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Episcopal candidates: Diocese of New Westminster
Episcopal Candidates: New Westminster From the Diocese of New Westminster This Episcopal Election will be the first election conducted on-line [in the Diocese of New Westminster]. [The Diocese] is in the process of establishing a working relationship with a third-party provider who has experience in conducting on-line elections. Once we’ve completed our negotiations, there will…
Coming back together — Sunday 20 September 2020
Coming back together There has been much behind-the-scene preparation over the last few months for us to gather once again as a community of faith. Sincere thanks to our Churchwardens, especially to Lorraine Brown, who has taken the lead in organizing all the moving parts. Thank you to Susan Soble for handling the ‘registration’ process.…
Homily: Pentecost XV — Freed by forgiving
Freed by forgiving Today’s gospel scripture Matthew 18:21-35 Listen to this message Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. “For this reason…
Amber Stage — Guidelines and checklist for reopening
Guidelines, background, and checklist: reopening for public worship The following detailed information is an update from the Diocese of Toronto as of 19 August 2020. It includes links to various documents from the Ecclesiastical Province, the Diocese, and the Ontario Ministry of Health. Parishes within the Diocese of Toronto will be permitted to reopen for public…
Letter to Diocese from Bishop Andrew
4 September 2020 Dear Friends in Christ, From late November until the early spring, we and kids from our neighbourhood would hit the street to play road hockey. Most days after school, two nets would be set up between parked cars and we would play till supper was called. Sometimes there were five or…
Letter to Diocese from Bishop Andrew
28 August 2020 Dear Friends in Christ, Mary, can I read something to you? Holidays have always been partly about reading. From an early age, my mother insisted that we read over the summer to keep up with our literary skills during vacation. Each day, time was set apart for reading, just…
St Luke’s Community Gardens — Year Two
Another great season underway Spring was taking her time in arriving this year. And then the lockdowns to fight the spread of the Coronavirus put planting on hold for a couple of months. But by the long weekend in May, things were back on track with safety and hygiene protocols for COVID-19 in place. …
A message from our parish priest
from our parish priest photo – W.G. Empey (c) 2019 31 July 2020 Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, Please know that you have been, and continue to be, in my thoughts and prayer. I am also praying earnestly for our parish that we hold the course in managing the challenges of COVID-19…
How many Anglicans does it take to change a lightbulb?
Letter to the Diocese from Bishop Andrew – 17 July Bishop Andrew speaks of the inevitability of change and presents ways to learn and discover new perspectives that are facets of change in the Church and in society Dear Friends in Christ, Change. I began my June 26th, 2020 letter to you with the age-old…
Template and Guidelines for Re-opening Anglican Churches
Timeline Template and Guidelines for Re-opening In his letter to the Diocese on 10 July 2020, Bishop Andrew provides background on the process for parishes to re-gather in person as communities of faith. Links are included to a timeline template and the details of steps to be taken as outlined in the guidelines for re-opening…
SOLD OUT: St Luke’s COVID Masks
SOLD OUT Be safe and ready when you’re out there Get your stylish COVID mask with parish logo to show your parish pride and your preparation for when physical distancing is a challenge Our sincere thanks to Barb Konkle for her kind generosity in donating the masks for sale at St Luke’s. St Luke’s COVID…
National Indigenous Day of Prayer
National Indigenous Day of Prayer The Office of the National Indigenous Anglican Archbishop invites you to join us here for an online video worship service to celebrate National Indigenous Day of Prayer, June 21, 2020 at 2 pm Eastern Time. Come and see Indigenous Anglicans and friends from across Canada for prayer, singing and story. We…
Letter from Bishop of Toronto – 10 June 2020
Letter to the Diocese from Bishop Andrew – 10 June The bishops are asking clergy and lay leaders to “stay the course” of distanced ministry using technology with virtual and online worship – not because it is easier, more restful or preferable, but because we hope that the summer months will allow parishes to take…
Homily: Trinity Sunday – ‘Unprecedented’… Word of the Year
