ANGLICANLife
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January 2011
ANGLICANLife A Section of the Anglican Journal
in NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR
January 2011
Education For Ministry
Education For Ministry. Since 1995, the Education For Ministry program has been running in the Diocese of Western Newfoundland. Pictured above are current students and past graduates who make this Christian education program such a success. Submitted by Glynda Seaborn. Submitted by Glynda Seaborn
The EFM (Education for Ministry) Program is a four year lay training program from the School of Theology, University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee. EFM was introduced in the Diocese of Western Newfoundland in 1995. To date there are upwards of sixty graduates in various parts of the Diocese. On Tuesday, November 16, an evening of celebration and fellowship was held at the Arthur Churchill Hall of St. John the Evangelist Cathedral in Corner Brook, Newfoundland. A pot luck dinner was organized to celebrate the 35th anniver-
sary of EFM and the 25th anniversary of EFM Canada. The group of about 25 consisted of current students and graduates, some of whom had graduated back in 1999. The long time mentor of the group in Corner Brook, Archbishop Stewart Payne, and the Diocesan Coordinator, Eileen Churchill, were also present. Graduates from other areas of the Western Diocese sent greetings but were unable to attend. The evening’s MC was Foster Lamswood, a member of the organizing committee, which also included Eileen Churchill, Shirley Frost and Glynda Seaborn.
Those present enjoyed a hearty meal to begin the evening. This was followed by each individual’s reflection on their Christian ministry and the ongoing impact of the EFM program on their lives. Many spoke of the bond developed with fellow students over the four years of study as well as the knowledge and understanding gained through the program which strengthened their ability to express their faith in dayday events. Following these revelations, Archbishop Payne spoke to those assembled about the program and gave thanks for EFM and those connected with it on every level and especially for the
graduates without whom EFM would not exist. He told the group of his own development and satisfaction in his role as a mentor of EFM. This is one of the facets of his continuing ministry since his retirement. He challenged those present to encourage others to advance their Christian adult education by enrolling in the program. Shirley Frost, who has been an EFM mentor in the past, spoke of the concept of baptismal ministry and how EFM supports our efforts to be able to carry out the vows which were made on our behalf at baptism and which we accept at our confirmation. She emphasized that this is not limited to a
church ministry, but rather a matter of being a Christian parent, employee, employer, unemployed person, voter, neighbour, friend, (whatever role we find ourselves in). Shirley then organized small groups for a Bible study based on 1Peter Ch.2. 2-10 which deals with baptismal ministry. All were pleased with the opportunity to reconnect with fellow students and intentions were discussed of arranging regular EFM gatherings for fellowship and Bible study . The evening concluded with the blessing delivered by Archbishop Stewart Payne.
SERVING THE DIOCESES OF WESTERN NEWFOUNDLAND + CENTRAL NEWFOUNDLAND + EASTERN NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR
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January 2011
What is Heaven like?
The Rev. Michael Li
At the beginning of their Confirmation classes, 44 children ages 11 and 12 wrote down the questions which they wanted to ask God. Their questions covered a lot of subjects including angels, disciples, love, death, sin, prayer, heaven, second coming, death of Jesus, the end of the world, right and wrong choices, creation, ten commandments, churchgoing, evil, purpose of life, healing, sickness, etc. No children asked a question about hell. The most popular topic was heaven. Out of the 130 questions written, 35 of them were about heaven, e.g. What is heaven like? What is it like to go to heaven? Does everybody go to heaven? Do you have to be good to go to heaven? What it takes to get into heaven? How do you choose people to go to heaven? Will I get to see my dog in heaven? Will I get to see my nan and pop in heaven? How big is heaven? How many people are in heaven at this moment? Who is in heaven? How is dying and going to heaven a part of life? Why
do you go to heaven? Do you like heaven? How do you deal with heaven? Space will not permit responses to all these questions. Perhaps an answer to the question, “What is heaven like?” is in order. This question was asked by 16 of the children. Children are interested in the life in the world to come. Harps, wings, halos and trumpets are usually associated with heaven. But we really do not know much about the future life and about the nature of heaven. Because heaven lies beyond our human experience, there are many questions which cannot be answered. We should not be too precise about the furniture of heaven or the temperature of hell. I believe many people have read Don Piper’s 90 Minutes in Heaven (2008) which claims to tell a story of life beyond death, even just for 90 minutes. I think the title of this book should be 90 Minutes outside the Gate of Heaven. Nobody (except Jesus) returns to earth after he or she enters heaven. God is everywhere present in the universe, but heaven is, in a special way, the abode of God, and of those closely associated with Him. Heaven is not a material place which can be located at some particular place in the present universe. It is like a different plane or dimension of being. The present physical
universe is not eternal. Our space-time universe and time itself had a beginning. The sun and stars cannot keep burning forever; sooner or later they will run out of fuel and die. The supply of energy available in the universe is finite, and cannot last forever. When the sun begins to die, life on earth will become impossible. Sooner or later, this world will come to an end. When Jesus comes again, the universe will be transformed into “a new heaven and a new earth” (II Peter 3:13). We will have a new spiritual, resurrected body. In the world to come, God “will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4). There will be an end of death and suffering and evil. Heaven means being in the presence of God. We were created for the purpose of glorifying God and enjoying Him forever. Today, preparing ourselves for heaven should motivate us for holy living.
