anglicanlife
June2012
a section of the ANGLICAN JOURNAL 1
June2012
anglicanlife newfoundlandlabrador
Photo - Marie Mitchelmore
TEDDY BEARS FOR AFRICA Submitted by Marie Mitchelmore
As part of their outreach to the global community, the Anglican Church Women (ACW ) of St. Andrew’s Church in the Parish of Green Island recently knit dozens of handmade dolls and teddy bears for ICross Canada’s project The Smiling Children of Africa. These items, made with love, found their way to the village of Kibera in Africa. According to William Willbond of ICross Canada, the knitted items, “put smiles upon each face” of these children. Many of them live in slums and are “AIDS orphans.” The knitters, like the ladies of St. Andrew’s ACW, help ease the pain and suffering of the children living in horrible conditions. As Mr. Willbond states, “The children are smiling and hugging dollies made by folks like you. They don’t have much but certainly you’ve helped their simple dreams come true.” For more information on ICross Canada, visit:
www.icross-canada.com
Photo - Bobby Willbond
2
LENTEN QUIET DAY
anglicanlife
June2012
Photo - Joe O’Quinn
Lenten Q uiet D ay at the P arish of the G ood SShepher hepher d in Mount Pearl held on March 24, 2012. The theme for the day was “Dear God, I really want to believe in you, but Quiet Day Parish Good hepherd …” and the day explored the relationship between faith and doubt to show that doubt, much rather than being the opposite of faith, is the true balance to faith.
TRAVELLING BAND Submitted by Clayton Johnson
Photo - Clayton Johnson
On Sunday April 22, 2012, The Rev’d Ken Abbott, along with the band and choir of the Parish of Bay L’ Argent, paid a visit to the isolated community of Rencontre East in the Anglican Parish of Belleoram to participate in a service of prayer and praise. The ladies of St. Stephen’s Church had a lunch prepared for the travellers at the local fire hall. All who partook of the lunch made their way to St. Stephen’s for the service. The congregation enjoyed the singing and worship and an invitation was offered to return next year. The travellers would like to thank the ladies of St. Stephen’s for the wonderful lunch and also thank the captain and crew of the MV Northern Seal who ferried the band from Bay L’ Argent to Rencontre East.
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
June2012
3
THE NEW LIFE OF EASTER
let us pray
Submitted by Jean Nash
Easter is the Celebration of ‘New Life’. The Rev’d David Burrows, Rector of the Church of Ascension, used a bouquet of gladioli to deliver the message of ‘new life’ and ‘new beginnings’ to the children on Easter Sunday morning. Each year he chooses a special way to explain to the eager boys and girls that Easter reminds us that a new life is being offered to us through the Risen Christ. Easter parallels the ‘beginning of spring’ and therefore he has chosen flow-
ers and sprouted bulbs to show the children evidence of new life in God’s creation. Each child was then presented with a planted gladiolus to take home, to nurture and grow, as a reminder of the new life that is given to each of them through the Resurrection.
Photo - Georgina Short
A “SHOWER” FOR MINT BROOK Submitted by Stella Walsh
On March 13, 2012, the Anglican Church Women of St. Martin’s Cathedral, along with friends, held a “shower” for Mint Brook Camp. A list of suggested donations was provided and the event was a wonderful success. As with all showers, the ladies enjoyed an evening of food and fun. They also experienced the fellowship of coming together to contribute to an important aspect of the ministry of the Central Newfoundland Diocese. Mint Brook Camp, located near Gambo, provides a venue for
a wide variety of spiritual experiences and activities, and was even used to provide shelter during the events of 9/11. The generous donation of supplies from this shower is greatly appreciated. It will go a long way to help with the upkeep of these facilities. (Acts 4:32 — “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.”)
Photo - Stella Walsh
ATTENTION ALL CLERGY!!! Clergy are invited to call (902) 962-3511 to reserve a Cabin in Iris, PEI (6 miles from the Woods Island Ferry). A donation of $20 per day is requested. To ensure a smooth transition between tenants, “check out” is 10:00 a.m. and “check in” time is after 3:00 p.m. (Please NO PETS) Clergy can also contact Western Diocese Synod Office
(709) 639-8712
30 Roe Avenue, P.O. Box 348, Gander, NL A1V 1W7 Telephone: (709) 651-4100 Fax: (709) 256-2957 email: info@waltershoffe.com
June2012
4
anglicanlife newfoundlandlabrador
ANGLICAN LIFE in Newfoundland and Labrador is the newspaper of the Anglican Church in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. A co-operative effort of the three Dioceses in Newfoundland and Labrador, it is published monthly, except July and August, with an independent editorial policy. A section of the Anglican Journal Editor-in-Chief: The Rev’d Sam Rose 8 Croydon Street Paradise, NL A1L 1P7 Email: samrose@nl.rogers.com Advertising Rates and other information may be obtained from: Bishop Donald Young 34 Fraser Road, Gander, NL, A1V 2E8 Phone: (709) 256-7701 Email: jointcommittee@nfld.net Subscription Rates: Newfoundland and Labrador: $15.00 Outside the province: $20.00 International: $25.00 New subscriptions, cancellations, & changes of address should be sent to: Circulation The Anglican Journal (attn. Bev Murphy) 80 Hayden Street, Toronto, ON, M4Y 3G2 (416) 924-9192 (O) (416) 925-8811 (fax) Email: circulation@national.anglican.ca Each parish is responsible for maintaining its own subscription list - please notify your parish office of any changes. Changes sent to parish offices may take months to take effect. Please also send your updated information to Circulation at the Anglican Journal (above) or to Don Young at 34 Fraser Road, Gander NL A1V 2E8. 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
RACING WITH THE REVEREND Submitted by Parish of the Ascension
Racing with the Reverend - Driving Autism Awareness. In recent years, the Parish of the Ascension in Mount Pearl has focused on community outreach to help maintain its mission to reach out to help others. In part of that, Reverend David Burrows and team propose a new project for 2012 called Racing with the Reverend, which will be a partnership between the Parish of the Ascension, the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador (ASNL) and Targa. Reverend Burrows will participate in the Grand Touring component of Targa to raise money and awareness for autism and ASNL. A significant component of the project will
also focus on increasing autism education through the distribution of an education piece by team members throughout Targa. Autism affects more
than just those diagnosed with the condition. It is estimated that 2000 families and individuals in the province are affected by autism, including members of the parish. ASNL is committed to the promotion of acceptance, independence, productivity and opportunities for inclusion in all facets of
life for persons with autism and their families. In working towards these goals, ASNL provides a number of programs and services. As the incident level of autism rises, ASNL remains in a constant state of growth in its attempt to meet the demand for more programming, advocacy/awareness initiatives and support ser vices. M o n e y raised and donated by Racing with the Reverend will help maintain and increase the support ASNL provides to those affected by autism. Donations will be made by vehicle sponsorship through the project’s sponsorship team or online through the ASNL website www.autism.nf.net
anglicanlife
June2012
5
SYNOD TO CONSIDER FEWER DIOCESES Submitted by Archdeacon Bruce Myers Deputy Prolocutor & Communications Officer Province of Canada
Delegates to this fall’s Synod of the Ecclesiastical Province of Canada will be asked to explore the possibility of reducing the number of dioceses in eastern Canada. It’s one of several motions being proposed by the Provincial Governance Task Force, aimed at reforming governance and administration so they can help the Anglican Church in this part of the country become more focussed on mission. The proposal to reduce the number of dioceses “recognizes the changing demographic of the Anglican Church within the Ecclesiastical Province of Canada in terms of both decreasing numbers and the increased cost of providing ecclesiastical services within our seven existing dioceses,” according to a background note accompanying the notice of motion. The background note goes on to envision what such a new map of the ecclesiastical province might look like. It suggests merging the dioceses of Montreal and Quebec. The Diocese of Fredericton and the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island could also be united. Newfoundland and Labrador, which was divided into three dioceses in 1976, would be reintegrated back into one single diocese. “We should start from a presumption that greater cooperation among the dioceses is desirable,” said Archbishop
