Saskatchewan anglican
The newspaper of the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle • A Section of the Anglican Journal • May 2014
Qu’Appelle to re-introduce licensed lay reader program By Jason Antonio
The Diocese of Qu’Appelle’s Bishop Rob Hardwick (left) talks with retired Bishop Duncan Wallace about some of the repairs that were made to the Anson Crozier, after a service on March 22 at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Regina. The crozier was stolen from the cathedral last October, recovered in November and sent to Manitoba for repairs. It was then rededicated in March. The Anson Crozier was presented to the first bishop of Qu’Appelle in the late 1880s. Photo — Jason Antonio
Crozier recovered, repaired, rededicated Historic crozier, presented to first Qu’Appelle bishop near end of the 19th century, was damaged after stolen from cathedral in Regina By Joanne Shurvin-Martin REGINA – The irreplaceable Anson Crozier, which was stolen from St. Paul’s Cathedral in October, was rededicated on March 22, after being recovered by police and repaired by a Winnipeg silversmith. Bishop Rob Hardwick prayed, “May this crozier, re-worked and repaired, be a sign and symbol that those lost in this diocese will be found; that your shepherding hand will move amongst us and guide us to fertile pastures.” (The
full prayer is at the end of this article.) When the Regina Police Service recovered the bishop’s crozier in mid-November as part of an ongoing investigation, it had been damaged. Some of the semi-precious jewels had been removed and it appeared the thief or thieves had tried to pry the ornate silver head off the top of the staff. Retired Bishop Duncan Wallace and his wife, Mary, offered to take the staff to Winnipeg, where it was repaired at the House of Silver. Dean Mike Sinclair said the cathedral, and the whole diocese, are glad to have the crozier back. It is an important piece of the diocese’s family history, presented to the first bishop of the diocese in the late 1880s or early 1890s. The bishop’s full prayer: O God, of eternal power and love, you have given to people skills of hand and eye to share
in your re-creative work in many ways. We present and re-dedicate to your glory this Crozier, Given by the 1st Bishop Of Qu’Appelle. We give thanks for its safe return and for the skill of those who were tasked with its restoration. May this Crozier, re-worked and repaired, be a sign and symbol that those lost in this diocese will be found; that your shepherding hand will move amongst us and guide us to fertile pastures; and that the renewing and restoring power of your Holy Spirit will fall upon us. May all who are chosen to bear this Crozierdo so in love and in faithful obedience to your will We pray your blessing on the benefactor of this gift, And we ask that you would bring us, together with Bishop Anson to your eternal kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
REGINA – The Diocese of Qu’Appelle plans to re-introduce a licensed lay reader program by the beginning of September, with the possible commissioning of the first lay readers at the fall Q Event. The Diocese of Ottawa recently amended its Lay Reader program and was willing to share much of its revised materials with Qu’Appelle. From these materials, a manual for this program has been produced for Qu’Appelle and is in its second draft form. For the full Licensed Lay Reader manual, contact the Synod office. “This is a ministry that will compliment and enrich
the ministries of the diocese offered by clergy and laity alike,” said Bishop Rob Hardwick. “In a diocese like ours, comprising many small multipoint rural parishes and several urban centres, I have no doubt that effective ministry across the diocese will be enhanced by the leadership of dedicated and licensed lay readers.” Lay Readers will be licensed to lead non-sacramental worship, such as morning prayer, evening prayer and compline; assist clergy in their parish and deanery; teach and preach; assist with administrative roles; and be able to officiate at funerals and offer pastoral care to the bereaved. See ‘Licensed’ on Page 4
Memorial vigil held for murdered Inuit woman By Mary Ann Assailly SASKATOON – Concerned citizens from all walks of life in Saskatoon gathered at Station 20 West on March 5 to sign petitions and join in the national Call to Action, calling on the federal government to work with Indigenous women’s organizations to establish a comprehensive, national plan of action to stop violence against Indigenous women and girls. The Native Women’s Association in Nova Scotia had called for the day of action and local organizers pulled the event together within 24 hours. The event was held in honour of the late Loretta Saunders, an Inuit woman from Goose Bay. Loretta, age 26, an expectant mother and a student at St. Mary’s University, was murdered recently in Nova Scotia. Loretta was writing an honour’s thesis on missing and murdered aboriginal women.
The tragic death of Loretta triggered the national consciousness and created the impetus for the Call to Action. The vigil was hosted by Iskwewuk Ewichiwitochik (Women Walking Together) and friends. Master of Ceremonies, Chris Sicotte, opened the gathering with greetings, followed by a prayer by Elder Ethel Ahenekew and a memorial song by drummer John Noon. Speakers at the event were Senator Lillian E. Dyck; Dr. Robert Innes, Department of Native Studies, University of Saskatchewan; Myrna LaPlante, a voice for families of missing; and John Parry, the prairies representative of the United Nations Association of Canada. Following the prayers, drumming and speakers, those gathered lit candles and circled the blanket-covered empty chair holding Loretta’s picture, while Mary Ann Assailly read a memorial poem.
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The Saskatchewan Anglican
May 2014
Are shopping and sports more fulfilling than prayer and worship?
