January, 2013 Caledonia Times

Caledonia Times

Happy New Year Everyone! January, 2013 The Diocesan Section of the Anglican Journal

Executive Committee meets for Budget On November 30th, the Diocesan Executive Committee met for the first time in the new term to consider and pass the new diocesan budget. The day began with introductions of those new to the Executive Committee: The Rev. Clyde Davis, the ACIP appointee by Bishop William; Gerald Robinson, (New Aiyansh); the Rev.Luke Anker, (Kitimat); the Rev. Roy Andrews (Stuart Nechako Lakes Regional Parish); Louise Peters (Bulkley Valley) and Michelle Tangauy, Secretary Treasurer. The Bishop also welcomed returning members of the Committee: Gwen Andrews – Chair of Finance Committee Archdeacon Ernest Buchanan, Dee Read (Bulkley Valley), Ken Ponsford (Stuart Nechako Lakes Regional Parish), Dean Jason Haggstrom (Cathedral).

Regrets were received: Deborah Leary (Chancellor), Chris Broad (ACW President) and Elizabeth Hunt (South Peace).

The Bishop began the day with a presentation on how the accounting practices for the Diocese have changed in recent months to meet the new reality of giving account for how we spend the money given

by Council of the North. Bishop William noted a couple of important issues for the parishes and the diocese. First there is a report form that must be filled out each Spring and returned to the Synod Office. This information is incredibly important to the parishes and the diocese for one simple reason: the numbers of services that are done, the number of people of people that are attending services are used to decide how much money is given to a particular diocese for support. The Bishop noted that the more often that he has to enter zeros, the less money the diocese is going to receive. The forms must be in for the Diocese to report the Council of the North

The Bishop and the Secretary- Treasurer brief members of the Diocesan Exectuive Committee on changes to the reporting to the Council of the North.

by the end of June. Failure to have the information to Council of the North results on no grant for the diocese for the next year. Thus the Bishop is strongly encouraging to get the information to the Synod Office on time; even if this means photocopying the vestry book and mailing the photocopied pages to the Synod Office. If a parish needs help, all one need do is call the Synod Office.

After the presentation, the Executive Committee moved on to consider some property issues that were raised either by the Synod Office or by parishes, some with financial issues while others needed permission for projects. It was noted that the Nisga’a Nation had given donations to the parishes in the Nass Valley for infrastructure to help maintain the church After Lunch, the Executive Committee considered and poured over the Budget for 2013. It was noted that there was, as a result of the new

reporting method, a drop in the Council of the North Grant to the diocese of about 11% or about $30,000 for 2013. There will be further reductions of a least 5% in 2014 and again in 2015. The cuts may go deeper as the forecasts for the shortfall at the National Church level are going to worsen and deepen to be somewhere between 1.0 and 1.5 million by 2016. Executive Committee did approve 6 grants to parishes in need of assistance with paying their stipends. The total monies granted for 2013 is $94,000. It was also noted that the Diocesan Fair Share remains at 18% of the previous year’s income.

Michelle Tanguay made a motion to simplify and clarify what a vacant parish is to pay during a vacant and in preparation for a move. Every vacant parish will pay the basic stipend to the diocese to help cover the costs of an interview and the costs of a move. This was carried.

Approval was given for diocesan lay readers to begin wearing the blue tippet (scarf) and work will be done to provide the diocesan crest or shield, which can be placed on the tippet.

There was also some conversation around the care of the parish clergy. Parishes are encouraged and reminded to look after their local clergy because of their care of the community. The clergy work in very challenging circumstances and face many stressful things day in and day out. To prevent illness and burn out, the parishes need to care for their clergy, making sure that they take days off and time for the family and for themselves.

The meeting finished by suppertime with a time of thanksgiving for what we have and knowing that God is calling us forward to help extend the kingdom.

A new man for Canterbury, Communion

The Current Bishop of Durham, the Right Rev. Justin Welby, is the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury. Photo:

© KJB Photography

The Queen has approved the nomination of the Right Reverend Justin Welby for election as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury. He will succeed Dr Rowan Williams who is retiring at the end of December after ten years as Archbishop. The Right Reverend Justin Welby, aged 56, is currently Bishop of Durham. He will be enthroned as Archbishop of Canterbury in Canterbury Cathedral on 21st March 2013.

