The Saskatchewan Anglican, April 2019

Saskatchewan

anglican

The newspaper of the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle • A Section of the Anglican Journal • April 2019

www.facebook.com/thesaskatchewananglican — www.issuu.com/thesaskatchewananglican

Past refugee family receives new home

By Joanne Shurvin-Martin

Holy animal rescue fans, Batman!

Batman poses with Eden (Wonder Woman) Vanderhoof at Christ Church's Bat Nite in Saskatoon. The event raised money for the Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and Christ Church's roof. Saskatoon's Batwoman, Melanie Elliott, spoke about her work helping bats regain their health. Photo by Christ Church Anglican Church

Bat Nite attracts many nature lovers By the Rev. Mark Kleiner SASKATOON — A bat on the loose in Christ Church during the dead of winter?

Sounds like a job for the Batwoman of Saskatoon, Melanie Elliott, the 306’s Florence Nightingale of Bats. Not only did Melanie rescue Dame Rikki Batenborough by taking her into her

bat shelter — comprising an ICU unit on her home dining room table, as well as a cellar filled with healthier hibernating specimens — she also accepted an invitation from Christ Church to share her stories of bat rescue and introduce her travelling bat companions, Batrick and Elizabat, at the parish’s first Bat Nite.

Continued on page 5

REGINA — A former refugee family that the Diocese of Qu'Appelle sponsored and supported now has a new home.

“It was a very big day for us!” said Marleen Abbo as she described the day her family moved into their new home. “When I opened the door for the first time, I was very happy, very excited.

And I was very happy for our kids, too.”

Their brand-new three bedroom home built by Habitat for Humanity Regina is a big step up from rental accommodation, and even farther from the refugee camp in Syria, where they lived after fleeing from Iraq.

Marleen and her husband, Safaa Mousa, and their baby daughter, Majdleena arrived in Regina in December 2011, as refugees sponsored by the Diocese of Qu’Appelle.

Majdleena, known as Mimi, is now eight; her sister Sarah is four; and Maritta is two and a half.

The family has become an integral part of the parish of St. James the Apostle.

Jamie Halpenny, a leader in the parish, has helped the family in many ways: helping them complete many forms and government paperwork, driving to appointments before the parents obtained driver’s licences, and generally being a great friend.

The three Mousa girls all call her “auntie” while another parishioner, Shirley Williamson, is “grandma.”

St. James is a founding member of the Transcona Park Housing Association, which provides subsidized and affordable housing.

Halpenny helped the Mousa family apply, and in May 2014, they moved from a small apartment to a TPHA row-house unit.

When they said they would like to own their own home some day, Halpenny

thought of Habitat for Humanity, and set the gears in motion.

The process took almost two years, which began with meetings, interviews and applications to complete. Then the family and its supporters had to complete 500 hours of “sweat equity.”

When Abbo describes this process, she says how she worked many hours at the ReStore, Habitat for Humanity’s retail business, which accepts donations of new and gently-used building materials and household goods.

Proceeds from ReStore cover all fundraising administration costs of Habitat for Humanity Regina. Halpenny, along with parishioners Frank Proulx and Anne Bailey also volunteered, with their hours being applied to the Mousa family.

Most of what Abbo and Mousa did was provide meals for the work crews at the build site. Back in Iraq, Mousa had been a chef, so the workers were treated to wonderful home-made food — not the fast food which often is provided.

The value of these meals was calculated into work hours, and since Mousa and Abbo always made extra food, it was enjoyed the next day.

Halpenny and Williamson also provided some meals. Additional support from parishioners Anna Woods and Mo and Neale Hollingsworth was greatly appreciated.

Abbo says of the support they have received from St. James, “Thanks is not enough; they are family and friends. They are everything for us.”

Halpenny also approached the diocese and a letter was sent to all Regina area parishes.

Bishop Rob Hardwick also encouraged support of Habitat for Humanity when he spoke to the diocese last year.

Continued on page 6

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The Saskatchewan Anglican

April 2019

Evil exploits our human weaknesses Would God ever actually lead us into temptation to the point where we need to ask Him not to?

Why or why not?

By the Rev. Dr. David Tyler

G

od was pleased with creation and it was good. Creation, however, had a darker side; evil is also part of creation.

One cannot appreciate good without the counterpoint of evil.

None can deny that evil exists and that temptation into evil is ever present.

We are surrounded by temptation in the media, in our relationships, and in our instinctual drives for self-gratification.

Addictions, crime, broken relationships and excess consumption are some of the examples of how we can fall into evil.

The central question is whether God intends to lead us into temptation.

There can be little doubt that many aspects of God’s creation can tempt us, but can God be accused of

entrapment?

Did God set up Adam to see if he would fall? Did He lead Jesus into the wilderness to see if He would submit to Satan’s ploys?

God does not seem to prevent evil or its consequences. In the Book of Job, Satan causes Job to suffer to test his faith. God remains aloof while Job suffers.

The Book of Job has been likened to a series of trials and God is put on trial for allowing mankind — and specifically Job — to suffer by evil. Indeed, our own reaction when we or our loved ones suffer is to accuse God of somehow punishing us.

Unfairly, we see others enjoying life fully and seemingly without consequences. Legal opinion would say while Job suffered, God is not to blame for the evil unleashed, that God is above and beyond good and evil.

Good happens and evil happens, God creates them but is not morally blameworthy.

Temptation is often

conflictual, something good can become tainted by evil. Sexuality, for instance, is a beautiful and indeed very necessary part of life, not only for conceiving children but as a pleasurable part of a loving relationship.

We can be seduced to view sexuality as a commodity and we can become entrapped into exploitation and immorality. It is Satan and evil that tempts us to fall into depravity.

The Garden of Eden with all its delights and beauty were part of creation, but it was the snake who seduced Eve and subsequently Adam to consume the forbidden fruit.

As an older teen, after a party some friends and I piled into a car to go home. I remember that we drew up on a side road to a major intersection. I was a passenger, but the driver had consumed a few drinks.

A car approached at an alarming speed on the main highway, well over the speed limit. Had

our driver erroneously entered that intersection the consequences would have been catastrophic.

Our lives as well as the occupants of the other car would have been forever changed.

“However, by God’s grace I am what I am1” (1 Cor. 15:10). God’s “amazing grace!” to quote the well-known hymn, has saved many of us from temptation. God does not lead us into temptation, but it is evil that draws us in by exploiting our vulnerability, our human weakness.

Jesus knows us; after all, he was surrounded by temptation more than once. He taught us to pray, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Whenever we find ourselves to be tempted, remember and pray those simple words. They are life-saving. Amen Putting God on Trial: The Biblical Book of Job: A literary, Legal and Philosophical Study. By Sutherland, R., Trafford Publishing, Canada 2004.

True faith found in trials and temptations Would God ever actually lead us into temptation, to the point where we need to ask Him not to? Why or why not?

By Rev. Michael Bruce

e say some prayers so often that they become like old familiar friends; there is a sense of comfort and nostalgia when we say them. Often that familiarity can keep us from wrestling and going deeper with the radical, transformative, countercultural heart of the prayers themselves.

One of these prayers is the Lord’s Prayer. It still amazes me that at every nursing home and care home I go to lead worship, the Lord’s Prayer brings everyone together; people can recite it even when they’ve forgotten so much else of their lives.

But if we stop to think about it, the Lord’s Prayer is really not easy to earnestly pray. Asking for bread rather than gourmet food, forgiving others, asking that God’s will be done and not our own!

