Thursday, June 10th - Covid 19 Update with Dr. Strang/Virtual Appointments

Friday, June 11th – Virtual Installation of Archdeacons & Canons in the Cathedral Church of All Saints/Appointments in office/CAPP event (online)

Saturday, June 12th  – Licensed Lay Ministers Annual Meeting (Virtual)

Sunday, June 13th   - Virtual Parish Visits

Monday, June 14th  – Preparation for Provincial Synod

Tuesday, June 15th  – Office Tasks/Meetings

Wednesday, June 16th  – Reading/writing

Join us on the Cathedral Church of All Saints Facebook page or YouTube channel as we celebrate the Feast Day of St. Barnabas with a virtual service to recognize shared ministry in our Diocese. In particular we will recognize the ministries of our Archdeacons and new Honorary Canons of the Cathedral Church of All Saints (noted below), who will be officially installed at this time. St. Barnabas is recognized as a peacemaker and mediator, symbolized by an olive branch, and is often invoked against hailstorms - which makes him a great Maritime saint! 

Please keep our Archdeacons and Honorary Canons in your prayers as they are officially welcomed into these offices on our behalf: Prince Edward Island - Archdeacon John Clarke; Cape Breton and Northumbria - Archdeacon Susan Slater; Eastern Shore - Archdeacon Marilyn Newport; Dartmouth - Archdeacon Katherine Bourbonniere; Chebucto - Archdeacon Paul Smith; Fort Sackville - Archdeacon Tammy Hodge; Valley - Archdeacon Tom Henderson; South Shore - Archdeacon Simon Davies; Chignecto - Archdeacon Glenn Eason; the Reverend Canon Brenda Drake, the Reverend Canon Dr. Paul Friesen and the Reverend Canon Lisa Vaughn. 

This service will be recorded so if you’re unable to join us on Friday, consider tuning in at a later date and time.

Since the discovery of the remains of 215 children in unmarked graves at the Kamloops Indian Residential School there have been questions about what the Anglican Church of Canada has done in response to the Calls to Action by the National Truth & Reconciliation Commission. There have also been questions about whether our National Church and dioceses are assisting in the work of making records available to indigenous leaders and communities so that other sites which may contain the remains of children who died at residential schools may be identified. I share with you part of a message from our Primate, Archbishop Linda Nicholls to the House of Bishops this week:

“We, of course, have much more to do to fulfill the TRC Calls to Action and are committed to that work, but we also need to keep our Church informed about work underway already.   

The apologies of 1993 and 2019 are available on the national church website. There is ongoing work to make the Apology for Spiritual Harm available in Indigenous translations, just as the first apology has been translated (see: https://www.anglican.ca/tr/apology/). 

Documents in the national archives related to Anglican residential schools have all been copied and transferred to the Truth & Reconciliation Centre in Winnipeg. It is my understanding that all diocesan archives have also been transferred as required.   

The national archivist, Laurel Parson, is committed to decolonizing the archives by including the original Indigenous names for places and people wherever possible. She spoke to (the Council of General Synod) in 2020 about that work and it was covered in The Journal at that time - here.

We are committed to the work of exploring the archives and burial records available in light of the list of missing children to find any references that would help with identification. All of this work must be done in collaboration with Indigenous people to set the parameters with sensitivity. I trust that diocesan archives will consider similar searches. There may be grants available through your province or territory to assist with the human resources needed to do this. In Ontario the student summer grants program often helps the national archives complete projects.   

I trust we are listening to the voices of Indigenous communities to walk with them in other actions needed. Anglican residential schools surely have similar unmarked sites and it is critical that we share in the responsibility to uncover as much of information and truth as is possible in coming months and years.  

Please keep Archbishop Mark MacDonald and the Indigenous leaders – bishops, ACIP, Dawn Maracle and the suicide prevention workers and all Indigenous clergy – all in your prayers.   They are bearing the burden of the pain felt by so many in the reopening of the wounds of residential schools. With the death of (Indigenous Ministries Coordinator) Canon Ginny Doctor, and (Reconciliation Animator) Melanie Delva on leave, the leaders are under significant stress.” – Archbishop Linda Nicholls

Thank you for your continued prayers and concern for our indigenous brothers and sisters, siblings and relatives, and your desire for action. We will continue to reach out to indigenous leaders to ask how we may further the work of the TRC in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island and walk with them “in peace and friendship.” – Bishop Sandra

Financial Director & Executive Director (HR & Governance)

Further to last week's announcement, we have now placed ads on our Diocesan website and the National Church website for the positions of Financial Controller and Executive Director (HR & Governance). We hope to attract excellent candidates for these positions and would appreciate your help in distributing the ads to your family, friends, and networks. The position ads can be found at here.