Claude Miller, Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of Canada. “Then we need to determine which structures may best achieve this outcome.” “We are also trying to determine whether a revised diocesan arrangement may create a stronger Anglican community in terms of mutual support and encouragement in eastern Canada,” added Charles Ferris, the ecclesiastical province’s chancellor, and head of the Provincial Governance Task Force. If the motion passes this fall, the province will undertake to “explore possible realignment of dioceses,” and then report back to the next Provincial Synod in 2015. Another motion from the task force will ask the synod to consider centralizing in the provincial structure several administrative functions currently handled at the diocesan level, such as human resources, payroll, and information technology. The task force suggests such an approach might be less expensive and more efficient. There is also a proposal to reduce the size of Provincial Synod itself by almost half. At the moment, each of the seven dioceses in the province is entitled to send as many as 11 members to synod, which meets every three years. A motion from the Provincial Governance Task Force would see that reduced to six delegates per diocese. Doing so, reads the motion, “would make it a more cost-effective body.” A related motion would see the Provin-
cial Council, which is the ecclesiastical province’s decision-making body between synods, reduced from 31 to 22 members. The motions are in part in response to the call by the 2010 General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada for all levels of the church to discuss “whether and how the diocesan, provincial and national structures need to be modified to support and enhance mission.” These and other motions will be voted on when Provincial Synod next gathers in Montreal Sept. 20-23. The full text of the motions can be found at www.provincecanada.anglican.org. The Ecclesiastical Province of Canada is one of four regional groupings of dioceses in the Anglican Church of Canada. It is composed of the country’s seven easternmost dioceses: Montreal, Quebec, Fredericton, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, Western Newfoundland, Central Newfoundland, and Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador. For more information, contact: The Ven. Bruce Myers Deputy Prolocutor & Communications Officer Ecclesiastical Province of Canada bmyers@quebec.anglican.ca (418) 914-7582
Article & Photo - Stella Walsh
THANK YOU BERYL BOLAND
On January 29, 2012, St. Martin’s Cathedral in Gander made presentations and had a cup of tea to thank Beryl Boland for her many years of service. Beryl has always been an important part of the musical ministry at St. Martin’s and recently spent several years filling in as the main organist. This kind of commitment requires a major giving of time and talent. Outside of her home at St. Martin’s Cathedral, Beryl is also active in Cursillo. With her gift for organization and care in choosing appropriate material she brings a blessing to many events and Cursillo Weekends. Even though music is Beryl’s forte, she has always been very active in all areas of church life, bringing her warm smile and gentle love to all events and activities. The worshipping family of St. Martin’s wishes to say “Thank you and God bless you” to a Christian woman who demonstrates a level of dedication to serving Jesus that is a true inspiration. (1 Timothy 4:12 …set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.)
June2012
6
CENTRAL SYNOD A FRIENDLY AFFAIR Submitted by The Rev’d Shaun O’Connor
It was a light-hearted start to the Synod in the Diocese of Central Newfoundland this year amongst the humps and bumps of Herring Neck. In his Charge, Bishop David Torraville stated that our churches are physical landmarks which now need to be built up as landmarks of friendship with God. This is a friendship that spills into our relationships with other people. “See how they love each other,” Tertullian wrote of the early Christians. Continuing with this theme, at the opening Bible study the next morning Bishop Ronald Cutler, from the Diocese of Nova Scotia, explained that the original Greek meaning of the word ‘friend’ is the one who loves. We are equals even when we do not always agree. He noted that in a survey of one hundred rural Nova Scotian communities only two listed the church as an asset - but that is what it is meant to be! In the first session, Where Have We Been? The Rev. John Watton encouraged delegates to look at the past in order to challenge the future. The reason for being a church is to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19-20). Unless people challenge themselves, they cannot challenge the world. We therefore engage one another as friends of Jesus in such a way that it is “safe to fail.” And when reaching people “outside the aquarium,” we offer the gift of Christian love and friendship. In the second session called Now the Challenge, the Diocesan Executive Officer, The Rev. Perry Cooper, asked sympathetically, “Who needs another challenge?” He then explained that it is a matter of where we expend our energy. “To begin with,” he said, “we have a love/hate relationship with our buildings.” He stated that he has to spend sixty percent of his time dealing with land and building sales issues. In the Central Diocese, two church buildings - not including parish halls – are closed each year. The Bishop’s Extension
anglicanlife
Fund was actually used to help close a church building because the congregation believed that it was better for all of them to worship in a neighbouring church. “God made all things . . . but he does not live in temples made by humans.” (Acts 7:48) We have sacred spaces, but God does not need them. Rev. Cooper encouraged us to think realistically about our buildings. “The Diocesan budget is managed wisely,” he reported. “We are not in dePhoto - Frank Blackwood cline.” When it comes to the ministry of fiNew D eacon. The Rev’d Jeffrey Blackwood (standing right of Bishop David Torraville) was ordained at Deacon. nances, Jesus said, the Diocesan Synod of Central Newfoundland held in the Parish of Twillingate. “Do not store up treasures on earth, The church is an organ- with loss. “Change can seem want the facility (Mint but in heaven where moth ism, not just an organization. scary and unpredictable,” he Brook), then you’ve got to put and rust do not destroy.” (Mat Therefore, it changes. Rev. said. money into it,” to which The 6:19-20) Can the Church be “Hurricane Igor, for exCooper believes that he has Rev. Daphne Parsons of the compared to a ‘self-licking ample, shook up everyone. seen a deepening spiritual Parish of Clarenville comice-cream cone’ that conWe see change and decay, as maturity in the Diocese. mented, “When you said sumes itself? the old hymn recites, all The Executive Officer that, Margaret, you sounded “Human resources are the greatest asset” Rev. also noticed that many peo- around us. But the good news just like Kathy Dunderdale ple seem to equate change is that God does not change. talking about Muskrat Falls!” Cooper reminded us. ‘Every good and perfect gift Later in the evening, at comes from the Father who the Hall in Crow Head, The does not change.” ( James Rev. Gail Thoms-Williams, 1:17) Rector of the host Parish of Rev. Cooper exhorted us Twillingate, continued her to embrace our challenges to- role as Santa Claus by progether with others, as friends, ducing yet another box of as a community made up of giveaways donated by local wardens, vestries, parish coun- businesses. She was joined cils and dioceses. by the rest of her rollicking Rev. John Watton then crew in providing jigs and directed us to answer the reels, skits and songs, jokes question, “What needs to be and recitations. There was done to challenge our bishop, both belly-dancing and bellydiocesan staff, clergy, people laughs! and the world?” The discusTo conclude the Synod, sions were vibrant and fruit- delegates gathered for a fitful. As one new delegate ting celebration: the ordinacommented, “It was a long tion of Jeffrey Blackwood to day, but it didn’t seem long.” the Diaconate. In the servIn the last session, Where ice, Bishop Ron Cutler asked Are We Going? an opportunity Deacon Blackwood to hold was given for people to pro- out his hand but could find fess their thoughts and opin- no trace of a fearful tremor. ions. A motion was enthusiDuring the sharing of the astically passed to form a Peace, there were many hugs committee for Mint Brook and kisses. “You can never Photo - Shaun O’ Connor Camp which would look at have too many!” said Mary its vision, feasibility and cost. Burry of Greenspond. Do Law.. The Rev’d Perry Cooper, Executive Laying D own the Law The Diocesan ProSurely any observer of the Officer of the Diocese of Central Newfoundland, was one gramme Officer, Margaret gathering would say, “See of the presenters at Synod. Jenniex, stated that, “If you how they love each other.”
