Caledonia Times
April 2013 The Diocesan Section of the Anglican Journal
Anglicans farewell Pope Benedict XVI
The world today is “subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith” and requires from a leader “both strength of mind and body,” he added.
On February 10 2013, something happening that has not happened in the life of the Wider Church in six hundred years. A Pope resigned his office and retired from the Petrine Ministry and as the Bishop of Rome. In his statement, Pope Benedict XVI had the following to stay to the clergy of Rome:
Dear Brothers, I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonizations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church. After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry. I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering. However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me. For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is. Dear Brothers, I thank you most sincerely for all the love and work with which you have supported me in my ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects. And now, let us entrust the Holy Church to the care of Our Supreme Pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the Cardinal Fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new Supreme Pontiff. With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer.
- BENEDICTUS PP XVI
In response to the announcement of the Pope’s resignation, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby’s made the following statement: It was with a heavy heart but complete understanding that we learned this morning of Pope Benedict’s declaration of his decision to lay down the burden of ministry as Bishop of Rome, an office which he has held with great dignity, insight and courage. As I prepare to take up office I speak not only for myself, and my predecessors as Archbishop, but for Anglicans around the
In a phone interview, Hiltz cited the Pope’s “hospitality,” his willingness to engage in dialogue and his messages about reconciliation, non-violent ways of resolving issues and caring for the earth as some of his lasting contributions.
Pope Benedict XVI greeting people on a trip in Germany last fall. - Ed. world, in giving thanks to God for a priestly life utterly dedicated, in word and deed, in prayer and in costly service, to following Christ. He has laid before us something of the meaning of the Petrine ministry of building up the people of God to full maturity. In his visit to the United Kingdom, Pope Benedict showed us all something of what the vocation of the See of Rome can mean in practice – a witness to the universal scope of the gospel and a messenger of hope at a time when Christian faith is being called into question. In his teaching and writing he has brought a remarkable and creative theological mind to bear on the issues of the day. We who belong to other Christian families gladly acknowledge the importance of this witness and join with our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters in thanking God for the inspiration and challenge of Pope Benedict’s ministry. We pray that God will bless him profoundly in retirement with health and peace of mind and heart, and we entrust to the Holy Spirit those who have a responsibility to elect his successor. The Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada also paid tribute to Pope Benedict XVI, saying “I admire Pope Benedict’s courage and grace in stepping down, recognizing his increasingly diminished stamina to carry out his ministry as bishop of Rome and head of the Roman Catholic Communion throughout the world,” said Archbishop Fred Hiltz in a statement. “…I believe his decision is the mark of a true pastor, of one who so loves the church that when he recognizes his incapacity to lead with the strength he once had, is prepared to step aside and make way for new leadership.” In a statement on Vatican Radio’s website, the 85-year-old Pope said he would resign on Feb. 28. His resignation is the first in nearly 600 years in the Roman Catholic Church, which has a membership of 1.2 billion worldwide.
