Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
March 2009
A Section of Anglican Journal
Anglicans, Lutherans and Roman Catholics Discuss Sacramental Practices
by Frank Flegel LUMSDEN (Qu'A) Two bishops and a Lutheran pastor spent the better part of January 22 describing each faith's sacramental practices. It was part of observing the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and celebrating the ecumenical nature of St. Michael's Retreat. The retreat house is owned by the Franciscan Friars but governed through an ecumenical board with representatives from the Anglican, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and the Roman Catholic faith traditions. Bishop Gregory KerrWilson presented the Anglican view of the sacraments, Rev. Helmut Nachtigal the Lutheran view, and Archbishop Daniel Bohan the Roman Catholic view. The three agreed that baptism is a sacrament and the one that binds together everyone in the audience, but there were divergent views of how many sacraments there actually are. Bishop Kerr-Wilson reviewed the history of the Anglican Church and referred to several reformers and their views of the sacraments. Thomas Cranmer, Richard Hooker and John Henry Newman all were quoted, as were the theological teachings at the time. St. Augustine, said Bishop Kerr-Wilson, called the sacraments Christ's words made visible; Cranmer said they put Christ's words into 'our mouths, photo - Frank Flegel eyes and ears'; Hooker said they make us 'partakers of Christ'; and Newman said two are necessary for salvation and the rest are for the good of the church. Joan Galvin and Bishop Greg Kerr-Wilson talk during an ecuRev. Nachtigal advised that an ailing Bishop Cindy Halmarson had called him the day prior and asked menical event about the sacraments at St. Michael's Retreat. him to substitute for her. He frequently referred to the Lutheran Catechism. Lutherans recognize two sacraments: baptism and eucharist, also known as the Lord's Supper. Martin Luther didn't want to leave the Roman Catholic church, he said, he just wanted to reform it. "Much of the theology came out of that time," he said. Rev. Nachtigal said baptism is just water without the words of Christ, and the bread and wine in eucharist are not transmuted but "Christ becomes truly present when the recipient receives it." Archbishop Bohan emphasized that there are seven sacraments recognized by the Roman Catholic church. He broke them out in three sections: baptism, confirmation and eucharist as sacraments of initiation; penance and anointing of the sick as healing; and holy orders and marriage as sacraments of communion. "Catholics see the sacraments as an outward sign given for grace," he said. "Christ acts through the sacraments for our salvation."
Community Ecumenical Service
Celebration at St. Paul's Cathedral. by Marian Powell
photo - Frank Flegel
REGINA On the afternoon of St. Paul's Day, January 25, a goodsized congregation braved -30 degree temperatures to attend the annual city-wide worship service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, hosted this year by St. Paul's Cathedral. This year's Week of Prayer was based on the experience of the churches of North and South Korea, with the theme taken from Ezekiel (37:17): “that they may be one in your hand.” Dean James Merritt was the worship leader, with participation by clergy from First Presbyterian Church, St. Paul's Cathedral, Bethlehem Apostolic Church, First Baptist Church, Sonlight Christian Reformed Church, Westminster United Church, Good Samaritan Roman Catholic Church and Holy Rosary Cathedral. A quartet of young singers from Western Christian High School sang delightful a cappella anthems “Peace to the Brothers” and “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say.” Nancy Kwon from Luther College High School sounded the gong three times to indicate the beginning of the service and delivered the call to worship in Korean. Symbolically representing the divisions of photo - Marian Powell country and divisions among Christian churches, two broken wood- Pastor Charles Krooger binds broken sticks together to form a cross, en sticks were carried in procession by young stick-carriers, Patrick assisted by Patrick Malone (l) and Owen Chevalier (back to camera). Malone from Holy Rosary Cathedral and Owen Chevalier from St. Paul's Cathedral. The choice of hymns reflected the theme: “The Church's One Foundation,” “In Christ There is No East or West,” "The Lord's My Shepherd” and “There is a Redeemer.” Rev. Charles Kooger, Pastor of the Sonlight Christian Reformed Church, delivered the sermon. Unity, he reminded the congregation, is one of the hardest things to achieve between two separate things, requiring strength greater than our own. It is in Christ that the unity of the church belongs. Rev. Kooger declared that when we remember where our unity is, then despite differences, we will find our one-ness in Jesus Christ. The two broken wooden sticks were then symbolically joined together into a cross. At the conclusion of the service, this cross was used to lead the procession. The choice of agencies to which the offering could be directed is characteristic of the city-wide nature of the service. The agencies were: Habitat for Humanity Regina (building affordable homes in the core areas of Regina for families in need); Love Lives Here Regina (Christian outreach to street people); Circles of Support and Accountability (support for persons returning to the community after prison without a community support group) and Healing Hearts Ministries (bringing the healing touch of Jesus to wounded hearts, many from the North Central community in Regina, especially those involved in issues of gang activity).
Jenna Ackerman (l) and Brydan Sigurdson use duct tape to join two bamboo poles in the form of a cross, during a ecumenical service at St. James Anglican Church, Regina. At the beginning of the service the two sat on opposite sides of of the church to signify the "poles apart" of Christian denominations. Near the end of the service they joined the poles to signify unity. St. James hosted the service for churches in the Rosemont area, including St. Cecilia's Roman Catholic, Rosemont United, Christ Lutheran and Community of Christ. Rev. Malcolm French conducted the service during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, and spoke about Jesus's prayer that we may be one as He and the Father are one. About 40 people enjoyed a potluck meal following the service.
