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A Call to Prayer for UkraineArchbishop Justin Welby and Archbishop Stephen Cottrell |
Missional Minute
We’ve all heard the joke, “How do we change a lightbulb in the church?” Depending on the version we know, the answer is multiple. Either we reference the glory of the “the old lightbulb,” or we speak about the beloved family who donated the lightbulb in the first place. Others versions simply offer the answer, “Why change?” The joke rests upon acknowledging our unwillingness to step outside of our own comforts. We like what we like in the way we like it. This phenomenon extends to all areas of our lives, not just the church. After all, I get upset when the grocery store changes where they place the chickpeas. We all live this way to some degree or another. And yet Jesus calls us to live differently, to step beyond our comforts to participate in the work of the Spirit. It is impossible to engage in mission and be comfortable at the same time. When we are comfortable, we look only to ourselves, our understandings, and our own strategies. We build walls around our comforts and look only for ways to strengthen those walls. When we are uncomfortable, we cast our eyes toward the one who empowers us and goes before us. Mission, therefore, begins with a shift in perception. Mission demands that we release ourselves to the fire of God, the same fire that called the disciples to exit the comforting safety of the upper room. The Spirit calls us to move from comfort to transformation, from familiarity to new life. Is mission daunting? Yes. Is it challenging? Absolutely. Is it uncomfortable? You bet. Is it powerful and life-changing? Beyond compare. |
Diocesan Announcements
St. Martin, Calgary: Archbishop Greg is pleased to appoint The Rev. Jerrod McCormack as the new Incumbent for St. Martin, Calgary as of March 1, 2022. Please pray for Jerrod and the people of St. Martin's as they begin their journey of faith together. All Saints, Cochrane: Archbishop Greg is pleased to announce the appointment of The Rev. Fariborz Khandani as the new Incumbent of All Saints, Cochrane beginning April 3, 2022. Fariborz comes to us from the parish of Christ Church, Grande Prairie, in the Diocese of Athabasca. We welcome Fariborz and his family to this diocese and ask for your prayers for them and for the parish, as he begins this new posting. |
Annual Returns
The Diocese Office is reminding parishes that the Annual Returns are now due. Thank you to those parishes who have already submitted their Returns. The documents needed can be found on our Website. We require the following forms: Election of Lay Delegates to Synod, Election of Officers for the coming year, General & Statistical Information, Financial Information from 2021, Health & Safety Information and your parish Missional Footprint. We ask that these forms be sent in at your earliest convenience. |
Behold the LambLenten Reflections from Canadian Anglicans We are sharing a wonderful PDF of daily readings to use as a devotional in this Lenten season. Written by members of the Canadian Anglican Communion from across the country, we pray that it will be a blessing to you as you journey through Lent. For more infomation visit:
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40 Days with HenriA Lenten Devotional from the writings of Henri Nouwen The season of Lent is a time of self examination and prayer; a time to evaluate our life of prayer, our involvement in Christian community, and our walk with Jesus. Henri Nouwen speaks of these themes frequently in his writings. Although he died in 1996, Henri Nouwen is still considered one of the most profound and influential Christian writers today. Take this opportunity to journey through Lent, allowing Nouwen’s insightful words to lead you to a deeper place of faith. Find out more information here. |
Group Marriage Preparation WorkshopBeginning March 8, 2022 Couples who are planning to get married are invited to register for this workshop as part of their journey to their wedding day. This class will consist of four Tuesday evening meetings from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, on March 8, 15, 29 and April 5. Participants will receive information and resources, and be asked to complete "homework" between classes. Topics to be covered: Communication, Conflict Management, Family Culture, Finances, Goals and Values, Intimacy, and Spirituality. The program will be led by The Rev. Brian Way, Counselling Therapist and Gottman Seven Principles Program Educator. Couples interested can book a free half hour online consultation to get more information and to get registration information through this link or by email. |
Cemetery Plots for SaleTwo plots in Mountain View Cemetery Through various parishioners' kind gifts in the 1980's, Holy Cross Parish, Calgary, received six cemetery plots in Mountain View Cemetery (1515 - 100 Street SE, Calgary). They have been determined as an asset for sale, and we have sold four of the six so far, with two still available. Similar open plots in the mature part of the cemetery are priced in excess of $9,000 each (cemetery owner Arbor current price list). Each plot includes the right for one casket and two ash urns or no casket and three ash urns. We are offering the two for $7,500 in total. If you are interested, please contact John at (403) 288-7636. |
ACW World Day of Prayer EventVia Zoom, Saturday, March 5, 10:00 am Join the Diocesan Anglican Church Women for this special service via Zoom. To register, click here. |
