Synod delegates prepared to act on task force recommendations

by Ana Watts
When the Diocese of Fredericton Synod convenes at the Saint John Trade and Convention Centre in June, delegates will have all the information they need in order to chart a course toward spiritual, numerical and financial growth. They will have two years of extensive research, consultation and advice on parish strengths, weaknesses and challenges as well as matters of formation, communication and stewardship at their fingertips. They will also have the benefit of expert analysis and succinct recommendations to consider, thanks to a Shared Ministry Task Group empowered by Bishop Claude Miller and Diocesan Council.   Read the story.

Upcoming Greater Chapter meetings in preparation for Synod 2007, June 4-6 in Saint John

Saint John   March 26

St. Andrews  April 25
Kingston/Kennebecasis May 12

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Diocesan Council Appointments

Mr. Julian Dickson, Diocesan vice-Chancellor, to the Diocesan Nominating Committee at its March 18 meeting.
The Rev. Kevin Cross to the Committee on Human Resources.

Mrs. Joanne Fitzpatrick to Diocesan Council as lay representative for the Archdeaconry of Saint John.

Ordination Anniversaries

Brent Ham, 10 years a priest, March 21

Latest information on the 130th Synod of the Diocese of Fredericton

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.

The Bishop's 2009 Deanery Visitation Schedule (tentative)
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

Open incumbencies

* Appointment process status:
     H - On hold with interim or particular circumstances
     P - In parish profile preparation
     E - Accepting expressions of interest
     I - In the interview process

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)
  
• Diocesan Council Administration Team (chair)
• Investment (sub) Committee (member)
• Human Resources Committee (clergy member)
  

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RCL Lectionary (Year B)

Sunday, March 29
Fifth Sunday in Lent (violet)
Propers 294; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 51:1-13 OR 119:9-16; Hebrews 5:5-10; John 12:20-33;
Preface of Lent

Cycles of Prayer
Nakuru — (Kenya) the Rt. Rev. Stephen Njihia Mwangi

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

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Easter at King's: Messiah
The Choir of King's College at the Chapel of King's College Cambridge
In high definition

Saturday, April 11, 1 p.m.

Empire Theatres

Regent Mall

Fredericton

as well as other theatres across Canada

<et011 at empiretheatres.com>

Spiritual Spa
Saturday, April 25

Dayspring Retreat Centre, Saint John

Sunday school teachers, superintendents, youth leaders, Christian education board members, choir directors — anyone involved in the nurture and spiritual formation of our young people and youth — is cordially invited to a morning of spirit-refreshing reflections and meditations and an afternoon of pampering and fun to nourish the body. $15 per person. Space is limited, so register early with Greer Stackhouse <greerstackhouse at hotmail.com>.

Partnered in prayer

The archdeaconries in the Diocese of Fredericton are partnered in prayer with parishes in our Companion Diocese of Ho. The rationale for the partnership as well as the list itself is available on this page of the Companion Diocese page of our website.

Respectful Workplaces and Healthy Congregations workshop led by workplace consultant Sally Wells DiCarlo

March 31, 8:30 a.m. at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital in Fredericton. Sponsored by the hospital's Spiritual and Religious Care Department. Registration: general $40; members $30; students $10. Registration information from <spiritual.religious at rvh.nb.ca>.

Anglican House/Ten Thousand Villages

Palms are in stock at Anglican House and will be shipped to parishes that placed orders this week. If your parish does not receive its order by Friday (March 27), please call Anglican House. (506) 693-2295
Ten Thousand Villages has a large, new shipment of giftware— new jewellery, Vietnamese ceramics decorated with dragonflies, garden stones from Indonesia.
116 Princess Street, Saint John, NB
angbk at nbnet.nb.ca

The Companion Diocese Committee seeks volunteers to serve in the Diocese of Ho, Ghana, Africa, for six months (or longer) and encourages deaneries and parishes to raise money to fund this mission effort. Be creative and have fun!

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March 24-25  Pre-ordination retreat at Villa Madonna in Rothesay for transitional deacons to be raised to the priesthood at Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday.

March 26, 7-9:30 p.m.  Saint John Greater Chapter meeting in preparation for Diocesan Synod, St. John the Baptist Church, Millidgeville.

March 28, 4 p.m. Ordination to the priesthood at Christ Church Cathedral of Dick Black, Jasmine Chandra, Michael Caines and Kevin Cross.

March 29, 10:30 a.m. The Puppet Ministry Team of Christ Church (Parish) Church in Fredericton presents The Passion of Christ at the Passion Sunday service. An abridged Morning Prayer will be followed by the puppet presentation. All are welcome.

Mar. 29, 2 p.m. Saint John area Ultreya at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 668 Manawagonish Road. An uplifting afternoon of music, sharing, inspiration and encouragement. Take a friend.

March 29, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Last of a four-week Lenten study series presented by the Rev. Dr. Ross Hebb at St. Peter’s Church hall, 2385 Woodstock Road, Fredericton. Everyone is welcome. This week’s topic: Medley’s Charges of 1880, 1883 and 1886: Lambeth 1888 and the Closing Years.

March 31, 8:30 a. m. Respectful Workplaces and Healthy Congregations workshop led by workplace consultant Sally Wells DiCarlo at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital in Fredericton and sponsored by its Spiritual and Religious Care Department. Registration: general $40; members $30; students $10. Registration information from <spiritual.religious at rvh.nb.ca>.

