Anglican Life April 2010

ANGLICANLife

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April 2010

ANGLICANLife APRIL 2010

in NEWFOUNDLAND

&

LABRADOR

A Section of the ANGLICAN JOURNAL

Alleluia!

He is Risen!

The Easter Garden is a common scene found in many churches during Eastertide. It often contains fresh flowers and plants surrounding the empty tomb and small figurines of the Easter characters. The photo above is a close up of Mary Magdalene meeting the Risen Christ early on the first Easter morning. This Easter Garden is from the Church of St. Michael & All Angels in St. John’s and has been lovingly prepared each year by parishioner Sarah Quinton. Photo by the Editor.

Easter Greetings from Bishop Torraville Bishop David Torraville Diocese of Central Newfoundland

Have you noticed how long you wait at a red light?

And as the light is about to turn green, people edge into the intersection? Have you noticed how the slow drivers are always in front of you, particularly if you are in a hurry? Have you noticed, at airports, how people rush to the front of the line when the flight is called, and how people rush past you on the highway, only to turn off a few hundred meters up the road? People want to get

where they are going as quickly as possible with no hindrance on the way, even if their rushing is illogical or dangerous. I have wondered if people at the front of the line at the airport departure gate think they arrive sooner than those of us at the back of the line. I wonder if someone can calculate for me how much time is “saved” by edging into the intersection, as the light gets ready to change to green. Sometimes we are the ones being rushed past; sometimes we are the ones doing the rushing.

This is who we have become. We are in a hurry. We

want instant gratification, the destination without the journey.

We have arrived at Easter but are we like the barking dog that catches the car? Now that we have it, what do we do with it? Our often self imposed hurry numbs us to grace, blinds us to joy, and causes us anxiety even when we stop.

For Christians, Easter ought not to be only an historical commemoration, or even the assertion of a miracle, it ought to be a radical change of attitude. The miracle that most touches me at Easter is not that Jesus was raised, but the profound change that his appear-

ing made in the lives of the first Christians. From deserting Jesus, from denying him, from a fearful few behind locked doors, they went into the streets to proclaim him. Their journey was traumatic and frightening and it called them to places they were afraid to go, it called them to a faith and to a ministry they showed little evidence of being able to understand, let alone undertake, while Jesus was alive. Yet, undertake it they did, and with the power of the Holy Spirit were themselves changed and in turn changed a world and brought the gospel, the “Good

News” over thousands of miles and thousands of years to you, today.

“He is Risen!” and people are changed! Now calm down and feel that breath of life from the God who creates you and sustains you. Feel its glow, feel its peace, and in turn share it with someone else in need of that peace.

May the jubilation of Easter fill you with the spirit of peace, which you are called to share with your family, and your community.

SERVING THE ANGLICAN DIOCESES OF WESTERN NEWFOUNDLAND + CENTRAL NEWFOUNDLAND + EASTERN NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR

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News & Announcements Rector’s Auto-Debit Blitz Challenge: Starting a couple of weeks ago, I encouraged parishioners to consider moving over to Auto-Debit for utilization of their regular church offerings. Until Easter Sunday, April 4 th, I am officially announcing the Rector’s AutoDebit Blitz Challenge! Already, 5 parishioners have committed to move over to this! My goal as Rector is that 12 parishioners/families would do so, if not more! Auto-Debit offerings allow your parish greater financial flexibility and planning, especially during summer months when many of us are away for extended periods of time. Likewise, anyone who signs up for AutoDebit during this period or who has recently, as well, will be eligible for a gift certificate valued at $50.00 for the restaurant in the Wabush Hotel (kindly donated by St. Paul’s Anglican Church Women) to be drawn on Easter Monday, April 5. Please consider this very

worthwhile venture in assisting your parish! ( Parish of Labrador West) Killdevil Grand Reunion for July 9 to 11, 2010: The Diocese of Western Newfoundland is planning a ‘grand reunion’ for all people who have had the privilege of camping at Killdevil since its first camp of 1959. They would like as many of their ’old’ campers and staff to come and enjoy 3 days of fun and fellowship when all will try to relive their days as campers and staff. They are seeking feedback and interest from any camper or staff regarding this reunion. As plans evolve, notification will be publicized in which they will inform all of the details such as costs and what to bring.

Children’s “Easter Eggs”: On Saturday, March 13, at 4:30pm, we will set up an incubator in church with eggs timed to hatch on Easter

weekend (April 3 and 4). Each Saturday, beginning at 4:30pm, we will have an activity for children and families as we see life unfolding. This will be a wonderful way to teach our children about the miracle of life and also to reflect upon the Easter miracle of new life. For our Christian ancestors, the egg was a symbol of the tomb in which Jesus was laid and the breaking forth of new life when a chick hatched was seen to remind them of Jesus coming forth from the tomb on the first Easter day. It is from that understanding we get our ideas of Easter eggs every year.

(Parish of the Good Shepherd, Mount Pearl) Finding the Hope: Hour of Prayer: Every Thursday from 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm there will be an Hour of Prayer in one of the churches participating in Finding the Hope. This coming Thursday, March 11th, the host church will be Corner Brook Baptist

Church, next door to Gallipoli Armoury on O’Connell Drive.

You are cordially invited to drop by (for the whole hour or for whatever time you can spare) as we pray silently or out loud for God’s blessing on the Finding the Hope initiative which will take place in April.

(All Saints, Corner Brook)

updated throughout the season. The prayers are drawn from the Anglican Church of Canada’s own prayer books, as well as those from ecumenical and full communion partners.

They are paired with striking landscapes from around the world. (Parish of Pasadena/ Cormack)

Gossip! “idle talker, newsmonger, groundless rumors.” Gossip is evil and wrong. Gossip is destructive to community. Gossip is not to be tolerated in our faith community. The only time we should be talking about someone else’s business, is when we are talking to THEM. Please learn not to participate in gossip especially when it comes to our church family.

(Parish of the Resurrection, South River)

A little religious humor: A little boy began grace at a family dinner. He said, “Dear God, thank you for the turkey, potatoes, carrots, turnip and …. but Mom, won’t God know that I don’t like broccoli!” (Parish of Fortune/ Lamaline)

Lenten meditations for Lent 2010 2010, the Anglican Church of Canada is offering a simple online prayer space that will be

Rector’s Note: As part of our Lenten Journey, during each Sunday sermon in Lent and Easter season, I will be offering a course on the basics of our Christian Faith – almost like a Catechism. The intent, Continued on Page 10 See “News”

He is risen indeed!

Article Olive M. Grunert

The forty days of Lent have ended. The discipline, the self examination, the prayer and fasting are done.

It was so wonderful to have a blessed Lenten season at St. John the Evangelist in Topsail. Week after week, we were guided and taught and encouraged and it was easy to observe a holy Lent.

My mind went back to Corner Brook as a child, at “St. John the Evangelist” on Main Street when Rev’d

Davies talked to us all about “giving something up for Lent.” We had just paraded to church, class by class with our teachers and we had to tell ourselves what we would do in self denial.

We all took home our little pyramids to put our dimes of self denial in, and I remember by the time we had to turn them in, all the little indents were quite loose from taking out and putting back those dimes.

We went to church every morning in Lent on the way to school, there were no dances or card

games….everything stopped for forty days.

This past Ash Wednesday, when Father John Dinn stood in the pulpit and explained to us that despite our not wanting to think about it, that we all will die, and that a lot of people don’t like Lent because of that, we were brought to a scrunching halt with the words “you are but dust and to dust you will return.”

He explained that the dust he will apply to our foreheads symbolize that we are just that - “dust”, and sitting there I can tell you it sunk in for me.

We are going to die, each one of us, and he cautioned us that we all have to use this blessed Lenten season to “get it right with God.” He didn’t talk about giving up chewing gum or our favourite bar for forty days, as Rev’d Davies did many

years ago, but he stressed about adding things to our lives this Lent like bible study, more prayer, self examination, loving our neighbours and seeing how

we can improve our spiritual journey. Father Dinn told us that,” without God in our lives, we are people of no hope, and in fact we are dead already. “ Christians are to live with hope and love and we are to let our lights shine, lighting others’ hopes along the way. We know that Je-

sus died for us and then rose again, has conquered death.

As we followed him in the dark serious days of Lent and learned of his love for us we will draw closer to him. We will know that he goes to prepare a place for us and that one day we will be with him in heaven where pain and suffering are no more.

We will know with all our beings that Jesus conquered death, that we are forgiven, that he knows us all by name, and we only have to ask him to come into our hearts. As Christians we are people of HOPE and LIGHT and LOVE and we know that He lives. Now, because of our walk to Calvary, because of a Holy Lent, we can sing with all our hearts and souls at Easter - He is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

ANGLICANLife

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April 2010

Praying with St. Benedict The Rule of Benedict (RB) begins with the call to “listen.” For Benedict, listening is the key to establishing a relationship with God, our neighbour, and the community. Listening is required for understanding and responding. It leads to an understanding which involves the heart as well as the head, and to a response which is loving obedience.