He said today: “I don’t think anyone could be more surprised than me at the outcome of this process. It has been an experience, reading more about me than I knew myself. To be nominated to Canterbury is at the same time overwhelming and astonishing. It is overwhelming because of those I follow, and the responsibility it has. It is astonishing because it is something I never expected to happen.“One of the hardest things will be to leave Durham. I work with a group of wonderful senior colleagues and remarkable clergy and lay people. It is an astonishing part of the country, one which as a

family we were greatly looking forward to living in for many years. The people are direct, inspiring and wonderfully friendly. In many ways it has been the ancient cradle of British Christianity. It is a place of opportunity and an even greater future than its past.”

Dr Rowan Williams issued the following statement: “I am delighted at the appointment of the Right Reverend Justin Welby to Canterbury. I have had the privilege of working closely with him on various occasions and have always been enriched and encouraged by the experience. “He has an extraordinary range of skills and is a person of grace, patience, wisdom and humour. He will bring to this office both a rich pastoral experience and a keen sense of international priorities, for Church and world. I wish him - with Caroline and the family - every blessing, and hope that the Church of England and the Anglican Communion will share my pleasure at this appointment and support him See Canterbury’s new man on p. 4

Bishop’s Notes We are early enough in this new year to remember some of the events that were causing discussion and in some cases, consternation in the last two months of 2012; a new Archbishop of Canterbury was named ( the Most Rev. Justin Welby), and the failure by six votes of the General Synod of the Church of England to pass a motion enabling the consecration of women as bishops, even though it has ordained women as priests for some ten years now. Both events were, in their own way, newsworthy. In the lead up to both events the church prayed for God’s will to be done. In both cases, when the outcomes were announced, there were people who stridently claimed that God’s will wasn’t done.

People often have a hard time of reconciling the outcome of events that they have prayed about with their notion of God’s justice and will when the outcomes are the opposite of the thing they actually wanted God to do. For the reality is that, as the Book of Common Prayer reminds us, notwithstanding our best and most fervent prayers, sometimes Church Councils get it wrong in their decision making. And sometimes it is we who are blind to the hand of God in outcomes we disagree with. I imagine that sometimes God is frustrated when we don’t see His will and thwart it by deciding wrongly on an issue.

So how do we live with this uncertainty? Sadly, one of the classic tests that Anglicans have used for centuries, the test of teaching only what is not contrary to Holy Scripture, has been largely lost within our culture and our Church. Far more emphasis is now placed on being relevant to the surrounding societal values than to being faithful to Scripture. This approach is based partly on the mistaken belief that our society has improved with every generation,

Mysterious ways, wonders to perform and thus provides an almost infallible guide to ethical and moral decision making.

The problem is that although society does progress in some areas, in others it does not.

For example, pulling but two examples from the news of the same period as the items noted above, newspapers reported on an almost daily basis on the deep rooted political scandals and bribery that characterized government in Montreal and at the provincial government levels of the provinces of Quebec and Ontario. Overseas, Egyptians rioted as Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi assumed to himself arbitrary powers above the law, and sought to impose a heavily one-sided new constitution on his nation. What these two examples have in common is that they betray that human frailty of questing after power, be it political or financial. And in pursuit of that goal, God’s justice and righteousness is completely lost sight of.

Sadly, the Church and its members are not immune to such frailty.

God’s work in the world can be very mysterious and difficult to discern. To begin to understand it there are three things I believe are critical for us to practice regularly. First, we must develop the spiritual discipline of humility. This means consciously and intentionally setting aside our personal desires in favour of those that God exhorts us to follow in Holy Scripture, such as patience, modesty, and honesty. It means being prepared to follow God’s will,

not our own, nor that of whatever popular cause of the day happens to be in vogue.

Second, we must immerse ourselves in the study of Holy Scripture. This is more that simply listening to the Scripture readings at Church. Daily reading the Bible with a good commentary at hand is critical to developing the necessary foundation on which to bases good decisions.

And third, but not least, we must increase our prayer lives. Prayer is about talking and listening with God. Whether we are sharing anger, joy, sadness or confusion, talking with God and listening for His answer is critical to actually discerning what He wants us to do as well as becoming more aware of what He is already doing around us and through us.

+William: Caledonia

A very Happy New Year to you all!

Bishop William, Dean Jason, Archdeacon Ernest, Michelle and their families want to wish all of you the very best in this NewYear.We are praying that God will bless you mightily and use you greatly to be a blessing to your congregation and your community in 2013.

Obituary: Joanna Mary DeVuyst (1970-2012) Joanna Mary DeVuyst (nee: Parslow), known by friends and family as Joanne and Auntie Jo-Jo, resident of Dawson Creek, British Columbia passed away October 21, 2012 at noon at the age of 42, surrounded by her family. A celebration of Life service was held on Friday, October 25st, 2012 at St. Mark’s Anglican Church.

