Please respect Holy Week, do not schedule meetings  March 28 through April 4.

Condolences:

To the Rev. Alan Tapley on the death of his brother, Gerald (Jerry) McKenzie;
To the Rev. Arnold and Margaret (Peggy) Godsoe on the death of Peggy's mother, Barbara Poole Jaques.

Richards to deliver convocation address
Renowned Canadian writer David Richards of Fredericton will deliver the convocation address at the Atlantic School of Thrology on May 1, 11 a.m. The event takes place at the Cathedral Church of All Saints, 1340 Tower Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Parish Returns

2009 Parish Return and 2010 Officers and Contacts working forms have been posted to the Diocesan web site, available for download as a package or as separate files in PDF format. Please remember that Returns are due by 15 March 2010. Visit the Diocesan Information Managment System (DIMS) login page for those links.

View An up-to-date list of diocesan 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 positions:

• Investment sub-committee (one member)

• Human Resources Committee (one lay position)
• Nominating Committee Member (one lay and one cleric)

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

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RCL Lectionary (Year B)

Sunday, Feb. 28

The Second Sunday in Lent (Violet)
Propers 288; Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18; Psalm 27; Philippians 3:17 — 4:1; Luke 13:31-35; OR Luke 9:28-36; Preface of Lent.

Cycles of Prayer
Pray for the Church of England, the Most Rev. Rowan Douglas Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury.

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

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Diocesan Resource Centre
The Resource Centre at Anglican House in Saint John has applied again for a grant to employ a summer student and is now ordering materials for processing during the summer. If there are any items you think would be useful for the Resource Centre collection (DVDs, CDs, kits or printed material) please contact Archdeacon Pat Drummond <patd at nb.sympatico.ca> by March 7. 

The Anglican Pilgrimage June 11-25, 2010
Every summer Canterbury Cathedral invites ordinands and newly ordained clergy from around the Anglican Communion to share their lives together, praying, studying and exchanging experiences and ideas. Guided by an international faculty, students live in the International Study Centre at Canterbury. They join the Cathedral community’s daily life which is centred on daily worship. Details and an application form are available on-line.

Knit together in one communion: Anglican Identity and the Challenge of Diversity
Is the topic of discussion for
The 2010 Atlantic Theological Conference
to be held in Moncton
Sunday evening, May 30 through Wednesday noon, June 2
Details

Rest and Relaxation in Beautiful Gaspé
The congregation at Malbay in the Greater Parish of Gaspé welcomes clergy and lay professionals in the church (and other churches and faith groups) to enjoy their ministry of hospitality. For a recommended donation of $600 per week in July and August, $500 per week in the rest of the year, they offer their lovely, well-furnished and equipped rectory as a place of relaxation for the busy cleric and his or her family or friends. Contact Sandra Leggo <sleggo at globetrotter.net>.

The 2010 National Worship Conference
Taking Care of the Neighbourhood: Worship as Public Work for the Common Good

Jointly sponsored by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and the Anglican Church of Canada.

July 4-7, Vancouver School of Theology, UBC campus.
Speakers include Distinguished Theologian in Residence Dr. Sallie McFague of VST, and award-winning religion columnist Douglas Todd. The event will also feature insightful workshops and inspiring worship. Deadline for early-bird registration is March 15. More information and registration procedures here.

Teens Encounter Christ
Applications available now for

TEC 18, May 22-24.
Space is limited so register early
More info from the TEC registrar <4bents at nb.sympatico.ca>

Community Justice Camp
For adults 18 years and older
Live the change you want to see
Hosted by Diocese of Niagara, Hamilton, Ontario
May 9-14, 2010

Empty Vessels Enough for All
PWRDF Quiet Day
A day to replenish the soul
March 20, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
St. Peter's Church, Parish of Upham
Registration $20 (limited to 30 participants)
Bursaries available
Free will offering for Haiti Relief

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Feb. 24, 11 a.m.  Nominating Committee, Synod Office boardroom, Fredericton.

Feb. 25, 10 a.m. Diocesan Stewardship Team, Synod Office boardroom and teleconference.

