On November 30th, 2025, the First Sunday in Advent, Bishop Sam Rose ordained The Rev’d Pamela Norman to the Sacred Order of Deacons at the Church of St. Matthew in Bay Roberts

The post The Rev’d Pamela Norman Ordained Deacon appeared first on Anglican Life.

Hosted by Bishop Samuel Rose and Archdeacon Charlene Taylor, the clergy retreat took place at The Wilds, following a day of travels that included meeting with an “iconic member of Newfoundland’s canine family” when she encountered a Newfoundland dog!

Beyond the retreat, Archbishop Anne spent time enjoying the Newfoundland’s rich culture of hospitality, including attending the 133rd Anniversary Dinner and Auction for the Church Lads’ Brigade (CLB). A highlight of the evening was her winning bid on a silent auction item: twenty pounds of shrimp!

Archbishop Anne’s talks at the retreat focused on calling and vocation, and as she heard stories from the members of the clergy, she found them to be a group serving with extraordinary dedication. She reflected, “There is such a down-to-earth sense of this is where I’m meant to be… They just keep giving and serving God. No complaints. It was very moving.” In her final sermon, drawing on Luke 5, she reminded them that when Jesus calls, “he sees something in each of us that we don’t always see in ourselves.”

Leaving the province with deep thanks for Bishop Sam and Archdeacon Charlene, Archbishop Anne reflected in her blog that “a little bit of Newfoundland has rubbed off on me and I will be carrying it all in my heart as I head home.” Her visit has strengthened the bonds of affection that knit the Anglican Church of Canada together across great distances.

The post Archbishop Anne Germond’s Visit to The Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador appeared first on Anglican Life.

We’re older than our nation’s federation
Preceded two world wars that were fought and won.
Our church stands firm as a symbol
That care-taking was second to none.

Rev. Charles Palairet from a rich background in France,
Was the first priest we did embrace,
With a vision and foresight to plant roots in our midst,
A church building plan was soon put in place.

A dedicated group from right here in Topsail,
Shared ideas for what had to be done.
Like deciding on a suitable size that might fit,
Not just now but in years yet to come.

James. Harvey, a carpenter from the town of St. Johns
A skilled man at his trade it was said
He was engaged to do framework with the lumber that came
From a sawmill over in Riverhead.

It was on May 16 of the year that we speak,
That a foundation was subsequently laid.
By three local men who freely gave of their time,
They were Jim Hibbs, John Barnes and Matthew Slade.

Exactly one year from day to day,
After this project was debated,
Folks from Manuel’s to Topsail gathered to hear Bishop Field,
As both church and church yard were consecrated.

The date was June 1861,
That marked a universal rite of passage.
For the brave pioneers who blazed the trail,
Leaving their mark and a strong message

Rev. Charles Palairet was the catalyst,
Who moved all full speed ahead,
His mission went beyond their spiritual needs
Improving the quality of life as he led.

He was followed by Reverends Hutchinson and Colley,
They served in total, near 44 years.
In appreciation of the contribution they made,
The stained glass east window in their honour is shared.

In 1904, Rev. Temple found refuge in Topsail,
From his hardships in North Labrador.
But ill health intervened and cut his mission here short,
Limiting his capacity to serve anymore.

Rev. Netten’s, appointment just lasted six years,
During this assignment, his duties adjourned,
But he carried on faithfully right up to the end
Till his retirement was due and well earned.

Next came the arrival of a tall stalwart priest,
With aspirations to adorn was his view.
When Rev. Pitman was here, improvements were made with much care
And old accessories were replaced with brand new.

It was during this time, the women’s presence was felt
In the church where they took on the task.
To purchase an organ, a goal they achieved,
Through money raised by the teams sewing class.

Sir Edgar, a merchant from the homeland he came,
To St. John the Evangelist church, he was loyal.
But the best innovation he graced our church with,
Was when electric lighting replaced lamps of oil.

The late Becky Fowler deserves a bouquet,
For the funds she left in her will.
To build steps and a rail to enhance the old church,
They’ve endured and are functional still.

