Caledonia Times
November , 2013 Issue The Caledonia Section of the Anglican Journal
The Rev. Canon JC Martinson (1919-2013) The Rev. Canon John C. Martinson, Rector Emeritus of Christ the King Parish and Region Dean of Metlakatla died in Prince Rupert on Sunday, September 22nd 2013. He was 93 years old.
John was born to his parents Arthur and Ida (nee Wise) Martinson in London, England on November 29th, 1919. The family emigrated from England back to his father’s home of Kenora, Ontario in 1921. John was 2 yrs old. John was the eldest brother. He was joined by his sister Pearl Gloria and brother Edward Arthur. After finishing school, John worked as a projectionist at the Paramount Theatre and also at Sandy Browns Funeral Home. When war broke out in September, 1939, John enlisted in the Canadian Forces and served overseas with the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry. He served as a physical education instructor in England for troops and was a part of the Italian Campaign and was seriously wounded in fighting in Sicily. He was sent to North Africa where he was hospitalized for a time and then sent onto England once he was strong enough to make the journey. John returned home to Canada in 1944. After the war, John chose to seek ordination and trained for ministry at St. John’s College in Winnipeg. He excelled as a seminarian. Subsequent to his graduation, John was ordained and ordered deacon on September 17th, 1950 and then ordered priest on June 11th, 1951 (St. Barnabas Day). John desired and intended to serve in First Nations communities. As a priest he served in Churchill, MB, Fort George, PQ, Hodgson, MB., Stonewall and Winnipeg, MB. In Winnipeg, he served also as Archdeacon of Selkirk. At the invitation of Bishop Douglas Hambidge, then Bishop of Caledonia in 1971, John came to Kitkatla and served the community as their priest. He served Kitkatla from 1971 until 1985. During his time in Kitkatla, John married Lorna Connell, a native of Digby NS, who was a well known teacher at the school in Kitkatla. After a sabbatical, Fr. John took charge of Christ the King Parish in Port Edward, in June 1986. During his tenure as rector, he offered frequently workshops on the Scriptures and the Christian life. Out of the group came a dozen catechists. These teachers of the faith
The Rev. Canon John C. Martinson (rt.) with wife Lona Martinson. the picture was taken in the Fall of 2011 at Christ the King Parish In Port Edward. Canon Martinson served as rector of the parish for many years and then was appointed Rector Emeritus by the Bishop to honour his years of service to the parish.
went on to study further. Of the dozen, eight were ordained deacon and seven of the deacons were later ordained priests. John also served 25 years as the chaplain at the Prince Rupert Hospital. He was a registered grief therapist with the American Greif Therapy Association and organized the hospital’s pastoral care program. In addition to one to one counselling, John ran Grief support groups as well as continuously also being on call for the hospital for pastoral emergencies.
in prayer, living in humility, and loving the people God entrusted to his care, have been a blessing to so many of us. According to Canon Martinson’s final wishes, his funeral was held on September 27th at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Prince Rupert. There was a Eucharist from the Book of Common Prayer celebrated by Dean Jason Haggstrom, assisted by Archdeacon Ernest Buchanan and the clergy team from the Parish of Port Edward.
In more recent years, John passed on the hospital ministry to the Rev. Jim Whaley, of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and served as Regional Dean for the coastal parishes of the Diocese. He continued to meet with and counsel people in his own home.Bishop William Anderson responded to the news of Canon Martinson’s death this way: I am going to deeply miss John, as he has been a constant support throughout my episcopacy. His counsel and his humour have always been supportive and encouraging for me. But more importantly, the Church has lost someone who has been a great teacher. The men and women he has prepared for ordained ministry are arguably his greatest legacy to our Church, for he has trained them well. Together with Lorna, John’s gifts of persevering
When Fr. John served in Kitkatla, he was adopted by a family in the Eagle Tribe and was given the name “eagle who sat on a stump” - Ed
Inside this issue: - News from Council of the North page 2 - Books on the Way page 3 - Comic Corner page 4 - The Anglican Foundation rebrands page 4
Bishop’s Notes Why should any one listen to the message? I am sitting in my office on a Friday afternoon. The sky is overcast, the wind blowing. It has stopped raining – for the moment! The editor of the Cal Times has reminded me that I need to write my column for the November paper, even though it is still September. So I am struggling with what to write. What will be meaningful to you in two months when you actually see this? The question is important to me because, as a student, I was taught that one of the most important questions a preacher should ask himself is: “Why should anyone listen to your message?” A good question that has stuck in my mind for the past 40 years. What could I say that is worth your taking the time to read, let alone think about? I could talk about the ongoing struggle to keep our diocese afloat financially. But I have done that, and it doesn’t appear to be as much a concern to many folks as it is to me. I could talk about our need to find new ways of serving in the communities in which we live – but again, I’ve done that. Besides, I know this is something that the parish clergy do a good job of reminding us is important. Perhaps something about the coming Advent Season?
