• Those who are sick, suffering, or in need: Rhea, Paul, Rachael, Rob, Bob, Iona, Gail, and Rita.
• Those who have died and those who mourn.
• Archbishop Sixbert and the Diocese of Buyé (Updated list of Twinned Parishes).  
• Our relations in Christ from Treaty 6 and Treaty 8 First Nations, from the Métis Nation of Alberta, and from the Métis Settlements in Alberta.
• Click here if you would like someone's name included in this prayer list. We will use first names only. Names are kept on the list for two weeks unless intentionally renewed.

The sight of people hauling pails upon pails of water into a church and, inside, setting up a gurgling teacup fountain, and a canvas tent to enclose the sound of thunder and waves, must have led to wonderings about what was going on at St. Thomas’ Anglican Church in Sherwood Park on November 12. 

The diocesan prayer event: God's Grace Abounds in Deepest Water, was an opportunity for anyone to drop in and pray for our world and community, seek prayer from others, break bread together, or sit and be still in the presence of the Holy Spirit. The sanctuary was filled with a variety of prayer stations centered on the biblical theme of water. 

December 1, members of the Anglican Church Women of Edmonton diocese joined the regular Thursday midday eucharist at All Saints’ Cathedral, taking what is becoming an annual opportunity to worship and fellowship together. It was a small crowd. 10 ladies braved the roads following a snow storm the previous night. Diocesan President Elaine Dickie was not disheartened by the numbers, however, saying that at events like these the important thing is the relationships that are built in one-to-one conversation. Bishop Stephen London preached from the Gospel for the feast day of St. Andrew, who is the patron saint of the ACW...

The congregations of St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church and Vegreville United Church co-sponsored their first Annual Nativity Festival at the United Church. There were more than 300 nativities on display during the festival, which was held on November 25 and 26. Visitors also enjoyed child-friendly nativities, live music by church members, and a surprise visit from Mrs. Claus who assured the children that her husband was very busy working with his elves at the North Pole. The churches provided complimentary hot dogs, freshly baked cookies, and refreshments.

Admission to the event was free, but donations for the local Vegreville Food Bank were joyfully accepted. In turn, the event successfully raised about $700 cash and collected approximately 120 lbs of food. Lisa Topilko (pictured at far right) of St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church, and Pat Beuhler of the Vegreville United Church, delivered the donations to the food bank on Tuesday, November 29. 

Bundled in warm, winter clothing, people travelled from Edmonton and Parkland County to a beautifully appointed country church to  proclaim together through the words of the prophets, the coming of Emmanuel, the Messiah, the Prince of Peace, Jesus.

Bill Sommer, rector’s warden for St. Aidan and St. Hilda, Rexboro, welcomed the congregation to the parish’s annual service of nine lessons and carols on Sunday, December 4. The service, on hiatus during the COVID pandemic, has traditionally been a foodraiser for the Wabamun and District Food Bank.

Standing before an altar adorned with poinsettia plants and framed by artists’ depictions of Jesus, Bishop London spoke of “the joy of the good news of the birth of our Lord.”

The Inner City Pastoral Ministry (ICPM), now in its 45th year of responding compassionately to the needs of people living in Edmonton's inner city,  needs your assistance. Led by the Rev. Quinn Strikwerda, the ICPM minitry team provides worship, Bible study, and men’s and women’s groups. As you prepare for the wondrous celebration of the birth of Jesus and time spent with family and friends, please take a moment to support the work of ICPM this Advent. Emergency grocery cards, bus tickets, and warm winter clothing and blankets all make a difference as ICPM supports people. Cheques may be made out to Inner City Pastoral Ministry and returned to: the Bissell Centre, 10527 96 ST NW, Edmonton AB, T5H 2H6. Donations are also welcome at www.canadahelps.org, or via e-transfer to icpmgiving@gmail.com.  Advent Appeal Letter

The Prayerworks' community meals ministry of St. Faith’s, Edmonton is preparing for its annual Christmas Dinner on December 23. There is a great need for donations this year. The team hopes to be able to provide 150 gift bags to those who come to the dinner. They are seeking donations such as warm men's and women’s socks and thermal underwear (long johns), or money to purchase items for the gift bags. All donations can be dropped off at St. Faith’s Church, 11725 93 Street, Edmonton by December 19. 

