This is a reminder that neither Bishop Sandra, nor any other clergy, will ask you to send gift card details or funds through email. In the event this type of outreach is needed, gift cards would be collected in person and distributed in person to those in need. Our Diocesan finances are such that, should an emergency arrive, we have access to funds that can help and we would not be approach individuals to assist.

Schedule

Thursday April 3 & Friday April 4           

Meetings with the National House of Bishops in Niagara Falls, Ontario

Saturday April 5 to 7                                 

Days off

Tuesday April 8                                         

Catch up; Mission to Seafarers Board Meeting (evening); and Diocesan Times Management Board Meeting (evening)

Wednesday April 9                                   

Leadership Team Meeting; Synod Agenda Meeting; and Canadian Compass Rose Society meeting (evening)

Announcements

Bishop Sandra is pleased to announce the appointment of the Rev’d Blane Finnie as Incumbent, full-time, of the Parish of Seaforth beginning May 1^st, 2025.

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

Rector, full-time, Collieries Parish

This year, we’re thrilled to offer a new opportunity for first-time delegates to learn about Synod and ask questions ahead of time! In addition to the in-person session on the morning of Synod, we will host online sessions. These online sessions provide an excellent chance to ask questions, hear from other delegates, and gain valuable insights to help you feel better prepared for Synod. We highly recommend that new delegates attend one of these sessions.

To Register for the April 3rd Session, follow THIS link.

The Diocesan Times is conducting a survey for both readers and non-readers. We are interested in learning how we can better serve you! It takes about 5-10 minutes to complete. Please use the following link to access the survey or use the QR code attached. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DiocesanTimes

Many thanks to the hundreds and hundreds of you who have signed up for and completed Safe Faith and Diocesan Sexual Misconduct Policy training! It is simply inspiring to see just how many people have completed this important work in an effort to help our churches be safer for all people. If you are still feeling uncertain about who needs to complete this training, you can find that information on this chart, and if you need to take this training but have not yet done so, you can sign up for that here.

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, 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

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.

Are you curious about the role of the Primate and the process for the election of a new Primate?

On June 26, members of General Synod will elect the next Primate of The Anglican Church of Canada. But what is a Primate, and how are they elected? Two new videos on the General Synod 2025 website provide an overview of the Primate’s role and the election process.

To view the videos, please go here.

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

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

These monthly chats have been a great opportunity to connect with other people in parishes finding ways to meaningfully welcome families into their communities. You don’t need to have attended before, or commit to joining every time – we’d love to have you there!

Our next zoom call is happening on April 3 at 1:30 pm

Sign up for the zoom link here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/bvAt9Hc9RsOq1X7ohrIocw

Inspired Faith is a series of zoom calls where leaders in children’s, youth, and family ministry can connect with one another, hear from guest speakers, and grow as leaders and as people of faith. For our next gathering, there’s no planned agenda. Instead, we’ll talk through what you’ve got going on in your parish to help fine tune what you’ve got going on to engage children, youth, and families in Holy Week and through the season of Easter. If you don’t have anything planned yet, it’s not too late to make it happen. Sign up for the zoom link here.

The Growth for Ministry Fund exists because of the financial stewardship of Anglican who have made planned gifts to the Diocese.  The purpose is to enable the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island to respond faithfully to God's call to minister to a wide field of mission:

• to provide for development and/or expansion in new growth areas at the parish, regional or diocesan level;
• to provide seed monies for experimental and/or new forms of ministry;
• to provide funding for Outreach Ministry which touches the lives of those in need in society in general, and for the purpose of responding on short notice to situations in the community calling for concerned Christian response.

The Policy and Application can be found HERE.

AST Seeks Input on Church Leadership Needs for Grant Application

The Atlantic School of Theology (AST) is exploring the evolving leadership needs of Christian churches as part of its application for a Pathways for Tomorrow grant from the Lilly Endowment. Consultant Rev. Dr. Steven J. Chambers is hosting discussions to gather insights on the future of ministry leadership and how AST can support it.

Meetings will be held at:
Bedford United Church – April 8, 9:30–11 AM
Woodlawn United Church (Dartmouth) – April 10, 1:30–3 PM
St. James Anglican Church (Halifax) – April 10, 7–8:30 PM

Attendees are encouraged to RSVP via email (steven.chambers@astheology.ns.ca). Join the conversation and help shape the future of church leadership!

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

As a Pastor or Ministry Leader we want to invite you to one of two opportunities to join a Zoom meeting to: 1) Introduce you to what Celebrate Recovery is, and 2) Make you aware of an upcoming CR Rally here in Maritime Canada.

Choose what date is most convenient for you, get it in your calendar and get ready to join us, either on Wed, April 9 @ 7:00 pm, or Thurs, April 10 @ 10:00 am.

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.

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

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

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!

Come and enjoy a meal and learn more about the Palestinian experience.

Hosted by St. Timothy's - 2320 Prospect Rd, Hatchet Lake

Donations: $10 or more.

RSVP: dawnapurcell@gmail.com (you can email your contribution or pay at the door). 

Limited seating so please book early

If you are unable to attend but would still like to contribute, please e-transfer to dawnapurcell@gmail.com

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.

Come enjoy Cookie Decorating, Hot Chocolate, Crafts, and an Easter Egg Hunt at our Community Easter Party!

1:00pm - 3:00pm

Free Event

Join St. Luke's Earth Keepers to clean up the parking lot and exit 6 roadside.

