The Saskatchewan Anglican, October 2015

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Teddy Bears for La Ronge

By Mary Brown

Bishop Michael Hawkins, Rev. Mike Foley and Bishop Adam Halkett share a laugh, while surrounded by many bears, at the Diocese of Saskatchewan Synod Office on July 29.

Photo by Mary Brown

Donations flow in for Iraqi refugees Contributed REGINA – Donations are flowing into the Diocesan Refugee Fund, in order to bring a family of Iraqi Christians to Canada.

The family is related to the Mousa family, which was sponsored by the Diocese of Qu’Appelle in 2011. Marleen Mousa’s father, her brother, his wife and their two young children have escaped from Mosul, Iraq and are currently in Turkey.

The parish of St. James the Apostle, Regina, is especially motivated to bring the family to Regina.

The Mousa family are faithful members of the parish, while people are excited to help bring Marlene’s father, brother and family to safety.

In June, St. James put on “Repas for Refugees,” a fundraising dinner featuring Iraqi food prepared by Safaa and Marlene and members of the congregation. The event raised $2,565. In addition, the congregation has donated $4,120 (to date) to the diocesan fund.

Approximately $40,000 is

needed to sponsor the family.

About $18,000 had been received from across the diocese by the end of July.

Ralph Paragg, diocesan refugee co-ordinator, says “our sincere thanks to those who have already contributed.

We encourage those who have not yet made a donation to send whatever they can to help the family settle successfully in Canada.

The family had their interview with Canada Immigration on July 15 in Ankara, Turkey, and we are awaiting the official decision.”

The diocesan committee is planning a steak-night fundraiser in Regina on Sept. 22.

See the Qu’Appelle Notes & Events column for full details.

Tickets are available in local parishes.

Paragg encourages parishes to also hold fundraising events for this cause.

Donations can be made through parishes or directly to the Diocese of Qu’Appelle, 1501 College Ave, Regina, Sask., S4P 1B8. Please mark cheques to Refugee Fund.

PRINCE ALBERT – The Rev. Dr. Mike Foley arrived at the Synod Office with a sack and a suitcase full of teddy bears in late July.

There were 300 bears in total.

Mike was in the diocese last October visiting the communities and congregation of All Saints, La Ronge and Holy Trinity, Stanley Mission.

He came to learn about nonstipendiary ministry in Northern Saskatchewan as part of a project to complete his Master of Divinity.

With his white hair and beard he soon became the guy who looks like Santa Claus.

He actually became Santa Claus and brought hundreds of teddy bears for the children in the northern communities.

He resides in the parish of Musquodoboit in the Diocese of Nova Scotia and drove out to Saskatchewan to deliver the bears.

When he told people in Nova Scotia about his trip to Saskatchewan, the Anglican Church Women in the whole diocese said they would knit bears for him to take out West.

So Mike and Bishop Adam Halkett drove up to La Ronge and met with a few elders from All Saints Church in La Ronge.

They met in the campground for a wiener roast and Mike gave the teddy bears to them to distribute.

We will probably see more of Mike in the future as Northern Saskatchewan made a profound impression on him that he cannot forget.

Thoughts from Saskatchewan’s TRC closing ceremony Journeying together on the Path to Reconciliation

By Mary Ann Assailly SASKATOON – Commissioners of the Truth and Reconciliation called the seven communities that hosted National events to hold a day to honour the closing TRC event in Ottawa and mark the release of the final report of the TRC. In response, 25-plus partners, including the churches, planned a day-long gathering for community healing. On June 2, aboriginals and non-aboriginals gathered at Victoria Park in Saskatoon for the Saskatchewan Truth and Reconciliation closing ceremony.

We gathered with loving, open hearts to listen, to provide transport, to serve food but mostly to be a support to our aboriginal and Métis brothers and sisters.

Residential school survivors/ elders Howard Walker and Ruth Cameron co-hosted the day of speakers, storytelling, drummers, singers and dancers.

School students were there in abundance with students from

White Cap singing O Canada in Dakota and city students singing the Métis Anthem in Metchif.

The signatory churches, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, United, Mennonite and Anglican (dioceses of Saskatchewan, Qu’Appelle and Saskatoon) were charged with the responsibility of providing the noon feast.

Huge amounts of homemade soup, bannock and jam were prepared and served. The very full day opened with an early morning pipe ceremony and closed with a huge round dance, where we all joined hands and then released hundreds of orange balloons emblazoned with the word “TRUTH.” Afterwards, a call went out for Anglicans who were in attendance to share a few words and thoughts of their experiences and emotions from the day.

The comments include: The Rev. Jan Bigland Pritchard “For me it was a mixed day (and it was) good to hear MC Howard again, to enjoy music and dance. The huge round dance was inspiring, as was the moment

when we let off our balloons: little fragile bubbles of hope into the great sky. But it was also a sad time.

“All races and cultures were mixed up together in one space, but mostly not connecting, staying in our own little groups.

We are still, by and large, two solitudes, and that makes me sad.

“It was fun to watch the school children who were much more easily, naturally mixed together, but will that last once school is out? There is such a long way to go.”

“Two snapshots: Right at the end of the event I was sitting at the edge of the park, when two young teen boys, aboriginal, tall and poorly dressed, entered the park and asked me what was happening.

“I said that it was the Truth and Reconciliation Celebration.

It was clear they’d never heard of it. All they said to me in reply was, ‘Is there any food?’

“I pointed them to the food tent and they disappeared in the crowd.”

See TRC CLOSES on page 9

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The Saskatchewan Anglican

October 2015

Dinner with God How does Scripture bring us into dialogue with God? By the Rev. Alex Parsons SASKATOON – “I just came back to show you all my words are golden/ so have no gods before me/ I’m the light.”

So says the last line of Second Coming, one of my favourite Alice Cooper songs. It echoes the inerrancy of Scripture and the fact the Bible is indeed the Living Word of God speaking to us.

It is so much more than a history, than a study guide, than a set of rules to live by, than a revelation.

It is all these things but it is also an intimate friend we can speak with. Scripture is our host introducing us to the Divine in ways we can follow, gaining in complexity as we gain understanding.

The level of conversation changes as we do.

I remember many years ago, in Grade 5 actually, being given a small Gideon’s New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs, along with everyone else in the class.

This was in the days when such things were possible to do!

I still have it, signed and dated Nov. 23, 1967, and what brought it to mind was the section guiding you to three or four selected passages when

life happens. work can.

Hearing the Word F e e l i n g Scripture once again, whether a n x i o u s , is the shared it be in reflective discouraged or commonality of solitude, a lively Bible weary: here is Christendom, Study, or in church a place to look, inviting us ever always engages or here, or here deeper into for an open ear friendship with those who wish to from the One God. be involved. It never who always Many times ceases to amaze me, listens. over the years when my mind has Something have I opened been occupied with will speak to those now wellone thing or another, you and open worn maroon up prayer Gideon covers, how a passage can to ease the often having randomly, startlingly, burden. to blow dust turn up . . . almost Then the off them first, I as if a friend has dialogue starts must confess. interrupted to say, while faith However, “But have you grows. like a true and W h e n old friend just thought of this?” you’re feeling called upon, and you know happy and no matter how they are right. want to share much time it, see here, and passes between here, joining God with a joyful get-togethers it does not take thankful heart for the gift of the long to catch up. moment.

And yet it is an ever fresh There is nothing in this life, and different renewal each no challenge, joy or sorrow that discussion. is not part of this wonderful Somewhat like watching conversation called Scripture.

My Dinner with Andre for For it is a conversation with the umpteenth time, knowing One who is wise beyond belief what the conversation says, and yet humbled Himself to die but hearing the dialogue in on a cross to give us life. a completely new way upon Throughout its words, seeing it again.

Scripture transcends time and It actually is a different space, opening a relationship conversation with the same with God in a way no other words but the meaning has so

much more to tease out sitting at the table with these two guys.

So it is with Scripture, even more so.

Hearing the Word once again, whether it be in reflective solitude, a lively Bible Study, or in church always engages those who wish to be involved.

It never ceases to amaze me, when my mind has been occupied with one thing or another, how a passage can randomly, startlingly, turn up . . . almost as if a friend has interrupted to say, “But have you thought of this?” and you know they are right.

Truth is a friend has done exactly that.

That conversation along the road to Emmaus still waits so our hearts too may burn within us as the Scriptures are opened.

Paul, writing to Timothy, states “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness.”

He, of course, was correct; the way these things are learned is in seeing that it is indeed a script.

A script where we are invited to sit at the table, not just to listen to the dialogue therein, but as actors to actively participate with our whole heart, mind and soul in the conversation contained.

A rich banquet inherited from our spiritual ancestors How does Scripture bring us into dialogue with God?

By Rev. Norbert Haukenfrers, DMin PRINCE ALBERT – Growing up we never ate fish.

Only after my Opa died did I learn why we never ate fish.

Shortly after Oma and Opa were married, Opa was drafted into the German Wehrmacht during the Second World War. While serving on the Russian front, his company was captured and sent to Siberia as prisoners of war.

Their prison diet consisted largely of discarded fish bones.

So when Opa finally made it back home to Oma, they resumed their life together without fish on the table.

The smell brought back too many memories for Opa. Since Opa couldn’t eat fish, we never ate fish in our house growing up.

A few weeks shaping our When we read the ago, I went to lives today.