“Pope Benedict’s public support of ongoing dialogue between Anglicans and Roman Catholics has never wavered,” added Archdeacon Bruce Myers, the Anglican Church of Canada’s coordinator for ecumenical relations. “Even when the Anglican Communion’s recent struggles around human sexuality threatened to drive our two churches further apart, his response wasn’t to break off relations, but rather to insist on the continuation of formal dialogue between Anglicans and Catholics. He called it ‘a matter of urgency.’ ” Myers said this was the reason why the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC) is “still very much alive and at work.” (ARCIC promotes visible unity between the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion. It was established in 1967 by Archbishop of Canterbury Michael Ramsey and Pope Paul VI.) The dialogue continues despite tensions, including some arising from Pope Benedict’s decision in 2009 to create a personal ordinariate that would allow former Anglicans to enter into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church while retaining some elements of their Anglicanism. Both Hiltz and Myers noted the role that the personal relationship between the Pope and former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams had in furthering Anglican-Roman Catholic relations worldwide. “Their abiding friendship in Christ was an inspiration to the continuing work of ecumenical dialogue and the deep desire of our churches to grow together in faith and unity the service of the gospel,” said Hiltz. Myers said it is “fortuitous” that both Rome and Canterbury will welcome new leaders at nearly the same time. The primate urged Anglicans to pray for the Pope and for Catholics worldwide as they undergo this transition. “It is at moments like this that we realize how very connected we are in the body of Christ, as holy wisdom marks the Pope’s decision to step down,” said Hiltz. The Conclave will be convened on March 12th to elect a new leader and Bishop of Rome. - From files of ACNS and the Anglican Journal
Bishop’s Notes Why care about Ministry? What is ministry about? And why should we care about it? These are questions that pop up now and again for most of us. It isn’t hard to find articles about these subjects in the newspapers, online, in church sermons, etc. It’s a subject that many are happy to have exist almost as a manifestation of the old joke that the minister only works one hour a week on Sunday. It’s funny – until you see the real demands of ministry on clergy and people who are seriously engaged in it. A priest came to see me this week, discouraged that his congregation seemed indifferent to its slow decline. Giving was down, attendance was down. Nobody seemed interested in any kind of study groups. And further aggravating him was the constant demand that he perform funerals for people who in some cases had no connection with the Church, and in some situations, were openly hostile towards the idea of being involved in the Church. Coupled with this was the start of the annual cycles of calls from parents who wanted their children baptised on Easter Sunday, but didn’t want to make any commitment to the life and support of the parish. They just wanted their child “done” and were completely unsympathetic to the life of the congregation. These issues where we, as a Church, have so successfully taught a generation that we will provide all services on demand while expecting no commitment to Christ and His Body in return. And so we talked, the priest and me. And I found myself wondering about these questions, and how they have factored in some of my recent discussions with parishes. What is ministry about? The easy answer is that it’s about proclaiming God’s love in the world, and bringing people into a loving relationship with Christ, who died for our sins. Those are the right words, the correct idea. But what does it mean when people don’t seem to care about this? It is bad enough that our society has become increasingly hostile towards any expression of faith that contradicts the liberal secular agenda. But what does it mean when our own members appear to lack any sense of urgency concerning their own ministry and parish? What does it mean when our own members don’t seem to care about doing ministry?
I ask the question, “What happens when we don’t support a minister? What happens then to ministry?” Well, for a long time, we in the Church, fooled ourselves by talking about empowering lay ministry. And so we placed lay readers in charge of some small parishes that could no longer support clergy. And what invariably happened was that after about 12 – 14 months, the lay folk decided they didn’t have the time to provide full time ministry throughout the week, and burned out. Even when they were doing their best, the congregations dwindled. As congregations get smaller, the money available for their buildings decreases, and it becomes harder and harder to keep the buildings so many are attached to, and to which fewer and fewer people come. So what is ministry to you? What will happen to your parish when on Sunday morning there is no longer someone there to lead worship? How will you react when your church isn’t able to schedule funerals, weddings or baptisms because there is no clergy available? Who will folks in the community call to come to the hospital when a loved one is dying, or seriously ill? To whom will you turn when there is a need for counselling or a shoulder on which to cry? These are the questions that keep parish clergy and bishops awake at night. Does anyone care? Do you care? And if you do, what are you doing about it? That too is about ministry. Let me be blunt. We are the inheritors of great gifts. Our Christian faith is a great gift. Our worship spaces are often great gifts as well. Those who faithfully worship week after week are great gifts. And not least, our clergy and our lay readers are great gifts. As I say, we have inherited great gifts. It would be a terrible thing if we were to squander the gifts we have – through indifference or inattention. We will also lose them if we keep wishing away the real challenges of being a Church by indulging ourselves in the kind of wishful thinking that says other people will do the work, other people will pay the cost, of our having what we have. So don’t look to your neighbour to do the ministry of your parish. Don’t look at your priest and expect he or she to do it all. Look in the mirror and ask yourself what your ministry should be. +William: Caledonia
Announcements to remember Please keep in mind that Bishop Anderson is on Sabbatical leave from March 4th to June 1st. In his stead, Archdeacon Buchanan will be Commissary from March 4th to April 13th inclusive. Dean Jason Haggstrom will be the Bishop’s Commissary from April 14th to June 1st. They can be contacted through calling the Synod Office @ (250) 635-6016 or by email @ caledonia@telus.net. Page 2
The last issue for the Caledonia Times before the Summer break will be May 2013. The next planned issue will be for September, 2013 to cover all that has happened at General Synod-Joint Assembly in Ottawa in July. Thus our deadline for copy for the May Issue is April 1st, 2013 (No fooling!). For September, the Deadline will be July 20th.
