Saskatchewan The newspaper of the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle • A Section of the Anglican Journal • November 2016 www.facebook.com/thesaskatchewananglican
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Diocese of Saskatoon's 72nd Synod
Diocese achieves much during last three years By Peter R. Coolen SASKATOON — The Diocese of Saskatoon’s 72nd Synod was held at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Saskatoon from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. The business sessions of synod and daily Morning and Evening Prayer were held in the cathedral parish hall. The synod began with registration and an opening service in the cathedral. The Right Rev. David Irving, Bishop of Saskatoon, presided at the Eucharist and presented his Bishop’s Charge to the members of synod. Bishop Irving, in his Charge, reviewed the accomplishments made by the diocese over the past three years in term of outreach, growth, new staff, reorganization and new programming. In particular, he highlighted efforts made to meet the spiritual needs of the large aboriginal population of Saskatoon and on reserves in the Battlefords area, plus the seniors in Saskatoon, as well as the progress in developing lay ministry and locally raised clergy to support rural ministry. He noted these efforts will increase and the new rural ministry model beginning in the Eastern Deanery, as well as discussions on sharing some aspects of ministry and administration with the Diocese of Saskatchewan, will help to further service rural needs and support the efforts of both clergy and parishes. During the synod the diocese recognized several people retiring or retired for their long and dedicated service to the diocese: Archdeacon Michael Stonhouse, retiring archdeacon of the Western Deanery, rector of Lloydminster Parish
and the retired executive archdeacon of the diocese, and the Venerable Henry M. Comerford, were both collated as Archdeacons Emeritus while Canon Dr. Beth R.E. Bilson Q.C., who is retiring after serving as diocesan chancellor for 17 years, was collated as a Canon Emeritus. A portion of the daily business sessions of synod was taken up with education presentations: the Rev. Dr. Iain Luke, the new principal of the College of Emmanuel and St. Chad, gave a presentation on “Building Up Rural Congregation,” while the Rev. Shawn Sanford Beck spoke on the lay ministry and the locally raised clergy programs, while the results of the audit of the 2015 fiscal year were presented. Presentations were made on other diocesan programs including Mary Ann Assailly on TRC, Klaus Gruber on the diocesan refugees support and re-settlement programs, and the four delegates to this year’s General Synod meeting (Chris Wood, the Venerable Ken Watts, the Rev. Alex Parsons and Meghan Lofgren) They gave reports on their impressions, frustrations and positive experiences from attending General Synod. They also discussed their physical and spiritual exhaustion from being involved in the, sometimes heated, debates concerning the Marriage Canon and the confusion due to the voting process. Small groups at synod discussed ideas for and problems perceived with the potentials for resource sharing between the dioceses of Saskatoon and Saskatchewan, and the Marriage Canon. The latter discussion, which was very effectively lead by Marie-Louise
CLOTHING JESUS
St. Martin of Tours, bishop of Tours, France, is best known for the account of using his military sword to cut his cloak in two, to give half to a beggar clad only in rags in the depth of winter. That night, Martin dreamed of Jesus wearing the half-cloak he had given away. Martin's memorial in the Anglican church is Nov. 11. “Lord God of hosts, who clothed your servant Martin the soldier with the spirit of sacrifice, and set him as a bishop in your Church to be a defender of the catholic faith: Give us grace to follow in his holy steps, that at the last we may be found clothed with righteousness in the dwellings of peace; guide the nations of the world into the way of justice and truth, and establish among them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that they may become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.” Photo courtesy Alfred Rethel/Wikimedia
Ternier-Gommers, was a much more civil exchange of ideas than that which had been reported from General Synod. The comments and ideas from both table discussions will be used as resources by the synod office and parishes. Following the evening meal on Saturday, the Rev. Canon Richard LeSueur gave a presentation on the Diocese of Jerusalem. On Sunday morning, the business of synod wrapped
up, the result of balloting and elections was announced, while appreciation and acknowledgements were made to those involved in the planning and running of synod. The closing Eucharist service for synod began after the closing of the final session of synod; for the service, the Bishop of Saskatoon, the Right Rev. David Irving, presided and the Rev. Canon Richard LeSueur preached, in a service dedicated to
St. Francis of Assisi, to a nearly full cathedral. Four deacons (the Reverends Janice Trost, Barbara Forsyth, Trevor Malyon and Mattaeo Carboni) were ordained to the priesthood during the joyous service and celebration.
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The Saskatchewan Anglican
November 2016
'Odd phrase' hides God, Jesus, universe Why does the Bible call Jesus the “Son of Man”? By the Rev. Shawn Sanford Beck
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ime and time again, throughout the four gospels, Jesus uses a strange term to describe Himself. Instead of saying “I,” He will often use the phrase “Son of Man.” For instance, in Matthew 8:20, Jesus asserts of Himself that “the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” Or in Luke 6:5, He refutes the Pharisees by claiming “the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.” Examples abound; more than 80 times in the canonical gospels, Jesus uses this odd phrase. So what might it mean? Why does the Bible call Jesus the Son of Man? It’s a complicated question and a puzzle no scholar or theologian has positively solved. The term itself is derived from the Hebrew phrase
ben ‘adam, or perhaps the Aramaic bar nasha. Its simplest translation is simply “human being,” but Jesus seems to be using it in a different way. For Jesus, it almost seems to be a title He is taking on; but it is a strange title indeed. Some of the early church elders, especially when they were reflecting on the dual nature of Christ, asserted the term “son of man” described the human nature of Jesus, while the term “son of God” described the divine nature. This makes sense from a Hellenistic point of view, but ironically the Hebrew roots of the term point in the opposite direction. For the Jewish community, the term “son of God” could quite easily be used to describe a human figure, such as King David in the psalms. But the term “Son of Man” seemed to be part of the apocalyptic code present, for instance, in the Book of Daniel: As I watched in the night visions, I saw one like
a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. And he came to the Ancient One and was presented before him (7:13). Does this sound familiar? This is the same imagery placed in the mouth of Jesus in “small apocalypse” of Mark: Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in clouds” with great power and glory (13:26). This mysterious figure shows up in the Book of Revelation as well: Then I looked, and there was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one like the Son of Man, with a golden crown on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand (14:14). In passages like these, the Son of Man seems to be a divine figure, or at least an angel of some sort. Applied to later Christological speculation, it would appear to be a description of the divine, rather than the human nature, of the Christ. For me, this is where things get interesting. With this odd “mixing” of meaning,
it is no wonder that scholars have pondered long and hard on the term. In recent years, biblical theologian Walter Wink has called Jesus the Human Being, meaning that Jesus is the archetypal human, the truly human one in whom each of us find ourselves, and in whom the Divine Word reveals Him/Herself most perfectly. Spiritual teacher Matthew Fox shares a similar perspective when he talks about the Son of Man as the Cosmic Christ, fully human, fully universal, fully divine. The case remains open, and much more theological ink will surely be spilled over this issue in years to come. For those who believe, I would simply invite us, whenever we hear the term “Son of Man” in the Scriptures, to know that within this strange phrase hides God, Jesus, the universe, and even ourselves. An interesting Mystery indeed!