anglicanlife
June2012
7
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
bishop’s message
The Rt. Rev’d Percy Coffin Bishop of Western Newfoundland
There was no way on earth that I was going to get a close-up view of the cloth on the huge altar in the Church of St. John the Evangelist, Barr’d Islands/Joe Batt’s Arm. Unless one was confirmed, the sanctuary, the chancel even, were out of bounds. The embroidered letters in Olde English, like the Trinity itself (themselves),
would forever remain a mystery. After all, what were we to “HOLD, HOLD, HOLD onto? Hold fast to the right? Hold on until He comes again? Hold on until you get home and I’ll deal with you then? Finally I thought I got a break when I overheard that mother was bringing this cloth home for laundering, prior to a principle feast. I had heard from the lessons about The Feast of Dedication, The Feast of Passover, well, this was a Feast of Preparation of sorts. However there would be neither food nor family nor f riends gathered for this event. Instead we were all removed from the premises, with the dog, until the said cloth was deemed fit for the heavenly banquet, replaced on its proper scroll with all the
dignity and reverence of the ancient Torah. My epiphany moment arrived on the evening of Holy Saturday when mother said, “Will you walk over to the church with me to return the Holy, Holy, Holy?” It had a name and its name is HOLY! I had come into the light. Furthermore the job of replacing it on the altar was a two-handed job and I got to go into the sanctuary...with the charge, “You don’t have to tell that.” The Gospel for Trinity Sunday this year is John 3:117. A well known treasure. In this story Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night and more curious than I was about the wording on the altar cloth. Nicodemus wanted things to fit into categories and so do we. Jesus had to change his mind-set to help him see that
God challenges us to go deeper, broader, wider and richer in our thinking. Jesus makes it quite clear to Nicodemus that he will come to us where we are but we must be open to the Spirit and that is risky because, ‘the wind blows where it chooses.’ Nicodemus appears at night. This is not simply a chronological detail. As far as St. John is concerned night and darkness mean separation from God. Night and darkness mean disbelief. For St. John the matter is not one of, “Do you believe the right things?” but “Are you in a relationship with this Jesus who has come from God?” There are many things that Nicodemus doesn’t understand but Jesus is not phased by that. Jesus lets him come as he is. We are not asked to figure things out and
then come looking. Lots of people don’t understand things but that does not mean that they are wrong. The Spirit bids us without any certainty. When the new thing happens in us we recognize how little we knew before the change occurred. We can’t understand it and we can’t control it; it’s a mystery, just like blowin’ in the wind, as Jesus said so. A mystery that demands all our reverence and praise for God alone is holy. Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty,God in three persons, blessed Trinity. In peace,
AFRAID OF THE INVITATION
straight talk
The Rev’d Greg Mercer Columnist
My first parish as an ordained deacon/priest was Churchill Falls, Labrador. Fresh out of seminary with all the acquired skills a young pastor needs I was out to change the world. My first duty was to get to know my flock and hopefully in the process encourage a few back to worship. Most of my visiting was evenings since ninety five percent of the town worked during the day. One family in particular shared with me how they were once regular ‘church goers’ but in recent years have gotten away from the practice. Her greatest fear was that if she went back to church some-
one would definitely say something. I assured her that that would not happen and that a number of people have already returned to church. After a few more visits and some pastoral nudging she finally decided to come along this particular winter’s day. Come Sunday morning there she was, sitting in the back row. But that was it. Apparently she was greeted at the door with the words, “Well look who is here this morning, it must be going to snow.” Said in the presence of others she felt rather embarrassed about the whole thing and never returned again. Some people would be able to dismiss a comment like that and think no more of it. But it just goes to prove that there are others who share the same or similar anxiety as this particular lady. For many people and in particular, this generation, worship is becoming a foreign culture. And while some may be curious as to what goes on in worship, that curiosity is silenced by a greater anxiety
of participation or actually taking that first step. All this is to acknowledge that fear is at least one road block for people coming to worship. But such anxiety is not simply the domain of those outside and wanting to return to church. Equally, people inside the church share a similar anxiety when it comes to inviting people back to church. Anglicans have no problem approaching potential prospects to come to a parish dinner or asking regular worshippers to consider joining one of their parish groups like the vestry or the choir, etc. But try to mobilize your congregation to invite people to church and immediately a red flag goes up. Why? Recently I attended a short workshop on ‘Back to Church Sunday.’ The conference leader, Michael Harvey, led us in an exercise that simply addresses the reasons why we don’t invite our friends. Later that night I led the members of our Visioning Committee through a simi-
lar exercise. Amazingly, the same reasons evolved from both exercises: fear of rejection, worship is boring, what if it damages our friendship, religion is a private matter, I don’t want to be seen as strange... the list goes on. Essentially it all comes down to fear. For one reason or another we are afraid to ask them. This then is what we have. There are those outside who want to get back but they are afraid of the invitation and we have those inside who want them back but are afraid to invite them. Both wanting essentially the same thing but neither were willing or able to make the move. It’s almost laughable? My take on this is that every denomination is a subculture; a culture unto itself and strange to some people. Invitation, at least in my generation, has never been a part of the Anglican sub-culture or ethos. Disciple-making was essentially the responsibility of the parents. The culture was that you were ex-
pected to go to church, and when inside the building stand when you’re told, kneel at the words “let us pray,” and otherwise, keep your mouth shut or expect a tap on the back of the head from the person sitting behind you. Sure I wouldn’t dare invite anyone to that. I may joke about these things but the question is, “Is our fear justified?” Not really! In fact, there are some people open to an invitation. And if the answer is “no,” it doesn’t mean that people aren’t favourable towards the church. Most people are. We have to give our fear over to God and to trust God in the process because we are at a cross-road and we have no other choice but to start inviting people back to church.
