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The newspaper of the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle • A Section of the Anglican Journal • March 2012
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Former Sask. Anglican editor passes away By staff of the Anglican Journal and Saskatchewan Anglican SASKATOON – Gwendolyn Elizabeth Gresham, a former editor of the Saskatchewan Anglican diocesan newspaper, died of cancer on Dec. 2, 2011, in Saskatoon. She was 49 years old. Gresham became the associate editor for the Diocese of Qu’Appelle in early 2001. She was managing editor of the newspaper from March 2002 until April 2005. “Gwendolyn was very proud of what she did at the Saskatchewan Anglican,” said her husband, retired archdeacon Richard Spencer, mentioning she oversaw a redesign of the paper. Her chief passions were writing and photography, while she worked in oceanography, journalism and documentary film-making, including the DVD series Canada Remembers, which honours veterans. Born in Victoria in 1962, Gresham earned a B.A. in Social Work from the University of Regina and a Diploma in Journalism from Camosun College in Victoria. Her faith was an essential part of her life. Hospitalized for much of her early childhood, Gresham said suffering taught her compassion. She had a strong sense of social justice, sought to see Christ in others and to be a healing presence. She was drawn to Africa, travelled extensively there and believed its people had much to teach the rest of the world. She is survived by her husband, Richard Spencer; parents, Ray and Mary Gresham of Victoria, B.C.; brother, John and sister-in-law Tamara Holdal, of Sardis, B.C.; and their children, Rosemarie, Gabriel and Maya.
This historical photo from the 1930s shows Bishop Malcolm Harding, the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Qu’Appelle, visiting the George Gordon First Nation’s School Residence. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission passed through Regina in January, collecting stories from Aboriginal peoples who had been students of the Indian Residential Schools. Photo contributed by Rev. Dale Gillman
Please take our Moving toward healing and survey! reconciliation together
Rev. Dale Gillman GEORGE GORDON FIRST NATION (Qu’A) – The Truth and Reconciliation Commission will host a national event in Saskatoon in June 2012. We are expecting more than 20,000 people to attend this event. It is estimated there are between 18,000 and 23,000 former students of Indian Residential Schools in Saskatchewan today. Former students will share their stories and the ‘witnesses’ will collect them for documentation. These stories will become part of Canada’s history in the future. I spoke to a friend of mine and he gave me permission to share the following, along with comments from Diocesan Elder Rev. Arthur Anderson and myself. Eddie Bitternose is from Gordon First Nation. He was one of nine band members who attended a recent Truth and Reconciliation meeting in Regina.
Some were former students and some were third generation members. I asked Eddie why it was important for him to attend the gathering. He replied, “It gave students an opportunity to talk to the Commissioners at a personal level.” He explained to me that talking to people who represented the government was important to him because it gave ‘face’ to this entity. It put skin and bones on an otherwise faceless existence or being. Eddie’s comments “A child found is a parent left behind” is a phrase taken from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission statements. Eddie is concerned about this phrase because reconciliation must be inclusive. He said, “It’s not about anyone being left behind, it’s about all parties being at the table to move forward with healing and reconciliation together.” He told
me his parents were threatened with disenfranchisement if they did not send their children to Residential School. Residential School destroyed his relationship with his parents. Dale’s comments “My mother went to an Indian Residential School in 1926 and left when she was 16. There was no option to remain at home with your parents. When Mom went to school the children were allowed home one day a year - Christmas day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. “Mom told me they went to class only half a day. The rest of the day they worked in the sewing room, the laundry, kitchen, barn and henhouse, feeding the pigs, working in the gardens or wherever there was work to be done. Mom knew how to cook, clean and do housework; however it would be decades before she knew how to love and nurture her children.” (Contined on page 4)
Tell us what you think Do you love the Saskatchewan Anglican newspaper but use the Anglican Journal to line your cat’s litter box? Do you enjoy what you read in this diocesan newspaper? This is your chance to tell us what you think! Please take 10 minutes to fill out the readership survey contained within the Journal on pages 8 and 9 and return it in the envelopes provided. Or you can submit your feedback online at www.anglicanjournal.com. This survey is important for those who contribute to the Saskatchewan Anglican newspaper. Please tell us how well we serve you and how we can improve.
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The Saskatchewan Anglican
March 2012
Prayer is a The light of Christ shines conversation with our loving in saints Father
In his love for Christ and for the land where he had been enslaved, Patrick returned as a Christian missionary to Ireland and was instrumental in converting the Irish to the Christian faith. Due to his great love for Christ and the Irish people, Patrick is the patron saint of the Irish and honoured both by them and by the wider church. By Rev. Cheryl Toth Anglicans honour the witness of a variety of Christians who are REGINA – What do we do about remembered for many reasons – Saint Patrick? their faith in Christ (even to the The month of March is domipoint of death), their contribution nated by St. Patrick’s Day – green to the building of the Church, St. Paddy’s decorations in the their acts of mercy, their struggle stores, cards with dancing leprefor justice and peace, etc. chauns to be sent to your Irish or Some are named as patrons of pseudo-Irish friends, green beer a particular church (St. Nichoin the pubs, green “Kiss me, I’m las, St. Paul, St. Lucy, etc.) or a Irish” T-shirts to be worn, etc. particular organization (The Order The problem isn’t that the life of St. Luke, for example) as a way and witness of St. Patrick is being of honouring their life and witness celebrated. It’s that it isn’t! and holding them as example and St. Patrick, like St. Nicholas at encouragement. Christmas, is Others are an example of A saint is someone in whose named as paa saint whose life the light of Christ shines. tron of a parmemory has In that sense, as the Bible ticular group been indicates, we are all called to because their co-opted by life involved be saints (1 Cor. 1:2). commercial that activity; enterprise to In the history and tradition for that reason, sell merchanof the church, saints are also St. Brendan dise. The auindividuals who are venerated the navigator thentic witness because the victory of Christ is is the patron of to Christian mariners. evident in their life. faith that St. In the Patrick’s life Some saints are especially Anglican clearly embod- remembered in a place or by a Church we do ied is obscured people because their witness not consider or lost to most to Christ was lived there or patron saints people. because their life has special as those who In our culintercede for ture saints like meaning to them. us to God, but St. Patrick, St. as those whose Valentine and St. Nick become lives are attached to particular holidays and witness to the one not to Christ. How do we rescue Intercessor, Jesus Christ our Lord. them? We identify with their life and A saint is someone in whose witness because of who we are, life the light of Christ shines. In what we do or where we live. The that sense, as the Bible indicates, hope is that our identification with we are all called to be saints them points us to the One they (1 Cor. 1:2). followed and strengthens us in our In the history and tradition of Christian witness. the church, saints are also indiSo celebrate St. Patrick this viduals who are month. He is a saint worthy to be venerated because the victory of remembered. But see if you can Christ is particularly evident in do so in a way that reminds those their life. around you that there is much, Some saints are especially much more to St. Paddy’s Day remembered in a place or by a than green beer and funny hats. people because their witness to Patrick, like all the saints, Christ was lived there or because reflects the love and courage and their life has special meaning to compassion of Jesus. And we all them. need more of that in our lives! Take St. Patrick for example. Toth is a priest in the Diocese Captured as a youth by raiders of Qu’Appelle and chaplain at and sold as a slave in Ireland, Luther College at the University Patrick found his way back to of Regina. freedom. “Anglicans honour saints and churches have patron saints, but what about other patrons, like St. Nicholas the patron saint of children and sailors; St. Brendan, patron saint of travellers and sailors (again), etc. What is the Anglican position on this?”
