More Choral Updates from Executive Archdeacon Robert Camara

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Effective immediately, congregational singing may resume under the following conditions:

  • Individuals from different households must be seated at least two metres apart;

  • Individuals in the congregation must wear masks while singing.

View the full letter in English and French HERE

View all Covid-19 updates HERE

Update Regarding Choral Singing

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Update regarding choral singing (not congregational singing) from Executive Archdeacon Robert Camara, issued on July 5, 2021

“The Government of Quebec has recently made one significant change to guidelines around choral singing. As the COVID-19 situation in Quebec continues to improve, public health officials have relaxed the restriction on choir singing in places of worship.”

Read the letter in English & French below

English Letter

Version française

For all covid Updates , visit our Covid-19 Response Page HERE

Anti Racism Task Force Launches New Web Page

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Anti Black Racism Task Force (1).png

To equip and enable members of the diocese to confront and dismantle systemic racism and white supremacy inside and outside the church.

A new page to resource, inform and keep you up to date on the Anti Racism Task Force of the Diocese of Montreal. Your feedback is welcome. Contact Co Chairs: Mr. Dion Lewis, Mr. Edward Yankie

Mission Statement

“ To educate and increase awareness in the Anglican Diocese of Montreal of the history of racism and the church’s participation and complicity in racist practices, that we may properly repent. To equip and enable members of the diocese to confront and dismantle systemic racism and white supremacy inside and outside the church. To honour Christ’s presence in every human by building bridges, and by promoting and celebrating diversity in the church and the world”

Visit their web page here / Find them on Facebook

Become a part of it: Help children and youth to a brighter post-pandemic future, coast to coast to coast: The Anglican Foundation's Fall 2021 Fund for Children, Youth and Young Adults

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Become a part of it: Help children and youth to a brighter post-pandemic future, coast to coast to coast: The Anglican Foundation's Fall 2021 Fund for Children, Youth and Young Adults

by Gwenda Wells

You may have read about it in the current issue of the Montreal Anglican: the Anglican Foundation is launching a major programme to support young people of all ages to regain their footing after this difficult year. Say Yes! to Kids/Dites Oui! aux jeunes will help fund programmes all across Canada beginning this autumn. Anglicans across the country are contributing generously to this fund, and a conversation has begun among a few people in our own diocese to see if we might launch a project within our own diocese. 

What is the Anglican Foundation? A longstanding funding organization of the Anglican Church of Canada with strong roots in our own diocese, the Anglican Foundation offers money for a wide array of projects, from church and hall renovations (that's the part you might know best) to on-the-ground outreach and education. Our Diocesan Theological College receives generous support for its students. Another key component of the AF is its funding for projects for young people. In past years grants have been made to both Mile End Mission and Tyndale Saint George's.  Projects benefiting special needs and at-risk populations are frequent recipients. There is a strong tradition of support to First Nations and northern communities. The AF website offers lots of information about recent projects. There, you will learn of some recent projects that have received AF support : after school programmes, homework clubs, respite care for children with serious health problems to name a few.   

learn more about AF Here

How can I contribute? A peer-to-peer portal on the Anglican Foundation website makes it very easy to give. Of course, traditional gifts by cheque are always welcome; just make sure you direct your gift to Say Yes! to Kids/ Dites Oui! aux jeunes

How can I be part of the conversation about possible local projects? Please contact the Rev'd Gwenda Wells, diocesan liaison person, gwells@montreal.anglican.ca  for more information and to connect with the local conversation. Proposals are due in September, but it's time now to work with each other and with the Foundation staff to ensure proposals meet AF requirements and receive the endorsement of the Bishop's Office.  


Bishop’s Message Anglican Montreal June 2021 edition / Message de l’évêque pour Anglican Montréal Anglican, Juin 2021

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Bishop’s Message Anglican Montreal June 2021 edition


Some of you may remember the children’s television show with a lamb puppet that would sing “this is a song that never ends” and the song went round and round to the frustration of everyone else! As I write, we anticipate that the restrictions to meeting together will be lifted as the summer progresses. We have patiently endured the measures that were deemed necessary to keep one another safe. Perhaps we will see the end of the virus spreading. We can pray and hope that this is the end of lockdown.

