Saskatchewan The newspaper of the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle • A Section of the Anglican Journal • November 2017 www.facebook.com/thesaskatchewananglican
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New discipleship choices available in Saskatoon Submitted
Taking it to the streets
Taking a page from Lucy in Charles Schultz’s Peanuts comic strip, the Rev. Mark Kleiner, incumbent of Christ Church Anglican, Saskatoon set up a booth on the sidewalk outside of the church this summer to offer spiritual help and a cool glass of lemonade to passersby for five cents. The booth was a great success and Mark plans to continue his initiative into the fall and winter (perhaps with hot chocolate rather than lemonade!). Photo contributed
SASKATOON – The Diocese of Saskatoon is announcing the creation of St. Brigid’s School of Discipleship. Following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ in our day and age is no easy task; we all do our best, but sometimes we can use some mentoring and support. St. Brigid’s offers short, practical and accessible classes designed for all levels of Christian discipleship, from “testing the waters,” to lay readers’ training, to our locally trained clergy program for deacons and priests. We also provide diocesanwide rites of passage preparation courses, advanced spiritual care training and theological reflection, and continuing education events for clergy. At St. Brigid’s, we know Bible reading, spiritual formation and a growing appreciation of our Christian (Anglican and ecumenical) traditions are foundational pillars for the transformative work of discipleship. St. Brigid’s provides training for local church
renewal, by our local church. We use our in-house talent and resources by recruiting diocesan clergy and lay specialists as faculty for our courses, in a peer leadership philosophy of Christian education. St. Brigid’s is a school without walls. By offering classes for discipleship training in parishes throughout our three deaneries, we cut down on commuting and bring the school to you instead. St. Brigid’s is dedicated to prayer and worship. We are committed to worshipping together by giving thanks to God our Creator, listening for the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and looking for ways to serve Christ in our communities. At St. Brigid’s we know being a disciple of Jesus will probably cost you your life, but tuition shouldn’t. Our courses and services are free of charge, sponsored by the diocese. For more information, please email the Rev. Canon Shawn Sanford Beck at greenpriest@hotmail.ca or call the diocesan synod office at 306-244-5651.
African visitors tour farms, learn about Prairie agriculture By Phyllis Armstrong and Rev. Trish McCarthy WHITEWOOD (Qu’A) – Two visitors from the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA) learned about rural life in Saskatchewan on Sept. 22 when they visited in the Whitewood and Moosomin area. They toured a grain farm and a ranch, and learned about soil and water conservation methods. Lunch was served in St. Mary’s parish hall, with most of the food – hamburgers, potatoes, tomatoes and onions – grown on parishioners’ farms. Canon Grace Kaiso, general secretary of CAPA, and Elizabeth Gichovi, administration and
finance officer, along with Canon Kawuki Mukasa, global relations officer (Africa) of the Anglican Church of Canada, arrived in Whitewood in late morning. They spent a short time discussing the church building and the congregation itself. The local people described the challenges of maintaining a church with limited human resources. They also spoke of outreach in the community to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ and let others know about God’s love for them. The CAPA reps visited Ted and Hertha Briggs’ grain farm, where they were able to see the equipment used and the grain storage buildings. Continued on page 4
Canon Grace Kaiso (left) looks through an agriculture magazine while Elizabeth Gichovi chats with Ernie Briggs, a parishioner of St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Whitewood, who farms in the area. Photo by Elaine Ashfield, Grasslands News
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The Saskatchewan Anglican
November 2017
God's love is downright scandalous What is your favourite Jesus parable and why? By the Rev. Shawn Sanford Beck Education and Training Officer, Diocese of Saskatoon
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hat is your favourite parable, and why? Wow, what a hard question! There are so many jewels of absolute wisdom among these teaching tales of Jesus. He was a master storyteller, while our faith would be much weaker without the parables to enliven it. So, I have a lot of favourites, don’t you? But if you push me on it, I would have to name the parable of the Prodigal Son (or, as some might call it, the parable of the Scandalous Father!). Who can resist the sheer excellence of a story like this one? You remember it, of course: the young brother demands his inheritance early (which is an insult to the father; sort of like telling him he should get on with it and die already). The father hands over the cash and the son goes out and gets prodigal: spends the whole shebang on whiskey and women, and ends up in a pigpen (not a great place for a kosher Jewish boy). In the swill of the moment, he comes to himself, and decides to head home and throw himself on his father’s good graces. Better to be a slave in the house of his dad than die in the midst
A painting depicting the return of the Prodigal Son, by Hans Peter Feddersen/WikiCommons. of the muck. You know the rest of the story, right? Luke 15: 11-32, it’s the best yarn of the bunch. But I didn’t always feel that way. It took me a while to warm up to this story. I know I have a reputation as a rebel and an envelope-pusher, but the reality is I’m really a bit of a prude. I like clear guidelines, strong boundaries and everyone playing by the rules. Innovation generally makes me nervous, while outright rebellion gives me hives. In short, like many clergy (and many
Christians!), I’m an “elder child” in the parable. I’m the older brother who sulks around at the end of the story, whining about how unfair it all is. That sordid little brat broke my father’s heart, and now he gets a party? Really? For those of us who yearn for fairness in life, this parable is a grain of sand in the eye. But in the end, it becomes our salvation. If we spend time with that older brother in the story, we can begin to feel for him. We can also see clearly how deeply he is trapped in his own internal pigpen
of rule-worshipping and resentment. Is that us as well? Do we need the amazing grace of the Father to remind us we are also deeply loved, that we can join the party any time we want, utterly apart from how well we keep the rules? This is truly a scandal, an affront to our pride and self-righteousness – which is basically the point of the parable. God’s love is prodigious, undignified, and downright scandalous. That is the nature of divine grace, flooding over saint and sinner alike. Amazing grace! On a side note, I’ve always thought that there was someone missing from this parable though. God doesn’t just wait for us at the gate, watching piteously for our return. God goes out to find us. This makes me think there is a sister in this story, or perhaps even a Mother, who has left the comforts of home to follow that young prodigal into the far country. She has tracked him through thick and thin, until his trail of iniquity led him to the bottom of the barrel. There, She embraced him, and reminded him of his father’s mercy and helped him to come to himself, and return home. I think She was there, even though the parable didn’t mention Her. I also suspect She is out there still, searching high and searching low, searching for you, searching for me, prodigals one and all.
Reconciliation possible through self-giving love By Archdeacon Norbert Haukenfrers, D.Min
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don’t do broken relationships well. Perhaps you don’t do broken relationships well either. Perhaps, the pain, the loss, and the ugliness is still fresh and vivid. Once a relationship is broken, it is easier to move on to the next, than to reconcile. It doesn’t seem to matter if I’m the one needing forgiveness, the one seeking forgiveness, or the one offering forgiveness. I’d rather move on to something new, than address the wounds of a broken relationship. We are broken and divided in the very parts of ourselves where we desire union and relationship. It is this brokenness that drives us to seek out something, anything, to ease the pain.