No Room in the Inn is based on the story of Mary and Joseph, forced to take refuge in a stable because there was nowhere else for them to stay. Each Christmas, churches and individuals from a number of denominations join together in this campaign to raise financial support to a housing provider that works to meet the needs of the homeless or those at risk in the Edmonton Metro Region. This year No Room in the Inn has chosen the Canadian Mental Health Association – Edmonton Region. For more than fifty years, CMHA-ER has worked to provide safe and secure housing for people living with mental illness. CMHA-ER currently owns or operates seven buildings comprising of 146 units that house 108 individuals and families.

As we journey through Advent, Bishop Stephen London accompanies parishes in this time of joyful waiting. Please keep him in your prayers.

• December 8: Episcope Circle, Synod Office
• December 9: Cursillo Ultreya, on Zoom
• December 10: Speaking at Providence Renewal Centre Advent Retreat
• December 11: St. George's, Devon
• December 18: St. Peter's, Edmonton
• December 20: Administration and Finance Committee, on Zoom
• December 24: Christmas Eve Services, All Sants' Cathedral, Edmonton

The Synod Scene would like to help promote your plans for Advent and Christmas events. Then... it would be great if someone could take pictures at your event, as appropriate, and send them in with some information on how it went. Synod Scene would love to tell more of your stories. Please send all info to churched@edmonton.anglican.ca so we can help spread the word! Image by Gerd Altman, Pixabay

With three weeks to go in 2022, "Team Anglican" is now only 5 donations short of our goal of 120 donations of blood and/or plasma. Way to go team! Keep it up! If you're able, please consider helping us countdown to 2023 by giving the gift of life. You can join our team by first checking you're eligible, then clicking here to enter our Partner ID: ANGL696986. To donate blood, call: 1-888-236-6283 or visit Canadian Blood Services. Thank you!

Edmonton Cursillo will hold its monthy gathering by Zoom at 7pm this Friday, December 9, with Bishop Steve as a guest speaker. The Bishop will share some thoughts about Cursillo in the Diocese of Edmonton.

St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church in Vegreville invites you to let go of the busyness of day-to-day life for a Quiet Day on December 10, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Refreshments and a light, hot lunch will be provided. Donations welcome. Please register in advance by emailing the Rev. Laureta Blondin at laureta.blondin@gmail.com or call 780-904-9026. For more info, see attached POSTER

Join St. Augustine-Parkland at 131 Church Road in Spruce Grove for an afternoon concert and silent auction featuring Elvis impersonator extraordinaire Robin Kelly. Doors open at 1 pm and the show starts at 2. For tickets ($25 each), email staugustinesparkland@gmail.com or call 780-962-5131. POSTER

St. Mary the Virgin in Vegreville will host The Christmas Story in Song: Bible Readings and Singing starting at 6:30pm, Wednesday, December 14. Admission is by donation for this fundraiser event and all are welcome to stay for refreshments and treats after the singing. St. Mary's is located at 5042 48 Avenue, Vegreville.

Join parishioners of St. Peter's Anglican Church as they bid farewell to the Rev. Heather Liddell and wish her the best on her next adventure, moving to Montreal. The party starts at 2pm on Saturday, December 17, at St. Peter's Church, 11035 127 Street NW, Edmonton.

Good Shepherd will host a Longest Night Service on December 21 at 7:00 PM. This is a service for anyone struggling to find the joy of Christmas in the midst of grief, where we can express our longings and laments to God as we wait for the time when heaven and earth will be joined and we will see our loved ones again. Good Shepherd is located at 15495 Castle Downs Road, Edmonton.

Good Shepherd Anglican Church (15495 Castle Downs Road, Edmonton) will host a Family Friendly Christmas Eve Service December 24 at 4:30pm. Families of all shapes and sizes are invited to Good Shepherd for a service designed with kids in mind. We will tell the story of the birth of Jesus, sing songs together and fill the church with playful laughter. This service will be similar to our Green Growing Sunday services and has been designed to be inclusive of all children, we know that movement, noise, questions and curiosity are an important part of growing up so we make extra space for wiggles, giggles, fidgets and story sharing. We look forward to seeing you there! 

