Rupert's Land News, 935 Nesbitt Bay, Winnipeg, MB (2026)

05/17/2025

The May issue "The Whole Armour of God" is out now!
Read and download it here https://buff.ly/Ll3JHwX

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.

04/15/2025

The April issue "Rise Up, My Love" is out now!
Read and download it here https://buff.ly/HN3buUA

To begin this issue, the Right Reverend Rachael Parker, Bishop of Brandon, writes on her experience stepping into the role of bishop. With just over one year of experience under her belt, she shares what she has learned about her ministry and how her experience and knowledge can help us prepare for our future with a new bishop.

The Bible has a vast number of instances where God shows His love for His people. In the next article, Dr. Obren Amiesimaka tells us about many of these examples, especially in the story of Jonah. The message is clear: where there is love, God is there.

Following this, Dr. Ryan Turnbull introduces the Anglican Poetics Project. He provides insights as to how poetry can help our individual faith and the life of this Diocese. This project gives us an amazing opportunity to explore poetry with workshops, lectures, and retreats in this upcoming year.

Lastly, Ben Girgis shares how food is a way that we can imitate God’s love. He tells us how he learned from his mother and the Bible that God feeds His people, and therefore, we should feed one another. As many share Easter meals with family and friends, may we remember that God is the spiritual food that nourishes our souls.

Peace be with you, for truly, He is risen!

03/18/2025

The March issue "Jesus Wept" is out now!
Read and download it here https://buff.ly/0eZnti4

To begin this issue, Rev. Di Panting and the Diocesan Search Committee have provided a brief description of what the role of a bishop is. These are important things to keep in mind as we seek a new leader for this Diocese. Please reflect on these things and keep the Search Committee in your prayers.

Next, Rev. Theo Robinson writes on the hardships of grief, and what our fully divine and fully human saviour, Jesus Christ, can teach us about it. Grief is a difficult but inevitable part of being a person, but as long as we have our faith, we never have to bear it alone.

Following this, Rev. Edmund Laldin explores the relationship between Nehemiah weeping over the state of Jerusalem and Jesus weeping at the death of Lazarus. These events, he says, can inform us about the current state of our Diocese, and how we can proceed towards a hopeful future.

Finally, Zoe Matties examines lament in a time of crisis regarding our planet’s climate. She reminds us that we are God’s creatures and inherently a part of God’s creation. As God’s creation, our faith can be a path to action, and our grief can kindle our hope.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4).

Peace be with you; I hope you enjoy.

02/18/2025

The February issue "Lux et Origo" is out now!

Read and download it here: https://buff.ly/430ZKrJ

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.

01/17/2025

Happy New Year!
The January issue with the theme "The Way of the Magi" is out now!
Read and download it here: https://buff.ly/4gYFGue

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 this, The Right Reverend Donald Phillips challenges us all to think about how we talk about Jesus. Would each of us feel confident in our ability to describe Him and the meaning of His life and ministry?

Karen Bender then shares a bit about Downtown Neighbourhood Lunch, Inc., a wonderful ministry operating out of Holy Trinity which gives food and essential items to those in need.

Next, Diane Guilford writes on the rejuvenation of the Anglican Fellowship of Prayer (AFP) — what it is, how it has been rejuvenated, and how you can become involved.

Then, Obren Amiesimaka writes on ringing in the new year, tackling hopes and fears, and what Christmastide can teach us about the meaning of trusting in the Lord.

Lastly, Durell Desmond shares his poem titled “The Plan” to send us forth into 2025.

Peace be with you; I hope you enjoy.

12/17/2024

The special edition December magazine "Bethlehem Moments" is out now!
Read and download it here: https://buff.ly/4gn8zQC

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 first of many times the world encountered Jesus and was forever changed by His presence. Hearing the story of the Nativity again gives us the opportunity to reflect on the moments when we recognized the presence of God in our own lives — our Bethlehem Moments.

Peace be with you, and Merry Christmas.

11/16/2024

The November issue on the theme Seeds of Wisdom is out now!

Read and download it here: https://buff.ly/3YTQVMM

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 believe in the “Communion of Saints”. But what exactly does this mean? The Rev. Andrew Rampton explores this topic and tells us that these saints, our Christian family, help guide us, inspire us, and teach us by the examples of their lives.
Then, Dr. Heather Barkman demonstrates this in the story of Perpetua, an early 3rd century North African martyr. Though Perpetua must make grave sacrifices, it is all worth it for her faith in Christ. Her story, like so many of the saints, serves as a reminder of the power and hope we hold in our identities as Christians.
Following this, Dr. Ebele Felix provides insights as to how the Church can be more welcoming to diverse communities. Calling upon knowledge from her African roots, she directs us towards many different ways in which the Church can be more inclusive to those of different backgrounds and cultures.
Lastly, a parish profile with Grace-St. John’s Anglican/Lutheran Church in Carman, MB, demonstrates a unique and blended worship style with a united and friendly community.
Peace be with you; I hope you enjoy.