W

All of those are well been rejected. worth spending hours reTertullian of Carthage flecting on and wrestling (155 to 240 AD) commentwith, but today I want to ing on the Lord’s Prayer focus on the line, “lead us said, “We should pray not into temptation.” not only that our sins be Would forgiven God really but also If it is not God lead us into that they be temptation, completely who tempts us, to the point resisted. God then it is God where we forbid that who supports us should plead our Lord with Him to should seem in our efforts to spare us? to be the resist. But God It is a tempter, as does more than frightening if He were image of not aware of simple resisGod, if we one’s faith or tance. believe that were eager somehow to upset the God we it.” He also pray to and have faith in is points out that, “Even in unaware of the very thing the case of Abraham, God that brings us into relaordered the sacrifice of his tionship with Him. son not to tempt his faith How terrifying if the but prove it.”

God who created us and Therefore, the phrase knows us better than we that balances and interknow ourselves is unaware prets “lead us not into of our weaknesses, or likes temptation” is “but deliver to watch us struggle. As if us from evil” (On Prayer somehow a prayerful re8.1-3,5-6). minder is going to placate We as Christians generGod’s ego and keep our ally interpret the petition woes away. on temptation in a way so From very early in the that it does not contradict church’s history, the theolJames 1:13-14 “Let no one ogy of God as tempter has say when he is tempted, ‘I

am being tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted with evil, as He himself tempts no one.

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires.”

If it is not God who tempts us, then it is God who supports us in our efforts to resist. But God does more than simple resistance. Time and time again in Scripture and in our lives, God takes trials and temptations and not only helps us resist but also transforms the entire ordeal into one that can shine with His grace.

From the cross, Christ shows us that in trial and temptation, true faith is found. It is when we are tested and have nothing to trust in but the grace of God that others are moved by the depth and strength of faith.

To put in the terms of a common colloquialism: there are no atheists in a foxhole. So may God not lead us into temptation, but help us to trust in Him always, and use every situation to spread the good news of His power to save.

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

Published monthly except for July and August.

Whole No. 292, Vol. 47, No.8 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 June issue must be received by the diocesan editor no later than Friday, April. 26 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: Mary Brown mary1949brown@gmail.com Box 25, Shellbrook, Sask., S0J 2E0 306-922-5159 Advertising agent: Angela Rush saskatchewan.anglican.ads@ gmail.com 905-630-0390 PUBLISHING DETAILS Published from 59 Roberts Place Regina, Sask., S4T 6K5

April 2019

The Saskatchewan Anglican

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I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day

By Bishop Rob Hardwick Near the end of the My Fair Lady movie, Liza Doolittle sings, “Words!

Words! Words! I’m so sick of words! I get words all day through; first from him, now from you! Is that all you blighters can do?

Don’t talk of stars burning above; If you’re in love, Show me! ... Don’t talk of love lasting through time.

Make me no undying vow. Show me now!”

Mindful of this movie outburst, I am conscious of the words I have been asked to write in this Saskatchewan Anglican article, ever mindful of the undeserving abundant love, and undying vow, Jesus has given.

I have heard it said that people will not care how much you know until they know how much you care. Standing at the foot of the Cross, Jesus shows us how much he cares as he stretches out his arms and dies for us.

Edgar A. Guest captures the

essence of the importance of the lived-out word in his poem, “I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day.” The first verse reads: I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day; I’d rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.

The eye is a better pupil, more willing than the ear; Fine counsel is confusing, but example is always clear, And the best of all the preachers are those who live their creeds, For to see a good (or as I prefer ‘Faith’) put into action is what everybody needs.

As we gaze this Holy Week and Easter on Jesus, we see the rejected, tortured, yet forgiving, crucified and resurrected Word.

We behold Emmanuel, God with us, the Saviour of all.

A man of passion, integrity and faith. One who lived up to His name Jesus (Saviour). One who was more than His words; one who

was true to what He said, and did what He said. A man whose words and actions birthed life everlasting, through whom, continues to flow abundant mercy, forgiveness and amazing grace.

As we, in remembrance, reflect on the incredible happenings of Holy Week and Easter, we are challenged. For this Jesus, the Word made flesh, calls us to make flesh of our words, to be faithful followers of Him, and to do even greater things than He. But how, where and when?

Many people were drawn to follow the selfless example of Mother Teresa and they asked if they could join her in Calcutta.

Her reply to many was, “Stay where you are. Find your own Calcutta. Find the sick, the suffering and the lonely right where you are – in your own homes and in your own families, in your workplaces and in your schools.

“You can find Calcutta all over the world, if you have eyes to see.

Everywhere, wherever you go, you find people who are unwanted, unloved, uncared for, just rejected by society – completely forgotten, completely left alone.”

Jesus came for such as these.

So this Easter, what words will we say? Will you and I live up to

them? Or more importantly, will we follow the living word in the lived out world of today? Where is our Calcutta?

Some say it is Mission Impossible. It would be, if the effort was all of our doing.

Here lies an important teaching for us, for He who is the Word from the beginning, the Word who was with God and the Word that was God, who has, from the beginning of all time, brought life and light into the world.

It is this Word that has said, “Lo, I am with you, even to the end of the age” and promised that He “will never leave us nor forsake us.”

Flowing from our Holy Week and Easter celebrations I pray that, versed as we are in word and sacrament, that our words and actions be as a sacrament to all the First Nation reserves, towns and cities throughout this province.

You are an amazing church, a church that has heart, faith, passion, integrity and love. I also believe most strongly that our three dioceses have a special calling here in Saskatchewan.

It always has and always will, if we, as a church, heed God’s call to be living words in Jesus’ name to all we meet.

Opinion

Mainstream media will not tell the Church's story for us

By Jason Antonio Managing editor

I

n this space last month, we told you about how the Anglican Church of Canada is moving to a paper-to-digital transition strategy for the Anglican Journal. This decision would also affect the diocesan newspapers — including the Saskatchewan Anglican — by essentially eliminating them from existence in print form.

A second decision the national church unfortunately made is to force you to confirm your subscription. This means you have to clip out a coupon (see page 14), fill it out and send it in to ensure you continue to receive the Saskatchewan Anglican and the Anglican Journal.

Remember, even if you dislike the Journal, that is the only vehicle that can distribute all diocesan newspapers. It is too expensive for an individual diocesan paper to print and mail on its own. That’s why the two papers are bundled together.

Now, the main thrust of this column focuses on

who will communicate the Church’s story to the rest of the Church, and [remove comma] the rest of society.

With the elimination of the Journal and diocesan newspapers in print form, this takes away one method to reach people. It also takes away an outlet in which to report what happens in your parish, your diocese and the national church.

The CBC will likely not send a digital reporter to cover an ordination in the hinterland of Saskatchewan. CTV News likely won’t send a TV crew to cover the visit of your bishop to your parish.

The Regina Leader-Post or

Saskatoon StarPhoenix is probably not going to send a reporter to cover your bake sale or puzzle sale.

Now your community newspaper might, but not the dailies.

We should not want the secular media to tell our story, either. It is good to have informed Christian journalists who know what is happening in the Church. They can tell the story accurately and seek informed people easily.

The editors who produce diocesan newspapers and their reporters and contributors are passionate about the Church and want to present it faithfully and truthfully.

Christian journalism is important and should be supported.

As Lorna Dueck, CEO of Crossroads Christians Communications Inc., home of the popular daytime TV Show 100 Huntley Street, told Faith Today magazine, “If you don’t keep a light in journalism, a Christian light in journalism, things are really challenged.”

She gave an example of how she attempted to offer

a column about the Christmas story to the Globe and Mail. However, she was turned down because the paper wanted to run a column written by an atheist.

While we are making alternate outlets online that people are finding, she cautioned this poses a danger. It’s a danger because it creates portals where we speak only to the choir.

“This is why Christian journalism has to be so good that we capture the audience that is outside of our loop,” she told Faith Today. “That is why the Globe and Mail has been so important to me over the years.”

