October 2010

ANGLICANLife

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October 2010

ANGLICANLife A Section of the Anglican Journal

in NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR

Raise the song of harvest home

Stuff Ronald Clarke

Harvest Thanksgiving. The custom of bringing the fruits of the harvest to decorate a church on Harvest Thanksgiving Sunday is quite common in our province. Pictured above is an image of vegetables donated to All Saints’ Anglican Church in Conception Bay South. Photo submitted by the Editor.

October 2010

October- Thanksgiving month already!

What have we got to be thankful for? And, how really thankful are we for what we have?

Before evaluating our own situation, we should all consider what so many thousands- millions reallyof people in the world definitely DON’T HAVE! Consider many parts of Asia, Africa, and South America. Daily, TV dramatically demonstrates the abject poverty of millions of people in these areas. Hunger, disease, homelessness devastates their lives. Ironically, natural disasters- floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, etc. seem to hit these areas so often, adding death to the misery.

Consider us in “developed” countries- Canada, the USA, most of Europe.

Oh yes, currently we are experiencing “difficult times”. Our economies are “suffering”, our stocks and bonds are down, everything is becoming more and more expensive. But, just how badly have we been hit? Are we hungry (starving)? More disease-ridden than before?

Forced to live on the streets, etc.? Most of the Third World countries, you know, would be ecstatic to live in the conditions that we consider “bad” times!

We live in democracy, freedom; millions of our Third World sisters (especially) and brothers are cru-

elly oppressed. We have our luxuries, our good homes; so many of them live in crude huts. We have too much to eat, too often (obesity is, for us, a very serious problem); they scrounge the countryside for anything edible.

Some people here may foolishly suggest that we have nothing to be thankful for!

REALLY NOW? Ok, now, what can we do about all this? We CAN DO something, for sure.

First, we can be so thankful for where we live, and what we have, that we will truly WANT to do something. We can save a lot of money, for example, by determining what we truly NEED, instead of what we really only WANT. Our motive, sometimes, for what we want is to keep up with, or surpass, our neighbors.

Then we will have much more money to give those multitudes of agencies that help the unfortunates in the Third World. The need is so very great. But not so great that our gifts, small as they may seem, will not be useful to somebody, or some bodies. Jesus Christ expects (demands?) that each of us give to “our neighbors” till it hurts.

“Sacrificed giving” we call that.

In obedience to Jesus Christ, and in thankfulness for all God’s gifts to us, let each of us become Givertill-it-hurts people, this October, and for all the years to come! Happy Thanksgiving, EVERYBODY!

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

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October 2010

ANGLICANLife

Remembering Canon New deacon Charles Rupert King

Juanita Freeman ordianed deacon. On Tuesday, July 27, 2010, at St. Martin’s Cathedral, Gander, Bishop David Torraville ordained Juanita Freeman into the diaconate. Congratulations and prayerful encouragement are extended to Rev. Juanita Freeman in her ministry of serving the Parish of Harbour Breton. God bless you, Juanita. Photo Credit: Stella Walsh

Submitted by Veron L. Woodford (LeMoine)

On October 3rd. 2009, The Rev. Canon Charles Rupert King passed peacefully away at Toronto.

Through out his lengthy illness, he showed great courage, fortitude and faith.

Born on May 3, 1923 at Trouty, Newfoundland, to the late Charles and Eleanor King, he received his early elementary education there, after which he attended Prince of Wales College and Memorial University in St. John’s. He then taught school for three years, before entering Queen’s College in preparation for the Ministry.

In 1949 he was ordained Deacon and Priest in 1950.

After spending eighteen years in the Diocese of Newfoundland, Rev. King moved to the Diocese of Toronto, where he served as Rector of two parishes, covering a period of 22 years. In 1985 he was made a Canon of St. James Cathedral by the Archbishop Lewis Garnsworthy. He retired in 1988.

Survived by loving wife Grace (Woodford) the Provincial District Nurse in his Parish of White Bay) Son, John (Susan) Daughter, Ruth

(Eric O’Brien) and Grand children, Victoria King, Sara, Douglas, and Daniel O’Brien.

Canon King always showed a keen love for his native Newfoundland. He was invited many times to be the guest speaker for Services Clubs to speak on the subject dear to his heart Newfoundland. The Book “My Newfoundland Verse” which he wrote in August 1972, and published March 1973, was dedicated to his fellow Newfoundland friends who live away from home – “To homesick Newfoundlanders, whereso’ they be, whose thoughts are oft times homeward bound in Villages by the Sea.” My husband and I attended the funeral October 6th at 11 a.m. at St. Martin-in-the-Fields Anglican Church, with the Celebrant being the Right Rev. Colin Johnson, Bishop of Toronto and Assisting Priests - The Rev. Canon David W. Luxton and The Rev. Canon Philip C. Hobson, OGS. The Service was well attended with many friends who he continued to keep in touch with in his retirement.

In keeping with his

wish, his ashes were returned to Newfoundland.

On Friday October 16th 2009, at 11 a.m. a Memorial Service was held at St. Mark’s Anglican Church, St. John’s, NL. Participating Clergy were, The Rt. Rev. Cyrus Pitman, Bishop of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador, The Rt. Rev. Mark Genge, Retired Bishop of Central Newfoundland, The Rt. Rev. Martin Mate, Retired Bishop of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador, and The Rev. Dr. G. Wayne Short, Priest in charge of St. Mark’s.

Although he had been away from the Dioceses in Newfoundland and Labrador for many years, the many friends and retired Priest attending showed he was not forgotten.

Inurnment was at Topsail Anglican cemetery by Bishop Genge and Archdeacon John Dinn, the Rector of the Parish of St. John the Evangelist, Topsail. In the presence of his beloved family, his wish was now fulfilled; he was home again in a “Village by the Sea.”

A NOTE OF THANKS The Rev. Gordon W. Ethridge January 20, 1922 - July 5, 2010

The Family of the Reverend Gordon W. Ethridge who entered into his eternal reward on the morning of Monday July 5, 2010, wish to express their thanks and appreciation to all who in any way helped to lighten our bereavement at the passing our a wonderful father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and brother.

We gratefully acknowledge with thanks all expressions of sympathy through visits to the funeral home, telephone calls, messages, cards, donations of food, gifts, and attendance at St. Peter’s church and the cemetery.

Special thanks to Rev. Shirley Noseworthy who conducted the service of Celebration and Thanksgiving for the Life of Rev. Gordon W. Ethridge. Our thanks also to the Celebrant Rev. Glenn Small, the Homilist Rev. Robert Peddle, and others who assisted at the service, Rev. Don Martin, Rev. Hugh Fudge and Lay Readers Mary Shute and Viola Noel.

We also appreciated other Clergy who attended and the help of Pallbearers, Church Wardens and the Cemetery Committee.

Special thanks to Organist and Soloist Mark Sheppard, to the Choir, to the Ladies of the St. Peter’s A. C. W. for the time of refreshment and fellowship after the service and to Noel’s Funeral Home whose professional and personal service was exceptional.

We would like to have thanked everyone personally.

Please be assured that your kindness and thoughtfulness is truly appreciated. May God bless you all.