Maybe it’s a familiar distraction, something to dull the pain, or the convenient favourite, denial; anything to avoid the bandage being torn off the wound. Keeping things hidden, covered and ignored, blocks the fresh wind of the Spirit that seeks to tend our wounds. Despite the awkwardness of vulnerability and pain of exposing our wounds, we yearn for healing. We yearn to be loved and to feel whole, even as we cannot yet imagine. Even the desire for reconciliation is beyond us. Thankfully, our wounded selves are not limited to what we can envision. We are made for relationships and yet, we are broken, incapable, and incompetent when it comes to living in relationship. We live and love in the wake of
our own brokenness. Yet, God uses broken things. The mystery of the Gospel is that by the wounds of Jesus we are made whole. In the wounds of Christ we are reconciled. In historical Christian theology, health and wholeness find their source in the wounds of Jesus. This Jesus, whose body was whipped, torn, nailed and pierced, gave Himself. This is the heartbreak of Calvary. It is this act of self-giving love that makes reconciliation with God and each other possible. For in the cross we find our own brokenness redeemed, not ignored or brushed under the rug, but redeemed. Our weakness becomes strength through Christ. In the wounds of Jesus we witness a love freely given. Reconciliation is not a question of Continued on page 3
Published by the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle. Published monthly except for July and August. Whole No. 292, Vol. 46, 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 January issue must be received by the diocesan editor no later than Friday, Nov. 3. 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 Advertising agent: Angela Rush saskatchewan.anglican.ads@ gmail.com 905-630-0390 PUBLISHING DETAILS Published from 59 Roberts Place Regina, Sask., S4T 6K5
The Saskatchewan Anglican
November 2017
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In a tough world, put your hope in God By Bishop Rob Hardwick
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t this All Souls tide, words from the Psalmist (Psalms 42 and 43) strike home. Why are you cast down, O my soul? Why so disquieted within me? Well, for one thing, it can be a depressing world out there. You pick up a paper or turn on the morning news and you often encounter death, disaster, pain, crisis, misery and despair. Whether the stories are of wars, earthquakes, hurricanes, terrorist attacks, senseless shootings, layoffs, or those private, personal stories of ours that never come to public attention, life can be tough. It is a tough world out there and it’s a tough world in here! Why are you cast down, O my soul? Why so disquieted within me? Three times in these two psalms we find these questions address our souls too. For the psalmist, his is a lament of someone who for some reason feels cut off from God: As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? The poet’s “thirst for God” is more than simply a desire, because as we well know, we
do not live without water. For the psalmist God is a necessity of life. Ever felt that way? Most of us have. The grief is exacerbated by the taunts of Where is your God? which, in the psalm comes from external sources, but in our lives is a question that may well have passed from our own lips. In the midst of death, disaster, pain, misery, despair, “where are you, God?” What makes the moment all the more painful for the psalmist is the memory of days when the opposite was true. He recalls a time when he was not alone, but was part of a crowd on its way to experience God’s intimate nearness in the Jerusalem Temple. These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng. But that was then and this is now. Now all he hears is the sound of his own pain: Why have you
forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy? My bones suffer mortal agony. There are also those relentless taunts again: Where is your God? But then, from the depths of the tortured psyche, something wells up, and the rhetorical question, Why are you cast down, O my soul? Why so disquieted within me? is answered: Put your hope in God; for I will yet praise him, my saviour and my God. Three times in just a few verses, not only is the question repeated, so is the answer. Despair and hope co-exist. They did in Jesus. We heard it in His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane: My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will. The message is simple enough: even though the day’s news may be depressing, at the end of the day, what gets us beyond despair is the fact the day’s news is not the end of the story. It was not for Jesus; it is not for you; it is not for me. Put your hope in God. Like love, hope is an act of the will. The decision to hope is also based upon what you believe at the deepest levels. Your most basic convictions about the world and what the future holds are based on faith. We choose hope, not as a naive wish, but as a choice, with our eyes open to the reality of the world... . All of us here live with a reality. It is often a reality with much pain, and one we all face, such
as the loss of a loved one or loved ones. Do not lose hope. When the psalmist’s question rises within him, Why are you cast down, O my soul? Why so disquieted within me? his response is, Put your hope in God because He knows there is more to His story than this reality. Horatio G. Spafford, a successful Chicago lawyer, lost most of his wealth in the financial crisis of 1873. He sent his wife and four daughters to France but on their way, their ship was struck by another, and sank. Mrs. Spafford survived, but their four daughters, along with 83 others, perished. She telegraphed her husband: “Saved alone. Children lost. What shall I do?” In the depth of their bereavement, Horatio wrote his one and only hymn, a hymn that has brought hope to many, a hymn that has broken through and spoken to me on some of my darkest days: When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrow like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, “It is well, it is well with my soul. Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, no matter how downcast or disturbed my soul ever gets, as it does! It does for all of us. I know there is more. Resurrection beckons. Alleluia!
... reconciliation possible through self-giving love Continued from page 2 sacrifice but a reality of the love of God made possible in Jesus, a love that reached out while we are were sinners (Romans 5:8-9). It is a love for broken and hurting persons that attends to the work reconciliation. As Brad Jersak states, “Because of Jesus we know … God wins through love, so the kingdom of God persuades by witness, rhetoric, compassion, Spirit and, if need be, by martyrdom, but never by force ”(A More Christlike God, 135). Jesus doesn’t remain in the grave, dead. He rises to a new life, resurrected. This resurrection is not just something that happened 2,000 years ago. Neither is resurrection simply an event to which we look forward. The mind-breaking reality is the power of the resurrection is an ongoing event happening today,
Christian reconciliation is life giving, relationship restoring, beautiful work that finds its source in the cross of Jesus, where Christ’s sacrifice is defined by a selfgiving love that gives all to restore relationship. as dead relationships are brought to life, re-storied. It is in the resurrection of Jesus Christ that broken relationships are reconciled to once again become a living, loving reality.In this broken world we are challenged to be reconciled with everyone, as much as it depends on us to live at peace with each other.
We acknowledge there will be denials of a need for reconciliation and times when reconciliation isn’t desired. For followers of Jesus, reconciliation is foundational to who we are. God, in His mercy, reconciled us to Himself. We have been given the role of ambassadors of God’s reconciliation, bringing peace to our neighbours. As ambassadors of reconciliation, our desire, fanned by the Spirit, is for all people to be reconciled to God and to one another. We are to do all that we can to live at peace with everyone, yes, everyone (Romans 12:18). That is what makes Christian reconciliation different in our broken and hurting neighbourhoods. We have a Saviour who not only understands our pain but carried our pain and the pain of the world, so we could live in restored relationship with him and
each other. Jesus summarized this expectation of His followers in two simple phrases: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbour as yourself. For in loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and loving our neighbours as ourselves, we have the strategy for our lives. The tactics we use to implement that strategy is in our role as ambassadors of reconciliation, working to reconcile men and women to God and to each other. As ambassadors of reconciliation, we also embody this desire in our relationships. Christian reconciliation is life giving, relationship restoring, beautiful work that finds its source in the cross of Jesus, where Christ’s sacrifice is defined by a self-giving love that gives all to restore relationship.
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The Saskatchewan Anglican
November 2017
African group helps parishes with community needs By Joanne Shurvin-Martin REGINA – Canon Grace Kaiso, general secretary of the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA), and Elizabeth Gichovi, administration and finance officer, spent a few days in Saskatchewan on their Canadian tour. They had previously visited the dioceses of Niagara and Edmonton, and later travelled to Winnipeg in the Diocese of Rupert’s Land. Canon Kawuki Mukasa, global relations officer (Africa) of the Anglican Church of Canada, accompanied them. Kaiso and Gichovi spent the afternoon of Sept. 21 at the Synod Office in Regina. The next day they drove to Whitewood and toured two farms in the area. Kaiso explained to Synod Office staff that the continent of Africa has 13 Anglican Provinces, plus one diocese (Egypt,
which is part of the Province of the Middle East and Jerusalem). Some of the ecclesiastical provinces are national, others encompass several countries. The CAPA mission is printed on the back of Kaiso’s business card:
CAPA’s mission is to effectively co-ordinate and provide a platform for the Anglican Church in Africa to celebrate life, consult and address challenges in the continent in order to fulfil God’s promise for an abundant life through fellowship/
partnerships, capacity building and promotion of good governance and social development. Gichovi showed a short PowerPoint presentation on the history and recent work of the organization. Primates of the ecclesiastical provinces
formed CAPA in 1979. They realized although there was great diversity, they shared many of the same challenges. They formed the council to be a framework to share fellowship and to work on these shared challenges. Continued on page 5
... African visitors tour farms, learn about ag Continued from page 1 At the parish hall, Gichovi gave a talk about their work and the reason for their trip to Canada. Kaiso talked about the concerns in their communities and how to enable their people to better market their produce. He talked about a normal Sunday in their church with three services; in the morning there would be a Eucharistic service, followed by a youth service with music and dancing as part of the worship, and then a family service with the children taking part in Sunday school and worship. The group of 18 also discussed the roles Plan International and PWRDF play in Africa.
The gathering ended with prayer led by Kaiso. The delegation then drove a short distance east to see Scott Mannle’s Polled Hereford operation. Visiting the ranch gave an understanding of the two types of farming operations in the Diocese of Qu’Appelle. One reason for their tour across Canada was to look at the Canadian agricultural industry with the hope of developing and improving farming production in Africa. In Moosomin, Rev. Trish McCarthy and parishioner Sheilagh Garrett hosted a meal in St. Alban’s church hall. They informally discussed what the African visitors had gleaned from visiting farms
earlier that day. Garrett talked about holistic farming and range methods used by her family for many years. Art Howell (McCarthy’s husband) described the past development work of the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration. This federal agency assisted agricultural development for almost a century, through advice on shelter belts, soil, and water; supplying shrubs and trees for shelter belts; and range management. Howell shared his experience and knowledge as a soil and water technician. Kaiso and Gichovi were visibly moved by the hospitality of the Anglican community in both areas.