World Day of Prayer 2022Friday, March 4 Please join us for World Day of Prayer, a prayer movement that invites us to enrich our faith experience with the experience of Christians from other countries and cultures, and to bring hope to women touched by injustice. This year, the service was written by the World Day of Prayer Committee of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. To view the World Day of Prayer 2022 Service Video (55 minutes), use this link, and click on "World Day of Prayer 2022 Service Video." |
Cursillo Ultreya via ZoomFriday, March 11, 7:30 pm Please watch for the Zoom link to be sent out, or email the Diocese to receive the link. |
PWRDF Updates
Job Opportunity: PWRDF is currently seeking to fill the post of Planned Giving and Major Gifts Senior Advisor. This 12-month contract position offers the opportunity to work remotely. We are searching for a candidate who will bring passion and knowledge to this important work in support of PWRDF’s vision for a truly just, healthy and peaceful world. More information can be found here. Aid for Ukraine: PWRDF is supporting Ukrainians forced to flee their homes due to the Russian invasion. The initial grant of $20,000 issued to an ACT Alliance appeal has been increased to $50,000. The grants will fund the work of Action by Churches Together (ACT) member Hungarian Interchurch Aid (HIA). How can you help? To make a donation to this response online, click here. You may also donate by phone at 416-822-9083 or leave a voicemail toll-free at 1-866-308-7973 and PWRDF will return your call, or mail your cheque to PWRDF, 80 Hayden, 3rd floor, Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 3G2. Please mark Ukraine in the memo field. |
Hope Mission
Hope Mission is a not-for-profit social care agency caring for men, women, youth, and children experiencing poverty across Alberta. We offer meal programs, Kids and Youth programs, and Camp Hope. Two current initiatives are as follows: 1. Regular Food Hampers: A program started in 2020, there are more families in need than ever. It is hoped that parishes would consider and commit to take on a non-perishable food item drive once a year for us. By letting us know of your commitment, we can ensure a steady supply of food items coming in throughout the year. 2. Regular Updates: We would love to speak to your parishes at a church service. Updates help to keep our ministry in the hearts and minds of your church family. We also have created a video update on what is happening at Hope Mission. It outlines ways your church can get involved. The link can be found here. For more information or to get involved, please contact Rev. Kelly Row. |
Say Yes! to KidsApril 1 to June 30, 2022 Who is eligible? Any parish in Canada with a vision for ministry and outreach to young people. When? Apply now and campaign alongside your peers nationwide from April 1 to June 30. Why? - to raise funds needed to bring your church's vision for youth ministry to life - to receive fundraising and communications mentorship from AFC's experienced team - to reconnect with families in your community by raising awareness about your youth programs - to benefit from an AFC-led effort to secure leadership donations, including matching gifts. I'm interested. What next? Visit our website and register for an upcoming webinar. |
Sorrento Programs in 2022
Registration is now open for our Summer programs. Come for one week, or come for them all. You will find environmental and nature-based programs, as well as outdoor spirtuality and experiential spiritual teachings, including core Anglican, reconciliation and interfaith offerings. As always, you will have the opportunity to enrich your heart and soul through arts and craft-based playful creativity. Start planning here. Join our summer team for part or all of the summer. We will be building a dynamic team of young people to help make the "Summer at Sorrento Centre" experience extraordinary. Job openings are now available in childcare, summer program leaders, kitchen staff, groundskeepers, housekeeping, lifeguarding and videography. Details can be found here. |
Fr. Allan BonertzFebruary 18, 2022 It is with sadness that we announce the death of Fr. Allan Bonertz. Allan served several parishes within our Diocese for many years: St. Michael & All Angels, Strathmore and St. Andrew, Gleichen as Deacon-in-Charge then Incumbent from 1986 to 1994; Meota Parish as Interim Priest from 1995 to 1996; and St. Augustine, Lethbridge from 1996 to 1997. He then transferred to the Diocese of Athabasca. We ask for prayers for his wife Marg and their family at this sad time. Rest eternal grant him, O Lord, and may light perpetual shine upon him. |
We'd Like to Hear from You
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. |
Prayer Requests
Please remember in your prayers: - our clergy and churches as they engage in re-opening to in-person services; - those who are sick, suffering, fearful or in need, remembering those suffering from COVID-19 and their caregivers, those feeling isolated and those who are vulnerable; - for peace within our country, and in the world, remembering especially this week the country of Ukraine; - for Monica, Howard, Stan, and Kevin; - those who have died and those who mourn; - the victims of violence and natural disasters; - our Indigenous brothers and sisters, especially remembering their hurt and grief at this time; - refugees, remembering those fleeing the Taliban regime, and those fleeing war in the Ukraine. 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. |