Montreal Dio in partnership with the Montreal School of Theology (MST) is pleased to announce the launch of the Montreal Mission Internship (MMI) for the summer of 2023, running May 29th to July 28th. MMI is a service-learning program for 18-25-year-olds who feel called to explore the work of Christian ministry outside the walls of the church
Is your community looking for a summer outreach ministry that goes beyond the average boxed VBS?
Well Crosstalk Ministries Day Camps is ready to meet your needs! Our Program is great for communities who are looking for a low cost, pre-planned and all-inclusive package that provides churches and communities with an affordable outreach opportunity for families from all income levels. Day Camps are also a great way to generate more community involvement and are adaptable to a wide variety of contexts.
For summer 2023 we are offering “Something to Celebrate!” exploring Parables from the Gospel of Luke. Each day our program unpacks one of these parables through songs and games, small groups, crafts and liturgical dance all geared to campers of 4-12 years. CTM offers two different models to meet your needs:-
The Backyard Package- 250$ is designed for purchase by a church to then be shared via a secure link with families who register to participate. This program includes five 2 ½ hour-long sessions and can be presented at times and days suited to each family from the security of their own homes and backyards.
The Super Day Camp - 550$ (with a 100$ discount should you not require a mentor) comprises five units each of which includes 5 hours of activities. Purchase of this package provides you with a detailed Planner taking you through the process of recruiting volunteers, collecting supplies and encouraging the whole church family to be involved, plus access to a “mentor” who will be matched with you and join your set-up and daily debrief meetings via an online platform as well as offering support via text message throughout your Day Camp week,
In Addition we also offer-
The Extended Day Package - 50$ that may be purchased by communities wishing to offer additional activities, stretching the Super Day Camp program to a full 8-hour day in order to better accommodates some families.
Both packages include digital copies of all necessary promotional and program materials with the Super Day Camp package also including a comprehensive training video for volunteers plus optional mentor support.
Whatever your community’s situation, one of these programs can help ensure that the children of your church family, and wider community have “Something to Celebrate!” for summer 2023.
Visit the CTM website - to access the fillable Day Camp Application form or contact the Office- office@crosstalkministries.ca to receive a pdf version
The Synod Office Staff Remembers Marcel (see this article and others in the March issue of the Anglican Montreal (linked here)
By Nicki Hronjak, Editor
Along with countless others, we were saddened to hear the news of Marcel De Hêtre’s passing on November 11, 2022 at the age of 57. Most might remember Marcel De Hêtre as a friend, partner or gifted tenor. For us at the Diocesan Office he was a beloved and talented co-worker.
From 2001 until 2013, Marcel worked as the Bishop’s Secretary, Webmaster and Front Desk Manager. According to his longtime partner, Laura Prince, “He loved his job at the Diocese. It was a perfect match for him.... His quirky sense of humour worked with most of the priests in the Diocese and the job allowed him to combine music and liturgy, which is what he knew and what he grew up with and what he loved.”
Both bishops he served under allowed Marcel the flexibility to continue singing in professional choirs, which of course was his passion.
While he didn’t sing much in the office, there was one song he performed with some regularity, called Macaroni Delight. The song was co-written by Marcel and myself and sung to the tune of Afternoon Delight by the Starland Vocal Band. It was reserved for those days when someone in the office had macaroni for lunch. Although this was years ago, I still think of him when I take a package of macaroni out of my pantry.
I asked my coworkers to share their own memories:
“As a priest in the diocese, I remember Marcel’s dry and quirky humour, his kindness and speed in helping me navigate some word processing when I couldn’t open it on my own computer, and the beautiful translations into French of some of the hymns we sang at Diocesan services. Marcel always knew the answer to our questions. I will always remember the beautiful and meaningful funeral service Marcel planned and the extraordinary witness of his faith in the music he chose. May he rest in peace. “ Bishop Mary
“Marcel had a great sense of humor and often helped coordinate innocent office pranks. I remember one instance when a colleague was away, we took whole lot of file boxes and built a wall around their desk! He was also a marvel when it came to creating documents & interactive forms and was patient in helping me figure things out.”
