Schedule

Thursday Feb 20 – Staff Development Day

Friday Feb 21 – Appointments and Meetings out of office; Diocesan Council (evening)

Sunday Feb 23 – Parish of Rawdon Visit

Monday Feb 24 – Day off

Tuesday Feb 25 – Appointments in office

Wednesday Feb 26 – Leadership Team Meeting; Appointments in office; Electronic Vehicle Charging Stations - Meeting; and Mission to Seafarers Annual General Meeting (evening)

Announcements

Bishop Sandra is pleased to announce the appointment of the Rev’d Colin Nicholle as Incumbent of the Parish of Alberton/O’Leary effective February 1 to June 30, 2025.

Ordination

On Tuesday March 25 at 7:30 p.m. on the Annunciation of the Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary, please join us at the Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax, as we gather for the Ordination of Blane Finnie and Ruth MacNeil to the Sacred Order of Deacons. Please pray for Blane and Ruth as they prepare for their ordination and ministry as Transitional Deacons in the Church of God. Clergy and Licensed Lay Ministers are invited to vest and process. The liturgical colour is white

Openings

Rector, full-time, Ecumenical Shared Ministry, The Anglican Parish of Tangier & The Sheet Harbour Pastoral Charge of the United Church of Canada

Rector, 3/4 tme, The Parishes of Musquodoboit and Ship Harbour

Assistant Priest for Congregation Life and Community Engagement, full-time, Cathedral Church of All Saints

Rector, full-time, The Parish of Saint George Halifax

Rector, full-time, The Parish of Annapolis

Reminder: The Annual Mailing materials are now available on our website, accessible via this link.

Please note that the deadline for the Certificate of Election is slightly earlier this year (due March 15) to allow sufficient time for data entry, ensuring timely communication of Synod information to the appropriate delegates.

All other forms and returns are due by March 31 and should be sent to Tonia Wright at office@nspeidiocese.ca.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Tonia—she will either assist you directly or direct your inquiry to the appropriate person.

Thank you for your prompt attention to completing these forms!

A Christian community worshipping in the Orthodox tradition is seeking worship and community space to share with a church in HRM. They would prefer a location with public transit access. Please contact Tonia Wright, our Office Administrator, at office@nspeidiocese.ca for more information.

Thinking about Lent? Join the Diocese of Fredricton in a Lenten book study to read John Mark Comer's Practicing the Way. 

"We are constantly being formed by the world around us. To be formed by Jesus will require us to become his apprentice. 

To live by what the first Christian disciples called a Rule of Life—a set of practices and relational rhythms that slow us down and open up space in our daily lives for God to do what only God can do—transforms the deepest parts of us to become like him. "

The series starts on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, and runs six sessions (until April 16, 2025) at 6:30PM for 60-90mins. Registration is required for the Zoom link. Participants will receive the reading schedule after they register.

The Connectors is a group that journeys over the course of 12 months to explore fresh approaches to flourishing ministry. It involves reflection, prayer, discussion, study, goal-setting, trying out missional initiatives, mutual peer support and more!

• Do you sense that God is nudging you to try something new?
• Do you wish to reach out to people who might never come to Sunday worship?
• Do you desire to be the hands, feet and heart of Christ to your community?

This peer learning community begins in early 2025 for lay and clergy participants who want to explore discerning prayer, deep dive discussions, engaging readings, goal-setting, mutual support and encouragement. 

The Connectors SEVEN is a group of up to 10 eager pioneering-type people who gather monthly for 10, two-day sessions (a mixture of residential retreats and Zoom meetings). This is a skill-building environment for faithful Anglicans who want to reach out to others, but aren’t sure how. Participants in this cohort are a gift and asset to a local parish and their community. All costs are covered by the Diocese.

Facilitators are: Kim Lively, Parish of Oakfield & Fall River; Bishop Ron Cutler (retd); Lisa Vaughn, Director of Mission and Ministry Development. 

ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS …

... are willing to lean into their growing edges and take risks.

... commit to participating in all the sessions and an average of 3 hours per month of study, reflection and discernment/visioning for themselves and their congregation(s). Additional time required for missional initiatives.

Application deadline for The Connectors SEVEN is Friday, February 28, 2025.

INFO & SIGN-UP HERE:    http://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ConnectorsSEVEN

(Got questions?    E-mail:  missiondirector@nspeidiocese.ca   or  call:  902-789-4840.)

Anglicans Powering Potential remind Anglicans that Friday, March 7 is World Day of Prayer. There are over 60 churches of various denominations offering World Day of Prayer (WDP) services in our diocese and there is at least one church, often more than one, in each region of the diocese offering a WDP service. All are welcome to these services.

The World Day of Prayer is an international ecumenical Christian laywomen's initiative. It is run under the motto "Informed Prayer and Prayerful Action" and is celebrated annually in over 170 countries on the first Friday in March. Please e-mail Cynthia at cjp2320@gmail.com to learn the details of services offered in your region.