Why praying still matters in the digital age satisfy our longing? How do we make sense of what we know? Be it a friend diagnosed with leukemia, a neighbour killed in a tragic accident, or a Tsunami, famine, AIDS, earthquake, or nuclear accident that devastates a whole community or even a By Rev. Norbert Haukenfrers country. How do we dig out from the PRINCE ALBERT – Is help and grave of information overload and satisfaction really just a click despair? We need a community, away? Or do we need something to do life with, which offers hope, more to make sense of life? healing and reconciliation. We Interestingly, when I Googled need conversations with God that ‘satisfaction’, the first five hits are personal. sang ‘I Can’t Get No SatisfacYes, I mean ‘with God’, as tion’, and then when I Googled prayer was always envisioned to ‘help,’ the results sang ‘Help, I be a conversaneed somebody; Help, not When Jesus taught His dis- tion with the just anybody; ciples to pray, He started with gracious God who desires Help, you know ‘Our Father’, not your father friendship. I need someor my father, but ‘Our Father, When Jesus one; Help!’. taught His disCould it be that who is in heaven’. the Beatles’ This is the same Father who ciples to pray, and the Rolling made the world and did not He started with ‘Our Father’, Stones’ call to remembrance take it back when man rebelled not your father and turned away. or my father, is what we but ‘Our Fachoose to Instead, this God offers forget – hope, healing and restoration, ther, who is in hoping, almost to our souls, our relationships heaven’. This is the same Fapraying, that and this land, by sending His ther who made they were one and only Son, whose name the world and wrong? did not take it St. Auis Jesus, who offers gustine in his forgiveness and friendship. back when man rebelled and ‘Confessions’ turned away. wrestles with Instead, this God offers hope, an understanding of life by subhealing and restoration, to our mitting to the perpetually present souls, our relationships and this God, land, by sending His one and only discovering his God-inscribed Son, whose name is Jesus, who beauty in the process. offers forgiveness and friendship. As a This prayer that Jesus taught follower of Jesus, like His followers to pray is an offerAugustine, we do not pray to ing of gratitude, an affirmation in ourselves; our failures, broken graciously redeemed identity and dreams and incomplete understandings have wrecked any a means of affecting the restoration of the world around us. confidence in ourselves. We pray to God not to survive Augustine prayed to God as he realized his need of somebody, or avoid disaster but to be effervescently alive, fully human and and not just anybody. wholly engaged in God’s Some begin this restoration and reformation conversation through an activity. Prayer with God gives awakening in the garden, others by calling out to a ‘higher power’, opportunity to explore our questions of life with the creator, some by an improbable sense of redeemer and sustainer of life. being loved and wanted, while In Matthew 6:5-18, Jesus ofothers in honest inquiry are fers guidance to those who wish guided by information to truth to follow Him and how to start found in the person of Jesus, and continue this conversation like the Wise Men from the East searching for a recently born king. with God. Haukenfrers is a priest at the There is more information parish of St. David. available today than there ever was before. Does this information “Why do we still need to pray to God (and not ourselves) in an age when satisfaction/help can be immediate and just a click away?”
Published by the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle. Published monthly except for July and August. Whole No. 292, Vol. 40, No. 7 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 May issue must be recieved by the diocesan editor no later than Friday, March 30.
CONTACT INFORMATION Managing Editor: Jason Antonio SKAnglicanEditor@gmail.com 59 Roberts Place Regina, Sask., S4T 6K5 Phone: (306) 737-4898 Qu’Appelle: Joanne Shurvin-Martin wsmartin@accesscomm.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: Catherine Harnish catherine.harnish@gmail.com PO Box 538 Canwood, Sask., S0J 0K0 Phone: (306) 468-2264
PUBLISHING DETAILS Published from 59 Roberts Place Regina, Sask., S4T 6K5 Printed and mailed by Signal Star Publishing A division of Bowes Publishers Ltd. Goderich, Ont., N7A 4B6
March 2012
The Saskatchewan Anglican
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OPINION Resist the devil and he Open those purse strings and will flee from you
don’t be cheap!
By Bishop Michael Hawkins Diocese of Saskatchewan PRINCE ALBERT – The story of Jesus’ temptation, like that of His passion and death, is an account of power unexercised. In the Garden of Eden, at the tower of Babel, in Jesus’ temptation and passion, the issue is power. For the opposite of love is power. Love gives and power takes. In the temptation of Jesus, this worldly power, the pride of power and the power of pride, is key. Jesus is tempted every time to a kind of shortcut, a convenience, by which He might avoid the cross, escape suffering avoid weakness and seize the power. Satan tempts our Lord to turn and use His power to selfish and worldly ends, to change stones into bread. Secondly He tempts our Lord to prove His divinity by a show of force instead of love. Finally, he tempts the Saviour to assume the rule of heaven and earth, not by the cross, but by worshipping him. The choice that faced Jesus was love, sacrifice, the cross, pain, faithfulness, humility, obedience and power. Jesus did provide miraculous
By Jason Antonio
bread but to feed others. Jesus did give a sign but only the sign of His willing and sacrificial death. Jesus did receive all authority and power but only by giving Himself wholly to the worship and service of the Father. The same temptations of power try to seduce us all the time. But in this season of Lent, the Church invites us to know anew and to recognize our impotence, that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves. We are reminded of our moral and mortal weakness, that we may turn more fully to Christ for the forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life, while relying more fully on His grace and help.
