• Those who are sick, suffering, or in need: John and Donna; Tara; Della; Karen; Jim; Réal; Jordan; Jean and Cheveyo; Lorelei, Marie, Sue, Marguerite and Doreen; Paul, Rhea, Mitchell, Bob and Jen; Megan and Christian.
• Those who have died; and those who mourn.
• Those affected by conflict or natural disasters around the world, including residents of Jasper and first responders.
• Archbishop Sixbert and the Diocese of Buyé (Updated list of Twinned Parishes).  
• ELCiC Bishop-Elect Patricia and the Synod of Alberta and the Territories.
• 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 at the end of those two weeks.

In the wake of the Jasper wildfire, which destroyed multiple churches including the historic St. Mary and St. George Anglican Church, the Rev. Andreas Sigrist offers a prayer of comfort and hope. The Sigrist family lived in Jasper, from 2019 to 2022, while Andreas was serving as rector of the parish.

"Loving Creator, thank you for hearing the cries of our hearts even if we don't know what to say. As the people of Jasper join people around the world and throughout history forced to leave their homes, may they connect with the current of divine love flowing steadily like the Athabasca and Miette rivers. Grant us courage and wisdom to see through the smoke, remembering that where there is ash, green things will grow again."

Dear friends,

I wanted to write to give you a brief update on our Strategic plan process. As we head into August, Anna Bubel, our Diocesan Strategic Planning Committee Consultant, has met with nearly every parish, either in person or in a couple of extraordinary cases, via video or phone conference. We are grateful to all of you for listening in spirit together by completing the membership survey and/or participating in a parish engagement session. As with any plan, we first needed to listen to our parishes and parishioners.

Bishop Stephen London has appointed the Very Rev. Alexandra Meek as Commissary from August 8 to 29.

Parishes in the Diocese of Edmonton are invited to observe September 15 as PWRDF Sunday! Jeffrey Hanger, PWRDF Diocesan Representative, has prepared resources, including a sample Order of Service and Sermon for parishes to use if they so choose. Please View and Download the Resources HERE. Donation envelopes and additional resources will be provided via the Synod Office.

If you receive an email that reads something like this, please do not respond:

Hello,

I’m a new member and I’ve been attending worship services with my wife. I'm sending this email for you to send us an invitation to the church directory and also set up Giving.

Kind Regards,

The Diocese of Edmonton Children's Choir (DECC), directed by Laura Hawley, is gearing up for its third season! The children's choir is comprised of enthusiastic singers from across the diocese. The choir provides opportunities for children and youth in grade 2 and up to learn music to offer at church services, care facilities and special liturgical events throughout the diocese.

Running from September to April, the choir will meet on Wednesdays, from 5 to 6 pm, at Christ Church, 12116 - 102 Ave, Edmonton.

Choir conductor Laura Hawley has extensive experience leading children's choirs in the Anglican faith tradition and choral conducting. The choir's accompanist Tammy-Jo Mortensen has over 30 years of experience in sacred music, pedagogy and accompanying.

For more information: decchoiryeg@gmail.com

There is no cost to join! Register online HERE

Spiritual directors Pat Jameson and the Rev. Jonathan Crane, rector of St. Augustine of Canterbury, Edmonton, will be facilitating a Spiritual Exercises Retreat in Daily Life for small groups, from September 2024 to May 2025. 

The exercises have been described as:  “a compilation of meditations, prayers, and contemplative practices developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola to help people deepen their relationship with God.”

Space is limited.  Please fill out the attached application form to apply.  You will be contacted for a simple one-on-one conversation preceding our entry into the exercises.