Prizes for most unique and most valuable items found.

Refreshments to follow at 10 Shore Club Rd.

Meet at car pool lot Exit 6.

Garbage bags will be provided, please bring your own gloves.

Put on your Easter Bonnet and Join Us! Free Will Offering

Sandwiches, sweets, and refreshments available, all ages are welcome!

Prizes will be awarded for: Best Bonnet, Funniest Bonnet, Most Colorful Bonnet, Best Child's Bonnet and Best Fascinator.

1:00pm - 3:00pm

An opportunity to join with the wider community of Northern Nova Scotia in commemoration of the 5th anniversary of the massacre in Portapique.

On the evening of April 18, 2025, Good Friday, the Veterans Memorial Park in Bass River will light 200 candles to commemorate the 22 lives taken in violence 5 years ago, many from the neighbouring community of Portapique. The candles scattered throughout the park’s shrubs and trees are meant to signify the souls’ spark of the divine, rising. Three days after the massacre, a White Hart or Deer was seen in Portapique. The white hart is a legendary creature, which dwells in the ‘sanctuary’. In some ancient Celt and Viking art, it represents our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. According to legend, the Hart will heal the land and defeat the darkness. Many believe the Hart was present that evening to collect souls. This year the third night will be Easter. Remembering: Jamie and Greg Blair, Lisa McCully, Corrie Ellison, Jolene Oliver, Aaron Tuck, Emily Tuck, Joy and Peter Bond, Dawn Madsen, Frank Gulenchyn, John Zahl, Joanne Thomas, Sean MacLeod, Alanna Jenkins, Tom Bagley, Lillian Campbell-Hyslop, Kristen Beaton, Heather O’Brien, Constable Heidi Stevenson, Joey Webber, and Gina Goulet. Into thy hands, we commend their spirits.

Children 12 and under welcome to come participate in an Easter Egg Hunt and enjoy Ice Cream Sundaes.

There will also be a jelly bean jar contest.

The event is free of charge.

Homemade Hot Cross Buns, just in time for Easter.

$6 for a pkg of 6.

Pre-order by text to 902-222-5018 or pre-order and pay to Smoshalifax@outlook.com

Deadline for orders is Sunday April 13th

Pick up will be Saturday April 19, 1pm to 3pm in the church hall (basement door)

All are Welcome for the Annual Easter Egg Hunt at St. James' Anglican Church.

Meet in the church at 2pm!

On behalf of the Atlantic Jewish Council Board of Directors it is our pleasure to invite you to our annual Holocaust Remembrance Day, Yom HaShoah.

Guest speakers: Shimon and Peggy Walt, Finding Our Jewish Family in Lithuania, in conversation with Olga Milosevich.

The program will include a candle-lighting ceremony and reception to follow.

R.S.V.P: Edna LeVine, Director of Community Engagement, engagement@theajc.ca

5440 Spring Garden Road, Paul O'Regan Hall, Halifax Central Library

The Atlantic Jewish Council invites you to participate, as we join with Jewish communities throughout the world, in the public recitation of names of Jewish victims of the Holocaust. Now in its thirty-sixth year, B’nai B’rith International, the North American sponsor of this worldwide Holocaust memorial project, provides the opportunity to remember the murdered Jewish victims of the Holocaust.

To book a 10-minute time slot please email: Edna LeVine engagement@theajc.ca  

R.S.V.P: engagement@theajc.ca

Lobby, Canadian Museum of immigration at Pier 21

St. Margaret of Scotland Church, 3751 Robie St., Halifax, is holding a flea market on Saturday, April 26th 

Vendor tables are available for $15 each. Please call 902-453-6912 to book a table. 

Admission is $1 and there will be a canteen on site.

Join us and sing along to some Canadian favorites.

Tickets are $30/person (19+) and includes loggers meal of chili, roll & desert. (vegetarian option available upon request)

See poster for more details!

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

Freewill donations for the Boutilier's Point Rink Association.

St. James Yellow Church, 6991 St. Margaret's Bay Road, Boutilier's Point

Come to James Games & Cafe on Wednesdays 2-4pm at the Yellow Church, 6991 St. Margarets Bay Road, Boutilier's Point.

Bring your own cards and games if you wish.

Rural Routes Through the Holy 2025, will be held June 12 – 14^th at   Sackville NB at the Regional Office, 21 Wright Avenue  The theme is Life, Land, and Leadership: Loving with Your Feet and it will be led by Rob Fennell and Shawna Lucas. 

Registration fees for this and the in person gathering are available on the website.  Please follow us to receive our news.

If you have questions, or need a paper registration form, you can reach me (Catherine) at ruralroutesatlantic@gmail.com

Atlantic School of Theology Credit Course: Pilgrimage and Retreat Leadership

If you would like to participate in Rural Routes and receive a university-level course credit, you can do so by registering for a course at Atlantic School of Theology, entitled, "Pilgrimage and Retreat Leadership." For more information, contact Prof. Rob Fennell at rob.fennell@astheology.ns.ca.

Does your Church have a Chalice Veil and Burse?

St. John the Evangelist in Crapaud wants to give new life to these items that you no longer need in your parish.

The attached picture of the frontal helps match the "off white/cream/beige" colour of these items we are seeking.

Contact Rev'd Cathy Pharo at cmpharo@eastlink.ca

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  - March 29, 2025 - April 04, 2025.

Nova Scotia - $0.9406  Prince Edward Island - $0.9406