Happy 50th Anniversary, PWRDF
October 2009
A Section of Anglican Journal
PWRDF at 50;How is it doing?
ByJeanette M. Dean - SASKATOON - PWRDF has had to rethink its ambitious plans for fundraising and for the celebration of its 50th Anniversary in the light of the global recession. It has trimmed its budget and it has developed some exciting initiatives and projects that are feasible and practical for churches to carry out. The plan to bring 50 refugee families to Canada is already being implemented by the diocese of Saskatoon and its exciting progress is reported on elsewhere in this issue. PWRDF has a new section on its web site called the CAFÉ. Here, it Celebrates, increases Awareness, and tells stories of Fundraising and Educates. Read the stories of its work around the world, There's a new one each week and they deserve a place on the bulletin board in all our churches. Another fundraising initiative, “From Cookies to Champagne” is challenging each ecclesiastic province to come up with 50th fundraising events involving food during the Anniversary year, Three churches in Saskatoon responded very early to this initiative. Firstly, Christchurch Anglican had a moving and enlightening dessert evening at which Bishop Cindy and Pastor Jim Halmarson shared their experiences of a visit to Palestine. A large audience of Anglicans and Lutherans at this event gave generously to support the relief work that ACT is doing there. Next, after a service, that increased awareness of PWRDF's work, St. Mark's had a meal of bangers mash and thirdly, St. Timothy's had a special Lenten luncheon. Money raised from these latter two meals will go to the Refugee Project. In the next few months several more churches in the diocese are planning events like these. It would be wonderful if every church could have a “foody” fundraiser, have fun, take pictures, and send an account of it to the PWRDF diocesan coordinator Mary Ann Assailly, so that it can be put on the national website. More about PWRDF on Page 3
Why go to Church?
Qu'Appelle PWRDF News
by Karen Dickson
by Basil Pogue, PWRDF Diocesan Representative
I know a lot of people who are Church members, but only a few attend regularly. This is how it used to be for me, too. Usually I would just go to Church for special occasions, like Christmas or Easter. But then, the more I attended Church services and got to know the Reverends and members better, I found I felt not as connected to God, and even guilty, when I missed too many services. Now, after a Church service, I leave with renewed faith, something I just can't get by reading the Bible and praying at home all by myself (although those things are important too.) Now I find I actually “like” being part of a Church Community. Helping out with Luncheons, engaging in thought-provoking Bible Studies and other Church activities are actually fun! I guess you could call it my “safe haven” from this crazy world we live in (laugh!). When asked about Church, some people say they believe in God but don't need to go to Church. Maybe they don't like some of the people that go to that Church or think the Church just wants their money. For whatever reason, they are missing out on a great experience. Here's a quote from the book “Habits of the Heart” that may describe some people's idea of religion Sheila Larson is a young nurse who has received a good deal of therapy and describes her faith as 'Sheilaism.' “I believe in God,” Sheila says. “I am not a religious fanatic. I can't remember the last time I went to church. My faith has carried me a long way. It's sheilaism. Just my own little voice.” In his book about understanding and appreciating the liturgy, entitled “Beyond Smells and Bells,” author Mark Galli
2008 Donations
Photo contributed
Karen Dickson is a member of St Patrick's Church, where she attends in Hudson Bay, Diocese of Saskatchewan. She has enjoyed exploring her faith and her local church more and more since her baptism in 2002.
explains the problem he sees with this way of thinking. “ 'My little voice' guides many lonely people to and through New Age, wicca, Buddhism, labyrinth, Scientology, yoga, meditation, and various fads in Christianity - and then creates a new Sheilaism from the fragments that have not been discarded along the way. Fortunately God loves us so much he has made it a 'spiritual law' that Sheilaism … becomes boring after awhile. The gift of the liturgy - and it is precisely why I need the liturgy - is that it helps me hear not so much 'my little voice' but instead the still, small voice (Psalm 46). It leads away from the self and points me toward the community of God.” So please give the Church a try. Mark Galli admits that the Church isn't a perfect place. He even goes so far as to call it “dysfunctional” (!) He writes: “No wonder many disciples bitterly abandon the church, striking out on their own, hoping against hope that, maybe as individuals shorn of reli
gion, they can scale spiritual heights. Granite peaks do offer sweeping vistas, but they are lonely places. Saints like Francis of Assisi, Teresa of Avila, and Ignatius of Loyola, while knowing peak experiences, grounded themselves in the fellowship of prayer called the church. They knew that they could not ultimately love God whom they had not seen if they could not love those whom they could see.” I would like to challenge everyone out there: if you have not been to Church in a long time, please come to just one Church Service. You will be glad you did. Come on out and listen to an inspiring sermon, sing some songs, or sit and pray. We have a great little Church. I hope you will take time out of your busy lives to come and enjoy it. See you there!
