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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

October Issue: Ora et Labora

In this issue, Dr. Obren Amiesimaka begins by looking at The Rule of St. Benedict and explains what work and prayer are. Ultimately, he says, it is a balance of the two that leads to a healthy spiritual life. Following this, Sr. Mary Coswin writes on how our desires and longings

There is No Riot Here: On Campus Protests and Radical Hope

Today, I helped pack my daughter’s bags for camping. Like countless times before, there was a long list of needed items—both for her and to share with fellow campers: sunscreen, rain gear, water bottles, flashlights, craft supplies, paints, paintbrushes, Bristol board, etc. Together, we dusted off her childhood craft supplies

A Time to Come Together, A Time to Build

 The Anti-Racism Black Anglican Network hosted its first conference at St. John’s College from August 14 to 17.  The conference was a success and had presentations that were both informative and challenging. All the presenters were well prepared, and I was privileged to speak alongside them. There were experts in

Introducing the St John’s Theology Hub

You may have noticed over the past year that there has been a resurgence in activity around theological education in the diocese and particularly at St John’s College. Back in 2016, the Synod accepted a report on the future of theological education in Rupert’s Land that made a number of

September Issue: For Every Season

Welcome to a new season of Rupert’s Land News. We begin this issue with Iain Luke, Prolocutor of the Ecclesiastical Province of the Northern Lights, explaining what an ecclesiastical province is, and how changing the name better represents the land and the people which it contains. Next, Jane Barter examines

CURRENT ISSUE

The Whole Armour of God

This issue begins with a farewell from Bishop Geoff. He reflects on the journey that he has shared with all of us during his time as Bishop in the Diocese of Rupert’s Land, and how we can look to the future of the Church with hope. Before we welcome our new bishop, I invite you to sit for a prayerful moment with Bishop Geoff’s farewell message and continue to pray for the future of the Church.

Next, Bishop Rachael Parker writes on what the armour of God means for us all, and what it means for our future bishop. She writes that this kind of armour is not something we should take on or off as it suits our mood, but that it should be one which is integrated into our skin. Just as we can never be dry from the waters of our baptism, so, too, can the armour of God never leave us.

Following this, Marcel DeGagné tells us about his search for what the soul is within each person, and how this sparked his journey to become a spiritual care provider. He believes that regardless of faith or creed, each of us has a ‘Burning Ember’ within us — a unique presence which is integral to each of our lives.

After this is the Convening Circular for the 120th Session of Synod, which most notably includes information about those who are currently nominated to be our next bishop. You will find the candidates’ answers to some questions, CVs, and short video interviews, among other pieces of valuable information.

Then, Bishop Don Phillips connects the famous passage from Ephesians about the armour of God with its Old Testament roots. He also explores what it means to live this out in our daily lives, and how our future bishop should do the same.

Lastly, Durell Desmond’s poem “The Angel and the Demon” encompasses themes relating to temptation, resilience, and salvation. Overall, the Demon could be taken as a metaphor for anyone who has made mistakes and is looking for redemption, while the Angel could be taken as a metaphor for Jesus.

Peace be with you; I hope you enjoy.