November 2005
An awesome time at Youth Discover Christ 2005 By Jacqueline Carverhill SASKATOON - This is the second year I have attended the annual Youth Discover Christ (YDC) conference, held at Camp Kinasao, Christopher Lake. I had a blast! The band that provided our musical ministry was Anthony Packwood from Calgary - they were awesome. They were jamming all day and night! I also got to hang out with fellow Anglican teens from all over Saskatchewan. Everyone was so nice and respectful towards each other. The theme this year was “Go Deeper” which meant we worked on “going deeper” in our relationship not only with God but also with other people. During the weekend, we learned from Father Terry Wiebe (aka “Rev”) how to do the centering prayer, which is a very powerful way of praying that can bring you very close to God. I also learned that you have to listen for God and to not be the one that is always talking, because if you are then God doesn't have a chance to “say” anything. During this workshop, we were also given the opportunity to share our personal experiences of prayer. Some people talked about what they saw and of having had actual physical sensations such as their wrists burning or smelling flowers. Some people were so at peace that they fell asleep! It was all very powerful. Another important aspect of the week
end was using our senses. We were encouraged to use all five senses when we were praying or reading scriptures from the Bible as well as in our daily interactions with each other. We were taught to relax our bodies and minds and to leave behind all our troubles from home or school. These are some of the reasons why I love YDC so much, because you can learn so many things about your relationships with others and with God and how to see God in others. You can learn different ways to pray all while having fun with your friends. YDC also gives kids time to relax and forget all their worries. I'd recommend it to anyone! Thanks be to God and to Bishop Rod, Diocesan Council and the various parishes for supporting this ongoing ministry. Special thanks to Father Wiebe, the camp chaperones/volunteers (Gwendolyn, Anita, Sheila, Diane, Mary Theresa, Tina, Mandy, Phyllis, Martin, Gerry, Yvonne), Kinasao cooks (Felix, Sharon, Charmaine) and the Anthony Packwood band (Anthony, Brian, Scott, Shauna, Anne) for a very memorable YDC 2005. Editor's Note: Jacqueline is a grade 8 student at the Ecole Canadienne Francaise de Saskatoon. She attends church at St. John's Cathedral.
Campers, along with board members Les and Pat Martin, gratefully accepted a $10,000 cheque from Bishop Rodney Andrews on July 22, raised by the bishop's Tractor Trek toward a new water system. Photo - Yvonne Mitchell.
The Reverend Terry Wiebe and his daughter Mandy (one of the YDC counsellors) sport clown noses following a session on Clown Ministry at the Youth Discover Christ conference Sept. 3 & 4. Photo Dianne Otterbein.
Why DC? Because ... By Dianne Otterbein SASKATOON - Recently, I had the pleasure of discovering why "Youth Discover Christ" at their yearly conference deep in God's Country. My girls have attended for three years now, but this was my first time there. Past years, both have returned home full of the Holy Spirit and loads of what I would call fresh faith. A few parents have questioned the apparent change in attitude. This year, I experienced the joy for myself and returned home a little fuller of the Holy Spirit and admittedly more tired than I have been since, oh . . . the days they were born. Perhaps YDC renews their childlike senses and gives time and space to enjoy just "being" and "feeling." The most helpful advice I have ever been given on parenting teenagers (and people who have lived through it are full of advice on the subject) is simply, "when you like them the least is when they need you to love them the most." Kids seem to want to be where there is unconditional love. My "job" over the weekend was to offer a workshop about Clown Ministry.
Being a rather young clown, I had a lot of fears about being around teenagers all weekend. It may come as a shock to hear that teenagers can be unpredictable and at times hard to understand. So, "Buttons" came with these ideas while "Zippers" (her much wiser clown friend), worked hard to make her understand that "not all teenagers are scary and many are actually kind.” “All you have to do," he says "is treat them as you want to be treated." That turned out to be sage advice coming from one young clown to another. "Why DC?" Well, because Jesus is right there, all the time, coaching us, watching us play, fall, even fight. He is the master of unconditional love and He will continue to strengthen us grown ups to see him in our kids. While I like to think I am still a young spring duck, I have managed to co-parent two incredible teenagers and watch in wonder as the next two quickly gain on them. I guess I'm allowed to offer a little advice of my own - they may start out waddling, but with you and God behind them, they'll be able to fly!
Tractor Trek benefits Camp Okema - new water system now in sight By Anna Irish CAMP OKEMA - Bishop Rodney Andrews brought a special contribution to the closing program of Okema's Small Fry camp on July 22. Having toured the diocese of Saskatoon by John Deere tractor in June, he had come to camp to present the Okema Society with the $10,000 the Tractor Trek had raised towards the
camp's new water system. Before presenting the cheque, Bishop Rod shared the story of the Trek with the campers, staff and parents who were celebrating the close of another successful week at camp. He told them about driving the tractor from community to community, and the opportunity he had to tell people across the diocese about camp
Okema. Board members Les and Pat Martin were on hand to receive the cheque with some of the small fry campers, who together thanked the Bishop for the moneys raised. The next step for the Okema Society is to raise the rest of the moneys needed for the new water system, hopefully in
time to install it before the 2006 camping season. The system is expected to cost around $30,000, and is needed to fully comply with new standards recently put into place in the province. The board hopes to receive some money in grants, but any donations towards this or any other of Okema's projects would be more than welcome.
2 - The Saskatchewan Anglican, November 2005
Bishop’s Message - The Diocese of Saskatchewan responds to the closure of Weyerhaeuser mill By the Rt. Rev’d Anthony Burton PRINCE ALBERT - (October 4/05) I was deeply saddened to learn this morning that the Weyerhaeuser pulp and paper mill, which employs 690 people here in Prince Albert, will close indefinitely. This decision is a devastating blow to the employee families directly affected and to the families of innumerable others who have built their lives as contractors of the mill. The decision threatens to do serious damage to the local economy and cost jobs in a host of other industries and institutions.
