I attended a housewarming this past weekend.  The new homeowner has a lovely backyard, but among the flowerbeds and in the grass, we noticed a certain plant had taken root.

I am re-sharing a Missional Minute from back in 2020.  

My yard is full of the dreaded Creeping Bellflower.  This plant comes in two forms, a ground cover weed springing from tubers deep underground, and tall beautiful flowers of purple bells, containing thousands of seeds.  It has been my nemesis for many years now. 

But this plant is an example of what Mission should be – yes, really!  As an intrepid ground cover, it is always going into new territory, fearless and unafraid to show itself in new environments.  Cool or warm, wet or dry, sunny or shady, it makes itself at home.  And in its floral form, it reveals the glory of our God. 

Let us be like the Bellflower – ready to go where God calls us and to glorify Him in all we do.

Diocesan Office:

The move is finally done, but there are still some boxes to unpack, pictures to hang, and placements of furniture to be decided.  Once all the dust has settled, we will be holding an open house for the Diocese to come see our new home at St. Edmund's House.  A reminder of our new address: 8336 - 34th Avenue NW, Calgary, AB, T3B 1R2.

Clergy Moves:

The Rev. Dr. Norman Knowles has accepted a position as Incumbent for the Parishes of St. John the Baptist, Duncan and St. Michael and All Angels, Chemainus in the Diocese of Islands and Inlets on Vancouver Island, as of July 15.  We are grateful for his ministry in many areas of parish life, especially with St. Paul, Calgary and the former St. Edmund, Calgary, as well as his work teaching at St. Mary's University.  We wish him all the best in this new position, and ask for your prayers as he begins this ministry.

Archbishop Greg is pleased to announce that he has appointed The Rev. Dr. Pilar Gateman to be the new Incumbent for the Parish of St. Benedict, High River as of August 1.  We ask for your prayers for Pilar as she transitions to this new role, and ask God to bless the parish as they journey together.

We welcome The Rev. Abhay Benson to the Diocese. He is pursuing an MCS (Master of Christian Studies) from the Canadian Baptist Theological Seminary in Cochrane and is a member of All Saints. Abhay is originally from New Delhi and served for almost 10 years as a fulltime Priest with the Diocese of New Delhi, Church of North India. Previously he completed an MDiv there. He is married to Heena Vincent and they have a son named Nierbhay Benson Chakravarty who is 7. The two of them are back home in New Delhi awaiting Visa approval. Please pray that this lengthy process comes to fruition soon so that they may be reunited here.   

July 6 - Bishop's Visit to St. Aldhelm, Vulcan

July 10 to 12 - ELCIC Convention in Winnipeg, MB

July 13 - Bishop's Visit to Christ Church.

Please hold Archbishop Greg in your prayers as he serves as our Bishop and Metropolitan.

Bishop Shane Parker of the Diocese of Ottawa was elected as our new Primate on June 26 at the General Synod held last month in London, Ontario.  We ask for your prayers for wisdom, discernment and leadership for our new Primate.

St. Stephen's is a welcoming and diverse Christian Community at the heart of Calgary's Beltline neighbourhood.  We seek a part-time, contract Music Director to join us this fall.  Working under the direction of the Rector, you will lead a dynamic music ministry.  We have a vocal choir, a grand piano and a three-manual Casavant pipe organ with 27 ranks.  Experience with Anglican, Roman Catholic or Lutheran liturgies and a music diploma or degree are desirable.

Please forward a resume with a covering letter and three references to ststephenscalgarystaffposition@gmail.com by Monday, August 18.  Note that we will be reviewing applications in late August and early September on a rolling basis until the position is filled.  If you are selected for an interview and audition, we will be in touch with more information no earlier than late August.

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.   

For more information on registration or this program, please contact Jennifer Solem at efmcalgary@outlook.com.  

Do you know children in Kindergarten to Grade 6 who like to laugh, play, sing and dance? Register them now for the FREE Jesus is My Lighthouse Vacation Bible School that St. Peter's Calgary is hosting July 14-18, from 8:15 AM-12:15 PM. They'll learn about Jesus and the Bible through nautical-themed songs, stories, crafts, games and snacks, thanks to our intrepid crew of adult & youth volunteers. Sound like fun? Register today – space is limited!

My name is Nicole Mae Payangdo, and I’m a student currently completing a Community Service-Learning placement with NSTEP (Nutrition Students Teachers Exercising with Parents)—a registered Canadian charity that helps children, youth, and adults build healthy habits for life through nutrition, movement, and wellness education.

As part of my placement, I’m supporting NSTEP’s Chef on NSTEP program, a hands-on cooking and food literacy class for youth. The program teaches practical kitchen skills, healthy eating habits, and the power of low-cost, nutritious meals that young people can prepare for themselves and their families.

To deliver this important program in the community, we are currently looking for free access to kitchen spaces in community centers, churches, halls, or other locations that have a safe and functional kitchen. Ideally, these would be spaces available for short-term or occasional use to run our workshops with youth and families.

We would be so grateful for any support—whether it’s use of your kitchen space, referrals to other locations, or help spreading the word.

