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Missional Minute
What is it that scares us the most when challenged to be “missional”? I think some of it is how we have grown up in a church that has a perspective of clergy as the seminary trained “specialists”, so they are the ones responsible for gathering the flock and bringing in the sheep, so to speak. Somehow we do not have to be too concerned with spreading the gospel ourselves. With that view, our role is limited to participating in Sunday services and supporting the clergy in their ministry. Holding to that view means we do not have to worry about being “missional” with anyone around us. Yet in Mathew 28:19-20, we are all directed, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” These may be rather uncomfortable words to consider if we are happy to leave the “missional” responsibilities to our clergy. So how do we step beyond our comfort zone and become more “missional” is a question each of us has to respond to. It may require becoming more aware of the things we do each day and the opportunities that already exist in activities we work through daily. I believe we are simply being asked to continue doing what we are already doing with more of a focus on how God is moving in our lives and impacting those around us. I would like to take a moment to expand on changing our perspectives by revisiting the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13:1-9. In the Parable of the Sower, we hear how the seed is cast across the ground and falls on the path where the birds come and eat the seed, falls on the rocky ground where it sprouts quickly and then dies off due the minimal depth of soil, or among the thorns where it grows and gets choked, as well as falling on the good soil and grows, bringing forth great results. How often have you focused on the seed being cast on the good soil and taking root and multiplying in growth? While assisting with a virtual Missional Workshop on Sharing Personal Faith, the conversation focused on the seed that had been scattered on the different types of ground and what happened to each. The one that caught my attention that day was the seed that landed on rocky ground. That seed was quick to grow and then died soon after in the scorching sun due to lack of soil depth and therefore minimal roots. The perspective that struck me was to consider the accumulation of time and subsequent sowing that occurs with every growing season. Though the seed has failed to grow and bring forth more grain that first time, what could happen over numerous years as more seed is cast, grows and dies off quickly? What if that cycle is allowed to continue and accumulate the compost of many years of those short growth cycles? Eventually the accumulation of dead seed and partially grown plants will create new soil allowing for a greater chance of bearing results towards the harvest. If we look at the sowing as a single event, we do not see how the accumulation results in an actual harvest. If we get stuck looking only for the immediate opportunities, we miss the opportunities that God as the Master Gardener may be working on. We are not being asked to be great missionaries, rather to be missional in thinking and actions in our daily lives. We must continue to cast the seeds around us and let the Master Gardener tend that seed as only He knows how it will grow, or even how it will gather over time and quite possibly result in a harvest we will not see or could conceive of. To be “missional” is to be the sower spreading the good news in the way we live our lives, traveling the hard paths, the rocky ground as well as the good soil. We do that one step at a time, without being caught up in our fears, as God will take care of the seeds we cast that will contribute to the great harvest. |
Missional Coaching
The Missional Coaches are excited to bring you workshops - especially now that we are able to come in person. We have a foundational workshop which gives the background and helps to understand the history and how that affects our perceptions. Then there are more specific workshops after that, including: Missional Organization Structures Missional Community Missional Youth and Children Missional Small Groups Sharing our Personal Faith Missional Communication We would love to come and work with you as a parish to see how you are already being missional, and how we can support you in small ways to consider a new mindset about becoming more missional. Please contact the Diocese Office to set up a time to chat about your missional goals and book your workshop! |
Diocesan Announcements
Blessing of the Oils and Renewal of Ordination Vows Service: The Cathedral is pleased to host its first Blessing of the Oils Service in person in two years. The Service will take place on Tuesday, April 12, at 10:00 am. All Licensed Clergy are required to attend. Attendees are asked to RSVP to The Rev. Helen Belcher. Please be in touch with the Bishop's office if your attendance is not possible. Color is Red.
Induction: Archbishop Greg will, God willing, conduct a Service of Induction for Rev. Jerrod McCormack as Incumbent of St. Martin, Calgary, on Tuesday evening, April 19, at 7:00 pm. Clergy are asked to attend to support their brother in his ministry. Color is White.
