Diocesan Council reviews unfinished business in preparation for synod
by Ana Watts
At its meeting in May and in preparation for Synod 2009, Diocesan Council reviewed unfinished business assigned to it by Synod 2007. Archdeacon Geoffrey Hall, secretary of synod as well as executive assistant to the bishop listed the unfinished items for council. A code of pastoral conduct, and the “brutally honest” conversation on issues of marriage and sexuality promised by the bishop, are among the items that require more work. The May meeting of Diocesan Council held at St. Martin’s in the Woods, Shediac Cape, was the last before Synod 2009 next month in Saint John.  Read the story.

Ascension Day Sung Eucharist on May 21 with the bishop at Christ Church Cathedral

Ascension day is one of the principal feast days when a bishop is to celebrate and preach in his cathedral. The service begins at 7:30 p.m. and refreshments will follow. Everyone is welcome.

Synod 2009

Good stewards get the numbers right!
The Gala Banquet with our Primate, Archbishop Fred Hiltz, is one of the highlights of Synod 2009 — and the organizers want everything to be just right, including the number of servings prepared. In order to assist in this stewardship effort, if you are a member of synod and DO NOT PLAN TO ATTEND THE DINNER (your dinner is complimentary), please advise Maureen Vail at the Synod Office  <maureen.vail at anglican.nb.ca> or 459-1801 extension 2. The bishop and his staff sincerely hope you do plan to attend the dinner (the menu is amazing!), but if you don't, they don't want to order portions that will go uneaten and add unnecessarily to the cost of synod. All members and invited guests of synod have a plate reserved for them and do not need a ticket to attend, but everyone is welcome. Tickets for the event — it takes place in the elegant new dining room at Rothesay Netherwood School — are $50 each and available at Anglican House on Princess Street in Saint John and at the Synod Office, Church Street in 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.

Synod 2009 News and Updates
Attention Synod Members
(See definition below*)
Please complete this web form by May 30 if you have food allergies or other special dietary requirements. It will ensure your needs will be met by any provided meal during synod, including the Friday evening banquet.

A poster on the Synod Banquet is available, please print it and post it in your parish.
* Synod members are the officers of the Synod, clergy licensed and resident in the diocese, church army officers licensed and resident in the diocese, and parish elected lay delegates. Members and invited guests will be admitted to the dinner without tickets. Their name tags will indicate their member and guest status. Observers, family or friends of members of Synod and other Anglicans from around the diocese need to purchase tickets in order to attend the dinner.

Visit the Synod 2009 web page

Upcoming Greater Chapter meetings

in preparation for Synod

June 4-6 in Saint John
Fredericton May 19 — St. Mary's, Devon
Moncton May 21 — St. Martin's in the Woods, Shediac Cape.
St. Andrews  May 23 — Church of the Good Shepherd, Saint John West
Chatham May 25 — St. George's, Bathurst
Woodstock May 28 —St. Luke's, Woodstock

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Appointment
Mr. Michael O’Hara is appointed student-in-training in the Parish of Prince William, Dumfries, Queensbury and Southampton, effective May 18, 2009, under the direction of the Ven. Walter Williams.

May Anniversaries
May 20  The Rev. Roy Embley, 50 years Deacon
May 22  The Rev. Lloyd McFarlane, 60 years Deacon
May 23  The Rev. Ted Spencer, 55 years Deacon
May 24  The Ven. Reginald Stockall, 50 years Deacon
May 24  The Rev. David Gray, 45 years Deacon
May 24   The Rev. John Mills, 45 Deacon

The Bishop's 2009 Deanery Visitation Schedule (tentative)
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:

• Human Resources Committee (members)
  
• Investment (sub) Committee (members)
  

Please forward nominations to Nominating Committee chair Julian Dickson <julian.dickson at anglican.nb.ca>.

See a current listing of Diocesan Roles, Elections and Appointments on the diocesan web site.

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RCL Lectionary (Year B)

Sunday, May 24

The seventh Sunday of Easter (White)
Propers 344; Acts 1:15-17, 21-26; Psalm 1; 1 John 5:9-13; John 17:6-19; Preface of the Ascension.