Saskatchewan The newspaper of the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle • A Section of the Anglican Journal • January 2013
Why become a Christian today? By Rev. Dell Bornowsky BIG COUNTRY PARISH – There are probably more reasons NOT to become a Christian than we would like to admit. Our first difficulty is there seems no consensus on what it means to become a Christian and this disagreement is ironically evident most among Christians themselves. Does just calling ourselves Christian make us so? Are we Christian because we click that we “like” Jesus on Facebook? or do we need to be baptized? or accept Jesus into our hearts? or attend a Christian church? or just be “a good person”? We might say that as long as it means something to me I can rightly identify myself as a Christian. But this is precisely the problem. If being a Christian can mean almost anything anyone wants it to mean, it ceases to mean much about our shared identity. We might say that obedience to
Jesus makes one a Christian. But when we discover that Jesus’ ideals are so high that no one ever achieves them, our criteria makes it impossible for anyone to become Christian. On the other hand, if Christians are only more or less obedient to Jesus’ teachings, how less obedient can you be and still be a Christian? We are back to the conundrum. There are other reasons for not becoming a Christian. In his monumental A History of Christianity, Kenneth Scott Lattourette says, “No other religion has so high an ideal of an inclusive community of love. Yet as we are to see again and again …no other religion has had as many divisions and as many bitter controversies between its adherents.” People known as Christians have killed thousands of each other. Even a cursory reading of Jesus’ teaching shows that such behaviour is obviously inappropriate. But astoundingly this has not been obvious to many. In both the American Civil
War and more recently in Rwanda, religious rhetoric was used by churches on both sides to support the killing of fellow Christians. If this is the reputation of Christians, who wants it? The popular “religions” of consumerism, entertainment, shopping and sports all make Christian prayer, worship and discipleship seem like more effort than they are worth. As G.K. Chesterton said: “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.” With the popularity of pluralism and relativism, proselytizing is in disfavour. Christians have a reputation for wanting to “push their religion on others” and who wants to be like that? Besides, it is no longer fashionable to believe much of what Christians have traditionally believed. If God as just that “ultimate reality” to which we all return regardless of our affiliation, devotion or behaviour, then becoming a Christian in order
to enter an eternal relationship with a loving creator and redeemer ceases to be a compelling reason to follow Jesus. However, for those willing to work though such contradictions, there remain a few reasons for becoming Christian, not least of which is of course Jesus Himself. Jesus is just so cool that hardly any of the mud stirred up by His supposed followers sticks to Him. There may be no reason as compelling as simply getting to hang out with Jesus. With Jesus comes the “good news of the kingdom” that He preached and practised. In Christ we are invited into God’s project for the redemption of the cosmos. We are enabled by the love of God to participate in repairing the world from the very damage inflicted by those who have gone before us. These may not seem like great reasons at first, but after years of looking, I have found no better reasons to be anything else.
Fred Says, ‘Let’s Jam’ to help the Cubans By Mary Ann Assailly SASKATOON – The third phase of the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund’s three-year Food Security Campaign is Fred Says “Lets 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 selfsufficient 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. For every $300 raised, we can send a Cuban for
Tickets from a basket of jams and jellies were sold at Emmanuel Parish to raise money for the “Let’s Jam” initiative. In total, $190 was raised. Here Barb Clay of Emmanuel Parish holds the basket she won. Photo — Rodger Assailly
specialized Training for Trainers farming workshops. A couple of Saskatoon parishes planned to sell tickets on a basket of homemade jams with funds directed at sponsorship. At Emmanuel Parish, in Saskatoon, $190 was raised by selling tickets for a basket of homemade jams and jellies. The basket was filled with Saskatchewan homemade mermelada (jam); frambuesa (raspberry); grosella negra (black currant); ruibarbo (rhubarb); frambuesa de la cereza (cherry raspberry); albaricoque (apricot); and Y ciruela (plum). For every donation made, the giver’s name was put into a jam jar and a winner was drawn from the jar of names. Barb Clay from Emmanuel was the fortunate donor whose name was selected as the winner of the basket. The basket raised $191 and this money covered two-thirds of the $300 cost to Train a Trainer for 10 days. In addition to the money raised from the sale of tickets for the basket, there were also additional individual donations made from Emmanuel Parish for the “Let’s Jam” initiative that were sent directly to Toronto. Extra jams and jellieshave were donated to Oskayak High School in Saskatoon.
anglican
Published by the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle. Published monthly except for July and August. Whole No. 292, Vol. 42, No. 9 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 September issue must be recieved by the diocesan editor no later than Friday, July 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
A Mexican night in Lloydminster By Joan Irving LLOYDMINSTER (S’toon) – What a wonderful break from our cold Saskatchewan winter. On March 2, we were treated to the great taste of Mexico. One-hundred-ten people from not just St. John’s Parish, Lloydminster, but also from the First Lutheran, Grace United and Lloydminster Gospel Fellowship sat down to a wonderful Mexican supper. The proceeds from the event were used to assist the four members joining the Baja mission this June. The hall was decorated by the congregation for the occasion, with Mexican
blankets, sombreros and other Mexican memorabilia. The table decorations were done by Marilyn and Courtney Clark. The meal was cooked by Tony Pareda, who had come all the way from Mexico City. His helpers for the event were Miles Jurke, Kay Hauer and Neil McCuaig. This crew cooked a wonderful and festive three-course meal for a full house. After supper everyone sat back and enjoyed the music of the Lloydminster Gospel Fellowship Worship Band, composed of Greg Nelson, Marea French and Dale Luedtke and their sound man Brad Pelley.
Anglicans and Catholics walk the Way of the Cross together By Rev. Christopher Dow BIRCH HILLS (Skwn) – On Friday evenings during Lent, Anglicans and Roman Catholics in Birch Hills walked the Way of the Cross together by candlelight. This year, the two congregations used an abbreviated version of the traditional Stations of the Cross, which featured meditations on the nine stations that are specifically attested in Scripture. This peaceful and meditative devotion is an entry into the mystery of our Lord’s passion that allows participants to see themselves in the story and to reflect on the crosses they bear in their own walks of discipleship.