From the Family

ANGLICANLife

October 2010

QUEEN’S COLLEGE

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Coming full circle Submitted by Allison Billard

Sometimes things in life come around full circle.

For Robert Pittman, Q.C., Barrister and Solicitor in Newfoundland and Labrador since 1977, his relationship with Queen’s College is a perfect example.

Mr. Pittman, a member of St. Thomas’ Church in St. John’s, speaks passionately about Queen’s College, his career, his faith and his hometown of Lamaline. He left home after finishing high school to go to Memorial University.

His initial intention had been to pursue ordained ministry. Mr. Pittman did stay at Queen’s College, then located on Forest Road, but he decided to study education. He moved to the new Queen’s College on Memorial’s campus, finished his degree, taught for four years and then went on to law school.

He has demonstrated his dedication to service not only in the faith community, but also as a member, director or leader of many community organizations, such as the Rotary and the YM-YWCA, and professional organizations, such as the Canadian Bar Association and the Law Society of Newfoundland and Lab-

rador, just to name few.

He likens his stay at the Old College to being at a boarding school “while learning to eat whatever was put in front of me and complete with a skylight which let in the snow in the winter.”

“And, I would recommend it to anyone,” he adds

Mr. Robert Pittman

with a smile. Mr. Pittman has a great loyalty to and affinity for Queen’s College, which is obvious to anyone who asks him about his time there.

Completing the circle that began in the mid-60s, he accepted the position of Chair of the Queen’s College Foundation when approached by Dr. Tom Pope and the Rev’d Dr. John Mellis. The Foundation has been charged with raising

SEND US YOUR STORY samrose@ nl.rogers.com or mail: 8 Croydon Street Paradise, NL, A1L 1P7

funds and public awareness for the College. The initial plan was to raise money for a new facility or to renew the current lease as the lease on the building at Memorial will expire in 2019.

The purpose of the Committee is broad however and the concept continues to evolve.

“We’re in for an interesting time,” said Mr. Pittman. “We have a great group of dedicated people and it will be exciting to see what direction this takes as things develop.”

He notes that the task will not be without challenges. At a time when all parishes are struggling with declining attendance and increasing financial pressures it is a daunting task to approach individuals and ask for their additional support for the College.

Part of the work of the Foundation will be to find ways to address these challenges.

“It is my fervent wish that there will always be a Queen’s College in Newfoundland and Labrador. I am excited to have an opportunity to give back to the community that is so important to me and that has played such an important role in my life and development.”

The Mission of Queen’s College Ministry is the believer’s response to God’s loving initiative in Jesus Christ and is enacted through witnessing to Him. By baptism each Christian is called to participate in this ministry. However, identity of calling does not imply identity of function. Since the apostolic age there has been within the church a basic pattern of ordained ministry - bishop, priest and deacon. Nonetheless the ministry of the ordained and that of the unordained are complementary and necessary, the one to the other, within the Christian community.

The task of the College, therefore, is threefold: · to train men and women for the ordained ministry within the church through the study of Scriptures, Theology, Liturgy, History and Related subjects; · to provide the unordained with opportunities to better equip themselves for the exercise of their baptismal ministry; · to encourage and facilitate the integration of knowledge, skills and experience with personal faith in order to foster a growing spirituality.

Thus, through its program and community life, Queen’s College seeks to enable Christian men and women to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

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OPINION

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 8 Croydon Street Paradise, NL A1L 1P7 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.

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October 2010

ANGLICANLife

Ridiculous or sublime The Rev’d Marlaine Leggo Parish of White Bay

When travelling to an unknown destination, we seek directions. In moving to a new parish, I turned to a well-known internet site, typed my location and destination, and entered the “way” into my notebook. After letting those waiting for me know when I expected to arrive, I set out with great confidence that I would have a pleasant day of travel and arrive in a timely manner.

The first obstacle was that I and the reservation clerk had each made the same error in my ferry reservation.

I was delayed two and a half hours at the outset. After eventually disembarking from the ferry, I set out on the drive.

At the designated route eastward, I made the required left turn. Initially, I drove through a quiet pastoral setting of rural homes. Before long the pavement ended, and I found myself on gravel road. I said, half to myself and half to the Lord, “Oh no!

What have I gotten myself into?!”

I followed the vehicle ahead of me, even though the road became progressively worse. There were potholes, large and small, ruts, narrow places, sometimes with trees

growing sideways over most of my lane. At times, it seemed the road was about to end, but there would be a change of direction. Occasionally, I thought: “Lord, I hope there are no bears or moose out here in this wil-

derness!”

Eventually, the other driver turned onto a side road, and I realized I was left to drive alone. I stopped him and asked if this road lead toward my destination. “Oh yes,” he said. “Stay on this road and you will come to” a small town which he named.

This was part of my trusted directions from the internet, so I continued into the wilderness.

After a time of solitary

driving, more doubts and quiet reflection I reached the Trans Canada Highway, and found only a “dead end” sign with two arrows, one pointing east and one pointing west, to direct me. I visualized the internet map, and headed east. Having chosen correctly, I arrived at my destination some four or five hours late, the effect of the ferry delay and of travelling very slowly over the “way” of the internet.

Upon arriving, I found two anxious couples waiting “just a little longer” before they headed home on a darkening road. I explained that I tried to call but my phone card refused to work, and I do not carry a cell phone.

This last was a moot point, I discovered, because cell phones do not work in the area.

I thought to myself, how easily we trust the things of this world, like the internet, but that is just one among many. I did not question the directions before setting out, even though a friend of mine had asked if I knew the way.

I confidently assured her I did. Many times as I drove, I thought to myself that, too often, our trust in the things of this world comes much easier than our trust in the One who is “the Way, the Truth and the Life.”

ANGLICANLife

BISHOP’S MESSAGE

October 2010

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Racism Bishop David Torraville Diocese of Central Newfoundland

I have to admit that I cringe a little when, in a conversation, I hear one of the following types of sentences: “I don’t mean to be insulting, but....; I don’t mean to be hurtful, but...; I don’t mean to be critical but...”.

You can be sure that the words following the “but” will be insulting or hurtful or critical, or any of the things the person is assuring you they don’t mean to be.

The latest round of this type of conversation is making its way through my email

in the form of supposedly patriotic videos and diatribes making an assertion they are not racist and then spouting the most outrageous racist nonsense wrapped in a Canadian flag and misinformation, condemning Muslims in general as well as “illegal” immigrants, although by the tone of it, no immigrant seems completely above suspicion.

Last week I received two troubling email messages sent by acquaintances. One was a video message by an Englishman who assured viewers that he wasn’t racist, who then delivered a tirade condemning Muslim-worlddomination, and the proposed mosque in Manhattan.

The other email about illegal immigration also assured me the writer was not racist but was standing up for all those Canadian soldiers killed through the ages from the First World War to Afghanistan, who apparently

died to stem the scourge of illegal immigration to Canada.