In 2008, donations to Primate's World Relief and Development Fund from the diocese of Qu'Appelle reached the highest total since 1993, with more than $80,700 being contributed to support the work. This was a 28% increase over the previous year. While some of the total was in support of relief work in response to disasters in China and Burma, the vast majority of donations were for PWRDF's general development work in more than 20 countries around the world and 12 Canadian indigenous communities. Thank you to the people of Qu'Appelle for your generosity and your support of this work of Canadian Anglicans.
Bridges of Seeds In late 2008, Basil Pogue received a telephone call from Archdeacon Rob Hardwick saying that the Vestry of St. Stephen's, Swift Current, wanted to donate $1,000.00 to provide non-transgenic seeds to communities in Chiapas, Mexico. Communities devastated by Hurricane Stan in October 2005 had received terminator seeds as part of an emergency food security program. Terminator seeds do not produce seeds viable for a second crop. This story had fallen on fertile ground in the people of St. Stephen's. PWRDF Latin America Coordinator, Suzanne Rumsey, then arranged a small subsidiary project through our partner in Chiapas, K'inal Antzetik, and the money was sent south. According to the project plan, it would provide 70 cones of mushroom seeds, 1,800 gladiola bulbs, four pounds each of radish and Rio Grande tomato seeds, and five pounds each of carrot, chard and squash seeds. Sixty women and their families would benefit from the
2 - The Saskatchewan Anglican, October 2009
Bishop’s Message
Diocese of Saskatoon - Announcements for October, 2009
by the Right Reverend Michael W. Hawkins, Bishop of Saskatchewan
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 (for example, July submissions will be in the September issue). 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.
Glad and Generous Hearts On a cool, crisp Sunday morning a man made his way in the woods. He was taken up with the beauty and peace of God's good creation until he tripped on a rock, dropped his rifle and slid down a hill. A little shaken up and mad at himself for being so clumsy, he got up and brushed himself off only to find himself face to face with a bear. He tried to stay calm but the bear was obviously angered by this sudden intrusion. The bear started towards him. The would be hunter was desperate. All kinds of guilty thoughts came to mind but trusting in God's mercy, he prayed, “O Lord, forgive me, and please, somehow make this bear a Christian.” The sudden miracle could not be denied, the bear stopped dead in its tracks, sat down, joined its front paws and said, “Bless, O Lord, this food which of thy bounty I am about to receive.” It was said of the earliest Christians, “they partook of food with glad and generous hearts (Acts 2.46).” Is that true of us? Saint Paul summarizes the sin of the world. He says that sin is a confusion of the Creator with the creation and he mentions sexual immorality as well as envy, murder, strife, gossip, boasting, disobedience and being heartless and ruthless, as examples of sin but he sums the whole thing up in this way. “Although they knew God they did not honour him as God or give thanks to him (Romans 1.21).” Sin is ingratitude. And it is this ingratitude which makes us mean and cheap. We give little and we forgive even less. If we recognize the truth that our sins of omission are always greater than our sins of commission, then we may be better prepared to see that sin for the Christian is at its root ingratitude, leaving undone those
Can African woman be treated in Canada? PWRDF explores different options BY MARITES N. SISON Francine Nijimbere, the woman whose arms were severed in an attack, waits for treatment. The Primate's World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) is exploring treatment options in Canada for Francine Nijimbere, a 26-year-old woman from Burundi, whose arms were severed in an attack by her brother-in-law.
The Right Reverend Michael W. Hawkins, Bishop of Saskatchewan things that we ought to have done. Sin is the refusal to be transformed by the saving generosity of God. This is the story of the manna that rots and breeds worms when hoarded. This is the story of the servant who was forgiven ten thousand talents and would not forgive an hundred pence. Yet, guilt will not make us grateful. It is only the grace of God that can make us grateful, the generosity of God that can make us generous. It is in the recognition of what God has done for us and given to us, in creation, in the gifts of life and health and safety, and in the beauty and wonder of human life, that we may become grateful and supremely it is in the recognition of God's saving generosity in Christ Jesus that Christians are thankful. The Gospel of our salvation is that God is kind to the ungrateful and selfish. It is faith that can see and hear and understand this, faith that recognizes not only the gifts but the Giver of all, faith that can taste and see how gracious the Lord is. At the Altar in Church and at Table at Home, we may taste and see how gracious the Lord is and feed at both “by faith with thanksgiving.” May God's grace and generosity so touch you and me that we too may be known for our glad and generous hearts. +Michael “Ms. Nijimbere's story, published in the May issue of the Anglican Journal, touched many readers, some of whom made donations for her and for programs that address gender justice issues. As of June, donations have totalled $2,500. We continue to pursue the medical partner option, but until the medical partner commits, we can't make an announcement,” said Cheryl Curtis, PWRDF utive director. “But there is positive indication we can find a way forward.” “We have been deeply touched” by the level of support for Ms. Nijimbere, said Ms. Curtis. “I know that people are anxious and...I want to assure them that there are small but clear steps forward.”
