Monthly Archives: May 2021

Missions Committee provides support throughout the pandemic

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“Serving God in mission, sharing Jesus with the world” is the mission statement of the Christ Church Cathedral Missions Committee.

The committee works together with the Cathedral congregation to reflect the teachings of Jesus and the heartbeat of Christian history. The committee's goals are to: raise awareness about mission work, prayerfully and financially support missionary efforts, and encourage action by the congregation.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the committee has been conducting business virtually, primarily through email, and has been able to continue communications and support for several long-standing mission partners.

Annual financial assistance of $1500 was provided to support the stipend for Canon Paul Jeffries at Bishop McAllister College in Uganda as well as $1500 for Reverends Kara and Nelson Mejia and their Honduras Mission Fund.

A $350 donation supported the mobile medical clinic in Ho, Ghana - a campaign initiated by the Diocese of Fredericton.

$250 was donated in response to an urgent appeal by PWRDF for financial assistance in August 2020 to assist with humanitarian needs following the Beirut explosion.

The Cathedral Missions Committee has remained in touch with members of the Refugee Family Sponsorship Team. In October, members of the committee assisted others in helping the Weah-Gmah family move to their new home.

A related committee under the Bishop and Chapter responsibility of Mission/Outreach maintains communication with St. Hilda's Anglican School in Belize.

Like so many others across the globe, our mission partners faced unforeseen challenges over this past year. School closures threatened to jeopardize the entire ministry at Bishop McAllister College. A shut down of the tourism economy in Roatan placed Rev’s Nelson and Kara in the position of needing to feed regular meals to over 200 residents in their community. When both of these partners reached out, the Cathedral offered additional assistance of $250 each and shared their messaging with the congregation via the missions web page and corresponding links on the Cathedral website and Facebook pages.

The committee posts online updates to keep the congregation informed of ongoing developments with our mission partners and continues to ask for prayerful support. In the year ahead, it is hoped that guest speakers can be invited back to the Cathedral.

The Missions Committee welcomes new members and is happy to answer questions. Contact the Cathedral Office or communicate directly with committee members Brad McKnight, Sam Mayo, John DosSantos or Kurt Schmidt.

Details from the Missions Committee update in the Christ Church Cathedral Annual Report for 2020.

Variety show supporting Mary Sumner House

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Mark your calendar for June 13th!

The Cathedral Branch of Mothers’ Union is pleased to present 'Prelude to Summer', a variety show which will feature local talent including music, dance and a magic show! It will be held outside on the Cathedral 'green', Sunday, 13 June following 10:30 a.m. worship. View the program in the 13 June Sunday bulletin.

A freewill offering will be collected in support of Mary Sumner House, the worldwide body of Mothers' Union. A variety of giving options are available:

  • Freewill offerings accepted onsite
  • Donations by e-transfer to <lilian.ketch at gnb.ca>
  • Mail a cheque to Diane Radford: 105 Sutton Street, Fredericton, NB  E3B 6L4
  • Use an offering envelope noting 'MU fundraiser' (tax receipt will be mailed)
  • Give online through the Cathedral website GIVE NOW link or our Facebook page and note 'MU fundraiser' (tax receipt immediately through email)

Pandemic precautions will be in effect. Bring your own lawn chair for social distancing with your bubble. Food will not be served, but we encourage you to bring your own picnic lunch to eat while you enjoy the entertainment. In the event of inclement weather, the show will be held inside the Cathedral without the picnic.

Mothers’ Union Canada is part of a global movement that has its work created, developed, coordinated and implemented by a group of people who work at Mary Sumner House in England. The COVID-19 crisis has detrimentally affected operations, and Mothers' Union needs support to continue the spiritual, practical and emotional support they have given worldwide for almost 150 years. The Cathedral Branch pledged $500 towards Mary Sumner House, and looks forward to this fundraiser for an important cause.

Bishop and Chapter News – May 2021

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Bishop and Chapter met 17 May 2021 by video conference with 10 of 14 members present. The Dean lead some discussion on an article entitled “Managing Resources - Part 1 Finances” (Nancy Davidge and Susan Elliott) from “Vestry Papers” of the Episcopal Church Foundation. “hard questions and their corresponding answers are necessary and vital to your church’s health.” Subtitled sections include: Financial Management, Good Financial Management Begins with the Budget, Different Funds for Different Purposes, Taxes, and Annual Audit/Review. Minutes of 15 March 2021 were adopted. There was no meeting of the Chapter in April.