What is frightening for me, however, and the impetus for this article, is that

What is frightening is when Christians forget our Baptismal Promises to resist Satan and spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God, to resist the evil powers of the

some of the people who are buying into the racist messages of fear are Christian people who are compassionate and thoughtful in so many areas, but whose hearts seem to be stone on this issue.

world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God, and to renounce the sinful desires that draw us from the love of God. Our Christian Church has a history of racial intolerance

to overcome, so each of us who bear the profession of “Christian”, has every right and obligation to battle racial intolerance wherever and whenever we see it. I believe that we are at something of a crossroad and while racial intolerance has often been a subtle background, I fear it on its way to becoming a social norm in Canada in our conversations about “immigrants” and “Muslims”.

When we demonize people we align ourselves with the forces of wickedness, and become demons. When we fail to resist evil powers of the world, and turn our back on suffering, we become an evil power. When we fail to renounce our sinful desire to be suspicious of the “other”, we are indeed, drawn from the love of God. Racism is not avoided merely by claiming “I am not racist but...” it is challenged and defeated when we obey our Baptismal Promises.

Contact Information for each Diocesan Synod Office Eastern Diocesan Website - http://anglican.nfol.ca/ Central Diocesan Website - http://centraldiocese.org/ Western Diocesan Website - http://www.westernnewfoundland.anglican.org/ Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland & Labrador SYNOD OFFICE 19 King’s Bridge Road, St. John’s, NL, A1C 3K4 Telephone: 709-576-6697 Fax: 709-576-7122 E-Mail: ecrisby@anglicanenl.net

Diocese of Central Newfoundland SYNOD OFFICE 34 Fraser Road, Gander N.L. A1V 2E8 Telephone (709) 255-2372 or (709) 256 - 3954 Fax (709) 256-2396 e-mail mcmsimms@nfld.net

Diocese of WesternNewfoundland SYNOD OFFICE 25 Main Street, Corner Brook, NL , A2H 1C2 Telephone: 709-639-8712 (office) email: b.hurley@nf.aibn.com

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

Phone: 834-2051 Fax: 834-5520 We carry a full line of Building Supplies:

Doors, Wallboard, Paints, Plumbing Supplies and many types of Roofing, Sono-Tube Concrete Forms, Aluminum Doors as well as a full line of

General Electric Products

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STEWARDSHIP

October 2010

ANGLICANLife

Sentimental journey Kevin Smith

One weekend in late August, my two brothers, Morley and Eric, and their wives joined Kay and me at a schools reunion in Gander. This was a reunion of former students from both the Amalgamated and Roman Catholic schools. This wonderful weekend, entitled “Sentimental Journey”, presented an opportunity to meet old classmates and to reflect on the swiftness of passing time. Round about the same time, I received an article from Everett Hobbes about growing old.

After some thought, I considered combining the reunion thoughts and the article submitted by Everett with messages of making the most of every day and putting your financial house in order. I concluded, therefore, that both provided a worthwhile background or justification for the need to get a will and to update your estate plan.

Unfortunately the author for this reflection is unknown so I can give no credit except to Rev. Hobbs for passing it on to me. Enjoy!

You know, time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems just

yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. And yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all.

And I have glimpses of how it was back then and of

all my hopes and dreams.

But, here it is, the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise.

How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my babies

go? And where did my youth go?

I remember well ... seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like.

But, here it is...wife retired and she’s really getting gray; she moves slower and I see an older woman now.

She’s in better shape than me, but, I see the great change...not the one I mar-

ried who was young and vibrant...but, like me, her age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we’d be.

Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat

anymore...it’s mandatory!

Cause if I don’t on my own free will...I just fall asleep where I sit!

And so, now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches

and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things.

But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I’m not sure how long it will last. This I know, that when it’s over...it’s over. Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn’t done; things I should have done. But indeed, there are many things I’m happy to have done. It’s all in a lifetime.

So, if you’re not in your winter yet...let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly!

Life goes by quickly.

So, do what you can today, because you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not!

You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life; so, live for good today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember...”Life is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who came after. Make it a fantastic one.”Live, Love and Laugh.

LIVE IT WELL!!

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

ANGLICANLife

October 2010

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COLUMNIST

The more things change...

Allison Billard

...The more they stay the same. I never really understood that particular adage. All I know is I’ve been through a lot of change of late, and nothing looks familiar anymore!

By the time you read this I will, hopefully, be well settled into my new

job. I have taken a part time youth minister position at the parish of St. Mark the Evangelist in St. John’s. As I write this I am rather overwhelmed with the prospect of all the work I have ahead of me. Overwhelmed but excited. Actually, excited doesn’t even begin to describe it, but it’s the best I can do. The excitement of a new opportunity, the thrill of a new challenge and the joy of meeting a whole new group of people - it’s wonderful!

And it’s a very big change, which is what I want to talk to you about.

More than that I want to

talk about the fear of change I see around me, at work, on the street, in the grocery store. Seems like nobody likes change. It’s scary, unpredictable, even just plain wrong! But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Change, when undertaken with care, prayer and a little planning, can be great. It can breathe life into boring routine, it challenges us to find better ways to do the things we do - and it’s good for the brain.

Adjusting to change, finding new methods, creating new plans, all that increased brain activity keeps your noggin sharp...and everyone

wants a sharp noggin!

Ok, maybe I’m just making up that last part, but the intention was pure I assure you. Change challenges our assumptions and forces us to work together to find our way. It’s all in your perspective. You can decide to see the change as bad, or you can decide that it is an exciting new opportunity.

And it’s not wrong to have some fear. We are human and there is comfort in routine and predictability, but progress only happens through innovation and change.

It was scary for me to think about taking on this

new role. It meant I had to leave my home parish and start over someplace new.

There are many questions still chasing each other around my head... where will I find the time to do all the work? Will my husband and I be able to make new friends? What if it doesn’t work out?

Change is scary sometimes, but it shouldn’t be an obstacle, it is an opportunity. I know if I trust God, and pray for strength and guidance I can do anything, and I’m anxious to get started. What challenge will you face with faith tomorrow?

describe the sacred is another thing. Many writers

Most acknowledge that the sacred goes beyond churches and similar sites but we need a place where we can ‘be apart’ It can be a corner in your home or a spot by a pond as well a designated space.

We know that God is everywhere and cannot be pinned down and contained. It is cultivating the sense of God – the practice of the presence of God – that requires our attention. Jacob found God in a desert place and Moses found him in a burning bush. As one hymn puts it, ‘God is a surprise’. Jesus told the Samaritan woman that the worship of God was not confined to her mountain or the temple in Jerusalem. What is important is how we worship God – in spirit and in truth. Paul tells us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and we need to go there for worship as well. We need both a particular sacred space and a sense of God’s all-embracing presence.

LET US PRAY

Sacred space The Rev’d Everett Hobbs

When we refer to scared space, we usually think of a church or a similar ‘holy’ place. Most religions tend to set aside (consecrate) a building or a place for worship. For the first three hundred years Christians were not allowed to have churches. Instead they usually met first in synagogues, then in houses and catacombs. They began building churches after 313 when Christianity became a legal religion in the Roman Empire. The first church build-

ings resembled the Roman court of law, and over the centuries and in different cultures there have been a wide variety of church styles. There is no particular way a church should look but it is what we are used to.

