Saskatchewan anglican
The newspaper of the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle • A Section of the Anglican Journal • April 2014
Millie Swan, the first St. Chad’s Volunteer to Qu’Appelle By Joanne Shurvin-Martin
Hosanna to the Son of David! “As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me ... .’ The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’; ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’; ‘Hosanna in the highest heaven!’ When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, ‘Who is this?’ The crowds answered, ‘This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee’” (Matthew 21:1-2, 6-11, NIV).
Fred Says, ‘It’s good to be full of beans’ in Saskatoon By Mary Ann Assailly SASKATOON – January and February saw the second phase of the Primate’s World Relief and Development (PWRDF) Food Security Campaign. “It’s good to be full of beans” focused us on our initiatives with farmers in East Africa and to provide further support to them. Every $80 raised supported one farmer. In the Diocese of Saskatoon two parishes, Emmanuel and St. Stephen’s, promoted the Fred Says, “It’s good to be full of beans” campaign. By means of showing the video and informative notices included
weekly in the church bulletins, parishioners learned about PWRDF’s work with farmers in Burundi, Tanzania and Mozambique and about the campaign to train even more farmers. Both churches raised money by displaying a large jar of beans and having parishioners guess the number. Bev Orr was crowned as Emmanuel’s “Queen of the Bean Counters,” with the contest raising $210. St Stephen’s saw a three-way tie among Alice Brown, Rachel Snider and Pauline Elliott as they raised $148. That adds up to $358, which equated to fully sponsoring four
farmers and half of the fifth. And then Fred Said, “Let’s Jam.” The third phase of the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund’s threeyear Food Security Campaign is “Fred Says … Let’s Jam”. In March and April, “Let’s Jam” focuses on the development of sustainable agriculture in Cuba. PWRDF supports the Cuban Council of Churches Sustainable Development Program, which promotes self-sufficient agricultural initiatives at the community and family levels, to respond to food insecurity. Due to a limited access to fruit and vegetables and limited
skills for food production and conservation, a high percentage of the Cuban population does not have a balanced diet. Almost 3,000 Cubans in 15 provinces are receiving training in and increasing their knowledge on land use and restoration, selection of seeds, crop production and preservation, food preservation, water management compost making, worm cultivation and pest and weed control. In addition, close to 6,000 people benefited from the harvest of the food production carried out by the involved communities. See ‘Full of Beans’ on Page 6
REGINA — “I’ve never seen anywhere so flat” and “I was expecting the church to be more similar” were two comments from Millie Swan from the Diocese of Lichfield in England, on her impressions of the Diocese of Qu’Appelle. Swan arrived in Regina in January, to spend six months as a St. Chad’s Volunteer. She explained that the St. Chad’s Volunteer scheme is a program in which youth between the ages of 18 to 35 experience a different culture in one of the dioceses which is in partnership with Lichfield. It is a two-way program, she said, involving young people from the U.K., Germany, West Malaysia, South Africa and Saskatchewan. The program has been operated by the Diocese of Lichfield for about 10 years. Swan, who completed high school last year and plans to study Theology at Durham University, is the first volunteer to come to the Diocese of Qu’Appelle. While here she is helping with administrative duties in the Synod Office, assisting Julie Moser with children and youth ministry, preparing the St. Cuthbert’s House newsletter and plans to assist Rev. Dale Gilman in her work with urban First Nations and Metis people. Most recently she has been able to attend YouthQuake, a “youth retreat” held at Briercrest College and Seminary. “It was very full-on, but so worthwhile spiritually,” she said. “The bands and seminars were fantastic, but the highlight for me was the main speaker, Mark Clark, who was very powerful and challenging.” But possibly the most exciting part of the time for her was getting to see the northern lights for the first time! “I had to raise a certain amount of money,” said Swan, “which goes toward transportation costs and supporting other young people doing the same thing in Lichfield. See ‘Lichfield’ on Page 3
2
The Saskatchewan Anglican
April 2014
Jesus’ death opens the door to life What does Good Friday mean today? By Rev. Norbert Haukenfrers PRINCE ALBERT (Skwn) – Good Friday. What’s so good about someone experiencing a cruel and painful execution? And what does that matter today? Researchers have examined the Jewish calendar, textual accounts, geological records and astronomical clues, concluding that Friday, April 3, 33 A.D., at 3:00 pm is the best possible match to when Jesus died. That was long ago. It is history, ancient history. Try telling that to someone who has been affected by history; a child orphaned at a young age or a mother who has lost her child in a conflict across the ocean. While it may be history to others, for the mother who lost a child or the child who never knew his or her parents, that particular event in history ended a relationship and will forever be a part of who they are. We observe birthdays and deaths, marking major milestones with gatherings and parties. At the death of a loved one, we gather with others affected by their death. We read obituaries with varying levels of interest, sometimes even clipping or printing our friends’ stories contained in those words.
“‘Take, eat, this is my body.’ And he took the cup, and he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins’” (Matt 26:26-28). Photo — Abendmahl Carl Theodor/Shutterstock Likewise, for someone to say that Good Friday is just another day, indicates the death of Jesus has nothing to do with them which, sadly, may be an honest, although untrue, expression. Saying or believing we had nothing to do with the death of Jesus is an even more dangerous claim, for if we are not guilty of His death, neither can His death help to bring us life. If we live in relationship with Jesus, His death means everything to us, for without it we are still dead, wasting our time and energy following His teachings. Good Friday is the day
that life with God, without the shame or guilt of sin, once again became possible. As the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Michael Ramsay, said, “The cross demonstrates divine justice, because it issues in the actual deliverance of humanity from evil into the world-to-come.” The death of Christ indicates how seriously God the Father takes our sin; desires to put an end to sin and its death grip on us; and, desires to live in restored loving relationship with us. In the story of the cross, we are given the metaphor of a king victorious who reigns from the tree and the image of the
sacrificial victim who covers the debt of sin, restoring communion between God and Man. This is what Jesus was making clear while preparing His disciples for His death. Two short sentences attached to two things they were quite certain to do again, frequently and together, eat and drink. “‘Take, eat, this is my body.’ And he took the cup, and he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins’” (Matt 26:26-28). Whenever we receive the bread and wine of Holy Communion, we affirm Christ died for our sins. In receiving His brokenness, we open ourselves up to experiencing pain and becoming broken as we join Him at the side of people who are broken and hurting. Jesus, by His crucifixion, became the death of sin and is opening the door to the life of goodness in us. It is in the crucifixion that all our differences fade: male or female; European, Asian or Indigenous; rich or poor; and, we become one family in Christ — for if we are separated from him we are separated from each other. May that Friday in April so long ago be observed by you this Good Friday, April 18, 2014, as the best Friday ever for you and all creation!