If your organization is open to discussing this opportunity further, I’d love to connect. We truly believe that programs like Chef on NSTEP can make a long-term difference in community health, especially when delivered in welcoming local spaces like yours.

Thank you for considering this request and for all that you do to support the wellbeing of our community.

Volunteers Needed

Sacred Circle, the main governing body of the Indigenous Anglican Church, will continue to give shape to the emerging self-governing institution when it meets Aug. 5-10 in Calgary, Alberta.

National Indigenous Archbishop Chris Harper says key topics will include working out the procedural structures needed to put its founding documents, Our Way of Life and the Covenant, into practice; discussing an equitable method of picking representatives to Sacred Circle from across Canada; analyzing the funding available to the Indigenous church; and potentially even choosing a new national Indigenous Archbishop.

How can you be part of this groundbreaking initiative?

We need Greeters, document deliverers, first aiders, Elder attendants, and booth minders.  Can you help for four hours?  What day(s) could you come? Any day that works for you would work for us.

You will see firsthand the work of the Anglican Church in meeting the needs of all people and congregations who love God and desire to worship in their own unique and meaningful way.

Contact Lois Reid to offer your help and to make a difference at this conference.

Here’s a friendly reminder that there are no Ultreya gatherings for the months of June & July. We will take a break until August 9 & 10 when the Cursillo community will be hosted by the folks out in Sundre.  Details to follow shortly.

Also, a reminder that plans are already underway for both the Men’s and Ladies Cursillo Weekends coming this fall. Men’s weekend is October 30 to November 2, and the Women’s is November 6 to 9.  Fees are $295.00 for a double room, and $325.00 private.

Email Stew at stewp@telus.net for application forms.

Catholic Liturgicals is having a summer sale. Their vestments are reasonable quality for an amazing price point. 

Their website can be found here, and the sale page can be found here.

The 2026 Canadian Church Calendar is now available—marking the 120th anniversary of this long-standing resource! 

The Canadian Church Calendar is a deeply valued publication across Anglican households and sacristies from coast to coast to coast, even serving as a popular fundraising item in many parishes.

We’re also inviting photo submissions for the 2027 calendar and would love to see contributions from your diocese. Note that the deadline is earlier than usual this year: November 1, 2025. Submission guidelines and details are available at anglican.ca/about/calendar/submit-photos.

We did it – because of you.

Your compassion. Your generosity. Your willingness to act.

Together, we met our $250,000 goal for the Resilience Fund. And because of that, every dollar was matched. That means $500,000 is now on its way to communities across East Africa, bringing hope where it’s urgently needed.

But this moment is about more than money. It’s about what that money means.

• Children in Burundi will get the nutrition they need to survive. 
• Refugee families in Tanzania will find safety and care after months, even years, of uncertainty. 
• Women in Uganda who have survived gender-based violence will receive shelter, trauma counseling, legal aid – and the dignity of being heard.

In a year filled with sudden aid cuts and growing need, you stepped in. And the matching gift doubled your impact, multiplying healing and hope across entire communities. 

From all of us at Alongside Hope, and from the partners who work courageously on the frontlines:
Thank you. For standing with us. For showing up. For walking alongside hope.

Are you wondering how you can deepen your relationship with God this summer? Returning love for love to this God who has been so generous to you? How you can give God a bit more time and deepen your relationship with God?

This silent directed retreat will give you some time to step aside and reflect on the deeper meaning of this time of year. A trained spiritual director will meet with you once a day and offer you some guidelines for prayer. You will have time for private prayer and reflection, walks on our beautiful property or in the nearby park and delicious meals prepared by our talented kitchen staff. The FCJ Centre’s comfortable and peaceful accommodations will add to your retreat experience. Free parking is available.

The Diocese of Qu'Appelle is offering summer camps for all ages at Camp Harding in the beautiful Cypress Hills Provincial Park in southwest Saskatchewan.

Programs will be offered in July:

Junior Camp from July 6 to 11

Medieval Family Weekend Camp from July 18 to 20

Teen Camp from July 20 to 25.

Please remember in your prayers:

- for peace within our country, and in the world, for victims of violence, war and natural disasters, and for areas of unrest and riots.  We ask for wise discernment in our leaders; 

- for the Anglican Communion, and for the selection of a new Archbishop of Canterbury;

- for the work of the General Synod, and for our new Primate, The Most Rev. Shane Parker;

- for our Companion Diocese of the Windward Islands;

- for those who are sick, suffering, isolated or in need.  We ask for prayers for Barbara, Maureen, Karen, Ruth and James, Kate, Rosemary, Patricia, Rob, Alan, Gloria, Joan, and James;

- for those who have died and those who mourn, remembering Shirley Skeet;

- for the poor, the homeless, and the needy in our communities;

- for our Indigenous brothers and sisters, and their leaders in our diocese and country; 

- for refugees, remembering those fleeing regimes around the world.

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.

The views and opinions contained in Newsletter items provided by individuals or groups for advertisement belong solely to those individuals/groups and do not reflect the views, opinions or beliefs of the Anglican Diocese of Calgary.