ANGLICANLife
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December 2009
ANGLICANLife December 2009
in NEWFOUNDLAND
&
A Section of the ANGLICAN JOURNAL
LABRADOR
A Gift for Christ Article Olive M. Grunert
People, Look East People, look east. The time is near Of the crowning of the year. Make your house fair as you are able, Trim the hearth and set the table. People, look east and sing today: Love, the Guest is on the way. Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim, One more light the bowl shall brim, Shining beyond the frosty weather, Bright as the sun and moon together. People, look east and sing today: Love, the Star, is on the way. Angels announce with shouts of mirth, Him who brings new life to earth. Set every peak and valley humming With the word, the Lord is coming People, look east and sing today: Love, the Lord, is on the way. Words: Eleanor Farjeon, 1928 Music: ‘Besançon’, traditional French carol
Have you ever gone to a birthday party and gave your present to someone else instead of the birthday person? Is that what we are doing these days as we search for a gift for a family member or friend? What about Jesus? I wonder what He would want from us for a gift for His birthday? I was thinking back over the years and how much more we shared with each other at Christmas time. Neighbours competed with their Christmas cakes and how the houses were decorated on the inside. New mats were laid by the front door to welcome people as they came in and ‘good will’ was in the air. Children would go door to door singing carols. I remember I was part of a choir with St. John the Evangelist in Corner Brook and we enjoyed doing this year after year. There were twice the choir practices and decorating the church and Jesus were first and foremost with us. We shared the little bit we had and it was all about giving and caring during this beautiful season. It was about Peace and Goodwill toward all people. As a grandmother now, I walk through the malls and see the confusion and the extravagance - little children asleep in these cold shopping carts, people looking stressed, boxes of expensive toys torn up around the floor and in the background you hear ‘Silent Night’ play-
ing amidst all this chaos. “What a sin,” I think and it saddens me to my very soul. I have decided to bring the old fashioned Christmas back into our home this year and spend more time at Church celebrations and sing carols when family come. The grandchildren will hear stories about my Christmas as a child. Stories about how we only competed with our Christmas cakes and tidy homes and not decorating on the outside to keep up with the Jones. We shared and were all happy. This Christmas, I will kneel quietly in my church at St. John the Evangelist in Topsail before the services, encouraging others to maybe prepare themselves for worship and to socialize later. I will walk with my husband up to the church doors, cold snow scrunching under my feet, and tell Jesus how grateful I am to Him for all His patience and understanding with me. I will ask Jesus to cleanse my heart and accept it as a birthday gift. We are looking forward to a quiet Christmas this year, but one of sharing and love, peace and humility, always looking out to help someone else along the way as He would have us do. I pray with God’s help we will do what’s pleasing in His sight this beautiful Season. Have a Blessed Peaceful Christmas everyone, and may it also be Merry.
Anglican Life wishes you a Blessed Advent and Holy Christmas
SERVING THE ANGLICAN DIOCESES OF WESTERN NEWFOUNDLAND + CENTRAL NEWFOUNDLAND + EASTERN NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR
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News & Announcements St. Thomas Christmas Dinner Plans are Outreach Dinner: underway for St. Thomas 8th Outreach Christmas Day Dinner. This Dinner reaches out to everyone in the community that wishes to avail of a lovely meal (at no charge) and fellowship on Christmas Day. This outreach ministry provides the opportunity for the love and compassion that Christ taught us. Transportation is available for all, including Wheelway Service. For further information contact the Church Office at 576-6632, Extension 401 and leave a message, or, you can e-mail us at Christmas_dinner@hotmail.com and one of our Committee members will contact you. (Parish of St. Thomas, St. John’s) When Chris Tiller accepted the position of Church Warden, little did he know what he was getting himself into! He never thought it meant declaring “I gotta get me moose, by’s”. But that is just what the job entails! Game wardens are no longer permitted to give road kill to charities. Instead, registered charities may apply for a moose license of their own. The license has to be issued in the name of the charity and the designated hunter must be someone who has not qualified for a license of his or her own. St. Augustine’s has applied for a license and
Chris is our designated hunter. Good luck, Chris! Our second annual Moose Fest is depending on you. (Parish of St. Augustine’s, Stephenville) As our nation begins the journey through recession to recovery we continue to ask, “Is social justice on Canada’s economic agenda?” “Is Ottawa narrowing the gap between rich and poor – or making it wider?” The Religious Social Action Coalition of Newfoundland and Labrador invites you to a public meeting to address these issues with keynote speakers, Historian Robert Sweeney and Archbishop Martin Currie. A wide variety of religious leaders and politicians will be present to engage in an open panel discussion on this critical issue of community concern. This event took place at St. James United Church, Elizabeth Avenue on 17 November. (Parish of New Hope) A recent concert featuring Cantus Vocum of St. John’s raised over $1800.00 – half to go to the outreach effort of donating the cost of a well in India. Our Sunday School is preparing for their Christmas Program on December 20 – all support is appreciated! The children are also working on a Jesse tree for
Advent. A Christmas Celebration will be held on December 4 – marking the end of the 50th Anniversary celebrations with the sealing of the fifty-year time capsule. (Cathedral Parish of St. Martin’s, Gander) Thursday Evening Youth Cafe: Every Thursday from 7p.m. to 9 p.m. our parish will offer a Youth Cafe to the youth of our community (13 years of age and older). It is an opportunity for young people to just spend some time with each other. There will be lots of snacks and music. Most nights the Cafe will be at the church hall but occasionally it will be held elsewhere. Please spread the word about this new venture in Youth Ministry and perhaps consider getting involved yourself. (Church of the Good Shepherd, Mount Pearl) Thanks to the Youth Group: Last Saturday afternoon the Youth Group gathered in the northwest garden of the Cathedral to help plant 245 spring bulbs for flowering next year. 180 daffodils were given by Ann McKenzie in memory of husband Wallace, Nicholas Facey gave 35 mixed crocus bulbs and the remaining mixed narcissus were bonus bulbs which the Cathedral received from Veseys Bulbs as a thank
you for our recent fundraising event. In spite of the chilly temperature and the ever present threat of more rain, the sun shone for a brief time while the bulbs were planted. Many, many thanks to the Youth Group for their help and enthusiasm - this couldn’t have happened without their participation. (Cathedral Parish of St. John the Baptist, St. John’s) The Anniversary of All Saints Church - It was fortyeight years ago today (All Saints’ Day) that the Rt. Rev. John Meaden, Bishop of the Diocese of Newfoundland laid the cornerstone of All Saints Church. It had only been sixtytwo days earlier that the decision had been made to build an Anglican Church in Fortune. It was on April 21 of the next year that the first service was held in the basement. The church was later completed inside at a cost of $70,000.00. The debt was eliminated in 1969 and the church was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. R.L.Seaborn on November 2. The church then became one of the churches in the Parish of Lamaline. In 1980 the extension was added while the church was a part of the Parish of Grand Bank. Today it is the headquarters for the Parish of Fortune-Lamaline. We give thanks to God for those
people who had the vision and the dedication to carry it through and for the many people who have supported the church in the years since. And we pray that the support will continue in the years to come. (Parish of Fortune/Lamaline) We welcome a new member to our clergy ministry team - The Rev. Dr. Alex Faseruk Faseruk. Fr. Alex has enjoyed an active ministry within our church for many years. His spiritual home has been St. Mark’s, St. John’s, where he has served as an ordained Deacon. On October 19, 2009 he was ordained a Priest in the Church of God. Fr. Alex will be offering his ministry service to our parish in a non-stipendiary role. ( Parish of Pouch Cove/ Torbay) The Bishop would like to announce that he will be ordaining Sam Butler, Robert Earle, Gladys Harvey and Keith Sheppard to the Perpetual Diaconate on St. Andrew’s Day, November 30, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in St. John’s. (Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland & Labrador) Servers: Servers assist
See Bulletins Continued on Page 7
ANGLICANLife
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December 2009
Raising funds to fight AIDS In August 2009, The Eastport Peninsula AIDS Awareness Committee (EPAAC) held its sixth annual fund raiser - the last five being gospel concerts. All the events were held at Holy Cross Anglican Church and the total amount raised to date is approximately $8,300.00. All monies go to World Vision where it is channelled to areas known to have children and adults suffering with HIV/AIDS. The EPAA Committee is comprised of Bishop Edward and Emma Marsh, Maisie and Norman Purchase, Beatrice Mitchell, Linda Newhook, Selby and Sylvia Moss. Ms. Newhook is a member of the United Church - Church of the Good Shepherd, thus mak-
ing the committee ecumenical. Performers for the concerts over the years have come from Valleyfield, Grand Falls, Glovertown, Gander, Gambo, and the Eastport Peninsula. Gospel concerts are catching on in this area and on October 11, the annual Eastport Peninsula Agricultural Exhibition clued up its summer activities with the fourth and final gospel concert for the season. Thanks go out to the committee, performers, and those who patronized these worthwhile events.