“Unprecedented” — Word of the Year The Readings for Trinity Sunday Listen to this message My nomination for Word of the Year is the word unprecedented. “Unprecedented” has been around for years and years, but in early 2020, the world started taking notice of it in a new way. In early January, the word…
Letter from Metropolitan of Ontario
Letter from Archbishop Anne Germond The provincial House of Bishops calls on the parishes of our dioceses to observe a sacred sabbath rest over the summer months so that we can be renewed for mission and ministry in this new season of evangelism and discipleship that is emerging for our Church 1 June 2020 …
Message from Bishop Andrew at Pentecost
Message from Bishop Andrew at Pentecost “Stay in Jerusalem,” Jesus told them on Easter. Stay until you have been clothed with power from on high. So, for fifty days they remained all together watching, waiting and praying for that day to come. Since the third Sunday of Lent (that’s 65 days and counting), we have been dwelling…
Parish Planning Resources
Resources to assist our visioning with regular updates RATIONALE The purpose of the Resources is to stimulate thought, creative dreaming, and discussion — “the conversation” NEW Insightful article on the church post-COVID “The future is unkind to the unprepared. The best thing a leader can do is prepare.” By Carey Nieuwhof May 2020 “The good…
Thy Kingdom Come 2020 – #PrayerandCare
Join the movement Thy Kingdom Come is a global prayer movement that invites Christians around the world to pray from Ascension to Pentecost (21 May – 1 June) for more people to come to know Jesus. Since its start in May 2016, just three and a half years ago, God has grown Thy Kingdom Come from…
Scam Alert
SCAM ALERT We have reasons to believe a telephone scam that targets unsuspecting members of local churches may be underway in Peterborough. The caller says that he is calling on behalf of a person’s church. He explains that the church has incurred damage to its building and that he is raising funds on behalf of the…
St Luke’s Community Gardens 2020 Season
Planting to begin soon at St Luke’s Community Gardens Mother nature has delayed the planting season just as much as has the Coronavirus. But now that the provincial government has identified community gardens as essential services, the community gardeners are eager to launch their second season at St Luke’s. They’ve had enough with poring over…
New parishioners
New parishioners COVID-19 has had unprecedented impact on the local church. People may not be able to be physically present in the pews but people have found creative ways to continue responding to those in need. The Food Cupboard at St Luke’s is one such example. Through it, the people of the parish are making…
Do YouTube sermons feed the hungry?
Do YouTube sermons feed the hungry? Opinion comments in The Church Times by The Rev’d Alice Whalley, Vicar of St John’s, Brownswood Park, in London diocese, UK. by The Rev’d Alice Whalley ON 18 March, I promised my congregation and the local community three things: that we were not closed; that we would not allow…
Alleluia! Christ is risen. Now what?
Alleluia! Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen Indeed! Alleluia! Now what? In a letter to the Diocese, Bishop Andrew looks into the Fifty Days of Easter and into the ‘new normal’ Friday, 17 April 2020 Dear Friends in Christ, Alleluia! Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia! Now what? Amid the joy, the…
The People of St Luke pay it forward on Palm Sunday 2020
People of St Luke pay it forward on Palm Sunday 2020 Although the people of the parish did not gather on Palm Sunday, they did model their sense of gratitude and hope by paying it forward in the community. The parish made a donation of one thousand dollars to the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC)…
Primate leads national prayers
Archbishop Linda Nicholls leads evening prayers for Anglicans coast to coast across Canada on the Fifth Sunday in Lent Archbishop Linda Nicholls, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, called Anglicans to prayer from coast to coast across Canada at 7 pm on the Fifth Sunday of Lent, 29 March 2020. The liturgy, led by…
How about transformed by 2021
‘Gone by 2040?’ How about ‘Transformed by 2021?’ Father David Harrison writes perceptive article in March issue of The Anglican Journal It’s time to come clean and admit it. I was a coronavirus skeptic. Oh sure, I watched the news as the virus took hold in China. And then in Italy. And in other places. I…
Call to prayer and fasting 26 March