REGINA – How long can we afford to under-pay clergy who bring exceptional skills and abilities to the role, regardless of their experience? People are talking about the issue of clergy stipends/salaries in the Diocese of Qu’Appelle. In the January edition of the Saskatchewan Anglican, Michael Jackson discussed how the diocese has done “ministry on the cheap” for decades; Basil Pogue reported on a one-day Synod that dealt with how much we pay our clergy. Then, in a Letter to the Editor in the February issue, a retired clergyman explained how a small stipend means an equally small pension upon retirement. It is frustrating and discouraging to attempt to understand why some parishes won’t pay their clergy fairly, particularly those in southern Saskatchewan. This part of the province is awash in prosperity, with oil and gas, potash and agriculture driving the economy. You don’t even need a university education to jump into
an entry-level position in these sectors. They’ll take you and train you fully, and once that happens, you will immediately start pulling down nearly $100,000 per year. Easily. Clergy are well-educated, work very long hours and take very few days off. Isn’t the work they do worth more than some guy working on a drilling rig? Between mid-December and early January, there were six parishes in the diocese looking for an incumbent. Six parishes in need of a priest? That means six gifted and talented individuals left for one reason or another, including retirement, personal or financial. How can churches/parishes expect to attract quality candidates when the position isn’t offering the right money? How can we expect someone to live on a pittance when inflation is running at roughly three per cent yearly in Saskatchewan? If wages don’t keep up to the ever-increasing prices of food, gas and necessities, how long can clergy afford to stay around? I know a few talented and gifted clergy who didn’t apply
for a position in Regina recently because they heard the pay was low. You have to admit it doesn’t make sense that someone would want to come to the Diocese of Qu’Appelle when it would be easier to travel further west or north to another, better-paying parish/diocese. Let’s face it: Most priests don’t go into the job because they are expecting to be paid like a king. But if they’re not earning a decent living wage, how can they save for retirement? You’d have to work until you’re either 75 or practically on your deathbed. To attract and retain talented, experienced individuals, parishes need to have faith and pay a competitive, decent salary. Surely our spiritual leaders, who are often expected to be on call 24/7, need to feel their skills are valued and that when they retire, they have some security. The Bible says that what you give away, you will get back in spades. Luke 6:38, Deuteronomy 15:10 and Proverbs 3:27 all might be worth checking out. It’s time to open up the purse strings. And maybe we should pay our bishop more too.
Churches are meant to grow What number should we aim for when wanting to grow our churches? (Editor’s note: The following is an editorial from the September 1991 issue of the Saskatchewan Anglican. Based upon its content, the article shows that the more things change around us, the more things stay the same in the Anglican Church regarding growth issues. Since this editorial was written so well, it received a gold medal from the Anglican Editor’s Association that year). By Rev. Patrick Tomalin (ret’d) Churches are meant to grow. In New Testament times they grew very fast. In some parts of the world today they still grow fast. Here in Canada the mainline churches are not growing; they are shrinking (albeit slowly). The problem is not so much the numbers as our attitudes. Here we are in the Decade of Evangelism and we are bemoaning our slow losses instead of targeting growth. Our outlook is negative instead of positive. We see problems instead of opportunities. Our attitude towards our faith is shaped by our own relationship with faith. To use an illustration from the world of commerce,
we all see ourselves as stock relationship to the proportion managers and no one is looking of Anglicans in Canada. We are after sales and advertising. setting our sights far too low! We are clinging, somewhat Or are we? In fact, are we uncertainly, to a faith which setting our sights anywhere? What we want to keep in its original about your congregation? Do you packing box instead of sharing it, have any kind of a plan or a target marketing it, for growth? giving it away. So all you timid Anglicans, If you don’t, This what about it? Let’s get going then the one summer [in per cent annual on sharing our faith. Let’s 1991] the growth simply work with God at making His won’t happen. Evangelical church grow. Let’s develop a Lutheran But we plan for growth. Church of won’t have Canada How do we do that? First a target and decided to we won’t we need to know what it is share in the we believe (and we Anglicans have growth Decade of until we see are notoriously ignorant Evangelism. that we have of our faith). We must start something Their with ourselves and our own worth sharing convention set a target of relationship with our God. and until growth of one When we know our “product” we gain per cent per then we must “advertise” and confidence in year for the our own ability we must “sell”. next decade. to share. Anglicans are We have the looking at similar targets. greatest message in the world to But do you realize that this share. We have faith in the Living rate will merely maintain our God, in salvation through His Son share of the growing population Jesus, and in the ongoing presence of Canada? It will do nothing of the Holy Spirit. Nothing can in terms of real growth in top that!
And as for our ability to share – it is not really our ability which counts. It is the Holy Spirit working through us which enables us to share our faith. The confidence we need in order to share is not in ourselves, but in Him! So all you timid Anglicans, what about it? Let’s get going on sharing our faith. Let’s work with God at making His church grow. Let’s develop a plan for growth. How do we do that? First we need to know what it is we believe (and we Anglicans are notoriously ignorant of our faith). We must start with ourselves and our own relationship with our God. When we know our “product” then we must “advertise” and we must “sell”. We must target those groups which are under-represented in our church – youth, the 45-60 age group, people who are not of British background, and, of course, all those who have no active church connection. We must ask ourselves, “What are their needs?” “What is the best way of presenting the Christian message to them?” “How do I put into words what I believe and
why I believe it?” We must welcome all for no one is excluded from God’s call to know Him and to worship Him. We must not leave anyone out because of race or age or social status. We must not judge anyone as “unworthy”, for our faith says that God’s forgiveness and reconciliation are open to all who turn to Him. We must be accepting as Jesus was with the woman caught in adultery or as He was with the thief on the cross next to His. Can we face the future with new attitudes? Can we show others that our church is for them too? Can we have the confidence to know and to share what we believe? If we can, then our church will grow! One per cent per year over 10 years is 10 per cent growth (and remember, that only maintains our proportion of the population). If every Anglican can bring at least one other person into the life of the church over the next 10 years, that would double our membership. If every one of us did this each year over the next 10 years… .
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The Saskatchewan Anglican
March 2012
History of the Residential Schools
Mexican dinner raises funds for Baja By Peter R Coolen SASKATOON – On Jan. 28 a Mexican-themed dinner was held at St. Stephen’s, Saskatoon, as a fundraiser in support of the diocesan Baja Mission Project to build two houses in Mexico. Prior to this, the Project had put out a call for supplies and cash donations. Several members of our Youth group arrived early in the afternoon for cooking and decorating preparations. They served 50 guests a delicious Mexican dinner which included nachos, enchiladas, salad and ice cream and Mexican cookies! The silent auction items donated by parishioners had guests outbidding each other throughout the evening. It was a wonderful evening with games, songs (sung in Spanish), music and prayers. One event out of the hall gave children the opportunity to practice a true Mexican custom, attacking a house-shaped piñata to gain the goodies inside. Over $1,100 was raised by the Mexican evening at St. Stephen’s.