I call upon the Provincial and Federal Governments to do everything in their power to rectify the situation and to work to support the pulp and paper industry here for the long term. The Diocese of Saskatchewan offers its prayers and pastoral support to all those coming to terms with today's news. Anyone who would like an empathetic ear or a home visit from local clergy are invited to call 763-2455.
As Christians we know that our hope rests ultimately on the promises of God who is our only lasting strength and support. My prayer is that we might hold fast to that hope as we grow closer to God and to one another in the difficult season ahead. (Editor’s note - The Diocese of Saskatchewan has had its headquarters in Prince Albert since 1873.)
Editorial : Laughter tells a story By Barbara-Lynn Dixon An unhappy man, attempting to take his own life, leaped from a high bridge into a river. Even though he was knocked unconscious, the man was spared death because the cork leg he was wearing refused to let him drown. And to add insult to injury, when the man was later released from hospital he was booked for disturbing the peace. Recounted in “Corrigan's Comedy: Meaning and Form”, this incident has somber underpinnings but it also causes a chuckle: comedy and laughter are serious business. God likewise uses this paradox: laughter is a means of telling a profound story. In Genesis 17 and 18, Abraham is about to become the “ancestor of a multitude of nations.” So God tells him that he and his wife Sarah will have a son. Now their respective ages at the time were 99 and 90. When he heard this, showing his comfort in the presence of God, Abraham fell on his face with laughter. When their son Isaac is born Sarah continues the response of delightful foolishness: “God has brought me laughter and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” Paul suggests that, in fact, we are all fools for Christ and the foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of the world. The
The Rev’d Rob Voyle, Jan Besse B.L. Dixon
Reverend Floyd Shaffer in “If I Were A Clown” relates this story: While sitting in worship one Sunday a lady found herself in the pew behind a family with a small child. She watched the five-year old boy and the five-year old boy watched her. The lady made a face and the youngster made one back. This continued until suddenly the child exploded with a sound of delight. The mother turned sharply to the boy and said “Shhhhhhhh! There now; that's better.” I am still wondering why.
Okema Society For Christian DevelopmentAnnual General Meeting November 19th, 2005 10 a.m All Saints' Church, Melfort Please come support the Okema Society for Christian development. Members of the Society are entitled to vote and stand for election to the Board of Directors. New members are always welcome! Annual reports will be available by early November on the Okema website (www.okema.ca). To obtain a print copy ahead of the meeting, please contact Captain Shawn Branch (763-4409).
What in God’s Name is going on in your church? By Sheilagh Garrett REGINA - What in God's Name is going on here: in your church, your parish and within the Diocese of Qu'Appelle? That was the question the Reverend Dr. Rob Voyle asked participants at a recent ministry training event held at All Saints, Regina. Voyle, a New Zealand born and trained Episcopal priest, encouraged the group to focus on the positive things already happening within their church. "Unfortunately," Voyle said, "it is so much easier to see the negative, like declining membership or lack of money, instead of the good things we already have happening.” Voyle asked, "Did Jesus come to stop us from sinning, or did Jesus come to help us be more loving?" Those good things, those positives, which already exist, are blessings happening in God's name. Voyle is an advocate of Appreciative Inquiry, a theory of change based on the idea of paying more attention to what we already have and want more of, rather
Managing Editors: The Reverend Garth Neel Email: garthrneel@yahoo.com 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.
Qu’Appelle: Barbara-Lynn Dixon, 41 Angus Crescent Regina SK S4T 6N1 Phone: 306-525-6935 Email:bldixon@accesscomm.ca Saskatoon: Penny McKinlay, 6 -1223 7th Ave. North Saskatoon SK S7K 2W1 Phone: 306-978-2939 Email: penny@axonsoft.com Saskatchewan: The Reverend Garth Neel, Box 1113 Hudson Bay, SK S0E 0Y0 Phone: 306-865-2218 Email: garthrneel@yahoo.com
than to the problems we have. As we focus on what we want, it becomes more than a dream or a wish; it becomes the reality of our future. Sharing individual stories helps to create appreciation for those positives that already exist. Participants at the Saturday workshop had the opportunity to share their own stories and describe what they valued most within their church. Voyle noted "You would not be at the church if there wasn't something meaningful for you there." When group stories were compared, Voyle found it paradoxical that the reoccurring theme was "openness" and "community" or closeness. Can it be that we Anglicans here on the prairies simply want to be more open to closer relationships with our church (Anglicanism), our communities (outreach, ecumenism) and with our God? Ministry training sessions are sponsored by the Diocese of Qu'Appelle and are open to all interested persons.