Bible we see how the doctor, and Finding my our attitudes and he noticed my place in God’s actions are lacking. good cholesterol story helps me Sometimes God numbers were see the identity low and he I am invited to surprises us when recommended live out. we think we have it I incorporate A n d all figured out. We more fish in my occasionally I come to the table diet. find myself at with our tastes and This made the table with experiences, yet me think of why God and the my diet includes unexpected we leave with our so little fish: happens. expectations and growing up we Kind of like understandings never ate fish. when years transformed.

Although after Opa had Oma grew up by passed, I went the seaside enjoying fish, Oma’s out for supper with Oma and she love for Opa shaped the diet and ordered fish. tastes of several generations.

After the waitress left the In reading the stories of God table, I said to Oma, “You in the Bible, I find the same kind ordered fish!” of thing happening. We are the “Oh Norbert, I love fish, spiritual offspring of the New I didn’t eat fish because Opa Testament generations. couldn’t eat fish,” Oma replied.

Their sacrifices are still “But I thought … .”

I thought I had it all figured out, but my Oma still surprises me. Unseen sacrifices helped me understand why my diet was insufficient. Likewise, when we read the Bible we see how our attitudes and actions are lacking.

Sometimes God surprises us when we think we have it all figured out.

We come to the table with our tastes and experiences, yet we leave with our expectations and understandings transformed.

We have inherited a rich banquet from our spiritual ancestors. But we need to continually refine our palate to the flavour of God’s truth, goodness and beauty.

Where our tastes have been shaped by conformity instead of the transforming power of God, we need to taste something fresh.

I’m taking my doctor’s advice and eating more fish.

Turns out, I even like it. Taste and see that God is love.

Corrections: An error appeared in an article about the Strawberry Fair in May’s issue. The Hubble telescope was launched in 1990, not 1988. In September’s paper, the story Primate visits Northern Saskatchewan was written by Bishop Michael Hawkins, while the story Little Red service was written by Mary Brown. The Saskatchewan Anglican regrets the errors.

Saskatchewan The newspaper of the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle • A Section of the Anglican Journal • January 2013

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Published by the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle.

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The Saskatchewan Anglican

October 2015

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Resolutions important for a healthy body and a healthy church

By Bishop Rob Hardwick Diocese of Qu’Appelle REGINA – There is always a flurry of messages around the New Year as people share their resolutions or urge that we should not bother, for we will only fail.

Well I want to affirm that resolutions made on any day of the year are important, for an individual and for the Church.

The word resolution is defined as a formal expression of opinion or intention made; a decision or determination to do something; the mental state or quality of being firm of purpose; or, in computer speak, the degree of sharpness of a computergenerated image as measured by the number of dots per linear inch in a hard-copy printout or the number of pixels across and down on a display screen.

In my first year as bishop of Qu’Appelle, though I was already overweight, my weight increased 13.5 kilograms (30 pounds).

Everywhere I travelled there was food and, because of travelling, I was not exercising as I should. So at this time last year I resolved to lose the 30 pounds and the other pounds had

made me over my recommended weight. It has been a long journey: 28 kgs (62 lbs) so far.

It has taken considerable determination, resolve and the necessary strength to resist temptation. Have I lapsed? Yes, a number of times. Have I been tempted to give up? Yes. Would I rather seek the refuge and solace of the couch rather than daily exercise? Indeed, many times.

Knowing in one’s heart and mind why one is resolved to do something is a first step.

Knowing to whom one makes the resolution, is the second.

I knew that in my own strength I could not embark on

this journey to greater health and fitness without help.

Sharing this resolution with family and friends has kept me accountable, while sharing the resolution with the Lord, in prayer, has kept me faithful to the resolution and helped in times of temptation to resist or to prayerfully dust myself down and start again.

Just because we succumb to temptation at times does not mean we have to stop doing the thing we are resolved to do.

Week by week, in computer speak, my image is certainly becoming sharper – less fuzzy and rounded – and it takes fewer dots per linear inch on a computer printout.

During the past year I have learned many lessons about myself and especially about my faith in this journey from obesity (Body Mass Index) to simply overweight or, better still, a recommended weight.

What I am learning, on this journey which will take many more months to complete, and then a lifetime to maintain, is there are many parallels with the Church today and our own Christian walk: 1.

In our increasing age,

our metabolic rate is not as it used to be. We do not seem to have the energy to engage in the same way anymore.

We would rather sit back and watch the world go by and accept the decline that seems inevitable.

This increasingly adds to the problem and the change that we hope for; like me hoping that a miracle pill could be developed to take all the fat away, it simply won’t happen overnight.

2.

In the context of the desire for a healthy church or Christian lifestyle: recognize that if you do not resolve to change, no change will occur in your spiritual life or that of your church except that of further decline.

3.

Again in your spiritual life and that of your church, and without condemnation, recognize the need for change and have the resolve to say no to what is harmful or tempting and yes to that which is healthy and aids the change.

4.

Commit your way to the Lord and pray with others.

5.

If you lapse, pick up the pieces, admit you got it wrong and continue the journey.

6.

Live in an attitude of grace, thankfulness and accountability with God and

others.

7.

Celebrate the small victories along the way and look to your next reachable goal rather than the “hoped for” end result. Have a plan and work towards it.

8.

Be thankful for the change that has begun to happen.

Trust that the Lord, and the friends who have helped you thus far, will help today and tomorrow.

During the past two-anda-half years, I have witnessed churches that were obese and thought the end was nigh, and the change has been remarkable.

They have a plan and a resolve to change and God has blessed them in ways they could never have asked or imagined.

Just like me. This time last year I never thought I would have lost 62 pounds or, after my first cycle ride of three kilometres when everything ached and I just wanted to give up, I never dreamt that yesterday I would be able to cycle over 80 kilometres in an afternoon.

With God, and the resolve to change, all things are possible.

As it says in Proverbs: Make your plans and God will direct your actions.

Morning, Evening prayer ‘backbone of Anglican worship’ for centuries

By Jason Antonio REGINA – Morning and Evening Prayer – or the Daily Office – were the “backbone of Anglican Sunday worship” for more than 300 years, before changes occurred in the 20th century.

The Daily Office was the topic of a one-day Qu’Appelle School for Mission and Ministry session, held at St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church in Regina.

St. Mary incumbent, Rev. Claude Schroeder, led the 26 participants on the topic.

In AD 1549, the English Reformers and Book of Common Prayer appeared in England.

A section in the BCP entitled “Concerning the service of the Church,” explained liturgies are now to be done in the English language.

This means Morning and Evening Prayer can be done privately in a person’s own language; up to that time it was said in Latin.

“The priests and deacons are ordered to do this daily. The curate would ring a bell – ding ding ding ding ding – (and) why?

So the people could hear God’s word and pray with (the curate).

“In the Canadian prayer book … they say if you can’t come to the church and pray with him,

then at least they can lift up their hearts in the midst of their occupations.”

It’s a powerful vision of a monastery without walls. The English Reformers didn’t invent a new liturgy. Instead, they took the rule of St. Benedict and his seven Offices and edited them into two: Morning and Evening Prayer.

A monastery without walls is thus the fulfillment and a dream right from the very beginning: Adam and Eve as liturgists, Israel as Adam and Eve, the temple being broken up and the Spirit being poured out.

Now we have a “royal priesthood” where even the people can do Morning and Evening Prayer.

“Morning and Evening Prayer actually became the backbone of Anglican Sunday worship from the time of the Reformation up until almost the 20th century,” said Schroeder.

“If you went to an Anglican church on a Sunday morning, what you had was the Morning Prayer, the litany, the ante-communion – which was the first part of the communion service – a sermon and hymns.

“What you find in the Prayer Book is Morning and Evening Prayer every day … Up until fair-

“In the rule of St. Benedict, there is the major rule of Morning and Evening Prayer, plus seven minor rules, such as prayer at midnight and 3 a.m. By prayer, what the Benedictines meant was ... all 150 Psalms were to be prayed over the course of a week.” ly recently, Morning Prayer was the norm in an Anglican church.”

In the 1930s, a group of clergy and scholars in England called the Parish Communion Movement examined what was going on in the Church at that time.

They came up with ideas on how to change the liturgy.

Their leading idea was to put the Eucharist front and centre in Anglican worship and make it part of the corporate celebration.

Their other ideas about the Eucharist included: it is a means of spiritual renewal and formation; it’s an agent of social transformation; and it unites liberals and conservatives “around the Lord’s Table on the Lord’s Day.” From the 1960s onward, Holy

Communion began to replace Morning Prayer as the main Sunday service of the Anglican Church. A “massive shift” then occurred in Canada around Morning Prayer.

In the Book of Alternative Services (1985), its preface explains there isn’t so much a fixed liturgy anymore. Instead, the BAS is like a tool box.

The resources may be used for Sunday services for large and small congregations; used for house-churches in rural areas; weekday use for clergy and laypeople; and intended for colleges and religious communities. For Evening Prayer, it could be used similar to Compline.

This led to another shift in how Anglicans approached Morning and Evening Prayer.

In 2001, two new “userfriendly” Service of the Word outlines were released, since the regular BAS services were apparently not working for some churches.

The first service was described as an expanded and more user-friendly version of The Daily Office in the BAS. The second service, while conforming closely to the shape of the liturgy in the Eucharist, was also simple in design.

Besides using them on Sundays, they can also be used at weekly gathers of the community of faith.

As Schroeder observed, “Morning Prayer in church on a Sunday is now OK” to do again.

