Schedule

Monday, December 6th to Sunday, December 12th – Vacation

Tuesday, December 14th - Appointments in Office

Wednesday, December 15th - Appointments in office and Staff Event in afternoon 

I am delighted to say that the Board of Directors of the Anglican Foundation of Canada (AFC) has approved nearly $650,000 in grants and bursaries to 110 applicants as part of its November grant cycle, bringing the Canada-wide 2021 grant awards total to more than $835,000.

This includes an astonishing $470,000 in funding for the Say Yes! to Kids Request for Proposals: the largest one-time investment in youth-focused ministry the Canadian church has seen.

You will be happy to learn that the Diocese of Nova Scotia & PEI embraced Say Yes! to Kids with a spirit of innovation and creativity. Ten of your youth-focused ministry projects have been approved for a total of $61,650 in funding. This brings your 2021 diocesan grant awards total to $68,150!

I am grateful for the generosity of Canadian Anglicans, and the many AFC supporters in the Diocese of Nova Scotia & PEI who have made this transformational investment possible. For those who were unable to join us, I hope you will enjoy this highlights reel of the grant awards celebration in your diocese: 

Please see the attached notice from the Reverend Will Ferrey, Executive Secretary of Synod and Bishop Sandra Fyfe with regards to an upcoming Special Session of Synod in January 2022.

Our Mission: The Anglican Parish of Bridgetown is a welcoming family-oriented church seeking to share Christ’s love through faith, fellowship and hope.

The Parish of Bridgetown, incorporating St. James, St. Mary’s and St. Peter’s, is seeking a half-time Rector. Services are conducted using the Book of Alternative Services as well as other available resources.

Holiday Payroll Submission Deadline – Please note, due to the upcoming holidays, the payroll submission deadline for the pay of December 30th will be brought forward from December 16th to end of day December 14th.  Any submissions received after the deadline will be processed in the first pay of January (or second pay of January for Priest-In-Charge).

Holiday PAR Submission Deadline – Please note, due to the upcoming holidays, PAR changes effective January 1st, 2022 should be sent by end of day December 16th.

Youth Christmas Party!

Get ready for a super fun afternoon of friends, games, and food! 
We'll be hanging out at Playdium in Dartmouth THIS SATURDAY - December 11 from 2:15-4:15 - come join us! 
For youth in grades 7 to 12 (with some flexibility beyond that). Proof of vaccination is required for anyone over 12. It's not too late to sign up, but we've only got a few spots left! Sign up ASAP here.  

Building Up Our Teams!

The Youth and Family Ministry Vision Strategy and Support Team has lots of incredible work underway, and we'd love to have some new faces and new energy around the table of some of our task groups. These don't have to be long-term commitments, and the amount of work required is flexible based on what you can offer. Here's an idea of some of the things we are working on:

*Youth at Synod

*Diocesan Youth Conference 2022

*Community Roots Day Camp Program

*Welcoming Families Youth

*Internship Program

*Training for Leaders in Youth and Family Ministry

If any of those sound exciting to you - let me know at acolp@nspeidiocese.ca!  

Our congregations have many true gifts in offering a warm welcome to guests. These next few weeks we will be receiving new people who may be joining in our faith community events for the first time. Building on this sense of grace and generosity, what are some ways we can improve and help visitors feel at home and curious enough to return? Read this list of 50 Ways to Welcome New People, published by The Lewis Center for Church Leadership.  

Covid 19 Guidelines: A Reminder

We continue to work with Public Health and to be in conversation with our ecumenical partners as we navigate these uncertain times. With the variants presently closing some international borders, it is worth revisiting the fact that our Diocesan Guidelines are a starting point for parish guidelines. By this it is meant that the restrictions regarding masking, hand sanitizing, social distancing, and contact tracing remain expectations even as some provincial measures have lightened up. Churches remain under a great deal of scrutiny at this time, and it is incumbent upon us to show the wider community that we hold them at the centre of our caution, care, and regulations. 

