At the ACW meeting of March 10th, our group gathered at the church hall in fellowship and prayer in an effort to plan fundraisers to meet our many commitments before the season stealthily comes to a close, with spring around the corner and summer approaching.

Before preparation starts for this busy time ahead, the course will be altered momentarily to pamper the women of the parish with a Quiet Day filled with enjoyable activities.

We will invite ACW members from other active parishes to participate, which is customary. This activity affords us the pleasure of interaction with other faiths outside our own church. We likewise reciprocate and acknowledge our neighbouring churches.

This has been scheduled to get underway during the last week in March—just before our two major fundraisers: a lasagna take-out in April and a chicken dinner in May. These fundraisers will enable our association to continue supporting much-needed charitable organizations.

When all these various proposed activities come to fruition, our ACW ladies will enjoy a short reprieve during the months of July and August.

We hope that more younger women will join us to participate in church activities. However, in today’s world, many are often too involved with work and family commitments. We hope that since the seed is sown in baptism, that seed will help germinate and eventually evolve into the spiritual commitment of more young families returning to church.

Then Peter said, silver and gold
I do not have, but what I do have,
I give to you.

– Acts 3: 6.

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On the streets of St. John’s, a bus is now doing more than moving people from place to place. Outfitted with cabinets, counter space, and supplies for daily outreach, the Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador’s mobile wellness platform is on the road—bringing meals, basic care, and human connection directly to those who need it most.

The initiative emerged in response to urgent, visible need.

“In 2022, Newfoundland and Labrador experienced one of its coldest winters in recent history,” writes The Rev’d Canon Amanda Taylor, Canon for Justice and Peace. “As a result, many people were concerned for those in our community experiencing homelessness.”

The question that followed was a practical one: “What can we do to help fill this gap?”

The answer, now operating as the Community Connector, is rooted in presence as much as service. Taylor explains the bus offers “daily meals, housing support, basic health care, assistance with government documentation, clean needle supply, and distribution of personal hygiene items,” alongside something less tangible but equally essential—“a safe and welcoming space for street-involved individuals to access holistic wellness and community connections.”

For Bishop Samuel Rose, the ministry reflects both local experience and a broader theological commitment. “This initiative embodies the Church’s call to serve the marginalized and build inclusive communities where all are valued.”

The project is also deeply collaborative. Developed in conversation with outreach agencies, advocacy groups, and government partners, the initiative builds on existing work across the city while extending its reach.

“Our partnerships with organizations like End Homelessness St. John’s, and various outreaches underscore the collaborative spirit of this ministry,” Bishop Rose says.

With the bus now in operation, the program is supported by a combination of diocesan funding, community partnerships, and a $15,000 grant from the Anglican Foundation of Canada (AFC), awarded in 2025. That investment situates the Community Connector within a broader national shift in how AFC is supporting ministry across the country.

“In recent years, community ministries have become an increasing priority in the Foundation’s grant awards,” says Dr. Scott Brubacher, Executive Director of AFC. “In 2025, they represented approximately half of all grants awarded nationwide, reflecting a growing emphasis on projects that extend beyond church buildings and into direct engagement with local needs.”

Brubacher adds that, like the mobile wellness ministry in Anglican East NL, these initiatives often take shape through partnerships with health providers, social service agencies, and community organizations, and are rooted in long-term presence rather than short-term response.

From mobile outreach in Newfoundland to parish-based community hubs, newcomer support programs, and Indigenous–settler partnerships in other regions, AFC’s investments are helping to reimagine how the Church participates in community life across Canada.

For Taylor, the vision is both immediate and enduring. “We envision a society where no individual is left behind or overlooked,” she writes. “Through our mobile wellness platform, we strive to create a safe and welcoming place for street-involved individuals to access holistic wellness, build connections, and regain hope for a brighter future.”

Now on the streets of St. John’s, that vision is no longer theoretical—it is in motion—one stop at a time.

The post Mobile Ministry Bus Brings Hope to The Streets of St. John’s appeared first on Anglican Life.

Then, on the 27th of February 2026, the Rev’d Kenneth Abbott celebrated his 90th birthday. An open house was held on Saturday, 28 February, at the Good Shepherd Anglican Church hall in Norman’s Cove.

Clergy from various parishes attended to honour him on this special occasion.

The post Two Celebrations For Rev’d Kenneth Abbott appeared first on Anglican Life.

Everyone enjoyed the worship, especially the sermon by Rev’d Maxine. A big thank you to the women of Nigeria for sharing their stories with us. We will keep them all in our prayers.

The post World Day of Prayer, Carbonear appeared first on Anglican Life.

Jason Higgens, from the musical group Jacob’s Passage, lead the us in lively gospel singing.

The session was considered a great success, and was very appreciated by all.

The post Faith, Fellowship, and Song in Upper Gullies appeared first on Anglican Life.

Congratulations to Captain Dawe and thank you for how you serve in the CLB, the Church, and the wider community.   

The post Captain Dawe Awarded Special Honour appeared first on Anglican Life.

We are building intergenerational relationships and understanding as this is our second visit. Each were asked what do you enjoy doing? Our youth enjoy dance, hockey, and playing guitar. When the seniors were young, among other things, they enjoyed playing tag, copy house, tiddlywinks, and with dolls. Times have changed!

