• Those who are sick, suffering, or in need: Anne and Roger, Hilda and Aubrey, Lorelei, Vuokko, Rhonda, Rhea, Paul, Rachael, Rob, Bob, Iona, Gail, and Rita.
• Those who have died: Mona; and those who mourn: her friends and family.
• 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.

Faith Spaces | Safe Spaces, a grassroots, interfaith initiative co-led by the Anglican Diocese of Edmonton and Islamic Family and Social Services Association (IFSSA), is the recipient of a City of Edmonton grant to build safe, inclusive community spaces.

Mayor Amarjeet Sohi and members of the City of Edmonton presented a Community Safety and Well-being (CSWB) Grant to the Venerable Jordan. Haynie Ware, Diocese of Edmonton Archdeacon for Justice; and Bella Asiri Opiyo, a founding member of Faith Spaces | Safe Spaces and a parishioner at Good Shepherd Anglican Church, on December 8 at IFSSA. 

“Faith Spaces | Safe Spaces is an interfaith anti-racism project that seeks to build solidarity among people of faith to support one another when they experience racism,” says Haynie Ware who is rector of Good Shepherd. 

Through workshops and interfaith gatherings offered by a broad interreligious network, the initiative will “equip faith communities to provide safe spaces for BIPOC believers to practice their spirituality,” says Asiri Opiyo. 

Pictured: Archdeacon Jordan Haynie Ware and and Bella Asiri Opiyo, founding members of Faith Spaces | Safe Spaces, join CSWB grant recpients, Mayor Amrjeet Sohi and members of the City of Edmonton at the grant presentations on December 8.

The City of Edmonton has designated St. Luke’s Anglican Church as a municipal historic resource.

Heritage planner Scott Ashe says the building is a good example of the way people's lives changed after World War II.

“They had survived war and the depression," he says. "They had jobs and cars and wanted their families to spread out in the suburbs. They wanted to live away from where they worked, but still worship in their own communities. St. Luke’s is indicative of the kind of modern church built in those times.”

The historical designation means St. Luke's will receive a grant from the City for rehabilitation of the building. Rector of St. Luke's, the Rev. Nick Trussell, says, “Historical designation protects the unique story and beauty of the building, its design and construction. Funding for restoration and maintenance with this non-profit partner means that it continues to be available to the public for the flourishing of the neighbourhood.”

Click here to see the City of Edmonton news release.

“Creator, we thank you for this day, we thank you for all the good things you put on Mother Earth for us to enjoy, the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat! We also thank you for all the good people in our lives!”

The above is a prayer that is recited each morning by the children attending the Aboriginal Head Start Edmonton Program; a program that “aims to strengthen and prepare Aboriginal children ages three to five with the necessary school-readiness skills and cultural foundation to enter mainstream schools on an equal basis with all other children in a positive, fun, stimulating, and respectful learning environment.”  

Five years ago, while attending the Christmas celebration, St John the Evangelist Chair John Vrolijk, who also presently sits as the Chairperson of Amiskwaciy Cultural Society, noticed no Christmas presents for the children of the program to receive and enjoy at their Christmas celebration. So, John took this concern to St. John’s Outreach, and they decided to do what they could to remedy the situation.

They asked the congregation to provide gifts for Santa to give to the three-to-five-year-old Indigenous children attending the celebration and there was an enthusiastic response.

Story by John Vrolijk and photo by Sue Philips, St. John the Evangelist, Edmonton

Please join Greater Edmonton Alliance (GEA) for our Holiday Season Open House on Thursday, December 15, from 11 am to 1 pm, at All Saints' Cathedral, 10035 - 103 Street NW  Edmonton. Click here to RSVP.  Please consider bringing any used/new winter clothing (gloves, toques, long underwear or socks) as donations to be given out at the community dinners and outreach ministries of the Diocese of Edmonton. Thank you and see you there! 

