Centre for Lay Education

150th Anniversary of the Synod of the Diocese of Montreal   pdf flyer Photo Montage Please ask someone from your congregation to take a headshot photo of all of your worshippers. The photos should be put onto a disk and mailed to the Synod Office. The deadline is May 18th. The photos will be put made into a historical photo montage depicting the whole Diocese in 2009.  So far we have 1,000 photos from 20 congregations. Diocesan Fun-Day Saturday May 30 from 10am-3:30pm at Fulford Hall. Fun, all-age activities to reflect on the past & present & to look to the future. Includes an interactive activity to help us reflect and act on the Millenium Development Goals. Lunch is included. Please register the numbers of people attending this event by emailing Mark Roger 150th Synod Diocesan Brunch & Eucharist Sunday June 7, Trinity Sunday  pdf in french 11am Diocesan Brunch 1pm Diocesan Eucharist: Guest Speaker: Bishop Mark MacDonald. Theme: Hear What the Spirit is Saying to the Church. Bishop Barry is asking us to forego our mid-morning Sunday worship and come together as a Diocesan family. Diocesan Pilgrimage Saturday, September 26th from 9:30 am to 7:30 pm $10 to go on the bus, which includes supper at Sorel! Registrations will begin as of the June 7. Please check the recently updated website: http://www.montreal.anglican.ca/150/

Diocese of Montreal - Ordinations
On Sunday, May 3rd at 4 pm at Christ Church Cathedral in Montreal, Bishop Barry Clarke intends to ordain to the diaconate Ms Sophie Gabrielle; and to the priesthood the Revd Robert Bergner, the Revd Jennifer Bourque, the Rev. Geoffrey Chapman, and the Revd Karla Holmes.

Everyone is warmly welcome to the Cathedral for this joyous occasion.

A Tale of Three Convocations:

The Anglican College invites you to their Annual Convocation on Monday, May 4th at 8 pm at MDTC Convocation Hall, 3473 University. We will present the graduating class of the College along with EFM Graduates.  Awarding of an Honorary Doctorate in Divinity to the Very Rev'd Ogé Beauvoir.  Convocation speaker, the Rev. Dr. Patricia G. Kirkpatrick.  All are welcome.

The United Theological College invites you to their Annual Convocation on Wednesday, May 6th at 2 pm at Mountainside United Church, 687 Roslyn, Westmount.  Faye Wakeling will receive an honorary D.D. and be the convocation speaker.

The Presbyterian College invites you to their Annual Convocation at The Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul, on Thursday, May 7th at 7:30 pm.  The address will be given by Dr. Emidio Campi, Professor of Church History, University of Zurich.

Diocese of Montreal - Conference Synod 2009
November 12th to 14th  "Maintenance versus Mission Ministry" with the Rev. Dr. Ian Douglas.  The year's Conference Synod will take place at Centre Antique (6086 Sherbrooke est, Metro Cadillac)  The $35 registration fee includes parking, lunch buffet and dinner on Thursday, and lunch buffet on Friday, with coffee, snacks and conference materials.  Thursday from 10 am to 9 pm; Friday from 10 am to 6 pm; and on Saturday, back at Cathedral Place, from 10 am to 3 pm.  More details to follow.

"Fresh Start" in Montreal
Begins its new season on Saturday, September 19th, 2009. 
All laypeople and clergy are invited to join in.
This is an exciting program offered free from our Diocese/ the National Church which parishes are involved in across the country.  Not only is it highly beneficial for the health and well-being of your parish, its components are also very valuable in everyday life outside of the Church.
For more information see the attached brochure and flyer.

You may also contact the following Fresh Start Facilitators for more information:
Michael Johnson            mjohnson@montreal.anglican.ca  
Mark Rogers                 mrogers@montreal.anglican.ca   
Judy Oatway                judy.oatway@videotron.ca  
Frank Dottin                 fedottin@yahoo.ca 

And the Two Shall Become One
Alice Mann, senior consultant at the Alban Institute, says a congregational merger is "a strategy for dramatic change." She strongly encourages congregations to look at all their options before considering a merge so they'll be very clear as to whether a merger will be beneficial. As she points out, mergers are universally stressful situations, and they usually demand much more change than the people involved ever anticipated.
- from an article from the Alban Institute

EVENTS in 2009

Landmarks and the Growing Edge
Date: May 1 & 2, 2009
Time: Fri: 7-9 pm; Saturday from 9am-5pm
Landmarks, inspired by Margaret Silf's practical explorations of the insights of St. Ignatius of Loyola, offers ways to navigate the heart’s journey.     
The seminar will be held in the Library of Loyola High School (third floor), 7272 Sherbrooke St. West, Montreal. To register, or for more information, contact the Ignatian Spirituality Centre, (514) 481-1064    Cost: $125.00

“Many people today feel that they are ‘on the edge’ or even ‘over the edge’ of institutional religion. This can be a lonely and a risky place to be. But it can also be a ‘growing edge’ of the Kingdom.” She will discuss how we can live creatively on this growing edge, in the tension of our many questions, but in fidelity to the core of our being, in God.