2 - The Saskatchewan Anglican, March 2009
Bishop’s Message Lent in a Changing World: a time to be re-minded by Bishop Greg Kerr-Wilson The movie based on Tolkein's “The Fellowship of the Ring” begins with a narrative which solemnly sets the stage for the dramatic events that unfold in the story. “The world is changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air. Much that once was, is lost, for none now live who remember it… …and some things that should not have been forgotten were lost.” The world we live in is undergoing dramatic change. Perhaps the current economic troubles make us more aware of the changes taking place, but it goes much deeper than that. The economic downturn signals potential changes in patterns of commerce and trade; continuing shifts in social norms and perspectives mark the ongoing shift from a modern to a postmodern world (and whatever post-postmodern ideas may follow); and even more broadly, changes in climate that are only beginning signal changes of an extent and nature that we can only guess at. Many of us are only beginning to feel the effects, or are only peripherally aware of them. Some see only immediate issues that need to be dealt with. Others are already living with new and stark realities. And like the movie quote above, much that once was is lost, and things that should not have been forgotten have indeed been forgotten - things like what it really means to be creatures made in the image of God; human beings called into relationship with God; people meant to live in love and peace, mercy and justice, and with compassion and generosity; people meant to be transformed into Christ by
The Right Reverend Gregory Kerr-Wilson, Bishop of Qu’Appelle the power of the Holy Spirit. The season of Lent is particularly important in such times, because it is a time for remembering and reminding; not in the sense of simply recalling information or ideas, but in the sense of being “re-membered” and “re-minded” - restored through hearing again God's call upon our lives, repenting our wandering hearts and minds, and renewing our commitment to walking in the way of Christ, in the power of the Spirit. That is, living again the new humanity of the Kingdom that is coming into being in Jesus. There are many tools given us to cooperate in the great work of God in us; our worship in which we are shaped and reoriented week by week through praise, prayer, immersion in the scriptures, and in receiving Christ in the Eucharist; private devotional time; fasting; special disciplines of giving to the needy; and others besides. I encourage and invite you to be intentional in your observance of your Lenten disciplines. I pray for us all a holy Lent, and with it the ability to walk in the shifting sands of our time with our steps firmly planted on the rock foundation of Christ.
Coffeehouse at Living Spirit Centre
by Echo Fettes REGINA The youth of the tri-parish Living Spirit Centre hosted their third annual Coffeehouse on Sunday, January 18. Many young people (and those young at heart) shared a wide variety of talent including theatre, dance, music, puppetry, jokes and juggling, while an appreciative audience enjoyed coffee, juice, and refreshments. The event was well attended by parishioners of all three congregations - St. Philip Anglican, Bread of Life Lutheran and Eastside United - as well as members of the community. An evening of intergenerational fun and fellowship, the Coffeehouse was also a successful fundraiser for the ALS Society of Canada, generating over $800 for ALS research.
It's true that children brighten up a home. They never turn off the lights.
For change of address, undeliverable copies and subscription list updates contact: your parish, circulation@national.anglican.ca or send to Saskatchewan Anglican c/o Anglican Journal, 80 Hayden Street Toronto ON M4Y 3G2 Published by the dioceses of Qu’Appelle, Saskatoon and Saskatchewan. All submissions must be sent to the Associate Editors by the beginning of the last week of the month preceeding publication.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (ContÕd) On Christian unity and denominational pride By the Reverend Rob Stringer, Diocesan Ecumenical Officer, Diocese of Saskatchewan, and Priest-in-charge, Parish of Meadow Lake and Loon Lake As a pastor, responsible for leading in worship and prayer, I must admit I get a little annoyed when I hear people say that there is little difference between denominations. The comment often goes something like this, “Anglicans, Lutherans, Roman Catholics, the United Church...they all seem so similar, and they are all doing the same things.” I find such comments frustrating, because I take great care in ordering worship, and words like these seem to dismiss the fruit of my labours. At a deeper level, though, such comments wound my pride - the pride I take in my work; in Anglicanism as an expression of classical Protestantism; in its heroes, from Thomas Cranmer and Charles Simeon to John Stott and N.T Wright; and in its theology and beautiful liturgy. Unfortunately for me, the apostle Paul did not include pride among the fruit produced of the Holy Spirit, nor was Paul an Anglican (this was a painful sentence to write). I am challenged to reassess my annoyance in light of my sin of pride. Though differences remain between our traditions and church structures, we remain members of one Body of Christ. Perhaps we should rejoice in the experience of the person who comments on the sameness of our traditions, because they have seen what others have refused to see: the unity of God's people. Visible Christian unity is such an important matter that Jesus committed it to prayer the night before his crucifixion: “I pray also for those who will believe in me
through [the apostles'] message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:20-21). Jesus knows all too well that we are prone to individualism and disunity-the history of the Church both globally and locally has only proven him right. Jesus knows the unity of his people has a direct influence on the power and effectiveness of their witness. Jesus knows that only he offers the remedy for the sin of pride and disunity, both yours and mine. He invites us to see that what unites us as one, as his people, is nothing other than Jesus himself. Paul, that Non-Anglican, echoes Jesus in reminding us to live a life worthy of our calling: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called to one hope when you were called--one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:3-6). The importance of praying for visible Christian unity is highlighted in the Prayers and Thanksgivings of the Book of Common Prayer (page 37). There, the prayer for the unity of all Christian people is second only to the prayer for the Universal Church and precedes the prayer for the mission of our Church. This is a good reminder for us to pray for unity all year long, rather than waiting until next year's Week of Christian Unity comes around. Editor's Note: A prayer for Christian unity assumes similar importance in the Book of Alternative Services' Occasional Prayers, page 675.
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The Saskatchewan Anglican, March 2009 - 3
Qu'Appelle Notes and Events Lay Retreat March 20 - 22 Rev. Dr. Cal Macfarlane will conduct the annual Lay Retreat at St. Michael's Retreat, Lumsden. The theme for the silent retreat will be Wellspring Principles for the Spiritual Journey: Softening our Hearts, Living in Gratitude, Learning to Embrace Suffering. Rev. Macfarlane is an associate professor of Spiritual Theology at Briercrest College, and chaplain of the college. He holds a PhD in theology from the University of Southampton, and is an honourary assistant at St. Aidan's, Moose Jaw. Chaplain for the retreat will be Rev. Claude Schroeder. To register, call Winna at the Synod Office (306) 522-1608, email winna@sasktel.net or mail 1501 College Ave., Regina SK S4P 1B8. 80th Birthday Tea for Rev. Betty Garrett March 21 St.Alban’s Parish Hall, Moosomin, from 2pm - 4pm. Everyone Welcome! New priest for Saskatchewan Gateway March 26 Rev. Michael Last will arrive from England to assume the position of incumbent in the Parish of Saskatchewan Gateway. St Mark's Outlook Centennial May 17 St. Mark's Anglican Church in Outlook will be celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2009. To mark the occasion, a service will be held in the church on Sunday, May 17 at 10:00 a.m. followed by a lunch and fellowship. All former parishioners and clergy who would like to attend are asked to contact St. Mark's at Box 128, Outlook SK, S0L 2N0 or mldewing@sasktel.net before May 7, 2009 for further information. St. Mary’s Maple Creek Centennial July 25 - 26 St. Mary’s Anglican Church in Maple Creek invites you to help celebrate its 100th year at a weekend of fellowship and fun. Saturday July 25 will feature tours of the church, a video presentation, afternoon tea, fashion show of bridal gowns through the ages, horse drawn rides, barbecue, outdoor stage entertainment and street dance. Bishop Greg Kerr-Wilson will be the celebrant at the Suday service which will be followed by a light lunch. Attendees are asked to RSVP stmarys@sasktel.net or Box 1568 Maple Creek SK. S0N 1N0
