• Those who are sick, suffering, or in need: April, Rhea, Paul, Megan, Jen, Christian, Karen, Grace, Shannon and Mike, Anne and Roger, Hilda and Aubrey.
• 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.
• 2023 January to April Prayer Cycle - PDF / WORD

Download the January 2023 edition of The Messenger or view it online as a flipbook.

Click here to receive a print subscription to The Messenger or to change your subscription address. The Messenger and Anglican Journal are mailed to subscribers for a suggested donation of $15/year.

All are invited to come and support the Rev. Andreas Sigrist, his family, and parishioners of St. Matthias Anglican Church on Wednesday, January 11, when Rev. Andreas will be inducted as rector of the parish. The service starts at 7pm. Clergy are encouraged to attend and to robe. The colour is white. 

Last year at the beginning of Lent we began the diocesan Remembering the Children weaving project. At the summer solstice, National Indigenous Peoples Day, we blessed the finished project at a special service at the Cathedral. We now have the weaving available to visit parishes. You might think that the only good time to have the weaving visit your parish is in September or October. Not true! Anytime you want to deeper your parish's connection to the ministry of reconciliation in our diocese is a good time to do it. Please contact Fiona at f.brownlee@edmonton.anglican.ca for more information or to ask if a particular date is available.

Clergy and families of the Edmonton diocese are invited to an Epiphany Potluck Dinner on Saturday, January 7, 5 pm at Christ Church, 12116 102 Ave, Edmonton.  This is a very kid-friendly event and all are welcome. As with all potlucks, please bring a dish to share! We would love to see you there. Please RSVP to churched@edmonton.anglican.ca

This week, Bishop Stephen London continues to accompany parishes in Christmastide and into the liturgical season of Epiphany. Please keep him in your prayers.

• January 5: Provincial House of Bishops (Zoom)
• January 8: Confirmation Service, St. John the Evangelist, Edmonton
• January 11: Induction Service, St. Matthias, Edmonton

Let us help you promote your upcoming event in Synod Scene, our weekly e-newsletter to clergy, parishes and subscribers. Please click the link to the form below to tell us about your event (ie. youth gathering, parish fundraiser, worship service, community outreach, public lecture). Upload a graphic or picture (horizontal / landscape orientation; 1500x784 px), and your event poster. Events must be submitted by Tuesday at noon for inclusion in the current week's newsletter. Have Questions? Send us an email: churched@edmonton.anglican.ca

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 Edmonton and District Council of Churches (EDCC) invites you to the 2023 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Ecumenical Service on Sunday, January 22, 7 pm, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 10014 81 Ave NW, Edmonton. All are welcome! POSTER

Canadian Blood Services (CBS) has posted an urgent need on its social media platforms: 

The national inventory of several blood types is far below optimal, and O-negative blood donors are especially needed. If you are type O-negative and eligible to donate, please book an appointment in the coming days. Book your lifesaving appointment at http://blood.ca

The Edmonton diocese continues to hold in gratitude all those who helped us reach our CBS donation target of 120 units donated through 2022. Stay tuned for an updated goal for 2023.

The parish of Holy Trinity Anglican Church (Old Strathcona) in Edmonton is looking for a half-time Assistant Priest. The Assistant Priest will work alongside the Rector in continuing to grow and develop many areas of ministry including but not limited to stewardship, youth and young adult’s ministry, and working in various areas of social justice in the community of Old Strathcona.  Job Profile

Resources for the  2023 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, traditionally held every year between January 18 (the Feast of the Confession of Saint Peter) and January 25 (the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul), can be accessed here.

The resources have been prepared by the ecumenical Writing and Animation Team (WPCU ) of volunteers from member churches of The Canadian Council of Churches working in partnership with the Canadian Centre for Ecumenism, the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism, and the Women's Inter-Church Council of Canada.

The 2023 theme of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is “Do good; seek justice.” Isaiah challenged God’s people to learn to do good together; to seek justice together, to rescue the oppressed together... The prophet’s challenge applies equally to us today. Join an ecumenical prayer gathering led by Julian Hammond and Maria Di Castri followed by a simple fellowship luncheon. 

Star of the North Retreat Centre has a number of offerings over the coming months. Visit their website to learn about the Courage to Teach series held one Saturday a month from January 28 to May 27, the Bridges to Contemplative Living series held Wednesdays in February and March, and a Reconciliation through Justice evening, February 16.

This silent retreat will draw on parables of Jesus and the example of St. Therese of Lisieux as inspiration for spiritual transformation in the movements of our everyday lives. The retreat will include Centering Prayer periods, teachings by Fr. Thomas Keating, Lectio Divina and quiet reflections. The retreat is intended for those who are familiar with Centering Prayer. Register by January 19. POSTER

Providence Renewal Centre is offering a number of retreats over the coming months. Visit their website to learn about a Self-Care Day planned for Monday, January 16, an Enneagram retreat February 10-12, and a Lenten retreat March 17-19.

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.

A reference sheet for some of the main religious observances within the Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, and Buddhist communities can now be found in the Ecumenical and Interfaith Ministry Resources section of the diocesan website. Inter-religious Greetings for Holy Days and Festivals

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.