Although the practice was new to the Anglicans, they found it enriching. Who we are together in Christ – The people of St. Mary’s Anglican/St. Anne’s Roman Catholic churches enjoy an excellent working relationship. Since 1997, they have shared and co-owned their present building, earning the nickname “the church that pennies built”. This is due to its grassroots fundraising campaign. Recently the two parishes began strengthening their ecumenical partnership by worshipping together often. Besides the candlelight Way of the Cross, joint services were held on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
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With a resurrected Christ, our work and struggles are not in vain By Bishop Michael Hawkins Diocese of Saskatchewan PRINCE ALBERT – As in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. We began the season of Lent back in March being reminded, “Remember that dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” We thought then of death in the shadow of sin. Now in the season of Easter we look differently on our mortality, in the light of the forgiveness of sins. From the perspective of the empty tomb, we need to think about our death as those who believe in the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. This does not mean we escape the pain, sorrow and dissolution of death. The Easter Gospel is not about escape or denial. Jesus does not provide us with a way around death, although He does make a way for us. We speak of the gate of death, since he who overcame the sharpness of death has opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. In the faith and hope of Christ crucified, buried and risen, we are able to confidently face mortality and that includes: • •
•
Each of the 14 Stations of the Cross at St. Mary’s/St. Anne’s, Birch Hills, is made of an engraved bronze plate on a wooden cross. Photo — Rev. Christopher Dow
May 2014
Making arrangements for the Christian disposition of our body Acknowledging that we brought nothing into this world and we can carry nothing out Numbering our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom
In the story of Jesus’ own death we have the anointing at Bethany, a preparation for His burial and the provision by Joseph and Nicodemus for a place for His body to be buried. We all need to make similar, simple provisions, to consider the place and means of our burial. Pre-planning your Funeral can greatly ease the stress on grieving family and friends and provide them with the opportunity of fulfilling our last wishes. Our Lord Himself also had a Will of sorts. One of His last acts on the cross was to provide for His mother after His death, commending her and John to each other’s care.
A legal Will allows us to give some direction as to the disposition of our worldly goods, to ensure the care of dependents and spouses and to support the Church and its missions we hold dear. Our Lord warned us about rich fools who lay up treasures for themselves and are not rich towards God. “Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” Without a Will, those goods which God has entrusted to you will not go immediately to your family, church or friends. Like simple funeral arrangements, a simple and straightforward Will can save a lot of money and grief. Whatever arrangements we make for our Funeral and Will, we ought to make sure our faith, values and church are represented in these. You will want the advice and services of a funeral director and a lawyer, but I would encourage you to discuss these with your parish priest as well. Every one of our dioceses continues to benefit from those who generously provided in their Wills for the ongoing ministry and mission of the Church. We thank God for them and we ought to ask ourselves whether such a planned gift, now or as part of our Will, would be an appropriate expression of our faith and commitment. Anyone wanting more information on Planned Giving should contact their synod office.
The greatest preparation for death is, of course, a life well lived, in the faith, hope and love of Jesus Christ. I would suggest to you these three ways of facing your mortality and preparing for your death: •
• •
Prepare your body by making some simple arrangements for your funeral and burial Prepare your estate by a simple Will Prepare your soul by putting your faith in Jesus Christ and committing your life to His joyful service
Since Christ is risen from the dead, we believe and hope in a meaning and justice and reward and purpose beyond the grave. Since Christ is risen from the dead, we share the life-giving truth of God’s love and the triumph of His goodness. Since Christ is risen from the dead, we know that our labour, our work, service, struggles and suffering are not in vain in the Lord. Since Christ is risen from the dead, though all of us go down to the dust, even at the grave we make our song: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. (Editor’s note: Bishop Michael Hawkins will be a recipient of an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Divinity on May 13 at Trinity College in Toronto, during the Trinity College Divinity Convocation 2014. The Saskatchewan Anglican will have a follow-up story in September.)
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The Saskatchewan Anglican
May 2014
Nancy Brunt ordained in Pelly Deanery By Archdeacon Kim Salo
The ordination of Nancy Brunt to the diaconate was a family affair in Yorkton, Pelly Deanery. From left, Ryan Massie, Ethan Massie, Jennifer Brunt Massie, Geoffrey Massie, Deacon Nancy Brunt with Kieran Massie, Bishop Rob Hardwick, Russ Brunt, Neil Brunt and Brandy Brunt. Keith Brunt and wife Aimee Carriere from Rothesay, NB were unable to attend. Photo — Neil Brunt
Diocese of Saskatoon Announcements May 2014 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 info 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. The Canadian Association
for Parish Nursing Ministry (CAPNM) AGM and Conference 2014: The CAPNM AGM and Conference 2014, “Embracing Accessibility: The Christian Community and the Parish Nurse”, will be held at Redeemer University College, Ancaster, Ontario from June 5-8. For more details and to register visit www.capnm.ca. ADVANCE NOTICES: The Diocesan ACW Retreat in 2015: Planning for the next Anglican Church Women’s BiAnnual Retreat, 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 convenient times. To volunteer or find out more, contact Elaine Hrycenko at 306-955-5522 or email e.p.h@sasktel.net. Archdeacon Peter Yeung, regional archdeacon of the Western Deanery, will be retiring May 31, 2014. 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, December submissions will be in the February 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.
