An ecumenical initiative that is celebrated around the world, the week offers Christians an opportunity to enter more deeply into the faith that unites them. The guiding biblical text for 2025 comes from John 11:17-27. The theme, “Do you believe this?” (v. 26), takes its cue from the dialogue between Jesus and Martha when Jesus visited the home of Martha and Mary in Bethany following the death of their brother Lazarus.

Next year marks the 1,700th anniversary of the first Christian Ecumenical Council, held in Nicaea, near Constantinople in 325 AD. The commemoration provides an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the common faith of Christians, as expressed in the creed formulated during this council, says a spokesperson for the World Council of Churches.

To obtain the resources, visit World Council of Churches at www.oikoumene.org.

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Mr. Walsh will connect Leonard Cohen’s songs and poetry with scripture, grounding his artistry in biblical imagination. By examining the prophetic and priestly themes in Mr. Cohen’s work, Mr. Walsh, along with his musical and liturgical collaborators Deb Whalen-Blaize and David Krause, will create a liturgy that resonates with this cultural moment, offering candor, grace and hope.

The event begins at 4:30 p.m. at St. James Cathedral with a Eucharistic liturgy and homily focusing on the second Sunday of Advent, exploring the link between John the Baptist and Leonard Cohen. After the Eucharist and a reception, Mr. Walsh will give the Snell Lecture at 6 p.m. and celebrate the launch of his new book.

In conversation with Dean Stephen Hance, Mr. Walsh will take questions after the lecture and discuss the theological methods reflected in both the liturgy and his writing.

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In an agreement between the Niagara School for Missional Leadership (NSML) and Huron’s Licentiate in Theology program (LTh), students from Huron can take NSML courses for credit toward the LTh diploma, and potentially transfer credits to a Master of Divinity or Master of Theology program. Students from the NSML will also have the option to expand their learning by exploring the LTh course calendar.

The two institutions embrace similar missions and methods, prioritizing leaders from different parish contexts by developing missional courses that encourage contextual reflection and practice.  Over the last three years, the NSML has lived into its mission to effectively train leaders to respond to the needs of God’s world by being a gospel-focus learning community. Likewise, Huron’s mission is to engage the world and create “leaders with heart.”

“I am so excited for the learning opportunities created through this new partnership,” said Bishop Susan Bell of the Diocese of Niagara. “It will be a real benefit to those seeking to learn more about our faith and what missional leadership is all about.”

The Niagara Anglican

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The Rev. Michael Garner, incumbent of St. Albans and part of the multi-faith chaplaincy at the university, was inspired to start the project after learning that food insecurity is a common problem for university students, magnified by recent high levels of inflation. He learned that the campus food bank has very limited resources and often runs out of food. Although a meal once every two weeks isn’t the solution for student food insecurity on campus, it’s part of an effort to raise awareness about the issue, and it provides an opportunity for church groups to express care and concern for students and a social event to help students connect with one another.

The project follows in the footsteps of an ecumenical program called Open Table that St. Albans participated in with United and Presbyterian churches to host meals on campus before the pandemic. Open Table has provided $12,000 from its remaining funds for this project, half of which is being used to pay a student coordinator. The other half will help pay for food and supplies. The alumni association heard about the project and donated $2,000 for equipment, such as bain-maries to keep food hot while it is being served.

Perspective

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The Ven. Simon Blaikie, executive archdeacon of Rupert’s Land, has been appointed diocesan administrator while the bishop’s seat is vacant.

Ordained a priest in 1990, Bishop Woodcroft earned his master’s degree in divinity at Huron College and served in the dioceses of Algoma and Rupert’s Land. He was elected bishop of Rupert’s Land, which spans parts of Ontario and Manitoba, in 2018. He has ben an associate of Rupert’s Land Indigenous Council and was an Anglican representative in hearings for the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, a settlement between church, state and Indigenous representatives approved in 2006.

The Diocese of Rupert’s Land is asking for prayers for Bishop Woodcroft and his family. A mass for his healing and comfort was held at a Winnipeg parish on Oct. 23.

The Anglican Journal

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The five baptismal candidates are originally from Iran, and not all of them were fluent in English. The Rev. Jonathan Pinkney, rector of St. Christopher’s, led the baptismal preparation classes in English with a Farsi translator. The parish’s leadership decided they could go one step further and translate the liturgy as well. The parish received a grant from the Diocese of New Westminster to translate the Book of Alternative Services (BAS) into Farsi, launching the book at the baptismal service on June 23.

After the service, the newly baptized were presented with their own copies of the Farsi BAS to mark the occasion and help them in their spiritual journeys. The cover features artwork by Persian members of St. Christopher’s. The original, a mosaic of Mary made of wood pieces of different colours, now sits in the church’s sanctuary.

Topic

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Archbishop Cottrell met with clergy and lay leaders and delivered several addresses on spirituality, evangelism and discipleship as they contribute to becoming a Church of missionary disciples. He spoke at clergy gatherings and conferences, including the synod of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario.

“We were challenged by his words as we stand at the crossroads at a very important time in the life of our Church, and the archbishop’s call for us to become a simpler, humbler, bolder Church. And yet we’ve also been given words of great hope. We never walk alone because God is always with us,” said Archbishop Anne Germond, Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario.

Archbishop Cottrell said it was encouraging to visit people from the Anglican Church of Canada. “This has been a coast-to-coast visit, meeting with and speaking to hundreds of clergy and leaders, but also energizing because of the wonderful hospitality received, and by being inspired by the Anglican Church of Canada’s determination to find ways of sharing the gospel that are generous and inclusive and pay attention to the mistakes of the past,” he said.

He also witnessed some of the reconciliation work that has been done with Indigenous communities in Canada, discovering parallels with the Church of England’s commitments to racial justice. “We have much to learn from one another and it is always a joy to discover the breadth, diversity and unity of the Anglican Communion.”

Anglican Communion News Service

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The service was a vibrant tapestry of music, drama and audio-visual presentations that showcased the theme. It opened with a grand procession, banners and flags flying, demonstrating the rich diversity and background of its members. The evening featured a time of praise led by the worship team, recognized past members visiting from far and near, and honoured priests who served in the past. Bishop Kevin Robertson, the guest of honour, delivered an inspiring address on the theme’s relevance and the significance of maintaining a strong spiritual foundation in a rapidly changing world.

During the year, the congregation embraced Mathew 5:14 as its centenary guidepost – “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” St. Bede’s, perched on a hill for 100 years, was reminded that it is a light in others’ darkness, shade on sunny days, hearts that comfort, and hands that wipe tears. The children, youth and young adults of the congregation performed songs, skits and mimes focused on this message and led the congregation in a pledge to go out into the world as shining lights, spreading God’s love and compassion.

In today’s fast-paced world, the anniversary served as an opportunity for the congregation to embrace a vision to rejoice, renew and reconnect: to renew spiritual commitments; to rejoice in the blessings for the faithful community; and to reconnect with God, one another, and the core values that have shaped the church’s community over the past century.

The centenary service was a beautiful amalgamation of the past, present and future. It was a heartfelt celebration of faith, commitment and unity, reminding everyone of the power of spiritual renewal, joyful celebration and meaningful connections. St. Bede’s is poised to enter the next century with renewed vigour and a deepened sense of purpose, ready to continue its mission of spreading God’s love and light. In Bishop Kevin’s words “The church is indeed alive and well here!”

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