From the Dean

•  a report outlined usual weekly and monthly commitments
•  monthly communions have resumed at Farraline Place
• a proposal will be put forward for new security equipment (door locking and cameras) and upgrade work on the network at the Cathedral and Memorial Hall to support it
•  Thy Kingdom Come (13-23 May) resources have been made available with encouragement to take part
•  noting again an upcoming need for congregational consultation and visioning regarding future facilities development

Items Arising

Parish Nurse - the application deadline closed 30 April with two received. Interviews will be scheduled. Sally Dibblee search committee chair.

Shared space initiative with the Diocesan Synod - operational costing is under development for a plan proposal of a facility on the east side of Church Street

Housing First Project - terms of reference are being developed for the committee that will oversee the project. Members are needed, including an individual for the role of treasurer. Documentation describing the responsibilities is being sought. Projected costs currently exceed identified funding. Construction completion estimate Fall 2021.

Decision

Security/Network Project - a motion was carried to proceed with security and network upgrades as proposed at a cost of about $12,000, funds to be identified from existing sources. Nightly security site visits ($300-$400 per month) will not be required upon completion.

Discussion

Poet’s Corner - proposal for consideration by Peter Pacey regarding an area (Sherman’s Wharf) with some seating and quiet space for reading. The Chapter suggests a written “letter of understanding” detailing responsibilities and expectations to serve as a document for approval.

Reports

Treasurer - an overview of current financial statements

Property -the work towards updating a 2015 maintenance and restoration plan has resulted in the potential for a major restoration project. Heritage Standing will work on proposing a cost for the creation of a master plan. Breakin and theft from the storage shed on 12 May.

Health and Pastoral Care - Some health ministry programming continues with the help of volunteers

Mission and Outreach - Belize Missions funding is depleted with no recent fund-raising activity. Housing First priority issue

Finance and Administration - a Stewardship Team meeting will be scheduled. The Treasurer will work with the Committee to provide financial background for future monitoring and planning

Christian Formation - overseeing current programming. June meeting will consider the committee work plan

Communications - an initial meeting with the new chair was 20 April

Upcoming

•  Day of Pentecost (23 May) 8:00, 10:00 and 11:45 a.m.
•  Next meetings (third Mondays) - 21 June 2021

GMH

The Joy of Music

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Throughout the pandemic, Christ Church Cathedral has been able to safely host a variety of musical performances, both public and private, under its COVID-19 operational plan.

After months of small groups of singers and no corporate singing, it is a blessing to hear voices lifted high in worship once again. Under the current Yellow Phase of the operational plan, members of the Cathedral congregation may now also sing during worship, wearing masks and maintaining two metres of physical distance between ‘bubbles. The choir and band continue to lead music, also maintaining appropriate distancing between performers. During Easter worship, an expanded choir was accommodated by using the sanctuary to spread out. The choir met in advance to rehearse and work out the 'choreography' and seating chart required to ensure physical distancing.

A variety of Fredericton musicians have also been welcomed into the Cathedral throughout the pandemic, with safety precautions such as attendance limits, sanitization, physical distancing, and masks for attendees (under public health guidelines, performers may remove their masks while singing if they are able to maintain appropriate distancing).

Public concerts at the Cathedral have included: the Elm City String Quartet; the Fredericton Symphony Orchestra and Atlantic Sinfonia; a concert featuring soprano Sally Dibblee, baritone Luke Noftall, and organist Thomas Gonder; as well as a solo organ concert by Cathedral Director of Music Thomas Gonder. Each of these concerts has been well attended by members of the community, who shared appreciation for the opportunity to listen to live music during this distressing time. We were honoured by the presence of Lieutenant Governor Brenda Murphy and her spouse, Her Honour Linda Boyle, at the Elm City String Quartet performance.

Christ Church Cathedral has wonderful acoustics which have been appreciated by several Music Festival participants, who were able to film their performances in the Cathedral with the assistance of their voice teacher, critically-acclaimed soprano Sally Dibblee.

Muriel Falkenstein will be advancing to the Provincial Music Festival at the Intermediate level. / Landon Garrett performed a song from the musical Hamilton in the Music Theatre class. / Muriel Falkenstein and Anne Marie Murphy. / Gillian Butler is one of two singers from Sally's studio chosen to represent Fredericton in the Junior Vocal Solo category at the Provincial Music Festival.

A mother-daughter pair dressed up for two themed rehearsals of the Fredericton Ladies' Choir.

The Fredericton Ladies Community Choir has combined technology and live performance in their practices. The choir been practicing online using Zoom during the pandemic, but this spring the choir, under the direction of Sally Dibblee, began livestreaming its rehearsals from the Cathedral. With the assistance of Cathedral audio/visual expert Peter Jacobs, physically distanced duos and trios were filmed to help the at-home singers follow along with their vocal parts. Choir rehearsals sometimes included costumes, such as a theme of ‘dress as your favourite choir song’, and a formal evening.