YORKTON (Qu’A) – Pelly Deanery, a mix of seven churches in four parishes, has been called an experiment, but it really is a going concern, and has been for the past seven years. Now the deanery has one more clergy member. On March 2, Nancy Brunt of Whitesand Parish was ordained a deacon by Bishop Rob Hardwick, in Holy Trinity, Yorkton. People came from all of the Pelly Deanery churches, as well as clergy from Regina, Whitewood and Fort Qu’Appelle. Nancy’s family from Biggar was present, along with a contingent of friends from Kamsack. Nancy’s background includes being town librarian,
working with Victim Services and currently serving as a Kamsack Town Councillor. Preacher for the ordination was Executive Archdeacon Mary Ann Boote; deacon to the bishop was Susan Page; litanist was Rev. Warren Huestis; assisting the new deacon was Deacon Luanne Hrywkiw; and Archdeacon Kim Salo acted as master of ceremonies. The supper program that emerged involved everyone present telling how they got to know Nancy, leading to many stories about the new deacon. Nancy was impressed with the attendance on one of the coldest days of a long winter. Now Pelly Deanery goes forward, with a stronger sense that we are a team together, working for Christ in this part of the diocese.
LICENSED Continued from Page 1 responsibility,” Bishop The resource manual will shape Hardwick said, “and it must be the educational requirements approached with a heart for the for Lay Readers, particularly in Gospel and with humility and areas of biblical foundations; compassion. ... Those offering homiletics; evangelism; leading themselves for this special worship; Anglican studies; ministry must participate in the pastoral care around officiating education and training pattern at funerals and caring for the laid down in (the) manual. bereaved. “This will mean attending The diocesan Licensed Lay and regional “This is a ministry that Reader will workshops and will compliment and serve in these classes that will enrich the ministries capacities be provided on a regular from time to of the diocese offered basis, rather time.” by clergy and laity than on a oneThe Diocese alike. In a diocese like time, ad hoc of Qu’Appelle ours, comprising many or occasional had a licensed small multipoint rural basis. lay reader-type parishes and several The bishop program in its will licence the early days. urban centres, I have Lay Reader for Bishop no doubt that effective five years, at Adelbert Anson ministry across the the request of introduced the diocese will be enhanced program in the incumbent by the leadership of through the 1884 only days dedicated and licensed warden of after he arrived Licensed Lay in the diocese, lay readers.” Readers. — Bishop Rob Hardwick licensing three Licences lay readers to can be renewed work with the at the parish Incumbent’s small band of clergy available request for successive five-year to him. periods. If there is a change in These Lay Readers supported the Incumbency during the fivethe clergy, whose extensive year period, the licence expires parishes and missions were when the new parish Incumbent scattered across the southern begins his or her ministry. prairie. Licences can be re-issued They collected people by the bishop at the new together for public worship Incumbent’s request, through more frequently than was the warden of Licensed Lay possible if such services were Readers. entirely dependent on a small “The privilege of leading number of priests. God’s people in worship and Lay Readers were also of engaging in God’s mission ‘by critical importance during the knowing Christ and making time of both World Wars and the Christ known’ is an awesome Great Depression.
The Saskatchewan Anglican
May 2014
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Time for a new look at Rogation By Rev. Bill Portman REGINA – The practice of invoking a higher power at the start of a new growing season is part of almost every religion and culture in the world, whether it be in a developed or developing country. Rogation Days, with prayers at seedtime, are an ancient Christian observance, which draws on Jewish customs described in the Old Testament. Traditionally, they are the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before Ascension, though many churches keep it on the Sunday before Ascension – the sixth Sunday of Easter. The basis for Rogation is simply the recognition that, while “we plough the fields and scatter the good seed on the land ... it is fed and watered by God’s almighty hand.” The name comes from the Latin “rogare” – to ask or beseech – and is appropriate to the petitionary focus of the day. Many rural people have said they find this observance more meaningful than the urbanized, sanitized, romantic nostalgia of Thanksgiving/ Harvest Festival. However, linking the date for observing Rogation to Easter and Ascension can create difficulty, at least for western Canadians, who may be still digging out from winter snow, or halfway through spring seeding. Last year, for example, Rogation Sunday fell on May 5. This year it’s May 25, which makes more sense in an area where the traditional time for planting is around May 24. It’s time to re-think our Rogation observance, to make it more in sync with the planting season and changed patterns of food production, coupled with renewed ecological concerns. A fixed date – perhaps the third or fourth Sunday of May – together with broadened emphases to include the environment and world development, would enrich its relevance today. The Rogationtide invocation for God’s blessing on the tiller, soil and seed, originated at a time when most people were, in one way or another, genuine tillers of the soil. Society was simple in structure, lines separating urban and rural seemed less distinct than now; faith was likewise simple and deeply felt. The small family farm of old now is a highly scientific operation with over hundreds,
even thousands of acres, while needing the labour of fewer and fewer people. Comparing the number of farm communities shown on a Wheat Pool calendar of 50 years ago with 21st century reality gives a vivid picture of rural depopulation. As well, our understanding of God as Creator has become more sophisticated. Yet, still today the spiritual note remains valid: that God and humanity are partners in the creative processes of food production; that tilling and care of the soil – and indeed, of our whole environment – are our God-given tasks and privilege; and that in the final analysis, human life rests on God’s goodness in awakening the life-giving power in the sown seed, which returns to us of the bounties of the earth. We need, however, to express all this in contemporary terms, like this updated version of the old hymn, which begins: We plough the fields with tractors, with drills we sow the land; But growth is still dependent on God’s almighty hand. (It speaks of organic fertilizers, combines and other modern inventions.) But it is God who gives us inventive skills and drive, Which lighten daily labour, and give us fuller lives... The refrain is the same as in the original hymn: All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord, for all his love. Basic worship resources for Rogation can be found in the Book of Alternative Services and the Book of Common Prayer. The Arthur Rank Centre in England has easily adaptable Rogation material on its website at www. arthurrankcentre.org.uk. The complete words of the updated version of the hymn can be found online by typing the first line (see above) in your search engine. The following prayer, adapted from the Church in East Africa, is one I’ve used many times since first discovering it 50 years ago. It works in any setting, used either as a single prayer or responsively by petition: Faithful GOD: You open your hand and satisfy the needs of every living creature. As we prepare for the
The emphasis of Rogation worship today needs to reflect the changing face of rural life, no longer that of the quarter-section farm, the one-room school and a grain elevator every 10 miles (16 kilometres); and the highly complex nature of modern food production. Photo — Wikipedia Commons planting of the crops, we ask you to bless the gifts which you have called on us to use. Look upon the soil of fields and gardens; teach us to guard it with wise and provident care* * LORD, IN YOUR MERCY, HEAR OUR PRAYER Look upon the seeds that are planted, that they may grow and flourish abundantly* Look upon our environment, and give us seasonable weather for the growing season and at the harvest* Look upon the implements and tools that we will use, that they may be symbols of our high privilege as fellow workers with you.* Look upon the food that is produced: may it not be hoarded by a selfish few but shared to the benefit of all* Look upon us, O (master/ ruler/creator) of the field of this world. All: Take our hands; take our skill; take our knowledge; take our love; That we may be devoted in your service all our days, until the great Harvest Home, O God, world without end. AMEN The emphasis of Rogation worship today needs to reflect the changing face of rural life, no longer that of the quartersection farm, the one-room school and a grain elevator every 10 miles (16 kilometres); and the highly complex nature of modern food production. It can be expanded to honour and seek God’s blessing on all human endeavour, from field to factory, from office desk to hand-held mini computers, in recognition of our dependence on Almighty God in all things. That never changes.