'This guy Jesus': Will the real Jesus Christ please stand up? By the late Rev. William Portman
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he dean of St. John’s Cathedral in Winnipeg, John Anderson*, had a problem: he couldn’t open the old safe in the vestry containing the parish records. He started looking in the Yellow Pages for somebody to fix the problem and then stopped. Why pay good money when he had an expert on safes in his congregation? The expert was a man named “Art,” a reformed burglar whose specialty was cracking safes. So the dean called him, told him the problem and Art came down and had that safe open in about 30 seconds. Then he turned to the dean and said, “Father, I hope you don’t keep anything valuable in that safe – I could open it with a hairpin.” I met Art through some Christian friends who acted as an informal support group for ex-convicts. Art had become a convert to Christianity while in jail and had all a convert’s zeal – he couldn’t s t o p talking a b o u t “this guy Jesus.” He told us
that what first attracted him to “this guy Jesus” were 12 words He said to the thief on the cross next to Him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” As Art said, “If Jesus could say that while He was dying on the cross, then there’s hope for me.” For many people, it’s some kind of specific image that first attracts them to “this guy Jesus.” He asked His disciples, “Who do people say I am?” and got a whole collection of answers. It’s the same today, because Jesus is seen by people in so many different ways. Often they are shaped – like Art – by our own needs and perceptions. For those who want to know how they should live, Jesus teaches a special way of life. For those reaching for the supernatural, He is the mystic poet who connects to a world and a life beyond this one. For those seeking a living faith, Jesus brought a new vitality to a tired, legalistic religion. For those who are moved by the demands of justice for all people, Jesus is a radical social reformer. For those who regard the love of material goods and values as the root of all evil, He is the ascetic monk who
had no place to lay His head. And for others, Jesus is a larger than life hero. The Bible gives us titles to match the images, like Emmanuel (God with us), Messiah, Lord, Master, Saviour, Teacher, Son of God, Son of Man, Prince of Peace. All are attempts to describe “this guy Jesus” in ways we can relate to, something people have tried to do all through Christian history. In the opera Jesus Christ, Superstar the title song asks, “Jesus Christ, who are you? Are you really who you say you are?” It’s a question for every person on this Earth and it has so many answers. The danger is that in our search for those answers, we try to convert Jesus to our own agendas; to co-opt Him to our own purposes. Some examples: — Politicians who claim that Jesus is on their side. The ruthless imperialism of France and Spain was done in the name of Jesus. The English were more honest – the Empire was built on trade, but missionaries were allowed to tag along if they kept out of the way. Those people have their counterparts today. — There seem to be many fundamentalists and evangelicals in Canada these
days who believe that Jesus has signed onto their social and political agendas; but remember, in two world wars both sides claimed Jesus as their own special ally. — And, there are many people today who want to adopt Jesus as a cosy, comfortable, good neighbourly kind of person who makes no demands on us at all, except to be “nice” to one another. The problem is that none of these work, because once you try to domesticate Jesus, He’s just not there anymore. Trying to bend Jesus to fit our agenda means He’s no longer the real Jesus. Someone once said, “If Jesus doesn’t sometimes make you uncomfortable, He isn’t Jesus.” He challenges us, often without giving detailed directions about how His sayings should be applied. For example, there is the instruction to love your neighbour as yourself, or the challenge to “let the one without sin throw the first stone,” or the prayer that teaches us to forgive sinners in the same way that God has forgiven us. Continued on page 6
Published by the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle. Published monthly except for July and August. Whole No. 292, Vol. 45, No. 3 A Section of the Anglican Journal SUBSCRIPTIONS For change of address, undeliverable copies and subscription list updates, contact: • Your parish • e-mail: circulation @national.anglican.ca • Or send to Saskatchewan Anglican, c/o Anglican Journal, 80 Hayden Street, Toronto, Ont. M4Y 3G2 RATES $10 in Canada $17 outside Canada SUBMISSIONS Submissions for the December issue must be received by the diocesan editor no later than Friday, Nov. 4. All pictures must be sent as JPEGS and 1 MB (megabyte) in size. CONTACT INFORMATION Managing Editor: Jason Antonio SKAnglicanEditor@gmail.com 1501 College Ave Regina, Sask., S4P 1B8 Phone: 306-737-4898 Qu’Appelle: Joanne Shurvin-Martin joannesm@myaccess.ca 6927 Farrell Bay Regina, Sask., S4X 3V4 Phone: 306-775-2629 Saskatoon: Peter Coolen ptrcoolen@sasktel.net 820 Avenue I South, Saskatoon, Sask., S7M 1Z3 Phone: 306-244-0935, Saskatchewan: Munden and Linda Coates linda.munden@sasktel.net Box 208 Arborfield, Sask., S0E 0A0 Photo: 306-769-8339 PUBLISHING DETAILS Published from 59 Roberts Place Regina, Sask., S4T 6K5 Printed and mailed by Webnews Printing Inc. 8 High Meadow Place North York, Ont. M9L 2Z5
The Saskatchewan Anglican
November 2016
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Not for sale By Bishop Michael W. Hawkins
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ur Lutheran sisters and brothers are commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation culminating on Oct. 31, 2017. It was on Oct. 31 that Martin Luther famously nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of All Saints’ Church in Wittenberg, Germany. The Lutheran World Federation (LWF), a counterpart to our Anglican Communion, is marking this milestone with the theme, “Liberated by God’s Grace.” What stands out for me are the three subthemes: Salvation not for sale, Human Beings not for sale, Creation not for sale. These invite us to consider how the Gospel of grace should inform and reform our relationship with humanity and creation. Salvation not for sale The clear distinction in much reformed teaching between justifying and sanctifying grace leads us to understand ourselves as Christians to be at the same time redeemed and sinners (simul iustus et peccator), while our salvation depends always and solely on God’s grace. It is not anything that we do or are that
deserves or earns God’s favour and forgiveness, it is the gift of His love. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God – not the result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). We are saved by the initiative and self-giving generosity of God. The Reformers were therefore keen to insist that God’s favour could not be bought or earned by any human merit in devotion, sanctity or giving. Salvation is not for sale, it is a gift. Human beings not for sale The brilliance of the LWF subthemes is the way they have connected the doctrine of salvation by grace with an
understanding of our relationship with our fellow human beings and creatures. Just as God’s love and favour cannot be bought or sold, so no human being can be bought or sold. The gracious and redeemed regard we ought to have for every human being is to see them as a pure gift and recognize in them the immeasurable value of the image and likeness of God and of the blood of Christ. This sub-theme would focus particular attention on human trafficking throughout the world, which includes the recruitment and trafficking of indigenous women and girls in Canada for the sex trade.
