09/08/2026
A message from Bishop Alexander:
Praying friends: we have what might be a God-given opportunity, but it will cost nearly $1,000,000. Join us in prayer!
"For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Matthew 6:32-33
If you've followed Arctic mission and ministry at all, you know the urgency of raising up the next generation of well-formed, faithful leaders; training Northerners for ministry in the North.
One of the needs is for what Anglicanism has traditionally called a "curacy program". A curate is generally a newly-ordained minister placed under the supervision of an experienced minister to work together through those first few years.
Thanks be to God, our budget is such that we *can* afford to pay curates! Hallelujah!
Going into our last synod, one of the plans presented by the Executive Committee was to work towards placing curates in communities where a regional bishop is based. The benefits are obvious - junior ministers gaining the experience they need, suffragan bishops being freed to travel without having to wonder who will lead services in their parishes; its a solid plan.
But... it only works if we have a house for the curate to live in. (Yes, years and years ago, many retired clergy could tell stories of their Arctic curacy, living in the front room of their rector's mission house, but thats not the world we live in anymore!)
We have a rare opportunity at present that may be of God. It may not be. So I'm calling the church to pray.
In one of our communities, there is a good, well-built, wonderfully-maintained home going on the market, next door to the existing mission house, where a suffragan bishop is based.
It is priced in a typical way for a building on thr Arctic coast, and worth every penny by our standards. It will sell for CAD$1,000,000.
We don't have that, and can't really afford another mortgage. The local parish doesn't have it either, though I believe they could afford the upkeep.
So, if it is of God, we would need God to provide in one of those incredible, unpredictable ways. One of those testimonies where it sounds unbelievable, except to those who know and have seen that our God is in the habit of providing more than we can ask or imagine, if we are seeking His kingdom.
Will you join me in prayer?
If its of God, lets pray together that He will provide in an unmistakable and unquestionable way! And if it isn't, pray for good discernment and agreement amongst those of us in leadership.
Thats it... no more details at the moment, and no fundraising or business plan in the works (too much on our plates already!).
If you're willing to pray over this, just comment and say "I will pray!"
God's will be done. Amen!
