Anniversary Celebration

On the evening of May 18, 2018 (one week after the actual date) members of Edmonton Diocese gathered at All Saints' Anglican Cathedral to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the consecration of Bishop Jane Alexander. It was a joyous, festive occasion marking the Bishop's many accomplishments and contributions to the diocese. Many friends, family and colleagues participated. Among them, Dean of the Cathedral, the Very Rev. Neil Gordon who gave the homily. The Ven. Travis Enright, Archdeacon for Indigenous Ministries, led the Prayers of the People. The Bishop's granddaughter, Olivia, served as 'boat girl' carrying the incense.

Please see a summary 'bio' of the past ten years below and visit the diocesan website again soon for the full story of the anniversary celebration.

On May 11th, 2008 the Anglican Diocese of Edmonton consecrated The Right Reverend Dr. Jane Alexander as the 10th Bishop of Edmonton. Now, 10 years later, we celebrate our Bishop by looking back on all she has accomplished.

Having earned a BA Honours in Music from Newcastle University in the UK, Jane and her husband Tim came to Canada in 1990 with their three children Mark, Sarah, and Rachel. They settled into life in Edmonton and after the birth of their fourth child, Peter, Jane set her sights on a Master of Education degree (1993), followed by a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology (1996), both from the University of Alberta.

She taught as a professor at the University of Alberta, but then began to feel the call to ministry and became a deacon in 1998. It was in 2001 that Jane and earned a Master of Theology from Newman Theological College and was later ordained into the priesthood. After five years at various parishes, Reverend Jane was appointed the Dean of All Saints’ Cathedral (2006). Being the Dean was as far as she thought she would go, but God had so much more planned.

Since her election as the 10th Bishop of Edmonton, Bishop Jane has continued to show her compassion, positivity, resilience, and drive for change. She continues to be a champion for equality and human rights in our city and around the world. Her work with the City of Edmonton is just one example of how Bishop Jane has carried the gospel beyond the churches she preaches at on Sundays. As Co-chair with Mayor Don Iveson on the EndPoverty Edmonton Task Force, she audaciously took on helping the city eliminate poverty; a bold vision, but one she feels is not out of reach.

Her comments at General Synod in 2016, reminding the LGTBQ2+ community that they “are not an abomination; they are loved children of God,” reached over 15,000 people and garnered a heartwarming response from Anglicans on both sides of the Canon XXI debate, celebrating her welcoming and kind nature.

Bishop Jane’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, healing, and the bridging of the Anglican and Indigenous communities shines throughout diocesan events, teaching, and the installation of the first Archdeacon for Indigenous Ministries, the Ven. Travis Enright.

The REACH campaign, initiated by Bishop Jane, has been the most successful diocesan fundraising campaign to date, and has helped support Indigenous and Rural Ministry initiatives, as well as the hospital and university chaplaincy. This campaign was shared with parishes, which resulted in amazing community projects such as a computer training and adult literacy course, community gardens, and so much more. The REACH campaign has proved to be crucial in bringing the community and the church together, and in fostering loving and supportive relationships.

Beyond our diocese, Bishop Jane continues to support disciples across the world, serving on various committees, teaching at different institutions, spreading the word of God. She has fostered a close relationship with the Diocese of Buyé and arranged for REACH funds to be used to build a much needed maternity ward at the hospital in Buyé, Burundi. This support is continued today as the same hospital is in the process of building a pediatric ward for newborns and children.

It is nearly impossible to write a list of all she has done for parishioners, clergy, the Diocese of Edmonton, the City of Edmonton and other communities, for the Anglican Church of Canada and the Worldwide Anglican Communion. We are so very proud of all she has accomplished in these 10 years as Bishop and cannot wait to see what she has in store next!