In Jesus Christ the full dignity of every human being is revealed and redeemed. In Him we discover a dignity we had never known or had long forgotten in ourselves and in each other. Creation not for sale Our teaching about creation and redemption needs to be connected. In Genesis we are taught that God made the world out of nothing but His own Word and Will. The doctrine of creation out of nothing (ex nihilo) says something fundamental and profound about the generosity of God. The God who made the world out of nothing but His own free love, redeemed the world in the same way out of love freely given. When we know creation as this divine gift with a value and a meaning beyond our full comprehension and not just something for our consumption, but a mystery, a sacrament, an outward and visible sign of God’s grace, we know our dominion to be one of knowledge and care. I am grateful to our Lutheran companions for highlighting the moral implications of the doctrine of grace and recalling us to a reverence before the gift of Jesus Christ, one another and creation. Grace makes us gracious.
Finding 'our story' in the story By Iain Luke Principal, College of Emmanuel & St. Chad
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n the spirit of last month’s column, about theology being for the whole church and all its members, I want to set off on a journey of inquiry into what actually goes on in the program of a theological college, and why. In part, this is to “keep us honest,” ensuring we teach what we teach with an eye to our whole constituency. But it is also, to some extent, about de-mystifying and painting a clearer picture of what has sometimes seemed to be reserved for a distinctive class of people within the church. The story begins where the curriculum begins, while the curriculum begins where the story begins. That is, with the Bible. Even before we enter into any discussion about what authority the Bible has for Christians, it has a place simply as our story. It is the record of events and encounters that have shaped the identity of a people, first in the Hebrew and then in the Christian scriptures. Also, the re-telling of that story continues to shape our identity now, because that is how stories (and human beings) work. So if you wonder
what people do when they study the Bible in college programs, there’s the answer. It’s about learning the story of our people (the Church), perhaps more deeply than you’ve ever learned it before, and in a way that enables you to pass it on as completely and appreciatively as possible. Some of that is about studying the text in detail, because the Bible is a big bag of books, and most of us tend to be very familiar with small portions of it, but barely aware of its full extent. Beyond that, though, any of us can deepen our appreciation of our story by coming to grips with other factors that illuminate its meaning. The most immediately accessible of these factors would be what I call the “con-text,” that goes alongside the text, to tell us about the setting in which the events and encounters originally happened. The history, social settings and literary traditions of Bible times are often key to our understanding what the text is saying. For example, understanding how the Roman empire worked can help you unpack a lot of St. Paul’s story, which otherwise might be obscure. A deeper layer of meaning comes from engaging with the “sub-text,” the underlying assumptions of people who lived the stories and wrote them down.
These reflect to us the human, evolving, and sometimes flawed perceptions that people of faith had of God and their relationship with God. As we look at attitudes in the biblical text to things like violence, or fundamental equality, we bring our own different assumptions, and a critical eye. At the same time, we discover we share at least one key assumption with people who lived thousands of years ago: that God is at work in our story, confronting and transforming the assumptions that both they and we bring to our quest for understanding. Going in the other direction, I like to spend a lot of time exploring the “texture” of the Bible. Our story, shared with people in so many times and places, draws us together into being a particular kind of people because of its specific qualities. As with a large-scale tapestry or painting, you can only get the big picture if you also pay attention to the fine weave. Qualities like hope, honesty, freshness and grace permeate the Bible from beginning to end, but you discover more of what those things really mean as you put together one part of the story with another. The role of the Bible in the life of our community of faith is to be not just the story we tell, but also the story that tells us. In order to locate ourselves within its story, we study the text and all the layers around it. We do that, not just as clergy preparing for the job of preaching and teaching, but as members of that very community that we find in the pages of our Bibles.
PWRDF Advent resources created by local priest Submitted S A S K A T O O N — This year’s national education and ref lection resource for the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund was written by the Diocese of Saskatoon’s education and training off icer, the Rev. Shawn Sanford Beck. The resource will soon be available at http://pwrdf.org/ resources/seasonal/. It consists of daily devotional ref lections and prayers linked to PW RDF themes and projects, while also includes resources to use for highlighting PW RDF during Sunday worship in Advent. Check it out!
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The Saskatchewan Anglican
November 2016
Diocese of Saskatoon celebrates during 72nd Synod
Priests of the diocese pose with the bishop and four newly ordained priests (from left, in front and to the front right and left front of Bishop Irving: the Reverends Janice Trost, Barbara Forsyth, Trevor Malyon and Mattaeo Carboni) at the end of the closing Eucharist of the 72nd Synod. Photos by Peter Coolen
The Right Reverend David Irving, Bishop of Saskatoon, (right) collates the executive archdeacon, the Ven. Henry Comerford (left), as archdeacon emeritus in recognition of his years of service with the diocese as a parish priest, Canon and executive archdeacon.
The Right Reverend David Irving (left) collates the retiring Diocesan Chancellor Canon Dr. Beth R.E. Bilson Q.C. (right) as Canon Emeritus in recognition of her seventeen years of service to the diocese as chancellor.
During the opening service, Archdeacon Michael Stonhouse (right) of the Western Deanery and incumbent of Lloydminster Parish, who retired after synod, was collated as Archdeacon Emeritus — in honour of his many years of service — by the Right Reverend David Irving, Bishop of Saskatoon (left).
DIOCESE OF SASKATOON
Announcements for November 2016 Saskatchewan Anglican Online! You can read current and past issues of the Saskatchewan Anglican online on the Diocese of Saskatoon website or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ saskatchewananglican. g Alpha Program: An 11week Alpha Program began at St. Stephen’s, Saskatoon on Sept, 20. For more information or to register please call Margaret or Jan at 306-374-4066 or of f ice.ststephens@sasktel. net. g Advent Tea and Bake Sale at the Cathedral: On Saturday, Nov. 26, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., in the parish hall of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Saskatoon; Advent Tea and sale of turkey pies (frozen), Christmas baking, crafts and a good visit with friends over a cup of tea! g Christmas Luncheon: Christ Church Anglican at 515 - 28th St., Saskatoon is hosting a Christmas luncheon on Nov. 26; featuring luncheon, a bake sale and a poinsettia sale;
from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Many door prizes and great food. Come and enjoy. g Christmas Tea: St. George’s Anglican, Saskatoon will be holding its annual Christmas Tea on Saturday, Nov. 26, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. g Christmas Day Potluck Dinner: St. George’s Anglican, Saskatoon will be holding its annual Christmas Day community potluck dinner in the parish hall on Dec. 25 from noon to 4:00 p.m. Bring what you can or just come and celebrate with us! g Saskatoon Church Curling League: With fall fast approaching the curling season is, too. The Saskatoon Church Curling League is looking for more interested people to join us every Wednesday evening (October to March) at 8:45 p.m. at the Granite Curling Club for some fun and fellowship. Join us as a regular or spare. Enter a team or come on your own and we will put you on a team. For information or to register please call Glade
Penner at 306-955-1009 or email him at gppenner@ sasktel.net for more information. g The Parish of St. George’s, Saskatoon, Community Coffee House every Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Join them for a warm social time with coffee, tea, toast and some type of baked goods at no charge. The coffee time is followed by a weekly Bible Study from 11:00 a.m. to noon. Both events are in the Parish Hall, 624 Ave. I South. 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 until June. Each Seniors’ Lunch begins at noon. Appointments and Vacancies g Treasurer needed for the cathedral: Vestry at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist is searching for a volunteer treasurer for
St. John’s. Canon 24a of the Diocese of Saskatoon sets out that the “treasurer shall be responsible for maintaining accurate financial records in paper or electronic form, drafting a parish budget, preparing regular and annual financial statements and cooperating with the auditor where required. “In carrying out these responsibilities, the treasurer shall consult with the wardens and the incumbent as required.” The treasurer typically provides monthly reports at the vestry meetings. “There is an additional financial person: a bookkeeper, who has been hired to assist with entering financial transactions and other duties. If you are interested, or have any questions, please contact Lauri Miller, Dean’s Warden, or Michael Gibson, People’s Warden, or Dean Scott. g New deacon at the cathedral: Bishop David will be placing the Rev. Gyllian Davies at St. John’s Cathedral for a period of six months starting in September. Gyllian
was ordained to the diaconate in the Diocese of Kootenay and has been living in Grand Forks, B.C. g New postulant at the cathedral: MarieLouise Ternier-Gommers is a postulant preparing for ministry. Marie-Louise was formally received into the Anglican Church at the Easter Vigil this year and currently resides in Humboldt. She will be at the cathedral from December to February 2017, one day a week and for Sunday liturgies. Deadline To be included in a timely manner, brief notices should be sent to the Associate Editor by e-mail or “snail mail” by the last week of the month, two months before the month in which insertion is desired (for example, December submissions will be in the February issue). Detailed and longer texts of upcoming events will not be included here, but should space allow, could be the subject of article and notices elsewhere in the paper.