What will our churches in the Diocese of Montreal look like when we open up again? How have you changed? As I said in my Charge to Synod, God has not been in self-quarantine. Instead, God has been at work in our diocese, meeting us where we are, and speaking to us. What has God taught us during our time of isolation and meeting online that we can share with others? I invite you to think and pray as congregations about how your ministry will be expressed. What will you keep, what will you let go of, what will you do differently and what will you find new courage to try? 

I believe that we have new insight and faith about how to go forward as a church. We need to be praying to be open to what the Spirit is calling us to.

After his resurrection, Jesus met his disciples, the learners – often behind locked doors and sometimes in outdoor locations. He taught them that they would be filled with God’s power so that they could be his witnesses. Before he ascended into heaven, Jesus gave the disciples specific instructions: make learners of all nations and races, invite people in, talk to them, pray for them, love them with Christ’s love. 

Pray for God’s power to work in you and them. Want it! Look for it! Be ready to fail sometimes while trying to cooperate with God. Don’t stop changing and don’t try to go back to where you once felt safe. Ask God to use you each day. Be open to surprising ways. Be open to those who may need grace or hope. Be expectant. Pray and give thanks always. Let God’s power fill you and direct you. And Jesus will always be with you.

That’s the song that never ends – our call to be agents of Jesus’ power of transformation and love and hope.

Message de l’évêque pour Anglican Montréal Anglican, Juin 2021

Certains d'entre vous se souviennent peut-être de l'émission télévisée pour enfants avec une marionnette agneau qui chantait "this is a song that never ends" (c'est une chanson qui ne finit jamais) et la chanson tournait en boucle, à la grande frustration de tous les autres ! Au moment où j'écris ces lignes, nous nous attendons à ce que les restrictions aux rencontres soient levées au fur et à mesure que l'été avance. Nous avons patiemment supporté les mesures jugées nécessaires pour assurer la sécurité des uns et des autres. Peut-être verrons-nous la fin de la propagation du virus? Nous pouvons donc prier et espérer que c'est la fin du confinement.

À quoi ressembleront nos églises dans le diocèse de Montréal lorsque nous pourrons rouvrir nos portes ? Comment avez-vous changé ? Dieu ne s'était pas mis en quarantaine. Au contraire, Il a été à l'œuvre dans notre diocèse, il n’a cessé de nous rencontrer et de nous parler là où nous sommes. Qu'est-ce que Dieu nous a appris pendant notre temps d'isolement et de rencontre en ligne que nous pouvons partager avec d'autres ? Je vous invite à réfléchir et à prier en tant que congrégations sur la manière dont votre ministère sera exprimé. Que garderez-vous, que laisserez-vous tomber, que ferez-vous différemment et qu'est-ce que vous essayerez et qui nécessiterait de trouver un nouveau courage ?

Je crois que nous avons un nouveau regard et une nouvelle foi quant à la manière d'avancer en tant qu'église. Nous devons prier pour être ouverts à ce à quoi l'Esprit nous appelle.

Après sa résurrection, Jésus a rencontré ses disciples, les apprenants - souvent derrière des portes fermées et parfois dans des lieux extérieurs. Il leur a enseigné qu'ils seraient remplis de la puissance de Dieu afin qu'ils puissent être ses témoins. Avant de monter au ciel, Jésus a donné aux disciples des instructions précises : former des disciples – des apprentis de Jésus – de toutes les nations et de toutes les races, inviter les gens à entrer, leur parler, prier pour eux, les aimer de l'amour du Christ. Priez pour que la puissance de Dieu agisse en vous et en eux. Désirez-la ! Cherchez-la ! Soyez prêts à échouer parfois en essayant de coopérer avec Dieu. Ne cessez pas de changer et n'essayez pas de revenir à l'endroit où vous vous sentiez autrefois en sécurité. Demandez à Dieu de vous utiliser chaque jour. Soyez ouverts à des voies surprenantes. Soyez ouvert à ceux qui peuvent avoir besoin de grâce ou d'espoir. Soyez dans l'expectative. Priez et remerciez toujours. Laissez la puissance de Dieu vous remplir et vous diriger. Et Jésus sera toujours avec vous.

C'est la chanson qui ne finit jamais - notre appel à être des agents du pouvoir de transformation, d'amour et d'espoir de Jésus.