Published monthly except July and August Published from Box 1113 Hudson Bay, SK S0E 0Y0 Printed and mailed from Signal Star Publishing A division of Bowes Publishers Ltd. Goderich ON N7A 4B6 Subscription rate: $10.00 in Canada; $17.00 outside Canada Whole No. 296, Vol. 33, No. 9
The Saskatchewan Anglican, November 2005 - 3
Shawn Sanford Beck installed as priest at Saskatoon Native Ministry By Penny McKinlay SASKATOON - The telephone kept ringing and more and more people arrived as Shawn Sanford Beck was installed as priest of the Saskatoon Native Ministry. Obvious signs that this place of worship has opened its doors to the community, welcoming newcomers and offering sustenance to those who enter. Saskatoon Native Ministry was started in 1988 as a ministry of the Saskatchewan Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. Worship services are held every Sunday afternoon in the basement of St. Thomas Wesley United Church and are followed by a community meal. During the week, Shawn will provide a combination of pastoral care and advocacy, serving the Native community through hospital visits, preparation for baptism, but also by accompanying community members when they visit a lawyer's office or Social Services and by connecting people with community agencies. How you can participate Shawn welcomes visitors to Saskatoon Native Ministry. “Come and check it out. You don't have to come and help; just come and see what's going on,” he says. However, help is also welcome. The church is not financially stable and they welcome financial contributions. The Saskatoon Food Bank provides the food for the Sunday dinner, but Shawn says
they would welcome contributions such as fruit, vegetables or a CHEP Good Food Box to make the Ministry less reliant on the Food Bank and to provide more healthy food for the community. The Ministry also welcomes kitchen helpers and fellow worshippers and sees both of these as ways of building relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. Pastor Shawn will serve the church on a part-time basis. As a white person, he sees his role as a transitional one, preparing the Ministry so that it can be handed over when the right Native person comes along. Shawn feels that there is a personal connection he needs to explore with Native people and he is looking for healing from the racism that is prevalent in our society. Workshops on racism Shawn stresses the difference between prejudice and racism. Prejudice is based on personal experiences and attitudes, but racism is about the structures of wealth, power and privilege within society. Shawn believes that part of his ministry is reaching out to Lutheran and Anglican congregations and offering them workshops and presentations on racism, on the residential school history or on the relationship between Celtic and Aboriginal spirituality. Shawn is delighted to see Saskatoon Native Ministry becoming more and more
Shawn Sanford Beck was presented with some unique symbols of new ministry when he was installed at Saskatoon Native Ministry. The feathers remind Shawn that he is a healer of the people while the talking stick is a symbol of shared authority. The sign represents all that is best in Aboriginal and Christian traditions. Photo- Peggy McKinlay
ecumenical. They are a Lutheran ministry with an Anglican priest located in a United Church building and Shawn believes that Saskatoon's Native community can best be served by a combined ecumenical effort. Aboriginal and Christian traditions Shawn will be working to indigenize the worship service. The Ministry will be moving towards a sacred circle format with worship in the round and a talking stick being passed from person to person so that they can share their reflections on the scripture or on what is going on in their lives. The Gospel is read in Cree and the prayers will incorporate Native symbolism. The Reverend Shawn Sanford Beck urges traditional church congregations to learn from the Aboriginal church and to adopt a totally different way of under-
PWRDF donations have a real impact in the world By Violet Goodfellow PRINCE ALBERT - “The PUMA Tsunami Project was signed today by Minister Eileen Carroll. Not only did she sign it but she added a note saying that this is a great project and that she wants to see more of these projects with tangible results.” This was the message that went out on May 31st of this year to emergency and relief staff in the Presbyterian, United, Mennonite, and Anglican churches (hence PUMA). The minister mentioned, Eileen Carroll, is Canadian Minister for International Co-operation. The four churches had pooled donations received for tsunami relief in Southeast Asia and submitted a proposal to the Canadian government for a relief project that would see the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) co-operating with matching funds. The PUMA project, implemented through Action by Churches Together (ACT) will help rebuild three villages near Cuddalore in Tamil Nada, India. This includes rebuilding disaster-resistant houses, restoring village infrastructures, and helping people restore their livelihoods. Assessment missions are underway and co-ordination is taking place with the government of India and other international non-governmental organizations. Together, the four PUMA churches have also contributed $3,000,000 to ACT
for efforts in Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Thailand, and Somalia. All PUMA monies are channeled through ACT's on-the-ground partners in tsunami-affected areas. The Rev'd White Rakuba, Director of ACT, reflected on the churches' emergency work as ACT neared its 10th anniversary in August. He said, “ The many crises we have responded to as an alliance have highlighted the growing challenges and increasing complexities we face in our responses to emergencies. The impact of HIV and AIDS on communities in emergency, military involvement in the provision of humanitarian assistance, and the threat of the misuse of humanitarian aid for other gains, are challenges confronting all humanitarian actors today. We believe that God's love for mankind knows no boundaries. As a Christian alliance, we believe that there is no greater way of serving God than in unconditional Christian love, which serves all our neighbours in need. In particular, we need to strengthen one of ACT International's greatest assets - our strong local roots through all our members.” It is for such strengthening of relationships that Naba Gurung (PWRDF Development Associate for Asia/Pacific) visited PWRDF partners in Sri Lanka and India during August. PWRDF has
approximately $750,000 for distribution to its partners as they develop strategies for reconstruction and rehabilitation appropriate to their constituencies and regions. With renewed conflict in Northeast Sri Lanka, where two PWRDF partners are based, the challenges of rebuilding are many and complex. Here is a summary of PWRDF funds raised for tsunami relief as of July 25, 2005 : -Total funds - $1,801,493 -Funds raised by donors : $1,282,289 ($555,019 from 3,997 individuals and $727,269 from 641 churches across Canada). -Funds from CIDA - $745,683. -PWRDF also contributed $1,001,242 to the $9,000,000 Canadian church contribution to ACT. -Additional funds to PWRDF partners $750,000 (Editor's note - Much of this information is from Naba Gurung (PWRDF) and from the Presbyterian World Services and Development. Violet Goodfellow is the PWRDF representative for the Diocese of Saskatchewan)
standing mission as a real partnership with each group learning from the other. We live in a city with a large Aboriginal population, but we exist in totally different worlds, and Shawn fears that we are on a collision course. But we have a choice. We can work together to build bridges through the Saskatoon Native Ministry.
Note: The Saskatoon Native Ministry is located in the basement of St. Thomas-Wesley Church at 808 20th Street West. Church services are at 4 p.m. every Sunday followed by a community meal from 5 to 6 p.m. Call Shawn at 244-1381 to offer your help or to ask him to lead a workshop at your church.
Other PWRDF news August 3/05 - Hurricane Dennis PWRDF responded with an emergency relief grant of $5,000.00 to an appeal by ACT for Cubans affected by Hurricane Dennis. August 8/05 - Floods in India PWRDF has provided a $5,000.00 grant to the ACT appeal for the Mahrashtra Floods August 10/05 - Life sustaining assistance PWRDF has responded with an additional emergency relief grant of $10,000.00 to the appeal by ACT for the ongoing flood crisis in Niger. This brings the PWRDF contribution to $20,000.00 to date. PWRDF has also set up communications with an Anglican minister in New Orleans and aid has already been sent there.