The young and young at heart had a chance to mingle and chat. The youth band and leaders then enjoyed a supper at a local restaurant for more relationship building among the group. Our parish is blessed to have such a wonderful group of youth. Their kindness and care for others is inspiring.

The post Harmony Across Ages: Refuge Visits With Bay Roberts Retirement Centre Seniors appeared first on Anglican Life.

The calendar is a recurring Christmas gift I’ve been finding in my stocking for the past several years.

Here at St. John the Evangelist, Topsail, our rector, Canon Jotie Noel, also makes sure that we celebrate each red-letter day on the Church’s calendar.

The day that I am writing this article, Sunday, February 1st, as our congregation gathered together in our place of worship, we were happy to be welcomed to and participate in the annual Christingle service—symbolizing God’s gift to us as the Light of the World, and as an aftermath to the winding down of Advent. Christingle serves as a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.

At the foot of the altar this morning, with three of our younger members of the congregation participating, Canon Jotie once again used the analogy of an orange as a motif to demonstrate the best gift of all.

Each child displayed an orange, which represented the concept of a circle—round like the world. A candle at the top represented God’s Light. A ribbon around the orange represented the love of God that goes around the world. Toothpicks are a symbol of love pointing in all directions.

The demonstration was greatly enhanced by the involvement of the three children as they joyfully assisted Canon Jotie while he explained the biblical meaning of the multiple components displayed on the table.

After an uplifting service, the Anglican Church Women of our parish invited everyone downstairs to participate in fellowship and food.

A rewarding day was had by all.

The Lord is my light
And my salvation
Whom shall I fear
– Psalm 27

The post The Christingle Service appeared first on Anglican Life.

Over the centuries, the parish has witnessed countless moments of joy, sorrow, and resilience, becoming a cornerstone of communal life in Port de Grave. To commemorate this bicentennial milestone, parishioners and clergy have planned a series of special events, including historical displays, musical performances, and a service of thanksgiving attended by local dignitaries and visitors from across the province. The preacher at the service will be the Most Rev’d Shane Parker, the 15th Primate of the Anglican Church in Canada. The service will be on September 20th at 7pm. Everyone is invited to come, and the clergy are invited to vest. The colour will be red for St. Luke’s Day.

“This anniversary is not only a reflection of our past, but a celebration of the people who have shaped our parish and community,” said the Rev’d Jason Haggstrom, current priest-in-charge of St. Luke’s Parish. “We honour those who came before us and look forward to continuing our mission with faith and compassion.”

The festivities have also highlighted the parish’s church building, which celebrates its centennial this year as well, and the rich traditions of worship and outreach that have defined its legacy. Local historians have shared stories of the parish’s founding families, the impact of the fishing industry, and how faith has woven itself into the fabric of daily life.

As the Anglican Parish of Port de Grave enters its third century, leaders and parishioners alike are hopeful for a future rooted in community and service. The bicentennial serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring power of the Gospel’s message and the importance of passing on the faith to the generation to come.

Our collect for our bicentennial year:

Almighty Father, we give thanks and praise for guiding this Parish through two centuries of faith, community and service. By your grace, our ancestors built a foundation upon Christ. By your Spirit, we have grown as His Body in love and in worship. Grant that as we celebrate our 200th Anniversary, we be strengthened to serve our neighbours, proclaim your Gospel, and bear steadfast witness to you in our generation through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

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(N.T. Wright – Lent for Everyone: Matthew, Year A, 2011)

“Easter is a day to put everything upside down and inside out,” writes Bishop N.T. Wright.

This is Good News! In a time in our history when it seems that those in positions of power are too often misusing authority at the expense of the vulnerable, this gives us hope! But, as Christians, we know that this hope comes at a cost.

The cost is the Cross. Jesus, the very wisdom and power of God, embraced what the world despises: weakness, suffering, and apparent defeat. He stood with the poor and the oppressed. He allowed the powers of this age to do their worst. On Good Friday, it looked as though the strong had triumphed and the upside-down kingdom had been crushed.

Yet on the third day, God overturned everything. The tomb was empty. The crucified one was raised in glory. What the world called foolishness proved wiser than human wisdom. What the world called weakness was stronger than human strength. The last became first, and death itself was put to death.

This is the heart of Easter: resurrection is not the denial of suffering but its transformation. The same God who raised Jesus from the dead is at work even now. Mourning is turned into dancing, despair into hope, and this broken world into the new Creation.

My friends, we are Easter people. We are called to live this upside-down reality in our own time and place. That means following the example of Jesus, who chose service over status, generosity over greed, and love even for those who oppose us. It means standing with the vulnerable, not because we are strong, but because we have met the one whose strength is made perfect in weakness.

In the days and weeks ahead, may you know the presence of the Risen Christ who meets us in the ordinary and the unexpected. May the joy of his resurrection fill you with new life and send you out as witnesses to the new thing God is doing.

Alleluia! Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

In the days and weeks ahead, may you know the presence of the Risen Christ who meets us in the ordinary and the unexpected. May the joy of his resurrection fill you with new life and send you out as witnesses to the new thing God is doing.

Alleluia! Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

+ Samuel, Eastern Newfoundland & Labrador

The post Inside Out and Upside Down: The Radical Logic of Easter appeared first on Anglican Life.