Contributed
On Jan. 28 a Mexican-themed dinner was held at St. Stephen’s, Saskatoon, as a fundraiser in support of the diocesan Baja Mission Project. As one of the events of the festive evening, the children present were given the opportunity to practice a true Mexican custom, attacking a house-shaped piñata to gain the goodies inside. Photo – Joan Irving
Truth and Reconciliation events in Saskatchewan in 2012 Contributed SASKATOON – The Anglican Church of Canada is committed to healing and reconciliation from the legacy of Indian residential schools. At this time, work is taking place among indigenous groups and between indigenous and nonindigenous peoples through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC). As part of this process, there will be a series of seven regional national TRC events held across Canada. The fourth event, the Saskatchewan National Event, will be held in Saskatoon at Prairieland Park from June 21-24. Prior to and following the Saskatchewan National Event in Saskatoon, the TRC will host 12 Community Hearings throughout Saskatchewan. The Hearings will provide an opportunity for Residential Schools Survivors to share with the Commission and Canada the unique experiences of children who attended residential schools. The Hearings will also provide a vehicle and venue for all Cana-
dians, both Aboriginal and nonAboriginal, to learn more about, and bear witness to, the ongoing legacy of the Residential School System. The Community Hearings of particular interest to the Diocese of Saskatoon began in Prince Albert from January 1 to February 2, will continue with upcoming Community Hearings to be held in Onion Lake from April 3-5 and Battleford from July 9-10. The dates and locations of the other upcoming Community Hearings of interest to the Dioceses of Saskatchewan and Qu’Appelle are: Fort Qu’Appelle, May 14-15; Buffalo Narrows, May 17-18; LaRonge, June 5-7; and Beauval (TBA) and Ile- a-laCrosse (TBA). Other Community Hearings of interest to these dioceses have already been held in Regina, Pelican Narrows, Stoney Rapids and the Key First Nation. The Diocese of Saskatoon supports the mandate of the TRC by work within our church, and in collaboration with other churches, Indigenous and community groups, residential school
survivor groups, the provincial and municipal governments and health and law enforcement. The vehicle for our working together is the National Event Regional Working Group, to which Mary Ann Assailly, from our diocese, has been appointed. Others will be placed on the committees of Planning and Logistics and Culture and Planning. Packages of background information in regard to the TRC process, these local hearings and the Saskatchewan National Event will be produced by the diocese and provided to each parish. As well, we would encourage you to visit the TRC website at www.trc.ca for background material, updates, schedules of the Hearings, related events, live streaming of the stories and of the Hearings themselves on the days of the Hearings. There are several Anglican Church Truth and Reconciliation sites to visit. For additional information on the TRC please call Kimberly Quinney, Regional liaison for Saskatchewan at (306) 665-4991, (306) 371-3403 or kimberly.quinney@trc.ca.
PWRDF supports model village in Haiti By Barbara Spurr and Mary Ann Assailly SASKATOON – PWRDF will be working with the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) on a model village program in Haiti. LWF has
secured land from the community of Gressier near Léogâne. This land will be used to construct a village for 200 families, including a community centre, sports fields, space for agriculture and a home for each family. The
village will incorporate biogas production, solar power, a computer lab/teaching centre and other amenities to create a full community for those who live there. It will be supported over time by the residents.
TORONTO – At various times between 1820 and 1969, the Anglican Church of Canada administered about three dozen Indian and Eskimo (Inuit) residential schools and hostels. At its peak involvement in the late 1920s, the church concurrently operated 24 school situated mostly in northern regions of central and western Canada. Some of these residential schools replaced or supplemented mission day schools, others were established in new areas replacing earlier boarding schools, and many were built by the government to be run by the Anglican Church. Canada’s other major Christian churches had similar roles in educating aboriginal peoples. For government, the ultimate goal remained the assimilation of educated native peoples into the non-aboriginal world. The procedure was known as enfranchisement, by which graduates of the system would apply and qualify for citizenship. In doing so, they would lose their Indian status and benefits but, with a small start-up grant, they were expected to succeed in the mainstream world of Canadian/European society. Successive Parliaments endorsed policies that sanctioned the removal of native children from their “evil surroundings” of family and community and subjecting them to the resocializing programs in the schools. In the blunt language of a century ago, Ottawa’s policy was simply stated: “the ‘savage’ child would surely be re-made into the ‘civilized’ adult.”
In the two decades since the late 1980s, many residential school survivors have come forward with stories of their experiences, including physical and sexual abuse and the impact of their loss of culture. During this period, government and religious bodies have partnered in programs to assist not only the school survivors but the native population in general. In 1991, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples was convened to examine many unresolved issues and make recommendations to foster a fair and honourable relationship between Aboriginal and NonAboriginal peoples in Canada. Also in 1991 the Anglican Church established an Indigenous Healing Fund to support the healing work undertaken by local aboriginal communities and groups. In his 1993 address to the National Native Convocation, the Anglican primate, Archbishop Michael Peers, offered a full apology for the church’s role in being a part of the system and for the wrongs committed. In 1998, the native-run Aboriginal Healing Foundation was created to manage the healing strategy and to complement existing government, church and First Nations programs. Government and aboriginal groups continued to seek solutions to address the legacy of the residential school experience and to provide compensation for survivors. Negotiations culminated with the Residential Schools Settlement Agreement in Principle, announced Nov. 23, 2005, and implemented on Sept. 19, 2007.
Healing together (Continued from page 1) Arthur’s comments Regarding the Regina hearings, “I think the good participation is a good indication for the future direction of the church on the Reserve. We have had the church’s Indigenous Covenant statement on self-determination. “It says that we should have our own voice in matters of our spiritual direction and political voice in all matters that govern our people. At the Truth and Reconciliation hearings I heard this loud and clear: ‘Let us go on our own; let us make the mistakes that are ours, instead of being watched over like children.’ “On reserves across Canada, our spiritual faith is changing direction and shape, by leadership
from our own people. Prayerfully, let’s give this a try. With the gift of the Great Spirit’s guidance, may we work together for this dream.” Arthur and Dale are presently leading the way at St. Luke’s on Gordon’s by educating our people on the journey of the Indigenous Church from its early beginning to now. We are looking forward to the Sacred Gathering in Pinawa, Man., this August. On Jan. 29, we spoke forgiveness to those who have hurt and wounded us. Reconciliation begins within the heart of each individual. We have been reconciled to Jesus and now we begin the journey of extending this to all. Megwetch! (an Anishnabe word meaning “thank you.”)