Cycles of Prayer
Ascension Sunday

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

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Atlantic School of Theology Best Practices Institute IV

This year's AST best practices study, Changing Congregational DNA , begins Sept, 17 & 18 with author, speaker and mentor Brian McLaren, author of The Church in Emerging Culture, A Generous Orthodoxy, and Everything Must Change. His books are widely recognized for their role in provoking, inspiring and equipping congregational leaders to reach out and relate the Gospel for people today. Named by Time Magazine as one of the 25 most influential evangelists, he will offer practical, tested strategies for how to effectively share our faith and values with the secular world today. Up to 20 individuals will use this presentation as a jumping off point for an ecumenical, facilitated peer learning cohort and will continue to work with this material from September through June, developing insight and practice, using on-line and face-to-face learning opportunities.
On Sept. 18, from 7 until 9:30 p.m., AST will also present the public presentation More Ready Than You Realize – Evangelism in the Emerging Culture, at St. Andrew's Church in Halifax.
All programs and the presentation are open to ordained and lay congregational leaders. Ideally congregations will consider sending teams to learn together and take their learnings home to share with others.

The Diocesan Resource Centre at Anglican House
This is the month the Diocesan Resource Centre orders new materials (videos, DVDs, CDs, kits and books). If you have read or seen anything recently you think should be in our Resource Centre collection, if you would like something in a certain subject area, or if you have heard of a good Bible study or children's resource we do not yet have, please contact Archdeacon Patricia Drummond <patd at nb.anglican.ca> by May 22.

Missing Resource Materials
There are a number of items missing from our Diocesan Resource Centre. They have been borrowed and not returned. There are no fines, and the centre would really appreciate it if you could return what you have borrowed so that others may enjoy them. Resources returned by mail should be addressed to 116 Princess Street, Saint John, E2L 1K4.



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May 19, 7 p.m.  Fredericton Archdeaconry Greater Chapter meeting, St. Mary's, Devon.

May 20, 11 a.m. Nominating Committee, Synod Office board room and teleconference.

May 21, 1 p.m.  Communications Committee, Synod Office board room.

May 21, 7:30 p.m. Ascension Day service with Bishop Claude Miller at Christ Church Cathedral, Fredericton.

May 21, 7 p.m. Archdeaconry of Moncton Greater Chapter meeting on Ascension Day beginning with Evensong at St. Martin's in the Woods, Shediac Cape.

May 22-24 ACPO Canada (Advisory Committee on Postulants for Ordination Ecclesiastical Province of Canada, Halifax.

May 23 10 a.m-2 p.m. St. Andrews Archdeaconry Greater Chapter meeting in preparation for Diocesan Synod, Church of the Good Shepherd, Saint John West. Clergy, wardens, treasurers, synod delegates and alternates are encouraged to attend in order to prepare for synod in June. Lunch will be provided.

May 25, 6:30 p.m. Chatham Archdeaconry Greater Chapter, St. George's, Bathurst.

May 26, 10:30 a.m. Bishop's Counsel, Parish of New Bandon.

Visit the Diocesan Web Calendar of Events

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'Finding Abundance' poverty justice camp to be held in Halifax August 9 — 15.
Justice camps are week-long immersion experiences focusing on a specific justice issue in the light of Bible study and prayer. They're an initiative of the Partners in Mission and Ecojustice Committee of The Anglican Church of Canada, but are locally led. PWRDF is part of planning the camp through its Public Engagement team and will also cover the costs for some participants. Each camp integrates hands-on experience and includes a mix of ages, of men and women, of locals and out-of-towners. We are encouraging PWRDF volunteers of all ages to attend this and can provide some funding. If you are seeking funding please contact Simon Chambers <schambers at pwrdf.org> Registration deadline June 12.

More PWRDF links

PWRDF blog

justgeneration.ca.

Diocesan PWRDF

PWRDF National

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May 28, 6:30 p.m. Woodstock Archdeaconry Greater Chapter meeting, St. Luke's, Woodstock. Refreshments served at 6:30, meeting begins at 7.