We use churches as places of worship both for convenience and convention. It is not practical to be moving from building to building (renting) or house to house, so it makes sense to have ownership of permanent structures. At the same time we have become so used to this arrangement

that it would be difficult to adjust to another way. In addition we have identified this space as sacred with the belief that this environment helps us in our worship.

All religions talk about the sacred or the holy or the supernatural in references to places and times where the presence of the divine is more apparent than in what we call the secular or the profane or the natural. How we define or

have examined the subject.

CHURCH LIFE

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October 2010

ANGLICANLife

Harbour Grace celebrations a huge success Article and Photo submitted by Bob Lynch

St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Harbour Grace Quartoseptcentennial Celebrations have been deemed a huge success by the faithful of the oldest gothic style church in the province. The 175th Anniversary of the Laying of the Corner Stone was celebrated during the week of July 11th -18th,,2010. The scheduled events included a children’s church service and picnic on the 11th of July; a Memorial hymn Sing on the 14th; an old fashioned concert on the 16th:; A Banquet on the 17th; and a parade and re-enactment of the laying of the corner stone anniversary church service on Sunday the 18th.

The week began with a beautiful Youth Service.

Under the guidance of Deanne Crocker and Reverend Shirley Noseworthy the children did a marvellous job. The service was led by SGM Kimberly Lilly with thirty –six children from the congregation doing the prayers, scripture readings, participating in the “parade of gifts”, as well as other parts of the liturgy. Special choral music was performed by the eight-member Children’s 175 th Anniversary choral Group under the leadership of Deanne Crocker. Other beautiful selections were sung by the Cantare youth choir under Mrs. Deanne Delahunty Hiscock’s direction. The Puppet Ministry, provided by Rev Shirley and Jessica Harris, was thoroughly enjoyed by all of the children and the adults of the congregation. Birthday and Anniversaries were acknowledged in the usual way. The congregation were also given the opportunity to sign the “Welcome Mat” placed at the entrance of the church commemorating the occasion. The service was enjoyed and will be remembered fondly by those in attendance.

On Wednesday the congregation gathered in St Paul’s church at 7 p.m. for a memorial hymn sing. Committee member David Moores and his staff were instrumental in compiling the booklet for the evening, and the recording of all donations was handled by Edgar Snow. The premise for the event was that Parishion-

ers and friends of St. Paul’s would make donations in memory of loved ones or donations towards hearing any hymn from a list of hymns provided. Victoria Windsor and Denise Tetford performed solos. St. Paul’s organist and choir director, Mark Sheppard, provided the accompaniment. The Hymn

dience and the whole cast gathered on stage as we sang and danced to “Music and Friends”, followed by the singing of the Ode to Newfoundland. A good time was had by all!!

Some 190 people enjoyed the banquet held Saturday, July 17, at the Harbour Breeze, Harbour Grace. The

Avalon, and Tracy Shute representing Jerome Kennedy, MHA for Carbonear-Harbour Grace District, and Deputy Mayor Terry Barnes representing the Town of Harbour Grace. In attendance were clergy associated with the parish and clergy from the community as well as our Bishop the Rt. Rev.

The Honorable John C. Crosbie, Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland & Labrador, is pictured above signing the scroll as part of the re-enactment of the laying of the cornerstone at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Harbour Grace.

sing was a huge success as evening’s formalities flowed Cyrus Pitman and his wife. those gathered agreed to have smoothly under the banquet Bishop Pitman brought chair, Doug Moores. We greetings on behalf of the it again next year.

About one hundred and were delighted to have Diocese and the Primate of seventy-five people laughed former rector Rev. David Canada. Musical entertainment was protheir way through vided by Mark the old fashioned Sheppard. A devariety concert licious meal of held on Friday, stuff chicken July 16. We were breast, potato and entertained by vegetables and some 20 talented cheese cake for actors from St. dessert was enPaul’s congregajoyed by all. A tion as well as one special thank you surprise guest apis extended to the pearance by banquet decoratGranny Mabel ing committee (Rev. Linda Burt who did an outof Coughlan standing job. A United). There beautifully decowere men dressed rated cake, a as women and St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Harbour Grace. model of St. woman dressed as Paul’s church, men in a variety of made by Doreen hilarious skits, as well as a Hewitt return as guest traditional recitation, and we speaker and to hear his French, was on display at the were serenaded by several thoughtful reflections on his banquet and brought to the musicians and singers. The ministry in the parish as well hall the following day where whole evening was moved as helping us look forward to some final photos were taken along in a light-hearted way the future. We appreciated before the cake was cut and by emcee Sonia Williams. the greetings brought from eaten by the many who gathThe concert ended with a politicians – Scott Andrews, ered for our closing celebrastanding ovation by the au- MP for the District of tion. Also on display at the

banquet and in the church was a banner, made by Anne Gosse and Lynn Smith, especially to commemorate the 175th anniversary of St. Paul’s Church.

The highlight of the week happened on Sunday, July 18th. Various community organizations, under the direction of Captain Barbara Lilly and Captain Gordon Coleman of the CLB marched in the parade from the Point of Beach to St. Paul’s Church.

The church was filled to capacity (some 400 people) for a great Celebration of the Holy Eucharist to commemorate the laying of the cornerstone 175 years ago.

Our Bishop presided, and the Rev. Canon Iliffe Sheppard, formerly of Harbour Grace, preached an inspiring sermon. St. Paul’s Choir gave a beautiful music presentation under the direction of Mark Sheppard. Following the worship a re-enactment ceremony was performed outside the church recognizing the 1835 laying of the cornerstone. A fire on August 18, 1832, destroyed St. Paul’s former building, and on July 28th, 1835, the cornerstone of the present church was laid.

Assisting the re-enactment were his honour Lieutenant Governor John C Crosbie, the Rt. Reverend Cyrus Pitman, Bishop of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador, our rector Reverend Shirley Noseworthy, committee Chair Sonia Williams and Peter Babb Structural Engineer. A scroll was read and sighed by Lieutenant Governor Crosbie and placed inside the cornerstone. Also in commemoration of the event a tree was planted in the church yard. The ceremony was lead by Don Regular and Edgar Snow both of whom helped organized a similar event 25 years ago at the 150th Celebrations.

We are very pleased with the participation for all events. There maybe a concert in the fall and a Christmas party to finish off the year. While it is impossible to name every individual whose efforts made the 175th anniversary celebrations such a success, a sincere thank you is extended to the friends of St. Paul’s, the planning committee, to all who participated, and to our rector, Rev Shirley Noseworthy. Sonia Williams said it was an honour to be Chair of such a celebration!

ANGLICANLife

October 2010

9

CHURCH LIFE

Quilts of Valour made with love Article and Photo submitted by The Rev’d Jason Haggstrom

While some seem to think that there is not much life in parts of the Church, there is a lot of life in one small part. The Anglican Church Women at St. Swithin’s, Seal Cove (White Bay) are certainly proof positive that when the church community puts their mind to something, that some thing gets done and in the process others are blessed. The ladies in this ACW group are very active. They take on visiting with shut-ins, taking both some music and a lunch when the go to visit. They go to the local personal care homes and to the local residential unit of the hospital to visit and to sing for and with the clients. They are often found giving gifts to seniors at different times of the year.

