God of the Living Word, each year we journey through the season of Lent by emulating your Son’s trying time in the wilderness where he fasted and prayed then overcame temptation. As this prayer is published, we are about 10 to 12 days into our time of preparation in our wilderness. Be with us as we struggle to maintain our commitment to fast, to give alms, to study your word, and to pray more fervently. We take on these practices to increase our devotion to you and pray that our efforts are pleasing in your sight.

The Test was over. The Devil left. And in his place, angels!
Angels came and took care of Jesus’ needs.**

God of the Heavenly Realm, you sent angels to care for Jesus after his testing was over, help us to be mindful of the angels you send us. Give us the wisdom to see them at work here and now, and to give thanks for their efforts in real time. In the mortal realm, we see first responders and those in the caring professions as angels, stepping in where others fear to tread. We pray that you will sustain them in their efforts to help and comfort others.

Stay on good terms with each other, held together by love. Be ready with a meal or a bed when it’s needed. Why, some have extended hospitality to angels without ever knowing it!***
God of the Expanding Kingdom, help us to shift our Lenten journey from a personal, inward struggle to an outward expression of your radical hospitality. Despite our efforts to build community, there is still so much strife in the world. We pray for your guidance to strengthen our resolve to do more. Transform our fast into an opportunity to share our food with the hungry, expand our alms giving to include more time spent with the sick and the lonely, and extend our study of your word into the call for action it demands. With these efforts, we pray that we will support angels unaware. Amen.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer,
Stacey Neale

Notes that all scripture verses come from The Message: *Matt 4:1-3; **Matt 4:11; ***Hebrews 13:2

The post The Anglican Fellowship of Prayer – Canada appeared first on Montreal Anglican.

Parishes, dioceses, and Anglican-affiliated organizations are invited to register by April 1, 2026, at: www.anglicanfoundation.org/apply/sytk.

Now in its sixth year, Say Yes! to Kids equips local ministry partners with fundraising tools, matching incentives, and communications support to help strengthen programs that serve children, youth, and young people in their own communities. Campaign teams will fundraise locally in the spring, with Say Yes! to Kids Sunday taking place on Sunday, June 14, 2026.

“At the point of registration, we simply ask teams to tell us what the focus of their Say Yes! to Kids fundraiser will be and to share any background information they feel will help us support them and develop a strong team marketing kit,” says Michelle Hauser, AFC’s Development & Communications Officer.

Since its launch in 2021, Say Yes! to Kids has raised nearly $1 million in support for youth-focused ministry nationwide, funding initiatives in areas such as faith formation, mental health, food security, arts and music, outdoor education, and leadership development.

To support teams who are new to the campaign—or those who would like to learn more before registering—AFC will host a series of Say Yes! to Kids Info Sessions via ZOOM throughout February. These sessions will take place on Wednesdays at 12p.m. (EST) on February 4, 11, 18, and 25.

“The info sessions are ideal for newcomers to the campaign or for anyone who is interested but unsure and would like to hear more about how Say Yes! to Kids works,” says Hauser.
Participants can register for a ZOOM Info Session at: www.anglicanfoundation.org/sytkinfosession.

Participation in the 2026 campaign is limited. Teams are encouraged to register early.
For questions or more information, please contact:
Michelle Hauser | Development & Communications Officer, Anglican Foundation of Canada.
Home office: Toll-free at 1-877-354-6387 or text 613-305-8876 | mhauser@anglicanfoundation.org.
www.anglicanfoundation.org | Facebook | YouTube

The post AFC’s Say Yes to Kids 2026 appeared first on Montreal Anglican.

The aim of this work is to prevent, as much as possible, harm experienced within the Church and, where harm does occur, to provide a clear and compassionate framework for responding in ways that remedy or at least mitigate that harm. We are working toward completing this process in time to present the new policy to Diocesan Synod in 2027.

The Committee has been meeting every two weeks over the past several months, including a dedicated meeting with the newly appointed ombudsman. These conversations have been instrumental in clarifying our mandate, deepening our understanding of the issues involved, and preparing us for the significant work ahead.