Our diocesan newspapers and the Journal, in print, can capture that audience. We can leave a physical copy of the paper behind at the library, a car dealership, the YMCA, a school, or other public places. This gives people the opportunity to see that a Christian presence exists in their community.

There is a reason that alternative media such as Faith Today and Crossroads exist, Dueck told that magazine. There is a

major change occurring, but “Canadians are still consuming media at a massive rate.”

Personally I believe that, besides digital, we should also offer paper.

It’s positive to give people as much choice as possible for reading material.

Let’s remember, Chapters bookstore is still in business and still sells books.

It might not sell as many books as 10 years ago, but it is still selling books and magazines. Libraries are still humming and still serve a purpose.

Just look at the outcry in 2017 when the Saskatchewan government planned to de-fund libraries. There were sit-ins in front of MLAs’ offices and people read books there on the ground.

As Dueck told Faith Today, “Faithful Christians subsidize Christian media in Canada. It’s like the tax subsidies that other media receive. No one should feel badly that Christian media is subsidized by donations.

All media in Canada is subsidized.”

Long live the diocesan newspapers.

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The Saskatchewan Anglican

April 2019

Train religiously to maintain your spiritual fitness

By Rev. Noel Henry Diocese of Ontario

I

n an interview with Business Insider, Kevin Durant spoke about LeBron James (professional basketball NBA player, pictured) saying, “One thing I learned about LeBron — I worked out with him — LeBron takes care of his body, he knows that in order for him to play that long, his body has to be up. He has to keep that in shape. Like, he works on his body, like, religiously.”

To keep himself in shape, LeBron James reportedly invests $1.5 million every year on trainers, his home gym, massages therapists, chefs and much more.

LeBron has committed himself to creating healthy habits that will maintain his body. That is why even at age 34, when most athletes experience decline in their performance, he is at the top of his game.

Just like LeBron’s dedication to fitness, Christians must also be dedicated to spiritual fitness. The Bible uses the metaphor of running a marathon to depict Christian discipleship.

As Christian disciples, our marathon is much longer than an NBA season. Truth be told, it endures a lifetime! As such, the marathon of discipleship is long and

tiring. There are times along the course we just want to quit, especially when we encounter difficulties and trials.

When the marathon gets challenging, the Bible encourages us not to give up, but to train more and persevere! When professional athletes stop training, their body goes through a process of deconditioning. The body loses muscle strength, stamina, and blood sugar levels rise. Similarly, when we, as Christian disciples, stop training, we begin to

see the detrimental effects of deconditioning in our spiritual lives. Therefore, in order to complete the marathon with dedication, we need to train like LeBron, “like, religiously,” creating habits that will help maintain our spiritual fitness.

Normally, Lent is a season of preparation for the celebration of Easter.

However, I suggest using our Lenten moment to hone our spiritual “work-out plan.” Let’s invest our time incubating spiritual habits that we

can continue to foster even after Easter. The church highlights three areas of spiritual training during Lent: prayer, fasting, and charity. I encourage you to choose one of these three areas and develop habits that will strengthen you throughout your discipleship marathon.

To start, choose something simple and specific. For instance, pray for 15 minutes in the morning before breakfast with an intention of building a stronger relationship with Jesus.

Similarly, you could fast every Friday at lunch as a reminder of your dependence on God’s grace in hard times. You could also increase your giving to a charity (or even your church!) since your contribution can further the work of Jesus and the Kingdom of God on Earth.

Invest in your spiritual fitness this Lent because the life of a disciple is not easy.

We also need to be at the top of our spiritual game to bear witness to Jesus Christ in our lives.

DIOCESE OF SASKATOON

Announcements for April 2019 Saskatchewan Anglican online! You can read current and past issues of the Saskatchewan Anglican online at https://issuu.com/ thesaskatchewananglican or on Facebook at www.facebook. com/saskatchewananglican. g New Ministry for Survivors: An ongoing ministry open to anyone who is post-trauma in need of prayerful support began in Saskatoon in September.

This ministry includes/may include creative expression through dance and painting for healing of the inner child with Common Praise and Taize Hymns, Psalms, sharing circle, grounding meditation and weekly themes; prayers and anointing are also available to anyone who wishes to receive them.

Place is St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, Saskatoon. Time is every Monday (except statutory holidays) from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The facilitator is Karen Walter.

Phone 639-480-6274 for more information. g The following events are presented in co-operation with the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism as it celebrates its 35th anniversary: MAY: Spring Coffee Talk, Japanese Tea Ceremony, Brenda Nightingale, Queen’s House Retreat and Renewal Centre, 601 Taylor Street West, May 25 from 1 to 3 p.m.

JUNE: PCE’s 35th anniversary celebration banquet. For more information visit www.pcecumen-

ism.ca or phone 306-653-1633. g Celtic Evening Service in Saskatoon: The Celtic evening Eucharist service begins its second year at St. George’s Anglican Church, 624 Ave. I South, Saskatoon. Services are held every Tuesday night at 7 p.m.; each mid-month service will begin with a pot luck at 6 p.m. g Indigenous Ministry in Saskatoon: St. George’s Anglican Church (624 Ave. I South) provides a monthly Anglican Indigenous Ministry Service the last Sunday of each month.

The service begins with a lunch in the parish hall with soup or stew and bannock, followed by a Eucharist and a smudge and sharing circle in the church led by the Rev. Denise McCafferty and others.

g Community Coffee House and Bible Study: The Parish of St. George’s, Saskatoon holds its weekly coffee house and Bible study every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The Bible study is held from 10:30 a.m. to about 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.

April 2019

The Saskatchewan Anglican

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God's kingdom seen in artwork

By Mary Brown

Master Wayne, it's for you

Batfan Dan (The Ven. Dan Hughes) takes a call on his bat phone, next to his bust of Shakespeare that hides the secret switch to the bat cave.

Photo by Christ Church Anglican

... Bat Nite in Saskatoon Continued from page 1 Thanks in part to saturation coverage from local TV, radio and print media, as well as on social media, the free event brought out close to 100 nature lovers, as well as fans of the Batman pop culture phenomenon.

Attendees got a chance to meet the caped crusader in person, as well as enjoy a panel discussion on all things Batman, including comment from the Ven. Dan Hughes of All Saints Anglican Church. Hughes is a diehard fan of the 1960s’ Batman television show and was on hand with his Batphone and personal autograph from the late actor Adam West.

The event raised hundreds of dollars for Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation and the Christ Church roof fund, home to a number of bats

over the years. Sponsored by local stores Amazing Stories and Glitch Gifts and Novelties, which donated tons of bat-related swag to give away, bat-fans also had opportunity to bid on silent auction items and commiserate with one another well into the night. The Shaw Cable TV Show Punch TV was on hand to capture the event for a forthcoming episode; watch for it.

Bat Nite proved so successful that Christ Church is already in negotiations with Saskatoon’s uber-geek coterie to host Robin Day — a celebration of the bird and Batman’s beloved sidekick — this coming spring, hoping to prove that the peanut butter-and-chocolateesque mixture of botany and pop culture was more than a fluke.

The first Bat Nite was Feb. 1.

PRINCE ALBERT — The red sun is a symbol of the source of life and creativity that lives within and among us. The red sun is also one of the paintings displayed at the Rev. Ken Lyons show entitled Connecting with the Source.

Ken Lyons is well known in the Diocese of Saskatchewan as a musician. His group, the Men of the Way, made appearances at many functions all over Saskatchewan.

He is a man of many passions, such as music, art, sports, religion and life. What came first?

Probably music, which is his first love. He started playing in a band when he was 13 years old.

He can play the fiddle, violin, accordion, mandolin and guitar, and took vocal lessons even

singing in a light opera.

Lyons grew up in the Brancepeth district on a farm. His grandfather helped build the beautiful Holy Trinity Church in Brancepeth. As a child he went to services in that little country church.

