Programs
Alpha
Alpha is a ten-week course designed as a practical introduction
to the basics of Christianity with plenty of opportunity
for debate and discussion. The style of Alpha is deliberately
friendly and informal. Each week people get together
for a meal, a talk on topics such as "Who is Jesus?",
"Why Did Jesus Die?" and "How Can I be
Sure of My Faith?", followed by small group discussion.
There is a day or weekend retreat midway through the
course which focuses on the person and work of the Holy
Spirit. Alpha can benefit those who have never set foot
in a church, those who once attended, and those who
are regular churchgoers. Whether investigating Christianity
for the first time, or revisiting your faith, Alpha
has a great deal to offer. For information on upcoming
courses, check with your local parish or visit the national
website.
Anglican
Church Women (A.C.W.)
The A.C.W. is a community of Anglican Church Women gathered
together in Christian service to support and promote
the total mission of the church through prayer, work
and stewardship. There are 27 ACW's in the Diocese at
present. Our newsletter, "In Touch" is published
four times a year and includes important dates, regional
reports, board reports and more! All women of the Anglican
Church are welcome to become ACW members. For more information,
please contact the ACW President, Beth-Anne Exham.
Cursillo
Cursillo (pronounced kur-see-oh) is a Spanish word meaning
"short course". The first Cursillos were held
in Spain in the 1940s. One of the many renewal ministries
within the Anglican Church, Cursillo weekends are a
personal, lively and informative event that invites
you to deepen your Christian faith, experience the love
of God in a caring and prayerful setting, and examine
what it means to be a Christian in today's world. The
weekend revolves around a series of talks given by a
team of lay people and clergy. The talks are followed
by small group discussions. There are also times for
fellowship, personal reflection, fun, prayer and singing.
The weekend is a time to be strengthened in your spiritual
journey, enabling you to follow Jesus more faithfully
and effectively. The Cursillo weekends usually occur
each Spring in the Diocese of Edmonton, with a seperate
weekend for men and women. If you are interested in
attending, please discuss this with your parish priest.
The Cursillo movement also holds monthly gatherings,
called Ultreyas. All are welcome to come to these events,
usually held the third Friday of each month at 7:30
p.m., at St. Timothy's Anglican Church, Edmonton. For
more information please visit the Edmonton
Cursillo web page.
Hospital
Chaplaincy
Going into hospital? Anglicans are more likely to receive
pastoral support if they tell their rector, and if they
ask to be listed as Anglican when they are admitted.
A group of mature men and women, who have been well
trained, make weekly visits to Edmonton and area hospitals
and continuing care facilities. Their compassionate
pastoral visits with those who have identified themselves
as Anglicans have been very appreciated over the years.
Rectors of parishes outside the Edmonton area are encouraged
to contact the coordinating hospital chaplain when they
have parishioners coming into Edmonton hospitals. Either
a visitor or one of the clergy who serve as chaplains
to Anglican patients will do their best to visit these
parishioners. For more information on how to become
involved in this ministry, please call the Synod Office
at (780) 439-7344.
Marriage
Encounter
Marriage Encounter is a weekend experience dedicated
to helping couples strengthen and enrich the quality
of their lives together. It provides an opportunity
for married couples to explore important areas of their
relationship in a spirit of love and understanding.
This is a time for you and your spouse to be alone together,
away from the distractions and tensions of everyday
life, to rediscover each other and share your feelings,
hopes and dreams. A series of presentations allows you
and your spouse to look deeply into your relationship
with each other and with God in a positive and affirming
way. Marriage Encounter is a weekend about love. It
is not a retreat, marriage clinic, or a substitute for
counselling. Marriage Encounter is primarily designed
to make good marriages into great ones! Couples who
have been married for only a few months or over forty
years have found the weekend to be a rich and rewarding
experience. It has been described as "the 48 hours
that will change your life. To find out more information about the next marriage encounter
weekend, please contact Virginia and Gottfried Haase at (780) 438-3892, or visit the Marriage Encounter Website.
Summer
Camps
For more Summer Camp Information, please
visit the Camp page of this web site.
Teens
Encounter Christ
Teens Encounter Christ is a young adult weekend that
stemmed from the Roman Catholic Cursillo movement in
Lansing, Michigan in 1965. It has grown and spread throughout
the Anglican, Lutheran, and United Churches, in many
countries throughout the world. In our Diocese, the
first TEC weekend occurred in 1993. The weekend is designed
to introduce youth (age 16 - 23) to the Easter mystery
through a loving and supportive community. Over a period
of three days , youth hear talks given by peers and
older adults that explore the essentials of the faith.
The talks are supported by small group discussions,
worship and a backbone of prayer. In this way youth
learn about and experience God's love in Christ in a
safe and supportive atmosphere. This program ran in the diocese for 13 years, but is currently on hold. For more information contact the Synod Office (780) 439-7344.
Theological
Students
The Anglican Diocese of Edmonton currently has theological
students studying in several institutions across Canada
and in the United States, including: Newman College,
St. Albert, Alberta; College of Emmanuel and St. Chad,
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; and Wycliffe College, Toronto,
Ontario; These students come from a variety of backgrounds and
experiences, all with a common interest in theological
studies. The advisor to theological students in the
Diocese is the Reverend Dr. Eileen Conway. Any individuals
inquiring about possible ordination should contact Bishop Jane Alexander.
Youth
Ministry
The Anglican Diocese of Edmonton has a strong commitment
to the youth of today. Many activities are offered within
parishes and through the Diocese year-round to encourage
the spiritual and intellectual growth of our youth.
For information on upcoming Diocesan youth events, please
visit our Youth page.
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