The Saskatchewan Anglican
November 2016
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Powell, Whitmore receive Anglican Award of Merit By Archdeacon Malcolm French REGINA – Archbishop Fred Hiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, presented the Anglican Award of Merit to Saskatchewan Court of Appeal Justice Peter Whitmore and former Saskatchewan Provincial Archivist Canon Trevor Powell at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Both men played an important role in the Church’s response to the residential schools issue. Since 1967, the Anglican Award of Merit has recognized individuals “who have made an outstanding contribution over several years to the life and work of the Church nationally and/or internationally.” Justice Peter Whitmore served as chancellor of the Diocese of Qu’Appelle for more than 30 years. Acting initially for the diocese and later for the national church, Justice Whitmore was instrumental in negotiating the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, which led to the creation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. All Canadian dioceses contributed to a fund for
The Primate, Fred Hiltz, (centre), presented the Anglican Award of Merit to former provincial archivist Trevor Powell (left) and Saskatchewan Court of Appeal Justice Peter Whitmore (right), in recognition for their contributions to the Church, particularly for their work on the residential schools issue. Photo by Margaret Ball reconciliation work with survivors of the schools. The agreement prevented a possible string of bankruptcies for smaller dioceses. One Canadian diocese, the
Diocese of Cariboo in British Columbia, had already declared bankruptcy. Canon Trevor Powell has been archivist of the Diocese of Qu’Appelle since 1971 and
of the Ecclesiastical Province of Rupert’s Land since 1988. Under the terms of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, all dioceses were required to
Primate visits cathedral in Regina By Linda Kapasky REGINA – Archbishop Fred Hiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, visited the City of Regina and St. Paul’s Cathedral on Sept. 10 and 11. Dean Michael Sinclair picked up Hiltz at the airport and took him to St. Paul’s Cathedral where the Cathedral Lunch was happening. As soon as the Primate arrived, he got busy handing out bagged lunches and speaking and spending time with the people there. On Sunday after getting the children comfortable with his presence, he spoke with the dean during Kids’ Time. During his sermon, the Primate spoke about the amazing ministry the cathedral offers to the community every second Saturday. He said it was a b e au t i f u l and caring ministry for God. H i lt z
said everyone Hiltz advised that T h e involved, no the bishops need Truth and matter what they Rec onci l i at ion to be apostolic, on C o m m i s s i o n are doing for the ministry, is the front line to report is a call honouring Jesus. teach the gospel for action. They are with compassion, It is the showing those P r i m a t e ’s courage and hope. who come to The hope we will Church the cathedral in create a new needs the House r e l a t i o n s h i p need, that Jesus cares and loves of Bishops to lead with the First the Church in Peoples in this them. Hiltz said its endeavours great land and Jesus is hidden all others who to the people. in the faces, the have come and minds, the hopes settled here and and griefs of those who come call it our home. to us in need. The Primate spoke about Hiltz praised the dean for his time on Saturday with leadership in the church and Bishop Rob Hardwick in bringing the need for an discussing the spiritual inquiry into the murdered growth of the Diocese of and missing aboriginal Qu’Appelle. women and girls to the The Primate also forefront, by ringing bells. discussed the complex place That simple gesture broke the church is in following the silence across the country the General Synod, and the and has an effect. opportunity we have for good, He said this was the most open, healthy and respectful important accomplishment conversation over the next the Church did last year. three years with a view to The Primate reminded ensure that we are inclusive everyone to let our “yes” be of everyone who seeks Jesus “yes,” and when we do say Christ. “yes,” we follow it up with The Primate and the action. bishop also discussed the
House of Bishops and the leadership roles our bishops need to seize. Hiltz advised that the bishops need to be apostolic, on the front line to teach the gospel with compassion, courage and hope. Currently it seems the House of Bishops is a group of managers managing crises. The Church needs the House of Bishops to lead the Church in its endeavours to the people. Hiltz said he values Bishop Hardwick’s mind, heart and voice in the House of Bishop. It is always a note of reason and calm, asking what we can do together in Christ to move this along in a gospel way. Hiltz said it was a joy to be here to honour two outstanding people in the diocesan family, Canon Trevor Powell, archivist for the diocese, and the Honourable Peter Whitmore, former diocesan chancellor. Both have worked hard for the diocese, the national church and across Canada. The Primate said he could see the virtue of patience of God and Christ in both Powell and Whitmore.
provide access to all archival documents pertaining to the church’s involvement with the schools. Canon Powell worked diligently to ensure the Diocese of Qu’Appelle complied with the requirements of the agreement, while provided leadership among diocesan archivists at the national level. He was made a lay canon of St. Paul’s Cathedral in 2013. After the awards were announced this spring, Powell told the Anglican Journal, “I’m thrilled at being selected to receive this national honour. “It’s not often that one has the opportunity to contribute to the work of the church at the diocesan, provincial and national levels.” Whitmore said, “I am honoured just to be considered for this award and know there are many others who have done so much more than I have. “I am most fortunate to have been entrusted to provide assistance to the Diocese of Qu’Appelle and the church over the years and have received much more than I have ever given.” The awards were given Sept. 11.