The Cathedral welcomes members of the community at worship and throughout the week. Inquiries about rentals can be directed to the Cathedral Office by email or phone (506) 450-8500.

Organist Thomas Gonder

Luke Noftall, baritone and Sally Dibblee, soprano

Thy Kingdom Come 2021 – a guide for 11 days of prayer

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GET INVOLVED

1. Daily prayer - Commit to attending the daily office in the morning (8:45 a.m.) or in the evening (4:45 p.m.) or both at the Cathedral Monday - Friday. It takes about 15 minutes.

2. D I F F E R E N C E - Prayer for the coming of God’s Kingdom can take many forms. Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has a passion for equipping the Church to be a reconciling presence in a complex and divided world. It is one of our greatest challenges but it has never been more vital. Co-sponsored by Christ Church Cathedral and the Diocese of Fredericton, we’ll explore ways to be engaged in being part of the solution. We can be a generation that crosses divides!

4:30 p.m.
17-21 May 2021
via ZOOM
REGISTER at
nb.anglican.ca

3. Pray for your FIVE - Choose a time each day to pray for 5 people you know that they will come to faith in Jesus Christ and know his love for them. Use the 2021 Prayer Journal to help guide and record your prayer or find other resources here.

4. Digital Family Resources - A fun-filled 11 part series for kids created in collaboration with the brilliant Cheeky Pandas! View a series of 11 reflections by youth on the daily themes of Thy Kingdom Come. The Digital Family Prayer Adventure Map is a way to help your whole family take part in the 11 days of global prayer.

DAILY SHORT READINGS

FRIDAY AFTER ASCENSION
As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to human beings, but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honour because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. Hebrews 2.8b-10
SATURDAY AFTER ASCENSION
I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8.38,39
SUNDAY AFTER ASCENSION
On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, “Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.”’ Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive. John 7.37-39a
MONDAY
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Isaiah 40.28,29
TUESDAY
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12.4-7
WEDNESDAY
I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female slaves, in those days, I will pour out my spirit. Joel 2.28,29
THURSDAY
Jesus said, ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’ Luke 11.9-13
FRIDAY
In Christ every one of God’s promises is a ‘Yes.’ For this reason it is through him that we say the ‘Amen’, to the glory of God. But it is God who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us, by putting his seal on us and giving us his Spirit in our hearts as a first instalment. 2 Corinthians 1.20-22
SATURDAY
The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3.17,18

 

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PRAYING FOR "YOUR 5" DURING THY KINGDOM COME

Thy Kingdom Come encourages every Christian to pray daily for 5 individuals to know God's love for them in Christ

Download the 2021 Prayer Journal at thykingdomcome.global

ASCENSION DAY Jesus
Jesus shows us what humanity can be like when it is lived God’s way.

FRIDAY AFTER ASCENSION Praise
God is the source and origin of everything, even the breath that we’re taking right now.

SATURDAY AFTER ASCENSION Thanks
Thanksgiving expands the heart. Pray that the whole world may find Christ.

SUNDAY AFTER ASCENSION Sorry
The world has to change. But who has the answers? Who do we follow? Jesus says, follow me.

MONDAY Offer
The offer of the Christian faith is the offer of abundant life.

TUESDAY Pray for
Make your life a prayer. Pray for your FIVE. Make your life an offering.

WEDNESDAY Help
We are made for community with God and with each other and we can’t do it on our own.

THURSDAY Adore
Love is the complete self-giving that we see in Jesus. This is the love the world needs if we are to navigate a way though the huge challenges we face.

FRIDAY Celebrate
Faith is not a private thing, but a way of life lived in community. We need to nurture this life in celebration.

SATURDAY Silence
There is a place beyond words, where the heart rests in peace, in the knowledge of being known and loved.

THE DAY OF PENTECOST Filled with the Holy Spirit
God the Holy Spirit sends us into the world: praying for others, and serving them in the name of Christ.