Article Selby Moss Member EPAAC
Where is the Rev’d John Tyrrell? Over the years there have been many clergy who have came and left in both the former Diocese of Newfoundland and after restructuring into the three dioceses in the province. Sometimes people may be curious as to where some of these clergy went when they moved from here. One such C.C.F.A. (Clergy-Come-From-Away) was the Rev. John Tyrrell who served as Assistant Priest in the Parish of Burin during the late 1960s when the Rev. Owen Coffin was Rector. During 1970, John moved back to the mainland from whence he had come. Some people in the Parish of Burin may remember John Tyrrell, especially those of St. Mary’s congregation, Marystown, because that geographical area was his particular responsibility. Over the past 30-40 years I have been able to keep track of John Tyrrell, particularly through the Northern Lights, the journal of the Diocese of Yukon from where John served
for a number of years and then retired as an Archdeacon. The following item from the Summer/Fall 2009 edition of Northern Lights is the most recent update on John Tyrrell’s career:
John Tyrrell
Retired Theoretically But Not In Reality! On May 31st 2009, the following announcement was made to the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf: “The Bishop in Cyprus and the Gulf, the Right Reverend Michael Lewis, is
Talking to children about stewardship It’s that time of year again - Christmas, New Year’s resolutions and tax time. These three events should remind us to look back on this year and ask ourselves if we have given our Church the support it badly needs. Have we been good stewards of our time, talent and treasure? One reaction to that question comes from stewardship writer J. Gregory Pope who suggests “we live in a materially elite culture where we own more things, have more food and are more entertained than almost any other people in history.” But he goes on to say that “Church members give less of their income than their counterparts did at the height of the Great Depression.” Even if that statement is partly correct, it is still a sad commentary on our lives as stewards. And, what an example we are making for our children! Pope also says that the greatest gift we can give our children is a legacy of Christian stewardship. We do not get a second chance to create those important early experiences. MacKenzie Investments report that 87% of Canadians agree that
charitable giving is an important value to instil in our children, according to Gordon Powers writing in Your Guide to Charitable Giving. Roughly 70% of women and 55% of men said they would likely have this conversation with their kids. And so they should. We make kids brush their teeth because it’s good for them. Why not teach them to give and serve at the same time. Powers has some practical suggestions including getting your children involved early with initiatives such as helping with a food bank, visiting or reading with residents at a nursing home, and writing appreciation cards to military service members. He suggests two valuable online resources: www.learningtogive.org and www.global fund forchildren.org Powers also recommends a little book, The Charity Glove, written for children between four and eight years old. It’s about a little girl, Kaitlyn, who plays baseball with her father. She is saddened to learn that not all the children who play at the recrea-
tion centre can afford their own baseball gloves. Kaitlyn donates a glove to the youth centre and the boy who receives it goes on to become a professional player. Later in life he too gives back to the same youth centre that supported him. In conclusion, as I begin my tenth year in gift planning with the Anglican Church, I want to thank
bishops, clergy and lay leaders as well as the Department of Philanthropy at Church House who have endorsed planned giving and supported my ministry. We are making a difference. Finally, my wife Kay and I would like to wish you and yours a happy and blessed Christmas and a marvellous new year.
pleased to announce the appointment of the Venerable John Tyrrell, formerly Archdeacon of the Klondike and Rector of Dawson City in the Diocese of Yukon, Church of Canada, and latterly a locum interregnum chaplain in the Diocese of Gibraltar in Europe, to be Dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral, Nicosia, Cyprus.” From St. Paul’s, Dawson City to St. Paul’s, Nicosia! From buildings made of wood to buildings made of stone. From a church that used to be a cathedral to a current cathedral. Retired Archdeacon John Tyrrell and Rev. Deacon Carol Tyrrell will be moving to Nicosia in October and John will be installed as the Dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral, Nicosia on Saturday evening, November 21st. Please keep John and Carol in your prayers as they make the move and for their ministry in Nicosia.” Article Canon Ralph Billard
stewardship
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 45 Tildacane Place Conception Bay South, NL A1X 3C7 (709) 834-9190 (h) 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. Articles and photographs: Send to the Editor-in-Chief (above) Parish Bulletins and Letters to the Editor: Send to the Editor-in-Chief, Sam Rose (address as above). All letters must include the writer’s name, address, and telephone number. Telephone numbers will not be published. 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. Layout & Design: Sam Rose Printed by: Signal Star Publishing, A Division of Bowes Publishers Limited, Industrial Park, 120 Huckins Street, Goderich, Ontario, N7A 4B6
Circulation: 22,961
The best of reasons During the last week of October I assisted at a wedding ceremony for a family friend at Christ Church in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. I walked up the steps of the church with a relative of the groom and I happened to ask him if Christ Church was his parish church. And he replied, “Yes, it is. And I attend it faithfully once a year.” For my friend and for many others who attend church once a year, that “once-a-year” service is likely to be one of the services on Christmas Eve. As I went to a pew to pray, I offered up a little prayer for my friend and the many others who will be coming to church on Christmas Eve after an absence of a year or more. I prayed that they might receive a warm and unconditional welcome; that they might hear the good news of the birth of the Saviour; that the good news might impact them in new and amazing ways; and that they would leave the
service, wanting to return, not just next Christmas, but many times in between. When I was a child growing up in Forteau, our priest was stationed in Flowers Cove and we would see him just a couple of times a year and never at Christmas when travelling conditions were particularly challenging. That all changed in 1969 when Rev’d Allan Brake came among us as a fulltime clergyperson for the Labrador Straits. That first Christmas that he was in the parish, services took place in all the congregations on Christmas Eve. Rev’d Allan gathered together a number of young people who played musical instruments and we provided the music for the wonderful Christmas carols. The memories of those services stay with me even today. For the first time we were eucharistically celebrating the birth of Jesus: young people, older people and every age in between. You might say that I
guest editorial The Rev. Nellie Thomas
used to have the best of reasons for not going to church: lack of opportunity – there were quite simply very few services to attend. You might think that my Dartmouth friend had no such “best of reasons”. But there are all kinds of reasons why people become estranged from the fellowship of their church. And not knowing what kind of reception they are going to receive, it is not all that easy to return to the fellowship. And yet, every Christmas Eve many of them will take that risk and come. May those of us whom the Lord has given the opportunity to welcome others in, be as welcoming and hospitable as we can possibly be. May those who visit our churches this Christmas Eve find the good reason for coming back again and again: Jesus, the very best of reasons, who said “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”
Book Review
Reviewed by Canon Frank Cluett
“The Master Missionaries: Sermons from Acts” by Dr. R. Sheldon MacKenzie A master preacher him- language in both Gospel and self, as well as a Biblical Acts is symbolic. Symbols Scholar and pastor, Dr. are used to describe an event MacKenzie, in this his latest when nothing else will volume of sermons, chal- do”(p.16). He also uses (very lenges both the readers and effectively) the stories from listeners with his preaching the Hebrew Scriptures as on the text of The Acts of the Apostles. The sermons are written with his own unique use of both language and poetic style. This collection of nineteen sermons is based on readings from The Acts of The Apostles as designated in The Common Lectionary. However, the author does not treat the stories of Acts as factually true in every detail. They may be, St. Paul preaching in the synagogue but need not be in order to have a message for contemporary Chris- proto-types for the interpretians. After he places the tation of the stories of Acts. story of the particular read- Of course, these were the ing in its historical context, Scriptures in which the first Dr. MacKenzie interprets the followers of Jesus (and we language allegorically and ourselves) were steeped. The symbolically and as express- sermons also contain pering theology more than his- sonal experiences, coupled tory, so as to apply it to liv- with a gentle humour, to both ing in this century. Of the of which the listener (or stories of Paul he writes, “It reader) can easily relate. is not a logbook of Paul’s Dr. MacKenzie, in these journeys.”(p. 122). Of the sermons, handles theological Ascension he writes, “The questions in a way that I be-
lieve is very sensitive to his listeners. The sermons deal with issues, (e.g. miracles) in a way that raises the interest of the listeners. But, he resists the temptation to take his listeners from the pulpit too deeply into the theological scholarship in which he himself has been well schooled – and most of them have not! As a teacher, he leaves that for a forum where the audience will more likely ask questions of the speaker. As a preacher, he respects the advice which he was given, which he quotes in the Introduction, “Please do not kick the body of Christ...”. The book has an excellent bibliography and is a good resource for preachers. It is an equally good resource for the study of “Acts”. The footnotes are very helpful, especially so when variants in the early manuscripts are noted (see page 123, note 3). The book is available locally from The Resource Centres of the three Newfoundland & Labrador dioceses and I highly recommend it.
