Last Glimpses

Tuesday, Bishop Sixbert visited St Augustine's, Parkland, again. This time he participated in Augie's Cafe, a community lunch programme.

Augie's Cafe

After lunch he returned to the Synod Office where he was able to catch up with an old friend and teacher.

Meeting an old friend

Then it was farewell to the Synod Office staff. In the evening, Bishops Jane and Sixbert participated in a gathering of young adults at St Paul's Church. Then it was home to pack and prepare for an early-morning flight on Wednesday and a long journey back to Burundi.

Synod Office Staff

Discussing Partnership

Monday morning Bishop Sixbert met the BADS (Bishop, Archdeacons, Dean – though the Dean was absent). This gave the senior leadership an opportunity to meet Bishop Sixbert and for him to hear about their views on the Diocese of Edmonton and how a partnership can develop between our two dioceses. It was a very fruitful meeting.

BADS

The, it was off to do a bit of touring and shopping. And where better to do both in Edmonton than the West Edmonton Mall? There we saw the indoor beach, the pirate ship and watched people skating at the ice rink.

Pirate Ship at West Edmonton Mall

The day concluded with a barbeque dinner hosted by Bishop Sixbert's hosts in Edmonton, John and Sheila Bloxham.

Skating Rink at West Edmonton Mall

Sunday

Sunday was a full day for Bishop Sixbert. In the morning he visited the parish of St Augustine in Spruce Grove, and preached. Then he travelled through a torrential rain storm to Tofield, for the centennial celebration of the parish of Holy Trinity.

Congregation at St Augustine, Parkland

The church was packed for the celebration. Bishop Jane Alexander challenged the parish in her sermon to think of themselves as living stones. Saying that we tend to think of things that are 100 years old as antiques, Bishop Jane suggested that the parish not see itself as an antique, and not focus on the past, but ask how it is going to engage in mission in its 101st year.

Congregation at Holy Trinity, Tofield

At the end of the service, Bishop Sixbert brought greetings from the Diocese of Buyé, and mused that he was probably the first African bishop to participate in a service in Tofield. He then pronounced the blessing in Kirundi.

Dr Tim Alexander, Bishop Jane Alexander, Bishop Sixbert Macumi, Noel Yuen, The Ven Alan Perry

Then, after some photos, everyone went off to a reception.

It was a wonderful celebration.

Return Visit

Bishop Sixbert Macumi arrived yesterday evening for a brief return visit to the Diocese of Edmonton, having spent several days in Toronto at a consultation of Canadian and African bishops.

Bishop Sixbert, Dean Neil Gordon, The Revd Sean Devlin, The Revd David Prowse

Today he visited Drayton Valley where a group of Synod delegates gathered at All Saints' Church for a discussion on human sexuality.

Discussion Group

Bishop Sixbert had an opportunity to see hod the Diocese of Edmonton is preparing for our Synod in October by discussing this deep topic well in advance, and offered some insights to the group.

Bishop Sixbert, The Revd Sean and Cynthia Devlin

He concluded the day by blessing the gathering using his mother tongue, Kirundi.