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 PRAYER REQUESTS

Please remember in your prayers this week:

• For those who are sick or suffering: please continue to pray for Brian, John, Mark; Martin; Nancy; Jim and Pauline; Peter, Ruth and Sam.
• For those who have died; and those who mourn.
• Theological students, all in the discernment process and all in theological colleges.

Toll-free Number
For the benefit of rural parishes, the Synod Office can
be reached toll free by calling:
1–877–494–8890

University Chaplaincy Dinner
“Feeding the Soul, Mind and Body”

The Chaplaincy Board and University Chaplain the Rev. Susan Oliver Martin (left) hosted the Annual Educational Chaplaincy Fundraising Dinner and Silent Auction on May 3, 2012 at the U of A Faculty Club. More than 130 people purchased tickets to the evening in support of Anglican Student Ministry, which offers a safe, inviting place for students to come together for food, fellowship and prayer.

“The church has an amazing opportunity to be present in the lives of young people during a time of enormous personal growth and change,” said Guest Speaker Bishop Jane Alexander. “By being here tonight you are gifting love to students.”

The chaplaincy dinner will be featured in an upcoming article in The Messenger. For more info about Anglican Student Ministry, please visit: www.anglicanstudentministry.ca.

The Diocese of Edmonton Anglican Church Women (ACW)
Annual Meeting 2012

The Rev. Nancy Selwood (retired) received Life Member recognition during the opening Eucharist Service at the ACW Annual Meeting, held May 5, 2012, at St. Matthias Anglican Church in Edmonton. Bishop Jane Alexander presented the Rev. Canon Jacques Vaillancourt, as the new Chaplain to the ACW. Past Chaplain the Rev. Coleen Lynch was thanked for four years of joyful service. ACW members and clergy from parishes throughout the diocese wore purple ribbons in support of ending family violence. Life Members’ Secretary Ruby Shanley announced that money received from the United Thank Offering (UTO), Life Member donations and the annual Offertory would be divided equally among seven organizations, including: the Youth Emergency Shelter, Wings of Providence, Changing Ways, and women’s shelters in Hinton, Camrose, Cold Lake and Lloydminster.

“Alberta has among the highest incidents of domestic violence in the country,” said Guest Speaker Christie Lavan, Communications and Partnerships Advisor for the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters (ACWS). “Approximately 20 deaths occur in the province each year as a result of domestic violence.” The ACWS supports 42 emergency and second stage shelters across the province.

The ACW Annual will be featured in an upcoming issue of The Messenger. For more information about the ACWS, visit: www.acws.ca.

DIOCESAN APPOINTMENTS

The Rev. Dr. Eileen Conway appointed Interim Priest, part-time, of the parish of St. George’s, Fort Saskatchewan effective May 20, 2012.

63rd Synod of the Diocese of Edmonton: Plans are underway for the 63rd Synod of the Diocese of Edmonton to be held on OCTOBER 12th and 13th, 2012. The proceedings of Synod will begin on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12th at ALL SAINTS’ CATHEDRAL, 10035–103 Street, Edmonton. Registration will commence at 5:00 pm, followed by Eucharist (including the Bishop’s Charge) at 7:00 pm, the Call to Order, and various items of business.

The proceedings will continue on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13th at St. Matthias Anglican Church, 6210–188 Street, Edmonton, with the Call to Order at 9:00 am. Official Notice attached.

Diocesan Ambassadors Embark on Burundi Journey: Please pray for the Rev. Quinn Strikwerda, the Rev. Canon Travis Enright and the Ven. Alan Perry as they travel to Burundi, Africa this week to further our international partnership with our brothers and sisters in Christ in the Diocese of Buyé. Alan will post trip highlights on his blog at: http://edmontonbuye.blogspot.ca/ (providing he can access the internet).

Thank you to all the Sunday School children and youth who made greeting cards and wrote letters. They will be hand-delivered to our friends in Africa.

The Edmonton delegation will return on May 17th, and Buye Bishop Sixbert Macumi is scheduled to visit Canada and our diocese in June. Following these visits, parishes in the Edmonton diocese will be partnered with parishes in the Buyé diocese, so that we may continue to uphold each other in prayer.