He attended high school in Kinistino and went on to teacher’s college. He also went to university and majored in fine arts.

He was an art and math teacher for 31 years.

During those years he was a lay reader at St. Alban’s Cathedral Church, while after his retirement he was ordained as a deacon and the next year as a priest.

Bishop Short and Bishop Morgan were instrumental in his journey. He has been a priest for 28 ½ years and is presently honourary assistant, serving as part-time liturgical leader.

Lyons leads and teaches

an active singing group and is also involved in outreach to care homes.

Over the years, he was involved in most sports — baseball, hockey, curling and soccer — and still likes to golf in the summer.

Lyons’ first remembrance of art is drawing with his father. He would draw funny cartoons and sketches of farm life. His father once brought him a piece of outer bark from a birch tree and told him he used it as paper when it was in short supply.

This was Lyons’ first remembered encounter with the mystery and beauty of creating.

I think for Ken painting is a form of worshipping God. He points out that Jesus said the Kingdom of God is within us and lives among us. His hope is when he makes a painting, a portion of the kingdom is released in his work.

Rev. Ken Lyons with some of the artwork he has created over the years, during an art show in Prince Albert.

Photo by Mary Brown

DIOCESE OF QU’APPELLE

Qu'Appelle School for Mission and Ministry Courses for 2019: A year of study and discernment 1. April 12 to 14: Intro to Worship and Liturgy 2. June 14 to 16: Preaching: Part 1 3. Sept. 7 to 9: Preaching: Part 2 4. Oct. 18 to 20: A Brief Introduction to Church History and Anglicanism 5. Nov. 8 to 10: Preaching: Part 3 6. Dec. 6 to 8: Introduction to Christian Ethics General interest: The Friday and

Saturday sessions are open to all. If the topic interests you, register and join us.

For those preparing for Reader Ministry: This forms the bulk of your preparation.

A December 2018 course is the only other inclusion. Commissioning will take place in March 2020, following the successful completion of a pre-commissioning interview.

For those discerning a call to ordained ministry in the diocese: The topics stated above form a foundational Year 1 programme of study.

Two years of study follow. Time for vocational discernment will be included in each weekend.

For more information, contact Archdeacon Catherine Harper at 306 522 3103 or email archdeacon.catherine@sasktel. net.

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The Saskatchewan Anglican

April 2019

... Former refugee family gets new home

The Mousa family poses proudly in their new home. (Standing are Safaa Mousa and Marleen Abbo; seated are Mimi, Sarah and Maritta.

Photos by Joanne Shurvin-Martin

The two youngest girls, Maritta and Sarah, show visitors the bedroom they share in their new home.

The refugee family sponsored by the Diocese of Qu’Appelle in 2011 has achieved home ownership, thanks to its hard work, many volunteers and Habitat for Humanity Regina.

Continued from page 1 Hardwick continues to encourage support, and refers readers to the website www.habitatregina.ca.

Donations can be specified for Safaa and Marleen Mousa.

The Mousa family has a unit in Haultain Crossing, which will eventually consist of 62 units in northeast Regina.

It is Habitat for Humanity’s largest ever build project in Saskatchewan, and the second largest in all of Canada. When completed it will house more than 200 people.

The Haultain Crossing homes are very well designed and well built.

Though not extravagant, they incorporate many high efficiency features.

Habitat for Humanity is a not-for-profit organization that relies on donations, volunteers and community partners to build homes for hardworking, low-income families.

It promotes home ownership as a means of breaking the cycle of poverty, and believes in

a hand up, not a handout.

To qualify for a home, families must be in need of better or more affordable housing, and must have at least one child living at home.

They must have income between $34,000 from $65,000 annually, a good credit rating and little debt, so that they can make their mortgage payments.

The family must be willing to complete 500 hours of sweat equity and follow the organization’s home ownership policies.

Please see www. habitatregina.ca for more information.

On the day of the move, the extended parish family was on hand with three trucks and a car hauling boxes and furniture.

Halpenny, along with her sister Judy and husband Barry Herman, her friend Marilyn Kolke, and parishioners Shelley and Frank Proulx, were all involved.

Abbo says she is very grateful to everyone who helped on that day and all the time leading up to their very big day.

April 2019

Rhythms of Church year are better than reality TV By the Rev. Marie-Louise Ternier Editor’s note: Rev. Marie-Louise Ternier serves All Saints Anglican Parish and Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Watrous. She is also been a member of the national Anglican-Roman Catholic Dialogue (ARC Canada).

She blogs at http://graceatsixty.wordpress.com.

A

while back our three teenage confirmation candidates presented to the congregation their learning on the Seasons of the Church Year.

With the help of slides they walked through Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter and Pentecost, explaining the spiritual themes and their Scriptural connections, plus the liturgical colours that express the themes.

It was an eye-opener not only for these young candidates, but for many in the congregation too.

As trained ministers we can easily forget that not everyone sitting in church notices the

changing seasons.

When and why do the altar linens change colour and why do we not sing the Gloria or Alleluia in certain seasons?

Many fail to see the connections and flow between seasons and certainly have trouble connecting the seasonal Scripture selections to the daily grind of living.

That is why our teenage presenters were so appreciated.

All of a sudden, the movements of the church year came alive and made a lot more sense.

The Church year touches on all the big moments of human existence through the lens of Scripture and the life of Jesus.

The pregnant anticipation of Advent; the joy of new life at Christmas; the shocking surprise at Epiphany that God in Jesus came for everyone; the glory of Christ revealing our capacity for divine glory; the ruthless confrontation with our

human propensity to sin and deceit; the wild joy in resurrection power after going through hell — literally for Jesus — and the profound experience of being overshadowed, inspired and commissioned by the Holy Spirit.

Now truth be told, our lives don’t always match the spirit of whatever season the Church celebrates.

I have often lived a stark Lenten reality in the midst of the Easter season. I have experienced the joy of the Incarnation in June, February or November: the months each of my three children were born.

I have tasted Easter in the dead of winter when a dark season was pierced by the light of hope. I have gone through hell in the Christmas season.

But the point is clear: in the life and ministry, teaching and suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ; all life is touched by, shot through

The Saskatchewan Anglican

with, divine grace and mercy; divine hope and joy; divine compassion and love. No one ever has to live the highs and the lows alone anymore.

God in Christ has gone before us in all things except in sin: “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).

Not sure if this is kosher in the preaching world, but at the start of Lent this year, I created a “holy three-some.”

Not the Holy Trinity; they show up in church pretty much every Sunday. I mean I used my preaching to connect the three days that usher us into Lent: Transfiguration Sunday, Ash Wednesday and First Sunday of Lent.

There is wisdom in the Church’s decision to make us move from the glory and euphoria of Transfiguration into the depth of contrition and repentance, only to be confronted squarely by the alluring temptations of worldly glory.

These three days back-to-back take us on a spiritual roller-coaster ride: the transfiguration

7

of Jesus reveals His glory and our potential for reflecting this same glory.

However, living in and embracing God’s glory reveals our sinfulness.

Thus, Ash Wednesday plunges us into the ruthless examination and the crying need to turn to God in repentance.

The First Sunday of Lent shows us that the taunting of the world’s temptations is relentless, especially when we dare to claim God’s glory and redemption.

We then take our cue from Jesus, mustering His courage and persistence in staring them down.

God in Christ became one of us so that we could become one with God. In Jesus, the chasm between sinful humanity and the glory of divinity was bridged, reconciled; thus Jesus became the Lord and pattern for our lives.

As preachers we can help our listeners to connect seemingly disparate themes into one coherent and meaningful bridge between God and the daily grind of existence.

Don’t be surprised if such connections grow deeper and stronger spiritual resilience and intimacy with God in Christ Jesus in both preacher and listeners.