For 2025, the theme is: I Made You Wonderful and the country that has designed and written the program is the Cook Islands. Full information is available at: https://wdpcanada.ca/world-day-of-prayer/how-to-participate/

In honour of African Heritage Month with its theme, Legacy in Action: Celebrating Black Brilliance, Anglicans Powering Potential offer another quotation of the African American author, scholar and activist, bell hooks who notes: “Dominator culture has tried to keep us all afraid, to make us choose safety instead of risk, sameness instead of diversity. Moving through that fear, finding out what connects us, revelling in our differences; this is the process that brings us closer, that gives us a world of shared values, of meaningful community.” ― bell hooks, Teaching Community: Pedagogy of Hope.

Thanks to a generous donation from our Diocesan insurer, Ecclesiastical, we are pleased to share that the registration and accommodations for Youth and Children at Synod are not an expense that your Parish needs to consider.

As the time for preparing your annual parochial return approaches, we’re hosting a webinar to equip you with the knowledge and resources you need to complete the return accurately and efficiently.

Join us on:

March 6, 2025 at 2pm, Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83012227076 or

March 6, 2025 at 7pm, Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83911538858

This webinar will cover key aspects of the parochial return, including:

·         Step-by-step guidance through the return form, including explanations of each section.

·         Clarification of common questions and challenges related to income calculation and reporting.

This is a great opportunity to connect with other treasurers, learn best practices, and ensure your parish's return is submitted correctly. We look forward to seeing you on March 6!

Registration for the Anglican Foundation of Canada’s (AFC) 5th annual Say Yes! to Kids (SYTK) campaign is now open. The 2025 campaign will launch on Tuesday, April 22 and close on Monday, June 30. All parishes, dioceses, and organizations seeking to partner with AFC are asked to register by April 1.

Participation will be limited to 30 teams and registration is on a first-come-first-served basis. Teams will be asked to articulate a campaign goal and project focus at the point of registration. Most costs associated with youth projects and programs, including staffing, are eligible.

Cynthia Pilichos, AFC Representative for NS & PEI: cjp2320@gmail.com 

Allie Colp, Youth & Family Ministry Coordinator: youthandfamily@nspeidiocese.ca 

At AFC: Michelle Hauser, Development & Communication Officer: mhauser@anglicanfoundation.org

Praying with the DEN Community, Diocesan Environment Network (DEN) 

For more information contact DEN at: endionspei@gmail.com

Apply Now Here! Any questions, email Allie at youthandfamily@nspeidiocese.ca 

The Youth and Family Ministry VSST is having a meeting on March 1 at 1 pm (location TBD, but it will be somewhere in the HRM), and it is open for anyone interested in youth and family ministry to attend. If you’d like to join us, either in person or virtually, email Allie (youthandfamilyministry@nspeidiocese.ca) for more details!

Choral Evensong & Concerts every Sunday at 4:00pm

Presented by the Cathedral Church of All Saints & Capella Regalis Choirs

Free & Open to the public

Organist & Director of Music: Paul Halley

Asst. Director of music & Capella Regalis Choirs, Artistic Director: Nick Halley

Join the parish of St. Francis by the Lakes for their Februrary Take-out Dinner!

Pick-up time: (4:00-5:30pm), $18 Adults, $8 Children (under 12)

Ham Dinner  including: Potatoes, Turnips, Carrots, Peas, Roll & Dessert. 

To order call Elain L. (902-865-4727) 

St. Francis by the Lakes

Join us at The Rectory, 4858 Hwy 329, Blandford, for a Seed Filling Work Party!

We need help to fill 250 New Zealand Spinach Seeds For the Planting Kits and
2500 Wildflower Pollinator Seeds for the Seed Share Project,

We would appreciate any extra hands to stamp the seed envelopes, fill them and to close them.

https://parishofblandford.ca/seed-share-project/

Atlantic School of Theology announces a cohort in Systematic and Historical Theology for 2025-26 within the Master of Arts (Theology and Religion) program. Led by Professor Rob Fennell, this cohort will be a small group of student-scholars pursuing a degree focused in the area of Systematic or Historical Theology. 

The cohort will meet biweekly in a required seminar (September 2025 through April 2026) to form a community of encouragement and support, and to focus on your academic goals. Join with other MA students focused on Systematic or Historical Theology to share peer support, explore your interests, discuss an article together, prepare for thesis writing, share in social events, learn from established scholars, receive mentorship, and more.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE linked below to learn more about funding opportunities, program expectations, and how to apply.

Deadline: Apply by March 1, 2025 to be considered for funding.

Questions? Contact Dr. Rob Fennell at rob.fennell@astheology.ns.ca

Ruth Manning & the Prospectors with Dave Coggins at Trinity Anglican Church - 109 Queen St, Digby.

Tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased at Conway Quick Stop & Marshall's Gifts ahead of time, or they can also be purchased at the door. 

