ANGLICANLife
1
December 2011
Merry Christmas to our readers
ANGLICANLife A Section of the Anglican Journal
in NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR
December 2011
Above: The Nativity Window in St. Peter’s Church, the Parish of Upper Gullies. Artist Brendan Blackmore of Sunhound Glassworks.
SERVI NG THE DIO CE SE S OF WEST ERN NEWFO UNDL AND + CENTRAL NEWFO UNDL AND + EAST ERN NEWFO UNDL AND & LABR AD OR VING IOCE CESE SES STE WFOUNDL UNDLAND WFOUNDL UNDLAND ASTE WFOUNDL UNDLAND ABRAD ADOR
2
December 2011
ANGLICANLife
Canon David Pearce All ready for Submitted by The Most Rev’d Stewart Payne
The Rev’d David Murray Anderson Pearce’s earthly pilgrimage began in Burin on 31 July1933 and ended in Corner Brook on 21 September 2011. David welcomed Jesus into his heart, into his home, and into every aspect of his everyday life. David recognized Jesus in Christian friendship, fellowship and hospitality and in the breaking of bread. He recognized Jesus in the needs of God’s people whom he served faithfully and well. David was born to Frank and Laura Pearce of Burin. Following high school graduation in Burin he attended MUN, faculty of education 1950 - 51 and taught school the next year. In September 1953 he returned to MUN and Queen’s College in St. John’s. David had a deep sense of calling, a deep sense of vocation to ministry in general and to ordained ministry in particular as he came to be made a Deacon in June of 1957 and a Priest in June of 1958. David and June met in their college years. They were married in 1960 and had three daughters Jean, Judy and Janice. David was a loving and devoted brother, husband, father and grandfather. His family will long cherish the memories of his love for them and their love for him, the joys and pleasures he brought, the things he loved to do, the values he instilled, the faith and hope that sustained him in good times and in bad. Alongside his devotion
to his family was his love of the Church and his devotion to the exercise of his sacramental and pastoral ministry. David served as Rector in several parishes in Newfoundland since 1957 and as Rector of All Saints in Corner Brook from 1984 to 1994. Sitting by his bedside in the hospital one evening, not long ago, we were reflecting on his life as a Priest and these are his own words. “Wherever I served, Stewart,
foundland and he directed the Boys’ Camp summer after summer. David, with the help of others, was instrumental in developing the Killdevil Property from being a summer Youth Camp Centre to what it is today, a much expanded, first class Church Camp and Conference Centre. The love of Killdevil and the ministries carried on there to people of all ages was on a par with his love of parish pastoral ministry. We all have our mannerisms and pet sayings. One of David’s was, “Bless your heart”. At the end of a conversation, in appreciation for what you had said, done or given him, came the genuine, affectionate retort, “Bless your heart” . His parishioners would have heard those words again and again. Even in retirement he made himself available to the bishop to fill in pro-tem in a parish The Rev’d Canon David Pearce where there was a need. Rest in Peace He kept his interest in what was happening in I loved the people and the the Diocese and in the Church people loved me and we had out of love for the Church of good ministries together. I our Lord and her Mission in was always inspired and en- the World today. couraged by the ordinary perAs much as humanly posson in the parish, the quiet, sible, by the Grace of God, unassuming people of deep, David Pearce on his walk deep faith. It was such a joy embodied and practiced the to see people grow in their high ideals of priestly minfaith”. istry. He was satisfied with David related well with his life, always admitted that people of all ages and had a he had had a good life, and special interest in and an ap- saw death as part of it all. He titude for ministry to chil- resigned his charge in faith, dren and young people. at peace and well prepared Throughout his ministry he not only for the end here but was involved in Church for the beginning of a fuller youth camps, Mint Brook in life of love and service in the Central Newfoundland and nearer presence of God. Killdevil in Western New-
Christmas
Ronald Clarke Columnist
At the mall the other day my wife Vera and I met several long-time female friends. Paying scant attention to me, each of them wanted ‘all the news’ from my wife. Eventually, each came up with the same question, “I suppose you’re all ready for Christmas?” The response was always the same, “No, my dear, I haven’t had time to do this or that. And I haven’t found anything for Granny yet, and I’ve been so darn busy.” Complaints about the crowded shops, the shocking cost of everything, and the little time left before Christmas took five or ten minutes from each. What have we done to Christmas? Have we made Christmas an entirely secular and commercial affair? Is it a time of over-spending on things no one really needs (or wants, for that matter)? Is this just a hectic month or more of stress and strain? In all the frenzy, where’s
the Joy of Christmas? And how much longer are we going to keep the name Christmas? Christ-Mas means the birthday of Christ. Nowadays, in deference to nonChristians or atheists, the name of Christmas is changed to the Holiday Season. Christmas cards now proclaim “Season’s Greetings” or “Happy Holidays” How ironic! Christmas is still the most celebrated festival of the year. Millions around the world celebrate Christmas. But how illogical is it to celebrate while ignoring Jesus – the whole reason for it all! Stupid or what? “Are you ready for Christmas?” How should you or I answer that question? We are ready if our chief concern is to truly and properly celebrate Jesus’ birthday and if we are genuinely joyful at the coming of the Saviour among us, and if we demonstrate our joy to all around us. And also if we worship Him at this special time, inviting others to join us and if in the Name of Jesus, we make people around us, especially the less fortunate, more comfortable and more happy. Christmas is indeed Jesus’ birthday. So, let’s do all we can to make this very special occasion more Holy, more pleasing to Him. Happy Birthday Jesus Christ!