The members of the Committee are the Ven. Deborah Meister, the Rev. Jen Bourque, Mr. François Morin, Mrs. Nancy Longworth Hamilton, and the Ven. Sophie Rolland. Together, we bring a breadth of experience, expertise, and a shared commitment to justice and compassion.

We are eager to develop a policy that is comprehensive, written in clear and accessible language, and supported by well-defined procedures. Above all, it will be grounded in a victim-focused approach that encourages reporting while minimizing unnecessary complexity and avoiding the risk of compounding trauma for those who come forward.

We expect to provide regular updates to Diocesan Council and Synod. If you have questions or comments, please feel free to contact us at montrealsaferchurch@gmail.com.

The post Safe Church Review Committee developing new diocesan policy appeared first on Montreal Anglican.

The significance of the Transfiguration begins with Moses receiving God’s law. When Moses encountered God, his face shone with God’s glory, so that he had to veil his face in front of the Israelites. During the Transfiguration, in plain sight of his disciples, Jesus appeared alongside Moses, who received the law, and Elijah, representing the prophets. As Moses and Elijah faded, Jesus alone remained. God then affirmed Jesus’ divine mission, which is to fulfill prophecy and, more importantly, to fulfill the intent of the law, which is love.
The Role and Limitations of Law

Religious and secular laws are essential, defining right and wrong. The Transfiguration calls us to let love lead us to act beyond mere legal requirements, a lesson particularly relevant during Black Heritage Month. A significant part of Black Canadian history is rooted in the struggle for civil rights and the establishment of anti-discriminatory laws. Through their advocacy against injustice and demand for equality, Black Canadians have contributed to a robust framework of constitutional rights that benefits all Canadians.

Despite the enactment of anti-discriminatory laws, racial discrimination persists. Visible minorities continue to experience the persistent fear of racial profiling, systemic racism, and challenging encounters with law enforcement. This reality prompts us to ask why, despite these laws, our society continues to wrestle with racism—the very issue these laws aim to resolve.

The Power of Love Over Law

There are two key reasons for this ongoing struggle. First, love cannot be legislated or mandated. Second, individuals may follow the letter of the law while hiding behind veils of political correctness and indifference toward the impacts of racism on minorities.

Throughout his ministry, Jesus grounded his teachings in love, which motivates us to act for the greatest good, for ourselves and others. There is no law against love. The Transfiguration vividly depicts love, embodied in Jesus, rising above the constraints of the law and removing the veil that distorts our relationship with God and our interactions with others. The Transfiguration invites us to examine our motives and intentionally go beyond the limitations of anti-discriminatory laws in Canada.

Transformation and Our Shared Identity

Going beyond the limits of the law is possible through our personal and collective transformation into the image and likeness of God, who, in Jesus Christ, is love personified. In his letter to the diverse church in Corinth, Paul explains the importance of removing the veil of legalism to embrace our shared identity in Christ. He writes, “… when (we turn) … to the Lord, the veil is removed. … And all of us, with unveiled faces, … are being transformed into the same image, …for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:12-18.)

As God’s children, love is our common identity and heritage. Jesus says, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 3:35.)

Black Heritage Month: Learning, Honouring, and Transforming

Black Heritage Month presents an opportunity for us to discern the steps that God is calling us to build a better world where love surpasses the rule of law.
Established in 1926, Black Heritage Month aims to share the history of people of Black African slave descent in North America and the Caribbean. Their stories of survival and their outstanding contributions in all areas of society remain largely absent from mainstream history books—a reality that explains the persistent negative stereotyping of Black people and underscores the continued need for Black Heritage Month.

The Church’s Role in Black Heritage Month

The Church needs Black Heritage Month. In times past, the Anglican Church in Canada perpetuated racist beliefs, relegating Black Anglicans to segregated, veiled worship behind curtains, denying them sacraments and leadership opportunities, ultimately forcing them to form ethnic enclave congregations.