Feb. 27, 4 p.m.  Contemporary Service, Christ Church (Parish) Church, Fredericton.

Feb. 26, 7 p.m. Stations of the Cross each Friday in Lent, St. Mary's, York, McEvoy Street, Fredericton.

March 1, 12:15 - 1 p.m. Seasons for the Soul, Lenten Talks 2010, with Bishop Bill Hockin and Dr. Barry Craig, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Fredericton. Today's talk is Summer — When Having Everything is Not Enough.

March 1, 4 p.m. Companioned Spiritual Formation, Synod Office, Fredericton.

March 2, 4:30 p.m. Finance Committee, Synod Office boardroom, Fredericton.

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Empty Vessels Enough for All
PWRDF Quiet Day
A day to replenish the soul
March 20, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
St. Peter's Church, Parish of Upham
Registration $20 (limited to 30 participants)
Bursaries available
Free will offering for Haiti Relief

Visit the Diocesan PWRDF or PWRDF National

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Feb. 26, 7 p.m. Stations of the Cross each Friday in Lent, St. Mary's, York, McEvoy Street, Fredericton.

March 1, 12:15 - 1 p.m. Seasons for the Soul, Lenten Talks 2010, with Bishop Bill Hockin and Dr. Barry Craig, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Fredericton. Today's talk is Summer — When Having Everything is Not Enough.

March 5, 7 p.m. Stations of the Cross each Friday in Lent, St. Mary's, York, McEvoy Street, Fredericton.

March 5-7, Work and Creativity Retreat led by retired Bishop Bill Hockin at Villa Madonna, Rothesay. Registration $168 single, $248 double, contact Canon John Cathcart <john.cathcart at anglican.nb.ca>. Bursaries are available (contact Canon Neville Cheeseman <neville.cheeseman at nb.sympatico.ca>.

March 8, 12:15 - 1 p.m. Seasons for the Soul, Lenten Talks 2010, with Bishop Bill Hockin and Dr. Barry Craig, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Fredericton. Today's talk is Autumn — When We Let Go and Let God.

March 12 , 7 p.m. Stations of the Cross each Friday in Lent, St. Mary's, York, McEvoy Street, Fredericton.

March 15, 12:15 - 1 p.m. Seasons for the Soul, Lenten Talks 2010, with Bishop Bill Hockin and Dr. Barry Craig, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Fredericton. Today's talk is Winter — When Only God's Grace Can Grow.

March 19, 7 p.m. Stations of the Cross each Friday in Lent, St. Mary's, York, McEvoy Street, Fredericton.

March 20, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Empty Vessels Enough for All. A day to replenish the soul of special interest to PWRDF representatives and friends as well as anyone else committed to mission and justice. St. Peter's Church, Parish of Upham.

March 20, 10 a.m. Mothers' Union Diocesan Council, St. George's Church, Parish of Carleton, Saint John.

March 22, 12:15 - 1 p.m. Seasons for the Soul, Lenten Talks 2010, with Bishop Bill Hockin and Dr. Barry Craig, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Fredericton. Today's talk is Spring — When Long Days of Loss Give Way to Hope.

March 26, 7 p.m. Stations of the Cross each Friday in Lent, St. Mary's, York, McEvoy Street, Fredericton.

April 2, 7 p.m. Stations of the Cross, St. Mary's, York, McEvoy Street, Fredericton.

April 20-22, 2010, Clergy Spouse's Conference, Villa Madonna in Rothesay. Tuesday evening: Diocese of Ho presentation by Heather Miller and the Rev. Jasmine Chandra; Wednesday, counselor Judith Davids; Thursday, Archbishop Claude Miller. (If clergy spouse mailing address has changed in the past year, please notify Carol Anningson <evangel at nbnet.nb.ca>.

May 1, 11 a.m. Atlantic School of Theology Convocation at The Cathedral Church of All Saints, 1340 Tower Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Renowned Canadian writer David Adams Richards of Fredericton will deliver the convocation address.

May 15, 10 a.m. Mothers' Union Diocesan Rally, St. Mary & St. Bartholomew, Saint John.

