Church Services & Religious Ceremonies
Moments of special and sacred significance.
Ordinations
An ordination service is a ceremony in which individuals are consecrated or ordained as deacons, priests, or bishops within the Church. The service typically takes place in a cathedral or parish church, presided over by a bishop.
Newly Ordained Reverend Larry
Ordinands Practicing at the Altar
Bishop Greg ordains deacons Ruth-Anne and Michael at St. Peter's, Calgary.
Father Matthew and Father Greg
Newly Ordained Priest with Sponsor and Bishop
Clergy at Ordination in Stettler, Alberta
Ordination in Stettler, Alberta
Ordination at the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer, Calgary
Ordination in Stettler, Alberta
Clergy at Ordination at the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer, Calgary
Inductions & Collations
An induction service is a formal ceremony in which a priest is officially installed and recognized as the incumbent (rector or vicar). The service is typically led by the bishop or their representative, often the archdeacon or rural dean, and takes place in the parish church.
A collation service is the formal ceremony during which a priest is appointed and installed as an archdeacon. The service is led by the bishop and typically takes place in a cathedral or significant parish church, recognizing the archdeacon’s leadership role in supporting clergy and overseeing church administration within a diocese.
Procession at Induction at the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer, Calgary
Induction of new Dean at the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer, Calgary
Induction of the Rev. Eyad Ajji
Clergy at Induction of new Dean at the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer, Calgary
Induction of Reverend Bonnie
Archbishop Kerr-Wilson with archdeacons and cathedral dean
Clergy at Induction of Father Daniel
Recession at Collation of the Ven. Brian Vickers
Induction of Father Daniel
Archidiaconal Hijinks at Induction at the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer, Calgary
Worship
Anglican worship services are marked by their reverence, structure, and balance of scripture, prayer, and sacraments, drawing from the Book of Common Prayer, Book of Alternative Services, or similar liturgical texts. They aim to glorify God, nurture faith, and engage the congregation in communal worship.
Reverend Kyle Presiding at Eucharist
Deacon Larry Dismisses the Congregation
Clergy at the Anglican Parish of Holy Cross, Calgary
Newly Ordained Priests Assisting Their Bishop at the Altar
Reverend Deacon Carol Leads Worship at Christ Church, Nanton, Alberta
Rev. Dcn. Canon Claudette and Bishop Adam in Smudging Ceremony
Primate Linda Nicholls Presides at Eucharist
Receiving Communion at General Synod
Gift Chalices
Primate Linda Nicholls
Primate Linda Nicholls at General Synod
Newly baptized Ryan with priest, bishop, deacon, and worship assistant.
Special Events
Synods and Memorial Service
An synod is a formal gathering of representatives within the Church to discuss and make decisions about matters of faith, governance, and mission. Synods occur at different levels—diocesan, provincial, and national—and are a key part of the church's decision-making process, reflecting its commitment to shared leadership and consultation.
A memorial service for Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, was held at the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, on September 21, 2022. The officiant was Archbishop Gregory Kerr-Wilson, and the Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta, the Honourable Salma Lakhani, was in attendance.
The Most Reverend Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, at the 50th Synod of the Ecclesiastical Province of Rupert's Land.
Primate' Cross, at the 43rd General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada.
Archbishop Chris Harper, at the 43rd General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada.
Archbishop Gregory Kerr-Wilson Preaches at the Memorial Service for Queen Elizabeth II
Archbishop Gregory Kerr-Wilson and Lt. Gov. Salma Lakhani at the Memorial Service for Queen Elizabeth II
Lt. Gov. Salma Lakhani Reads Scripture at the Memorial Service for Queen Elizabeth II
Blessing of the Oils and Renewal of Ordination Vows
A special service of blessing of oils and renewal of vows is held each year on the Tuesday before Easter, at the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. In 2026, the officiant was Assistant Bishop Michael Hawkins. The clergy re-affirm the vows that they took when they were ordained as deacons or priests. The bishop, in his turn, is asked to renew his commitment to the service of the people of God in his diocese. Then the bishop blesses oils used for healing ministry, and for anointing the newly baptized.
Deacon and Cathedral Dean preparing for the service.
Assembled clergy waiting for the service to begin.
Procession to begin the service.
First scripture reading by the Deacon.
Bishop Michael Hawkins preaching to the clergy.
Bishop Michael Hawkins.
Clergy renewing their ordination vows.
Clergy renewing their ordination vows.
The Deacon asks the Bishop to renew his commitment to the service of the people of God in the Diocese of Calgary.
Bishop Michael Hawkins blesses healing oils and chrism.
Clergy obtain their supplies of newly blessed oils.
51st Session of the Synod of the Ecclesiastical Province
of Rupert’s Land
May 23 — 26, 2024, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
This synod was particularly significant because the decision was made to change the name of the ecclesiastical province from “Rupert’s Land” to “Northern Lights.”
The opening worship was held at the parish of Holy Cross, and the synod deliberations were held at the University of Calgary.
Blackfoot Elder Eric Crowshoe
Smudging Ceremony
Clergy waiting to begin the opening worship service.
Procession
Deacon preparing the table
Eucharistic Prayers
Communion Station
Recessing Out
The Rev. Simba Mutandwa (Rector of Holy Cross, Calgary); The Most Rev. Linda Nicholls, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada; The Most Rev. Gregory Kerr-Wilson, Bishop of Calgary and Metropolitan of Rupert's Land; The Most Rev. Chris Harper, National Indigenous Archbishop; The Rev. Deacon Carol Tubman (Holy Cross, Calgary)
Archbishop Chris Harper
Synod Delegates
Deputy Prolocutor the Rev. Derwyn Costinak, and the Right Rev. David Parsons, Bishop of the Arctic
Prolocutor the Rev. Canon Dr. Iain Luke, and Deputy Prolocutor the Rev. Derwyn Costinak
Archbishop Kerr-Wilson and Synod Delegates
The Rev. Victor Johnson of the Arctic
Primate Linda Nicholls
Bishop Stephen London of Edmonton
Delegates from the Indigenous Spiritual Ministry of Mishamikoweesh
Chaplain Jerrod
Delegate from Qu'Appelle
The Venerable Dr. Kara Mandryk
Bishop Annie Ittoshata of the Arctic moves to change the name of the Province
Head Table: Chancellor Karen Webb, Metropolitan Gregory Kerr-Wilson, Prolocutor Iain Luke, Deputy Prolocutor Derwyn Costinak
Delegates voting to change the name of the Province
Bishop Lydia Mamakwa, who first proposed the name "Province of The Northern Lights"
Synod Delegates at the Banquet in Okotoks
Music Team for Sunday Morning Worship
The Ven. Alan Getty and the Rev. Deacon Carol Tubman preparing for eucharist
The Rev. Deacon Tubman, the Most Rev. Kerr-Wilson, and Primate Nicholls leading the closing eucharist
The reading of the Gospel
Receiving communion
Primate Nichols, Metropolitan Kerr-Wilson, and Deacon Tubman