SCHEDULE

Thursday January 4 – Monthly Meetings with the Interim Youth and Family Ministry Coordinator and Parish Vitality Coordinator.

Friday January 5 – In office meetings

Sunday January 7 – Parish of Amherst Visit and Confirmation Service

Monday January 8 – Day off

Tuesday January 9 – Reading, writing, and planning day. Evening meeting with Canon 11 Working Group.

Wednesday January 10 – Appointments and meetings in office.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Bishop Sandra is pleased to announce the following appointments.

The Rev’d Lorraine Street as Priest-in-charge of the Parish of Amherst effective January 8 to June 30, 2024, while the Rev'd Will Ferrey is on parental leave.

The Rev’d Tasha Brubaker as Priest-in-Charge of the Parish of Liscomb/Port Bickerton effective January 1 to June 30, 2024.

Some of the timely words we use in Churchland today are faithful, innovation, mission, leadership, outreach, and spiritual formation. Another one has made it to the top of the Merriam-Webster dictionary list. READ this short article from Churchleaders.com, Authentic: A Closer Look at the Word of the Year, written by James Emery White.

Zoom Series - Just 45 minutes each.
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.

This spiritual enrichment series continues in the new year with dynamic guests and engaging topics.

Tuesday, Jan. 9 – SOAK YOUR SOULS & SPIRITUAL CAFE: Be inspired by stories about lovingly pampering people on the margins, and cultivating community online with the SBNR (Spiritual But Not Religious). Guests are Jill Power and Dawn Purcell.

Tuesday, Jan. 16 – ANGLICAN PRAYER BEADS: Yes, Anglicans have a practice of using rosary beads for private devotions too! Explore how to pray this Trinitarian-based form of prayer. Guest is Joe Young.

Other topics in the new year include Daily Bible Reading and the spiritual discipline of Fasting. 

Our Diocesan SOUL FOOD? series offers 45-minute learning sessions on Zoom, including a short presentation, followed by open group sharing.

REGISTER HERE:    https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SoulFoodZooms

2024 VITAL CHURCH MARITIMES CONFERENCE is set for May 9 to May 11, in Truro, NS.

A Zoom option will also be available. 

Watch for more information about our keynote speaker and special Early Bird rates.

Registration opens in mid-January. 

Workshops run SATURDAYS, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

SOUTH SHORE                              - Jan. 6            - Holy Trinity, Bridgewater

CHEBUCTO REGION                    - Jan. 20     - Great Hall, Cathedral Ch. of All Saints

DARTMOUTH REGION               - Jan.27        - Christ Church, Dartmouth

FORT SACKVILLE REGION       - Feb. 10         - St. Nicholas’ Westwood Hills/Tantallon 

EASTERN SHORE                         - Feb 17     - Tangier Fire Hall, Tangier.

CHIGNECTO REGION                   - March 9 (tentative)          - St. James’, Shubenacadie 

(Feb. 24 is reserved for a STORM date) 

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

SIGN UP HERE -   www.surveymonkey.com/r/GUIDINGLIGHT

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. Funerals, whether in a church, funeral chapel or at a graveside, can connect people with a loving God and a warmhearted faith community.

Parish lay leaders, especially Licensed Lay Ministers, Vocational Deacons, and others, are being called to share in this pastoral office. As local ministers, they are often familiar with the families and communities. The Spirit is leading our Diocese to embrace more fully the ministry of all the baptized in this area.

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

Some of the topics explored:

• Funeral planning with next of kin
• Burial options
• Words of Remembrance
• Homilies / Reflections
• Post-funeral follow-up
• FAQs

Participants receive a HANDBOOK - tip sheets and templates for planning. Woven into this training session, are the MISSIONAL opportunities that funerals present as we respond to the needs of those who are grieving. In some neighbourhoods, we are the only faith community.

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. 

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

Good news! The Canadian Church Calendar 2024 can be ordered, starting December 8, 2023. You can make your purchase through the website link here: https://anglican.gilmore.ca/en/category/b2efc921-63d7-4d6e-811c-36bb56506c81

Ordering is also possible with this toll free number: 1-800-795-6661

A new year. A new ministry adventure. 

- Is God is prompting you to try something new? 
- Do you long to connect with your neighbours? 
- Would you like to learn how to be the hands, feet and heart of Christ in your community? 
- Are you experiencing the deep satisfaction of knowing that God is using you to make a difference? 

The Connectors SIX is a missional learning cohort that nurtures lay and clergy participants in discovering fresh possibilities in their neighbourhoods. 

Applications are open for up to ten people to explore prayer, discernment, learning and engaging in missional ministry. Skills are fostered in spiritual gifts, understanding our neighbours, seeing the community with fresh eyes, how to nurture authentic discipleship and building loving relationships with new people. The Connectors is hosted over a year through 10, two-day sessions. Six sessions are hosted in Debert, N.S., and four are on Zoom.  

This supportive network of peers mutually encourage one another, while being held accountable to missional goals. The Connectors involves study, discussion, goal-setting, trying new approaches to ministry, guest speakers and mutual peer support. Emphasis is on experimental ministry. Cohort members who have completed the year say they now have clarity about their sense of call and more leadership confidence. 

Any Anglicans in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia can apply. Expenses are paid by the diocese.  

Curious? Know someone from your church who would be? 

APPLY HERE:  

 www.surveymonkey.com/r/ConnectorsSIXDEADLINE is February 23th.  

Got questions?  E-mail lvaughn@nspeidiocese.ca  

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 until January 5th, 2024.

Nova Scotia                    $1.0644

Prince Edward Island   $1.0644

Deadline for submissions is TUESDAYS by 5:00 pm. Please email Trisha at office@nspeidiocese.ca with your requests. 

Thank you.