They participate in raising

funds for the needs of building projects in their local congregation. And they are always looking for ways to

the ACW produce a “Quilt of Valour” for a wounded Canadian soldier. Some of the Ladies who were at the An-

reach out , in sending out clothing to people especially children in Afghanistan.

Recent activity has seen

nual ACW Conference Last Fall saw quilts that other churches had done and they were inspired to produce

their own. The ladies brought a simple pattern provided for them along with quilting supplies to their meetings and took time to work on the quilt. When the work was done, the quilt was brought to Church, prayers for the soldier who would receive this blanket were said and the quilt was made part of the offering and blessed. It was then sent on its way to the Canadian Forces through the local military chaplaincy.

“Quilts of Valour” is a national organization with contacts in each province and territory. Quilts are collected for veterans who are returning to Canada from other parts of the world, and who have been injured in the line of duty.

They are given to the veterans through the chaplains as the quilts are needed. Many of these veterans are unseen when the return home and we don’t always hear their stories. Thus this is a way in which we can say thank you to those who have been injured in the service of their country and provide some small comfort for them as they recover from their injuries.

For more information and for patterns, please contact the “Quilts of Valour” representative for Newfoundland and Labrador, Linda Temple by writing her at: 46a Reidville Road, Reidville NL., A8A 2X7 or by emailing her at ldtemple@nf.sympatico.ca.

Chaplain honoured

In thanksgiving for five years of Relief Chaplaincy Ministry provided by Mr. Doug Beattie (left), the Diocese of Western Newfoundland hosted a coffee hour at the Synod Office in Corner Brook on August 5, 2010. The Venerable Edward King (right) spoke about Doug’s ministry as having been very fruitful and was appreciated by those he served. A presentation was made on behalf of the Diocese. Mr. Beattie gave thanks for the opportunity to have served as lay chaplain at Western Memorial Regional Hospital, the Interfaith Home and the O’Connell Centre. Prior to this, Doug served as Chaplain for two years in prison ministry in Corner Brook. Submitted by the Diocese of Western Newfoundland

Boys and their toys. On Father’s Day at St. Luke’s in Newtown this past June, the church was decorated with some ‘male’ toys, such as a Quad (our version of the Lambeth Quadrilateral!), a canoe, fishing gear, etc. A number of sons and grandsons who were present thought that it was great! We also had our newly formed Men’s Choir sing its first two anthems, ‘As the Deer’ and ‘Love Lifted Me’. The sermon focussed on Psalm 42 and looked to answer a question in our ‘Question Box’ (people can ask anything by placing questions in a box at the entrance that looks like the church and the preacher tries to answer it in a Sunday sermon) “What is soul? What is spirit? What is the difference?”

The Kids’ Talk showed how two paddles lashed together in the shape of a Cross are a universal sign for ‘save-our-souls’ when someone is in trouble on the water. Submitted by Parish of Greenspond/Newtown/Pound Cove.

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Bishop and priest celebrate 25th Anniversary

Celebrating 25 Years! As Christians, our service and commitment to God is a life long journey. For some it is a dedicated lay ministry while others respond to the call to Holy Orders. On August 25, 2010, the Diocese of Western Newfoundland hosted a coffee hour to celebrate the 25th anniversary to the Diaconate of the Right Rev. Percy David Coffin. Bishop Coffin began his ordained ministry in the Parish of Battle Harbour, and prior to becoming Diocesan Bishop, had served with the Canadian Forces Chaplaincy, the Parish of Bonne Bay North and the Parish of All Saints, Corner Brook. The Rev. Gordon Druggett, who was also ordained deacon with Bishop Coffin, joined us for the celebration. Best wishes, congratulations and blessings were shared from across the Diocese.

Submitted by the Diocese of Western Newfoundland.

October 2010

ANGLICANLife

THE HARVEST PRAYER (Anonymous 17th Century Sermon)

Please be gentle with yourself and others.

We are all children of chance, And none can say why some fields blossom While others lay brown beneath the harvest sun.

Take hope that your season will come.

Share the joy of those whose season is at hand.

Care for those around you.

Look past your differences.

Their dreams are no less than yours, Their choices in life no more easily made.

And give.

Give in any way you can.

Give in every way you can.

Give whatever you possess.

Give from your heart.

To give is to love.

To withhold is to wither.

Care less for the size of your harvest than for how it is shared, And your life will have meaning And your heart will have peace.

Coming together for worship On Sunday April 18th, 2010 the New Wine Gospel Choir from Grand Bay visited Stephenville to sing with the choir of St. Augustine’s Church. They arrived “one and all” with their guitars, keyboards and other instruments. The contemporary & Gospel music lifted the hearts of everyone attending- it was a wonderful evening. Prior to the service choir members took part in a “warm up” followed by a delicious luncheon. The St. Augustine’s choir looking forward to joining the Grand Bay Gospel choir in June of this year.Submitted by Caren Noseworthy and Sandra Lewis.

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

ANGLICANLife

11

October 2010

A Holy Land pilgrimage Submitted by Canon David Pilling

Christians, for centuries, have journeyed to the Holy Land to pray within the walls of the Holy City, to enter into the stable, and to walk in the hills surrounding the Sea of Galilee.

Those who went often found their faith refreshed and developed a deeper understanding of scripture – in fact, many have described the Holy Land as the fifth Gospel. Those who traveled to the Holy Land, seeking spiritual nourishment, were often referred to by their ancient name, which is as “pilgrims.”

In April and May of 2007 I was a pilgrim in the Holy Land.

Through amazing encounters with the land, its people and our God I found myself renewed and nourished in ways that totally amazed and confounded me. Experiences of God that I am only now beginning to bring into my ministry began to take place.

While I have vivid memories of the journey – it is the lasting impact of its images that continues to transform – and that is ex-

actly what a pilgrimage does – it is a journey of transformation.

One of the images that I have begun to relate to re-

the service, he reminded each of us of how the Great Commandment is the summary of the law and is repeated by the Hebrew people several times

The Good Shepherd. The Rev’d David Pilling and a shepherd in the hills overlooking Bethlehem.

cently was a worship service I attended at the Anglican Mission to the Hebrew peo-

Pilgrimage to ISRAEL April 27 – May 14, 2011 17 Days in Israel & Jordan (with optional Sinai excursion)

Discover the places of our spiritual story.Explore the history, cultures and wonder of this fascinating region.

Visit Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jericho, the Galilee, Nazareth, Masada, Qumran, Petra, and so much more.

Land Package Airfare (St. John’s, NL) Land and Airfare

ple in Old Jerusalem. Being a good Anglican I sat at the back of the church – and being really good, I did not speak to anyone around me –

$3,780 $1,560 $5,340 All inclusive.

40 seats are available! Registration is OPEN! For more information & registration package contact Pilgrim Routes Travel Inc. pilgrimroutes@shaw.ca or The Rev. David Pilling, St. John’s, NL 709-753-1931 dpilling@nf.aibn.com

but just kept to myself.

The Priest however has other plans for as he began

each day. He also reminded us that our Lord would repeat this commandment in

answer to the question of how we may live, and how Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan in answer to the question of who is our neighbour.