Camp Cal is getting ready for another year Camp Caledonia is getting ready for the summer of 2013 and has announced the dates for the camps. The dates are as follows for the different age groups: Teen Camp July (12-15 year olds) July 6-13 Mixed Ages I (8-12 year olds) July 15-20 Mixed Ages II (8-12 year olds) July 22-27 Brochures with the costs, the necessities for Camps, registration, and how to apply for bursaries will be out shortly. As for summer staff, the Camp is looking to fill the following paid positions: • Counsellors (both male and female) over 15 years of age. •
Lifeguard (must have NLS certification)
•
Head Cook
•
Assistant Director/Sports Director
Please be aware that all staff are sent home on the weekends to rest and recover for the following week. The Camp is also looking for Volunteers to fill the following positions: Cooks helpers (we need two to three per week) Craft Leaders Nurses Chaplains If anyone has any questions regarding registration or jobs or volunteer positions they can email amanda@bvhome.ca or call Amanda Veillette @ 250-845-3163.
Caledonia Times
A 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) 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 first of each 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
Caledonia Times — April 2013
Skypilot Moments: An Editorial I’m done “growing” the Church In a recent conversation about growing ministries I realized something important: I am done trying to grow churches. I was a rather startled at this revelation because I entered into the ministry to just that. I wanted to plant churches. I realized in the conversation that we didn’t need the latest in techniques to put bottoms in pew and thus money in the plate. It is not about business plans to co-ordinate activities nor do we teach “slop and foam”, teaching only the nice and easy things from the pulpit while neglecting the harder things that can be transformative both for the individual and for the community. The work of a parish priest is not to be the professional visitor who gets people to come and to pay though this is often thought of as their role by some in the Church. The mission of the Church is often thought of as filling the pews and filling the plates so that we can meet our budgets. And when we fail to do so, we think of congregations and the clergy involved as failures for not having done so. Thus, I am done with trying to “grow the Church”. The Church by its very nature, is built to grow. It must continue to be what it always has been: a community who will participate in the apostolic teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of Bread and in the Prayers. The Church is a community who lives to provide mercy for those who need it while in the midst of seeking grace for themselves.
If you want to talk about building a community of mercy and of grace, which is something I want to do. I would join you in such a work. I want to be a part of a Church that actively proclaims the risen Lord Jesus Christ. I want to be in a community who is not worried about being told “You’re nuts. You are happy. I wished I had what you seem to have, because it makes you happy. But I cannot join you becuase you are nuts.” I want to hear from the pulpit not the sermon I would like to hear for today but the sermon I will need to be ready for the Day of Christ Jesus. I want to be in a community where there is courage to speak the things of God to the people of God; for the clergy to break open the scriptures and feed the hungry and give drink to the thirst that they might truly live on more than bread and water. The Church by its very nature is a community of discipleship. Listening, doing, learning and teaching each other along the way, practicing the presence of Christ among us, so that we learn to serve to quell the desire to be served. We all need to learn to be followers first and then servant leaders second. We cannot say that we are leaders until we have been known as followers of him in the wider community. As the Rev. Canon Michael Green once observed, “The Church has been quicker to put on the robes of the ruler, than the towel of a servant.”
