banner photo by Janet Best
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an annual ecumenical celebration. Christians around the world are invited to pray for the unity of all Christians, to reflect on scripture together, to participate in jointly-organized ecumenical services, and to share fellowship.
Source: weekofprayer.ca
Contact Ecumenical Officer Joel Amis to learn more
Join the Facebook event
On Monday, January 27th We will be meeting to talk about chapter 4 in Rachel Held Evans Legacy 's book "Inspired" - Wisdom Stories. If you haven’t read the book, you may still attend as we provide a summary of the chapter to facilitate the conversation.
Join us at 5:30 to mingle and snack over a glass of wine. We will begin promptly at 6 pm.
What to expect? Worship, prayer, discussion and supper.
Bring your own wine and an open heart along with your questions, concerns and desire to grow your understanding of scripture and faith in a safe community of seekers.
Kids are not only welcome but included! Bring them!
Gluten free, vegan options will be available.
Digital Communications ---- 5 Tips to get you started
-Lee-Ann Matthews
Digital Ministry Matters! The digital revolution is well underway and it is changing the way we learn, pray, connect and share. This is happening fast and if we don’t adapt, we will be left behind. You must be convicted of the virtues of digital communication. Spend some time online researching faith communities that have digital ministry that is effective, inspiring and up lifting. There are many ways to build meaningful, prayerful connections online but you must believe this before you proceed.
Discernment, motivation and energy are key. Before you embark on a digital strategy or before you decide to reboot one, you will need to have some energy, drive and determination. Start praying on this opportunity and asking for Gods’ help. Begin by speaking and praying with others who you identify as potential candidates in your community who might share your passion for this ministry. Carefully assess who will lead and what support they will need.
Focus on one thing at a time. It is strongly recommended that you establish your website first. Build a website that is user friendly. The easier it is to update the more likely it will get done. Accurate, seasonal and regularly maintained websites with good quality images will have the most success. New guests are predicted to evaluate your website several times before they come into your building or reach out. You have a few seconds to make the right impression and to leave them with something to remember you by. To stand out, you should consider including something inspirational, perhaps a link to a song, prayer or poem? This should reflect something unique and pastoral about your context.
Who are you? Take a pen and paper or open a digital file and begin to make lists of who you are as a church. What are your strengths? What makes you unique? What makes you different? What makes you quirky? What are your struggles? Where are your gifts? Who is on your pews? Who is in your choir? Who preaches? Who are you as a congregation? Who are you to the surrounding community? Who are you to one another? This is a fun, creative exercise as there are no wrong answers. These are YOUR perceptions. Invite others to join you. This will be a very helpful document on your digital journey.
Get on social media and tell your story! Be creative, transparent and authentic. There are many templates for story telling and many ways to tell a story online. This will require some consideration on your part to determine the best and most effective strategy. You may consider using portraits, selfies, poetry, blogs, testimonials, videos, illustrations, food pics, hymn lyrics and bible verses as they all tell a story. What is your story? Only you can tell it. Use your website and social media to capture the uniqueness of your story. Focus on one at a time, perhaps a person or a ministry, develop it well and be prepared for your digital ministry to encourage, support and connect in ways you may never have predicted.
I am here to help. Contact me… lmatthews@montreal.anglican.ca
Neil Mancor uses the Godly Play storytelling approach for his Advent/ Christmas message 2019.
During a recent Messy Cathedral event at Christ Church Cathedral downtown, children were encouraged to bowl in the aisles, have snacks in the pews and try their hand playing the baroque-style organ. There were crown-making stations in the shadows of the Gothic arches and rubber duckies in the baptistry.
“It’s quite a rebellious act,” Matthews said. “Church doesn’t have to be a stuffy thing.”
You may have been lighting Advent candles, decorating your doors with wreaths and installing nativity scenes but have you prepared your digital platforms?
New visitors will be searching for Advent and Christmas services. Are you ready?
We have prepared a checklist for you.
Click the link below for your printable PDF
1444 Union Avenue
Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B8
Tel: (514) 843-6577 // 1 (800) 355-3788
Fax: (514) 843 6344
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The Synod Office is located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Kanien’keha:ka (Mohawk), at a place called Tio’tia:ke (Montreal), a meeting place for many First Nations, including the Haudenosaunee (Six Nation Confederacy), Anishinabeg and Algonquin peoples.
We recognize and respect the Kanien’keha:ka as the traditional stewards of the land and waters of Tio’tia:ke.
Our acknowledgement stands as a promise to continue the ongoing work of recognition and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
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©2025 Synod of the Diocese of Montreal & Lord Bishop of Montreal