This said, and in consultation with Regional Deans and Archdeacons, we are authorizing parishes to include in their roster of Christmas services (meaning, not the only service but “one of”) a liturgy that requires Proof of Vaccination and releases restrictions on social distancing. Masking, sanitizing and tracing lists remain mandatory. Acknowledging that the Diocesan Covid-19 Guidelines are the base of any parish guidelines — meaning, the minimum requirement for practice and procedures — it remains an expectation that you work with your parish team to determine the restrictions appropriate to remain in effect according to your context and risk (for example, consider your architecture, ventilation, and the vulnerable populations you serve). 

Following this Christmas experience, we will survey those parishes who tried this and make further determinations about requiring POV for worship.

If you have specific questions, please contact Rev’d Ann Turner at executivedirector@nspeidiocese.ca

For general concerns you may consult provincial guidelines:   Nova Scotia:   For up-to-date information please go to: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/  PEI: For up-to-date information, please go to: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/covid19  

We are pleased to announce that the Diocese is now a part of the Workplace Screening Program for COVID-19 and in upcoming weeks will be able to provide parishes and parish staff with the materials for at-home, rapid antigen testing. Please review the attached document to determine if this is something you or your parish/congregational staff would like to participate in. The test is intended for assessment for those who do not have COVID-19 symptoms. It is also recommended that you NOT use this means of testing within 90 days of a positive PCR COVID-19 test. If you wish to access this program through the Diocese, please be in touch with Executive Director Rev’d Ann Turner at executivedirector@nspeidiocese.ca. We expect to have tests readily available beginning in the new year.

The Diocesan Council at their June 2021 Meeting approved a NEW  HR Policy 2.1.26 – CHECKLIST OF TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR PARISH MINISTRY AND MISSION 

This Policy was developed by the HRVSST in order to assist Archdeacons in developing comprehensive Covenants and Contracts for Clergy serving in this Diocese. Copies of the Policy and accompanying CHECKLIST were sent from the Synod Office in August to 60 Clergy in Part-time Parish Ministry as well as Priests-in-Charge .  Clergy were requested to complete a copy of the Checklist and send it to the Chair of the HRVSST. Additional copies submitted by the lay leadership in each Parish were also encouraged.

HRVSST will use the date in its review of Policies for Part-time Ministry and Priests-in-charge.  In particular we are trying to determine if there are ministry or mission tasks which are not currently being led by clergy or laity in Parishes , which may then need Regional or Diocesan support and training. 

Copies of the Policy 2.1.26 and Checklist are available on the Diocesan Website, linked here

HRVSST will continue to receive Checklists at each of its meetings.

Thur. Nov. 25, January 20,  March 17  and May 19, 2022.

Completed CHECKLISTS can be sent to:  

The Rev. John K. Morrell, River John, NS B0K 1N0

jkmorrell@hotmail.com

Our friends in the Diocese of Fredericton are offering a gracious invitation to join them in a special seasonal online gathering. "From Lament to Expectation," is an Advent Retreat being led by Rev. Jasmine Chandra. Jasmine co-pastors Stone Church with her husband, Terence, and is a community missioner in the Uptown Saint John area. 

The Zoom retreat begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 10 and concludes by suppertime on Saturday, Dec. 11. It features segments of live teaching, group prayer and individual guided reflection. It is free.

For more information and to register, visit this link: https://nb.anglican.ca/events/advent-retreat--533/2021-12-10

Listen. Learn. Experiment. Connect.

Applications and expressions of interest are welcomed for our missional leadership learning cohort, called The Connectors FOUR.

Deadline is midnight Dec. 12th.

*Do you sense that God is nudging you to try something new? 
 

*To reach out to people who might never come to Sunday morning worship? 
 
*To be the hands, feet and heart of Christ to your community?

