Bishop Anna encourages us to listen deeply to Mary's message in the Magnificat and her hope for a world where the lowly are lifted up, as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus in the places we may not expect this Christmas season.

The Bishop is pleased to announce that Diocesan Council has appointed Jenny Replogle as Executive Archdeacon. Please join us for her collation on January 4 at 4pm at Christ Church Cathedral. A reception will follow.

Jenny will continue her support of lay-led parishes and parishes in transition in this new role. 

Please note that the Synod Office will be closed from Monday, December 22, 2025 to Friday, January 2, 2026.

Bishop Anna and Finance Director Samantha Wilson will be monitoring their emails periodically during the office closure for any very urgent matters. 

The office will re-open on Monday, January 5, 2026. 

The Parish Learning Hub is a new, annual, online learning series provided by the Synod Office. Everyone is welcome to attend these free sessions, regardless of their role within the parish or whether they are a volunteer or employee.

Registration is required and all sessions will take place on Zoom. Each session will begin at 12 noon and will be 45 minutes long, with 15 minutes for Q & A. To register, CLICK HERE. 

A new session on the payroll system has been added. The session take place on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. Meghan Thonger and Samantha Wilson will introduce our new payroll system. If you support or hire employees at your parish, this is a great session for you. Employees are also encouraged to attend so they know how to upload timesheets or receive important information.

"Quantitatively small, they were qualitatively giants."
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The second annual Bishop's Dinner will take place at the Laurel Point Inn on January 27, 2026 from 5:30-9:30pm. 

Join us for an engaging evening with Bishop Anna. Build relationships across the diocese, delve into her vision for a bright future, and explore the life-giving ministry thriving within the Islands and Inlets.

This 2nd annual dinner "Small in Number, Mighty in Ministry" will highlight and raise funds for the ministry of our lay-led parishes. We will be celebrating and learning from small, lay-led parishes across the diocese who are thriving in ministry and making an impact far beyond their numerical size, and we will share in conversation about what we all might learn from their ministries.

Tickets are $200 for individuals and $1500 for a table of eight. A donation of $200 can also be made and a ticket will be given to a recipient of Bishop Anna's choosing who would otherwise not be able to attend.

Tax receipts issued for $100 per ticket, $750 for a table and $200 for donation made towards a ticket for someone of Bishop Anna's choosing.

Limited tickets are available for purchase on Eventbrite: CLICK HERE

If your parish is often or occasionally without clergy and you are a lay leader who would be able and willing to lead in services, you are invited to apply online to be considered by the Bishop for a nomination to attend the upcoming eight-week Lay Leadership in Worship course. Upon successful completion of the course, a conversation will be held about how and when you might help lead services of the word in your parish. 

To apply for the next intake of the Lay Leadership in Worship Program (March 5, 2026-May 28, 2026) please fill out the application form: CLICK HERE

Registration is open from December 1, 2025-January 17, 2026.

To learn more about the Lay Leadership in Worship Program: CLICK HERE