Anglican Net News for February 26, 2025
  • Recent Issues
    • Anglican Net News for June 18, 2025
    • NetNews Special Edition: Say Yes! to Kids
    • Anglican Net News for June 11, 2025
    • Anglican Net News for June 4, 2025
    • Anglican Net News for May 28, 2025
    • Anglican Net News for May 21, 2025
    • Anglican Net News for May 14, 2025
    • Anglican Net News for May 7, 2025
    • Anglican Net News for May 1, 2025
    • Anglican Net News for April 23, 2025
  • Subscribe
  • Visit Website

Anglican Net News

Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island
Anglican Net News for February 26, 2025
THE BISHOP'S OFFICE

THE BISHOP'S OFFICE

Schedule

Thursday Feb 27 – AST Founding Parties Meeting; appointments in office; Ordination preparation; Planning for Diocesan Synod

Friday Feb 28 – Appointments in office

Sunday March 2 – Parish of Horton Visit

Monday March 3 – Day off

Tuesday March 4 (Shrove Tuesday) – Dartmouth Clericus (am) and Bishops Advisory Council (Archdeacons’ meeting); Pancake Supper

Wednesday March 5 (Ash Wednesday) – Appointments in office and Regional Deans Meeting; Ash Wednesday worship

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

FROM THE SYNOD OFFICE

FROM THE SYNOD OFFICE

Annual Mailing Materials

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!

2025 Updates!

2025 Updates!

You may notice that this year’s diocesan prayer cycle does not include the names of clergy at particular parishes. We made this decision to follow the lead of other diocese across the Anglican Communion, in honouring the clergy who respond to the needs of multiple different churches in different regions of our diocese throughout the year.
Please note that while specific names are no longer listed in affiliation with any given parish, we still encourage you to lift up in prayer the whole worship community for each parish listed in the prayer cycle. 
As you use this resource throughout the year, please remember in prayer; all clergy, laity, and community members who work together to celebrate ministry and worship together across our Diocese.
You can find the full 2025 prayer cycle for download as a pdf or word.doc from the Diocesan Website here. 
MISSION, MINISTRY and WORSHIP

MISSION, MINISTRY and WORSHIP

6-Minute Study - #411

6-Minute Study - #411

Ashes To Go

One simple and spiritually impactful way to connect with people who may have drifted from their church community is by offering 'ASHES TO GO' on Ash Wednesday, March 5th.  By offering the imposition of ashes, marking the sign of the cross on a person's forehead, we are reaching out to remind folks that we are God's beloved creation, remember who we are and whose we are. 

'Ashes To Go' may be offered by laity and clergy on a busy street, in a public parking lot, anywhere people can safely stop and gather for a few minutes. 

Read more about this important missional initiative: 

https://ashestogo.org/about-ashes-to-go/

For more infomation visit:

http://nspeidiocese.ca/news/6-minute-study-411

Read More
February is Black History Month

February is Black History Month

Celebrate, learn and recognize the history and culture during Black History Month, sometimes called African Heritage Month. 
 
Here are several links to activities, worship ideas and other resources to help congregation members learn and embrace African heritage:  https://www.nspeidiocese.ca/pages/african-heritage-month 
RETREAT AND BE SPIRTUALLY REFRESHED

RETREAT AND BE SPIRTUALLY REFRESHED

Friday, June 6th to Sunday June 8th

A Diocesan retreat, open to anyone, is being hosted June 6 to June 8 at Acadia University, in Wolfville.  Pathways to Peace: Seeking the Spirit is a weekend of prayer, worship, friendship and deepening relationship with God. 

This weekend retreat is designed as a space to refresh your spirit, soothe your soul, and grow in your spiritual journey. Through contemplative prayer practices, short talks, plenty of silence, and reflection. It begins Friday evening and wraps up on Sunday morning.

While this retreat is designed for laity, clergy are warmly invited to join. (Note: Clergy Retreat is from June 9 to June 13 in PEI.) Share this invitation with friends from all denominations.