I want to be a part of a Church that is more ready to love the unlovable, be compassionate on those who need mercy, and give stability to those who are in need of support in their daily life. I want to be in a Christian community that will seek, see and serve the least, the last and the lost of each community. And I want to be a part of a Church that encourages all of its members to give all that they have been given and to use all the gifts and talents that have been bestowed upon them by God. I would love to be a part of a community that knows what it means to be be hilarious givers. What do you think of when you hear the phrase “Grow the Church”? Most people when this phrase is used, want a strategy or a program and someone else to fulfil those goals and objectives. Many want want the church to be full on Sundays like they used to be so that we can keep up the appearances of the building, the structures both physical and human, and the finances in order to keep something of what used to be in the ceaseless cycles of change in every other part of human society. If this is want we really want, do we want to grow the Church? Growing the Church is not about maintaining structures, budgets or doctrine. True growth comes in building meaningful relationships with God and each other that can endure based on a unity with God and the divine mission. Therefore I invite you to come and follow your clergy, as they follow Christ. I invite you to reshape the life of the local Church that you might participate in the mission that God gives to all of us and find that you know both God and fellow parishioners and find that the Church does grow after all because grow is its very nature. Jason+
Books on the Go with Ruby McBeth My hobby is snare drumming. While I do take lessons and practice on my own, playing each week with the local scotch band gives my drumming meaning. Without a band I am not really doing music. The Christian church is similar. As Christians we can pray and study on our own, but when we come together each week to worship that is when we become church. Simon Chan in his book Liturgical Theology: The Church as Worshiping Community makes a strong case for the Eucharist as the defining practice of the people of God. This book shows the author’s appreciation of the liturgy as we know it in the Anglican Church. Chan began as an Assemblies of God (Pentecostal) theologian but switched over to the Anglican Church. Trinity Theological College in Singapore where he works serves a variety of Protestants and Anglicans. Chan’s book, centering as it does on the Eucharist, could prove to be of ongoing significance in providing a means of unity between Christians. Chan likens worship to play. He says it has no useful purpose - it is all for God’s glory. He thinks that modern evangelical Protestantism has distorted this vision of worship making it entertainment more than Caledonia Times —April 2013
worship of God. Chan asks the reader to look back to the undivided church for example in worship: the Eucharist and the liturgy of the hours. He quotes often from the church fathers and even has positive references from Calvin, Luther and modern Roman Catholic and Orthodox theologians. Liturgical Theology is in two parts. Part one “Foundations” sets the liturgy firmly in the middle of our faith. Part two “Practices” will, perhaps, be of special value to those already convinced of the importance of the liturgy. In this second part of the book Simon Chan teaches us about three things: the catechumenate, the Sunday liturgy, and active participation. The catechumenate is the tra-
ditional time of adult training before baptism. Because it involves teaching the faith to adults it is relevant to confirmation teaching. The chapter called “Sunday Liturgy” takes us step by step through the Eucharist. This information would be good background for a teaching Eucharist. The final chapter “Active Participation” includes references to Vatican II’s plans for getting the laity more involved. The author includes gestures and “sacred silences” along with music as part of participation. While Simon Chan is breaking new ground in this work it is not written for the general public. Chan is a scholar. As such he rises above old stereotypes giving increased significance to traditional worship. All references are well documented (30 pages of notes at the end) and indexes of names, subjects and scripture are included. The downside of his being scholarly is that the vocabulary is difficult, leaving the non-theologian scrambling to hang on in order to glean some learning from this obviously brilliant man. Highly recommended for those willing to delve seriously into theology. Chan, Simon. Liturgical Theology: The Church as Worshiping Community. Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP Academic, 2006. Page 3
Across Canada - national briefs Bishops walk for Saskatoon cathedral On May 13 to 18, three Anglican bishops will take part in a walkathon to raise funds for the restoration of the century-old St. John’s Cathedral in Saskatoon. Retired bishop, Tom Morgan, will walk from St. Alban’s Cathedral in Prince Albert to St. John’s Cathedral in Saskatoon; Saskatoon’s bishop, David Irving, and retired bishop, Rod Andrews, will walk for a portion of the 140-kilometre journey. The walk will pass through Anglican parishes in McDowell and Rosthern and in communities along Highway 11. Along the way, Morgan and his fellow walkers will take pledges for the multi-million, multiyear campaign. So far, the congregation has raised over $1 million, some of which has been used to rebuild the roof and gutters, insulate the building and repair the steeple, stone steps and wheelchair ramp. St. John’s Cathedral began as a parish church in 1912. For more information or to make a pledge, call the cathedral at (306) 242-5146. - The Saskatchewan Anglican A ministry of cooking and camaraderie A program that brings people together and helps them to learn how to make nutritious, low-cost recipes has entered its fourth year of operations at St. James the