You can help to make a difference by supporting PWRDF, either through your church or directly at : PWRDF 80 Hayden Street Toronto, Ontario M4Y 3G2 You may also phone 1 416 924 9198 ext. 320 to make a donation by credit card or by direct debit. The Donor Relations Officer is Mrs. Barbara Wilkins.
4 - The Saskatchewan Anglican, November 2005
Ketepwa, All Saints church
All Saints, Ketepwa, continues its mission
Bishop Duncan Wallace at the door of All Saints on Labour Day Sunday 2005 . Photo - Marion Powell
KETEPWA (QuA)- The little church beside the beautiful lake of Ketepwa in the Qu'Appelle Valley has been the place of worship for travelers and residents alike for many years. The All Saints community has included people who homesteaded in the late 1800’s and brought their Church of England rites with them; also there have been travelers from across continents and cottagers who appear during the summer and then are gone until the next hot weather comes around the following May. “The first Anglican services
in the Katepwe [a spelling sometimes used] area were held in 1884 in private homes and in the Bonnycastle school. In l886 All Saints' church was built in this location.” So says the plaque in front of the little house of worship. This historic site was consecrated on August 21, 1887, by Bishop John Anson, first bishop of Qu'Appelle. In 1945 regular services were discontinued and since then the building is used for summer worship only. By the 1970s the building needed considerable repair. Archbishop Fred Jackson, then bishop of Qu'Appelle, spent his
summers nearby in his valley home and was priest-in-charge of the little church. With volunteer workers and with money from bequests as well as from the provincial government, Archbishop Jackson lead the restoration of the building. While remaining an Anglican house of worship the congregation of All Saints now includes Roman Catholic, Baptist, United, Lutheran, Methodist and sometimes the uncommitted. The All Saints community continues it's mission to be a witness in the valley to the glory of God.
Upcoming Events - Saskatoon Choral Evensong from the Book of Common Prayer will be held at 4:30 p.m. on the first Sunday of November, February, March, April, May and June at All Saint's Church, 1801 Lorne Avenue, Saskatoon. St. Andrew's Anglican Church in Humboldt will be hosting a Fall Tea and Bake Sale on November 5 from 2 - 4 p.m. This is an English Tea Party of the highest quality and an occasion for elegance. High Tea at Humboldt is the best tea party east of Victoria. St. Timothy's Church, Saskatoon, will hold a Christmas Pudding Tea and Bazaar on Saturday, November 19 from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
The Honourable Adrianne Clarkson, former Governor General of Canada, and her husband, John Ralston Saul, are seen coming into St. Paul's Cathedral, Regina on September 4. Ms. Clarkson was in Saskatchewan as part of the province's centennial celebration. Photo - Steve Busch
St. Paul's Anglican Church ACW in Biggar are hosting an Annual Fall Tea and Bake Sale at the New Horizons - 117 - 3rd Ave W - on Wednesday, Nov. 23 from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. Truden Books will be selling books and Christian supplies. St. John's Cathedral will be holding a St. Cecilia's Advent Tea and Bake Sale featuring scrumptious turkey pies in St. John's Hall on Saturday, December 3 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
The Lord is my Shepherd A Sunday school teacher decided to have her young class memorize one of the most oft-quoted passages in the Bible - Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month to learn the verse. Little Bobby was excited about the task but he just could not remember the Psalm. After much practice, he could barely get past the first line. On the day that the kids were scheduled to recite in front of the congregation, Bobby was nervous. When it was his turn, he stepped up to the microphone and said proudly, “ The Lord is my shepherd and that's all I need to know!” (This item is from the newsletter of All Saints' Anglican Church in Melfort)
Things which we ought not to have done ... In the September issue the photo with the article Bishop Duncan Wallace Retires incorrectly identified the lady talking to Bishop Wallace. The lady in the photo is Nora Singleton of Kisbey, Saskatchewan. We regret the error. In the September issue the article Qu'Appelle “Synod Office To Move” was attributed to George Axon. Some of the material of the story was taken from Mr. Axon's paper, “The Synod Office: Diocese of Qu'Appelle;” however, the article was written by Barbara-Lynn Dixon. We regret the mix-up. In the September issue the article on the ordination of Jim Tait inadvertently omitted crediting Grace McLeod, Gull Lake, with contributing material to the story. We regret the omission.