More than $4,000 Raised for Suicide Prevention: Thank you to everyone who has donated to our Lenten and Easter appeal for the Council of the North Suicide Prevention Program. To date, we have raised $4,135! Donations can be sent to the Synod Office. Please make cheques payable to: the Diocese of Edmonton (memo: SPP).

Anglican Journal/Messenger Readership Survey: Last call for Anglican Journal and Messenger readers to participate in a national readership survey. If you would like to share your thoughts on your national and local Anglican papers, please visit: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Anglicanreadershipsurvey, or link to the “tell us what you think” button on the Anglican Journal main web page (www.anglicanjournal.com) by May 11th. Thank you to all those who have already responded. To date, The Messenger has received the fourth highest response out of 23 diocesan papers.

Parishes Asked to Unite for CAP 2012: Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven. Matthew 5:16
LovEdmonton Community Action Project is seeking to unite churches on June 9, 2012 to do acts of service, form ongoing community relationships and share God’s Love.

In 2010, The Billy Graham Association introduced CAP as a part of the Rock the River Tour. Last June, the Edmonton Area Ministerial Association and Youth Unlimited partnered with churches to clean up garbage and paint over graffiti. More than 20 tons of garbage was cleaned up along Stony Plain Road. Many residents pitched in and many connections were made. Conversations were started with people wondering why teams of green-shirted volunteers were giving up their Saturday to help others.

It is our hope and prayer that Anglican churches will unite this year to make a difference. Parishes who would like to join the CAP team are asked to contact Diocese of Edmonton Youth Pastor Amy Croy (amy@stpauls-anglican.ca) ASAP.

Provincial Synod 2012: All are invited to the 47th Session of the Synod of the Ecclesiastical Province of Rupert’s Land, to be held June 7–10, 2012 at Brandon University.

Keynote speaker, Todd Atkinson, will address the conference theme: “Walking in the Moment, the Emmaus Walk”. Register online at: www.rupertsprov.ca. There is a Google map at the bottom of the registration page. For more information, contact: Penelope Cummine, Provincial Secretary Ecclesiastical Province of Rupert’s Land, at: executivedok@shaw.ca.

PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS and EVENTS

Wednesday Wonder @ St. Thomas’, Sherwood Park: Do you want to recapture the Wonder of God and feel hope and peace at the end of the day? Come join us at St. Thomas’, 4 A Raven Drive, Sherwood Park, as we Wonder and Journey together. Our time together will include: quiet reflection, a guest speaker followed by a time to ask questions and share, and coffee and fellowship with new and old friends. Email Ruth Heine rlheine@shaw.ca for more information, or visit: http://www.sttomsherwoodpark.com/. All are welcome!

St. George’s Compost Sale: In partnership with Cleanit Greenit, St. George’s Anglican Church will host its 3rd Annual Compost Sale, Saturday, May 12, 2012, from 9 am to 2 pm. Come to the rectory, 11737-87 Avenue, Edmonton (selling from the garage, facing 118 St.). Your gardens and pots will thank you. To preorder, email Lindsay Robinson at lindsay.c.robinson@gmail.com, or phone 780 438-8295.

St. George’s Spring Bazaar: St. George’s Anglican Church, 11733-87 Avenue, Edmonton will hold its Annual Spring Bazaar, Saturday, May 26, 2012, from 9 am to 1 pm. The bazaar will feature-great books, beautiful plants, delicious home-baking, select treasures and more! We will be serving homemade soup and buns, pies and cake. Don’t miss it!

Service of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist at St. John the Divine, Onoway

A Service of Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation with Holy Communion was held Sunday, May 6, 2012 at St. John the Divine, Onoway. Celebrant Bishop Jane Alexander confirmed Amanda Durand (second from left), Janine Durand and Nathan Redlick.
Bishop Jane presented Linda Dean (next to rector Tom Dean) to be received into the Communion and Alice Roberts and Carol Gonnet (right) for reaffirmation of their baptismal vows. Cake, coffee and fellowship were shared after the service.