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
ANGLICANLife
let us pray
LET US PRAY
Christmas Gifts Submitted by The Rev’d Everett Hobbs
The exchange of gifts, as we know it, is a relatively recent custom going back a couple of centuries. The practice of giving gifts at Christmas has several associations, beginning with the ancient festivals connected with the winter solstices, which Christmas gradually replaced when this date was chosen to celebrate the birth of Christ in the 4th century. Until then, not much attention was paid to the Nativity as Easter was the chief celebration in the Church calendar. Along the way, Saint Nicholas became associated with the giving of gifts at Christmas, mainly to children. This evolved into Santa Claus/Father Christmas/Father Frost and other similar figures. The simple exchange of gifts evolved into the commercially and consumer driven holiday we have today since the turn of the 19th century. Another influence on Christmas gift giving was the story of the Magi bringing gifts to the baby Jesus. In a culture where many of us have more than we need and Christmas giving has largely been captured by commerce, some are beginning to ask what it means to give gifts at Christmas. Let us look at models from the past.
The exchanging of gifts at Christmas can be linked to the pagan festival it was meant to replace. It has no clear basis in scripture or theology. The Magi were presenting gifts to God, not to each other. Following the example of Saint Nicholas, gifts were given to children and to the poor. Can we make it a priority at Christmas to make God and the needy the recipients of our gifts? My offering to God at Christmas can simply be myself, re-dedicating myself in worship and service for the year ahead. I can give to the needy through organizations such as PWRDF and local food banks, for example. One way of doing this, while including family and friends, is to notify them that you have sent a gift in their name through a particular organization. This models the Incarnation itself where God comes among us in our need. This is a giving that is sacrificial, not just out of our abundance. At the same time, we can give family and friend and others in our lives a different kind of gift both at Christmas and all the time. It is to be present to others: a meal, a coffee, a phone call, an email, a visit. It’s the gift of hospitality, welcoming others wherever you meet them, indeed, meeting them as Christ.
30 Roe Avenue, P.O. Box 348, Gander, NL A1V 1W7 Telephone: (709) 651-4100 Fax: (709) 256-2957 email: info@waltershoffe.com
3
BISHOP’S MESSAGE
December 2011
Christmas hope Bishop Cyrus Pitman Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland & Labrador
Once again, Advent has brought us to that much anticipated moment in our lives each year, the experience of Christmas. In the Christian order of things, it is both the point of convergence and the point of departure. It is the mystery of mysteries; the point at which divinity and humanity meet, where God comes among us as a helpless child. The message of Christmas is one of hope; for us, for our children, and for our neighbours throughout the world. Hope for a fulfilled and dignified human life not threatened by violence and war or undermined by poverty and disease. The message of Christmas is as true today as it was over two thousand years ago. Perhaps the best known of all Christmas stories is
found in Luke. For years, Christmas was not Christmas in my life until this story had been read aloud and savored. This may have been true also in your life. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:9–
11)
Through these glorious words we are told of the hope of that first Christmas. One of the gifts of Christmas is the focus on those who have few human helpers. Jesus comes to us disguised in the hungry, the homeless, the sick, and the imprisoned. We meet him when we make an extra effort to feed the hungry, visit the lonely, and care for the needy. We meet him
through our prayers. We meet him when we bring him into our lives and the lives of our families. By meeting him through our prayers and actions, we give legs to our prayers. During this Christmas, take time to be aware that in the very midst of our busy preparations for the celebration of Christ’s birth, Christ is reborn in our homes and daily lives. Take time, slow down, be still, and be awake to his presence. What I really want to say to you this Christmas, especially those who may be bowing your heads in despair, or who may feel that the suffering all around you is too much or the hate too strong, is to have hope. God loves everyone of us no matter how alone we feel. He sent His only Son to walk with us, to suffer with us, to experience joy with us, and to hope with us. That’s why we love Christmas: it fills us with hope, a hope in which we will not be disappointed. May God bless you and keep you and fill you with the joy and peace of his presence.
4
December 2011
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.
BISHOP’S MESSAGE
Occupy Christmas
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. 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: 21,777
ANGLICANLife
Bishop David Torraville Diocese of Central Newfoundland
Christmas is the beginning of the end for chauvinism and for ego centric faith. It is a lesson that we have been resisting and ignoring for over 2000 years, but it is central to the redemptive message of Christmas. In the birth of Jesus, and the images which surround it; poverty, magi, shepherds, political power, angels singing, Christianity makes a claim that God is not God of the Jews, or God of the Romans, or God of the Western World, or God of the good - but that God is God. We are again reminded, as Moses first learned that “I am who I
am”, God is who God is. God is not simply a particular god of a particular people. In coming in poverty, to an impoverished, conquered people; in being visited by the nations in the magi; and the lowly by the shepherds; in being born of the merely “betrothed” Mary, the birth of the Christ among us, elevates even the most humble, even the outsider, to a place of
immeasurable worth. In the stable there are no outsiders. To hijack an image and a term of our own time, in Jesus, God announced His own “Occupy Movement”. He comes to live among us,
and as with the present movement, that sometimes seems tenuous, it is sometimes marginal in our day to day lives. It is not something we can always understand, even in ourselves, let alone in others, but what we can understand is that God came to draw all people unto himself. That invitation is for me and for those most unlike me. The invitation is for both me and my ‘enemy.’ I pray this Christmas that each of us look deeply into our hearts and into our community, to discern those who feel excluded; to those whom we have excluded, to invite them into the stable, and there, with them, to learn to worship and serve the God who creates and redeems us both. May God grant us the grace to live the Christmas faith now and throughout the year.
