Prayer Requests

Please remember in your prayers this week:

• For those who are sick or suffering: Anne, Betty, Brian, Diane, Lois, Meaghan, Pat, Seumas.
• For those who have died and those who mourn.
• Theological students, all in the discernment process and all in theological colleges.

Diocesan Announcements

Clergy Day and NCD Seminar: The Clergy Day and NCD seminar to be held at St. Matthias, 6210-188 Street, Edmonton, on Wednesday, November 18th, will begin at 9 am and runs until 4 pm.

Advent Lessons and Carols: You are invited to the Advent Lessons and Carols Service, November 29th at 7 pm at All Saints’ Cathedral, 10035-103 Street, Edmonton. The Cathedral Choir and Organist Jeremy Spurgeon will help us enter into Advent in this traditional and beautiful service. Bishop Jane and Dean Lee look forward to worshipping with you and then in sharing a time of fellowship at the “Mulled Wine and Mince Pie” reception. Please display the attached poster in your parishes. Invitations are also attached to share with your friends.

Whitemud Advent Quiet Day: The parishes of the Whitemud Deanery will be offering an Advent Quiet Day on Saturday, November 28th from 9.30 am-3.30 pm, at St. Margaret's Anglican Church, 12603 Ellerslie Road, Edmonton. The theme for this year is 'Keep Awake' (Matthew 25:13). Three addresses will be given on the three parables in Matthew 25 and the speakers will be The Rev.s Thomas Brauer, Joe Walker, and Tim Chesterton. The day will also include Morning and Evening Prayer and the Eucharist, and times for silent reflection and prayer. Bring your Bible and a journal or notebook. Lunch will be provided and a $5 donation is suggested. To register please email St. Margaret's at stmag@telus.net or call (780) 437-7231. Please note that the registration deadline is Wednesday, November 25th in order to allow time for food to be ordered.

“One Voice” CD Available: A limited number of “One Voice”, CDs are now available for purchase at the Synod Office. This inspirational CD, recorded in celebration of the PWRDF’s 50th anniversary, features music by top Canadian artists like Bruce Cockburn, Loreena McKennitt, Blue Rodeo, and many choirs including: the Vancouver Chamber Choir, Pro Coro and the U of A Madrigal Singers. The CD sells for $22. To order your copy, call or email Margaret.

Action to End Homelessness: The final report from the Diocese of Edmonton’s “Action to End Homelessness” is attached. It includes insight into what we can all do to fight homelessness. Keep in mind that as November 22nd, National Housing Day, and the frigid winter months approach, there are initiatives individuals and parishes can take to end poverty. There are several things we can all do to carry out the Gospel’s vision of abundant life for all. Why not ask your Member of Parliament to support increased affordable housing funding in the 2010 federal budget, and to pass legislation for a national housing strategy? To learn about how you can support the Dignity for All campaign for a poverty-free Canada, visit www.dignityforall.ca . You can also fill out the “Do the Math” survey at www.dothemath.thestop.org , which reveals the glaring gap between basic human needs and social assistance incomes. You can complete the survey on your own, or as a parish group. The survey was written in Ontario, but is relevant to all Canadians.

Parish Announcements & Events

Reign of Christ the King: Interface Worship and St. Paul's Anglican, 10127-145 Street,
will close the church year and celebrate the Reign of Christ the King in an alternative worship service on Saturday, November 21st. Doors will open at 6:30 pm for the service scheduled to begin at 7 and run until 8:45 pm.
The themes of “God Rules from the Wood of the Cross” and “Our Adoption into God's Royal Family”', will be explored during this service, which will include poetry by Mark Polet, art by The Rev. Thomas Brauer, music lead by Kathleen Pate, the Altarwalk devotional exercise, meditative time, open art tables, and the extensive use of original symbols, rituals, and imagery.

