Recently, I was talking with a friend, and the conversation turned to a recent purchase of plastic storage containers.  I found myself offering my thoughts on a particular brand, endorsing the qualities of ease of use, durability and price.  I really like these containers; I might even say in conversation that I “love” them.  I waxed poetic on how great this product is, on how my life has changed (in this case, they are the answer to my storage needs), and how grateful I was to have found a source of reliable food storage.  

Hold everything!  I have the love of God in my life.  I have a Saviour in Jesus, and He is the Rock upon which I stand.  He is wonderful and life-changing, and I am so very grateful to have Him in my life.  So, why am I not endorsing Him at every opportunity?  Why am I not telling everyone I meet of the good thing I’ve found? 

It seems I have no hesitation speaking about plastic containers, but feel awkward or fearful when it comes to sharing the Good News of Jesus.  I need to change my thinking, and be ready to speak of Jesus – of His hope and peace and life-giving love.  I need to share my “product endorsement” – my story of witness and salvation and the good things He has done for me, as readily as I do for consumer products.  May I be ready to be missional for Him. 

The Diocese of Calgary is hosting the national General Synod this coming June. We are in need of three Volunteer Coordinators for the following:  

1. Transportation Coordinator: This person will arrange for buses to bring delegates to the Uof C on day of arrival and take them back to the airport on day of departure.  

2. Registration Desk and Information: This person will gather volunteers, organize volunteers to hand out registration packets, schedule them for those jobs and general hospitality.

3. Final Banquet Coordinator: This person will organize the final meal for the Anglican component of General Synod.  

If you are willing, or know of someone that might be a good fit, please have them contact The Ven. Dr. Pilar Gateman. 

Clergy Announcements:

Archbishop Greg Kerr-Wilson will be inducting The Rev. Dr. Jane Rowland as Incumbent of St. Laurence, Calgary on December 4.  Please pray for Jane and the people of St. Laurence as they continue to journey forward in faith together. 

After seven years with St. Laurence, Calgary, The Rev. Carolyn Herold, as Assistant Priest, has stepped down as of November 15.  She will continue to serve as a Spiritual Health Provider within hospitals on a casual basis.  Please pray for Carolyn as she begins this new direction in her ministry.

Archbishop Greg is pleased to announce that, after much diligent, prayerful and thoughtful work by the Search Committee, he will appoint The Rev. Chris Dowdeswell as the new Incumbent of The Cathedral Church of the Redeemer, Calgary beginning December 1.  Rev. Chris and his wife, The Rev. Deacon Krista Dowdeswell, come to us from the Diocese of Qu'Appelle, where he served in parish ministry, as a territorial archdeacon and as a chair of an Anglican Camp in the Cypress Hills.  We welcome them and their family to this diocese and ask for your prayers for them and for the parish, as he begins this new posting.

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, NOW on Saturday, November 26, at 11:00 am (to accomodate other clergy wishing to attend).  Please pray for Rev. Jacqui as she prepares for her new ministry.  Color for this Service will be Red.

Diocesan Announcements:

The Clergy Retreat is being held from Monday, November 21 to Thursday, November 24.  The Diocese will be covering much of the cost this year, so the cost will only be $125 per person.  Those wishing to attend are urged to register soon.

November 19 - Advent Retreat Day at St. Barnabas, Medicine Hat

November 20 - Confirmation and Bishop's Visit to St. Barnabas, Medicine Hat

November 21 - 24 - Clergy Retreat

November 26 - Collation of Archdeacon of Indigenous Ministries, St. Paul, Cardston

November 27 - Bishop's Visit to Holy Cross, Calgary

November 30 - Bishop's Visit to St. Andrew, Gleichen to celebrate their 136th Anniversary

December 3 - Ladies' Retreat, St. Aldhelm, Vulcan

December 4 - Induction Service at St. Laurence, Calgary

The Calgary School of Discipleship is pleased to announce the Faith, Witness and Ministry Course is open for registration.

The course will be held on four Saturday mornings, from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon, on November 19, November 26, December 3 and December 10, and will be led by The Rev. Chris Roth.