ANGLICANLife
5
December 2011
What I did on my day off Submitted by Father Mark Nichols
One cold and wet October Monday, on a day off from my parish duties, I stood in front of the Confederation Building, along with many others concerned about the state of our democracy, protesting the Premier’s refusal to have the House of Assembly sit until the spring. This was not an isolated and spontaneous act on my part. My journey to the Confederation Building actually began more than a week earlier, at Harbourside Park in downtown St. John’s, when I joined with dozens of others in a rally to launch ‘Occupy Newfoundland’, our local expression of the worldwide ‘Occupy’ movement. As someone who has serious concerns about the growing gap between rich and poor in this province, especially at a time when we’ve never been richer as a prov-
ince, I didn’t think I should miss out on the opportunity to get together with others who feel the same way and make some noise about it. While I was there, I spoke with some of those who were actually setting up camp in the park and realized that they would need some ongoing logistical support. Since then I’ve been providing them with food, water and other supplies, and I’ve encouraged a few of my fellow clergy to do the same. During this time I’ve also been increasingly Occupy NL: The Rev’d Mark Nichols drawn to the folks occupies Confederation Hill who have occupied this small piece of real estate. Park. A community has You see, a community come together around a has formed at Harbourside shared compassion for their
fellow human being. A community that believes in the inherent dignity and equality of every human being. A community that, in their own way, is striving for justice and peace among all people. The Occupy Newfoundland community is also trying to model in themselves how they believe society as a whole should function. Whatever they have is shared within the community. They make decisions communally through what they call a ‘General Assembly’, in which everyone’s (left) voice is heard and respected, and where the goal is always consensus. Everyone, and I mean everyone, is welcome to join this
community which I can only describe as radically inclusive. As I can’t escape the feeling that somehow this is the kind of community Jesus intended his Church to be, I have been standing with them as often as I can. So yes, when this community decided to march on the Confederation Building demanding that the Premier “Open the House” so that the issues they are concerned about can be brought forward by the people we have elected to be our voice, I stood with them – placard in hand. This seemed to me to be where Jesus would have me be. These folks are taking a stand and speaking out on issues the Church claims to care about, so why wouldn’t I stand with them on my day off?
Kingdom come and coming The Rev. Michael Li Columnist
Seventy men (Luke 10:111) were sent with a commission to represent Jesus. They were sent by Jesus to prepare the way for His coming. As
they invaded enemy territory (Luke 10:17), they would be like “lambs among wolves” (Luke 10:3). But they must rely on Jesus to win the battle. They were ambassadors of peace, bringing healing to the sick, deliverance to the possessed, and the Gospel of salvation to lost sinners. It is important to note that the special power that Jesus gave to His twelve apostles (Luke 9:1) and to the Seventy is not ours to claim today. These two preaching missions were very special
ministries. God did not promise to duplicate them in our age. Jesus’ commission to us emphasizes the proclamation of the Gospel message, not the performing of miracles. We are called to proclaim the message, “the kingdom of God is near you” (Luke 10:9). We are called to evangelize the world, beginning at home. The kingdom of God means primarily the rule of God. Jesus taught that the kingdom of God has come into history in His own per-
son and mission. The kingdom of God has now invaded the kingdom of Satan to deliver humans from the power of evil. The children of the kingdom of God and the children of the kingdom of Satan grow together in the world until the harvest (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43). How is it that the world is so little changed? Is the kingdom of God future? That would be one way to handle the problem, but how do we deal with Jesus’ statement that the kingdom of God is
“in the midst of you” (Luke 17:21)? Is the kingdom of God past, present or future? In one sense the kingdom of God is past, for God has always ruled over people and history. But at the same time it is also present and future. Thus God rules today and will continue to rule. Jesus brought in the new age. He died for us in order to deliver us “from the Continued on Page 9 See: Kingdom
6
December 2011
ANGLICANLife
Storm Riders Submitted by The Rev’d Marlene Harvey & Denise White
Two feisty women in Hawke’s Bay are determined to keep their church going. For the past seven years around about March, Wavey Plowman and Phyllis House don their gear and set off on snowmobiles for their annual ‘Ride for Insurance.’ Having secured as many pledges as possible, with no regard to weather, they will travel 150 km, round-trip to Daniel’s Harbour, making a full day of it. Refusing to concede to the ill temper of Mother Nature, they have braved rain, snow and ice storms, one particular year to the dismay of Mr. Humber, owner of the gas bar in Daniel’s Harbour. They had left Hawke’s Bay on a Saturday morning during what was described as the calm before the storm. Indeed a storm was forecasted and had arrived full fury by the
time the women arrived at winds and snow forecast Mr. Humber, grateful for the gas bar. The poor man and to phone him the his concern. He was not was beside himself with minute they got home. The alone in his concern; those at home had worry, said extra “You two prayers for girls up the travelers here in and shared Daniel’s Mr. HumHarbour, ber’s relief at all alone their safe reand having turn. to travel all T h e the way women have b a c k a pattern; home...and they stop in it’s not fit and visit cabto be out up ins along the here on a way, always ski-doo!” stopping in M r . to Elsie and Humber Raymond was terribly House’s worried cabin, where and inElsie always structed the has a lunch girls to stay and warm on the road cup of tea and not to waiting for leave it and them. They to go Meet the Storm Riders: Wavey Plowman & Phyllis House also check in straight on the way home. Furthermore, he made them two arrived home safely, no home, referring to it as their promise not to come up worse for the wear, and true half-way point. They take a there again with strong to their word, they phoned little lunch with them, as
well as a little extra gas since Mr. Humber’s gas bar has closed. Wavey is always the leader. She says that way if they make a wrong turn or if something goes wrong, Phyllis can always say, “I was just following Wavey, she’s the leader.” As Wavey says, “That way she always has someone to blame and everybody who knows Phyllis knows she always has to have someone to blame!” It is all in good fun and for a good reason as well. Both women raised between $650.00 and $750.00 each year to cover the insurance on Holy Innocents Church in Hawke’s Bay, with any left over funds going to general upkeep of the church. As well, one cannot but be aware of the side benefits of community building and good will generated by these two spirited women. God bless them!