Joanne was born October 3, 1970 at noon in Murrayville, BC to Charlie and Mary Parslow, the first born of four daughters. As a child she lived in Langley, Sooke, Fort Nelson and since the 5th Grade, lived in Dawson Creek. She graduated from South Peace Secondary School in 1989 and trained at Northern Lights College as a Long Term Care Aide. Joanne had a gift of being able to help those marginalized by handicap or poverty.

Joanne and Lynsey were married in 1994 and were blessed with the birth of Brandon in 1996.

Since that time, Joanne has been a devoted, protective mother and enjoyed working as a Teacher’s Aide in Grimshaw, Alberta, and volunteering with Brandon’s Tae-Kwon-Do club. Miya and Jasmine were a longed for gift for Joanne; they are her little angels. They delighted her with ballet performances and spontaneous kitchen dance parties. Joanne and Lynsey often took their kids camping and fishing and she had a special fondness for Slave Lake, where Lynsey had proposed.

Joanne was thoughtful, persevering, and devoted 100% to her family. She was feisty, brave; if she was going to do something, it was going to get done.and done her way!

Page 2

Caledonia Times Publication of the Diocese of Caledonia

Auntie Jo-Jo had a special relationship with each of her nieces and nephews. She found the time to do that something extra special with each of them.

She put her family first and they were her constant motivation to persevere through the challenges of having cancer.

Joanne is lovingly remembered by her family Lynsey, Brandon, Miya and Jasmine; Parents The Revs. Charles and Mary Parslow; Sisters, Jane (Steven) Connelly, Bethany (Fred) McAndie, Rebecca (Steven) Croft; Nieces and Nephews: Jared, Bethany, Cameron, Ben and Ryan.

In Memory of Joanne, donations can be made to the Dawson Creek Hospital Foundation – Cancer Unit 11100 – 13th Street, Dawson Creek, BC V1G 3W8

Publisher: The Bishop of Caledonia Editor: The Dean of Caledonia Published monthly, except July and August by: Diocese of Caledonia, 200 – 4th Ave. West Prince Rupert, BC V8J 1P3 (250) 627-1143 - Cathedral Office (250) 635-6016 - Synod Office or (250) 600-7143 Address correspondence and copy to the address above.

Or to caledoniatimes@gmail.com Submissions must be received by the 1st day of the month for the following month’s issue.

Send subscription orders, address changes Diocese of Caledonia c/o Anglican Journal 80 Hayden St. Toronto, Ontario M4Y 3G2 Printed and mailed by: Webnews Printing Inc., North York, Ontario

Caledonia Times — January 2013

Skypilot Moments: A thought from the Editor

Are we not still God’s servants?

Now that Christmas is suddenly behind us and the path to Easter is to be embarked upon, there is something that we need to resolve for the New Year: Do we know that we are still his servants? Having come through an Advent season that is less and less about getting ready for the King and the kingdom that is to come and more and more about the stuff we have to do to get ready for the “big day”, and that this preparation period/season is marked by when we should start shopping so that we can give. Does this mean that Wal-Mart and the rest of the chain stores are in control of the other side of Christmas too?

This is why it is important to have the season of Epiphany. We are reminded of why Jesus came to us and that reminds us of who we still are – God’s servants. Can we resolve to live the year that is ahead of us as servants and as a servant community before God? I have been thinking about this and here is some of the things that I have resolved to do.

First of all, I am going to ignore all the top ten lists of things that everybody else things the Church should do and concentrate on what the Scriptures and the Spirit are calling this Church, diocese to do.

You know the lists I mean. The ones that proclaim how we have gotten it all wrong and how we can be popular again with full buildings if we only would

do this, that and/or the other thing. We would be great in the eyes of the Church and of the world if only we used this program or that growth technique. I resolve to know Jesus better that I might be a better servant for him. I am going to choose to be thankful for all that God has given me and the congregation in which I live and participate as its pastor. I will not give in to the awful temptation to look around, see what others have and wish we were that.

I choose to live the mission that the Parish and the Diocese have been given. I will work with what I am given and work with whomever God will call and use what we have in terms of time, talents, treasure, tears (compassion) and trees (creation/ physical property) to reach out to those who have been inoculated against the Gospel, its message and its community to draw in those who are supposed to be with us. I resolve to be more effective at making disciples by being a better disciple. I choose to serve whomever God gives me and whoever will come under the banner of the King. I choose not to play numbers games, allowing what some will call failure to get me down and what some will call success to make me smug or arrogant in the ways of God. I will serve with humility and with grace that those around me will find food and life.