Holy Trinity Concert Series: Violinist Carissa Klopoushak, winner of the Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition, and Pianist Philip Chiu, will headline the next Concert Series performance at Holy Trinity, 10037-84 Avenue, Edmonton, on Saturday, November 21st at 7:30 pm. This concert, the only Edmonton stop on the Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition Winner’s Tour, will feature works by Janacek, Willan, Murphy and the 2009 commissioned work Chaconne, by T. Patrick Carrabre. Admission for adults is $10; students/seniors are $5 (tickets only available at the door). For more information, call (780) 570-5070.

St. Augustine’s Christmas Bazaar and Bake Sale: St. Augustine's - Parkland Anglican Church, 131 Church Road, Spruce Grove will hold a Christmas Bazaar and Lunch on November 28th, featuring an array of bake and craft tables. Entertainment will be provided by the “Grove City Chorus”. Doors will open at 10 am and close at 3 pm. Lunch will be served from 11 am until 2 pm. Menu prices are as follows: Soup Lunch - $7.00, Dessert and Beverage - $4.00, 4 and under free.

St. Nicholas Tea: The parish of St. Stephen the Martyr will be holding its annual St. Nicholas Tea on Saturday, December 5th from 1:30 to 3:30 pm, at its new location in St. Faith’s Hall, 11725-93rd Street, Edmonton. Everyone is welcome. There will be door prizes, and admission is $5 adults and $2 children. Six and under are free. Bishop Jane Alexander, The Rev. Wendy Ainsworth and Juanita Rodgers will be pouring tea. St. Nicholas and Black Peter will be in attendance.

St. Patrick’s Cookie Sale: Do your Christmas baking the easy way. Giant Christmas cookie sale will be held on December 5th, from 10 am to 1 pm at St. Patrick's Church, 334 Knottwood Road North (85th Street, one block south of 23rd Avenue). Huge selection available. For more information call (780) 463-5452.

Advent Lessons and Carols Service at St. Aidan & Ste. Hilda: Bishop Jane Alexander will officiate at a service of Advent Lessons and Carols to be held December 13th at St. Aidan and Ste. Hilda Anglican Church, Rexboro, Highway 16 and Range Road 45 (7 km west of Wabamun overpass). The service will begin at 11 am, followed by a reception in the Wabamun Senior's Centre. Donations of non-perishable food items or children's toys will be gratefully accepted for the Wabamun Christmas Hamper Committee.

Beyond the Diocese

Philosopher’s Café: “An Ethic of Respect”, the next session in the Chester Ronning Centre Philosopher's Cafe Series will take place on Saturday, November 21st, from 1-3:30 pm. The session will be animated by Bob McKeon, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Alberta, and will be held at Steeps, the Urban Tea House, 11116 Whyte (82nd) Avenue (College Plaza) in Edmonton.

Recital of Lieder and Art Songs: Soloist Nathan Berg, baritone, accompanied by Joy Berg, will headline “Yearnings and Convictions – a recital of lieder and art songs”, on Saturday, November 21st at 7:30 pm at First Presbyterian Church, 10025-105 Street, Edmonton. The concert is a benefit for the Concordia Concert Choir, who will also perform. All tickets are $20 and are available in advance at TIX on the Square, either on-line or call (780) 420-1757.

Advent Wreath Making: An Advent Wreath Making session will be held at Star of the North, 3A St. Vital Avenue, St. Albert, on Monday, November 23rd at 7:30 pm. Please bring scissors and a glue gun if you can. Registration is $53 (includes supplies). Phone (780) 459-5511 for more information.

Advent Storytelling Evening: International speaker and storyteller Megan McKenna will be holding an Advent storytelling evening at Providence Renewal Centre, 3005-119 Street, Edmonton) on Wednesday, November 25th from 7 to 9 pm. Using stories and scripture, Megan will help us enter deeply into this time of expectancy as we prepare our hearts for the birth of our Saviour! Pre-register for $10; or pay $15 at the door. Call (780) 430-9491, for more information.

