Describing marks of healthy Christian congregations is an attempt to give the broad outlines of what a community of Christians living out their faith in the triune God, revealed in Jesus Christ and sustained and empowered by the Holy Spirit, looks like. Here is one of these characteristics.

Loving Service (Greek Diakonia) – to participate in God’s mission of love to the world. Jesus said, “I came not to be served, but to serve.” He who came in the flesh calls us as His body to continue that service. This is given expression when we both personally and as a Body look toward the needs of the world around us and seek to address those needs in the power of God’s Spirit.

How does this look?

When Loving Service is offered, we serve the least in society. Parishioners live out the love of God by actively seeking out the needs of people in their local community. We express the love of God we have come to know and use gifts to serve the needs of others (by helping the needy, lifting up the lowly and working to free those bound by forces of human greed, oppression, and suffering). People regularly pray for one another and when specific needs are uncovered, we are motivated to use our God-given gifts to help.

How is this missional?

We meet needs through ministries within the church, participation in pre-existing community programs or through the creation of new initiatives. It is clear how the love of God has transformed us, gifted us and motivated us to serve. Through this, the community comes to know Christ the servant of all. 

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March 7     Calgary,  Good Shepherd Church 

March 14   Red Deer,   St. Luke's Church

March 28   Lethbridge, St. Augustine's Church

Missional Coaches will be coming to share their learning and offer opportunities for parishes to sign up for workshops.

All are welcome! We are excited to come and share the great information we learned!

Time 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Lunch will be provided

Please register with Carol at ctubman@calgary.anglican.ca  with any food restrictions

Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 8, 2020, at 2:00 A.M.

On Saturday night, set your clocks forward one hour (i.e., losing one hour of precious sleep) to “spring ahead” and not arrive at church late.

This year's conference will take place May 4-7, at Waterton Lakes Lodge.

We are almost full for registrations, please contact us soon to register

Reminder: This year, costs for the conference will be billed directly to parishes.

Our guest speaker is The Rev. Dr. John Stafford.

The Rev. Dr. John Stafford is an ordained Anglican priest and served various parishes in Manitoba.

He was the Dean of Theology and Chaplain at St. John’s College at the University of Manitoba for 16 years.  He was also an Associate Professor of Biblical Studies at Providence University College in Otterburne, Manitoba.

Wednesday, March 11 — Property Committee, 3:00 pm

Thursday, March 19 - Mission Action Plan Committee, 1:00 pm

Tuesday, March 24 — Synod Steering Committee, 1:30 pm

Wednesday, March 25 — Management Committee, 10:30 am

Mark your calendars for our June Synod

Location: Heritage Inn, High River

Dates: Registration during the afternoon of Friday, June 5th. Departure after the Eucharist on Sunday, June 7th.

Food: There will be some snacks provided during registration on Friday afternoon. On Saturday lunch and a roast beef supper will be provided. On Sunday, light snacks/coffee will be provided.

Speaker: The Right Reverend Jenny Andison, Area Bishop of York-Credit Valley, Ontario 

Note: Booking by phone will get best rates and will include breakfast (upon request only) 1-888-888-4374
NO elevator in the hotel. Anyone with agility issues should prioritize booking as soon as possible in order to have a main floor room.
No booking code needed. Please just mention that you are booking for the Anglican Diocese meetings.

New Diocesan Office Staff Member:

We welcome Cathy Moore to the Diocesan team as half time Admin Assistant for the Executive Officer.  

Be aware of an email phishing scam:

If you receive an email from clergy or staff to get in touch urgently, PLEASE check the email address carefully. There is a scam targeting churches with emails first requesting urgent contact followed by a request to purchase gift cards. Contact details, including names and titles, are being scrapped by the scambots from church websites. 

Deadline for Synod Documents:

A deadline of April 1 has been decided for the reception of the following Synod-related documents:

-- Written reports from Committee chairs, for publication in the Convening Circular.

-- Biographies from all persons wishing to put their name forward as Nominees for the Election of Delegates for Diocesan Council, Provincial Synod and General Synod (both clergy and laity).

These items can be forwarded to diocese@calgary.anglican.ca

Town Halls in March:

We will again be having our Town Hall meetings. This year we are excited to come and bring some of our Missional Coaches who will share their newly acquired training in mission in six different areas. Click here for more information and registration. 

Clergy Conference:

78th Convention of Synod:

AFP Diocesan Committee requests Parishes to pray for our upcoming Synod on June 5-7.

There are prayers for Synod in the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) on page 42, prayer #7 or the Book of Alternative Services (BAS) on page 676, prayer #4 that may be used.