Well, again that question comes to mind- what could I say that would grab your attention? In all likelihood you are already starting to think about Christmas and the various preparations you need to make, and Advent is likely not at the top of your list of concerns. So perhaps it is enough to say that I worry about you. I know (and I have often preached) about St. Paul’s encouragement to us to “Rejoice in the Lord always…” And I truly believe this, even though I sometimes struggle with it. We rejoice, not because we like to pretend that there is no evil in the world, no heartache – but because we believe that Christ has conquered death and God holds us in His hands. I worry like Our Lord did when He prayed over Jerusalem, and as the prophets did when they tried to encourage their people to return to faithfully observing the covenant with God. I worry about our clergy, who I know are overworked, and often underappreciated by the people they try to serve. I worry about the future of our parishes as our buildings get older, and our congregations get smaller in spite of the best efforts of some people (and the inaction of too many others!). Like many of you, I worry about the things I cannot control, and the things I wish I could change, but cannot. I worry about my kids and about my family, and sometimes I worry about myself – about getting older and about whether I am really doing what God wants me to do. Well, again that nagging question; “So what? Why should you read this?”
At the end of the day I can only offer you one reason. You should care, and I should care, because we are brothers and sisters in Christ. And that has to be more than simply a polite religious phrase. It should be something that binds us all so closely together that we ache when we see one another in pain, and we laugh with one another when we rejoice. It should be the reason we are slow to get angry with one another, and quick to forgive when we think we have been offended. That bond in Christ should be what drives us to join together in worship, not because the Church says we should go to Church, but because there are people there who depend on us, and who need us to encourage and lift them up in prayer, and who will do the same for us. Without us, they are poorer, as are we. God has blessed us. He has blessed us more richly than we deserve, and more deeply than any of us probably understand. It may seem at times that the challenges we face in our lives, in our parishes, are insurmountable. But when we think this, we need to remember that our God is the God who walked with His people through the Exodus, when they had only what they could carry on their backs. This is God, who did not hide in the Temple at Jerusalem, but actually walked alongside the Apostles, healing, encouraging and teaching everyone whom He encountered. So what do I hope you will hear in this column? Let me quote from the Book of Proverbs. My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life and abundant welfare they will give you. Trust in the Lord with all your heart… In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
+William: Caledonia
Council of the North gathered for Fall Meeting
Caledonia Times
Publication of the Anglican Diocese of Caledonia Members of the Council of the North gather for a noon day picture. About o third of the Dioceses in the Anglican Church of Canada paprticipate in the Council. the nine diocese have 85 percent of Canada’s land mass and only 15 percent of it population.
The Council of the North met at the FCJ Centre in Calgary, AB Oct. 1st and 2nd. The Council shares the ministry of 85% of country’s land mass while ministering to 15% of the total population. The Council is also made up of the assisted and mission dioceses of the Canadian Anglican Church. An interesting part of the meeting was a good discussion about the identity of the Council and its membership. The Council is not just ministry to First Nations. Many of the dioceses have non indigenous parishes with ministries to other nationalities because they are government towns or port cities where the rest of the world comes to visit and to live. The Council is going to work on communicating better the true nature of all those who are within the life and ministry of the Canadian North. A large portion of time was given to talking about training, recruiting and the retention of clergy and lay ministry in the North. There is a strong desire to
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train people as evangelists and pastors who are going to enable and assist in spiritual birth. There was talk of moving our thoughts from creating competent clergy and lay ministers to organize the church to creating competent communities from which competent ministry flows. Many of the dioceses are having considerable struggles in finding Canadian people to serve in the Canadian North. Most recruits are coming from the United States and some from as far away as Pakistan and Eastern Africa. It was noted that the Council needs to work at putting the word “vacate” back in the word vacation for clergy in isolated posted to enable self care and rest. In turn this would allow the clergy and lay leadership come back to their ministries with a renewed vigor and vision after being rested.