SPECIAL EARLY RATE!   $160 / person  

(Those staying off-site - $110)

REGISTER NOW! https://dnspeidatabase.elvanto.eu/form/196dfa29-7cb9-4851-9476-78608dbe42ec

For more infomation visit:

http://nspeidiocese.ca/events/diocesan-retreat/2025-06-06

Learn More
Lenten Contemplative Prayer

Lenten Contemplative Prayer

Contemplative prayer is a spiritual practice that involves being aware of God's

presence and resting in that presence. It is a type of prayer that uses the imagination to achieve a union with God.

Each Thursday during Lent at 9 a.m. we will offer 30-minutes of contemplative prayer time using Zoom.

We hope that we can make this prayer time: 

  • Quiet
  • Biblical
  • Loving

For Zoom link and more information e-mail: lentencontemplativeprayer@gmail.com

Facilitators: Gillian Power & Joe Young, members our Diocesan Contemplative Prayer Community. 

Please consider making this a practice during your Lent.

For more infomation visit:

http://nspeidiocese.ca/news/lenten-contemplative-prayer

Read More

Lent Book Study- March 12th

Practicing the Way, by John Mark Comer

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.

For more infomation visit:

https://nb.anglican.ca/events/lent-book-study/2025-03-12

Learn More & Sign up Here
Application Open for The Connectors SEVEN

Application Open for The Connectors SEVEN

Listen. Learn. Experiment. Connect.

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 extended to Thursday, March 13 (midnight)

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

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

For more infomation visit:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ConnectorsSEVEN

Info & Sign-up HERE

Anglicans Powering Potential - World Day of Prayer

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/

APP Honors African Heritage Month

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.

SYNOD 2025

SYNOD 2025

Synod Important Dates to Remember

By clicking the link below, you will find a list of key dates for our upcoming Synod, along with details on the location, convening circular, resolutions and more! 

For more infomation visit:

https://www.nspeidiocese.ca/pages/important-dates-to-remember

Click here for the latest updates and exciting details!

Youth and Children at Synod

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.

For more infomation visit:

http://nspeidiocese.ca/news/youth-and-children-at-synod

Click here for further information and how Youth Delegates can Register
FINANCE OFFICE

FINANCE OFFICE

Webinar for Treasurers

Preparing Your Parish's Parochial Return

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!

DIOCESAN EVENTS

DIOCESAN EVENTS

REGISTER TODAY

REGISTER TODAY

AFC Launches 5th Annual Say Yes! to Kids Campaign

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

For more infomation visit:

www.anglicanfoundation.org/apply/sytk

Learn How to Register Here

Praying with the DEN Community

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

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

For more infomation visit:

https://www.nspeidiocese.ca/ministries/diocesan-environment-network

For more information on DEN click HERE
YOUTH AND FAMILY MINISTRY

YOUTH AND FAMILY MINISTRY

Community Roots Day Camp

Community Roots Day Camp

There’s still time for your parish to apply to participate in the Community Roots Day Camp this summer! Find all the details (including the application form!) here.

And we’re looking for some superstars to join our staff team for the summer! We’re looking for folks who love kids, have at least a year of post-secondary education, and are looking for a fun-filled summer of learning about God and growing in faith. Find all the details here.

Youth Leaders Training Retreat

Youth Leaders Training Retreat

June 6 - 8

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

For more infomation visit:

http://nspeidiocese.ca/events/youth-leaders-training-retreat/2025-06-06

Read More
WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND THE DIOCESE

WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND THE DIOCESE

Sundays at Four - Music at the Cathedral

Every Sunday February 9th - April 27th

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

For more infomation visit:

http://nspeidiocese.ca/events/sundays-at-four/2025-02-09

Read More

Casserole Luncheon

Thursday, February 27 - 11:30am - 1:00pm

Join St. Margaret of Scotland Church for a Casserole Luncheon

Thursday, February 27th from 11:30am to 1:00pm

Admission: $12.00

Students & Seniors Admission: $10.00

For more infomation visit:

http://nspeidiocese.ca/events/casserole-luncheon--943/2025-02-27

Read More

AST Cohort in Systematic and Historical Theology

Apply by March 1, 2025

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

For more infomation visit:

http://nspeidiocese.ca/news/cohort-in-systematic-and-historical-theology

Read More HERE

"Raising the Roof" Concert

Sunday, March 2 - 2:00pm

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

For more infomation visit:

