Deadline for submissions is Tuesdays by 5:00 pm. Please Email Trisha at offie@nspeidiocese.ca with your requests. 

Thank you.

Schedule

Sunday, January 21st to Monday, January 29th – Bishops’ Summit on Congregational Development, Healdsburg, CA (plus travel time)

Tuesday, January 30th – Appointments in office, Refugee Sponsorship Consultation (online) and meetings in office

Wednesday, January 31st – Staff & Leadership Team Meetings

Elections at AGM time leads our parishes to form and reform our councils and committees.  If we wish to flourish in our ministries and operate effectively, then we have to nurture our working groups to function more as teams. Read this article from the Episcopal Church's VESTRY PAPERS resources, written by Chris Holmes, "Vestry As a Life-Giving Team."

We are hiring… please share the attached job posting with your networks. Join the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island staff team!

See full Job Describtion Below 

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.

Next SOUL FOOD? sessions feature options for Lenten Spiritual Disciplines.

• Tuesday, Jan. 30 – DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: Discover practical and simple ways to incorporate Bible reflection in your daily devotions. Ignite your passion for the Living Word in scripture. Guest speakers: Betty Armstrong and Lisa Vaughn.   

   

• Tuesday, Feb. 6 – FASTING: A powerful spiritual discipline that can be practiced in a variety of ways. Learn about what fasting is, why we do it and how it can challenge us to grow closer to God. Guest is Nicholas Hatt. 

   

• Tuesday, Feb. 13 – HOW TO START A MEDITATION GROUP: Several of our congregations host meditation/contemplation sessions to learn and practice this sacred prayer practice. Explore the steps and options for establishing your own group. Guest speakers: T.B.A.  

Our Diocesan SOUL FOOD? series includes a short presentation, followed by open group sharing, questions, etc.

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

HURRY TO REGISTER! - FUNERAL WORKSHOPS 
GUIDING LIGHT: A Workshop on Funeral Ministry

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

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.

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   - St. James', Shubenacadie
(Feb. 24 is reserved for a STORM date)

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. 

- 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? 

DEADLINE is February 23th.  

Got questions?  E-mail lvaughn@nspeidiocese.ca  

February 14th. marks this solemn season's beginning - Ash Wednesday.
Special worship times, activities for all ages and faith stages, devotions, studies and more, are listed on our Diocesan website. 
Visit these pages and explore lots of ideas. 
New items to be added weekly. 

Lent Devotions & Study Resources 

Lent & Holy Week Worship Resources

Wanted, by St Andrew's Church, Indian Harbour in the Parish of St Peter's, Hackett's Cove.

Multi-colour altar vestments to fit 52-54 " long altar.
If you have any to give, please contact reverendspp@eastlink.ca

Embrace the season of Lent with the February edition of the Diocesan Times! Delve into heartwarming stories of compassion, explore the beauty of community service, and find inspiration in the messages of love and hope.

Click the link below to read the February

 If so, on behalf of a national partnership between the Flourishing Congregations Institute and Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries, you are invited to participate in a ten-to-fifteen minute online survey. This survey will explore the experiences of Canadian congregants living with mental illness or mental health challenges, attitudes towards and beliefs about mental illness and mental health challenges in Canadian Christian churches, and the congregational supports and resources related to supporting mental health and wellbeing.

To seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation is the Mark of Mission underpinning Anglicans Powering Potential (APP). This Mark of Mission challenges us with the concept of neighbour and who constitutes our neighbour. It challenges us to address those structural features of our society that rob many of our neighbours of their full humanity. 

As Christians, we are asked to love God and our neighbour as ourselves. This is the theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2024.  

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an ecumenical Christian observance in the Christian calendar that is celebrated internationally. It is kept annually between Ascension Day and Pentecost in the Southern Hemisphere and between 18 January and 25 January in the Northern Hemisphere.  Date: Thu, Jan 18, 2024 – Thu, Jan 25, 2024

"You shall love the Lord your God… and your neighbor as yourself."

Luke 10:27

The theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in 2024, taken from the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke, reflects the connection between love of God and love of neighbor, with a particular concern for challenging the boundaries of who is considered "neighbor". Anglicans Powering Potential is asking that we challenge ourselves to see our neighbour in its widest sense, to approach the 2024 theme as a call for charity, mercy, justice, and unity.

A Prayer for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

We pray, O gracious Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, that we all may be one as you are one. In your community of complete unity, we have our beginning and our end. To you we pray, asking for the gift of visible unity among all who believe in your Christ.

As we commemorate this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Jan. 18 – 25), we are reminded by your Word that all human beings are our neighbors and that we are to love them like ourselves, and in the same way we love you. Help us to overcome the barriers and divisions we have nurtured against your will.