ANGLICANLife
Deforestation, intensive storms and floods show effects of climate change in Dominican Republic By Lynette Wilson, Episcopal News Service
[Episcopal News Service – San Pedro, Dominican Republic] It is estimated that by 2050, 80 percent of the rivers in the Dominican Republic will have dried up unless something is done to stop deforestation and develop a strategy to slow climate change, said Silvio Minier of Oxfam. Minier, a former Jesuit priest who now works in advocacy and programs for Oxfam based in Santo Domingo, addressed the Episcopal Climate Justice Gathering Dec. 8, giving an overview of the local effects of climate change. More than 30 people — mostly Anglicans and Episcopalians and a few ecumenical seminarians — from Cuba, the United States, Ecuador, Panama, Colombia, Haiti, Mexico, Brazil, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic are meeting Dec. 710 at the Bishop Kellogg Center to explore intersection between poverty and climate change, and perhaps frame
the conversation in terms of “climate justice.” The meeting is convened by Bishop Marc Andrus of the Episcopal Diocese of California, and Bishop Naudal Gomes, Diocese of Curitiba, Brazil. The Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti and is crisscrossed by three mountain ranges. In the 1980s, Dominicans migrated to cities from rural areas; 50 percent of the population now lives in cities and surrounding areas, Minier explained, as translated from Spanish. Some cause and effect can be quantified, Minier continued. Forests areas surrounding cities have been clear cut to make way for agriculture. Over the last 10 years both the dry season and the rainy season have lengthened. Desertification and deforestation have increased the danger and severity of floods See “Climate Change” Page 3
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January 2011
NEWS FROM ACROSS THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA Bishop George Bruce to retire Bishop George Bruce of the diocese of Ontario has announced that he plans to retire in August. He made the announcement at the end of the Oct. 14 to 16 diocesan synod. The bishop and his wife are in their 60s and want more time to spend with their grandchildren. He also plans to spend his time writing, volunteering and filling in for rectors in the dioceses. Dialogue
Fundraising for new women’s housing project gains momentum After a 2009 fire damaged the Cornerstone Foundation’s emergency shelter and housing building for women in Ottawa, the Foundation set out to build a new facility that would provide long-term housing for 20 seniors and 22 younger women. One of the sources of funding has been an adopt-a-room initiative. For $5,500, individuals or groups can pay for the cost of one room. Cornerstone reports that 24 of the 42 rooms have now been paid for or have a pledge of payment. The room sponsors include two Anglican parishes in the diocese, Crosstalk
Canadian government pares down Ugandan delegation A delegation from the Central Buganda Diocese arrived in Winnipeg in late October for a three-week visit to the diocese of Rupert’s Land. But Bishop Jackson Matovu and Archdeacons Jason Musoke and Stephen Muwonge were the only three members of what was supposed to be a nine-member delegation who were granted travel visas by the Canadian government. The other six traveler wer twice denied visas by the Canadian High Commission in Nairobi, Kenya. No detailed reasons were given for the mass refusals.The remaining three visitors agreed to proceed with their travel plan in order to fulfill the goal of strengthening the bonds of the diocesan partnership through a deeper cultural and theological understanding through shared experiences. Rupert’s Land News
Some residents return to flood-damaged village About 80 residents of Kingcome Inlet, B.C., were able to return to their homes by Nov. 1. But many of the people lost their belongings and furniture to water damage and mold. About 26 people are unable to return to their homes and are still living with family or generous residents of Alert Bay. A small group of dedicated volunteers has worked every weekday since the Sept. 25 flood to provide dinners for the community. St. George’s church has yet to have an insurance inspection but it did have a few feet of water in the nave at the height of the flood. Donations to the diocese and The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund continue to come in and about $8,000 has been received at the synod office in Victoria. The Diocesan Post
Climate Change Article continued from Page 2
– rivers crest their banks, destroying crops and livelihoods. Water levels in Lake Enriquillo, the country’s largest, along with Lake Sumatra in Haiti, have risen more in the last five years than in the previous 200. Hurricanes and tropical storms have strengthened and wrought havoc, Minier said. As an example of flood severity, Minier shared a photo from a storm in 2007 that showed flood waters at roof-top levels; adding that the photo was taken in a flat area and that in mountainous regions, floods are even more severe. “The Dominican Republic is the eighth country in the world that will be most affected by climate change,” Minier said, adding that governments are not doing anything, and that the local environmental council has studied climate change’s effects on the coast and tourism, but not on poor people and agriculture. The Episcopal-Anglican gathering coincides with the U.N. Climate Change Conference of world leaders who are nearing the end of a second week of climate talks in Cancún, Mexico, to attempt to hammer out the details of an agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions that would replace the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012. At the 2009 U.N. conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, negotiators failed to reach a binding deal to replace the protocol. Developing nations are pushing for a
second phase of the Kyoto agreement, including deeper emissions cuts. Developed countries, including Japan, Russia and Canada, have said they will not accept further cuts. In Cancún, nations have been unable to agree on key issues, such as reducing emissions and monitoring other nations’ adherence to reducing emissions, and the specifics on a disaster fund for developing countries, could potentially mean another Copenhagen-style failure to come to an accord, according to news reports. Oxfam works with partners in the Dominican Republic to mitigate the effects of disaster before disaster happens, but so far the government, Minier said, only responds to disaster and has not made progress towards prevention. When asked what the church can do to help, Minier explained that people need to be made to realize their role in what is happening and that the government, which is doing some things, needs to be pushed to do more. And he stressed, “You can’t have plans for climate change reduction without including women and food security.” -- Lynette Wilson is an ENS staff writer.