God’s love seen through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross What does Good Friday mean today? By Rev. Cheryl Toth REGINA — Crucifixion was a pretty common way to die in the Roman Empire. Thieves, murderers, insurgents, slaves and innocents caught up in the Empire’s need to instill terrified obedience in subject peoples could be crucified. It was a dishonourable way to die and the shame of it aided the Romans in humiliating their opposition. Being crucified also showed that the person dying on the cross was not a Roman citizen – citizens received the privilege of a quick beheading if they were executed! The gospels tell us Jesus was crucified as an insurgent – “King of the Jews” – between two thieves and of no particular significance to those who drove in the nails on behalf of law and order. We don’t crucify people anymore, but violent death is still pretty common. Recently protestors in Ukraine were shot and killed during the resistance to now-deposed President Viktor Yanukovich. As I write this, Russian troops
are massed on Ukraine’s borders to back their “empire’s” right to invade. We don’t have to look far to see violent executions, legal and otherwise, by those in power or those seizing power. What makes Jesus’ death any different from those we watch on the television news or read about in history? Christians have remembered and retold the story of Jesus’ passion since our first gatherings. We have struggled to understand what it means that God’s beloved son ended up dying on a cross, crying out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And over the centuries different interpretations of what is meant have been accepted and taught. Paul writes to the Galatians that “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us –for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’ – in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles” (Gal. 3:13-14). Paul is trying to make sense of Jesus’ death in light of God’s covenant with the Hebrew people and the opening of that covenant to Gentiles. Fast forward approximately
1,000 years. St. Anselm of Canterbury, in his work Cur Deus Homo, wrote that Jesus died because human beings owed God a debt of honour which could not be satisfied. Anselm believed our sinfulness created a debt we cannot pay but which Jesus, sinless yet human, can. Jesus paid it for us by sacrificing Himself in our stead. This was Anselm’s interpretation of Jesus saying He would be “a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Anselm, working within the philosophical framework of his day, made sense of Jesus’ death for a society shaped by the obligations of feudal structures. Fast forward another thousand years. What of us who live in 2014? How do we make sense of Jesus’ death? One contemporary theologian whom I find helpful is Stanley Hauerwas, professor at Duke University. In Cross-shattered Christ, he writes in the cross we see the nature of God—self-emptying, giving, vulnerable. Drawing on the letter to the Philippians (“Christ did not exploit his equality with God but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave”), Hauerwas says the cross shows us “the Father is to be found
when all traces of power, at least as we understand power, are absent … Jesus refuses to accept the terms of how the world understands power and authority.” Jesus’ crucifixion subverts the powers of this world, forgiving those who nail Him to the tree and welcoming thieves into paradise. The power of God’s all-embracing love is seen in Jesus’ willing selfemptying on the cross — a power that frees us to live as agents of peace and reconciliation in a violent world. Jesus’ world understood the power of the Roman Empire and saw crucifixion as the necessary exercise of that power. Our world understands armies amassing at borders and troops firing into crowds to keep powerhungry rulers in control. It is not a world that easily understands a God who would give everything to draw us into another way of being. We barely understand it ourselves. But I can see nothing as ultimately powerful as the love of God, which refuses to let our violence determine our eternity and who loves and forgives us even as we pound the nails into the Son’s flesh. Without that love, what future have we?
Saskatchewan The newspaper of the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle • A Section of the Anglican Journal • January 2013
anglican
Published by the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle. Published monthly except for July and August. Whole No. 292, Vol. 42, 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 recieved by the diocesan editor no later than Friday, April 25. All pictures must be sent as JPEGS and 1 MB (megabyte) in size. 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 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: Amy Dow amy.elizabeth.dow@gmail.com 1308 Fifth Avenue East Prince Albert, Sask., S6V 2H7 Phone: (306) 763-2455 PUBLISHING DETAILS Published from 59 Roberts Place Regina, Sask., S4T 6K5 Printed and mailed by Webnews Printing Inc. 8 High Meadow Place North York, Ont. M9L 2Z5
The Saskatchewan Anglican
April 2014
3
Our rich heritage By Bishop David Irving Diocese of Saskatoon SASKATOON – Over the last few weeks, we have been travelling through Lent and many of us are now focused on Easter Sunday. With that focus, we don’t seem to have much time to contemplate the days between Passion Sunday and Easter Sunday, the week we call Holy Week. Yet during that week we have the opportunity to reflect on our rich heritage; it is a week not to be missed. The Gospel narratives for Monday and Tuesday in Holy Week tell of events in Jesus’ life leading up to His arrest. Hearing these events helps us to prepare to enter more fully into the spirit of the climatic days, which bring the week to a close and a triumphant new beginning. Holy Wednesday, Tenebrae: Tenebrae is a Latin word meaning shadow or darkness. The moving and expressive symbolism of this service centres on the gathering darkness of Jesus’ impending death. Prophetic words are read and sung as the candles and lights in the church are gradually put out. This service foreshadows in a wonderful way the first part of the Great Vigil of Easter, with its focus on the Old Testament prophecies, and its rich symbolism of light and darkness. Scripture and music relate God’s promises to His redeeming work in Christ. The service ends with the lights being restored and the celebration of the same Christ’s abiding presence in the Eucharist. Even in the midst of Holy Week, we know we are ransomed people. Our Lord died only once and once for all. Maundy Thursday renews the mystery of Jesus’ Passover feast, His Last Supper with His disciples before His passion and death. “Maundy” is a corruption of the Latin “mandatum”, commandment, recalling Jesus’ words, “A new commandment I give you; that you love one another.” The service carries a mood of festal joy tempered with foreboding sorrow. This important day in the church’s life celebrates the institution of the sacrament of Holy Eucharist. It is also the institution-day of the sacramental priesthood. Jesus’ exhortation to “do this in remembrance of me” gives us for all time His sacramental presence. At the end of this service, the church is readied for the solemnities of Good Friday. On the morning of Good