Ardyth Robinson
“My memories of Marcel go back to when I was a student at McGill, having moved to Montreal and made Christ Church Cathedral my home parish. Marcel was a member of the choir and at parish events, he was always friendly and poking gentle fun to make you feel like part of the “gang.” As I joined the Synod Office team in the Programme Office, Marcel joined the Bishop’s Office and continued that collegial sense of humour that broke the ice of formality and made you feel like part of the family. I will always remember Marcel for his sense of humour and compassion.”
– The Ven Robert Camara, Executive Archdeacon & Vicar General
“He knew everything about things like how to address the clergy, which can be intimidating to a non-Anglican coming into the job. He always took the time to answer my many questions.”
Jennifer James-Phillips
“As his successor, I had big shoes to fill. Marcel was the ultimate perfectionist, and I was very much in awe of his depth of knowledge. He had an amazing sense of humor too. I will miss his
voice and his sharp wit.”
Mary Abate
“Marcel and I shared a love of sports, especially the Montreal Canadiens. We often reminisced about the glory days of the Habs during the 1970’s and 1980’s and lamented their playoff failures of the past two decades. We looked forward to a Stanley Cup parade and joked that when that day came, we would be standing in front of Christ Church Cathedral wearing our jerseys and cheering on our beloved team. The Habs will be winning the Stanley Cup in near future. I will be at the parade and I will be thinking of my friend, Marcel, who will be looking down from Heaven, yelling “Go Habs Go!”.
Stephen Tam
There is a through line in these memories; he was a man of talent, competence, helpfulness, and humour. I’ll bet he has those angels cracking up right now. Rest in peace dear Marcel.
Bishop’s Message Anglican Montreal March 2023 edition (download the March edition HERE)
I have just come back from three months of sabbath leave. It was a wonderful time for rest, reading and reflection. I confess that I felt a bit lost without a regular schedule to follow and a role to fill. Friends of mine have used sabbaticals to further their education or write a book. This was not that kind of sabbatical. Rather than working on a list of things I wanted to accomplish and had been too busy to do while working, I spent time thinking about what God had in mind when God rested on the seventh day – and what God intends for us when we observe the Sabbath. I found myself focusing on the beauty of Creation and joining with God in admiring it while I rested. Naturally I took a lot of photos! And I spent some time relaxing with and enjoying loved ones.
Eventually I began to reflect on who I am in Christ, as a child of God, a beloved person who is part of God’s Creation. I even thought about the way God took delight in all that God had made—and that I am part of that. It was a time to reconnect with the One who had called me and loved me and saved me and it was very good!
Lent is the annual occasion for us all to focus on what we need to pay attention to in our faith journey just as I did on my sabbatical. We make space so that we can be present to God and God’s purposes: God’s purposes for us, for our life in Christ, for our relationship with our neighbour, and for the environment. To slow down and worship God, and not just tick the boxes of expectations. Part of entering into Lent or Sabbath time is getting into a headspace of praise and thanks and trust in our place in God’s purposes. Two books that helped me in my reflections are “Living the Sabbath: Discovering the Rhythms of Rest and Delight” by Norman Wirzba, and “Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants” by Robin Wall Kimmerer.
Thank you for your prayers for me while I was on Sabbath leave. I pray that you will have a holy and renewing Lent.