Ecumenical Services:

Thursday, May 17, 6:00 pm
Trinity Lutheran, 10014-81 Avenue, Edmonton
Ascension Day Potluck at 6 pm and combined worship at 7 pm using an Iona “Celtic” style liturgy. Music by Alana Levandoski; Sermon by Holy Trinity, Old Strathcona Assistant Priest Fr. Jonathan Crane

Sunday, June 3, 10:30 am
Holy Trinity, 10037-84 Avenue, Edmonton
Trinity Sunday combined service with Trinity Lutheran: joint choirs and celebrants and guest ecumenical preacher. To be followed by beer tasting and picnic.

Full-Time Priest Wanted: The parish of St. George’s Anglican Church in Fort Saskatchewan (10029 – 99 Avenue, Fort Saskatchewan, AB) is seeking a full time Priest who will provide leadership within the parish: guiding, educating and supporting parishioners to realize the Church’s Mission: “Serving Christ in Our Neighbours”. Closing Date for applications is May 18, 2012. Applications should include a response to the parish profile plus curriculum vitae. For more information see the attached document.

Fundraising Concert for World Vision Horn of Africa Relief: Saturday, May 12, 2012 at St. Margaret’s Anglican Church (corner of Ellerslie Road and 127 street) is holding a concert to raise money for the Horn of Africa Relief. Musicians include Alex Boudreau, Tim Chesterton, and Marty Pawlina. Tickets are $10 at the door and all proceeds go to World Vision’s efforts to alleviate the famine in the Horn of Africa.
St. Patrick’s Annual Garage Sale: St. Patrick’s Annual Garage Sale will be held on Friday May 18, 9 am to 8 pm and May 19, 9 am to 2 pm. There will be a good selection of books, toys and gently used household goods at bargain prices. The church is located at 334 Knottwood Road North (85th Street, one block south of 23rd Avenue). For more information, call 780-463-5452 or contact stpatricks@telus.net.

100th Birthday Celebration for Ragnhild Whiting: Ragnhild’s Family invites anyone who knows her to come to a reception at All Saints Cathedral, 10035-103 St., Edmonton, on Saturday May 19th from 7-9 pm. Mrs.Whiting received an Honorary degree from Oxford University for her work establishing physiotherapy services in Haiti, where she worked under the auspices of the Sisters of St. Margaret. She would love to see all her old friends and acquaintances. Please RSVP to the Cathedral Office 780- 428- 6323.

Oliver Community Festival: The inaugural Oliver Community Festival, “Who’s Your Neighbour?”, will be held Saturday, June 2, 2012, along 102 Avenue from 121 to 123 Street in Edmonton.

Sponsored by Christ Church Anglican Church, Robertson-Wesley United Church, the Oliver Community League and the 124th Street Business Association, the block party will kick off with a free Community Breakfast at 10 am. The festival will feature historical church tours, horse-drawn wagon rides, two giant bouncy castles, face-painting and games for the kids, a rummage and bake sale (proceeds to Christ Church and Robertson-Wesley community dinner programs) and products for sale by local vendors.

If you are interested in participating in the festival by volunteering your time and talents, or by making a donation, please email: olivercommunityfestival@gmail.com, or phone Jodi Penner: 780-489-2592. You can also find more information, including festival updates on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/olivercommunity, or by visiting: www.olivercommunityfestival.weebly.com.

Evening of Music and Fellowship @ St. Thomas’: An evening of music and fellowship to raise awareness and funds for refugees will be held at St. Thomas’ Anglican Church in Sherwood Park on Saturday June 23.

The event is for anyone in the Edmonton area who loves great (live) music and wants to be part of helping a refugee family take up a new life in Canada. It starts at 7 pm and music is provided by the vocal group MEIDD. No tickets needed – freewill offering only.

Parishioners of St. Thomas have worked for more than four years with diocesan and federal government leaders to bring a family group of seven Somali refugees to Edmonton. The family is now in the final stages of security checks in Nairobi, Kenya, and then hopefully approval to emigrate.

Drumheller Passion Play: The parish of Emmanuel in Gibbons is sponsoring a bus trip to Drumheller for the Canadian Badlands Passion Play, Saturday, July 21, 2012. The bus will depart from Safeway, 500 Manning Crossing, Edmonton, at 9:30 am. The trip will include a catered luncheon at Big Valley and a Chinese buffet at Drumheller. Travel on a large coach in comfort to a performance of the “greatest story ever told” (told from the perspective of John the beloved disciple).
Tickets are $105/person. Contact Penny Pawlechko at 780-942-4554; or email pennyp@albertacom.com. More details sent provided with paid registration.