Friday in many of our communities, there is an ecumenical city/communitywide devotion, quite often the Way of the Cross, involving much of the community in the dramatic presentation of some of the events of the first Good Friday. Then in the afternoon there is the solemn observation of the passion and death of the Lord. The service features the dramatic reading in parts, by various readers, of the Passion gospel. Holy Saturday, the Great Vigil of Easter, sometimes called the Service of Fire and Font and the First Eucharist of Easter, this is the principal service of the church’s year. It puts us in touch with our Old Testament heritage, as well as with the traditions of the early church from the time of the apostles. It is a time for new light, new life and rebirth as the brightness of Jesus’ resurrection vanquishes forever the darkness of sin and death. In this service, fire is kindled and blessed, and from it the newly-prepared Paschal candle is lit. The Paschal candle is placed near the altar, remaining there for the 49 days of Eastertide, serving as a strong symbol of the warmth and brightness of the Risen Lord. The readings and psalms relate God’s deliverance of the children of Israel, from their Egyptian slavery (the Jewish Passover) to His delivering us from the power of sin and death, through the death and resurrection of His Christ. The Sacrament of Baptism is administered to those who have been prepared for it during the Lenten season, again strengthening the parallels of passing from death to new life seen in the Old and New Testaments. The bells are rung, Alleluias chanted and the Eucharist is celebrated with all possible joy and splendour. Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast! Alleluia!
A tipi is constructed during an evening Cree class at St. Alban’s Cathedral in Prince Albert. Photo — Dean Kenneth Davis
Healing through the Word By Rev. Chris and Amy Dow PRINCE ALBERT – Four years ago, Dean Ken Davis had a desire to learn conversational Cree. He had just begun his new ministry at St. Alban’s Cathedral in Prince Albert and wanted to be able speak to the many Cree people of his church and diocese in their traditional language. After failing to find a local class or tutor for himself, he realized his need to learn Cree was shared by others, particularly many Cree families who live in the city. Davis had become well-aware of a common problem facing many Aboriginal communities: the inability of grandparents to pass on the language of their elders to their children and grandchildren. Thus was born his dream of
offering intergenerational Cree language classes in the context of a family meal at the cathedral. Recently, through a generous gift from the Anglican Healing Fund, his dream has become a reality. On Jan. 15, over 50 students gathered at St. Alban’s Cathedral hall for the first class of this 39-week program, which is free-of-charge. Registration has now risen to 78 people. The instructor is the Dean’s friend and colleague, Rev. Sam Halkett, a deacon serving Little Red Reserve, Whitefish Lake, Big River First Nation and Montreal Lake. The evening began with an excellent meal of stew and bannock prepared by Sam’s wife Elizabeth. After supper, Sam opened the course with the ceremonial construction of an
18-foot tipi (mīkiwāhp) in the cathedral hall. As he set up its poles, he explained that each one symbolizes a traditional family value: obedience, respect, humility, happiness, love, faith, kinship, cleanliness, thankfulness, sharing, strength and good child rearing. Thus the mīkiwāhp is a place of spiritual growth, nurturing and healing. Its presence in the church hall-turned-classroom speaks to the ultimate purpose of this Cree language course. In his closing words to the class, comprised of both aboriginal and nonaboriginal students of all ages, Halkett said, “We will be healed together through the Word – the Word of our Saviour Jesus Christ and the spoken word of the Cree language.”
Lichfield Continued from Page 1 “Qu’Appelle provides bed and board and I am staying with Linda Kapasky from St. Paul’s Cathedral.” She has visited several other Regina parishes and hopes to see most of the diocese while she is here. Commenting on the differences between churches in her home diocese and Qu’Appelle, she said, “At home it is more unusual to have a robed vicar. “And I’ve seen more Union Jacks in churches here than I ever have at home.” She speculated that U.K. churches have removed flags because they are seen as a sign
Millie Swan
Photo — Joanne Shurvin-Martin
of “colonial” attitudes which people do not want to send to worshippers. She also said at home the liturgy is more “fluid” with a great deal of variety from Sunday to Sunday, while here only one or two books are used.
Swan has noticed great deal of difference in church music, saying, “More British churches now are moving towards have some sort of band and I haven’t seen that here yet.” When asked about what she is still looking forward to during her time in Qu’Appelle, she said she hopes she will be able to see the northern lights and to attend Truth and Reconciliation meetings in Edmonton. And, she expects to be confirmed here, during her parents’ visit at the end of her term. Following her stint in Qu’Appelle, she will spend two months in Montreal with a Mennonite community.
4
The Saskatchewan Anglican
April 2014
From altar care to knitting prayer shawls: Joan Lawrence of Maple Creek By Joan Lawrence MAPLE CREEK (Qu’A) – My first encounter with St. Mary the Virgin, Maple Creek, was when my husband Russell and I were married in the church in 1935 by Rev. Hackworth. I so clearly remember being overwhelmed by the beauty of the church. During the early years of my church life, we seldom attended church; bad roads, poor vehicles, bad weather and a busy life made it difficult to get there. In the early ‘40s, I was invited by friends to join the afternoon Women’s Auxiliary (WA). These were mostly elderly women of the congregation who were hoping to give up the responsibility of looking after the altar and all the details of its care. In 1944 the Altar Guild was formed and I was its youngest member, as well as a charter member of the group. Today I am the only living charter member of the Altar Guild. The Altar Guild has always been near and dear to my heart. We are a quiet group and we feel very privileged to be able to handle with reverence and care the sacred vessels and linens used in our holy place of worship. I still attend meetings – guess I’m an honorary member – and I particularly like polishing the silver & brass.