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EDITORIAL
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.
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
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ANGLICANLife
What’s in a Name?
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
January 2011
Father Sam Rose Editor
From a sermon preached on January 1 - the Feast of the Name of Jesus
Someone once asked, “What’s in a name?” Names identify who we are, who we belong to, where we come from, even when we were born. I am Sam – Samuel Vincent really – son of Sam and Elaine, grandson of Sam and Lillian and Vincent and Alice. I’m a Rose from Bell Island with roots in Harbour Main and Victoria, BC (behind Carbonear). But I am also Sam – husband to Jill, son-in-law to Greg and Marilyn. I am Sam – father to Amy and Samuel Gregory. Many people know me as Father Sam – Rector of the Parish of St. Michael & All Angels. I am also known as Rev’d Sam in the former parishes I served in. But I am also – through all these things - Samuel a child of God. All that began 36 years ago when my parents decided to bring me to a church for baptism. My parents probably did not know that my name also meant something - it is the Hebrew name Samuel which means “God has heard,” referring to the prophet Samuel, which we heard about in our first reading. Names are important. When Jill and I were expecting our first child I remember buying this thick book containing all different baby names for a boy or
a girl. There were thousands of names all with a little explanation behind the meaning. Perhaps you too did a bit of research behind the meaning of your child’s name. Today we are celebrating another important name – a name that not just identifies who the person is but what that person’s purpose is. The name of course is Jesus and today we celebrate his Holy Name. The name of Jesus, my friends, does not just identify who Jesus is, but it identifies why Jesus came. The Angel spoke to Joseph and said to him, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:2021) So we read that Jesus’ purpose was to save people from their sins. In the Jewish tradition only God can save people from their sins. That is why Jesus’ name also has another important meaning, one that is vital for those wishing to be saved from their sins. Again from Matthew’s Gospel we read, “All this took place to fulfill what had spoken by the Lord through the prophet: ‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,’ which means ‘God is with us.’” So we see another important purpose in the person of Jesus - that God is with US! Imagine that! God no longer is distant, removed, and otherworldly. God has a face and a name. God has an identity and a purpose. God has flesh and bones, just like you and me. I am sure that expectant parents often wonder what their baby will be like when he or she is born. I know
that we did. Who will she look like? What color will her hair be? What color eyes will he have? There are all the questions and the expectations and the wondering. And finally when the birth happens, those questions are answered. But the questioning doesn’t stop, does it? I know when I look at my children I think, “What will they become? What will be their interests? What will be their purpose in life?” So often many people wonder who God is? What God is like? In Jesus, we are invited to see who God is, what God’s purpose is, and what God has planned for you and me. We are invited to meet God in the person of Jesus Christ. In Jesus, God offers to us a face and a name, a purpose and an identity. In the Gospel reading today we hear the familiar story of the boy Jesus getting lost from his parents Mary and Joseph. After three days of frantic searching, they find the boy Jesus teaching in the Temple. “His mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” One could pose the question as to who is really lost in this story. Is it Jesus or us? And when we are searching for the Lord, where do we expect to find him? Do we become angry because he is not with us or because he has left us? Could it be we are not with him and we are the ones to have left him? Perhaps you have already met God in the Person of Jesus? Perhaps who have recently met Him? Or perhaps you are still wondering who or what God really is? Wherever you are in your faith, God is inviting you to take another look at His Son. To see in yourself, His purpose, His identity, and His face. In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
ANGLICANLife
January 2011
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STEWARDSHIP
No Will - No Way Kevin Smith
Here are a couple of scenarios for your consideration. Picture this! I am sitting on my deck and chatting with a friend. She reminds me that her mother passed away some time ago without having a legal Will. Lawyers call this dying intestate. My friend’s mother had no great estate but she had property and “things”. You know what I mean. It could be a favourite wedding ring or some other treasured piece of jewellery. Problem is, her mother had
promised each of these items to various family members before she died but didn’t write it all down in a legal document. After the mother’s death, decisions were made about these “things” that were not in keeping with her wishes. But who knew? Well, the person who was supposed to get the special ring or that treasured piece of jewellery. He or she knew and this has caused division in the family ever since. And, this family normally got along quite well. But now there’s division and strife. All because there was no will. How sad! And, here’s another one. A rector is informed that this elderly gentleman, Tom, wants to leave his house and property to the parish. They schedule a meeting to get together to talk about it but on that day,
Tom goes to the hospital for a check up and is admitted with a serious illness. He then calls the rector and suggests that he come in with some paper to write down his wishes. Well, the rector shows up at the appointed time only to be informed that Tom’s health was failing and it was only a matter of time before the end. And he died within a day or two with no will and the house and property was given to some distant relative instead of the parish. These are real life scenarios and I’m told that this is far too common. The Anglican Church recommends that we all should have a legal will and this should be done through a lawyer. But, people put off making a Will: One lawyer wrote: “Some people fear that making a will is tempt-
ing fate. It can be quite difficult, as it means talking about painful issues such as an earlier marriage, and children from a former relationship. It means addressing hard ‘What if?’ questions, such as where the money would go if a child beneficiary died.” Another stewardship writer made this comment: “We are so busy doing other things. We do not want to think about death. We cannot decide how we want to leave our estate. People sometimes worry about cost, but that is minimal compared with the potential emotional and legal cost of not making a will. The worst legacy you can leave your loved ones is not to write a will.” Some writers have suggested that that making a will is part of responsible
Christian stewardship: “Thomas Cranmer advised it in the Book of Common Prayer, 500 years ago. He instructed clergy to ‘admonish’ parishioners to sort out [a] will while in sound health, both for their own peace of mind and that of their executors.” Lawyers tell me that you cannot simply assume that those you wish to inherit will do so if you die intestate. Something to think about as you begin 2011.