This peer learning community begins in early 2022 for lay and clergy participants who want to explore discerning prayer, deep dive discussions, engaging readings, goal-setting, mutual support and encouragement. The Connectors FOUR is a group of up to 10 eager pioneering-type people who gather monthly over a year for 10, two-day sessions (a mixture of residential retreats and Zoom meetings). This is a skill-building environment for faithful Anglicans who want to reach out to others, but aren’t sure how. Participants in this cohort are a gift and asset to a local parish and their community. All costs are covered by the Diocese.

ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS ARE …

o Willing to take risks - personally and in their contexts - to be bold leaders, mentoring other leaders and actively innovating in mission;

o Committing to participating in all of The Connectors sessions and an estimated average of 3 hours per month of study, reflection and discernment/visioning for themselves and their congregation(s). Additional time is required for their respective missional initiatives.

INTERESTED?  Pray about it... then fill out the attached application form.

GOT QUESTIONS?    902-789-4840   or lvaughn@nspeidiocese.ca

See also: https://www.nspeidiocese.ca/users/the-revd-lisa-vaughn

ACW Magazine, Keeping in Touch - Advent/Christmas 2021 Issue can be read linked here.

 Anglican Church Women say “Bravo!” Congratulations to our 10 successful Say Yes! to Kids applicants, the most applicants of any diocese in Canada! Check out all the exciting news here about our great projects to benefit kids and youth. 

 Welcome to our weekly Enews. The Diocesan Environment Network (DEN) of the Anglican Diocese of NS & PEI, was formed in response to the Fifth Mark of Mission and the latest addition to our Baptismal Covenant which has become our Mission Statement.

“To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth.”

To do this we educate and encourage stewardship through social media and liturgies, connect with other environment groups, pray together, celebrate art with each other and grieve together. 

View the latest newsletter here for our weekley newsletter.

Seeking to learn something new? The continuing education offerings for Winter 2022 are available to anyone!  

The last day to register is December 13th 2021 at 5 pm (AST) - except for the course Colouring Outside the Lines: The Ministry Leader as Artist 

Have questions? Email Jane Bolivar jbolivar@astheology.ns.ca  

Christian Doctrine and the Old Testament
Dates: January 13 to April 7, 2022
Days & Times: Thursdays 1:00 to 3:30 pm (AST)
Fee: $250
Instructor: Daniel Driver  

Colouring Outside the Lines: The Ministry Leader as Artist
Dates: February 3 to 24, 2022
Days & Times: Thursdays 7:00 to 8:30 pm (AST)
Fee: $160.15
Instructor: Darlene Brewer  

Early Christian Thought
Dates: January 10 to April 4, 2022
Days & Times: 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm (AST)
Fee: $250
Instructor: David Deane   

The Doctrine of God
Dates: January 14 to April 1, 2022
Days & Times: Fridays 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm (AST)
Fee: $250
Instructor: David Deane  

The Intergenerating Church 
Dates: January 13 to April 7, 2022
Days & Times: Thursdays 4:00 to 6:30 pm (AST)
Fee: $250
Instructor: Dave Csinos  

The New Testament’s Earliest Readers
Dates: January 10 to April 7, 2022
Days & Times: TBA
Fee: $250
Instructor: Evangeline Kozitza Dean  

The Synoptic Gospels and Israel’s Scriptures
Dates: January 10 to April 4, 2022
Days & Times: Mondays 4:00 to 6:30 pm (AST)
Fee: $250
Instructor: Evangeline Kozitza Dean  

The Ten Commandments
Dates: January 11 to April 5, 2022
Days & Times: Tuesdays 4:00 to 6:00 pm (AST)
Fee: $250
Instructor: Daniel Driver   

Worshipping into the Future
Dates: January 10 to April 7, 2022
Days & Times: TBA
Fee: $250
Instructor: Andrew O'Neil   

Nothing can stop Christmas, and we continue to share with seafarers the joy and spirit of the holidays through gift-giving. The campaign is also our additional way of thanking the Hidden Heroes for their sacrifices and hard work. In many ways, the seafarers deeply appreciate the presents they receive from people who care beyond their homes and families.