Call to prayer and fasting Bishops call people of the diocese to prayer and fasting on Thursday, 26 March The College of Bishops is inviting all people in the Diocese of Toronto to a day of prayer and fasting on Thursday, March 26, during the unfolding situation with COVID-19. Throughout the centuries, God’s people have…
Bishop Andrew speaks to people of the diocese
Video message from Bishop Andrew Bishop Andrew Asbil has shared a message with the people and parishes of the Diocese about the COVID-19 pandemic On 18 March, Bishop Andrew, Bishop of Toronto, shared thoughts on his experience at the cathedral on the previous Sunday. On 15 March, all public liturgies in the Diocese of Toronto…
Cessation of Worship Services throughout Diocese
Cessation of all Worship Services throughout the Diocese At 9:30 pm Friday,13 March, a second letter was received from Bishop Andrew, Bishop of Toronto, to notify parishes of the decision to cease gatherings for all worship services throughout the Diocese of Toronto effective Sunday 15 March Message from our Parish Priest Late this evening, the…
Coronavirus (COVID-19) important update info
Coronavirus (COVID-19) important update info for parish Bishop Andrew, Bishop of Toronto, has provided update information in a letter to Churchwardens and parish clergy Message from our Parish Priest Bishop Andrew sent an update letter to parish clergy and churchwardens on 13 March. There is a link to the full letter and to other resources…
Pastoral Letter about coronavirus procedures
Pastoral Letter to the Clergy and People in the Diocese of Toronto (To be read at every service on March 8, 2020 and posted or published in each parish for the duration of the protocol.) To our Clergy and People in the Diocese of Toronto (To be read at every service on March 8, 2020…
Lent in three minutes – video
All you need to know about Lent in three minutes Lent begins on Ash Wednesday: You are invited and welcome — 10 am at St Luke’s On Ash Wednesday, churchgoers are marked on the forehead with a cross of ashes as a sign of penitence and mortality. The use of ashes, made by burning palm crosses…
Bishop Andrew’s Letter to Vestries with Video
Bishop Andrew’s Letter to Vestries with Video “The imagery of the vine, the grower, and pruning for growth form the roots of the Priorities and Plans of the Diocese for the next two years…” — Bishop Andrew To our Clergy, Churchwardens and Parishioners Beloved in Christ, peace and grace be with you. “I am the…
Anglican Church of Canada gone by 2040 — Rubbish
Anglican Church of Canada gone by 2040 — Rubbish The Most Reverend Melissa Skelton takes on the Anglican Journal– from blog on Diocese of New Westminster Take that, Anglican Journal ! Seriously though, I for one am grateful to see the Anglican Journal in its January 2020 issue turn its full attention to the health and sustainability of…
In-depth look at state of the church – Anglican Journal
Perspectives on recent research about Anglican Church Recent statistics, future projections, comments and perspectives from around the church The January issue of the Anglican Journal is a 28-page report and reflection on the Anglican Church of Canada’s present and future, after the release of new church statistics. The issue is now available online. Inside this issue, you’ll find…
Being a Christian in a secular age
Being a Christian in a secular age The Rev. Dr. Mike Michielin, incumbent of St. John’s Anglican Church, Kingston, reflects on his experience as a Christian in contemporary secular society Extract from Covenant, The Living Church by The Rev. Dr. Mike Michielin When I join some friends for a beer after playing hockey once a…
Parish gathers as family to welcome Neeva, break bread and celebrate
Parish family gathers to welcome Neeva and break bread together On the Feast of the Epiphany, Neeva receives the Sacrament of Holy Baptism to enter into the community of faith as a new follower of Jesus Neeva with parents, Sarah and Talon, on the occasion of her Baptism – The Epiphany 2020 There is a…
Christmas Message from Her Majesty The Queen
Christmas Message from Her Majesty the Queen Queen Elizabeth shares a timely message at Christmas Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas! This year marked the 75th anniversary of D-Day and in The Queen’s Christmas Broadcast Her Majesty reflects on the commemorations. “For the Seventy-Fifth Anniversary of that decisive battle, in a true spirit of reconciliation,…
Blessings to you at Christmas
Blessings to you at Christmas The Right Reverend Andrew Asbil, Bishop of Toronto, shares a Christmas message with the people of the Diocese The day you were born was a beautiful day. It may have been a very long time ago, or maybe not so much. And on that day, or a few days later,…