The Priest invited us to say the Great Commandment together and to then greet our neighbour in the name of the Lord by sharing the peace. This small act was transformative, for I witnessed that as Christians and as Anglicans, we are truly of one common family – united in prayer and in our love of our Lord. It was but one of the many moments when the Divine continued to open my mind and heart to His word.

While in Jerusalem, as I was preparing to come home, I began plans to organize a pilgrimage that would be open to fellow pilgrims from our province. I am pleased to say that the details have now been made available to all clergy. Brochures are also available from Synod Offices in St. John’s and Gander or by emailing me at dpilling@nf.aibn.com

OUR HISTORY

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October 2010

ANGLICANLife

Bishop Feild visits the West Coast, 1849 David Davis

In August 1849 Bishop Edward Feild was doing a visitation to the communities along the West Coast and onto what we call today the Labrador Straits (the settlements on the Labrador side of the Straits of Belle Isle). This was part of his voyage around Newfoundland in the church ship Hawk. Sailing along the coast of Newfoundland with its long distances and few scattered settlements was a strenuous enterprise.

It was easier to do this work in the summer months but that was the height of the fishing season and ships were all dedicated to the fishery. This is probably why when the Bishop left England, after his consecration, part of his kit for survival in Newfoundland was a church ship for transportation. The coast of Newfoundland was hard on ships used for this kind of work, a later missionary leader, Dr Wilfred Grenfell, used ships donated to him by wealthy supporters but the coast of Labrador took a heavy toll on them. Also, the operation, staffing and replacement were a heavy burden on the church.

Bishop Feild had come to Newfoundland in 1844 in the footsteps of Bishop Aubrey Spencer. The Church of England in Newfoundland, especially the clergy had been slow to develop with few young men wanting to come to Newfoundland and even fewer wanting to stay any length of time. At that time Newfoundland was part of the Diocese of Nova Scotia, containing the whole of what is today the Atlantic Provinces.

Bishop John Inglis of Nova Scotia was responsible for Newfoundland and to the limits of his capacity he attempted to promote Newfoundland by making visitations to the coast of Newfoundland and during visits to England speaking about its needs, but the results were meagre. However, out of these efforts and others, it was agreed that Newfoundland should have its own bishop and the Rev Aubrey Spencer of Bermuda who had been in Newfoundland in 1819-20-

21 was to be the first bishop, consecrated in 1839. Bishop Spencer did not stay long in Newfoundland (four years) but he kick-started the recruitment of priests for Newfoundland which injected new life into the church. It was Bishop Feild who had the firmness of purpose and the physical endurance to do the many things great and small needed to set the church on a long term course.

In this document document, Bishop Feild is moving north along the west coast of Newfoundland toward the Labrador Straits. This is an area of scattered population and abundant fisheries.

Bishop Feild was looking to a structure for the church in the area and people to staff it. He needs teachers as the do-all people in the area, to act as assistants to the priest he is going to plant there.

This is a frontier area where people make up their own rules about marriage and other activities and Bishop Feild is going to introduce orthodox society in its place.

He stops at the Newfoundland side of the border with Canada (Quebec) and investigates the area of Blanc Sablon, L’Anse Amour, Forteau and L’Anse à Loup to set up a mission.

Many of the residents of this area are the agents of English fishing firms who use local people or those brought from England as fishing servants. One of these is the Mr Davis mentioned in the text. The writer is a Davis from Conception Bay, Newfoundland and a lot of Conception Bay people went to the Labrador coast to fish seasonally, and some stayed permanently.

However, it is probable that this Davies came from England.

The Document This document is a few pages of a book from a series called: Church in the Colonies, No. 25, “Newfoundland. Journal of a Voyage of Visitation in the “Hawk” Church Ship, on the coast of Labrador, and round the whole of the island of Newfoundland, in the year 1849.” The book is in the rare book collection of Memorial University, a partial copy is in the collection of the Family History of Newfoundland and Labrador from which the extract in this article was taken. The author thanks The United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, London, England for permission to reproduce it.

Tuesday, August 7th - The wind was fresh in the night, but happily off the land, and we felt no inconvenience: but it is a too much exposed place for any but the summer season. We went on shore at nine o’clock, with the usual furniture, and the small font, &c. while my friends were preparing the room, I talked to the men outside, The room was very full; some of the inhabitants had lived in St George’s Bay, and had there attended the service, but to most of the people it was a novelty. They were, however provided in most cases with godparents for the children. Fully thirty adults were present, and as many children. Most of the children had been baptised by Mr Vincent, who gave a clear and satisfactory account of what he had done.

We went on board at noon. Some young men came off for books. One, named Banfield, had been wrecked five years ago in St George’s bay. He had removed to this place as a servant to one of the planters, and was doing, as he said, very well; but suffered a good deal from a disease of the gums, which affected his cheek. He has several times written to his friends, but had received no reply. His father is a wheelwright in Suffolk. I felt an interest in the lad, both on the account of his misfortunes, and his modest and gentle manners, and in my mind I fixed him for a schoolmaster. I supplied him with a large Prayer-Book, to be used for the Sunday service, and some school books, &c. for the children and physic for himself. We were under way soon after twelve o’clock with a fair wind, which, however, soon failed us and came ahead. In the evening we two hours fine run, but again, before ten o’clock, we were becalmed off Portland Creek. Unquestionably and urgently is a Missionary needed on this shore;if at least, ignorance and vice, with all attendant and consequent wretchedness, constitute such need.

From Bay of Islands to Port au Choix, a distance about sixty miles, are three hundred and twenty inhabitants, nearly all of English parentage, at least on the father’s side. Where means of subsistence are so abundant, the population my be expected to increase rapidly; and what a melancholy prospect! .......There is but one remedy, and that I ought to apply, and will, If it please God to send the man and means, or the man without means, the Missionary.

Wednesday, August 8th - I had intended that our next place of call should be St John’s Island, but in the night we considerably overshot it, and as the wind in the morning was fair for Forteau, and there seemed every probability of reaching it before dark, I thought it best to stand on. We were favoured as all along, and happily came to anchor in Forteau Bay by seven o’clock. Mr Ellis came on board and gave a good report of the fishery. From St John’s he received no intelligence since his departure, eight weeks ago.

Thursday, August 9th - Six weeks have elapsed since we left St John’s, of almost uninterrupted fine weather, and without any hurt or accident. How can I be thankful enough, or how can I best show and prove that I am thankful, as I profess and desire to be?

We took our boats to L’Anse Amour soon after breakfast, and were kindly received and welcomed by Mr Davies. In introduced my friend and disciple Gifford, as the future Missionary of Forteau and the straits of Belle Isle. Mr Davies promised all due reverence and esteem, and offered rooms in his house, with board, &c. These preliminaries being happily settled, we walked to L’Anse à Loup, where Mr Crockwell received us in good agent style; supplying us with spruce beer (which we drank out of teacups) and biscuit. He is himself, as are nearly all the English agents on the shore, a tee-totaller, and his appearance does credit to the physical effects and results of the system. Here I received the first news from St John’s since our departure, in a letter from Mr Bridge, dated as late as August 3rd; and most thankfully indeed I was that he was able to report “All well.” We got back to the Church ship soon after four o’clock; and in the evening I called at the rooms of the Jersey merchants and my friend Cribbs, who are all full of fish. The quantity is prodigious. Mr Crockwell at L’Anse à Loup hauled yesterday 300 barrels of herring in one seine, i.e. 120,000. Sometime they enclose twice and thrice as many as these; indeed, more than they can dispose of otherwise than as manure.

