Schedule

Tuesday, December 9 - In Office 

Wednesday, December 10 - Staff Meeting (am), Meeting with Director of Mission and Ministry Development (pm)

Shared Ministry - Parish of St. John's Crapaud and the Parish of Milton and Rustico, 3/4 time

God willing and the people consenting on the Feast of St. Nicholas, 

Saturday, December 6^th, at 2:00 p.m. at The Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax

Bishop Sandra will ordain: Blane Finnie and Ruth MacNeil to the Sacred Order of Priests

and Wade Seymour and Christopher Tidd to the Sacred Order of Deacons

Your prayers and presence are requested for Blane, Ruth, Wade, and Christopher

as they prepare for their ordination and the vows and promises they will

each make before God and the gathered community.

Clergy and Licensed Lay Ministers are invited to vest and process. 

The liturgical colour is white.

Children and youth are also invited to be part of the procession, and are encouraged to wear red and white.

No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us,

Please Beware of Fraud Emails

We have been made aware of cloned or fraudulent emails claiming to be from Bishop Sandra. Please note that these emails are not from her, and she would never send such messages. (asking to carry out a task as an example) If you receive one, please report it if possible and delete it immediately.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to our office at office@nspeidiocese.ca

Diocesan Executive Council (DEC) met on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at St. John’s Anglican Church on Larry Uteck Blvd. We are pleased to share some highlights from the meeting, please find those HERE.

The next Anglican Foundation Grant deadlines are December 17^th 2025, April 24^th 2026,  October 9th, 2026.

Complete applications must be received by the Executive Secretary of Synod by those dates. execsecsynod@nspeidiocese.ca

Information for our Diocese in addition to the requirements from the Anglican Foundation

• The motion to move forward with this initiative from the minutes of council are required
• The Bishop does not compose her letter of support until after Diocesan Executive Council votes to forward the application.  This is taken care of within the Synod Office.
• The deadlines for applying are earlier than the dates on the Anglican Foundation website, as our applications must vetted by the committee, then brought to Diocesan Executive Council before they are sent to the foundation. Our dates are based on the dates the Diocesan Executive Council meets.
• If the grant application includes working with youth your vulnerable sector policies must be included in the application. 

To apply for a grant please go to the website  https://www.anglicanfoundation.org/apply/ 

and download all of the information to insure your application is complete.

Please feel free to send any questions to the

Executive Secretary of Synod, execsecsynod@nspeidiocese.ca

Newcomers and first-time guests join in our special church worship and activities this festive season. Being intentionally inviting and helping people feel they belong are key principles to truly welcoming. Read more about how to greet and include new people in this article published by an Episcopal Church organization. 

A New Beginning: Turning Obstacles Into Opportunities This Advent, an article adapted from "Invite Welcome Connect: Stories & Tools to Transform Your Church," by Mary Foster Parmer. 

Communication is critical for congregations hosting activities during Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. 

Whether it is Christmas Eve worship services, other festive liturgies, Bible studies, Christmas carol gatherings or children's programs - getting the word out to the wider community is key!

Be sure to PROMOTE your special events this holiday.

Use roadside signs, sandwich boards, website, church and NEIGHBOURHOOD Facebook pages, posters and congregational E-mail lists!  

GET THE INVITATION OUT, especially to NEWCOMERS!    

Remember to include all the BASIC INFO - time, and CIVIC ADDRESS!

(Do NOT assume everyone knows about your location, etc.)

Also, be sure to emphasize the radical hospitality Christians are known for. 

Most guests and first-time visitors are not familiar with our worship practices, which books to use, whether or how to share in Eucharist, etc.  Be sure to offer clear instructions and intentional invitations. For example, if you are hosting a special coffee hour, make sure to personally invite the newcomers. 

Here's a really good resource for welcome tips, 7 Ways to Welcome Church Visitors on Christmas Eve.

Looking for the perfect gift for a longtime, hardworking Lay Leader, Licensed Lay Minister, Deacon, or Priest? Maybe your friend or family member needs a prayerful time away? Bless them with rest and spiritual refreshment at the PATHWAYS TO PEACE RETREAT 2026.

Theme: Deepening Faith

Dates: Thursday, May 29 – Sunday, May 31

Location: Mount Allison University, Sackville, NB

Join us for a transformative weekend featuring inspiring presenters—lay leaders and clergy—sharing practical disciplines and rhythms for a vibrant spiritual life.

