|
|
Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Yearfrom Archbishop Greg and the staff at the Diocesan Office |
A Merry Missional Minute
The Christmas season should be the easiest time for us to share the good news of Jesus with friends, family and neighbours. However, the busyness of the season often eclipses our energy to think beyond the appropriate gift, surprise, treats, lights and meals of the season. In this strangest of Christmases, we find ourselves in a time where many of those practices might be impossible to have happen. Instead, perhaps we might be open to listening to others in their challenges with the pandemic, the restrictions which keep us from our families and other difficulties. Perhaps in those conversations, you might walk alongside them and encourage them that you are there. We all need a lift now and again. You and I share the Hope of the Gospel brought by the infant in a manger lo those many years ago. Others do not. What keeps you grounded in these strange times? We can share the Hope we find with those who reduce Christmas to simply a gift exchange and dinner with loved ones. We know it’s more than that. The Christmas story offers not just a cute baby in a manger – but story of love so great that the God of the universe took on flesh offering Joy and hope. How might we share that Hope with others? As we walk through another beautiful season of Christmas, we pray in the words of Colossians 4:3-4 “At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ.” |
Christmas Eve Live-Streamed ServiceDecember 24 at 8:45 pm |
Christmas Day Service Online
Join us online for a special Christmas Day service led by Most Rev. Gregory Kerr-Wilson, who will be joined by a number of other clergy from across the Diocese. The video will be posted on the homepage of the Diocesan Website here. For more infomation visit: http://calgary.anglican.ca/events/christmas-service-online/2020-12-25
|
Christmas Services Across the Diocese
Join us online as many of our local parishes gather virtually to celebrate the birth of Christ. See the list of online services For more infomation visit: http://calgary.anglican.ca/events/christmas-services-across-the-diocese/2020-12-25
|
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.
Changes at St. Laurence: We bid farewell to The Rev. Anna Greenwood-Lee as she moves to Diocese of BC to become their new Bishop. Below you will find details of the changes happening with Anna's departure. We wish her every success in her role. The Interim Priest at St. Laurence is The Rev. Dr. Jane Rowland. Please pray for Anna and Jane as they begin these new ministries. |
Office Holiday Closure
The Diocesan Office will be closed for the holidays from December 23 to January 4. Email and postal items will be monitored occasionally. The Newsletter will return on January 6, 2021. On behalf of the Diocesan Staff, we wish you a Merry Christmas, and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. |
Changes at St. Laurence, Calgary and The Wisdom Centre
Sunday, December 13 was the last service for The Rev. Anna Greenwood-Lee at St. Laurence Church. Anna will begin her new job on January 1, 2021 as The Bishop of British Columbia - the Islands and the Inlets, and her Consecration will take place on January 30 in Victoria. It is with love in our hearts and a tear in our eyes that, after fourteen years, the congregation bids Anna farewell, knowing full well that her leadership, her humour and her dedication to her work will be recognized and appreciated by all. The Rev. Phil Holck of the Lutheran Church of the Cross will replace Anna as Chair of the Calgary Alliance for the Common Good. The Rev. David Pickett of Christ Church, Calgary, is also a board member and is the Diocesan representative for the Alliance. The Rev. Don McLeod will direct The Wisdom Centre and is already looking at programming in 2021. Among that programming will be the Interfaith Bible Study where The Rev. Christine Conkin will work with the Rabbis and other pastors to continue the journey through the Book of Numbers. And last but not least, on December 1, the congregation welcomed The Rev. Dr. Jane Rowland as our Interim Priest, a welcome addition to our strong clergy team including The Rev. Don McLeod, The Rev. Carolyn Herold and The Rev. Cathy Fulton. Sunday services will continue online until further notice.
|
The Season of Giving at St. David, Elnorasubmitted by The Rev. Larry Keddie I received a call from a parishioner the other day to tell me that he feels that there is not going to be a Christmas Eve Service this year. He express his disappointment as this is the most look forwarded to service. He told some other parishioners that we are not in the business of saving (money) but of sharing the Gospel of Christ with others. They looked at the bank account and decided that they did not need to save that much money. So they went to the local grocery store and bought fourteen Gift Cards worth $50 each. They went around the community giving these cards out to those who needed them. They had stamped the back of the cards with the “Parish of Parkland” and then stamped them with “Anglican Parish of St. David, Elnora." Most would not know who the people were that were giving out the Cards. By the stamping of the Cards, they could see that the Church in Elnora was active. They felt that they had to give more cards out so they went and bought fourteen more Gift Cards. Again, these cards were for $50 each. They found out that a new family moved into the town and they are going to pay them a visit with the second set of cards. As their priest, I am so very proud of them for them showing what it means to be Christ-like at this time of year. God bless their ministry. |
Church Bells to Ring on Christmas Day12:00 Noon local time On behalf of the National Church and our Primate Archbishop Linda Nicholls, there has been a request that on Christmas Day, at 12:00 Noon local time, the church bells ring out across Canada. “(On Christmas Day), let’s share with the world that despite all the restrictions and losses we are facing, Christ is born and hope is renewed." More information on this project can be found here. |
Compensation Guidelinesfor 2021 New Compensation Guidelines are now on the Website. They can be found here. |
Online Annual Meeting of Parishioners Guidelines
Once we turn the calendar to 2021, parishes will need to begin planning for their Annual Meeting of Parishioners. Due to the continuing COVID restrictions, the Diocese is offering a set of guidelines to assist parishes in conducting online meetings. They can be found here.
|
Comptroller Position
Thank you to all who applied for the Comptroller position. Please keep all those involved in the selection process in your prayers as they are guided in choosing a person for this role. |
Stamps for the Canadian Bible Society
If you happen to receive Christmas cards in the old-fashioned, snail-mail way, please take a moment to neatly clip the stamps from the envelope. There is a collection bin at the Anglican Parish of Holy Cross (2828 – 19 St. NW). We collect stamps all year round, including during COVID restrictions. The revenue generated from the stamps allows CBS to purchase Bibles for Canadian prison ministry. Ten pounds of stamps equals approximately six Bibles for distribution! This is a simple way to bring the Word of God to others. For more information, click here. |
Core Team TrainingResponding to COVID Winter by Building Mental Health Resiliency A well-known definition of resilience is the ability to adapt well in the face of significant sources of stress. However, equally important to our ability to build resilience is the ability to move towards meaningful actions when faced with stressful events. Join us as we explore the many ways that we can use community organizing principles to make a shift that moves us beyond reaching out to connect people in times of need to deepening connection by equipping people to build their mental health resiliency through meaningful action. Click here to learn more and to register. |
Kuriakos Camp InformationSummer 2021 Even in the bleak mid-winter, we can believe in the life-changing power of camp, and it's needed now more than ever. Programs will proceed when we are confident that we can provide them safely, but we're planning for a great summer. To find next summer's programs and to register online, click here. |
At home and abroad, the Spirit of Christmas is alive and well
The following article was found in the BBC online and is an inspirational story on which to end this strangest of years. The link 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 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; - those for whom Christmas is a difficult season, due to sadness, job loss or stress; - for Michelle, Myrna, Kim, Paige, and Monica; - for Rev. Tim Webster - thanksgiving for containment of cancer and prayers for a surgery date soon; - those who have died and those who mourn; - the victims of 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. |