In 1945, the annual Little Helpers afternoon branch of parties during the time the WA folded and of Rev. Neatby, and the new evening our parish hall was branch of the WA full of small children, was formed, of which their parents and I am also a charter grandparents. member. In 1945-46, our In the early days, family lived in town WA meetings were and I was able to assist held in members’ with Sunday school homes. teaching. There was no As I lived eight hall to hold classes in, miles out of town so classes were held on a dirt road, we in various parts of the always hoped it church. wouldn’t rain when it I led the Girls was my turn to host a Auxiliary (GA) group meeting. for two years in the Electricity didn’t early ‘50s. These were come to the rural girls from 12 to 16 areas until the midyears of age. During 1950s. the early ‘60s I was a In preparation Junior Auxiliary (JA) for those meetings, leader for four years. the coal oil lamps Joan Lawrence, pictured here a few years ago with These were girls were filled, the wicks Bishop Greg Kerr-Wilson, has been an active member age eight to 12 who trimmed and glass of St. Mary’s, Maple Creek, for most of her 98 years. graduated from Little Currently she serves on the Altar Guild and knits prayer Helpers to JAs and chimneys polished. The gas lamps shawls. then to GAs. While Photo — Contributed Rev. Neatby was our were pumped up and filled with kerosene. rector, I was asked to Although I no birth to age eight.) give reports in church. longer attend meetings, I’m on Every child born to members I believe I was the first woman at the roll call and do lead a table at of the congregation became a St. Mary’s to do that. fundraising events. member. Later on I took turns in I believe I have served in Their birthdays were lesson reading and assisting at every area of the church except remembered with a card from communion by administering for the choir and playing the the church, while every year a the chalice. I also assisted with organ. I have a daughter who party and church service was services held at the senior’s filled that gap. held to celebrate Little Helpers’ lodge, as well as services held I was a Little Helpers leader birthdays and graduation to the at the Manor and Sunglow (local for 15 years. (Little Helpers had next stage of their church life. Independent Living Homes). membership of children from I remember some of the I also served as a sidesman/
greeter. As I am 98 years old, I have requested my name to be deleted from this list. I served on the vestry for a number of years, also serving in the capacity of warden. This duty included being asked to lead a service of the burial of ashes when it was needed. During my time on vestry, I became PWRDF representative, attending various workshops in the diocese. I really enjoyed meeting all the people that served in this area of the church. I took part in many Bible studies and I have acted as hostess to the Christmas Eve supper for people who are alone, since its inception in Canon Nevett’s time. The service I am most proud of and I found the most rewarding was being part of the church’s Pastoral Care Team. It was a service that was sometimes very difficult to perform but ultimately was very rewarding. The Prayer Shawl Knitting Ministry is my latest active involvement with the church. I continue to attend church services every Sunday, as I am able. I still consider St. Mary’s, our church, to be a very beautiful place to worship. I look back with such happy memories of my involvement at St. Mary’s Church. I did not serve alone through the years, as God put my hand in His and led me all the way.
Diocese of Saskatoon Announcements for April 2014 Spring Diocesan ACW Conference and AGM: “Come to the Water”: Women of Faith, Women of Courage; April 4, 6:30-8:30 p.m. and April 5, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at St. George’s Anglican Church, Saskatoon, hosted by the women of St. Matthew’s and St. George’s. Contact Lauren Jardine at 306-384-0229 for more information and to register. Centring Prayer at the Cathedral: If you are longing for a little more quiet, solitude and an opportunity to “be still”, please join Sarah Donnelly on Sunday mornings for 20 minutes of Centring Prayer at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. This is an ancient form of prayer grounded in the Christian Mystical Tradition. The group will meet in the Dean’s office at 9:45 a.m. for a 10-minute teaching reflection on some aspect of Centring Prayer, followed by 20 minutes
of meditative silence that will begin at 9:45 a.m. and end at 10:15 a.m. Friends and Family Service: St. George’s, 624 Avenue I South, Saskatoon, 7 p.m., every Friday night. Informal music and prayer focused on families. St. George’s Parish annual Giant Spring Garage Sale: Friday, May 9, 5-9:00 p.m. and Saturday, May 10, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 624 Ave. I South, Saskatoon. Integrity/Saskatoon: Meetings are the second Wednesday of each month at St. John’s Anglican Cathedral, 816 Spadina Crescent East at 7:30 p.m. This is a group of the GLBTT community and friends. For more information call 306491-3315 or visit the Integrity/ Saskatoon website at www. integritysaskatoon.blogspot. com or the Facebook page at “IntegritySaskatoon”. “Fam Jam” at the
Cathedral: This family friendly time of music and fun takes place at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, after the 10:30 a.m. service, in front of the grand piano. Join an all-ages group of family and friends to have fun, share skills and make some music. All levels of musicians are most welcome and encouraged to attend. If you don’t want to join the “Fam Jam”, but have some instruments laying around the house, such as shakers, ukuleles or tambourines, the Cathedral can put them to good use! For more information, contact Rev. Emily Carr. Prison Support: The Micah Mission is in need of people who are willing to give an hour or two a week to help support people in prison or recently released from prison. There is a growing need for Circles of Support and Accountability in Saskatoon. Please contact Dave Feick, co-
ordinator at The Micah Mission. For more information and to volunteer call 306-653-3099. School of Renewal Ministry: Anglican Renewal Ministries invites you to attend its upcoming School of Renewal Ministry, “Discovering Your Gifts,” with worship, teaching, small group discussion and prayer ministry, from May 30-31 at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Saskatoon. For more information or to register, please contact the ARM office at 1-866-627-1276 or e-mail arm@armcanada.org. For more information, please also see the more detailed notice elsewhere in this issue. ADVANCE NOTICES: The Diocesan ACW Retreat in 2015: The planning for the next Anglican Church Women’s Bi-Annual Retreat, which is scheduled for September 2015,
has begun. If you have ideas or experience in planning events, please join the Retreat Planning Team! Meetings will be scheduled at mutually convenient times. To volunteer or find out more, contact Elaine Hrycenko at 306-955-5522 or email e.p.h@ sasktel.net. In order to be included in a timely manner, brief notices 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, April submissions will be in the June issue). Detailed and longer texts of upcoming events will not be included in this section, but should space allow, could be the subject of article and notices elsewhere in the Saskatchewan Anglican.