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December 2009
bishop’s letter
Christmas children “In the fullness of time, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father! So you are no longer a slave but a child and if a child then also an heir, through God.” — Galatians 4:4-7 St. Paul is giving us a quick glance at how slaves become God’s children by adoption. In the eyes of Paul his Hebrew ancestors were condemned by the law and
the law prohibited Gentiles from belonging. Paul is mindful of the promise made to our forefather Abraham who would have enough offspring to cover the whole world yet he sees the law as something rendering God powerless in reaching them. So what happened? G. K. Chesterton said, “Hope means hoping when things are hopeless or it is no virtue at all.” When we were in a hopeless situation, God came and defeated another human impossibility. A child was born, “God sent his Son” says St. Paul. A child born of a woman, born
under the law, entered the slave-market and bought our freedom from sin, death and the powers of evil. Then we have to listen to Paul’s second claim: “God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts”. Not only are we people of the Nativity and Resurrection we are also Pentecost people. What God accomplished in the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem God now accomplishes in the birth of everyone into whose heart the Spirit is poured out and on whose lips we hear the cry ‘Abba, Father’. Using the word, “Abba” is a matter of endearment. It is a language
of restoration, closeness and belonging. A psychiatrist was walking through the wards visiting the hospital. He was intrigued by one of his patients who sat by himself in a corner scratching for hours on end. He asked the patient why he huddled like this all day long and the patient replied, “I am the only one who knows where I itch”. The joy of this season is coming out to hear the story of our closeness to God. It is a sign of our belonging to God and God’s family. Come and worship and be reminded again in this holy season that there is Some-
Christmas consumerism Recently, I was on a flight surrounded by a group of four or five young professionals. They had been to Toronto at a company meeting. Their conversation was non stop. First they dissected co workers. The senior manager had lost hair and wore last year’s suit; the female executives sported very bad hair styles and had gained weight. After the review of their fellow workers, they started on “stuff”. One had gotten a pair of shoes for “just” three hundred dollars. Another had been looking at jewelry, for her ten year old. They talked of suits and dresses and then of houses and furniture and cars; animated, deeply committed conversation about “stuff.” Finally they moved on to “Christmas.” Christmas
was coming up and there were parties to plan, gifts to buy, a trip to organize, new outfits to get. (There is someone at their Halifax office who has worn the same outfit for the past two Christmas parties - apparently a fashion faux pas). As I sat alone in the Halifax airport awaiting the final leg of my journey home I thought of their conversation. My disquiet at their conversation slowly changed to disquiet over my own behavior. I came to a grudging acceptance of the integrity of these people, and to a growing unease with my own lack of integrity. My fellow travelers were who they were - unabashed consumers, committed to the secular ideal of appearing better than the competition and accumu-
lating stuff. However, I claim to be different; we Christians claim to be different - but are we? The sad reality is that at the end of Christmas my Visa report, my debit card receipts, the rubbish I leave at the curbside, the stuff I consume, will not be a great deal different than theirs. I will have made contributions to the church and secular charities that they may not have made. I will, more than likely, have spent more time in church than they had, but will my Christmas celebration, outside the time I spend in church and saying my prayers, be any different from those for whom Christmas is merely a celebration of consumerism? When we gather with friends and family will our conversations be kinder, more generous, and more
faithful? When we go to church will we notice if someone is wearing last year’s style? My wish for those of us, who find ourselves dissatisfied with the orgy of consumerism and greed, is that we don’t do it, this year. God came among us so that we may be whole Let us honor that - God among us, God alive in us - rather than honor the greed that surrounds us. This year, let us tell a different story in our Visa bills and debit receipts. Let our story include Primate’s Fund, and Oxfam and the local Food Bank, a homeless shelter, a women’s shelter, and other worthy causes. Let our gifts be moderate in price and extravagant in care and love. Better still, as we travel the busy malls, surrounded by frantic, worried people, let
Bishop Percy Coffin Diocese of Western Newfoundland
one who knows where we itch, Someone who, by adoption and grace, calls the family together. In the peace of Christ,
bishop’s letter
Bishop David Torraville Diocese of Central Newfoundland
us commit “random acts of senseless kindness” in the name of our Lord. Stand back and let someone else go ahead, give the cashier your very best smile, your heartfelt Merry Christmas and your blessing. This Christmas, may the Lord grant you the stillness of heart and the peace of mind to enjoy it.
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ANGLICANLife in pictures
Saying Farewell to a Friend. The Anglican Parish of Labrador West said farewell to a dedicated and loyal parishioner on 13 September 2009. Allan Dumaresque (left), during his 42 years in Labrador West, served his Parish as Warden, Parish Council member, Vestry member and also served as Joint Board of Management representative. When Allan arrived in Labrador West, there was no official Anglican Church building in which to worship. He became a catalyst in the organization and facilitation of constructing a church building. Three years after he arrived, he brought his family to settle here and raised them within our Parish. We wish Allan all the very best that God has to give as he settles into his new routine in Paradise, NL. Submitted by
Newly Elected Provincial Prolocutor. The Provincial Synod of the Ecclesiastical Province of Canada was held in Gander from September 10-13, 2009. At this time, Marg Jenniex, a member of St. Martin’s Cathedral, was elected Prolocutor for The Provincial Executive of The Ecclesiastical Province of Canada. In this position, Marg serves as deputy to the Metropolitan – in this case, The Rt. Reverend Claude Miller, who was also elected at The Provincial Synod. Currently, Marg fills the role of Program Officer at the Synod Office in Gander. Her St. Martin’s family wishes for her to have a blessed experience during her time as Prolocutor. In the photo: (left) The Most Reverend Claude Miller – newly elected Metropolitan for the Ecclesiastical Province of Canada stands with newly elected Prolocutor Marg Jenniex. Submitted by Stella Walsh.
