Caledonia Times
April 2014 Issue The Diocesan Section of the Anglican Journal
Front Row: Dr. Bryann Nuzzo, the Rev. Canon Dr. James Nuzzo, Bishop William, Bruce McLay (representing All Saints Parish, Boston). Back Row: Ken Alton (Smithers), Joshua Haggstrom, Dean Jason Haggstrom, the Rev. Yvonne Hill (Port Edward).
Dr. James Nuzzo is ordained to sacred priesthood On March 2nd, 2014, Bishop William Anderson ordained a new priest in the Diocese: the Rev. Canon Dr. James Nuzzo. Father James was ordained deacon two years ago at the cathedral during a Clericus (meeting of the Bishop and clergy). But the day has been much longer in coming. Canon Nuzzo, which at the time of his ordination to the diaconate, was also made the Canon Theologian. He serves the Bishop and Diocese by offering advice on matters of theology. He also serves the Bishop as the ecumenical relations officer with other denominations, especially the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches. In life at home, Canon Nuzzo is a doctor – both a neurologist and an analyst. Canon Nuzzo also holds a doctorate in Canon Law. His wife, Bryann, is a medical doctor; an obstetrician who specializes in high risk pregnancies. When she is not working with moms in private practice, she is teaching medicine at a local university. The Nuzzo enjoy three children who are in university and high school. The oldest, Ben, is 21 years old and a junior at Harvard. Emma is 19 and is a sophomore at Williams. Spencer is 15 and a freshmen at Phillips Exeter Academy.
The Nuzzos were accompanied by Mr. Bruce McLay from the Parish of All Saints, Ashmont. Mr. McLay wanted the Nuzzos to have a connection with the folks in the Boston area parish and so made the long trek to Prince Rupert to be present for the ordination. Canon Nuzzo serves as an honourary assistant in the Cathedral Parish when he is here in Caledonia. When at home in Boston, Canon Nuzzo serves as an assistant in the Parish of All Saints.
Above: the Newly ordained priest stands with the Bishop for pictures while below, Father Jim and Dr. Bryan Nuzzo take a breath and a puase in the festivies and work that went into the weekend. - Ed.
In a moment of solemn liturgy, the bishop anointed Canon Nuzzo’s hands with sacred oil and then wrapped the hands together with a white linen cloth called a “maniturgium” to allow the oil to soak into the hands. The excess oil is then wiped off with the cloth and is kept and presented to the new priest’s mother as a gift. This was done to honour Canon Nuzzo’s parents who could not be present for his ordination. Canon Nuzzo, with the permission of the Bishop, celebrated is first Eucharist in Boston the next Sunday after the ordination, so that he could share that experience with the Parish of All Saints. He continues to serve the diocese as an advisor and it is hoped that the Nuzzos will pay another visit to the Diocese soon!
Alleluia, Christ is Risen! Happy Easter to you, Caledonia!
Alleluia!
BISHOP’S NOTES
Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!” This is the traditional greeting exchanged amongst Christians on Easter Day. It is very similar to that first act of evangelism that we see when Mary, returning from the empty tomb, bursts into the room where the disciples are gathered and cries, “I have seen Him!” It is very common in recent years for many of us to lament the decline in attendance at church. We complain that our congregations are aging, and getting smaller. Many speculate about the cultural reasons for this, and some about the theological reasons for the decline. Certainly we know these problems very well in all of our parishes in Caledonia. But the Easter event that Mary bears witness to suggests to me a question that we might want to ask ourselves. How often in the past month or year have we copied Mary’s behaviour? After all, we claim, while we sit in our churches, that we believe in the risen Lord. Even those who usually stay at home but insist they are good Anglicans, claim to believe in the risen Christ. So, if you believe in the risen Christ, when was the last time you left the comfort of the parish church or your living room, and told a friend or a relative, “I have seen the risen Lord! Come and see!” Now I have written and preached about this idea before, as have most of our clergy. We have asked and suggested, and had conferences, etc., on the concept of evangelism -
Christ is risen. What will you do?
sharing the Good News. But for some reason it still seems to be something most of us do not, indeed, will not, do.
legs under those prayers. We must be prepared to be the means by which God delivers His answer.
I have heard many excuses for this failure, and some I have great sympathy with because I am an introvert - I find it hard to talk with people because I am shy and always feel they are judging me. So I get it when folks explain they are not comfortable sharing their faith. But at the end of the day, if we do not do it, and if all the other parishioners in our congregations share our reticence, then nobody will do it. And if nobody shares the Good News that Christ is risen, the Word will not be spread. Christ May be risen, but we will have kept it a secret. And if we keep the risen Christ a secret, we cannot complain that our churches grow emptier with each passing year.