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) 627-1143 or (250) 600-7143 Address correspondence and copy to the address above. Or to caledoniatimes@gmail.com Submissions must be received by the 10th 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
See Council Recap on p. 4 Caledonia Times — November 2013
Hey, wait an editorial moment... Be doers of the Word and not just hearers only When I pooled the articles together for this issue of the Caledonia Times, I noticed something interesting. By happy circumstance there was an overall theme and tone to the issue... namely the need to listen. I am discovering that everybody wants to be heard and there are some who maintain that it is there right to be heard. Yet we need to stop and consider carefully that if all of us are talking and typing, who is going to stop talking and start listening. Might I suggest that listen is at the very core of what is to be a Christian? It is the start of obedience to God’s will for both ourselves and for others. It enables us to be followers and to be effective in our discipleship so that those around us are bless because we have listened, done and led as God has called and told us too. And yes I believe that God is still speaking to and enabling and leading his Church. There is a verse of scripture that comes to mind here: “Be doers of the word and not hearers only” (James 1.22) failing to connect our doing with our listening does not make us disobedient. It makes the Church and its ministry obtuse and thus irrel-
evant. It is the very thing that so many fear and recoil from though seemingly they fail to hear and heed both the Word and the Spirit. Failing to listen to God and what God asks of us makes us irrelevant because we have not heard and therefore have not received what was needed; to have something to offer and give, we must first listen and receive. The danger is not in being unconnected to the world through our life and ministry but being irrelevant to God. It is his mission, his call and we are his people and his Church. I think you would agree that you and I cannot steer a parked car. God cannot guide the motionless Christian. There is no spiritual life without listening. We have stopped up our collective ears and we are going to do things the way we think they ought to be done. What we need to do is to stop and listen for the Shepherd’s voice. We need to hear him so that we can be led to and through the valley, even if it seems like death. We need to quiet ourselves so that we can listen and then respond in appropriate ways with fitting action in the required time. Failing to listen to God as individuals and as community causes us to become obtuse and irrelevant. In turn we then fall way (like lost sheep) and face both death of personal life and destruction of our faith communities. It is only in listening that we follow and find life. It is only in Christ that we live and
move and have our being. And the obvious implication is that we find it nowhere else but in God who is in Christ. Holy listening helps us to discover where our service and our sacrifices are to be offered. Holy listening helps us to discover where our altars are – those places and spaces where we discover we are needed and are needed by God to offer ourselves to him and to neighbour. We make the sacrifice and offer the gifts that others might hear and see so that they might live. It is one of the valuable lessons I have been taught this lesson and reminded of the same by a brother priest in the ways he has lived in the past few months. So maybe the next thing we need to do as individuals, as parishes and as a diocese is to stop and listen for the voice of the Shepherd, our Master, so that we can not only know his presence amongst us (for it is what we proclaim and experience every time we celebrate the eucharist – “Do this, for the recalling that I am one among you”) but so that we can follow him into whatever is next for us to do and for us to do it. We need to be doers of the Word. Let us be doers of the Word not just hearers only. Jason+ Editor, Caledonia Times.
Books on the Way with Ruby McBeth Listening Hearts: discerning call in community This past May I completed the Education for
Ministry (EfM) program on the internet. While there was a great deal of study involved one of the most important aspects for me was to be able to talk (in writing of course) to other Christians and listen to their ideas. We had a rule that we were not to judge what people said but rather to listen respectfully. It was understood that we were all at different places in our spiritual growth.