The Saskatchewan Anglican
April 2014
5
St. Michael’s Retreat history By Frank Flegel LUMSDEN (Qu’A) – St. Michael’s Retreat House sits halfway up a hill on the south side of a small coulee and looks down the rest of the coulee and the expanse of the Qu’Appelle Valley. It is perhaps one of the most picturesque locations in the valley. The retreat house is surrounded by 220 acres and has a meditation labyrinth nestled among small hills down a short path from the main building. Several walking trails with mediation stops wind their way through the wooded property and a sun circle sits above the property to the right of the entrance road. Deer and other animals can often be seen wandering through the property. The late Archbishop Michael O’Neill of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Regina prevailed upon the Franciscans to establish a retreat location in the Regina Archdiocese, and the Order responded in 1961 by purchasing the property for $11,117.45 from John Szurka, explained Franciscan Rev. Dennis Vavrek, provincial for the Western Province. Construction began almost immediately and the doors opened in 1963. The retreat building boasted 60 small bedrooms, each with its own shower, toilet and sink. The main gathering area features a large fireplace and a wall of windows with a panoramic view of the valley. The initial cost was projected at about $300,000 said Vavrek, but the original contractor went bankrupt; a new contractor had to be hired. The final cost was a little over $800,000 or about $7 million in today’s dollars.
The Order also had a project in Winnipeg. “It almost bankrupted us,” said Vavrek. It was at the time of Vatican II when many priests, brothers and sisters in all congregations left their vocation and there were fewer to carry out the work. “We were way over our heads and we had to re-finance,” said Vavrek. The order took out a $1.4-million mortgage in 1964 to meet its obligations. “It took us 20 years to recover the debt.” Vavrek said it turned out the facility was built on a fault and in 1978 cracks began to appear, as the building began a slow slide down the hill. One wing of 15 rooms had to be demolished and the building stabilized. The facility had always been ecumenical even before that term came into vogue. In 1999 an informal arrangement was made with representatives from the Franciscans, the Regina Archdiocese, Anglicans, Evangelical Lutherans and Roman Catholics to govern the place. That arrangement was formalized on the Feast of St. Francis Oct. 4, 2004 when all participants signed a formal document to establish a governing board. It was the first such ecumenical activity in Canada as far as is known and perhaps the first in North America. The board still governs under the chair of retired Evangelical Lutheran Pastor David Kaiser. St. Michael’s Retreat Centre took its name from Archbishop Michael O’Neill, and according to Vavrek, St. Francis received his Stigmata on the Feast of St. Michael. This is why a large statue of St. Michael the Archangel greets visitors as they enter the front door.
Discovering your gifts Have you used your spiritual gifts today? Do you know what your gifts are? Come and find out how you can use your gifts for God’s purposes. A weekend conference sponsored by Anglican Renewal Ministries is being held in Saskatoon on Friday, May 30, 6 p.m. (potluck and program for all ages) and Saturday, May 31 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Topics: How can I be filled with the Holy Spirit? What are the Manifestation Gifts? What are the Equipping Gifts? What are the Motivational Gifts? All are welcome to enjoy this event with prayer, praise,
teaching and Christian fellowship. To register, please contact Alison Stortz at 1-866627‐1276 or by e-mail at arm@ armcanada.org. Or contact Julia Davies at 306-374‐4357. This event is free of charge. A good‐will offering to support ARM will be received. For more info visit www.armcanada.org.
Volunteers begin to put the roof on one of two houses completed during the Diocese of Saskatoon’s Baja Mexico mission in 2012. Photo — Joan Irving
Saskatoon plans progressing for 2014 Mexico mission trip By Cheryl Moen and Joan Irving Co-chairs, Diocese of Saskatoon’s Baja Mexico Mission 2014 SASKATOON – We are happy to say the Dioceses of Saskatoon Baja Mexico Mission 2014 is well into the planning stages, with our departure to Mexico on June 21. At the beginning of February we had 26 confirmed participants from all corners of the diocese: Lloydminster, Battleford, Pike Lake, Borden, Humboldt, Watrous, Quill View and from the city of Saskatoon (Emmanuel, St. Stephen’s and Holy Trinity parishes). Additionally, as well as the confirmed 26, we also have another four people who may be able to join the mission team. Many of our missioners are being sponsored by their parish. Parishes have come up with many different ways of fundraising for this project.
Pike Lake Parish is holding a series of adventure talks by local people who have gone to some remarkable places. In November, a world traveller and travel magazine author shared her trip to Berlin. Next, a young biologist presented her canoe trip down the Hood River in the Northwest Territories. Other talks included visits to Greece, Turkey, Italy, France and Monaco and potentially Mount Everest and then Afghanistan. Lloydminster had a Mexico night with Mexican food and entertainment. Maidstone parish is collecting drinks cans, wine and beer bottles and donating the money to the mission. Maidstone parish sent two members on the 2012 mission, unfortunately, this time they are unable to send anyone but still want to raise funds to support the mission. The ACW has also be collecting donations from it members for the mission.
These donations will go towards furnishing and food for the homes once they have been built. It is wonderful to say once again we have a group of missioners who have a wide range of skills. Within the 2014 team we have builders, teachers, clergy, farmers and some retired members, to name a few. Each member brings his or her unique skills. When we join as a Christian group, we will not only build three new homes but also bring hope to a whole community, by letting them know we love and care for them. We ask for you to continue to support the mission by your prayers and by assisting any of the fundraising efforts in your parish or elsewhere in the diocese. You may also make a personal financial gift to the mission; tax receipt available, by sending a donation to the synod office marked “Baja Mission 2014.”
