Editor’s note: All four diocesan camps for children — Camp Medley, Camp Brookwood, Diocesan Choir School and St. Michael’s Youth Conference — have announced their intention to operate this summer, God willing, meaning there is a full complement of diocesan camps to choose from. 

After two summers of pandemic closure, Camp Brookwood’s board of directors voted unanimously on Feb. 28 to reopen for the 2022 season.

“This year has been a lot of waiting to see what kind of restrictions would be in place, and hoping that by this summer, a lot of children would have their vaccinations,” said Mary Lee Phillips, who speaks for the board.

“We’re planning to open, but if something drastic happens, we’d have to reconsider. But all signs point to opening.”

The Ven. Kevin Stockall has been appointed interim priest-in-charge in the Parish of Stanley, effective immediately.

The Rev. Canon Richard Steeves has been appointed honorary assistant in the Parish of Newcastle-Nelson-Hardwicke.

With regret, Archbishop David wishes to announce the resignation of Canon Thomas A. Smith as Diocesan Registrar, effective as of Easter, but asks that you join him in giving thanks and appreciation for Tom's close to 33 years of service in this role.

Wednesdays in Lent, during the noon hour. 

• March 23 - Faith: pivoting from what is to what could be, from Bishop Bill Hockin
• March 30 - Contented in our own chair, from Canon Wandlyn Snelgrove

“We live in a fractured and divided world. Nationalism and political extremism are rife in the church, scandals involving well-known Christian leaders are on the rise, and ideologies and idolatries abound. Badge and brand are espoused more than servanthood and sacrificial love. … Frost and Hirsch get to the root of these issues, exposing the many ways we have formed Jesus in our own image and co-opted him for our own agendas. ReJesus is a clarion call to recenter our lives on Christ so that we might become a people who look, act, think, and sound like Jesus. Now more than ever, our world needs a church remade in our Founder's image.” 

 The book was originally written in 2008 and revised this year. The authors are Michael Frost (writer of Surprise the World: The Five Habits of Highly Missional People and Keep Christianity Weird) and Alan Hirsch (author of The Shaping of Things to Come and The Forgotten Ways). Both Frost and Hirsch are two of the top missiologists in the world today. 

Thy Kingdom Come, the annual global prayer initiative by Archbishop Justin Welby, is soon around the corner. An order will be placed by the Bishop's Office for resources. Please send an email to Cheryl with the item and # of copies you are looking for by Monday, April 11, 2022 to be included.

Feeling parched and spiritually dry? Are you weary and thirsty to have your soul refreshed? Come away with friends and soak in prayer, scripture, relaxed discussion and worship. Encounter Christ who offers the hope and revitalization of living water.
 
A Lenten gathering on Zoom designed for lay people - takes place Friday, April 1, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday, April 2, from 9 a.m. to 12-noon.  Join in these enrichment sessions from the comfort of your home or with others in a gathering space at church. Clergy are warmly welcomed to attend too.
  
Living Water includes a deep dive into several Bible passages, short talks, quiet reflection time, small group conversations and inspiring worship.  

REGISTER here.

Got questions? Contact staff support, Lisa Vaughn (902-789-4840 or lvaughn@nspeidiocese.ca).

Watch for the April issue of Launching Out for more information and registration.

PWRDF is supporting Ukrainians forced to flee their homes due to the Russian invasion. The initial grant of $20,000 issued to an ACT Alliance appeal has been increased to $50,000. The grants will fund the work of Action by Churches Together (ACT) member Hungarian Interchurch Aid (HIA).

On Feb. 27, HIA set up a 24-hour refugee support point on the Hungarian side of the border at Beregsurány, where the line of refugees trying to cross into Hungary is kilometres long, says an ACT communiqué. HIA is providing hot tea, sandwiches, refreshments, blankets and basic hygiene items for Ukrainians, including many elderly and children who are waiting long hours to cross the border into Hungary.

How you can help
To make a donation to this response online, click here
You may also donate by phone at 416-822-9083 or leave a voicemail toll-free at 1-866-308-7973 and PWRDF will return your call; or mail your cheque to PWRDF, 80 Hayden, 3rd floor, Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 3G2. Please mark Ukraine in the memo field.

www.campmedley.ca

The latest edition of the NB Anglican is available on our website. Click here.

For Godly Play storyteller training.

Canon Vicars Hodge is looking for a half dozen (or more) pilgrims to fill out the May 2022 Holy Land group. 

There will be a much larger group going in 2023, but there are advantages to going this year: smaller group, fewer tourists, less time standing in line, time to linger at sites, reduced travel restrictions. Israel is open for tourists, so consider a trip this May.

You must act quickly though. Deadlines for hotel bookings are fast approaching. 

trinitytour.org

During its first year, 2021, the Say Yes! To Kids campaign awarded a grant of $15,000 to Inner City Youth Ministry in Saint John for its Lunch Connection program in city schools. Let’s continue the momentum!

This year, the program has changed from the usual application process to peer-to-peer financing, where groups fundraise and keep 60 per cent of the proceeds for their project, with 20 per cent going to their diocese and the remaining 20 per cent to the Anglican Foundation. 

The campaign launches April 1 and runs to June 30. Interested groups can apply to be part of Say Yes! To Kids and be on their way to making their projects a reality.

The first step is to take a webinar, which are being held throughout March and early April.

Two friends are talking over lunch at an outdoor patio.

"So what are you doing for summer vacation?" one asks.

The other one replies, "I want to go to Italy again, like last year."

The first asks, "Wow! You went to Italy last year?"

The other answers, "No, but I wanted to."