The Harveys are ordained Submitted by Denise White
No one can believe a year has passed since the Harveys joined the Ministry team on the Northern Peninsula. They have survived their first winter of snow and wind and so much more! During their first year of Ministry in Newfoundland, they made their “home” in Plum Point. The Rev. Harold Harvey serves the Parish of Plum Point while The Rev. Marlene Harvey has been serving the Parishes of Green Island and Port Saunders. The couple spends time in both parishes on a biweekly basis and has to find lodging there, especially during some inclement weather. With an air of God’s love and excitement, on 20 February 2011, the Harveys were ordained to the world of Ordained Ministry by Bishop Percy Coffin. It was a beautiful service of song and praise with choir mem-
bers from all three Parishes along with many young Altar Servers at St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church in Black Duck Cove. Members of the three parishes joined together for a celebration supper where both were presented with Home Communion sets for use at the hospital, senior homes, and with the sick and shut in. The Harveys joined the Diocese of Western Newfoundland in November of 2010. They moved to the Newfoundland (Harold’s home province) from Ontario after graduating from Theological Studies at the University of Western Ontario. They bring with them years of experience in outreach ministry which helps with doing God’s ministry. May God continue to bless them in their ministry work on the Northern Peninsula.
Clergy Couple. The Rev’d Marlene Harvey (left) and her husband The Rev’d Harold Harvey (right) receive their Licences to exercise ministry in their parishes from The Right Reverend Percy Coffin (centre) of the Diocese of Western Newfoundland.
ANGLICANLife
7
December 2011
Companions on a journey All Saints’ Parish in Foxtrap takes a trip to Labrador Submitted by Parish of All Saints Conception Bay South
Our trip began on the morning of Friday, September 23, 2011. Rev. Robin Trevors, Bill Haynes, Madonna Lawrence and Barb Porter were loaded into a van, excited and ready to travel to a new place, meet new people and carry out the work we felt God was calling us to do. At 9:00 a.m., we hit the TCH and our trip began with prayers. Pop up prayers guided us from then on. The drive from Conception Bay South to St. Barbe was joyful and exciting. We stayed in St. Barbe overnight and got the early boat at 8:00 am to Blanc Sablon. It was a beautiful crossing. When we arrived in “The Big Land” everyone was in awe. Our first stop was at Mary’s Harbour to visit with Rev. Irene Sutton and her husband Wayne. It was then on to Port Hope Simpson. The church, parish hall and apartment were formerly a school. When we arrived at the apartment, all beds were prepared, with food in the fridge, drinking water, towels, etc. Everything we needed had been provided. A resident named Gail, her husband Darnell, and daughter Gina came by to visit. On Sunday morning we held a Service of Holy Eucharist. There were 21 people present. They do not usually have music at worship, so the guitar was well received as blended voices were lifted to the Lord in praise. The people were wonderful, so happy and thankful that we were there. On Sunday afternoon we had a Messy Church for the children with story time, activities, singing and snacks. There were 13 children and several parents. What a beautiful afternoon – lots of excitement! Rev. Irene and Wayne joined us. At 5:30 pm we headed off to St. Lewis for a Prayer and Praise Service. Approximately 4045 people attended. Wow, what a celebration! The participation during the two hours was overwhelming and the people were not ready for it to end. The presence of the Holy Spirit was very evident. The ladies served a delicious lunch to end the
evening. We arrived back in Port Hope around 10:30 pm. Before leaving for Cartwright on Monday, Rev. Robin did some home visits
what they really wanted. They were so happy that someone cared enough to come among them and share music, words, faith and love.
delicious lunch was served by the ladies. What a wonderful day. As they were leaving, each child was given an invitation (prepared for us by
Labrador Companions. (Left to right): The Rev’d Robin Trevors, Barbara Porter, Bill Haynes, and Madonna Lawrence from the Parish of All Saints in Conception Bay South visited Southeast Labrador to share in worship and ministry. Submitted by Parish of All Saints.
and communions. Our journey had been awesome. More than ever, we felt God was truly calling us to this land. A visit to the Moulder of Dreams for shopping was a must before leaving Port Hope. We arrived in Cartwright about 8:00 pm to a warm welcome...a note from Shirley, a pot of soup, homemade pie, fresh bread and a bucket of cold, clear spring water. We knew that we were among friends, companions on a journey – a journey of faith. Shirley, the clergy warden, dropped by and was so excited, as were the others. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening we held the Power of Blessing and a Prayer and Praise services. Each was well attended and received. God’s people were worshipping together and God’s presence was all around, peace and joy filled all our hearts. The music, singing and preaching rang out loud and clear. We got to know many wonderful people. In spite of all our plans, before leaving home, we kept adjusting what we thought they needed to
Each person we met was so strong in their faith and commitment to their work in their church. They just needed to be refuelled and recharged. On Wednesday and Friday afternoon we did approximately eleven home visits and several communions. They were all very gracious and touched by the visit. On Wednesday we were invited to visit the children at the school; the school did everything they could for us. On Thursday afternoon we went to Paradise River for a home visit and communion. We were so blessed by each person we met right there in their home. Friday evening was a planned youth gathering, however; only one young man showed up, so we all decorated and prepared for Vacation Bible School on Saturday. On Saturday morning, 22 children and some parents came along for the day. We did a session on Creation and one on the story of Jonah, complete with a big fish that all the children could get inside. They did activities, games and crafts. A
the school) for them and their family to join us for an 11:00 am service on Sunday morning. Ten children and their families came along, three
children read the prayers and they all sang their VBS songs for the congregation. God was very much present. The children were so joyful, wearing the panda bear hats they made at VBS. There were blessings in abundance all around. Sunday afternoon the parish held a delicious pot luck supper in our honour and gifts of appreciation were given to each of us. Shirley and Job each gave us some red berries they had picked. Sunday evening was our closing Prayer & Praise service and what an awesome ending to a powerful, spirit filled week. After two hours they still did not want it to be over and one elderly lady said “I was just getting started!” If the people we visited were half as blessed and fulfilled as we were, and I feel they were, it was a very successful, worthwhile journey of faith. Labrador is truly a big, beautiful rugged land filled with warm, gentle people. We give God thanks for the opportunity to serve him in this way, as well as the people of All Saints Parish for their support and Prayers. Would we do it again? Yes, in a heartbeat!!