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
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
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January 2011
ANGLICANLife
Celebrating Priestly ministry in Fortune Article & Photo Beverly Buffett
All Saints in Fortune were blessed with two celebrations in November. The Rev Lochleigh Fiander celebrated 35 years of faithful ministry to the Priesthood . Also, the Rev’d Edward Keeping, a native son of Fortune, celebrated twenty five years of priestly ministry on November 28, 2010. On November 21st, Rev. Lochleigh celebrated 35 years of dedicated service to God. In his sermon he talked about his calling to ministry and how his wife Phyllis was asked by the bishop if she supported him. His sermon was enjoyed by everyone. Many were amazed with his voice, they said, “even at 80 his voice is as strong as it was when he was a teacher.” His wife Phyllis, who has been a
faithful member of the choir for years, is the greatest supporter he has in his ministry. Through good times and bad times they stuck together. After an uplifting service everyone proceeded downstairs for a luncheon which was prepared by members of the ACW. On the 1st Sunday of Advent, November 28th, Rev. Edward Keeping and his wife, Joyce were welcomed into All Saints church for the celebration of 25 years of faithful ministry to the Priesthood. Rev. Ed delivered a beautiful sermon about his calling and how he was a server at All Saints. This was truly where his journey with Jesus had begun and continued with church army and ordained ministry. After an inspiring service we proceeded downstairs for a luncheon which was prepared by members of the ACW.
The Rev’d Lochleigh Fiander celebrated 35 years of faithful ministry to the Priesthood .
Cursillo ‘Day of Deeper Understanding’ Article Stella Walsh
Photo Jonathan Durdle
The Annual General Meeting and Day of Deeper Understanding, held on October 16 and 17, 2010 was my first opportunity to return to Mint Brook for a Cursillo event, after making my Cursillo weekend last May. To return to that special place, in the company of my Sisters and Brothers in Christ, away from most of the distractions of daily life, was indeed a restful opportunity to deepen my understanding of what it means to be a committed Christian in the Cursillo movement. Following the business of the annual meeting, we were inspired by talks given by Norm Purchase, Rev. John Gillam, Rev. Larry Chapman, Linda Newhook and John Barnes. These speakers aided us in developing a deeper understanding in the areas of: An Overview of the Cursillo Weekend, Discipleship, Making Disciples, Personal Contact Techniques, What Cursillo Means to Me, and Group Reunion. Each speaker spoke from his/her heart, combining personal experiences with the structure of Cursillo, to provide a
framework of ideas and images that would deepen our desire to follow the will of Our Lord. The reflective talks and sharing was concluded by Rev. Gail ThomsWilliams, who led a Bible study called Meeting God in the Place Setting of Each Day. By using the various objects of a place setting for the table, Rev. Gail encouraged us to reflect on the core beliefs of Christianity and our place in God’s plan. Our entire experience was knit together by the centering activities of sharing, eating, singing praise, worshipping, sharing the Eucharist, and resting in Christ. In addition to these familiar activities we were also touched by a photo taken by Jonathan Durdle. When he snapped a picture of a nice scene across the meadow, the photo came out with a cross clearly displayed in the middle, created by the sun’s rays and the clouds on the horizon. It felt like a blessing on a very Spirit-filled gathering that left us feeling renewed in Christ.
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January 2011
ANGLICANLife in pictures
The ladies of St. Martin’s Cathedral in Gander have been busy “sewing” seeds of kindness. On several occasions during the fall months, the ladies of the parish came together to sew “pillowcase” dresses for the children of Haiti. Following the drive to complete over two hundred fifty dresses, the ladies went on to sew “britches” for the boys. After the clothing has been blessed at St. Martin’s Cathedral, it will be shipped to Haiti where it will be used to bring a blessing made with loving hands and donated material. Article and photo by Stella Walsh.