March 2012
Diocese of Saskatoon Announcements for March 2012 To be included in a timely manner, brief notices for events should be supplied to the Associate Editor by fax, e-mail or “snail mail” by the last week of the month, two months before the month in which the insertion is desired (for example, March submissions will be in the May issue). Detailed and longer texts of events will not be included in this section but, should space allow, could be the subject of additional articles or notices elsewhere in the Saskatchewan Anglican. Happenings at St. James’ with the Refinery: The “Re[de] fining Church” Service is a regular 7 p.m. Sunday evening gathering in the church. It is an informal gathering of 15-25 people, sitting in a candlelit circle, with music led by our youth band “Reaching Out”, reading, group reflection on the day’s Gospel and a gentle time of prayer. People of all ages come, with youth and young adults especially well represented. Refining Readers is for people who love to read and want to explore spirituality, theology and issues of social concern in a relaxed, accepting and friendly environment. Newcomers are always welcome and long-term commitment is not required. It is one Wednesday evening a month. A DVD New Testament Bible Study will be presented on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. in the parish library. The St. James’ Farmers’ Market and International Bazaar (see article in this issue) brings people and energy into the church every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Delicious food is available for sit-down lunch or to take home. We are also delighted that some of the vendors have organized a monthly drop-in for international students. International Drop-Ins are held on the second Sunday of every month, 2-5 p.m., in the lower level of the church. Also see www. stjamesrefinery.org for more information on these and other events. Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) Local Meetings: In preparation for the Saskatchewan National Event to be held at Prairieland Park, Saskatoon, from June 2124, 2012, the TRC will host 12
Community Hearings (see notice included in this issue for local hearing dates and locations). For more information please check the TRC website at www.trc.ca. Annual Camp Okema Banquet: The annual Camp Okema Fundraising Banquet will be held at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Saskatoon, on March 31 at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are available from Jean Gibson at (306) 373-1047. Canadian Lutheran Anglican Youth (CLAY) Gathering: The 2012 CLAY Gathering for Lutheran and Anglican youth between the ages of 14 and 19 will be held in Saskatoon from August 16-19. Early Bird Registration cost is $375, covers the cost of lunch, dinner and program events over the course of the gathering, plus the cost of accommodations and travel (by bus with other Anglican youth from across B.C. and the Yukon). Diocesan ACW Spring Conference: Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 14, 2012, for the Diocesan ACW’s Spring Conference/AGM (Theme: The Ancient-Future Faith), to be held at the Cathedral and the Parish Hall of St. John the Evangelist, Saskatoon. It is “a time to celebrate and grow in our faith”. Integrity/Saskatoon: Meetings are held at St. George’s, Saskatoon, on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. For more information, contact Tom and Rose Rogers at (306) 373-5165, or, Rev. Ann Marie Nicklin at (306) 381-9780 or benjie60@gmail.com. For further information and to view related articles, links and photographs of Integrity events, visit www. integritysaskatoon.blogspot.com. Men’s Breakfast, St. George’s, Saskatoon: The men of St. George’s, Saskatoon, invite everyone (not just men!) to their hot breakfast, held the second Sunday of each month from 9-10 a.m. in the parish hall. The address is St. George’s Anglican Church, Parish Hall, 624 Ave I South, Saskatoon, 242-7973. St. George’s Community Coffee House: All are welcome to join the Parish of St. George’s on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. for coffee, muffins and fellowship. See above for the address.
The Saskatchewan Anglican
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New church rises from the ashes By Mary Brown BIG RIVER FIRST NATION (SKWN) – What is that famous quote from the movie Field of Dreams: “If you build it they will come”? On the Big River First Nation, that is not the case. There it’s, “If you baptize them they will build it in eight months and then they will come”! And they came; clergy from Cumberland House, Red Earth, Stanley Mission, Little Red Reserve, Meadow Lake, Prince Albert, Fort a la Corne and Pelican Narrows. And the people in Big River First Nation came; young and old, they came to the consecration of their church on Jan. 14, 2012.
They remember the old church that someone deliberately burned down in 1993. Chief Bruce Morin read the petition and Bishop Michael Hawkins replied, “Brethren, if this be your desire, and the desire of the Parishioners, we will now proceed to the act of Consecration.” It was a blustery day but still the bishop walked around the outside of the building and knocked on the front door to be let in, saying, “Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may go into them and give thanks unto the Lord.” The wardens opened wide the doors for the bishop and his clergy who followed him in. Many of the furnishings in the
sanctuary were from All Saints Church in Whitefox. Members of the choir from St. Simeon and St. Anna, in Ahtahkakoop, provided the music. Henriette Thompson, from the Anglican Church of Canada, presented the vestry with a beautiful baptism ewer. In his sermon, the bishop commented on the name of the new church. Christ Church. Christ’s Church. Not the bishop’s, not the chief’s, not the Anglicans’, not Big River’s, but Christ’s Church. We belong by faith and by baptism to Jesus Christ. The Church is His people and body and the Church belongs to Him. Christ Church: everything we do and say must be focused on Him here. It must be all about Jesus.
Diocese of Qu’Appelle News and Events Rev. Peter Boote appointed to Chinook Parish Bishop Gregory Kerr-Wilson has announced the appointment of Rev. Peter Boote as Incumbent of Chinook Parish, effective Feb. 26, 2012. Peter is originally from the Diocese of Lichfield, England. He and his wife, Rev. Mary Ann Boote, come to Qu’Appelle from Port Aux Basque, Newfoundland, and have also served in the Diocese of Saskatchewan. Chinook Parish includes the congregations of St. Mary the Virgin, Maple Creek, and St. Andrew, Tompkins. Rev. Mary Gavin to retire Rev. Mary Gavin, Incumbent of Touchwood Trail Parish, will retire effective May 1, 2012. Touchwood Trail includes Fort Qu’Appelle, Cupar and Dysart. Rev. E. Eugene “Jeep” Green dies in Ottawa Rev. E. Eugene “Jeep” Green, who began his work as a priest in the Diocese of Qu’Appelle in 1953, died in Ottawa on Jan. 27, 2012 at the age of 85. Jeep served first in Weyburn and then from 1954-57 in a five-point parish in the Raymore district. He returned to Toronto in the late 1950s and then moved to Ottawa where he remained. Jeep is a graduate of Trinity College, University of Toronto, where he also met his wife Joy. They married in 1952 and have two
children and three grandchildren. An obituary in the Globe and Mail said, “Jeep Green has woven his special grace, caring, compassion and wisdom in a life dedicated to supporting others. A beacon of civility, sincerity and uncompromising credibility, he has left a real legacy as a man of conviction, who lived without fanfare, working to relieve uncertainty, fear and make his part of the world a better place.” Lay Retreat April 13-15 The retreat’s theme for lay men and women is The Descent of the Dove: The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Trinity, in Scripture and in Us. The conductor will be Fr. Christopher Snook and Chaplain Fr. Malcolm French. The silent retreat will be held at St. Michael’s Retreat Centre near Lumsden, beginning with dinner Friday evening and concluding after lunch on Sunday. Online registration is available at quappelle.anglican.ca, under Upcoming Events; by mail: brochures with registration forms will be sent to all parishes; or call Lorraine Hardwick at 545-4309. Diocesan ACW AGM Qu’Appelle Diocesan ACW Annual meeting will be held Saturday, April 21, at St. Stephen’s, Swift Current. This year’s theme is “All are Welcome”. An invitation is sent to all (you do not have to be a
member of ACW) to come and join in the fellowship. For those arriving Friday, a Bible Study is planned for Friday evening. Deadline to register is Saturday, April 7. The cost is $15, which includes lunch on Saturday. Please make cheques payable to St. Stephen’s Anglican Church. Registration and payment should be mailed to Marion Giverhaug, 731 4th Ave. NE, Swift Current, Sask., S9H 2K5. For further information contact your local ACW president or Sandra Hill, at Box 1014, Swift Current, Sask., S9H 3X1; by phone at (306) 778-2359; or by e-mail at saskahill@yourlink.ca. National Anglican/Lutheran Worship Conference June 29 to July 2, 2012, St. John’s College, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg. The theme of the conference “Beyond the Fortress” states the goal to take the church beyond its walls, to respond to people and situations in the wider world and integrate it into worship. The conference will work to make worship something that everyone can use in their own parishes, no matter how large or small. Early bird registration is $300. After April 30, the cost is $375. All meals are included, with a special celebration on July 1. For complete details and registration, please go to NationalWorshipConference.org.