PEI:

PEI’s Moving Forward plan began with Step 1 on June 6, 2021. See details here: Moving Forward Step 1 | Government of Prince Edward Island. These measures are in effect until June 27 or until otherwise stated. This includes a new gathering guidance. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Public Health or reach out to us at bishopsoffice@nspeidiocese.ca and we’ll try to help.  

NS:

NS’s Re-opening plan began on June 2nd and includes five phases. We are still in phase 1. See details here:NS Reopening - Phase One  If you have questions or concerns, please contact Public Health or reach out to us at bishopsoffice@nspeidiocese.ca and we’ll try to help. You can find the full reopening plan here:  Reopening plan - Government of Nova Scotia, Canada.

Summer Celebrating Pride

June is PRIDE month, but some communities observe this festive time in July and August too. Parish leaders can invite, embrace and celebrate our LGBTQ2+ family members, supporters and allies, incorporating special prayers and other acknowledgements during worship. Explore a variety of resources on our Diocesan page, link is below. (Scroll down) 

National Indigenous History Month

A variety of resources for worship, small group discussion and education are available related to National Indigenous History Month.  As well June 21 is National Indigenous People's Day, which is often acknowledged on the Sunday before, June 20.  Explore a variety of resources on our Diocesan page, link is below.

Diocesan Council met on Friday June 4 and Saturday June 5.  We met via Zoom owing to the continuing restrictions on travel between Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, and the ongoing restrictions in Nova Scotia.  

Bishop Sandra reported on the work she has been doing since our last meeting in April.  In May she was able to attend the College for Bishops, which is a three year educational program offered by the Episcopal Church of the United States.  She has been visiting parishes virtually, often by tuning into online worship.  This has been a good way for her to engage with a lot of different parishes.  She also offered a sermon for Trinity Sunday, which was pre-recorded.  She continues to meet with different VSSTs, and familiarize herself with their work.  She also continues to meet with the various Regional Councils.  

Bishop Sandra updated the Council on some staffing changes. Peter Flemming has come back as the Interim Controller.  The job postings for Executive Director and Controller have been posted, and applications are being reviewed as they come in.

Staff Reports

Allie Colp the Youth and Family Ministry Coordinator reported to Council that her work is going well.  The YFM VSST is running again with a new chair, the Rev. Kristin MacKenzie.  Allie has been working to create online courses for youth ministry leaders.  

Frances Drolet-Smith, the Vocations Coordinator, reported to Council that she continues to be busy in her work. She continues to work with ordinands and postulants and those who are discerning their vocation.  She is also working with Lisa Vaughn on how to help areas of the diocese where there are few clergy or lay leaders over a large geographic area.

Lisa Vaughn, the Parish Vitality Coordinator, reported that her work is going well.  She continues to be involved with a podcast she co-hosts, Pew and Beyond.  She is also involved in many conversations at the diocesan, provincial and national levels about the future of the church, and creative forms of church.  The Connectors Three, the missional cohort group continues to meet, and are beginning to take their first missional steps into their neighbourhoods.

Laurie Omstead, the Diocesan Coordinating Chaplain reported on her work.  She generally reports to Council once a year.  Since she began her work, she has been very busy.  As the only Anglican Chaplain, she covers several facilities.  Working in hospitals during a pandemic is busy and stressful, and there are a lot of extra steps and procedures to follow to be able to see patients.  However the work is important, and rewarding in its own way.  

VSST Reports

Kristin Mackenzie reported on behalf of the Youth and Family Ministry VSST.  The Diocesan Youth Conference is happening this summer (August 20-22) in order to coincide with the Canadian Anglican Youth Gathering (CLAY).  CLAY is being offered online this summer, and DYC will incorporate that.  The Connect group is continuing to work on the online courses for youth ministry.  There is a group that is working on ways to help parishes welcome families.  The VSST and Allie are working on developing a Youth Leadership Project.

The MOST VSST did not submit a report, however a subgroup, the Diocesan Environment Network did. They updated council via a written report on the work they have been doing. In response to a request Council passed a motion “that Diocesan Council continues to endorse the Diocesan Environment Network in its ongoing efforts to stand in solidarity with Mi'kmaw communities as they work out how to implement their right to a moderate livelihood fishery.” 

The Creating Missional Communities VSST gave an oral report, updating Council on what they have been working on. They are open to new members joining this important VSST. 

The Financial Management and Development VSST gave their report in two parts. On Friday night, Council heard from the Audit Subcommittee. Ted Johnson reported that the Audit process went smoothly, although it was impacted by the lockdown restrictions. There were no issues discovered as a part of the Audit. 

