Schedule

Thursday, January 8th -  Senior Leadership Team Meeting (all-day)

Friday, January 9th – Reading and Administration; Online Zoom Meeting (pm)

Sunday, January 11th – Parish Visit - Parrsboro Shore (St. George's Parrsboro)

Monday, January 12th – Day off

Tuesday, January 13th – Meetings in Office (pm); Mission to Seafarers Board Meeting (pm)

Wednesday, January 14th – Meetings in Office (am/pm), Monthly Meeting with Director of Mission and Ministry Development (pm), Canadian Compass Rose Society Board Meeting (online - pm)

Appointments

Christopher Tidd - Incumbent for the Parish of Weymouth, effective November 16, 2025

Esther Deng - Priest-in-Charge for parishes of St. Luke's Hubbards and Blandford, effective December 17, 2025.

Falen Atwood - Priest-in-Charge for Parish of New Ross, effective January 1st, 2026

Openings

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

Shared Ministry - Parish of Emmanuel, Spryfield and the Parish of Falkland (St. James Church, Herring Cove), full time

As winter approaches, freezing temperatures, snow, and ice can all create serious risks for property owners and organizations. From frozen pipes and roof leaks to slips and falls, seasonal hazards can cause costly damage and disrupt operations.

Ecclesiastical Insurance has developed a collection of winter risk management resources to help you prepare, prevent loss, and stay resilient through the cold months ahead.

Find Resources 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

**Once your application has been submitted, you will receive a confirmation email from the Executive Secretary of Synod acknowledging its receipt**

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

A new calendar year may be a good time to change up the way (or start) to read the Bible. Encourage parishioners to engage in exploring and praying with scripture by using simple tools. Just like physical exercise, starting with small, regular practices will help build in (spiritually) healthy and holy disciplines.

Here are two options to try:

Through the Bible in a Year, a printable (pdf) reading guide from the Canadian Bible Society.

Pray As You Go,   an 'audio sanctuary'. Listen to scripture and guided prayer, every day, for free. Published by Jesuits of Britain. 

• “I took away the need to remain in the present and let God direct the future.”
• “My heart is a little lighter; my soul has been troubled, but now I feel peace.”
• “I was in awe of how interconnected the talks and activities were—like God was weaving a story.”

These are a few of the comments we received from participants at last year's Diocesan retreat.

Find 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.

HURRY! Attendance is limited to the first 120 people who register.

Early Bird Rate 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

Register:   https://dnspeidatabase.elvanto.eu/form/177f127a-97f6-4515-a7b9-8e89457e60a0

Throughout the weekend, you’ll discover practices that can enrich your daily life and be shared within your parish and community. As we grow in faith, we also learn how to bring that deepening back home—offering encouragement, hope, and inspiration to others. Join us on this journey of discovery, where every step opens new pathways to grace and growth.

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

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!

This peer learning community begins meeting on Zoom in March 2026 for lay and clergy participants who want to explore discerning prayer, deep dive discussions, engaging readings, goal-setting, mutual support and encouragement. 

Application deadline for The Connectors EIGHT is Friday, January 30, 2026.

 REGISTER HERE:    www.surveymonkey.com/r/ConnectorsEIGHT

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

You are warmly invited to a special learning event on Saturday, March 21 at St. John’s Halifax, 2187 Larry Uteck Blvd, (West) Bedford.

TIME: 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. A light breakfast is provided.

In a time when social media promises connection yet so often leaves us feeling isolated, we find ourselves living through what many describe as a loneliness epidemic. The Church, however, is uniquely placed to respond with compassion, presence, and hope.

Rev. Dr. Andrew Richardson, Vocation Minister (Atlantic) for The United Church of Canada, from Summerside, PE, will lead us in a thoughtful and engaging exploration of the Church’s crucial mission of “befriending.”

Through two inspiring talks—

• Befriending Each Other
• Befriending the World
  —we will reflect on how Christian communities can offer genuine relationships and meaningful connection both within the church family and in the wider world.

THE MISSION OF FRIENDSHIP workshop is free, but REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

SIGN UP HERE:   www.surveymonkey.com/r/BEFRIENDING
(Deadline is midnight March 15)

All are welcome— bring a friend!