Back to Busy-ness
Mrs Gladys Bailey of the Parish of Deer Lake pauses long enough to enjoy a cup of tea during a busy month in the parish.
September means back to busy-ness as usual in the Parish of Deer Lake. On September 15th,we held our second Silent Auction. This was a Vestry fund raiser. It was a major undertaking and thanks to the dedicated efforts of Ada Norris and her team this was a very successful endeavour. On Tuesday the 21st our ACW was at it again with a catering to the local Masonic Lodge. The ladies out
did themselves with a fine meal enjoyed by all. On September 22nd, a joint effort between the Outreach and Youth Committees saw about 80 children, youth and adults attend our Young Families Meal. This feast of pizza, garlic fingers, Caesar salad and ice cream was the launching point for Sunday School which resumed on the 26th. Also, on September 26th, our Fellowship Com-
mittee organized our annual Patronal Congregational Luncheon. This cold buffet was very much enjoyed by over eighty people who chose to stay for the meal after our morning worship. Yes, it’s been busy, but it’s great to get back at it, and we give God thanks for all who share in the ministry here in Deer Lake. Submitted by the Parish of Deer Lake
Commander The Reverend Canon Baxter Park Article & Photo Millicent Park
The congregation of St. Nicholas, Cox’s Cove was very happy to welcome Canon Baxter Park back to his home church to preach and celebrate the Eucharist on the occasion of his 25th anniversary to the priesthood. Baxter graduated from Queen’s College in 1984. He was ordained a Deacon and served a one year curacy in St. Mary the Virgin in St. John’s, NL before being appointed the rector of the Parish of Plum Point. He was ordained a priest at the Anglican Cathedral in Corner Brook. In 1989 Baxter entered the military chaplaincy and was posted in CFB Halifax as a fleet chaplain. He was deployed to the Persian Gulf as the chaplain to Canada’s naval contingent during the Gulf War. From 1993 to 1997 he was the station chaplain in Masset, BC. He was very involved in building positive relationships between the military community and the Haida nation and was impacted by the Haida’s spiritual relationship with the land and the sea. He is an honorary member of the raven clan of the Haida nation. In 1997 Baxter returned to Halifax and was again assigned to the fleet as a seagoing chaplain. He deployed numerous times in the ships with the most significant trip being a 5-month stint aboard HMCS ST JOHNS during a NATO deployment. In 2000 Baxter was pro-
nounced Major and appointed Base Chaplain in Kingston, Ontario. In 2002 he was again posted back to Halifax to serve as the Area Chaplain for the army in Atlantic Canada. He deployed from that position as the Senior NATO Chaplain in Bosnia Herzegovina where he coordinated the ministry of a team of 16 chaplains from 13 nations. In 2005 Baxter was posted to Geilenkirchen, Germany. This ministry included significant amount of time supporting Canadian wounded repatriated from Afganistan to the American hospital at Landsthule and their families. In 2006 he was promoted Commander and posted to the Chaplain General Office where he worked in the Directorate Chaplain Policy. In 2007 he became the Command Chaplain of the Navy and in 2009 he returned to Halifax as the Formation Chaplain. In Halifax he leads an interfaith team of 20 chaplains and is also the priest in charge of St. Mark’s Parish. Baxter has served as a member of the National Executive of the Anglican Church for 6 years and has been a member of the Anglican Eco-Justice Committee for 3 years. He is the Chaplain General’s advisor on Indigenous Peoples and a member of the Canadian Forces Military Ombudsman’s Advisory Board. He is also the Canon Recruiter for the Anglican Bishop Ordinary. He has been married to his wife, Nancy, a native of Greenspond, NL for 18 years. They live in Lakeside, NS.
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COLUMNISTS
January 2011
ANGLICANLife
Happy New Year! Ronald Clarke
What a fuss we make every New Year’s Eve! Fireworks, feasting, drinking, partying – the works! What a celebration! What are we celebrating? And why? The year 2010 may have been good to some people but certainly not for many of us.
Some of us became ill, perhaps even fatally so. Others have suffered great loss – friends, parents, and children. Millions in the world have been battered by earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters. We survived Hurricane Igor. In New Zealand, twenty-nine miners died, and so many other tragic examples. We have seen continued terrorism in the Middle East. Thousands of people slaughtered, including many of our own soldiers. Global warming has further messed up our climate
and eroded our natural resources...and so it goes.