Brian Taylor calls the Rule “spirituality for everyday living.” The Rule is a sixth-century document which was written for monks but can be useful to all Christians. It is based on a commitment to “cherish Christ above all else” through the vows of stability, conversion and obedience. It promotes a balanced life of prayer, study and labour. The Rule is about the self in relation-

ship - with God, other people, and things.

For Benedict personal prayer is inseparable from participation in the Church. The study of Scripture and attendance at public worship is crucial. Personal prayer cannot be done only in isolation because its capacity will be limited.

The RB requires corporate worship seven times a day for the monastic with short gatherings of about 15 minutes.

Worship is regarded as work (opus Dei) along with other work, but it has priority over all other kinds of labour. When the bell rings for worship, the monk leaves his chore and heads for the chapel. In a similar way, we can leave everything else on a Sunday and

head for church. Every day the monk spends time with the Bible. This has

value in its own right but it also nurtures prayer.

Prayer begins with a remembrance of God. It assumes a confidence that God is always present with us.

Recalling God’s presence at the time of prayer can affect everything else as we realize his presence at all times. Much of Benedict’s teaching about other aspects of monastic life assumes a life “drenched” in prayer. He uses phrases like, “Every time you begin a good work, you must pray to God most earnestly to bring it to perfection; God is present everywhere; petition ... with great humility and total devotion; we are heard in purity of heart

The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.

I found this parable in some old files and thought I would share it with you.

The author (unknown) obviously felt that there was a significant message here – a message that is particularly relevant during this Lenten time. A message of reflection that should resonant with you and me!

We’re talking about legacy here? Do you have a will?

Have you left a bequest in that will for y o u r church?

Choosing to a leave a gift from the heart for y o u r church brings meaning, dignity and purpose to a life well lived. Have we been good stewards of ourselves, our money, our families, our communities and our world? By leaving a planned gift, we can help sustain the church which

has sustained you and your families over the years.

Please give me a call.

On Giving Gordon from All Saints’ Church sent this anecdote along to me.

My late father-in-law used to say, “Cast your bread upon the waters – you might get back a bakery.” I heard of a case recently where an individual had given a rather large amount to his church and other charities during the year.

That was his bread upon the waters. At tax time he was

The Rev. Everett Hobbs

and in great compunction.”

Prayer is a constant loving awareness of the reality of the presence of God. It is a relationship with God which opens one to the awareness of God’s presence everywhere, a presence which permeates all of life.

The aim of prayer is that of widening one’s vision, such that one begins to see as God sees, and to live as Christ lived.

You can fond out more from Seeking God (Esther de Waal) and Wisdom Distilled from the Daily (Joan Chittister). The Rule of Benedict can be read online at www.holyrule.com and you can Google “Benedictine’ for other sites.

stewardship

The parable of the pencil The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting it into the box.

There are five things you need to know, he told the pencil, before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be.

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone’s hand.

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you will need it to become a better pencil.

Three: You will be able to correct mistakes you will make.

Four: The most important part of you will always be what’s inside.

And five: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark.

No matter what the condition, you must continue to write.

let us pray

surprised – and pleased – to find that he got back a tax credit of almost exactly half of what he had given. That was his bakery.

His church and other charities got the money – the government didn’t.

Want to try for your bakery? Give generously to your church at this time and always.

Kevin Smith

Kevin Smith is the gift planning consultant for the Anglican Church of Canada. He can be contacted at (709) 739-5667 or by email k_smith@nf.sympatico.ca

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ANGLICANLife in NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR ANGLICAN LIFE in Newfoundland and Labrador is the newspaper of the Anglican Church in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. A co-operative effort of the three Dioceses in Newfoundland and Labrador, it is published monthly, except July and August, with an independent editorial policy.

A section of the Anglican Journal Editor-in-Chief: The Rev’d Sam Rose c/o: Church of St. Michael & All Angels 6 St. Clare Avenue St. John’s, NL, A1C 6N4 Email: samrose@nl.rogers.com Advertising Rates and other information may be obtained from: Bishop Donald Young 34 Fraser Road, Gander, NL, A1V 2E8 Phone: (709) 256-7701 Email: jointcommittee@nfld.net Subscription Rates: Newfoundland and Labrador: $15.00 Outside the province: $20.00 International: $25.00 New subscriptions, cancellations, & changes of address should be sent to: Circulation The Anglican Journal (attn. Bev Murphy) 80 Hayden Street, Toronto, ON, M4Y 3G2 (416) 924-9192 (O) (416) 925-8811 (fax) Email: circulation@national.anglican.ca Each parish is responsible for maintaining its own subscription list - please notify your parish office of any changes. Changes sent to parish offices may take months to take effect. Please also send your updated information to Circulation at the Anglican Journal (above) or to Don Young at 34 Fraser Road, Gander NL A1V 2E8.

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Anglican Life does not publish letters under nom de plume.

Letters should not exceed 300 words (one double spaced typewritten page), and are subject to editing at the discretion of the editor.

These policies were adopted by the Anglican Life Committee.

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On Eagle’s Wings!

Morning has broken and the sun bursts forth – radiant in its wondrous light! It is Easter morn – all is bright and beautiful just as we imagine the Resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. His resurrection was many moons ago – yet we celebrate it today in remembrance of Him who died because He loved so deeply – His love is everlasting.

Do we believe in this wonderful day of resurrection – a day when we too will rise anew with Him and in Him? Sometimes it’s like a fairy tale – we don’t even give the God who created, a thought – we get up, go on, move without even a moment to say thank you for this wonderful gift of life that we share at this very moment. That is what life is – a whole series of moments lived one after the other and we are called to move – never to be static – always a movement forward.

Today I dream of the call to crawl, to walk, to run, and eventually to take flight on Eagle’s Wings!

As we crawl we move – we see things from the perspective of the ground level – this is often from a young child’s

perspective. We poke into everything; the cupboards are just not safe when we want to see exactly what is inside. This is like our young spiritual lives; we need to see everything, we want to know everything, there is an answer for everything and we search to find the answers. Sometimes we are not too happy with what we discover but we discover nevertheless. As we gain a little knowledge we explore a little more and as we do we grow, our perspective is a little different and we see that we

don’t have to crawl, we can now walk.

Walking gives us new insight; we see things a little higher up. We are open to learning from others, listening to the Word, and we are even content to walk with the Lord.

This is a time when we are formed more deeply. We learn

guest editorial The Rev’d Yvonne Thistle Rector of Gander Bay

right from wrong – how to live with our families, with our neighbors, with the community and in some sense with the world at large. It sometimes happens that while we walk we even want to skip steps and fly – and we do- we fly across the ocean and see another world through reading, reflecting, listening, and latching onto what fills our hearts with joy. The flight is simple and down to earth. Yet we have movedonly a few inches beyond our crawling days.

Then one morning we awaken and we just run – either run forward to the new life within or run away from all that is true and beautiful within. We cannot grasp the whole of what this is all about but we have a mini understanding that we are human and at the same time there is a divine aspect to who we are in Jesus Christ. There are moments when again we fly but oftentimes we crash because we have not fully grasped the joy of loving with the heart of who is our spirit.

Sometimes at this age and stage of our lives we become bogged down with inner struggles, hurts, hatred, dread, anxiety, and sin – all the negatives Continued on Page 5 See “Editorial”

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April 2010

Editorial

Twitter the Gospel Article The Rev’d Hollis Hiscock

‘ Let’s twitter?’, she asked in a seductive tone.

‘I don’t dance’, I muttered in a hushed whisper.

‘Don’t be a twit’, she laughed in rebuttal.

‘Be ye neither a twitterer nor a twit be’, said I in my best Shakespearean dialect, and added for good measure, ‘maybe we could go twitting, I hear that’s fun’.

She concluded, ‘I do not want to go twitting with you. You are no twit, but you should learn to twitter’.

If this conversation seems incoherent to you, let me illuminate the pivotal ‘t’ words in this dialogue.

A ‘twit’ is a silly or foolish person, who could be twittish. If you twitted or were in the process of twitting another individual then you would be taunting or reproaching that person in a good natured or humorous manner.

Now TWITTER is a whole different and recent phenomenon. It does not appear in any English dictionary published more than four years ago.

According to on line encyclopaedia Wikipedia, TWITTER, created by Jack Dorsey in 2006, is a ‘free social networking and micro blogging service that enables its users to send and read messages known as tweets’. Tweets are text messages, limited to 140 characters, displayed by the author on a profile page, delivered to those accepted by the author or may be available to everyone.

Now Jesus taught

through parables, which are pithy stories or fables used to teach a lesson. If twitter had been available, Jesus probably would have utilized the medium and his tweets would have been accessible to everyone.

What would His parables look like if Jesus had been restricted to 140 characters at any given dispatch?

