Archbishop Greg is offering a pre-Lenten Zoom study, beginning the evening of January 27th! It will include conversations on the questions of: Why do we have Lent? Why should we observe it? What are traditions and practices for observing a Holy Lent?
Time: Every week on Wed, until Feb 10, 2021 at 7:00 PM (3 occurrence(s): Jan 27, Feb 3 and Feb 10)
Meeting ID: 881 1365 0700 , Passcode: 995714
See the link below for the update from The Anglican Diocese of Calgary. Click here if you would like to subscribe to the email yourself.
See the link below to read the latest information from the Anglican Church of Canada. If you would like to receive these emails yourself you may click here to sign up for them.
Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
First, and most important, I give thanks to God for all of you, and for your faithful work of ministry in these difficult times. The creativity shown in extending worship and pastoral care by our congregations amidst the shut-downs and restrictions has been a source of encouragement to me, as we learn new ways of living out our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and extending the Church’s mission within our local contexts. Such trials, while they are frequently onerous, are also times of opportunity to deepen our faith and grow stronger in love, patience and hope in the face of challenge.
Second, I am writing to you to provide an update on the deliberations of the COVID-19 Taskforce for the Diocese of Calgary.
As you will recall, in mid-November the taskforce recommended, and I concurred, that we should close down all in-person worship in the Diocese of Calgary. At that time, we were seeing an alarming rise in the number of cases as the virus increased its spread. In mid-December, we considered the situation again, and again found that the situation had not improved and that it was appropriate to maintain the closure of in-person worship.
Now in mid-January, we are seeing some positive signs of the rate of infection having apparently begun to decline. This gives us a measure of cautious hope about the possibility of re-opening for in-person worship in the coming weeks. While we are not yet seeing a clear indication that the time for that has come, we would invite congregations to begin to think about making the plans necessary for that to happen in your particular context; keeping in mind that any such opening will only be allowed under strict adherence to the guidelines on physical distancing, mask wearing, tightly restricted numbers and the other measures that have been described in the original protocols sent out in September, and supplemented in October. Also keeping in mind that those over 60 and those who are vulnerable would be advised to not attend in-person worship in any case. Plans might well include the means of continuing to make available online services for those who will not be able to attend, whether because of age, vulnerabilities or the restriction of numbers.
The needs, resources, and circumstances of our congregations vary widely within our diocese. Because of this, what is achievable and appropriate for one congregation may not be suitable for others. We encourage you to prayerfully consider what might work best for serving your particular parish as we look towards allowing in-person worship to resume.
While we do not think that now is the time to re-open in-person worship, we will be meeting again in two weeks’ time to consider and provide another update.
Once again, thank you for staying the course and working toward serving the church and her mission in these difficult times. While we walk the way of the cross in this life’s journey, we also both live and look forward to resurrection in Jesus. May Christ, the light that shines in the darkness, shine amongst us and through us, as a witness to our faith in this world yearning .
See the link below to connect to the International resources for 2021 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, as prepared by the Monastic Community of Grandchamp in Switzerland.
Connect online for an Evening of Prayer for Christian Unity. See the poster below for details.
See the link below to learn how The Gospel in the Centre of our Sacred Circle has become an important and dynamic part of the growing spiritual movement among the Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island.
Becoming a community of disciples: putting the Gospel in the centre
Please join Archbishop Greg Kerr-Wilson for Communion service on this holy evening as he live streams on Facebook from his home (see Facebook link below).
Join us in Fasting and Prayer
Every one of us is undergoing some form of stress or anxiety, whether Covid-related or just worries about family and/or friends. Health issues, job issues, feeling isolated, feeling fear, feeling sad or lonely, just to name a few. And we know our clergy and lay leaders are dealing with a great deal, as they are overwhelmed in this busy season trying to maintain the traditions of the Advent season yet protecting the vulnerable.
What if…we were to spend a day or part of a day, in prayer, in honest, heartfelt communication with our Lord, in looking into His word, in meditating upon Him and slowing down to listen to Him.
We ask that on Friday, December 18, the people of the Diocese of Calgary take time to fast and pray – an hour or many hours; alone, with spouse or family, via Zoom or whatever means that inspires you.
We pray for:
for protection from this Virus; for healing of those affected; for hope and provision for those impacted; for comfort for those mourning; for the safe and effective delivery of the vaccine; for the health services and leaders
the mission of our Church in these strange times
each other
Plan ahead, clear your calendar, and give one day, or a portion thereof, to the Lord, together, to raise our supplications and to let Him nurture and heal us.
Archbishop Greg has set up a Zoom link for prayer Friday, Dec 18 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm and will have AFP members standing by to pray in breakoff rooms for those who wish to pray with someone
"But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly." Jesus Matt. 6:6
On the re-opening of public worship services
Purpose of the Task Force: To consider the guidelines and protocols, including timelines, provided by the Province of Alberta for Services of Worship, and advise the Archbishop on both timelines and protocols for the re-opening of public worship services for the Anglican Diocese of Calgary.
Members:Chair: The Very Rev’d Leighton Lee, Dean of Calgary
Dr. Chris Bockmuehl, Medical Doctor, Parishioner at St. James, Calgary
Dr. Sebastian David, Medical Doctor, Parishioner at Christ Church, Fort Macleod
Dr. Brend Ireland, Medical Doctor, Parishioner at St. Augustine, Lethbridge
Linda Kamhuka, Infection Control Practitioner, Alberta Children's Hospital, Parishioner at St. Andrew, Calgary
The Venerable Noel Wygiera, Archdeacon Rocky Mountain and Incumbent at St. Luke, Red Deer
For more information visit:
http://calgary.anglican.ca/news/the-archbishops-task-force
During this time of journeying through the COVID-19 pandemic, you may appreciate being able to speak with someone; to have a pastoral listening ear and someone to pray with. A number of our diocesan clergy and Lay Ministers have agreed to be on-call daily to respond to this need.
If you would like prayer support, please call the number below. Any information shared will be kept in the strictest confidence.
This ministry will be available daily from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm until further notice.
Archbishop Greg Kerr-Wilson will be offering these services from his home by video feed:
Maundy Thursday, 9 April at 7 pm
Good Friday, 10 April at 9:30 am
Easter Vigil on Saturday, 11 April at 8:30 pm
Easter Sunday service, 12 April at 9 am (with participation from Clergy)
These services will be available on the front page of the Diocese website and Facebook page.
Links:
https://www.calgary.anglican.ca/
https://www.facebook.com/calgary.anglican/
PS: People can get a reminder of the Maundy Thursday service on Facebook through: https://www.facebook.com/calgary.anglican/posts/3502669276470050
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