Mark your calendars, invite your friends and get ready for the fourth annual Garden Concert summer series at Christ Church, 12116 102 Ave NW, Edmonton, on Wednesdays, 7 pm, in July and August. The summer line-up will feature new performers and fan favourites. Enjoy a free night of music with friends and neighbours. VIEW LINE-UP

Join us on holiday Monday, August 5 at Lady Flower Gardens for a GEA (Greater Edmonton Alliance for the Common Good) fundraiser. There will be fun for the whole family:

• Refreshments and Food by the Yurt
• Guided Tours of Old Growth Forest
• Fern's Flower Garden
• Children's Games

SCHEDULE

Tickets (available on Eventbrite) are $25. Free admission for children under 14 yrs old accompanied by an adult:

• Click here to join between 9:30 am to 12:30 pm 
• Click here to join between 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm 

We're looking for volunteers! Please contact Gary Savard at gary@greateredmontonalliance.org to volunteer.

POSTER

Join St. Augustine's Parkland, 131 Church Road, Spruce Grove, for crafts, games, snacks, activities, music, lunch and fun at AD-LIB (August Days - Leaders In the Bible) VBS from August 6 to 8, 10 am to 12:30 pm. The registration fee is $20. Contact the office to register 780-962-5131, or by email at: staugustinesparkland@gmaiI.com All kids are welcome!

Our children have the potential to restore the world! They have been bestowed with the abilities to nurture, heal, forgive, pray and rest; tools essential for rectifying the wrongs in our world. At Operation Restoration Vacation Bible School, to be held August 12 to 16, from 9 am to 3 pm, at Good Shepherd Anglican Church, 15495 Castle Downs Rd NW, Edmonton,  kids ages 5 and up (children over 14 will get to participate as Leaders-In-Training) will get to explore their restorative skills.

The registration fee for each camper is $75. A deposit of $25 per child is necessary and will count towards the total deposit.  For families with more than one child attending, the registration fee for the first camper is $75, and $50 for each additional camper. REGISTER ONLINE

Led by the Rev. Clara King (ClaraKing.com), this one-day in-person workshop on Thursday, September 19 at All Saints' Cathedral, from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm, will help clergy explore the adaptive challenges facing the church, and equip them with new leadership skills to address these challenges. All active clergy in the Diocese of Edmonton are invited to participate. There is no cost to attend; lunch and snacks will be provided. 

The workshop is offered as part of a doctoral research study across Canada in 2024 and 2025, testing a new way to teach adaptive leadership to clergy. There are very minimal risks to participating in this study, however, this workshop may pose an elevated risk to clergy who are experiencing a high level of burnout. All participants must sign a letter of informed consent. 

To learn more about the workshop, the research study, the risks, and the letter of informed consent, all are welcome to join a short, optional Zoom meeting with Clara on Tuesday, September 10, at 1:00 pm, by clicking HERE.

In anticipation of coming together for Synod in October, join the Synod Planning Committee on Saturday, September 21, from 10 am to 11:30 am, for an online bible study on our theme: "Hearts Burning Within Us," and the Emmaus Road scripture (Luke 24:32); and, from 10:30 am to 1 pm, for a presentation of the Synod resolutions followed by an opportunity for questions.

All youth of the Edmonton diocese and their friends are invited to a Youth Bowling Night on Saturday, September 21, 6:30 to 9 pm, at Bonnie Doon Bowling Lanes, 8330 82 Ave NW, Edmonton. Please RSVP ASAP to the Rev. Danielle Key so she can reserve the bowling lanes. Hope to see you in September! Please share on social! POSTER

We are happy to share news and pictures, or help promote upcoming events (ie. youth gathering, parish fundraiser, worship service, community outreach, public lecture) 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 news and event . Upload a graphic or picture (horizontal / landscape orientation; 1500x784 px), and your event poster (if you have one). Submissions must be received by Tuesday at noon to guarantee their inclusion in the current week's newsletter. Have questions? Email Margaret Glidden, communications@edmonton.anglican.ca; or call 780-439-7344

As a partner of Canadian Blood Services (CBS), Team Anglican has increased its blood and plasma donations every year. However, CBS says that on the whole, donations tend to lag over the summer months. Will you donate this summer and, better yet, invite a friend/family member to join you?

To book a life-giving appointment, call 1-888-236-6283 or visit Canadian Blood Services. Check your eligibility, then click here and enter our Partner ID: ANGL696986 to join Team Anglican. You won't just make a difference. You can make all the difference.