The Saskatchewan Anglican, November 2005 - 5
Upcoming Events - Qu’Appelle November 4 and 5 The Saskatchewan Synod ELCIC gathering of church leaders with responsibility for East Central Saskatchewan will meet to further explore how Christians might work together. Event will take place at the Comfort Inn in Yorkton. This area strategy meeting is open to Lutherans, Anglicans and United Church congregations who are invited to share their stories, hopes and dreams and collectively, seek solutions to the challenges of being the church in this part of Saskatchewan. For more information please contact Roger Haugen at the Saskatchewan Synod Office (ELCIC), 306.244.2474. November 5 St. Augustine, Saltcoats will hold their annual “Craft and Trade Show” at the town hall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch is made available by the United Church Choir. November 6 The Parish of Plain and Valley will hold a dance in the Lumsden Centennial Hall from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Music will be by Len Gadica. Cost is $10.00 per person. November 12 The election of the 11th bishop of the Diocese of Qu'Appelle will take place at St. Paul's Cathedral, Regina, beginning at 9 a.m. November 12 The ACW of St. Mary's Church, Regina, is having a Christmas bake sale with afternoon tea from 1 to 4 p.m. Everyone is welcome. November 15 The Camp Knowles (Qu'A) annual meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at St. John's church hall, Fort QuAppelle. Come out and support the current volunteer board and be part of the selection process for new members of that board. Membership fees of $15 are now due. Membership is required to be able to vote. November 15 to 18 Luther College, University of Regina, “Fair Trade Fair” will be held at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is a Christmas alternative trade sale featuring hand-crafted goods made by artisans in the developing world. Canadian Lutheran World Relief provides the goods for the sale. Canadian Lutheran World Relief is part of an international network of organizations promoting alternative trade as a way of opening international markets to the poor and disadvantaged. Through its non-profit, alternative trade program, Canadian Lutheran World Relief pays struggling artisans in the developing world a fair price for the
goods they produce. These goods are then marketed in Canada with the help of organizations like Luther College. Goods available at the sale will include textiles woven by lepers in India; lacquerware made by Burmese refugees living in Thailand; richly decorated shirts made by islanders living off the coast of Panama; olive wood carvings produced by Palestinians living in the West Bank and more. For more information about the Christmas alternative trade sale, please contact Luther College's university chaplain, Pastor Cheryl Kristolaitis Toth at 306.585-5028. The cost is free. November 25 and 26 Diocese of Qu'Appelle will offer ministry training 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday at All Saints' Church, 142 Massey Road, Regina. The sessions will be led by Dr. Walter Deller from Emmanuel and St. Chad College, Saskatoon. The sessions will look at the different canonical books of wisdom, explore the ways they are similar and different and consider how they connect to the wider world of the ancient Near East and how they influence Jesus' and the New Testament writers' understanding of God's will and communal life. Cost is $ 30.00 payable at the event. For more information please contact Marilyn Dean at the synod office. November 26 St. Stephen's, Swift Current will hold a Victorian Tea from 2 to 4 in the afternoon. November 27 The Luther College Advent service of Lessons and Carols will be held at Luther College Chapel, Luther College, University of Regina at 7 p.m. There will be worship with advent readings from scriptures and music appropriate to the advent season featuring the Luther Bach Choir. There will be a free will offering December 3 St. Augustine, Saltcoats will hold their annual fall “Tea and Bake Sale” at the town hall from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. Decorated trees will be on display. December 4 St. Augustine, Saltcoats will hold their annual “Spirit of Trees and Carols” at the town hall starting at 7 p.m. Various choirs and soloists will entertain with spiritual Christmas music and songs. Donations received will go to the hall fund. December 4 Holy Trinity, Kamsack will hold their annual tea from 2 - 4 in the afternoon.
l to r: Margaret Gliddon, Johanna Hermanus, Lindsay Blacker. Photo - I. Glidden
Teddies from St. Paul’s Cathedral By Lindsay Blacker REGINA - During the past summer ladies of St. Paul's Cathedral have been busy knitting for sick children in the third world. Over 70 Teddy Bears and bags have been made. The home page on the web site Teddies For Tragedies says that the volunteer international project was started by the Women's Royal Voluntary Services workers (W.R.V.S.) in England in 1985 and was such a success that more teddies were requested. Soon teddies were sent to Peru,
Uganda, Zambia, Jamaica, Armenia, Calcutta, Thailand, Romania, Croatia, Albania and to Nepal.Doctors found that the teddies were sometimes as important to healing as the medicines, a way to bring love to the many thousands of babies and toddlers in hospitals and orphanages. As each child gets to keep the teddy a continual supply is needed. For more information on Teddies for Tragedies please contact Johanna Hermanus, 306.789.4541 in Regina or visit <www.teddiesfortragedies.org>.
Shared Ministry in the Battlefords BATTLEFORDS - On August 28, 2005, the congregations of St. George's, Battleford, and St. Paul's, North Battleford, each met to consider a shared future following a request from St. George's. The congregation of St. George's was 90 per cent in favour of a shared two-point parish but had concerns around the times that had been recommended for worship services. St. Paul's congregation not only voted in favour of a shared ministry, but they offered some innovative options regarding worship patterns and church service leadership. It was agreed that St. Paul's would continue with its 8:30 a.m. worship service from the Book of Common Prayer. In addition, on alternat-
ing Sundays, the Reverend Ron Baerg would lead the worship service at either parish. The lay readers of each parish would lead worship services on those Sundays when the priest is serving with the other congregation. In months with five Sundays, a joint worship service will be held and will alternate between St. George's and St. Paul's. The new arrangement will be in place as of November 1 of this year and will be reviewed in May 2006 after the parish has been through two major celebrations of the Christian year, Christmas and Easter. (Editor’s note- based on an article by the Rev’d Ron Baerg in the “St. Paul's Epistle” newsletter, September 2005)
Book, if he be no preacher; or, if he be a preacher, then as he shall think most needful and convenient. And when any is passing out of this life, a bell shall be tolled, and the minister shall not then slack to do his last duty. And after the party's death, if it so fall out, there shall be rung no more than one short peal, and one other before the burial, and one other
after the burial. Canon XVIII mentions that no man shall cover his head during divine service, “except he have some infirmity; in which case let him wear a nightcap or coif.” A coif is usually defined as a thick close-fitting leather cap (formerly worn under chain mail). Watch for more of the Canons in future editions.
From our Anglican past - the Canons of 1603: The following instructions are taken from the “Constitutions and Canons Ecclesiastical” of the Church of England. These canons (or rules) where agreed upon by the English bishops during the reign of James I (he of “King James’ Bible” fame). The Canons give us a unique view of what parish life would have been like in the 17th c. For example,
Canon LXVII says that the minister is to visit the sick: When any person is dangerously sick in any parish, the minister, or curate, having knowledge thereof, shall resort unto him or her, (if the disease be not known, or probably suspected, to be infectious,) to instruct and comfort them in their distress, according to the order of the Communion-
6 - The Saskatchewan Anglican,November 2005
“I can’t wait until next year’s camp” St. Michael’s Youth Conference
Staff and Michaelites eagerly awaiting their turn to go tubing at Jacobsen Bay. Thanks to the Dugan family for their help and hospitality. The cast of Watch Shop Drama Productions fall play, “ For Theirs is the Kindgom”. From left to right - Matthew Kent, Andrea Lett, Ken Loewen, Beth Pott ... all members of a family challenged to remain loyal to the Christian faith under the persecution of the Emperor Nero. The play is coauthored and directed by the Rev’d Tracey Lloyd-Smith of Prince Albert.