In giving the history of The Daily Office, the Regina clergyman pointed to sixth-century Italy, where St. Benedict established his monastic movement, setting out rules for governing the monastery.

His rules consisted of manual labour, study and “the work of God,” or liturgy.

In St. Benedict’s rule, there is the major rule of Morning and Evening Prayer, plus seven minor rules, or offices, such as prayer at midnight and 3 a.m.

“By prayer, what the Benedictines actually meant was the Psalms. And in the rule of St. Benedict, all 150 Psalms were to be prayed over the course of one week,” Schroeder said with a chuckle.

“So you do that for 20 years, and pretty soon, you don’t have to open (the Bible). Just, you hit the play button and out it comes.

“Then it’s not simply with your lips or with your voice or your mind, but it’s coming from a place deep within your heart.”

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The Saskatchewan Anglican

October 2015

Boote passionate about teaching, evangelism, outreach Staff

The ordination of Rev. Nancy Brunt at Holy Trinity Yorkton was a family affair. From left to right, are Brandy and Neil Brunt, holding daughter Clara; Aimee Carriere and husband Keith Brunt; Russ and Rev. Nancy Brunt with Kieran Massie in front; Jennifer (Brunt), Ethan and Ryan Massie.

Photo by Craig Popoff, Canora Photography and Framing

Nancy Brunt ordained priest

By Joanne Shurvin-Martin YORKTON (Qu’A) – Nancy Brunt was ordained to the priesthood at Holy Trinity Church on the afternoon of Aug. 9.

Bishop Rob Hardwick presided. Brunt was presented by wardens Craig Popoff of Canora and Nicole Larson of Kamsack, Archdeacon Kim Salo and Rev. Susan Salo, Canon Missioners for Pelly Deanery.

The deanery (the area around Esterhazy, Churchbridge, Kamsack, Melville and Yorkton) encompasses four parishes and includes seven congregations.

The service celebrated the

Transfiguration of the Lord, transferred from the previous Thursday.

“It was great to have it in Yorkton so that so many friends from all over Pelly Deanery as well as the diocese were able to come,” said Brunt.

“My entire family was able to attend, minus the eldest grandson who was at Air Cadet camp.”

Writing after the ordination, Brunt expressed her gratitude.

“Thanks to Bishop Rob for his belief in me; to Kim and Susan Salo for their mentorship; to my family, especially my husband, Russ, for all their support; and

to the congregations in Whitesand Parish who recognized my call and supported me with prayer and financial help as I went through my studies and discernment.”

Following the service, the congregation and many visiting clergy enjoyed supper of roast beef from Brunt’s son Neil’s father-in-law, catered by Brunt’s “sisters-in-Christ” Anita and Karen Tourangeau.

Brunt was ordained deacon in March 2014. As priest, she will continue to serve the parish of Whitesand which includes Kamsack, Canora and Key First Nation.

MAPLE CREEK (Qu’A) – Rev. Mary Ann Boote never doubted that God called her to be a priest and servant among His people.

It was her privilege to share how His love transforms lives, including her own.

When she was diagnosed with “bulbar onset” ALS (Lou Gherig’s disease), she bore it with patience and a strength that came from God. Never did she waver from the fact she would be joyfully going home early.

She died on Aug. 7, and as she had requested, was buried in a quiet cemetery west of Prince Albert the next day.

A memorial service was held on Aug. 26 at St. Mary’s Maple Creek, where her husband, Rev. Peter Boote, is rector.

After teaching school in Texas, Mary Ann worked in administration while raising her family in Texas and Wyoming.

She attended Wycliffe College in Toronto, graduating in 2002.

She was ordained a priest in October 2002. Before moving to Qu’Appelle Diocese in 2012 she served in Mississauga, Ont.; Shellbrook, Sask.; and Port aux Basque, NL. In Qu’Appelle she was congregational development officer for the diocese while

serving part-time in Palliser Parish before being appointed executive archdeacon.

Mary Ann was particularly passionate in ministry areas that included preaching and teaching, evangelism, outreach and helping others see the big picture of God’s work.

She was gifted in her ability to understand a congregation’s working dynamic and was able to help them move toward goals and growth, both spiritually and physically.

Mary Ann closed all her emails with “Under the mercy.” It was more than a phrase to her; it was something she lived and shared.

As a wife, mother, motherin-law, grandmother and priest, Mary Ann embraced the blessings of God and enthusiastically lived each day in loving service to Him. She was a woman of great strength and courage.

She exhorted all to remain faithful in Christ, because she wants to see you all again.

Photo contributed

DIOCESE OF SASKATOON

Announcements for October 2015 Sask. Anglican Online! Did you know you can read current and past issues of the Saskatchewan Anglican?

Go online to the Diocese of Saskatoon’s website or on Facebook at www.facebook. com/saskatchewananglican. g The Parish of St. George’s, Saskatoon, hosts a Community Coffee morning in the parish hall every Thursday from 9:3011:30 a.m.

Join them for a warm social time with coffee, tea, toast and some type of baked goods at no charge. g Integrity/Saskatoon: Integrity/Saskatoon is a group of the GLBTT community and friends.

For information call 306491-3315, or visit the Facebook page at “Integrity/Saskatoon” or check out the Integrity/

Saskatoon web site at www. integritysaskatoon.blogspot. com. g Seniors’ Lunch in Battleford: The Friendship Committee of St. George’s, Battleford invites all seniors to join them for lunch the first Monday of each month.

Each Seniors’ Lunch begins at noon. g Is history your thing?

Weekly guided public tours of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Saskatoon are conducted every Thursday at 1 p.m.

Also, a guided tour of the cathedral and columbarium is now available directly after the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service.

If you are interested in a Sunday tour, please make this known to one of the sidespersons at the Sunday service, who will direct you to the person or

persons who will be conducting the tour. g A mid-week Celebration of the Holy Eucharist is held in the Lady Chapel at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist at 12:10 p.m. every Wednesday.

Consider making this service part of your week.

Several people who attend this service bring a bag lunch and enjoy sharing a meal with each other in the cathedral hall.

All are warmly welcome.

Upcoming Events: g Imagine how it would feel to arrive in a new country where you don’t speak the language, don’t understand the culture and don’t know anyone.

Saskatoon Open Door Society is currently recruiting volunteers for its Mentoring Program.

Mentoring volunteers meet once a week with a newcomer to Canada, to provide an introduction to the community and culture, friendship and sometimes language assistance.

Are you are interested in helping someone feel comfortable in their new home, and at the same time broaden your horizons by learning about another culture?

If so, contact Iryna at 306-6534464 or izamchevska@sods. sk.ca. Orientation and training provided.

Awards and Appointments: g The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Saskatoon, is delighted to announce it has hired Alexa Wallace to coordinate its Sunday School Program at the cathedral.

Alexa began her new position

on Sept. 13.

The cathedral also has announced it will be welcoming Barbara Forsyth, a student from The College of Emmanuel and St. Chad, as its student intern for the 2015-16 academic year.

DEADLINES: To be included in a timely manner, brief notices should be sent to the Associate Editor by fax, e-mail or “snail mail” by the last week of the month, two months before the month in which the insertion is desired (for example, September submissions will be in the November issue).

Detailed and longer texts of upcoming events will not be included in this section, but should space allow, could be the subject of article and notices elsewhere in the Saskatchewan Anglican.

The Saskatchewan Anglican

October 2015

5

Ted Morton contributed cabins to Camp Okema

By Mary Brown PRINCE ALBERT – Rather than reporting the sad news of the demise of the members of the Order of Saskatchewan, we thought we would do a series of stories about members who are still active and vibrant members of their church and community.

Today we focus on Ted Morton.

Ted was one of the first recipients of the Order in 2002.

He was a member of All Saints Parish in Melfort until he and his wife Betty moved to Saskatoon eight years ago.

He moved to the diocese in 1956 and was active in the church serving as both People’s and Rector’s Warden and as a member of vestry and as lay reader. He attended many Diocesan Synods as a delegate and was elected for two terms as a member of the Executive Committee.

In his involvement with the Diocese of Saskatchewan, Ted is proud to say he voted for a new bishop in three episcopal elections.

When he retired in 1982, Ted decided to learn how to build a

log cabin so he took a week-long course and spent the following 13 years building a cabin at La Ronge.

His son Neale tells a story of when his mother baked bread in their makeshift kitchen at the campsite and put it on the porch to cool. When she went to get it, she found a bear had eaten it!

With his skill at log-cabin building, Ted was instrumental in the construction of three of the cabins at Camp Okema.

Ted and Betty will be celebrating their 75th wedding anniversary this year. In December of this year, Ted will be 99 and Betty will be 92.

They have four children, nine grandchildren, eight great-

grandchildren and one greatgreat-grandchild. Sadly their daughter Myrna died in 2012.

Last year after thanksgiving Betty asked her son to get her a turkey. They invited their family of about 14 for turkey dinner.

Ted and Betty cooked the turkey and potatoes and gravy, made four chocolate pies, two salads and two casseroles. Other members of the family contributed too.

At this meal they announced: “This is the last time we are doing this.”

They also told the family they were giving up their car and asked if anyone wanted it. There were no takers at the dinner table, so Ted gave it to a young fellow who needed a car.

Whenever the diocese has an event honouring members of the Order of Saskatchewan, Ted is there.

He always has a little joke and a smile for everyone. The family will be having a Come-and-Go Tea on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 2 to 4 p.m. at All Saints Church in Melfort to celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary.