Award recipients known for their humbleness

By Mary Brown TISDALE (Skwn) — All three of the esteemed gentlemen in this picture — Art Cay, brother Norman Cay and John Wikstrom — are originally from Kinistino.

They attended the joint service on Remembrance Day in Tisdale.

Art Cay, featured in an earlier edition of the Saskatchewan Anglican, is still in Kinistino.

Norman Cay has been a member of St. Matthew’s, Tisdale since 1963. He received the Order of Saskatchewan in 2014. He has been a lay reader since 2000 and a vestry member and warden for years.

A common characteristic of the men from Kinistino is they are always available, in their own humble way, for whatever needs to be done.

Norman's humility and genuine concern for the church and its people has

Art Cay, Norman Cay and John Wikstrom are all recipients of the Diocese of Saskatchewan's Order of Saskatchewan award. All three men are known for their humility and work ethic.

Photo by Mary Brown earned him the respect and gratitude of the congregation.

John Wikstrom also received the Order in 2014.

He is a member of All

Saints’ Parish in Melfort.

Similar to the others, Wikstrom is a lay reader and has served on vestry as rector’s warden.

He also shares their

common personality trait of humble service.

In November, Special Olympics Canada gave John and his wife Dorothy the 2018 Special Olympics

Canada Jim Thompson Award.

Dorothy started helping with the Summer Games in 1994.

When she started the Special Olympics Curling program for the province in 1999, she asked John to help get the program underway. Curling was first in the Special Olympics as a demonstration sport at the 2000 Games in Ottawa.

That was the only reason they went, as they were the only team in Saskatchewan, and Dorothy says there are now many teams.

The wonderful thing about curling is they will be able to curl for years. It doesn’t matter what their age is, they can curl. John explained the players will go out of their way to find them if they see them around Melfort.

They always have a smile and you have a friend for life.

8

The Saskatchewan Anglican

April 2019

Syrian priest prepares to guide others through life's storms

By Mary Brown

The Ajji family meets after the installation of Rev. Eyad Ajji in Prince Albert. From left are Thyatra, Faten, Eyad and Abudullah.

Photo by Mary Brown

PRINCE ALBERT — It was a full house recently for the installation of Rev. Eyad Ajji, as representatives from all six Anglican congregations were in attendance.

They will be under the care and pastoral guidance of Ajji, who was in Calgary for two years before coming to Prince Albert; the country of Jordan for 13 years; and is originally from Syria.

He is new to Canada, but he did not come as a refugee. He lived in Jordan with his family for 13 years because he was ordained as a priest in the Anglican Church there.

Even though he was living in Jordan, they were still considered foreigners because they were a Syrian family.

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Their future was bleak for them if they stayed in Jordan.

Eyad and his wife Faten, daughter Thyatra,18, and son Abudullah,15, will be living in the rectory beside St. George’s Church in Prince Albert. Abudullah has registered at Carleton Comprehensive High School and Thyatra will be going to university; she has applied to the University of Saskatchewan and in Calgary.

Rev. Eyad will be the priest for St. George, Prince Albert, Emmanuel, St. Louis, St. Stephen, MacDowall, St. Andrew, Shellbrook, All Saints, Leask and Christ Church in Canwood.

In his sermon at the installation, Bishop Michael Hawkins spoke of the flotilla of little ships out on the Sea of Galilee and of the fear the disciples experienced when things became rough.

He said in the storms of life, we look to a higher power as those ships looked to Jesus.

Perhaps these six congregations are little ships, with Eyad at their helm. He and his family have known storms that we cannot imagine, so we pray their example and words may point us all to the peace of Christ.

As is the custom in Saskatchewan churches, a potluck lunch always follows a celebration.

Most of the members of the congregations went downstairs for lunch and Eyad personally greeted all of them.

He and his family are very friendly and so happy to be here. A heavy basket of kitchen pantry items from everyone was presented to Faten and Eyad.

He then told everyone they are always welcome to stop in any time for a visit, with no need for an appointment. He did, however, ask for about a week to settle in.

The installation was Feb. 3.

April 2019

The Saskatchewan Anglican

9

Rev. Ken Buchan, former organizer of Native Ministries, dies Submitted YORKTON (Qu’A) — Rev. Ken Buchan, who served in the Diocese of Qu’Appelle for 25 years, died Jan. 31, at age 81.

Former parishioner, Sheila Harris of Yorkton, described Buchan as a man who “got along with everyone, because he never judged anyone. He followed God’s Law and Jesus’ words of ‘love one another.’”

Buchan was born in Yorkton and grew up on the family farm. After high school in Yorkton, he worked for SaskPower, then joined the army.

After he was honourably discharged, he decided to serve in a different way, and began a 45-year career in ministry.

Following theological training at Church Army Training College in Toronto, Montreal and

Parish reaches out, grows PORT McNEILL, B.C. — A small ecumenical ministry in the Diocese of British Columbia has attracted many people after several measures to build bridges with the community.

More than two years ago, St. John Gualbert, a shared Anglican Church of Canada-United Church of Canada ministry in Port McNeill, B.C., had a halfdozen regular congregants for Sunday services.

It also had a succession of clergy who tended to stay for a relatively short period of time before moving on. Two parishioners, Craig and Deborah Murray, with others, went door-to-door raising $120,000 for a new roof and other building renos.

They also applied to the diocese’s Vision Fund for support hosting dinners, organizing weekly programs for kids and seniors, refurbishing the church’s second-hand bookstore and painting a mural on their fence.

The church now has a deck for people in wheelchairs to view its garden, comfortable chairs, and a bookstore that serves as a gathering place. Sunday services attract 32 people and the parish is growing.

— The Diocesan Post

Rev. Ken Buchan served the Diocese of Qu'Appelle for 25 years and was involved in Aboriginal ministries.

Photo contributed Winnipeg, Buchan was ordained deacon in February 1974 in Winnipeg, Diocese of Rupert’s Land, and priested there one year

later. He returned to Saskatchewan in 1981 and became rector of Rosetown and Kyle Parish, moving to Weyburn in 1983.

In 1989 Buchan of-

ficially began working in Native Ministries, an area of work he first experienced in Sioux Lookout, Ont. From 1989 to 2001 he was diocesan co-ordinator of Native Ministries and rector of Nehiyawe Parish (Punnichy) and also served Gordon’s, Poorman’s and Day Star reserves.

He was also rector of Raymore from 1989 to 1991. Buchan’s last parish brought him back to his home town of Yorkton, where he was rector from 2001 to 2006, when he retired.

Buchan’s diocesan appointments included rural deans of Souris and Touchwood Deaneries, honorary canon of the Diocesan, and archdeacon of Moose Mountain.

After his retirement, the Buchans began attending Springside Baptist Church, where they had a family

connection because their children had attended the Baptist Bible camp for many years. The family spent summers in their trailer at Good Spirit Lake, near the camp, and Buchan also recognized that having the previous rector in the congregation could make things complicated for the new clergy in charge.

His funeral was held at Springside Baptist Church on Feb. 4.

Buchan is survived by his wife of 60 years, Vanessa, their nine children and many grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. The couple spent 53 years as foster parents, and cared for many babies, mostly with complex medical situations, for which Vanessa received special training.

Editor’s note: thanks to Christie’s Funeral Home in Yorkton for its assistance.

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The Saskatchewan Anglican

April 2019

The language of Cursillo speaks to all

By Elizabeth Turnbull

Cursillo

Worship Small Groups Outreach Evangelism

Cursillo is a Spanish word meaning a short course in Christianity.

Cursillo seeks to equip and encourage Christians to offer their lives and gifts in God’s service wherever He puts them.

DeColores The Spanish view the rooster with its beautiful tail feathers as a symbol of the rainbow in the Old Testament where God makes a covenant with His people.

