The Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island website — www.nspeidiocese.ca — has been restored to operational status!

Since its temporary downfall, our diocese’s website has been unavailable, preventing the publication of our weekly e-mail newsletter, Net News. This disruption has been particularly inconvenient for individuals who were attempting to submit Parish Returns and Annual Mailing Forms.

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused and acknowledge the frustration this situation has generated.

The outage was caused by an upgrade performed by our website hosting company (Tithely) earlier last week. With the oversight of our Executive Administrator, Jana, the company has since identified and resolved the error.

We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. Should you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us via phone or email.

Working with you and for you,

Synod Office Staff

Schedule

Thursday March 6 – Monthly meeting with Youth and Family Ministry Coordinator; Mentor’s Meeting; and Parish Meeting (evening)

Friday March 7 – In office meetings and appointments online; Community Vigil, St. John’s Lunenburg (evening)

Saturday March 8 – International Women’s Day Gathering

Sunday March 9 – Parish Worship

Monday March 10 – Morning/evening off; National House of Bishops Meeting (afternoon - online)

Tuesday March 11 – Reading, writing, and planning day

Wednesday March 12 – Leadership Team Meeting; Regional Deans’ Meeting; Canadian Compass Rose Society Meeting (online)

Ordination

On Tuesday March 25 at 7:00 p.m. on the Annunciation of the Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary, please join us at the Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax, as we gather for the Ordination of Blane Finnie and Ruth MacNeil to the Sacred Order of Deacons. Please pray for Blane and Ruth as they prepare for their ordination and ministry as Transitional Deacons in the Church of God. Clergy and Licensed Lay Ministers are invited to vest and process. The liturgical colour is white

Openings

Rector, full-time, Ecumenical Shared Ministry, The Anglican Parish of Tangier & The Sheet Harbour Pastoral Charge of the United Church of Canada

Rector, 3/4 tme, The Parishes of Musquodoboit and Ship Harbour

Assistant Priest for Congregation Life and Community Engagement, full-time, Cathedral Church of All Saints

Rector, full-time, The Parish of Saint George Halifax

Rector, full-time, The Parish of Annapolis

Reminder: The Annual Mailing materials are now available on our website, accessible via this link.

Please note that the deadline for the Certificate of Election is slightly earlier this year (due March 15) to allow sufficient time for data entry, ensuring timely communication of Synod information to the appropriate delegates.

All other forms and returns are due by March 31 and should be sent to Tonia Wright at office@nspeidiocese.ca.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Tonia—she will either assist you directly or direct your inquiry to the appropriate person.

Thank you for your prompt attention to completing these forms!

The next Anglican Foundation Grant deadlines are May 26, August 25, October 27, 2025.

Complete applications must be received by the Executive Secretary of Synod by those dates. execsecsynod@nspeidiocese.ca

Information for our Diocese in addition to the requirements from the Anglican Foundation

• The motion to move forward with this initative from the minutes of council are required
• The deadline for applying are earlier than the foundation dates as our applications must vetted and brought to Diocesan Council before they are sent to the foundation
• 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

Thinking about Lent? Join the Diocese of Fredricton in a Lenten book study to read John Mark Comer's Practicing the Way. 

"We are constantly being formed by the world around us. To be formed by Jesus will require us to become his apprentice. 

To live by what the first Christian disciples called a Rule of Life—a set of practices and relational rhythms that slow us down and open up space in our daily lives for God to do what only God can do—transforms the deepest parts of us to become like him. "

The series starts on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, and runs six sessions (until April 16, 2025) at 6:30PM for 60-90mins. Registration is required for the Zoom link. Participants will receive the reading schedule after they register.

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!

• Do you sense that God is nudging you to try something new?
• Do you wish to reach out to people who might never come to Sunday worship?
• Do you desire to be the hands, feet and heart of Christ to your community?

This peer learning community begins in early 2025 for lay and clergy participants who want to explore discerning prayer, deep dive discussions, engaging readings, goal-setting, mutual support and encouragement. 

The Connectors SEVEN is a group of up to 10 eager pioneering-type people who gather monthly 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.

Facilitators are: Kim Lively, Parish of Oakfield & Fall River; Bishop Ron Cutler (retd); Lisa Vaughn, Director of Mission and Ministry Development. 

ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS …

... are willing to lean into their growing edges and take risks.

... commit to participating in all the sessions and an average of 3 hours per month of study, reflection and discernment/visioning for themselves and their congregation(s). Additional time required for missional initiatives.