At 7pm, December 24, Good Shepherd will host a traditional Christmas Eve Service for folks who prefer the sacred traditions and ceremonies of the Anglican service. We will celebrate the birth of Jesus and sing hymns that connect our spirit deeply with the Holy Spirit. Prayerfully set your intentions for the new year with us as we reflect on the many gifts that God has given us and how we can share His light with our neighbours.  

St. Matthias, 6210 188 Street NW, Edmonton, is hosting a New Year’s Eve Family Dance fundraiser on December 31, 2022! Doors open at 7:00 pm and we will dance our way into 2023. There will be a late lunch and New Year’s bubbly of your choice is included with your ticket. The youth will be running a concession throughout the night with low-cost treats. There will be a cash bar available. Come enjoy music brought to you by DJ Marc, a photobooth, games and more. Optional kids’ movie room available after the countdown – bring your PJs and sleeping bag.  For tickets, call Tracey at St. Matthias: 780-487-0324 or office@stmatthiasedmonton.ca  Children under 3: free; Children under 16: $10; Adult: $20; Family rate: $50 (immediate family: parents/guardians and 2 children – additional children $5 each)

You are invited to a Bible Study on The Story of King David via the First and Second Books of Samuel at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 10037 84 Ave, in Old Strathcona, on Wednesdays, beginning January 4, 2023, at 10:30 am. 

In this study, we will read through the longest single narrative in the Bible, taking us from the time of the Judges through the establishment of the monarchy in Israel, to the reign of King David, and his death. While not ignoring the theological framework, the emphasis will be on the text as a story. To take part fully, participants should read each section before the session. Parking is free and the coffee is hot AND we offer morning prayer, at 10 am, that you are welcome to join! 

The parish of St. Augustine Parkland, located in Spruce Grove, is seeking a full-time rector. If this interests you, the parish of St. Augustine has prepared a parish profile in the form of a website, providing all the information you might need. The application deadline is January 3, 2023.

The parish of St. Thomas, located in Sherwood Park, is seeking a full-time rector. If your pastoral experience gives you the confidence and skills to share the rationale for change and to involve others in making and supporting decisions for the glory of God, please see Parish Profile. The application deadline is December 11, 2022.

This historical novel follows a teenager as he joins three eccentric “wise” men on the trip of a lifetime. Like any of life’s journeys, it involves learning, love, sadness and a destination beyond all expectations. The book, published by Edmonton author David Holehouse, a member of St. Thomas in Sherwoord Park, is available from depthofheaven.com as an E-Pub, or as a paperback from dwholehouse@gmail.com.   

Dee Andrus is a Christian caregiver offering support to seniors in the Edmonton region. A member of St. Paul's Anglican Church in Leduc for 12+ years and now a member of the congregation at St. Margaret's in Edmonton, Andrus says she has had the pleasure of caring for hundreds of seniors. "COVID has made life and caregiving difficult," she says, "but please be reassured, there are still honest, empathetic and caring individuals available. I am available to all seniors and can provide a vast array of services."  Andrus' business is called "For the Love of Seniors." She can be contacted at 780-446-6918. 

Please note the Synod Scene is happy to share information, but does not specifically endorse any particular business endeavour.

Registration is open for the School of Women in Ministry and we are excited to welcome new students. The program consists of 12 units presented over two years and, since the Canadian school started in 2002, has been attended by women from a range of Christian denominations and diverse ministries. SWM now works in partnership with Lifesprings International to bring this valuable training to women worldwide. For more information email Christa Eisbrenner, lay reader at Immanuel Anglican Parish in Wetaskiwin, at dean@womeninministry.ca, or click below to visit the SWM website.

The 2023 Anglican Church of Canada publications are ready to order online. To get your church calendars, click here or visit the ACC publishing website at anglican.gilmore.ca and follow the links. The cost is $7.50 for 1 calendar, $6.00 for 2-19 calendars, and $4.00 for 20 or more. There is free shipping for orders of 50 or more. Click here to see a PDF preview of the calendar.