Photo courtesy Diocese of Saskatchewan

Letter to the Editor

Top, a young Queen Elizabeth II when she lived in Malta around 1951. Above, an older Queen Elizabeth II while in Toronto in 2010 at Queen’s Park.

Photos — Shutterstock/Zoran Karapancev

An historic reign for Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada

Opinion piece fails to address real opponent Dear editor: There is a joke making the rounds on the Internet.

In one version of the joke, former United States President Abraham Lincoln is quoted as saying, “Obviously, everything you read on the Internet is trustworthy.”

The joke, of course, is that the Internet didn’t exist until more than 120 years after Mr. Lincoln’s ill-fated trip to the theatre.

The September issue of the Saskatchewan Anglican included an opinion piece with the byline of the Managing Editor which referred to a sermon series delivered by eight churches in Arizona on the “differences between progressive Christianity and orthodox Christianity.”

The primary source for the piece appears to have been Internet postings by some of the

organizers of the sermon series.

What is not clear from the article is that, despite the use of Anglican terminology (ie, parishes), this story has absolutely no Anglican connection.

A cursory Internet search will show the events referred to occurred in the community of Fountain Hills, Arizona, where eight fundamentalist churches organized the series as an attack against the pastor of the local United Methodist Church.

The entire episode is a classic example of how the bullying behaviour of some Christians discredits the Gospel.

Like the sermon series, the remainder of the article fails to address a real opponent.

A straw man caricature of progressive Christianity is held up so the author can knock it down.

behold

a new statement of identity a new application process annual request for proposals YOUR REVITALIZED FOUNDATION WITH YOU IN MIND

anglicanfoundation.org

There is no honest attempt to explore – let alone dispute – the theological views of progressive Christians.

Unsubstantiated accusations of “Gnosticism” and “New Age thinking” are lightly tossed about. As in any angry polemic, there is far more heat than light.

By all means, let us have thoughtful articles on current trends in Christian thought.

Let’s have passionate exchanges of views on the issues which face the Church today. Let’s argue about the role of women and about human sexuality and about the finer points of Christology.

But let us engage the discussion respectfully, and in a way that does not misrepresent those with whom we may not agree.

Archdeacon Malcolm French Regina, Sask.

Staff Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada and its Head of State, became the longest reigning monarch in Canadian history on Sept. 9, after reigning 63 years, sevens months, two days and a few hours.

Elizabeth II surpassed her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria, who reigned from 1837 to 1901. Elizabeth II became queen in 1952.

The religious overtones to her coronation were deeply symbolic for the Queen, who as queen is Supreme Governor of the Church of England.

Our Sovereign has shown the ideals to which we might all aspire and reflect’s Canada’s traditions and its current way of life: stability, friendship, service, dignity and defiance of stereotypes such as age and gender.

Long live the Queen!

Sask. Anglican looking for new associate editor for Diocese of Saskatchewan Contributed PRINCE ALBERT — The Diocese of Saskatchewan is looking for an Associate Editor to assist the diocese with collecting articles and photos from around the diocese, as well as making monthly submissions to the Saskatchewan Anglican’s managing editor for print.

The Associate Editor

will work for the bishop of Saskatchewan and parish correspondents from around the diocese to bring information to the public.

The requirements for the position are firstly, a Grade 12 education and secondly, experience in editorial work.

Those interested are to contact the synod office at 306-763-2455 or synod@sasktel.net.

6

The Saskatchewan Anglican

October 2015

Delegates from provincial synod

Verna Redhead had synod archives named in her honour

By Mary Brown PRINCE ALBERT – Verna Redhead died June 29, just short of her 90th birthday on Aug. 17.

She was one of the first 24 recipients of the Order of Saskatchewan.

Until she moved to Campbell River a few years ago, Verna came to the Synod Office every day to work in the archives department.

She was asked to take charge of the archives after she retired as manager of the Prince Albert Historical Museum.

Provincial synod was held in mid-June near Watrous. The Diocese of Saskatchewan’s delegates included, from left, Tony Michel, Bishop Michael Hawkins, Carol Spencer, Rev. Wilfred Sanderson, Rev. Pat Martin, Theresa Sanderson, Dean Kenneth Davis and Bishop Adam Halkett.

Photos — Margaret Marschall

The Diocese of Saskatoon’s provincial delegates included, from left, Karen Walter, Archdeacon Richard Spencer (ret’d), the Rev. Nancy Yee, Archdeacon Dan Hughes, Barbara Forsyth, the Rev. Canon Michael Stonhouse, the Right Rev. David Irving, Bishop of Saskatoon and Joan Irving.

The Diocese of Qu’Appelle’s provincial synod delegates: back row, from left: Archdeacon Malcolm French, Executive Archdeacon Dell Bornowsky, Bishop Rob Hardwick, Bishop Mark Ireland, Rev. Brian Woods and Rev. Trishy McCarthy. In front, from left, are Ev Southwood, Canon Catherine Harper, Gill Ireland and Jason Antonio.

It was re-organized and expanded under her careful and professional attention.

We even named the archives office the Verna Redhead Room!

She belonged to the Parish of St. George’s in P.A., attending Sunday school there as a child.

Her husband Fred served as the rector of St. George’s. Verna was quite a character who would pick up dainties at the store and at coffee would tell us “she baked that day.”

We missed her when she moved to B.C. and grieve her loss.

DIOCESE OF SASKATCHEWAN g On Aug. 30 members of St. Alban’s Parish and guests said their farewells to Dean Kenneth Davis and his wife Gillian and son Samuel.

The Davis family moved to the Diocese of Ottawa where Ken is to be the incumbent of St. James the Apostle, Perth and St. Augustine, Drummond.

As a parting gift, Ken received a real Panama Hat, Gillian was given a leash for her kayak paddle and a gift certificate for a cover for the kayak, while Simon was excited to receive a Swiss army knife enclosed in a wooden treasure box.

They will be sadly missed. g The diocesan Facebook page is up and running. It is a work in progress and feedback is welcomed. It is being administered

by Rev. Chris Dow of the Parish of Birch Hills, Kinistino and Muskoday.

You are encouraged to “like” and follow the page and to invite others in your congregation to do the same. Post your parish events and photos to the timeline. The main purpose of the page is to improve communication within the diocese. Events from the Synod Office will be posted to the page as well.

Please send your best photos of your church, events and landscapes so they can be incorporated into the page. g On Aug. 7, the Rev. Mary Ann Boote died. Mary Ann was the priest in St. Andrew’s Church in Shellbrook and the Regional Dean for the Turtleford Deanery in the Diocese of Saskatchewan.

A funeral was held on Aug. 8 in Shellbrook. Bishop Rob Harkwick and Bishop Michael Hawkins shared the service.

The bishop of Qu’Appelle read a sermon that Mary Anne had written to be read at her funeral. She was later interred at St. Luke’s in Mont Nebo. g On Tuesday, Oct. 6,

the clergy retreat will be with Vespers at 5:30 p.m. g Oct. 6 to 9: Clergy Retreat.

The topic of the retreat will be “Ephesians 4;” “God’s purpose for His church;” “Called to be the people of God;” “Recipients of God’s grace;” ”God’s new creation in Christ;” “Living the Faith, being God’s Church.”

Clergy are encouraged to read Ephesians before attending the retreat. g Nov. 2 to 6 there will be a week-long course of study with the James Settee College.

The course will be a continuation of the Old Testament that was introduced at Camp Okema this past summer. g Nov. 6 to 7 there will be an Indigenous Council meeting with the newly-elected members of the council g Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. is the Finance Committee Meeting. g Okema youth retreat When: Saturday, Oct. 17 and Sunday, Oct. 18 Where: St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Saskatoon Who: Youth ages 7 to 17 (all are welcome, including those who have never been to Camp Okema!)

Activities: Crafts, music, skits, science experiments, games, outdoor activities and many other fun things Other Details: Meals provided, sleepover at the church (optional), parents invited for Youth Service on Sunday morning, retreat ends following the Youth Service Cost: $40/person with maximum of $100/family Registration: Go to www. campokema.com to print registration form. Registration deadline: Friday, Oct. 9 Further information: Contact Andrea Logan at d.logan@shaw. ca or 306-382-9053 It’s will be fun! See you there!

The Saskatchewan Anglican

October 2015

7

Anglicans in Balcarres welcome in United Church

By Judy Hershmiller BALCARRES (Qu’A) – It was a sad day in Balcarres, as demolition began on St. Andrew’s United Church in Balcarres on June 10.

The church had suffered severe sewer damage to the basement during the torrential rainstorm last June, while wind and hail damaged the roof during the hail storm in early July 2014.

Faced with a contaminated basement and structural damage to the foundation, damaged shingles and bell tower, the congregation was faced with many decisions. Would it be feasible to repair and replace all that was required at an astronomical figure?

Or would they continue their faith journey by worshipping at a different facility and demolish the church that was built in 1926?

Following many emergency meetings and contact with members, arrangements were made to worship at St. Paul’s Anglican Church.

Important contents were taken to the Anglican church and permission was granted from the Good Spirit Presbytery for demolition.

Prior to the demolition, many people went back to the church for one last look to see the pews, stained glass windows, the communion table and altar; a place of faith, a place where they walked down the aisle to be married, to look at the baptismal font where the children were baptised, where they walked down the aisle to say goodbye to a loved one, to hear the silence.