Not much to celebrate? Actually we should sincerely thank God we have survived the year 2010! So after we assess the
year past – if we are still sober – we anticipate the New Year of 2011. What can we hope for this year? For some, the future must seem bleak, uncertain, and frightful. Some may feel helpless. Others may lose hope. Desperately many will shut their eyes to the reality all around them and seek refuge in alcohol, drugs, or some other opiate. What a terrible way to live. Not so for those who truly know, love, and trust in Jesus Christ. True believers
know that Christ will with them every day of this New Year. He guaranteed that. No matter what happens, “the God of Jacob is our refuge.” And as Saint Paul assures, “nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God.” So, no matter what 2011 throws at us, we can by the power of Almighty God be victorious through it all! Why do so many face the darkness of the future alone? Accept and cling to Jesus Christ and 2011 will indeed be a truly “Happy New Year.”
time we get to St. Patrick’s Day they’ve all but disappeared and only the faithful remain. My intention is not to be bitter and cynical. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to take care of yourself. But we need to do it for the right reasons. We need to take care of our bodies because they are gifts from God and we should appreciate them. A well intentioned if misguided and short-lived resolution to lose 10 pounds is not the same as committing to taking care of the vessel we live in because God wants us to appreciate his gift of life.
Unlike those well intentioned sweaters, socks and ties that you’ve all returned since last month’s festivities, our life is nonrefundable, this is the only one we get until we’re all called home. We should live it to its fullest for as long as we can. So please forget the new year’s resolution and recommit to taking care of yourself physically and spiritually and living a good Christian life by helping those in need and spreading God’s message far and wide.
Resolution Boycott Allison Billard
I’ve never been a fan of the New Year’s resolution. Particularly anything that has to do with fixing whatever it is we’re trained to think is wrong with us whether it’s our weight, our fitness level, our habits...why is it that with the dawn of a new year we
feel we can instantly stop doing whatever has made us feel bad about ourselves in the first place? And we’re doing the youth of today a disservice to encourage these kinds of rituals. Every time someone makes a resolution to lose weight or workout more or eat better we’re reinforcing the idea that there is such a thing as a perfect body. That if only we could be skinny enough, strong enough, fast enough, then we’d be happy with ourselves. It is lies. We’ll never be happy with ourselves, because happiness is not a destination. It’s a
mood, it comes and goes, and we should appreciate it when we have it, but not get all bent out of shape when we don’t. As the song goes “The sun can’t shine everyday.” This is my petition to put an end to New Year’s resolutions. And perhaps that is selfish of me. I am a regular gym-goer, I try to get a workout in 3-4 times a week on my lunch break and I loathe going to the gym in January when all those “resolutioners” are on their mission to get skinny. By the third week of February only a handful have stuck with it, and by the
ANGLICANLife
OUR HISTORY
January 2011
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St. Paul’s from Charlotte Town David Davis
The writer of this article has been engaged in a search for the origin of the plans for St Paul’s church in Harbour Grace. Now many churches were traditionally the products of a cooperation between a master builder and the clergy in the area: this is how the great cathedrals were built. Many of the names of these master builders are unknown, perhaps because the master builders moved from place to place with the building projects and may have been illiterate. They may have been kept in the shadows so the great churchmen, who found the funds for the buildings, could take the credit for the churches. Of course by the nineteenth century the rebirth, expansion and new creation had led the universities to expand their areas of interest from being seminaries and finishing schools for the upper classes to take control of professional activities and this led to development of new professions such architecture which put building into their hands. In the case of small or distant places the impact of these new developments had little effect as it was still the parish priest and the local building contractor/stone mason who were going to do the planning in consultation with the vestry/building committee made up of local worthies. Only a widely traveled bishop like John Inglis would have been in
contact with trends in new fields like architecture and thus was a resource person for his diocese in such matters. For this and other reasons the parish priest, John Burt, had to consult his bishop, John Inglis who was in Halifax, Nova Scotia. As readers will notice this communication was by letter by sea, placed in the keeping of a ship’s captain or more than one ship’s captain with the chance of the letter going astray while going to the bishop or coming back to Mr. Burt, as it did. The result of the reply from Bishop Inglis was a plan for a church building being erected in Charlotte Town on Prince Edward Island. Now readers will notice that this plan was enclosed with a circular from the Bishop. Being enclosed in a circular is important because it probably means the church plan was limited to one page to show the proposed floor plan, copied by hand from a copy in the bishop’s possession. In addition being attached to the circular means that it is almost impossible to find in Bishop Inglis’s correspondence. The writer has looked through the microfilm edition of bishop’s correspondence from the National Archives with no success. Perhaps it should be mentioned that the process of sending circular notes to parish clergy was borrowed from the habit of the Colonial Office in London sending out circulars to the various colo-
30 Roe Avenue, P.O. Box 348, Gander, NL A1V 1W7 Telephone: (709) 651-4100 Fax: (709) 256-2957 email: info@waltershoffe.com
nies in the empire, giving direction or requesting information on subject(s). The plan would have been folded into Mr. Burt’s copy of the circular so no copy of it was kept. One point in Mr. Burt’s letter is the strong feeling that it would be better to build in stone than wood. Stone was not being used in the church in Charlotte Town and it was not used in St Thomas’s church in St John’s which was contemporary with St Paul’s. Although it was more fire safe than wood and large fires were common in this period before modern fire extinguishing systems were available, the cost of stone was ruinous and therefore avoided by most building programs, However the people at Harbour Grace had already begun to gather the materials for building a stone church and Mr. Burt was telling the bishop this fact. Two sidelights from this article are: firstly, the church in Charlotte Town was also called St Paul’s and was demolished in the 1890’s and secondly, John Burt appears as the patient of Dr. William Stirling in the May, 2009 issue of Anglican Life. In that article, Mr. Burt’s is examined by Dr. Stirling and the main reason for the decline in Mr. Burt’s health as reported by the doctor is his furious work pace in the fund raising and the building of his new church.