Prayer is practical - learning to love our enemies By the Rev'd David Chapman (All Saints, Melfort) “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you; pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:27-28) When someone wrongs you, what is the first thing you do? What is your strategy for dealing with conflict? Do you seek revenge? Do you pretend the conflict never happened and seethe inside until six months later you find yourself blowing up at them for some small thing? Or, how about the old favorite, the “silent treatment”? Allow these strategies to follow their natural course and you may create a new enemy. One of the many beauties of a disciplined Christian life is that we learn not to “follow our heart”, a poor piece of advice commonly heard at graduations. Instead we get in the habit of following the will of God. He teaches us to move from ordinary response like the need for revenge, into loving our enemies. How? The most powerful way of transforming our heart into God's will is the discipline of prayer. Prayer, rather than leaving us to the devices of our heart, connects our will to the will of God. The act of praying for another person is the most profound way of drawing closer to them as Dietrich Bonhoeffer notes, “through the medium of prayer we go to our enemy and stand by his side, and plead for him to God.”
By Shawn Branch CAMP OKEMA Preparation for the spiritual battle continues, as youth from across the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Edmonton attended the 2005 St. Michael's Youth Conference. This was an exciting year for both the staff and participants (the Michaelites) as we gathered each morning to learn how we can be better prepared for the battle which we face. Morning sessions focused on Christian knowledge and Christian living and provided opportunity for Michaelites to see how they can actively live their faith while being sons/daughters/students in a world where the Christian faith is being pushed aside for more “attractive” ways of living. The afternoons and evenings were filled with many activities and despite the rather wet week we had, everyone had a blast. From minigolf to tubing…there wasn't a dull moment at camp. “I can't wait until next year's camp!” exclaims one Michaelite. A return favourite from last year, was the Square Dance. Staff and campers alike set aside their dancing abilities for a good ol' fashioned “ho-down” - the only thing missing was the barn-yard animals. St. Michael's Youth Conference continues to be a joint effort by Camp Okema and the Diocese of Saskatchewan. For more information, visit our website: www.skanglicanyouth.com
If you do not believe that prayer is one of the most powerful ways of getting close to someone, try sitting down with a friend, family member, or spouse and pray with them. If you have never done it before, it will probably feel very awkward and embarrassing (if you actually have the courage to do it!) because it is such an intimate act and such a profound way of drawing us closer together. When we pray for an enemy, we stand with our enemy, before the throne of the Almighty, the One in whom all baptized believers are connected in an unbreakable bond. This profound act of the will, which seems so unnatural to the heart, is the most important step in reconciling with our enemy. Praying for an enemy feels unnatural at first, because it runs counter to the feelings. St. John Chrysostom reminds us that praying for others is the “ summit of self-control.” When wronged, the human heart instinctively wants to wrong back. But the Christian life is about giving our instincts to God and seeking His will first. He asks us not to follow the ordinary response, but the extraordinary response: “If you love those who love you,what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?” (Matthew 5:46) Take a moment now, think of someone who has wronged you recently, think of someone you are mad at, think of an enemy. Do not ignore your feelings of anger, but let them push you into an act of the will bow your head, fold your hands, and lift that person to God in prayer. Pray for their protection, pray that He may reveal to them His love, and pray that He will reveal the way for you to move past the conflict. Lifting them up in prayer means drawing closer to them, as you both come before the throne of God. Now that you have done this, try it again this evening before you go to bed, and again when you wake up in the morning. Keep up this discipline until you have done it for two weeks. After two weeks, notice that you now feel slightly, maybe radically, different about that person. Now that you feel closer to them in prayer, it is time to take the next step. Prayer, if done faithfully, should lead into action. If appropriate, call or visit your enemy and find a way to reconcile. You may be surprised to find that through your prayer for them, they also feel differently about you. The first step to coming in humility before your enemy, is coming meekly on your knees before our Lord - the One who connects all baptized believers in the permanent bond called Jesus Christ.
Tirunelvelli Periyathalaia Village, Tirunelvelli district, Tamilnadu, India. New huts after tsunami. PWRDF funds helped to build these shelters. See PWRDF report on page 3. Photo - Naba Gurung
The Saskatchewan Anglican, November 2005 - 7
Upcoming Events - Saskatchewan
November 11-12 Manna: SAVED!! A Diocesan Youth Event @ St Alban's Cathedral More details to follow or contact: Capt. Shawn Branch (763-2455 or shawn.branch@churcharmy.com) www.skanglicanyouth.com November 12 at 9 a.m. Episcopal Election for the See of Qu'Appelle St. Paul's Cathedral, Regina November 17 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Diocesan Programme Committee November 19 Okema Society Annual General Meeting All Saint's, Melfort 10:00 am For more info, contact: Capt. Shawn Branch (763-2455 or shawn.branch@churcharmy.com) www.okema.ca November 25-26 Youth Leader Training: YOUTH DISCIPLESHIP For more info, contact: Capt. Shawn Branch (763-2455 or shawn.branch@churcharmy.com) www.skanglicanyouth.com
The Reverend Chris Harper to serve in Birch Hills, Kinistino, and Muskoday PRINCE ALBERT - The Rev'd Chris Harper was born in Paradise Hill, Saskatchewan, his earliest home being Onion Lake Reservation. He moved with his family to Camrose, Alberta, where he finished high school. Chris has worked at many jobs and particularly has enjoyed working in emergency services (ambulances), which he did for 19 years. Chris and his wife, Tracy, have two children, Nathan (age 26 who lives in Rochester, New York) and Brandy (who is 23 and lives in Onion Lake). Tracy, who is from the Camrose area, has also worked at many things. She and Chris have managed a restaurant together, while she also has run a bakery and a computer repair business. Tracy helps with Sunday school and is a trained lay reader. About 16 years ago, Chris returned to Onion Lake. There he became a lay reader in the church, a church which had closed its doors for about 12 years. Chris and Tracy worked with the people to help revitalize the congregation. Chris spent 7
years there as a lay reader before going to Toronto to study in a Master of Divinity program, from which he has now graduated. During his time in Toronto, Chris served as a student-minister at St. Thomas' Anglican Church. Providentially, during his summer holidays, he was able to return to Onion Lake each summer for four months to serve an internship there. During those summers, he served in Onion Lake, Deer Creek, Fort Pitt, and Frog Lake. Chris has now begun a new ministry, serving in the Mission of Birch Hills, Kinistino and Muskoday. He is hoping to focus on the development of youth-related ministries in the new parish and to help strengthen the faith of the people. He also hopes to introduce some of the things that he learned during his studies and his time at St. Thomas' in Toronto. Chris, who loves to play the guitar and sing to the Lord, will be ordained to the priesthood on Sunday, October 16, at St. Alban's Cathedral in Prince Albert.
