News

February Issue: Lux et Origo

Kirsten Pinto Gfroerer begins this issue with an exploration of light — light as the source of creation, light as the Good, light as the glorious love of the Holy Trinity. She writes, “the creation story teaches us that the promise in the midst of the dark is not only

The Anglican Fellowship of Prayer Rejuvenated

On December 19, 2023, Heather Birtles lived out an adventure she always knew would happen, and she faced it with courage — perhaps even some excitement. Heather had been preparing for her death for a very long time — doing so was part of living out her faith. I have

The Challenge: Effectively Describing Jesus Today

Most of us who participate regularly in worship are fairly good at conversing about Jesus Christ. We paraphrase pieces of a Creed, a Catechism, or share a meaningful prayer from one of our prayer books. However, increasingly, the people we rub shoulders with in contemporary living – at work, school,

Neighbours Helping Neighbours

Holy Trinity Church in Winnipeg has had a long tradition of serving the community outside the church. Downtown Winnipeg is a place where people work during the day and entertain themselves at night. But it is also a place where people experience poverty and the issues linked to it: homelessness,

Trust and Believe: Emmanuel

The turn of the year, which generally overlaps with Christmastide (lasting from the dusk of Christmas Eve until the day before Epiphany), is a time of many festivities, activities, and emotions. During this festive season, it is the norm for people to travel and gather with family and friends, exchange

St. Paul’s (Middlechurch): Celebrating 200 Years

The parish of St. Paul’s (Middlechurch) will inaugurate the celebration of 200 years of its presence and witness on January 26th, 2025. Situated in the municipality of West St. Paul, this is a historic landmark for the church in the Diocese of Rupert’s Land. It holds the distinction of being

January Issue: The Way of the Magi

To begin this issue, two more people share their Bethlehem Moments, and one person shares a poetic reflection on what Bethlehem Moments mean for us going forward out of Christmastide. Then, The Reverend James Gomez provides a brief history of St. Paul’s (Middlechurch) in honour of their 200th anniversary. Following

December Issue: Bethlehem Moments

This is a special edition of Rupert’s Land News. In this issue, people from across the Diocese have submitted their Bethlehem Moments. As we enter the seasons of Advent and await the coming of Christ, we once again listen to and learn from the story of the Nativity — the

On Family and Identity: The Passion of Perpetua

In the first few centuries of the Common Era, Christians were the targets of sporadic persecutions by the Roman authorities. The imperial persecutions of Decius, Valerian, and Diocletian were interspersed with more localized outbreaks of violence, as Christians’ refusal to pay homage to the traditional Roman gods made them convenient

2024 Christmas Services

St. Aidan’s (274 Campbell St.) Christmas Eve Tuesday, Dec. 24 at 5:00 pm An all-ages service with Holy Communion. Tuesday, Dec. 24 at 8:00 pm A traditional service with Holy Communion. Christmas Day Wednesday, Dec. 25 at 10:30 am A service of Holy Communion with Christmas carols.   St. George’s

Exploring Seeds of Wisdom: Perspectives from a Rich African Christian Tapestry

In the heart of Africa, vibrant cultures intertwine with deep spiritual traditions. From the oral traditions that echo through generations to the innovative educational initiatives that empower the youth, the African perspective on “Seeds of Wisdom” within the Anglican Church reveals a dynamic interplay between heritage and modernity. As we

The Communion of Saints: The Chosen Family of God

Christians are the family of God. We are described as being adopted through Christ in scripture (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5) and we often refer to one another as siblings in Christ. Jesus, in his last hours on the cross, demonstrates the depth of this familial connection when he

Parish Profile: St. Paul’s (Middlechurch)

Note: This Parish Profile has been edited to correct inaccuracies in the previous version. Interview with Lynda Wilkie from St. Paul’s (Middlechurch) RLN: Can you tell me about the name of your parish? Lynda: St. Paul’s is between The Cathedral and St. Andrews, so it was always called the “middle

November Issue: Seeds of Wisdom

This issue begins in celebration with photos from a successful 119th session of the Diocesan Synod. Thanks be to God for this community! We learned, collaborated, worshipped, and oriented ourselves towards our future. I hope you enjoy some photos of the event. In the Apostles Creed, we affirm that we

Balancing Prayer and Work

Ora et Labora, prayer and work, is the cornerstone phrase and encapsulating spirit of The Rule of St. Benedict. St. Benedict of Nursia (480 – 547 AD) was the founder of a dozen monastic communities in present-day Italy for whom he penned his Rule. Comprising 73 chapters, it has become

Seeking God

One of the most popular books in spirituality at the end of the late 1990s was Holy Longing by Ron Rolheiser, OMI. In it he admits, “It is no easy task to walk this earth and find peace; we are forever restless, dissatisfied, frustrated and aching. Desire is always stronger

Photo by Brad Switzer

Busy? Have a Feast!

“Hey, how’ve you been?” I ask. *Sigh* “BUSY!” they grin back. “Ah yeah, it’s that time of year, isn’t it?” I don’t know if you’ve had this conversation lately, but I find it has become somewhat of cultural script in my circles. We used to all lie and say we

Practicing Sabbath Delight

I once looked a humpback whale in the eye. As I sat in the small inflatable dinghy in the Southern Antarctic Ocean, I watched as she gracefully swam towards the boat, her fins flashing white beneath the surface. I held my breath as she swam beneath the zodiac, my heart

CURRENT ISSUE

Lux et Origo

Kirsten Pinto Gfroerer begins this issue with an exploration of light — light as the source of creation, light as the Good, light as the glorious love of the Holy Trinity. She writes, “the creation story teaches us that the promise in the midst of the dark is not only that the light will come again, but that light is always present. All that is has light as its substance and ground. Light is here, in the dark, in the fabric of everything. And this light is the glory of God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three persons and one God held in unity by the life of love.”

Then, the Ven. Simon Blaikie writes on what he learned on a recent trip to Holy Island. He reminds us that we are all called to draw ever closer to the Lord, and that we experience the mystical presence of God in silence, stillness, and witnessing God’s beautiful creation. We must remember, he says, that “the Divine mystery lives within every human being…”.

Following this, Cinna Baran writes on the idea that God is Nothingness — a paradoxical idea put forth in one of Meister Eckhart’s sermons. His article explores what this concept means, how it is not contradictory to the Christian faith, and how Paul experienced this when he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus.

Durell Desmond concludes this issue with a poem titled “Shadow and Light.”

Peace be with you; I hope you enjoy.