Let’s twitter the Prodigal Son story (Luke 15:1, 1132).

with friends who love me, love my generosity, love my parties, love my money.

Woohoo!

TWEET FOUR FOUR: Four weeks later … money all gone. Friends gone too. All alone. I’m in deep you know what……...

TWEET FIVE: Got kicked out of my apartment.

No job. Starving. No place to go. No money. No friends. What can a spoiled boy do?

TWEET ONE: Demanded my inheritance from my father. Balked at first, then he divided his estate equally between my brother and me. Brother staying with father.

TWEET TWO: Received huge wad of money.

Today left for parts unknown. Looking for partyville. Let the good times roll!

TWEET THREE: Rented a groovy downtown bachelor pad. Filled 24/7

TWEET SIX SIX: Good news. Found me a job. Catering in the bovine industry. OK – feeding pigs. Not great but I get to eat the leftovers.

TWEET SEVEN: Things gone from bad to worse. My father’s hired hands are better off than me.

May go home and beg for a job.

TWEET EIGHT: Heading home. Scared.

Don’t know what to expect from my father or brother.

Continued from Page 4

TWEET NINE: I am standing at the end of my father’s driveway. Somebody is running towards me.

Arms waving. Who could this be?

TWEET TEN: My father put his arms around me, hugged me and kissed me. He had tears in his eyes.

TWEET ELEVEN: Told father I sinned big time. Expected him to disown me. Not worthy to be his son. Father kept hugging and kissing me.

TWEET TWELVE TWELVE: Father gave me designer jeans, expensive sweater, pricey shoes and a gorgeous ring. Ordered the staff to prepare a feast for me.

Brother working in the fields.

TWEET THIRTEEN: Brother hears the noise from the celebration and is royally ‘waste watered’ off.

Refuses to come into the house. Very angry.

TWEET FOURTEEN: Father told brother he owns everything and I have nothing. I am like a dead person who came back to life. We should all be happy, not angry.

TWEET FIFTEEN FIFTEEN: Brother came to the party.

Welcomed me home reluctantly. We ate, drank and danced till dawn. Fell asleep on the floor.

TWEET SIXTEEN: Moral: No matter how bad our lives become, if we take the first step God, like father, still loves us, forgive us and welcomes us home.

(The Reverend Hollis Hiscock, a retired Anglican priest living in Burlington, is available as a speaker with multi media Bible and life presentations.)

that we seemingly and grudgingly hold to our hearts for fear that someone may see our humanity. Yes, we are human and oh so divided – we fail but we also love, we hurt but we also forgive, we struggle but we are also free.

Are not the contradictions of our lives the seeds that set us on the road to freedom – on that path where we will eventually take flight? Yes, where we empty our own tanks of the fuel that we burn in our negatives and allow ourselves to be fuelled with the positives of a Lover who never takes His eyes from us. He sees deep within and knows that we belong to Him. He will never forsake us – He flies like the eagle and raises us up to be with Him in glory. We learn to fly – it takes a lot of courage to let go our struggles and learn the new found way of the Lord – which is really crawling, walking, running, and flying in God Himself who knows that we were created for Him and Him alone and because of this He never stops seeking us.

He rises anew every morning and reaches out to help us do that which He knows we can do with finesse – to fly on Eagle’s wings – His wing’s so that we can enter into today with the joy of the risen Lord. Let us shout Alleluia, He is Risen as we fly into Life for He raises us up on Eagle’s Wings! Fly in the Lord, in joy, peace, wonder, and awe!

LeDrew Lumber Company Ltd. Kelligrews, C.B.S. Newfoundland

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ANGLICANLife in pictures

St. Alban’s Anglican Church Women, Grand Bank held its Christmas Fellowship on December 9, 2009. The ladies started the evening with devotions, followed by a hot and cold buffet supper, then ended the evening with fun and games. In lieu of a gift exchange each member contributed needy items to the Grace Sparks Women Shelter.

It was a wonderful evening and enjoyed by all. Photo submitted by Mary Keeping.

The ACW of the church of St. James in Gillams hosted a Little Helpers Party this past fall. Children from infant to age five were invited. Rev. Malcolm Palmer attended and told a story to the children. We let birthday candles to represent each age group. Refreshment were served and a social time was held for children and parents. The party was hosted by the ACW Family Life Committee. Submitted

by Audrey Park and Irene House.

On February 13, 2010, the Vestry of St. Augustine’s Parish in Stephenville held its second annual Moose Feast during the Stephenville Winter Carnival weekend. A variety of moose dishes were available such as: burgers, soup, pepper steak, chili, meatballs, and pie. It was finished up with a delicious mousse dessert! The event was a huge success thanks to the members of the congregation who prepared the delicious meals. It was enjoyed by everyone!

Submitted by Caren Noseworthy and Sandra Lewis.

At St. Michael and All Angels’ Church in Rose Blanche, on Mothering Sunday, March 14, Father Andrew Nussey presented Mr. Harry Parsons with his license to minister as a Lay Reader. The congregation warmly congratulated Mr. Parsons.

Submitted by Parish of Rose Blanche.

ATTENTION ALL CLERGY!!!

Clergy are invited to call (902) 962-3511 to reserve a Cabin in Iris, PEI (6 miles from the Woods Island Ferry).

A donation of $20 per day is requested.

To ensure a smooth transition between tenants, “check out” is 10:00 a.m. and “check in” time is after 3:00 p.m.

(Please NO PETS) Clergy can also contact Western Diocese Synod Office

(709) 639-8712

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April 2010

First female rector inducted in Parish of Harbour Grace Article & Photo Robert Lynch

Surrounded by her wardens, The Reverend Shirley Noseworthy takes time for pictures following her induction as Rector of the Parish of Harbour Grace.

St. Paul’s congregation of Harbour Grace and St. Peter’s congregation of Harbour Grace South make up the parish.

The induction service took place at St. Paul’s on the evening of 24 February 2010. There has been an Anglican presence in Harbour Grace for 246 years.

Reverend Shirley’s induction marks the first time a female clergy will lead the faithful in the parish of Harbour Grace.

Over one hundred members of the parish came out for the service. The Celebrant of the liturgy was The Rt. Rev. Cyrus Pitman

and the preacher was The Also in attendance was tion service representatives sented oil; Ed Hayes & John Venerable Gerald Westcott, Reverend Noseworthy’s of the congregation pre- Payne presented keys of the Archdeacon for Trinity- mother, Olive Noseworthy, sented symbols of ministry: church; Linda Sheppard & Conception. Other clergy brother Ron (Tina) Tom Caines presented a Bi- Bob Noseworthy presented prayer books; Betty included The Rev. Monks & Isabel Canon William Adams presented Strong, The Rev. bread and wine. A Don Martin; Father prayer followed Tim Parker of the Pareach and the conish of Carbonear, Rev. gregation reCathy Laskey, Rev. sponded accordEvelyn Smith, and ingly.

Rev. Mildred Glynn L i n d a of the Parish of Sheppard, Rector’s Heart’s Content.

Warden for St. PeRepresenting the Roter’s said, “On beman Catholic parish half of the Parish of was Father F.J. Harbour Grace and Alyward and the Harits two congregabour Grace United tions I would like church pastoral to congratulate charge the Reverend Reverend Shirley Russell Small. The organist was New Rector. (Left to right) from St. Paul’s: People’s Warden John Payne; Rector’s on her induction Gertrude Lockyer. Warden Bob Noseworthy; the Reverend Shirley Noseworthy; and from St. Peter’s: and welcome her to Harbour Grace and The Crucifer and People’s Warden Ed Hayes ;and Rector’s Warden Linda Sheppard. look forward to Server Andrew Rossiter and Eucharistic as- Noseworthy, and sister Lois ble; Natalie Verge pre- her guidance and leadership sistants were Christine (Angus) Kennedy. sented a vessel of water; in the coming years.”

Lynch and Viola Noel.

As a part of the induc- CLB Lt. Barbara Lilly pre-

Gander Bay ACW news Article D. Ruth Wagg

Photo Ruth Leyte

Members of Holy Trinity ACW in the Parish of Gander Bay shown in the photo are standing in front of a bare tree wearing aprons recently made in fellowship. They sponsored a community Pancake Supper on Shrove Tuesday.

After the hearty meal of pancakes, bologna, and orange slices, the empty and barren tree was soon transformed.

Branches were laden with wrapped items in pairs. Items were donated and wrapped by the ACW women consisting of various pairs of things: dish clothes, socks, toys, jewellery. They were sold for a loonie or toonie and were them exchanged among the purchasers. So each person received a pair of items he or she preferred.

Proceeds went to support outreach and ministry programs and to support charitable causes within and outside the parish. The evening proved to be a great time of fun and fellowship for all who participated.

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Opening a new Chapter Eastern Diocese welcomes new members to Cathedral Chapter

New Canons of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist are installed into the Cathedral Chapter by The Right Reverend Cyrus Pitman Photo by the Editor.