New building to meet needs of downtown Submitted
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new, fully accessible 6,0 0 0 -square -foot church unit will be constructed for the congregation of All Saints as part of the multi-storey condominium complex in Hamilton, Ont. In August, the derelict church and its associated buildings were demolished to make way for the new facility. The church exterior will be reminiscent of a storefront, showcasing the work of local artists and community partners, but efforts to preserve the heritage of the former church are also being undertaken. The altar, stone font, bell and cornerstones will be incorporated into the new church unit. Steps are also being taken to retain some of the limestone bricks, which will be c a r ve d and sold by a local artist. — Niagara Anglican
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The Saskatchewan Anglican
November 2016
Five members invested into Order of Saskatchewan By Mary Brown PRINCE ALBERT – The Diocese of Saskatchewan has invested five new members into the Order of Saskatchewan at St. Alban’s Cathedral in Prince Albert. Don Becker from St. David’s Parish in Prince Albert is a very humble man who retired from his career as a teacher and become a fulltime volunteer. Don is your typical handyman and can do whatever needs to be done. He also has been a lay reader, synod delegate and vestry chair for St. David’s. Evelyn Burns, from St. Stephen’s Church in James Smith First Nation, attends the James Settee College sessions, is a lay reader for her church, on the Elder’s Council for the diocese and has been a delegate at General Assemblies and synods. Evelyn attended the Gordon Residential School for seven years. This school was one of the worst of the residential schools. She
The five newest members of the Diocese of Saskatchewan's Order of Saskatchewan are backed by recipients previously invested with the order. In front, from left, are Don Becker, Evelyn Burns, Grace Ellis, and Ann and Bob Hryniuk. Photo courtesy Mary Brown works with residential school survivors and encourages them to forgive and put their trust in God. Grace Ellis, from All Saints’ Church in Melfort, has contributed to her church’s life, particularly in music as an organist and choir
'THIS GUY JESUS' Continued from page 2 Jesus says, “If any want to become my followers let them deny themselves, and take up their cross and follow me,” another of His enigmatic, paradoxical saying that forces us to search out its implications. St. Paul described it as “crucifying the flesh with its affections and lusts.” In other words, stop living for yourself and start living for God. Forget what you want and be concerned about what God wants. The reason we deny ourselves is to free us to – like Jesus – live for others. So, who is “this guy Jesus”? The question has been asked since He first walked on Earth, one that each person must answer for themselves. We may come to Him first because we are attracted to one or other of those images. Jesus is good news in any one of them. The news gets better as more of the images come together in sharper focus to form a big picture, as people discover that Jesus is a total experience. The church’s mission is to help people find their own answer to the que s t ion , “J e s u s Christ, who are y o u ? ”
because it’s one that nobody can answer for another. We don’t try to brainwash anyone – Jesus has too much respect for the individual to do that – but we do try to help people find the answer they seek. As we find answers that work for us, we grow, and our own faith is enriched as we share Jesus with others. That is our mission as Christians: to know Christ ourselves and make Him known to others. The cross we carry as followers of the Christ is to bring justice to the oppressed, forgiveness to the sinner, healing to the sick, love to the unloved and unloving. Any evil the world must endure – world hunger, racial or religious prejudice or persecution, inner-city blight, substance abuse, disease of body or mind – form part of the weight of the cross we are to take up. That is the invitation of “this guy Jesus.” * Dean John Anderson (later Bishop of British Columbia) was a chaplain in the Second World War, decorated with the Military Cross after being severely wounded. He was later president of Dom i n ion Command, R o y a l Canadian Legion.
director. Grace is a woman of zeal, faith and kindness. Her adventuresome spirit and perseverance has blessed those who know her. By using the gifts God has provided her, she has been a witness of the Gospel to many. Bob and Ann Hryniuk have belonged to All Saints’ Parish in Leask since 1969. They had moved to Leask from the city to give small town life a try for a year (47 years ago)! Ann was a member of the Dorcas Guild, a Sunday school teacher and treasurer for All Saints’ and the greater parish for more than 25 years. Bob served in the church
from the beginning as chalice bearer, reader, envelope secretary, parish selection committee member and is presently serving his second term on the Diocesan
Executive Committee. It was wonderful to see other members of the Order in attendance for the investiture of the new members. The event was Sept. 14.
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Regina, SK 306 531 6041
The Saskatchewan Anglican
November 2016
A perfect gift for Baptism Give a gift of Hope Bear to someone who is being baptized. Your $20 donation benefits a child in General Synod delegates for Saskatoon
During the Diocese of Saskatoon's 72nd Session of Synod, the delegates for this year’s General Synod gave personal reports on how the synod worked for them and in particular on their reactions to the debates on the Marriage Canon. Representing the diocese were, from left, the Right Reverend David Irving, Bishop of Saskatoon, Chris Wood, the Venerable Ken Watts, executive archdeacon, the Rev. Alex Parsons and Meghan Lofgren. Photo submitted
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The Saskatchewan Anglican
November 2016
In the left picture, from left, Ralph Paragg, Kahesay Woldegiorgis, and his Aunt Aberet at the Regina airport. In the right picture, from left, Mengsteab Zerai with his cousin Yordanos Tesfamariam, at the Regina airport. Yordanos had not seen her cousin since he was a baby, but sponsored him so he could come to Canada about five years after fleeing from Eritrea. Photos courtesy Meweal Eyob/Ralph Paragg
Eritrean refugees reunited with families By Ralph Paragg REGINA – The story of how two refugees came from Eritrea to Regina reads like an adventure story with many tense and terrifying episodes. Both young en were cosponsored by members of their extended families, All Saints Church and the Diocese of Qu’Appelle. Mengsteab Zerai arrived in Regina from Tel Aviv, Israel via Toronto in the spring. Kahesay Woldegiorgis arrived in early summer, also from Tel Aviv via Toronto, almost 10 full years after fleeing Eritrea. Both men were met by aunts and cousins, and by All Saints parishioner Ralph Paragg, volunteer diocesan refugee co-ordinator.
Zerai, now 28, fled from Eritrea on Dec. 12, 2011. He had completed Grade 11 a few years earlier and was forcibly recruited by the military, receiving training for nine months. The army then conscripted him for forced labour under the pretext of national service, which in theory is two years, but in fact can be indefinite until the age of 60. After serving three years in forced labour, mainly as a labourer at a government agriculture farm, he escaped from the authorities and made his way to Sudan, and later into Egypt and Israel via the Sinai Peninsula. He arrived in Tel Aviv on Jan. 9, 2012 where he joined an older brother Kibreab. Now 31, Woldegiorgis fled
from Eritrea in July 2006. While still in secondary school in Mendefera, Eritrea, he was involuntarily recruited to attend a military high school in Sawa, Eritrea. He soon realized this meant indefinite military conscription and a life of forced labour. He escaped from Sawa and fled to neighbouring Sudan, travelling by foot, and arrived at the Sudanese border on July 13, 2006. He asked for asylum and was taken to a neighbouring refugee camp, close to the border. Recognizing the camp had very limited facilities and even less security, he made his way to Khartoum, the capital, in the hope he would be safe from Eritrean security.