Today, ethnic enclave congregations are a lingering legacy of past practices of segregation and marginalization. However, there is hope in the work being done in the Diocese of Montreal to address these issues. In 2020, a diverse group of clergy and laypeople met to discuss ways to address the legacy of racism in the Church. Their efforts led to a motion at the 161st Synod for the adoption of the Anti-Black Racism Action Plan.

The Action Plan calls for the acknowledgment of racism within the Diocese and the active engagement of congregations in ongoing dialogue, redress, and atonement. The Plan aims to provide clergy and parishioners with the awareness and skills needed to foster vibrant, multicultural, and multi-ethnic parishes that support the spiritual growth of all God’s people.

Next Steps and Recommendations

Beyond the Action Plan, congregations in the Diocese should consider the following actions:

• Advocate for a day in the Anglican Calendar to honour the pioneering work and ministry of Black Anglicans in Nova Scotia who persevered in faith despite racism, paving the way for the Anglican Church in Canada to “acknowledge that God is calling us to greater diversity of membership, wider participation in ministry and leadership… and a stronger resolve in challenging attitudes and structures that cause injustice” in its Mission statement. It is time to honour these Black Anglican pioneers.
• Foster multi-ethnic collaboration to prevent the formation of ethnic enclave congregations and special interest groups that operate on the margins of the Church. There will always be occasions for groups to gather by shared identity. However, members of these groups should be heard, feel safe, and be embraced at the heart of a diverse and flourishing Church, not on its margins.
• Above all, create safe spaces for bridge-building, where the status quo can be questioned and challenged. This requires courage and commitment. Bible studies and book studies should help us confront difficult truths, leading us to acknowledge and release ourselves from stereotypes and self-deception. Our prayer and meditation guide us to embrace the peace that comes from following Jesus’s guiding principle of love.

The post Lifting the Veil: The Transfiguration and Black Heritage Month appeared first on Montreal Anglican.

My ability to move forward on this path was abruptly halted when, in the early fall, I fell on a brand new hip replacement and broke not only the appliance which was freshly put in but also my femur bone. I was instructed to not put more than 50% weight on my right leg. The best solution for healing was to stay in the Rehab hospital for 3 months. After that time, my Doctor gave me the go ahead to return home.

All this to say, my plans for visiting the parishes in the diocese were put on hold. But, with the New Year, I feel it is time to visit the parishes, to meet and to get to know how their support for Alongside Hope is going or beginning.

I became more aware during my time of being with people who were in the process of healing, that our Lord is present to support us through hard times and good times. Christ is found in those who are poor in spirit, those who mourn, the merciful, the peacemakers and the persecuted. As we read the Beatitudes, we realize that that is where we find our Lord working and being present.
Alongside Hope gives hope and support around the world where there is crisis, food security support, climate resilience, needed relief and health issues. This organization listens and does not impose. The design for needed projects are local. The response to issues is shaped by cultural, social, and economic realities for long-lasting community-driven change.

Since 1958, Alongside Hope has worked with partners in the world to support communities facing injustice, poverty, and crisis. Our wish is that you would join us and follow our Lord, at work. To learn more, visit www.alongsidehope.org.

The post Alongside Hope Review appeared first on Montreal Anglican.

In these words, Jesus teaches that God’s Kingdom does not follow the logic of the world. Greatness is not marked by visibility or recognition, but by a posture of humble service. Often, this is practised quietly and unseen.

Since 2022, for nine transformative weeks each summer, a group of young Christian adults has been invited to live into this vision of the Kingdom through the Montreal Missions Internship (MMI).
Designed as an action-reflection program, MMI encourages participants to deepen their faith through service, and being attentive to God’s presence. Participants between the ages of 18 and 25 are placed alongside some of Montreal’s most vulnerable communities: refugee claimants navigating uncertainty, migrant workers far from home, low-income families facing systemic barriers, and at-risk youth searching for stability and hope.

What sets this experience apart is not only where participants serve, but how they are invited to serve. From the very first days, the program emphasizes that service is not a solo pursuit or a performance, but a shared way of life. One participant recalled a defining moment from orientation week during a hike up Mount Royal: “I remember we were given the opportunity to take the easier path or the harder path, and everyone chose to take that harder path together. We were panting and we were tired, but we all took that path together… And I felt that was such an impactful moment because you’re on the top of the hill with all these people that have supported you going on your way up.”