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The Saskatchewan Anglican
March 2012
Continuing the journey together A Day with our Bishops event By Joanne Shurvin-Martin LUMSDEN (Qu’A) – It has become a tradition that three bishops – Anglican, Lutheran and Roman Catholic – meet at St. Michael’s Retreat Centre during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity for a panel discussion or talk on a selected theme. The day celebrates ecumenism, and in particular, the partnership with the three denominations and the Francisan Friars, who jointly own and operate the retreat centre. The theme on Jan. 26 was “Continuing the Journey Together”, and the panellists each spoke on a particular development in ecumenical relations. Very Rev. Michael Sinclair, dean of Qu’Appelle, was delegated by Bishop Greg Kerr-Wilson to speak about the Covenant between the Diocese of Qu’Appelle and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Regina. Bishop Don Bolen of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon was delegated by Archbishop Dan Bohan, and spoke about the history of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC). Lutheran Bishop Cindy Halmarson talked about the 10th anniversary of the Waterloo Declaration between Anglicans and Lutherans in Canada. Friar Dennis Vavrek told the gathering of 50 about the Spirit of Assisi Prayer Days, gatherings of leaders of the world’s religions held in 1986 and 2011. The day’s activities concluded with a short prayer service in the chapel, led by Rev. Catherine Harper, an Anglican priest who
lives and works at the Retreat Centre. The service incorporated the symbolic taking down of a wall which participants had created during the day. Wooden ‘bricks’ were provided for participants to build a symbolic wall to represent the walls which have separated denominations from unity. They wrote words including ‘fear’, ‘distrust’, ‘pride’, and ‘ignorance’ as examples of things which have kept the denominations apart. Dean Michael Sinclair said the Church started out as the family of Christ, but family members have parted ways through history. He said because of “residual effects of our adversarial history, we miss opportunities for evangelism.” Non-Christians, seeing denominational strife, may think, “If you guys can’t get along with each other, if you can’t love each other, how can you love me?” Speaking about the Covenant signed in 2011 between the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Regina and the Anglican Diocese of Qu’Appelle, Sinclair said, “The job before us now is not just to say ‘we have an agreement’, but to take bold steps in the wider world. We have an opportunity to join together in mission and ministry… but we need to be involved as individuals working together.” He invited the participants to form small groups and talk about what can be done locally with the churches working together. The ideas were collected before lunch. Lutheran Bishop Cindy Halmarson gave participants handouts, which explained “full communion” between Anglicans
Letters to the Editor Comments about small-town churches insulting Michael Jackson’s article ‘Qu’Appelle: Ministry on the cheap?’ has stirred up much debate, discussion and disdain for many Anglicans in our diocese. I am not quite sure whether to be upset at the author for writing it or the Saskatchewan Anglican that published it! Granted, Jackson brings up many obvious facts, such as the need for more conscious giving by congregational members all around the diocese. We also need to be aware of providing a reasonable income for our clergy. But one wonders what experience of small-town living and small-town churches the author has. His statement that “it might be healthier” if Anglicans became active members of the Lutheran (he doesn’t differentiate between the synods) or United Church is totally at odds with our Diocesan Council’s work to
move towards development and growth in our churches. I, for one, want to receive the Eucharist on a regular basis, not a plastic glass of juice on high days only. Let us all work towards an understanding of God’s call for church giving so that these sentiments will be ‘history’ soon. Susan Boxall, St. John’s Anglican Church, Fort Qu’Appelle (Editor’s note: Michael Jackson’s opinion piece was written from his perspective and did not represent official policy of the Diocese of Qu’Appelle. Being published does not mean an idea is official policy of any diocese. His article created debate and discussion, as is the point of the Saskatchewan Anglican. We always invite readers’ letters on the stories they have read within this newspaper).
Very Rev. Michael Sinclair, the dean of Qu’Appelle, begins dismantling the symbolic wall of division during A Day with our Bishops at St. Michael’s Retreat Centre. Friar Gerry Clyne plays guitar and Rev. Catherine Harper leads singing during the ecumenical service. Photo – Frank Flegel and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), as agreed in the 2001 Waterloo Declaration. Each church remains autonomous, while recognizing the catholicity and apostolicity of the other, and believes the other holds the essentials of the Christian faith. Communicant members of each church may receive communion in the other church and ordained ministers of either faith may officiate in both churches. Halmarson said in her diocese (which is the entire province of Saskatchewan) there are 90 parishes, with about 17 currently in joint Anglican-Lutheran
situations where clergy are serving the other denomination, or both denominations are sharing clergy. She pointed out some joint activities have been going on long before the Waterloo Declaration, and gave the example of the Anglican, Lutheran and United Church seminaries at the University of Saskatchewan, which operate together in many aspects. She explained that back in the 1500s, Martin Luther and others did not intend to break away and create new churches. They wanted to call the church back to its roots. Halmarson said historically, Anglicans and
Lutherans have not formally separated from each other, and therefore have not experienced the opposition and polemics which Roman Catholics had with both denominations. Halmarson read an excerpt from the constitution of the ELCIC, which states the church is working toward full, visible unity which Christ prayed for. She said the Canadian experience of Anglican and Lutheran full communion is an expression of Jesus’ call that all be one. For more about the Day with Our Bishops, please see Roman Catholic Bishop Explains ARCIC on page 8.
Camp Okema plans for new season Summer Camp Schedule Family 1: June 30 to July 4 Open House: July 7 Junior 1 (ages 10-12): July 8-14 Small Fry 1 (ages 7-9): July 16-20 Junior Teen (ages 13-15): July 22-28 Family 2/Small Fry 2: July 30 to August 3 Junior 2 (ages 10-12): August 5-11 Teen (ages 13-17): August 13-19 Adult: August 20-23 Further information on registration and fees may be found at our website, www. okema.ca, or in our brochure sent
to all parishes in the Dioceses of Saskatchewan and Saskatoon. Opening Work Weekend Camp Okema will host its annual Opening Work Weekend from May 19 -21 to prepare the camp for the new season. Join us for a time of work, worship, delicious food and fun! There is no cost for this weekend. Contact Andy Tomyn at (306) 382-8447 for further information and to register. Cabin Leader Training If you are 15 years or older and interested in being a Cabin Leader this summer, please join us for our Training Weekend at Camp Okema from May 20-21. For more information and to register, contact Steve or Yvonne Mitchell at (306) 756-2541. Rentals The camp is available for rental in late May, June, late August and
early September. Rental information may be found at www.okema.ca or by contacting the Rentals co-ordinator Corra Roberts at (306) 492-2559 or rental@okema.ca. Okema Banquets Camp Okema plans to host two fundraising banquets this year, one in Saskatoon and one in Prince Albert. The Saskatoon banquet is planned for Saturday, March 31 at St. John’s Parish Hall. Contact Jean Gibson at (306) 373-1047 for further information. Details regarding the Prince Albert banquet will be made available once they are finalized. Job Opportunity Camp Okema seeks a Lifeguard/Camp Assistant with NLS qualifications for its summer camps, starting June 29. For further information, contact Steve Mitchell at (306) 756-2541.