Ring the Bells. The Rev’d Robin Trevors from the Parish of All Saints in Conception Bay South rings the church bell in Port Hope Simpson. Submitted by Parish of All Saints.
8
December 2011
ANGLICANLife
OUR HISTORY Bishop Aubrey George Spencer, part 1 We have seen of late in this column three articles based on the journals of Bishop Edward Feild. At the same time, it is important to pay some attention to his predecessor, Aubrey George Spencer, the first bishop of the diocese of Newfoundland. Bishop Spencer has not left us writings about Newfoundland so we need to find an alternative, as readers will see the writer has used the obituary written after his death as a window into his world. Readers will notice he was born into one of the most prominent families in England, the SpencerChurchills, who have remained so to the present day. The family began in the west country of England from which John Churchill rose to be the military leader (Captain General was the title) for Queen Anne, through the abilities and the connections of his wife Sarah Jennings, a close friend of the queen, was important to his success. Other famous members of the family more recently have been Winston Churchill, writer and prime minister, and Diana Spencer, Princess of Wales. Although he came from an aristocratic family and was brought up in an expensive and elegant environment Aubrey Spencer was forced to make his own way in life to some extent. This making his own way should be contrasted with the life struggles of the ordinary person: he had lots of visits to Blenheim, the ancestral palace of the Duke of Marlborough, the head of the Spencer Churchill family. As Aubrey Spencer had a reputation throughout his life for having weak health, his decision to enter the navy was surprising. The Royal Navy was notorious for the hardships borne by the people who crewed its ships: hundred of men crammed into small, dirty, unhealthy ships where disease was rampant and discipline was extreme. The last was said to be necessary to keep the ship’s crews from deserting. He wouldn’t have lasted long in this environment even though he was an officer,
whose life afloat would have been a little easier than ordinary crew members. Then he wanted to be a missionary. However, being a missionary in northern North America (Newfoundland) would also have been very challenging. One has only to think of the approaching winter without any of our current conveniences and comforts. Time proved that Aubrey Spencer, the priest, was no more able to deal with the extremes of the climate in Newfoundland than he was the claustrophobic, disease-ridden naval ships. He moved on to the warmer climates of Bermuda and Jamaica with a short return to Newfoundland to be first bishop. He retired to one of the mildest climate in England, in Devon, where he did lots of clerical retirement work. He was only sixty-two years old, but in those years that was the extent of most people’s lives, in fact members of the lower classes usually lived only into their forties before they were considered worn out and only waiting to die. Of course in the case of the bishop he had served many years in tropical climates which were hard on northern people, heat, humidity and tropical diseases, shortening their life spans. In later years people who were sent to these types of climates were usually rotated between tropical climates and non-tropical climates so that their health would not be undermined by too long a time in tropical climates; heat and disease. In the second part of this article the writer will look at Bishop Spencer’s career in Newfoundland.
David Davis Columnist
Th ocum en Thee D Do umen entt The following obituary appeared in Mission Life, Vol. III (new series) (1872), pages 218-220. In Memoriam - Bishop Spencer
(Prepared partly from private sources and partly from a notice in the John Bull of March 9th, 1872) AUBREY GEORGE SPENCER was born in 1795, was the eldest son of the Honorable William Spencer and his German wife Susan, Countess Jenison Walworth. He was educated by Dr. Burney, of Greenwich, who educated many eminent naval and military officers at the beginning of the present century, and who became greatly attached to his young pupil. His classical attainments were so good (his Latinity especially, which never lost its force and grace), that the doctor would never receive any payment of his education. From school, in very stirring times, he entered the Royal Navy, and accompanied Mr. Clive, as midshipman, in his embassy to Morocco. He was present at several engagements, and carried his first prize-money as an offering to his mother. Leaving the navy (on account of delicate health), he was mainly dependent on his own exertions in literature for the future; but in the midst of the brilliant society in which he moved there grew up the desire for another career, and (after reading with Archdeacon Paley for some time) he went to Magdalene Hall, Oxford, somewhat late in life, and expressly to prepare for Holy Orders. He did not aim at academic distinction, and his peculiar temperament and tastes were so buoyant and free as to be against the millwheel work of steady acquisition in any subject not voluntarily chosen. Fond of society, a frequent guest at Blenheim, full of poetic instinct, and of great facility in melodious verse, he, at College, apart from his devout attention to his chief subject, theology, “lusit amabiter”and took only an ordinary degree. Whilst an undergraduate, he wrote two prize poems of great merit, one of which, on the Coliseum, the judges specially approved, but he declined to cut it down to the limited number of lines necessary to success. Mr. Murray afterwards purchased it for £50. The other, thought by his friends to be the finer, he withdrew from competition on account of his anxiety for the success of a poet friend (the late Rev J.S. Boone), who, much younger than himself, was also a competitor. His first curacy was at Prittlewell, in Essex. He then passed to another parish in Norfolk, in both of which he was much beloved; but life was a hard struggle to a young clergyman, brought up in the midst of brilliant society, yet entirely dependent, from the time of his leaving the navy, on his own exertions. His heart was set on Missionary work, and he went out to Newfoundland in 1819. There, (218/ 219) after a time, his health failed him, and he was ordered to try the soft climate of Bermuda, where the governor, Sir William Lumley, warmly received him, appointed him to a living, and he was afterwards made Archdeacon of the island. His services were great to the Church and to the cause of education and freedom in that island. He married into a well known island family (the Mussons). He was then successively Bishop of Newfoundland (1839) and of Jamaica (1843). Altogether he served thirty five years (twenty as a Missionary) in the Colonial Church, until his health, never robust, was broken down by hard work and various climates. He retired in his sixty-second year to England, and finally settled in Torquay, a place chosen for its exquisite scenery and soft climate, where he died. There he, with never-resting activity, generously and self-denyingly for several years took the place of the still more aged Bishop of Exeter in ordaining, confirming and other Episcopal functions, and was ever at call for sermons, clerical help, and wise counsels to the clergy. With no direct duty (after the appointment of his Co-Adjutor Bishop of Kingston) he yet was always was alert and ministering to some sick and weary ones, and in a place like Torquay this was real work, in which he continued to the last. As a preacher, in his latter days, his physical power was feeble, but not so his mental vigor and eloquent sweep of language.