6
The Saskatchewan Anglican
April 2014
St. Mary’s gardening club and gardening projects for 2014 By Sharon Pratchler REGINA – Last year was the first year St. Mary’s, Regina had a church garden. Throughout the summer salad greens, kale and spinach, as well as herbs, were harvested on Sunday mornings for the congregation. A Pizza Harvest Party was held at the end of the season, at which time the children harvested the corn and the tomatoes. At that time, a questionnaire was distributed to the congregation asking for feedback on what we should plant in the garden this year. A garden club was formed this year, with four children chosen to lead the planning for the garden. Each child will be responsible for choosing the vegetables for the area of the garden assigned to them. Anya Mandziak will take care of “Growing Underground” – carrots, beets, radishes, turnips, parsnips, potatoes and onions. Lucas Schroeder will be in charge of “Fresh and Dried” – peas and beans, as well as “Height of Summer” – corn, popcorn, tomatoes and peppers. Emily Berringer will be responsible for “Tender Leaves and Essential Greens” – lettuce and salad greens, arugula, kale, spinach and swiss chard. Emma Der will take care of “Meandering Vines” – cucumbers, melons, watermelon, summer and winter squash, zucchini and pumpkins. Herbs and edible flowers
including mint, cilantro, basil, parsley, dill, chives, sage, coriander, thyme, rosemary and nasturtiums will also be grown. Each of the children received a garden journal with pictures on the cover from last year’s garden, a seed catalogue and information on planning a garden. Gwyn Crozier-Smith kindly sewed bags for each child to keep their garden material together. At an initial meeting of the garden club, they discussed the growing season in Regina and what types of qualities to look for when choosing seeds. At the next meeting of the garden club, the children will start to lay out their plans for the garden and draw a diagram on graph paper of what their garden will look like when planted. Each child will receive a budget for their portion of the garden and will purchase their seeds at Seedy Saturday, which will be held at St. Mary’s on March 1 this year. In addition, the children will plant seeds which they saved from the garden last year, including sunflower, peas and bean seeds. The focus will be on heirloom, open-stock seeds. Families in the congregation are putting together Science Shoeboxes, which will provide self-contained lessons on some aspect of the garden, for example, what is inside a seed, what the parts of a plant are and the life cycle of a butterfly. The Science Shoeboxes will be used at Seedy Saturday and again as part of the summer Sunday school program.
A bounty of basil from St. Mary’s church garden, from the 2013 growing season. Photo — Sharon Pratchler Gwyn is also sewing cloth produce bags, some of which will be sold at Seedy Saturday to raise funds for the garden. Members of the congregation can also purchase the bags to help support the garden and to store their fresh produce from the garden on Sunday mornings this summer. Seedy Saturday will again have a children’s corner, with a new partner in the Connaught Library providing crafts, story time and a book display with gardening themes. The “Do Touch” table will be back, with pussywillows, wheatgrass, sprouted beans
and popcorn on the cob for the children to explore. There will be a demonstration by a nutritionist at Seedy Saturday on making baby food from garden produce, as well as a presentation on how to start a church garden or garden for other organizations such as schools. There will also be a presentation by Rachelle Ternier from Prairie Garden Seeds on having a plant-based diet. The children will learn many lessons from the garden this year, a process that was started last year with the initial garden. The lessons will include
responsibility and leadership from planning and tending the garden. The parish will also explore the concept of faith through seeds, using themes from the A Rocha “Gardening with God” program, such as how each vegetable can grow differently, with its individual characteristics, even though they all start from the same type of seed. The children will also perform acts of service, by harvesting produce from the garden for the congregation as well as for the surrounding community, including local food programs.
Full of Beans
St. Mary’s, Regina church garden flourished last year. Photo — Sharon Pratchler
Continued from Page 1 One of the good news Let’s Jam stories: Roberto lives in Havana with his wife, two children and mother-in-law. Two years ago, he received agricultural training from PWRDF’s partner, the Cuban Council of Churches. With help from his two young children, he started a family micro-farm with just one rabbit, two chickens and some crops, all on the roof of his house. Today, Roberto can feed his family daily by collecting eggs and meat and preserving a wide range of fruits (jam) and veggies. His farm is so abundant he is able to generate additional income by selling his surplus of healthy food to the community. For every $300 raised, we can send a Cuban such as Roberto for specialized farm training.
Bev Orr was crowned as Emmanuel, Saskatoon’s “Queen of the Bean Counters,” with the “It’s good to be full of beans” contest, by raising $210. Photo — Ken Tickner
St. Stephen’s, Saskatoon saw a three-way tie among Alice Brown, Rachel Snider and Pauline Elliott, as they all raised $148 for the “It’s good to be full of beans” contest. Pictured is “Queen of the Bean Counters,” Pauline Elliott. Photo — Lila Wagner
The Saskatchewan Anglican
April 2014
7
A true Easter parable: Who moved the stone? By Rev. Bill Portman REGINA – This is a true story of a book that, according to its author, refused to be written. The writer set out to debunk all the miraculous things that Christians believed about Jesus, especially His resurrection. Its title was to be “Jesus – the Last Phrase.” Frank Morrison was a young English lawyer-journalist who thought the story of Jesus rested on very shaky foundations and set out to prove it. But it turned out it really was a book that simply refused to be written. Morrison was an intellectually honest person who was determined to carry out rigorous and painstaking research to prove his point, using his legal training and a journalist’s skepticism as tools. But as he studied the New Testament and, more importantly for him, the early non-Christian writings, he found that the foundations of Christian belief were much more solid than he had imagined. Among the books I donated to a theological college in the Solomon Islands in 2005 was a small paperback entitled “Who Moved the Stone?” which was first published in 1930 and is still in print. The “stone,” mentioned in all four gospels, refers to the boulder that was rolled across the entrance to Jesus’ tomb, plastered with government seals and guarded by Roman soldiers.) Its author – you’ve guessed it – was Frank Morrison, the man who set out to demolish the stories of
“Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!’” (John 20:1-2, NIV). Photo — Shutterstock the resurrection. By the time he finished his research and written the book, he was convinced the belief Jesus Christ had risen from the dead was in fact a cold, sober, hard truth. That Jesus lived and died is a fact of history – this much is supported even by anti-Christian historians of the time. But, we can’t prove historically that Jesus rose from the dead. That is a matter of faith and was the basis for Frank Morrison’s original idea. But in his research he could not find an answer to one key question: “What caused the first Christians to believe the resurrection?” There was a change in them that had to be explained. After Good Friday in about A.D. 30, the followers of Jesus were completely demoralized.