Parish of Labrador West.
God calls four new priests Four New Priests. It was a glorious evening when God called four new priests into service in Christ’s Holy Catholic Church. Bishop Cyrus Pitman of Eastern Newfoundland & Labrador ordained the Rev’ds (left to right) Alex Faseruk, Irene Sutton, Nancy Marsh, and Juliet Nurse-Dicks to the Sacred Priesthood at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist on 19 October 2009. The preacher was Archdeacon Sandra Tilley who called the ordinands to focus on serving God today because we do not know if there will be a tomorrow. The Cathedral was filled with family and friends who came to support the four newly ordained. The Rev’d Alex Faseruk will serve as a non-stipendery priest in the Parish of Pouch Cove-Torbay. Rev’d Irene Sutton serves as Rector of the Parish of Southeast Labrador along with Associate Priest Rev’d Juliet Nurse-Dicks. The Rev’d Nancy Marsh is serving as an Associate Priest in the Parish of the Holy Trinity. Submitted by the Editor.
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December 2009
250 years of ordained ministry
250 years of ordained ministry. On 31 May 1959 five young men were ordained as deacons by Bishop J.A. Meaden, assisted by Bishop R.L. Seaborn, in the Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, St. John’s. On 31 May 2009, these five men met again in the same Cathedral to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of their ordination. Collectively they represent 250 years of service to the Church in this Province. Photo (L to R): The Rev’ds Frank Cluett, Morley Boutcher, Andrew Hall, Walter Hammond, and Alfred Wardham. In the back row are their wives: Matilda Cluett, Madeline Hall, Patricia Hammond, and Elizabeth Wareham (Mrs. Boutcher is deceased). Submitted by Canon Frank Cluett. Blaketown Anniversary: On 12 June 2009, the 120th anniversary of St. Barnabas Church in Blaketown was celebrated with past and present clergy in attendance. The clergy included were the Rev’ds Shirley Noseworthy, Roger Whalen, Sylvia Hodder, Gordon White, Roy Hatcher, and Edward Keeping. It was also celebrated by the families of the church. The Master of Ceremonies was Reg Standford and the cutting of the cake was made by two of the sweetest ladies in the town - Lizzie Drover and Winnifred Osbourne. Submitted by Kim Mercer.
Bulletins Continued from Page 2 the clergy with services. Before all services they prepare the hymn boards, place required books and bulletins on the seats behind the altar, light the candles, carry the cross and candles during the procession, assist the priest to prepare the communion table and receive the offering. We also have “special outings” and go bowling, or have a meal at a restaurant. Once a year servers from Parishes in Western Newfoundland meet overnight for fellowship and fun at Killdevil. Any one who is interested in taking part in this aspect of church life please contact Rev. Edmund Laldin. (Parish of Pasadena/Cormack) Bishop Pitman wishes to announce the following transfers - The Rev’d Darroch Fagan accepted an appointment with the Diocese of Nova Scotia and PEI as Rector of the Parish of All Saints by the Sea, Canso, effective November 1, 2009. The Rev. Glenn Small has accepted an appointment as Rector of the Parish of Windsor/Bishop’s Falls in the Diocese of Central Newfoundland, effective November 16, 2009. ( Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland & Labrador)
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AL online: www.anglicanlife.blogspot.com Article Sue Ann Tilley
To the Glory of God
Photos Eric Bartlett
ST. MARY THE VIRGIN CELEBRATES 150 YEARS
St. Mary’s Rector, The Rev’d Greg Mercer, speaks with the children during the Service of Celebration
Canon Joyce Payne shares her memories of St. Mary’s at the Anniversary Banquet
The Youth Emcees for the Anniversary Banquet – Joshua Appleby, Sarah Hedderson, Alexandra Hedderson and Katie Billard, with their mentor Rev. Eugene Castella
The Church of St. Mary the Virgin was opened on the Southside of St. John’s in 1859, as a daughter church to the then overcrowded Anglican Cathedral. By the 1950s this church was also too small and the current St. Mary’s Church on Craigmillar Avenue was built. Since then the Parish has flourished, and has also helped with the development of Anglican Churches in Mount Pearl and St. Peter’s in Shea Heights in 1995. St. Mary’s has been celebrating its 150th Anniversary throughout 2009 with a series of special events; including a Women’s Outreach Luncheon, a Memorial Hymn Sing, a Cancer Survivor Service, and an Old-Fashioned Concert. The Anniversary Celebrations culminated with a full weekend of events on October 3rd and 4th. The Anniversary Weekend included a Banquet, Service of Celebration and an Organ Recital. St. Mary’s was honoured to welcome the Most Reverend Fred Hiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, and the Right Reverend Cyrus Pitman, Bishop of the Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador, to our Parish for the events. On Saturday October 3rd, almost 300 parishioners and guests shared a wonderful meal and an evening of entertainment and memories. The Primate and Bishop Pitman brought greetings and best wishes, along with Member of Parliament Siobhan Coady, Member of the House of Assembly Tom Osborne, and St. John’s City Councillor Frank Galgay. The guest speaker was Canon Joyce Payne, the first woman to be ordained in the Anglican Church in Newfoundland, and a former clergy in the Parish. Canon Payne reminisced about her years at St. Mary’s and shared many humorous anecdotes. The emcees for the evening, four youth from St. Mary’s – Joshua Appleby, Alexandra Hedderson, Sarah Hedderson and Katie Billard, introduced each guest by singing a song with lyrics written to traditional Newfoundland music. On Sunday October 4th, St. Mary’s held a special Service of Celebration with guests from throughout the Diocese. The Congregation included the Honourable John C. Crosbie, Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador and Mrs. Jane Crosbie, former Clergy in the Parish, and friends from other Parishes in the area. Our Primate gave an inspiring sermon focusing on the people as the Church; not the building, and the importance of reaching out to others in the community. The Eucharist was celebrated by Bishop Cyrus Pitman. The Service also included choral performances, a birthday party at Sunday School, and a procession of the banners from other churches in the Diocese. The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Mounted Unit added to the festivities on the Church Grounds! St. Mary’s Anniversary Weekend concluded with an Organ Recital by Dr. Gayle Martin, a world-renowned organ scholar and music educator. She is the University Organist at Mount Allison University. The audience was astounded by the magnificent Casavant pipe organ and the talent of Dr. Martin.
Most Reverend Fred Hiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada
Parishioners Irene Williams and Sarah Hedderson cut the Anniversary Cake
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Article Fr. Sam Rose
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December 2009
EASTERN DIOCESAN SYNOD “I Must Be About My Father’s Business”
Under the banner of “I Must Be About My Father’s Business,” the Twenty-Sixth Biennial Session of the Diocesan Synod of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador met at the Parish of All Saints, Conception Bay South from 22-24 October 2009. Formal meetings were held at the Parish Hall while meals for delegates were provided by the parishes of St. Peter’s, Upper Gullies and St. John the Evangelist, Topsail. The Synod focussed on sharing the good news of what is happening in the Diocese with eighteen groups/individuals telling the Synod how they are making a difference in the world. From tales of worship in Rigolet, to a mission in Belize, to preserving our past, to planned giving, to youth ministry, the Synod learned that much is happening in the Diocese. Each parish in the Diocese brought symbols and stories that represented an important ministry that is occuring. These were displayed throughout Synod to encourage everyone that much is happening in the Diocese. Archbishop Claude Miller brought greetings from the Province of Canada and shared his hopes that more can be done to further collegiality among Provincial Dioceses. Bishop David Torraville of Central Newfoundland also shared his desire to pursue greater unity among the three Newfoundland & Labrador dioceses. In his Charge to Synod, Bishop Cyrus Pitman offered examples of how God has brought about effective ministry in the past and challenged the Diocese to renew the focus to be agents of change in new and exciting ministries in the future. Much can be learned from the past as we move forward into the future. A Synod banquet was held at the CLB Armoury with entertainment by the Masterless Men. At the conclusion of Synod, Bishop Pitman announced the re-formation of the Cathedral Chapter with the appointments of the Rev’d Brian Burrows, Mr. Gerry Brown, and Mrs. Elizabeth Barnes as Canons of the Cathedral – which serve as the Bishop’s group of advisors.