Youth Service: “Who are you Lord and Who am I?”
St. Paul’s, Edmonton

The Youth Ministry team at St. Paul’s, Edmonton led an enthusiatic worship service on April 29,, 2012. View the “Who am I in Christ?” video by the multi-talented youth ministry team at: www.stpauls-anglican.ca!

Photos: Tisha Raj

BEYOND the DIOCESE

Christian Schwarz NCD Workshop Registration Extended: Registration for the Natural Church Development (NCD) Workshop with Christian A. Schwarz has been extended to May 8th! The workshop, which will provide an introduction to NCD and is for anyone interested in church growth and empowering leadership, will be held May 22-23rd at Southgate Alliance Church. Groups of four or more receive one registration at no charge. Register online at: www.ncdcanada.com, or by phone at: 1-866-945-8741.

TRC Chair to Speak @ King’s: On Thursday, May 10th at 6:30 pm, Justice Murray Sinclair, Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), will speak at the TRC spring session course at King’s University College, 9125 – 50 street, Edmonton AB. The spring session course, which began on April 30, runs every evening from 6:30-9:30 PM and is open to the public. For more information please contact roy.berkenbosch@kingsu.ca, or william.vanarragon@kingsu.ca.

Interfaith Housing Initiative Update:

Welcome Home Program: The Welcome Home team at Catholic Social Services is now accepting applications for volunteers. There is still room for volunteers to attend the Welcome Home volunteer orientation and training sessions scheduled for late May and June. For more information, contact the CSS Welcome Home team at: 780-378-2544. See attached brochure.

Homeless Memorial Event: The annual memorial event for homeless men and women who have died in Edmonton, will be held Friday, May 11th, from 1-2 pm, at the Homeless Memorial Monument in the park north of City Hall and south of the CN Tower.

Interfaith Habitat Build: There are still some spots open for the Interfaith Habitat for Humanity Build. More than 100 volunteers have already signed up. Congregational or organizatiopnal groups of five volunteers can still sign up for the following dates in May: 8. 9. 10, 15, 16, 17, or 31. No special construction skills needed. See attached Interfaith Habitat information sheet.

Edmonton Homeless Commission Year Three Update:
• Nearly 1800 Edmontonians have been housed in 1,237 units, three years into the City of Edmonton’s 10-Year Plan to End Homelesness
• 85% of individuals have held onto their housing
• 319 new units are completed or under construction
• Three quarters of housing units secured were distributed across the city in the private rental market, thanks to partnerships with landlords
• 11 Housing First teams – including the first dedicated Aboriginal team – helped people transition into a new life off the streets
• Outreach services were expanded for homeless people with intensive needs
• The Welcome Home program was launched, matching volunteer companions from faith communities with newly-housed people to offer social interaction

Become a “friend” of the Interfaith Housing Initiative on Facebook and check out their website at: http://interfaithhousinginitiative.wordpress.com/.

Worlds of the Willan Chorale: The Willan Chorale invites you to “The Worlds of the Willan Chorale”, a spring concert of sacred and secular music, directed by Warren Mack. Concerts take place on:
• Friday May 11, 2012 at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, 5113 52 Ave, Ponoka;
• Monday May 14, 2012 at St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, 125 Larose Drive, St Albert;
• Sunday May 27, 2012 at Knox Metropolitan Church, 8307 109 St, Edmonton.
All concerts start at 7:30 pm and tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and children.
Visit: www.willanchorale.com

Church Planting Networking Day: Local pastors and church planters are invited to a day of prayer, networking and teaching with Hugh Halter, pastor and author of Sacrilege and The Tangible Kingdom. “A Church Planting Movement for the City” will be held May 18th, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at Roots on Whyte, 8135-102 Ave., Edmonton. Register at: www.c2cnetwork.ca/region/prairies/events. For more info, email Rob Chartrand at: rob@thecrosspointchurch.ca, or call: 780-466-3532.

