Ever-living God, we remember those whom you have gathered from the storm of war into the peace of your presence; may that same peace calm our fears, bring justice to all peoples and establish harmony among the nations, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  We pray for all who suffer as a result of conflict, and ask that God may give us peace: for the service men and women who have died in the violence of war, each one remembered by and known to God; May God give peace. O God of truth and justice, we hold before you those whose memory we cherish, and those whose names we will never know. Help us to lift our eyes above the torment of this broken world, and grant us the grace to pray for those who wish us harm. As we honour the past, may we put our faith in your future; for you are the source of life and hope, now and for ever.  Amen.

For some of the events in the diocese with different congregations click on the picture above.

If you have an event happening in your parish please let the office know at dioath@telusplanet.net or call 780-624-2767.

People got together to carve pumpkins at St. Andrew's Zion church in Colinton in celebration of All Hallow's Eve.  Fun was had by all.

The bishop was in the parish of All Saints', Fort McMurray to celebrate the 150th year of the diocese and All Saints' Day.

The parish of Christ Church, Grande Prairie is doing a Gift Bag Collection for the Mustard Seed. 

The parish is collecting items to put into Christmas Gift Bags for those in Grande Prairie struggling with chronic homelessness. If anyone is in the area and would like to donate items to this initiative, they can contact the Rev. Dr. Maryann Amor (revdrmaryann@gmail.com). The church community is looking for: socks, long underwear, chocolate, gloves, mittens, toques, hand warmers, hygiene items, and lip balm.

Running every Wednesday from November 27th until December 18th, the Rev. Dr. Maryann Amor, Christ Church, Grande Prairie is holding an Advent series called: Carols of Expectation: Singing Our Way to the Manger. We will listen to Christmas carols, look at what they are saying about Jesus, then go over the history of the carols and end with a meditation. If anyone in the diocese wants to attend, they are welcome, they just need to email the Rev. Dr. Maryann Amor (revdrmaryann@gmail.com) and let her know so she can send them the Zoom link.

For a list of the different services around the diocese during Advent and Christmas click on the button below.

The Rt. Rev. John Watton, bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Central Newfoundland in collaboration with St. George's College in Jerusalem has prepared letters and devotions to be used during Advent this year.  

The Rt. Rev. David Greenwood, bishop of the Diocese of Athabasca gives his endorsement if parishes or diocesan members wish to use the attached in their advent devotions.

Click on the picture to get a copy of the letters and devotions.  

The Anglican Foundation of Canada has given several grants to the Diocese of Athabasca over the years.  Click on the link to see a the letter and a description of the grants.

Here is the latest from the national church.

Today I am glad for the life of the church. 

Church formed by the risen Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit is God’s idea of what life together can become. Where community is formed around the one who came to give life to the world all are included, all loved, and all gifted for service to the world. 

“Come to me all you who are weary and overwhelmed with burdens and I will give you rest.” 

Where Jesus is Lord, and recognized as such, a common allegiance breeds a common life that is rooted in the reckless generosity of God who welcomes all. And where such communities exist, they expand the cultural register of possible humane ways of being together in the world.  

One of the tasks Jesus gives the church is to pray for the world. 

The church does not hunker down and cocoon where the life of the world is concerned. 

The church is called to pray for the world. The church offers prayers for the flourishing of creation. We intercede for the world by praying that the world God imagines will get ever more traction in the here and now. 

“Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.”

That’s not thoughts and prayers; it is prophetic prayer instructed by a vision of God’s shalom and ignited by the Holy Spirit. 

Prayers like that depend on God to do what we cannot. 

Prayers like that get the people who say them to lean into the world God is already bringing, a world where justice and peace embrace, and swords are beat into plowshares. 

Prayers like that are the beginning of the work the church is given to do, especially when what we hope for in God is at odds with the current on the ground arrangements.  

“To clasp one's hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of this world.” —Karl Barth

President and Vice-Chancellor Rev. Dr. Richard Topping

If you are interested in taking some courses from the Vancouver School of Theology click on the tab below to see a list of the upcoming courses.