In their minds, they heard the Hammond organ playing a familiar hymn, or the chimes, In the Sweet Bye and Bye. They remembered the potluck suppers, teas, happy times,

A sacred place to stimulate your mind and nourish your spirit through:

Dr. Ron Brandow removes the sign which the congregation took to St. Paul’s Anglican Church, where the United Church folks now hold their services.

Photo — Judy Hershmiller birthday parties and showers held in that basement, plus the Sunday school rooms filled with children’s voices. Those memories will always be with our community.

Work continued in winter 2015 to prepare for the demise of the church. Important documents and contents were moved, a container was purchased to accommodate items and the new furnaces, good panelling, pews, doors and windows found homes.

On May 24, the congregation of St. Andrew’s United Church held a small ceremony outside their church to celebrate past memories and to decommission the church that had been their place of worship since 1928.

They took their cross and the church sign, and in procession, walked down to St. Paul’s Anglican Church, where they were welcomed by the congregation of St. Paul’s.

A joint service of remembrance and welcome, as well as communion, was led by Rev. Ian Payne. Following the service a potluck lunch was had.

St. Andrew’s congregation is thankful to be able to share St. Paul’s Anglican Church with the Anglicans and have been able to take meaningful contents to the church, where they continue to worship each Sunday.

It is planned to have a memorial garden on the spot where the church once stood.



Ecumenical Encounter & Prayer



Silent Retreats & Spiritual Direction



Contemplation & Meditation



Healing Retreats & Workshops



Biblical Learning & Engagement



Reflections on the Seasons of the Church Year



12-Steps Retreats & Gatherings



Solitude & Private Refuge



Yoga & Holistic Practices



Art & Iconography



First Nations Spirituality & Encounter



Fellowship, Celebration, Worship MAKE YOURSELVES AT HOME WITH US “Come away to a deserted place and rest for a while …”

(Mark 6:31)

For program details, contact your local Anglican parish, or visit www.queenshouse.org To register, please call 306-242-1916 or email receptionist@queenshouse.org Do you need a facility for:

In-services, seminars, workshops, retreats, celebrations or any other occasions?

Check our website for facility & booking details.

601 Taylor Street W., Saskatoon, SK S7M 0C9

Regional gatherings a ‘measure of justice’

By Sharon Dewey A priest in the Diocese of Toronto is headed to a clergy retreat.

With several colleagues, she will make the one-hour drive to Niagara Falls for two days of learning, fellowship and rest.

Hopefully, she will return to her parish physically and spiritually refreshed, with a few new ministry ideas up her sleeve.

In the Diocese of the Arctic, a priest in a remote Nunavut community boards a flight for Iqaluit.

He will make two flight connections and travel for nearly eight hours. This will be the first time in three months he has seen

his fellow clergy and bishops.

When he arrives, he will find, as always, no matter how long he’s travelled and how cold it is outside, the fellowship is warm and the times of sharing and prayer are deep.

This Arctic priest is only one of hundreds of non-stipendiary clergy in the Council of the North. This is sacrificial work.

Bishop Michael Hawkins, chair of the Council of the North, describes the challenge of burnout, a significant issue in remote communities in which clergy are sometimes overwhelmed by the needs for pastoral care.

He says the questions that lie

before us, as a Church, “involve addressing both the need and the justice questions around non-stipendiary ministry” and “finding ways in which people can carry out their ministry and be adequately supported.”

A new initiative seeks to do just that.

Through the Our Faith-Our Hope campaign, the Diocese of Toronto is generously providing funding for regional gatherings in the Council of the North, as well as in southern dioceses with a considerable aboriginal presence.

These gatherings will draw the church leadership together for the purpose of renewal and

healing, with a focus on the ministry of those doing unpaid ministry, either lay or ordained.

Tailored to local culture and needs, these gatherings will also provide rest and recreation, fellowship and fun. Bishop Barbara Andrews (APCI) says, “Creating times of renewal, learning and some recreation time will give new energy to our small communities.”

Bishop Mark MacDonald, Anglican indigenous bishop, sees this initiative as the broader Church’s “long overdue beginning” and wants to call it to greater justice on the issue of unpaid ministry, saying further measures will be needed.

But he is encouraged by this desire to provide “both support and some measure of justice for non-stipendiary clergy.”

Verna Firth, chair of the National Working Group for regional gatherings, is thankful for this new opportunity to provide more support.

“I know what a great experience it is to meet and gather with other Christians and to fellowship together. The Holy Spirit will move within their circles and will lift them all up.”

For more information or to download application forms, please go to www.anglican.ca/ cn/regional-gatherings or www. anglican.ca/about/ccc/acip/ .

8

The Saskatchewan Anglican

October 2015

D I O C E S E O F Q U ’A P P E L L E

Diocesan Council news and notes

By Jason Antonio

centred on the process, procedures, competencies and accompaniment offered to individuals journeying toward authorized ministry.

Harper explained in her report to Diocesan Council the Church of England has been involved in the education and formation of those called to ministry in the church for much longer than the Diocese of Qu’Appelle.

Hearing the C of E’s challenges and learning opportunities was helpful.

REGINA – The Diocese of Qu’Appelle held its Diocesan Council meeting in late June at St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church in Regina.

The following are highlights from the meeting.

Mission Action Plans Since 2011, a total of $113,437 has been spent on the diocese’s first two Mission Action Plans.

Bishop Rob Hardwick stated some of the funds from the sale of Holy Trinity in Regina has been used to send people to events such as church planting conferences.

Living the Mission Since it began, roughly $800,000 has been raised through the Living the Mission (LtM) initiative. Starting in September, another group of churches will start the LtM program.

Vital and Healthy Churches There were more conversations than presentations during this year’s Vital and Healthy Churches conference in Niagara Falls.

Archdeacon Wilma Woods and Rev. Tracey Taylor were the diocese’s delegates.

Woods explained she felt there are some areas in which the diocese is “ahead of the curve,” compared to the rest of the Anglican Church of Canada.

She pointed to the Qu’Appelle School for Mission and Ministry (QSMM) as an example.

While the diocese has used QSMM to theologically educate

Primate Fred Hiltz spends time with some African bishops, during the May meeting in Tanzania.

Photo — Contributed people for a while now, other models across the country are just starting.

With Messy Church, youth and millennials three of her passions, Woods was able to engage in discussions with others from across the Church in these areas.

The archdeacon added there were also chats about raising up locally-ordained lay ministers.

“I would like to see an expansion of that (program),” she remarked. “It’s the way forward in this diocese.”

Trip to Tanzania Bishop Rob Hardwick and Executive Archdeacon Dell Bornowsky travelled to Tanzania in May. Their conference was to originally be held in Burundi,

Stay connected

but was moved due to civil strife there. In Tanzania, they met with bishops from African and Canadian dioceses which share companion links.

The conference was designed to foster relations and strengthen missional links.

The bishop explained even though the church in that part of Africa has few resources, it still has so much in terms of spirituality.

The African bishops didn’t ask Hardwick or Bornowsky for any financial help, but instead asked the two Canadians to pray for them.

The next phase of the companionship between the Diocese of Qu’Appelle and its African partners could be in helping build a health centre.

“We hope we can strengthen

With your help, we can keep the connection and conversation going.

Please fill out and return the enclosed postage-paid donor reply card, or call 416-924-9199, ext. 259.

Alternatively, you can email mross@national.anglican.ca or go to www.canadahelps.org to make your gift today. Thank you.

Fact-finding trip to England Executive Archdeacon Bornowsky and Canon Catherine Harper went on a two-week factfinding visit to the Dioceses of Derby, Lichfield, Exeter and Chelmsford in England in May. The purpose was to gather information and resources in areas such as discernment, preand post-ordination formation and lay reader ministry.

All the discussions

Canadian Bible Society Scripture sends resources to fire-stricken provinces

Staff For decades, The Saskatchewan Anglican and the Anglican Journal have partnered to bring stories that matter to you, your parish, your diocese and the national church.

Together, we have been at the forefront of providing thoughtful coverage of Anglican, religious and other news, and viewpoints that enrich a Christian life.

Whether encouraging a response to a humanitarian need, informing you about new and thriving ministries or helping you make sense of the everevolving religious landscape, The Saskatchewan Anglican and the Anglican Journal help spark meaningful conversations and action.

This year marks the 140th anniversary of the Anglican Journal and the 44th anniversary of The Saskatchewan Anglican.

that community,” Hardwick stated. “I learned a lot about our companion links and their importance … These will be beneficial to us all.”

To read more about the African trip, visit the Diocese of Qu’Appelle’s website and click on the section marked “Bishop’s Blog.”

Anglican Fellowship of Prayer The future of the Anglican Fellowship of Prayer (AFP) organization was discussed in early June during its annual conference in Newfoundland.

Diocese of Qu’Appelle rep, Rev. Susan Salo, presented a report to Diocesan Council about the event. From the talks, roughly 10 suggestions were made on how the AFP can help dioceses and what it can do to people’s needs in general.

“In this diocese, I believe in order for the AFP to function better in undergirding the mission and ministry of the church with prayer, and in order to provide resources that could aid our churches in their discipleship journey, we need a committee primarily for the purposes of organization and communication,” Salo said in her report.

“I see this as an opportunity to make use of the wealth of material provided in our own tradition, as well as to more effectively support one another in prayer.”

Contributed

TORONTO (Canadian Christian News Service) – The Canadian Bible Society (CBS) is distributing disaster relief resources to fire-stricken provinces in Western Canada.