St. Stephen, Calgary: Incumbent, full time; Job Posting here, Parish Profile here

Holy Trinity, Calgary: Pastor of Youth Ministries, part-time

For more information on these positions, please contact pgateman@calgary.anglican.ca

— Six Week Lenten Lecture Series on "Living in a Secular Age" at St. Augustine, Lethbridge: Began February 25 at 7:00 pm, ends March 31 Instructors: Dr. René Boeré and The Rev. Steve Bateman

— St. Barnabas in Medicine Hat

      Click here for their Ecumenical Lenten Worship services at various churches lead by “not their minister” during the Wednesdays in Lent.

— Town Hall, March 28 at St. Augustine's Church, Lethbridge

Do you have news and events from your parish for next week's newsletter? Click here to send them to David by Tuesday noon.

— St. Peter’s Okotoks, Lenten Bible Study: ReFrame, Thursdays 7:00 - 8:30 pm March 5 - April 2
Facilitated by the Rev. Dr. Norbert Haukenfrers.
For more information, check out www.reframecourse.com
Please feel free to join us for one or all of the Thursday Evenings.

Do you have news and events from your parish for next week's newsletter? Click here to send them to David by Tuesday noon.

— World Day of Prayer, March 6, 2:00 pm at St. Cuthbert & St. George 602 1st Street Sundre 

— Town Hall, March 14 at St. Luke's Church, Red Deer

Do you have news and events from your parish for next week's newsletter? Click here to send them to David by Tuesday noon.

Handel’s Oratorio “Israel in Egypt”
On Friday, March 27 at 7:30 pm in the Cathedral, the Cathedral Choir will perform G.F. Handel’s Lent/Easter Oratorio “Israel in Egypt” with chamber orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Neil Cockburn.

The text of “Israel in Egypt” is entirely scriptural, taken from the Psalms and the Book of Exodus, and the attributed librettist is Charles Jennens - the same librettist Handel worked with on “Messiah.” Handel’s music paints the descriptive texts of plagues of frogs and locusts, storms of hailstones, and the parting of the Red Sea with spine-tingling brilliance. Although there are a small number of solo arias, this is the oratorio in which Handel places the most emphasis on chorus singing, dividing the singers into two complete choirs for dialogue and dramatic effect. Come and join us to hear this vivid depiction of the Exodus story!

Tickets are available in advance on Eventbrite:
https://cathedralyychandel.eventbrite.ca

Further information is available on the Cathedral web site:
http://www.anglicancathedralcalgary.ca/israel-in-egypt

Facebook Event page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/505189113713679/

Do you have news and events from your parish for next week's newsletter? Click here to send them to David by Tuesday noon.

— Lectio Divina at Holy Cross, Calgary: All are invited to an evening of silence, prayer and biblical meditation.   An Evening of Lectio Divina is held on the second Tuesday of every month, starting at 6:30 pm.  Everyone is welcome. 

— Group Marriage Preparation Workshop at The Parish House of All Saints Anglican, Cochrane: Saturday, May 2, 2020, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. The workshop involves short presentations followed by guided couple communication exercises on communication, conflict management, family of origin, intimacy and sexuality, goals, finances, and spirituality.

 Do you have news and events from your parish for next week's newsletter? Click here to send them to David by Tuesday noon.

Community Meal at 5:30 pm — Taizé Sung Prayers 7:30-8:30 pm

Location Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church 4612 Varsity Drive Northwest Calgary

This year's international launch of Thy Kingdom Come, the global ecumenical prayer movement, took place last week at Lambeth Palace. The event runs from Pentecost to Ascension (May 21-31) and will involve more than 90 percent of countries around the world.

Three Anglican parishes (St. Andrew's, St. Barnabas and Holy Cross) will take part in the annual World Day of Prayer on March 6th at St. David's United Church.  The service, which was written this year by women in Zimbabwe, begins at 2:00 pm.

Friends in Christ,    

The Primates’ Task Group, on which I served, presented its final report to the Primates’ meeting in January.   Included in its work was a key recommendation to ask Anglicans worldwide to enter a season of repentance.   

We are deeply aware of the pain of division in our midst.    All have shared in hurts given and received.   In the spirit of Matthew 7:3-5, a call to prayer and self-reflection in repentance has been made for Lent 5 – March 29, 2020.     

Click "Read More" for the letter.

St. Laurence Anglican Church invites you to join them in participating in the Episcopal Church's Lent Madness.  St. Laurence has joined the online community of people having fun as they learn about 32 saintly men and women, ancient and modern, who have followed the way of Jesus.  

Anglican Laity Silent Retreat at Mount St Francis Retreat Centre, Cochrane, Alberta.

March 20-22. 

The Missional Footprint is on the website under “Resources | Documents  | Downloads”.  In the Missional Footprint, each Parish is invited to highlight their activities. The template has been updated and the format is much easier to fill out and to work through.

The Annual Returns can also be accessed here and scrolling to the bottom of the page.

