SCHEDULE

Thursday September 7 – Vacation

Friday September 8 – Meeting with Executive Secretary of Synod, Institution and gathering for newly appointed clergy with Synod and Cathedral Office Staff.

Sunday September 10 – Celebration of New Ministry for Rev. Paul Jennings, Rector of the Parish of Digby in Ecumenical Shared Ministry with Rivers of Grace Pastoral Charge (United Church) 3:00 pm.

Monday September 11 – Day Off

Tuesday September 12 – Diocesan Council preparation

Wednesday September 13 – Staff Meeting/Lunch & Leadership Team Meeting

Church ministry can flourish with a congregation that's made up of mainly older adults. Newly retired folks and seniors in all stages of life, have something to offer the present and future church. Faith communities can grow and support younger members with a healthy approach to reaching and engaging seniors. Read more in the article, 5 Principles for Pastoring a Vibrant Older Congregation, by Karl Vaters. 

This fall the Youth and Family Ministry VSST plans on launching a series of Inspired Faith zoom cafe's; where those who are working/volunteering with our future generations of the church can have a chance to gather together digitally, share resources and ideas about what is working for them, have fellowship between peers and leaders within their own region, and be encouraged and supported by one another in their ministries.

Our first gathering is September 22nd, at 6:30 pm Inspired Faith: Empowering Leadership in Youth. This will be a chance for all youth group leaders, youth choir leaders, youth camp organizers, mature youth leaders, DYC team members, or even those who are interested in furthering youth ministry in their parish communities/ connecting with teens and young adults in their neighborhoods. This is a chance to join together in an ecumenical setting to share resources and ideas and support one another in how we're working in this ministry. If your parish has someone working with youth or has an interest in further engaging with youth and would like to come hear the ideas of what other parishes and communities are doing, please contact youthandfamily@nspeidiocese.ca for more details or sign up to join our zoom call with the link below. 

Lord, all things come from you,  

and of your own have we given you. 

- 1 Chronicles 29:14b NRSV 

Our buildings and property are a gift from generous God, for the benefit of the common good. A number of our parishes are dreaming and discerning how to develop, redevelop or wisely divest their facilities and real estate.  

Do you have a passion or interest in helping our faithful leaders with these property questions? 

Our Diocese is creating a TASK GROUP to oversee some of the aspects of supporting parishes in their faithful stewardship of properties. We are also looking for people who can provide some ADVICE or ASSISTANCE with a small project. Here are examples of ideas that our parish leaders are contemplating: 

Let us know by participating in this link:     www.surveymonkey.com/r/StewardProperty

Season of Creation begins Sept. 1. https://seasonofcreation.org/ 

Join the Global ecumenical prayer service on line. The link can be found at: https://www.oikoumene.org/news/online-global-ecumenical-prayer-marks-the-start-of-season-of-creation-2023

Please share with the Diocesan Environment Network (DEN) your parish's plans for Season of Creation. Email us at endionspei@gmail.com

The Mission to Seafarers Halifax is seeking a part-time Chaplain/Ship Visitor.

The position has a competitive salary and must be able to work a flexible schedule including weekends.

The successful candidate will be required to pass and maintain a Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector check.

Please submit your CV and cover letter by email. For further information about this opportunity, please contact Helen Glenn 902-422-7790, hglenn@missiontoseafarershalifax.ca Applications should be received no later than August 25, 2023

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

PARISH OF NEW GLASGOW

The Parish of St George’s in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, is seeking an experienced full-time Interim Rector with strong management, people, and pastoral skills for a two-year contract position.  As an interim priest and transformational leader, St. George's is an exciting opportunity for you to join this community of faith as we take an intentional time to seek spiritual and organizational renewal, to rediscover our identity, and to revitalize our mission. 

Parish of Tangier

The Anglican Parish of Holy Trinity Tangier is seeking a half-time rector. Our parish is located on the scenic Marine Drive (Highway 7) on the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia.. Our Parish serves communities from East Ship Harbour in the west, to Sheet Harbour in the East, to Beaver Dam, and Mooseland in the North.

For more information please visit our career postings page HERE. 