READINGS ON DISCIPLESHIP AND EVANGELISM

And now the Lord says, who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, and that Israel might be gathered to him, for I am honoured in the sight of the Lord, and my God has become my strength – he says, ‘It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.’ Isaiah 49.5-6

Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices, together they sing for joy; for in plain sight they see the return of the Lord to Zion. Break forth together into singing, you ruins of Jerusalem; for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. Isaiah 52.8-9

Many nations shall come and say: ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between many peoples, and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. Micah 4.2-3

‘While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.’ Acts 17.30-31

From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! 2 Corinthians 5.16-17

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. Ephesians 2.19-21

Jesus said, ‘You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.’ Matthew 5.13-16

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ Matthew 28.16-end

DAILY OFFICE READINGS

to be used at Morning and Evening Prayer

Thursday (13 May) Ascension of the Lord
Morning Psalm 8, 47; Ezekiel 1:1-14, 24-28b; Hebrews 2:5-18
Evening Psalm 24, 96; (Daniel 7:9-14); Matthew 28:16-20

Friday (14 May) St. Mathias, Apostle
Morning Psalm 80; 1 Samuel 16:1-13; 1 John 2:18-25
Evening Psalm 33; 1 Samuel 12:1-5; Acts 20:17-35

Saturday (15 May) Eve of Ascension Sunday
Morning Psalm 87, 90; Ezekiel 3:4-17; Hebrews 5:7-14
Evening Psalm 136; (Numbers 11:16-17, 24-29); Luke 9:37-50

Sunday (16 May) Seventh Sunday of Easter - Jerusalem Sunday
Morning Psalm 66, 67; Ezekiel 3:16-27; Ephesians 2:1-10
Evening Psalm 19, 46; (Exodus 3:1-12); Matthew 10:24-33, 40-42

Monday (17 May) Easter Feria
Morning Psalm 89:1-18; Ezekiel 4:1-17; Hebrews 6:1-12
Evening Psalm 89:19-52; (Josiah 1:1-9); Luke 9:51-62

Tuesday (18 May) Easter Feria
Morning Psalm 97, 99, [100]; Ezekiel 7:10-15, 23b-27; Hebrews 6:13-20
Evening Psalm 94, [95]; (1 Samuel 16:1-13a); Luke 10:1-17

Wednesday (19 May) Dunstan, Archbishop of Canterbury, 988
Morning Psalm 101, 109:1-4, (5-19), 20-30; Ezekiel 11:14-25; Hebrews 7:1-17
Evening Psalm 119:121-144; (Isaiah 4:2-6); Luke 10:17-24

Thursday (20 May) Easter Feria
Morning Psalm 105:1-22; Ezekiel 18:1-4, 19-32; Hebrews 7:18-28
Evening Psalm 105:23-45; (Zechariah 4:1-14); Luke 10:25-37

Friday (21 May) Easter Feria
Morning Psalm 102; Ezekiel 34:17-31; Hebrews 8:1-13
Evening Psalm 107:1-32; (Jeremiah 31:27-34); Luke 10:38-42

Saturday (22 May) Eve of Pentecost
Morning Psalm 107:33-43, 108:1-6, (7-13); Ezekiel 43:1-12; Hebrews 9:1-14
Evening Psalm 33; Exodus 19:3-8a, 16-20; 1 Peter 2:4-10

Sunday (23 May) Day of Pentecost
Morning Psalm 118; Isaiah 11:1-9; 1 Corinthians 2:1-13
Evening Psalm 145; (Deuteronomy 16:9-12); John 14:21-29

COVID-19 Vaccine: Why not pay it forward?

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by Ann Deveau

As the pandemic has dragged on, disrupting all our lives, I've been waiting impatiently to get my first shot of a vaccine to protect against COVID-19.

Suddenly, the words of my late father penetrate my whiny muttering. Dad would often say: “There's always someone worse off than yourself.”

A bit red-faced, I ponder that bit of wisdom.

More advice floats to the surface.

My best friend, Deb, died of ovarian cancer this spring, still smiling and reminding people to “Cultivate an attitude of gratitude.”

My face gets redder.

After all, because I'm lucky enough to live in a relatively prosperous place like Canada with a good health-care system and with a government that bought zillions of doses in advance, it's certain that I will get vaccinated if I wish to do so. I enjoy privilege and security.

But, if I happened to live in a crowded slum in India, a remote village in Tanzania, or the high mountains of Bolivia, what would be the chances of my family getting the vaccine any time soon? Slim to none, possibly. And that's quite simply wrong.

I decided to take the advice of my wise Dad and my kind friend; be grateful for what you have and share it with someone who needs it. As soon as I get my jab, I'll pay it forward by donating to the Vaccine Equity Fund at the Primate's World Relief and Development Agency (PWRDF).

Canada's Primate, Archbishop Linda Nicholls, has written that seeking vaccine equity is not optional. She noted that our baptismal promises command us to love our neighbour as ourselves.

Archbishop Nicholls was also motivated by the words of her Anglican colleague, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba of South Africa. “Everyone deserves more than the crumbs under the table when others are eating a full loaf of bread,” he pointed out.

Our Primate urged Anglicans to speak up for countries often left with “crumbs.”