The Document Harbor Grace, Newfoundland, July 4, 1834 (Bishop John Inglis) My Dear Lord; I am much indebted by the kind and fortifying sentiments contained in Your Lordship letter, which accompanied the circular bearing date 6th March, it did not however reach me for some explicable time after that period. The very satisfactory manner in which your Lordship is pleased to mention the success of my Mission to England in collecting funds for building a church. The sympathy expressed in my talking there of my Friends and native Land with a congratulation on the manner in which my returning to this Island was greeted by my Parishioners together with previous expression of your Lordships feelings on the matter personal consideration submitted in my last communication call forth a respectful acknowledgment of gratitude and Esteem, which I beg most sincerely to tender to Your Lordship. The plan of the church erecting in Charlotte Town with which your Lordship has furnished us, and for which we are most thankful, is very similar to the ideas we have formed as most desirable for our anticipated Sanctuary, but the area is preferred to be somewhat smaller. That it should be of fireproof materials, is a strong and prevailing sentiment in the Parish. I can most sincerely unite in this desire but as the same time must freely allow that I am not sanguine as to the probably of there being erected so complete such a Structure for some years toe come. Whilst for a Wood Building, I think we have nearly funds enough that my with assurance be calculated on. Owing to the unpropitious nature of the last Seal Fishery at Harbor Grace the committee has thought it prudent to deter any call on the people of the Town for a contribution of money. About two hundred Tons of Stone have been brought from Kelly’s Island and the remaining quantity requested is promised in the fall of the year when we hope also to be provided with sand graciously. Very much however depends on the present Fishery.
St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Harbour Grace
STRAIGHT TALK
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January 2011
ANGLICANLife
Outreach ministries The Rev. Greg Mercer
Like all churches, The Church of St. Mary the Virgin, St. John’s, has a number of outreach ministries. Its ministry to the Waterford hospital in particular seems to be catching the interest of the wider congregation. A small team of volunteers from the church offers the
ministry of presence, song, prayer, and fellowship to the residents on a regular basis. Some of the residents at the Waterford do not have any family or anyone to love them and care for them except for the working staff and faith-based organizations like St. Mary’s church. Here is the heart of Jesus Christ in action, pure and simple. Let’s put things into proper perspective. I mean, after all the church politics have been trashed around, when all the church issues have been argued to exhaustion, when all the whims of both lay and clergy have
been tabulated, we think we have done church. We haven’t done church. We have done nothing but distract ourselves from the real business of the church, outreach. Outreach could be missionary work or evangelism or pastoral care. But I like to think of outreach as the exercise of God’s love in the concrete with no strings attached, i.e., no thought of proselytizing, no thought of trying to win someone to the faith or to your church, no thought of anything other than the utter concern and means to help someone in the name of Christ.
The ministry of Jesus Christ is outreach. The blueprint of our Baptismal Covenant makes this quite clear: “Will you proclaim by word and EXAMPLE the good news of God in Christ? Will you SEEK and SERVE Christ in ALL persons...? Will you...respect the dignity of every human being?” There is nothing ‘laxity daisy’ (excuse my Island Cove slang) about what is being expected here. That is to say, there is nothing passive or inert about outreach but rather, quite deliberate. We are to be intentional about how we seek out and serve Christ in
ALL persons respecting the dignity of EVERY human being. For the Poor and Neglected: Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you the homeless, the destitute, the sick, the aged, and all who have none to care for them. Heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord” (BAS, pg 681). Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.
On with the Where is this Church? Show in Mount Pearl Article submitted by Peter Chalker Honorary Archivist
From time to time at the Archive someone drops off a box of documents. How we enjoy getting those items for the Archive. Sometimes there is a letter to explain from where the documents came. More often than not there is nothing and then we have to find out from the documents themselves. Most likely they include a vestry book with the parish name written clearly on it. Sometimes among the treasures are many photographs. Some are identified but many are not. To the left is a picture of a church located somewhere in Newfoundland and Labrador. I have not been able to find out the name and location of these churches. Maybe our readers will identify this church for me. You can contact the archives by phoning (709) 576-6697 or visit our web site and send an e-mail to archives@anglicanenl.net.
Article Susan Haskell
The Reid Centre in Mount Pearl was a beehive of activity on the evening of Saturday, October 16 th . That is when 350 guests gathered there for “Dinner and a Show,” a dinner-theatre fundraising event in support of the Shepherd’s Ministry Fund. The Shepherd’s Ministry Fund is a new initiative of the Parish of the Good Shepherd. It is part of a five-year plan to secure funds that will see the par-
ish expand and enhance its church building and grounds to better accommodate current ministries and to establish new ones. Through programs such as Godly Play and Mount Pearl’s Adopt-a-Park Program, we are already finding new ways of being the church in the world. Our vision includes hospitality ministry through daily cafe operation as well as the creation of a labyrinth, park, and walking trail, Shepherd’s Walk, as additional ways to minister in the community.