Blog to Bethlehem
Diocese of Saskatoon: Announcements for March, 2009 In order to be included in a timely manner brief notices for events should be supplied to the Associate Editor by Fax, e-mail or “snail mail” by the last week of the month, two months before the month in which the insertion is desired. Detailed and longer texts of events will not be included in this section but, should space allow, could be the subject of additional articles or notices elsewhere in the Saskatchewan Anglican. The Bishop's Schedule: The Right Reverend Rodney Andrews, Bishop of Saskatoon will be attending the following events for this month: March 3rd to 5th, meeting of the Rupert's Land House of Bishops; March 5th to 6th, Consecration of the Bishop of Saskatchewan; and March 26th, meeting with the Dean, Archdeacons and Regional Deans. The Bishop will be making parish visits on the following Sundays: March 8th, Lloydminster Parish; March 15th, Humboldt Parish; March 22nd, Biggar Parish; March 29th, St. James' Parish. He will also be attending Parish Days on: Wed., March 18th, at Holy Trinity; Tues., March 24th at River Valley; and Tues., March 31st, at Christ Church. Fundraiser for the Traveling Pool Grant: Country Blend, a country and western band, will be putting on a concert at the Cathedral on, Friday, March 13th at 7:00 p.m. Tickets for this event will be $20.00 per person; the proceeds will go to the Traveling Pool Grant for the rural clergy. Tickets will be available at the Cathedral Hall and the Synod office. There has been great concern expressed for the rural clergy in terms of their travel and this is an opportunity to show your support. See you there. Christ Church, Saskatoon to have its annual “G.S.T.” Auction: Christ Church Anglican, is holding it annual GST Auction (Goods, Services, Talents) on March 28th, 2009, starting at 7:00 p.m. It is a fun event with articles for sale by bid. Snacks and desserts are provided. Parish Nursing Ministry Conference: Saskatchewan will host the 11th Annual Conference of the Canadian Association for Parish Nursing Ministry in Saskatoon, May 21st to 24th. This event is for nurses, pastors and lay leaders interested in health and healing ministries in the church. A range of speakers and workshops will address many practical topics of the church's mission to be a healing place. For further details visit the CAPNM website at: www.capnm.ca. For information contact: Elaine Hesje, Registrar; Phone (306) 652-4524or E-mail: hevhesje@sasktel.net. Integrity Saskatoon Meetings are held at St. James on the second Saturday of each month at 7 p.m. Each meeting includes a talking circle and Eucharist with fellowship to follow. For more information contact the Reverend Ann Marie Nicklin at: (306) 948-3460 or: benjie60@gmail.com. For further information: www.integritysaskatoon.blogspot.com. New Store Hours at NU 2 U at St Timothy's Anglican Church, Saskatoon St Timothy's Anglican Church's NU 2 U used clothing Boutique is open every Tuesday morning from 9:00 a.m. to noon and Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon. NU 2 U is located in the parish hall basement. APPOINTMENTS, RESIGNATIONS BIRTHS ETC: Mr. John Seib was ordained deacon on Thursday, January 29th, at St. Martin's Church, Pike Lake.(see photo and article elsewhere in this issue).
photo - Pat Kohli
The cast of Blog to Bethlehem poses for the camera: (back row left to right) Dick Rennie, Joe Buwembo, Julene Kohli Harmel, Brandi Heuchert holding Nelson Heuchert, (middle row left to right) Geena Salway, Eriyeza Buwembo, Andrew MacPhail, Matthew Harmel (front) Avery Harmel
by Nigel Salway REGINA - St. Luke's Sunday School annual Christmas program followed a young man, Connor (Eriyeza Buwembo) as he wrote on his blog on Christmas. Anxious to learn the meaning of Christmas, he searches the internet for the meaning of Christmas. As he is searching, he is reminded by his sister Caroline (Geena Salway) that he could probably answer his own questions if had kept up with his Bible studies! In addition to his sister's help, Connor's computer has an artificial intelligence program which takes it upon itself to help Connor. The computer takes the initiative and decides to transport some special people from history to Connor's house. First of all he meets Joseph (Matthew Harmel), Mary (Brandi Heuchert) and baby Jesus (Nelson Heuchert). Mary tells Connor about how the angel Gabriel visited her and foretold the birth of Jesus and that Jesus is the King of the Jews. Next he meets three special visitors (Dick Rennie, Julene Kohli Harmel, Joe Buwembo) from foreign lands. The visitors have followed a star and have brought gifts to the new king. The special
visitors tell Connor that they have met with Herod and he is suspicious of the new king. After meeting with the visitors, Connor talks to a shepherd (Andrew MacPhail). The shepherd tells Connor he was looking after his sheep at night, when an angel came to tell them about the birth of a new king and that the shepherds would find the baby in Bethlehem, lying in a manger. The shepherd travelled to Bethlehem and found the baby Jesus, just as the angels had described. While Connor was learning the meaning of Christmas, his sister Caroline played O Holy Night, We Three Kings, and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing on the piano to emphasize the lessons. The cast and congregation joined in the singing of the carols. Eventually it was time for Connor's computer to return everyone to their own time, but not before Mary confirmed with Connor that he understood the meaning of Christmas. Caroline also reminded Connor that he needs to keep with his Bible Studies, telling him what Saint John told us: For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but have eternal life.
4 - The Saskatchewan Anglican, March 2009
Integrity/Saskatoon Salutes the Reverend Joe Ponic; The Man for Others By Jim Komar, St. James' Saskatoon While the temperatures outdoors dipped to near-record lows in Saskatoon the night of January 24th, the spirits indoors at St. James' Anglican Church soared as members of Integrity/Saskatoon gathered to pay their respects and say adieu to the Reverend Joe Ponic. Joe, who had received a call to serve as interim priest at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Revelstoke, B.C., was leaving the following week, and planned to be away until the end of July, 2009. Joe was formerly the very effective interim priest at St. James'; Saskatoon's hospital chaplain; and he had presided over several Integrity meetings at St. James'
and the cathedral. Joe also donated a chalice to Integrity for use in its Eucharist celebrations. He would be missed as much as he was esteemed and wished well. And, that was a lot! The Reverend Anne Marie Nicklin, the Integrity chaplain, prepared a beautiful liturgy, with which the evening started. After the appointed reading from the lectionary, the group sat in a circle and shared fond memories of Joe: his ability to bring the Good News of Jesus into their lives through pulpit and personal contact; his availability at all hours; his wit and warmth; his passion for justice; his classes on the Scriptures and the Church, where Jesus emerged as God's love letter to humanity, the Bible as the envelope in which it was posted,
and the Church as the letter carrier. The talking circle was followed by a very moving Service of Leaving, co-celebrated antiphonally by Joe, Anne Marie, the Reverend Colin Clay, the Reverend Glen Ash and the rest of the group who gathered around Joe. A warm Sharing of the Peace followed; worship concluded with an open Eucharist. The fellowship hour afterwards provided both food for body and thought and merriment as more memories were shared and plans for the new year were laid. It was a fitting tribute to this man for all seasons, this man for others. Bon voyage, Joe! May our avalanche of prayers keep you safe from any other avalanches on the way to your new ministry.
