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A Missional Minuteby Fr. Matthew Perreault During the lockdown, social isolation has been a huge challenge for so many people. The increasing willingness to express a desire for meaningful connection also presents an opportunity for us, as Christians, to be meaningful listeners (St James i. 19), and to be able to share about our own journey. My own recent experience came when God placed me at a barbershop, where my barber was interested in some conversation. Wearing a clerical collar as a sign of my own vocation as a priest opens many doors to conversation, just as many other Christians can attest wearing a visible symbol of their faith—a distinctive cross necklace or even a tattoo—can be a conversation starter. Beginning simply with talking about my day and sharing some of the work the Church was doing, to hearing her own struggles, and then being able to share a bit of my story of faith and how I was called to the priesthood, ended with a conversation that ended in encouragement for her and prayer. God is continuing to place people in our lives whom we may only have a momentary encounter with, but who are hungry for some form of meaningful human connection and interaction. When we are receptive to their desires and needs, and willing to explain our hope in Christ (I St Peter iii. 15), we have a missional opportunity to share the love of Christ. Not necessarily in explaining Christian doctrine, but in sharing the difference that God has made in our own lives, and sharing the hope we have for the difference He can make in the lives of others. "Deliberately seek opportunities for kindness, sympathy, and patience." (Evelyn Underhill, Letters)
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And Hope does not disappoint usA word for the Anglican Church of Canada A conversation with The Most Reverend Linda Nicholls, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, and The Most Reverend Greg Kerr-Wilson, Bishop of Calgary and Metropolitan of Rupert's Land, moderated by The Reverend Dr. Kyle Norman of Holy Cross Anglican Church Calgary. Questions discussed included: "Where is there hope in the Anglican Church?" "What challenges/lessons should we be listening for?" "What scriptures have been prominent for us in this time? For more infomation visit: http://calgary.anglican.ca/news/and-hope-does-not-disappoint-us--133
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78th Convention of SynodSaturday, October 24, 2020 Archbishop Greg Kerr-Wilson along with the Diocesan Council announces that the 78th Convention of Synod has been called for Saturday, October 24, 2020. Licensed Clergy and Elected Lay Delegates to Synod are to attend. Preparation will include the reading and being familiar with all materials sent out prior to Synod. Delegates, both Clergy and Lay, should consider putting their names forward for the following nominations: - Provincial Synod (required: 3 Clergy, 2 Lay, 1 Youth) - General Synod (required: 3 Clergy, 3 Lay, 1 Youth) - Diocesan Council (required: 1 Clergy and 1 Lay from each of the 5 Deaneries) During this time of physical distancing, Synod will be held via Zoom. In an effort to make good use of limited time, only the essentials of Synod, in accordance with the Canons, will be dealt with. No motions will be addressed at this event; we intend to hold a Special Synod in 2021 to respond to motions and other business. Please ensure that Clergy and Lay Delegate Certificates are submitted to ctubman@calgary.anglican.ca by August 10th. Any questions or concerns can be forwarded to Mrs. Kim Getty, Registrar of the Diocese (registrar@calgary.anglican.ca) or The Rev. Bob Mummery (calgarylr@gmail.com). For more infomation visit: https://www.calgary.anglican.ca/events/october-synod/2020-10-24
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Covid 19 Restrictions
Our diocese will continue only offering online services. No parish in the Diocese of Calgary will reopen physical gatherings without the Archbishop’s permission. At this point, we remain in the protocol of not allowing physical congregational services including weddings and funerals inside the church building. Re-opening for Worship: A Task Force of clergy and medical professionals has created a plan for re-opening of public worship. A Cover Letter, Checklist and Application Form were sent to the Corporation members of each parish. Applications to re-open for worship are requested to be submitted to the Diocese Office by August 15. We are pleased to say we have already had three applications submitted and approved, and look forward to those services in their new format. Any questions can be directed to the Executive Officer. |
Diocesan Announcements
Our Archbishop's services and events: Archbishop Greg is available to participate via Zoom in your parish vestry, council, and online services if requested. Even though he may not be able to gather in person with you, he welcomes the opportunity to share in worship or to meet groups of any and all ages, to listen to your stories and faith, and to engage in conversation about our experiences and learnings from this journey through the COVID-19 pandemic. Contact Carol Tubman to schedule.
New Incumbent for St. James, Calgary: As of August 11, the new Incumbent for St. James, Calgary will be The Rev. Dr. Dane Neufeld, formerly Incumbent of All Saints, Fort MacMurray. A big thank you to The Rev. Tony Grainger for his ministry as Interim Priest-In-Charge, and the Wardens of St. James for their leadership and discernment. We pray for Dane and the parish of St. James as they go forward in faith together. Welcome, Dane!