Books on the Way - with Ruby McBeth Have you ever wondered why Nero persecuted the Christians? What Martin Luther really posted on the door of that church in 1517? Where Liberation Theology started? Or what the World Council of Churches stands for? The book Documents of the Christian Church will answer these questions for you. And yes, it does list all 95 of Luther’s theses.

Documents of the Christian Church is arranged basically chronologically, but within time periods it is arranged by subject. The book is divided in two at the Council of Chalcedon in 451. Part one has ten sections including one on creeds, another on the Person and Work of Christ and another on the authority of the Holy See. Part two has sixteen sections on subjects including the Breach between East and West, the Reformation in England and on the continent, and finally several sections on 20th century world churches. Henry Bettenson edited the first edition in 1943 and the second in 1963. He died in 1979 and with the obvious need for an update Chris Maunder, a Roman Catholic scholar, stepped up to the plate and carried on with the third edition in 1999 and now the fourth in 2011. Because Bettensen’s work was added to rather than changed his name appears on the cover with Maunder’s. Each of the over 350 entries begins with a short commentary (put in square brackets) to set the stage for the piece of writing. Following all of the entries there is a list of the Councils of the Church, a bibliography, acknowledgements, and an index.

A comprehensive book such as this has the advantage of showing in documents the changes over the years. On the subject of religious liberty, for example, Maunder in his introduction to the excerpt Caledonia Times — January 2013

Documents of the Christian Church Fourth Edition. Edited by Henry Bettenson and Chris Maunder. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011. from Dignitatis Humanae (1965) notes that the Roman Church “turned its back on the hard line of the Syllabus of Errors.” The change here was towards respecting other people’s religions. An excerpt from the Syllabus of Errors was included earlier in the book. For anyone wanting to read the documents in full each entry gives thorough documentation to enable further research. Thus, if we wish, we are able to study for ourselves this change in policy of the Roman Catholic Church.

Chris Maunder tries to be inclusive - entries after the Reformation include Anglican, Orthodox, United Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, Pentecostal, and Anabaptist Traditions. There are, however, more entries from England and from Roman Catholic and Anglican sources than from other countries and traditions. The only entries from the global south are those on Liberation Theology. The documents included bear witness to the concerns of Christians at each age of the Church’s development. The entries on the 20th century are especially helpful in giving the reader the names of writers and texts on modern issues. Whether it is Alister McGrath with his response to atheism, John Hubers on Christian Zionism, or Hannah Lewis on Deaf Liberation Theology there are new thoughts here to stimulate the adult Christian.

Recommended for the personal reference libraries of all adult Christians.

I choose to further the mission of God by working towards being a diocesan ministry by the people of Caledonia. God has supplied us with everything we need for His mission in all of the communities of our diocese. We are God’s servants and we are about God’s work and being God’s people in this part of creation.

The question is: do we know that we are still his servants? Will we seek and serve Christ in all people, loving our neighbours as ourselves? Will participate in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship; in the breaking of bread and in the prayers? Will we repent and return to the Lord when we find ourselves separated from God and the community and do everything in our power to resist evil? Remember that a church that lives for itself, dies to itself.

We have a choice. We can live or we can die. How will you choose? Let the words of Joshua to the Israelites as they resolved to cross the River Jordan into a new life and a new, promised land encourage you: “Choose this day whom you will serve. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

(Joshua 24:15) We are still his servants.

Jason+ Editor, Caledonia Times.

Hope Bear for Baptism You or your parish may buy a Hope Bear for Baptism with a donation of $20. That money is donated to the Kids Helping Kids Trust Fund, and a child in need right here in Canada benefits.

call: (416) 924-9199 ext 234 or email:

foundation@anglicanfoundation.org Page 3

Provincial and National Briefs

Surfin’ for the Lord ~ Ruby McBeth

Moosonee to become mission area When Bishop Tom Corston of the diocese of Moosonee retires, the diocese will become a mission area of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario.

The decision of the diocese was announced at the provincial synod in October. Delegates from Moosonee gave a heartfelt presentation on their ministry and on challenges such as distance, the cost of living, clergy isolation and low pay. As they discerned the best way forward, one elder summed up the feeling in the diocese that they wanted to stay together as a family. Canon VII, drawn up to make the change, was unanimously approved by the provincial synod.

Algoma Anglican

$28 million to fund new ideas The diocese of Toronto will have a once-in-ageneration opportunity to revitalize and reinvent the church to share the good news of Jesus Christ in new ways. If the diocese’s Our Faith-Our Hope fundraising campaign reaches its goal of $50 million and all pledges are fulfilled, $28 million will be available to parishes to re-imagine church in their local context. This is in addition to the $17 million that will flow back to parishes for local church needs and $5 million that will go to groups outside the diocese such as the Council of the North. (As of Oct. 22, the campaign had raised $40 million in pledges.)