Article and Photos by Fr. Sam Rose Editor

After a two year vacancy, The Right Reverend Cyrus Pitman reinstated the practice of having a Cathedral Chapter in the Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland & Labrador on 23 February 2010.

Bishop Pitman welcomed the following new Chapter members including the Archdeacons: Geoffrey Peddle, Sandra Tilley, John Dinn, Charlene Taylor, and Gerald Westcott. The new canons included Canons William Strong, Iliffe Sheppard, David Hewitt, Brian Burrows, Elizabeth Barnes, and Gerry Brown.

After installing each member, they were escorted to their respective stall in the Cathedral by the Dean of the Diocese The Very Rev’d Josiah Noel. Dean Noel said that the significance of seating each Chapter members in their own stall is a tradition which is found in most cathedrals in the Anglican Communion. “Each cathedral has a Canonry and each Canonry has its own stalls. The first ministry of the diocese is the Bishop’s ministry. The Cathedral is the Bishop’s Church, the Mother Church of the Diocese.

So there are seats set aside for the Bishop to have senior priests who the Bishop appoints as Canons to be his advisors.”

Bishop Pitman said that the most important role of the Chapter in the Diocese is, “To look at the whole ministry of the Diocese and to encourage clergy and lay leaders in the parishes. And also to look at bigger issues like the Anglican Covenant. [The Chapter] would take leadership in this area and how we might approach the Covenant in our Diocese. We need to examine how we can live together as a Communion.”

Many people came out to support the new members which included for the first time in the Diocese the admission of lay people into the Chapter.

Ms. Elizabeth Barnes and Mr. Gerry Brown were announced as canons by the Bishop in the previous Synod held in October 2009. When asked about the historical significance of having lay people sit in the Chapter, Dean Noel stated, “I am not sure we really needed a vote from Synod to do that because I was always under the impression that the Bishop could select who he wanted to as canons. It is not new in the Church. There are lay canons in Fredericton and Niagara. It

is just that it is new here.”

One important function of the Chapter is to help in the granting of the Bishop’s Award

of Merit which is given to various members of the Diocese for outstanding service to the community and the Church.

A reception was held following the liturgy at the Cathedral Parish Hall.

The newly installed Cathedral Chapter. Front Row (left to right): The Ven. Gerald Westcott, The Ven. Geoff Peddle, Canon William Strong, The Ven. Charlene Taylor, Bishop Pitman, The Ven. Sandra Tilley, The Ven. John Dinn, and Dean Josiah Noel. Back Row (left to right): Canon Iliffe Sheppard, Canon David Hewitt, Canon Brian Burrows, Canon Elizabeth Barnes, and Canon Gerry Brown. Photo by the Editor.

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April 2010

God provides in Corner Brook Article & Photo Debbie Ford

“Come unto me, all you who are heavily laden, and I will give you rest.” God doesn’t promise that when we choose to accept Christ as our Savior and to follow Him that our life will be worry -free or without its share of adversity. But He has offered us a refuge to share our loads.

A couple of our parishioners, at St. Michael and All Angels in Corner Brook know all too well the curves that life can throw at you. Marjorie and Darrell Pike have faced many challenges throughout their lives. Marjorie was born blind and Darrell became blind at a very young age. God brought them together. They married and were blessed with two children. In spite of their vision impairment, Marjorie and Darrell made sure that Erin and Chad enjoyed a normal sighted childhood. Marjorie and Darrell are very proud of their now adult children.

Unfortunately, during the past several years, they have faced challenges that would have defeated most of us. Both Marjorie and Darrell have become “Cancer Survivors”!

Throughout it all, their faith never wavered. Many would visit them to ‘help’ them along and offer support. Invariably, the visitors would leave, refreshed and comforted, shaking their heads in wonderment…”Wow! How do they do it? You wouldn’t know but that they didn’t have a care in the world!” Their ‘secret’ was that they had someone to carry them through.

The challenges didn’t end there. Marjorie suffered a relapse in December, 2007. As a result of the relapse, Marjorie lost the use of her legs and a wheelchair became her legs…Marjorie was not going to allow a little thing like paralysis to stop her. At the past “Relay for Life” held in Corner Brook, Marjorie blessed us with her ministry of music as she sang both the National and Provin-

cial anthems. There wasn’t a dry eye in the building! In fact, the Relay is one of our many Outreach projects. We have entered two teams for the past couple of years. Now on to the next challenge, her home had to be made wheelchair accessible.

Once that was completed, they needed to find transportation – a van with wheelchair accessibility. Again, God provided! Such a van became available! The challenge of finding drivers proved to be a ‘non challenge’. Several teams answered the call to provide this much needed ministry! God bless those who are willing to share their time. Other parishioners share their time to prepare meals, shop, or just to visit. It’s just little things to us but such big blessings to them!

I pray that one day, we would all share just a portion of the sustaining faith that Marjorie and Darrell have found. God bless them both for the ministry they give to others.

Survivors. (Left to right): Darrell Pike, Marjorie Pike, and Patrica Small. Photo submitted by Debbie Ford.

Good Shepherd hosts a charette Friendship Sunday Article & Photo S. Haskell

Typically, a charette brings together a group of people who are led through a short, focused study to brainstorm possibilities and create visual designs of the ideas generated. It usually produces a creative atmosphere where diverse ideas produce a wide range of possibilities.

This was certainly the experience of members of The Good Shepherd in Mt. Pearl on February 13, when

they met for such a planning session. The half-day event was organized to look specifically at building and property needs for the coming years. Moderated by Lynn Vivian-Book and Donna Ronan, it featured presentations by the Parish Planning Committee as well as representatives from fifteen different ministries and organizations of the parish regarding their needs and requests.

Small groups considered the information presented and brainstormed five main areas to envision how the property/building may be changed to facilitate ministry plans. Consequently, many exciting and creative floor plans and action lists were drafted. The congregation will receive a full report on Charette findings at the Parish Annual General Meeting, being held on March 28th.

at Cox’s Cove

Making Friends. St. Nicholas in Cox’s Cove recently held its first Friendship Sunday, it was a huge success. Pictured cutting the friendship cake are Joan Delaney and Wayne Payne. A good time of friends, food and fellowship concluded the evening.

Submitted by Millicent Park.

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ANGLICANLife online: www.anglicanlife.blogspot.com

Are young people less religious?

You might think the obvious answer is yes, of course they are, otherwise they’d be in church! Well, it might not be that straightforward.

There was a study done

by Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life on whether young people (20 somethings) are less religious than their parents’ generation. Ultimately the answer was yes…and no.

While there are more young people who do not identify with a particular religion (25% versus less than 20% of the parents’ generation at the same age) they are still very spiritual.

Many admit to praying daily and many hold beliefs about the afterlife, heaven and hell and miracles.

I don’t want to get into the merits of studies like this as there are arguments for and against and I’m not qualified to give you either. In my opinion statistics are only numbers and only as useful as those who interpret them.

However, I think we can all agree that yes there are less young people coming to church, so perhaps it is fair to say less young people identify with a particular faith. And it’s easy to see that young people are very spiritual, they believe in things like fate and karma afterall. It may, then, be fair to say that while young people aren’t going to church some of them do believe in God. Where does that leave

us, you ask?

Ultimately, young people are often looking for relevance in the Church. They want to be able to see how it makes a difference in their lives and why they should be a part of it. When they don’t find the answers, they go look somewhere else. Nowhere in the world is consumerism of religion more prevalent than in Western society such as ours.

During Lent I am reading Eugene Peterson’s “Under the Unpredictable Plant” and it is here that I really came to understand the consumerism point, I won’t take credit for coming up with it myself. It is however a valid point.

We’re born consumers,

from the moment we enter this world until they bury us in an expensive box, we are constantly being marketed to and seeking out the best, fastest, most efficient, fanciest of everything.

The younger generation wants to see action taken and change occurring.

They want to help others.

They want to see more equality and less poverty and discrimination. Does our church offer them that?

Maybe, but maybe we could be doing a better job of it.

What do we do? I might get myself in trouble here but this is what I have come up with: There needs to be more focus on outreach, at home and abroad and less time spent socializing. Fellowship is important and it

News

rounds in the Parish visiting parishioners. Her first priority is to elderly parishioners who find it difficult to get out to worship. Her ministry is a tremendous benefit to our Parish Family. (Parish of St. Michael & All Angels, St. John’s)

(Parish of Holy Innocents, Paradise)

we use none of the usual symbols of rejoicing, such as singing ‘Alleluia’. Even though Sunday is never a fast day, in order to encourage Lenten discipline we make Sunday services more sombre during Lent. (Cathedral Parish of St. John the Baptist, St. John’s)

Continued from Page 2

addressing one of the suggestions from our visioning in the early fall, is to help each of us develop a deeper understanding of the uniqueness of the message and power of the Gospel. It is always healthy to re-examine the foundation of our faith and to reaffirm why we believe in and follow our Lord. (Parish of St. Augustine’s, St. John’s) Our Parish Deacon The Rev’d Emeline CoffinStrickland has been making the

Good Friday Outdoor Stations of the Cross Cross. It will be held at Octagon Pond, and we will be meeting in the parking lot of the Old Town Hall on Topsail Road by 9:50 AM. What a great way for a family to come together and remember his sacrifice for us, and get some fresh air and exercise as we remember his act on that first Good Friday.