Wood Acres Conference Facility, Moose Jaw cost $230.00

May 3-5, 2019 Co-Ed Weekend

For more information contact your parish priest or

REGINA — Cursillo! It is a fun time of gathering, worship, small groups, outreach and evangelism.

It is a time to learn in more depth about faith, hope, love and God’s grace.

Ask yourself this, “If you were asked to describe to a non-believer any of the above, in terms of God, what would you say?” The Cursillo weekend will help you to articulate an answer.

People wonder why many Cursillo terms are in Spanish. The reason is in the history of the Cursillo movement.

“The first stirrings of what later was to become the Cursillo Movement began on the Island of Mallorca during the years of World War II. The Spanish Civil War had ended in 1939 and the years after the Civil War were a time of ferment in

the Spanish Church.

“The idea was born to have a pilgrimage to the shrine of St. James at Compostela, the great Spanish pilgrimage centre of the Middle Ages.

“The pilgrimage would be a time for the young men and women of Spain to dedicate themselves in a renewed way to the work of Christ.” * The pilgrimage to St. James took place in the summer of 1948.

Today, the Cursillo movement is established in more than 900 dioceses, in 45 countries, and on five continents.

What do the Spanish terms mean?

Cursillo — a short course.

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Decolores — many colours.

Spanish people view the rooster with its beautiful tail feathers as a symbol of the rainbow in the Old Testament, where God makes a covenant with His people.

After the war, in Spain, the rooster was viewed as a symbol of wealth and prosperity.

A good rooster and hen gave the promise of more eggs, chickens and food to come. The eggs and chickens could be traded to provide for the family.

The rainbow colours of the tail feathers have significant meaning to the Christian: Green — new life, growth and the beauty of God’s nature, the ordinary times of the church year.

Purple — the dying and rising of Jesus Christ, along with His suffering.

Yellow and Orange — warmth, light, promise, the love of Jesus in our lives, the light of a candle, the rays of the sun, and the changing seasons.

Red — celebration, joy and confirmation, feast days within the Church, Christmas and Pentecost.

Blue — loyalty, commitment to God and His people, truth, justice, waters of our baptism.

Rollo — study, talk.

Ultreya — “to go forward” or “onward.”

Spanish sheepherders called their flocks to move forward.

Palanca — lever; prayer and sacrifice are the lever to bring about change and support.

Cursillistas — anyone who has had lived his or her three-day Cursillo experience. He or she will be presented with his or her Cursillo cross.

To attend the Cursillo weekend from May 3 to 5, please talk to the parish priest or a Cursillo representative. You will need a sponsor.

This course is for the Christian who wants to help in lay leadership at his or her church.

To quote Bishop Rob Hardwick, “Our mission is to spread the love of Jesus Christ.” Ultreya! *This article is based on information put out by the Cursillo Movement in the Diocese of Fargo. http://cursillond. org/files/9031dde7-b4b1477d-96cb-c1d89727b6d8/ HistoryCursillo.pdf.

April 2019

The Saskatchewan Anglican

11

Cathedral secrets slowly coming to light

By Derwyn Crozier-Smith SASKATOON — It has been known for many years that behind the plain east wall of the Lady Chapel in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Saskatoon there was a large and very ornamental window.

Why it was covered up has been the subject of story-telling and headscratching. One tale was that a former dean did not like the bright morning light streaming through the window where he stood, his back to the congregation, to celebrate the Eucharist.

Another was there had been yellow glass in the window that bathed people and the chapel in a sickly aura. It was speculated that the window would have been covered in the 1950s when the interior red brick walls of the Cathedral were stuccoed to brighten the place of worship.

As part of the ongoing restoration project, the congregation was consulted about the possibility of exposing the window again, recognizing that there was uncertainty about what would be found behind the wall but expecting some repair work might be needed.

The most enthusiastic response was from the committed group of worshippers, who gather every Wednesday at noon for a quiet celebration of the Eucharist, and the prayer team that is available there for private prayer during the Sunday service.

The property committee took on the initial stages of this work and soon discovered the cover-up had been very crudely done — maybe by a previous committee of volunteers.

The frame of fir 2-x-4s was nailed to the terra cotta and brick wall with four-inch spikes that inflicted considerable damage. Many of the inner panes of clear glass were cracked or broken.

When the prospect of erecting our own ladders and scaffolding to access the 24-foot uppermost reaches of the window faced the volunteers, experts were called in to finish the demolition job and to repair the damaged walls and glass.

The result is a stunning

The Lady Chapel's altar as it appeared before the uncovering of the window.

Photos by Derwyn Crozier-Smith

The exterior of the cathedral's Lady Chapel window. change to the atmosphere in this treasured worship space.

The comprehensive plan for the stained glass in the cathedral envisioned windows dedicated to Faith, Hope and Charity (or Love) as the theme for the chapel. The first two of these were installed many years ago.

Consideration will now be given to how the vision

might be completed with stained glass for this much larger window and to also acknowledge that the chapel is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin.

A recent discovery in the cathedral archives is a beautifully illuminated copy of the prayer of consecration for the chapel at Epiphany 1939. The prayer is now displayed in the chapel and Dean Scott Pittendrigh led the congregation in this prayer again during Epiphany this year, 80 years later, to acknowledge the restoration work.

Archival work turned up another fascinating piece of the chapel’s history. On Sunday morning, Aug. 24, 1958, during the regular worship service, the recently installed gas furnace located below the chapel exploded, “shaking the building and the congregation as the Rev. S. A. R. Wood was conducting services.”

The StarPhoenix reported the story the

The cathedral's Lady Chapel after the uncovering of the window above the altar. The result is a stunning change to the atmosphere in this treasured worship space. following day, noting the caretaker who had just turned on the furnace was “blackened” and another man who was with him in the boiler room went to hospital with minor injuries.

While no one was in the chapel at that moment, pews were lifted, plaster was loosened off the walls, and books and candlesticks thrown around. There was other significant damage to the choir vestry in the basement, but the main part of the cathedral was spared major damage.

The newspaper account reports that “(t)he services were held up for a moment, and then continued.” It must have been a very engaging sermon that Sunday to hold everyone in their places.

This newly discovered story has led some to wonder if perhaps the chapel window was covered up when damaged by the explosion.

It is evident that the

damage extended to some of the large stained glass windows in the sanctuary and south transept, as well as to the organ.

The annual reports for succeeding years report a slow process of repairs as the parish dealt with the insurance company and as available funds were directed to only the most necessary work.

At least it adds to the intriguing story of the “charity window.” It also leaves open the question of the mystery “hump” in the floor at the entry to the sanctuary and the high altar. Could this also be a remnant of the explosion?

Every great cathedral has its secrets!

12

The Saskatchewan Anglican

April 2019

Retreats grow the faith of young people

By Julie Moser Youth and Children’s Missioner CARONPORT (Qu’A) — Snow and bitter cold did not stop 16 children from attending the Growing Faith overnight retreat on Jan. 19 and 20, nor 11 teens at the Confirming Faith Youth Retreat on the first weekend of February.

Both events were held at Briercrest College in Caronport.

Youths and children came from all over the diocese to enjoy fellowship and fun. Participants travelled long distances from Maple Creek, Swift Current, Moosomin, Rocanville and Kenaston.

They joined those from closer locations such as Regina, Moose Jaw and Caronport.

For the Growing Faith overnight retreat, the children arrived Saturday morning, and before long before they were snowed in. The theme of the talks was fixing our eyes on Jesus and running the Christian race (Hebrews 12:1-2).

The memory verse was: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7).

Participants made the most of the indoor time with Bible games, Adventures in Odyssey audio stories, board games, and in the evening Sardines and hide and seek.

A real favourite on all the diocesan children’s camps is the game Post Office. This is where leaders represent Canadian cities and children try to find them to deliver the mail to them.