St. Clements, Verdun
Fund raising concert on Thursday, May 7th at 8pm.  
4322 rue Wellington, Verdun.  514-766-0556

This will be a piano recital featuring a top selection of young Montreal pianists.
Mr. Serhiy Salov, 1st prizewinner of the 2004 Montreal International Piano Competition, will make a special appearance, in a program of celebrated piano masterpieces. The program will feature 6 pianists playing music of Bach, Mozart, Chopin, Debussy, Liszt, and others. All are welcome to attend and would be invited to leave a suggested donation of $20 to help us reach our goals. Tax receipts available upon request.

The Social Justice Committee of Montreal
invites you to meet Chilean lawyer, researcher and co-director of the Observatory for the Rights of Citizens and Indigenous People, Nancy Yáñez Fuenzalida. With Ernie Schibli, she will lead a discussion on how indigenous communities in northern Chile are facing large mining projects on their lands.  In her research, Yáñez suggests that the mining industry has caused extensive damage to the environment, culture and economy of indigenous people in Chile. Friday, May 8th 7:30 pm (Wine and cheese) St. Thomas à Becket Parish, 4320 Ste. Anne, Pierrefonds Directions: From either the highway 20 or 40 St-Charles exits, go north on St-Charles to Pierrefonds Boulevard, turn right, at Ste-Anne (3rd street) turn right again.
 

Christ Church, Beaurepaire: 455 Church Street, Beaconsfield, QC H9W 3S Tel: 514-697-2204 Click here for the brochure outlining all these events. And visit the web site at www.stillpresence.com   Ongoing Meditation Practice Mondays 7:00 - 7:45 pm beginning Jan.12th The format includes a guided meditation, time to discuss our practice, and silent group meditation. Participants are encouraged to discover the form of contemplative prayer that suits them best. Led by: The Rev. Cedric Cobb and the Rev. Michael Johnson. Contemplative Eucharist 1st Fridays 7:00 - 8:00 pm.   May 1st Each month, we offer a Eucharistic service that is focused on listening to the presence of God within. Half-Day Retreats: The Seasons of the Spirit Saturdays, 9:00 AM - 12 Noon,  June 20th, Sept. 12th, Dec. 19th Everyone is invited to these events being held at Christ Church, Beaurepaire.

Lay Reader Workshops in 2009
at MDTC, 3475 University, Montreal. 9:00 am to 2:30 pm.
The Saturday workshops are open to all interested persons. $10 registration.
For full information, go the the Lay Readers' Website

Saturday, May 30th. "Pastoral Care by Lay Readers"  The Rev. Michael Johnson
Saturday, Sept. 26th.  "Proclaiming the Good News with a Clear Voice" Carol Hague
Saturday, October 31st.  "Preaching the Good News"  Canon Paul Jennings
Saturday, November 28th.  Study Day and Commissioning. Location TBA.



Crosstalk Ministries is celebrating 30 years of Day Camps!!!
We would like to invite you to St. Matthew's Church, for our Service of Praise and Thanksgiving, on Sunday, May 3, 2009, 10:30am, to help us celebrate. Our speaker will be the Reverend Doctor Brett Cane. We pray you can join us!
 

PWRDF Presents "The Three Cantors"   The Poster
on Saturday, May 9th, at 7 pm at Christ Church Cathedral, Montreal.
Tickets are $20 each, $10 for students.  Contact Charles Goddard at 514-364-4205. 
All proceeds to benefit the Primates World Relief and Development Fund - PWRDF

3 Saturday afternoon concerts at the Church of St Columba
May 9th (Saturday at 3:30 p.m.) Saturday Afternoon at the Opera
Tamara Armstrong, Erica Martin, and Barbara Heath singing excerpts from familiar and unfamiliar operas plus a complete performance of Robert Frederick Jones’s one-act opera Miss Havisham’s Testament with string quartet, percussion, and piano.

June 20th (Saturday at 3:30 p.m.) St Columba’s Jazz Festival jazz singer Goreth Jonathas will appear with a combo of exceptionally talented young jazz musicians

July 11th (Saturday at 3:30 p.m.) Clarinet Plus A program of chamber music featuring Laura Chalmers, clarinet, with guests Jillian Sudayan, soprano, Robert Jones, piano, and others.

Ask & Imagine
May 10-21, 2009
This program is for young adults ages 18-26. The program is meant for people currently in College, CEGEP, University, employed, or just taking time off school to figure out the next steps in life!

In the May program, young adults with mentors, aboriginal elders, guest speakers and peer leaders explore their lives and world issues through the eyes of faith. You will further develop your own unique gifts for leadership and ministry, wherever your path is taking you.

The Moral Economy Project symposium
May 15-16, 2009, at the Marché Bonsecours in Montreal.
Our invitation is now on-line here. 
Sponsored by the QIF, Quaker Institute of the Future.

The $200 registration fee must be received by May 1, 2009 at the latest. Financial assistance is available for students and others who need it; the earlier we receive your request, the more likely it is that we will be able to work something out. To register, please contact us.
 