Did you know? Rev. Canon Edward Colley, our third Minister, was born in England and came out to Newfoundland in 1847. Prior to coming to Topsail in 1877 he had labored primarily in Fortune Bay. He was our longest serving priest and died at Topsail parsonage on December 28, 1904. He is buried here in our cemetery. ( Parish of St. John the Evangelist, Topsail) Where have all the flowers gone? Lent is a penitential season, and flowers are usually associated with rejoicing. For this reason the altar is bare, and

Youth group Prince Caspian study - All youth are invited to come to youth group every week on Sunday nights from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. for our Lenten study on Prince Caspian from the Chronicles of Narnia. All are welcome and of course there will be food and our traditional games! (Parish of the Ascension, Mount Pearl) Great Easter Road Rally Rally.

Take Holy Week, the Amazing Race and a touch of NASCAR racing, throw them in a blender and what comes out will look

columnist

Allison Billard

has a place in our church but there are people out there who need us more than we need tea and cookies after church or card games in the parish hall.

Outreach is difficult and challenging, tea and cookies are fun and easy, but no one ever said being a faithful follower of God would be easy.

something like the Great Easter Road Rally. Basically, a series of clues that revolve around Holy Week are left all around the city, and teams of youth race to try to be the first to find them. We do not break any traffic laws, and we always gather for food afterwards. It’s a fun way to explore the events of Holy Week. (Parish of St. Mark’s, St. John’s) Faith Café. To meet the needs of our parishioners ages 12-16 we have added the Faith Cafe to our 10am Sunday Worship. It opens each Sunday after our first hymn and closes in time for you to join others around the Lord’s Table for Holy Eucharist. You are invited to taste and see, to drink and be refreshed. Drop by to sit, sip and talk about life at Faith Café. (Parish of All Saints, Conception Bay South)

30 Roe Avenue, P.O. Box 348, Gander, NL A1V 1W7 Telephone: (709) 651-4100 Fax: (709) 256-2957 email: info@waltershoffe.com

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April 2010

Go North, young man!

columnist

Part Two of Archdeacon Francis Buckle’s first parish in Cartwright I had hardly settled in when I had a visit from a Lethbridge family (Gordon, Evelyn and Wallace). The Lethbridges normally lived at Paradise River at the head of Sandwich Bay. Gordon had found temporary work in Cartwright and the family was looking for accommodations.

I was delighted to oblige and missed them terribly when they moved to their home late fall, just prior to freeze-up. I am by nature a social person, nor do I possess many culinary skills. After the Lethbridges’ departure, Ralph and Viola Brown very kindly took pity on me and invited me to share the evening meal with them when I was at headquarters. Mr. Brown, incidentally, was the Principal of St. Peter’s school in Cartwright. The following year Jack and Sarah Holwell and their two children, Philip and Jackie, joined me in early fall and stayed until spring. It was in many ways an ideal arrangement: Sarah was an excellent cook and Jack, being

a very practical person, readily took on many outside responsibilities: fetching water and wood, and looking after Betsy! More importantly, he willingly became my guide on

that first year, and much to do and many adjustments to make. I began travelling almost immediately, and within a six month period had visited all of the winter communities

Salmon catching at Spotted Island: Sandy Elson and Francis Buckle. (As a way to enter more fully into the lives of local folk, the Buckles spent the month of July 1966 at Spotted Island, where Francis was part of Jack Holwell’s crew

the winter trips to the southern part of the Parish.

There was much to learn

and been in the homes of practically every parishioner. For the most part, these folk de-

pended on codfish or salmon for their livelihood. A few men, mostly those at Paradise, augmented their income by trapping, while a half dozen or so found employment at the American radar station located at Blackhead on the outskirts of Cartwright.

I was made aware early on that a number of families, primarily from the Sandwich Bay area, moved to their island fishing stations in late spring so as to be closer to the fishery. By the end of June, Cartwright and Paradise River, the two largest communities, were virtual ghost towns. The nine winter communities had now expanded to double that number, which presented all kinds of opportunities, as well as challenges, for ministry.

One of my failings is that I tend to take on tasks that I haven’t thought through carefully. Questions like: Am I capable of carrying this through?

Do I have the expertise, or the time? During the sixties

The Ven. Francis Buckle

Cartwright was receiving very little in the way of funding from the Provincial Government. Some local people, like John Hamel, had spent years trying to improve the lot of the community in his capacity as Mayor. He was tired and not a little frustrated by the needs of the community, and lack of any serious support by government. I was asked if I would consider becoming Mayor. I agreed and have a vivid memory of a meeting in Premier Smallwood’s office where we talked about some of Cartwright’s problems, and what government help might be available. It turned out to be very little! My foray into municipal politics was short lived. I had enough on my plate already: the “care of the churches”, to use St. Paul’s phrase, educational demands, travel within and outside the Parish, and a young family.

Queen’s College to honour Archdeacon Francis Buckle Article Dr. Tom Pope

It is with much pleasure that the Corporation of Queen’s College announces that the degree Doctor of Sacred Letters (honoris causa) will be conferred upon Archdeacon Francis Buckle at its forthcoming convocation on May 4, 2010, at the Parish of St. Augustine’s.

Francis was born in Forteau, Labrador to John and Mary Ann Buckle. He grew up there and his first nine years of schooling were on Buckle’s Point. In fact, his first three years of schooling were in a porch. He finished his last year of high school in St. Anthony where he lived at the Grenfell Orphanage and worked parttime in the barn – a barn, of course, has always held a special meaning for Christians.

From St. Anthony, Francis enrolled at Memorial University, graduating with a B.A. Degree. In the meantime, he became principal of the tworoom school at L’anse au Loup for three years. From there he entered Queen’s College where he earned a L.Th. He later obtained a B.D. through General Synod. In addition, he spent a fall term at Cuddesdon College

(Oxford) and a six week sabbatical at Virginia Theological College, coupled with numerous continuing education events during his long ministry. Francis was made a deacon in 1962 and priested in 1963. He was appointed by Bishop Martin Mate as the Archdeacon of Labrador in 1983.

Archdeacon Buckle spent thirty-three years in ordained ministry in Labrador: five (1962-67) at Cartwright, fourteen (1973-87) at Lake Melville and fourteen (19872001) at Labrador West. He also served as an assistant priest at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist (1970-73) and was incumbent of the parish of Bell Island (1967-70). It was during his parish ministry that he and his wife Gertrude raised their three children – Andrea, David and Paul.

At the community level, Archdeacon Buckle served as: mayor of Cartwright; first president of the Bell Island Association; chair of the Paddon Memorial Home Board; panel member (one of three) of the Environmental Assessment Board established to assess Brinex’s proposal to operate a uranium mine in the Makkovik - Postville area. He also served for years as either chair or member of the local school boards

in Labrador. More recently, he served on the Diocesan Archives Committee and, for the last three years, has been the archivist at Queen’s.

With respect to Archdeacon Buckle’s love for and commitment to ministry in Labrador, one could not find either a better or more persistent advocate for the church and the people he served. In a way, he embodied the call of St. Paul to Macedonia that St. Luke describes in the Acts of the Apostles. Except in the Archdeacon’s case, the call was not to Macedonia but to come across the Strait “to help us”.

Furthermore, it is important to note that he was not asking others to do what he was not prepared to do himself. During his years in Labrador, he had numerous other opportunities to serve the Canadian Church yet the call of “the Big Land” kept him there.

St. Luke seems to have had other influences on Archdeacon Buckle’s life. Luke was a writer, a missionary, a medic and was concerned with the wholeness of people. Archdeacon Buckle is also a writer, a missionary and, upon entering Queen’s, was giving very serious thought to the study of medicine. He later did several courses in that discipline.

Again, during his years in Labrador, the Archdeacon always found ways of entering more fully into the lives of the people. One summer, for example, his family moved to Spotted Island where he spent the ‘holiday’ fishing commercially for salmon.

Notwithstanding the significance of each of the above to the Archdeacon’s ministry, collectively they no doubt prepared him for what is one of his greatest ministries, namely writings on the Anglican Church in Labrador: Anglican Church in Labrador 1898-1998 (written on the occasion of the Anglican Church’s 150th anniversary in Labrador); Labrador Diary 1915-25; The Gordon Journals; Labrador Teacher: Clara Gordon’s Journals; My Own Mother’s Son: Stories My Brother James Stewart Told Me along with various articles in Anglican Life and Newfoundland Ancestor. A careful study of these books and articles reveals that they are far more than just an account of the Church’s past but rather are building on the foundation/corner stone of the apostles, prophets and earlier clergy. This theme is so apparent that it causes one to recall St. Paul’s message to the Ephesians: You are built upon the foundation laid by the apos-

tles and prophets, the corner stone being Christ Jesus himself.