+Mary
Message de l'évêque Anglican Montréal édition mars 2023
Je reviens tout juste de trois mois de congé sabbatique. Ce fut un temps merveilleux de repos, de lecture et de réflexion. J'avoue que je me suis sentie un peu perdue sans un horaire régulier à suivre et un rôle à remplir. Certains de mes amis ont profité de leur congé sabbatique pour parfaire leur formation ou écrire un livre. Ce n'était pas ce genre de congé sabbatique. Plutôt que de travailler sur une liste de choses que je voulais accomplir et que j'avais été trop occupée pour faire en travaillant, j'ai passé du temps à réfléchir à ce que Dieu avait en tête lorsqu'il s'est reposé le septième jour - et à ce que Dieu veut pour nous lorsque nous observons le sabbat. Je me suis retrouvée à me concentrer sur la beauté de la création et à me joindre à Dieu pour l'admirer pendant que je me reposais. Naturellement, j'ai pris beaucoup de photos ! Et j'ai passé du temps à me détendre avec des êtres chers et à en profiter.
Finalement, j'ai commencé à réfléchir à ce que je suis dans le Christ, en tant qu'enfant de Dieu, une personne aimée qui fait partie de la Création de Dieu. J'ai même pensé à la façon dont Dieu s'est réjoui de tout ce qu'il a créé, et au fait que j'en fais partie. C'était le moment de renouer avec Celui qui m'avait appelée, aimée et sauvée, et c'était très bon !
Le Carême est l'occasion annuelle pour nous tous de nous concentrer sur ce à quoi nous devons faire attention dans notre cheminement de foi, tout comme je l'ai fait pendant mon congé sabbatique. Nous faisons de la place pour être présents à Dieu et à ses desseins : Les desseins de Dieu pour nous, pour notre vie en Christ, pour notre relation avec notre prochain et pour l'environnement. Ralentir et adorer Dieu, et ne pas se contenter de cocher les cases des attentes. Une partie de l'entrée dans le Carême ou le temps du Sabbat consiste à se mettre dans un état d'esprit de louange et de reconnaissance et de confiance en notre place dans les desseins de
Dieu. Deux livres m'ont aidée dans mes réflexions: "Living the Sabbath: Discovering the Rhythms of Rest and Delight" de Norman Wirzba, et "Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants" de Robin Wall Kimmerer.
Je vous remercie de vos prières pour moi pendant mon congé sabbatique. Je prie pour que vous ayez un Carême saint et renouvelé.
+Mary
All photos by Janet Best
The Anglican Foundation of Canada's (AFC) Board of Directors has been working hard to make AFC grants more diverse and accessible than ever. This includes moving to a quarterly grants cycle, introducing new categories of grants, and increasing our efforts with special funding opportunities such as Say Yes! to Kids and our popular Request for Proposals.
In order to keep you informed about these changes and funding opportunities, we are hosting a series of webinars. These 30-minute sessions will provide an overview of all AFC funding programs, summarize eligibility requirements, and explain how to navigate our new grants portal.
Sessions are as follows:
Tuesday, February 28, 11:00 am (EST)
Wednesday, March 1, 7:00 pm (EST)
Friday, March 3, 1:00 pm (EST)
Monday, March 6, 7:00 pm (EST)
Tuesday, March 7, 11:00 am (EST)
Friday, March 10, 1:00 pm (EST)
If you are unable to attend one of these webinars, please follow us on Facebook and watch for a recorded version of the webinar to be posted on the AFC website and shared through social media and our monthly E-news.
Sincerely,
Dr. Scott Brubacher
Executive Director
Anglican Foundation of Canada
1444 Union Avenue
Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B8
Tel: (514) 843-6577 // 1 (800) 355-3788
Fax: (514) 843 6344
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The Synod Office is located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Kanien’keha:ka (Mohawk), at a place called Tio’tia:ke (Montreal), a meeting place for many First Nations, including the Haudenosaunee (Six Nation Confederacy), Anishinabeg and Algonquin peoples.
We recognize and respect the Kanien’keha:ka as the traditional stewards of the land and waters of Tio’tia:ke.
Our acknowledgement stands as a promise to continue the ongoing work of recognition and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
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©2024 Synod of the Diocese of Montreal & Lord Bishop of Montreal