St. Mary’s hosts annual Irish stew supper By Amy Dow BIRCH HILLS (Skwn) – On March 17, St. Mary’s Birch Hills held its annual St. Patrick’s Irish stew supper. We had many of our parishioners volunteering their time and effort, anywhere between 13 and 20 volunteers helping with set-up and windup. Many others brought a variety of stews and biscuits they had made. We entertained close to 90 folks from around town, including deliveries and take-out from just before 5-7 p.m. In case you find yourself wondering who St. Patrick is, given below is a brief biography as adapted from For all the saints, by Stephen Renolds: Saint Patrick (born A.D. 387) is the patron saint of Ireland. He brought the gospel to the northern tribes of that country in the early fifth century. A native of Cornwall or Devon, he was kidnapped by Irish pirates who sold him into slavery in their homeland. Six years later he fled his Irish masters, returned to Britain and was eventually ordained to the priesthood. He had a vision that he would return to the land of his former captivity, and around the year 438, the vision came true. He was made a bishop and given charge over the mission to the Irish. Despite his chronic sense of personal unworthiness, Patrick proved to be an effective organizer, and his mission quickly evolved into a vibrant institution. He also encouraged the growth of Irish monasticism,
St. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland and within a few generations of his death, monks and nuns had replaced warriors as the heroes of the Irish people. The great hymn called St. Patrick’s Breastplate (as seen below) may or may not have been composed by him, but it does reflect the kind of Christian spirituality which he planted in the heart of the Irish nation — a spirituality deeply penitential, but still more deeply alive to the abiding presence of Jesus Christ. St. Patrick’s Breastplate Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me. Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
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The Saskatchewan Anglican
May 2014
A ‘Fistful of Friends’ at Qu’Appelle’s lay retreat By Joanne Shurvin-Martin LUMSDEN (Qu’A) – Rev. Dean Pinter explained how he chose the topic for the five addresses at the annual retreat for lay people, held March 28-30 at St. Michael’s Retreat Centre. He told how he had been praying, looked at his hand and the idea came to him of a handful, or fistful of “friends”, who “helped point to me God’s fingerprints on my life.” He confessed he has only personally met two of these friends - no one expected that he had met the 17th century priest, George Herbert. He presented the writers in the order in which he “met” them: Frederick Buechner, George Herbert, Luci Shaw, C.S. Lewis, and Eugene H. Peterson.
Aim at Heaven and you will get earth ‘thrown in’: aim at earth and you will get neither. - From Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis Rev. Pinter, incumbent of St. Aidan, Moose Jaw, was the retreat conductor. Archdeacon Wilma Woods of Whitewood was the chaplain for the weekend event, attended by 28 lay people, mostly Anglicans. Although he is a biblical scholar and was a professor of New Testament Studies for 16 years years, Pinter explained, “I chose not to speak directly from Scripture.” He said there are many sets of five in the Bible – for instance, the books of the Pentateuch, the books of the Psalms and the great teaching blocks from Matthew’s gospel. “Scripture is still the main source” for our faith, he said, “but it is given or shown to us through people, through family and friends,” and through authors. The Magnificent Defeat by Frederick Buechner is a slim volume which Pinter read as a young student and it made a lasting impression on him. Buechner came to faith after he had become a successful novelist and became a Presbyterian minister. He wrote a total of 42 books, ranging from fiction to memoirs and collections of his lectures. His book, Godric, about the 12th century English saint, was nominated for a Pulitzer prize. His books often portray themes of “sinner-saints” and of grace. The author said of his work that it was “too religious for secular audiences, and too secular for religious.” The selections Pinter shared
A mural depicting Jesus and His disciples, as well as modern day disciples, covers one wall of the dining room in St. Michael’s Retreat Centre. Twenty-eight lay people attended the annual retreat for lay people in the Diocese of Qu’Appelle. Photo — Joanne Shurvin-Martin
The crucial eccentricity of the Christian faith is the assertion that people are saved by grace. There’s nothing you have to do. There’s nothing you have to do. There’s nothing you have to do. - From Wishful Thinking by Frederick Buechner at the retreat show his work to be well worth reading by both secular and religious audiences. The second “friend” Pinter met was George Herbert, the English poet-priest whom he discovered during a Renaissance English class in 1988. Herbert, born in 1593 to an aristocratic family, was appointed Public Orator at Cambridge University in 1629. This position was well suited to lead to a position at the Royal court, but a serious illness changed Herbert’s view and ambition. He became a village priest and went from Latin oratory in Cambridge to preaching in a building which seated only about 30. The Life of a Country Parson is a memoir of this time. Three years later he died, and left all his poetry to a friend, who had it published in the collection called The Temple. His poem, The Windows, shows in verse his belief that he lived in an age “requiring good examples of life more than precepts” and that clergy had
more influence through their life than through their words alone. Several of Herbert’s poems have become well-known hymns in Anglican hymn books. On Saturday afternoon, Pinter gave credit to his wife, Darlene, for introducing him to the third “friend,” C.S. Lewis, during the time he was working on a master’s degree in the 1990s. “If you only read the Narnia series as a child, or to your children, read them again,” he said encouragingly, explaining there is much more to the books than just children’s stories. He said as a university student, Lewis described himself as an atheist who said, “But all the best writers are Christian.”