DIOCESE OF SASKATOON
Announcements for November 2017 g 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 Cathedral Advent Tea and Bake Sale: The cathedral’s annual Advent Tea and Bake Sale will be held in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist’s Parish Hall on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Featuring afternoon tea, turkey pies (frozen), Christmas baking, crafts and a good visit with friends over a cup of tea. g St. Stephen’s Church Poinsettia Tea, Craft and Bake Sale: St. Stephen’s will be holding its annual sale of Christmas crafts and baking and a lunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Nov. 18, at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, 10 Grosvenor Cres., Saskatoon. Admission is free. g Christ Church Advent Lunch and Bake Sale: The Christ Church, Saskatoon ACW presents Joys of the Season, its annual festive luncheon, bake sale, poinsettia sale and turkey pie sale on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. As always there will be door prizes and a great social time. Get your friends together and come to Christ Church Anglican, 515 28th St. West, Saskatoon. g St. George’s Advent Tea and Bake Sale: St. George’s, Saskatoon will hold its annual
advent tea and bake sale on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., 624 Ave I South, Saskatoon. g Interchurch Health Ministries (ICHM) Fundraising Dinner and Silent Auction: ICHM Saskatchewan is the local organization that provides training and support for parish nurses who work in our congregations and communities to nurture healing in body, mind, and spirit. You are invited to attend a fundraising dinner to support this vital ministry on Sunday, Nov. 19, 5:30 p.m. Reception is 6 p.m., Dinner at Luther Tower (1223 Temperance Street, Saskatoon). Get a free ticket by contacting Renita at 306-664-0315 or rfalkenstein@lutercare.com. The evening will include an opportunity to support ICHM through a donation and a silent auction. g The College of Emmanuel and St. Chad 2017 Martin Memorial Lectures: The College of Emmanuel & St. Chad would like to invite you to attend the 2017 Martin Memorial Lectures Nov. 8 and 9, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and Nov. 10 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The lecturer is the Rev. Ray Aldred, director of indigenous studies at Vancouver School of Theology. The title is Turning Back Toward a Shared Story. There will be workshops, midday services and compline held as
well. Thanks to the generosity of those who established the Bishop Henry David Martin Memorial Trust, this lecture series is a free event. Please visit our website for more details at http://www.usask. ca/stu/emmanuel. g Emmanuel & St. Chad Occasional Course Offerings: Courses for the January class and winter term (students who wish to audit courses are welcome) include Introduction to Early Christian Scriptures; Pastoral Care in Congregational Context; Gospel of Mark; Theology of Paul; Theology of Work and Money. For further information, please contact the registrar at Emmanuel & St. Chad at esc.registrar@usask.ca or phone 306-975-1550. g St. Bridget’s School of Discipleship; New Opportunities for Discipleship Training in Saskatoon: The Anglican Diocese of Saskatoon is pleased to announce the creation of St. Brigid’s School of Discipleship. See notice elsewhere in this issue. g Native Ministry in Saskatoon: St. George’s Anglican Church (624 Ave. I South) provides a monthly Anglican Native Ministry Service. The service is held in the church hall at 1 p.m. with soup and bannock then at 2 p.m. a Eucharist and sharing circle that is led by Rev. Denise McCafferty and others.
“We look forward to feasting and saying prayers with you to our Lord and Creator; please notify your friends and family and plan to attend.” 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. g Community Coffee House: The Parish of St. George’s, Saskatoon holds its weekly Coffee House and Bible Study every Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Join them for a warm social time with coffee, tea and baked goods at no charge from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and the weekly Bible Study from 11:00 a.m. to noon. All events are in the Parish Hall, 624 Ave. I South. 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
... African group meets needs Continued from page 4 At first, only the Primates met, but now clergy and lay representatives of the provinces gather and work together. The CAPA Council of bishops, clergy and lay representatives meets every four years. The most recent Bishop’s Conference was a gathering of 410 bishops. Kaiso spoke of the wide diversity among Anglicans in Africa and explained this stems from continent’s colonization by many powers (English, French, Belgian, Dutch, Portuguese, etc.); of course, the many indigenous cultures too. Languages and churchmanship also vary. CAPA is active in many fields, including training and orientation for new bishops, leadership training, helping parishes respond to community needs and outreach, environment and mitigating climate change, conservation farming and
“People-to-people engagement is what is needed, and only the churches can do that.” food security. On the subject of food security, Kaiso and Gichovi were very impressed to see grain bins/granaries while driving through the province. They are excited to take this idea back to Africa. Not only would this help ensure food security, but when there is a bumper crop and prices drop due to over-supply, farmers could keep their harvest to sell when prices improve. CAPA is also developing investment opportunities, both for the church in Africa, and for Anglicans to invest in church projects to earn income and strengthen the capacity of the Church to
do mission. Kaiso stressed this is quite different from donating to the church. Churches in Africa are investigating how best to use land bequeathed to them. They have begun building guest houses and secondary schools. They are used as church resources and are sources of income for the church. Microfinancing is another important development tool. African churches are actively engaged in peace building, especially in South Sudan, Somalia and Burundi. “People-to-people engagement is what is needed, and only the churches can do that,” said Kaiso, and he pointed out these are ecumenical efforts. Kaiso and Gichovi are building relationships with the Church in Canada and also hope to attract investments from Canadians.
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November 2017
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DIOCESE OF SASKATOON
New PWRDF resources available for Advent
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s Advent approaches, PWRDF is offering a ref lective resource to help deepen your experience of the season, plus, connect you with the ongoing work of the Spirit in the wider world. This year the resource
has been once again prepared by the Rev. Canon Shawn Sanford Beck, education and training officer for the Diocese of Saskatoon. To sign up for daily devotions to be sent straight to your email inbox, go to http://pwrdf. org/resources/seasonal/.
DIOCESE OF SASKATCHEWAN
Send us your stories and pictures! W e need your submissions: articles and photos. Let's share the good news of activities in our diocese. Please let us know about special happenings at your Church.
Send the information as soon as possible, so we can submit it for the next issue while the news is new. We can help you with writing your articles. Contact us at linda.munden@sasktel.net or 306-769-8339.
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The Saskatchewan Anglican
November 2017
Remembering the Ang Edited by Jason Antonio With files from Trevor Powell
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travelled to Europe this past April for my second pilgrimage of remembrance. The highlight was attending the 100th anniversary ceremony of the Battle of Vimy Ridge in France in the First World War. Before I left, I asked Canon Trevor Powell, Diocese of Qu’Appelle archivist, to research names of Anglican boys in Saskatchewan who fought at the Battle of Vimy Ridge. If they died there, I would find their names on the Vimy Ridge monument. Powell found several men who died at Vimy
Ridge and whose names are on the monument, including Oswald William Roland Pritchard, from Raymore; Thomas Troughton, of Rosetown; Albert Colman, of Regina; and Lorne Hamilton Salley, of Stoughton. Unfortunately, due to the tight security around the monument on April 9, no one could get on it, so I couldn’t get pictures of the names of these young men. Powell also found the name of Arthur Mould from Craik. His name is on the Menin Gate memorial in the city of Ypres, which was in the thick of major fighting the entire war. I was very excited when I found his name and snapped a photo. This article about
A poppy grows out of the ground in northern France at one of the many Commonwealth War Graves Cemeteries. Photo by Jason Antonio
Mould, his friend Reginald (Nick) Nicholson and the Town of Craik came from information Powell researched using archival issues of the Craik Weekly News. ** ** ** Britain declared war on Germany on August 4, 1914. As citizens of the British Empire, Canadians were willing to sacrifice their lives for the ideals and institutions that governed their way of life. The people of Craik were caught up in this patriotic enthusiasm. The Craik Weekly News reported a large crowd attended an open-air gathering at the corner of Main and Railway Streets on Sunday, Aug. 16 for prayers. Led by the clergy from the Anglican, Methodist and Presbyterian churches, they prayed for the Craik lads going to war, a just conclusion to the European conflict and peace for the world. Arthur Mould, an Imperial Oil Company agent, and Reginald (Nick) Nicholson, a Royal Bank ledger keeper, were the first to enlist from Craik. Mould was also centre forward for the local futbol (soccer) team and one of their star players. Mould and Nicholson passed their medicals, joined the Western Frontiersmen and received orders to leave at any time. The railway depot platform was crowded with residents who came to say goodbye. Due to their previous military experience, both men selected for a posting to the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry regiment. The Craik paper published a letter it received from Nicholson. He and Mould arrived on Salisbury Plain in England for advanced training prior to moving to France. Of his experiences there, Nicholson wrote, “We are now settled in camp … with the rest of the (first) contingent and we are being drilled hard to get us in shape. We may be here for a few months or we go to the front in a few weeks. It all depends on what Lord Kitchener thinks of us. We were inspected by Lord Roberts last Sunday. The