June2012
8
anglicanlife
QUEEN’S COLLEGE CLASS OF 2012
Photo - The Editor
The Rev’d Jeffrey F. Blackwood Master of Divinity (Honours)
Photo - The Editor
Andrew Alexander Faseruk Master of Theological Studies
Photo - The Editor
Margaret V. Fagan Master of Divinity (Honours)
Photo - The Editor
Photo - The Editor
Susan M. Haskell Master of Theological Studies (Honours)
Photo - The Editor
Susan M. Hall Bachelor of Theology
Tryphena Vallis Associate in Theology
THE DR. NIGEL RUSTED MEMORIAL TRUST
Photo - Queen’s College
The 2012 recipients of the Dr. usted M emorial Trust Rusted Memorial Nigel R are (left to right) the Rev’d Mark Nichols, the Rev’d Dr. G. Wayne Short and the Rev’d Peter Young. This Trust is administered by Queen’s College for the purpose of assisting clergy from the three Newfoundland and Labrador dioceses for travel to the Holy Lands or England in order to study at and observe their religious institutions. Many of our clergy have availed of this Trust and gained much from their experiences. We are grateful to Dr. Rusted for his vision and commitment to continuing education of clergy. Submitted by Queen’s College.
anglicanlife
June2012
9
CONVOCATION HIGHLIGHTS
Report of the Provost
The Rt. Rev’d Michael Bird Bishop of Niagara
Photo - The Editor
New D octor of SSacr acr ed Letters (H onoris Causa). The Rev’d Doctor acred (Honoris Canon Dr. Boyd Morgan (left), the Provost of Queen’s College, stands with The Rev’d Canon Dr. Paul Gibson (right) who received teh honourary degree at this year’s Convocation. We thank the many who support the College financially. There are those who give to our Queen’s College Appeal and there are those who support our endowment funds and there are those who support our scholarship and bursary funds. Through the kindness of the Oake family, we will award for, the first time, The Venerable Frederick R. Oake Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to a student who best exemplifies administrative skills and abilities. Any of you who knew Archdeacon Oake would have known that Archdeacon Oake wouldn’t have it any other way! Archdeacon Oake is remembered both for his ability and expertise as an administrator and his faithfulness as a priest and pastor. We are grateful to the Oake family for honouring the Archdeacon’s memory in this way. Thank you to faculty and chaplain for continuing in their creativity, concern for students’ wellness and commitment to academic standards. Especially we are grateful to our full time members of faculty, the Rev’d Dr. Joanne Mercer and Professor Caroline Whelan, and to our Administrative Assistant, Susan Foley. Last September, we began a diploma group in Clarenville. Students come from all over the central area. It is a three year program of eight weekends each year. Students and faculty are committed to this program as is the College. It is a three year project and we stand behind it
for three years and longer if students are added to this group. Corporations come and Corporations go, and Provosts come and Provosts go for the lasting work of Queen’s College continues to be done in our classrooms and in our corporate life. Whether in our chapel, the common room or the study rooms, the work of growth and transformation is a given.There it is where women and men from many different professions and backgrounds engage the topics that matter most to life and, not only to life, but to a life that is grounded and fed by faith and truth. We may struggle financially, but in our classroom and in our corporate life all is well. Our challenges continue for we have to find new models, new ways of doing theology as indeed the Canadian church and society must do. We are committed to providing education and formation in which diversity is a given and growth is its natural consequence. We value those who come to us from other communities and professions. For not only do we engage theology at Queen’s College, we also engage one another. We are committed to creating a safe space in our classrooms and corporate life where students may come to the study of theology, and not only a safe space, but a space where all are respected and valued. Indeed the many and diverse voices of our time and society cry out to be heard.
Photo - The Editor
Conv ocation SSpeaker peaker Convocation peaker.. (left to right): The Rt. Rev’d David Torraville, The Rt. Rev’d Michael Bird, The Rev’d Canon Dr. Boyd Morgan, and The Rt. Rev’d Percy Coffin. Bishop Bird delivered the Convocation Address.
The Right Reverend Michael Bird B.Sc. (Univ. Toronto), M.Div. (Trinity), D. Div. (Honoris Causa) (Trinity) is not a stranger to this province. After being born and raised in Oakville, Ontario, Bishop Bird and his wife, Susan, moved to Burin in 1984 where he worked as Rector of the Parish of Burin. In the same year, he was ordained priest by the Right Reverend Mark Genge, who was Bishop of the Diocese of Central Newfoundland. In 1987 Bishop Bird and his family moved back to Ontario where he worked in a number of parishes. These included St. George’s Church, St. Catharines, St. Paul’s Church, Dunnville and the Dunn Parish, St. Cuthbert’s Church, Oakville, and St. Luke’s Church, Burlington. Since his days in Burin, Bishop Bird has had many different experiences of ministry - pastoral, educational and administrative. In 2007, Bishop Bird was consecrated Coadjutor Bishop of Niagara and the next year was enthroned as the Eleventh Bishop of Niagara. This past year, Bishop Bird challenged the government’s new immigra-tion bill and asked the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multi-culturalism to withdraw the proposed Bill C - 4: Preventing Human Smugglers from Abusing Canada’s Immigration System Act. The bishop outlined his concern about Bill C - 4: “The legislation will punish the refugees whom we - as Canadian and international citizens - have pledged to protect rather than the smugglers for whom it was intended. More-over, this legislation is unlikely to act as a deterrent as refugees will do what needs to be done in order to save their families.” (Niagara Anglican) Bishop Bird holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto and a Master of Divinity from Trinity College, University of Toronto. He was granted the Doctor of Divinity (Honoris Causa) in 2011 from Trinity College, Toronto. Bishop Michael and Susan have three children: Michael Jr, Matthew and Sarah.
