Prayer for Joy:  Heavenly Father, fill our hearts with the joy that comes from knowing your love.  May we rejoice in the good news of salvation and share that joy with others during this season of Advent.  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.

The bishop and his wife participated in the annual live Nativity service that the congregation of St. Mark's, High Prairie held on Friday, December 6, 2024.  It was good weather and good food.

Click to see pictures.

The bishop had the pleasure of celebrating the 150th year of the diocese with St. Peter's Ecumenical on Sunday, December 8, 2024.  There was a lunch following the service and then he was invited to the "Traveling Mabels" concert that night.

The bishop will be hosting an open house at his residence on Saturday, January 4, 2025 from 1:00 - 5:00 pm.  The address is 10101 - 102 Street, Peace River.  Please RSVP as soon as you know you are coming so we will know how much food to prepare. 

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

Not feeling well?  We have a solution.

Cold and flu season is upon us, and COVID persists in all its variations. Please remember that a minor infection for one person can be a major sickness for someone else, especially the more vulnerable members of our communities. If you are feeling unwell (ie. have a cough, runny nose, sore throat, chest congestion, fever...), let your parish (or us!) know, so we can pray for you.  And perhaps give yourself a break by staying home if you can — as we know, this also helps to prevent spreading germs to others. 

Worried about missing worship? Don't be! There are plenty of options for worshipping online with a parish community in the Diocese of Athabasca.  Click on the button below to find out more!

Advent begins Sunday December 1. Did you know that Wycliffe College invites the community to make room together for the Christ? Every Sunday morning during Advent we email a short reflection written by students, Alumni, faculty members and friends of the College. Do sign up if you haven't already. 

To sign up send an email to: patti.smyth@wycliffe.utoronto.ca

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 diocesan archivist, Dianne Golob has been reading through the many documents and papers that parishes have been submitting to be archived at the provincial archives.  Here is a little tidbit she found.

Give, though your gift be small, still be a giver;

Out of the little fount proceeds the river;

Out of the river’s gifts gulf soon will be

Pouring their waters out, making a sea.

Out of the sea again Heaven draws its showers,

And to the fount imparts all its new powers.

Thus in the circle born, gifts roll around,

And in the blessings given, blessing is found.

Our Daily Bread, which supplies daily devotionals to many of our parishes, has been greatly affected by the mail strike.  If you are unable to receive your daily devotional, it (and other resources) may be found at  http://www.ourdailybreadministries.ca and the "Our Daily Bread Ministries” app (found in Google Play or the Apple iStore).  They hope to resume mailing once the strike is over.

Archbishop Hosam Naoum and Dean Richard Sewell have asked for urgent support to ensure that a key ministry of the Diocese of Jerusalem, St. George’s College, can survive the current situation facing the region as a whole.

As you can see in the attached brochure (available online), violence and uncertainty have created a major crisis for St. George’s College Jerusalem. Its normal revenue stream from pilgrims’ fees, gift shop sales, and other lodging fees has been totally disrupted.

It is highly unlikely that pilgrimages will resume in the next twelve months and there are insufficient funds to provide already-reduced salaries for the College’s staff and essential operations. Let Light Shine: The Canadian Campaign for St. George’s College Jerusalem is seeking to raise $250,000 to cover these basic costs in 2025.

Please circulate this appeal in your diocese and please consider making a donation.

St. George’s College Jerusalem is a gem of the worldwide Anglican Communion, welcoming thousands from around the world who seek to see, feel, and understand the biblical and contemporary richness of the land of the Holy One, and the Christians, Jews, and Muslims who live there. Its valuable ministry must not fall victim to the present crisis.

Your support of this campaign is greatly appreciated. Please be in touch if you have any questions.

With sincere thanks and kind blessings,

+Shane

The Right Reverend Shane Parker