Former Craik resident Arthur Mould's name — Mould A. — i along with 54,896 other British and Commonwealth troops w War and have no known graves. The memorial was unveiled this photo while on his second pilgrimage of remembrance to
During the managing editor's previous pilgrimage of remem of St. Paul's Church (now Cathedral) Harry Baldwin's (above not fight at Vimy Ridge, Baldwin's name was still added to th found. This picture of Baldwin was only found this year. The Baldwin fought and died in 1915. day was disagreeable and we had to stand out in the rain for about two hours – quite a change after being used to the dry Canadian air.” With the deployment of Canadian troops to the trenches in 1915, their fighting prowess on the battlefield drew praise from the Imperial War Command. In February 1915 Private Arthur Mould, of the Princess Pats, found himself in the trenches dodging German bullets and shellfire. Arthur wrote to a
friend, “Thanks for the advice of keeping under cover, etc., but I am pleased to tell you … that by this time I have learned the art of ducking and keeping covered pretty good. As you say, a fellow has to if he wants to return with a whole skin.” Of life in the trenches, Mould reported he and his comrades in arms “have been up to our knees in mud and water each time except the last when we happened to strike a dry trench.” In his opinion, the greatest danger lay in
The Saskatchewan Anglican
November 2017
7
glican boys from Craik
is engraved on the Menin Gate memorial in Ypres, Belgium, who were killed in the Ypres Salient during the First World on July 24, 1927. Managing editor Jason Antonio snapped o Europe last April. Photo by Jason Antonio
mbrance to Europe, he found Reginan and former parishioner e left) name on the Vimy Ridge monument. Although he did he monument since he died in the area and his body never e picture above right shows the village of Courcelette, where Photos by VAC/Jason Antonio relieving another regiment on the firing line. “You see the German snipers are so active, numerous and accurate and steal right up to our trenches and up to the roads over which we have to travel. … A battalion has to run the ‘Sniper’s Gauntlet’ for at least a mile or so with the beggars potting at you.” Sadly, Arthur Mould was killed in action at Ypres on May 9, 1915. Shortly after mail call, he and three others went off to look at the town ruins, when an artillery shell
caught them. Mould was mortally wounded. He and another were brought back to the trenches to wait for the ambulance, but both died before it arrived. Despite the drop in male attendance (due to enlistment), churches and other organizations continued to thrive. A day of Solemn Intercession was held at St. Agnes’ Anglican Church in Craik on the Aug. 6, 1915 to mark the first anniversary of War being declared. Since Canadian troops
were actively engaged in the fighting in France, that seemingly far-away conflict was brought closer to home with the statement of casualties of soldiers who enlisted from Craik and district. Some suffered horrible wounds to their body or mind, or were missing in action; others paid the supreme sacrifice to never come home. Their sacrifice on the battlefields of France brought even greater pressure from within the community for others to enlist. Craik and district contributed even more fathers and sons to the 68th Battalion and the 195th (City of Regina) Battalion (both now perpetuated in the Royal Regina Rifles) being brought up to strength before deployment overseas. It was said of this latest draft, “They are a fine bunch of young men and it goes without saying that they make good soldiers.” At the Front, the Craik Bunch as they styled themselves tried to meet up with each other regularly and exchanged news and comforts sent from home. As time passed, however, their number dwindled. Nicholson, pal of the late Arthur Mould, convalescing in hospital from wounds and rheumatic fever, wrote to a friend back home, “… after some of these terrible fights, not many of the original bunch of fellows were left alive.” With the war gradually drawing to a close in 1918, Canadians started thinking about the wounded returning home and after the war, the demobilized soldier. Often, the pages of the Craik Weekly News reported the occasional neglect of these men in larger centres. In Craik, the Returned Soldiers Welcome League was established in 1919 to try and meet the returning men to make their transition to civilian life easier. The greatest test for Canadians, however, was not the undertaking of the war; it would be when peace was declared. There is an old adage that quite nicely illustrates this point: “God and soldiers men adore, in times of war,
but not before; when peace returns and things are righted, God is forgot and soldiers slighted.” Political and religious leaders called upon Canadians to be ready to support returning soldiers and their families. In Craik, various civic groups and organizations worked to raise money for the war effort. It was now time for them to raise money to win the peace. More than four years after it started “the war to end all wars” ended on Nov. 11, 1918. News of the Armistice swiftly flew across the wires to the citizens of Craik on a Monday morning. The Craik Weekly News reported the following on
its front page: “Enthusiasm broke loose in great bunches … when the glad news was received here that Germany had signed the Armistice. The event was celebrated more or less throughout the entire day and a civic halfholiday was declared by Mayor Wilson.” In the evening a large crowd gathered at the corner of Third and Railway Streets where appropriate remarks were made by mayor and members of the clergy. The Craik Weekly News ended its column with the following: “The people of Craik share with the people of the rest of the world that feeling of relief over the end of the great conflict.”
RCMP officers and military personnel march past the Vimy Ridge monument after the completion of the 100th anniversary commemoration ceremony on April 9 in northern France. Photo by Jason Antonio
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The Saskatchewan Anglican
November 2017
A service of three sacraments By Caron Hallen
Emily Hallen (with flamingo) surrounded by her family at her confirmation in Hudson Bay. Photo by Carm Silvey
HUDSON BAY (Skwn) – It was a glorious exciting day at St. Patrick’s Church in Hudson Bay in July. It is not often a congregation celebrates three sacraments in one service. On this day we celebrated Holy Baptism, Holy Confirmation and Holy Communion. The service was conducted by Bishop Michael Hawkins and Rev. Gethin Edward, priest in charge. There was beautiful singing, good food, fellowship and fun for the 44 people there. Brenda and Ryan Gaudry’s nine-month-old son, Rylan, was baptised. To witness and support
this event was his sister Sidney, Godparents Sandra and Terry Kun, grandparents Raymond and Maryann Dickson and other family and friends. The splash of blessed water and marked sign of the cross brought smiles to Rylan and his family. Following a time of confirmation preparation with Edward, 14-year-old Emily Ann Hallen took on the responsibilities of her faith Bishop Michael confirmed her. Emily’s parents, Shane and Jennifer Hallen, sister Erin, grandparents Paul and Caron Hallen and Allen and Margaret Boychuk, and friends were all happy to share in this happy event and continue
to support Emily through her adult faith journey. The whole congregation was further blessed with a celebration of Holy Communion. It is always such a pleasure to have real music! We were thrilled to have the talents of Meg Edward as she played the organ, while hearty singing was led by three beautiful voices from Weekes and Regina, as friends Laurel Ayerst, Janet Craig and Gloria Fieldgate joined us for their yearly get-together. A potluck followed with great food and much laughter. Thank you to all that attended. Such celebrations are good for the soul.
Bishop of Lichfield preaches at St. Paul's Cathedral By Joanne Shurvin-Martin REGINA – “Get behind me, Satan” is both a rebuke and an instruction, said the Bishop of Lichfield, Michael Ipgrave, at St. Paul’s Cathedral at the end of his six-day visit to the Diocese of Qu’Appelle. The most obvious meaning is scolding Peter, who has protested when Jesus described his impending suffering and death. Jesus continued, “You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” But “get behind” can also mean to follow, as Jesus says, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Matthew 16). The dioceses of Lichfield and Qu’Appelle
have been in a companion relationship for several decades. Bishop Ipgrave and his wife, Julia, visited Qu’Appelle from Aug. 29 through Sept. 3. See related articles on pg 9. Ipgrave pointed out Jesus used the same phrase when he met the first disciples at the Lake of Galilee. The phrase “is all about discipleship,” said Ipgrave. He said the
motto of his diocese is “Come follow Christ in the footsteps of St. Chad.” This seventh century saint has been an inspiration to both dioceses, with Chad’s focus on discipleship, vocation and evangelism. The latter, said Ipgrave, “is really simple: telling what God has done for us through Jesus Christ.” He told the congregation
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that Chad walked through the entire Diocese of Lichfield, refusing to ride a horse even when the Archbishop of Canterbury offered him one. He said in a diocese the size of Qu’Appelle, however, Chad may have agreed to ride a bicycle. “It’s been done” commented Ipgrave, referring to Bishop Rob Hardwick’s pilgrimages by bicycle in 2016 and 2017.
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“Vocation,” said Ipgrave, “is hearing and answering the very particular call God asks of us, not just for bishops, priests and deacons, but all baptised Christians. Both vocation and evangelism spring from discipleship – to get behind Jesus and follow him. Chad was a great leader because he was a great follower.”