June2012
10
MUSIC CONFERENCE THIS OCTOBER 12-14 IN GANDER
ONE GOD
The Rev. Michael Li Columnist
Photo - www.stevebell.com
Stev ell, Juno award-winner and oncert-performer, will be offering a workshop entitled tevee B Bell, ‘Worship as Journey’’ this October in Gander. Submitted by The Rev’d Shaun O’Connor
Praise God in His Sanctuary! There will be s special Music Conference & Concert by Christian singer Steve Bell held this October 12-14, 2012 at St. Martin’s Cathedral in Gander. The purpose of this Conference is to teach about various musical instruments and styles to all ages of Anglicans and other Christians who are musicians or simply like listening to Christian music and want to inspire worship in their churches, particularly in rural communities. A choice of two musical instrument workshops will be offered by local musicians for acoustic guitar, electric guitar, electric bass, percussion (drums, bodhran etc.), organ, piano, keyboard,
accordion, technology (electronic accompaniment, PowerPoint, copyright, etc.), song-writing and some surprising instruments. A choice of two musical style workshops will be offered by local musicians for contemporary praise, Christian rock, songwriting, traditional hymns, liturgical, choral, gospel, and others. Steve Bell, Juno award-winner and our concert-performer, will also be offering a workshop entitled ‘Worship as Journey’. The Conference is open to everyone. Children under age 12 need to be accompanied by an adult. Participants are encouraged to bring their own instruments but basic teaching for beginners will not be provided. If you want to just come and listen to the music that is fine too. The cost of the
Conference is $50 per person. Meals and snacks are included. Billeting is available. A special concert by Steve Bell will be offered Saturday, October 13, 7:30pm, at St. Martin’s Cathedral. Steve is an inspiring guitar-player, singer, songwriter, and storyteller. He attends St. Benedict’s Table, an Anglican mission church in Winnipeg, Manitoba. To hear some of his music and get to know him better, please check out www.stevebell.com. Tickets are $15 and available at The Bookroom (34 Fraser Rd, Gander), Newfoundland Music Store (Gander), Book & Bible House (Grand Falls), www.stevebell.com, your local Anglican priest (in Central Diocese), and at the door. For further information, please contact: Diocesan Synod Office at (709) 2562372 or The Rev. Shaun O’Connor, co-ordinator, at (709) 536-2281 or ssraoconnor@yahoo.ca or The Rev. Betty Harbin, registrar, at (709) 674-4488 or angrectorygambo@nf.sympatico.ca
anglicanlife
Trinity Sunday, the first Sunday after Pentecost in the Western liturgical churches, falls on June 3 this year. It was inaugurated in the Church of Rome in 1305 and universally observed after 1334. It celebrates the most fundamental of Christian beliefs - the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, which teaches the unity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit as three Persons in one Godhead. God is a Being with three centres of self-consciousness. The term “trinity” is not found in the Bible. It did not find a place formally in the theology of the church until the 4th century. Jews, Christians, and Muslims believe in one God. Polytheists and idolaters do not share that belief. In November 2003 U.S. President George Bush said that Christians and Muslims worship the same Almighty. We may worship the same God, but we understand God in a different way. We have different understandings or conceptions of God. Judaism stops before the New Testament. Christians and Muslims share no common scriptures. Both Jews and Muslims deny the deity of Jesus. To the Jews, Jesus is a false Messiah. Christians do not follow Judaism today because the Mosaic covenant has been fulfilled in Jesus. The old covenant has been replaced. We now have a better covenant, with a better sacrifice, administered by a better High Priest (Hebrews 10:19-23). It is true that Jews, Christians and Muslims all claim to trace their beliefs back to Abraham. They all agree that there is one God who is the Creator of everything in the universe. Christians believe that their salvation is in Jesus and Je-
sus alone. It is important for us to separate God’s chosen people in the Old Testament with Jews today. Those Old Testament Jews that were saved found their salvation in Jesus just as we do today. And modern Jews deny the triune, living God of the Bible. However, Jews, Christians and Muslims can live upright lives and give themselves in sacrificial service to the marginalized. They all stand under the judgment and grace of God. It is a Christian duty to live in peace with all people. God loves all people. Jesus died for every human being. Christians believe in the eternal coexistence of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in the inner personal life of the Godhead. God speaks about Himself in the plural. For example, in Genesis 1:26 God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness”. Another example is Isaiah 6:8. “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’” God is the Father f rom whom all revelation proceeds. God is the Son who came to show us what God is like and to save us from our sins. God is the Holy Spirit who calls us to faith and regenerates and sanctifies us. It is common among Christians to divide the work of God among the three Persons, applying the work of creation to the Father, the work of redemption to the Son, and the work of sanctification to the Holy Spirit. The division of the work of God looks good, but this description may give unbelievers the wrong impression that Christians believe in three gods. A more correct way of speaking is to say that each member of the Holy Trinity cooperates in each work. We believe the doctrine of the Holy Trinity because the Bible teaches it.
anglicanlife
June2012
SUMMER
Ron Clarke Columnist
Alleluia! It’s that time of year again! How truly wonderful are the days of summer! For three wonderful months, if things happen as they should, we are immersed in warmth and beauty. Skies are blue, with soft clouds. Fields and forests are a blanket of gorgeous colours. Our ocean mirrors the sky, azure blue dotted with seabirds. Nature’s landscape in summer is truly magnificent. Then there’s the wonderful music of the season. Insects buzz, birds sing, happy children shout in play. Even the bass roar of thunder seems
to complement the symphony of the summer. Summer is a time of new life. Nature blooms in all its glory. Animals brood, so young creatures prance around. People scurry about, gardening, rehabilitating houses and property. Vacationers camp and cook out, fish, swim, climb hills. Indeed, this is a busy, happy season. Shouldn’t we be truly thankful for all this? Whom should we thank? Not ourselves for sure. We didn’t create all this - God did! As we enjoy our summer this year, let us make a special effort to remember our loving Father God, the maker and giver of all. Wherever we go let’s find his house, the church, and thank him. If there’s not a church within reach, let’s take time to glorify him in his woods, his fields, by his ocean. God will accept and appreciate our gratitude and praiseanywhere, and any time! Have a happy and blessed holiday everyone!
11
SEVENTY YEARS IN THE ACW
Photo - Bernadette Taylor
70 Years a member of the A CW ACW CW.. On October 9th, 2011 Evelyn Leamon (seated centre with flowers) of Burnt Islands celebrated her 90th Birthday. On October 8th family and friends celebrated with her at the Orange Lodge. The members of St. George’s A.C.W. presented her with a bouquet of flowers as Mrs. Leamon also celebrated 70 years as a member. She is still very active and attends meetings. St. George’s A.C.W. wishes Mrs. Leamon many more years of good health and happiness. Submitted by Bernadette Taylor
TEMPTING PROVIDENCE
Photo - Cynthia Haines Turner
‘ Tempting P Prrovidence vidence’was performed by Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador at St. David’s Anglican Church in Pasadena. Half of the proceeds from the play went to PWRDF – Midwives in Mexico. From left to right, Cynthia Haines Turner (organizer), Willow Kean (cast), Robert Wyatt Thorne (cast), Darryl Hopkins (cast), Deidre Gillard-Rowlings (cast), Ed Humber (organizer). Submitted by Cynthia Haines Turner
From London, England to Daniel’s Harbour, NL to Pasadena, NL to Chiapas state, Mexico. From the early 20th century to the early 21st century. That’s the scope of a recent initiative to share the story
of the woman once called ‘The Florence Nightingale of Newfoundland’. Presented simply and poignantly in the production of ‘Tempting Providence’by Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador (Theatre NL), the story of nurse Myra Bennett continues to inspire and enthral those who
see it. In this case, it included those who saw the production at St. David’s Anglican Church in Pasadena as TNL began its tour of rural Newfoundland and Labrador with the play.This year marks 10 years of the play which had its world premiere on June 1, 2002 at Theatre NL’s Gros Morne Theatre Festival.To mark
the anniversary, the group is taking the play to rural communities. Myra (Grimsley) Bennett trained as a nurse and midwife in London England before coming to Newfoundland in 1921 and provided a variety of medical services from delivering babies to setting bones to extracting teeth for the people from Sally’s Cove to Port au Choix being, for many, their only medical assistance. Theatre NL is sharing a portion of the box office with organizers at each rural location. In Pasadena, we decided to donate our share to the Primate’s World Relief Development Fund and in particular to the program that supports the training of midwives in indigenous communities in the Mexican states of Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Chiapas. In a recent post on the PWRDF’s website, entitled ‘Supporting Midwives, Saving Mothers’, we are given an example of what the program supports: “Adelaida Leonides was one of the 35 participants in the
program. Her daughter accompanied her to the training modules as Adelaida cannot read and needed help with writing. Kinal has designed the training materials knowing that many midwives like Adelaida with decades of experience are illiterate. Illustrations and symbols are prevalent in the teaching materials, and many of the activities during the training modules involve art, drama, and story-telling rather than note-taking. Adelaida puts her training to work at the Indigenous Women’s House (CAMI) in San Luis Acatlan, Guerrero State, Mexico.” Such work, while separated by time, distance and culture from the world of nurse Myra Bennett, continues the spirit of dedication and commitment so evident in her life of service.