Woldegiorgis left Khartoum in July 2008 when the Sudanese authorities began to round up and deport Eritreans. He found smugglers who agreed to take him to Israel by car through the desert (Nubian Desert in Sudan and the Eastern Desert in Egypt) on payment of $3,500 US in cash. His family and friends living abroad raised the money, and after a nervewracking month-long journey, he crossed the border into Israel on Aug. 10, 2008. He sought asylum with the UNHCR, but as the Israeli government does not allow the UNHCR to do refugee status determination, he was only able to get a conditional release document from the Israeli Ministry of the Interior, renewable every three months. The Israeli government no longer issues this document, so Eritrean refugees live in limbo. Zerai and Woldegiorgis, like all non-Jewish refugees in Israel, did not have legal status even when they found jobs, especially in the service sector, where there is a shortage of labour. They, like their fellow refugees from Africa, lived in fear of arrest and deportation. In both their cases, cousins worked to bring them to Canada as refugees, with cosponsorship from All Saints Regina and the diocese. Yor d a no s Tesfamariam ap p r o a c h e d Ralph Paragg to help Zerai,
while Woldegiorgis’s cousin Mewael Eyob did the same. Under the terms of the sponsorship, the sponsoring cousins and their families undertook to provide food, shelter, other settlement assistance and emotional support for at least one year. They also helped the refugees enrol in language classes at the Regina Open Door Society, obtain their Social Insurance Numbers and Saskatchewan Health Cards, and not expose the church and diocese to any financial liability. The family reunions at the Regina airport were similar in many ways. Zerai’s aunt Zege had not seen him in person for more than 25 years. Woldegiorgis’s aunt Abrehet had not seen him since he was a baby. Neither of the cousins had seen each other since the refugees were babies, but they had been able to communicate via email and over the Internet. However, while Woldegiorgis was in the desert detention camp in Holot, (which the Israeli Supreme Court ruled several months ago as illegal to hold detainees for more than 12 months without trial) he was not able to communicate with them. Zerai and Woldegiorgis are adjusting to life in Canada and are waiting for their Permanent Resident Cards. Both are becoming familiar with the city and have obtained their SINs and Saskatchewan Continued on page 9
The Saskatchewan Anglican
November 2016
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Book Review
Canadian Churches and the First World War Edited by Gordon L. Heath Eugene, Oregon: Pickwick Publications, 295p.
Reviewed by Trevor Powell
E
ven though Canadian Churches played an influential role in that “war to end all wars,” very little has been written about the role of religious denominations in that conflict. Edited by Gordon Heath, this collection of essays by religious historians attempts to address that problem. Each chapter highlights the response of various denominations – Anglicans, Baptists, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, Roman Catholics (Englishspeaking and Frenchspeaking), Quakers and Mennonites – to the call to arms, the support or lack thereof for the war and its effect on various aspects of Church life and ministry. The First World War saw Canada engaged in a “total war” that required all citizens commit themselves, whether on the home front or the Western Front, to its execution. That demand would create tensions and
divisions within Canadian Churches along ethnic, linguistic and cultural lines. In the opening chapter, Dr. Heath argues the reaction of the Canadian Protestant and Catholic Churches to the First World War must be viewed within the context of the South African War some 15 years earlier. In that imperial conflict, Protestants had fervently supported the war, whereas Catholic support for the venture had been deeply divided. English-speaking Catholics had supported the war; French-speaking Catholics had not. That same approach played
out again during the First World War: generally English Protestants and English Catholics avidly supported the war and French-speaking Catholics increasingly opposed the war the longer it dragged on. The chapters, which follow Heath’s article, show how most Canadian religious denominations to a greater or lesser extent were committed to the war. For some such as the Anglican, Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian Churches, that support was given with little difficulty. For others such as the Roman Catholic and Lutheran Churches, that support was not so easily forthcoming. Canadian Catholics became so deeply divided as the war progressed and particularly when conscription was introduced that the editor felt that a chapter apiece should be devoted to the divergent positions held by Englishspeaking and Frenchspeaking Roman Catholics. For its part the Lutheran Church was so divided along
ethnic lines – German, Icelandic, Norwegian, Swedish Finnish or Danish – that Lutherans as a whole were viewed with suspicion and treated harshly by their government and fellow citizens. This hostility brought Lutherans together and helped them to develop a truly Canadian identity. For conscientious objectors such as the Quakers and Mennonites or French Roman Catholics opposed to conscription, their stance, judged to be unpatriotic, subjected them to violence and even arrest for their convictions. Essays on the contribution of women to the war effort at home and the ministry of chaplains on the Western Front during the First World War and after round off this volume of essays. For readers of the Saskatchewan Anglican, Melissa Davidson’s, “The Anglican Church and the Great War” will be of particular interest. Around 40 per cent of the Canadian Expeditionary
Force was Anglican. When compared to the overall population, the Anglican Church contributed a disproportionate number of enlisted men to the cause. Davidson discusses the key role Anglican clergy played in promoting and justifying the war effort, in recruiting men for military service, in supporting conscription to continue the war effort and in helping to shape a Canadian identity. However, she has not attempted to address the effect of the war on the Anglican Church of the day, as very little in the way of parochial, diocesan or institutional histories have been written about the war years. Clearly more research needs to be done in this area. This series of essays are most welcome and will add to our knowledge and understanding of the role of Canadian Churches during the First World War. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about this neglected part of our past.
Bible stories come to life at Vacation Bible School By Alice Carpentier ARBORFIELD (Skwn) – It was a “blast to the past” for the children attending Vacation Bible School at the Church of
the Ascension in Arborfield. An average of 28 children attended for the week. They learned about Moses and the burning bush, Rahab rescuing the Israelites and
REFUGEES Continued from page 9 Health Cards. Zerai is attending the Regina Public Library Language Lab each day. He has enrolled for the Adult Grade 12 classes in September and plans to attend the classes in the evening and work during the day. Woldegiorgis is practising English in preparation for language assessment at the Regina Open Door. Zerai’s cousin Michael and aunty are very involved with the Eritrean Church and Zerai takes part weekly on Sunday service and on Saturday with the young adult Bible study. His cousin Yor d a no s is involved with the
African communities and they attended Africa Day 2016 together. In addition, there are several Eritrean neighbours close to the family’s residence and Zerai has plenty of visits. Woldegiorgis is living with his Aunt Abrehet and Uncle Eyob. His cousin Mewael, uncle and aunt are also involved with the Eritrean Church and Woldegiorgis takes part in the weekly Sunday service. He has made several friends in the Eritrean community and looks forward to starting language classes at the Regina Open Door Society, while making friends there as well. All Saints and the diocese extend a hearty welcome to Regina and best wishes for successful resettlement to both young men.
David’s defeat of the giant Goliath. Using music and dance led by Colleen Walton, Bible study led by Alice Carpentier, games led by Dana Edwards and even snacks made by Shawna Bitzer, these biblical standards came to life.
A huge thank you to our helpers Rev. Jeremy Boehr and his wife Jane, Betty Edwards (who has led VBS since 1998), Marge Hainstock, Haley Edwards, and all our junior leaders. VBS is a free program but participants were asked to bring items to
Children at VBS with their craft depiction of the burning bush.
be donated to the Salvation Army food bank. The week ended with a wiener roast lunch that was attended by 60 people including children, parents, grandparents, volunteers and members of the congregation. VBS occurred July 25 to 29.