Ordinations: Archbishop Greg is pleased to announce that, God willing, he will ordain to the Diaconate Tom Hubschmidt, who will be interning at Holy Cross, Calgary from May to July, and will be a Transitional Deacon, and Carol Tubman, who will be a Vocational Deacon. The Service of Ordination will take place at Holy Cross, Calgary, on Thursday, May 19 at 7:00 pm. Please pray for Tom and Carol as they prepare for their new ministries.
Comptroller Hours: Our Comptroller, Blake Bolton, works mainly from his home. His hours are 8:00 am to 1:00 pm Monday to Thursday, and 8:00 am to 12:00 noon on Friday. |
Archbishop Greg's Activities and EventsApril 2022 April 4-8: National House of Bishops April 10: Palm Sunday and Confirmation Service at St. James, Calgary April 12: Blessing of Oils & Clergy Renewal of Vows at the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer, Calgary April 15: Good Friday Service at St. Luke, Calgary April 16 & 17: Easter Vigil & Easter Sunday at the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer, Calgary April 19: Induction Service for The Rev. Jerrod McCormack at St. Martin, Calgary April 22 & 23: ACW Conference (via Zoom) April 24: Confirmation Service at Holy Cross, Calgary April 26: Diocesan Council April 28 to May 1: Provincial Synod, Prince Albert, SK |
Job Posting - Full-Time IncumbentCathedral Church of the Redeemer, Calgary Search has begun for a Full-Time Incumbent position for the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer. If you are interested in reading the parish profile, please be in touch with the Executive Officer by email. |
Annual Returns are now due
The Diocese Office is reminding parishes that the Annual Returns are now OVERdue. Thank you to those parishes who have already submitted their Returns. The documents needed can be found on our Website. We require the following forms: Election of Lay Delegates to Synod, Election of Officers for the coming year, General & Statistical Information, Financial Information from 2021, Health & Safety Information and your parish Missional Footprint. As the deadline has now passed, we ask that these forms be sent in at your earliest convenience. If you need any assistance with filling in the forms, please let us know. |
ACW Annual Renewal ConferenceFriday, April 22 and Saturday, April 23 For more infomation visit: http://calgary.anglican.ca/events/acw-annual-renewal-conference--216/2022-04-22
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Anglican Laity RetreatMount St. Francis Retreat Centre - Friday, April 22 to Sunday, April 24 After two years of cancellation, we are delighted to offer this Retreat. This year, The Right Rev. Derek Hoskin (Ret.) will be joining us to celebrate the Eucharist on April 24. For more information, contact John and Patti Sinclair or calling (403) 288-3294. |
Cursillo Revival Weekend: Where is Jesus Meeting Us?Save the Date! Friday, April 29 to Saturday, April 30 The Calgary Cursillo Movement is excited to announce a Weekend of Revival - an opportunity to gather, to reflect and to re-learn the essential core values of Cursillo. This Weekend is open to all Cursillistas - lay people and clergy. PLEASE NOTE: There will be no regular Ultreya this month, as we are looking forward to seeing everyone at this Weekend. Visit the Cursillo Website for registration and details. |
PWRDF Updates
Job Opportunity: PWRDF is currently seeking to fill the post of Planned Giving and Major Gifts Senior Advisor. This 12-month contract position offers the opportunity to work remotely. We are searching for a candidate who will bring passion and knowledge to this important work in support of PWRDF’s vision for a truly just, healthy and peaceful world. More information can be found here. Aid for Ukraine: PWRDF is supporting Ukrainians forced to flee their homes due to the Russian invasion. The initial grant of $20,000 issued to an ACT Alliance appeal has been increased to $50,000. The grants will fund the work of Action by Churches Together (ACT) member Hungarian Interchurch Aid (HIA). How can you help? To make a donation to this response online, click here. You may also donate by phone at 416-822-9083 or leave a voicemail toll-free at 1-866-308-7973 and PWRDF will return your call, or mail your cheque to PWRDF, 80 Hayden, 3rd floor, Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 3G2. Please mark Ukraine in the memo field. |
Decorative Resin Art TraySt. Peter, Okotoks Saturday, April 23 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm Creative Souls meets monthly to exercise and expand our creative and artistic talents. Each month offers a different craft or art form led by members for others to experience. Supplies are provided for a basic fee set by the leader. It's time to get ready to socialize with our friends again. Do it in style by creating your own tray with resin and color! This workshop requires SIX people minimum to be held. Registration will close April 15. Payment is required to hold your spot. You can e-transfer your fee ($50) to Pauline Baker. Should the workshop be cancelled due to lack of interest, you will receive a full refund. |
Items AvailableTwo Church Monitors The Parish of St. Peter, Okotoks has two monitors available to a good home. They are personal monitors and the large ones can be used as speakers or floor monitors. For information or to request them, please email The Rev. Dr. Norbert Haukenfrers. |
University of Lethbridge Ecumenical Campus MinistrySt. Patrick Dinner Event On March 17, Ecumenical Campus Ministry provided St. Patrick dinners to 73 International students studying at the University of Lethbridge, to provide them with a lift in the midst of a difficult term. This was done in loving memory of Kathy Kuhn and Dexter Johnston. Kathy, the mother of a former ECM student chaplain, took students without family support into her heart and family. Dexter, with his brother Scott and father, Prof. Dan Johnson, supported initiatives on campus that fed hungry students. Both Kathy and Dexter inspired us with their concern for others, especially students, and we give thanks for all they contributed to our campus community.