November 27 Commitment Sunday throughout the Diocese December 9-10 Youth Leader Training: CURRENT ISSUES IN YOUTH MINISTRY WHAT NOW??? For more info, contact: Capt. Shawn Branch (763-2455 or shawn.branch@churcharmy.com) www.skanglicanyouth.com April 22, 2006 Diocesan A.C.W. Annual General Meeting St. Alban's Cathedral Speaker: The Rev. Garth Neel
Tuticorin-Periyathalaia Village, Tuticorin district, Tamilnadu, India. Altogether 1,500 families in fishing community. PWRDF partner CASA (Church's Auxiliary for Social Action) is constructing 45 permanent houses for which excavation work has been completed. The site is about 600 meters away from and above the sea. See PWRDF report on page 3.
Photo - Naba Gurung.
The earth is the Lordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and all that therein is ...
The Fir River near Hudson Bay. Photo - Irene Leason
8 - The Saskatchewan Anglican, November 2005
A SERMON OF THE SALVATION OF MANKIND (Editor’s note - We believe that this sermon was written by ArchbishopThomas Cranmer, the architect of our Book of Common Prayer. It was first published in 1547. It was required to be read to the people in the churches in an age when few Anglican clergy were licensed to preach their own sermons. It deals with the heart of the Gospel and is worthy of the closest attention.)
The First Part Because all men be sinners and offenders against God, and breakers of his law and commandments, therefore can no man by his own acts, works, and deeds (seem they never so good) be justified, and made righteous before God: but every man of necessity is constrained to seek for another righteousness or justification, to be received at God's own hands, that is to say, the forgiveness of his sins and trespasses, in such things as he hath offended. And this justification, or righteousness, which we so receive of God's mercy and Christ's merits, embraced by faith, is taken, accepted and allowed of God, for our perfect and full justification. For the more full understanding hereof, it is our parts and duties ever to remember the great mercy of God, how that (all the world being wrapped in sin by breaking of the Law) God sent his only son our Savior Christ into this world, to fulfill the Law for us, and by shedding of his most precious blood, to make a sacrifice and satisfaction, or (as it may be called) amends to his Father for our sins, to assuage his wrath and indignation conceived against us for the same. In so much that infants, being baptized and dying in their infancy, are by this sacrifice washed from their sins, brought to God's favor, and made his children, and inheritors of his kingdom of heaven. And they which in act or deed do sin after their baptism, when they turn again to God unfeignedly, they are likewise washed by this sacrifice from their sins, in such sort, that there remains not any spot of sin, that shall be imputed to their damnation. This is that justification or righteousness which S. Paul speaks of, when he saith, "No man is justified by the works of the Law, but freely by faith in Jesus Christ." And again he saith, "We believe in Jesus Christ, that we be justified freely by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the Law, because that no man shall be justified by the works of the Law" (Galatians 2.16). And although this justification be free unto us, yet it cometh not so freely unto us, that there is no ransom paid therefore at all. But here may mans reason be astonished, reasoning after this fashion. If a ransom be paid for our redemption, then is it not given us freely. For a prisoner that paid his ransom, is not let go freely, for if he go freely, then he goes without ransom: for what is it else to go freely, then to be set at liberty without paying of ransom? This reason is satisfied by the great wisdom of God in this mystery of our redemption, who hath so tempered his justice and mercy together, that he would neither by his justice condemn us unto the everlasting captivity of the devil, and his prison of Hell, remediless for ever without mercy, nor by his mercy deliver us clearly, without justice or payment of a just ransom: but with his endless mercy he joined his most upright and equal justice. His great mercy he showed unto us in delivering us from our former captivity, without requiring of any ransom to be paid, or amends to be made upon our parts, which thing by us had been impossible to be done. And where as it lay not in us that to do, he provided a ransom for us, that was, the most precious body and blood of his own most dear and best beloved Son Jesus Christ, who besides this ransom, fulfilled the law for us perfectly. And so the justice of God and his mercy did embrace together, and fulfilled the mystery of our redemption. And of this justice and mercy of God knit together, speaks Saint Paul in the third chapter to the Romans, "All have offended, and have need of the glory of God, but are justified freely by his grace, by redemption which is in Jesus Christ, whom God hath sent forth to us for a reconciler and peace maker, through faith in his blood, to show his righteousness" (Romans 3.2325). And in the tenth chapter "Christ is the end of the law unto righteousness, to every man that believeth" (Romans 10.4). And in the eighth chapter, "That which was impossible by the law, in as much as it was weak by the flesh, God sending his own Son, in the similitude of sinful flesh, by sin damned sin in the flesh, that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, which walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit" (Romans 8.3-4). In these aforesaid places, the Apostle touches specially three things, which must go together in our justification. Upon God's part, his great mercy and grace: upon Christ's part, justice, that is, the satisfaction of God's justice, or the price of our redemption, by the offering of his body, and shedding of his blood, with fulfilling of the law perfectly and thoroughly; and upon our part true and lively faith in the merits of Jesus Christ, which yet is not ours, but by God's working in us: so that in our justification, is not only God’s mercy and grace, but also his justice, which the Apostle calls the justice of God, and it consists in paying our ransom, and fulfilling of the law: and so the grace of God doth not shut out the justice of God in our justification, but only shuts out the justice of man, that is to say, the justice of our works, as to be merits deserving our justification. And therefore Saint Paul declares here nothing upon the behalf of man, concerning his justification, but only a true and lively faith, which nevertheless is the gift of God, and not man's only work, without God. And yet that faith doth not shut out repentance, hope, love, dread, and the fear of God, to be joined with faith in every man that is justified, but it shuts them out from the office of justifying. So that although they be all present together in him that is justified, yet they justify not all together: Nor the faith also does not shut out the justice of our good works, necessarily to be done afterwards of duty towards God (for we are most bounden to serve God, in doing good deeds, commanded by him in his holy Scripture, all the days of our life) but it excludes them, so that we may not do them to
this intent, to be made good by doing of them. For all the good works that we can do, be imperfect, and therefore not able to deserve our justification: but our justification doth come freely by the mere mercy of God, and of so great and free mercy, that whereas all the world was not able of their selves to pay any part towards their ransom, it pleased our heavenly Father of his infinite mercy, without any our desert or deserving, to prepare for us the most precious jewels of Christ's body and blood, whereby our ransom might be fully paid, the law fulfilled, and his justice fully satisfied. So that Christ is now the righteousness of all them that truly do believe in him. He for them paid their ransom by his death. He for them fulfilled the Law in his life. So that now in him, and by him, every true Christian man may be called a fulfiller of the Law, forasmuch as that which their infirmity lacked, Christ's justice hath supplied.