Everything they believed or hoped for was in ruins. But look at what happened: news of the resurrection quickly spread far beyond the city of Jerusalem. Only 20 years after the event, St. Paul wrote a letter about the resurrection to Christians in northern Greece, on the other side of the Mediterranean. This by a man who once was dedicated to stamping out this new religion, knew all the official rebuttals to the claim that Jesus had risen from the dead and even presided over the stoning to death of the first Christian martyr. In Jerusalem, the leader of the Christians was James, a kinsman of Jesus who hadn’t believed in Him during His earthly ministry. Wherever they went, Christians proclaimed that “Jesus is alive,”
and the word just kept on spreading. Peter, Paul, James and so many other believers were so sure of the resurrection that they were willing to be martyred for their faith. WHY? Frank Morrison tried every way he could to explain away the change that took place in these people. Finally, he was left with only one possible conclusion: they were telling the truth! Jesus had indeed risen from the dead. Morrison’s book points to the main problem facing first century people: the resurrection news was simply too good to be true, and that has been a stumbling block for some people in every age since. The news may indeed have
seemed too good to be true, but Morrison realized it was so good it must be true. How else to explain the incredible spread of Christianity throughout the whole known world? We can see the driving force behind the spread of Christianity in all of Jesus’ appearances to His followers after His resurrection: the common thread is those people who were present were driven – they had to tell someone else right away. Jesus blessed their actions when He said before returning to heaven at His ascension, “You are my witnesses,” but He wasn’t speaking only to His followers then. He was laying out what was to be the mission of the Church for all time. In every generation our job is the same: to share the gospel story, to grow the Church wherever in the world there are people, but especially in our own families, our neighbourhoods and our own communities, eager to support and encourage others to join with us in the joy of Jesus’ resurrection. This is why we celebrate Easter across the world – in great cathedrals and tiny country churches; in grass huts and open fields; furtively in places where Christians face persecution or martyrdom; praising God for the truth that caused Frank Morrison to completely reserve his position, that the truth that has led people in every generation to literally bet their lives on the Jesus who died and rose again. “Who Moved the Stone?” by Frank Morrison is published by Zondervan, ISBN13-97803102956 17.
Reflections on Saskatoon’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Editor’s Note: The following appeared in the March 2014 issue of the Diocese of Saskatchewan Anglican Church Women News & Views By Marj Kirby SASKATOON – I was baptized Anglican as an infant but had influences from other Christian denominations all my life. One of my favourite times in the year is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, a time to worship with praise and prayer and to have fellowship in various churches in our communities. Each community participates in its own unique way. The theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity for 2014 was “Has Christ Been Divided” (1 Corinthians 1:117). This is a difficult question
that we had to explore and ask ourselves. In 1 Corinthians 1:10, it states: “ Now I plead with you, brethren, by name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak all the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgments.” A workshop was held on Jan. 18 at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church. It was here where we learned about the history of the Week and how this is observed around the world, in mid-January, to cover the days between the Feasts of St. Peter and St. Paul. This year Canada prepared the resource materials and the hymns “Remember”, “One”, and “Diverse, But Not Divided” were written by Canadians. It
was an exciting, energizing way to start the week. I had the privilege to attend most of services and events planned for the week in Saskatoon. This was an opportunity for us to come together as one for prayer, singing, fellowship and to celebrate the many gifts within the Body of Christ. Here are some of the highlights of the week. The opening service on Sunday at Mount Royal Mennonite Church with preacher Father Bernard de Margerie, who has been involved with the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism. He asked questions that made me squirm, such as “how truly welcoming am I and my church community?” The Monday evening service for Public Ministry of Healing through
the Order of St. Luke’s at St. Stephens’s Anglican Church was a new experience for me. This was a beautiful service where those wanting healing sat in the circle, had prayer-shawls placed on them, with the healing hands of members of the Order on their shoulders and then anointing with oil by the rector. Then there was the afternoon service on Wednesday at Saskatoon Native Circle Ministry, which included a smudge, prayers, testimony and singing. A jazz service was held at Grace-Westminster United, a special treat for those who love jazz music. This followed the “Arise and Shine” format used at the jazz vespers services held periodically here in Saskatoon. After each service there was a time of fellowship with others
who attended the service. This was an opportunity to share and learn. It was fun, as we would recognize people from previous services. It’s like a family reunion; after all, we are the same family of God. As I reflected on the week, one thing I thought was this involved just a small group from the Christian community in Saskatoon. Were those who were absent not there because they were too busy, or they do not believe in unity of our Christian churches, or worse yet, is it that they do not care? So, I encourage us as Anglicans to learn about and participate in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in our communities. This is a wonderful opportunity to strengthen bonds with our Christian neighbours through prayer.
8
The Saskatchewan Anglican
April 2014
Ecumenical messy church By Susan Boxall
After the ecumenical Epiphany Messy Church at Fort Qu’Appelle, Rosa and Paul Huestis stand in the lighted arch to the quiet area to show off the crafts they made. Photo — Rev. Warren Huestis
FORT QU’APPELLE (Qu’A) – Epiphany in Fort Qu’Appelle took on a new look when St. John’s Anglican Church and St. Andrew’s United Church joined forces again to bring God closer to the lives of children in the area. They held a “Messy Church,” Journey with the Magi, after school on Jan. 14 at St. John’s church hall. It was wonderful to see about 16 children accompanied by moms and other adults all joining in
the fun crafts, the storytelling, the quiet area and the wonderful chili supper. The theme for the crafts was the guiding light of God. Children made crafts including thank-you notelets, a felt doorhanging showing their home with light radiating from the door and windows, and a tea-light lantern. Most of the children decorated the star-shaped cookies with icing and various sprinkles. This was the first of many “Messy Church” sessions in which St. John’s plans to be involved.
