News

March Issue: Via Dolorosa

As our three authors—Melissa Ritz, Obren Amiesimaka, and Zoe Matties—give us their own perspectives and thoughts on the nature of suffering in human life, they all highlight the valuable lessons which Scripture teaches us in helping us navigate the most difficult parts of our lives. With Scripture, we always have

What Does it Mean to Love Our Enemies?

Today I am not feeling very loving. Today, I am filled with rage at the state of the world. An innocent mother was just shot dead by an agent of the government, the despot over the border has said [insert the latest craziest thing you’ve heard him say here], and

Love Our Enemies? Yes!

The idea of loving our enemies can be tough. Some might say it is easy in theory, or when one has not been deeply, glaringly, and unjustifiably wronged. It is not unusual, in human frailty, to want those who have hurt us deeply to experience pain too—to know what it

And Who Is My Enemy?

When thinking about what it means to love one’s enemy, I am immediately reminded of the man who asks Jesus, “and who is my neighbour?”[1] Ultimately, Jesus’ answer is not a description of what a neighbour is, but a command to “Go and do likewise”[2] to the Samaritan who went

February Issue: To Love Your Enemy

  Loving our enemies is one of Jesus’ teachings that is vital, yet difficult. At its core, loving one’s enemy demonstrates the belief that no person is entirely reducible to their worst acts, and that reconciliation is possible. The refusal to hate and dwell in vengeance preserves the integrity of

Hope is a Practice

Near the beginning of my undergraduate studies, I had the opportunity to go on a study tour to the Holy Land. We visited many churches, archaeological sites, and museums in both Palestine and Israel. We also talked with many people—Jewish, Muslim, and Christian—to learn about their lives. On one hand,

“All Our Hope On God Is Founded”

‘All my hope on God is founded; He doth still my trust renew. Me through change and chance He guideth, Only good and only true. God unknown, He alone Calls my heart to be His own.’ This hymn by Joachim Neander (English translation by Robert Bridges) is a most popular

What is Hope? Melissa Ritz’s Response

My simple answer to the question, “What is hope?” is that hope is a belief about the future that combines expectation and desire. In other words, it is a belief that a positive outcome is in the offing, with at least some assurance that the hoped-for outcome will indeed come

January Issue: Hope

  What is hope, and how does it shape our lives? As we return to the “Faith Matters” series, our three new authors—Melissa Ritz, Obren Amiesimaka, and Zoe Matties—seek to offer insight into this question. While all of them have their own unique perspectives on this subject, they directly or

A Year of Anglican Poetics

The 20th-century poet T.S. Eliot first gained popular attention with the publication of his poem “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock.” Often cited as one of the key touchstones in the creation of the modernist style, Eliot began to develop a paradox of articulate inarticulacy that would pervade his

December Issue: Word and Wonder

This issue contains an Advent message from Bishop Naboth, reflections on a year of the Anglican Poetics Project by Ryan Turnbull, and reader-submitted poetry. Some poets who submitted have been writing for years, spending a great deal of time and energy on honing their craft. Others have just started—maybe in

Why Do We Pray? Kirsten Pinto-Gfroerer’s Response

  We live between the feeding and watering grounds of migrating Canada Geese—one of many resting places on their way to the south. From early September until now, these birds have been an intimate part of our daily life. They crowd the skies, filling them with the pulsing energy of

Why Do We Pray? Edmund Laldin’s Response

The premise of this article is to articulate and present a cogent submission on prayer and our need to pray. Furthermore, it will explore what our prayers should be and whether God answers them. The conclusion will endeavour to connect with my previous articles on attending the church and partaking

2025 Advent & Christmas Services

All Saints (521 Broadway Ave) Sunday, December 21, at 11:00 am: Choral Service of Lessons & Carols. Wednesday, December 24, at 4:00 pm: All Ages Family Service. Wednesday, December 24, at 11:00 pm: Candlelit Choral Midnight Mass. Thursday, December 25, at 10:00 am: Christmas Eucharist.   St. Aidan’s (274 Campbell

Why Do We Pray? Ben Girgis’ Response

I often think of the words of Christ, “But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”[1] Do not be like the “hypocrites, for they love to stand

Why Do We Pray? Amanda McKenzie’s Response

In order to know why we pray, it is important to understand what prayer is. Prayer is an act of communicating with our higher power. Many people have a lot of different names for this higher power—Yahweh, Allah, Abba, and so on. I refer to this higher power by many

November Issue: Why Do We Pray?

As we conclude the first three-part series of Faith Matters, exploring why we pray (and what prayer is), I would like to reiterate the purpose of this endeavour. Every person who reads this magazine has some kind of relationship with God and with the Anglican Church in the Diocese of

CURRENT ISSUE

Courage

In this issue, with the 121st Session of Synod coming up, Deb Buxton explains a bit about why Synod is important and what its goals are. Next, Anil Pinto-Gfroerer reminds us to encounter the world with a childlike wonder rooted in love. Then, Obren Amiesimaka uses biblical examples to ready us and inspire our courage. Finally, Donna Royer tells us of “the Birds,” a group of people at her former parish who broadened her definition of courage from a young age.