Retirement The Rev. Diane Beaman, formerly of the Highwood Parishes, and since 2018 Priest-in-Charge of St. Aidan, Pekisko, will be retiring as of September 1. We thank Diane for her ministry and wish her well in her future endeavours. God bless you, Diane! |
Job PostingIncumbent - St. Augustine, Lethbridge St. Augustine Anglican Church in Lethbridge, AB, invites appliations for our next Incumbent, to be the spiritual leader of our dynamic, diverse, and forward-thinking parish. Information on this parish can be found here. Interested parties are invited to explore the St. Augustine's website at www.staug.org. A copy of the Parish Profile can be requested here. |
How we live-stream our servicesHoly Trinity Anglican Church Holy Trinity Anglican Church shares a behind-the-scenes video about their experience with live-streaming services. For more infomation visit: http://calgary.anglican.ca/news/sharing-our-live-streaming-experience
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Missional Coaches Online
It's been wonderful working with the Missional Coaches in the Diocese. We have been trained by amazing people with a great deal of experience in mission, and created wonderful workshops. We truly enjoyed coming out to see everyone in the Town Halls in March, and with all of the strangeness of the last few months, the Coaches have agreed to go online! This means we are creating a workshop for your parishes, small groups, parish councils or anyone else that would like to take part. If you are interested in this upcoming workshop online, please contact Cathy Moore, and we will send you a link and date/time when it is up and running. You know the saying, "Four months between planting and harvest. But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest." John 4:35 |
Pastoral Care CourseHosted by our new Diocesan Pastoral Care Coordinator Tracey Stagg Looking for better words to say to someone who is hurting or regret you have said more than you would like? Is journeying with others in their time and space something that you would like to learn more about or revisit or are just curious about? Would a Diocesan Pastoral Care course with mentoring and training be of interest to you? Maybe it has just been a while and you would like to brush up a bit. Perhaps you would like to help with the pastoral care in your parish. Well, you have the opportunity! Currently in the Diocese, there is talk and action towards reaffirming our skills, abilities and confidence around caring pastorally for one another as children of God. The intention is to have locally responsive training with key fundamentals in listening, presence, theology of pastoral care, hearing, confidentiality and teamwork (to mention a few). This training and mentoring is open to anyone. Please consider this prayerfully and reflect with those near you if you would like to be more involved. More information will be forthcoming. |
Living with Uncertainty: Lessons from the Psalmshosted by The Wisdom Centre at Kingsfold Retreat Centre COVID has been a crash course in uncertainty that none of us signed up for. Come away with us for a weekend at Kingsfold Retreat Centre, September 18 to 20, when we will use the Psalms to look at the myriad of emotions all of us have been through and are going through on this journey. The weekend will include worship and presentations and will be co-led by Anglican priests The Rev. Anna Greenwood-Lee and The Rev. Christine Conkin and also Helen Barry. Cost is $480 for Single Room and $380 for Double Room per person. Registration is now underway; please phone Kelly at (403) 249-6184 (8:00 am to 11:00 am) or request her to call you at adminassist@stlaurence.ca. For more infomation visit: http://calgary.anglican.ca/events/living-with-uncertainty-lessons-from-the-psalms/2020-09-18
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Diocesan Committee Meetings
All Diocesan essential meetings have moved to an online format.
For more infomation visit:
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Newsletter Changes during the SummerChange to bi-weekly editions A reminder that during the month of August, the Newsletter will only be appearing in email inboxes every other week. May you be able to find time over the course of this summer for rest and refreshment. |
Christian Foundations Resource Books
The Diocese Office has a supply of Christian Foundations resource books for parishes to purchase, for use in a discipleship program. The copies can be purchased for $20 each. The Christian Foundations small group resource offers an engaging introduction to the good news of the Gospel, the story of the Bible, church history, the creeds, and core practices of the faith. The material has been designed for people with no Christian background, and for those wanting to refresh their basic grounding. Nine modules focus on key questions that are explored through four learning segments. These include short narratives and interactive exercises: self-quizzes, reflection questions, group discussion, story-telling, timelines, maps and matching tasks. More information on these guides can be found here. Purchase requests can be sent to ctubman@calgary.anglican.ca. |
Geneology SearchThe Johnston Family in the Coleman/Blairmore area We had a request for information regarding Canadian relatives. In the 1900's, a George Johnston was killed in a mining explosion. The service was held at St. Alban, Coleman, and he was laid to rest in Union Cemetery. His mother was Jane Johnston (nee Mounsey) of Cumbria, UK and father was John (Jack) Johnston. They had a large family. Eileen Neill, great-niece of Jane, would like to make contact with someone of that family. Please email diocese@calgary.anglican.ca for contact information. |
Prayer Requests
Please remember in your prayers: - our clergy and churches as we find our way forward in these strange days; - those who are sick, suffering, fearful or in need, remembering those suffering from the Coronavirus and their caregivers, those feeling isolated and those who are vulnerable; - for Michelle, Myrna and Paige; - those who have died and those who mourn, praying for the family of The Rev. Margaret Waterchief; - 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'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 communications@calgary.anglican.ca. |