Friday, August 10th- This morning we again went over to L’Anse Amour to consecrate a graveyard, in which very lately Mr Davies has buried his youngest child. I used the form which I had drawn up for St John’s cemetery, though the circumstances were widely different; as different as the places are distant and dissimilar. Here, Mr Davies and his family were, with my party, all the congregation, and all for the present interested; but they appeared deeply so, and it was no small pleasure to me that I was able to afford them this comfort. We returned immediately after the service, hoping to get away to Blanc Sablon, but the wind and tide were both against us. I wrote Mr Bridge and in the evening walked around the bay in quest of a site for a church; but did not succeed to our satisfaction.

ANGLICANLife

October 2010

STRAIGHT TALK

13

Christian Ministry The Rev. Greg Mercer

“In the contemporary church, ministry is being used indiscriminately to describe almost anything that Christians do. Such indiscriminate use cheapens the reality to which the term refers. When everything is described as ministry, then the word loses definition and becomes meaningless,

and nothing is distinguishably ministry.”

The above quote from Michael G. Lawler’s book, A Theology of Ministry, has continued to resonate with me ever since I first read it some years ago. Moreover, I happen to agree. Without the clarity of what we mean

by Christian ministry, we can easily make excuse for any action as Christian ministry even when that service is unintentional.

What is Christian Ministry? It is faith in action.

It is putting into practice that which we believe and profess. So far so good, i.e., I can probably assume no argument from anyone here.

But allow me to suggest that Christian ministry is intentional. Just as the Son of God intentionally manifested himself in the flesh to be among us and to go about the Father’s business, so it is with those who call him Lord, that what we do in his name is intentional, planned, and in accord with the Father’s will.

Again, without ruffling too many feathers, most people would agree with this statement. However, it is sad to say that most of what we call intentional Christian ministry is that which we do in and for the church as institution – “keeping her going” — hardly the prime

recipient for Christian ministry. The fact is that what we do in and for the institution is mostly management and operation, and while needs based, it is often self-serving. This is quite different from REACHING OUT with no intent other than to exercise Christian love to the poor and poor in spirit.

Christian ministry then is action; it is intentional, but it is also a response to public need. Allow me to take it one step further, it is not only public in its intent, but it is service done in the name of a church community. That is to say, it is St. Mary’s ministry to the

homeless. It is St. Philip’s ministry to the sick and shut-in. It is St. Peter’s mission to the poor, and so on.

It is NOT MY ministry but OURs. Those who believe in Jesus as the Christ are called to be church, and then as community they are sent to serve the presence of God in the world by living a Christ-like life. The punch line is delivered by Michael G. Lawler when he says, “Only that action done on behalf of the Christian church and on behalf of its mission is Christian ministry.”

New concert series at St. Thomas’ Article submitted by Ki Adams

St. Thomas’ Anglican Church is excited to announce the launch of a new concert series, Beacon Concerts, as part of the church’s 175th anniversary celebrations. In the spirit of our desire to be “an enduring beacon drawing all closer to Jesus,” we offer these concerts as a witness to the power of creation through music....for the audience of listeners as well as composers and performers. The concert series provides an excellent opportunity for our parish to extend ourselves into the community, building new and stronger relationships with our neighbours and using our historic building for community-wide events.

The 2010-2011Beacon Concerts series is presented in partnership with Debut Atlantic, a 30-year-old classical music touring organization that supports the

touring, in the Atlantic Provinces, of some of Canada’s best emerging classical musicians.

The calibre of names which comprise Debut Atlantic’s star-studded compendium of alumni is a testament to the extraordinary success of this organization.

The list includes some of Canada’s most recognizable artists such as pianists Jon Kimura Parker, Louis Lortie, and Angela Hewitt, cellist Shauna Rolston, Canada’s finest baroque orchestra, Tafelmusik, and the world-renowned singers Ben Heppner, Richard Margison, Wendy Nielsen, and M e a s h a Brueggergosman.

Beacon Con-

certs will feature four concerts by Debut Atlantic artists. Jan Lisiecki, internationally-acclaimed 15year-old concert pianist from Calgary, gave a stunning performance in the inaugural concert on September 15, 2010.

Other Debut Atlantic artists who will be presented in this series include C a t h e r i n e Manoukian, violin, and Susanne RubergGordon, piano (October 20, 2010); Pentaèdre, wind quintet (November 24, 2010); and Jens Lindemann, trumpet (spring 2011, specific date tba). To complement the roster of Debut Atlantic artists, Beacon Concerts will feature some of our own local, and equally talented, musicians in concerts in December 2010 and

throughout the winter/ spring 2011. A full-season brochure was introduced at the inaugural concert.

Concerts will be held on Wednesday evenings at St. Thomas’ Anglican Church (8 Military Road), 7:30 pm.

Tickets can be reserved by e m a i l beaconconcerts@gmail.com, phone (576-6632), or purchased at the door. St. Thomas’ is wheelchair accessible.

Come and enjoy an evening of extraordinary music in one of St. John’s oldest and historic churches, the Old Garrison Church.

For more information about the Beacon Concerts and the Debut Atlantic artists, go to www.stthomaschurch.com and www.debutatlantic.ca/ pages/current_season.html.

If you have any questions about the series, please contact Ki Adams <kiadams@mun.ca> or David Chafe <dbchafe@gmail.com>.

14

All we can say is...

October 2010

ANGLICANLife

Thank You! Since 2006, through the gracious generosity of readers like you, the Anglican Life Appeal has raised over $160,000!

This overwhelming response means that we can continue to provide Anglican Life as a source of good news to the Anglican Church in Newfoundland & Labrador.

Anglicans have many great stories to share. We are blessed that Anglican Life is the means by which we can share our stories with one another and with the wider church.

Once again, we respectively ask you consider a financial gift toward Anglican Life. No gift is too small or too large.

Your financial commitment ensures that Anglican Life will continue to tell Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s story in our three dioceses for future years to come.

We give God thanks for your support!

Yours in Christ,

Bishop David Torraville Diocese of Central Newfoundland

Bishop Percy Coffin Diocese of Western Newfoundland

Bishop Cyrus Pitman Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland & Labrador

ANGLICANLife

October 2010

15

COLUMNIST

Different Convictions The Rev. Michael Li

Christians have different convictions about the Bible. Is the Bible a divine Word about God Himself or is it a human word about God in action?

If the Bible is the Word of God, then God is using the Bible to communicate important information to us. To some of us the Bible is a series of propositions of truth. Others believe that the Bible is a series of divine deeds. Still others believe that the deeds plus the inspired interpretation make the revelation of God. We can speak of the deed-

word revelation. On the other hand, if the Bible is the word of human beings, then we need to question the divine inspiration of the Bible. Perhaps the Bible was written by inspired men only. If the Bible is indeed the Word of God, then the Bible is the product of the divine breath and a human pen, and the written product (the Hebrew Old Testament and the Greek New Testament) is totally inspired by God. Men spoke from God (II Peter 1:21) and God spoke through men (Hebrews 1:1).