Photos Kevin Smith
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Central ACFC Board celebrates 300th meeting Article & Photo Peter M. Godfrey Secretary-Treasurer
Original Board, recently retired, and current members of the Central Diocese Board of Trustees of the Anglican Charitable Foundation for Children met recently over supper to celebrate the 300th meeting of the Central Diocese Board since the founding of the Charity in 1976. Seated (L-R) are Phyllis Gosse, representing her late husband Fred, the first Board Chair, Vera Pinsent, Myrtle Carter, Emma Currie, and Emmie and retired Bishop Eddie Marsh, who represented Bishop David Torraville. Standing) are Peter Godfrey, Warren Cole, Allan Fudge, Owen Hiscock, Stan Barnes, Sheila Sceviour, Sherry Russell, Pauline Hynes, and Rev. Daphne Parsons.
On September 16th, 2009, the Central Diocese Board of Trustees of the Anglican Charitable Foundation for Children held its 300th meeting since the first Board meeting in September 1976. Given that it takes approximately ten years to hold 100 meetings, (and that some of us are getting a bit “long in the tooth�), the Board decided, with the concurrence of Bishop David, it would be appropriate to celebrate this historic achievement in the life of the Charity in the Central Diocese by holding a dinner following our meeting. Attending the event, in addition to the current Board, were original Board members Vera Pinsent, Emma Currie, Warren Cole and Mrs. Phyllis Gosse, representing her late husband Fred, who was the first chair of the Central Diocese Board. Also serving on that first Board, but unable to attend were Frank Sullivan, Rev. Hammond, and Mr. Charles Hart. The event also enabled the current Board to recognize the contributions of recently retired Board members Myrtle Carter, Owen Hiscock and Rev. Nathan Cutler who was unable to attend. Retired Bishop Edward Marsh and his wife Emmie represented Bishop David who, unfortunately, was unable to attend owing to a previous commitment. The event provided former Board members, along with Bishop Marsh, the chance to reminisce about their experiences and involvement with the Charity. All expressed pleasure and pride in having been associated with such a program and recognized the value and importance it has been in the lives of so many people. Since 1976, and including the current members, twenty-six individuals have served on the Central
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Diocese Board of Trustees. Notable years of service among these people include Myrtle Carter who served 28 years, Vera Pinsent, 27 years, and Fred Gosse, who was Board Chair for 26 years. A review of the minutes of the meetings over the past 33 years shows that with the 300th meeting, successive Central Diocese Boards have provided assistance to some 8020 individuals and families totalling close to $1,296,000.00. A further review of those minutes, however, also shows that the usage of the program by clergy in the Diocese has decreased significantly over the past five to seven years. Currently, less then 55% of the Clergy are making use of the services offered by the Charity. We continue to soldier on. We are sure that Bishop Seaborn and those with the vision to set up the Charitable Foundation in 1976 would be pleased to know that we, along with our fellow boards in the Eastern and Western Dioceses, have continued this work over the past 33 years. As far as can be determined, the ACFC is the only one of its kind anywhere in Canada and one for which, we believe, we should feel very blessed. The current members of the Central Diocese Board are Stan Barnes, Chair; Peter Godfrey, Secretary-Treasurer; and members Allan Fudge, Pauline Hynes, Rev. Daphne Parsons, Sherry Russell, and Sheila Sceviour.
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December 2009
Bishop Jones’ Village - part two The first year at Bishop Jones Village was particularly trying. Living conditions left much to be desired. Their dwelling, measuring 20 by 15 feet, was not much more than a hut: the foundation, uprights and beams were made from driftwood; walls consisted of sod, moss and stones, and the floor from beach rocks! His friend, Captain Blandford, was so appalled by their living conditions that two years later he had the “building” dismantled and a modest, but more comfortable dwelling, erected. It was shortly afterwards that they deserted Bishop Jones Village and made Fort Chimo, “chief rendezvous for the Cree and Nascopee Indians,” their headquarters. Language created a barrier at the beginning, but in a relatively short time The Rev’d Samuel Stewart was able to speak Inuktitut fluently, and was also doing well in several dialects of the Cree language. Generally speaking, the Gospel message he preached was well received, but there was considerable opposition early on from conjurers and their followers. “At the shrine of the stone woman,” he wrote, circa 1903, offerings are still presented, possibly to propitiate an offending deity. Selfinflicted punishment is still endured by followers of ‘Torngak’, who in any way have violated the decrees of the God. ... Yet, we believe, the reign of superstition is well nigh ended in quarters; and there has sprung up among many of these devotees of ‘Torngak’ a desire for God’s way of peace...” Soon there were requests for Baptism. Samuel was insistent that candidates for Holy Baptism would first undergo at least two years of instruction and probation. Here’s his description of one baptism near Great Whale River. “[Here] I had the great joy of baptizing a young man, with his wife and family. It was nearly four years since I had accepted him and his as Catechumens. ...