June2012
12
anglicanlife
GEORGE WILLIAMS MEMORIAL David Davis Columnist
The request to the Governor of Newfoundland in this article follows the age-old form of an appeal to the ruler. In the oldest days these memorials were sent directly to the ruler but as we see here it was directed to the ruler’s representative, Governor Admiral Sir John Thomas Duckworth. This arrangement was most in keeping when the governor ruled alone and there was no legislature to share the act of governing with a naval officer like Duckworth. The people looked up to the governor as a source of appeal for their personal problems. This tradition continued for a very long time, even after there was a legislature and even into the time of responsible government. The record books at Government House show that people petitioned the governor for personal favours well into the twentieth century. It is unfortunate that in Mr. Williams’ request to the governor we do not have any details in his memorial about his work at Grand Bank and a little about Bay Roberts, that he was the master of small school. This latter fact is confirmed by a list of schools in Newfoundland which the writer found. This informa-
tion was in a report to Governor Duckworth by the Reverend Edward Violet the Calvinistic missionary in St John’s at that time. Mr. Williams is listed as having a school at Bay Roberts but his first name was not given. It is unlikely that there were two Williams in Bay Roberts with schools at this time. Teachers in pioneer societies were viewed by the people as essential to the success of their families’ future, but it was very difficult to find persons who were qualified to teach even at the most elementary level of schooling. Also it must be kept in mind that at that time, the pioneer days in Newfoundland, the percentage of persons in any country who received any other than the most basic level of education were few. Schools were mostly financed on a user pay basis so that many children would have been excluded. Some people would have held that most people did not need an education. Persons such as Mr. Williams could put him forward as having a school which would imply he had some education, either school based or home grown so he could hold church services in the Bay Roberts’ area. Of course in those days priests often had schools; these schools were all small and it
was expensive to life in Newfoundland so all kinds of arrangements were common for school and church. This was a career path that is certainly common in the church to this day although then it was irregular and today it might be a second career with a university education. Here Mr. Williams is trying to touch up the governor for some kind of subsidy to help his financial situation so he can teach and preach in the area of his home. The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel (SPG) is not mentioned as a possible source for funding but the fact that the organization did fund school masters and priests may have been a factor in his memorial to the governor. The governor might have interceded with the SPG. Is there any recollection among the people of the Bay Roberts that there ever was a person named George Williams who might have been a teacher/ lay reader/etc? It has been a long time, but community memories can be long.
THE DOCUMENT His Excellency Sir John Thomas Duckworth, &c., &c., Governor and Commander in Chief in and over Over the Island of Newfoundland &c., The Memorial of George Williams, Bay Roberts Humbly Sheweth That your Memorialist being an Inhabitant of Bay Roberts in Conception Bay has been for the proceeding years in the habit of keeping Devin Worship in that place and for four years at Grand Banks in Fortune Bay according to the Words Established in the Church of England and according to laws and that he is the only resident in that district who undertakes to propagate the Protestant Religion occasionally also visiting the places adjacent known by the names of Bearneed and Spaniard’s Bay in which places the inhabitants amount to the number of nine hundred, In prosecuting his endeavour to instruct the poor people in that part of the Island in the principles of our Holy Religion Your Memorialist has not a Competency Sufficient for the support of himself, a wife & family the only emolument attended to his situation arising from a small school which he keeps for the Education of children and from the voluntary subscriptions of the inhabitants of Bay Roberts —— which is but trifling, Feeling, however, a desire to continue his efforts among that part of the community, Your Memorialist humbly solicits the favour of Your Excellency to bestow or procure any emolument that may assist him still to prosecute his desire of imparting that religious instruction to the ignorant which his hitherto has sanctioned and supported by Your Excellency in this Island. Your memorialist feeling himself conscious that his general Conduct will bear the inspection of Your Excellency and that his Character is known by respectable Persons- humble persents. This memorial should your Excellency attend to the above, Your Memorialist will ever pray. George Williams
LET US PRAY The Rev’d Everett Hobbs Columnist
Congregational hymn singing, as we know it, is a recent practice widely used going back just several centuries. The Church has always used hymns in various ways but often the main hymn book was from the Book of Psalms. Congregational hymn singing with a hymn book, organ and choir started becoming more prominent in worship starting in the 17th century. With it there was an increase in the number of hymns written and then the compilation of hymn collections (hymn books). One of
The hymns we sing
the first hymn books written in English was compiled by Benjamin Keach, a Baptist pastor, in 1697 with 37 hymns. It still took a long time for hymn singing in worship to become widely use but Isaac Watts (1674-1748) the ‘Father of English Hymnody” broke down a lot of the resistance with his output. Gradually, congregational hymn singing become more prominent in the Church of England but there was much divergence in the availability and choice of hymns, with numerous collections without a common thread. In 1858, two Anglican priests, William Denton and Francis Murray,
conceived a plan to standardize hymn singing by drawing from collections in use. The result was Hymns Ancient & Modern published in 1861 and containing 273 selections. In time it became the accepted hymnal of the Church of England, although other hymn books were used because there had never been an official one. Canada does have an official hymn book and it was first published in 1909 as The Book of Common Praise. The last revision of Hymns Ancient & Modern was in 1983 but in 2000 it published a new book called Common Praise. Our current hymn book also
Common Praise was published in 1998. The word ‘hymn’ is widely applied and raises the question, what is a hymn? What makes a poem or song a hymn? There are numerous definitions. Under the umbrella of church singing and music, there are other forms, such as chants, canticles, choruses and instrumental music. Today with the internet, television, radio and CDs there are tens of thousands of hymns available for public and personal use. How do we choose hymns for Sunday worship? What makes a ‘good’ hymn? Hymn books are still the
source and standard for many of the hymns we sing. In selecting hymns for worship there are a few things to consider: Sing-ability; Teaching (theology); Composition; Poetic and literary qualities; Understandability; Evoking and expressing feelings and mood; and the context of season and liturgy. Some helpful online sites include the Royal School of Church Music and Anglican Church Music.