Special Christmas Early Bird Rate!

Registration is open now:   https://dnspeidatabase.elvanto.eu/form/177f127a-97f6-4515-a7b9-8e89457e60a0

Only $175 (includes 2 nights accommodations, 5 delicious meals, retreat program, chapel worship, materials, and more!)

Offsite rate: $100

Student rate: Contact missiondirector@nspeidiocese.ca

This retreat is a beautiful way to bless someone who serves tirelessly—or to renew your own spirit. Space is limited, so register early and make this Christmas gift truly meaningful!

A large list of festive seasonal worship ideas, devotionals, studies and activities are available from our Diocesan website. Help parishioners and interested community members engage meaningfully this year. Encourage parishioners in faith formation with relevant (free) materials. 

Check it out and visit our page here

See what your parish offers in the way of prayer programs, contemplative gatherings, or quiet prayer times.

 Explore prayer gatherings from other parishes, perhaps not available at your church, or held at a time more convenient for your schedule; in person and on ZOOM.

Christ Church Dartmouth, hosted a visit from Tim Bernard, Executive Director, Mi'kmawey Debert Cultural Centre (MDCC) at its service on Sunday, November 23. MDCC and specifically the return of Mi'kmaw belongings from the Smithsonian, is an Alongside Hope partner project right here in Nova Scotia. MDCC was a focus of the Lenten Alongside Hope fundraising at Christ Church. MDCC will offer a permanent space for Mi’kmaw cultural stewardship, a year-round public centre on ancestral lands, healing programs, language learning, and education for all ages and a gathering space for all Mi’kmaw Chiefs and Council. It is planned that the building will be open in the fall of 2028.” (Andrew Sherin)

Read more about Tim’s presentation and MDCC Here

The finance team will send out scholarships for post-secondary students, and bursaries to school age children, over the next few weeks. If you received a scholarship or bursary in January, there is no need to re-apply. However, if you have not received a scholarship or bursary before, please contact Lawrence at financialcontroller@nspeidiocese.ca to apply.

Mon. Dec. 8 - Chebucto Region Advent Gathering - Cathedral Church of All Saints

Dec. 3, 10, 17 - Advent Reflections - St. Francis by the Lakes - 2:00pm

Dec. 7 - Memorial Carol Sing - St. Paul's Church, Charolottetown

Dec. 7 - Advent Lessons & Carols - St. George's Round Church - 2222 Brunswick St.

Dec. 7 - Memorial Carol Sing - St. Francis by the Lakes 

Dec. 11 - 'Twas the Night Before Christmas Carol Concert - All Saints Church, 521 Pleasant St., Kingston

Dec. 12 - Christmas Sing-a-long - St. John's Anglican Church, Westphal

Dec. 14 - Jubilate Singers and Friends' Festival of Carols - St. Mark's Church, 5522 Russell St., Halifax

Dec. 14 - Christmas Pageant - St. Francis by the Lakes, 192 First Lake Drive

Dec. 15 - Christmas on the Grand Parade - St. Paul's Church, Halifax

Dec. 18 - Christmas Carols at the Cafe - St. Luke's Parish Hall, Hubbards

Dec. 24 - O Night Divine: The light of Christmas - St. Paul's Church, Halifax

Dec. 24 - Carols & Cocoa White's Lake Legion - 3495 Prospect Rd - 10am

Dec 24th - St. Timothy's Hatchet Lake, 2320 Prospect Rd. - 5:30pm

Dec 24th - St. Paul's Terence Bay, 180 Sandy Cove Rd. - 7:30pm

Dec. 24th, 25th, 28th & Jan 5th - St. Francis by the Lakes - 192 First Lake Drive, Lower Sackville

Join us for a wonderful night featuring Peter Grant, Shaun Richards, and Mike Purdy!

Admission by donation – all proceeds support St. Luke’s Christmas Hamper Program

Enjoy great music, a cash bar, and a silent auction!
Presented by St. Luke’s Outreach Mission Group.

Kick off the holiday season with AST’s Christmas Lights Dedication!
Join us outside the AST residence on Thursday, December 4 at 4:30 p.m. for our annual tree lighting, complete with hot cocoa, treats, and carolling.

You can honour or remember a loved one by sponsoring a light starting at $10. Dedications submitted by December 1 will appear in the event program and on the AST website.