For more information reach out to Sherry at 902-245-5075 or by email longmire.sherry61@gmail.com

Join St. Francis by the Lakes, Lower Sackville for a Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper.

Dine in meal will include Pancakes, Sausages and Baked Beans with Dessert, Tea, Coffee and Juice.

Gluten Free Option is available.

Come and Enjoy a Pancake Supper with St. Peter's Parish, 10030 Peggy's Cove Rd. Hackett's Cove.

Supper includes Pancakes, Sausages, Tea/Coffee, and Ice Cream for Dessert

Free-will offerings will be donated to the SMB Food bank

Snow Date: Friday, March 7th

Join St. Margaret of Scotland Church for a Pancake Supper! Dine in or Take out.

Meal includes: Pancakes, Sausages, Dessert, Butter & Syrup.

Cost is $6 for Children and $10 for Adults.

You can pre-order & pay by EFT to SMOSHalifax@outlook.com, or pay cash at the door.

Join us for Shrove Tuesday Supper on March 4th from 4:00pm - 6:00pm

Supper will be held at All Saints' Church Hall, 521 Pleasant St. Kingston.

Menu includes Scrambled Eggs, Pancakes, Sausage, Tea & Coffee.

Cost is $12 per person.

Join us for Lenten Soup Lunches, Fridays at 11:30am - 1:00pm (Various Dates below)

Lunch will include your choice of soup - biscuit/roll - dessert - tea/coffee

Friday, March 7th - St. Luke's Parish Hall, 10 Shore Club Road, Hubbards

Friday, March 14th - Hubbards & Area Lions Club, 43 Lions Club Road, Fox Point

Friday, March 21st - Parish of French Village, St. James Anglican Church, 6991 St. Margarets Bay Road, Boutiliers Point

Friday, March 28th - St. Andrews/St. Marks United Church, 7629 St. Margarets Bay Road, Ingramport

Friday, April 4th - 7th Day Adventist Church, 509 Hwy 329, Fox Point

- St. Peter's Church, 10030 Peggy's Cove Road, Hackett's Cove

-St. Luke's Anglican Church,9 Veterans Ave, Dartmouth, NS

Join St. James Anglican Church, Halifax for a book study this Lent as we read Godsend: A Handbook for New Christian Communities, by, Michael Moynagh.

March 7th - April 11, 2025, Every Friday from (11:30am- 1:00pm)

Lunch and Learn! Hot Soup, Tea/Coffee, Dessert.

Register by February 28- Contact Alice Galpin Nicholson at alicegalpin@eastlink.ca

Anglicans Powering Potential encourages the acceleration of action regarding Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Celebrate International Women’s Day on Saturday, March 8th, by attending a special Gathering to which all (yes, all genders) are warmly welcome. It will be a time of camaraderie, music, presentations, creative time, and refreshments: 1:30 - 5:00; Lunenburg School for the Arts, Lunenburg, NS

St. Margaret of Scotland Church is hosting a concert of Irish songs by Evans & Doherty.

Doors open at 6:30pm and Tickets are $30 per person

Call (902)495-8883 for more information

Join Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax on Saturday, March 15 at 8:30am for Lenten Quiet Day.

Scripture and the Lenten Pilgrimage to the Cross, led by Will Barton.

All are welcome!

Questions? Email hello@anglicancathedralhalifax.ca

We invite you to celebrate the ministry of our Deacon, Rev Cheryl Rafuse as she retires.  The celebration will be on Saturday March 29th 2-4pm at the Prospect Road Community Center, 2141 Prospect Road.  

Join us to celebrate the past, present and future of AST!

Lectures and workshops with Diana Butler Bass and more.

All events are being offered to Alumni for $175.00

Click here to register.

Any Questions? email astinfo@astheology.ns.ca or call 902-430-7662

Join for a morning of learning, advocacy, and partnership around Human Trafficking at the Church of St. Andrew, Cole Harbour. Guest Speaker, the Rev'd Kiersten Wells.

For more information contact: 

The Rev'd Marian Lucas-Jefferies marian.lucas.jefferies@gmail.com

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. Sharon Williston by name at 1-888-310-1924 or by email Sharon.Williston@irvingoil.com 

The Furnace Oil price for the period  - February 15, to February 21, 2025.

Nova Scotia - $1.0960  Prince Edward Island - $1.0960

Jubilee 2025 is a global initiative that builds on the transformative success of Jubilee 2000, which canceled $100 billion of debt for 36 low-income countries. 

The Global South still faces a devastating debt crisis, with many countries spending more on debt repayments than on healthcare, education or climate action. Be part of a national and international movement calling for Debt Cancelation.

Join us on February 19 and invite your friends and community. This webinar will be in English and French with simultaneous translation. Hear Indigenous and Global South partners, biblical scholar Sylvia Keesmaat, and more. Learn how you can be part of the success of Jubilee 2025.

-Kairos Canada