Rev. Butler was placed in 1934,
And served his term here till late 43.
He had the privilege to celebrate our 80th. Year,
But soon after, he died suddenly.

Rev. Clench was then summoned to take over the charge,
A most interesting priest, so they claim.
When his wife passed away, with his duties he stayed.
Then he married Miss Earle, his old flame.

When we had Rev. Goodland, a parsonage was built.
As a home for the priest, it was called.
But before his mission was done, he fell sick and succumbed,
Then Rev. Camp was then quickly installed.20

Rev. Camp was more senior than most of the rest,
And served fewest of years, per my search.
When he finished his reign, Rev. Bradbrook then came,
As the last priest to serve our old church.

The old church sustained us for a century or more,
Till lack of space became an issue each day,
So expansion was vital to accommodate all,
Hence, a new building was soon underway.

The new church was made ready in 1974,
And consecrated within that same year,
Rev. Bradbrook finished his mission here on our new sight,
Guiding parishioners through the transition with care.

Rev. Tibbo was next to arrive on the scene,
With a fresh vision that could quell any fears
Strong communication skills did lighten his load,
His incumbency lasted eight years.

Rev. Collett came from up west, Corner Brook,
With a persuasive tone to convey not subdue.
No need for loud speakers to hear in the back,
His voice just ricocheted off every pew.

Now for a huge change, there came a shift in the age,
Of the next priest that was put in our midst.
A lively 40 year old, Canon Hynes broke the old mould,
As clapping hands to brisk hymns was the gist.

During his time here in Topsail, a giant project was planned.
With stained glass windows, the nave to restore.
Engineered by our warden, Bob Dawe, at the time,
Dedicated to those gone before

Fr. John came on board with much prowess,
Conveying lessons in such simple style,
But his departure was abrupt and so sudden,
That Rev. Sandra filled in for a while

Then we had the honour to have Rev.Bellamy,
Who provided a restorative boost for one year.
An experience that will linger forever,
Along with his guidance in spiritual care.

He was assisted by Rev. Sheppard,
And together, we owe them so much.
Not to mention the privilege of meeting,
Both their wives, who were always in touch,

Rev. Parsons then graced our congregation,
With a crescendo voice, taken right from the top.
No trouble to hear, from the front to the rear.
During sermons, you could hear a pin drop.

It was 2016, we had our first female priest,
She did her internship with us here before.
Rev. Jolene was welcomed back into the fold.
As she guided us through the next four.

Retired Archdeacon Greg Mercer was our redeemer,
Whenever there was one called away,
He was right on the spot to sustain us.
And he’d come as long as we need him to stay.

Our guest priests are enjoying a reprieve now,
As we embrace the permanency of Canon Jotie Noel,
His capacity to inject proper humour in sermons,
Is a special gift that is good for the soul.

His wife Pauline is an active participant,
With ACW, she plays a prime part,
Always ready to help with a project,
Whenever it’s ready to start.

Rev. Deacon Lisa, of course, is our home grown,
Always present through thick and through thin,
Forever steadfast to assist all our pastors,
Every Sunday, to usher us in.

There’s been 22 in all who have answered the call,
Each with their own special gifts stood the test.
With its ups and its downs, the church always rebounds,
That’s our St. John The Evangelist.

The post St. John the Evangelist, Topsail: 1860 – 2025 appeared first on Anglican Life.

It’s an area of stewardship that many churches aspire to strengthen but rarely find the right moment—or the right tools—to begin. Resources from secular charities don’t always translate to a faith-based context, and conversations about wills and bequests can feel awkward or out of place in the life of a congregation.

“We often hear from parishes that they want to start the conversation about legacy giving, but they’re not sure how,” says Michelle Hauser, Development & Communications Officer for the Anglican Foundation of Canada (AFC). “That’s exactly why we created the Legacy Talk Parish Toolkit—to make it easier, more natural, and more spiritually grounded.”