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 (CMHA) – Edmonton Region. For more than 50 years, CMHA has worked to provide safe and secure housing for people living with mental illness. CMHA currently owns or operates seven buildings comprising of 146 units that house 108 individuals and families. Watch video!

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

• December 18: St. Peter's, Edmonton
• December 20: Administration and Finance Committee, on Zoom
• December 24: Christmas Eve Services, All Sants' Cathedral, Edmonton

With two weeks to go in 2022, "Team Anglican" is now only 3 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 count down 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!

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

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.

Bishop Stephen London and members of the Edmonton diocese send our love and prayers with the Rev. Heather Liddell who has been appointed rector of St. George’s Anglican Church in Montreal. Heather has been a blessing to our diocese most recently as rector of St. Peter’s, Edmonton, regional dean of Edmonton West, educational chaplain at the University of Alberta and chaplain at Base Camp. Heather begins her new ministry in January 2023. 

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.

The Anglican Parish of Christ Church invites you to join us in person, or via livestream for our service of Christmas Lessons and Carols on December 18 at 4:00 pm.  Through nine scripture readings accompanied by Christmas carols or hymns, the biblical narrative of the birth of our Lord is presented. Click here for Livestream

Holidays are difficult for anyone experiencing pain, loss, loneliness and insecurity. The following parishes invite anyone struggling to find the joy of Christmas in the midst of grief to come together to listen to the promise of hope found in the birth of our Saviour who came to experience our human condition:

Wednesday, December 21:

7 pm: A Service of Light and Hope: Christ Church, 12116-102 Ave NW, Edmonton 

7 pm: Longest Night Service, Good Shepherd, 15495 Castle Downs, Rd NW, Edmonton

7 pm: When Christmas Hurts, joint service with St. Patrick's and St. Margaret's, 12603 Ellerslie Rd. SW, Edmonton

Thursday, December 22:

7 pm: St. Thomas, 4A Raven Drive, Sherwood Park

Christmas Eve Happy Birthday Jesus, 4:30 pm: "And there, in the stable, amongst the chickens and the donkeys and the cows, in the quiet of the night, God gave the world his wonderful gift. The baby that would change the world was born. His baby son." Families are invited to St. Thomas's to celebrate the Birth of Jesus through crafts, carols, Communion and cupcakes!      

Traditional Christmas Eve Services, 7 pm & 9:30 pm: "‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’" Join us at one of our Traditional Candlelight Christmas Eve services that will include the singing of some of our favourite carols and Eucharist as we celebrated the long awaited arrival of Emmanuel.                              

Christmas Day Service, 10 am: "And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn." Join us for a quiet Christmas morning service as we celebrate the arrival of the Christ Child through prayer, and Eucharist. Please note: This will be a said service   

St. Margaret's, Edmonton, 12603 Ellerslie Rd. SW, Edmonton, invites you to the following Christmas Services:

Christmas Eve

4.00 pm, Holy Communion for children and families (on-site only)

9.30 pm, Holy Communion by candlelight (battery-operated), on-site and live-streamed at www.facebook.com/stmargaretsedmonton

Christmas Day

10.00 am, Holy Communion, on-site, and possibly live-streamed if a tech is available - watch the Facebook page for more info

Family Service, 4:30 pm: Good Shepherd Anglican Church, 15495 Castle Downs Rd, Edmonton, will host a Family Friendly Christmas Eve Service December 24. 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! 

Traditional Service, 7 pm: 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.

Dee Andres 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, Andres 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."  Andres' 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.

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.

The Network of Biblical Storytelling Canada is hosting an online festival, February 3-5, 2023. Titled “Biblical Telling: A New Way Home,” the online gathering will explore ways in which the culture we grow up in can lead us to make assumptions about the meaning of the biblical texts we read and tell. Uncovering these assumptions and values is a way of knowing ourselves better, respecting the biblical witness more fully, and becoming more sensitive to those of cultures different from our own.