Growing Faith was happy to have some Briercrest College youth ministry students help as locations.

After 27 hours together, the weather cleared enough for safe travel home after a weekend of learning, making new friends and growing in our faith!

Two weeks later, the youths arrived for the fourth annual Confirming Faith Youth retreat. It was so exciting to have many regulars return as well as some newcomers.

Josh Jensen, a parishioner at St. Aidan, Moose Jaw and a Briercrest student, gave vibrant talks on Abraham and his story

Svonnah Flynn and Macey Beck take part in the fourth annual Confirming Faith retreat at Briercrest Seminary in Caronport. Photos by Julie Moser of faith.

He surprised participants with some of the crazy situations Abraham found himself in and ultimately showed how Abraham, the father of many, helps Christians grasp the costly love of God our father, who sends His own son to die for us.

Similar to the Growing Faith retreat, participants were driven indoors by extreme cold but were still able to enjoy some great activities – Sardines being the favourite!

Organizers are really thankful for the Lord’s blessing shown in so many ways, but especially that every year our numbers have grown and regular participants have come back year after year.

Thank you to the leaders: Dave and Janice Kerr who did both retreats, Matt Gobbett, Hannah Hemauer, Jaymee Hitchen (who is soon to be married at St. Aidan to the Confirming Faith speaker, Josh Jensen), Jesse Miller and Ken Moser.

All of the leaders are from parishes in the Diocese of Qu’Appelle, and all are excellent role models for the youth and children in the diocese.

Organizers, leaders and young people are looking forward to the summer camp programs with

Julie Moser (standing), the diocesan Youth and Children's missioner, talks to children during the Growing Faith overnight retreat.

Juniors (for ages six to 12) at Glen Harbour from July 24 to 28; and Teens Adventure Camp (for ages 13 to 17) at Banff National Park from Aug. 12 to 16.

To receive information about events for youth and children in our diocese, or to talk about ministry in your church, please contact julie.moser@ sasktel.net.

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April 2019

The Saskatchewan Anglican

13

The different approaches to teaching Christian education

By Rev. Dr. Iain Luke Principal, College of Emmanuel & St. Chad

C

hristian education is such an important task, the Anglican Communion defines it as the second mark of our mission, starting with the word “teach.”

The Church’s mission, or one part of it, is to teach, baptize, and nurture new believers.

In the much smaller world in which I grew up, where pretty much everyone I knew was Christian, that meant one thing and one thing only: Sunday school.

Each church organized its own program for teaching children the Bible stories and the values that went along with them.

Once you exhausted that material, and the patience of your teachers, you graduated, got confirmed, and sat in the pews with the big people!

Christian education today is a broader and deeper field. Teaching and nurturing new believers mean welcoming people to faith at any age, not just the children of Christian families.

It means equipping them to hold on to their faith against the pressures of a secular world. It also means inviting them to accept responsibility for living and passing on their faith, not just receiving it from someone else.

In one sense, everything we do in a theological college is Christian education.

Our students continue to deepen their faith, to take on their responsibilities as disciples, and to acquire the knowledge and skills they need to carry out their present and future ministries.

But one of those ministries is, specifically, to teach others.

We recognize that, first, by a model of teaching that aims to make learning transferable. One criticism of 20th century models of clergy training was the way they imparted specialist knowledge the students would never share.

In particular, clergy learned to read the Bible in a completely different way from their congregations, opening up a gulf no preacher could really cross.

Today’s faculty, by contrast, build into every

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 nonstipendiary (voluntary) ordained ministry.

The program includes reading courses, inhouse 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.

course an opportunity for students to reflect on how they will apply, use, and transmit the experience of learning.

This can mean anything from designing a parishbased program covering the material learned in class, to creating a work of art, in order to communicate the learning in a completely new way.

We also have a required course that zeroes in on models and methods for Christian education at all ages. When it comes to methods, there has been an explosion of possibilities in recent decades, from the most traditional Bible study formats, to the exploratory wondering of Godly Play.

While we can’t cover all the options, ideally students gain some exposure to the range of approaches.

That diversity of styles arises from developments in understanding the process of faith formation, in particular as people grow and mature, and encounter various life experiences.

Today’s Sunday School materials draw on the same kind of insights used

in elementary schools, where teachers match their techniques to the ways children learn at different ages.

That can range from play-acting the story of Zacchaeus, to building a detailed model of the Jerusalem Temple.

With faith formation no longer tied to a particular age, however, researchers can also identify a series of different ways in which adults think about and experience their faith.

The resources we offer for lifelong learners need to take these patterns into account, too.

One model (James Fowler’s) proposes four different patterns for adult expressions of faith. The conventional believers claims their faith as their own, by making a commitment to a source of authority or a tradition that describes what that faith is.

By contrast, the individuating believer challenges authority by raising doubts, questions, and dissent, and tries to piece together a way of faith that works for the individual.

The conjunctive pattern of believing leans heavily

on the idea of paradox, allowing faith and doubt, personal and communal insights, to coexist.

Finally, universalizing faith overcomes the need to put “myself” at the centre of my way of believing, opening up new paths for mutual understanding, and for living faith as an adventure.

Movement between these patterns typically happens as a result of particular life experiences, such as a health crisis, or exposure to a new cultural environment.

People moving between patterns especially need the support of their church, to recognize they are not “losing their faith,” but rather discovering a new way to understand and live it.

If you look around in church next Sunday, you might see people who fit all these different descriptions!

Do your Christian education programs cater to just one of the patterns, or do they enable each group to participate, to offer their perspective, and to learn something from the others?

14

The Saskatchewan Anglican

April 2019

The Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation held its closing reception in St. Matthew Anglican Church, Regina, which received a grant for its ongoing restoration work. Photo by Morley Evans

St. Matthew showcases restoration work at event

By Mae Boa REGINA — St. Matthew Anglican Church was thrilled to host the closing evening reception of the 2019 Heritage Week celebration.

The Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation held the celebration at the end of February.

About 100 people from across the province attended the reception, which was catered by St. Matthew’s ACW. Featured projects and cheques were presented by the SHF board chair, Neil Russell, and manager, Shari Hildred.

The projects recognized were the Grand Theatre

and Community Arts Centre in Indian Head, and the Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Saskatoon.

Mark Docherty, MLA for Regina Coronation Park and speaker of the legislature, brought greetings on behalf of the minister and the government.

Ingrid Cazakoff, CEO, spoke on behalf of Heritage Saskatchewan.

The Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation has been a proud supporter of the Heritage Fairs since 2004.

Youth Heritage Fairs award winners Hunter Nichols, a Grade 6 student from Moose Jaw, and

Anya Shyian, a Grade 9 student from White City, both spoke eloquently on their projects and the positive effect on their lives.

This was an opportunity to showcase the restoration work underway at St. Matthew, and Mae Boa spoke on behalf of the parish.

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April 2019

The Saskatchewan Anglican

15

DIOCESE OF QU’APPELLE

Silent retreat for laypeople set for end of April g Rev. Dell Bornowsky, who recently retired as executive archdeacon, will lead the annual diocesan retreat for laypeople from April 26 to 28 at Wood Acres, Moose Jaw. He will present reflections on a selection of topics: Contemplating creation, Amazing grace and the fear of God, Ex-centreing prayer, and Making prayer personal.

In addition to the talks, there will be worship services and plenty of time for private prayer and meditation, reading, and walking in the nearby Wakamow Valley.

For many regular retreatants, the silence throughout the weekend is the most important feature, as it gives time to listen to God. Bornowsky describes himself: “I have been a farm boy, carpenter, lay minister, cross-cultural missionary, priest and archdeacon. I am a husband and father, a bit of a “nature mystic,” wilderness

traveller, spiritual-fitness trainer, and biblical theology teacher who is interested in philosophy, comparative religion and the Hebrew roots of Christian faith.”