March 2012
The Saskatchewan Anglican
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Regina Cathedral to build new hall By Jason Antonio REGINA – After nearly a decade of discussions, planning and designing, St. Paul’s Cathedral in Regina is moving forward with construction of a new parish hall. In addition to the construction of a new facility, some targeted improvements will be made to the Cathedral including barrierfree access to the undercroft and Columbarium. A special all-members’ meeting was held Jan. 15 to decide if the Cathedral should proceed with replacing the current 55-year-old hall with a newer, but slightly smaller, parish hall building. The total cost of the project is estimated to be around $3.5 million. In preparation for the special meeting, two information sessions about the project were held, which provided Cathedral members with the most recent conceptual plans and allowed them to provide feedback on those plans. Much of that feedback was addressed by the building project committee and Vestry during the congregational meeting. The design of the building, the finances for the project and some of the next steps to move the project forward were the three main topics discussed. Jim Melville, the chair of the Building in Faith (BIF) Management Committee, explained significant changes have been made to the initial plan for the hall, pointing out buildings are “really expensive to design, build and maintain.” “We require as much multipurpose space as possible,” he added. “The intent of the project is to effectively meet both the internal needs of the Cathedral’s congregation as well as being an important resource for groups within our downtown neighbourhood and the Diocese.” The committee appreciated having the information sessions,
as both allowed for a more open process and discussion, Melville said. Questions, comments and concerns submitted by Cathedral members during the sessions were summarized by the committee and then presented to the congregation. Some comments included: Retaining the pulpit in its current location and not proceeding with the construction of the proposed ramp that was intended to provide barrier-free access to the Sacristy; ensuring enough space for storage; underground parking (too expensive, said Melville); and retaining the size of the proposed hall as presently detailed. The current plan includes a two-storey central core that includes an elevator and stairwells that will provide barrier-free access to all parts of the facility including the Columbarium and music rooms which are located within the Cathedral directly below the Sacristy. The Cathedral offices and main entrance to the new facility will be on the ground level of the central core. The main hall and kitchen will be constructed as a single, ground level structure and will be connected to the central core of the facility. Various options for the staging of the construction of the new facility are being considered. It is expected that more information on the timing of the various project components and revised project costs will be available closer to Easter. While fundraising for the project continues, St. Paul’s currently has approximately $2 million available for the project, leaving roughly $1.5 million to be raised. Other important features of the building project include: •
A solarium connector/ gathering space for better accessibility between the Cathedral and new hall
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Offices and the new hall will be on the ground level, including a large but noncommercial kitchen
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One handicapped-accessible/ family washroom near Cathedral passageway
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Primary washrooms at bottom of elevator and stairway
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The new addition will be roughly 500 square metres (5,360 square feet), including 1,730 square feet of finished space below the offices
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The electrical services will be upgraded, including the present Cathedral system
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Modifications to the basement of the Cathedral to improve access, to provide additional storage space and to allow for future expansion of the Columbarium.
At the conclusion of the meeting the congregation approved a resolution that directed Vestry to: •
Proceed with developing a complete design package that may be presented to potential contractors for the construction of the new facility;
The beautiful 500-year-old stained glass windows of All Saints, Watrous, survived the English Civil War and destruction by the Puritans by being buried in a field. The windows were donated to All Saints, Watrous, in 1912 and may be the oldest stained glass windows in Western Canada and are among the oldest in Canada. The windows depict Christ as King Enthroned with St. Paul to His left and St. Peter to His right. Photo – Contributed Think your church has an older set of stain-glass windows? Let us know by sending in a picture with a short history about them.
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Secure congregational approval of the design package prior to requesting bids for the work;
For new deacon, journey an ending and new beginning
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Investigate project funding options such as mortgage financing; and
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Secure additional congregational approval prior to entering into a construction contract.
2012 Baja Mission update and “Baja get-together” By The Diocesan Outreach External Subcommittee SASKATOON – By now you may have heard the great news that, in the Diocese of Saskatoon, we have 28 people signed up to go on the Mission to the Baja this coming June 5-15. Eleven parishes and congregations are represented, with members from the Diocesan ACW, Diocesan Youth, a Mission Co-ordinator and eight other individuals paying their own way. Due to episcopal obligations that require him to be in Diocese of the Arctic at the start of the mission, Bishop David Irving will join the mission group in the Baja
part way through its work. In preparation for the mission, a “Baja get-together” is being held for the “missioners”, and one or two family members of each of the missioners, on Saturday, March 3, at St. John’s Cathedral Hall from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch will be provided. The purpose of this get-together is to give missioners a chance to meet one another and to have questions answered by the organizing committee. So while there will be time for “meet-andgreet”, there will be further information regarding: what to pack; passports; medical shots; money; personal safety; the latest updates from Charles and Absolute.org; and much more.
During the mission, the group is hoping to post pictures each day from the Baja on our diocesan website to keep us informed on how the work is going. After the mission group has returned from the Baja, there will be regional events with a slide show or power point presentation and missioners who will share their experiences from the mission. For those of us at home, whether we know someone who is going or not, we would ask that you keep the mission and its participants in your prayers. We would also ask that you pray, as well, for the families who will be receiving the houses that our group will be building, and for their communities.
By Rev. Patricia Martin CHRISTOPHER LAKE (SKWN) – “Take thou authority to execute the office of a deacon in the Church of God committed unto thee; In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen” As Bishop Michael Hawkins laid his hands on my head and uttered these words, I realized this was both an ending and a beginning. It was the end of a long struggle within me. Some years ago, I felt a need to go Bible College and so completed a two year “Minister of Religion” course. For the past 12 years I have been a licenced lay reader in the Diocese of Saskatchewan, but the same restless feeling prevailed. God had more for me, but my mind and heart where closed to the possibility of ordination. Others were convinced I should be ordained but I knew it to be impossible. At 68 I was too old and I certainly did not have enough education. My husband and I had also been retired for 16 years. Someone once said that if
you wanted to make God laugh just tell Him your plans. It seemed His plans were very different than mine. Our vestry asked permission to send a letter to the bishop and the rest, as they say, is history. Do you feel that God is calling you to a position in your parish, either ordained or as laity? Pray, pray, pray. Talk to your priest and to close friends. Remember that God has said He will be found by those who seek Him with their whole heart. The following is a quote by Billy Barclay that says what I’m feeling much better than I can: “To be chosen by God so often means at one and the same time a crown of joy and a cross of sorrow. The piercing truth is that God does not choose a person for ease and comfort and selfish joy but for a task that will take all that head and heart and hand can bring to it. God chooses us in order to use us.” The restless feeling is gone and I’m looking forward to taking the next step. I know I have found the job to what God has been calling me and for which He has been preparing me.