Photo: Tom Rogers
Saying good-bye to Joe Ponic during the Integrity/Saskatoon talking circle at St. James'; Joe is second from the right
Widely Available Films Illuminate Old Testament Characters By the Reverend Tracey Lloyd Smith, CHRISTOPHER LAKE (Saskatchewan) As clergy who are always on the lookout for helpful Bible study and resource materials with a broad-based appeal, my husband (Dr. David Smith of St. George's Church, Prince Albert) and I were delighted when we found something very useful and well prepared. We thought it was news worth sharing. I am particularly pleased when the materials help illuminate Old Testament characters, like these ones do. Some readers might not have studied the heroes and heroines of the Hebrew Scriptures since their Sunday School days, but this tool helps rekindle interest in the Old Testament. The Bible Collection Series of DVDs (produced by Warner Bros.) was something we came across in Ontario last summer. We pur
chased a set of five mini-series films about the following Bible characters: Abraham (starring Richard Harris and Barbara Hershey), Jacob (starring Matthew Modine and Sean Bean), Joseph (starring Ben Kingsley and Leslie Ann Warren), Moses (also starring Ben Kingsley) and David (starring Leonard Nimoy). Both Dr. Smith and I have been very impressed with the rich retellings of these beloved Bible stories. The films are set in wonderful, realistic-looking locations to give the truest impression of what it was like for the people of Israel. The writers and directors not only pay attention to the Scripture passages but also try to fill in the details, as realistically as possible, with their research and writing. With each film, we have been blessed to come away knowing these heroes better and having our understanding of their lives, their hardships and their
faithfulness enriched. It is remarkable to find resource films of such high quality that remain faithful to the biblical themes. Our Bible study group numbers have also shown that these films are appreciated, and the turnouts remain good (except when the wind-chill hits below -40, but that is understandable even for the toughest Saskatchewanians). When combined with reading of the Scriptures that accompany each life story, these movies make a solid grounding in these key passages within reach for many parishioners. The resource centre of the Diocese of Saskatchewan has this set and they can also be ordered through a Christian bookstore or online (search for “Bible collection:” and then add the Bible character's name for the film that you want). More information is also available through www.FiveMileRiverFilms.com.
Photo: Peter R. Coolen Photo contributed
Some hardy Bible study regulars turn out on a -42 degree day. Left to right: Laine Walker, Esther Hay, Bob Robinson, Lynn McAlpine, Gordon Heinrichs, Mel Mindiuk.
Bishop Rodney presents the newly ordained John Seib to the congregation at St. Martin's, Pike Lake.
Photo: Tom Rogers
The Reverend Joe Ponic cuts his going-away cake surrounded by members of Integrity/Saskatoon
John Seib Is Ordained at St. Martin's, Pike Lake By Peter R. Coolen Editor's Note: - Mr. John Seib is a graduate of the College of Emmanuel and St. Chad; he has completed successful internships at St. John's Cathedral and at Christ Church, Saskatoon; most recently he has been employed as Lay Pastor of Good Shepherd Parish (Pike Lake and Delisle) and as Ministry Coordinator at Christ Church, Saskatoon. Mr. John Seib was ordained deacon by the Right Reverend Rodney Andrews, Bishop of Saskatoon on Thursday, January 29th, in a church packed with friends and supporters, at St. Martin's Church, Pike Lake. The noise, warmth and light of the service and the suffused feeling of joy and friendship served to dispel the winter cold outside. The preacher for the Service of Ordination was the Reverend Canon Jim Halmarson of Christ Church, Saskatoon, Jim spoke of the friendship that existed and which had grown between John and himself as his studies progressed…the work was long and the effort great and the goal had been achieved but there is still a ways left to go…however these future efforts and the steep climb will be eased by the skills and determination that John has already displayed and by the continued prayers, help and support of those gathered there. Following John's Presentation and Examination by Bishop Rodney, he was Consecrated and presented with a book “to proclaim God's word and to assist in the ministration of His holy sacraments” and with his licence to begin his service; at this time, as well the two wardens of St. Matthew's, Saskatoon presented John with documents affirming his appointment as Deacon in Charge of St. Matthew's, Saskatoon. Following this, Bishop Rodney then presented John to those gathered as a “great shout” went out into the cold night air. The Service of Ordination and the Eucharist were followed by a warm reception and a time of fellowship and celebration in the parish hall.
The Saskatchewan Anglican, March 2009 - 5
Film “Jim Settee: The Way Home” To Premiere in March By the Rev. Steve Page, MISSION PARISH OF HUDSON BAY AND ARBORFIELD (SASKATCHEWAN) A new television documentary, entitled “Jim Settee: The Way Home” will premiere at the Broadway Theatre in Saskatoon this March 15. The film will also be aired on the SCN television network on March 25, and at a later date on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN). The documentary, about the life, teaching and impact of the Rev. Henry James Settee, is written, produced and directed by Métis film-maker Jeanne Corrigal. Born and raised in central Saskatchewan, Corrigal's work is filled with themes of universal connection among people and with nature. This, her second film, celebrates the teaching of her spiritual mentor, Jim Settee, and his life as an Elder, an Anglican priest, a tracker, community builder and historian. “The Way Home is a retrospective of a remarkable life, and also a story of transformation for me and many others who came home through Jim's teaching,” Corrigal says. Henry James “Jim” Settee was born on January 21, 1911, on the Montreal Lake Reserve. He was the great-grandson of an earlier James Settee, who in the mid 1800s brought the Gospel message to the area of La Ronge and Stanley Mission. Strong faith ran through the family, with Settee's grandfather and uncle becoming priests, and his father a Lay Reader. Settee married Jemima Ballendine in 1937. They had four sons and three daughters. Their family grew to include 26 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren by the time Settee passed away, in 2005. Settee felt the beginnings of a call to ordained ministry early in his life. This led him to study theology, both at Emmanuel College and with Archdeacon (later Sir) Jeffrey Paul in the 1930s. He decided then that the time was not right to be ordained, but the sense of call never fully left him.
