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 13*             Appointments in office (am); AST Grad

                                                student presentations (pm)

*note: Bishop Sandra is currently off sick and may not be in the office

Friday March 14                    Lunch and Learn – Anglican Alliance,

                                                St. James, Kentville

Saturday March 15               Lunch with Postulants, Truro, NS

Sunday March 16                  Pick up/welcome SSJD visitors

Monday March 17                 Day off

Tuesday March 18                Appointments in office and parish meeting

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

Rector, full-time, The Parish of Annapolis

An Invitation for: Wardens, Treasurers, Secretaries, Parish Leaders, and Parish Councils

Thank you for saying, “Yes!” to the opportunity to lead in your Parish. Whether you are brand new to your position or returning for another year, we would like to help you with some helpful tools for Parish Leadership. This year, we are launching two new resources: The Parish Leader’s Handbook: A Governance and Policy Handbook and The Treasurer’s Toolkit: A Financial Stewardship Resource for Parish Treasurers.

Join us for an introduction to both of these resources as well as a Q & A session on one (or more, if you like) of the following dates:

Tuesday, April 1st - 2:00pm - 3:30pm 

Tuesday, April 1st - 7:00pm - 8:30pm

Tuesday, May 13th - 2:00pm - 3:30pm

Tuesday, May 13th - 7:00pm - 8:30pm

Click on the date to register, you will receive the zoom link by email!

You will receive an electronic copy of both manuals before the information session. Contact Rev’d Ann Turner at executivedirector@nspediocese.ca for more details.

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 note the letter from the Bishop comes after the application is chosen by Diocesan Council and is not the parish's responsibility.

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.)

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.

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 

Since 2014, as part of the educational outreach of the Atlantic School of Theology, Camino Nova Scotia has "made pilgrimage local." Pilgrimage is spiritual travel for transformation. Camino Nova Scotia offers guided group walking pilgrimages in—you guessed it—Nova Scotia!

This summer we are offering Caminos along the South Shore of Nova Scotia and on the Western shore of Cape Breton Island, both of which highlight the seaside beauty of our beautiful province. Join us on pilgrimage and discover more about yourself in community, as you also discover the Gaelic, Mi’kmaq, and Acadian histories of the Land under your feet.

Visit www.caminonovascotia.ca for more information.

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 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

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

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

9:00am - 12:00pm

1215 Main Street (Corner of Lake Major Rd. & Highway #7)

There will be tickets for sale on a gift basket and a canteen.

Location is wheelchair accessible

Saturday, April 5th from 10:00am to 2:00pm

Admission $2

Showcasing 20 vendors, lots of homemade baked goods and a $5 lunch (homemade hamburger soup with roll)

There will be a Ticket Auction & 50/50 Tickets.

Tickets for the auction are $2 for 25 tickets.

Spring Luncheon Favorite 

Menu: Butter Chicken, Basmati Rice, Naan Bread, Dessert.

Cost is $16.50, Please place your order by Friday April 4th.

To place your order email Susan Picton at picton902@gmail.com or Helen Glenn at hglenn@missiontoseafarershalifax.ca or by phone at 902-422-7790

Thank you for your Support!

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 - $1.0337  Prince Edward Island - $1.0337