May 29, 30, 31 Cursillo Revista with Cursillesta Bishop Bill Hockin at the Saint Thomas University Conference Center, Fredericton. Theme — Connecting in a Disconnecting World— Revisit the joy and inspiration of your Cursillo weekend. Registration, accommodation, & meals – $90.00 per person. For information contact Allen Gilliss at <aandh at nb.sympatico.ca>.

May 30, 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. PRISM (Prevention and Responses Involving Sexual Misconduct) workshop at St. John the Baptist, Riverview. This is a presentation of critical information on the diocesan policy on Sexual Misconduct. All those employed by or in leadership positions in the Anglican Church in New Brunswick, including members of synod, are required to complete this course. Register here.

May 30, 4, 5:15 and 6:30 p.m. Salmon barbecue supper at All Saint’s Church, Crock’s Point Road in Keswick Ridge outside Fredericton — salmon, baked potatoes, fresh fiddleheads, baby carrots, dessert, coffee, tea and roast beef for those who prefer it to salmon. Reservations required and take-outs available, call Lois Poore, 363-4229 or Eugene Price 363-4463. $13 per person, half-portion for children under 12, $6. Craft and bake tables on site.

June 13 , 4:30 p.m.  Spaghetti dinner at Christ Church (Parish) Church, Charlotte & Westmorland Streets, Fredericton. Get tickets at the church office (451-0630), $6 per person, $15 per family, children under six free. Dinner includes spaghetti/sauce/cheese, salad, garlic bread, desserts, tea, coffee.

Visit the Diocesan Web Calendar of Events

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Diocesan Resource Centre
The Diocesan Resource Centre, located in Anglican House, Saint John, seeks a student who just finished grade 12 or is in university, to work the 10-week period from June 1— Aug. 31. The successful applicant will be familiar with computers, interested in learning how to catalogue and process resource materials, as well as interested in the operation of a retail store. The successful student will be employed under a federal grant and paid $8.50 per hour.
Please submit resumes to <patricia.drummond at anglican.nb.ca> by May 29.

Diocese of Edmonton
The Bishop of Edmonton seeks a rector for the Parish of St. Mary in the city of Edmonton. For information and a parish profile contact Bishop Jane Alexander <bishop at edmonton.anglican.ca>. Applications, accepted until June 5, should include a response to the profile and a curriculum vitae.

Diocese of Qu'Appelle
The Bishop of Qu'Appelle seeks a full time incumbent for St. Luke's Church in Regina. A detailed parish profile will be sent upon application to Bishop Grergory Kerr-Wilson <bpgregory at sasktel.net>. Deadline for applications in June 30.


Job listings for the Canadian church.

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Diocese of Huron moves toward same-sex blessings but not nuptial
by Leigh Anne Williams
Anglican Journal
May 25, 2009
Bishop Robert Bennett of the diocese of Huron has asked a committee to begin to develop liturgies for a celebratory eucharist and prayers for same-gender couples, but the service will not provide a nuptial blessing. He announced the plan, which closely resembles an approach previously chosen by bishops in the diocese of Toronto, at the start of the Huron diocesan synod (annual meeting) taking place from May 24 to 26 in London, Ont.  Read the story.

Anglican Journal wins 11 awards at Canadian Church Press convention
Anglican Journal
May 16, 2009

Winnipeg: The Anglican Journal won 11 awards at this year’s Canadian Church Press (CCP) convention held here from May 14 – 16. The Journal received five first place awards, including one for general excellence in the newspaper category in 2008. “The Anglican Journal takes readers to places they wouldn’t otherwise know about. It is a well-written, thought-provoking newspaper. Its letters pages indicate that readers are fully engaged and willing to speak out on important issues,” the judge commented. Read the story.

Canadian delegates to ACC hopeful about future of Anglican Communion
by Marites N. Sison
Anglican Journal
May 15, 2009
Kingston, Jamaica: Canadian delegates to the 14th Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) echoed sentiments of hope and optimism expressed by other attendees, although tempered by the fact that despite a good meeting, issues related to human sexuality remain on the table for the Anglican Communion. Read the story.