That early decision, to take the harder path together, becomes a symbol for the rest of the summer. Some participants may struggle with the workload while others become challenged by the routines and silences. The experience often reshapes their understanding of ministry. Another past participant reflected: “MMI made me realize that ministry isn’t all about preaching or big actions or beautiful vestments. It’s more about the quiet moments—the still, small voice of God in dark places where you wouldn’t expect to hear Him. It’s also about experiencing and taking on the sufferings of the world around us, and—through that—being a light to the world.”

Across shelters, community centres, urban gardens, and neighborhood organizations throughout Montreal, participants encounter Christ not through grand gestures, but through presence.
Each week, the program regroups at the Montreal Diocesan Theological College to reflect on experiences theologically. Participants reflect on what it means to wait anxiously alongside a refugee claimant for a court decision, share meals with migrant workers separated from family, or showing up consistently for young people who experienced traumatic events. In these moments, Scripture begins to feel less distant and more embodied. As one participant shared: “It’s easy to read the Gospels or Paul’s letters and think, ‘This was written 2,000 years ago. Does it really apply to me?’ MMI shows you how the Gospel can be lived out—right here in Montreal.”

By the end of the nine weeks, participants often leave MMI changed. They carry with them a quieter, more grounded faith. They have learned to recognize God’s presence not only in moments of clarity and strength, but also in fatigue and struggle like that first hike up Mount Royal.

I invite you to share this opportunity with young people in your congregations and ministries. Enrollment for the 2026 cohort is now open. Visit our website: montrealmission.ca for more information. This summer, we invite young Christians to join us in serving, reflecting, and discerning together. Participants receive a $5000 stipend for participation in the program. We also invite the church to pray with us in supporting the growth and maturation of the participants.

To learn more about what Montreal Dio has to offer people of all ages, go to www.montrealdio.ca.

The post Who is the Greatest? MMI participants deepen their faith through service. appeared first on Montreal Anglican.

To confirm a nomination, send an email to sbertrand@montreal.anglican.ca with the following:
1. Full name
2. Email address
3. Deanery and parish/church
4. Position for which they are being nominated

OPEN NOMINATIONS

1. Synod Planning Committee (2027–2029)
Synod 2026 must elect eight members, of whom at least six must have been members of Synod in 2026, and at least four must be lay members, for a three-year term.

2. Provincial Synod Delegates for 2027 (Synod Delegates only)
Provincial Synod is scheduled for June 11–12, 2027.
Synod 2026 must elect:
•Two clergy and two lay delegates
•Two alternates of each order
•One lay delegate aged 16–24, plus one alternate

Eligibility & Requirements
• Nominees must be members of Synod at the time of the election.
• Delegates serve until replaced and may be called to special meetings, Synods, or conventions convened by Provincial Synod.
• No person may serve more than three consecutive terms; a three-year gap is required before re-election.
•Nominees must confirm willingness and ability to serve on at least one Provincial Synod committee or task force.

3. Diocesan Council (by Synod 2026)
Synod must elect three clergy and three lay members for a one-year term.
Deanery nominations and independent nominations are accepted.

Nous préparons progressivement la séance de travail du Synode, prévue pour le samedi 20 juin 2026, au bureau du Synode. Les mises en nomination pour les élections au Synode sont maintenant ouvertes. Bien que des nominations puissent également être faites sur place lors du Synode, veuillez transmettre cette information aux membres de votre paroisse ou église.

Pour confirmer une nomination, veuillez m’envoyer un courriel à sbertrand@montreal.anglican.ca incluant toutes les informations suivantes :
1. Nom complet
2. Adresse courriel
3. Doyenné et paroisse/église
4. Poste pour lequel la personne est mise en nomination

NOMINATIONS OUVERTES

1. Comité de planification du Synode (2027–2029)
Le Synode 2026 doit élire huit membres, dont au moins six doivent avoir été membres du Synode en 2026, et au moins quatre doivent être des laïcs, pour un mandat de trois ans.

