In 2017, the Angus Reid Institute conducted a study on people’s beliefs, behaviours and attitudes about spirituality.

One of the outcomes of this study was mindset about religion. Included below are the outcomes and some possible implications:

Results: Four Canadian mindsets on religion:

- Spiritually Uncertain (30%)
- Privately Faithful (30%)
- Religiously Committed (21%)
- Non-Believers (19%)
- The most devout are more likely to be found in the prairies.
- The least devout are found in Quebec and B.C.
- The most devout tend to be older, female, from a visible minority & received formal religious education
 

Conclusions and implications:

- Canadians keep the faith to varying degrees but few reject it entirely
- They are less hostile than attendance might imply
- The spiritually uncertain are somewhat interested in questions of the existence of God and life after death … and are generally uncertain about their beliefs
- The privately faithful are very interested in questions of faith, want their children to be formally welcomed into a faith community, and often pray
- Younger, male, and non-immigrant Canadians may be the most challenging to reach with the gospel
- Few people really like the words theology or evangelism
 

Looking at the conclusions and implications list above, where do you feel the Holy Spirit nudging you to share your story of faith?

As we continue our journey through the strange world of the COVID pandemic, we are hearing from others that “weird is the new normal”.  

One of the things that I've noticed in the midst of the COVID pandemic, is that with the loss of our routines and our regular ways of life, we all become a little bit more on edge. I've been thinking that we can get consumed talking about the strangeness of our circumstance and the weirdness of it. But I believe that we also need to think about some of the things that are constants and that stay the same.

In my talk, I reflect on the scripture readings for this week, particularly what the Gospel encourages us on the constants of love and forgiveness. What does it mean to forego judging our brothers and sisters, and allowing that love of Jesus, to inform and to transform us?  

I pray that by the grace of God, you will allow the Spirit of God to shape you this week, to bring to mind what you need to let go, and to bring you into a deeper place of love for your brothers and sisters in this world.

Our Pastoral Care Coordination is growing and I am getting excited.

Over the last few months, I have been chatting with all sorts of people who are wanting more information and input into a Pastoral Care Course and what all of this looks like.  I have some ideas and want to tell you a bit about it.

Using my collaborative approach to team(s) formation, I hope to be able to offer a locally responsive pastoral care training and mentoring program. The idea is to have a foundational program with pillars of pastoral care and have room for local areas of interest or need. For example, perhaps it is caring for the aging, young families, palliative, dementia, etc. The idea is that the course would be 15-20 hours of learning time together. And we are not without the best resources – YOU!

The idea is to leverage as many Diocesan resources as possible to mentor/coach/train all who are interested in assisting their parish to care pastorally for one another, as Christ cares for us.

You can be involved by sharing with me:

• Perceived pastoral needs in your parish
• Suggestions for course areas to further explore
• Material resources that you have found useful and want to share
• Those among you who are skilled and passionate in sharing your area of specialty? (i.e. – pastoral theology, grief and bereavement, self-care, communication skills, etc.)

Please connect with me at my contact email: pastoralcare@calgary.anglican.ca

I encourage each of you to pray about this and bring forward suggestions, resources and encouragement to the above email.

A guiding scripture for me is a favourite in Micah 6:8:

He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

With Peace and pastoral Blessings,

Tracey

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. The Convening Circular and other information should be sent out within a few days.

During this time of physical distancing, Synod will be held via Zoom.  Because of this electronic format, paper ballots have been sent to all Clergy and Lay Delegates.  Please follow the enclosed instructions and return them as soon as possible.  In an effort to make good use of limited time of our meeting, 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.

Any questions or concerns can be forwarded to Mrs. Kim Getty, Registrar of the Diocese (registrar@calgary.anglican.ca) or The Rev. Dr. Bob Mummery (calgarylr@gmail.com).

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.