Did you know that since 2015 our Diocese has welcomed and hosted 430 refugees?  In 2019 the parishes of the Anglican Diocese of Calgary sponsored 79 refugees and hosted 46 who arrived. 

For more information click the Read More button below.

St. James Anglican Church youth group invites others to join them this year at the HistoryMaker2020 conference, which is held annually in Chilliwack, BC for youth 12-18.

The St. James Anglican youth group has gone the last two years and had a great experience! The conference involves lots of great music and worship, speakers, and workshops that all serve to show youth the person of Jesus and encourage them in their faith.

Calling all old friends of the Sorrento Centre! Welcome to new friends! Come to a free, family-friend event and experience a day-in-the-life of our beloved Centre.

Sarah Williams, who is one of the Sorrento Centre’s loyal Board members, is hosting a very special family-friendly evening on March 21st at St Stephen’s in Calgary.

Dan Hines: Wayfinding and Leadership  Friday, March 6 to Sunday, March 8

Friday, 7:00 pm: Wayfinding as Life: Disorientation and Reorientation  Wayfinding is the traditional art and skill of navigation over water or land.  Dan will share what he has been learning with the blessing of Hawaiian navigators, as the art of wayfinding experiences an ongoing cultural rediscovery in the Pacific.  Wayfinding offers profound insights for how to live a human life.  Dan teaches 'sandbox style' with the use of visual imagination, storytelling, scientific knowledge, and meditations.

Saturday, 9:30 - 3:00: The Courage to Lead: Navigating Complexity  Courage is a virtue celebrated all around us as brave heroism, as bold acts of willpower in dangerous moments.  Yet, there is a more subtle form of daily courage that arises from a deeper source, by simply honoring what is true.  A life of courage is following the guidance of the quiet voice of inner knowing.  Guided by small group practices inspired by the teaching of activist and writer Parker J. Palmer, we will explore in storytelling, evocative readings, visual images, inner reflection, guided meditations, and facilitated discussions what traditional wisdom, our spiritual teachings, and open-ocean navigational learning may reveal to us.

Sunday: Preaching at the 10:00 am service  As co-founder of the intentional community RareBirds Housing Cooperative, Dan has a passion for exploring alternative living, innovative housing, and a more sustainable relationship to the land.

Whole event - $80; Friday only - $15; Saturday only - $75.  Register here.

Save the dates:

Christine Conkin of St. Andrew's and Anna Greenwood-Lee of St. Laurence will teaching a course at Sorrento Retreat Centre from July 5 - 11 entitled "The Turbulent 2020s: A Theological Field Guide".  Click here for more information.

Pip Nicolls, September 17-20: Three-day Retreat at Kingsfold Retreat Centre

For more information on the Wisdom Centre, click here.

All Saints Retreat Centre is located in The Parish House, a beautiful space next door to All Saints Anglican Church in Cochrane set aside for programs and outreach.  There are rooms available for meeting on two levels, with both inside and outside areas to enjoy.  It would be a lovely spot to hold a Parish Council meeting, Small Group Retreat, or any other gathering.  For more information or a tour of the facility, please contact Elizabeth Short at (403) 660-5636 or email allsaintsretreatcentre@outlook.com

What's Happening Next Door at The Parish House?: 

Sacred Space CoWorking: We have opened an ecumenical sacred co-working space for those who need a professional work setting free of distractions that holds both productivity and spirituality as equally important. If you are interested or would like a tour of the facility, please contact Elizabeth Short at (403) 660-5636 or email allsaintsretreatcentre@outlook.com You can also click here for more detailed information, pictures and pricing.

Spiritual Direction: We are excited to introduce Karen Wold who is a Spiritual Director and part of the Ministry Team for All Saints Retreat Centre.  For more information on what she has to offer or to get her contact information, please click here.

Walking into Holy Week: April 4, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm: Conducted by Alicia Dykstra of King's Fold Retreat Centre, who is a Veriditas-trained labyrinth facilitator.  

Group Marriage Preparation Workshop: Saturday, May 2, 2020, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. The workshop involves short presentations followed by guided couple communication exercises on communication, conflict management, family of origin, intimacy and sexuality, goals, finances, and spirituality. For further information and registration go to www.relatewellcounselling.ca

The Executive Director and Board of Directors of the Anglican Foundation of Canada are pleased to announce the appointment of the Very Rev. Peter Wall as Gift Consultant for the year 2020. View his introduction video through the link below.

The Wycliffe Institute of Evangelism has excellent resources for both the parish and individuals.

Click here to access their web page.

Please remember in your prayers:

- Archbishop Greg, during this time of sabbatical;

- those who are sick or suffering, remembering those suffering from the Coronavirus and their caregivers;

- those who have died and those who mourn; 

- 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 communications@calgary.anglican.ca.