The Parish of Holy Trinity Emmanuel, located in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia is seeking a half time rector. Holy Trinity Emmanuel has recently experienced new growth. We are an energetic, enthusiastic caring church family, a diverse parish, including and embracing all people, willing to try new and innovative expressions of ministry. We have a history of community involvement in Dartmouth North. We are looking for a Rector who is welcoming. A person who is interested in both the spiritual and physical growth of the church and the broader community.   Mission Statement: “We are a welcoming community, a people of God. Together we will live the gospel through our worship services, fellowship programs and outreach ministries.” 

For more information, please visit our career postings page HERE. 

Join leaders from across Atlantic Canada as we gather to be refreshed, renewed, and nourished in preparation for a new season.

Come and explore Godly Play practices for supporting children’s spirituality and creating a Godly Play environment. Experience Godly Play stories, tell a story by heart, and receive feedback as part of a supportive learning community.

More information to follow. To explore information and past events, see Godly Play Maritime 

We encourage all our customers with exposure to potentially 
severe and damaging windstorms, hurricanes and rain events, 
to have a Windstorm Emergency Response Plan. It will help 
to reduce damage, restore operations and protect lives.

One of the most impactful ministries we have as Anglicans in our Diocese is funeral ministry. Our liturgies reflect a compassionate, inclusive tone, while providing an environment of pastoral care by our parish leaders. Celebrations of Life, whether in a church, funeral chapel or at a graveside, can connect people with a loving God and a warmhearted faith community.

Over the next few months, our Diocese is sponsoring, GUIDING LIGHT: A Workshop on Funeral Ministry. These free regional in-person training sessions are open to all Licensed Lay Ministers, any lay person who desires to know more (perhaps to be part of a funeral team), and any cleric who seeks a refresher session.

Facilitators are Rev’d. Dr. Debra Burleson, former Archdeacon and AST Formation Director, and Rev’d. Canon Lisa Vaughn, Parish Vitality Coordinator.

Some of the topics explored:

Wakes / Visitations, Funeral planning with next of kin, Burial options, Eulogies / Words of Remembrance, Homilies / Reflections, Post-funeral follow-up

This is an explorative workshop, thus there is no expectation that participation will require a commitment to funeral ministry. Diocesan protocols, policies and Bishop’s expectations are addressed. 

GUIDING LIGHT runs SATURDAYS, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

CAPE BRETON REGION:              Sept. 30 - Christ the King, Sydney, NS.

PEI/DCS:                                            Oct. 28 - St. Mark’s, Kensington, PE

VALLEY REGION:                           Nov. 4 - location T.B.A.

NORTHUMBRIA REGION           Nov. 18 - location T.B.A.

Other Regions’ arrangements will be communicated as soon as they are finalized.

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

Contact: Lisa for more information lvaughn@nspeidiocese.ca or 902-789-4840.

The Rev. Dawn Léger, a PhD candidate at Martin Luther University College, is conducting research on creative practice and sense of vocation among Anglican Church of Canada clergy (deacons, priests, and bishops). She is seeking clergy who regularly engage in a creative practice (at least 30-60 minutes a week or 2-4 hours a month on average). Interviews will be conducted via Zoom Microsoft [DL1] Teams, and will take approximately 90 minutes, and will be recorded. In-person interviews are possible within Halifax Regional Municipality.

If you are interested and able to participate, please contact Dawn at lege9330@mylaurier.ca.

This project has been reviewed and approved by the Wilfrid Laurier University Research Ethics Board (REB# 10013454).

About Dawn

Dawn is a pastor, Anglican priest, spiritual director, educator, and a lover of art and artists. Dawn practices contemplative photography and painting from her home in Halifax, NS. She is always listening for the lessons that artists have to teach us as humans and leaders. She is concerned with clergy well-being, particularly facing the challenges of 21st century churches. 

Thank you.

In order to protect our Parishes (Insurance-wise) going forward; it will be a wise investment of time for each Parish to provide me with a list of Cemeteries in the Parish. When responding with particulars, please include Parish Name and #, Cemetery Name and Civic address. If you would kindly respond to office@nspeidiocese.ca with the subject line “Parish Cemeteries” -all assistance is much appreciated. 

Peter Flemming

At our Diocesan Synod this spring the youth and family ministry VSST officially launched the Welcoming Families in Worship; Audit and Reflection Guide. Several of the parishes went home with paper copies of this reflection guide. But if you would like access to a digital pdf copy, that can be found Here!