Bishop’s ministry spans Cuba, Uruguay, and Canada
by Ali Symons
General Synod Feature
May 15, 2009

Bishop Miguel Tamayo Zaldívar has worn many hats—and at least two different mitres—in the Anglican Communion. The bishop of both Uruguay and Cuba was in Toronto, Ont. from May 11 to 15 with his wife, the Rev. Martha López, to receive an honorary doctorate from Trinity College and also to connect with his many Canadian partners.  Read the story.

Focus on real issues, says Anglican bound for Zimbabwe 'hot seat'
by Trevor Grundy
Ecumenical News International
May 13, 2009

Canterbury, England: The Rev. Chad Nicholas Gandiya believes he might acquire a "crown of thorns" when he is confirmed as the new Bishop of Harare by the Church of the Province of Central Africa next month. Yet he believes that if all Anglicans pray for him he can succeed. Read the story.

'We go home with hope'
ACC ends meeting on positive note
by Marites N. Sison
Anglican Journal
May 12, 2009

Spanish Town, Jamaica: In what was a fitting end to what has been summed up to be a “hopeful” meeting delegates to the 14th Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) worshipped at a closing eucharist at St. Catherine’s Cathedral, said to be the oldest Anglican cathedral outside of the British Isles. Read the story.

ACC delegates end meeting ‘more hopeful’ for future, says Williams
by Marites N. Sison
Anglican Journal
May 12, 2009
Kingston, Jamaica: While it “hasn’t necessarily dealt with the problems of the Anglican Communion once and for all,” the 14th Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) meeting has enabled members to “build solid relationships with the local church and with one another,” Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams said on May 12, the final day of the 12-day council meeting. Read the story.

Native activist Gladys Cook dies
Anglican Journal
May 12, 2009
Gladys Cook, who helped many native people as a counsellor and touched the lives of many more people throughout Canada by courageously being among the first to speak publicly about the abuse she and other native people suffered as children in Indian Residential Schools, died on May 9 at the age of 79 in Portage la Prairie, Man. Read the story.

Council of General Synod received enough funds for spring meeting
by Leigh Anne Willliams
Anglican Journal
May 12, 2009

Mississauga, Ont.: All of the money required to cover the cost of the May 8 -10 meeting of Council of General Synod (C0GS) came together, according to Archdeacon Michael Pollesel, general-secretary of the Anglican Church of Canada. The bulk of the money came from the dioceses with the remainder reallocated from the general secretary’s departmental budget as well as from contributions from two provinces, groups and individual members of CoGS.  Read the story.

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What's new and updated

Praying with our Partners: May 31-Aug 30

Mission & Justice news - Sichuan Rebuilds: a report from The Amity Foundation

Updated: Ecumenical Shared Ministries Handbook

VISION 2019: TELL US YOUR STORY John D., Cowichan Bay, BC

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"We have two great spiritual needs. One is for forgiveness. The other is for goodness. If you could gain everything in the whole world, and lost your soul, would it be worth it? "

Billy Graham

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The parable of the parsimonious painter

A painter interested in saving a penny where he could often thinned down his paint to make it go further. He got away with this for some time. When a big church in town decided to undertake some major restoration work on the outside of one of its biggest buildings, he put in a bid. Because his price was so low, he got the job. 
So he erected scaffolding, set in the planks, bought the paint and, of course, thinned it down with turpentine.
When the painter was atop the scaffolding and the job was nearly complete, there was sudden clap of thunder. The sky opened and the rain poured down, washing the thinned paint from all over the church and knocking the painter off the scaffold. He landed in the churchyard among the tombstones, surrounded by telltale puddles of the thinned and useless paint. 
The painter was no fool and knew this was judgment from the Almighty, so he got down on his knees and cried: "Oh, God, forgive me; what should I do?"
From the thunder, a mighty voice replied "Repaint! Repaint! And thin no more!"

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