Oxford colleagues because of his popular success, and never offered a full professorship, but Cambridge later gave him that honour.
Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbour is the holiest object presented to your senses. - From The Weight of Glory - No Ordinary People by C.S. Lewis
Luci Shaw was teaching a course at Regent College when Pinter met her, about 20 years ago. Now 86, she is still active, both physically and as a poet. Shaw says, “Faith is a widening of the imagination,” and says the Holy Spirit is her muse. Her poems are full of life, often with touches of humour, on ordinary topics, but her deep Christian faith shines through the words. Her most recent book of poems is Scape. Polish the Petoskey Stone is a collection of much of her earlier work. They are “word-crafted icons by which we behold His glory.” In addition to her poetry, Shaw has written God in the Dark, about grief, and Friendship, written with her friend, Madeline L’Engel. Eugene H. Peterson is the
Through his friendship with J.R.R. Tolkien, Lewis came to faith and became “everyman’s theologian” publishing 32 books in three decades, including Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters and the ever-popular Narnia series. Royalties from all his publications were paid to a fund he established, while approximately 90 per cent of his income was given to charity. He was snubbed by his
Must I be Thomas belligerent in doubt, hesitant, tentative, convinced, humbled, love, and there? Might sight sustain belief? Or is a closer blessedness to know him risen — now in this moment’s finger-thrust of faith — here as an inner eyelid lifts? - From to know him risen by Luci Shaw
final literary friend introduced by Pinter at the retreat. He met Peterson in 1993, when Peterson was teaching Biblical Spirituality at Regent College. After spending 29 years as a Presbyterian pastor, Peterson said he was bored teaching only two classes a week, so Pinter suggested he lead him in a guided study on the Psalms.
God works with words. He uses them to make a story of salvation. He pulls us into the story. When we believe, we become participants in the plot. We can do this reluctantly and minimally, going through the motions; or we can do it recklessly and robustly, throwing ourselves into the relationships and actions. When we do this, we pray. - From Answering God: The Psalms as Tools for Prayer by Eugene H. Peterson Peterson seized the idea and assigned him work that day. Pinter says it was during that term he began to learn how to pray. Peterson is described as a pastor to pastors. He is widely published, known particularly for The Message, his paraphrase (not a translation) of the Bible. Peterson says listening is important for all Christians.
The Saskatchewan Anglican
May 2014
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Collation of three new archdeacons for Qu’Appelle By Joanne Shurvin-Martin REGINA – For most readers, “collate” probably means to collect pages in the proper order. But another meaning is “to institute a cleric to a benefice” and that is what happened in St. Paul’s Cathedral on March 22, with the collation of three archdeacons: Dell Bornowsky, Kim Salo and Wilma Woods. They will serve as regional archdeacons in the recently created regions of Chad (west), Columba (northeast) and Aidan (southeast), respectively. These are leadership positions, providing pastoral care to both lay people and clergy in their regions. The archdeacon for the central (Regina area) region will be appointed shortly. The readings for the service were those appointed for St. Cuthbert’s day, and spoke of vision, of being a good servant, setting a good example and being a shepherd to the people. “Even within the Holy Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – there is a sharing of unity of leadership,” said Bishop Rob Hardwick in his sermon. “That’s a good example of an archdeacon, for in many respects, an archdeacon’s responsibilities are episcopal
Bishop Rob Hardwick of the Diocese of Qu’Appelle gathers with his executive archdeacon and the three new regional archdeacons, after the trio’s collation service on March 22 at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Regina. From left: Archdeacon Dell Bornowsky (west region), Bishop Hardwick, Archdeacon Wilma Woods (southeast region), Archdeacon Kim Salo (northeast) and Executive Archdeacon Mary Ann Boote. Photo — Jason Antonio in nature. For a like a bishop, theirs is a ministry of pastoral oversight, a ministry of enabling and encouraging the mission and ministry of all God’s people, and in particular, to provide effective and available
Qu’Appelle events Ecumenical workshop on faith Faith: What it Is and How to Share it? is co-hosted by The Archdiocesan Ecumenical Commission and the AnglicanRoman Catholic Covenant. The ecumenical workshop will be held at Holy Rosary Cathedral in Regina, Saturday May 10, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Morning snack and soup and sandwich lunch are provided. Speakers will be Brett Salkeld, Archdiocese of Regina Theologian; Pierre O’Reilly, Former campus missionary with Catholic Christian Outreach; Michelle Braden, Archdiocese of Regina Youth Minister; and Archdeacon Kim Salo, teacher at the Diocese of Qu’Appelle School of Mission and Ministry. Please register by e-mail to bretzky@hotmail.com before May 5. $20 registration is payable at the door. Pastoral theology and palliative care at Summer School The Qu’Appelle School for Mission and Ministry Summer School topic will be Pastoral
Theology and Care. Summer School, held the week of July 14-18 at St. Michael’s Retreat, is designed for formation, learning and fellowship for people preparing for ordained local ministry and interested lay people. Rev. Trish McCarthy will lead students through the spiritual motivations for doing pastoral care; general guidelines for doing pastoral care; the holy ministry of listening; and the Christian theology of suffering. Rev. Dan Cooper is an Anglican priest and Acting Director of Palliative Care Services, Regina-Qu’Appelle Health Region. He will direct participants in the theology of pastoral care for the dying; personal and care-based; discernment and assessment skills, such as what are the issues that need to be addressed and how does one discover these issues?; helping people say goodbye; common spiritual concerns and approaches; and doing ‘hope work’ with the dying. For further inquiries and to register, please contact Rev. Catherine Harper cah@sasktel. net or phone 306- 731-3316.