The Saskatchewan Anglican
November 2017
9
Lichfield bishop visits southwest Saskatchewan By Archdeacon Peter Boote MAPLE CREEK (Qu’A) – Bishop Michael and Julia Ipgrave’s Southwest Saskatchewan Adventure began on the morning of Aug. 30 when they set off to travel to Maple Creek with Archdeacon Peter Boote. Pulling out of Regina, the flatness of the prairies was very apparent, so they were excited to cross a man-made hill: the overpass at Belle Plaine. After passing the Moose, they had the quintessentially Canadian experience of stopping at Tim Hortons on a long road trip. Lunch at Smitty’s in Swift Current was another Canadian experience. Whilst in Swift Current there was a spontaneous decision to stop at St. Stephen’s Church to see where Bishop Rob Hardwick had served when he came to Canada. Thus, they arrived in Maple Creek too late for an excursion, so toured St. Mary’s Church and walked Jasper Street, discussing the heritage buildings and status of Maple Creek as Cowtown and tourism centre. Bishop Ipgrave was surprised to see two museums opposite each other in such a small community. The next stop was to see Joan Lawrence, who, at 101 years old, is the mother of the local church community. They discussed past visits to the Diocese of Lichfield. Then they drove to the Lawrence Ranch for supper with Eric and Ann Lawrence and some of their family. The visitors watched cattle being moved by Christa Lawrence and her son, Colt, on horseback. A drive up to the bluff overlooking the ranch and towards the Cypress Hills provided a spectacular view, with a bald eagle soaring nearby and family of white tail deer in the valley below, while the sun set and the moon rose in the southeast. Bishop Michael said it was good to visit outside of Regina, as it is clear that large areas of the diocese are very different from Wolverhampton. The next day, the bishop and Julia began their day
Bishop of Lichfield, Michael Ipgrave and his wife, Julia, on a bluff overlooking the Lawrence Ranch, with rancher Eric Lawrence. The Ipgraves visited the Diocese of Qu’Appelle in late summer, strengthening the connections between the two companion dioceses. Photos by Archdeacon Peter Boote with a pancake breakfast at St. Mary’s church hall in Maple Creek. They met parishioners and members of the community, who came to socialize and enjoy this regular event. Then at 8:45 a.m. they set off to Fort Walsh National Historic Site, where they had the benefit of a guided tour and walk along the river trail to gain a sense of the history of the region. After lunch in Maple Creek they continued their journey to Moose Jaw for the evening. Along the way Bishop Ipgrave commented on the special Canadian place names on a set of highway signs: Moose Jaw, Swift Current and Medicine Hat. Sadly, due to smokefilled skies from forest fires north, west and south of us, Bishop Michael and Julia were unable to experience the beautiful blue living skies for which Saskatchewan is known. In Moose Jaw, Archdeacon Boote drove down Main Street to give a sense of the architecture and history, then to the Spa. There host and visitors thanked each other for the good company and looked forward to closer links in the future between our dioceses.
Christa Lawrence (in white hat) and her son, Colt, demonstrated how they move cattle on the Lawrence Ranch for Bishop Michael and Julia Ipgrave, along with Eric Lawrence (right).
Historic links between Lichfield and Qu'Appelle By diocesan archivist, Canon Trevor Powell
Q
u’Appelle has had a special relationship with the Diocese of Lichfield since our start. The first bishop of Qu’Appelle was the third son of the Earl of Lichfield. After he quit in 1892, Anson became assistant bishop of Lichfield. In England, he was influential in getting individuals and organizations to support Qu’Appelle: its churches, missions and institutions.
This can been seen in the number of buildings in Qu’Appelle bearing the name of Chad, the patron saint of Lichfield Diocese. At one time or another, churches at Bengough, Sceptre, Kyle (now St. Paul), Deep Lake, St. Chad’s Regina (later St. Peter the Apostle), and St. Chad’s Chapel were dedicated to the saint. Organizations in England such as the Qu’Appelle Association and the Shropshire Mission to North West Canada financially
supported mission work in this diocese, as well as the training of candidates for the priesthood. St. Chad’s Hostel/ Theological College was modelled on the principles and practices of Lichfield Theological College. A few clergy who served in this diocese, including Bishop Anson, were graduates of that institution. Qu’Appelle reciprocated when one of its St. Chad’s graduates was appointed principal of Lichfield Theological College during the 1950s.
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The Saskatchewan Anglican
November 2017
Double Belonging
The gift of authority? By Rev. Marie-Louise Ternier Editor’s note: Rev. MarieLouise Ternier serves the Anglican and Lutheran parishes in Watrous. This column is co-published with the Prairie Messenger. Marie-Louise blogs at http://graceatsixty. wordpress.com. “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; whoever wishes to become great must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first must be slave of all” (Mark 10:41-45). While my previous column explored remaining differences between the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches in terms of the spiritual and moral ethos of each tradition, here I’d like to highlight the important ecumenical document published in 1998: The Gift of Authority (Anglican-Roman Catholic International Dialogue (ARCIC)). Published nearly 20 years ago, this document is still little known by ordinary Roman Catholics and Anglicans. Sad really, for it is a prime example of good ecumenism in action. The agreement takes a comprehensive look at the exercise of authority in the Christian tradition in a spirit of humility and honesty, openness and courage. Given the current challenges authority structures in both traditions experience, it would behoove us all to study and receive its content and to apply its insights sooner rather than later. The document confirms what I have been thinking and learning for quite some time, such as the Roman Catholic way of exercising authority has been too centralized and hierarchical, while the Anglican way of exercising authority can be perceived as too nebulous and overly tentative. The former risks increasing disconnection from the lives of ordinary people while the latter risks being too wishywashy and lacking teeth.
What the one tradition has too much of, the other needs more of and vice versa. The first section of the document is a sweeping look at the theological and spiritual underpinnings of authority in the Christian tradition throughout history. This is, in a way, the articulation of the Christian vision of how authority is supposed to work: where it originates, how it is refined and informed, and how it needs
to be exercised. The document lays out explicitly what the challenges are in each tradition in order to recover the elements that have been “rejected, forgotten or not fully understood.” The Roman Catholic Church is challenged to examine its commitment to lay participation in decision-making and governance structures of the Church. It is only now with Pope Francis that some concrete efforts are being made to actively restore the principle of synodality, illustrated by Rome’s initiative to solicit input from lay Catholics through questionnaires in preparation for important Synods. Collecting reallife data from real people, bishops then brought to Synod deliberations after Continued on page 11
The Rev. Marie-Louise Ternier inducted in Watrous
A j oint Anglican/Lutheran induction service was held in Watrous on Oct. 1 to install the Rev. MarieLouise Ternier as pastoral minister for All Saints Anglican and Our Redeemer’s Lutheran churches. The service took place in Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, Watrous. Pictured after the induction are, from left, the Rev. Lori James, assistant to the Lutheran bishop, ELCIC Sask Synod, the Rev. MarieLouise Ternier and the Right Rev. David Irving, Bishop of Saskatoon. Photo courtesy Rev. Marie-Louise Ternier
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The Saskatchewan Anglican
November 2017
11
Welcome
back barbecue
St. Luke’s, Regina, held its annual Welcome Back barbecue on Sept. 8. Parishioners and guests shared a potluck meal with hamburgers and hotdogs. Parishioners took advantage of the warm weather and enjoyed food and fellowship. Photo by Nigel Salway
... the gift of authority? Continued from page 10 Pope Francis urged them to speak frankly. This resulted in what some called chaotic and messy debates at the two Synods on the Family; surprise! The lid has been held on tight for too long on concrete and controversial issues and new questions. The synodal model is still covered in plenty dust, collected from centuries of neglect in Rome. As Roman Catholics are waking up to the messy character of synodality, Anglicans are smiling: Rome has much to learn from Canterbury. However, Anglicans are not off the hook. The document states: ”Anglicans have shown themselves to be willing to tolerate anomalies for the sake
of maintaining communion (par. 56)”. The Anglican concern for the quality of relationships of love and respect is laudable and trumps rigid adherence to rules. The Anglican concern for historical context, dispersed authority, and synodal consultation through careful discernment is laudable. Yet these also come with subtle yet real traps revealing its fragility. No issue has revealed this weakness, and tested this model, more than the current debate on same-sex marriage. Some Anglicans might look longingly across the Tiber for more centralized authority, while some Roman Catholics look longingly to the Anglican model of relational and moral persuasion and consensus.
It has been nearly 20 years since The Gift of Authority was published. Have our churches taken its recommendations to heart? The people in the pews still know regrettably little about most ecumenical agreements; a tragic fact. Twenty years is nothing in a tradition that thinks and breathes in centuries. Both the Roman top-down model and the Anglican bottom-up model are going through their respective refiner’s fires at this time. Let us pray that The Gift of Authority can be a tiny guiding light in the current dilemmas. Would that someday both models of authority could get remarried into a coherent whole, deserving of Jesus’ words as quoted above: “It is not so among you” (Mark 10:41-45).
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Joys of the Season a fun time
SASKATOON — Christ Church Anglican ACW presents "Joys of the Season," Saturday, Dec. 2 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. We invite all to join us for our annual festive luncheon. Come enjoy a great lunch, bake sale, poinsettia sale, and turkey pies. There are great door prizes. Get your friends together and come to: Christ Church Anglican 515 28th Street West.
2017 Martin Memorial Lectures at Emmanuel & St. Chad SASKATOON – The College of Emmanuel & St. Chad invites you to attend the 2017 Martin Memorial Lectures to be held Nov. 8 to 10. The lecturer is the Rev. Ray Aldred, director of indigenous studies at Vancouver School of Theology. The title is Turning Back Toward a Shared Story. The lectures will be presented Nov. 8 and 9, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and Nov. 10 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. There will be workshops, mid-day services and compline. Thanks to the generosity of those who established the Bishop Henry David Martin Memorial Trust, this lecture series is a free event. Please visit our website for more details at http://www.usask.ca/ stu/emmanuel.