He is the one who holds the whole building together and makes it grow into a sacred Temple dedicated to the Lord.

In union together with all the others into a place where God lives through his spirit. That is the message the Archdeacon portrays throughout his writings. That is the message he has personified in the whole of his ministry.

It is evident that Archdeacon Buckle has represented the Anglican Church of Canada in an exemplary manner. Albeit, like many of us, while not always agreeing with particular decisions he again, like many of us, found a way to work with them. So too he has represented Queen’s College in an outstanding way. That was so right from the beginning. For example, during each of his four years at Queen’s, he took second place in Memorial’s three mile race.

Members of the Corporation, the faculty and students express their most sincere gratitude to Archdeacon Buckle and offer him their most sincere congratulations.

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straight talk

The Easter Hare Have we been deceived by the Easter Hare? I mean, what is all this business about the Easter Bunny and coloured eggs and hot cross buns? Where did this originate and what has this to do with The Resurrection of Christ? Moreover, what has Easter become – just another Christian holiday secularized and commercialized?

We are led to believe that the name Easter means “resurrection of Christ.”

Did you know that Easter was originally a pagan holiday? The Easter Hare actually had its origin in preChristian fertility lore. The name Easter, which is merely the slightly changed English spelling of the name of the Assyrian and Babylonian goddess Ishtar, comes to us from old Teutonic mythology where it is known as Ostern. And so what we call Easter was actually an ancient pagan holiday in honour of the fer-

tility goddess Ishtar, which was usually celebrated in the spring time. The ancient Saxons celebrated the return of Spring with an uproarious festival commemorating their goddess of offspring and of springtime, Eastre. It just so happened that the Hare and the Rabbit were the most fertile animals known and they served as symbols of the new life during the Spring season.

It seems that the ‘Bunny’ as an Easter symbol had its origins in Germany, where it is first mentioned in German writings in the 1500s.

It was then later introduced to American folklore by German settlers to North American soil in the 1700s, and it wasn’t until the 1800s, following the Civil War in America, that Easter itself was widely celebrated and the Easter Bunny won some acclaim.

People often believe what has been handed down

to them without question.

This is not to insult our intelligence, but tradition can be both powerful and persuasive. So what did the early Christians celebrate?

They celebrated the Passover, a Jewish holy day and festival commemorating the Hebrews’ escape from enslavement in Egypt. Jesus celebrated the Passover.

The two significant changes were that the sacrificial Lamb is now Jesus of which the bread and wine become the symbols of his broken Body and Blood, and instead of celebrating our escape from Egypt, Christians celebrate their freedom from the bondage of sin and death through the Blood of Christ.

The Eucharist itself has its origins in the Passover Meal.

But here is the part that I find interesting. The early Christians were looking for converts, which for many was a suicide mission. To save lives, the early mis-

sionaries cleverly decided to spread their religious message slowly throughout the populations by allowing them to continue pagan feasts , but to do so in a Christian manner. As it happened, the pagan festival Eastre (Ishtar) occurred at the same time of the year as the Christian observance of Passover and the Resurrection of Christ. It made sense, therefore, to alter the festival itself, to make it a Christian celebration as converts were slowly won over. And so the early name, Eastre (Ishtar), was eventually changed to its modern English spelling, Easter. Now that’s what I call using the culture to win converts and it quickly brings to mind a couple of Scripture passages. In First Corinthians 9:19-23, Paul is essentially saying that he has ‘become all things to all people, that [he] might by all means save some.’ And then, ACTS 17:16-34, Paul

The Rev. Greg Mercer

uses the culture of Athens and brings their attention to the ‘unknown god’ in order to proclaim the Good News.

I’m not ready to give up on the Easter Hare yet if it continues to be a means of communicating the greatest news story of all time and winning new converts to Christ, but hey, why not a Newfoundland Dog or a Newfoundland Puffin? Let us get our thinking caps on!

How could we possibly use our culture effectively as a means of telling and sharing the Good News?

Cavendish celebrates 100 years Article & Photo Church of the Good Shepherd Anniversary Committee

The Church of the Good Shepherd in Cavendish had a very busy year celebrating 100 years of worshipping God. Although the Anniversary was spearheaded by the ACW, all the activities were a congregational effort.

Each month had a special event planned to help commemorate the Anniversary. In January a Potluck supper was held followed by a Church service. An Anniversary Calendar covering 100 years of church events was sold. February there was a Pancake breakfast. In March, the “Over the Top” band provided music for the worship. April saw us hold an Old-Fashioned Concert which was a great success. In May we held a Puppet Show for the children. In June, the woman of the church presented 472 articles of clothes to be sent to the Janeway. July was an Annual Flower Service at the cemetery. In August a Bake Sale was held and the “Eastern Gate” band accompanied by The Rev’d Garry Parsons from Portugal Cove visited the church. September was the Anniversary Dinner and Church service. Over 240 articles of clothing were given in October

to the Carbonear Hospital Gift Shop and Iris Kirby House. In November there was the Fall Sale and Hot Turkey Suppers.

The year closed in December

busy making Christian Survival Kits which were given to anyone who attended church services, throughout the year. Calendars and Book marks were

Good Shepherd’s oldest member Elizabeth Bishop cuts the Anniversary Cake with the church’s youngest member Blake Jackson. Photo by Patsy Bishop.

with a Christmas carol service with members of the United Church Choir joining us for the singing. At this service the famous Cavendish Christmas Carol was sung by the men in the congregation. This carol was composed by Mr. Harrison Bryant, our first Lay Reader in 1910.

Our Committee was very

made and sold. A Birthday Box was place in the church and proceeds went to the Primate’s World Relief Fund.

A Memorial Book was completed and sold, which was greatly enjoyed. The Members gave to the Food Bank, and also supported our adopted a boy in Guatemala. A new church door and windows were

donated by the congregation in memory of loved ones, and the men through their free labor installed them. Plus new siding was installed which will be all completed this spring.

A Flea Market was held to raise money to repair the vestry floor and to replace the carpet. Our Rector, The Rev. Eli Evans said, “Its garbage for Jesus. Thanks be to God for all our blessings.”

Our Anniversary Weekend was a special occasion. Our rector, The Rev. Eli Evans was the Master of Ceremonies at the Banquet. Bishop Cyrus Pitman and his wife helped us celebrate, as well as The Rev. David Hewitt, Rev. Fred Parrott, Rev. Morley Boutcher, Rev. Eugene Costello, Rev. James Miller, Rev. Elsie Pottle, and Captain Tony Brushett and their spouses. Rev. James Miller was our Guest Speaker and David Fowlow gave a de-

tailed history of the church. The church’s oldest member Elizabeth Bishop and the youngest member Blake Jackson cut the Anniversary Cake. The Eastern Gate Band accompanied by Ed and Judy Lear provided the after dinner entertainment.

The Anniversary Church service was uplifting and a joyous event. The Rev. Evans gave the address and used the same text that was used in 1909, “Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.” (Psalm 90) Our hearts were filled with sadness, joy, and thankfulness for the past and hope for the future.

All our undertakings were really a team effort and for this we are truly thankful. God has bestowed many blessings on us in the past 100 years as we struggled to walk in our forbearers’ footsteps.

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April 2010

Becoming an Anglican - part three Article Debbie Kaba

This is the third and final part in a three-part series of one woman’s journey into the Anglican Church through participating in the Liturgy.

As I walk to receive the Eucharist, I view the beautiful and artistic stained glass window of Christ on the cross. This visual reminder shows part of what my Lord went through during His passion. I love when the line seems long and I have more time to think on Christ’s mystery and Trinitarian love (Great Commandment). I am often teary-eyed as I hear the priest say, “The body of Christ” and he places the Bread of Life in my upraised hands.

Out of respect for others, I seldom participate in the common cup since I have a chronic communicable disease. But when I participate, the bitterness of the wine reminds me of the bitterness of the Saviour’s life and His overcoming power.

The bitter wine contrasts to the sweet bread – just as our lives have times of sweet joy and peace but also times of bitter inner strife and pain. Yet, through each season of life, bitter or sweet, Christ is intimately involved waiting for us to turn to Him. As I turn towards my seat, I see a statue of the resurrected Christ. My heart fills with joy at the reminder that the Master’s resurrection from the dead gives me hope of my own future resurrection. A miniEaster celebration consumes my heart as I think on this mystery.

As I return to my seat, I once again turn towards the Eucharistic table and give a small nod or bow to Christ.

I find this small act of huge spiritual significance. Just as I’d respectfully curtsy to the Queen of England, I show

honor to my soon-coming King of Kings.

Although I turned my back on Him to return to my seat, I have security that we live in full relationship.

