Clean water a gift from God

by Ana Watts
The water brought to the communion table is a precious gift of God and every bit as important as the cash we elevate before everyone at the service. Archdeacon Richard McConnell made these remarks at the Jan. 17 meeting of Diocesan Council in Fredericton, as an example of ways our diocese can promote and contribute to the preservation of clean water. Read the story.

Lenten Bible study created to address our diocesan situation

Bishop Edward Salmon, the retired Bishop of South Carolina who so inspired our diocesan leadership during his visit in August of 2008, has prepared a Lenten Bible study particularly suited to the struggles and opportunities of our diocese. He offers a general introduction to the study outlining some of his observations of our diocese as well as a prayer and reading (following the RCL) for each Sunday in Lent. Each reading is also accompanied by suggested areas of discussion based on what the readings might say to help us in our diocesan situation.

All parishes are encouraged to use this study in ways that fit their particular situations. Synod delegates and alternates are especially urged to attend this study series.
The complete study will be e-mailed to incumbent clergy and those leading parishes within the next week.

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Prayer for Synod

Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding: be present with those who take counsel at Diocesan Synod in Saint John in June 2009 for the renewal and mission of our parishes, diocese and your Church in this place and beyond. As your disciples, teach us in all things to seek first your kingdom to your honour and glory. Guide us to what is right and grant us both the courage and patience to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Diocesan PWRDF coordinator named
Anne Walling of Bloomfield is appointed coordinator of the Diocesan Primate's World Relief and Development Fund for a three-year term beginning this month (January, 2009).

The Bishop's 2009 Deanery Visitation Schedule (tentative)
Shediac — February
St. Andrews — April
Fredericton/York — May
Fredericton/York — June
Kingston/Kennebecasis and Saint John — September

Appointments and Announcements
View An up-to-date list of Bishop's appointments and announcements.

Temporal Transactions

View an up-to-date list of property transactions within the diocese.

Open incumbencies

* Appointment process status:
     H - On hold
     P - In parish profile preparation
     E - Accepting expressions of interest
     I - In the interview process
     A - Awaiting appointment

Diocesan openings
The Nominating Committee currently invites nominations for the following diocesan positions:

• Diocesan / Synod Nominating Committee (chair)
• Diocesan Council (member - Saint John Archdeaconry/lay)
• Atlantic School of Theology Formation Advisory Committee (member - Canon Four s. 21)
  
• Diocesan Council Administration Team (chair)
• Investment (sub) Committee (member)
• Human Resources Committee (clergy member)
  

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RCL Lectionary (Year B)

Sunday, Feb. 1
Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany (Green) (Proper 4)
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity ends.
Propers 352; Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Psalm 111; 1 Corinthian 8:1-13; Mark 1:21-28;
Eve of the Presentation of the Lord. (White)

Cycles of Prayer
Manicaland — Central Africa (vacant).

Visit these links:
Anglican Cycle of Prayer
Provincial Prayer Care
Diocesan Intercessions

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The Godspell Apprenticeship Program invites 16-20-year-olds — who want to study singing, dancing andacting, who want to be exposed to workshops on various aspects of putting a show together, and want to be challenged by the book of Matthew upon which the musical is based — to audition the first week of February for performances to be held in May. Contact the Rev. Joanna Doak, artistic director of the program <joannadoak at yahoo.com>, for details.

Preaching Workshop
A preaching workshop for clergy with Bishop Bill Hockin will be held at St. Margaret's Church Fredericton, Feb. 4 at 10 a.m. He will focus on three Lenten readings following the Revised Common Lectionary. Lunch is provided. Register through the Rev. Canon Albert Snelgrove <albertsn at nb.sympatico.ca> by Jan. 30. If sufficient registrations are not received the workshop will be cancelled.

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Feb. 1, 4 p.m. Ordination of Vocational Deacons at Christ Church Cathedral, Fredericton.

Feb, 2, 4 p.m. Companioned Spiritual Formation, Synod Office board room.

Feb. 3, 10 a.m. Bishop's Counsel, Synod Office Board Room.

Feb. 3, 4:30 p.m.  Finance Committee, Synod Office board room.