ANGLICANLife
9
December 2011
BISHOP’S MESSAGE
Holy Certainty Bishop Percy Coffin Diocese of Western Newfoundland
We begin this New Year in the church with the proclamation of St. Mark’s Gospel. St. Mark does not mince words. From the get-go we behold a new creation; a creation not unlike the old one in that it brings the divine cosmos out of chaos. This new creation has its roots in the wilderness which is a Biblical language for disorder and chaos. As the Spirit of God breathed and God’s word commanded the created order so too in the wilderness the voice of God commands us to make way…prepare in the desert a highway for our God. The voice this time is that of John the Baptist. In fact they are not the original words of John the Baptist because these words were spoken in ancient times
Kingdom Continued from Page 5 The Rev. Michael Li
present evil age”. We have been raised from spiritual death. At the same time, the old age persists. So the two ages overlap. One day the old age will be terminated, and the new age will be consummated at the Second Coming. Meanwhile, while the two ages continue, we feel ourselves caught in the tension between them. We are called not to conform any longer to this world. Nevertheless, the tension remains. Thus, already we have been saved, yet also we shall be saved one day. Already we are God’s adopted children, yet we also are waiting for our adoption. You can picture the situation that all the adoption papers have been signed, we are waiting for the plane to take the child to the home of the adopted parents. The new world of God has already begun, and this new world is still to come. We look forward to the full realization of the kingdom of God.
by the prophet Isaiah (Ch. 40). That’s how St. Mark’s Gospel comes to us. There is a sense of urgency that all the major points are covered with an economy of words. St. Mark tells us the time without telling us how to make a watch. Actually he is blatantly telling us that the time is at hand and the watch making is left to John the Baptist. The “how to” is simply put “Repent and sin no more.” In case we forget that message, consider Peter the painter who was in the habit of thinning his paint to make it go further. The old local church was in desperate need for a touch-up. Peter puts forth a low bid and gets the contract. He bought the paint (and turpentine) and got to work. The job was nearly completed when there was a sudden clap of thunder. The sky opened and the rain poured down washing the thinned paint off the church. Dear Peter falls off the scaffold and lands in the churchyard among the gravestones, gripped with fear for having cheated the church, pleading to the Almighty for forgiveness. A voice from above, a mighty voice roared, ‘Repaint! Repaint! And thin no more.’ In true form St. Mark is rapidly moving toward something greater. John the Baptist moves the people to come clean, strip down and get ready for this icy dip in the Jordan because the Holy One is coming. As soon as the words are out of his mouth John disappears; the show must go on. It must go on
because we need to see Jesus. As much as we would like to linger on the banks of the Jordan and amuse ourselves with this eccentric character we cannot. A new world has begun. Then again if we don‘t move through the icy waters of the Jordan we will have difficulty making our way to the manger in Bethlehem. No Jesus without John. I believe we are called to a little time in the wilderness, the desert ground of everyone‘s experience and life where we acknowledge our own complicity in the world‘s darkness. Having made that journey I am certain we will join the angels and all creation and sing: Hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail, the Sun of Righteousness! Light and Life to all he brings, Risen with healing in his wings. Mild he lays his glory by, Born that we no more may die, Born to raise each child of earth, Born to give us second birth Hark‘! the herald angels sing, ‘Glory to the newborn King Merry Christmas
Santa: Secular or Saint? Submitted by The Rev’d Canon Baxter Park
A few years ago I met Canon James Rosenthal, who was then the Director of Communications for the Anglican Communion and the editor of Anglican World. We immediately connected because of our shared belief in the importance of the legends of St Nicholas to the church. We believe that St Nicholas can be a powerful voice pointing people to the babe at Bethlehem. Every year in early December I wear a St Nicholas pin in my lapel, given to me by Canon Rosenthal. I am all too aware of the debate around the commercialism of Christmas. Still, I have learned that Santa can be a powerful ally for the church if we embrace his saintly origin and educate people that he was not a creation of Coca Cola. In fact the present North American Santa Claus is a direct descendant of the traditional St Nicholas whose feast day is celebrated on 6th December every year. In many parts of Europe it is still St Nicholas who delivers the gifts to the children. In the small community of Stahe in Germany where I lived, near the Dutch border, St Nicholas would deliver small gifts to the children on 6th December and then the Christ Child would deliver the bigger gifts on Christmas Eve, while the family was attending church. This tradition dates to the Protestant reformation when Martin Luther felt it was imperative to give Christ a larger role in the celebrations
of the season in the home. Many of my friends and family know that I collect St Nicholas or Santa figures. I have between two and three hundred of them ranging from religious icons of Nicholas right up to more contemporary images of Santa Claus. Starting the 6th of December I begin decorating the house with them and I love mixing the images of Nicholas with historic and more modern Santas. I also enjoy telling the stories of how each of these figures became part of my collection and I love seeing people’s reaction to them. I believe I was called from the womb to collect Santas. The one I have had the longest in my collection was actually purchased for me for Christmas 1962, 5 days before my birth. I have commissioned a couple and one of my favourites is St Nicholas, wearing the robes of a bishop and towing a sleigh in the style of a Bay of Islands dory (properly painted orange) and laden down with the simple toys that St Nick might bring to outport homes during my childhood. This was done by Cape Breton carver Imelda George whose work is featured in Kevin Major’s excellent children’s story, House of the Wooden Santas. The memory of those simple Christmases has inspired me to collect a number by wellknown NL artist Kevin Coates. I also have several in my collection by Ontario artist, Charles Heseltine, whose Continued on Page 11 See: Santa
10
December 2011
ANGLICANLife
Legacy giving: Is it for you? Kevin Smith Planned Giving Consultant
Legacy giving is sometimes called by another name - planned giving and it is usually means gifts that are made in the later stages of life. They often are larger gifts and are associated with a project or legacy objective. Why should you consider a Legacy Gift to the church? This question often arises in conversations and I want to devote this column to an-
swering it. First, if you believe in the Anglican life, and believe that its preservation and nurture into the future are important, then you might make a legacy gift. Secondly, if you value the heritage of biblical faith, reason, liturgy, tradition, bishops and synods, and the rich variety of our life in community, then you might make a legacy gift. Thirdly, if you believe that God calls each of us to greater diversity of members, wider participation in ministry and leadership, better stewardship in God’s creation or the need to challenge attitudes and structures that cause injustice, then you might make a legacy gift.