2. Délégués au Synode provincial 2027 (Délégués du Synode seulement)
Le Synode provincial est prévu les 11 et 12 juin 2027 (lieu à confirmer).
Le Synode 2026 doit élire :
• Deux délégués du clergé et deux délégués laïcs
• Deux substituts pour chaque ordre
• Un délégué laïc âgé de 16 à 24 ans, plus un substitut

Admissibilité et exigences
• Les personnes mises en nomination doivent être membres du Synode au moment de l’élection.
• Les délégués demeurent en poste jusqu’à leur remplacement et peuvent être convoqués à toute réunion extraordinaire, tout synode ou toute convention convoqués par le Synode provincial.
• Nul ne peut exercer plus de trois mandats consécutifs, et une pause de trois ans est requise avant une nouvelle mise en nomination.
• Les personnes mises en nomination doivent confirmer leur volonté et capacité de siéger à au moins un comité ou groupe de travail du Synode provincial.

3. Conseil diocésain (par le Synode 2026)
Le Synode doit élire trois membres du clergé et trois membres laïcs pour un mandat d’un an.
Les nominations provenant des doyennés ainsi que les nominations indépendantes sont acceptées.

The post Synod Nominations Now Open – Nominations Ouvertes appeared first on Montreal Anglican.

The Church exists in a succession of generations, and often the shift from one to another feels entering the deepest of mysteries.

I don’t need to tell you that times have very much changed! Many of us still remember the times when many more people went to church regularly, and our buildings hummed with energy. We often struggle to think about how we can entice young people back to church, when in fact the movement away from organized religion has been ongoing for decades.
When I was ordained in 1999, we spoke of Generation X and why they left the Church. We are currently in the middle of Generation Z as now Generation Alpha makes its presence known with implications for all religions.

Gary Nicolosi talks about this in his book Culture Shift: Leading a Growing Church in Uncertain Times which a group of us studied this past fall. Understanding the succession of generations can help us to make more informed decisions as we strategize the best ways to be the Church in the present.

Great Times: Institutional Shifts
Much of our current parish infrastructure dates from the baby boom – a generation born between 1946-1964 during a time of growth and prosperity. The parents of the baby boomers belonged to the Silent Generation (1928-1945), of whom more than 80% were active in Church.

Growing suburbs were where many mainline dominations planted churches with the assurance they would thrive. During this time the Canadian family had on average 4 children; it was a massive demographic cohort. Sunday Schools were full, and every church had a youth group. Church was an important social hub for the community beyond just the Sunday morning gathering; it was a place where much of life played out.

It was our heyday. With nostalgia we wonder: what happened? Was there something we could have done to stem the exodus? As baby boomers reached adulthood, many rejected the faith of their parents. We begin to see the emergence of “Dones”, those who may have grown up in Church but left it behind. For many, it became irrelevant to them.

This demographic change, over which we had no control, had profound impacts upon our parishes. The worst response has been to blame: our clergy, ourselves, our society – even Sunday shopping!! It caused splits in the Anglican foundation as we disagreed over the causes of this shift and blamed each other.

We cannot control demographic trends, but we can control how we respond and think creatively about the structures that sustain us. Many of our beloved parishes were constructed during the boom times, but as we strategize how to flourish today, it is important to honour our vibrant past but plan for a sustainable future.

Changing Times
Subsequent generational cohorts have emerged each with evolving views of church, faith, and religion. Generation X (1965-1980) moved more clearly away from organized, institutional religion. Now spiritual practice became more and privatized. At the same time, the religious “marketplace” became increasingly diverse, offering more choices than the mainline denominations alone. Think of the rise of churches like Willow Creek, for example.

Millennials or Gen Y (1981-1996) saw the emergence of the Internet and were the first to use early social media platforms. This brought new access to information and the sharing of ideas. This generation grew up with few memories of cultural Christianity, and for whom traditional religious language and terminology felt obsolete. It is not that millennials are not spiritual; it is just that they find little meaning in an institutional faith and theology in which they were not raised.