Cumberland House hosts second annual Gospel Jamboree By Sheila Chaboyer CUMBERLAND HOUSE (Skwn) – The second annual Cumberland House Gospel Jamboree took place from Feb. 21-23. It included music, healing services, the Word of God and the sharing of testimonies. The incorporation of healing services, the Word of God and testimonies to this year’s gospel jamboree came by the initiative of the Unity Committee. On Friday evening we kicked off the event with gospel singing and testimonies, followed by opening prayers. This evening’s special guest speaker was Fred Evans,
who shared the Word of God, followed by more gospel singing, testimonies and an altar call. Lunch was provided for local and out of town guests. Over 100 people were present on the first night! On Saturday, we kicked off the day with an awesome breakfast followed by prayers, singing and testimonies. Lunch was served at the hall wherein we had stew and bannock. Following lunch, Thomas Kutluk shared the Word of God, followed by more gospel singing and testimonies. Later in the afternoon we had another guest speaker, Rev. Clara Lambert, share the Word of God.
A supper of soup and sandwiches was later served. The evening was packed with more gospel singing, testimonies and the Word of God shared by special guest speaker Steve Robertson, followed by a candlelight vigil led by Dennis Cook and healing services by Cook, with the help of Moses Bird, Park Buck, Matilda Nabess, John Budd, Ferlin McKay, Henry Bird and Leonard Bear. Sunday started off with yet another awesome breakfast, followed by gospel singing, testimonies and morning service lead by Moses Bird and Park Buck. We had our afternoon meal.
Hope rising at Camp Okema By Steve Mitchell PRINCE ALBERT – As summer approaches, Camp Okema is looking with great hope and anticipation to a new camp season! We are eager to enjoy the beautiful outdoor setting, fun activities with friends, delicious meals and growing in our faith in God. We anticipate Camp Okema coming alive again as campers arrive with excitement, energy and expectation. Hope is rising at Camp Okema! We are pleased to announce we have a new website at www. campokema.com and a new email address at campokema@ hotmail.com. For info about our summer schedule and what Camp Okema has to offer, check the website. For your convenience, we offer the option of online registration and payment. All are welcome to our annual fundraising banquet, which will be held at St. John’s Cathedral,
Saskatoon on April 26. We look forward to an enjoyable evening of food, entertainment provided by some of our talented Okema youth and an update on the new camp season. For tickets contact Jean Gibson at 306-373-1047. Two other events to consider attending are the May Work Weekend (May 17–19) and the Okema Open House (July 5). The May Work Weekend, as we open the camp, is a time of work, worship, play and plenty of good food. For information about this free weekend or to register, contact Darryl McRae at 306-270-5182. The Okema Open House on July 5 begins at 12 pm with a barbecue, followed by a worship service. Then there will be camp tour, visiting and swimming. If your parish is interested in learning more about Camp Okema we are offering a program called “Okema on the Road.” We will either come to your parish in person or send you a kit of
materials, so you can conduct your own information session. For more info contact Marilyn Whelan at 306-845-3782. We encourage campers to register before June 1 to take advantage of reduced prices. We also encourage families to consider attending Family Camp (Aug. 3-7). We look forward to seeing you this summer! Camp Okema Summer Schedule: July 1-5: Cabin Leader Training (ages 14+); July 5: Open House; July 6-10: Small Fry 1 (ages 7-9); July 13-18: Junior 1 (ages 10-12); July 20-25: Junior Teen (ages 13-15); July 27-31: Small Fry 2 (ages 7-9); August 3-7: Family Camp; August 10-15: Junior 2 (ages 10-12); August 13-17: Teen (ages 13-17).
We continued the day with gospel singing, testimonies, the Word of God (Moses Bird) followed by a healing service led by Moses Bird with the help of Park Buck, John Budd, Ferlin McKay, Henry Bird, Matilda Nabess, Audrey Budd, Leonard Bear and Sheila Chaboyer. Our plan was to wrap up the day after the feast, but people wanted to continue after supper. Since the people wanted to continue, we went on with more gospel singing and final altar call! Finally we shut down the gospel jamboree with prayers led by John Budd, a committee member, and then cleaned up the facility. A special ‘thank you’ goes out
to all the singers who were there, including: Monique Dreylion, Lenard McKenzie, Tom and Joy Kutluk, Brenda Mongrand, Carl Crane, Roy Custer, Sherman Buck, John Budd, Leanne Bear, Peter Buck, Joe and Madeline Goulet, Oliver Bear, Audrey Budd, Bernadette McKenzie, Anna Carriere and the planning committee. The planning committee consisted of 14 people, which received prayers from the people. The event was very well attended and people still want another one this summer. The committee will be meeting later to plan another event such as the one we had over the week. Praise be to God!
Architect of tri-diocesan covenant dies in England Contributed SHREWSBURY, ENGLAND – Rev. Francis Palmer, who first proposed the three-way companion diocese links involving the Dioceses of Qu’Appelle, Lichfield and West Malaysia, has died in Shrewsbury, England, at the age of 84. He was instrumental in developing the covenant relationship between the three dioceses during his 10 years as Lichfield’s Diocesan Missioner and secretary to the Board for Mission and Unity. The covenant with the three dioceses, first signed in 1988, still flourishes today. At the time, the idea of direct links with “overseas” dioceses, not tied to financial support, was highly innovative within the Church of England. Such relationships, where they existed, had traditionally been
through the various missionary societies who sponsored work in dioceses around the world, with emphasis on sending to, rather than sharing with. Palmer and his wife, Mary, visited several parishes in Qu’Appelle Diocese in 1985 and discussed the proposed links with the then bishop, Michael Peers, and executive secretary William Portman. At his funeral, Bishop Michael Bourke said Palmer’s priestly vocation was “forged in adversity.” Palmer was forced to take early retirement in 1989, following an operation on his spine which left him confined to a wheelchair. In retirement, he and his wife turned their home, the Old Vicarage in Claverley, into a retreat centre, which has served more than 4,000 people in the past 23 years. He offered spiritual direction to countless people.