Learn more or make your contribution here: (website link)

Proceeds support the AST Annual Fund and ministry students.
If you plan to attend, please RSVP to advancement@astheology.ns.ca by December 1.

Get Into the Christmas Spirit at St. Francis by the Lakes! 
Join us for our festive Christmas Market, featuring 20+ local crafters, a delicious bake table, and plenty of holiday cheer!

What’s Happening?

• 50/50 Draw & Ticket Auctions

• $5 Lunch Special: Homemade soup & a fresh roll

• Unique gifts and handmade treasures

Admission: just $2!
Come support local makers, enjoy good food, and kick off the season with your community. See you there!

Get into the holiday spirit at the Atlantic Sound Machine "FUN"draiser Christmas Concert, supporting refugee sponsorship! Enjoy the big band sounds of Atlantic Sound Machine—and don’t be shy, dancing is encouraged!

Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 7:00 PM

Tickets: $10 – contact Alice at 902-440-6767 or purchase at the door.

During intermission, enjoy coffee, tea, and treats with a goodwill offering—donations are kindly accepted. A Silent Auction will also take place, with proceeds supporting the Mother’s Union 150th Anniversary.

Presented in partnership with St. James Anglican Church and St. Timothy’s Anglican Church, this promises to be a festive evening full of music, community, and fun!

St. Alban’s Anglican Church invites you to enjoy a delicious Christmas take-out dinner on Thursday, December 11th.

Pick-Up Time: 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.            Tickets: $20.00

Your festive meal includes turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, vegetables, gravy, cranberry sauce, a roll, and dessert — all ready to enjoy in the comfort of your home.

To order your dinner: Call Shirley at 902-463-6018, Email stalbans@bellaliant.com, or phone the church office at 902-463-2493.

Order deadline: December 8th

Celebrate the season with a taste of Christmas from St. Alban’s!

Join us for an informal, family-focused time of worship!

We'll play games, make crafts, sing songs, hear a story, pray, and share a meal together - and wrap up in time to get home for bedtime!

If you plan to come and have dietary needs, please email rectorstfrancisbythelakes@gmail.com to let us know

Save the date for our Annual Clergy Retreat: June 8th to June 12th at Our Lady of Hope Retreat Centre, Stanley Bridge, PEI, as we ponder God's gift of friendship and its many dimensions with the Rev. Dr. Dawna Wall.

Dorothy Day courageously stated that we all know the long loneliness. Living into our vocations means we are often holding a lot, and don't always have a safe place to put things down, or those whom we can examine the dimensions of the burdens. Others have been here before us, and through their stories offer us encouragement, tears of lament, laughter and understanding. Francis and Claire, David Jonathan, Ruth and Naomi, Aelred and Ivo...to name just a few of those who compass us about, with spiritual friendship.

Registration opens in January 2026

Email questions to Rev. Tammy Hodge Orovec at: rev.tammyhodge@gmail.com

Please send resume to :  Reverend Dorothy Miller

dorothybmiller7@gmail.com

Halifax Parks & Recreation is hosting several free community development workshops this fall to train volunteers in the HRM region.  

These 2-hour seminars include:  

 - Neighbourhood Placemaking 101

 - Boards 101

 - Navigating Community Resources: Asset Mapping 101

 - Communication & Conflict Resolution

Workshops begin Oct. 1 and run several times with the final one being hosted on Dec. 3.

For more information visit:  https://www.halifax.ca/about-halifax/volunteering/leadership-community-training-opportunities

Two Education for Ministry (EfM) online groups are launching in the new year:
• Sunday Group with Rev. Paula Porter Leggett (Diocese of New Westminster) – 3:30 p.m. PT / 7:30 p.m. Atlantic
• Tuesday Group with David Harrison (Diocese of NS & PEI) – 7:00 p.m. Atlantic

EfM offers two study paths:
EfM Classic – a four-year, fully digital formation program exploring scripture, theology, and reflection.
EfM Wide Angle – a one-year program for newcomers or graduates continuing their faith journey.

EfM helps lay people deepen faith, discern vocation, and grow in discipleship within a supportive learning community.

For more info, contact David Harrison at djh@djharrison.ca
Visit efmcanada.ca
Recruiting now through January 4, 2026.

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  - Nov. 29, 2025 - Dec. 5, 2025.

Nova Scotia - $1.0315 Prince Edward Island - $1.0315