Application deadline for The Connectors SEVEN is extended to Thursday, March 13 (midnight)

INFO & SIGN-UP HERE:    http://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ConnectorsSEVEN

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

Anglicans Powering Potential remind Anglicans that Friday, March 7 is World Day of Prayer. There are over 60 churches of various denominations offering World Day of Prayer (WDP) services in our diocese and there is at least one church, often more than one, in each region offering a WDP service. All are welcome to these services.

The World Day of Prayer is an international ecumenical Christian laywomen's initiative. It is run under the motto "Informed Prayer and Prayerful Action" and is celebrated annually in over 170 countries on the first Friday in March. Please e-mail Cynthia at cjp2320@gmail.com to learn the details (date, time, place) of services offered in your region if you do not already know.

For 2025, the theme is: I Made You Wonderful and the country that has designed and written the program is the Cook Islands. Full information is available at: https://wdpcanada.ca/world-day-of-prayer/how-to-participate/

In honour of International Women’s Day, March 8, with its theme, Accelerate Action, Anglicans Powering Potential offer quotations of the African American author, scholar, feminist, and activist, bell hooks who notes: “Hopefulness empowers us to continue our work for justice even as the forces of injustice may gain greater power for a time.”
― bell hooks, Teaching Community: A Pedagogy of Hope

and

“Feminist thinking teaches us all, especially, how to love justice and freedom in ways that foster and affirm life.”
― bell hooks, Feminism Is for Everybody: Passionate Politics

Heath S. notes: “. . . Our relationship with God drives our intuition and hunger for social justice . . . “

Equity work requires great courage and the triumph of hope in the face of very entrenched obstacles. The words of Michelle Obama can help bolster the needed perseverance: “History has shown us that courage can be contagious, and hope can take on a life of its own." Here’s to both courage and hope!

By clicking the link below, you will find a list of key dates for our upcoming Synod, along with details on the location, convening circular, resolutions and more! 

Thanks to a generous donation from our Diocesan insurer, Ecclesiastical, we are pleased to share that the registration and accommodations for Youth and Children at Synod are not an expense that your Parish needs to consider.

As the time for preparing your annual parochial return approaches, we’re hosting a webinar to equip you with the knowledge and resources you need to complete the return accurately and efficiently.

Join us on:

March 6, 2025 at 2pm, Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83012227076 or

March 6, 2025 at 7pm, Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83911538858

This webinar will cover key aspects of the parochial return, including:

·         Step-by-step guidance through the return form, including explanations of each section.

·         Clarification of common questions and challenges related to income calculation and reporting.

This is a great opportunity to connect with other treasurers, learn best practices, and ensure your parish's return is submitted correctly. We look forward to seeing you on March 6!

Registration for the Anglican Foundation of Canada’s (AFC) 5th annual Say Yes! to Kids (SYTK) campaign is now open. The 2025 campaign will launch on Tuesday, April 22 and close on Monday, June 30. All parishes, dioceses, and organizations seeking to partner with AFC are asked to register by April 1.

Participation will be limited to 30 teams and registration is on a first-come-first-served basis. Teams will be asked to articulate a campaign goal and project focus at the point of registration. Most costs associated with youth projects and programs, including staffing, are eligible.

Cynthia Pilichos, AFC Representative for NS & PEI: cjp2320@gmail.com 

Allie Colp, Youth & Family Ministry Coordinator: youthandfamily@nspeidiocese.ca 

At AFC: Michelle Hauser, Development & Communication Officer: mhauser@anglicanfoundation.org

Praying with the DEN Community, Diocesan Environment Network (DEN) 

For more information contact DEN at: endionspei@gmail.com

LAST CHANCE for your parish to apply to participate in the Community Roots Day Camp this summer – Applications close today! Find all the details (including the application form!) here. 

And we’re looking for some superstars to join our staff team for the summer! We’re looking for folks who love kids, have at least a year of post-secondary education, and are looking for a fun-filled summer of learning about God and growing in faith. Find all the details here.

Anglicans Powering Potential will be extending the deadline date to contribute to the Community Roots Day Camp – until March 22, 2025. Details about how to contribute are on the poster.

Apply Now Here! Any questions, email Allie at youthandfamily@nspeidiocese.ca 

Join us for an informal opportunity to connect with others who are finding ways to intentionally welcome families into the life of their churches! Bring your stories, your questions, your ideas, your challenges, bring whatever you've got!

No need to commit to every month, but we'd love to have you there whenever you can make it! 

We’re on next for March 6 at 1 pm – hope to see you there!

Sign up here to get the zoom link!