Christ is risen. There are only two possible responses. Like Mary we can leave the empty tomb and go and share the Good News. Or we hide this discovery because of our own weakness or disbelief. There really aren’t any other options. Christ is risen! What are you going to do about it? +William Caledonia
The other thing we can learn from the actions of Mary is this. When she left the empty tomb she didn’t simply return to where the disciples were gathered and continue being a nice person. If all she had done was to return and continue being nice, none of the disciples would have learned about, let alone later encountered, the risen Christ. In short, the response to “Christ is risen” is not to quietly be nice - this falls far short of our calling. I was fortunate to hear a sermon recently by Bishop Larry Robertson (Yukon) who reminded us that it is not enough for us to pray for God to do things. If we expect God to answer our prayers, he said, we must be prepared to put
In brief: Wider Church Life New church opens in Scarborough, Ont. “Let the doors be opened,” said Bishop Patrick Yu of the diocese of Toronto, as he banged his staff on the doors leading to the sanctuary of the new Grace Church in Scarborough on Jan 25. The congregation is largely made up of people from the former churches of St. Giles, St. George, the Church of the Epiphany and St. Crispin. The Rev. David Howells, incumbent, said, “Grace Church really is one community now,” and praised the hard work and sacrifices people in the congregation made over four years to make the new church a reality. The Toronto Anglican Youth home to be built on church property Funding from the New Brunswick government has nailed it—work to build the Safe Harbour Transitional Youth Home in Saint John on the site of the recently demolished St. James, Broad Street, Anglican Church. First residents are expected to be welcomed in September. The provincial government pledged $480,000 to pay journey people and apprentices during the construction. The Rev. Paul Ranson, an Anglican priest who conducted a survey that identified a youth shelter as a priority need in the area, now chairs the board of Safe Harbour. Page 2
Archbishop Claude Miller said he hopes the facility will play a significant role in ending youth homelessness in Saint John. The New Brunswick Anglican Shipwreck clean-up needed The Rev. Dr. Joanne Mercer, the parish priest in Twillingate, Newfoundland, has written to the Anglican Church of Canada’s Creation Matters Working Group to ask for support for a campaign to clean up a shipwreck near the Change Islands. The Manolis L is a paper freighter that sunk near Change Islands in 1985. In the last few months, there has been growing concern about oil leaking from the ship. The Coast Guard is taking measures, but nothing seems to be working for long, Mercer wrote. Mercer is looking for support from the national church to lobby the federal government to approve funding to remove the oil from the ship before the situation worsens.Bishop Robert Bennett and Bishop Terry Dance of the diocese of Huron, along with its EnviroAction Committee, are supporting this call for action. More information about the campaign is available at www.newfoundlandoilspill.ca. A petition and other materials are available by sending an email to enviroactionhuron@gmail.com
Caledonia Times Publication of the Diocese of Caledonia Publisher: The Bishop of Caledonia Editor: The Dean of Caledonia Published monthly, except July and August by: Diocese of Caledonia, 200 – 4th Avenue West Prince Rupert, BC V8J 1P3 (250) 635-6016 or (250) 600-7143 Correspondence and copy to the address above. Or to caledoniatimes@gmail.com Submissions must be received by the 1st 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 Inc., North York, Ontario.
Huron Church News Caledonia Times — April 2014
By the time you read this, we will be close to finishing our Lenten observance and will be ready for the rigors of Holy Week, especially the Tridium; of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter. Holy Week with all of its liturgical demands is actually one of my favourite times of the Christian calendar. It helps me to feel and renew my understanding of Christ’s presence in us and with us. After all that is what the priesthood is all about: reminding people that God in Christ has come near and has entered in to each and every life that has been turned over to him. The presence of the clergy reminds not just the Church, but also the wider society. It is amazing what happens when the clergy suddenly appear. I remember one time, going to the gas station, just after I was ordained a deacon. I had stopped to fill the car up to go to the Synod Office for a meeting a couple of hours away. At the entrance to the gas station, was a group of women who were having a puff and a chat. It was amazing, when I got out of the car to pump my gas, the women spotted me in my clerical dress and began to look very nervous. When I was finished fueling the car, I had to walk towards this group of ladies. As they noticed me approaching them suddenly there was a flurry of furious activity as cigarettes were flicked or snuffed, and one tried to clear the air by frantically fanning the smoke. Once inside, I asked the person at the till what the commotion was about at the door. “Oh,” said the cashier. They were feeling guilty about smoking because you could see them and
