Diocese of Athabasca - What's Happening

Diocese of Athabasca News, Updated March 8, 2010

March 7-13 in the Diocese of Athabasca Prayer Cycle we are praying for the parish of Northern Lights - St. Paul’s, Boyle, St.Thomas, Perryvale, St. Andrew, Colinton, Christ Church, Wandering River, Golgotha Lutheran and The Rev. Lesley Wheeler-Dame incumbent of the parish. Next week March 14 –20 we are praying for all Retired Clergy in the Diocese especially The Most Rev. John R. Clarke in Peace River.

At the end of the updates there is a special prayer for the bishop and his family and for the youth and youth leaders in the diocese. Please feel free to make copies of the two prayers for others.

Bishop's Itinerary

March 16 - 18 Clergy gathering Star of the North
March 20 & 21 Parish Visit/Event Beaverlodge
March 28 Parish Visit Wabasca
April 4 Easter Sunday
April 11 Parish Visit Grimshaw/Berwyn
April 23 - 24 Diocesan Event – Alan Roxburgh - Grimshaw
May 8 Diocesan Executive Council - High Prairie
May 14 - 16 Diocesan ACW Conference - Colinton
June 3 - 11 General Synod Halifax
September 17 & 18 Diocesan Executive Council TBA
October 14 - 17 Diocese of Athabasca Synod Slave Lake
October 21 – 26 House of Bishops and Spouse Meetings

Dean's Itinerary

March 16 - 18 Clergy gathering Star of the North
April 4 Easter Sunday
April 23 - 24 Diocesan Event Grimshaw
May 8 Diocesan Executive Council High Prairie
May 18 – 20 Vital Church Planting Conference Edmonton
June 3 - 11 General Synod Halifax
June 11 – 25 Vacation
September 17 & 18 Diocesan Executive Council TBA
October 14 - 17 Diocese of Athabasca Synod Slave Lake

Archdeacon's Itinerary

March 8 – 12th Vacation
March 16 - 18 Clergy gathering Star of the North
April 4 Easter Sunday
April 23 - 24 Diocesan Event Grimshaw
May 8 Diocesan Executive Council High Prairie
May 24 – 28 Leadership Training Edmonton
September 17 & 18 Diocesan Executive Council TBA
October 14 - 17 Diocese of Athabasca Synod Slave Lake

Upcoming Events in the Diocese

February 28 Parochial Returns Due in Synod Office
March 15 Synod Delegates/Lay Reader Renewals Due Synod Office
March 16 – 18 Diocesan Clergy Gathering Star of the North
April 23 & 24 Diocesan Event - It's Harvest Time - Alan Roxburgh Grimshaw
May 14 - 16 Diocesan ACW Conference Colinton - Host parishes – Northern Lights & Athabasca
August 2 - 6 Diocesan Youth Camp - Camp Artaban
September 17 & 18 Diocesan Executive Council TBA
October 14 – 17 Diocesan Synod Slave Lake

Special Days for March

In March birthday wishes are for Terry Leer on the 5th, Kimberly Greenwood on the 14th and Leah Lawton on the 22nd. In April Happy Birthdays to David Lines on April 4, Eric Dame on April 8th , Fraser Lawton on April 21st and to Kathy Kerr on April 28th.

