February 2007 A Section of Anglican Journal
KAIROS Focuses on the Responsible Use of our Water Resources by Basil Pogue REGINA - A group of 16 people attended a meeting of KAIROS Regina/Fort Qu’Appelle recently to review the current campaign. KAIROS unites 11 religious partner organizations including the Anglican Church of Canada and Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) in faithful action for justice and peace. This campaign which has been running since 2005 is focused on water and water resources to make people aware of the issues surrounding one of the most precious gifts on this planet. In 2006-2007 the direction will be holding Canadian corporations accountable for their actions in ensuring their use of water is responsible. KAIROS wants the government to hold corporations accountable for any operations at home or abroad that are shown to cause harm to water, watersheds and all who rely on them. To achieve this, it needs to engage the community at large. Part of the meeting focused on KAIROS Regina’s "Las Posadas Thirsting for Christ, " an initiative held throughout the city. This adaptation of a Mexican Advent tradition includes elements of justice initiatives profiled in the current KAIROS campaign. The event is a short justice-related "no room at the inn" enactment with Mary and Joseph seeking shelter at a church "inn" each Sunday during Advent. Regina churches numbering 14 participated in 2006, reaching 3,000
people in the pews. Each year the number increases with two communities outside Regina interested for 2007. More information can be obtained from Bert Pitzel (bpitzel@archregina.sk.ca) or Dick Peters (dickpet@sasktel.net). Other information coming from the meeting is that a book on the nuclear industry written by a member of KAIROS Fort Qu'Appelle will be published in the spring. Canada's Deadly Secret: Saskatchewan Uranium and the Global Nuclear System promises to be a solid educational reference guide for all, most especially for advocates of alternate safer and cleaner renewable energy sources. KAIROS Calgary is planning another "Churches Doing Good Stuff " event which will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2007, from 9.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Grace Presbyterian Church, 1009, 15th Ave. SW. Calgary. Workshops will be on issues related to Water, Homelessness and Corporate Responsibility. Updates on the National Directions and Strategies for 2006 - 2010, which KAIROS is adopting, are the planned agenda items. Register by January 15 with Alison at (403) 243-5478 or on line at http://www.kairoscalgary.ca/event200701 20.php. Lunch will be served. The charge for the event is $15.00. KAIROS Fort Qu'Appelle will be hosting the 2007 annual meeting at the Calling Lakes Centre on the weekend of September 28.
Moose Jaw Amalgamations Celebrated by Four Former Congregations by Arleen Champion MOOSE JAW (Qu’A) - In 2000 Moose Jaw’s four Anglican congregations were struggling to survive. Dwindling numbers, ageing congregations, part-time clergy and finances challenged them. Today through a courageous leap of faith, they are one. The congregations of St. Barnabas, St. George, St. John, and St. Michael amalgamated October 1, 2003, and the new congregation of St. Aidan was born. As these congregations amalgamated, each had a church building. The plan was to sell all of them and construct a new building. The St. George and St. Michael buildings were closed in 2003 and all four buildings were placed on the market. The St. George property sold last August. The St. Michael building remains on the market. The new congregation continued to use the St. Barnabas and St. John facilities while they waited for the buildings to sell. Last year it became apparent that due to financial reasons constructing a new church building was not feasible at that time and the congregation voted to renovate either St. Barnabas or St. John for their permanent home. As part of the discernment, both buildings were left on the
market as the people of St Aidan prayed for guidance as to which of these buildings they were to keep. In October, 2006, an offer was received on St. Barnabas and that sale is pending. After months of prayer and discernment and of struggling to choose between St. Barnabas and St. John, it seemed that God had spoken through the offer on St. Barnabas: the St. John building would become the home of St. Aidan Anglican Church. Recently the congregation gathered for a thanksgiving luncheon to acknowledge and give thanks to God for the many blessings they have received through this amalgamation. What was bantered about for decades, what seemed like an impossibility but at the same time the only option six years ago, what many congregations today know they should be considering: the people of Moose Jaw have done. The past three years have not been without challenge but no one would turn back. It has been a time of learning to love, accept, give, compromise and trust as they worked to blend the congregations but the sense of community and family is growing stronger all the time. They have experienced the miracle of uniting and have seen the evidence of God’s hand in every step they have taken. Thanks be to God.
Living Spirit Youth Coffee House Evening Had Something For Everyone by Ivan Millard REGINA - “We called and you came” began the thank you article on the Web site of Living Spirit Youth (http://livingspirityouth.googlepages.com/ ) The youth ministry of the tri-congregation was thanking those who participated in their Coffee House recently. Obviously pleased with the response from the three congregations and beyond they said, ”From music to improv to poetry to hoola-hoops – the diversity was truly awesome!” The Living Spirit Centre is the home for a shared ministry for three congregations: Bread of Life Lutheran, Eastside United and St. Philip Anglican. The organizers, Shannon McAllister, Echo Fettes, Vici Nelson and McKenzie Hird, put together an exceptionally enter taining evening. The phrase “youth ofall ages’ was certainly applicable. There were the Living Spirit Children’s Choir, youngsters in their first or second year of music lessons; older students singing, playing jazz piano or classical violin; a high school improv group and a few older folks, who remember being students, doing readings. They kept the full
house listening, laughing and clapping for over an hour and a half. Some families who intended to leave early ignored their children’s bedtime and stayed to the end. The coffee, cake and conversation that followed were good too. The event, entirely planned and organized by Living Spirit Youth, raised over $300 for Action By Churches Together (ACT) International which is a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies world wide.
photo Kris Dueck
"There is more to life than merely increasing its speed."
Stephannie and flute
Mahatma Ghandi
photo Arleen Champion
The Reverend Allen Doerksen, incumbent of St. Aidan Church with Doug Chadwick and Bishop Greg Kerr-Wilson at the deconsecration of the St. Barnabas/Moose Jaw building. Mr. Chadwick attended both the opening of the building in 1935 and the closing in 2006.