The Second Part Ye have heard of whom all men ought to seek their justification and righteousness, and how also this righteousness cometh unto men by Christ's death and merits: ye heard also how that three things are required to the obtaining of our righteousness, that is, God's mercy, Christ's justice, and a true and a lively faith, out of the which faith springs good works. Also before was declared at large, that no man can be justified by his own good works, that no man fulfills the Law, according to the full request of the Law. And Saint Paul in his Epistle to the Galatians proves the same, saying thus, "If there had been any law given which could have justified, verily righteousness should have been by the law". And again he saith, "If righteousness be by the Law, then Christ died in vain" (Galatians 2.21). And again he saith, "You that are justified by the law, are fallen away from grace". And furthermore he writes to the Ephesians on this wise, "By grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of your selves, for it is the gift of GOD, and not of works, lest any man should glory" (Ephesians 2.8-9). And to be short, the sum of all Paul's disputation is this: that if justice come of works, then it cometh not of grace: and if it come of grace, then it cometh not of works. And to this end tend all the Prophets, as Saint Peter saith in the tenth of the Acts. Of Christ all the Prophets (saith Saint Peter) do witness that through his name, all they that believe in him, shall receive the remission of sins (Acts 10.43). And after this wise to be justified only by this true and lively faith in Christ, speak all the old and ancient Authors, both Greeks and Latins, of whom I will specially rehearse three: Hilary, Basil, and Ambrose. Saint Hilary saith these words plainly in the ix. Canon upon Matthew, "Faith only justifies". And Saint Basil, a Greek author, writes thus, "This is a perfect and whole rejoicing in God when a man advances not himself for his own righteousness, but acknowledges himself to lack true justice and righteousness, and to be justified by the only faith in Christ. And Paul (saith he) doth glory in the contempt of his own righteousness, and that he looks for the righteousness of GOD, by faith (Philippians 3:9)”. These be the very words of Saint Basil. And Saint Ambrose, a Latin Author, saith these words, "This is the ordinance of GOD, that they which believe in Christ, should be saved without works, by faith only, freely receiving remission of their sins". Consider diligently these words, "Without works by faith only, freely we receive remission of our sins". What can be spoken more plainly, than to say, "That freely without works, by faith only we obtain remission of our sins"? These and other like sentences, that we be justified by faith only, freely, and without works, we do read oft times in the most best and ancient writers. As beside Hilary, Basil, and Saint Ambrose before rehearsed, we read the same in Origen, Saint Chrisostome, Saint Cyprian, Saint Augustine, Prosper, Oecumenius, Phocius, Bernardus, Anselme, and many other Authors, Greek, and Latin. Nevertheless, this sentence, that we be justified by faith only, is not so meant of them, that the said justifying faith is alone in man, without true repentance, hope, charity, dread, and the fear of God, at any time and season. Nor when they say, that we be justified freely, they mean not that we should or might afterward be idle, and that nothing should be required on our parts afterward: Neither they mean not so to be justified without good works, that we should do no good works at all, like as shall be more expressed at large hereafter. But this saying, that we be justified by faith only, freely and without works, is spoken for to take away clearly all merit of our works, as being unable to deserve our justification at God's hands, and thereby most plainly to express the weakness of man, and the goodness of God, the great infirmity of our selves, and the might and power of God, the imperfectness of our own works, and the most abundant grace of our Savior Christ, and therefore wholly to ascribe the merit and deserving of our justification unto Christ only, and his most precious blood shedding. This faith the holy Scripture teaches us, this is the strong rock and foundation of Christian religion, this doctrine all old and ancient authors of Christ's Church do approve, this doctrine advances and sets forth the true glory of Christ, and beats down the vain glory of man, this whosoever denies, is not to be accounted for a Christian man, nor for a setter forth of Christ's glory, but for an adversary to Christ and his Gospel, and for a setter forth of man's vain glory. And although this doctrine be never so true (as it is most true indeed) that we be justified freely without all merit of our own good works (as Saint Paul doth express it) and freely by this lively and perfect faith in Christ only (as the ancient authors used to speak it) yet this true doctrine must be also truly understood and most plainly declared, lest carnal men should take unjustly occasion thereby to live carnally, after the appetite and will of the world, the flesh and the devil. And because no man should err by mistaking of this doctrine, I shall plainly and shortly so declare the right understanding of the same, that no man shall justly think that he may thereby take any occasion of carnal liberty, to follow the desires of the flesh, or that thereby any kind of sin shall be committed, or any ungodly living the more used. (To be continued...)