This event is sponsored by the Diocese, through The Connectors REUNION group.

Got questions?  E-mail missiondirector@nspeidiocese.ca or text/call 902-789-4840.

Click HERE to register

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.

Join us on Saturday, January 17 for an eat-in or take-out meal featuring Fish Chowder or Hamburger Soup, served with a biscuit and dessert. All are welcome!

Eat-in: 11:30 a.m.
Take-out pickup: 12:30–1:30 p.m.
$15 adults | $7 children

To order take-out or reserve an eat-in seat, call Elaine L. at 902-865-4727 or email via the church website: stfrancisbythelakes.ca

Join St. Margaret of Scotland Anglican Church for an evening of Scottish poetry, music and dance. Followed by a Scottish feast with haggis, neeps and tatties.

Free will offering. All are welcome!

Would your family like to play Family Feud? Join us for an evening of fun, friendly competition, and prizes at St. Luke’s Parish Hall on Saturday, January 24 at 7:00 p.m.

Admission is by donation, with all proceeds supporting the Through the Years Food Pantry.

Families interested in participating are invited to sign up by contacting Clair MacInnis at clairmacinnis@yahoo.ca.

All are welcome!

The Cathedral is hosting the closing Evensong for this special week; it will be on January 25 at 7 pm, followed by a simple reception.

All are invited to the second in a series of online conversations hosted by an affirming community connected with the Anglican Church of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. This session will explore guilt, an often-overlooked yet powerful human emotion, and will be facilitated by the Rev’d Canon Dr. Jody Clarke, professor of pastoral theology at the Atlantic School of Theology.

Thursday, January 29, 2026, 7:00–8:30 p.m. (AST) on Zoom.
To register and receive the Zoom link, email soulstirringconversations@gmail.com.
Click Read More for more details.

Undie-what?? Yes, this is a Sunday when everyone is encouraged to bring new, unopened underwear for people who are unhoused or otherwise in need. “Undie Sunday” is a playful way to raise awareness of the very serious issue of homelessness in our region. Miia Suokonautio, the Executive Director of the YWCA Halifax, will speak at our worship service that day. And maybe we can collect enough briefs, bras, socks and t-shirts to equip the shelters and their residents for the remaining winter months. 

“Being With” is a ten-session course to explore the Christian faith – for the first time, or to go deeper after many years of churchgoing. Meaning, Prayer, Story, Suffering, Resurrection are among the topics covered. We have just finished an in-person course, and Rev. Kate will offer one on Zoom this winter, most likely on Monday evenings. One participant from our last round wrote: “Being With helped me build a more peaceful and grounded inner life. It encouraged me to reflect regularly, to learn to notice God’s goodness, and to become more grateful. This has made my faith journey feel more alive and my experience of church more intimate and supportive.” Click here to sign up; email Rev. Kate if you’d like to know more. 

Reimagining Church is just that: thinking in fresh ways about church and how it connects with today’s world. Come willing to be stretched, challenged, and refreshed!

Wednesday Evenings 7-9 PM EST

January 14 – March 4, 2026

Instructor: Dr. John Bowen

Are you frustrated by the decline in church attendance and participation at your parish? Perhaps you’re hearing the buzz around terms like “missional church,” “discipleship,” and “fresh expressions,” but are baffled about what those mean or how they might relate to your own parish. Or perhaps you are simply curious about whether a new perspective might help you and your parish engage differently with the gospel and with parish ministry. 

The course is for anyone eager and willing to explore Christian faith in a fresh way that is at the same time ancient and yet relevant to today’s world. It is being hosted by the Niagara School for Missional Leadership.

For more information and to register: https://nsml.ca/reimagining-church/

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

Atlantic School of Theology is pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the Honourable Mayann Francis Faith in Action Award for 2026. The Award honours exceptional community outreach that is recognized as having provided significant benefit to the wider community. This outreach award is given to individual(s) whose honoured work is driven by their religious commitment to the faith tradition to which they belong.

More information about the award and how to nominate a potential recipient can be found on the AST website: Honors and Distinctions | Atlantic School of Theology

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  - Jan. 03, 2026 - Jan. 09, 2026

Nova Scotia - $0.9401 Prince Edward Island - $0.9401