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LET US PRAY
January 2011
Anglican Spirituality - part 2 The Rev’d Everett Hobbs
Much of Anglican spirituality has been recorded and passed on through the writings of countless authors over the centuries. In some centuries there has been a movement or a group which has recovered or enlarged the vision. In this column I will highlight some of these, indeed, only a sampling of the vast number of writers involved in shaping Anglican Spirituality. From the 14th century comes Richard Rolle, Julian of Norwich (Revelations of Divine Love), Walter
Hilton, Margery Kempe and The Cloud of Unknowing (anonymous). The 16th century Reformation produced Thomas Cranmer, Richard Hooker (The Laws of Ecclesiastical polity), John Jewel and Lancelot Andrews. The Caroline Divines of the 17 century were John Donne, George Herbert, Henry Vaughan, Thomas Traherne, and Richard Crashaw. The same century saw the Cambridge Platonists: Ralph Cudworth, Benjamin Whichcote and Henry More. There were also Jeremy Taylor (Holy Living
and Holy Dying), Thomas Ken, Lewis Bayly, John Cosin, Joseph Hall and Thomas Fuller. In the 18th century the Evangelicals came into prominence: John and Charles Wesley, William Cowper, Charles Simeon, and John Newton. Also George Whitfield, William Wilberforce and Henry Venn plus William Law (A Serious Call). The 19th century saw the Oxford Movement led by John Keble (The Christian Year), John Henry Newman and Edward Pusey. Others were Edward King, Hannah More, Charles Gore,
Josephine Butler and Henry Scott Holland. From the early 20th century comes Ralph Inge, Evelyn Underhill, Charles Gore and William Temple. Since WW2 Anglican spirituality has reflected much more the contribution and influence of the wider Communion and of women. This was not so earlier. Anglican spirituality has also been influence by other Christians. John Bunyan (Pilgrim’s Progress) comes to mind. Our spirituality has also been shaped by our hymns, music and poetry. To learn more about Anglican spirituality: Saving Be-
A WHOLE NEW REVIEW
lief (Library of Anglican Spirituality); Glorious Companions, Five Centuries of Anglican Spirituality (Richard H. Schmidt); The Anglican Spiritual Tradition (John Moorman); google Anglican spirituality. As we gain new insight from our own time and as Anglicanism is more influenced by its various Provinces, our insight and understanding of spirituality will continue to grow and to be enriched.
From the Foreward by Michael Dingwall
One Pilgrim’s Journey - by Archdeacon Francis Buckle If a person was asked to describe Labrador in one word, then it might not at all be unreasonable for the word “austere” to be one that comes to mind. You could come away with one sense of the True North and the Big Land as a cold, harsh, and unwelcoming place to be exiled to and abandoned. The antithesis of this application in meaning would more accurately underpin Francis Buckle’s lifelong journey of spiritual endeavour upon his beloved Labrador. One person’s enforcement by extremes of climate and terrain may provide another’s opportunity for boundless freedom to think and breathe and act. What is revealed for the reader in One Pilgrim’s Journey is the course of one man’s life continuing on this earth, his turning and returning to a people and a place sacred to him. One Pilgrim’s Journey reveals a person who has had to wear many hats, out of necessity not ego fulfillment. The author never believes his own press and is not capable of taking himself too seriously. But, when your position puts you in the public eye, then you become a target for criticism as well as the praise you shun equally as much. Life is not always easy trying to do good (whatever that may be) and “Sir Franciscus” has felt the sting of social injustice while trying so hard to fight it. Still, this is an uplifting story about a journey of faith and active participation; it chronicles a life of joy and hope that continues along the shores of Manuels River in Conception Bay South.
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January 2011
ANGLICANLife
YouthLife
youth ministry in newfoundland & labrador
The little helpers of Gillams
Teen Creed Don’t let your parents down, They brought you up. Be humble enough to obey, You may give orders someday. Choose companions with care, You become what they are. Guard your thoughts, What you think, you are.
The ‘Little-Helpers” of St. James Church in Gillams enjoyed a special paarty on November 21, 2010. They sang fun songs and had cake and ice cream. Everyone had a great time. Submitted by Audrey Park.
St. Michael’s CLB Company
Choose only a date Who would make a good mate. Be master of your habits, Or they will master you. Don’t be a show off when you drive, Drive with safety and arrive. Don’t let the crowd pressure you, Stand for somethingOr you’ll fall for anything. ...Author Unknown
St. Michael’s CLB Company welcomed its newest members at the annual Enrolment service held 21 November 2010 at the parish’s temporary worship site at Carnell’s Chapel. The CLB have been a part of St. Michael and All Angels for over 50 years and it continues to grow. They meet every Monday evening at the CLB Armoury on Harvey Road in St. John’s. It is a wonderful organization that teaches leadership skills and fosters Christian values. Submitted by Jill Rose.