Rather than focusing on financial targets, Legacy Talk connects legacy giving to gratitude, discipleship, and hope for the future of the Church. Each seasonal toolkit aligns with the rhythms of the liturgical year, offering clergy and lay leaders reflections, bulletin inserts, sample messages, and practical templates that can be adapted to any parish setting.

Begin with Vestry Season: Planning with Purpose

Annual Vestry Reports and planning meetings provide a perfect opportunity to integrate legacy giving into the parish’s financial and spiritual vision.

For example, the Vestry Season Toolkit offers a Parish Council Checklist—simple, concrete steps that can help normalize legacy giving as part of a parish’s ongoing stewardship practice: Add legacy giving as a standing item in stewardship conversations; Include a legacy paragraph in the vestry report;
Ensure your website or bulletin mentions bequest options; Publicly thank legacy donors when appropriate.

“For many churches, the checklist is a great place to start—it helps parishes move from ‘we should do something’ to actually feeling confident about making legacy giving part of their spiritual DNA.”

From Lent to Christmas: A Year of Gratitude, Growth, and Faith

Across the seasons of the Church year, Legacy Talk offers practical ways to weave legacy giving into parish life—always grounded in faith rather than fundraising.

During Lent, parishes are invited to reflect on what they treasure and why, exploring legacy giving as a spiritual practice rooted in love and intention.

The Easter to Pentecost toolkit celebrates growth and gratitude, encouraging churches to see legacy gifts as seeds of faith—planted today to bless the Church of tomorrow.

In Ordinary Time, the focus shifts to steady, everyday stewardship through simple reflections and conversation tools that keep faith communities engaged year-round.

As All Saints’ approaches, parishes are encouraged to remember, honour, and plan—giving thanks for those whose generosity built the Church we inherit and asking, “What legacy will we leave?”

Finally, Advent and Christmas offer a natural moment to express gratitude and hope, reminding us that every generation helps “prepare a place” for those who will follow.

“It is our hope that using Legacy Talk as a guide will help parishes build a rhythm of gratitude and generosity,” says Hauser, “and that 2026 will be the year more church communities feel inspired to take that next faithful step—turning good intentions into lasting impact.”

To explore or download the full series, visit the Anglican Foundation website: anglicanfoundation.org/legacytalk.

The post Planning With A Purpose: Getting Your Legacy Program Off On The Right Foot in 2026 appeared first on Anglican Life.

In today’s world that is often saturated with information—our phones ding with notifications so much that I prefer to have mine on silent a good deal of the time—we can become overwhelmed. We can hear an inspiring sermon, or read a good book, or hear an interesting podcast, but we rarely feel the need to act on them immediately. We think about them for a minute, then something else comes along, and we get distracted by whatever the new obsession is.

The shepherds from the nativity narrative remind us that faith often requires a radical “Go!”—a willingness to move quickly from passive reception to active investigation. They “hurried off” and found the scene just as the angels had described. The message of the angels was confirmed by the reality of finding Jesus. This experience validates the divine message and roots their faith in reality. When we actively seek out and engage with the central reality of our faith—whether through worship, prayer, or serving others—we often find the reality confirming what we were told, transforming knowledge into conviction. Finding Jesus in the manger caused any doubts to dissolve.

For us, seeking this means moving past intellectual understanding of the Gospel to demanding genuine experience: seeing God’s love enacted at the food bank, finding peace in prayer during a crisis, or witnessing the power of reconciliation in a broken relationship.

The shepherds then go out into the world again, because you cannot stay there in that moment. When we look at our nativity scenes, it’s all frozen in time, and the shepherds just lounge around for weeks. In reality, we read that they “returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” They are the first witnesses, and were able to go back to their lives to share what they had seen and now believed.

The shepherds didn’t over-complicate the experience that they’d had, but simply glorified God. For modern Christians, this means that our professional and home lives—the equivalent of the shepherd’s fields—become the stage for continued worship. We must take the message that we receive at Christmas from the Church and take it out into the world. The world is watching to see if our faith makes a discernible, joyful difference in how we handle stress, loss, and success. In Luke’s Gospel, we are given a powerful example of how to be witnesses to the coming of Jesus into our broken world.