leadership across this diocese.” He said the number of clergy, both paid and non-stipendary, is growing in the diocese, standing at 72 individuals. Having an archdeacon who knows and understands the
challenges and rewards of local church ministry will be much appreciated by both clergy and congregations. The archdeacons will take a lead in this regional oversight, assisted by lay and ordained
leaders, “not just to sustain life in every parish, but to develop new life and new expressions of church.” The first step in the “re-imaging” is the four new regions, allowing the archdeacon to lead a team and establishing a “missional life together.” The bishop asked, “Did Cuthbert, Chad, Aidan and Columba know God’s plan for them? No, but they knew a Man who and they stepped out in faith with the Lord. … “Though they encountered many a trial and disappointment, they remained faithful to their call. These faithful Celtic saints changed the Christian map in England.” He told the new archdeacons to take to heart the lesson from St. Paul to Timothy, saying “it is rich in meaning for ministry.” The bishop encouraged the three new archdeacons, just like the four Celtic saints, to “look to Jesus, who has already by His cross and resurrection, and done all that is necessary, to draw not just your regions, but the whole world to Himself. “We, His church, are simply called to live this redeeming truth … so that others may have access to the wedding banquet of the lamb foreshadowed in the Eucharist of the church.”
The death of Chronos By Janice Sanford-Beck Editor’s note: Janice Sanford Beck lives with her husband, Rev. Shawn and family, on an off-the-grid farm near Cochin, Saskatchewan COCHIN (S’toon) – I broke our clock. It was a beautiful wedding gift that has graced our various homes for the past 15 years. I didn’t mean to break it. And yet, it seems somehow fitting. A few weeks before we moved to the farm, my watch died. Now the clock accident is taking things one step further. Even more so than the summer, winter on the farm has meant taking our cues from the world outside. Rather than rising at quarter-
to-seven, we began sleeping until nearly 9 a.m. Why not, when sunrise was sometimes not until 9:20? We soon learned it is much more pleasant to stay up a bit later in the evening, reading around the fire, than to attempt to begin a new day when it is still cold and dark. After years of busy city life, it felt odd to be eating breakfast as late as 11 a.m., but the pattern made sense to our bodies. Now that spring has sprung, we are experiencing a new rhythm. The increased strength of the sun shining through our bedroom window in the morning is notable. Rather than faintly illuminating the room, it summons us to rise and embrace the new day. Our solar power
system is also feeling the change. This morning, our batteries were fully charged before we’d finished eating breakfast, even with the computer running. And while I enjoy being outside on a sunny day at any time of year, I find the farm is beckoning me stronger than ever. Unfortunately, I have been fighting a nasty cold and have had to resist responding as I would like, but the kids are feeling it too. All winter, I had to enforce outdoor playtime after lunch; now, they are running out of their own volition, often without even a coat on. We don’t need a calendar to tell us that spring has begun. We know in our bones that it has already begun!
Archdeacon Tom Thurlow passes away Contributed A former priest of the Diocese of Qu’Appelle and Diocese of Saskatoon, Archdeacon Tom Thurlow, died on March 19 in Winnipeg, at the age of 91. Tom came to Qu’Appelle in 1963 and served as the priest in Outlook for a year before
becoming the assistant at St. Paul’s Cathedral in 1964. After three years at the cathedral, he served the Parish of Oxbow from 1967-71 and then moved to the Diocese of Saskatoon. He served that diocese from 1971-89, starting in Unity before moving on to Wadena. He retired as an
archdeacon in 1991. Tom Thurlow was born in Aspatria, Cumberland, England in 1928 and then emigrated to Canada with his family. He received his Lay Reader’s Licence in 1941 from the Diocese of Rupertsland (Winnipeg). He served in the Second World War in the Signal Corp.