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The Saskatchewan Anglican
November 2017
Jewish traditions unnecessary for new Christian communities, said St. Paul By Jason Antonio
M
essianic Jews expected the Gentiles to adhere to Jewish traditions to mark their allegiance in Christ, but St. Paul said that non-Jews did not need to follow those traditions, thereby making Jesus’ message culturally adaptable in places such as Galatia, says an English professor. St. Paul founded the churches in Galatia (southcentral Turkey). After he left, alternative Christian missionaries came in and unsettled the community with their false teachings that perverted the gospel (Gal. 1:6, Gal. 5:7-12). Paul rebuked the community after hearing this (Gal. 1:6-9), saying they were turning to a different gospel. The Jesus movement started as a messianic reform movement within Judaism. As this movement grew, the issue arose questioning the terms on which Gentile believers should be admitted. God’s covenant with Israel entailed obligations that marked out Jewish people, such as not worshipping other gods, observing food laws, maintaining the Sabbath and male circumcision. “Male circumcision kept Jewish people together,” explained Prof. John
Prof. John Barclay spoke to students of the Qu'Appelle School for Mission and Ministry about St. Paul's letter to the Galatians. Photo by Jason Antonio Barclay during a full-day session on Paul’s Letter to the Galatians. Barclay, from Durham University in England, instructed more than 40 people at the Qu’Appelle School for Mission and Ministry course held on Sept. 16 at Wood Acres Retreat Centre in Moose Jaw. In four parts, Barclay explained Paul’s mission the Gentiles, his calling and the controversy with circumcision and the Law (Gal. 1-2); the promise, faith and adoption of Christ in history (Gal. 3-4); and the Spirit and creation of new communities in mutual support (Gal. 5-6). Paul was unhappy with the issue of circumcision in the Galatian community since the essence of the gospel was at stake. He had strong emotions
and impolite modes of speech, said Barclay. He spoke out when the good news of Jesus Christ was in peril. Traditions of the Jewish faith, including circumcision as a distinctive mark, provided a clear identity for the people. Male circumcision made a difference since there was much nudity in the ancient world, as slaves were bought nude, men communally bathed nude, and male athletes competed nude, the professor continued. Jews wondered why Gentile believers should be exempt from such Godgiven laws, said Barclay. They struggled with how Gentiles would mark their allegiance in Christ. They pondered what would hold them together
if the churches of different ethnic groups had no common practices. It was the issue of male circumcision for Gentiles that Paul was upset about when he wrote to the Galatians, continued Barclay. Paul said there is only one God and Lord Jesus Christ, while nothing else counted for new believers. “He is enabling a way of being Christian without being bound up in Jewish ways,” said Barclay. “That’s controversial. Is he only half converting (Gentiles)? … Or is he seeing something about the message of Jesus Christ that, by going to the heart of it, some things in the Jewish tradition are no longer necessary now?” If Gentiles don’t have to be “Judaized,” then the Jesus movement can take
root in different ethnic and cultural contexts. This transcultural flexibility enabled growth throughout the world, such as Egypt, Germany and England, but also brought risks. The core issues of early Christianity were boundaries and what united people across cultural traditions. Barclay said St. Paul was a liberal missionary who was willing to break with tradition if it meant Christianity could take root in the culture. “He was criticized by fellow Christians and fellow Jews because they thought he stretched the limits to the breaking point,” Barclay said. He had a terrible reputation since people thought he was saying even Jews shouldn’t worry about circumcision. “He tries to keep people together but makes a lot of enemies.” The issue of boundaries and where to draw the line with incorporating incompatible traditions carried on through early Christianity, said Barclay. As these early Jesusmovement communities moved away from set traditions, the Holy Spirit led them toward something new. Parts 2 to 4 of the QSMM class on Paul’s letter to the Galatians will appear in future issues of the Saskatchewan Anglican.
Saskatoon’s Locally Raised Clergy Program Do you love God? Do you love the church? Have you been involved in lay ministry in your parish for quite some time and wonder about going even deeper? Perhaps God is calling you to diaconal or priestly ministry!“Who, me?” you might say. Yes, YOU! Stranger things have happened you know. God needs workers in the vineyard, including priests and deacons. Perhaps now is the time for you to consider it. The Diocese of Saskatoon has a program for training clergy…for training Locally Raised Clergy. The program takes three to five years
to complete, depending on how much time you can devote to it. There is no cost to you, as the training leads to a non-stipendiary (voluntary) ordained ministry. The program includes reading courses, in-house training sessions, spiritual formation and a supervised apprenticeship. The path to Holy Orders is an awesome spiritual adventure. Take the plunge now! For more information, please contact the Diocesan Training Officer, the Reverend Shawn Sanford Beck, at greenpriest@hotmail.ca.
The Saskatchewan Anglican
November 2017
13
DIOCESE OF QU’APPELLE
Notes and appointments g St. Matthew, Regina
Saskatoon’s locally trained clergy fall workshop
During September the Diocese of Saskatoon’s Locally Raised Clergy Program conducted a retreat and training weekend on “boundaries, power, and professional ethics” at St. Peter’s Abbey, Muenster. The instructor fwas the Venerable Dan Hughes, Archdeacon for the Saskatoon Deanery. In attendance was, in back from left, Canon Shawn Sanford Beck, diocesan training officer, the Venerable Dan Hughes and the Reverends Gordon Yarde and Sheldon Carr. In front from left were the Reverends Jan Trost and Peter Coolen, and Muriel Foster and Eliza Meggs. Photo by Peter Rev. Peter Coolen
DIOCESE OF QU’APPELLE
Diocese of Muyinga to build med centre, help starving residents By Jason Antonio REGINA — The Diocese of Qu’Appelle has a better understanding of the medical centre its companion link member, the Diocese of Muyinga in Burundi, wants to build to better serve its residents. Members of diocesan council discussed Muyinga during their September meeting. Responding to drought and a shortfall of food in Burundi, the Diocese of Qu’Appelle raised $17,472.45 during a special Lenten appeal in 2017.
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From this, $16,000 was forwarded to Muyinga to purchase food and necessary supplies. Funds from the Diocese of Qu’Appelle’s budgeted companion link allocation fund helped purchase a laptop for the Muyingan bishop. Bishop Rob Hardwick delivered the laptop earlier this year. The people in Muyinga, said Hardwick, greatly appreciated Qu’Appelle’s help. There is now $14,970.80 left in the diocesan’s Muyinga account; however, U.S. $10,000 was sent to Muyinga in an emergency relief measure in the spring. Diocesan council authorized that at its June meeting. There was a recent request from Muyinga for help to start constructing a medical building and it wants to receive the money raised so far by this diocese. Bishop Paisible Ndacayisaba wrote, “Dear Bishop Rob, greetings in the Name of Jesus Christ. We have met with the diocesan development committee. The advisors from the health centre and discussed about the
clinic project and found if possible, to have the money you have already raised so we can add what we have now and see how we can start to build near the cathedral, because this is the right season for building. May God bless you.” In response, Hardwick informed the chair of the Muyinga committee, Rev. Canon Susan Page, about the issue and asked Bishop Paisible to send updated information on plans for the building; when they hope to start building; and what other assistance they may require to build or to equip the medical centre. The Muyinga committee is currently non-existent, said Page. A number of committee members moved out of the diocese, making work difficult to do. New members are needed and new ways to fundraise for Muyinga are necessary. “This is our charity,” said Page. “These people in Burundi are starving and dying… .” She added residents of Burundi have had to choose between planting their seeds or eating them to stay alive.