Refresh: Continuing Education Conference
May 12-15, 2009 at Wycliffe College
Christ is our peace. And yet, innumerable walls of hostility between us – as people, a nations – persist. Diversity. Justice. Our society’s watchwords point us to the reality that we suffer division if the painful past is not addressed. But how can we do that without a new round of recrimination? These questions lie at the heart of the ministry of the Church – the body of Christ – which is called by God from “every family, language and people.” This year at Refresh, our speakers are those who describe the Church’s ministry of reconciliation from many perspectives:

Archbishop John Sentamu, who addresses questions of racism and injustice in his Episcopal ministry;

William (Paul) Young, author of The Shack, who stresses that our spiritual lives need to ask the hard questions about past wrongs if forgiveness is to be possible;

Bishop Graham Cray, whose work in Fresh Expressions is about new ways of responding to the alienation of the unchurched.

First Aid Course - May 16th, 2009
A first aid course is being provided at the Fulford Hall on Saturday May 16^th, 2009 from 9:00am-4:00pm. 1444 Union Ave., Montreal.  The cost of the course is $50. Email Jessica Bickford to register.

Working Together in Children's Ministry
Saturday, May 23rd from 9:30 am to 2 pm, Kidstuff with Post Ordination Training and Linda Borden Taylor is having a workshop for ALL clergy in the Diocese, at St. James the Apostle Church. It is called “Working Together in Children’s Ministry.” The Keynote speaker will be the Rev’d Cedric Cobb. Lunch is included. RSVP is required. Please refer to this pdf.

Centering Prayer Workshop with Fr. Thomas Keating
Friday May 29 and Saturday May 30, 2009
A Centering Prayer workshop with Fr. Thomas Keating,
as part of the activity program of the Conférence internationale de réflexion et d’action sur Notre Projet (CIRAN).
The workshop is taking place at the Saint Joseph Oratory in Montréal.

Fr. Keating will introduce you to this form of meditation known as Centering Prayer. In English, with simultaneous French translation.  See the poster.

To obtain the registration form by telephone:
514-849-3000, ext. 49
Information and registration:  www.our-project.org 

The Challenge of Change
Monday, June 1st, 10 am to 4 pm.

Following on the success of last year's "a day for clergy with Ian Mobsby," I am pleased to let you know that we have a "a day for clergy & lay leaders with Phil Potter" coming up on Monday June 1st, from 10.00 am-4.00 pm at Lasalle Atelier Loblaws. The cost to you of the day will be $10 which includes lunch. This day is made possible thanks to a generous gift from one of our parishes. Places are limited, so please register for this event as soon as possible. More on Phil Potter.
 
More information and contact details can be found on the attached pdf. Please feel free to print it.
 
Please do not hesitate to contact Nick Brotherwood with any questions.

 

« La mystique démystifiée. Eclairages théologiques, spirituels et psychologiques sur la contemplation et la mystique dans la vie chrétienne. »

Colloque international et francophone, organisé par la Faculté de théologie, en collaboration avec la Faculté des sciences humaines, de l’Université Saint-Paul (Ottawa), du 3 juin à 19h00 au 6 juin à 12h30.  pdf 

Summer Ecumenical Institute
June 3rd to 5th, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
with Fr. Tom Ryan.  The Summer Ecumenical Institute will function as a stock-taking and a vision-building exercise for the grassroots ecumenical community in Canada.
 

KAIROS GATHERING 2009: The end of the world as we know it...Thank God!

What: The KAIROS Gathering
When: June 17-20 2009.
Where: University of Waterloo, Ontario
What: A four day gathering of justice and peace-focused worship, work, play, workshops, music, conversation, learning and networking.

We are also hosting a pre-event for YOUTH 18-30 on June 17th.
A fun-filled opportunity to explore issues that you are concerned about, connect with youth from across the country, and mobilize for change!

Who: YOU! And 499 other creative people from a wide range of communities coast to coast to coast, with resource people from around the world.
Why? To learn, pray, act, reflect, and build community for education and action together with the many communities that make up KAIROS.


Poverty Justice Camp 2009 - "Finding Abundance"
Justice Camp 2009 will be hosted August 9-15, 2009 by the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Focused on the topic of poverty, which will be reflected upon in the light of biblical study and prayer, Poverty Justice Camp will be based at the University of King's College in Halifax, Nova Scotia for the opening and closing days of the camp, with immersion experiences taking place throughout Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

Diocese of Montreal - Stewardship Days
October 16th and 17th, 2009  at Fulford Hall, 1444 Union Avenue.
Friday evening and all day Saturday.
"Fear Factor: A seminar facing the biology and spirituality of fear in the context of an economic downturn."  with Canon Charles Lafond.

Trinity Institute 2010
January 27-29, 2010 at Trinity Church, New York
With Rowan Williams, the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury,
and Sir Partha Dasgupta and Kathryn Tanner.

With unprecedented economic challenges all around us, what role does theology have in defining a new economy? Surely the market will be shaped by stricter regulation, but beyond those mechanisms, lay and clergy have an opportunity to create an ethical economy that serves humanity and builds community.

At Trinity Institute’s 2010 Conference, we will bring together leading theologians and economists to talk about the relationship between economics and Christian belief and action.

Leisure  by William Henry Davies

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.