Bibles, New Testaments with Psalms and Proverbs and Words of Comfort, a booklet designed especially for times of disaster, are on their way to help provide spiritual solace as forest fires continue to rage.

British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan have been devastated by fires this summer, blazes some experts say may not be fully contained until the arrival of winter snow, still months away.

New fires continue to ignite daily in Canada’s western provinces with troops, firefighters and volunteers

fighting the flames and helping beleaguered citizens, thousands of whom have been evacuated from their homes and communities.

“We know that God’s Word brings comfort to those who are suffering,” says Don Miller, Director of Canadian Ministry for the CBS. “The Canadian Bible Society is standing with our sisters and brothers in our own country who are facing such a terrible time right now.

“Our hearts and prayers are with them.”

The Canadian Bible Society (CBS) exists to promote and encourage, without doctrinal note or comment, the translation, publication, distribution and use of the Scriptures throughout Canada and Bermuda, and to cooperate with the United Bible

Societies in its worldwide work.

Formally founded in 1904 and chartered in 1906, the Canadian Bible Society is a member of the United Bibles Societies, a fellowship of 145 national Bible societies around the world.

The societies work with churches and other Bible agencies to facilitate and support translation and Scripture distribution work around the globe.

CBS was recently at the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto, where it partnered with More Than Gold 2015 (representing 10 denominations and more than 50 Christian organizations) and Scripture Union Canada to provide special Christian Scriptures for distribution at the Athlete’s Village.

The Saskatchewan Anglican

October 2015

9

TRC CLOSES Continued from page 1 “After the traditional dancing, two young male dancers were walking in the crowd, greeting people.

Usually when I see aboriginal men they are looking defeated, wary or defiantly confident. Not these two! They walked tall, elegant and beaming in full regalia, smiles of real happiness and confidence on their faces, hugging and shaking hands. A better way to walk.”

Jean Thompson “I found it hard to put my thoughts together but here goes: I sometimes feel overwhelmed by the wrongs and indignities committed during the residential school period.

The symbolic balloon release of the uncomfortable truths at the TRC event was a powerful reminder of the need for a new relationship and partnership between aboriginal and nonaboriginal Canadians.

The journey of reconciliation and healing is one in which we can all play a role. It can be done by showing respect and sensitivity in the broad sense for indigenous teachings, culture and loss of family members; whether it be on an individual supportive basis or advocacy at government levels.”

Canon Howard Green “As I listened to the speakers, I was embarrassed that such horrible physical, sexual and cultural abuses took place in the residential schools. However, I’m sorry that very little credit was given to any good that came out of them.

“The very fact that we were able to hold such a sharing meeting in English was surely

During the Saskatchewan TRC closing ceremony, held in Saskatoon on June 2, the signatory churches to the Truth and Reconciliation process, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, United, Mennonite and Anglican were charged with the responsibility of providing the noon feast. Huge amounts of homemade soup, bannock and jam were prepared and served. Serving the feast of homemade soup, bannock and jam were Donna McClean of Emmanuel Anglican Parsih outreach (left) and Mona Goodman of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon’s Lay Formation Program (right).

Photo by Sheila Ann Whiteway one of the positive results of education in the residential schools!”

“As one person who spent two summers living and working on an Indian reserve, as a student, and as a priest who spent a fair amount of time and effort ministering to aboriginal people when I was rector of All Saints, Melfort, I felt the churches and the Christian missionaries who brought the Good News to the aboriginal people were being slapped in the face.”

“I do believe there is only one Creator God, but I don’t believe all religions are equally true or

equally valid as ways to God. “As a convinced and committed Christian, I believe Jesus Christ is THE Way, THE truth and THE life. I agree with my long-time aboriginal priest friend, Ruth Ross, when she said there is no Atonement in native spirituality.

“There is such a thing as bad medicine as well as good medicine in native spirituality, as in other forms of animism in Africa and Japan, for example.

“I have always tried to treat aboriginal people as equally valuable humans and will try to continue to do so in the future.”

Dianne Bekolay “I found the ceremony to be organized, respectful and responsive to ‘turn up the volume’ even if a soft voice is telling a heartfelt story. I met one of my former patients, a survivor of the school system with a full dose of family removal, abuse and PTSD who bore his story inwardly for 40 years.

“He’s soon 60 he brags, soft spoken, eyes lit up with recognition of me and his peace.

He has come a long way. I can’t be professionally intrusive but hugs and smiles and warm emotions are a good read and a good day. I loved seeing the young dancer and I told the shy young boy he was excellent and his mom prompted him quietly to say thank you.

“I think the audience of school kids was quite respectful but energetic which it should be.

“I could meet a family having lunch and when we were done, the present was shared, I saw the cute grandchildren, knew the grandma was awaiting surgery, but didn’t have to ask what it was and in the end she asked my name so we exchanged names, that is good, and shook hands.

“And in regard to the balloons: nobody had a knife on them or they wouldn’t produce one, which was a good thing for a day of peace and reconciliation.

“We were present as people to each other; that meant the Creator God was present; and from the journal club at the church, Paula D’Arcy is quoted ‘God comes to us disguised as our life.’”

Austin King “I felt honoured to again drive the elders to and from the TRC venues at Victoria Park. The

gracious, friendly and humorous demeanor of those I shuttled spoke to me of the sincere desire for reconciliation. Thank you for the opportunity to be of service.” + Rod (The Right Rev. Rodney Andrews, retired Bishop of Saskatoon) “I remember how much everyone enjoyed the day, and enjoyed being together. Children laughed as they played, elders laughed as they exchanged stories. Everyone else laughed as they felt it was a good day.”

Lila Wagner “I had intended on being present for the lighting of the fires, but was delayed. When I arrived, there were only men attending the flames, but they directed me to the women’s tent.

“In the women’s tent, I was impressed with the First Nations’ elderwomen who readily accepted the many white women who had crowded into the tent. The leading elder spent much time explaining to all of us some of the customs and ceremonies that surround the pipe ceremony.”

Donna McClean “What stood out for me was when we let the TRUTH balloons free: the truth is now out there, but how are we to become reconciled? That is the work we all have to engage in now.”

Mary Ann Assailly “The planning group looked forward to the day and had vision and prayer for a celebration that would highlight the culture, strengths and resilience of the cultures of our brothers and sisters. We gathered together in joy and tears to journey on the long, long path of reconciliation.”

DIOCESE OF SASKATCHEWAN

Jordan Draper alive and well in Nova Scotia

By Gene Hauta Courtesy of The Hudson Bay Post-Review HUDSON BAY (Skwn) – Last summer, Jordan Draper spent his summer in northeastern Saskatchewan as a student minister at three Anglican churches, including St. Patrick’s in Hudson Bay. When contacted by the PostReview for an update, Draper was glad to re-connect with Saskatchewan, even if it is just in print.

“I really appreciate your thinking of me for this,” read his e-mail response. “I’ve been meaning to write to folks in Hudson Bay since St. Patrick’s Day. “This Sunday is Trinity Sunday for the church calendar,” he said of May 31, “which is

exactly a year since I spent my first Sunday in Hudson Bay. “I find myself thinking of Saskatchewan, and Hudson Bay in particular, quite a lot as May rolls into June,” Draper, a native of Halifax, N.S., wrote.

“I met so many amazing folks at St. Patrick’s and they, in turn, showed me very many beautiful parts of the northeast.”

When interview by the PostReview almost a year ago, Draper made it known he wanted new experiences, especially anything to help him see what real life is like for people in this part of Canada.

“I’ll never forget paddling the Red Deer River with Rob and Eric Granberg and friends, supper with the Hallen family, the confirmation of two young sons of St. Patrick’s, conversations with a grieving

man, lunches with Dora, Bev Hall’s elk horn sculptures,” he related, mentioning some of the more memorable moments he recalls with pleasure.

This winter he completed his third year as a student at Dalhousie University in Halifax.

He has completed the course work necessary for a Master’s of Arts in Classics: ancient and medieval philosophy.

Since he remains committed to becoming an Anglican priest, the next step is to earn a Master’s of Divinity, if the Anglican Church agrees to take him on as a postulant for the priesthood.

“I may be starting the MDiv this fall, but I still have my MA thesis to finish, so it’s just a question of whether to finish the MA this year before moving on to seminary, or else start the MDiv in September and work on

my thesis on the side.”

He added, “The bishop of Nova Scotia will decide about making me a postulant in spring of 2016.

“Father Gary Thomas, the chaplain at Dalhousie University (the same person who coordinated Draper’s placement in Saskatchewan), continues to be a major influence in his life.

Thorne assumed responsibility as the priestin-charge of the struggling Cornwallis Parish in rural Nova Scotia, which is without a rector.

“I’ve been part of a team of 10 students who have helped out with Sunday worship on a rotation over the fall and winter,” he explained.

“After church, we would visit parishioners and try to get the lay of the land.”

Since the beginning of May,

Draper and two other students are living and working full-time in the parish which has churches in Port Williams, Kingsport and Canning.

Last June, he made it known he welcomed the opportunity to serve in a rural parish in Saskatchewan, as he hopes to minister in a rural setting when his education is complete.

It seems he is well on his way to making that dream a reality.

Draper still believes northern Saskatchewan is just the best kept secret “and I hope it stays that way!”

“However, it would make me very happy to hear news of a rector for St. Patrick’s,” he concluded.