anglicanlife
June2012
SPREAD THE NET YOUR
13
FEEDBACK Kevin Smith Planned Giving Consultant
SPREAD THE LOVE Submitted by The Rev’d Robert Cooke
Lent can be a hard sell for children. Advent, with its talk of anticipation, is easy for them to grasp. Christmas too is easy for them. The joy of the arrival of the baby Jesus and the sharing of gifts is something that children can celebrate. Lent, though, with its talk of repentance, self-examination, and giving things up, is harder for kids to get their heads around. This year at St. Mark’s we took a different approach and instead of asking the children of the parish to give something up we challenged them to take something on. Our challenge to them was to raise enough money to buy forty nets from the Spread the
Net Campaign, one for each day in Lent. These bed nets help to prevent the spread of malaria and other insect born diseases. Stats say that a child needlessly dies from malaria every minute. You read that right one child every minute. One bed net, which costs $10, can protect up to five children for five years. It was a worthy cause and one we felt the children were up to. Well they shattered our expectations. On that first Sunday of Lent the kids made and sold pretzels. We raised enough money that day to purchase fifty nets, that’s over $500. The excitement from the children was palpable and contagious to the rest of the congregation. We had reached our goal in the first
week, but we decided to keep going. Over the next five weeks kids dug into their piggy banks and adults dug into their pockets. In the end we raised enough to purchase 220 nets. As a spinoff the kids are asking what more we can do and parents too are asking how they can get more involved. The children of St. Mark’s remind us of what it is like to truly follow Jesus. Their joy, eagerness, and willingness to give are a lesson to us all. Truly this is what the Kingdom of God is like. For more information on Spread the Net, visit www.spreadthenet.org/
I have been writing this column for over ten years and sometimes one has to dig deep to come up with an innovative way to say essentially the same thing. However, it makes it all the more worthwhile when I receive some feedback from readers. My columns which have received the most memorable reactions include my column about being born a “blue baby” and not expected to live which caused some of you to write or phone. Another article about the death of my mother and our decision to “let her go” struck a note with a number of you. The story of my brother in law’s near death experience and how it impacted on his spiritual transformation hit home in a personal way with some of you. However, a more recent column on the worthiness of the Primate’s Fund received some reaction as well. There were several emails from people thanking me for the article and I also had a
delightful email f rom PWRDF’s Executive Director Adele Finney expressing her appreciation as well. One lady – a current donor of PWRDF – also wrote to explain why the Fund is so special and worthy of our support. The Primate’s Fund has a great record of helping in many overseas and Canadian situations. I grew up in another Diocese and in my parish, we frequently had sermons from visiting priests and lay missionaries. As a child I became a member of an S.P.G. organization and went to weekly meetings conducted by women of the parish. Each year we studied a different country and at year’s end, we would present a play in the parish hall. There we would act the parts of far away children for our parents and the rest of the parish. At school we exchanged letters with a boy in Nigeria and later we played host to a visiting priest from Kenya who overwhelmed me with the fact that his wealth consisted of six cows. I knew my life was so different and so comfortable and these personal experiences confirmed for me the reality of the poverty in so many parts of the world. Money is needed for so much and if I see a need involving people rather than buildings, I will try to help. Thank God for the Primate’s Fund. How’s that for a testimonial for PWRDF! My only concern is that information about the work of the Primate’s Fund and that of other activities within the Anglican Church sometimes goes unnoticed. In other words, we need to talk about some of the good things we do – not in a bragging way but in an informational sense so that our parishioners are aware of the many outreach ministries of our Church. It’s not all about buildings. It’s about reaching out and helping people in need in this country and throughout the world. Do we do good things? Of course we do!
June2012
14
anglicanlife
ARCHDEACON FRANCIS BUCKLE MEMORIAL ARCHIVES Honouring the Past. The Diocesan Synod Office of Eastern Newfoundland & Labrador located at 19 King’s Bridge Road in St. John’s recently held a grand re-opening to celebrate recent renovations to make the best use of the building for the mission and ministry of the whole church. As part of the celebrations, the Diocesan Archives were dedicated to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for the life and witness of Archdeacon Francis Buckle. Archdeacon Buckle was a longtime member of the Archives Committee and worked tirelessly to preserve the history of the Anglican Church in Newfoundland and Labrador. Pictured (left to right): Bishop Cyrus Pitman, Gertie Buckle (wife of Francis), and Archivist Peter Chalker. Submitted by the Editor. Photo - The Editor
EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY
Photo - George Childs
On June 10, 2012 St. John the Evangelist Church, Burgeo will celebrate its 100th anniversary. The celebrations will include a cold plate dinner at 5:00 p.m. and a church service at 7:00 p.m. Besides the congregation, three bishops and a number of other clergy who has either served in the Parish or has connection to it will be attending along with a number of invited guests. Unfortunately, Member of Parliament, Judy Foote, cannot attend for the celebration. However, in a recent visit to Burgeo, she presented a plaque to the church to commemorate its 100 year history. The plaque was received by the rector, The Rev. Maryrose Colbourne, on behalf of the
congregation and it read: “Congratulations on the celebration of the 100th anniversary of St. John the Evangelist Church, Burgeo. Thank you for doing God’s work.” This plaque will be plaque appreciated by the congregation and will be displayed on the wall of the church. Submitted by Rev. George Childs
Photo - Deborah Howe
Education for M inistr Ministr inistryy. The current EFM (Education for Ministry) group from Corner Book, under the mentorship of Archbishop Stewart Payne. In the picture from left to right in the back row: Archbishop Stewart Payne, Lillian Strowbridge, Dennis Porter, Rev. David Russell. Front row left to right: Arthur Brown, Deborah Howe, Loretta Park, Reginald Woodman.
anglicanlife
June2012
PASSOVER SEDER IN FORTEAU Submitted by The Rev’d Norman Cutler
On Maundy Thursday, April 5th, 2012, sixty-five people from the Parish of Forteau met to recite the ancient story of Israel’s redemption from bondage in Egypt. The purpose of the Seder was to recall the dramatic and miraculous events which led to the exodus. The Old Testament instructs us to meet, as we did this night, when it declared, “And you shall tell your son on that day, saying: It is because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt”(Exodus 13: 8). Exodus also instructs the Jewish people that young and old should gather together on the eve of the Passover in order that the older people might relate to the children, and to all, this thrilling chapter in the history of our people. And so did Jesus. Jesus sent Peter and John off with the instruction “Go and prepare our Passover supper for us.” When the hour arrived, He took His place at the table, and the apostles with Him. He said to them, “I have greatly desired to eat this Passover with you”. (Luke 22: 8, 14-16). Our Passover meal was prepared and served by the generous support and sponsorship of Stelman & Betty Flynn with the help of his sisters: Ethel, Nancy and Maggie. Music for the service was provided by Betty Flynn, Lawrence Normore, Angie Dumaresque, Melvin Dumaresque, & Percy Jones. The four congregations were well represented at the Seder and needless to say, everyone pitched in to help. A freewill offering was asked of the people and $500.00 was realized to help in education and ministry at Queen’s College. Everyone gathered in semidarkness around the table. The hymn “Children of the Heavenly King” was sung to symbolize the journey we were about to take. The Parish Priest, The Rev’d Norman Cutler explained the Seder Plate while pointing to the six main symbols: 1. Matzoh or Unleavened Bread, (the bread of affliction); 2. Pesach (The Lamb of Sacrifice); 3. The Roasted Egg, (the