Visit the Diocesan Web Calendar of Events

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Feb. 1-7 is International Development Week
Held annually, the first full week of February, International Development Week (IDW) highlights and illustrates the work of Canada’s development community, including PWRDF.
IDW provides a great opportunity for Canadians to:
* increase the awareness of the role many Canadians play in international development;
* learn more about life in developing countries; and
* find out how they can become global citizens, actively involved in international development.
Information provided by CIDA website

Visit Diocesan PWRDF or PWRDF National

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Feb. 7, 7 p.m. Jens Jeppesen and his band at St. Paul's, Rothesay
Jens was assistant director at Camp Brookwood last summer and recently released a Christian album (available at HMV) that blends bluegrass elements with his own unique style. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. For more information contact Jasmine Chandra <asminechandra at gmail.com>

Visit the Diocesan Web Calendar of Events

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Job listings for the Canadian church.

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Hiltz to update other primates on state of Canadian church
by Marites N. Sison
Anglican Journal
Jan. 26, 2009

The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has asked the primates (national archbishops) of five provinces, including the Anglican Church of Canada, to reflect on the impact that the current Anglican conflict over sexuality has had on the mission and priorities of their churches. Read the story.

Christian thinkers in 'financial capital' urge return to basic banking
by Martin Revis
Ecumenical News International
Jan. 26, 2009

London: Calls for a return to basic banking and an economy propelled by values other than greed have been made in London, one of the world’s financial capitals, at a conference of Christian thinkers examining the current economic crisis. Read the story.

Primate speaks out against Gaza City bombing
General Synod Web

Jan. 26, 2009
Archbishop Fred Hiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, has issued a joint statement with the Rev. David Giuliano, Moderator of the United Church of Canada, calling for an independent investigation into the Israeli bombing of the Shaja'ih Family Healthcare Centre in Gaza City on Jan. 10, 2009. Read the letter.

Church in need serves mass and moshers

by Nadja Sayej

Special to The Globe and Mail

Jan. 24, 2009

Event planners always ask if they can serve booze at St. Stephen's-in-the-Fields Church. Jim Sutherland just points to the mosaic. "Christ is holding a big jug of wine," says Mr. Sutherland, the church sexton. "It's the cup of life."  Read the story.

Bishop Ferris leaves Canadian church
by Marites N. Sison
Anglican Journal
Jan. 23, 2009The recently-retired bishop of the northern Ontario diocese of Algoma, Ronald Ferris, has left the Anglican Church of Canada to become one of the leaders of the Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC), a group of breakaway parishes opposed to such issues as the blessing of same-sex unions. ANiC has placed itself under the jurisdiction of the primate of the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone, Archbishop Gregory Venables. Read the story.

Reconciliation has begun, participants in residential schools conference say
by Leigh Anne Williams
Anglican Journal
Jan 23, 2009
Edmonton: It wasn’t your average academic conference. When about 450 students from The King’s University College in Edmonton attended their school’s interdisciplinary conference, “Truth and Reconciliation: Healing the Legacy of Residential Schools,” on Jan. 21 and 22, they got a lot more than textbook lectures about history. Read the story.

Prayer and simple life urged for Chinese New Year in Hong Kong
by Francis Wong
Ecumenical News International
Jan. 23, 2009
Hong Kong Christian leaders are using the closeness of the Chinese New Year and the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity to remind believers to defend the poor and simplify their lives to save the environment.Immediately after the ecumenical prayer week from Jan. 18 to 25, Hong Kong Christians are to celebrate the Chinese (lunar) New Year on Monday, Jan.26. Read the story.

Theologians converge on Brazil to envision a sustainable world
by Stephen Brown
Ecumenical News International
Jan. 22, 2009

Belem, Brazil: Theologians from around the world are converging on Belem, near the mouth of the Amazon River in northeast Brazil, to develop a theology for the "sustainability of life on Earth.” Read the story.

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Download an updated General Synod staff directory

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Planned Giving as Jubilee
"The ministry of Planned Giving takes patience above all.  You may toil for years in this ministry and never see the results. But like the mustard seed (Mark 4:31-32), your ministry may grow from the smallest of seeds to become the greatest of shrubs … Planned Giving is a vital component of any charity's financial development strategy. Since the mid-1990s, virtually every significant charity in Canada has seen the wisdom of putting major resources into developing a sustainable Planned Giving program. Starting a Planned Giving program requires commitment, and it requres patience. Most charities agree that it takes five to seven years before the fruits of attention to Planned Giving begin to be noticed. During those early years there may be occasional gifts, but they will be rare. "
by David Ponting
From Scarcity to Abundance: A complete Guide to Parish Stewardship p 120.

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