Guest Author Evening with Marina Endicott: You are invited to an evening with internationally celebrated and award-winning author, Marina Endicott (Good to a Fault, Little Shadows), Wednesday, May 23rd at 7:00 pm, at McDougall United Church, 10025-101 St. and MacDonald Dr., Edmonton. The event is in support of the Centre for Family Literacy. Suggested minimum donation is $5. Refreshments to follow. RSVP by Phone: 780-428-1818, or email: info@mcdougallunited.com. For further information, visit our website at: www.mcdougallunited.com.
“A Taste of Hildegard”: Eva Bostrand and Gwen Bright will lead their popular women’s workshop, “A Taste of Hildegard”, May 25-27, 2012, at Providence Renewal Centre, 3005-119 St. Edmonton. Explore the words and music of Hildegard von Bingen, a 12th Century abbess, healer, naturalist, musician and mystic. Participants will eat meals inspired by her kitchen and garden, and be surprised at how modern they are! Register before May 13 and save $10. To register: call 780-701-1854; or email retreats@providencerenewal.ca. For more info, visit: www.providencerenewal.ca.
Watch and Pray Volunteers Needed to Walk Whyte Ave: “Safer Streets Through Prayer”, Edmonton’s Watch and Pray initiative, is holding a Prayer Gathering for encouragement/instruction and information/Intercession on Monday, May 28th, 7:00 pm, at Edmonton Family Worship Centre, 10605–96 Street. We will worship together, share some reports and teaching, lay out some of the challenges in our city, and spend some serious time in prayer. Please join us or send a representative to this gathering. “Watch and Pray” is mobilizing “prayer-people” in the Whyte Ave area. For more information, visit: www.watchandpray.ca.

Sorrento Centre Worship and Music Workshop: The first week in July (1-7th) Bishop Jane Alexander and Jodi Penner will present the “Worship and Music I” workshop at Sorrento Centre. To learn more about the special workshop offered by this gifted duo and other workshops offered by Sorrento Centre, visit: www.sorrento-centre.bc.ca. Additional information about the Sorrento Centre can be read in the center-spread of the March Messenger.

 

Ronning Centre: Next fall, David Goa and Dittmar Mundel offer “Caring for All Creation,” a course to be held Monday evenings 6:30-9:30 pm on the Augustana Campus. This course is open to the public. We also invite you to consider the following events sponsored by others:

“Experiencing Wilderness as Sacred Place” May 24, 2012 at 7:30 pm at First Church of the Nazarene, Calgary, with Dr Belden Lane, Professor of Theological Studies, St. Louis University

“Expressions of Diversity: An Introduction to Muslim Cultures”, July 9-20, 2012 at Simon Fraser University Centre for the Comparative Study of Muslim Societies and Cultures in Vancouver, BC

For more info, visit: http://www.augustana.ualberta.ca/research/centres/ronningcentre/, or email Rebecca Warren: rebecca.warren@ualberta.ca).

VST Summer School: Vancouver School of Theology holds its Summer School the first two weeks of July (2-6, 9-13) on the campus of the University of British Columbia. Our theme this year is Leadership for a time like this and the courses, taught for credit or audit, are for everyone.

Visiting Faculty will teach a variety of courses relating to the pressing topic of leadership in the church and by the church: The Poetics of Preaching, Leading Congregational Change, Turning Toward the World – Missional Church, Women Breaking Boundaries, Connecting Job and Vocation, Building Communities of Care, Leadership and Context and Living Faithfully in a Fragmented World are the course titles. There will also be an Iona Pacific course on the topic of Religion, Science Fiction and the Problem of Evil.

Instructors include Paul Scott Wilson, Darrell Guder, Teresa Latini, Peter Short, Beth Theunissen, Nancy Clavert-Koyzis, Tamsen Glover, Jonathan Wilson and Francisco Pena, Hussein Keshani and Robert Daum.

For more information on courses and registration, go to the Vancouver School of Theology website: http://www.vst.edu/main/programs/continuing-education/summer-school.

 

PLEASE POST SYNOD SCENE IN ALL PARISHES
If you know someone who might like to receive or be removed from the Synod Scene, simply have them send their request to Margaret at churched@edmonton.anglican.ca.