September 2021

In a certain churchyard in the Diocese of New Westminster, there stands an extremely busy hall that—according to structural engineers—must be liberated from three layers of deteriorating shingles before it can hope to keep the community who depends on it comfortable and dry. “Our hope is that this year we won’t have to have buckets catching rainwater during our Christmas Day meal.”

After 27 years as ecumenical Chaplain to the University of Lethbridge (UofL) and Lethbridge College, the Rev. Canon Erin Phillips has built a lot of bridges: between two campuses, between churches—Anglican, Lutheran, United, and Presbyterian—and between community volunteers and students.

They are three simple words—“Describe your project”—but they can be anxiety-inducing for anyone tasked with submitting a grant application. Dr. Scott Brubacher, the Anglican Foundation of Canada’s Executive Administrator, says he understands the tension well. “I have been on the applicant’s side of the process many times and have experienced the same nervousness myself. At AFC we love to say Yes! and work hard to help every eligible applicant be successful.”