I am reminded when my behavior and sins look like I have turned my back on Him – that He will always welcome me, His sometimes prodigal daughter, back into full relationship with Him. By the time I sit in my seat, my heart is usually overflowing in gratitude and thanksgiving for our Lord. Those three titles: Saviour, Master, King of Kings, are usually my meditations preparing for the group contemplation o n Trinitarian love after communion.

In the after-Eucharist silence, I often sit in the position I use during L e c t i o Divina with my palms up as a reminder to myself that all I am and have belongs to and comes from God, and my hand is open to receive all He desires to give to me.

Sometimes during The Great Feast, I meditate on the scripture, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” I pray that the taste of the Eucharist will open a deeper hunger for more of the spiritual life, for more of Christ, for more of the Word, to be more Christ-like. Sometimes I pray that for me personally and, at times, for

the gathered or worldwide church community.

Why do we have a special posture for our hands when receiving the Eucharist? We hold our hands in a cross position (right hand on top) as a reminder that Christ died on a cross for us.

It’s a reminder to me that we are told to pick up our cross daily to follow Him. (Luke 9:23) The right hand on top is a reminder to me that Christ now sits at the Father’s right hand. (Mark

14:62) Why do some people raise their crossed hands slightly as they receive the Body of Christ? To me, it is a reminder of our role in personal evangelism: “if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me.”

(John 12:32) Sometimes this leads me to meditate on how I can intentionally put aside my human selfishness and love others with Trinitarian love to draw

them to the Saviour.

Why are the remains of the consecrated bread covered while the common cup is being passed during midweek Eucharist? I was told it depicts the holiness and honor of having Christ among us: another small gesture with a rich potential to see more of Christ in the liturgy. A time I can reflect on how I can better exhibit Christ in me and see Christ in others – Christ covered with human flesh – the bread covered with the purificator.

Why is the oratory seating in the round?

Because the early church met in homes so chances are they didn’t set in rows looking at the back of each other’s heads.

The oratory space in Parish of the Resurrection has profound meaning for me, especially during participation of the liturgy. I love making eye contact with others and often pray for them as God draws my eyes their way. As I observe others participate in the liturgy, it has a synergistic effect of augmenting my participation and making it feel even more alive and real. I’ve discovered I’m not the only one who may have tears in their eyes after the communion feast; and even without words spoken, tear-sharing

is a bonding experience.

Except during liturgy, why does the wooden cross lay on the floor in the center of the oratory during ordinary time? This reminds us of Christ among us. God Most High came to earth in a human form to walk among us and lead us to our Father. When I see the cross lying there, I not only feel heartfelt gratitude, but I want to lie on the floor beside it, look up at imaginary clouds or stars on the ceiling and chat with my Lord about everything and anything. Although I’m not bold enough to plop myself on the carpet, it does encourage me to share more and more of my life, especially my inner life, with my Saviour and to trust Him to guide me on the journey home to Him. The first time I walked into the oratory my preconceived prejudices were intact. I presumed the liturgy would be a routine presentation, a performance by the clergy that might give a little inspiration and encouragement to the laity. I was genuinely amazed that was not what happened during liturgy and my prejudices fell away. With a little education the liturgy became extremely personal, participatory and not only connects me closer to God, to other participants but to the universal church. I’m finding most of the rhythms of the liturgical year build upon growth from the previous year causing intentional participation to become deeper and sweeter. I can’t imagine the spiritual richness of liturgical worship experienced by people who have celebrated the liturgy with intentionality for decades. I feel gratitude for my new, liturgical journey.

Through the liturgy, I have tasted new and succulent flavors of Christ and continue to see Him in fresh and deeper ways.

My next step of the journey: I hope to become a member of the Anglican Church when Bishop Pitman visits the parish.

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ANGLICANLife online: www.anglicanlife.blogspot.com

Burin Bay School, 1815 Our History David Davis

The Document The document below appears as it did in the Dorset FHS journal.

Please Deliver the enclosed to Mr. Bird Bay of Burine School Newfoundland 10th June 1815 Dear and Affectionate Brother

The document in this article was sent to the writer by Mrs Margaret Mullins of Fortune, Burin Peninsula. Mrs Mullins is one of the leading family historians of our province who has just completed a thousand page work on the families of her area. The original document first appeared in the journal of the Dorset Family History Society(England). The writer wishes to thank that society and the journal editor Mr Brian Scollar for permission to reprint this article.

The Thomas Bird mentioned may have been Thomas Bird an English Merchant who was trading on the west coast of Newfoundland and Labrador in this period. A period before regular mail services when trading ships often carried letters between ports for a fee or gratis.

In his own way Mr

William Tulk was conducting a boarding school just as Mr Bray at Harbour Grace was doing. Granted his school was very small but scarcity of schools gave him an opportunity.

Mr Tulk expresses a desire to see England again and this may tie in with another article in this series with a date of 1827. That article appeared in October 2008 issue of Anglican Life, page 8.

Even though conditions for the average person in England were not good in those years, family ties and the climate in the west of England would have been more hospitable than Newfoundland.

At the same time, Mr Tulk notes the family relationships between his people in England and Newfoundland although the North Atlantic makes the connection very tenuous.

Labrador West

I (?) embraced this opportunity in writing to you hoping by the blessing of Almighty God that this will meet you in good health and prosperity.

Dear Brother received my goods which I find to my satisfaction that you did everything in your power. I received a letter by my friend Clutworthy before I received my goods about 4 days before. He and wife lives about 30 yards from my school house. I have a house built this last winter..... I live in it (?) always keep boarders(?). I find by your letter you are over me in birth (or quality). I cannot say Dear Brother but I was astonished to hear of your great undertakings your writing speaks itself of your great improvement in worldly and heavenly affairs. Bond I understand is behaving very bad. I was for a few days very uneasy in my mind. I was informed that Bond was going to marry Sister. Cluthworthy’s wife said I might make easy about it as it was no good for him such an attempt.

Dear Brother I hope by the blessing of Almighty God to see you next winter although the people expect my getting married. I am the best judge of that affair depend on my word and handwriting that no such will take place. .... it should be pleased the Almighty for me to see my Native Country again it is out of respect that this people would wish for it as then they would be satisfied of my not leaving them, You might Dear Brother well know that I have work enough. I have six boarders with me. I am obliged to do everything myself. Cook and do everything belonging to my house.

Dear Brother I have one great consolation that is ... find a great comfort to our dear mother likewise satisfaction to our friends especially to the great and good Revd. John Parsons which I consider myself in duty bound ever to pray for. I hope and trust in Almighty God that we shall so lead our lives as we my meet in heaven. The good divine Jn Parsons wrote to me the other season “Mind first the kingdom of God and his Right ... and all other things shall be added unto you.” I hope and trust in Alm ... we does endeavour to mind that one thing ... Nothing in the world would give more satisfaction if it was the blessed will of Almighty God. to see you again yet I am happy as it is thanks be to God. What I done as I should be so fortunate as to meet with the approbation of that divine Jn Parsons. I hope the Almighty is preparing a place for him in Heaven which I trust he is and everyone that does endeavour to keep in the path.

Dear Mother I am a happy child in this world in reference to my giving you comfort. I hope and trust in God that I am making many good parents happy in this rocky wild and unchristian country. The Almighty as you observes on your letter to me seems to be working His righteous judgement on the earth. I have often thought and repeated the words of my friends what you said to me when leaving you. As you are going I shall consider it for the best we have every reason to say to bless Almighty God that it turned out for the best.

Dear Mother an elderly well looking man came to see me last Sunday. His name is Hollett. We had great discourse together. He told me he ... was relations. Grandfather he said was first cousin. He knew Wm Hollett well. His son built my school. They live in Burin.

I have got three of his grandchildren to school. They make as much of me as if I were the Governor. They all remember kindly to you. The old gentleman gave me an order for Mr Bird to admit thirty shillings to you in remembrance of Henstridge as that is the place they come from. You might recollect more than me as I know nothing about that part although so near to Sherborn. I heard from uncle Samuel. He sends me word he is coming home. .I am sorry to add that one of the grandsons of Mr Hollett was coming home to Henstridge this winter /or bound to it/. The vessel foundered at sea. We hear all was lost. He was a good young man very much regretted. He was an acquaintance of mine.

On Sunday 6 December 2009, Mrs. Rowena Payne was ordained to the permanent Diaconate at St. Paul’s Church in Labrador City. A large crowd was in attendance that evening as The Right Reverend Cyrus Pitman, Bishop of Eastern Newfoundland & Labrador conferred the sacrament of Holy Orders upon her.

Rowena’s role in the congregation will be to aid in pastoral visitation within the parish, assist on Sunday, and

carry out other duties as required from time to time.

Also, on 1 February 2010, The Reverend Wayne Parsons was officially installed as Rector by Bishop Pitman at St. Paul’s Church in Labrador City, after completing the covenanting agreement. Reverend Parsons and his wife Annette and son Noah joined the parish of Labrador West in August 2009 from his previous parish of Southeast Labrador. Submitted by Parish of Labrador West.