Photo by Alice Carpenter
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The Saskatchewan Anglican
November 2016
Rev. Doug Brewer dead at age 96 Submitted
Celebrating installations at Emmanuel & St. Chad
In a service of celebration at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Saskatoon, on Sept. 16, the College of Emmanuel & St Chad installed and welcomed the Rev. Dr. Iain Luke as their new principal and acknowledged three faculty members as Professors Emeritus. From left, College Council members the Rev. Dr. Jessica Latshaw, the Right Rev. Michael Hawkins, Bishop of Saskatchewan, and the Very Rev. Michael Sinclair; honorees the Rev. Dr. Bill Richards, the Rev. Dr. Iain Luke, principal, the Rev. Canon Dr. Bill Christensen and the Rev. Canon Dr. Beth Marie Murphy; the Very Rev. Scott Pittendrigh, rector and Dean, and the Right Rev. David Irving, Bishop of Saskatoon and Chancellor of the College of Emmanuel and St. Chad. Photo courtesy James Eaton, Ottawa
Northern witness: Bible study shares stories of northern ministry By Sharon Dewey Hetke
N
orthern Canada has an enduring mystique in the minds of southern Canadians. Images arise of vast treeless tundra, polar bears, exotic foods and the North’s resilient inhabitants: both aboriginal and later explorers. Offsetting that mystique are the reports of grave social problems: youth suicide, hunger and the lack of clean drinking water. But what is life really like, and what is Anglican ministry really like in northern communities? The Council of the North’s new five-session study, titled “Northern Witness,” aims to share stories of northern communities and ministry with the rest of the Church and to show how northern ministry, with all of its particular challenges, is a ministry “of the whole Church, by the whole Church.” Comprising 85 per cent of Canada’s geography and only 15 per cent of its population, all of the Council of the North dioceses face isolation, harsh weather, and sometimes unreliable communications networks.
Add to that the continuing effects of poverty in many areas, and the legacy of the residential school system, you have a very high level of pastoral needs. The Council of the North includes the dioceses of Caledonia, Yukon, Athabasca, Saskatchewan, Brandon, Moosonee, the Arctic, The Territory of the People and the Indigenous Spiritual Ministry of Mishamikoweesh. Study Module No. 2 has a special focus on the work of non-stipendiary priests. Taking as its theme a passage from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, we learn about a husband-and-wife team of non-stipendiary priests on Sagkeeng First Nation, MB. The Reverends Richard and Nancy Bruyere have day jobs, but they also minister tirelessly to the sick and the dying and all those in need in
their community. Richard says, “We get called to Winnipeg and we go pray for people in the hospital and it is challenging...but it’s also very rewarding.” “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us” (2 Cor. 4:7). As Richard and Nancy travel, they carry with them a treasure—the message of God’s love and hope. And they know that God’s surpassing power is working through them. Richard and Nancy’s story is just one of many northern stories that have been chosen in order to inspire fellow Anglicans to intensify their prayers and their support for those who serve in the North. But this Bible Study is designed not only to strengthen southern support for the Council, but to enrich the ministry and faith of
southern parishes using the Study. Archbishop Fred Hiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, has called the Council of the North a “laboratory of experimentation in mission.” At the Council of the North 2015 annual meeting, Hiltz commented that looking across the church at changing patterns of ministry, the church as a whole can point to the Council of the North for its leadership. Indeed, ministry in the Council of the North, in spite of — or perhaps because of — its particular challenges, is marked by: a missionminded approach, ecumenical co-operation, and a spirit of flexibility and innovation. The five sessions are titled, “Mission & Service: Standing in solidarity, seeing lives transformed”; “Seeking the Kingdom: Trust and treasure”; “Removing Barriers: Finding Healing in Jesus”; and “Partnership: Deepening our fellowship in Christ.” To download or order copies of this free resource, visit: hwww.anglican.ca/ c n /r e s o u r c e s c o n m o n t h / orderform/.
MELVILLE (Qu'A) — Rev. Douglas Brewer, long-time priest in the Diocese of Qu’Appelle, died Sept. 11 in Melville. Brewer was born in 1920 in St. Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands. He was ordained deacon in the Diocese of Qu’Appelle in 1956 and priest in 1959. Brewer served in many locations in the diocese: stipendiary lay reader for Pelly, Key Reserve and Kamsack, 1955-56; deaconin-charge, Pelly, 1956-57; priest-in-charge, Canora, and Assistant of Indian Missions with pastoral concern for Key and Fishing Lake Reserves, 1962-70; rector of Parkland Parish (Melville) 1970-73; Melville 1973-77; rector of St. Michael and All Angels, Moose Jaw, 1977-80; rector of Swift Current, 1980-89; priestin-charge of St. Paul/Holy Trinity, Ernfold, 1989 to 2002; and Hodgeville, 1989 to 2009. He also served as rural dean of P e l l y Deanery and later Cypress D e a ner y, honorary c a n o n of the diocese, a n d archdeacon of Swift Current. Brewer is survived by three children, Douglas, John and Katherine; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Dorothy and Margaret. The family said, “Dad will be lovingly remembered for his deep love of his family, his keen sense of humour, abundant generosity, the joy he found spending time with children, and the great joy he found in music and dancing. “He also had a passion for travelling and never missed an opportunity to go on an adventure.” The funeral was Sept. 15 in St. George’s Roman Catholic Church, Assiniboia. Bishop Rob Hardwick officiated at the BCP eucharist, with Rev. David Nevitt as preacher and Rev. Arleen Champion as deacon. Internment was at Quantock, near Rockglen.
The Saskatchewan Anglican
November 2016
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Connecting church community By Bryan Sigurdson REGINA – Connecting Church Community was the first event sponsored by the St. Cuthbert’s regional team. Close to 40 Anglicans from Regina and area gathered for a time of learning, sharing and community building, in the event held at All Saints Church. St. Cuthbert’s archdeaconry encompasses Regina and the surrounding communities of Lumsden and Pense. The day provided the opportunity for parishes in the region to get to know each
other better, share ideas and begin to explore ways to work together. The day began with Morning Prayer, followed by an address by the keynote speaker, Canon Scott Gunn, executive director of Forward Movement. Forward Movement is a ministry of the Episcopal Church focused on inspiring disciples and empowering evangelists. Most Anglicans will be familiar with their flagship publication, the devotional quarterly, Forward Day by Day. Canon Gunn’s address
Anne and John Matheson (seated) with their daughter, Beth, during the farewell luncheon at St. Paul's Cathedral. Photo by Marilyn Hedlund
was entitled, “Moving Out in Challenging Times: Evangelism and Mission in the Church Today.” Gunn challenged us not be complacent but to leave our comfort zones to do things that are scary and may not work. Similar to Christians after the martyrdom of Stephen, we need to scatter to spread the word. We must become disciples, not “habitual Christians.” But first we must put on our own oxygen masks; we must renew our own commitment to Jesus. He warned us not to be dazzled by celebrity or wealth, but rather by the amazing power of the eucharist and the Good News. Canon Gunn told us being a Christian is not about being nice. Jesus was loving, but He wasn’t nice! Jesus challenged people and made them uncomfortable. After lunch, participants were invited to tour God’s Trade Show. Displays from each parish depicted how God is at work in the St. Cuthbert’s region. Ministries and outreach activities included a senior’s program, a Kid’s Club, food for the hungry, public housing and support for the first medical daycare in Canada. The idea was to facilitate sharing of information among parishes in the region, thereby strengthening the
Archdeacon Malcolm French presents Canon Scott Gunn with a piece of Saskatchewan art to thank him for presenting the seminar on Connecting Church Community. Photos by Nigel Salway broader community. Next up, those in attendance chose between two break-out sessions. Extending Community Online, led by Canon Gunn, featured the use of social media, in all its forms and in a positive way, to create church community. In Community Connection, one Regina parish shared its approach to connecting with its neighbourhood community, particularly through the use of the church building. Other parishes related their experiences as well. The day concluded with an open microphone session,
followed by the celebration of the Eucharist. Many thanks were extended to the organizing committee: Kate Berringer, Diane Gingras, Deacon Susan Page and Laura French. After the event, Archdeacon of St. Cuthbert’s, Malcolm French, echoed Canon Gunn’s sentiments. “The Church is in an Acts 8 moment,” said French. “Just as the Church in Jerusalem in the First century had to leave the comfort of the familiar, the Church in the 21st century needs to get out of our comfortable buildings to proclaim the Good News in the world.”