receives funding St. Matthew, Regina recently received $30,000 in grant funding from the City of Regina to help repair its 1915 heritage foundation. The cost to fix the foundation is $94,000. The church has $49,000. It will approach the Anglican Foundation of Canada for a grant of $15,000. g Govan request for disestablishment The diocese’s executive council has agreed to the request from Church of the Annunciation in Govan to disestablish the church. For two years the parishioners had hope of restoring the congregation and maintaining some regular church activity, but there is only one member living in Govan. Other Anglicans in the area are members at Christ Church, Nokomis. The deconsecration will happen right before sale of the building, as taxes are assessed when the property is no longer designated as a church. The parish plans to sell the building and petition the town to take it if necessary. If they find a buyer, the money stays in Last Mountain parish. It’s hoped the altar frontals, pews, and other items will be given to other churches. Some designated items (cross, chair) will go to a benefactor. Appointments g Rev. Ed Dunfield has
been named the diocesan representative for the
Anglican Foundation. g Michelle Josefson has been appointed as the diocesan Safe From Harm implementation team leader and began a part-time, 20 hours per week position on Oct. 15. Josefson attends St. Aidan, Moose Jaw and brings many gifts to this position. g Rev. Anne Marie MacNeil has resigned as diocesan representative for PWRDF. MacNeil has shared the importance of the PWRDF across the diocese, but thought the time was right for her to pass on this important ministry. Wilma Ward of St. Philip, Regina has been appointed as the new diocesan representative. g Catherine Louise Crawley (pictured), from the Diocese of Lichfield, will be working in the Diocese of Qu’Appelle for 10 months as part of the St. Chad’s Volunteer program. Crawley, who is from Wolverhampton, was commissioned during a service on Sept. 3 at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Regina. She is working in the Synod Office and helping with Kids Club at St. Luke’s, Regina. To avoid confusion with Archdeacon Catherine Harper, who also works in the Synod Office, Crawley is referred to as Catherine Louise. Photo by Margaret Ball
Kootenay School of Ministry to take sabbatical KOOTENAY, B.C. — The Kootenay School will take a sabbatical year in order for the ministry committee to evaluate what has been accomplished, explore new directions for the school and engage in a discussion with other dioceses about the future of local training in Western Canada. The Kootenay School of Ministry was established after recommendations of the task force on ministry
were adopted at the diocese’s 2009 synod. The curriculum was designed for those called to ministry as locallytrained deacons and priests. Since the school opened, courses have been held in eight parishes in four of five regions of the diocese. During the sabbatical year, the school will experiment with online course delivery. Courtesy The High Way
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The Saskatchewan Anglican
November 2017
Practical preaching: Learning to open a window onto God By the Rev. Dr. Iain Luke Principal, College of Emmanuel & St. Chad
A More than 60 backpacks filled with school supplies were distributed to six of Saskatoon’s schools by a joint outreach of Eddie Bauer, Saskatoon, and St. George’s Anglican Parish, Saskatoon this September. Pictured are Michael Koop, manager of Eddie Bauer, and Katheryn Ellis and Jackie Schell, St. George’s Anglican Parish. Photo contributed
Blessing backpacks in Saskatoon By Rev. Emily Carr SASKATOON — At St. George’s Anglican Church, Saskatoon, we have been serving our community with a food and clothing giveaway area in our entrance for the last couple of years. It is accessible two mornings a week by anyone in our community, or by appointment, and on Sundays. Since taking over leadership of our food table and outreach ministry last spring, Jacki Schell has helped our congregation to look beyond our walls and think creatively about how we might best serve our neighbourhood. When Jacki announced we would be gathering backpacks for kids in need in August, Kathryn Ellis, a retired teacher and long-time member of St. George’s, was inspired to help. Kathryn made an incredible community connection between St. George’s Church and Eddie Bauer, a clothing store in our downtown mall, where Kathryn works. Michele Koop, the store manager, was already planning a similar outreach project and Kathryn helped us to join forces. Together, Jackie, Kathryn and Michele collected donations of backpacks at St. George’s Parish and at Eddie Bauer in the Midtown Plaza, along with school supplies to fill them.
The team collected close to 60 backpacks, filled them with supplies, and distributed them to St. Mary’s, Pleasant Hill, Princess Alexandra, Lester B. Pearson, St. John’s, and King George schools. Our parish, and the store, each received thank you letters from the schools that were recipients of the backpacks. St. Mary’s Wellness and Education Centre’s vice-principal, Andrew Novecosky, wrote most of the 400 students they welcomed this September came without backpacks or school supplies. The donation of backpacks was a sign of Christ’s love in our neighbourhood. The enormous number of children and families in need here in our city is staggering, but I am encouraged by Christ’s teaching about the mustard seed. I believe just as this small idea grew to include not only members of our church, but people from all over our city, I know the little things we do have the power to make a big difference. For our parish, this project is a seed, the beginning of something new. I pray that each year we will be able to raise greater awareness about the needs of our children here in Saskatoon, and of course, that we will collect more and more backpacks.
mong all the practical skills we teach at Emmanuel & St Chad, preaching holds a special place. For one thing, it’s the most consistent public activity in the life and work of parish clergy. You never know what else a week in ministry might bring, but there is almost always a sermon in there somewhere. It is also the clergy activity that, on aggregate, most involves other members of the church. Many aspects of ministry happen one on one, or with specific groups, but a regular weekly preacher has a weekly window of communication with the entire congregation. This creates both an opportunity and a responsibility. Regular listeners have a stake in making sure preachers are well equipped to exercise their skills in the pulpit and have a clear idea of what they are supposed to do. Those of us who train preachers try to remember that our end product isn’t a student who can pass the course, but a lifetime of sermons to which many other people will listen. The deepest challenge of training people to preach, though, is it is such a personal activity. It’s one person, standing there, talking. A different person would talk in a different way, about different things, with a different purpose in mind. If you could hear several sermons on the same day, on the same readings, by different preachers, you would find each of them starting in their own place, ending in their own place, and taking their own route to get from one to the other. This is partly due to the distinctive setting of each congregation and partly because of the different
character of each preacher. That reality can make the task of learning to preach pretty elusive. Even the most basic question, “What is preaching?” isn’t simple to answer. The old joke says the sermon is supposed to be about God, about the readings, and about 10 minutes, but the truth is more complex. Some sermons point towards God, but some point to places where God seems absent, while others turn our focus away from God and towards the world for which (we believe) God has a passion. Good sermons can start in Scripture, or the season, or the hopes and burdens we bring to church with us every Sunday. As to length, a fiveminute sermon can be two minutes too long, while an hour can leave you wishing for more! The study of preaching has to stay open to that breadth of possibilities, to enable students to discover their own strengths, rather than merely imitating others. We do that by zeroing in on the one common thread that connects so many different kinds of sermons. Someone is talking; someone is listening. It’s an act of communication. More than that, it’s an act of communication that, like an icon or a sacrament, is in some way a window onto God. The window opens in the act of communication, in the relationship between the preacher, the words he says, and the
people who listen. That’s why the last generation of homiletics (the study of preaching) has returned to the unfashionable word rhetoric to understand what happens when we preach. Rhetoric is all about putting yourself on the line as you speak, in order to carry people with you. It’s an easy talent to manipulate, which is why the word itself now brings to mind images of bombastic politicians working the crowd. But the bad side of rhetoric only exists because it has a good side, too. Good rhetoric happens when you work at communicating yourself as truly and honestly as possible, including what you know, what you feel, and who you are. That kind of communication is powerful. When people hear you speaking in that way about a story in Scripture, or an experience of God, or a deeply felt question about why the world is the way it is, they listen, and they hear more than the words you say. It’s preaching like that which enacts the good news and spurs people to act on it in ways that transform their lives, and the world. Learning to preach like that is not a one term course. We begin the process with students, inviting them to connect their knowledge with their character, to experience what it is like to share out loud how God is shaping them, then reflect on how listeners respond to what they say as well as how they say it. The process continues in the weekly life of parishes like yours. Next time you listen to a sermon, or deliver one if you’re a preacher, pay attention to the uniqueness of the moment. As one person speaks, and others listen, a window is opening.
The Saskatchewan Anglican
November 2017
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Anglican, Roman Catholic staff hold joint retreat
Linore Bober, in traditional Filipino attire, addresses World Day of Prayer in Hudson Bay. Photo by Bernard Bober
Am I being unfair to you? By Rae Granberg HUDSON BAY (Skwn) — The parishioners of St. Patrick’s Anglican Church had some help extra help hosting the World Day of Prayer service this spring, as a new volunteer from the Philippines provided insight into the country’s culture. This is an ecumenical event held annually and it rotates through the United, Church of God, Pineridge Fellowship Chapel, Roman Catholic and Anglican churches. The Lutheran church also participated this year. The service for this year was written by a committee from the Philippines. Fortunately we had a recent arrival, Linore Bober, from that country who volunteered to give the address. She spoke
about the changing role of Filipino women. She explained even though there have been improvements in women’s lives, “they struggle in life due to poverty and hunger. Some women experience violence and human trafficking. But despite all of this, Filipina survives, remains strong and keeps moving on.” We used the service provided by the Philippine Committee, sang hymns, prayed, learned about the Philippines and ate traditional food, the adobo, a national dish. Thirty-six people signed the guest register. World Day of Prayer has been celebrated in this way in Hudson Bay for many years. We have records dating back to 1987 but it is likely that it has been going on for at least 50 years.