Grant to us, O Lord, a new Spirit of love and solidarity, that we may proclaim your good news to all of creation. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirt are one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Explore the richness of faith and community in the January edition of the Diocesan Times! Dive into a captivating blend of inspiring stories, insightful reflections, and updates from our vibrant diocesan family.

Follow the link below to read the January Edition of The Diocesan Times

January Diocesan Times

The theological student, Blane Finnie, is offering an opportunity to share in exploring environmental issues, how they relate to theology and how this involves the church. He has offered similar material in other church communities, and his background in horticulture brings a richness to this subject. Currently we are planning to conduct the sessions on Thursday evenings through Lent, but would like to know how many people would like to attend and if Thursdays work.

Please contact him by email him at: finnoik@protonmail.com

Thinking about Lent? Join the diocesan Lenten book study.

We'll be looking at Bishop Michael Marshall's, Lent with the Beloved Disciple.

About the book: As the only disciple to have stayed close to Jesus at every stage from the Last Supper to the Crucifixion at Calvary, this eagle-eyed eyewitness intentionally records certain subtle details and signs which, when perceived with the eyes of faith, indicate a deeper and far lasting significance.

See Full Information Here

Monday, June 10 -Friday, June 14, 2024

Our Lady of Hope Retreat Centre, Stanley Bridge, PEI 
 

Theme: "Reclaiming Joy"  

Retreat Leader: the Rev. Dr. Joanne Mercer

Faculty of Theology, Queen's College,
St. John's, Newfoundland
 

For Further Information: Rev. Fran Boutilier

boutilierfrances@gmail.com 

The Global Citizenship Certificate encourages youth (15-18) to explore connections to their local and international communities and empowers young people to act as effective global citizens. Through virtual workshops, volunteer placement, advocacy projects, and connecting with other youth from across the Atlantic, youth will learn and practice being effective global citizens.
The time commitment required to complete the program is 12-15 hours over three months.

On Sunday, January 28, 2024 at the 9:30 Eucharist, the Cathedral Church of All Saints will welcome Nicholas Peters, Treasurer for Brigadoon Village, to receive the cheque from the project, Brigadoon Bound, the last of 24 projects of the former Anglican Church Women Diocesan Board. Funds have been raised from May (initially as part of the Anglican Foundation's Say Yes! to Kids campaign) to December 2023 for Brigadoon Bound, a campaign to support kids with exceptional medical/health challenges. The results of this campaign will help these children attend dedicated camps, because Brigadoon is all about “giving extraordinary kids a chance to be ordinary”. 

There is a history of 24 Annual Projects, dating from the mid 90's, missional in nature, rotating from local, to national, to international, that have brought in over $200,000 overall!! This is an amazing legacy the Anglican Church Women Diocesan Board has bequeathed to its successor organization, Anglicans Powering Potential. 

All are welcome to the Cathedral on Sunday the 28th, at the 9:30 Eucharist, to witness the generosity within our diocese for Brigadoon Village and its mission of "giving extraordinary kids a chance to be ordinary." 
    

Join us to celebrate the Carnival season before Lent and raise funds for Capella Regalis! After the Sundays at Four Evensong in the Cathedral Church of All Saints sung by the Men, Boys, and Girls of Capella Regalis, simply head over to The Great Hall next door, where food and festivity will await you! This is a limited capacity event, reservations required by February 5.

$150 ticket includes $75 tax receipt, full dinner of catered Brazilian fare, one featured Brazilian cocktail, and live Brazilian music provided by the Halleys and friends. Dancing is encouraged! Cash bar for additional beverages.

This is a family-friendly event: $35 children’s tickets available. On-site babysitting in the Cathedral Nursery is also available for small children, for $10/child.

All proceeds benefit Capella Regalis Choirs. 

Tickets & info: capellaregalis.com/events.

St. Andrew's Anglican Church
8 Locks Road

Dartmouth, NS Will be having a Fish Chowder on February 16th, 2024.
$12 includes Chowder, 2 tea biscuits & carrot cake for desert.
Last Date to order is February 11th at 6 pm.
Pick Up Times for February 16th are 11:30am, 11:45 am and 12 pm.
Contact Mabena Combden  902-435-5394 or email mabenas@ns.sympatico.ca.

The Dartmouth Region is running a Marriage Success program on 13 April 2024. The course is designed to meet the requirements of marriage preparation in the Anglican Church of Canada, but is also useful to couples looking to improve communication. This program supports marriage equality and welcomes participants from the LGBTQIA2S+ community.
 
Registration forms are due by March 28 - (we must have at least 4 couples to offer the course). Cost $60 per couple (covers lunch, snacks and printing costs). 

Contact marriagesuccess@outlook.com for more information.

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 January 20th, 2023 - January 26th, 2023

Nova Scotia                    $1.1217

Prince Edward Island   $1.1217