But the process of inspiration was not a mechanical one.

In The Principles of Theology, Professor W. H. Griffith Thomas (18611924) wrote: ”It is true to say that the Bible is the Word of God and the Bible contains the Word of God,

if held together. If we only say the Bible is the Word of God, we are in danger of forgetting that it contains the words of men also. If we only say the Bible contains

the Word of God, there is the danger of not knowing which is God’s Word and which is man’s” (p. 119).

Even if we agree on the divine origin and nature of the Bible, there are different opinions over the essential purpose of the Bible.

God has revealed His moral law to us in the Bible. But the Bible does not purport to give specific guidance on all issues for all Christians living in every age. Some insist that the primary purpose of the Bible is the communication of truth. But not every word in the Bible is true (Job 42:7). Some of what Job and his friends say about suffering in the first 37 chapters is mistaken. It is recorded in order to be contradicted, not in order to be believed. Others are convinced that the primary purpose is the impartation of life, not truth. Furthermore, we treat the Bible differently. Some theologians believe that the Bible is free of error in its original autographs, while many prefer to speak of the Bible as infallible (incapable of teaching deception). Still others believe that the Bible is without error in all that it teaches. Many Christians are willing to

receive the Bible unquestioningly, while others are eager to search for contradictions found in the Bible.

Modern believers tend to question everything, including the authority of the Bible. To some, the Bible and unwritten traditions are to be received by the church as of equal authority. Others believe that the Bible has sole authority. It needs no outside interpretation. We should bow down to the supreme authority of the Bible.

We operate from the foundation of various presuppositions. We do not believe in God because we believe in the Bible. We believe in the Bible because we believe in God. Different convictions about the Bible affect our personal and church lives. Can we all accept the Bible as the only infallible rule of faith and practice?

Book Review: Walking the Bible Submitted by The Rev’d Canon David Pilling

Four years ago, when I was preparing for my pilgrimage to the Holy Land, I asked my guide what were some good books to read in preparation for my journey.

He recommended several – yet one stands out for me as both illuminating and relevant to the art of our spiritual journey – “Walking the Bible”, by Bruce Feiler.

Walking the Bible is an easy read, written by a man who himself is out to discover his own spiritual roots – within his Jewish Faith.

Through his pilgrimage, accompanied by one of the leading archaeologists of the region, Avner Goren, he vis-

its many of the sites relevant to the expression of faith and worship within this unique land. His intent is to follow the journeys of the Patriarch of the first five books of the Old Testament – a path that leads him through Turkey, Israel, Egypt and back again to Israel. His journey is not just a travelogue; rather he helps the reader discover how much the land formed many of the biblical images that resonate in all of our minds.

As Feiler will state in his book, “Abraham was not originally the man he became. He was not an Israelite, he was not a Jew. He was not even a believer in God — at least initially. He was a traveler, called by some voice not entirely clear that

said: Go head to this land, walk along this route, and trust what you will find.”

The land that Feiler traverses on his pilgrimage are timeless…it has not changed in eons. Feiler throughout his book continually reflects on how the geography of the land affects the narrative of the Bible, and openly wondering whether the Bible is just an abstraction, or a living, breathing entity. Ultimately, Feiler concludes in Walking the Bible that the Bible “is forever applicable, it’s always now…It lives because it never dies.”

For me one of the most poignant moments of the book is when Feiler is in conversation with one of the Greek Orthodox Priest at St. Catherine’s Monastery at the base of Mt. Sinai in Egypt.

They openly discuss the meaning of worship and faith and the revelations that take place as we open ourselves up to God. Walking the Bible is a great read and truly illuminating. The accompanying study guide is helpful – for it allows the book to be used

within study groups as we explore our own spiritual journey. It will definitely deepen your own appreciation and understanding for the region and for the Bible.

I do highly recommend this book for your reading pleasure. This book is available through your Diocesan Book Store.

16

October 2010

ANGLICANLife

You hLife

youth ministry in newfoundland & labrador

Kids have a Galatic Blast!

Confirmation in LaPoile

On Sunday, April 25, the Right Reverend Percy Coffin confirmed three girls at St. Thomas’ Church in La Poile. Pictured from left to right (front row): Tara Bond, Crystal Chant, Arlene Vautier. (back row): Father Andrew Nussey and Bishop Percy Coffin. Submitted by Parish of Rose Blanche.

From July 5 to 9, about twenty-five “Galactic Blast” cadets gathered for mornings of “A Cosmic Adventure Praising God!” This was the second year in a row that The Anglican Parish of Heart’s Content, hosted a Vacation Bible School ministry. We learned that our God is wonderful! incredible! amazing! magnificent! and awesome! Praise God! The recreation center in Heart’s Content was transformed into Galactic Blast Central. Many parishioners and people from our communities gave of their time, talent and treasure before, during and following VBS 2010. Again, it was truly awesome to experience the blessings of each of us coming together and offering our ministry gifts in a different way. The creativity in decorating, the hospitality of the cosmic bistro, the dedication of so many preparing crafts, the message of God’s word, fun activity of recreation time and exploring the science of planet earth and beyond.

As with our first VBS, we

wanted to financially support a ministry project through PWRDF. This year’s program had a “green mission” option as we learned to take care of the earth by being good stewards of God’s creation. After contacting the PWRDF Office in search of a project which would enforce this mission, we had three possible projects to choose from. We ended up supporting the seed multiplication project in Burundi.

The project is about meeting the needs for returning refugees to be able to grow food. The project also works with a local agricultural research project which is developing new strains of drought and blight resistant plants.

And so, our Galactic Blast VBS began with a large watering can in hand.

We learned about seeds, about how water is used to nurture the seeds to grow, about the seed multiplication project in Burundi and how we can help support this mission through PWRDF. Each day during our closing, a leaf from the

plant growing up from the floor to the water spout was revealed with the amount collected. During the week, our cadets, Commanders, Captains, all who were involved in PWRDF had given $135.83. The loose offering received during the closing Eucharist service on the Sunday was $161.30 for a grand total of $297.13.

We trust that the Lord will continue to grow and nurture hearts that will multiply in generosity as we share in the Lord’s mission within the partnerships through PWRDF. Our Galactic Blast time together concluded with a Parish Eucharist on the Sunday with a fellowship time following as we continued to praise God. Our God is amazing! Praise God!

Submitted by The Rev’d Cathy Laskey Parish of Heart’s Content

Dear God, As I carve my pumpkin help me say this prayer: Open my mind so I can learn about You; (Cut the top of the pumpkin) Take away all my sin and forgive me for the wrong things I do.

(Clean out the inside) Open my eyes so Your love I will see; (Cut the eyes out in heart shapes) I’m so sorry for turning up my nose to all you’ve given me.

(Cut a nose in the shape of a cross) Open my ears so your word I will hear.

(Cut the ears shaped like the Bible) Open my mouth so I can tell others You’re near (cut the mouth in the shape of a fish) Let Your light shine in all I say and do! Amen.

(Place a candle inside and light it)