10/16/2024

The October issue on the theme Ora et Labora is out now!
Read and download the issue here: https://buff.ly/3Y1CGos

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 will lead us to the Lord. When we pray, we make the decision to actively seek the One who has sought us all along. She quotes St. Augustine’s Confessions, “You have made us for Yourself, O God, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”
Inspired by the Korean philosopher Byung-Chul Han, Ryan Turnbull presents the idea that we structure our lives based on what we can and should be doing. But that sometimes, and perhaps more often than we may think, doing things that may seem “useless” is what we need to take a deep breath and delight in the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Then, Zoe Matties invites us to practice the Sabbath in ways we may not have initially thought of. On the seventh day of creation, God delighted in what He had made. As such, we are also called to slow down, re-orient ourselves, and delight in what God has made.
Finally, I am grateful that I got a chance to meet with our new diocesan PWRDF representative, The Rev. Deacon Gabriel Kwenga (who goes by Kwenga). A man with infectious joy and perseverance who is dedicated to serving God and God’s people every day in his work and prayer.
Peace be with you; I hope you enjoy.

09/19/2024

September issue on the theme For Every Season is out now!

Read and download the issue here https://buff.ly/47AParu

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 the effects of radical hope as they took shape in the form of campus protests. Ecclesiastes 3:8 says, “there is a time of war, and a time of peace.” Barter reminds us that war and peace, like many other things, are features of the human experience. She notes that wars such as the one ongoing in the Holy Land are a reality of life, but that does not mean they are divinely sanctioned. Those who are less directly affected by war, such as those participating in campus protests, use their freedom to stand in solidarity with those who have no alternative.

Durell Desmond then invites us to pause and reflect on the four seasons and what they can tell us about our lives. By taking the time to think about the seasons, we are reminded that we, too, are God’s creation.

Following this, Edmund Laldin tells us how there is “a time to break down, and a time to build up” (Ecclesiastes 3:3). By exploring the roots of Christian Nationalism, he encourages us to remember that the roots of our faith — and the actions which come from them — lie in the Gospel.

For many, September signifies a time to learn as there is a mass return to school. Ryan Turnbull writes about what is going on at St John’s College, and he explains how engaging with theology is much more accessible than we are often led to believe.

Lastly, Misha gives her final contribution to Rupert’s Land News with a parish profile on St. Paul’s Middlechurch.

Peace be with you; I hope you enjoy.

06/22/2024

June issue on the theme of Generations out now!

Reading and download the issue here https://buff.ly/4bhcRp0.

This issue starts off with an article from the Rev. Theo Robinson on the resolution at General Synod on Pastoral Liturgies for Journeys for Gender Transition and Affirmation. This article explores the context leading up to the resolution and the good news of the Anglican Church of Canada becoming the first in the worldwide communion of Anglican Churches to have a pastoral liturgy for gender transition.

Next, the Rev. Dixie Bird describes the experiences and teachings shared at Sacred Beginnings. Sacred Beginnings is an embryo of Sacred Circle for youth to learn traditional teachings and get involved in the work being done by Indigenous Anglicans and just had its second gathering in May this year.

The Rev. Alan Hayes reflects on the 1963 Anglican Congress in Toronto which was a turning point in Anglican history and began significant conversations about decolonization and the Anglican Church’s relationship with the British empire. A recent conference marking 60 years since this congress has brought forward reflections on what has changed in the Anglican church in the intervening years.

A note from Refugee Coordinator Marlene Smith invites you to the diocese’s marking of World Refugee Day on June 23rd at Epiphany Indigenous Church. This day is meant as an invitation to “welcome the stranger” and calls us to explore the relationship between moving towards reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and supporting those displaced by war abroad.

Robyn Sulkko of the PWRDF youth council announces their 12 month Youth to Youth program which provides opportunities for people ages 12-16 to learn about each other’s cultures and build right relationships with each other.

Finally, a parish profile on St. Michael and All Angels’ explores how that community’s unique Anglo-Catholic worship connects with both retired clergy and congregants in their 20s all looking to worship with all the senses in a context outside of the business of daily life.

I hope you enjoy this month’s articles.

05/21/2024

May Issue on the theme Songs of Praise out now!

Please read the full issue by following the link here https://rupertslandnews.ca/may-issue-songs-of-praise/.

In this issue, Edmund Laldin’s article “Sing a New Song unto the Lord: The Relationship of Music and Liturgy” explores the implications of understanding liturgy as the “work of the people.” He asks important questions about how Anglicans must reflect the full diversity of their congregations through liturgical practice.

Next, three interviews with past synod delegates give insight into the experience of attending synod and the relationship between the institutional practices of the Diocese and their experiences of God within it.

Dr. Ebele Felix’s article “Celebrating the Voices of Black Anglicans” offers possible modifications to the Anglican liturgy to celebrate the voices of Black Anglicans. This article places these modified liturgies in context of the longer history of Black Anglican’s contributions to shaping the Church’s musical identity.

Gary Russell follows up on his Synod interview in an article titled “What is the Anglican Franciscan Order?” Russell describes the journey undertaken by members of the order and calls for those interested to reach out and learn more.

Earlier this year, Archbishop Linda Nicholls invited dioceses to create a Refugee Sunday in the leadup to World Refugee Day. In her article “Why Refugee Sunday?” Marlene Smith writes about the work Anglicans have done through the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) to support refugees. She argues that creating a Refugee Day would help uplift the ministries involved in supporting refugees.

Last, a parish profile on St. Thomas Weston discusses the inspiring work of “christiaction” carried out by this community and invites all readers to join St. Thomas for their Pride Barbecue on June 2nd.

I hope you enjoy this month’s articles.

04/21/2024

Spring is here and our April issue on the theme of Transitions is out now!

Articles by Janet Ross, The Rev. Wilson Akinwale, The Rev. Helen Holbrook, The Rev. Theo Robinson, and a parish profile on Stonewall Church of the Ascension.

Read the full issue here: https://buff.ly/3JrC7O0

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