make holy choices, choices that draw us more fully into what God created us to be in God's image, the image that we see in Jesus Christ.

One of the ways that we might be transformed in the renewing of our minds is to be servants of one another, as a reflection of being made in the image of God, which is God's great and unique gift to us as human beings.

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. The Convening Circular and other information have been sent out.

During this time of physical distancing, Synod will be held via Zoom at strategic locations.  Because of this electronic format, paper ballots have been sent to all Clergy and Lay Delegates.  Please return ballots and Certificates of Election that are still outstanding as soon as possible.  In an effort to make good use of limited time of our meeting, 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.

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

Ordinations:

We are pleased to announce that Archbishop Greg ordained Joan Carson of St. George, Calgary, Tracey Stagg of St. Benedict, High River, and Marcus Herrel of St. Barnabas, Calgary to the Order of Deacons on Sunday, September 27, at Cathedral Church of the Redeemer, Calgary at 4:30 pm.  Please pray for Joan, Tracey and Marcus as they begin these new ministries. Marcus will be continuing to serve in the diocesan office as Interim Financial Comptroller.

Election of Rev. Anna Greenwood-Lee as Bishop of BC:

In an historic virtual synod held on Saturday, September 26, the Diocese of British Columbia elected its 14th bishop.  We celebrate this achievement with Anna, and wish her success in this new position in 2021. Please pray for her and her family as they make this transition.

Appointment of Interim Treasurer of Synod:

At its meeting on September 8, Diocesan Council ratified the nomination by Archbishop Greg of Mr. Bill Bradley as Interim Treasurer of Synod for the Diocese of Calgary.  We look forward to working with Bill as our newest officer of Synod.  Welcome, Bill!

Retirement:

The Ven. Ken Wells, Incumbent of St. Alban, Brooks and Archdeacon of Macleod, will be retiring as of September 30.  We thank Ken for his ministry, wisdom and service, and wish him well in his future endeavours.

Departure:

We thank David Allan for all he has done as the Digital Communications Facilitator for the Diocese of Calgary.  His efforts on our Website, Facebook page, Twitter feed, this Newsletter and the miriad of online assistance to the parishes were a God-send.  Today is his last day.  He leaves huge shoes to fill and he will be missed.  God bless you, David!

Clergy Retreat Postponed:

The annual November Clergy Retreat will not be taking place this year.

Diocesan Council has recognized that parishes are facing the practical question of how to effectively continue serving an online audience when they return to onsite physical gathering. Diocesan Council will provide up to a $1000 Grant to each applicant parish in the Diocese of Calgary for purchased equipment that enables them to record or stream services or use technology to address COVID concerns. 

All Diocesan essential meetings have moved to an online format.

The Rev. Jerrod McCormack will be offering a monthly rosary via Zoom, on the second Saturday of each month at 2:00 pm.  These services usually run for 30 minutes.  Time is taken to share intentions with one another and then to pray the rosary together.  If you are interested you can contact Jerrod, and he will send you the link.

Our Pastoral Care Coordination is growing and I am getting excited.

Over the last few months, I have been chatting with all sorts of people who are wanting more information and input into a Pastoral Care Course and what all of this looks like.  I have some ideas and want to tell you a bit about it.

Using my collaborative approach to team(s) formation, I hope to be able to offer a locally responsive pastoral care training and mentoring program. The idea is to have a foundational program with pillars of pastoral care and have room for local areas of interest or need. For example, perhaps it is caring for the aging, young families, palliative, dementia, etc. The idea is that the course would be 15-20 hours of learning time together. And we are not without the best resources – YOU!

The idea is to leverage as many Diocesan resources as possible to mentor/coach/train all who are interested in assisting their parish to care pastorally for one another, as Christ cares for us.

You can be involved by sharing with me:

• Perceived pastoral needs in your parish
• Suggestions for course areas to further explore
• Material resources that you have found useful and want to share
• Those among you who are skilled and passionate in sharing your area of specialty? (i.e. – pastoral theology, grief and bereavement, self-care, communication skills, etc.)

Please connect with me at my contact email: pastoralcare@calgary.anglican.ca

I encourage each of you to pray about this and bring forward suggestions, resources and encouragement to the above email.

A guiding scripture for me is a favourite in Micah 6:8:

He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

With Peace and pastoral Blessings,

Tracey

The Rev. Chris Roth has shared this helpful video about reading Scripture in worship. 

No doubt many of you regularly show appreciation to your clergy leadership.  But this upcoming month offers an opportunity to express that appreciation for our hard-working clergy (especially in these strange times).  If you are doing something a little different or fun, we'd like to hear about it and share it with others in our Newsletter.  Don't forget to add a photo!

To start us off, here's one from the People's Warden of All Saints, Cochrane:

It wasn't October but the weather was warmer.  On Friday, September 11, we surprised Fr. Greg Clark with a pop jazz cancert on my driveway with my friend, Tim Tamashiro.  Greg had been a fan for years when Tim did his CBC show.  Clergy, several good friends, and parishioners were invited.  I invited the neighbours to sit out on their decks, walk by, and say "Hi!" or bring a lawn chair and sit wherever they safely could.  He was totally taken by surprise and was delighted.  It was just a pleasure to hear live music, laugh and see people enjoying themselves.

The Healing Conference planned for October this year was cancelled because of the pandemic.  The folks at St. Luke’s, Calgary are working hard to produce a FREE eBook containing testimonies of Divine Healing and inspiring stories of God’s provision and goodness that will bless many during this time of uncertainty. 

With all the pandemic restrictions being imposed and the need to reassure those who are struggling with fear... others who are feeling isolated... and many who are anxious about the future... the eBook will be a well-spring of encouragement! And can you imagine the joy of those who will hear for the first time that Jesus still heals today! 

Would you consider sharing your testimony to bless someone?  You are invited to send your testimony now.  You will also be invited in October to download the eBook and share with others.  

We are also asking for volunteers to transcribe written testimonies and to help with the formatting of the document.

Deacon Keith Bird

St. Luke's

The 2021 Canadian Church Calendar is available to order.

$5.00 each for orders up to 24 copies.

$3.75 for orders 25+ copies.

The Diocese Office has learned that the Rev. Stephen Hallford, former rector of St. Andrew, Calgary from 1997 to 2004, passed away on September 27, at the age of 66.  Rev. Stephen had served in the Diocese of Edmonton, and until 2017, in the Diocese of Niagara before his retirement.  Please keep his wife, Nancy and family in your prayers.  Rest eternal, grant him, O Lord, and may light perpetual shine upon him.

All Saints Anglican Church, Cochrane is developing the Bishop Ford Memorial Garden with the focal point being a 4-sided, 72-niche granite columbarium overlooking the mountains and the Town of Cochrane.  We are now offering the exclusive right to the Anglican Diocese of Calgary to purchase a niche which holds the urns of your loved ones in a safe and secure location.  The advance purchase of your niche will enable us to secure the funds necessary to begin construction this summer.  For more information on location, pricing, pictures, inscriptions and contacts for questions, please visit our website page.  If you wish to purchase a single or double niche, please send an email or phone (403) 932-6556 to select a niche and complete the paperwork.  Niche sales will be offered to the general public starting in September.  "May they rest in peace and rise in glory."

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, Kim and Paige;

- those who have died and those who mourn, remembering the Hallford family; 

- 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 ctubman@calgary.anglican.ca.