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The Saskatchewan Anglican
March 2012
Bishop explains Roman CatholicAnglican relations By Joanne Shurvin-Martin
Fr. Christopher Snook blesses chalk to be given to the congregation, the first Sunday after Epiphany. Photo – Nigel Salway
Blessing chalk during an Epiphany celebration at St. Luke’s, Regina By Fr. Christopher Snook REGINA – It is an old custom to invite parish priests to bless homes. This often takes the form of an elaborate service of prayer and praise, with incense, holy water and more. While this first blessing is offered once, in some parts of the Church there is the custom of an additional annual blessing or re-dedication of Christian homes during Sundays after Epiphany. This year at St. Luke’s Anglican Church in Regina, on the first Sunday after the
Epiphany, the parish celebrated one way of encouraging parishioners to dedicate their homes anew to Christ at the beginning of a New Year. The custom of the Blessing of Chalk is wonderfully simple and useful. Chalk is blessed by the priest and then distributed to families along with a simple prayer service which they may use to bless their homes. An example of a service can be found at http://fullhomelydivinity.org/ articles/Epiphanyfullpage.htm. The service of house blessing begins at each family’s front door. The family gathers and the year
is written on the lintel with chalk, along with the first letter of the traditional names of the Wise Men: 20 C + M + B 12. These letters also stand for the Latin Christus mansionem benedicat, which means “May Christ bless the house.” The house service then continues with prayers, an Epiphany hymn and fellowship. The blessing of homes is one way of marking our lives, literally, with the good news of Christmas - that God is with us in Jesus Christ. We trust Him to protect, guide and nourish us in the year ahead.
Ramage inducted at River Valley Parish By Peter R. Coolen BORDON (S’TOON) – On Jan. 29, 2012, Bishop David Irving of Saskatoon conducted a service for the Celebration of a New Ministry at St. John’s Anglican Church, Bordon, where he inducted as Incumbent of the River Valley Parish Rev. Debbie Ramage. The parish includes St. John’s, Bordon; St. Augustine’s, Rosthern; and All Saints’, Maymont. A former Incumbent of the parish, Ven. Don Byrt (pictured), assisted Bishop David and had been invited to give the sermon. During the joyous service of celebration, Ramage was presented with gifts of a Bible, a copy of the Constitution and Canons of the diocese, prayer books, vessels
of water and anointing oil, the keys to the church and bread and wine by the wardens and members of the congregation. Readings were from: Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Psalm 111; and 1 Corinthians 8:1-13. The Gospel reading was Mark 1:21-28. Ramage read the Psalm and Gospel and Byrt gave the sermon. The topic was about “authority”; he used the analogy of sheepdogs shepherding flocks
of sheep in the way that priests do the work of guiding their flock under the authority and guidance of the one shepherd, Jesus Christ. Following the sermon, Bishop Irving presented Ramage to the congregation as “the leader of your new ministry”.
LUMSDEN (Qu’A) –During the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the Roman Catholic bishop of Saskatoon spoke to 50 people at St. Michael’s Retreat Centre, describing Anglican-Roman Catholic relations and how they have changed since the English Reformation. Prior to becoming bishop of Saskatoon, from 2001-08, Don Bolen served on the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity in Rome, focusing on relations with the Anglican Communion and World Methodist Council. In 2008 he was awarded the Cross of St. Augustine by the Archbishop of Canterbury for his service to relations between Roman Catholic and Anglican Communion. Bishop Don Bolen said for the first 300 or more years after the English Reformation, the two denominations had little to do with each other: “We remembered only what we thought the other did wrong.” Anglicans, said Bolen, became involved in ecumenical issues earlier than many other denominations, particularly in the World Council of Churches. He said Roman Catholics looked at these issues nervously because they were not convinced of the principles behind these early efforts for unity and were perhaps not yet ready for ecumenism. But, from the time of the Second Vatican Council (196265), they entered deeply into ecumenism and invited observers from many denominations. Anglicans responded first. Anglican observers encouraged the Archbishop of Canterbury to meet with the Pope, and in March 1966, Pope Paul VI and Archbishop of Canterbury Michael Ramsey signed a common declaration stating the two families of churches committed themselves to enter into a dialogue rooted in Scripture, centuries of common history and geared towards full visible unity. He said in the old model of the church as the “Ark of Salvation”, you are either in the ark or out. The prevailing view was only the Roman Catholic Church was The Church. The new model understands that churches are in communion with God and as a result are in communion with each other. The Catholic Church understands itself to be in a relationship of real but incomplete communion with other Christian churches. “It is not for the churches to set the agenda for the dialogue,” said Bolen. “Christ expressed the wish for unity. It is the Lord’s will and He sets the agenda for unity.” The Anglican-Roman Catholic
International Commission (ARCIC) was created in 1969. In the 1970s it began to discuss Eucharist, Ministry and Authority. For the first document, on Eucharist, Bolen said it was easy to find agreement on the “more foundational elements”, although disagreement remains regarding reservation of the Blessed Sacrament. In 1973 a document on Ministry also saw many areas in agreement. The third topic, Authority, is the issue, Bolen said. He explained Anglicans did not see the break from Rome in the 16th century as a break in faith. There is significant agreement on authority, but not complete agreement. Both denominations agree all authority comes from Christ, while both have primatial and collegial structures. But there is no agreement on the Petrine authority nor papal infallibility. ARCIC dealt with five topics between 1983 and 2005: salvation in the church; nature and mission of church; morals; authority; and the Virgin Mary. Bishop Bolen said on the first two topics there was significant agreement and both churches have many elements in common. Regarding morals, he said that they share common moral principles, “but the way we work these out is different.” Specifically, contraception and human sexuality are viewed differently. He said the dialogue “never minimizes the differences, but even on those on which we disagree, we have common foundational elements.” He said there has been some progress on the issue of authority, but there are obstacles keeping us from making significant steps forward. He said the two churches are learning from each other, particularly about involvement of lay people and unity in diversity. On Mary, Bolen said there is agreement on her role in history but disagreement on Immaculate Conception and assumption. The Anglican position is that these dogmas are not contrary to Scripture, but it should not be required to believe in them because they are not specifically addressed in Scripture. The Saskatoon bishop added that as each denomination has evolved, certain developments have drawn us apart. The progress towards unity has not seen bold steps, but significant steps. “Meetings and documents alone cannot bring unity,” he said. “Given the extent we have agreed on common faith, what can we do in common? In theory we should do everything together except those things where we do not agree. But in practice we tend to do everything separately except when exceptional circumstances put us together.”