Other Important Information

God of hope, when Christ appears may he not find us asleep or idle, but active in his service and ready.
Jenny Flett passed away on March 2, 2010 at the age of 101 years. Jenny was from Fort Chipewyan and she and her family are members of St Paul the Apostle Church. A service celebrating her life took place in Fort Chipewyan at St Paul’s on Saturday, March the 6th with Bishop Fraser Lawton presiding.
Please pray for Eric Dame and his family as he was admitted for emergency surgery in Saint Albert late last week. Pray as he continues to struggle with health problems and pray that the doctors find the right treatment and he recovers swiftly.
Please add Colleen Kerr and family to your prayer list as she begins her battle with cancer.
In the past year, Roy Higginson and Bill Creaser became our diocesan postulants to the diaconate. Pease add Roy and Bill to your prayers as they prepare for this exciting call of ministry in their lives.
Please note the change of venue for the diocesan event from Grimshaw to Peace River. For a registration form, please ask your clergy, on line or contact the synod office.
Registration forms for the Women’s Conference are available in your parish or contact the synod office. All women are invited not just the ACW. Please encourage and support all those wishing to attend.
Please pray for On Eagles Wings as they struggle to raise money for this year’s camps. Visit their website at www.oneagleswings.org
Please pray for the people of Haiti Chile after the devastating earthquakes that have taken lives and damaged property. Also pray for all the Canadian people living there and the ones that have gone there with humanitarian help. Pray for their immediate needs and for the rebuilding of their lives.
General Synod June 3 - 11th, 2010 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Your synod delegates are: Ross Whitelaw, Peter Clarke, The Very Rev. Iain Luke, The Rev. Canon Terry Leer and Kim Greenwood (youth delegate). Parish consultation meetings will take place in early spring in various locations. More information will be forthcoming as soon as possible.
Prayer for synod delegates, staff and leaders:
O Holy One, guide all our synod delegates, that those called to serve in these responsibilities may be men and women living a holy life, seeking to be in your will, able to overcome prejudices, examining issues with care, and that the decisions of General Synod may be to the building up of your church and to your glory. May we be truly unified as one under Christ.
A Prayer as we prepare for General Synod:
Loving and Gracious God, you call us ever to new life in Jesus your Son. As we reach out to feel your winds stirring in our lives, be with all members of your beloved Church as we prepare for General Synod in Halifax in 2010. Grant us a spirit of generosity and excitement as we prepare to gather together under your gentle leadership, for yours is the course our souls are charting, and we glorify you through your Son, in the power of the Spirit, now and always. Amen
Please continue to pray for our Canadian troops and for unity in the Anglican Church.
Please pray for St. Peter’s Ecumenical in Slave Lake as they build up the church without a pastor. Pray for Emmanuel Parish of East Smoky and Pastor Glen Widdis as they struggle with small numbers. Pray for Saint Thomas in Fort McMurray, the parish of Lac La Biche and the parish of Manning as they examine themselves and begin the process of replacing their priest. Please pray for the parish of Athabasca as they heal and rebuild in and around the town of Athabasca.
Kim Marceau has written the following and has asked that we pray for the youth.

A Prayer for the Youth of the Diocese of Athabasca

Lord, our Father, we lift up the youth of our diocese to you in prayer. We thank you for their presence in our lives and community, and ask that their faith be continually enriched.
We pray that our youth know that they are supported and cherished by their church family.
Be in their hearts and minds.
Be their ever-present strength and refuge.
Fill them with wisdom and compassion and the desire to walk with you.
Lord, we ask you to guide us in our efforts to provide youth leadership and programs in this diocese.
Thank you for all the people who give their time and love to our youth.
Help us to open our hearts to realize the gifts of the Spirit you have given us.
We ask Your blessing on those who you have called to be youth leaders, and on those who are still discerning your call.
We pray for each member of this diocese to value their role in the lives of our youth – as parents, grandparents, godparents, teachers, coaches and neighbours.
Help us all to be positive role models and reliable friends. Help us to take time to nurture relationship with our young people, and to honour each one.
Give us the grace to see Christ in all people, as we are all children of God.
In unity and with one voice we pray to you, Lord, Amen

Hermann Dittrich has asked that we pray for the Lawton family on a regular basis and has written the following prayer:

O Lord our God, to you and to your service we bring Fraser our bishop, his wife Veronica and their children, James, Rebecca, Leah and Robert, body, soul and spirit, Lord. Fill his memory with the records of your mighty works; enlighten his understanding with the light of your Holy Spirit; and may all the desires of his heart centre in what you would have him do. Make him an instrument of your salvation for the people entrusted to his care, and let him by his life and speaking set forth your true and living word. Be always with him in carrying out the duties of his vocation; in praises heighten his love and gratitude; in speaking of you give him readiness of thoughts and expression; and grant that, by the clearness and brightness of your Holy Word all the world may be drawn to your blessed kingdom. All this we ask for the sake of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Further information on the above notices/events can be obtained by contacting the Anglican Centre. Phone: 780-624-2767 Fax: 780-624-2365 e-mail: dioath@telusplanet.net