The baptism took place tive means to communicate in the open air by the river the Gospel. During his inside, where the ice lay all land trips from Fort Chimo, around us. The day was im- he was known to leave mesmensely cold - my hand was sages written in syllabics almost frozen in the water, along the trail. Travellers but these young people would note messages enminded it not, as they knelt graved on a tree and turn down in the presence of their aside to get its message, elders, when I baptized them thinking perhaps that it was in the name of the Father, and related to presence of game, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. The aged parents and other members of the family desire to be baptized ...” The American explorer Dillon Wallace met Stewart at Fort Chimo in 1905 and had this to say of him: “ Stewart is a man of iron will. ... He studied his people, administered medicines to the sick, and taught the doctrines of Christianity - Love, Faith, and Charity - at every opportunity. He set himself the infinite task of mastering the difficult language. He lived their life with them ... Of all the missionaries that I met in this bleak northern land, ... none The Rev’d Samuel Stewart. was more devoted and Photo submitted by Francis Buckle none was doing a more self-sacrificing work etc. Instead, they would ofthan the Rev. Samuel Stewart ten find a quote from Scripof Fort Chimo. ... With ture. Stewart I spent many dePerhaps it was his sense lightful hours. His constant of humour, as well as his flow of well-told stories, fla- compassion and obvious voured with Irish wit, was a commitment to the Gospel sure panacea for despond- message, that made him ency. I believe Stewart, with popular with the Inuit and his sunny temperament is re- Innu. During a storm on one ally enjoying his life among occasion, he had to take refthe heathen, and he has made uge in a hut where there were an obvious impression upon them, for every one of them turns out to his chapel meetLeDrew Lumber ings where the services are Company Ltd. conducted in Eskimo, and Kelligrews, C.B.S. taken part with a will. If he Newfoundland remains upon the field, as I know he wishes to do, he will have them all professing Phone: 834-2051 Christians within the next Fax: 834-5520 few years.” Stewart used imaginaWe carry a full line of Building Supplies:
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twenty-two others. “Seals and seal fat lay on the floor, by the side of those lay the younger members of the community, and the elder folks occupied bunks around the room. Sleeping quarters were assigned to me and my driver close to the blubber department, and with the first whiff from the stove lamps I realized I was back in my old element.” Following the pattern set by Jesus, Stewart’s plan was to have a colleague work with him in the proclamation of the Gospel. Henry Ford did so initially but had to resign because, in the words of Stewart, “... Ford found the work too exacting and has gone home. I am sorry to say he was badly frost-bitten last winter on hands, face and feet.” Rather interestingly, Stewart’s successor at Flower’s Cove, “Parson Richards” offered himself to work with Stewart in Ungava but, as the Diocesan Magazine for August, 1908 announced he “... felt compelled to withdraw his offer and return to Flower’s Cove, at his people’s petition and with the Bishop’s sanction.” Stewart’s real hope was to raise up local leaders who would work alongside him and ultimately replace him. Seegmiller records that “On a trip to St. John’s in 1913 Stewart was accompanied by
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The Ven. Francis Buckle
an Eskimo boy who was baptized by Bishop Jones in the Cathedral on St. Matthew’s Day and was given the name ‘Matthew’. Matthew attended Bishop Feild School. ... It was hoped that Matthew Aupolak would be educated and return to his own people as a missionary.” Sadly, Matthew contracted tuberculosis and within four years had died. For the whole of his ministry in Ungava Bay, Stewart was financially supported by the Colonial and Continental Church Society. He remained at his post until 1929 when he retired and returned to England It is for good reason that the Rev. Samuel Milliken Stewart has been often referred to as “Ungava Stewart.” I was surprised to find, during my student days at Queen’s College, a Register of Deaths from the Ungava Bay area. I didn’t know a the time of its Newfoundland and Labrador connection. Although Bishop Jones perceived the work in this remote northern region as coming under his jurisdiction, there is no indication that he made an episcopal visit to the area. The Ungava Bay work was eventually taken over by the Diocese of the Arctic.
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straight talk
Little ‘ditties’ What defines a great hymn? Why is it that some hymns have stood the test of time and still stand miles above others? One reason is because they focus on God. They bring to light the attributes of God and God’s saving grace: “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty,” “Jesus Christ is Risen today,” “Angels from the Realms of Glory,” and so on. And what about those hand clappin’ toe tappin’ “little ditties?” You know the ones that bring an awkward smile to some faces and sung with a little embarrassment. Some people enjoy them while others find it rather foolish. You
know the ones: “I will serve thee because I love thee,” or “I’ve got that Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy down in my heart.” These are the songs that are usually played with a ‘gheetar.’ Why not throw in a little percussion and an accordion to spruce things up? I am going a bit over the top here to create some space for arguments sake. But it goes without saying that more and more of this music is finding its way into Anglican worship. There is indeed an enjoyable aspect to this take on music to the delight of many. Moreover, contemporary Christian music is favoured by a growing number of worshippers. Why? And
what’s really wrong with it? The argument against this type of music is that it places too much emphasis on the “self.” That is to say, look at what “I’m” going to do or what “I am” already doing for God. The focus is now on the “creature” and not on the “Creator” in worship. That’s not to say that all modern hymns and contemporary Christian music is about the “self.” Quite the contrary, there is a lot of great music on the market. In fact it has been said that there has been more Gospel music written and composed in the last 50 years than it has been in the last 500 years. But what can be so
wrong with wanting to express our adoration for God in this way? I mean, we even have hymns from our old hymn book that seeks God’s attention and has enjoyed as much popularity as other great hymns. Consider for example “Breathe on ME breath of God,” or “Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on ME.” Everyone’s spiritual box is a little different. The challenge for clergy and worship leaders today is to create a sense of worship that becomes a moment of expectancy and not of the expectant. If for some that means singing gospel songs with a little bit of “pizzazz” and for others it is the time
The Rev. Greg Mercer
tested old favourites, then the Anglican way of moderation seems to be in order. Personally speaking, whatever helps lift a person’s heart towards God is what matters most. At least they are singing God’s praises.
Spiritual classics Good Shepherd consecrated Amongst all the writings on spirituality over the centuries some have been recognized as ‘classic’ because they have endured the test of time and experience. The best way to be introduced to these writing is to buy an anthology which contains short excerpts from various sources. If you are then attracted to particular writers, you may obtain books of their works. My first recommendation is edited by Richard Foster and James Bryan Smith with the title Devotional Classics. This book contains selections from over fifty writers. There is an introduction to the author, an excerpt, reflective questions, exercises and a reflection by the editors. A similar pattern is found in Spiritual Classics by Richard Foster and Emile Griffin. Both books cover a range of writers from ancient to modern. The Inward Pilgrim: an Introduction to Christian Spiritual Classics by Bernhard Christensen selects a single writing from each author with an introduction and setting. Another publication is The Li-
The Rev. Everett Hobbs
on’s Christian Classic Collection by Anthony Lane. This contains extracts from a hundred different writings which form part of the Christian spiritual heritage over 2000 years. B & H Publishing Group offers Ninety Days with Christian Classics , which covers excerpts from ninety different writers, each taking a minute to read. Michael Williams is the editor of two collections: The Book of Christian Classics and Anthology of Classic Christian Literature . Thomas Nelson Publishes has issued The Treasury of Christian Spiritual Classics, and there are numerous others compilations. To read more of a particular writer, you can turn to the Harper Collins’ Spiritual Classics which has 16 titles giving an introduction and excerpts from leading Christians. Templegate Publishers offers the Daily Reading series, each with the title Daily Readings with (a particular author). You can Google the writer you like and find something suitable.
Article & Photo Fr. Sam Rose
After 25 years in existence, the Church of the Good Shepherd in Mount Pearl was consecrated by Bishop Cyrus Pitman on 20 October 2009. The service was a celebration of many years of faithful service to God coupled with a challenge to grow further into the future. In his sermon, Canon Murray Randell challenged the congregation, “So, what’s next?” His call to continued growth was a direct reference to the situation the Parish of Ascension faced once it too was consecrated as a Church. Either the Church of the Good Shepherd could sit back and enjoy this moment or it could continue in its original vision to grow and reach new people for Christ. In the church’s history it records that on Sunday, April 13, 1986 (Good Shepherd Sunday) a number of people
under the leadership of the Rev. Murray Randell, Rector of the Parish of the Ascension, met to form a new congregation in the Newtown area of Mount Pearl. The congregation was named for “Jesus the Good Shepherd” and the first worship service was held on Sunday, September 7, 1986 in the music room of Newtown Elementary School. On December 2, 1990, the cornerstone of the new church building was laid by the Rt. Rev. Martin Mate, Bishop of the Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador. The first worship service in the new building was held on Sunday, June 16, 1991 with the official opening and blessing of the new church taking place on Sunday, October 21, 1991, presided over by Bishop Mate. On January 1, 1993 the
congregation was given Parish status by the Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland Labrador. Mount Pearl now had two Anglican Parishes: the Parish of the Good Shepherd and the Parish of the Ascension. The Rev. Leonard Whitten was inducted as the first Rector of the new parish on April 12, 1993. In June 1997, Rev. Whitten was elected Bishop of the Diocese of Western Newfoundland and the Rev. Edward King was appointed to the Parish, where he remained until December of 1998. The Rev. Canon Frank Cluett was then appointed pro-tem until the appointment of the Rev. Robin Barrett as Rector in May of 1999, remaining until the fall of 2008. On January 1, 2009, the Venerable Geoff Peddle became the new Rector.