Settee would be ordained nearly 60 years later. He was ordained Deacon in 1993 at Little Red Reserve by Bishop Tom Morgan, and he was ordained Priest in 1997 by Bishop Anthony Burton, at 86 years of age. It is believed that he was the oldest man ever to be priested in the Anglican Communion. At both ordinations, he was presented with a treasured family heirloom, the bible of his greatgrandfather. For his remaining years, Settee led an active life of ministry, leading in the renovation of the church at Little Red, and the building of a new one, and giving Cree lessons to young people in his area. He had a poetic side, as well, and his Cree translation of the hymn “Amazing Grace” appears in the 1998 revision of the “Common Praise” hymn book (#352). In the decades before his ordination, Settee worked at a variety of jobs. He surveyed for Canadian Pacific Rail for a time, used a horse team to haul goods, and worked as a park warden. He also enjoyed trapping, an activity he learned as a boy and continued into his 90s. Settee was well respected for his integrity, generosity, humour and kindness. He was also a good story-teller, who collected the memories of others as an enthusiastic historian. Settee told of his father's visit to the camp of Chief Sitting Bull after he fled across the Canadian border in 1876, of his own meetings with Grey Owl in the 1930s, and of being present when Prime Minister MacKenzie King opened the Prince Albert National Park. These and others of his memories were avidly recorded by historians for academic archives. Henry James “Jim” Settee was very much a seeker of lost souls in his ministry, and of lost bodies with search and rescue teams in the Saskatchewan bush. Jeanne Corrigal's documentary gives special attention to the ways he helped people “find their way home,” and includes footage of Settee, as well as archival photos, original interviews, and recreations of stories and moments of his life.
Photo contributed
Henry James “Jim” Settee (1911-2005
Photo contributed
Some of Jim and Jemima's large family
Photo contributed
Some of Jim and Jemima's large family
Sisters of Saint John the Divine (SSJD) Associates Welcome New Member by Mervyn Crozier-Smith
photo - Gwyneth Crozier-Smth
Sister Patricia SSJD and Rev. Derek Nicholls welcome Mervyn CrozierSmith as a new Associate to the Sisters of Saint John the Divine.
REGINA The Associates of St. Chad's Ward, SSJD, gathered at St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church on December 12 for a service of Holy Communion and to admit a new Associate, Mervyn CrozierSmith. The Sisters of Saint John the Divine are a religious order within the Anglican Church of Canada, and are celebrating their 125 anniversary this year. SSJD Associates are men and women who wish to live out their baptismal covenant by following a Rule of Life in association with the Sisters and share in their ministry. Rev. Derek Nicholls celebrated Holy Communion. During the service, Rev. Joyce Hilton presented the candidate, Mervyn Crozier-Smith, to Sister Patricia SSJD, who is the Co-coordinator of Associates for Saskatchewan. In the service of admission the candidate presents
his desire to be received as an Associate and accepts the commitment to follow the Rule of Life as a way of living out his baptismal vows. Mervyn received a blessed cross as a sign of his great love and a call to be an associate of St. Chad's Ward SSJD. Members of St. Chad's Ward family and friends enjoyed a time of fellowship in the lounge following the service. Among the refreshments was cake to honour Olwyn Crozier-Smith on her 98th birthday and 70th anniversary as an Associate, and to welcome the new associate, her son, Mervyn Crozier-Smith. Pictures and story telling of events going on at the SSJD Convent rounded out the day. For more information on the work of The Sisters of Saint John the Divine or becoming an Associate please see the web site www.ssjd.ca or email convent@ssjd.ca. Regina contacts are Rev. Derek Nicholls or Rev. Joyce Hilton.
6 - The Saskatchewan Anglican, March 2009
Olwyn Crozier-Smith: a life of work for her church
photo - Derwyn Crozier-Smith
Olwyn Crozier-Smith, now 98, has been active in the Anglican Church since she was a young girl.
by Derwyn Crozier-Smith REGINA - Olwyn CrozierSmith celebrated her 98th birthday among family and friends at St. Mary's Regina on December 14. The congregation paid her a special tribute at their after-service luncheon and many friends visited during an afternoon social in the parish hall. Family and choir members provided musical entertainment and Olwyn's life and achievements were celebrated through stories and mementos. Olwyn's life has been closely connected with the Anglican Church. As a young girl in Carievale she played the church organ. In 1928 she won the Dominion Gold Medal for the highest marks in Canada on Sunday School examinations of the Anglican Church, General Board of Religious Education. This did not go unnoticed and in May 1934 she was invited by the Diocese of Qu'Appelle to come to work in the office of the Sunday School By Post (SSBP) program. She was employed there primarily correcting SSBP lessons of which she marked over 2000. The SSBP was a correspondence program for Anglican children in the areas that could not support a Sunday School or did not have regular access to a parish church. The correspondence program was supplemented in the summer by visits from SSBP staff who travelled in vans throughout the Diocese. The 1936 37 academic year took Olwyn to Victoria, British Columbia where she attended St. Christopher's College. This was an Anglican women's training college to prepare church workers for the SSBP van program, as
Bishop's Messengers and for the domestic missions. She returned to the Diocese of Qu'Appelle to spend the summers of 1937 and 1938 on the vans in the eastern part of the diocese. She and her fellow "vanners" visited the homes of children taking lessons from SSBP, conducted services where there were no churches and held summer vacation Bible schools. Winters were spent back in the SSBP office. Meanwhile, she was an active member of St. Matthew's Anglican parish in Regina. She was in the Anglican Young People's Association and worked with the Little Helper's and the Junior Auxiliary. After moving to the north side of the city in 1945 she kept up her faithful work in St. Peter's parish where she was a Sunday school teacher and superintendent, a member of the Mother's Union, the Woman's Auxiliary (later Anglican Church Women), and tended the Little Helpers. Olwyn has been an Associate of the Sisters of St. John the Divine since 1939 and an active member of St. Chad's Ward of the Associates. In addition to her church work Olwyn also was a regular volunteer at the Wascana Rehabilitation Hospital until just before her 80th birthday. When she decided to slow down a little, Olwyn undertook to knit mitts and toques for children in Regina's inner city, and outfitted many children for winter until failing eyesight made this difficult. She has been a part of St. Mary's family since the closure of St. Peter's. While currently living in a personal care home, she receives communion regularly with the kind visits of St. Mary's pastoral team and worships at St. Mary's on special occasions.