For example, we can urge our members of Parliament to donate our excess vaccine to less fortunate nations because vaccine inequity threatens everyone while the virus rages. We can ask our prime minister to support a temporary suspension of trade restrictions, which control the price of vaccine, so that production can reach into heavily populated areas.

Aside from advocacy, the Primate suggested something tangible. When Anglicans receive their vaccines, they can contribute to the Vaccine Equity Fund at PWRDF. Each gift will support PWRDF partners in the most vulnerable parts of the world as they prepare for vaccination roll-out, including work already under way to supply PPE, thermometers, sanitation and hand-washing facilities, and accurate public health information.

If you visit the link to donate, you'll see that you can choose an amount  which matches your personal budget. You can also dedicate your contribution to someone special, and PWRDF will notify them about your generosity.

It's going to be difficult for PWRDF to send e-mails to my father and my friend, but I won't let that little problem stop me from paying it forward and helping a vulnerable person  somewhere get vaccinated against this deadly virus.

What will you do?

 

 

My Journey Here – David Edwards

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He is the Most Rev. David Edwards, bishop of the Diocese of Fredericton; and Metropolitan of the Province of Canada, which comes with the title of archbishop.

But he’d really rather be known as David.

How he got to New Brunswick is a winding story of God’s hand on his life that began in 1960...

* * *

Read the full article, written by Gisele McKnight and published in the April 2021 edition of the NB Anglican.

Canadian Mothers’ Union Conference

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The 2021 Canadian Mothers' Union Virtual Conference will be held online 04-05 June. The theme of the free event is 'Our God Is Still on the Move' and it will feature a keynote address by Worldwide Mothers' Union President Sheran Harper, guest speaker Bishop Bill Hockin, and a virtual banner parade.

Originally scheduled to be held in Fredericton, public health precautions due to the COVID-19 pandemic has led the organizing committee to plan a virtual event, which they hope will be a source of inspiration and connection between Mothers' Union branches across Canada.

In areas where pandemic precautions allow, organizers hope that branches will take the opportunity to gather in bubbles on Friday, June 4, either at a member’s home, church or hall, remembering to be conscious of COVID safety protocols. This will allow for fellowship when worshipping together. All members will also have the option to connect to the conference using a Zoom link from their own home.

There will be no registration fee to attend the virtual conference. With no other costs for travel or accommodation involved, participants are asked to prayerfully consider donations to Mothers' Union's registered charities, the Northern Clergy Families Fund and Mary Sumner House.

Click here for more information about the conference and schedule. Register by 18 May. If you have additional questions, please contact Conference Coordinator Lilian Ketch <lilian.ketch at gnb.ca>.

What’s difference all about?

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In 2 Corinthians 5 we read that God "has committed to us the message of reconciliation." God has taken the initiative to bring us back into relationship with him. And he calls us to be reconciled reconcilers. Reconciliation is in the DNA of the disciple.

Many of us feel that conviction to cross divides and to transform broken relationships. We long for our faith to have a positive impact, to be the starting place for change.

But the world we live in is complex and overwhelming. Despite all our good intentions, relationships are hard. What's more we live in a world where we see — and many experience - deeply entrenched inequality and injustice, discrimination and exploitation, violent conflict and greed.

Sometimes it can feel like the Church, rather than being part of the solution, is too often part of the problem.

We know that the world is not as it should be, and that the Kingdom of God offers an alternative possibility. We feel the prompting of our faith to speak into these issues, but the sheer scale of brokenness means we can be left feeling stuck and unsure of where to start.

Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has a passion for equipping the Church to be a reconciling presence in a complex and divided world. It is one of our greatest challenges but it has never been more vital.

... equipping the Church to be a reconciling presence in a complex and divided world ...

He's brought together leading thinkers and peacemakers to create Difference: a 5-session course that explores how we can follow Jesus in our everyday relationships.
Jesus' life points to what's possible when we follow him, making crossing divides, navigating disagreement and practicing forgiveness a part of our everyday discipleship.

This course provides a supportive and dynamic space for people to bring before God their own experiences and relationships and to learn the everyday habits and actions that help us live out our faith within them.

We can be a generation that crosses divides, bringing transformation to relationships, communities and societies through everyday acts of courage.

A people equipped by the Holy Spirit to embody hope in those difficult, broken spaces, and who have learned to persevere when it feels as if nothing will ever change.

It starts in the everyday moments of courage and risk, where we choose to join in with what God is doing. The Difference course is an opportunity to discover where God is inviting us to engage.

Register for D i f f e r e n c e  17-21 May 2021

Download / View the Participant Guide
Difference on the Anglican Communion website