come to all people. A glass of wine was poured for Elijah as we recited “We await the coming of the Prophet Elijah. May he appear, bringing the Messiah with him!” Our musicians then began to play “When The Sun Comes Up Tomorrow” as we sang a new song giving thanks for our physical deliverance and spiritual freedom. At the end of the meal the last Matzoh was taken, broken and distributed to all. As it was the custom to end the Passover Meal with eating this final piece of unleavened bread, it was probably at this point that our Lord blessed the bread, broke it and gave it to His disciples saying: “This is my body, which is given for thee.” (Luke 22:19) The third cup of wine, (The Cup of Blessing) was poured from the common cup again as Jesus probably said “This is my blood of the new covenant shed for thee.” Fol lowing the distribution of bread and wine Psalm 114 was led responsively by Lily Fowler; and, the final prayers were led by Margaret Saulter. With the Photo - Norman Cutler fourth cup of wine The Cup of of the people present; the cer- Melchisedek (Righteousness) the final blessing was said folemony of purification. The second cup lowing the blessing from Num(Hagadah) was poured and bers 6 that the Lord instructed one of the youngest persons Moses: “ The Lord Bless thee: present; Bonnie Goudie, asked The Lord make His face to four traditional questions: shine upon thee and have “Why do we eat Matzoh, mercy on thee! May the Lord unleavened bread? Why do we lift up His countenance upon eat Moror, bitter herbs? Why thee and give thee peace.” The prescribed order of the do we dip twice in this meal? And, why on this night do we Passover was completed with hold this Passover Service in a the telling of that ancient story reclining position? All the peo- of Israel’s liberation, and the ple responded with the answers partaking of the traditional related respectively to the ques- foods, symbols of the struggle tions: Our ancestors left in haste for human freedom. In every and could not wait for the dough generation each one ought to to rise; we eat Moror to taste of regard themselves as though the bitterness of slavery; we dip they had personally come out of twice (greens in salt water, to Egypt. Therefore it is our duty replace tears with bitterness to thank, praise, laud, glorify, and, Moror in Charoses to extol, bless, exalt and adore Him. sweeten bitterness and suffer- He has brought us forth from ing); and, we show our sense of slavery to freedom, from darkcomplete freedom on this Passo- ness to light and from subjection to redemption. Our peover night. On this Seder Night, we ple completed the Seder with the invoked the memory of the be- singing of “Because He Lives, loved Elijah, bringing a message I Can Face Tomorrow”. of hope for the future and the assurance that freedom will
second offering); 4. Moror (Bitter Herbs) a reminder of the bitterness of slavery and suffering in Egypt; 5. Charoses, (a mixture of Apples, Walnuts, Cinnamon & Wine) to resemble the mortar used by our ancestors to make bricks to build Egyptian cities. 6. Karpas (Green Herbs dipped in salt water representing tears of sorrow shed during captivity of the Lord’s people). The ceremony began with the reading of Exodus Chapter 12. The kindling of the festival lights (Kadaysh) was led by Mrs. Pearl Buckle and other women sitting around the table symbolizing the coming of the Messiah, the Light of the world. The ceremony continued with Urchatz (The Washing of Hands) as designated women came forward to wash the hands
15
LENTEN JOURNEY Submitted by Louise Smith
At St. John the Evangelist Parish in Topsail, their Christian journey throughout Lent was quite a trip. The journey encompassed the “F” trilogy of “Faith, Fellowship, and Food.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs, feed my sheep.” ( John 21:16-17). Not unlike other parishes, Ash Wednesday was the antecedent or starting point of worship during the holy season of Lent. It was marked by the ceremony of anointing with ashes as a prerequisite for the many commitments which we endeavoured to uphold during the next forty days leading up to the celebration of Easter. As St. Paul said, “Practice and cultivate and meditate upon these duties.” (1 Timothy 4:15) Each Wednesday in Lent, the congregation assembled in the Parish hall to share in fellowship with one another with an evening meal. This coming together fueled us in body and spirit
and helped to enhance our readiness to participate in the Liturgy which followed upstairs in the Church. Beside these regular activities, the parish was blessed by the offering of two Bible studies. One was held on Monday evenings and the other in Friday mornings. Both were led by the Rector, The Venerable John Dinn and his wife Cathy Dinn. In compliance with the suffering of Jesus on the Cross, Father John chose this Lenten season to reintroduce the participants to the sufferings of Job and how it bears some parallels. Cathy Dinn used the theme “To Love as Jesus Loves,’ based on the First Epistle of John 4:19. “We love because he first loved us.” Every step in the parishes’ Lenten path heightened the flavour of what they hoped for and found at the end of the road. The in praise and thanksgiving, they joyfully shared in the blessings of another Easter Day.
Quilting M inistr Ministr inistryy. Holy Trinity ACW in Gander Bay were very busy making quilts for Ronald McDonald House. Aided by several quilters from the community, including 80 year old Mr. Bert King who made and donated a beautiful “Doggie” quilt. Pictured left to right are: Ruth Leyte, Pearl Leyte , Leona Gillingham, Faith Gillingham, Brenda Bould, Gladys King, Dulsey fancy, Ruth Wagg, Beulah Price, Rose Ann Newman. Submitted by R. Wagg.
June2012
16
anglicanlife
youthlife newfoundlandlabrador
CONFIRMATION RETURNS TO CLARENVILLE
Photo - Harvey Locke
Submitted by Harvey Locke
After a hiatus of a year to reflect on the process of Confirmation preparation, the Parish of St. Mary the Virgin, at
Clarenville resumed its annual tradition of Confirmation on Palm Sunday. This year there were a total of fourteen candidates most of whom were youth at the level of school grade six,
while three were older teens and one was an adult. All of the candidates, along with family, Prayer Partners, and some other invited guests enjoyed a potluck supper sponsored and served by
the Youth Committee of ACW at the Angus Drover Hall. The potluck supper is almost an institution in itself which gives opportunity for families to meet each other, for prayer partners and candidates to make contact and sometimes exchange gifts, and for some members of the congregation to give gifts to the candidates. While most of the time candidates are the recipients of gifts commemorating the occasion, this year one of the candidates, Eliza Bursey, gave a gift to each of her fellow candidates. To each one she gave a little chocolate cross contained in a small gift bag. But these were not just store-bought chocolates; they were hand made by Eliza and her cousin just for the occasion! The supper is a good time of fellowship and a good opportunity for Bishop Torraville to meet with the Candidates on a bit more of a personal level. This year Bishop Torraville met with the candidates in the classroom
BAPTISM REUNION Jesus said ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.’ Matthew 19:14 The Venerable John Dinn is in his fourth year as Rector of the Parish of St. John the Evangelist in Topsail, Conception Bay South. During that period, 88 infants have been brought before him to be baptized into the family of Christ’s Church. As a gesture of thanksgiving for receiving these children into the congregation of Christ’s flock, Fr. John arranged a birthday party in their honour. In concert with the Family Life committee, invitations were extended to all eightyeight families to gather in fellowship after the 10:30 am service on April 29, 2012. Since the last Sunday of each month is observed as family day here at St. John the Evangelist, the whole congregation shared in the glorious celebration.
adjacent to the Angus Drover Hall where there was a short period of friendly exchanging of questions. Following supper everyone proceeded to the Church where a Church full of people participated in the Confirmation Service, witnessing the candidates taking upon themselves the vows of their Christian profession and praying with the Bishop that they would receive the grace of the Holy Spirit. Pictured: Front Row left to right: Mitchell Turner, Matthew Chippett, Bradley Wicks, Eliza Bursey, Brianna Barrett. Middle Row left to right: Sarah Decker, Megan Noel,Cameron Loder. Back Row left to right: Brooke Toope, Spencer Carter, Bishop David Torraville, Courtney Russell, Gail Carter, Reilly Walters, Rev. Daphne Parsons.
Submitted by Louise Smith
Photo - Sharon Smith