Dorothy Sayers' “Mind of the Maker” Still Informs Anglican Identity and Diversity By the Reverend Julie Golding Page MISSION PARISH OF HUDSON BAY & ARBORFIELD (Saskatchewan) Twentieth-century Anglican writer Dorothy Sayers is best known for her masterful detective fiction. However, she also wrote an equally imaginative and intellectually challenging nonfiction book. The Mind of the Maker, published in 1941, explores Trinitarian theology by examining the mind of the creative writer. The book's purpose is to “demonstrate that the statements made in the Creeds about the Mind of the Divine Maker represent…the mind of the human maker.” (preface) Her argument is based on her view of the Apostles', Nicene and Athanasian Creeds as “statements of fact about the universe as we know it,” (page 17) rather than human creations of moral law. It is a view that in our postmodern and relativistic society would find foreign. But her call to learn what our faith really claims to be, instead of remaining uninformed and reacting to it with indifference or even hostility, remains valid for people of all religious stripes. Through Genesis 1, Sayers links the mind of the artist with the mind of God, equating the image of God with creativity. I would be more comfortable if she were to say that creativity is one possible way in which we image God. Given her assertion, however, she sees the artist as able to create most like God. She focuses on the writer, explaining her theory through her own expe
rience. Here, she borrows from Augustine's Platonic-influenced explanation of how each man bears God's image in a Trinitarian sense. She explains that the creative mind is like the mind of the Trinitarian God. Corresponding to the Father is the Creative Idea, or a concept for a book in the mind. Corresponding to the Son is the Creative Energy, or the making of the Idea into material form. Corresponding to the Spirit is the Creative Power, or the meaning that is communicated between artist and reader. Since Sayers rightly asserts that all human beings have creativity, her argument applies to more than artists alone. She gives a still-biting critique of Western society, saying that we are trained to see life, and particularly work, as a problem to be solved instead of something to approach creatively, with joy. We therefore fail to image our
Creator as we discard our creativity in most spheres of life. Although she never specifically mentions her Anglican roots, Sayers both challenges and confirms Anglican identity and diversity, making her book enlightening for our own tumultuous times in the Anglican Communion. First, Sayers confirms Anglican identity by unapologetically demonstrating the relevance and necessity of the Creeds, which are the basics of the Anglican faith as established in the ancient church councils and affirmed in both the Book of Common Prayer and Book of Alternative Services. We can learn from her creative approach, clarity of presentation and staunch hope even in a time when the church appeared to be in decline. The personal, Trinitarian God whom she so creatively describes was certainly active in her time and continues to be active in ours as well. Sayers also brings new diversity to Anglican identity by challenging the male- and clergy-dominated theological field of her day, simply by being a female and a lay voice in the discussion. One of the first female graduates of Oxford and an associate of the famous group of Christian writers called the Inklings, of which C.S. Lewis was a member, Sayers was at the vanguard of a dynamic new way of doing theology. She and the Inklings took creativity seriously, producing both scholarly theological works and theologically rich novels, and thereby opening theology to generations of people like me, who learn best through story and the arts.
through the building carrying candles and stopping for prayer at strategic places. We paused at the exact spot where Archbishop Becket was martyred and also at the place where he was buried. We also paused at the episcopal chair for the Archbishop of Canterbury demonstrating the continuity of the church through the centuries. The evening ended with a service of Compline by candlelight. It was very moving. The most significant moment of the Cathedral pilgrimage for me was when we stopped at the Compass Rose, inscribed in brass in the floor
in front of the nave altar. We were asked to pray for the Anglican Communion and the Lambeth Conference at a very difficult time in the life of our Communion. I noted the compass reaches out in every direction and, of course, points to our Diocese of Saskatoon and the Province of Saskatchewan. We are linked in a wonderful world-wide communion. Here are some notes I made in our Indaba (discussion group): "The final document from the Lambeth Conference ought not to be a contract - a contract (continued on next page)
Photo contributed
The Reverend Julie Golding Page ponders The Mind of the Maker.
Collected Letters from Lambeth Conference 2008 - Part IV By The Right Reverend Rodney Andrews, Bishop of Saskatoon Background: This is the fourth and final of a series of Lambeth articles written by Bishop Rodney Andrews. Bishop Rodney wrote a series of letters to family, friends and to the Diocese while at the Lambeth Conference this past summer These letters were not intended to be a definitive record of the Lambeth Conference; they are printed here in the hope that readers of the Saskatchewan Anglican will catch some of the flavor and atmosphere of the Conference.
25th July, 2008: Last evening Jacqueline and I participated in a candlelight pilgrimage of Canterbury Cathedral. About 40 people walked
The Saskatchewan Anglican, - March 2009 7
Collected Letters from Lambeth Conference 2008 - Part IV (continued from page 6)
is only suitable at a commercial level. I would prefer a document which expresses an agreement between friends who have a common goal. I would like to have a covenant of grace expressing a willingness to grow together. A Covenant must consider the context of different languages and cultures. Anglicanism lives with a sense of untidiness. Can we not come to awareness of our interdependence?" "We will stay in Communion. We are called to recognize our interdependence and accept the challenge of our diversity. We need a positive way to work with our conflict and contested matters." One evening we were invited to a garden party St. Martin's Priory in Canterbury. The venue is not actually a priory but is the former residence of the Pro Chancellor (President) of Canterbury's Christ Church University. The gathering was sponsored by the Network of Anglican College and Universities and hosted by the Pro Chancellor, Dr. Michael Wright, the Director of the Network, the Reverend Canon Don Thompson, and by the Bishop of Dover (who is a Suffragan of the Archbishop but actually runs the Diocese of Canterbury). It was a spectacular evening and a beautiful setting. There are about 1500 schools and colleges affiliated with branches of the Anglican Communion and we heard stories about some of them. One afternoon near the end of the Lambeth Conference I was returning borrowed items and doing errands. I noticed a woman walking from the opposite direction. When she came closer, I realized it was Mrs. Jane Williams, wife of the Archbishop of Canterbury. She stopped to chat. We agreed that the hardest part of seeing the Conference end would be saying goodbye to many new friends, persons we share ministry with across the globe. Realistically, we may never see most of them again. Two events during the final days of Lambeth remain significant for me. One was a presentation in the 'Big Top' by the youth who acted as stewards for the Conference. It was Saturday night, the second last night
