The Anglican Fellowship of Prayer is an organisation of the National Church and it continues to be represented in the Diocese of Rupert's Land. Information about the organisation can be found at www.afpcanada.org.
In this Diocese we offer a Prayer request line at (204) 475-5942. Requests for prayer are passed on to AFP Parish representatives. For many years the Diocesan Resource center has been housed at St George's Crescentwood in the AFP office. It is well catalogued and most Parishes have a copy but it is also on line at www.mts.net/~gilfred/Afphisty.html. Anyone in the Diocese is welcome to make an appointment to view and borrow the books, Audio, and Video tapes. If you wish to do so, please call to leave a message at 475-5942. We have continued to provide a prayer support group for the Bishop and his wife at regular intervals and sincerely appreciate the support and encouragement they provide for the work of the organisation. Twice per month a group meets to offer prayer support to clergy in parish and special ministry. This takes usually place at St George's Crescentwood and is in the context of the Eucharist. We thank Rt Rev Jim Allan and Rev Bob English for the support they give to this ministry. In conjunction with Dean Bob Osborne and the Associates of the Sisters of St John the Divine we have presented 'Quiet Days' at St John's Cathedral at the beginning of Advent and Lent. Thanks are due to Rev Canon Barbara Barnett, Rev Dr Kathleen Schmitt, Ven David Pate, and Rev Dr Ed Schmitt for their leadership during the past two years. A Prayer room was established for use at the last Synod and also at Faith Horizons 2005. A prayer vigil was organised throughout the Diocese for Synod. With the support of Rev Dr Cathy Campbell, a presentation was offered to members of the Diocese and Calligraphers of Winnipeg, on the "St John's Bible" which is a Millennium project for the community at St John's Abbey, Collegeville, Minnesota. The Alongsiders program was started at St Bartholomew. This is an AFP program designed for those who are less able to attend church and who wish to continue active prayer ministry in their parish. A " Powerhouse of Prayer " Workshop was given at the Parish of St Bartholemew in the Fall 2005. This was open to members of the Diocese. At the Annual Celebration in 2005 a panel presentation was made on topics including Centering Prayer, Praying for Clergy and Parish Leaders, Praying the Anglican Rosary. The activities of the Diocesan Representative: Spoke at the Fellowship of the Least Coin annual gathering in Portage la Prairie 2005. Made a presentation on Prayer during a Sunday service at the Parish of St Bartholemew Advent 2005. Spoke at the Annual Meeting of the Associates of the SSSJD Supported newly ordained clergy through the 'Nan Henderson Memorial' award. Attended Diocesan events on behalf of AFP. Attended the National AFP Consultation for Diocesan Representatives in the Diocese of Western Newfoundland in the Fall 2004, and presented a workshop on 'Encouraging Others in Prayer' Attended an AFP Nat. Committee meeting in Burlington Ont. With the assistance of Wendy Bain and other members of the local committee, convened the National AFP Consultation held in this Diocese June 14th-17th 2006.at St Benedict's Conference and Retreat Center. This was attended by thirty-one delegates from across Canada\tab Wendy Bain is co-editor of the National Newsletter for AFP, which is published and distributed from Winnipeg and we commend her for the work she does. We anticipate being involved with the AFP National Committee in giving prayer support to General Synod meeting here in 2007. Thanks for a job well done are due to all members of AFP and those willing to serve as Parish Representatives. Special thanks for their active and faithful involvement in the organisation are offered to Pat Aris,Wendy Bain, Ann Blair, Jean Barry, Hazel Birt, Brian and Barbara Crow, Margaret Clarke, Joyce Coreau, Beryl and Gil Frederick, Barbara Granger, Nel Henteleff, Helen Hunter. Rev Canon Bill and Linda Oakley, Rev Canon Anne Goodwin. Dr Miriam Hutton, Margaret Jones, Daryl Melnick, Doreen Moore, Joan Nebbs, Ray Nembhard, Bob and Sue Piper, Pat Philpot, Darby Spafford and Carol Throp. I wish to thank also those who supported the Consultation in June in any way, and thanks to the people and clergy of St George's Crescentwood for their continued generosity in allowing us to use their facilities for our ministry. I am also grateful for the support given by the Synod Office Staff and the Editor of the Rupert's Land News. Heather Birtles