Church Cathedral on Jan. 27, urged the faithful not only to move into the streets of Ottawa but into “the global village in which we live.” With Peterson during his visit was his predecessor as Compass Rose Society president, Bishop Philip Poole, an area bishop of the Anglican diocese of Toronto. “The society will always be grateful to Philip for the extraordinary leadership that he has provided to the society,” said Peterson. “One of his greatest accomplishments is the enormous support that Canada now gives to the global ministry of the Anglican Communion.” - Crosstalk (Ottawa)
Apostle Church in Guelph, Ont. The Community Kitchen (CK) is a free program that teaches 12 participants from the Living on Less Program to prepare simple meals that have high nutritional value but low environmental impact. “I know that the attendees also develop kinships while working together,” said Living on Less co-ordinator Jacqueline Gagnier. “There is a lot of camaraderie and bravado, and good humour, too.” Participants share in preparing and cooking the food, and each takes home a portion of every dish that’s prepared. One of St. James’ church hall users, Green Being Farms, supplies the organic produce as part of its Community Shared Agriculture Program. “Knowing that our food is being enjoyed by the greater community and that it may contribute to better health and well-being is hugely rewarding,” said Tarrah Young of Green Being Farms. - Niagara Anglican Be a ‘church in action’ Canon John Peterson, president of the Anglican Communion’s Compass Rose Society, has urged Canadian Anglicans to go out in the real world and be part of a “church in action.” Peterson, who preached at a service at the diocese of Ottawa’s Christ
Diocese of BC Bishop retires this August The Bishop of the Diocese of British Columbia, James Cowan, has announced his resignation effective this Aug. 31 in order to retire. Cowan’s resignation has been accepted by the House of Bishops and the metropolitan of the ecclesiastical province of British Columbia. Cowan has served as bishop of the Victoria-based diocese for the past nine years. “Together we have looked at the realities of 21st-century culture and life as these have an impact on the Anglican church on these islands and we have made some difficult decisions concerning our common life,” said Cowan in a letter to members of the diocese. “There is much to be proud of as we have moved forward.”Cowan expressed the hope that the diocese “will continue to advance in the seeking of God’s mission in this world and entering into it in creative ways.” Established in 1875, the diocese has 41 self-supporting parishes and five assisted parishes and missions, which serve 8,290 Anglicans in the area covering 12,600 sq. miles. Bishop Cowan has appointed Archbishop Andrew Hutchison, retired primate of the Anglican Church of Page 4
Canada, as assistant bishop of the diocese. Hutchison will serve as administrator of the diocese following Cowan’s retirement and will remain until a new bishop is elected at a yet-to-be-determined date. Installed as the 12th bishop of British Columbia in 2004, Cowan worked to transform the structures of the diocese, saying change was necessary in order for the church to be relevant. He emphasized that the restructuring plan was not merely in response to declining membership but was focused on new ministries and evangelism that would engage with lapsed Anglicans and the “un-churched.” As a result, some parishes were closed, others amalgamated and new parishes were established. “A recent highlight in his episcopacy has been the setting up of an on-line ministry through the diocesan website,” said a press release issued by the diocese.
that he relinquished when he was elected bishop in 2003. He has also been both member and chair of the now defunct inter-church inter-faith relations committee. Cowan was actively involved in the work leading up to full communion between Anglicans and Lutherans in Canada. He served as Anglican co-chair of the Anglican-Lutheran joint working group that prepared the way for the Anglican Church of Canada’s full communion with the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in Canada. For over 20 years, Cowan served three parishes in the diocese of Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan, where he began his ordained ministry. In 1997, he moved to the diocese of British Columbia to become its diocesan executive officer until he was elected bishop in 2003. - Anglican Journal Staff
Comedy Corner
Ordained a priest in 1977, Cowan has been involved in ministries at all levels of the church. He has been a member of General Synod, the governing body of the entire Canadian church, and a member of the provincial and national houses of bishops. He was elected deputy prolocutor of General Synod in 2001, a role Caledonia Times — April 2013