And finally, if you want to respond in love and service and more fully live the life of Christ, then you might make a legacy gift. When you prepare your will, please prayerfully consider one of these ideas as you plan your legacy gift to the church. Adopt the church as an extra child to receive a portion of your inheritance. If you have three children, add the church as a fourth. Consider tithing your estate. This means giving 10% of your estate to the faith community. Endow your annual gift. Give enough to create equivalent investment income to your annual gift. Leave the residual. After you have made all your be-
quests to family and friends, leave the remainder to the church. Legacy gifts are a form of stewardship for your lifetime assets; they create a legacy of who you are and they are a way for you to make a permanent difference in the world. Your generosity may also inspire others to give this way. In caring for future generations, your faithful gift will preserve the traditions you strongly support. Your gift will show that sharing is a core value of Anglicanism. Those who benefit from your loving gift will rejoice at your action and your compassionate gift will help to heal the hurts of the world. Finally, your gift to the com-
munity will help it to continue to thrive and your gift of celebration declares the Grace of God in your life. My sincere thanks to Glen Mitchell my colleague in Vancouver for his assistance in the creation of this article. Finally, my wife Kay and I would like to wish each of you dear readers a blessed Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous 2012!
Kevin Smith is a gift planning consultant for the Anglican Church of Canada. He can be contacted at 739-5667 or k_smith@nf.sympatico.ca
Laugh, Jesus, Laugh! Father Greg Mercer Columnist
Some years ago a trusted CLB friend of mine gave me a picture of the “laughing Jesus.” I placed it on my desk in my office where it has been ever since. While I can’t say that it has had any great theological or spiritual effect on me personally, it does serve as a wonderful conversational piece. But wouldn’t it have been nice, even comforting, to have some gospel record of Jesus actually laughing? Can you imagine the implications of that? In a world where so many things are brutalizing, isn’t it only natural and human to yearn for something that fills us with elation? I honestly believe that a laughing Jesus would have provided for a wonderful pastoral ministry. In my early to late twenties I was confronted with a series of tragedies that completely altered the course of my life. It began with the brutal death of my first cousin (an RCMP Officer only several months on the force) and culminated with the birth and subsequent death of our third daughter (just a few months short of 8 years old at the time of her death). It was more than a test of faith; it actually wiped
away my smile. Oh I still laughed and joked, and took my place in the social arena, but it was all pretence. What people saw on the outside was nothing at all what I was feeling on the inside. Whatever one might consider normal was lost forever. Could the notion of a laughing Jesus have been of any help to me at that time? I guess in hindsight it is easy for me to say yes. In a fraudulent document known as “The Epistle of Lentulus to the Roman Senate” you will find a description of Jesus of Nazareth. It tells of his facial characteristics, his long curly hair, the colour of his eyes, his height and stature, etc. It is a document that has influenced the shape of Christian art over the last several hundred years. But in the paragraph that follows his description appears a statement that has had an even stronger impact. The statement reads, “No man has seen him laugh.” The inference is that Jesus never did laugh; that humour, which does so much to alleviate the stress of our daily ex-
istence, had no part in his life. Good thing it is a fraudulent document I would say. Nevertheless, having said that, there is no record of Jesus laughing in any of the four gospels – look as you wish and you
will not find it. At close examination, and reading between the lines you will find a few episodes in his life where that possibility existed. There is the wedding at Cana, John 2:1-11. Can you imagine Jesus attending a wedding where
there is plenty of feasting, dancing, singing, and revelry, and not laughing? Then there is the episode where Jesus invites and blesses the little children (Mark 10:13-16). It would be ridiculous to think that Jesus didn’t laugh while playing with the children! Professor John Knox particularly noted that “Jesus was... a Man of incomparable insight, understanding and imagination... of intense devotion to duty, and [please note] of joyous trust in God... Although he took life very seriously, there is no reason to think that he took it solemnly; perhaps he took it too seriously to take it solemnly” (Jesus Man of Joy by Sherwood Eliot Wirt). I concur! Moreover, laughter does not in any way diminish the seriousness of our loses, our situations, our circumstances, or our grief. Laughter is a must even if we do it in pretence. I thank God for those who helped me laugh through some very difficult times. Several months ago I visited someone who had tragically lost her daughter in a car
accident. I remember vividly a conversation that aroused some laughter. Her response was, “that’s the first time I have laughed in months.” And it was good for the soul. Soon Christmas will be upon us. It is a difficult time for many. The Christmas blues are paramount for many because Christmas is family time and someone is missing. It resurrects sad feelings for the loved ones we treasured and who are no longer with us. But towering above all other stories in the Gospel, the Christmas story is bursting with joy and celebration. There is the Magnificat — Mary’s song of joy; the angel’s heavenly chorus announcing the birth of Christ; the Magi and their adventure to worship the Christ child. It is difficult to imagine in the midst of such joy and jubilation that Jesus himself was not a man of joy, with a few laughs along the way. Laugh, Jesus, laugh! — And a MERRY Christmas to all.