HODIE: A Festival of Lessons and Carols: On Saturday, November 28th at 7:30 pm and Sunday, November 29th at 3 pm, Concordia University College of Alberta will be hosting their annual Christmas Concerts at McDougall United Church (10025-101 Street). This year’s concert will feature the Concordia Concert Choir, Community Chorus, Ringers, High School choir and the newest addition to the Concordia music community, Bella Voce Women’s Choir. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students, seniors and children. Families are $35. Tickets are available in advance from the Concordia Student Accounts Office or from TIX on the Square, and at the door.

Advent Service of Word, Song and Prayer: Ascension Lutheran Church, 8405-83 Street, Edmonton, invites you to, “Stir up Our Hearts to Prepare the Way”, an Advent Service of Word, Song and Prayer, on November 29th at 7 pm. The service will feature the Choirs of Glory Lutheran, Sherwood Park, Ascension Lutheran, handbells and monologues. An offering will be received for the ministry of the Canadian Lutheran World Relief. Coffee and fellowship will follow. Angle parking is available across from the church at Bonnie Doon Mall.

Quiet Garden Advent Quiet Day: An Advent-tide Quiet Day will be held at The Quiet Garden House, 524 Wahstao Road, Edmonton, on Monday, December 7th, from 9:30 am to 3 pm. The Quiet Day will be led by Canon Maureen Crerar and Maureen Bedford (proprietor of Quiet Garden House). Please bring a bag lunch, Bible and notebook. Drinks will be provided. A suggested donation of $10 will be used to support the Quiet Garden Movement. For further information or to register, please contact Maureen Bedford at (780) 432-8166.

Mars Hill Centre Needs a Few Helping Hands: The Mars Hill Centre can use some practical help in a couple of areas in the next few weeks. First we need free, dry storage for unsold books from our annual booksale. (About 10 x 10 sq feet) and we need a truck and some strong bodies to move them. Next, we need some kitchen help and coordination for our annual Christmas turkey potluck on the evening of December 16th. We provide the turkey, dressing, potatoes and stuffing. Our folks bring everything else. This event is a highlight for many of our people who are disconnected from family during this season. If you can help by roasting a turkey, or coordinating food preparation or service, please contact Cheryl Shea at 780-435-0202 or by email: cheryl@marshillcentre.com .

Christmas Resource Book Now Available: A new publication, Let Us Go Now to Bethlehem, is available for purchase. Authored by retired Lutheran pastor Harold Gniewotta, this unique Christmas resource book is filled with meditations, prayers, and stories about Christmas traditions and our favorite carols. The coil-bound book sells for $17 (no GST) and all proceeds from sales go towards Third World Development. Send orders to: Harold Gniewotta, c/o Ascension Lutheran Church, 8405-83 Street, Edmonton, AB, T6C 2Z2. Please add $2 shipping for first book, and $1 for each additional book. Other Christian Church resources by Harold Gniewotta, include a set of Ten Monologues for $35. The monologues can also be purchased individually for $5 each. For more information call (780) 469-2421, or email: alchurch@telusplanet.net .

2010 National Worship Conference: The biennial National Worship Conference, co-sponsored by the Anglican Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, will be held from Sunday, July 4th, 2010 to Wednesday, July 7th, 2010, on the campus of the University of British Columbia at the Vancouver School of Theology. For more information about the conference themed, “Taking Care of the Neighbourhood: Worship as Public Work for the Common Good”, please visit www.nationalworshipconference.org .

Diocese of Rupert’s Land Ministry Opportunity: St. Luke’s Parish, Winnipeg, is in need of a full-time Incumbent. Interested persons may request a complete parish profile and the procedure for making an application from: The Bishop’s Office, 935 Nesbitt Bay, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 1W6; call (204) 992-4212or E-mail: ssuppes@rupertsland.anglican.ca. The deadline for receipt of applications for the position of Incumbent of St. Luke’s, Winnipeg, is January 3, 2010. 

PLEASE POST SYNOD SCENE IN ALL PARISHES

For a printable version of the weekly Synod Scene click here.