"...suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them." - from Luke 24:4

Picture the women, standing at the empty tomb.  And suddenly, there are two gleaming, shining men standing beside them.  One translation reads, "at their elbow."

On occasions when there is ice or mud on the ground, or I am experiencing grief, my husband will be walking by my side and take my elbow.  Not as an act of chauvinism, but a gesture of care and concern for me and my well-being.  His strong grip keeps me from harm.

In this short passage, the angels are there by the side of these grieving, bewildered women.  

Who comes to be by your side?  Who is there present for you?

We know God is always with us.  He is beside us in times of fear or doubt or uncertainty.  May His presence calm and sustain you, and reveal His great care for you.

It's been a while since we've been able to gather for a Town Hall across the Diocese.  These gatherings are intended for Wardens, Treasurers, Parish clergy and Lay Ministers (and anyone else who would like to attend).

This year, the Diocesan Staff is going to gather with you in Red Deer, Okotoks and Lethbridge in order to share with you how they work to facilitate your ministry, and answer questions you may have for them.

Wednesday, May 3 - St. Luke, Red Deer (this event will be recorded - those unable to attend will be given the recording upon request)

Wednesday, May 10 - St. Augustine, Lethbridge

Saturday, May 13 - St. Peter, Okotoks

For all three events, the gathering time will be at 9:30 am and the business will begin at 10:00 am. 

Please mark your calendars and plan to join us.

Diocesan Synod:

Archbishop Greg Kerr-Wilson along with the Diocesan Council has announced that the 79th Convention of Synod has been called for Friday and Saturday, October 13 and 14, 2023, to be held at St. Peter, Okotoks. 

April 17 - 21: National House of Bishops in Toronto

April 22: Farewell for The Right Rev. Michael Hawkins in Prince Albert, SK

April 23: Bishop's Visit to St. George-in-the-Pines, Banff

April 25: BARDs meeting at St. Luke, Red Deer

April 26: Diocesan Council meeting at Diocesan Office and via Zoom

April 29: Deacons' Day at St. Paul, Calgary

April 30: Confirmation Service at Christ Church, Calgary

April 30: St. Edmund, Calgary Final Service

The Diocese of Calgary is hosting the National General Synod from June 27 to July 2.  We look forward to showing delegates our hospitality.  

Part of our hosting role is to provide Goodie Bags to our guests.  If your parish would like to contribute, in the way of small items to be added to the bags (all 235 of them), please let us know.  Some suggestions we've thought of are: postcards, bookmarks, prayer crosses, or knitted dishclothes.  What would you suggest go in the bags?

Contact us at diocese@calgary.anglican.ca if you would like to help us show our famous Western hospitality to those attending General Synod.

The Anglican Parish of Christ Church, Elbow Park is seeking a 3/4 Director of Music.  

More information can be found under the Job Posting on the Diocesan Website.

Deadline for applications is May 15, 2023.

The Parish of St. Leonard-on-the-Hill, Red Deer is seeking an accomplished musician and experienced leader who will plan, lead, and grow our worship ministry, working closely with the minister to enhance worship and build Christian fellowship through music. 

The position is currently vacant and will be filled as soon as possible. This position is expected to require between 8 hours per week, concentrated between September and June. Please direct applications and inquiries to stleonardsanglicanchurch@gmail.com – subject line: Music and Director Position. 

The Coordinator of Children and Family Ministries is responsible for providing pastoral direction and support for vibrant children and family programs within St. Augustine’s parish. The focus of this position will be the coordination and provision of ministry to children of all ages in the parish and in the wider community. The centerpiece of this ministry will be the leading and coordination of the weekly Sunday School program, and a four-day summer Vacation Bible School.

To apply for this position, please submit a detailed resume and letter of application that outlines the background and experience that you believe makes you a good candidate for this position. Please also submit contact information for three references. Application materials should be submitted via email to office@staug.org.  Deadline for applications is April 22, 2023.

The Theme for this Retreat is "Holy Ground: Seeing the Sacred in the Everyday."

Our day is often busy or restless.  An annual retreat awakens us to God's presence in our lives.  "Be still and know that I am God."  Come join us on silent retreat at Mount St. Francis, just outside of Cochrane.  

For more information and registration, please email John or Patti Sinclair, or call (403) 288-3294.  For more information on the Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre, visit our website.

Come join us for a great selection of gently used clothing, jewellry, household goods, white elephant items, books, tapes, records and more.

Friday, May 5 from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm and Saturday, May 6 from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm.  Saturday is $3.00 "Bag Day."

Liturgical Public Speaking -  May 27 @ 1:00 pm Instructors: Rev. Canon James Robinson and Judith Robinson  Location: Diocesan Office (Chapel) and on Zoom.  Cost: $35 per person  

This Workshop is designed to help both lay and clergy people become adept in public speaking while leading and/or participating in public worship. Students will explore what is needed to speak and read effectively in public, but specifically within the context of worship and in the role of reading sacred scripture, and praying liturgical and sacramental text. The course will also cover practical matters, including instruction about appropriate use of vestments, the use of technology and give students opportunity to practice and develop their skills and confidence.  

Leading Morning & Evening Prayer, and Reserved Sacrament  June 3 @ 9:30am (MP/EP) and 1:00pm (RS) Instructors: Rev. Br. Jason Carroll & Ven Pilar Gateman (tentative) Cost: $35 per session, or $60 for the both.   

This workshop will give students a basic understanding of the theology, structure and purpose of the Daily Office and the Reserved Sacrament service, and train them to organize appropriate services from the Book of Alternative Services (BAS), the Book of Common Prayer (BCP), and locally developed service books approved by the Bishop. Students will be able to plan a service of worship effectively, taking into account the sacramental context and liturgical season, and selecting appropriate Propers, readings, hymns, prayers and collects. The course will also cover practical matters such as appropriate strategies to navigate unexpected events in worship and the use of appropriate postures for leading worship. Students will also consider the realities and requirements of providing reserved sacraments in public institutions such as hospitals and seniors homes (e.g., choking hazards, institutional protocols and procedures). 

To register for any of these courses, click here.

The Choir of Christ Church, Elbow Park hosts choral evensong on the fourth Sunday of each month beginning on April 23.  Please join us for this sacred service starting at 4:30 pm.

May 10 - Praying with Nature

June 14 - Praying the Labyrinth

As we emerge from the pandemic, we find the world has changed - and is constantly changing.  So, where do we go from here?

The world is uncertain; the pandemic, economic strife, societal upheaval and challenges to faith keep us all in a state of constant change. Yet we are resilient.  

From May 5 to 7, Preaching Grace guest speaker Dr. Joni Sancken leads Christians, clergy and curious individuals through strategies that help build resilience, heal trauma, and find hope that nurtures compassion.

Ambrose University is hosting a two-day workshop for church leaders to engage their congregations in dialogue and action to address poverty. RSVP here.

Please remember in your prayers:

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

- for those who are sick, suffering, isolated or in need.  We ask for prayers for Monica, Howard, Terry, Janet, Victoria, Rick and Deb, Donna, Barbara and Elizabeth, Cathy, Vic and Fergus;

- for those who have died and those who mourn;

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

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

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

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.