Visit the Diocesan Web Calendar of Events

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Africa Coordinator inspires Vancouver audience
When Zaida Bastos, PWRDF Program Coordinator for Africa spoke to Christ Church Cathedral and parish gatherings in Vancouver, BC, she earned a glowing response. Peter Goodwin, PWRDF representative in the Diocese of New Westminster, said: “..Those in attendance appeared deeply moved by the personal stories you presented. This provides us with the incentive to go forth in the diocese and share such stories to illustrate the powerful impact that PWRDF funding for programs can have in offering opportunities to individuals and communities to significantly enhance their life circumstances...”

Read more on the PWRDF blog and at justgeneration.ca.

Visit Diocesan PWRDF or PWRDF National

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April 17, 7:30 p.m. The Seven Last Words of Christ, a concert of sacred music and poetic readings in the St. Columba Chapel of the Atlantic School of Theology, Halifax. General admission $20; students, seniors and the unwaged, $10.

April 21, 7:30 p.m. Recital at Christ Church Cathedral in support of Farraline Place featuring Sally Dibblee, Dr. Willis Noble, Dean Keith Joyce, Mr. John Thompson and friends. Admission by donation.

April 25, 10 a.m. Camp Brookwood annual meeting, Trinty Church, Perth-Andover, followed by pot-luck lunch.

April 25, 10 a.m-2 p.m. St. Andrews Greater Chapter meeting in preparation for Diocesan Synod, St. Mark's Church, St. George.

April 26, 7 p. m. Sing Into Spring with Kevin Langford and his Rotary Boy's & Girl's Choirs plus guest soloist Paul Bustin at St. Luke's, Main Street, Saint John. A free-will offering will be collected with 10 per cent going to the Joyce Lumb Music Fund and the remainder to help with St. Luke's finances.

May 12, 7 p.m. Kingston/Kennebecasis Archdeaconry Greater Chapter meeting, St. Augustine's Church, Quispamsis.

Visit the Diocesan Web Calendar of Events

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Job listings for the Canadian church.

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Christians defiant in India's troubled Kandhamal
by Anto Akkara
Ecumenical News International
Mar. 23, 2009

Tiangia, India

Christians in India's troubled Kandhamal district of eastern Orissa say they remain firm in their faith despite being battered by waves of violence in 2008 that displaced 50,000 of them and left 75 dead. Read the story.

Through the valley: Enrique Espinosa Bentancor's long journey
by Henriette Thompson, Anglican Church of Canada

General Synod Web News
Mar. 23, 2009

Henriette Thompson is director of General Synod's Partnerships Department and attended the recent Americas Conference on Mutual Responsibility and Mission. There she had an opportunity to hear and record the story of a fellow delegate, Enrique Espinosa Bentancor.   Read the story.

Anglicans and Lutherans plan joint gathering, consider sharing office space
by Leigh Anne Williams
Anglican Journal
Mar. 21, 2009

The Anglican Church of Canada’s management team met with National Bishop Susan Johnson of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and her senior staff on March 18 and 19 to discuss ways to strengthen the relationship between the two churches, including plans for a joint General Synod/National Convention to be held in Ottawa in 2013 and the possibility of sharing national office space in the future. Read the story.

U.S. Episcopal bishops say church has neglected economic justice
by Chris Herlinger

Ecumenical News International
Mar. 20, 2009

Episcopal bishops in the United States say their church has been too consumed with internal controversies and therefore failed adequately to address economic concerns. "We have often failed to speak a compelling word of commitment to economic justice," the bishops wrote in the letter issued after a March 13 to 18 retreat in North Carolina. Read the story.

Anglican and Lutheran leaders meet in Toronto
by Ali Symons, Anglican Church of Canada

General Synod Web News
Mar. 19, 2009

On March 17 and 18, senior management from the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) met at Church House in Toronto, to discuss cooperation between their churches. Since 2001, the two churches have been in a full communion relationship, which means that confirmations are mutually recognized and clergy can serve at a church of the other denomination.  Read the story.

Kairos urges Canadians to power down for Earth Hour
Anglican Journal
Mar. 18, 2009

What are you doing on March 28 at 8:30 p.m.? Kairos, an ecumenical social justice organization, is calling for Canadians to observe Earth Hour “as a symbolic pause to reflect on our use of fossil fuels, to think about the impact of our activity on people and ecosystems around the world, and most importantly, to pledge to make a difference – as individuals, communities, and as a nation.”  Read the story.

Disagreement over foundation name resolved
by Leigh Anne Williams
Anglican Journal
Mar. 18, 2009

Initially launched in late February as the Canadian Anglican Foundation (CAF), a new foundation that is being created to help fund “traditional” Anglican ministries has been renamed the Cranmer Foundation of Canada (CFoC). The name was changed in response to objections raised by the Anglican Foundation of Canada, an independent body that awards grants and loans to Anglican churches in Canada, provides bursaries to theology students and supports other projects. Because the names were similar, the Anglican Foundation of Canada feared that the public would be confused and would mistake one for the other. Read the story.

Young theologian lives out passion for ecumenism
by Ali Symons, Anglican Church of Canada

General Synod Web News
Mar. 17, 2009

Every six months or so, Natasha Klukach, 32, hops on a plane to go talk about theology somewhere in the world. The Toronto-based Anglican is delighted to serve on the World Council of Churches' (WCC) 30-member standing commission on Faith and Order.  Read the story.

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What's new and updated

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 Did you know?

That the official standard of Christian giving in the Diocese of Fredericton is the Biblical tithe (10% of income)?  The standard was reaffirmed by the Diocesan Council by resolution at a meeting held on 05 November 2008 and recorded in the minutes.

Diocesan Stewardship Committee.

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