of the conference. People might have chosen to spend the time packing their bags or having farewell dinners out. I was amazed when at least 1000 people showed up to listen to the youth. The young people did not disappoint us. They 'fed back' what they had experienced and observed during the Conference, couching their remarks in the context of the 'I am' sayings in John's Gospel which had absorbed us all. It was fascinating to hear the reflections of the young people as they described their experience of the Conference, shepherding (I might have said herding) hundreds and hundreds of bishops and their spouses from place to place, loading buses, directing traffic, checking security tags etc. Their work days were long and some of their work repetitive, but they kept focused on the purpose of the Conference and its importance to the Church. One young woman from England spoke so eloquently and passionately about her experience at Lambeth and her call to ordination that five English bishops stood to offer their business cards! The concern of the bishops for the place of youth in our church was very evident at that forum. Much of the time during the final days was spent in preparing a communiqué to the Church. While the writing was done by 'Listeners' from the Indaba groups, several hearings were held to allow individual bishops to speak into the content of the document. In spite of the afternoon heat, and crowded facilities, many bishops attended. The final document is called Lambeth Indaba Reflections. You might miss it based on its title, but it is the most important document issuing from the Conference. The document is available on the Lambeth Conference web site. I encourage you to read it. It speaks of a strong commitment to the unity of the Church and a continuing search for truth by the bishops of the Church. The closing service was held at Canterbury Cathedral (40 buses loaded and unloaded for the last time) where Dr. Williams spoke of the way we had shared out stories:
“. . . strengthened by the resurrection life . . . we go out to tell the story afresh, we go out in the confidence that when we speak from that heart of reality, which is the broken bread of Jesus' truth and Jesus' love, recognition will happen. The springs will be unblocked, the deserts will blossom, and the Spirit will overflow”. The twenty-day long Conference ended with a late evening buffet dinner on the grounds (precincts) of Canterbury Cathedral. Marvelous dance music was provided by a 'big band.' Many of the bishops (still dressed in their purple cassocks) and their spouses danced. The dance floor filled when the band broke out in a medley of Beatles music. Perhaps this is an indicator of when many of us were born and were teenagers! Following the conference Jacqueline and I visited clergy friends in England. The Reverend Bert Morton was a student at Emmanuel College when I arrived at the College in 1959. He was Senior Stick in 1960 and 1961. His wife Audrey worked at the University as a secretary. They served in the Diocese of the Arctic at Inuvik for five years, then returned to England for parish work. From Dorset, where the Mortons live, we flew to Spain for a vacation which included a Mediterranean cruise with stops at Rome and Venice. I volunteered to conduct Sunday services on the cruise ship. I spoke about the missionary journeys of St. Paul, and the spread of the Christian Church through the Mediterranean world, places we were visiting on our cruise. I could not help but make reference to the shipwreck in Acts 27 and 28, comparing the size of the ship St. Paul sailed on with our cruise ship. As I reflected on my sermons at those interdenominational services, I realized the parallels with the Anglican Communion and our Lambeth experience. St. Augustine brought Christianity to England in 597 A.D. For hundreds of years missionary efforts spread Anglicanism to many countries. Now we are a world
wide Communion with 75 or 80 million Anglicans. At Lambeth I met people from countries I had neverheard of. Many of them work under very difficult circumstances with few resources. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ and the Church is very important to them. The Lambeth Conference web site is still active. I encourage you to browse the site. There are hundreds of pictures in the photo gallery. The addresses and sermons by the Archbishop of Canterbury are available there. Dr. Williams gave powerful leadership to the Conference. His wife Jane led the Spouses Conference and won the hearts of everyone. Rowan and Jane put in many 17-hour days during the Conference. I saw them early in the morning at the Eucharist and late in the evening at plenary sessions. They took a personal interest in the participants while focusing on the 'care of the churches' and our mission to the world. Truly the Archbishop of Canterbury is an 'Instrument of Unity' for the Anglican Communion.
It was a great privilege to attend the Lambeth Conference. Thank you for reading these reflections. Jacqueline and I would be glad to share our experience with you. If you have questions or comments, or would like to hear more, please contact us. + Rodney
Rodney Andrews The first thing a child learns when he gets a drum is that he'll never get another one. A father was talking to his son. 'Now listen, my boy, from now on you do your own home-work. I'm not going to do any more for you - it's not right.' 'I know.' said the boy. 'but have a shot at it just the same. Eleven year old's environmental studies essay on the effect of oil pollution: 'When my mum opened a tin of sardines last night it was full of oil and all the sardines were dead.' Twelve year old in French class being asked the difference between Madame and Mademoiselle: `Monsieur'. Ten year old's response to question, 'When dead, what do you want to be remembered for?': `Ever.'
8 - The Saskatchewan Anglican, March 2009
EDITORIAL
A Message From the College of Emmanuel and St. Chad Editor's Note: This is the most recent in a series of monthly contributions to the Saskatchewan Anglican from the College of Emmanuel and St. Chad. These articles cover a broad range of theological and general interest issues as well as College news. By the Reverend Canon Dr. Beth Marie Murphy, Director of Field Education, College of Emmanuel and St. Chad I have just returned from the biennial meeting of the Association of Theological Field Educators. This group is mainly composed of North American Field Educators (those of us arrange ministry placements for students in seminary), but there were also a number from the “Commonwealth.” This is a time of sharing, in various ways, what the new trends are in Field Education and what is happening in each of our seminaries with Field Education. One of the highlights for me (there were many) was spending time with a friend who is the Field Educator at the Seminary I attended, the Rev'd Dr. William Kondrath. He shared with me an exciting book of his that has just been published. The title is: God's Tapestry: Understanding and Celebrating Difference published by the Alban Institute. There has been an increasing emphasis on cross-cultural education for students doing internships and other field education experiences. Yet, this is not all this book address as it has much to do with parish life, as we are all different in a parish, as are the people wishing to join our community. Canadians may be one step ahead in the process of appreciating cultural and racial differences. As you well know, Canada is viewed as a mosaic honouring many cultures and peoples. This is most evident in the celebration of Canada Day with many multicultural festivals. Our neighbours to the south see their country as a melting pot, with each taking on the characteristics of oneness, i.e. an American. Patriotism and unity are the hallmarks of July 4th celebrations. Even if multiculturalism is part of the fabric of Canadian life, I believe Bill Kondrath's book has a great deal we need to take to heart in our life, both personally and as faith communities. The first chapter presents a set of guidelines to help us recognize and value differences, wherever we may encounter them.