To all our donors and supporters, we share the seafarers’ THANK YOU!

What is in the shoebox – a regular running shoe box?
Hat, scarf, gloves or mitts, socks, wrapped hard candy (no chocolate), soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, shaving foam, razors, deodorant, lip balm, playing cad, mementos of NS, PEI or Canada.

Our team of shoebox experts quality checks the contents of shoeboxes we received if they are already stuffed with items. Otherwise, the items placed in the box are carefully identified and limited only to the above list. The list is deemed as essential items the seafarers generally and personally need onboard.

All shoeboxes are gift wrapped by a team of volunteers, signifying the gifts are produced with joy, love, and passion, driven by the spirit of Christmas.

What do we need and when is the campaign conducted?
We accept donations in kind or in cash. We use cash donations to purchase the items that go in the shoebox.

Due to the restrictions and threat of COVID 19 in 2020, our donors mostly donated cash, which greatly assisted in managing the inventory and purchasing the items accordingly.

October — we start accepting donations of shoeboxes, cash, and kind.
November — we set up and begin the production process (sorting, stuffing, wrapping)
December — we start delivery of Christmas shoebox presents to ships
Campaign continues while supply lasts (usually until January the following year.

For more information contact 902-422-7790 or email Helen Glenn, Mission Manager

Diocesan Heating Oil Program

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. Jennifer Bishop by name at 1-888-310-1924 or by email at Jennifer.Bishop@IrvingOil.com

-The Furnace Oil price for the period December 4th to December 10th, 2021

Nova Scotia                         $0.8700 plus applicable taxes

Prince Edward Island        $0.8493 plus applicable taxes

Cycle of Prayer can be found here for November 28th to December 19th, 2021.

Post your CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP TIMES on the home page of your parish websites and Facebook pages NOW. Seekers are looking for information not only about times and type of liturgy, but also if registration is required and about the COVID-19 protocols.

Studies show that if visitors have to hunt and click several times to find this type of basic information, they are apt to give up and go somewhere else. MAKE IT EASY to FIND your Faith Community! 

The following are the Services for the month of December 2021, all which will be held at St. Edward the Confessor Anglican Church, 1650 Highway No 1, Clementsport, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia, all are most welcome to attend bearing in mind the Church is being fully sanitized/Social distancing is being respected….

Sunday, 05th December 2021 at 1000 hrs                      Holy Eucharist                        BCP

Sunday, 12th December 2021 at 1000 hrs - Holy Eucharist, BAS

Sunday, 19th December 2021 at 1000 hrs - Holy Eucharist, BCP

Friday, 24th December 2021 at 7 PM - Holy Eucharist, BCP

Sunday, 26th December 2021 at 1000 hrs - Holy Eucharist, BCP 

The Parish would like to wish all a most Blessed Christmastide 

2 PM – Children’s/Family Service

§  Must Pre-Register by 12 NOON, Dec 23rd by email or phone the office at 902-835-2605.

§  Masks must be always worn.

§  For people’s comfort we have made some provision for physical distancing. 

§  Singing should be soft.

§  Communion will be offer in one kind, bread, offered and received at the Chancel steps. Once you have received the bread you may remove your mask to consume the bread and then place your mask back on. 

4 PM – Children’s/Family Service

§  Must Pre-Register by 12 NOON, Dec 23rd by email or phone the office at 902-835-2605. 

§  PROOF OF VACCINATION REQUIRED.

§  Masks must be always worn.

§  Singing should be soft.

§  Communion will be offer in one kind, bread, offered and received at the Chancel steps. Once you have received the bread you may remove your mask to consume the bread and then place your mask back on. 

7 PM – Family Candle Light Service

§  Must Pre-Register by 12 NOON, Dec 23rd by email or phone the office at 902-835-2605.

§  PROOF OF VACCINATION REQUIRED.

§  Masks must be always worn.