The shepherds show us that an encounter with the divine needs to be an active thing, and not a static moment, frozen in time. We cannot just look at the calm of the manger in Bethlehem: we need to take the message of Jesus Christ back to our daily lives. If we can learn to turn off the background noise of today’s messy world, we can follow in their humble footsteps and show that the presence of the Messiah has truly changed everything, and continues to influence the world today, and how we live in it.

The post The Shepherds: A Blueprint For Us Today appeared first on Anglican Life.

It’s a simple song, yet it holds a profound message. It upholds the value of community and emphasizes our role, exercised in the love of God within us, in building that community. It also holds implications for Church life.

A friend of mine recently reflected, “As the world becomes increasingly impersonal, the Church must become more personal.” I would add that in a world where pretty much anything and everything can be accessed through your laptop or tablet, the Church has to consider what it has to offer. Gathering in community helps the Church become more personal and allows us to be together in a way that is incarnational.

This is not to reduce the Church to a service-based industry but to ask the simple question, “What can you find in a Church setting that cannot be accessed from the comfort of your home and which helps foster a sense of belonging?” Because, let’s face it, online, you can pray, watch a worship service, listen to a sermon, hear good inspirational music, and even interact with a community of others. So why gather?

Simply put, there is an added dimension when you gather which is intangible, yet real. As we gather in community, as we work to develop that community, the Spirit moves. We worship and come together as unique individuals who may disagree and rub each other the wrong way from time to time, but that doesn’t make us any less a part of the community, nor does it diminish our connection. Rather, we become greater than our individual parts. As Paul says, “if the ear were to say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,’ that would not make it any less a part of the body… The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you’ … If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together with it. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”(1 Corinthians 12:16, 21a, 26-27)

That is not something that is done in isolation; for it to happen, we need to gather in community, and through God’s Spirit, we live into the mystery that is the body of Christ.

The post From Camp Songs To The Body of Christ appeared first on Anglican Life.

Canada

The ecclesiastical province of BC/Yukon are ready to respond to wildfire emergencies with a $50,000 grant from Alongside Hope.

After the Jasper wildfire, the Diocese of Edmonton partnered with the Jasper Employment and Education Centre to offer critical support in employment, immigration and emergency assistance to more than 1,500 evacuees, including temporary foreign workers and their families.

440 people participated in 30 “Mapping the Ground We Stand On” workshops across the country. Through this hands-on exploration of the Doctrine of Discovery, participants deepened their understanding of what it means to live in right relations.

Cuba

5015 families received training to increase their resilience to disaster.

Mexico, Peru, Ecuador

342 indigenous midwives were supported to improve health service delivery and reduce maternal mortality.

Colombia

Grupo Comunicarte developed more than 400 radio programs with local youth, promoting environmental protection and sustainability, and reaching approximately 3,750,000 people.

Ukraine

More than 300 people living with disabilities developed critical social skills, especially challenging in times of war.

Gaza

18,205 patients have been treated at Gaza’s Al Ahii Hospital since the beginning of the current conflict.

Nepal

1990 flood-affected individuals received food relief in Kathmandu.

South Sudan

9,510 people received monthly food relief.

Uganda

6,730 adolescent girls and young women received training in entrepreneurship skills, resulting in increased knowledge and interest towards starting and managing businesses.

Two school campaigns provided sexual and reproductive health rights information and knowledge to 833 students. This resulted in better awareness of gender rights, menstrual hygiene, reduced absenteeism, and the formation of two new school health clubs.

Kenya

11 shallow wells were built this year, for a total of 99 since 2019, providing water to 25,000 people a day.

ECLOF serves more than 40,000 low-income entrepreneurs and farmers, primarily women. Last year, with support from Alongside Hope, 570 farmers were trained in sustainable dairy and agriculture practices, leading to an increase in yields and household income.

Zambia

593 adolescents attended weekly group meetings and learned about safe sexual behaviours, alcohol and drug abuse and children’s rights.

