Election resource identifies political priorities for Anglicans

Just in time for the 2015 federal election, a new non-partisan resource offers support for Canadian Anglicans to engage with parties and candidates on a range of vital issues rooted in shared prosperity and protecting the most vulnerable members of society. Entitled Compassion, Justice and Reason: An Anglican Approach for Election 2015, the free downloadable … Continued

Planting the seeds of an Anglican Indigenous Church

As the cool evening air settled, Sacred Circle participants congregated around a small evergreen tree ready to be planted as part of a tradition at the end of the gathering. Before the tree was planted, Bishop Lydia Mamakwa of the Indigenous Spiritual Ministry of Mishamikoweesh offered a few words. “Planting a tree is an occasion … Continued

Indigenous youth point the way forward

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”—Romans 8:18 The tribulations of the past and present intermingled with hope for the future at Sacred Circle on Thursday, Aug. 19, as a new generation of Indigenous Anglicans stepped forward … Continued

‘Lifted on the wings of faith’ through music

More than most Anglican gatherings, Sacred Circle is characterized by the ever-present role of music. The sheer joy and enthusiasm of participants is matched only by the frequency and variety of the songs. Throughout each day, agenda items are bookended by musical segues led by either National Indigenous Anglican Bishop Mark MacDonald playing guitar or … Continued

To listen is to learn at Sacred Circle

The value of listening was an important lesson drawn from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, the Commission argued, required listening to the stories of those who endured the intergenerational trauma of the Indian residential school system. For non-Indigenous members of the Anglican Church of Canada, a similar … Continued

Lighting the Sacred Fire

Gathered outside in the early morning hours, a circle of onlookers watched as volunteers rubbed spindles into fireboards, trying to produce enough friction to create an ember. For young men in the Diné tradition, building a fire from scratch remains a rite of passage. The hard work of sparking a blaze without the aid of … Continued

Primate’s Sermon – Eighth National Sacred Circle

Archbishop Fred Hiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canon, delivers a sermon during the opening Eucharist service of the eighth national Anglican Indigenous Sacred Circle on Aug. 17, 2015.  A judgement against Israel, a psalm of penitence, and an invitation to a gospel way of living, that’s what we have in the Readings for … Continued

Anglicans attend United Church General Council

More than three decades ago, the Anglican Church of Canada and the United Church of Canada came close to a full structural merger, the result of which would have been known as the Church of Christ in Canada. The planned organic union never came about. Yet despite some rough patches in the fallout after the … Continued

Anglican Indigenous Sacred Circle builds on past success

Progress that has been made by Indigenous Anglicans towards self-determination will be evident by the very nature of the discussion when the eighth national Anglican Indigenous Sacred Circle meets later in August. “The next phase of self-determination will be the heart and focus of it,” National Indigenous Anglican Bishop Mark MacDonald said of the meeting, … Continued

Grants available for interfaith collaboration

Echoing principles laid out in the Marks of Mission, the Anglican Foundation of Canada (AFC) is offering five one-time grants of $10,000 each for new community service or outreach projects that involve interfaith collaboration. Requests for proposals are due Sept. 1, 2015. The grants are part of a new tradition for the Foundation, which beginning … Continued

Challenges remain as wildfires subside

The wildfires across Western Canada devastated huge swathes of forest and drove thousands of people from their homes. But as a result, residents from diverse backgrounds united to meet the challenge. While fires are still burning, the immediate crisis is over and evacuees are now returning to their homes. Saskatchewan Anglican Bishop Michael Hawkins said … Continued

Video hymnal a boon for small congregations

A new ecumenical resource is offering an alternative way for small groups and congregations to lead worshippers in the singing of hymns and spiritual songs. Sing Hallelujah! is a video hymnal comprised of a five-volume DVD set. In each video, musicians perform well-known traditional and contemporary hymns while lyrics scroll in large letters along the bottom … Continued