It took a while to relax and learn this approach but after settling in, I found it very healthy. A quiet accepting approach to spiritual growth is taught in the book Listening Hearts: Discerning Call in Community. Listening Hearts was written by four people. They are Christians, some Protestant some Catholic, who wanted to learn how to help people to hear God’s call. All were strongly influenced by the Quaker approach of quiet listening. Listening Hearts: Discerning Call in Community is a practical manual for people seeking God’s will. It is about conversion. As the authors put it “when we turn our hearts to God we experience a reorientation of values deep within us.” The book begins with two sections “Call” and “Discernment” which address individual spiritual growth. These two topics are presented in short chapters which would make excellent meditations for a quiet day or as a spiritual focus at a meeting. The third section “Community” draws on what has been taught about call and discernment so far Caledonia Times — November 2013
in the book. It shows how a group of Christians can support a person in seeking God’s will in their life. The group (called a discernment group) acts rather like a spiritual director by listening to the individual’s story in a nonjudgmental way. The group does not offer advice but rather asks questions to move the person ahead in their thinking. The second half of the book is labeled “Appendices of Practical Suggestions.” Here the workshop aspect of the book comes in. Appendix 1 gives guidelines for discernment groups. Appendix 2 details the types of questions to raise when serving in discernment groups. Appendix 3 - the history of the listening hearts project - explains that this book is the result of research into writing about call, discernment, and community. That research is apparent from the extensive notes (21 pages) and annotated bibliography (21 pages) which follow the appendixes. Finally, appendix 4 shows opportunities for further learning in the way of retreats and workshops. A glossary is included along with the notes and bibliography. This word list gives not only definitions but also the origin of the terms. Some come from the Quakers, some from the Jesuits, and some from the Listening Hearts Community. Their definition of Consensus is telling: “Secular consensus suggest sensing together through rational consideration. ...Spiritual discernment awaits a consensus that includes spiritual harmony.”
It is that harmony which is the essence of the Listening Hearts people and makes their work so valuable today. Recommended generally for Christians. Farnham, Suzanne G., Joseph P. Gill and others. Listening Hearts: Discerning Call in Community. Rev. Ed. New York: Morehouse, 2011.
Surfin with the Lord “Speak Lord for your servant is listening.” This is the motto of the website for Listening Hearts Ministries found at www.listening hearts.org. The homepage is pleasantly illustrated with artistic nature photography. On the right they show us the four books in the Listening Hearts series. Under “New and Noteworthy” they advertise a workshop for congregations experiencing conflict. Sounds like it could be helpful. Just a click of the mouse will lead you to information on the Listening Hearts programs, publications, history, people, and more. I invite you to take a closer look at these people who take listening for God seriously. Happy Surfing! Ruby. Page 3
The Anglican Foundation rebrands itself The Anglican Foundation of Canada may be the best-kept secret in the Canadian church. Few people realize that since 1957 this organization has disbursed more than $28 million in grants and loans. And the Foundation wants more Anglicans to benefit in more diverse ways. So it’s embarking on an exciting journey of renewal to ensure its funding has maximum impact. “By making it easier to apply and increasing the impact of gifts, we’re able to help more people with a wider range of projects and programs across the country,” says the Rev. Judy Rois, executive director. Four new funding initiatives will launch in 2014: •Multiple-year funding for ministry projects of up to $10,000 a year for three years •A proactive annual call for proposals to encourage innovative ministry •A donor/project matching program •A streamlined twice-yearly application process for grants and loans Symbolizing the new focus is a redesigned maple leaf logo with the tagline imagine more, which the Foundation hopes will start people dreaming about the endless possibilities it’s ready to support. Inspired by the fresh expressions of Vision 2019, its new initiatives include ecumenical youth strategies, hospice and elder care, theological education and projects in the performing and visual arts. “It’s all about giving life to people, parishes and visions,” says Rois.
• In Hudson’s Hope, St. Peter’s was able to undertake repairs to its roof, church hall and rental home.