Zimbabwe

4,857 farmers revitalized and preserved local biodiversity.

The Philippines

747 people benefitted from the rehabilitation of two local drinking water systems damaged by typhoons.

Read more about the work of Alongside Hope at their website alongsidehope.org.

If you’d like you can donate today online at alongsidehope.org/give-today or by calling 1-866-308-7973.

As I wrote in an article a year or so ago, don’t forget the World of Gifts is about more than just Christmas!

God bless you all for your continued support of Alongside Hope!

The post Alongside Hope’s Global Impact appeared first on Anglican Life.

By the time the next New Year rolls around, we either feel bad for failing to live up to our own goals, or we can’t even remember what we had intended to do. There’s an entire marketing scheme built on selling us permanent reminders of our negligence, in the form of exercise bikes and other workout gear destined to become convenient clothes hangers.

I’ve learned not to put much faith in the self-promises spoken around the table on January 1st. It’s a fun moment, but to me it’s not much different than reading fortune cookies.

Besides, for me, the new year really started a month earlier. It’s happening now, as I write this. Tomorrow is the First Sunday of Advent, and if there are resolutions to be made, I think this is a better time to make them.

The word “resolution” has an interesting meaning. Modern usage has it conveying a strong decision or statement, but its Latin root actually means “to loosen or untie.” We commonly “resolve” to bind ourselves to strict diets, exercise or activity routines, and disciplined practices meant to force alteration of our bodies or our minds. And yet the true heart of the word we use suggests being set free.

That’s why I look to Advent as the time to make resolutions; not because I seek to bind myself to some alteration of behaviour, but rather so that I may invite the coming Christ to set me free from all the ways the world tries to bind me. I don’t need to take part in fad diets, buy a yoga mat and a set of weights, or read a series of self-help books. I just need to know the love of Christ and let it free me. And in doing so, I can share it more readily with others, which is the purpose to which we are all called.

It doesn’t have to be Advent, of course, any more than it has to be January 1st. These are just moments on a calendar, and the freedom to which we are invited is available always. It doesn’t require a subscription or special equipment. But by committing to a closer relationship with Jesus, resolving to let Him share in the burdens we carry, so much more can be achieved than we ever could do on our own.

Make your resolution… loosen your bonds and be set free in Christ… and have a very happy New Year.

The post A New Year of Freedom: Trading Duty For Christ’s Love appeared first on Anglican Life.

ACW Anniversary and All Saints’ Day
On November 1, 2025, the ACW Ladies of St. James’ Church in Port aux Basques started their morning with a service of Holy Communion, led by Rev’d Kuda, to celebrate their 127th Anniversary and also to keep All Saints’ Day. Following the service, they gathered at the Memorial Centre for lunch.

Cold Plate Fundraiser
On October 28th the ACW Ladies of St. James’ Church prepared cold plates for sale as a fundraiser for their Church. Great day of fellowship and hard work. A huge thank you to all the ladies who helped to make this a great success.

Advent Quiet Day in Port aux Basques
On Friday, November 28th, 2025, the ACW (Anglican Church Women) of St. James’ Church in Port aux Basques held their annual ‘Advent Quiet Day’. The event featured a beautiful worship service led by Rev. Kudawashe Madzime under the theme, “Listening/Obeying the Voice of God”. Following Communion, the ladies enjoyed a bagged lunch and then decorated the hall for Christmas. It was a wonderful morning of fellowship and worship.

The post News From Port aux Basques appeared first on Anglican Life.

Our fellowship day began with a Communion service followed by a cold-plate luncheon. The afternoon sessions included a “get-to-know-you game”, which was a lot of fun. A few other games were played, giving all women a chance to receive small gifts.

Our focus was “Shine Your Light”, and being so close to Thanksgiving, we were given the opportunity to acknowledge our blessings. The shining light of blessings, fun, and friendships — new and old — made it truly a fellowship day.

The post ACW Fellowship Day Brings Together Women of Central Newfoundland appeared first on Anglican Life.