“That priest would have much more to gain in Hudson Bay than any person could possibly give.”

10

The Saskatchewan Anglican

October 2015

Plain and Valley Parish celebrates with old-fashioned picnic

By Louise Holloway

Plain and Valley Parish held a picnic at St. Nicholas, Kennell — the most photographed church in Saskatchewan — at the end of June.

Photo — Louise Holloway

LUMSDEN (Qu’A) – What a great way to celebrate Canada’s birthday and the beginning of summer with an old-fashioned church picnic!

A parishioner at All Saints, Lumsden, came up with the idea after Rev. Cheryl Toth challenged the congregations to try something “out of the box.”

Plain and Valley Parish consists of three churches: All Saints, Lumsden; All Saints, Pense; and St. Nicholas, Kennell.

St. Nicholas is nestled on the hillside of the Qu’Appelle Valley and was the perfect setting for such an event. Over 50 people

huddled into the little building; friends and visitors as well as parishioners.

Fittingly for the “oldfashioned” theme, it was a pot luck lunch, with games for the kids and bocce ball for anyone.

While the food was being set up, there was a tour and history of the church and graveyard.

Thank heavens for coolers because there is no power at this historic building. The day was sunny and warm. All the youngsters got a prize of some kind (and some of the adults too). To top it off, there were Dixie Cup ice creams, where the only thing missing were the little wooden spoons.

Opinion

Thy name is Sports Has another idol taken over your Sunday morning?

By Mark Buchanan Editor’s note: This story originally appeared in the May/ June issue of Seven, a magazine published by Promise Keepers Canada.

Many gods vie for our attention and devotion. It’s been this way for a long time.

But in our particular moment, one god has pre-eminence. This god is the god of gods. This god rules above the otherwise extremely popular deities of sex, food, music and leisure.

No god unites or divides like it, or calls forth, with such driving power, our wildest celebrations and most harrowing sorrows. It has the power to awaken primal and tribal impulses in grown men, make them paint their hairy bellies vivid colours, dance warlike rituals, chant cultic anthems, scream like banshees.

They name is Sports.

Perhaps I exaggerate. But in the 24 years I pastored, through 13 Olympic Games, seven World Cups, dozens of hockey and

football playoffs and hundreds of little league tournaments, I routinely saw sports stir in people a passion and commitment I never saw in any other area of their life.

People who were subdued to the point of stupor on a Sunday morning when the choir sang or preacher preached were roused to the point of riot on a Monday evening when the puck dropped.

The feeling ran so deeply with some that, when I occasionally

made a comment from the pulpit about how sports, professional or amateur, was our culture’s dominant religion, I would be assaulted soon after with angry comments and nasty e-mails (as I may for writing this).

This has always struck me as a case in point.

Maybe it’s all harmless.

Certainly, to make the claim I’m making seems overstated. And, indeed, I do think playing sports and watching them, is one of

life’s good things.

But here’s something that gives me pause: the number of Christian parents who choose their children’s sports over church.

Over the years, I watched this trend grow.

I remember one family in particular. Both the husband and wife had grown up in church and had a deep and living faith.

Their three children, however, were enrolled year-round in a rotating succession of sporting activities, while most Sundays one or two or three had a game.

These games always took precedence over church. The parents told me they had developed family practices that, they believed, would keep their children devoted to Christ.

I got to watch this work itself out over many years, from the time the children were little until all three were grown.

Only one of them still has an active faith. The other two gave theirs up in their mid-teens.

Maybe this would have happened anyway. But I watched some version of this scenario play out with alarming frequency: the vibrant faith of one generation becoming only a stale rumour among the next.

In a number of cases –

certainly not all – the leading culprit was little league sports.

I’ve been around long enough to know church attendance doesn’t make anyone a Christian.

I know Christ-followers are called and empowered to live out our faith everywhere and at all times: in church, in the classroom, in the boardroom, on the playing field.

I know almost anything can become an idol – including, maybe especially, church and ministry – and, conversely, almost anything can be a means of grace and of kingdom-service, including playing hockey or lacrosse or tennis.

But if I were to name the preeminent god of the age, thy name is sports. Like almost all little-g gods, it’s a fine servant but a terrible deity. So my challenge, (to all): know where the line is and hold it.

Your children might complain now. But if they’re still singing God’s praises when they’re old, won’t it be worth it?

Mark Buchanan is an associate professor of pastoral theology at Ambrose Seminary in Calgary. He previously served as the senior pastor of New Life Community Baptist Church in Duncan, B.C. Photo — Shutterstock

The Saskatchewan Anglican

October 2015

11

Journalist recalls Canada’s aboriginal history students from a local residential school.

As more and more sordid information came to light, his remark to me was, and I quote, “Everyone knew that place was a nest of queers.”

He was in a position of public trust and so were those around him. If everyone knew, why didn’t anyone report it? It wasn’t considered important? Nobody wanted to rock the boat?

This happened all over the place. How many times have you heard someone say they suspected something was wrong but that’s as far as they went? The crime of silence runs deep in the civil service and the churches.

The little kids being abused had no voice or credibility, but people in power certainly had.

By Doug Cuthand Editor’s note: The main speaker at the National Aboriginal Day Service held on June 21, at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Saskatoon was the well know columnist Doug Cuthand (the son of an aboriginal priest in our diocese, the Rev. Stan Cuthand). Doug Cuthand’s words were very powerful, challenging and inspiring.

The majority of the text of his speech follows, but due to its length, only the first half of the speech appears in this issue; the remainder will follow in a future issue of the Saskatchewan Anglican.

SASKATOON – First Nations people have been through a fiveyear process to relive the past, conquer their nightmares and make their peace with a truly horrific period in our history both as a country and as individuals.

Truth and reconciliation is a painful but necessary process and it must be done on both the individual level and the national level. First the truth must come out, and second, that truth must lead to reconciliation.

As commission chair, Judge Murray Sinclair likes to say, “The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off.”

Why did no one stop it?

One recurring theme has been, how could this happen?

Why didn’t anyone stop it?

Most Canadians have very little knowledge or understanding about First Nations and Métis people. Quebec and the rest of Canada have been referred to as the two solitudes.

The same is the case for First Nations people. In fact, we have more in common with Quebec, but I will touch on that later.

We are the people the rest of Canada looks through or over.

The Canadian settler culture saw us as people who didn’t have a place in the country they were building. We were seen as either the vanishing race or a group that would assimilate and disappear.

Either way we have not been seen as a distinct people with a future.

Native American comedian, the late Charlie Hill, said, “They call us a vanishing race; when’s the last time you saw a pilgrim?”

That way it was easy for the rest of Canada to ignore us and see us as someone else’s problem. That way the churches and the Department of Indian Affairs had an unfettered license to deal with First Nations people as they saw fit.

From time to time exceptions would appear. One example on my reserve, in the 1920s, was

Residential schools effects The presentations of thanks to the groups and the churches who financially supported and fed those attending the Saskatchewan Truth and Reconciliation closing ceremony in the summer. The three Anglican dioceses of Saskatchewan — Qu’Appelle, Saskatoon and Saskatchewan — were represented by the Right Rev. David Irving, bishop of Saskatoon, and Mary Ann Assailly (fourth from right and third from right, respectively). Journalist Doug Cuthand spoke to the public at the cathedral in Saskatoon on National Aboriginal Day about aboriginal history in Canada. Photo by Sheila Ann Whiteway a woman who was Chief Big Bear’s daughter. Her name was Earth Woman and she lived in abject poverty. The local priest gave her a begging letter which stated she was destitute and could the recipient please provide her with some food or clothing.

One day she was begging in the town of Unity and she died on the street. There was a public outcry and the white people got after Indian Affairs for doing a poor job. There was no appeal for change only that Indian Affairs had to do a better job.

The boarding schools were seen as the answer to assimilate the Indians and “kill the Indian in the child.” This was seen as the answer to the Indian problem.

How did we end up with this unholy system of educational institutions?

The Church steps in We have to look at history which brings us back to Quebec.

After the fall of Quebec, the elites and educated people fled to France or other French colonies.

This left the British with the problem of providing public administration.

They weren’t interested in the day-to-day administration of the new colony. So they turned it over to the church. As a result the church ran the schools, hospitals and other areas of social programming. This continued up to the 1960s when it was swept aside with the Quiet Revolution.

This same formula was applied to the First Nations people. Canada didn’t have the

resources to provide education for all the reserve across Canada.

They were more interested in building a national railway and settling the west. They saw the Indian problem as a perfect fit for the churches.

They would have a captive audience they could convert to Christianity, and in the process, get rid of the Indian in the child.

It was a win-win for everyone except us.

W.O Mitchell once stated the place you lived as a 10-year-old boy will stay with you all your life. He of course was referring to the plains and the mythical town of Crocus, which was based on his home town.

Boarding school troubles Boarding school students spent 10 months out of the year in an institution; the two months back with their parents were special. They spoke their language, they stayed with the grandparents and they lived on the land, fishing, berry picking and so on.

In September they went back to boarding school. The parents tried as they could, but they lost control of their families.

Some people have the temerity to state that we should “just get over it.” They have no idea of the depth of the pain.

The boarding schools were wrong on two levels. First, it was fundamentally wrong to remove children from their parents. The idea of removing the Indian from the child was racist and in the words of some eminent persons, “cultural genocide.”

I recall back in 1967 the residential school administrators were holding a meeting in Vancouver and a small group of us students and our supporters picked the hotel where the meeting was taking place.