WAIT A MINUTE... WHAT ABOUT
The P’s: Priestly presence they knew they should not be smoking. It was your presence that made them act like that.” That tells me about the importance of the presence of a Christian person. As a priest, whatever else I am, at the heart of it all I am a publicly proclaimed believer of the Lord Jesus, died, risen and ascended to the Father. My presence in the community matters. Our presence as churches across this diocese have impact, simply because we are here and we are witnesses not only of Christ but also of all that our family, friends and neighbours do. Our presence has impact and the ability to positively (and negatively) affect the life of the Church and the world around us. We are reminded of this every time we celebrate the Eucharist together. We are reminded of what Jesus said in that last meal, “Do this in remembrance of me.” In other words we recall the fact that the risen Lord Jesus is present to us at the altar, through the bread and wine, through the water of Baptism and the absolution and blessing that we receive – that we might make each other more aware of the fact that God is here. God is here in our parishes and in our diocese and we are with him. All we need do is seek, see and serve him as we find him in others. The priestly presence also ought to help others to encounter Christ to know what it is that
BOOKS ON THE WAY By Ruby Mcbeth The recent death of Nelson Mandela made me think about that other great hero of the apartheid era Desmond Mpilo Tutu. This South African bishop lived through the apartheid era which lasted from 1948 to 1994. In speeches, letters and sermons Tutu encouraged the black majority and chided and warned the white minority. He also represented the blacks internationally. In the year 1984 he won the Nobel Peace Prize. In that same year Mothobi Mutloatse compiled Tutu’s sermons and speeches under the title Hope and Suffering: Sermons and Speeches. Hope and Suffering was written at a time when South Africa was going to change. The question was whether the change would be peaceful. This book of Tutu’s thoughts alternates chapters centered on politics with chapters centered on theology. Each of the four chapters includes from four to six pieces of Tutu’s work. In Chapter 1 “Introducing South Africa” we meet Tutu the concerned citizen of South Africa. The first entry is an open letter to John Vorster the prime minister. This letter is a classic example of diplomacy. Tutu begins by acknowledging Vorster as a family man, a Christian and a member of a group (Afrikaners) who had been a subject people. He goes on to point out that the Whites will only be free when they treat the Blacks as Caledonia Times — April 2014
full humans. After specific points he wants changed, he ends with the Prayer of St. Francis. In Chapter 2 “Liberation as a Biblical Theme” we meet Tutu the pastor and theologian. He shows us the Christian message interpreted for the majority of South Africans - his fellow Blacks. Tutu’s version of liberation theology equates his people with the people of Israel in Egypt when they were slaves to the pharaoh. He goes on to show liberation as a theme in the New Testament.
God has for them and has called them to. People need to know through all of us that God has gifts that he wants to bestow – it is why it is proclaimed to the Body, “The Gifts of God for the People of God.” I have encountered in the last 23 years of ministry, so many people who think themselves unworthy and ungifted. The good news is that God in Christ has paid the debt you could not and that God through his Son has made you worthy of being his child. Will you refrain from coming into the presence of your own heavenly Father? Will you choose to live in the silence and solitude of your own selfish ways or will you choose to open yourself to the presence of the One who, having endured the shame of the cross now lives to pray for you and your life and bring reconciliation to you and your neighbours? Remembering Jesus does not mean that we are without him now; far from it! Christ is here. Christ is risen. Jesus is Lord. As we gather to move from the glory of the Palms to the glory of the Resurrection, let us be sure as a single, royal priesthood, to faithfully declare Jesus’ glorious and risen presence among us. The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia! Jason+ Editor, Caledonia Times.
cause of Tutu’s character and reputation Hope and Suffering can be recommended generally to thinking adults. Some will value Tutu’s political wisdom, some his theology. No one can doubt the integrity of this man who stood at the center of hope and suffering in South Africa in the late 20th century. Tutu, Desmond Mpilo. Hope and Suffering: Sermons and Speeches. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans, 1884.