Files from Frank Flegel MOOSE JAW (Qu’A) – The fall colours of the Moose Jaw River Valley below the Wood Acres Retreat Centre highlighted the building as a suitable setting for the first ever ecumenical retreat, which brought together staff from the Regina Roman Catholic Archdiocese and the Anglican Diocese of Qu’Appelle. The idea for the retreat came out of talks between two bishops, Archbishop Donald Bolen of the Regina Roman Catholic Archdiocese and Anglican Bishop Robert Hardwick, about more things they could do together. Out of that came the suggestion for the joint retreat, held Sept. 11. The retreat was organized by staff from both dioceses, including Archdeacon Catherine Harper from the Diocese of Qu’Appelle and Susan Klein from the Regina Archdiocese. Archdeacon Harper led the retreat with its titled two themes, Renovation of the Heart and Rule of Life. Archbishop Bolen and Bishop Hardwick welcomed everyone. “It’s a joy to be here, a beautiful day to be together and an excellent example of what we can do together,” said Bolen. “We’ve all been blessed in many ways,” said Hardwick. “We have an amazing God who calls us to an amazing ministry.” Braden Kuntz, archdiocesan pastoral services assistant and assistant co-ordinator for youth ministry, played his guitar and led the group in three opening hymns with lyrics projected onto a white wall in the centre’s
Bishop Rob Hardwick (left) and Roman Catholic Archbishop Donald Bolen walk together during a joint staff retreat at Wood Acres Retreat Centre in Moose Jaw. Photo by Nigel Salway main gathering area. There were two Bible readings, following which participants were invited to reflect on the readings at their table groups. At the invitation of Harper, two people, one Anglican (Archdeacon Dell Bornowsky) and the other Roman Catholic (Karen Ziegler), came forward to talk about their faith journey and the table groups were asked to do the same. As usual when individuals are asked to discuss personal life experiences, there was some shyness but the room soon filled with animated conversations from the table groups. Following lunch, a template for creating a lifeline/spiritual journey was given to everyone with Harper explaining how to go about it. Participants were to take it with them when they left the retreat. Asked to explain the relationship between a renovation of the heart and a rule of life, she explained in an interview with the Prairie Messenger that the rule of life is like a living document: “We change it depending on our changing life
circumstances. “Through the spiritual disciplines of prayer and worship, the reading of Scripture, acts of service, submission to God and to others, and humility; we will grow more in the nature of Jesus Christ. “Our hearts will change; that change from the inside will manifest itself in transformed lives.” Both bishops were pleased with the results of the day, with Hardwick expressing the possibility of it becoming an annual or bi-annual event. Archbishop Bolen called it an exceptionally fine day. “Each one of us has been encouraged to deepen our faith, and we’ve grown in a relationship in the process of that. It’s been a wonderful day.” Bishop Hardwick said it was an opportunity for staff in both offices to be with one another, to worship together, to be encouraged together. “It’s my hope,” he said, “that from this day we can go forward with a greater sense that we are becoming one in the Kingdom; that Jesus’ prayer that all may be one will be fulfilled in us in the time God calls us to.”
DIOCESE OF QU’APPELLE
Bishop reports to diocesan council about travel to Kenya By Jason Antonio REGINA — Bishop Rob Hardwick travelled to Nairobi, Kenya, in the summer for a talk between African and Canadian bishops and said it was a “profoundly moving time.” The focus was on the
Kenyan word Harambe, which means “to pull or push together.” It is a word used by the first president following independence for Kenya in the 1960s. In Hardwick’s talk to the joint group, he took this theme and shared
how harambe was, and is, evident in this diocese. For example, the Cooperative movement and health care for all began in Saskatchewan; Churches and communities came together in the Dirty Thirties, Great Depression, world wars,
the Spanish Flu and other life-threatening events. Churches also helped new immigrants settle into a land of weather extremes. Today, events challenge the Church with diminishing and aging membership across a vast land mass.
At such times like these, once again we experience and know the need for harambe in the Diocese of Qu’Appelle. Also, the bishop went to Manitoba in September for a talk about a “selfdetermining” church for Aboriginals in Canada.
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The Saskatchewan Anglican
November 2017
Recipes from St. Patrick's Church salad luncheon
Corn Salad 2 cans corn niblets ½ med red onion diced 1 red bell pepper diced 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese Dressing: ½ cup ranch dressing ½ cup mayo Mix together and mix into above Then add: 1 large bag of Sweet Chili Heat Doritos taco/ chips, crushed
A small but dedicated group of ladies from St. Patrick's Church in Hudson Bay served up the annual salad luncheon. Photo by Caron Hallen
Corn salad new to annual luncheon By Rae Granberg HUDSON BAY (Skwn) — In early summer the ladies of St. Patrick’s Church hosted their annual salad luncheon in the community legion hall, with corn salad the newest addition to the tasty event. For $12, folks could snack on 20 different salads, cold ham and French bread, followed by delicious strawberry shortcake and a beverage.
It has become an annual event for us and the town. Everyone looks forward to coming, even the RCMP officers! It is all you can eat. We serve 100 meals plus 15 take-outs. These salads are all prepared and donated by 20 people. A dozen other parishioners are canvassed for donations. New this year was a corn salad. We took over event from the Hospital Auxiliary when it thought it was too
much work. The ladies of St. Patrick’s Church have been doing it for at least 12 years, and for our small congregation, it is a great deal of work. We make seven dozen devilled eggs and we use seven heads of romaine lettuce for our Caesar salad. Of course, we make all the croutons and dressing from scratch. It is a scurry on the morning of the event but nothing needs to be kept hot.
Wild Rice Fruit Salad 3 cups cooked wild rice 16 oz. can pineapple chunks, drained 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional) 3 oz. jar maraschino cherries, drained 13 oz. carton frozen whipped topping 1/2 cup shredded coconut (optional) 1 box gelatin (any flavour, do not dissolve) 1 cup miniature marshmallows
Corn salad.
Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Sprinkle with coconut, if desired. Salad will keep up to a week if properly refrigerated. Wheat Salad 8 oz. cream cheese 1 small can crushed pineapple 2 Tbsp. lemon juice 1 box vanilla instant pudding 3 cups cooked wheat 1 large tub Cool Whip Beat softened cream cheese and stir in the pineapple, lemon juice and vanilla pudding. To this add cooked wheat. Fold in Cool Whip. Chill a few hours before serving. Watermelon Salad Cut one half watermelon in bite sized chunks. Add 1/4 cup chopped red onion and 1/2 cup Feta cheese. Drizzle with small amount of olive oil. Toss and enjoy! Super easy.
Picture courtesy taste.com.au
Christian unity has been achieved By Dr. David W. T. Brattston here is no further need for efforts toward Christian unity. The major churches have attained a sufficient degree of harmony and mutual acceptance to fulfill Jesus’ call for unity among Christians, in John 10:16, and in His oft-cited prayer in John 17. Look at mainline denominations, such as the Anglican Church. It has intercommunion agreements, fellowship and joint ventures with other church bodies, and co-operation in local, national and world council of churches. Any disunity is largely illusory, with the differences being only in non-essentials that other major church bodies are willing to tolerate. What keeps denominational
T
separation in place are the secular laws which confer corporate status and property-holding arrangements, which were laid down centuries ago, and can be overcome only by an act of Parliament or provincial Legislature. I looked for the meaning of Christian unity as contemplated in the Scriptures and in the writings of early Christians who could recall what Jesus and His first disciples actually did. I aimed to ascertain the meaning of such unity in the practice of the apostles and their first successors, plus how unity was understood in the next few overlapping generations. Drawing on Christian sources to the middle of the third century A.D., I found unity meant attitudes, qualities of character, or modes of relating to people with whom one is in personal
contact. In the biblical sense, it is a pattern of conducting one-to-one interpersonal relations among Christians that fosters peace, love and harmony at the neighbourhood level. The Scriptures and church fathers mentioned merger of organizations or bureaucracies. My research resulted in a magazine article that investigated and countered allegations that the Christian churches today are too fragmented to fulfill Christ’s will. The article has since been published in several magazines in Australia, Britain, Canada and the United States, including The Saskatchewan Anglican. The article demonstrated that there already was, or could easily be at a moment’s notice, Christian unity among major denominations, especially
at the local and person-toperson level. If we substitute the phrase Christian unity in its biblical sense for the organizational unity or structural unity that fringe denominations and many members of mainline churches mistake it for, believers of every denomination can practise John 17 now in their daily lives. Even when we narrow down the meaning of Christian unity to structural or bureaucratic arrangements, there is no longer any sense to regard disunity as a problem. There exist far too many ways for churches to co-operate together, such as intercommunion agreements, open Communion, unhindered mutual acceptance, joint ventures with church bodies, and co-operation in local, national and world council of churches.
True, some church leaders allege disunity remains, but this may be a mere public relations gesture by some. They usually mention it as if it were the only sin of which they are guilty, then hasten to add they are working to overcome it. In the last 100 years, the tireless efforts of many leaders of major churches and the goodwill of local laity towards their counterparts in other communions have achieved a real, viable and practical unity through many branches of Christendom, which answers Christ’s prayer. Let us honour them or their memories and concentrate instead on redoubling Christian efforts more towards feeding the hungry masses of the Third World. How about a Week of Prayer for Starving Africans?