May 20 — June 2  2010 Atlantic Theological Conference, Moncton, will focus on "Knit together in one communion: Anglican Identity and the Challenge of Diversity."

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Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island
Bishop Sue Moxley, Diocese of Nova Scotia and PEI seeks a half-time rector for the Parish of Northumberland (formerly Pugwash & River John), N.S. The Parish Profile is on file with the Bishops’ Office and may be reviewed by any prospective applicant.  To be considered for this position, obtain the parish profile and application from Kelly Appleton at <bishopsoffice at nspeidiocese.ca> Application deadline March 5.

Rupert's Land
The Bishop of Rupert's Land seeks a full-time priest for the Parish of St. Bartholomew in Winnipeg. A complete parish profile and application information are available from <ssuppes at rupertsland.anglican.ca>. Deadline for applications is March 5.

Job listings for the Canadian church.

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African churches use mobile phone to ring up growth in members
by Fredrick Nzwili
Ecumenical News International
Feb. 22, 2010
Nairobi: A mobile phone suspended on a belt round the waist or from the neck is a common sight among members of church congregations in Africa. Now, church leaders are heaping praise on mobile phones, sometimes called cell phones, because they say the instruments help congregations grow. Mobile phone use increased rapidly in Africa about 10 years ago. At that time, however, some Christians on the continent criticised the phones for being "marks of materialism." Now, that has changed. Read the story.

Only 5 of top 25 US churches report membership growth
by Kimberlee Hauss
Ecumenical News International
Feb. 18, 2010
U.S. membership has increased in the Roman Catholic Church - the nation's largest Christian body - but the No. 2 Southern Baptist Convention, along with most traditional Protestant denominations, reported continuing decline, according to new figures released by the National Council of Churches.  Read the story.

Christians begin Lent pondering how they can act for others
by Peter Kenny
Ecumenical News International
Feb. 17, 2010
Geneva: Christians observing the Lenten time of sacrifice are being urged to engage in acts that enable a better sharing of world resources. Eastern Orthodox churches began Lent on Great Monday, two days before Western Christians on Ash Wednesday, Feb.17. It is a 40-day period inspired by the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, a story shared in the Bible's New Testament. Read the story.

Lent: A time to take stock, get back on track
by Marites N. Sison
Anglican Journal
Feb. 16, 2010
By the ash on their foreheads will most Christians around the world acknowledge their faith on Feb. 17, Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. There are about two billion Christians around the world, but not all celebrate Ash Wednesday and/or Lent. Those who do will receive the imposition of ashes, as it has come to be known, from a priest who traces the sign of the cross on their foreheads with ash and says, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” The ash is meant to symbolize mourning and penitence. The ashes are palms kept from the previous Palm Sunday which are burned and mixed with anointing oil.  Read the story.

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For Lent, pray at your laptop (An on-line prayer resource)

Report of the National Gathering on Theological Education...

Accountability (From Ministry Matters)

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Matthew 16:24-27
(Cf Mark 8:34-9:1; Luke 9:23-27)

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?”

From the Ven. John M. Robertson, National Gift Planning Officer,

Department of Philanthropy, Anglican Church of Canada

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A monastery had a beautiful garden enjoyed year after year by monks and bees alike. The new young new monks, however, felt they had no time for gardening, they were too busy with more important things. The garden gradually became an overgrown mess.
The chief gardener surveyed his once beautiful garden with sorrow. A passing bee saw how sad he was and asked him what was wrong.
“Well,” said the monk, “there are very few flowers left in our garden for you to enjoy and I regret to have to say that the Rabbi’s garden down the road has much bigger and sweeter-smelling flowers for your enjoyment.”
“Oh thank you,” said the bee. “I’ll go there tomorrow and come back to let you know how I find it.”
The next evening, as the monk sat on his favorite bench in the overgrown garden, in buzzed the bee — wearing a yarmulke on his head!
“Good gracious!” exclaimed the monk. “Have you converted for the sake of a better garden?”
“Oh no” said the bee. “But while I was among strangers I didn't want anyone to think I was a WASP!”

“From Ralph Milton's RUMORS, a free Internet ‘e-zine’ for Christians with a sense of humor."
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