Registration information is being sent to all parishes, and is available on the diocesan website at quappelle.anglican.ca.

Accommodation at Wood Acres is dormitory style, with individual bedrooms each with sink and toilet, and a shared bathroom with showers and tub on each floor. Meals and refreshments are provided, cafeteria style.

Please note that prepayment of $260 to the diocesan office is required.

This event is sponsored by the Anglican Fellowship of Prayer.

The theme for the retreat is Knowing the God who knows you. g Anglican women will gather for a retreat in Regina on April 13.

All Anglican women in the diocese are invited to

a women’s gathering on Saturday, April 13 at St. James the Apostle, 1105 Empress Street, Regina.

The theme is Be Bold, Be Strong — Sisters in Christ. Sally Bishop, ACW president says, “We will be exploring ways in which we can become sisters in Christ — what is helpful and what is not — and to share our faith, to strengthen women, wherever they may be in our diocese.”

Speakers will include retired Bishop David Ashdown, who will talk about his experiences with First Nations Anglican women while he was bishop of Keewatin, and Rev. Dale Gillman, who will describe her work in the Diocese of Qu’Appelle.

Attendees will also hear from First Nations women at the parish level.

The event is hosted by the diocesan ACW. Attendees are invited to bring items for a silent auction, with funds to be donated to an important cause.

New training options at Saskatoon's St. Brigid School of Discipleship The Anglican Diocese of Saskatoon is pleased to announce 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 try 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, all the way to our locally trained clergy program for deacons and priests.

We also provide diocesan-wide rites of passage preparation courses, advanced spiritual care training and theological reflection, and continuing education events for

clergy.

At St. Brigid’s, we know that 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 draw on our own 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 local parishes throughout our three deaneries, we cut down on your amount

of 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.

By the way, at St. Brigid’s we know that being a disciple of Jesus will probably cost you your life, but tuition shouldn’t.

Our courses and services are offered free of charge, sponsored by the diocese.

For more information, please email the diocesan synod office at anglicansynod@sasktel. net or call the diocesan synod office at 306-2445651.

The event will close with a Eucharist service.

To register for this event, please contact Rosemary Barley by phone at 306-531-8877 or email rsbarley26@gmail.com.

The registration fee of $20 includes lunch.

Cheques may be made payable to St. James Anglican Church, and mailed c/o Rosemary Barley, 51 Sibbald Crescent, Regina, Sask., S4T 7L6. g Seniors appreciate annual cookies day Valentine’s Day was memorable in Fort

Qu’Appelle because it marked the 25th anniversary of Cookies Day, sponsored by the women at St. John’s Anglican Church.

The tradition was started by Jean McKenna, who suggested that volunteers bake or buy cookies, package them up with a card, and take them to people in a number of senior’s residences.

This year, 55 parcels of goodies were distributed to appreciative seniors, who were delighted to know they haven’t been forgotten and that someone cares.

DIOCESE OF SASKATCHEWAN

Waskesiu prayer event happens early April g On the unanimous recommendation of the selection committee, Bishop Michael Hawkins has appointed the Rev. Richard Reed as rector and priest in charge of St. David’s Parish, effective July 1.

The parish looks forward to welcoming Richard, Julie Anne and their four children to Prince Albert this summer.

His appointment date will allow their children to complete their school year in Sault Ste. Marie in the Diocese of Algoma. g Geraldine Laird, featured with her husband Edwin in the October issue of the Saskatchewan Anglican, died on Feb.

4 due to complications resulting from pneumonia.

She was born in 1928 and raised in Prince Albert, where she and Ed also raised their family of sons Thomas and Grant and daughter Geri-Lynn.

They have nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ed and the family in their grief. g If you haven’t already registered for the prayer conference in Waskiseu on April 5 and 6, call the Synod Office, there may still be space.

In case you were wondering, there is a Bishop’s Action Appeal Dinner planned for this year.

16

The Saskatchewan Anglican

April 2019

Anglicans and Roman Catholics mingle

Members of St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church paid a visit to All Saints, Lumsden on Jan. 20 as part the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Then on Jan. 27, some members of the Anglican Church took part in the Roman Catholic service.

Photo by Phil Holloway

DIOCESE OF QU’APPELLE

Lessons for online donation services after scammers hit diocese

By Tali Folkins Anglican Journal REGINA — The finance officer for the Diocese of Qu’Appelle is warning parishes, dioceses and any other church bodies whose website has an online donation feature to make sure it’s protected from fraudulent use.

The warning follows an episode last winter in which someone used the diocese’s “Donate” button to test thousands of stolen credit card numbers.

Amanda Sather Page, the diocese’s finance officer, says in early February 2018, fraudsters attempted to make more than $90,000 in credit card transactions using the feature, a matter of days after the online donation had launched.

The transactions were all for small amounts – between $2.50 and $5.00, suggesting that whoever was behind the incident was trying to test the card numbers to see whether they worked.

The high volume of transactions suggested an automated process was used.

“They were just using us as a testing point,” Sather Page says. “The whole thing was done with the intention of just establishing the fact those cards were active and working.

“So it was just, ‘Pound it through, pound it through,’ make sure the card worked and if it did, then they would use it on other sites.”

Most of the transactions failed to go through, she says, and the diocese quickly refunded the ones that did. However, the episode was timeconsuming, frustrating and troubling, which prompted the diocese to quickly change its payment processor over security concerns.

The incident occurred in two waves. On Feb. 5, 2018, Sather Page says, the diocese was contacted by Moneris, the company it hired to process payments made through the button.

The company told the diocese it had noticed an unusual amount of activity on its account, and suspected fraud.

The diocese then looked into its records, to find that more than $88,000

in transactions had been attempted, about $5,000 of which had been successfully processed.

The diocese contacted the police and began refunding the transactions that had gone through. It was able to do this within two days using a process for refunding in large batches.

Concerned by the incident, the diocese decided to purchase more security features for its “Donate” button from Moneris – only to experience another onslaught of very small transactions within 24 hours of the button being re-launched, and only a few days after the first wave.

This time, there were far fewer attempted transactions; they totalled about $3,000, some $600 of which got through successfully.

But that was scant consolation to the diocese, which expected the button’s new enhanced security features would protect it from such attacks, Sather Page says.

“It was right after we went live again, so it was quite ridiculous,” she says.

“We were quite up in arms

about it.”

Again, the diocese reported the incident to the police and refunded the successful transactions. But its troubles weren’t over yet.

Later, Sather Page discovered Moneris had placed chargeback fees – fees for reversed credit card payments – of $25 each on at least 15 of the successful transactions.

She contested each chargeback with Moneris – a process involving phone calls and time-consuming paperwork – and the experience, she says, has made her lose patience with the company.

“I had to phone and contest it with Moneris every time, saying, ‘You were the fault of the fraud happening on the account – reverse the charge.

Reverse the charge’”, she says.

Sather Page estimates that dealing with the incident cost the diocese probably the equivalent in time of three people working full-time for a week.

It still had to pay at least $150 in chargeback fees Moneris refused to waive,

she adds.

Soon thereafter, the diocese switched to PayPal, another transaction provider, she says, and has not experienced any such incidents since The diocese informed the Regina Police Service about the incident, but was told police did not have the resources to investigate it.

It then reported the transactions to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, a law enforcement body that is managed jointly by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Competition Bureau and the Ontario Provincial Police – but has not heard back from them.

Reached by the Anglican Journal, Moneris declined to comment on Sather Page’s concerns.

“Moneris takes issues of fraud seriously and we cannot discuss details surrounding merchant accounts for confidentiality reasons,” Moneris spokesman Darren Leroux said in an email.

He added that the company actively provides its clients with information for avoiding fraud.