In Chapter 3 “Current Concerns” we meet Tutu the political man. He shows us the mistaken approaches of the Whites: the forming of the black homelands, the Regan administration backing the Whites, and the futility of the position of the white opposition party. In Chapter 4 “The Divine Intention” we meet Tutu the prophet and bishop. Here he warns and pleads with whites to wake up before it is too late. Revolution is imminent if they do not make a move to recognize the Blacks as full citizens. Desmond Tutu is a man who is totally alive - completely integrated. Coincidentally his middle name Mpilo means life. He is mature socially, emotionally (his sense of humour is marvelous), politically, and spiritually. BePage 3
Finding the Presence of God at Camp Cal
By Fiona Robertson
The blind man sat by the road and he cried, the blind man sat by the road and he cried, he cried oh, oh, oh, Show me the way,… the way to go home! Echoes from generations past and echoes from one summer ago at Camp Caledonia: the common denominator is young people connecting with one another and discovering the love of God in a natural setting. It was with extreme resistance that I was told that I was going to go to Camp Caledonia “to get socialized with other kids my own age”, one summer at the age of 9. My parents, Doch and Marion Robertson, were told by Flora and John Stokes that this would be the best way for me (an only child) to meet other kids and to learn how to work within a group dynamic. The bonus side of this was that I would have a lot of fun and connect with the love of God for the first time in a very real and natural way. It took one night without my parents around to make me realize that life really could go on without them and they also learned that others could competently take care of me. I was blessed to have a very enriching 9 summers in which I went from Junior camper, to CIT, to Senior Camper, to counselor, to Maintenance Worker, and eventually to assistant director of one of the Senior Girl’s camps. To say that Camp Caledonia had a positive effect on my life and helped to shape who I am today, would be an understatement. Years later, I am brought back to camp to watch my own daughters experience the connection with their peers at Camp. It reminds me of days gone by, and fills me with hope that this generation can communicate without their devices ( phones, iPods, etc) attached to the end of their arm for one week! I have seen kids who are complete strangers from one another at the beginning of the week, move to acquaintances, and finally lifelong buddies by the end of the week. Often, these friends keep in touch between camps and look forward to reuniting one another the following summer.
One particular night I remember at camp was the last night where we lit our candles atop a chunk of wood and sang “Pass it On” as we processed from the chapel down to the waterfront at dusk. Flora gathered us all there and reminded us that we all came to camp with different expectations and experiences and now will be leaving soon to return home to our families. The one thing we all had in common is that God’s light had been shown to us in many ways throughout the week we have had together. Flora reminded us: “As we have been given, we now have an obligation to share this light with the world”. At this point, we all released the candle lights onto the lake and watched as they eventually and spontaneously formed into the shape of a cross. Coincidence or God’s presence? No doubt in our young minds that we were being included in something profound and life changing: God’s presence. Two summers ago, Daphne Moser was the chaplain for the Junior Camp that my daughters were campers in. I was happy to help out in the kitchen as an assistant cook for the first time. Daphne had a wonderful way of making the presence of God felt amongst all the people who were there, too. She reminded us that life can be messy and “in the midst of the messiness of our life, the Messiah is always present”. These words are not only profound, but have been the source of much comfort to all who were there. This is, again, no coincidence: just God’s presence. Why return again to experience Camp this summer? Well, it’s simple: God’s presence. It’s nice to be reminded of that and it is comforting to know that His presence is always there; guiding us, leading us, and preparing us for the long road home.
SURFIN` FOR THE LORD By Ruby McBeth Bishop Desmond Tutu is generally remembered because he headed up the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa. One website which has videos and papers by Tutu (and much more) is the Facing History website. This is a website for educators interested in enabling dialogue and empathy on the subject of genocide and mass violence. Type in Desmond Tutu in the space on the bottom left to get several videos and a paper on Tutu and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Typing in South Africa led to a long list of links. This website contains reviews of books and movies for use by teachers. An honest attempt to teach better ways to the next generation. Its worth checking out. Happy surfing!
COMIC LIFE
Jesus rose from the grave and he cried, Jesus sat rose from the grave and he cried, he cried oh, oh, oh, I am the Way, the Truth and The Life,,,,,the way to go home! JESUS!” Photo below: Fiona with Frineds at Camp Caledonia in the 1980`s - Ed.
Flora Stokes loved to be part of bringing groups of people together, whether it was at a soup kitchen, church group, and especially at Camp Caledonia. My favourite memory of her was how she was like a Camp Mom to each of the campers and took the duty of ensuring everyone was feeling safe and loved at Camp all week. She nurtured the group dynamics from the opening activities and ice breakers to the reflective candlelight service on the last night of camp.
Giving back to Camp?
By Ken Alton
There are many reasons volunteer at Camp Caledonia this summer: to honour the way a parent or elder in your congregation worked for children in our Diocese; to continue the joy of seeing your own child grow from being a camper into becoming a leader; just to be near by while a child or grandchild you know is going to Camp for the first time. You might share your time and talent for cooking and serving meals, helping with crafts, tending to scrapes and bruises, building things, or cleaning up. Your gifts for music or teaching about Page 4
God’s love for us all might be brought to Chaplain’s time each day or chapel each evening. No matter how you are able to help, it is a true joy to see our Counsellors grow as teachers and leaders of the children they spend time with. A true blessing to see each group of campers learn the camp hymns and act out the Bible stories with more confidence and understanding as the week goes on. Our website, campcaledonia.com has camper information and dates if children in your parish would like to come. If you would have time or talents that could help, e-mail Amanda Veillette amanda_7861@yahoo.ca to get more information or send a resume. Caledonia Times — April 2014