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The Saskatchewan Anglican
May 2014
Saskatoon ACW plans for the future Editor’s note: The following appeared in the March 2014 issue of the Diocese of Saskatchewan Anglican Church Women News & Views By Elta Fae Marlor Vice-president and chair of the Strategic Planning Committee SASKATOON – Have you noticed a few changes in the way Anglican Church Women in the diocese do things? Recent social and demographic factors have made us, your board, look at ourself and ask if there is another way to be Anglican women and still accomplish what we want and need to do. Your board has spent hours considering our purpose and the factors that affect our organization. Some factors are decreased rural populations, women working outside the home, greater distances between homes and the parish, limited free time, aging congregations, less interest or ability to attend worship services/activities in the parish and increased use of technology (computers, iPhones and more). Last June we began the Strategic Planning process at the board’s Waskesiu Retreat. Led by Nancy Yee and Kathy Chase, we paused often to pray for God to direct and inspire us. We were and are conscious we can not do this task on our own. The group was asked to envision what the future of our women’s ministries might look, feel and act like. Time was used to brainstorm on several topics, share ideas however they came to us and keep good notes of the day’s results. In October, we met separately in two small groups. Each group listed the ideas created at the retreat into
categories: those possible and useful within the next 18 months and those which would take more planning and be ongoing. It was amazing how the results of the separate groups were the same. At the November board meeting, we discussed how to reach various women: busy mothers, Life Members, a lady who had never been a part of ACW, an active community woman or a young woman new to the community. We asked how we could establish two-way communication between the women in their communities and the board members. From the minutes of the meeting it is noted that “communication seems to be the key. Since we are constantly evolving, we need to communicate our ideas on an ongoing basis.” At the February board meeting, we set priorities and concrete choices of activities were made. Gradually the diocese will be aware of different ways to be the women of the Anglican church in our parishes, diocese or in the wider community. Watch for reminders to continue our ongoing projects (making afghans, collecting used stamps, selling Hope Bears, retreats, outreach through Thank Offerings, to name a few). Also look for new options to consider. For example, Corinna Germain-Scott and Marj Kirkby are developing a calendar of mission projects and social action which will be available online and in other formats. We will use the quarterly ACW News & Views newsletter and special notices to contact people in local parishes. Consider inviting friends, a neighbour or a parish group to co-operate with you in a chosen activity.
Diocese of Saskatchewan events Mental Health Support group to meet in Birch Hills Do you struggle with depression or any kind of mental illness? Do you feel alone in your community?Are you looking for support?Are you looking for a safe place to share and get encouragement? If this rings a bell for you, this weekly group might be just what you need. If you are in or around the Prince Albert area, come Tuesday nights beginning on April 29 to St. Mary’s Anglican Church in Birch Hills, located on 255 McCallum Avenue at 7
p.m. Let’s help each other walk out of darkness towards a life of health and hope. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Amy Dow at amy.dow@outlook.com or on her confidential number at 306-941-0788. Camp Okema wants you! If you haven’t been to Camp Okema, consider coming out May 17-19 for the Work Weekend, where the camp is opened and work is done to get the camp ready for the summer. Call Darryl McRae at 306-2705182 to register.
Remembering a murdered aboriginal woman
Some of those present at the memorial candlight vigil for the National Call to honour the late Victoria Saunders, held in Saskatoon on March 5, were Dr. Nettie Wiebe, St Andrew’s College; Mary Ann Assailly, Iskwewuk member; Helen Smith McIntyre, Amnesty International; and Elder Ethel Ahenekew. For story, see page 1. Photo — Roger Assailly
LES is more when reading in church By Jason Antonio REGINA – Reading the Scriptures aloud in church is an important part of the Christian life, which is why this ministry benefits from preparation, prayerful reflection and practise. To assist with this ministry, a one-day workshop was held March 15 at St. Luke’s in Regina for all Anglicans and Roman Catholics who read in church. The event was hosted by the Anglican-Roman Catholic Covenant Implementation Committee, which works to hold events and services both denominations can do together. Both dioceses signed the covenant in January 2011. Representing the Diocese of Qu’Appelle were Deacons Michael Jackson and Susan Page, while representing the Archdiocese of Regina was Sister Melvina Hruska. Hruska provided tips on how to be better “proclaimers of the Word,” using a number of areas to highlight the importance of reading in church. One area dealt with the qualifications to read, including speaking ability; commitment to training and practise; the needs of the community; or, a nudging of the Holy Spirit or the Holy Spirit working through someone else to get you to read. Jesus is our role model in this regard, Hruska said. We serve God and serve God’s people while reading. Hruska also mentioned having a personal love of Scripture, which can help a person be more involved in reading and create a greater commitment for prayerful transformation. Readers need to be touched by the Word before one can
Sister Melvina Hruska inspire or invoke listeners. Preparation is a “very important undertaking,” Hruska pointed out. Saying a prayer before practising is important. Preparation needs to begin a week before one reads, so the reading has a chance to “take root” inside. A person should “never read publicly what you have not read privately,” she added. Read the Gospel tract first. Read it slowly and prayerfully. Then read the first and second readings to see the connection among the three. Read commentaries about them if possible. Then concentrate on the assigned reading. Locate the entire section of reading in the Bible and read the parts that come before and after the main reading. Read any parts that may have been omitted. An important item is checking pronunciation of unfamiliar words. After getting the proper pronunciation, say the word out loud a few times. Also aim for comprehension of the text. Attempt to study it
more for personal formation and transformation. “Let the Word of God touch (your) heart,” Hruska added. Practising aloud at home is the next – and biggest – part in understanding the reading. (The LES is more approach should be applied: Loud, Enunciate, Slow). Use the punctuations to pause, take a breath and then continue. Once you get up to the lectern, adjust the microphone to your height, Hruska explained. Wait for everyone to stop moving before starting. Introduce the reading, pause for two to three seconds and then begin speaking. At the end of the reading, pause for the same time and then say: “The Word of the Lord.” The volume of your voice should not drop at the end of the sentence. Deliberately end on a higher note. Slow your pace down. When the pace seems slow to you, it will be about right for the listeners. Add some expression to your voice. Adapt to the gathering – “the larger the space, the slower the pace” – and to the reading. If you make a mistake, don’t apologize. Instead, make a quick correction or repeat the phrase if necessary. Slow down toward the end of the reading, which is an indication you are near the end. And finally, have faith and relax. Hruska stated since you are reading in your own church, you are among friends and a community of the faithful. Make eye contact if possible while reading. Remember, your listeners are relying on you to help them understand the Word of God. Photo — Susan Klein