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

Thank you.

Schedule

Thursday February 22nd – Provincial House of Bishops (online), meetings in office and Mission to Seafarers Annual General Meeting (evening)

Friday February 23 to March 4th – Bishop Sandra will be out of the office during this time recovering from a minor medical procedure.

Announcements

Bishop Sandra has accepted the resignation of the Rev’d Michelle Bull as Rector of the Parish of Emmanuel Spryfield, effective June 1st, 2024. At this time Rev’d Michelle will move into retirement.

Bishop Sandra is pleased to announce the appointment of the Rev’d Ed Coleman as Priest-in-Charge of the Parish of Falkland, effective February 15th – June 15th, 2024. 

BUSY to BURNOUT - ANOTHER PATH 

Whether you are laity or clergy, paid or unpaid, the needs and ministry expectations are overwhelming. Everyone can find themselves vulnerable to burnout and exhaustion. So, what are some ways to ensure we are caring for ourselves as we care for others. 

Read, Build Resilience. Reduce Burnout, written by Diane Owen, published by the Lewis Centre for Church Leadership.

- 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 THIS Friday, midnight.

Got questions?  E-mail lvaughn@nspeidiocese.ca  

REGISTRATION is OPEN!
Early Bird DISCOUNT Rate! 

See also - Special Rate for Hotel guest rooms too.
And there is FUNDING SUPPORT for Anglicans from PEI and NS.

DETAILS and to REGISTER:   https://www.nspeidiocese.ca/pages/vital-church-martimes-2024-conference

VCM 2024 conference features the story arc of mission – from Acts 2, through to the present realities of Churchland today. Participants will explore their church’s missional beginnings and reflect on emerging growth possibilities.

Keynote speaker David Robinson guides leaders from ‘What is,’ to ‘What could be’, on to ‘What will be.’
A congregational consultant for more than 30 years, Dave has been on the leading edge of mission in the Canadian Anglican church. He has worked in the Dioceses of Toronto, Rupert’s Land (Manitoba) and Montreal. He specializes in priority planning, church planting (starting new congregations), rural ministry support, congregational health, and youth ministry.

Vital Church Maritimes includes talks on understanding our cultural context, leadership and gifting, working within ministry teams and more! There will be plenty of practical resources and applicable takeaways for parishes of all shapes and sizes.

Celebrate, learn and recognize the history and culture of people of African descent during the month of February (and other times during the year).

Click below for several links to activities, worship ideas and other resources to help congregation members learn and embrace African heritage.

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.

CHIGNECTO REGION             - March 9   - St. James', Shubenacadie

(Feb. 24 is reserved for a STORM date)

After a fantastic season last summer, the Community Roots Program is preparing to come to parishes across our diocese for July and August 2024.
 
The Community Roots Day Camp Program is primarily designed to do two things - first, to encourage young people to grow in their faith, or to learn about Christianity for the first time, and second, to develop leadership capacity in communities so that meaningful, local ministry can continue to happen there for children and youth. 

Our program staff works to develop and help facilitate a fun, engaging, and creative day camp program. This summer they will travel throughout the diocese, bringing all of the supplies needed for a week of camp with them to churches just like yours.
 
If your parish is interested in hosting one of our day camps this summer, you can find more information on how to apply at,  Community Roots Program 
 
We are also now hiring for our Program Architect and Program Administrator positions. For more information, please contact (youthandfamily@nspeidiocese.ca) and check out our diocesan web page for more details as posted. 

We are now hiring for our Program Architect and Program Administrator positions for the Community Roots Summer Day Camps. For more information check out our diocesan web page for more details on the program or contact (youthandfamily@nspeidiocese.ca) to apply. 

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

Click the button below to read the Diocesan Environment Network February Enews.

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 

This, one of a kind course, will feature content experts on Black History, Theology and Culture within the Canadian Church. It will open up conversations that are at the heart of issues of diversity, inclusion and future ministry in Canada.

Due to the importance of this course’s content, we have decided to open up FREE REGISTRATION to all auditing students!

The course will run over six weeks, beginning on Tuesday January 30th, from 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. EASTERN TIME via Zoom. It will hosted by Irene Moore Davis and The Rev. Steve Greene with guest presentations by The Rev. Canon Dr. Stephen Fields, Br. Reginald Crenshaw, The Rev. Michael Blair and The Rev. Wilson Akinwale.

For more information on this unique course, or to register, visit: https://huronatwestern.ca/programs/theology/life-long-learning/

Anglicans Powering Potential join the United Nations in our desire for peace, dignity, and equality on a healthy planet. Here are some more global days in February to remind us of this quest: 

February 11: International Day of Women and Girls in Science
February 12: International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism and When Conducive to Terrorism
February 20: World Day of Social Justice
February 21: International Mother Language Day

There are many churches and other faith based buildings that have parking lots that would be convenient locations for EV charging.