ANGLICANLife
December 2011
& Outreach
11
MISSION
sharing stories from the diocese of western newfoundland
Feeding the famine in Africa Submitted by Cindy Turner
“The famine in Africa is the worst in decades and will be long term. Our response needs to be long-term as well. This week, I will meet with our wardens and the PWRDF coordinator to develop a plan for the Fall.” With that statement made in August 2011 when the news media was full of reports of the famine, the Rev. Edmund Laldin launched what was to be a multi-faceted plan to assist members of the Parish of Pasadena/Cormack in their response to the crisis in East Africa. According to the UN, famine is officially defined as when two adults or four children per 10,000 people die of hunger each day and a third of children are acutely malnourished. A CBC news story entitled ‘UN seeks more donor help on Somalia famine’, published back in July, said, “More than 11 million people are estimated to need help in East Africa’s worst drought in 60 years, in Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea and South Sudan. But Somalia is the ‘epicentre of the famine,’ said UN World Food Program executive director
Josette Sheeran.” Refugee camps are overcrowded and at times cannot accept any more people. “Dadaab is now the largest refugee camp in the world, housing close to 400,000 people – more than three times its capacity. It is so full that it is no longer able to accept new admissions, so tens of thousands of new refugees (mostly women and children) are left to set up whatever kind of shelter they can in the no-mans land that surrounds the camp itself. There is nowhere else for them to go.” - from the Canadian Foodgrains Bank web-site, a Litany for East Africa ‘When did we ever see you?’ Keeping this in mind, a small group planned to keep before the people of the Parish, the famine, its root causes
and information about what PWRDF is doing. We also planned a number of activi-
ties to raise money to assist in the relief efforts. In September, we distributed bookmarks to people which reminded them of their abundance and of how to use that bounty to help people. So for a month, people were asked to have a simple lunch or simply a piece of fruit, and set aside the money they
Santa depictions of Santa always remind me of the Santa who came to my elementary school (St Nicholas Anglican School) for Christmas concerts. He was a jovial trickster who hopped around as intent on scaring you as giving you a gift and sitting in his lap or on his knee could be a bumpy ride. My most unusual is a painted terra cotta piece from the Grand Bazaar in Cairo depicting St Nicholas as a Coptic bishop. I also have 2 from military friends, one a chaplain and the other a Military Policeman, in the style of matryoshka dolls that they purchased in Afghani-
would have spent or to set aside a loonie for every glass of wine or other alcoholic beverage they had or every dessert they enjoyed, or 25¢ for every snack or every time they had meat in a day and to bring that money in at the Thanksgiving service. After the Thanksgiving worship, proceeds from the sale of harvest goods were set aside for famine relief as well as the proceeds from a simple soup luncheon held after worship on World Food Sunday. In the meantime, prayers and litanies from the C a n a d i a n Foodgrains Bank (CFGB)web-site (www.foodgrainsbank.ca) were used on a regular basis to encourage continued prayer for those affected by the famine and those assisting. On World Food Sunday, we sang the hymn ‘Where is Bread’ by Carolyn Gillette that is also found on the
CFGB web-site. Stories from the PWRDF web-site (www.pwrdf.org) were also printed to offer encouragement to donors and to remind us that this famine is not going away anytime soon. One particular article addresses people’s concerns that the money may not be getting through. (See the article “PWRDF Aid Gets Through in Kenya” from September 14 on the PWRDF web-site.) Efforts will continue with PowerPoint presentations dealing with the root causes of famine and giving some facts about this current crisis and with a dinner in November that will raise money to assist with relief efforts. Christmas is coming - a time when we spend so much on food and gifts to celebrate the occasion. As we do, let us not forget that providing a daily ration for someone facing starvation is one of the best Christmas presents we can give to those who are suffering and, as scripture reminds us, to Jesus himself. ‘...just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:40.
Continued from Page 9 The Rev’d Canon Baxter Park
stan. There was something really quite satisfying about what they separately said to me. “I saw these Santas and I thought of you.” One of the few factory created figures that I have is a praying Santa with a Bible sticking out of the pocket of his red fur-trimmed jacket. I have to confess I love that depiction and I have used it often in my children’s story in church in this season. One of the things that I have always admired about the teachings of Jesus and particularly in his parables was his ability to connect with people using the common images in their
daily life. For the last 2 months of the calendar year we are bombarded with secular Christmas imagery, except it is not really secular. We have allowed our stories and our figures to be commandeered, but we can take them back. The Santa who loves children is the same image as Nicholas the patron saint of children. His reputation for generosity and kindness was earned because of his faith in Jesus. Santa or St Nicholas should not remind us of Canadian Tire. His image should point us back to Bethlehem.
12
December 2011
ANGLICANLife
YouthLife
anglican youth stories from newfoundland & labrador
Confirmation at All Saints Submitted by Beverly Buffett
It was an important day for fourteen young people in Fortune. On 15 May 2011 at the morning worship, a Confirmation Service was held at All Saints’ Anglican Church. The Diocesan Bishop, The Rt. Rev’d David Torraville, along with the Rector, The Rev’d Neal Buffett, and Assistant, The Rev’d Lochleigh Fiander, were in attendance for this service. The confirmation candidates were eager and ready to confirm there faith in the Lord. After the service there was finger food and a Confirmation cake provided for all to enjoy.
Fortune youth continue the journey Submitted by Beverly Buffett
All Saints youth are continuing their journey through life. This year, one of our servers, Gregory Clements (left in photo), and one of the active youth members of the congregation, Tyler Barnes, were presented them with devotional bibles for their dedicated service to All Saints Church. Both youth have been involved with church life since their confirmation. They have now graduated from High School and will be attending College in the fall. Congratulations to the both of them as they journey through life. Tyler’s sister Hilary accepted the bible on his behalf from the Rector, The Rev’d Neal Buffett.
Congratulations to Anglican Life Columnist Allison Billard and her husband Robert on the birth of their first child