In many people's minds, the word "ministry" refers to a domain restricted to clergy.  All baptised Christians, however, are called by God into ministry.  Jesus calls us to follow Him, and that means He also calls us to be a Christian for others.  How our spirituality engages the world is the ministry we have been called into.  This course explores how our personal faith journey relates to how we are called to engage the world as we follow Jesus.

This is a required course for anyone pursuing any of the Licenses in Licensed Lay Ministry (License A, B or C), but is also open to anyone who is interested.

To register, please email Barbara Labrecque.

URGENT:  The Diocesan Refugee Committee is seeking immediate help from parishes and parishioners in the Calgary area.   An emergency situation has come to our attention.  This involves a refugee family of 4 (Parents and 2 children) who are coming from a tent camp in Jordan and are set to arrive on 21 November 2022.  We are in search of a 3 bedroom house, apartment or townhouse preferably in the southwest part of Calgary, as well as donated furniture (in good shape), 3 beds (1 double/queen and 2 singles), housewares, linens and other items to set up their living accommodation.    We will also need a place to store the items until we have secured a residence. If, as an individual or as a parish, you are able to help with donations or a storage space, or if you know of a 3 bedroom accommodation, please contact:  The Rev’d Canon Erin Phillips, Chair of the Diocesan Refugee Committee 

St. Peter, Calgary: A Christmas Market will be held at St. Peter's, 75th Avenue and Elbow Drive S.W., on Saturday, November 26th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  There will be handicrafts, home baking, preserves, white elephant, home decor and a quilt.  All are welcome - hope to see you there. 

Holy Cross, Calgary: The Candy Cane Bazaar is back this year at Holy Cross Anglican Church, 2828 - 19th Street N.W., also on Saturday, November 26th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  A Baking and Deli table, a Craft table with sewing, quilting and knitting, a Treasures table, and books will be available.  There is no entry fee, but in the Glad Tidings Tea Room, coffee and lunch are served.

If you happen to receive CHRISTMAS CARDS in the old-fashioned, snail-mail way, please take a moment to neatly clip the stamps from the envelope. There is a collection bin at the Anglican Parish of Holy Cross: 2828 – 19 St. N.W.  We collect stamps all year round. The revenue generated from the stamps allow CBS to purchase Bibles for Canadian prison ministry. Ten pounds of stamps equals approximately six Bibles for distribution! A simple way to bring the Word of God to others. 

National PWRDF News:

Christmas Cards are available to order: When you send a PWRDF Christmas Card, you are supporting our partners, and also spreading the good news about our programs. This year's Christmas Cards feature two unique designs that each contain the message "Christmas Peace" in Oji-Cree, Inuktituk and the five official languages of the Lambeth Conference of the worldwide Anglican Communion: English, French, Japanese, Spanish and Kiswahili.  Cards are available in packs of 12 for a recommended donation of $25.  To order, click here.

PWRDF coming to a church near you - virtually: PWRDF has joined scores of virtual worship services at parishes across the country.  Staff can deliver a pre-recorded sermon, or join live worship on Zoom or other platforms.  To learn more or to book a virtual guest speaker, contact Public Engagement Officer Christine Hills.

With Christmas just around the corner, we are getting ready to help our families during this holiday season. We know many of our children, youth & families will not be able to exchange gifts on Christmas day. This is where you come in. Please help us by purchasing a gift, or gifts.  A list can be obtained by emailing Alessandra. We are hoping you can help supply our children & youth with a special gift for Christmas day. It is our hope that all our children & youth will have a gift to open on that special day. You can drop off your gifts at the Hope Mission Hub (4869 Hubalta Road SE) during office hours (Monday to Friday, from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm). Gifts need to be delivered by 4:30 pm on Monday, December 5th, but the sooner the better. Please do not wrap your gifts. We will take care of the wrapping. Please help us spread the Christmas joy this holiday season. 

Please remember in your prayers:

- 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 countries of Ukraine and Iran; 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, Don, Adrian, and Caroline;

- for 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.

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.