Dear Sister I am very happy of your good conduct. The Minister wrote me that you was a very sober young women. Depend on it you shall not want for anything whilst I am able to get for you. Mother will give you ten shillings out of the thirty and the other for herself. You can do anything you please yourselves. I give you thanks for your kind present. I have many more things to add. Be pleased to excuse haste. Please to write immediately to me and forward the letter to Mr Bird.

I remain Dear Mother Brother and Sister your most obedient devoted child and brogher.

William Tulk Teacher of Burin Bay This will serve for a Direction to me Miss(?) Clutworthy remembers their kind love(?) to you

ANGLICANLife

15

April 2010

columnist

Reality... at last Forty-eight year old Sue came face-to-face with the ultimate reality in the afternoon of February 10th. Up to that point her life had been nearly perfect, virtually trouble free. An attractive, healthy, active woman, Sue had married a handsome man who subsequently made all the money they needed, indeed, all they wanted.

Sue and Gus had chosen the “career route” as their lifestyle- travel, luxuries, and no children. And they’d really “enjoyed themselves” for almost thirty years.

Oh now and then they’d “get serious” and discuss “nasty” things like serious illness, old age- even, on one or two occasions, death. But these things seemed so alien to their smooth existence; and, luckily for them, serious tragedies always seemed to happen to other people.

And, oh yes, they even attended Church every now and then- Sue more often than Gus- and they paid their

“dues” and supported Church socials and the like. But the whole thing didn’t mean much to Sue or Gus. Church services seemed like pleasant rituals to them both and God somehow belonged more to the realm of the magic than the realistic.

Sue assumed things would go on like this indefinitely- at least for another twenty or thirty years. Lots of time to worry about “old age and stuff.”

So, Sue and Gus were in the midst of planning a trip to California this Easter season; after all, they’d been to Florida four years in a row.

Besides, EVERYBODY was about to go to Florida. But, flu-like symptoms that had started just before Christmas were not clearing up, despite medications. Indeed, they were surely getting much worse. Her concerned doctor had arranged exhaustive tests.

Then on February 10th, the dreaded “C-word”; Sue had cancer. Worse still, the silent

killer had spread. “Inoperable”, the doctor pronounced with regretful finality.

Sue- and Gus- went through all the stages of denial, anger and the rest. Gus finally settled into a state of gloomy depression that nothing could lighten or dispel. Reality, cold and ugly, had finally shattered the frothy fantasy that had been his life.

But Sue discovered in herself an unexpected streak of courage. Without medical or physical hope, she determined to try another source, the spiritual.

Lent began, and Sue attended every possible service. She read the Bible every day. Nothing “magic” happened, but at last there was something more substantial to think about than money and pleasure.

Good Friday came, and though she was feeling so ill, she decided to attend the three-hour service “Watch round the Cross”. Reluc-

The Haiti earthquake On January 12, 2010 a major earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 struck near Port-au-Prince, Haiti. An estimated three million people were affected by the earthquake.

On February 10 the Haitian Government gave a confirmed death toll of 230,000. The death toll is expected to rise. A high number of deaths probably have to do with poorly constructed buildings and bad infrastructure in the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere.

On our fragile earth, there are about 50,000 earthquakes annually.

Earthquakes can occur almost anywhere. Only very few of them are great enough to cause substantial damage if their centres are near regions of habitation.

The deadliest earthquake on record took place on January 23, 1556 in Shaanxi, China where 830,000 people died. Yet, earthquakes are necessary to recycle lifeessential nutrients back to the continents.

The huge loss of lives in Haiti causes me to reflect on life and death. Life is not fair. 30 million Russians died during Joseph Stalin’s

reign of terror. At least 13 million Chinese died during the Second World War. Today there is more than enough food in the world to feed everyone, yet many still go to bed hungry every night.

On the day after the Haiti earthquake Pat Robertson of the 700 Club claimed the Haitians are being punished for a “pact with the devil” made by their ancestors two hundred years ago. Others believe that Haiti is cursed. I do not believe that the Haitians died because of their sin.

We die because Adam and Eve disobeyed God. Death comes to us as a result of living in a fallen world. We do not die because of our own acts of sin; otherwise, babies would not die. One of my brothers died when he was 12 days old. No 12day-old baby is old enough to commit any acts of sin.

Jesus came into the world to destroy death. His death is the death of death.

The entire penalty for our sins has been paid for by Jesus. Throughout our lives we never have to pay any penalty for sin. When we experience pain, suffering and death in this life, we

The Rev. Michael Li

should never think it is because God is punishing us.

God is not the author of natural disasters. On January 12, 2010 God did not send a major earthquake that killed so many people in Haiti.

Let us continue to pray for the people in Haiti. Let us continue to support the agencies which are engaged in rebuilding Haiti in the months and years ahead.

tantly, Gus accompanied her.

Gus couldn’t take all the “morbid details” of the Crucifixion, so he had to leave after and hour-and -a-half.

Sue stayed, fascinated by a love so vast that it endured excruciating death for blind, stupid, indifferent sinnerslike HERSELF, she finally realized. For the first time in her life, religion, Good Friday, Jesus Christ, became PERSONAL. Jesus had died for HER! Jesus had died. At home Sue became depressed at the thought of her imminent death. All the horrors of the crucifixion reminded her of how awful death could be, and she cried in agony.

Now it is early Easter morning and Sue is again in Church. The bare altar of Good Friday is richly dressed and bright fragrant flowers crowd the sanctuary. The rising sun streams through the windows, reflecting off a polished brass Cross. The Good Friday gloom – the sense of

Ronald Clarke

death – is gone!

“Christ the Lord is risen today,” the choir and congregation sing in triumph.

“Lives again our glorious King; where, o death is now thy sting?”

Sue joins in the next verse, “Made like Him, like Him we rise: Ours the Cross, the grave, the skies!” An indescribable new sensation surges through her.

Having already accepted the reality of her death, Sue now anticipates at last the glorious reality of her resurrection with Jesus Christ. Jesus rose, so too will she! And so, thank God, we all will!

Indian Bay quiet day A Quiet Day was held at the Indian Bay Community Centre in the Parish of Indian Bay on February 27 from 10 am. to 2 pm. with approximately 36 persons in attendance.

The event was organized

by Reverend David Coffin, Rector of the Parish, who led the opening prayer. Guest speaker, Reverend Perry Cooper, Executive Officer of the Diocese, gave three very informative, inspirational talks, each of which was followed by group discussion.

Then individuals present were given the opportunity to share their thoughts.

At noon we took a break to share in a delicious lunch and fellowship.

Rebecca Hewitt, an honorary member of St. Barnabas ACW who has been ill, accompanied by her daughter and grand-daughter, paid a surprise visit for the afternoon session. Both

Rebecca and Lydia Parsons from Indian Bay were celebrating their birthdays so we sang a rousing Happy Birthday.

Those in attendance agreed that the Quiet Day was a great experience. Comments were made that a lot had been learned, the talks were powerful and that we had been given much food for thought.

Reverend Perry remained in the Parish and preached at a very spiritual parish service held at St. John The Baptist Church, Wareham on Sunday, February 28.

Many thanks are extended to Reverend Perry and Reverend David for their efforts to feed us spiritually and draw us closer to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Also thanks to the ladies of the four ACW groups who fed our physical bodies with a delicious lunch. Submitted

by Trudy Collins.

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ANGLICANLife online: www.anglicanlife.blogspot.com

you hLife youth ministry news

Meet the Soul Searchers Fortune/LamalineYouth group have active ministry Article & Photos Beverly Buffett

Members of the Soul Searchers Youth group helped prepare a snow sculpture which was shaped to resemble a tomb. Originally three crosses were supposed to be placed by the tomb for our Good Friday Service.

Unfortunately, it did not last until Good Friday the warmth from the sun melted it away fast.

This did not diminish the group’s spirit and they along with the Sunday school took part in the Good Friday service. The service began with the group going out to the front lawn of the church where three crosses were displayed and bringing in the middle cross.

The youth were asked to carry the cross up the steps of the church and down the aisle to the front of the church. Here the youth sat at the foot of the cross and waited as Rev Neal and Rev. Lochleigh did a meditation of the cross. This very powerful symbolic act portrayed to the congregation how Jesus carried his own cross through the streets on his way to Golgotha.

The Soul Searchers Youth Group were given coin boxes and raised $424.95 for the Haiti Fund. Way to go Soul Searchers!

Members of the Soul Searchers Youth Group from the Parish of Fortune - Lamaline came prepared on April 29th to clean up the Anglican Cemetery in Fortune. It was a beautiful sunny evening but the wind was blowing which made it tremendously cold. Despite the cold, the youth had fun doing their clean up and we had a boil up with hot chocolate and timbits from Tim Hortons.

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