In October of 2017, at the 77th Synod of the Diocese of Calgary, Synod passed a resolution directing Diocesan Council to "...focus its energy on creating a mission plan that will rejuvenate the church, its life and mission; bring people into the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ; and enable them to live out Christ's love in the world."

A Mission Action Plan Committee was struck, and much work was put into the creation of a Plan to orient the focus of the Diocese of Calgary on Mission.  The Plan was presented to Synod in 2020, and the Five Vital Signs of the Body of Christ were presented as part of the MAP's "June is Mission Month" five week teaching sessions in 2021.  

And now, the wordsmithing is complete, and we have shared that Plan with our clergy, wardens and committee members.  

If you would like a copy of this Plan, we would be happy to send you the PDF.  Click here to ask for one.  Now, more than ever, Mission is sorely needed in our communities.  We need to share the love of God both inside and beyond our churches.

Clergy Movements:

The Rev. Dr. Kyle Norman:

The Diocese Office announces that The Rev. Dr. Kyle Norman, Incumbent of Holy Cross, Calgary, will be stepping down.  His last Sunday will be September 18.  He has accepted the position of Dean of the The Territory of the People and Rector of St. Paul's Cathedral in Kamloops, BC, beginning October 1.

Please keep Rev. Kyle and family in your prayers as they prepare for this new ministry.  

The Rev. Bonnie Luft:

Archbishop Greg has appointed The Rev. Bonnie Luft as Interim Priest for Holy Cross, Calgary, beginning November 1.  Her last Sunday at St. Francis of Assisi, Airdrie will be October 23.  Please pray for Rev. Bonnie as she prepares for this transition.

Over the past summer, we have said goodbye to two clergy people who have moved eastward.  The Rev. Deacon Tom Hubschmid has accepted a curacy in the Diocese of Ottawa, and The Rev. Natasha Brubaker-Garrison has accepted the Incumbency at the Parish of Three Harbours in the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.  We pray that God will be with them in their new ministries.

Induction:

Archbishop Greg will, God willing, conduct a Service of Induction for The Rev. Fariborz Khandani as Incumbent of All Saints, Cochrane, on Sunday, September 18, at 10:00 am. Clergy who are able to attend are asked to do so to support their brother in his ministry.  Color will be Red.

Collation:

Archbishop Greg is pleased to announce that, God willing, he will collate The Rev. Jacqui Durand, currently serving at Meota Parish, as Archdeacon of Indigenous Ministries.  The Service of Collation will take place at St. Paul and St. Thomas, Kainai, on Sunday, October 2, at 4:00 pm.  Please pray for Rev. Jacqui as she prepares for her new ministry.  Color for this Service will be Red.

The Most Rev. Linda Nicholls, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada along with several Bishops, including Archbishop Greg, will host a Prayer Vigil for the communities affected by the tragic events of this past week.  The Zoom Vigil will begin at 5:00 pm local time.  

The Prayer Vigil Zoom link can be accessed here or directly at this link.

On Sunday, September 4, Archbishop Greg ordained The Rev. Daniel Joseph and The Rev. Christopher Wall as deacons, at The Cathedral Church of the Redeemer, Calgary.

We celebrate and ask God to bless these new ministries for Daniel and Chris. 

A vibrant parish in Calgary's Northeast is seeking a part-time priest.

Deadline for applications is September 30.

For a full Parish Profile or more information, please contact The Ven. Dr. Pilar Gateman.

St. Peter Anglican Church is looking for a part-time Parish Administrator.  The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, with superior organizational skills and the ability to prioritize.  Computer and MS Office knowledge is a MUST.  Accounting and bookkeeping skills are preferred.  Please send inquiries or questions to Rev. Jagdutt Singh.

Dr. Neil Cockburn, Director of Music at the Cathedral, has taken a position with the University of King's College, Halifax, NS as Director of Chapel Music, beginning October 1.  His final service at the Cathedral will be on Sunday, September 18, with Choral Evensong with the Cathedral Choir at 6:00 pm.

We are saddened to see him go, as Neil has worked tirelessly providing music direction for regular services, as well as offering special musical events and choral festivals for many years.  We thank him for all he has done to lift our spirits in melody and song, and we ask God to bless him as he begins this new ministry.

Listen to speakers and panel discussions and engage in an honest conversation regarding death and end of life decisions.  Be better prepared to have these discussions with family and friends when the need arises.  

Advance registration is required. Registration is $10 per person for Friday evening or $50 per person for the full conference (Friday evening and Saturday) plus applicable service fees. Lunch will be provided on Saturday.  Friday, September 9th begins at 7:00 pm and Saturday, September 10th begins at 8:30 am. 