Farewell to the Mathesons By Linda Kapasky REGINA – The Parish of St. Paul’s Cathedral hosted a farewell luncheon for Rev. John and Anne Matheson after the 10:30 service on Sept. 25. About 60 people attended to say goodbye and thank you to both Anne and John for all their work in the Diocese of Qu’Appelle and the Anglican Church of Canada. John Matheson was ordained in April 1957 at St. Aidan, Winnipeg (for the Diocese of Nova Scotia). He was licensed in the Diocese of Qu’Appelle in 1970. He served as incumbent at St. John’s, Moose Jaw (1970 to 1980); rural dean of Moose Jaw (1971 to 1977); incumbent at Holy Trinity, Yorkton (1980 to 1993); rural dean of Pelly Deanery (1981 to 1993); archdeacon of Moose Mountain (1981 to 1993); Canon of Cathedral Chapter (1993); and Honorary Assistant at St. Paul’s Cathedral (1994 to present). Dean Michael Sinclair thanked Rev. Matheson for his many years of service to Christ and to the diocese. The Dean said he really appreciated his guidance and assistance. Sinclair said although both Anne and John will be missed, he wished them both many good memories in their new home in Saskatoon. The Mathesons were presented with a bouquet of flowers, chocolates and a book of remembrance that included photos and handwritten notes of thanksgiving from the parish.
Rod Ashley (centre) discusses parish activities at St. Philip’s with (l) Terry Page of St. Luke’s and Pat Hall of All Saints, during “God’s Trade Show,” which was part of the Connecting Church Community event.
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The Saskatchewan Anglican
November 2016
Murray Wright, chaplain to Fire and Protective Services By Joanne Shurvin-Martin R EGINA – Rev. Murray Wright knows the work, f irst-hand, of the men and women he serves as chaplain. In April, Wright was appointed chaplain to Reg ina F ire and Protective Services. Before becoming a fulltime teacher, Wright served on the f ire departments of Melville and Pilot Butte, and worked in oil and gas f ields as a f iref ighter and paramedic. Of his new role as chaplain he says, “The best part of being a F ire Chaplain is to be part of an organization whose aim is to serve the citizens of Reg ina and surrounding community. “I am very proud to serve those who serve.” Wright says his primary goal for his f irst year is to get to know the crews. He has been visiting the f ire halls, headquarters and training areas, bring ing homemade cookies and enjoying the company of the staf f. Sometimes he brings along his four-year-old daughter, Natiana, who helps eat the cookies! Reg ina F ire and Protective Services has a chaplaincy prog ram
Rev. Murray Wright (second from right) and his daughter (standing on the fire truck bumper) pose with a platoon in Fire Hall Three. Photo contributed “because of the major risks and constant stresses faced by RF PS personnel in the line of duty,” according to an RF PS policy document. The prog ram is not intended to replace any employee’s personal faith, but seeks to support members in professions with special risks or needs. The chaplain’s duties include visiting all f ire stations and platoons,
visiting personnel and their family members who are hospitalized, conducting funerals if requested, and participating in ceremonies, retirement banquets and the like. The chaplain supports the Critical Incident Stress Management Team, while is on call 24 hours a day for sudden emergencies. In his day job, Wright teaches at Rif fel High School in Reg ina.
This year he is teaching a new course called Emergency Services, for which he wrote the curriculum. He teaches about f iref ighting, police services, search and rescue, and paramedicine. It is a survey course that exposes students to the various services so they can make an informed decision if they want to enter a career in one of the
disciplines. “A lso, for the f irst time I have students with mental and physical limitations,” says Wright. “I am very excited for this opportunity. Wright was ordained deacon in 2 013 and priested in October 2 014. He was priest-in-charge of St. Matthew’s, Reg ina, until he became a fulltime teacher and the f ire chaplain.
DIOCESE OF QU’APPELLE
Clergy moves and news Clergy on the move g Rev. Chris Dowdeswell has accepted an interim ministry position as incumbent at St. Stephen’s, Swift Current. Chris, his wife Krista (an ordained deacon) and their children come to Qu’Appelle from Edmonton. Dowdeswell officially began his parish ministry on Nov. 1. g Archdeacon Malcolm French and his wife Jan Cowie have received their
Locally Raised Clergy Fall Workshop
In early September students of the Diocese of Saskatoon’s Locally Raised Clergy Program attended a three-day workshop at St. Peter’s Abbey and Conference Centre, Muenster. The subject for this workshop was “Pastoral Care;” the guest instructor was the Rev. Dr. Jessica Latshaw, the diocesan hospital chaplain. The Right Rev. David Irving, Bishop of Saskatoon, attended the final day of the workshop to preside at the closing Eucharist and to have oneon-one time individually with each of the students. Present for the weekend were, in back from left, the Rev. Dr. Jessica Latshaw, hospital chaplain, the Rev. Shawn Sanford Beck, diocesan training officer, Peter Coolen, and the Rev. Jan Trost. In front, from left, are Denise McCafferty, Murial Foster and Sheldon Carr. Missing is Alvena Orysczyn. Photo courtesy Peter Coolen
visas, clearing the way for their move to New Zealand where Malcolm will begin his incumbency at St. Andrew’s, Cambridge. g Christmas Tea and Bazaar St. Matthew’s ACW invites you to their Tea and Bazaar, Saturday, Dec. 3 from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m., at 2161 Winnipeg Street, Regina. Enjoy afternoon tea and coffee, and shop for Christmas baking, jam and marmalade, crafts, jewelry, books and more.
DIOCESE OF SASKATCHEWAN
Camp Okema AGM PRINCE ALBERT – Please join us at our annual general meeting as we review the past year at Camp Okema, make plans for the future and elect board members. All are welcome! Where: Christ Church, Saskatoon, 515 28th St. W. Date: Saturday, Nov. 19, 1:00 p.m.