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December 2009
RE-PITCHING THE TENT FOR UNCOMMON WORSHIP A visit to St. Gregory of Nyssa, San Francisco
Father Gerald Westcott stands on the steps of the Church of St. Gregory of Nyssa in San Francisco.
In the summer of 2006, prior to our moving into our new parish space, I attended a liturgical conference at Trinity College in Toronto with Father Bill Bellamy. The keynote speaker was Father Richard Giles, the author of “Re-Pitching the Tent,” and “Creating Uncommon Worship.” Some of the concepts laid out in these texts were integrated into the design of the Parish of the Resurrection’s “House for the Church.” At the conference I was introduced to Father Graham Cotter, the founder of the Sacred Arts Trust (a foundation to encourage artistic development within the Anglican Church of Canada). Father Graham visited our parish in the summer of 2008, and offered to send us to San Francisco to visit the Episcopal parish of St. Gregory of Nyssa. St. Gregory’s has a strong Eucharistic focus. In fact, the building is clearly designed to function around the Eucharistic table and Eucharistic life. There are two rooms that make up the liturgical space. The “Rotunda” is the main and biggest room in which the al-
tar at the center is the only piece of furniture. The font is located outdoors and has water continuously flowing from it. Its position is directly in line with the entrance and the altar. Joined to the Rotunda is the space where the Liturgy of the Word is celebrated. The presider’s chair is at one end and the ambo (where the Word is proclaimed from) is at the other end. The congregation sits on either side facing one another. On Fridays the parish facilitates a food pantry from which 400 to 600 of the area’s poor are fed. The Rotunda becomes a food distribution center with crates of food surrounding the altar and filling the room. Food and clipboards for food distribution are actually on the altar. Prayers are said, the food is incensed, and the poor are literally fed from the altar. On Sunday morning, in stark contrast to the crates of food around the altar on Friday, the altar stands alone in the Rotunda, and is draped in a colourful cloth, with the sacred vessels, bread and wine laid out. For the Sunday liturgy, the faithful gather in the
space for the proclamation faithful are fed, and rela- gregation is now invited to of the Word. Following the tionships are celebrated. A lift their arms as a sign of liturgy of the Word, the wonderfully Eucharistic their openness to God and one another. Prior to the congregation joins in a sim- Community! At St. Gregory’s all are priest’s blessing, each ple and joyful liturgical dance as they are led to invited to feast and dance in congregant makes the sign gather around the altar for Christ. ALL are welcomed of the cross in the palm of the Eucharist. Once the and embraced, no questions the person next to them; in Eucharist is celebrated, the asked! All are invited to this act we are reminded to be a blessing congregation to each is led in another. We other dance also have around the plans for the altar in which children to each person be taught a is dependant liturgical on the one dance for next to them use as they – even people leave the in wheeloratory for chairs partheir liturgy ticipate! I of the word; found the and we hope Eucharist to introduce around the liturgical altar and the dance to the dance that Wednesday followed celebration very moving: The parish also offers a food pantry which feeds 400 to 600 people in of the despite all the San Francisco area. Eucharist. the very real For us to differences in the people around that altar, share in Eucharistic living, be a relevant, Eucharistic, there was a great sense of and to journey together. All Christ-centered church, we are fed in various ways, and need to pull down our self love and unity in Christ. made barriers, invite and When the liturgy is loved much. Consequent to our visit welcome all to participate completed, the sacred vessels and cloths come off the to St. Gregory of Nyssa, the fully in our liturgy and altar, and are replaced with parish of the Resurrection common life, and learn to the coffee pots and food for has continued its process of more effectively celebrate renewing the liturgy. We the relational life that is the social gathering! The altar of St. Grego- are adding simple elements Christ. ry’s is at the center of the of drawing the congregaArticle & Photos community. It is a place out tion into more active parFr. Gerald Westcott of which the people of God ticipation. For example, at Parish of the Resurrection feast: the poor are fed, the the Sursum Corda, the con-
The altar of St. Gregory’s is at the center of the community.
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Christmas, 1945 Our History David Davis
At the end of the year 1945 the worst war in history had finally concluded with the total victory of the Allied Forces. But long before the end of the war, it was obvious that the real test was if the Allies could resist fighting each other over the spoils of victory (i.e. the countries of Eastern Europe). Also, could the Soviet forces be stopped from marching to the North Sea? The use of nuclear weapons in the war on Japan may have caused Joseph Stalin to hesitate from the most extreme measures in 1945 but would he hold his hand when his country was a nu-
clear power. These issues had been in the minds of western allied leaders for most of the war but thankfully were not circulating among the general public. Now to return to Christmas 1945 which was the first Christmas at peace for six years and the people could look forward to soldiers returning home and the lessening of wartime austerity. There was much to be thankful for. Hymns celebrating Christmas and Peace on Earth could finally be sung with the knowledge of the tremendous cost of securing this fragile peace.
The Document The writer has looked at the “Sunday at Home” page of the Observer’s Weekly newspaper published by A.B. Perlin in St John’s on December 24, 1945. The following hymn and poems catch the spirit of another time.
Best Loved Hymns Christians, awake salute the happy morn Whereon the Saviour of the world was born, Rise to adore the mystery of love, Which hosts of angels chanted from above; With them the joyful tidings began Of God incarnate and the Virgin’s Son. Then to the watchful shepherds it was told, Who heard the angelic herald’s voice, “Behold, I bring glad tidings of a Saviour’s birth To you and all the nations upon earth; This day has God fulfilled His promised work; This day is born a Savior, Christ the Lord.” He spake, and straightway the celestial choir In hymns of joy, unknown before, conspire; The praises of redeeming love they sang, God’s glory was their highest anthem still, Peace upon earth and unto men good will. Christmas The long and bitter year so filled with doubt Has ended, and we find ourselves again Treading the star-lit roadway of the years That leads to Bethlehem. The road that seemed so dim and far is lighted Again, by a high white star of Hope and Love, And there can be new gladness in A gladness from above. For lo, it is the birthnight of a king; Tonight the Prince of Peace is born anew, “Peace on earth and mercy mild,”we sing “The Christ is born for you, Tis not enough that Christ was born to bring Us that peace that passes knowledge of the mind, Unless he is reborn and dwells within Our hearts, this Christmas time.
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January 1, 2010
Guiding Star Look up this night, O children, to the stars, One of them, nigh two thousand years ago, Guided some wise men to a certain place, Where life took on a meaning that you know. There, God Incarnate, in a little Child, Gave hope and happiness to all mankind, Look up, O children, this December night And, shining still, the guiding star you’ll find. This war-wrecked world needs hope and happiness, Peace and good will. So, at this Christmastide, O children, be like those wise men of old Who made the Star of Bethlehem their guide. From Christ, who in a manger lay, Came goodness and a light that none can dim, Rejoice, O children, who the morrow face, Follow the Star that points to Him.
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December 2009
Big rocks first I came across this story more than fifteen years ago and I want to share it with you at this special time of year. An instructor placed a box of fist-sized rocks beside a large jar on the table. He put the rocks in the jar until it was full. He asked, “Is the jar full?” All replied, “Yes.” Then he poured some small stones into the same jar, filling the spaces between the larger rocks. He asked again, “Is the jar full?” This time the answer was, “Probably not.” The instructor began to pour in some sand. He paused for a moment and asked the same question: “Is the jar full?” Everybody replied “No”. Finally, water was poured into the large jar on the table. Then the instructor explained the point of this demonstration. We have to put the big rocks in first. I believe that this story has an Advent message for all of us. In our busyness, very often, we pack into our lives everything but the “big rocks.” The incarnation of God is often seen as an anticlimax to a month of parties and shopping frenzy.