Please register and purchase tickets on Eventbrite.  

Additional information including a program, keynote speakers, and special hotel rate can be found by clicking on MAiD Conference.

The outdoor Ultreya, camp-out, and outdoor Sunday Service at the Double N Ranch is Saturday, September 10, and Sunday, September 11.  Join us for a pot-luck dinner at 5:00 pm on Saturday, followed by an Ultreya.  Sunday Service begins at 11:00 am., followed by a BBQ.  Bring a salad or dessert for that one. There is lots of room for campers at the ranch. 

Also, the Fall Men's and Women's Weekends are a go.  The Men's Weekend will be held Thursday, October 27 to Sunday, October 30, and the Women's Weekend will be held Thursday, November 3 to Sunday, November 6.  Please pray about who in your parish could be encouraged and sponsored to attend.

EXPLORERS Group is a young adults' group whose inquiring minds need a safe place to think about God and Jesus out loud.

This Dinner Group is looking for a round fold-up table which would seat 12 persons, for their Fall event at St. Paul Anglican Church, Calgary, as a loan or donation.  Please contact St. Paul's directly, or email Gloria Ford.

This Workshop on Prayer will be led by The Rev. Martyn Alvey, Honorary Assistant with the Meota Parish.  

Please bring a lunch.  Muffins and drinks will be provided.  There is no cost, but a freewill offering will be taken to help cover costs.

For more information or to register, email the church or phone (403) 652-2271.

Save the date!  More details to come in September.

This class will consist of four Thursday evening meetings from 7:15 pm to 8:45 pm (October 13, October 20, October 27 and November 3).  Couples who are planning to get married are invited to register for this workshop as part of their journey to their wedding day.  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 lead by the Rev. Brian Way, Counselling Therapist,and an approved Gottman Seven Principles Program Educator.  Cost is $180/couple which includes workbooks, sessions, and certificate.  For more information and to register, please email Rev. Brian. 

Saturday, September 17: Centering Prayer: An Introductory Workshop on Contemplative Silence: This Workshop, from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm, provides a grounding in the method of Centering Prayer, a practice of silent surrender, a journey of transformation, drawing deeply on the teachings of Fr. Thomas Keating, a Trappist monk who re-introduced the contemplative tradition in our times.  This workshop will be followed by six in-person sessions that deepen the practice of Centering Prayer.  To register, click here.

Friday and Saturday, November 4 & 5: "Poetry Unbound" with Irish Poet & Theologian Padraig O Tuama:  The Friday evening public lecture will be held at the Calgary Central Library, hosted by the Wisdom Centre and the U of C 2022 Chair of Christian Thought Iwaasa Lecture.  The Saturday one-day Retreat is hosted by the Wisdom Centre, and will be either in-person or online (location to be determined).  For more information or to register, please click here.

Core Teams Training, with Guest Speaker Terry Moe: Join us on Wednesday, September 28, for an online conversation about organizing, core teams and community building.  RSVP here.

Annual General Meeting: This meeting is taking place on Thursday, September 29 at 9:00 am.  Attendees from the public are welcome, but only members can vote on items on the Agenda.  RSVP here.

Foundations for Community Organizing: Please join us for the October offering on Friday, October 21 for this training event.  RSVP here.

Vespers: Uncommon Prayers for Uncommon People.  More information can be found here.

October 12 – Vespers, traditional evening prayer in the Celtic tradition

November 9 – Lectio Divina, praying with Scripture

December 15 – Marian prayers, prayer beads

January 11 – Silentio, contemplative prayer

February 8 – Taizé, musical prayers

March 8 – Stations of the cross, praying and walking with Jesus

April 12 – Mandalas, drawing prayers

May 10 – Labyrinth, walking prayer

June 14 – Eco Divina – praying in nature 

The Wisdom of Trees - November 4: What trees can teach us about life and faith.  A weekend retreat at the FCJ Centre.

The Many Names of Mary - December 2: An invitation to sacred womanhood.

Please remember in your prayers:

- those who have died, been injured, or traumatized by the events on the James Smith Cree Nation and in Weldon, Saskatchewan this week;

- 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 the country of Ukraine; we pray for areas of unrest and riots, asking for wise discernment in our leaders;

- for Monica, Howard, Terry, Janet, Victoria, Rick and Deb, Donna, Sharon, Don, Adrian, Diane and Caroline;

- for those who have died and those who mourn, remembering this week Maurice Hendrickson, husband of The Rev. Deacon Julienne Hendrickson (deceased);

- 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.

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.