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Diocesan Refugee CommitteeVolunteers Needed The Diocesan Refugee Committee is looking for volunteers interested in assisting sponsors prepare for and carry out settlements of refugees. If you are interested in learning more about this ministry, please contact Erin. |
Peter Craigie Memorial LecturesApril 10 and 11, 2022 - University of Calgary Three lectures will be held, featuring Dr. Emma Anderson, Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Anderson is an expert on the religious encounter between Catholic missionaries and Indigenous peoples in colonial North America. Belief and Belonging: The Evolution of Christian and Indigenous Collective Identity Since Contact: Sunday, April 10, from 1:00 to 2:30 pm, EEL Atrium, University of Calgary No Pain, No Gain: Why is Suffering Linked with Sanctity?: Monday, April 11, from 10:00 to 11:00 am, MacEwan Students Centre 317, University of Calgary Kateri Tekakwitha: Life and Afterlife: Monday, April 11, from 3:00 to 4:30 pm, Social Sciences 541, University of Calgary More information and registration details can be found here. |
$50,000 in Matching Gift for Say Yes! to Kids 2022
The Anglican Foundation of Canada (AFC) is pleased to announce an extraordinary matching gift of $50,000 in support of Say Yes! to Kids 2022 fundraising teams. “With the incredible generosity of our matching gift donors, the first 50 peer-to-peer (P2P) teams to raise $1,000 through their local efforts will immediately see their campaign total jump to $2,000, as AFC provides an additional $1,000 in the form of a matching gift,” says Dr. Scott Brubacher, AFC’s Executive Director. Currently, there are approximately 20 teams from across Canada readying their fundraising projects for the 2022 national campaign launch on April 19. Brubacher says, “We hope this matching gift will encourage other teams to join the Say Yes! to Kids movement.” |
Festival of Biblical Telling 2022April 22 to 24, 2022 We invite you attend the Festival of Biblical Telling 2022 - an online event for individuals or groups. This is an interdenominational and international event, co-sponsored by LeaderShift. The Festival will be recorded so that once registered, you will have three months' access to anything you may have missed. For more information, keynote bios, and links to register, please click here. If you are wondering what Biblical storytelling is, please click here. Should you have any questions, email Susan Ida Boucaud. |
Sorrento Programs in 2022
Registration is now open for our Summer programs. Come for one week, or come for them all. You will find environmental and nature-based programs, as well as outdoor spirtuality and experiential spiritual teachings, including core Anglican, reconciliation and interfaith offerings. As always, you will have the opportunity to enrich your heart and soul through arts and craft-based playful creativity. Start planning here. We are hiring permanent staff. Details can be found here. |
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 ctubman@calgary.anglican.ca. |
Prayer Requests
Please remember in your prayers: - our clergy and churches as they engage in re-opening to in-person services; - 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 especially this week the country of Ukraine; - for Monica, Howard, Dana, Bob, Terry, Janet, Dawn and Fariborz; - 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. |