The biggest shift here is that spiritual practice has become individualized and removed from religious institutions. People do not feel the need for Church as they practise yoga, meditation or spend time in nature. For the Church, this does not mean abandoning our core beliefs and the traditions that anchor us, but acknowledging that we are no longer the only spiritual place in people’s lives.

Our opportunity lies in the creation of community that invites and welcomes the experience of others beyond the Sunday morning liturgy. People are far more interested in sharing spiritual practice than we may realize: are we willing to extend ourselves and make space for this?

We are amid Generation Z (2001-2024) who are the least religious generation in history. Yet, with the uncertainty in the world including the COVID-19 pandemic, the rising cost of living, war in Ukraine and the rise of Trumpism, a return to religious observance of this generation has been noticed.

Talk of a Gen Z revival is overblown, but a plateauing out of the exodus from Church is happening. Why? Gen Z craves connection, purpose, and substance, leading some to explore faith for deeper meaning. They have been drawn towards traditional forms of faith including Orthodox, Roman Catholic and (surprise!) Anglican churches. Organized religion can offer community and security that is critical for Zoomers, which goes to show you that you never know how times might change.

The Alpha Generation
Which brings me to the emerging Generation Alpha (2010-2024). Worldwide this is the largest generational cohort ever with more than 2 billion and growing. This is the most technologically savvy generation for whom smart phones are the way they interact with their world. They went through COVID-19 which interrupted their education, and they are part of a global experiment, for screens were placed before them from the youngest age. We are all living now in a great screen age, but with over three hours of daily screen time has impacted this generation’s view of the world.

Yet, Generation Alpha are much more spiritually engaged than we might realize. Smart phones and AI allow for a highly individualized spiritual practice. They explore faith through social media as well as practices like meditation and manifestation.

Generation Alpha learn through short, visual, interactive content, so churches reach them best through embodied storytelling (Godly Play, drama, art, music), micro-videos that invite participation, and strong partnerships with parents and caregivers. To serve them well, make church a safe, joyful place of belonging where kids can ask real questions, practice simple prayer habits, and join hands-on acts of kindness so faith is experienced, not just explained.

If you have questions as to how to put this in practice, please reach out to me; we can explore how to enrich the church experience for Gen Alpha – and perhaps for older generations too!

nmancor@montreal.anglican.ca

The post Generation to Generation: The emergence of the Alpha Generation appeared first on Montreal Anglican.

In May of 2025, the Foundation awarded the parish $7,500 to help with phase two of our church’s restoration, paying over half of the $14,000 invoice for our mason.
Conseil du patrimoine religieux du Québec has invested $220,000 in this restoration (phases 1 and 2). Donations received by our capital campaign, fundraising and the Anglican Foundation grant made up the majority of our 20% financial commitment.

St Stephen’s Chambly and I personally have a membership with the Anglican Foundation. I encourage you and your churches to consider joining and supporting their work.

The Anglican Diocese of Montreal can submit up to four projects each year for consideration. In 2025, only two from the diocese were submitted. The application process is not difficult. Over several projects I have worked on, the staff from the Foundation have been knowledgeable and helpful. St Stephen’s received a category “B” grant. In this category, a grant can be up to $15,000.00, with a requirement of 50% matching funds.

The post Anglican Foundation Grant supports St Stephen’s Restoration appeared first on Montreal Anglican.

After the concert, free desserts, tea and coffee were provided to all who attended in our lower hall. Most of desserts were prepared by the women of our congregation. We even sold frozen apple pies that had been made by our bake team.

The concert was a huge success and very well attended. It was great so see a full church again!!!

208 tickets were sold excluding the free tickets given to children under 12. In total we estimate that there were over 250 people in attendance, including the paid guests, the children and the band members. The concert generated $4,170 in revenue including some upfront costs which were generously paid for by donations from members of our congregation!

I personally would like to thank all of the volunteers who sold tickets, handed out programs, prepared desserts, set up and cleaned up, decorated the church and made themselves available to make this concert a very fun and memorable fund-raising event. We certainly plan to do it again in 2026!

The post Christmas Dessert Concert 2025 appeared first on Montreal Anglican.