Have you lost a loved one to: Death? Divorce? Estrangement? Addiction? Have you experienced: Financial losses? Job losses? Health losses? Are you looking for a safe space to make peace with your broken pieces?

St. George’s Anglican Church in Devon will be hosting "A Sorrow Shared: Grieving Together Through Life’s Challenges" in September. This holistic, 6-week program is designed to provide:

• A safe and welcoming space for all.
• A support opportunity that examines life after loss.
• Freedom to explore a variety of tools for self-discovery and personal growth.

There is life before the loss—and life after the loss. How can we make sense of our new reality?

We are beginning to take registrations for this free program. To register, please email ldwojna@gmail.com, or phone the Rev. Lisa Wojna, MTS, CSHP, CT, at 780-860-0313.

Cold and flu season is upon us, and COVID persists in all its variations. As we spend more time indoors, it is becoming more difficult to contain germs and protect vulnerable members of our communities. Please remember that a minor infection for one person can develop into a major sickness for someone else. If you are feeling unwell (ie. have a cough, runny nose, sore throat, chest congestion, fever...), please stay home.

The Kidswise Montessori Daycare and Out of School Care program at St. Timothy's, 8420 145 St NW, Edmonton, is now enrolling. For more info, call 587-599-9185; email: kidswisedaycare@outlook.com 

SongBurst KIDS Summer Choir Workshop is a week-long (Aug 12 to 16, 9 am to 12 pm) musical experience for children ages 9 to 14. This half-day program (flexible drop-off starts at 8:30 am and flexible pick-up ends at 1 pm) explores choral singing and introduces aspects of theatre, movement, ukulele and percussion that help bring our music to life. The week will culminate in a wrap-up concert for friends, family, and fans on Friday evening.

This program will be led by Amy Voyer, an elementary music specialist who sings professionally with Pro Coro Canada and FEMME Vocal Ensemble. Workshop facilitators for the week include Mhairi Berg (drama), Janita Frantsi (movement), Marcus Fung (percussion), and Monica Dear (ukulele). Optional vocal coaching with Kimberley Denis will be offered

Individual registrations are $195, but singers who register with friends can save up to 25%! Bursaries of up to $100 are available.

This silent-directed retreat, from Sunday, August 18 to Friday, August 23 at Providence Renewal Centre, is an opportunity to meet with a spiritual director each day, walk the labyrinth, enjoy the outdoors, and have ample time to reflect, pray, and spend time in the loving embrace of God. Enjoy a supportive community. Step away from your routine to refresh your spirit and restore your soul. Slow down the pace of life and enjoy the relaxing days of summer within the silence and stillness. “Leaving my cares forgotten among the lilies.” (John of the Cross)  POSTER Suite $600 / Single $550 / Commute $500 

All are invited to the Service of Ordination for Bishop-elect Patricia Schmermund, Synod of Alberta and the Territories, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. The ordination service will be held on Saturday, August 24, at Ascension Lutheran Church, 8405 83 St. NW Edmonton, starting at 2:00 pm. A reception will follow. Ample parking is available across the street at Bonnie Doon Mall. 

The ELCiC ABT Synod invites clergy and lay leaders to a Retreat of our Own 2024, September 13 to 15, at Camp Kuriakos.

Guest Speaker The Rev. Clara King, an Anglican Priest, Researcher, and Revitalist from Calgary, will explore how, as Christians, we are called to be faithful disciples in following Christ. But what does faithful following mean when we find ourselves in leadership, particularly as lay people? Join us for a highly engaging, funny, humble, and inspiring weekend with leadership researcher and lay leadership advocate Clara King. As we explore the dynamic tension between leadership and discipleship, you will discover new insights in the pages of Scripture, reflect on your church context in new ways, and hear God’s invitation to you with a new heart. Whether you think of yourself as a leader, or as a follower, all are welcome.

To find out more information about the retreat go to https://www.retreatofourown.ca. When you go to register it will transfer you to the Kuriakos registration site; OR you are welcome to call Kuriakos at 403-746-2702 to register over the phone. BROCHURE