Archbishop David's recommended study book for 2024 is Lent With the Beloved Disciple by Bishop Michael Marshall.
The 2024 Bloomsbury Lent Book invites you on a six-week journey in the company of the ‘beloved disciple’ as found in the narrative of the Gospel of St John. As the only disciple to have stayed close to Jesus at every stage from the Last Supper to the Crucifixion at Calvary, this eagle-eyed eyewitness intentionally records certain subtle details and signs which, when perceived with the eyes of faith, indicate a deeper and far lasting significance. Michael Marshall explores what these signs are and how, with prayerful reflection, they draw us ever more deeply into the personal, eternal and cosmic significance and awareness of all that Christ accomplished by his death and resurrection – the Paschal Mystery. Ideal for both individual use and for small group study, Lent with the Beloved Disciple takes us into the heart of that Paschal Mystery, by which all things in heaven and earth are ultimately fulfilled in the risen and ascended Christ, who is ‘all in all’.
The Bishop's Office has a limited number of copies - $20 each. E-book versions are available from your preferred vendor, but it looks like paperback versions will only be available for purchase in Canada later in January. Amazon offers an online sample here.
40-day Prayer Journeys - from the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (LICC)
These journeys offer daily prompts to spark your imagination, encouraging you to pray – however briefly – with renewed energy, creativity, and faith that God’s purposes will be worked out in your life. Several themes are available. You can join a journey through the YouVersion Bible app or by signing up for email prompts.
The office still has copies of the archbishop's recommended resource for Lent 2022:
Practicing Lament by Rebekah Eklund
In a faith focused on resurrection hope, patient endurance, and victory in Christ, is there any room for pain, doubt, and anger? In Scripture, lament is the prayer that makes that room. Lament is the cry for all those who ache over the way things are but aren't content to let them stay that way. It's the prayer for all the ways that the kingdom has not yet come, in the hope that God's justice and peace will prevail--someday.
The book has 5 chapters with a few reflection questions at the end of each. "The first chapter lays the groundwork by describing the four-part framework of lament as it appears in the Jewish Scriptures (Old Testament). The second chapter looks at Jesus’ laments in the New Testament. In the third chapter, I explore lament elsewhere in the New Testament, especially in the Lord’s Prayer and the letters of the apostle Paul. The fourth chapter dives deeper into the logic of lament by looking at its twofold function as repentance of sin and protest against injustice. Finally, the fifth chapter offers examples of lament as a form of solidarity and vulnerable hospitality in modern-day communities."
The Bishop's Office has a supply of books for $20 each. Parishes or individuals should please contact Cheryl to purchase from this supply.
Keeping a Holy Lent - from Anglican Fellowship of Prayer (Canada) (2017)
Some Video Series on Prayer:
- Exploring Prayer from Archbishop Justin Welby
- The Prayer Course, based on the Lord's Prayer, with Pete Grieg, 24-7 Prayer movement
- See also Building a Culture of Prayer by Pete Grieg
- Lord's Prayer video series presented by Bishop Bill Hockin:
- 1. Our Father | 2. Your Kingdom Come | 3. Daily Bread | 4. Forgive Us | 5. Save Us
- Preaching notes from Bishop Bill's book Pray
- (Please note that Bishop Bill also has copies of Pray available - contact him at 506-455-2494)
Arusha Call to Discipleship Study
In March 2018, the World Council of Churches’ Conference on World Mission and Evangelism, meeting in Arusha, Tanzania, issued the Arusha Call to Discipleship. Our own national church General Synod in 2019 passed a resolution (A-129) that we affirm the Arusha Call; encourage bodies within the General Synod to integrate this call into the guiding principles of baptismal living for the shaping of national ministries; and commend the Arusha Call to dioceses for study and inclusion in their considerations of evangelism, witness and discipleship.
For further reference, our page includes the NBAnglican series on the twelve specific calls.
Daily Reflections on Care of Creation (Lent 2021)
Provided through the blog Sustainable Ways by the Rev. Jonathan Hallewell, former incumbent in the Parish of Renforth, and sustainability advocate.
History of the Engish Reformation - video series by the Rev. Dr. Canon Ross Hebb
A series of six short videos outlining the events of the Reformation as it occurred in England. Designed for the interested lay person, this series traces the momentous events which transformed the religious landscape of a nation.
- Why a Reformation? What needed fixing?
- Henry VIII: Cautious Reform Begins
- The Reign of the 'Boy' King Edward VI and Rapid Reformation
- Turning the Clock Back: "Bloody Mary" and Counter-Reformation
- Elizabeth I and the Anglican Way
- Church Life under Good Queen Bess
BibleProject is a nonprofit ed-tech organization and animation studio that produces 100% free Bible videos, podcasts, blogs, classes, and educational Bible resources to help make the biblical story accessible to everyone, everywhere. Try these series for Lent:
Revive Lent from the Forward Movement
A supplemental seasonal resource for adapting Revive: Equipping Lay Leaders to be Spiritual Leaders for Lent. Six sessions, complete with outlines, video instruction, devotional practices and discussion starters are provided for small groups that want to grow in intimacy with God as followers of Jesus.
Signs of Life - Why Church Matters from the Society of Saint John the Evangelist
During Lent 2020, the Society will explore the riches of our worship traditions, liturgy and sacraments, and the art and architecture of our worship spaces, revealing the full meaning of these signs, deepening our experience of Christian vocation and guiding us toward ongoing conversion.
12 Neighbours video and discussion series
What does it mean to be a neighbour? Learn the 5 practical keys to really loving your neighbor, and deepen your own experience of the full life.
A unique and fun Lenten devotional and an engaging way to learn about the men and women comprising the Church’s Calendar of Saints. Offered by the Forward Movement, publishers of Forward Day by Day.
Going Deeper with Missional Habits: 2 formats: booklet | bookmark
While this resource can be used on one’s own, the church is about relationship and walking in faith together; so you are encouraged to join, or form, a parish or neighbourhood group. It is recognized that you may have already begun to form these habits, so we invite you to revisit what has changed and to share your experiences. Please also tailor the questions to your context.
Each format is designed to be printed on card stock, double-sided on the short edge.
For video links and other Surprise the World resources, visit the BELLS page.
Lent in Three Minutes video by Busted Halo