On Saturday Matthew Sponagle reported about the rest of the work of FMD. They had a discussion about the state of offering in the various parishes represented at the meeting. People in this diocese still prefer their Diocesan Times in a printed version, and this will continue for the time being. 

John Morrell reported for the Human Resources VSST. He presented, and Council approved with some comments, a list of Tasks and Responsibilities for parishes. This document seeks to outline various tasks that parishes have to complete, and help parishes assign responsibility for those tasks.      

St. Augustine’s, Jollimore, Nova Scotia

The Reverend  David Greenwood,  Priest-in-Charge  

Falkland and Purcell’s Cove, Nova Scotia

The Reverend Dr. Helen Ryding, Priest-in-Charge, and David Lyttle              

St. Philip’s, Purcell’s Cove            

St. James’, Herring Cove  

For details or a zoom event please email prayasyoucan3@gmail.com

Check out our exciting new program!
Empowered Communication:
Speaking your truth with compassion 

Please see the link below for details and registration.

Dear friends,

I hope you are all well and enjoying some beautiful summer weather. That is what is happening for us in Ontario.

We are excited to tell you that PWRDF will be once again participating in the Ride for Refuge, and “Ride Freestyle” is back. In 2020, we had our most successful campaign ever, thanks to your creativity and amazing fundraising efforts, raising over $44,000. This year’s goal is an ambitious $40,000 and we know you are up for it. We are raising funds for the “Light for Every Birth” project, in which 50 solar suitcases will be provided for health clinics in Mozambique, allowing for safer births at night, in areas without power.

Please see the website link below.

Plans for this year's Diocesan Youth Conference are coming together quickly - we'll soon be able to tell you all the details, but for now we know for sure that our numbers will be limited. So - if you'd like to make sure you get a spot, fill out pre-registration here! DYC is for youth in grade 7 to 12. 

Read the May/June edition here.

Supporting Parents: Stories That Matter

Making a contribution to the Diocesan Anglican Church Women Board’s Annual Project, Supporting Parents: Stories That Matter, is a small but significant step in responding to the Call to Action of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission regarding culturally relevant parenting support. The importance of such support is magnified with the devastating discovery of the burial site of 215 children who did not survive the Kamloops Residential School. Cheques for Supporting Parents: Stories That Matter are payable to the Anglican Church Women Board, Annual Project in the memo line, and mailed to Marjorie Davis, 204 - 111 Pebblecreek Drive, Dartmouth, NS B2W 0L1. 

Say Yes! to Kids

The Environment Network Diocese of NS & PEI team for Say Yes! to Kids is delighted to be close to $3,000 of its $5,000 goal - the team thanks all contributors. Joining the other teams across Canada, we have helped the Say Yes! to Kids Campaign reach the $25,000 mark - then the matching donor doubled that amount! Now we are close to $57,000 raised! Take advantage of World Environment Day on June 5 to do a litter pick-up and have your family, friends, and colleagues support your efforts. Or go for a beach clean-up on World Oceans Day on June 8. Share your success on Facebook. Joining the diocesan team and/or making a contribution is easy at: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/the-anglican-foundation-of-canada/p2p/say-yes-to-kids/team/environment-network/ Or send a cheque payable to the Anglican Foundation, Say Yes! to Kids in the memo line, addressed to the Anglican Foundation of Canada, 80 Hayden Street, Toronto, ON M4Y 3G2. Help our diocesan team reach its goal! 

View the latest newsletter here.

Due to the circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Atlantic Theological Conference that was planned for June 2020 is now taking place June 23 - 25, 2021. The conference will take place in person at St. George’s Round Church in Halifax, Nova Scotia, if Public Health restrictions allow for such gatherings at that time.  The conference will also be broadcast over Zoom for those not attending in person. There is no cost for attending the 2021 ATC.

For information on this month's activities at the Cathedral Church of All Saints, click the EVENTS tab on the website: www.cathedralchurchofallsaints.com

Diocesan Heating Oil Program

The Diocese of NS and PEI Heating Oil Program with Irving Oil offers Churches of the Diocese and eligible Diocesan Clergy and Diocesan Staff a discounted rate based on non-profit status. This rate is not offered to individual Anglican parishioners. For more information, please contact: The Centralized Commercial Account Manager for the Diocesan Heating Oil Program, Ms. Jennifer Bishop by name at 1-888-310-1924 or by email at Jennifer.Bishop@IrvingOil.com

The Furnace Oil price for the period June 5-11,2021,  for: 

Nova Scotia                     $0.7396 plus applicable taxes

Prince Edward Island        $0.7249 plus applicable taxes