Interested in keeping up-to-date on news and information from the Anglican Church of Canada? Sign up for our email alerts and get our stories delivered right to your inbox.
As Ali Symons notes in a recent web article, the Amazing Grace Project gives us a wonderful window into the national life of the Anglican Church of Canada.
It also says a great deal about what we are and what we can be.
When I was a child, although I liked many of the traditions of Advent and Christmas, I was most focused on the presents that would eventually show up under the tree. As I’ve gotten older, my focus and my joy are more and more about the way that the traditions of Advent and Christmas point to the true gift of the season.
The Amazing Grace Project is proving to have been a resounding success, with close to 450 videos received so far and more than $18,000 raised in support of ministry in the Canadian North.
“I guess it’s a homecoming, you might call it,” said the Ven. Larry Beardy of the World Christian Gathering of Indigenous People, held Sept. 9 to 18 in Israel. Mr. Beardy and his wife Elizabeth, Cree Anglicans from Tataskweyak, Man., joined over 400 other participants in touring the Holy Land and celebrating Christianity amongst Indigenous peoples.
Lord it is night.
The night is for stillness.
Let us be still in the presence of God.
A new Anglican-Lutheran prayer cycle (PDF) lists prayer suggestions for the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) side by side. The suggestions cover the work of bishops, ministries, and staff and are for use in Sunday services between Nov. 2008 and Nov. 2009. The prayer cycle was developed by the Joint Anglican-Lutheran Commission, which oversees this relationship in Canada.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, has recorded a video message to mark the 20th annual World AIDS day on December 1, 2008. There are currently 30 million people worldwide living with HIV.
A deluge of “Amazing Grace” videos is flooding Church House from all parts of the country. Nov. 23 was Amazing Grace Sunday, when Anglicans from across Canada sang “Amazing Grace,” filmed it, and sent (or are sending) their renditions to the national office. The videos will be made into one compilation video, to be put online by Christmas. Individual singers were also asked to donate a toonie to support northern ministry through the Council of the North.
Sing because it is a lovely hymn steeped in a fascinating history.
Sing as a symbol of the unity of the church in Christ.
Sing in prayer and support for the Council of the North.
Council members began their day with Bible study at 8:30. They reconvened for business at 9:15.
COGS members began the day at 9:00 with a Eucharist, then spent time with their Bible study groups.
Archbishop Fred Hiltz and Bishop Susan Johnson sent a reminder today to Minister Diane Finley, the newly appointed Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development to live up to a pre-election promise that a Conservative government would renew three key programs for affordable housing in Canada.
The Council of General Synod began its third meeting of the triennium by celebrating the Eucharist together. Members then spent time in Bible study groups before reconvening.
The Amazing Grace team at General Synod has been sending out lots of ideas to keep the creative juices flowing for Nov. 23. On this special Sunday, all Canadian Anglicans are encouraged to sing “Amazing Grace,” film their rendition, and send it to the national office so it can be included in a compilation video, to be put online by Christmas.
I have no idea how God manages the economy of prayer. How do well wishes and worries murmured in Canada translate into good things in other places?