By Fred Stephens, Managing Editor
His first guideline is “try it on.” This means inviting ourselves to be open to new experiences, new ways of behaving. We are not often comfortable with differences and we can reject the difference as wrong instead of just different. Instead of this Kondrath invites us see view it as it is, different; not right or wrong. (5-11) The second guideline is: “it is okay to disagree. It is not okay to shame, blame or attack the other.” The goal for valuing differences is the transformation of faith communities. However, too often faith communities choose not to discuss differences, as we know various opinions will be voiced and the discussion may get heated. By doing this we do not allow people to state what they believe and to hear what others think; this does not lead to transformation. Any community that allows and encourages differences is in the process of being transformed. (11-15) The next guideline is: “practice self-focus”. This is made up of two parts. The first is the use of “I” statements. This allows a person to state what s/he believes and does not hide behind statements such as “everyone believes”… “if we adopt this people will be really upset”… and other similar statements. The second focus is paying attention to how “I” feel while another is speaking. This allows us to respond to the other instead of going into attack mode by reacting. (15-18) “Theologically speaking, encouraging people to use “I” statements is a way of valuing the dignity of every human being.” (17) The third guideline is: “practice “both/and” thinking”. Many of us think in an either or way: either something is good or bad, right or wrong etc. This results in someone winning and the other loosing. In both/and thinking many different viewpoints can be honoured and exist together. In this way one can see the value of another view. In our Creeds we proclaim Jesus to be human and divine; this is both/and thinking. (18-19) The next guideline is “be aware of intent and impact.” Intent is what one hopes to accomplish and impact is how what we say or do affects another. Most times we do not intend to hurt another,
but some comment may in fact upset another. This is not resolved by saying that, “I did not intend to hurt you”. The person, in fact, was hurt, whether we intended it or not. One can take responsibility of for what one said by saying, “I am sorry I hurt you.” Then we can look at what we said in order to examine if we had some anger or resentment toward the other, which we did not realize at the time. (2021) Another guideline is: “taking 100% responsibility for our own learning.” It is often a minority group, such as First Nations people, women, gays and lesbian people and others who are tired of trying to teach the dominant culture about how they experience the world in which they live when white, male authority and heterosexuality has the power and is seen as the norm. Each one is called to seek out knowledge of the “other” by reading books and poems, listening to music, attending plays written and performed by the “other” instead of the relying on the minority to teach us all the time. (20-21) The sixth guideline is: “maintain confidentiality”. It is important that each person feels safe in interactions, meeting, the church community. One can freely share one's own thoughts, feelings and reactions to an interaction when one knows that this will not be shared with others. Each person has the right to share her/his own story. In looking at Jesus' life we see him concerned for those who had less power and allowed them to tell their own story, such as the woman at the well. (23-24) The next guideline is one I really appreciate: “it is okay to be messy.” All of us make mistakes. Being messy is trying other ways of acting, of adopting new behaviours or, seeing in different ways and not fully succeeding. We cannot be so on guard or afraid to try new ways of seeing, acting etc. that we never allow ourselves to be real. (25) The last of the guidelines is letting our self and others to “say ouch.” When I notice fear, anger, loss I might want to literally say “ouch” to alert the other/s the impact some words or actions have had on me. (25) Each one of these guidelines is important if we are going to be people, parishes or other groups who understand and celebrate difference and are in the process of being transformed. This is only the first chapter of a fine book. I hope to share more in future articles.
This issue of the Saskatchewan Anglican has headlined the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The threads of unity run through various articles in this edition, in a number of different forms. I was struck by the rev. Rob Stringer’s admission that denominational pride, in his case (but I am certain in many others) has been a barrier in his mind to true Christian unity. He does, however go on to point out the importance placed upon it in scripture by both Jesus and Paul. In his letters from the Lambeth Conference, Bishop Rod Andrews highlights, on a number of occasions, the diversity within the group of bishops attending that conference. It points out that essential ingredient of Anglicanism that sets it apart, and yet draws it together (or at least should, I believe) with other denominations--Unity in Diversity. Again in this issue, the Reverend Canon Beth Marie Murphy talks about differences--racial and cultural differences to be sure, but the analogy can be applied to differences within the Christian faith as well. Although not raised as an Anglican, I can understand and empathize with Rob about his angst when confronted with statements pronouncing the sameness of all denominations. My father-in-law, a devout Roman Catholic, was able to appreciate a few years before his death the fact that although the form and theology of his faith was different from others that fall under the umbrella of Christianity, the essential message was the same--John 3:16 applies to all denominations and all faithful Christians. We have seen in recent years the effect that a stance on a particular moral or ethical or even cultural issue can have on a faith community, and between faith communities. In our Anglican community, the admission of women to the priesthood was a divisive and controversial act not so many years ago; and the elevation to the dizzying heights of a bishop’s throne is still a no-no in many jurisdictions. The full inclusion of same sex couples to all the rites of our church today is so controversial and divisive that a moratorium has been placed upon any further moves in those directions, including the elevation of openly gay clergy to the episcopate, and the blessing of same sex unions. In fact, these same actions have been the primary cause for the current rise of jurisdictions such as the Southern Cone based in Sao Paolo, Brazil, which have attempted unilaterally to provide ecclesiastic oversight in a number of North American dioceses, to parishes that have expressed their discontent. Now, I, as a lay person, am not steeped in the theology of Cranmer, or Hooker, or Stott; although through bible study I have some nodding acquaintance of the contribution made by them to the Anglican theological tradition. I do have some acquaintance, however, with another noted theologian who said, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them” (Matthew 18:20). He didn’t say two or three Anglicans, or Presbyterians, or Lutherans. He also said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6) Whether another’s interpretation of scripture is the same as or different from mine, or whether his or her stance on a particular social, cultural or moral issue is the same or different from the position I take, I must assume that his or her belief in Jesus is real; and that the discernment from reading Scripture is genuine. After all, we as Christians worship the same God, albeit through different forms and from different perspectives. We may not always agree with other Christians, but tolerance of others’ beliefs honestly and genuinely held, is essential to my understanding of Christianity. Without such tolerance there can be no Christian Unity. We have come some distance since the days when we burned each other at the stake, as was the fate of Thomas Cranmer, but to achieve full unity still requires the faith that moves mountains. Primary maths pupil's answer to question, `take 9 from 246 as many times as possible': `I did it fifty times and I always got 237.' Twelve year old's response to the question, `why does a surgeon wear a mask when he performs an operation?': `So if he makes a muck of it the patient won't know who did it.' Ten year old's reply to `what famous London landmark has a figure with only one eye?': 'Cleopatra's needle.' Twelve year old's essay on 'what would you do to try and encourage motorists to show more consideration for others?': 'I would drive a police car.'