In every diocese, the Anglican Foundation of Canada (AFC) is working to revitalize the Anglican experience by providing grants and loans for projects that enhance church life. Eligible initiatives range from physical-plant renovations, accessibility upgrades and new construction to diverse projects in the arts, Christian education and vocational development, history and heritage, healing and reconciliation and social welfare. Here are a few examples since 1995 in the diocese of Caledonia: • Holy Trinity Church, in Vanderhoof, B.C., received a grant toward constructing a new office and parish hall facility.” Our small congregation had been fundraising for 12 years, but it was the Foundation’s grant that allowed us to complete the construction and become more effective in ministry and also become a bigger presence in Vanderhoof by offering space for community functions,” says the Rev. Gwen Andrews, assistant rector. • St. Andrew’s Cathedral for renovations and installation of the new Synod Office. • The Chetwynd Shared Ministry received monies for their roof to replace trusses, to insulate and re-roof the building. • The Diocese received monies to prepare for the New Millennium. • St. Martin’s Ft. St. John received monies to install a new fire alarm system.
Anglican installed as new chaplain general Brigadier General John Fletcher was installed as the new chaplain general of the Canadian Armed Forces on Sept. 4. Fletcher, an Anglican archdeacon, took over responsibilities from the retiring Chaplain General Brigadier General Karl McLean, also an Anglican archdeacon.
tle takes place regularly because governments in their haste to find resources for urban areas are quite willing to deprive rural citizens of even the most basic and essential services.” The bishop noted that many other countries are investing in rail as a way of reducing fossil fuel emissions.
“It’s vital for our leaders, both within the armed forces and beyond, not to dismiss the significance of religious considerations in the exercise of their leadership,” said Fletcher at the ceremony in Ottawa.
B.C. election set for December
—Crosstalk (Ottawa) Bishop rails against Via cuts Via Rail’s decision to suspend passenger service along the Gaspé Peninsula could do irreparable harm to the people and communities of the region, says the Anglican bishop of Quebec.
Traditional funding for church renovation continues. “The Foundation’s generous support came at just the right time to raise our spirits and our hopes in the early days of our ambitious renovation project,” says the Rev. Brian Pearson, rector of St. Stephen’s in Calgary. Archbishop Fred Hiltz, Foundation chair, calls the revamped strategy “funding that matters and makes a difference in people’s lives.” Ottawa’s Dean Shane Parker, strategic team leader, says the Foundation’s new direction will “provide abundant resources for innovative ministries across the Canadian church.” Every parish can become a Foundation member by making an annual donation. Become a catalyst for great things in your diocese. Imagine a project you could be passionate about, and let the Foundation know! imagine more ...and great things will happen! By Diana Swift To apply for funding or make donations, go to: anglicanfoundation.org
Council Recap from page 2
From Across the Country
The chaplain general serves as head of the military chaplain branch and is appointed by the minister of national defence, based on the recommendation of the chief of defence staff in consultation with the chaplaincy’s interfaith committee.
No one knows better how ministry-enriching Foundation support can be than Justin Cheng, a postulant with the diocese of British Columbia, who received a grant to intern at St. George’s Cathedral in Jerusalem. “The experience allowed me to get a glimpse of the church’s mission in the Middle East,” he says. “The Foundation’s financial support demonstrates the church’s commitment to future ordained ministry.”
—Gazette (Quebec)
The election of a new bishop for the diocese of British Columbia is scheduled to take place at its synod on Dec. 7. The diocesan council will receive nominations until Nov. 1 and will review them at its meeting on Nov. 21 before sending the documents on to synod delegates. Bishop James Cowan retired at the end of August. In the interim before the election, Archbishop Caleb Lawrence is acting as diocesan administrator and providing episcopal ministry.
There was much discussion about the new diocese of “Mishamickweesh” and the new diocese would come into place. Southern parishes (south of Kingfisher Lake where the new diocese will have its offices) will go to the Diocese of Rupert’s Land while the Northern Manitoba parishes will remain with the area that will become “Mishamickweesh”. The name of the new diocese is from a Cree story and means “The big beaver lodge”. Most of all there was a growing determination in the face of reduced funding of the National Block grant, to move from being a mission Church to being churches in mission in the North. The Grant to each diocese will be reduced by 5% per year for the next two years. Depending on the financial life of the National Church, the Council may face even deeper cuts when the 5% per year runs out in 2016-17.
Comic Corner
—The Diocesan Post
“I’ve lived in the Gaspé region for nearly 20 years,” said Bishop Dennis Drainville “This batPage 4
Caledonia Times — November 2013