The Anglican

BC Camp property to be mothballed The diocesan council for the diocese of British Columbia decided on Nov. 1 to mothball the Camp Columbia property on Thetis Island. In use for more than 50 years for a camping ministry, the property

had reached “a state where it was no longer fit for human habitation because, structurally and servicewise it was not up to today’s codes,” said the Rev. Ian Powell. Upgrading or rebuilding the property at this time was not financially feasible, with costs estimated to be between $5 million and $7 million.

The council also approved a plan for a third party study in 2013 to determine the viability of camping and/or other potential uses of the site.

The Diocesan Post

LEAP for faith book expands to TV Gary Cox felt called to expand his lay ministry beyond the walls of The Church of Saint Andrew in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, where he had worshipped for more than 30 years. With financial support from the diocese of Nova Scotia and PEI and the Anglican Foundation of Canada, Cox was able to publish his book LEAP for faith and launch an interactive website (www.leapforfaith.org), and create a six-week spiritual development program to aid seekers and those who wish to grow in their faith.

Now, a LEAP for faith television series will begin airing in January on Eastlink Community TV. Each week, Cox and co-host Nicki Hetherington have casual conversations with guests from a variety of denominations about faith development.

- The Diocesan Times

Page 4

The Comic Corner

Run brings people together in London This fall’s annual 5K Walk/Run St. John’s, London, Ont. raised funds for the church’s Saturday Night Meal Program. .The $11,000 raised will cover a large part of the $18,000 needed to provide a hot meal for about 130 of London residents who are most in need every Saturday night.

- Huron Church News

Canterbury’s new man

The Current Bishop of Durham, the Right Rev. Justin Welby, is the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury. Photo: © KJB Photography

Tech savvy and looking for adventure in Christian service? Take a look at TechMission <www.techmission.org>. TechMission with the motto “connecting people with the poor” is the coordinating body of four major service organizations: ChristianVolunteering.org, TechMission Corps, UrbanMinistry.org, and City Vision College. The web site gives easy access to each of these. The home page has a video to introduce Techmission. It also includes “real impact stories.” This well organized website connects you easily to the business side of the picture (annual report) as well as info on how you can volunteer or benefit. On the Christian Volunteering site they talk about using a gap year in a meaningful way. Could be a great way to break into adult life.

Happy surfing, Ruby.

continued from page 1 with prayer and love.”

For 20 years, Archbishop-designate Justin Welby has blended deep devotion to his parish communities with Church work around the world, especially in areas of conflict.

Born in 1956 in London, the Right Reverend Justin Welby was educated at Eton College and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he studied history and law. For 11 years he worked in the oil industry, becoming group treasurer of a large British exploration and production company. During this period he became a lay leader at Holy Trinity, Brompton in London. In 1989, after sensing a call from God, Bishop Justin stood down from industry to train for ordination. He took a theology degree at St John’s College, Durham, in which he focused on ethics – particularly in business. He has since published articles on ethics, international finance and reconciliation.

His ministry has blended deep devotion to his parish communities with Church work around the world, especially in areas of conflict. In 2002, he was made a Canon of Coventry Cathedral, where he ran the reconciliation work based there. With Canons Andrew White and Stephen Davis, he worked

extensively in the field in Africa and the Middle East. He is particular interested in Kenya, the Congo and Nigeria, where he was and remains involved in work with groups involved in conflict in the north.

He left Coventry five years later, being installed Dean of Liverpool in December 2007. Its local area, Toxteth, is among the poorest in north-west Europe.

During his deanship, he brought the Cathedral into much greater contact with its local community, working with asylum seekers and in partnership with neighbouring churches. The Cathedral also hosted various events. Over his four years, during which he also continued to work on reconciliation and mediation projects overseas, the Cathedral’s congregation increased significantly.

In 2011, he returned to the place where his journey towards becoming Archbishop began: on 2 June 2011, he was announced as the new Bishop of Durham, taking over from the Right Reverend Tom Wright. He was enthroned at Durham Cathedral on 26 November, and drew parallels between Liverpool and Durham – noting both the struggles and the enduring spirit of the two places.

On 9 November 2012, the Right Reverend Justin Welby was announced as the 105th Archbishop of the See of Canterbury. He will succeed Dr Rowan Williams, who is retiring at the end of December after 10 years as Archbishop. He will be enthroned at Canterbury Cathedral on 21 March 2013.

Caledonia Times — January 2013