The Diocesan Environmental Network (DEN) is inviting parishes in our diocese and other interested faith communities information about the possiblity of installing EV charging stations in church parking lots as part of our outreach to the communities we serve and the churches’ commitment to respond to climate change.

These Zoom meetings will provide updates about the response by government to our offer and will provide information about funding possibilities.

The Zoom meeting for PEI will be held during the day at a time TBA on Feb. 20
The Zoom meeting for NS will be held at 6:30 on Feb 21. 

To register for the meeting and obtain the link please email endionspei@gmail.com

Anglicans Powering Potential encourage you to join in honouring the 30th anniversary of the episcopal ordination of Bishop Victoria Matthews, the first woman to be ordained bishop in the Anglican Church of Canada. In an interactive webinar on Monday, February 26, 12 noon – 2 p.m. Atlantic Time, there is the opportunity to hear from a panel of women bishops about the joys and challenges of their ministry and their dreams for women in episcopal leadership. There will also be opportunities to reflect and ask questions.

The panelists will be:

 Bishop Victoria Matthews, episcopal administrator with the Diocese of Moosonee, who has served as suffragan bishop in the Diocese of Toronto, as Bishop of Edmonton in Alberta and as Bishop of Christchurch in New Zealand

 Bishop Sarah Mullally, Bishop of London, England

 Bishop Riscylla Shaw, suffragan bishop, Diocese of Toronto

 Archbishop Kay Goldsworthy, Archbishop of Perth, Anglican Church of Australia

For all requirements please go to https://www.anglicanfoundation.org/apply/applyorganization/

The March 15th deadline is required to allow the committee and Diocesan Council time to review and choose the applications to submit.

Do not complete the online form.

Email your completed form to execsecsynod@nspeidiocese.ca

Please complete the Grant Application Checklist to insure your application is complete.

Yes, save the date – June 2 – for Say Yes! to Kids Sunday! The Anglican Foundation of Canada invites all parishes to save June 2 – or another Sunday, if preferred – to be part of the Say Yes! to Kids movement. Every parish in our diocese can celebrate SYTK Sunday, whether part of the campaign or not.

If you have any questions or want to share ideas, contact Cynthia at cjp2320@gmail.com It’s never too early to start planning your involvement with the Say Yes! to Kids movement!

The Synod office is giving away the following items on a first come first serve basis: 

Various 3 ring binders (mostly large size) 

2 Overhead Projectors 

Small Size envelopes with Windows 

Please contact Trisha at office@nspeidiocese.ca if you are interested.

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER – FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2024 @ 7:00 P.M.

Please join us for the World Day of Prayer Service on March 1, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. We are located at 2 Circassion Drive, Cole Harbour (off the Forest Hills Parkway) The theme of the Service is “I Beg You… Bear With One Another in Love”  (Ephesians 4:1-3). Written by an ecumenical group of Christian Women from Palestine, the service will be delivered by a group of ecumenical Christian women in our community. Learn about life in Palestine, share in prayer and enjoy fellowship at the reception following the service. We look forward to seeing you there.

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.

Anglicans Powering Potential remind you that the World Day of Prayer (WDP) is the first Friday in March, March 1, 2024. Gathering together in a worldwide movement of informed prayer and prayerful action for peace, justice, and reconciliation is what WDP and the Women's Inter-church Council of Canada (WICC) is all about. The 2024 theme is: I Beg You . . . Bear with One Another in Love, animated by the women of Palestine!!

https://wicc.org/world-day-of-prayer/how-to-participate/

Check out WDP services in your area. There are several noted here in the AnglicanNetNews. 

Anglicans Powering Potential remind you that there are several themes for this special date, but the United Nations theme 2024 is: Invest in women: Accelerate progress. 

In honour of the forthcoming International Women's Day (IWD), Anglicans Powering Potential (APP) is pleased to bring word of IWD Summit: A New Year . . . A New Era? Gender-based violence, equity, and justice - what next? co-hosted by Be the Peace Institute and Leeside Society. 
MARCH 6 - 7, 2024, Oak Island Inn and Resort, Western Shore, NS.  

Click here to register

APP is committed to raising awareness of the human rights violation of gender-based violence (GBV) and the need for expanded leadership beyond women-based organizations in addressing and eradicating it. 

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 February 17, 2023 - February 23, 2023

Nova Scotia                    $1.1722

Prince Edward Island   $1.1722