Ordinations:

We are pleased to announce that Archbishop Greg will ordain Joan Carson of St. George, Calgary, Tracey Stagg of St. Benedict, High River, and Marcus Herrel of St. Barnabas, Calgary to the Order of Deacons on Sunday, September 27, at Cathedral Church of the Redeemer, Calgary at 4:30 pm.  Please pray for Joan, Tracey and Marcus as they begin these new ministries. Marcus will be continuing to serve in the diocesan office as Interim Director of Finance.

Appointment of Interim Treasurer of Synod:

At its meeting on September 8, Diocesan Council ratified the nomination by Archbishop Greg of Mr. Bill Bradley as Interim Treasurer of Synod for the Diocese of Calgary.  We look forward to working with Bill as our newest officer of Synod.  Welcome, Bill!

Retirement:

The Ven. Ken Wells, Incumbent of St. Alban, Brooks and Archdeacon of Macleod, will be retiring as of September 30.  We thank Ken for his ministry, wisdom and service, and wish him well in his future endeavours.

Resignation:

We thank David Allan for his work as the Digital Communications Facilitator for the Diocese of Calgary.  He has found it necessary to resign due to personal and professional priorities. He is still available to provide support and advice until the 30th of September.

Diocesan Council has recognized that parishes are facing the practical question of how to effectively continue serving an online audience when they return to onsite physical gathering. Diocesan Council will provide up to a $1000 Grant to each applicant parish in the Diocese of Calgary for purchased equipment that enables them to record or stream services or use technology to address COVID concerns. 

Please join the ladies of the ACW as they hold their Fall Retreat via Zoom, on Saturday, September 26 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.  This year's focus will be An Introduction to Spiritual Disciplines led by The Rev. Dr. Kyle Norman.  The cost is free.  For more information, email The Rev. Betty Piwowar.  To register, email ACW President Margaret Newton or Linda Holt. 

All Diocesan essential meetings have moved to an online format.

The Vancouver School of Theology will be having a virtual Open House on September 30th. It’s only an hour-long and inquirers will be able to hear from the principal, some faculty and students.

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.

Thank you to all who have registered and we look forward to your participation at this weekend's workshop.

Over 100 people gathered in Markin Hall atrium to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Ecumenical Campus Ministry (ECM) at the University of Lethbridge – and also, notably, the leadership of Chaplain Erin Phillips. Erin has been instrumental in working to build community and address food insecurity among students at the University, inspiring many others to take action to provide support.

The Healing Conference planned for October this year was cancelled because of the pandemic.  The folks at St. Luke’s, Calgary are working hard to produce a FREE eBook containing testimonies of Divine Healing and inspiring stories of God’s provision and goodness that will bless many during this time of uncertainty. 

With all the pandemic restrictions being imposed and the need to reassure those who are struggling with fear... others who are feeling isolated... and many who are anxious about the future... the eBook will be a well-spring of encouragement! And can you imagine the joy of those who will hear for the first time that Jesus still heals today! 

Would you consider sharing your testimony to bless someone?  You are invited to send your testimony now.  You will also be invited in October to download the eBook and share with others.  

We are also asking for volunteers to transcribe written testimonies and to help with the formatting of the document.

Deacon Keith Bird

St. Luke's

The 2021 Canadian Church Calendar is available to order.

$5.00 each for orders up to 24 copies.

$3.75 for orders 25+ copies.

All Saints Anglican Church, Cochrane is developing the Bishop Ford Memorial Garden with the focal point being a 4-sided, 72-niche granite columbarium overlooking the mountains and the Town of Cochrane.  We are now offering the exclusive right to the Anglican Diocese of Calgary to purchase a niche which holds the urns of your loved ones in a safe and secure location.  The advance purchase of your niche will enable us to secure the funds necessary to begin construction this summer.  For more information on location, pricing, pictures, inscriptions and contacts for questions, please visit our website page.  If you wish to purchase a single or double niche, please send an email or phone (403) 932-6556 to select a niche and complete the paperwork.  Niche sales will be offered to the general public starting in September.  "May they rest in peace and rise in glory."

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; 

- 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.