http://nspeidiocese.ca/events/raising-the-roof-concert/2025-03-02

View Poster

Pancake Suppers

Click on the links below for more information on each Pancake Supper

St. Francis by the Lakes, Lower Sackville - March 4th, 4:30 - 6:00pm

St. Peter's Parish, Hackett's Cove - March 4th, 4:00 - 6:00pm

St. Peter's Birch Cove, Halifax - March 4th, 5:00 - 6:30pm

St. Margaret of Scotland, Halifax - March 4th, 5:00 - 6:30 pm

St. Luke's Anglican, Dartmouth - March 4th, 4:30 - 5:45pm

St. John's, Westphal - March 4, 4:30 - 6:00pm

All Saints' Church Hall, Kingston - March 4, 4:00 - 6:00pm

St. Paul's, Halifax - Lent, Holy Week and Easter Schedule of Events

For more infomation visit:

http://nspeidiocese.ca/news/2025-lent-holy-week-and-easter-at-st-pauls-halifax

Click Here For Schedule of Events

Lenten Soup Lunches

March 7th - April 4th - Admission by Donation

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

For more infomation visit:

http://nspeidiocese.ca/events/lenten-soup-lunches/2025-03-07

Read More

World Day of Prayer around the Diocese

Friday, March 7th at 7:00pm

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

Ecumenical Worship Service. Fellowship and refreshments will be available.

(Alternative snow date will be Friday, MArch 14th at 7pm)

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

The theme this year is "I made you Wonderful" and the program is written for Cook Islands.

We would be happy to welcome you!

For more information please contact Marjorie Davis 902-462-3637

-Aylesford United Church, 2414 Highway 1, Aylesford

This will be an ecumenical worship service written by the women of the Cook Islands entitled "I Made You Wonderful"

Friday, March 7th at 2:00pm (Storm Date - Sunday, March 9th at 2:00pm)

For more infomation visit:

https://wdpcanada.ca/world-day-of-prayer/

Learn More about the World Day of Prayer

Lenten Book Study-Lunch and Learn

Every Friday from March 7th - April 11

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

For more infomation visit:

http://nspeidiocese.ca/news/lenten-book-study

See Event Poster

International Women's Day

2025 Theme: Accelerate Action - Saturday, March 8, 2025

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

For more infomation visit:

http://nspeidiocese.ca/events/international-womens-day--939/2025-03-08

Read More

Evans & Doherty Concert

Saturday, March 8

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

For more infomation visit:

http://nspeidiocese.ca/events/evans-doherty/2025-03-08

See Event Poster

Lenten Quiet Day

Saturday, March 15, 8:30am - 1pm

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

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

Questions? Email hello@anglicancathedralhalifax.ca

For more infomation visit:

http://nspeidiocese.ca/events/lenten-quiet-day/2025-03-15

Schedule of Events
The Sisters are Coming

The Sisters are Coming

For more infomation visit:

http://nspeidiocese.ca/news/the-sisters-are-coming

Event Details

Celebrate Rev Cheryl Rafuse as she Retires

Saturday, March 29, 2025

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.  

For more infomation visit:

http://nspeidiocese.ca/events/celebrate-rev-cheryl-rafuse-as-she-retires/2025-03-29

Read More

Shining the Light on Human Trafficking

POSTPONED - Rescheduled for April 12, 9:00am- 12:00

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

For more infomation visit:

http://nspeidiocese.ca/events/shinning-the-light-on-human-trafficking/2025-02-15

Read More

Atlantic School of Theology - Homecoming 2025

May 7th & 8th

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

For more infomation visit:

http://nspeidiocese.ca/events/ast-homecoming-2025/2025-05-07

View Itinerary

Diocesan Heating Oil Program

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 - $1.0838  Prince Edward Island - $1.0838

For more infomation visit:

mailto:Sharon.Williston@irvingoil.com

Contact Sharon

Follow us on Facebook

Facebook Logo
1340 Cathedral Lane
Halifax, NS
Canada B3H 2Z1

902.420.0717

office@nspeidiocese.ca