There is little lasting joy when the season is all over. What might be the “big rocks”? May I suggest “basic Christian beliefs” are the “big rocks”. In preparing ourselves for the coming Christmas season, we should know our basic Christian beliefs.
God is God. We are not gods. The living God is Creator, Lord and Father of those who trust in Jesus. He is all powerful. He knows everything. He is eternal. He is love, holy, and righteous. He cares for us. He is merciful to us. He is slow to anger. He is willing to forgive us our sins. God is our Saviour. God
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ACW Conference in Gander
The Rev. Michael Li
came in the person of Jesus Christ. He revealed His love and taught His way in Jesus. Jesus died for the sins of the whole world. He rose again from the dead. His resurrection guarantees our future resurrection. Our eternal destiny depends on how we relate to Jesus. The Holy Spirit lives in all true followers of Jesus. He brings us to repentance and acceptance of God’s forgiveness. He enables humans to do the work of God. Our human life consists of loving God and loving our fellow humans. We are being committed to doing God’s will. We need to submit to the will of God as it is made known in the Bible. We are called to live a godly life. Let us celebrate our upcoming Christmas by putting in our “big rocks” first!
Mabel Miller (left), President of St. Martin’s ACW, presents a wooden cross (handmade by Don Menchion of St. Martin’s Cathedral) to Marion Saunders, National ACW President, at the 2009 ACW Diocesan Conference banquet. Submitted by: Stella Walsh
From September 11-13, 2009, the ACW of St. Martin’s Cathedral, Gander, hosted the ACW Diocesan Conference. St. Martin’s ACW President Mabel Miller received positive feedback from many of the over ninety delegates who attended this event. Along with regular business, delegates engaged in a review of the constitution and viewed an informative presentation by speakers from the Red Cross. The delegates were
What Jesus wants for Christmas “Lo, I am with you always,” Jesus said. Do we really believe that? If so, we must believe that Jesus is always with us, all the time, and everywhere, whether we feel His presence or not. Jesus, then, will be with us in the malls this time of year. He will be watching us in our frantic shopping, crowds of us swarming around, searching for gifts that we can’t afford, for family and friends that probably don’t need them anyway. It’s His birthday - and we’re buying presents for everyone but Him! Jesus must be disappointed. Worse still, Jesus truly knows that millions in the Third World are starving, are dying without life-saving medicines. He knows that these millions could be well fed and healed by a fraction of what we spend on His birthday. So, Jesus must weep for them and for
us too. Jesus will surely be in church with us on Christmas Eve. His church, this special night, will be full. How wonderful! But Jesus knows all too well that for most of the rest of the year his house will be nearly empty - except for Easter and, of course, weddings and funerals! Jesus deeply wants His family to worship Him in His church all year round; so, again, on His birthday He weeps for the congregation. Do we really want Jesus to have a happy birthday? We can, you know. This Christmas, when we are planning our Christmas shopping, let’s provide birthday gifts for Jesus. What can we give Him? Jesus said that, whenever we do good things, or give good gifts, to the least of His children (or adults), we do it for Him. So, when we give to the needy, the sick, in our community, or
to those who use food banks, we give to Him. Many of us can do that. But, most of all, Jesus wants us to give to those sick and hungry souls, children and adults, in the Third World (Africa, parts of Asia, South America). Surely our gifts to them highly please our Lord! Relief money can be sent through many agencies: The Primate’s World Relief & Development Fund, for example. Then there is World Vision Canada, CBM Canada, The Arms of Jesus Children’s Mission, and many more. These agencies are carefully controlled, and your money reaches the needy. Great news too: a little money goes so far in these lands. Some governments and charitable foundations will double your gifts. Besides, vital supplies and foodstuffs are very cheap in most needy places. For example: $30 will
buy antibiotics to cure 10 children. $45 will feed a family of hungry children for 30 days. $33 will pay for cataract surgery for a blind adult, restoring his/ her sight. $48 will buy 100 lbs of corn. $45 will buy a crate of chickens to provide eggs and meat for a family. What we pay for a modest single gift for a friend can do so much for God’s needy children. A man and his wife, good friends of mine, are not giving each other Christmas presents this year. Instead, they are send-
also blessed with an unexpected visit from National ACW President Marion Saunders, who took time from her busy schedule to attend and share words of encouragement. A lot of time and effort goes on behind the scenes to prepare for a conference of this scale. A big “thank you” goes out to all of the St. Martin’s women and men who worked hard to show our visitors such a wonderful example of Christian hospitality.
columnist
Ronald Clarke
ing their gift money to African children – real presents for Jesus! Why can’t all of us do the same? By the way, we don’t have to make Jesus happy only at Christmas. He would be pleased if we helped the needy all year round. Worth thinking about, isn’t it?
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AL online: www.anglicanlife.blogspot.com
You hLife youth ministry news
On Sunday, October 25, the children of St. Mark the Evangelist in St. John’s were treated to a Halloween party. There were lots of goodies, fun and fellowship. An ice cream sundae bar was enjoyed by adults as well as children. Submitted by Stella Evans.
In June 2009, the Rector of the Parish of Holy Trinity, the Rev’d Shirley Noseworthy challenged the youth of the church to raise $2500 to pave the Rectory driveway. If they did so, she would dye her hair three different colours: orange, pink and blue. The young people raised $800 so she allowed them to dye her hair only one colour and the kids chose blue. Submitted by Kim Mercer.
Why don’t young people Confirmation at come to church? Fox Roost-Margaree Well, I am a young person who goes to church. I may not be the right one to answer this question but I will try and tell you why many young people aren’t in the pews on Sunday. But you might not like what I have to say. First of all, there is no single reason. There are likely nearly as many reasons/excuses as there are young people sitting anywhere but in church on Sunday. But I can tell you some of the things I’ve learned about why my peers are not taking part in the life of the church: Too conservative: It’s too stodgy, I want something more fun. Too modern: It’s changed too much, I want it to be like it was years ago, how my folks talk about the way it was. Too much controversy: The church? Have you heard what’s going on in the news? No way do I want to be a part of that. Too much hypocrisy: Love thy neighbor but only if he’s just like you? No thanks! Struggling with faith: I
don’t know if I believe in God/Jesus Life is too hectic: I can’t find the time, the kids have so many activities, and life gets in the way Uncomfortable in church: I’ve never been/ haven’t been in years, everyone would stare and point, I wouldn’t fit in there Not a fit for the family: Sunday is the only day we get to be together, then we go to church and the kids are sent off somewhere else for the whole service. The underlying theme, at least as far as I can gather, is that they are looking for relevance in the church. People need a reason to make the time to come to service. They want to see and feel the love of Christ. They want a relationship with God. But all those other things are getting in the way and we, the Church (the Anglican community, not the building!), are not reaching out to clear the way for them to find that relationship. We need to find out how to overcome some of the obstacles. Some churches are doing that
Allison Billard
through the Fresh Expressions movement, with things like Saturday services and Messy Church. They are providing a different time for, and style of, worship, and experiencing some success. We all need to get on this bandwagon. It’s about talking to young people and families and finding out what we can do to help them find that relationship with God. If we want them to be a part of the Family, we have to not only invite them in, but show them they’re welcome, and help find ways to include them in parish life, ways that work for them. It takes work, in some cases a LOT of work, but it will be worth it to welcome more of the God’s flock into fold, don’t you think?
The newly confirmed stand with their Rector and Bishop at St. Augustine’s Church. Front Row: (left to right): Justin Carroll, Lindsey Warren, Sarah Simon, Shannon Stone, Brittany Kettle and Wanda Billard (Confirmation Teacher) Back Row (left to right): Rev. Duncan Granter, Chad Lillington, Bishop Percy Coffin, Nicholas Warren and Shawn Meade. Submitted by Karen Simon
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