The Welcoming Families in Worship resource is here for all parishes to utilize as we think intentionally about what it means to create and host a welcoming space and culture in our parish community for families (both those who are weekly attendees and those who may only come seasonally or for a baptism or other life event). It includes thoughtful questions for each parish as you consider your own context of family ministry. 

"This resource exists to help parishes equip themselves so that, when families join them, they can be prepared. Although many of the parishes would already consider themselves welcoming, expressing this welcome requires some hard thinking and some hands-on prep work, and you may not know where to start. This is an “audit.” It is a tool for helping you assess your current practices more clearly, and for suggesting directions of growth." 

If you know anyone in your congregation who works with children's or family ministry, this may be a super helpful resource to take a look at- please share this link with them! Or if you would like a printed copy contact: youthandfamily@nspeidiocese.ca 

Thank you to all those who worked this past year to help put this resource together! Your efforts are much appreciated!

Courses: 

*2023 Nicholson Lectures

Ignorance as Bliss:

Ecclesial Disappointment and Ecclesial Joy in the Context of the Holy Spirit’s Work* 

Date: October 10 & 12, 2023

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Format: Online & In-Person

Cost: Free

*Biblical Foundations: Hebrew Bible/Old Testament
With Dr. Daniel Driver*

Dates: September 7th to December 7th

*Should I be grieving?: Disenfranchised Grief

and the Caring Professions* 

Tuesday, September 26th

See all courses Here: AST Continuing Education Courses

Events:

See AST Events Calendar Here AST Events Calendar

Learn more about the film and corresponding resources at theletterfilm.org.

Grand Parade Halifax

Good day fine folk,

Our September 21st luncheon is one of my favorites!  Butter Chicken - Basmati Rice - Naan Bread - Dessert - $15.00

Please book your orders before noon on Friday September 15th via hglenn@missiontoseafarershalifax.ca or calling 9902-456-1658. 

We thank our monthly luncheon sponsor and our Mothers’ Union for their on-going support of our luncheons.  Next luncheons will be in October 19 and November 16 – please pencil into your calendars.

Please Join Us! All are Welcome - Free 

St James Anglican Church, 2668 Joseph Howe Drive, Halifax. 

Bouncy House! 

Hot Dogs and Snacks! 

Drumming! 

Face Painting! 

Childrens Games! 

and much more! 

North Shore Storytelling Camino

Dates: Mon Aug 21 to Friday Aug 25 (3 days of walking)

Location: North Shore, Pictou to Tatamagouche area

Facilitator: The Rev. Nicole Uzans

Labour Day Long Weekend Camino in Cape Breton

Dates: Thurs Aug 31 to Mon Sept 4 (3 days of walking)

Location: Celtic Shores Coastal Trail

Facilitator: Dr Matthew Anderson 

Click here to find out more details!

Join us this October 20-22nd at Camp Mockingee for our Diocesan Youth Conference (DYC)! 

We are so excited to gather for our weekend away for grades 7-12's from all across our Diocese this fall! I am happy to announce the theme for this year's DYC is Shelter from the Strom; You Are Enough.  We are planning a full weekend with campfires, workshops, crafts, games, and even an expedition to On-tree. If you have young adults in your life or community, save the date! And keep an eye out for registration links on the YFM diocesan page in the weeks to come~ DYC is an inclusive space for fellowship and whether you come from a faith tradition or not, all teens are welcome to join us for a fun and restful weekend!

- From the office of the Youth and family ministry VSST

Doorpersons are key figures in supporting children who gather in community. This workshop offers a unique way to encourage and support volunteers helping with children’s programs.

This 5-hour workshop will be offered at the Anglican Cathedral in Fredericton, NB. Leadership will be provided by experienced Godly Play trainers, Ven. Cathy Laskey and Anne Pirie.

We will explore the principles and practices of Godly Play especially for Doorpersons, and deepen and expand an experience of Godly Play particularly the role of Doorperson.  Participants may be part of a Godly Play program, and/or have an interest in leadership with children.

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 August 12th to August 18st, 2023

Nova Scotia                    $1.1709

Prince Edward Island   $1.1709