Choral Evensong & Concerts every Sunday at 4:00pm

Presented by the Cathedral Church of All Saints & Capella Regalis Choirs

Free & Open to the public

Organist & Director of Music: Paul Halley

Asst. Director of music & Capella Regalis Choirs, Artistic Director: Nick Halley

 Join St. John's Anglican Church on Friday, March  7 at 64 Townsend St. for a community vigil.

Open for quiet contemplation with spoken prayers at 7:00pm

Join us for Lenten Soup Lunches, Fridays at 11:30am - 1:00pm (Various Dates below)

Lunch will include your choice of soup - biscuit/roll - dessert - tea/coffee

Friday, March 7th - St. Luke's Parish Hall, 10 Shore Club Road, Hubbards

Friday, March 14th - Hubbards & Area Lions Club, 43 Lions Club Road, Fox Point

Friday, March 21st - Parish of French Village, St. James Anglican Church, 6991 St. Margarets Bay Road, Boutiliers Point

Friday, March 28th - St. Andrews/St. Marks United Church, 7629 St. Margarets Bay Road, Ingramport

Friday, April 4th - 7th Day Adventist Church, 509 Hwy 329, Fox Point

- St. Peter's Church, 10030 Peggy's Cove Road, Hackett's Cove

Ecumenical Worship Service. Fellowship and refreshments will be available.

(Alternative snow date will be Friday, MArch 14th at 7pm)

-St. Luke's Anglican Church,9 Veterans Ave, Dartmouth, NS

The theme this year is "I made you Wonderful" and the program is written for Cook Islands.

We would be happy to welcome you!

For more information please contact Marjorie Davis 902-462-3637

-Aylesford United Church, 2414 Highway 1, Aylesford

This will be an ecumenical worship service written by the women of the Cook Islands entitled "I Made You Wonderful"

Friday, March 7th at 2:00pm (Storm Date - Sunday, March 9th at 2:00pm)

Join St. James Anglican Church, Halifax for a book study this Lent as we read Godsend: A Handbook for New Christian Communities, by, Michael Moynagh.

March 7th - April 11, 2025, Every Friday from (11:30am- 1:00pm)

Lunch and Learn! Hot Soup, Tea/Coffee, Dessert.

Register by February 28- Contact Alice Galpin Nicholson at alicegalpin@eastlink.ca

Anglicans Powering Potential encourages the acceleration of action regarding Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Celebrate International Women’s Day on Saturday, March 8th, by attending a special Gathering to which all (yes, all genders) are warmly welcome. It will be a time of camaraderie, music, presentations, creative time, and refreshments: 1:30 - 5:00; Lunenburg School for the Arts, Lunenburg, NS

St. Margaret of Scotland Church is hosting a concert of Irish songs by Evans & Doherty.

Doors open at 6:30pm and Tickets are $30 per person

Call (902)495-8883 for more information

Join Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax on Saturday, March 15 at 8:30am for Lenten Quiet Day. All are Welcome!

Scripture and the Lenten Pilgrimage to the Cross, led by Will Barton.

Questions? Email hello@anglicancathedralhalifax.ca

Join Katie Steeves, Assistant Professor of Sociology at Trinity Western University and Associate Director of Research at the Flourishing Congregations Institute for an interactive half-hour webinar – 20-minute research presentation & 10-minute Q/A (optional 15-minutes after for networking) – based on recent findings from qualitative interviews of Canadian women pastors on the topic of how gender interacts with their call and leadership. Learn how women religious leaders experience certain comments, actions, and interactions as “gender light bulb moments” – instances where they become aware they are being treated differently because of their gender. Consider how this impacts them and how to continue to create equitable contexts in ministry for women to lead.

We invite you to celebrate the ministry of our Deacon, Rev Cheryl Rafuse as she retires.  The celebration will be on Saturday March 29th 2-4pm at the Prospect Road Community Center, 2141 Prospect Road.  

Join for a morning of learning, advocacy, and partnership around Human Trafficking at the Church of St. Andrew, Cole Harbour. Guest Speaker, the Rev'd Kiersten Wells.

For more information contact: 

The Rev'd Marian Lucas-Jefferies marian.lucas.jefferies@gmail.com

Join us to celebrate the past, present and future of AST!

Lectures and workshops with Diana Butler Bass and more.

All events are being offered to Alumni for $175.00

Click here to register.

Any Questions? email astinfo@astheology.ns.ca or call 902-430-7662

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  - February 15, to February 21, 2025.

Nova Scotia - $1.0748  Prince Edward Island - $1.0748