Dear friends in Christ,

It is a joy and privilege to greet you in this season of reflection and renewal as you gather for the ACW Annual Meeting in Sault Ste. Marie.

I am disappointed that I am not able to share in this time with you, but the timing of the Annual coincides with the Consecration and Installation of Rod BrantFrancis as the 12^th Bishop of Moosonee in Timmins, Ontario on May 28th. As the Metropolitan and chief consecrator, I will be there with bishops, clergy and laity from around the church to celebrate this beautiful occasion. It is a significant occasion as the Diocese of Moosonee returns to being a diocese in its own right, with a duly elected bishop.  There are strong ties between our dioceses with me having served as the Bishop of Moosonee for the last seven years. Thank you for your prayerful support of me and Moosonee over the years. I know that you will be holding us all in prayer during your meeting.

I am delighted that Bishop Michael Oulton, our Assisting Bishop will be in Sault Ste. Marie with you to celebrate and preach at the opening Eucharist and will install new board members and your new ACW Chaplain, the Rev. Susan Montague-Koyle at the closing celebration.

Rev. Susan serves as the Incumbent of Holy Trinity Church in Sault Ste and has oversight for St. James, Goulais River. Rev. Susan came to Algoma from the Diocese of Moosonee where she served as a Lay Reader. Today she continues that ministry as she holds the position of being the Deanery Warden of Lay Readers in Algoma deanery. Rev. Susan has always been most supportive of the ACW. She was in Muskoka last year at the Annual meeting. At the same time as we welcome Rev. Susan, we give thanks for the ministry of the Rev. Catherine Murkin who has served as Chaplain so faithfully and so well.

Your theme, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour” (Luke 1:46-47), echoes with profound beauty and power. These words, spoken by Mary, are not only a song of praise but a bold declaration of joy rooted in faith and trust.

The word rejoice in your theme draws a direct line to the theme of joy celebrated at our recent diocesan Synod. I can say that JOY abounded in Synod through our times of worship, fellowship, at the launch of the Anne Germond Legacy Fund banquet, and in all other activities.

Joy is not simply happiness in favorable circumstances; it is the deep and abiding assurance that, even in uncertainty, God is faithful, present, and working through us. Mary rejoiced not because life was easy, but because God was with her. Her soul magnified the Lord even as she faced an unknown future.

So too, the ACW magnifies the Lord through steadfast service, compassionate outreach, and faithful witness across Algoma. Your ministries are vessels of joy in action—supporting parishes, reaching into communities, and embodying Christ’s love. This is the joy that our Synod called us to celebrate and share: a joy that transforms, a joy that endures, a joy that is found in service. I give thanks for the many women across our church who serve with the JOY of the Lord in their hearts. A big thank you to Emily Noble your diocesan president for her leadership in this time, and to all the other board members who serve and work with Emily.

As you gather, may you be encouraged by Mary’s song and inspired by the Spirit who rejoices within you. May your soul continue to magnify the Lord in all you do, and may joy overflow in your lives and ministries.

With gratitude and every blessing,

The Most Rev. Anne Germond

Archbishop of Algoma

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