Back then we were considered a group of radicals, but today we would be mainstream and even fuddy duddy. One of the women had a picked sign that stated “stop cultural genocide.”

It was controversial even for some of us. Genocide was a tern that came out of the Nuremberg trials and referred to the Holocaust. Over the years the definition of “genocide” has broadened to include the destruction of a people’s culture and the “forcible transfer of children from one group to another group.”

The policy to “kill the Indian in the child” is genocide under this definition.

Public attitudes If the forced removal of children from their homes was fundamentally wrong, the attitude of the government, churches and public to look the other way took residential schools to another level.

It was wrong to allow the institutional violence against the students and the child abuse and pedophilia. Everyone turned their backs on an immoral situation and residential schools became a sanctuary for pedophiles and other misfits.

One time I spoke to a person who was the principal of a local high school that was attended by

The long term and lingering effects of residential schools haunt us still. The sexual abuse and violence was passed onto the students and the result is lateral violence and sexual abuse within our communities.

I know men who harbour deep feelings of guilt and self-loathing brought on by their experience in boarding school. They could never have a successful relationship with a woman and they were either absent or abusive as parents.

Their children have had to come to realize their pain and forgive their parents. The healing process has brought this out, and after much pain and tears, families have reconciled.

My people have been on a momentous journey. From the treaties and reserve life of the 1800s to today, we have spanned an enormous divide.

In 1900 there were around 10,000 First Nations people in Saskatchewan, 100,000 in whole country. And this fell even lower after the Spanish Flu in 1918.

The Government truly felt we were a race on the verge of extinction and for many it was good riddance. We were considered to be like the buffalo; we outlived our usefulness and we should just get out of the way.

The population remained low but it began to grow after the Second World War. In the postwar period we had improved health services with inoculations and antibiotics.

In 1970, at the start of the modern era there were around 36,000 First Nations people in Saskatchewan.

Today, there are around 130,000 First Nations people, over 200,000 counting both First Nations and Métis. We are now 20 per cent of the Saskatchewan population and are fastest growing group in the country.

Continued on page 12

12

The Saskatchewan Anglican

October 2015

Bishop Hardwick on changes and challenges SWIFT CURRENT (Qu’A) – “Life presents us with challenges: what we do with those challenge is what matters! Sadly many people underestimate the challenge, the need or the possibilities change can bring.”

So began Bishop Rob Hardwick, speaking at the Diocesan ACW annual meeting in Swift Current. This is a summary of his address.

Hardwick gave many examples of experts who had vastly underestimated the future of their fields. In 1943 the chairman of IBM said, “I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.”

The inventor, Lee DeForest claimed that, “While theoretically and technically television may be feasible, commercially and financially it is an impossibility.

Everything is possible “Change challenges us!

And what we often think is impossible within a few years can be more than a reality,” said the bishop. “What does the future hold for the ACW or this diocese? Dare we dream to see what God desires? Is it closure?

Persecution? More of the same?

“Or is it a re-founding, a new purposing, growth, renewal or even revival, the likes of which we have never witnessed before?

“Life happens and change challenges us. The exit from the Garden of Eden challenged Adam and Eve; the Exodus and the Exile challenged the Israelites; the resurrection and Pentecost challenged the disciples, as did the persecution in Acts 6.

“And many similar occasions through the years, change has challenged people of every generation. You yourselves can list many an occasion where change has challenged you in a physical, mental or spiritual way.

“Equally in the last 100 years, the world has seen staggering technological advances. For example, we have many things in our homes today we would never have dreamed of 20, 40, 60 let alone 100 years ago.

“I remember standing outside a phone box on Boxing Day waiting with my family for the operator to phone, so we could speak to someone in Canada, a call which cost a week’s wage and had to be arranged 10 days ahead. Many medical treatments, thought impossible a few years ago, are now routine.

Women’s role changes “The role of women in the Church has changed. Before the

‘60s, women had little to say in the councils of the Church.

Women could not serve on vestries, synods or as a warden.

“It was the ACW that enabled the voice of women to be heard in those earlier years. Now almost half of our clergy are women: 30 are ordained, plus we have one postulant and three discerning a call to the diaconate. Fifteen women are in training to be licensed Lay Readers and seven have been appointed as regional lay missioners.

“In addition, many women assist in worship: reading; intercessing; preaching; leading services; helping with Sunday School; leading youth groups; are communion assistants; visit the sick; sing in choirs; are musicians; help as servers or sub-deacons; participate in prayer groups, prayer chains and Bible studies.

“Women are now members of Synods, councils, committees, vestries and church wardens. They are PWRDF representatives; members of the Order of St. Luke; are Stephen ministers, involved in Cursillo; Camp Harding; Altar Guilds.

“They foster church gardens; clothing stores; programs like Feed My Sheep; knitting groups; provide meals for others and lead local outreach initiatives.

“Yes, the role of women and the opportunities for women to be in leadership has changed exponentially in the Church.

Society’s values change “The world has also changed.

It has become much smaller and the problems reported in far off places are reported as though they are happening on our door step. And the speed and method of change has also severely challenged our environment.

Hardwick said society’s values have changed too. “Many do not see the need for faith or for church. What we hold dear and value, is not shared by the majority and this change challenges even more.

“In an address to a group of clergy, Dr. Ira Galloway said, ‘The problem of the local church is not the radical fundamentalist or the radical social activist.

We probably don’t have enough of either one of these to stir us up as much as we ought to be stirred up’.

“The real problem is a majority of laity and clergy don’t want to adapt, they want to ‘play it safe; to go to church and not be the church.’

“We forget that the W.A. and E.A. and ACW through the years have been major players and have been involved in significant

ministries, especially in times of adversity and change.

“The challenge for us today is to rise up against the adversity of indifference to or the perceived irrelevance of the Church that many point to.

What is our mission?

“If, like the steam train, the ACW is considered by some to be outdated, we have to ask ourselves, what is our mission?

What, and who are we here for, and what might the aims of our organization be that will energize and excite the young women today?” asked the bishop.

“Indeed what are the passions of our young women: what are they wanting to do? How do they want to make a difference in today’s world? What drives them? It might be the same things in your vision as ACW, but they might want to engage in these things differently.

“If I am learning anything from my first two years of episcopal ministry it is that crisis and change, if offered to the Lord, are not to be feared.

Rather, they can be creative agents for God to do a new thing.

Hardwick said the key to survival is adaptability.

“The Bible is full of stories of adaptation strategies. For example, the magi and Mary and Joseph dropped all their plans to adapt to a new reality. The Bible says they went “another way.”

The bishop asked if the ACW was prepared to adapt, to ask what “another way” looks like.

“These ‘another ways’ may be unfamiliar ways and ‘outof-the-way’ ways, but they can become our ways if we follow the one who is The Way, The Truth and The Life.

“More of the same will not grow the Church or the ACW. Fear not change “Thankfully, as I have shared with you last year, we have seen growth in the diocese, both in numbers and in people’s desire to know more about their faith.

“But the growth has come, not because we have continued to do the same things, but as we have prayed for and reached out to people in new ways.

Circumstances have challenged us to do things differently and to change our attitude, perspective, prejudices and preferences.

“Let’s not fear change or stubbornly refuse to consider changing, or refuse to financially back the changes required.

We have spent long enough declining in the wilderness.

“It is time we cross the Jordan and enter the promised land and do what God is asking of us.”

Egyptian priest receives cross from Sask.

Father Lazarus el-Antony, a native Australian, is the best known contemporary “anchorite” in Egypt. He lives in a cave several hundred meters from Saint Antony’s fourth century cave on the mountainside above the ancient monastery. Egyptians and people from around the world come to the Red Sea monastery seeking his cave and a word of wisdom. Pictured is Father Lazarus sitting at the entrance of his cave, holding a Coptic hand cross in one hand, and in the other, a beadwork cross made by a member of the Montreal Lake Cree Nation in the Diocese of Saskatchewan.

(Info compiled by Mary Brown from Father Lazarus’ blog)

Cuthand Continued from page 11 I haven’t seen any pilgrims lately.

There is a growing dichotomy between First Nations people and the rest of the province.

On one hand, some people think we should mortgage our land and get rid of reserves, but in the past two decades, we have doubled our land base from Treaty Land Entitlement and land claims.

Over half our people live offreserve in cities, but aboriginal culture is enjoying a renaissance.

The only place big enough to host a pow wow in Saskatoon is the Credit Union Centre.

Last year’s Christmas pow wow drew over 1,000 dancers and about 6,000 spectators.

Education, once a genocidal tool, is now seen as the path to independence and prosperity.

But our people still lead the statistics in the social indicators of incarceration, welfare, school drop outs and so on.

Today we have more children in care than there were at the height of the residential schools.

That is the challenge that faces all of us.

Saskatchewan and Canada have inherited either a huge liability or a potential bonanza.

Now is the time for bold commitments from the federal and provincial governments.

It is also the time for Canadians to open their minds and accept that First Nations have treaties and an inherent tight to govern ourselves.

The old days of colonial control are behind us and gone forever.

The failed First Nations Education Act represents the last gasp of the old regime.

First Nations legislation of the future must be drafted cooperatively and respect our treaties and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

First Nations must be seen as partners in Confederation Our journey has been painful and hazardous.

We have left behind many casualties, we are a nation with many scars, but I believe we will not only survive, but we will thrive.

It’s a journey we invite all Canadians to join.