§  Singing should be soft.

§  Communion will be offer in one kind, bread, offered and received at the Chancel steps. Once you have received the bread you may remove your mask to consume the bread and then place your mask back on. 

10 PM – Solemn Candle Light Eucharist

§  Must Pre-Register by 12 NOON, Dec 23rd by email or phone the office at 902-835-2605.

§  Masks must be always worn.

§  For people’s comfort we have made some provision for physical distancing. 

§  Singing should be soft.

§  Communion will be offer in one kind, bread, offered and received at the Chancel steps. Once you have received the bread you may remove your mask to consume the bread and then place your mask back on. 

Join guide, Rev. Dr. G. Wayne Short on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. (Atlantic Standard Time) for Christian meditation sessions.

These two free weekly groups are hosted on an ongoing basis and feature the teachings of Fr. John Main and Fr. Laurence Freedman. All sessions are approximately 1 hour.   

Rev. Wayne is a priest in Prince Edward Island and presently priest-in-charge in the Parish of Cherry Valley. Register by contacting him via e-mail:  mcast709@gmail.com or phone 902 675 4001.

Feel free to share this information with others. You may join at any time. 

COUNTRY MUSIC SHOW

FRANK GRANDY & THE BAND CUTE AS A BUTTON  

(Classic Country, Gospel & Rock& Roll)

PLACE: Holy Trinity Emmanuel Church Hall

              30 Alfred St.  Dartmouth

DATE:    Sunday 12th December, 2021

TIME:    1:30-4:30

Free will offering at the door

Canteen: pop, water, tea, coffee,  Chocolate bars & chips

Come out for an afternoon of great entertainment &  Fellowship

All proceeds will be used for the upkeep of the Church

All relevant COVID-19 practices are in place…

PLEASE DO GET VACCINATED IF YOU ARE ABLE…

 Emmanuel Church is raffling this beautiful Christmas basket.  Tickets on sale now, $5 each. Contact Sarah at 902-406-9423. Approximate value, over $275.

Draw date, December 17.

Don't miss your chance: Act now! 

Streaming Sunday, December 12th, 2021 at 7:00 pm AST

from St. Mark's Church Halifax.

Please see attachment for more information or visit https://www.stmarkshalifax.ca/ 

Christmas Pageant Information 

Sunday, December 12 at 10 a.m. 
CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PAGEANT REHEARSAL
Rehearsal will be in the Great Hall. The children will be learning 2 carols as well as a short, simplified script. 

Sunday, December 19 at 10 a.m.
CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
For Parents and Guardians. Please arrive by 9.40 a.m. There is a party for the kids after the pageant in the Great Hall. Those who cannot attend the rehearsal are MORE THAN WELCOME to join the pageant; please arrive early to get a costume. 
Kids will be wearing masks both at the rehearsal and the pageant. (Sunday School teachers leading the rehearsal and pageant are double vaxxed.) Please email Elissa Barnard (elissa.barnard@gmail.com) for further information. 

Sunday, December 19 at 4:00 p.m.
Concert: TO BETHLEHEM WITH KINGS (Ticketed Event)
Capella Regalis Men & Boys Choir, directed by Nick Halley, presents its annual programme of Christmas music. For more information visit www.capellaregalis.com

Monday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
WRITE FOR RIGHTS
Write For Rights: Pick up a pen and write a letter that can save a life on Monday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., in the Nursery or Great Hall (depending on numbers.) Masks and vaccines are required. All materials provided. 
Every year Amnesty International hosts a global, letter-writing event around International Human Rights Day (Dec. 10) to petition governments to free social justice activists who are wrongly imprisoned. This year's cases include a Chinese journalist who wrote about Covid, women's rights activists, an Indigenous man jailed for defending a river.  For information go to: Home - Write for Rights (writeathon.ca)

Cathedral Church of All Saints Halifax | Facebook

 Deadline for Net News submissions is 5:00 pm each Tuesday.  Thank you!