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.
The Right Reverend Rodney Andrews' Schedule: Sunday, October 4th, Porcupine Plain Parish; Wednesday, October 7th, Parish Day, St. George's, Saskatoon; Wednesday, October 14th, Parish Day, St. James', Saskatoon; Sunday, October 18th, Lintlaw/Endeavour Parish; October 22nd to 24th, ACC Pension Board Meetings, Toronto; Sunday, October 25th, All Saints', Saskatoon; Wednesday, October 28th, Parish Day, St. Stephen's, Saskatoon; and October 30th to 31st, “Starting Now” Conference, Saskatoon. “Starting Now” A conference on Mission and Church Building; As part of the mission-building action of the diocesan Strategic Plan, “Turning Hope Into Action” the Diocese will be holding a conference entitled “Starting Now” October 30th and 31st. The keynote speaker and facilitator will be the Reverend Canon Harold Percy of Trinity Church, Streetsville, Ontario. It is hoped representatives of all parishes will participate. Please mark your calendars now and make plans to attend this vital conference on the subject of church renewal. Integrity Saskatoon: Meetings are held at St. James', Saskatoon on the second Saturday of each month at 7 p.m. The regular meetings include a talking circle and Eucharist with fellowship to follow; babyitting is available during meetings for those with children. For more information contact the Reverend Ann Marie Nicklin at: (306) 948-3460 or: benjie60@gmail.com. For further information and to view related articles, links and photographs of Integrity events: www.integritysaskatoon.blogspot.com. Saskatoon Native Ministry: Meetings are held every second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. A Sacred Circle Worship is held Sunday at 4 p.m.; worship is followed by a community meal at 5 p.m. All events are held at: St. Thomas Wesley United Church, 808 20th St.. For information call: 244-1381 or E-mail: snm@sasktel.net. Diocesan Council Meeting: A meeting of the Diocesan Council will be held Saturday, October 17th, at St. George's, Saskatoon from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Fall Book Sale: The annual St. George's, Saskatoon Book Sale (and sale of used clothes and bake sale) will be held, in the Parish Hall, on Friday, October 23rd and Saturday, October 24th. APPOINTMENTS, RESIGNATIONS ETC: The Right Reverend Rodney Andrews, Bishop of Saskatoon has announced the date of his retirement as February 28th, 2010. A special diocesan synod has been announced, to elect a new bishop, for November 14th, at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Saskatoon. Nominations for the position of bishop, may be submitted to the Office of Synod, by members of Synod. The ordination of Mr. Quenton Little as deacon was held at All Saints Church, Saskatoon, on Tuesday, September 1st. The process of figuring out the best treatment and rehabilitation plan for Ms. Nijimbere is “a lengthy process,” said Ms. Curtis. Medical records have to be assessed to see if she can receive prosthetics. If she can, then fitting of prosthetics plus rehabilitation could take anywhere from three to six months and costs for these plus accommodation and transportation have yet to be calculated, said Ms. Curtis.
Managing Editor: Fred Stephens, 51 - 10th St. NE, Weyburn SK. S4H 1G8 Phone 306-842-7235 Email: skeditor@yahoo.ca Qu’Appelle: Joanne Shurvin-Martin, 6927 Farrell Bay Regina SK S4X 3V4 Phone: 306-775-2629 Email: wsmartin@accesscomm.ca Saskatoon: Peter Coolen, 820Avenue I South Saskatoon SK S7M 1Z3 Phone: 306-244-0935 Email: ptrcoolen@sasktel.net Saskatchewan: The Reverends Julie and Steven Page, P.O. Box 274, Hudson Bay, SK, S0E 0Y0P Phone (306) 865-3488; Email: HudsonBayArborfield@SaskTel.net
The option to bring Ms. Nijimbere to Canada was explored after the bishop of the diocese of Bujumbura, Pie Ntukamazina, informed PWRDF that Burundi has no treatment and rehabilitation facilities to deal with her kind of medical situation. Reprintedfrom the Anglican Journal www.anglicanjournal.com/pwrdf
Published monthly except July and August Published from 51 - 10th Street NE, Weyburn SK S4H 1G8 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. 292, Vol. 33, No. 5 A Section of Anglican Journal
The Saskatchewan Anglican, October 2009 - 3 Qu'Appelle PWRDF News (continued from page 1) gseed donations. The flowers from the ladiola bulbs would be sold in local markets along with the tomatoes and mushrooms to multiply the economic effect for the six communities involved. In June 2009, St. Stephen's sent a further $1,250 to continue this work - a true response to the call: In Faith, Join Hands, Inspire Hope.
Long service recognition In February 2009, Elaine Hanson indicated she wished to retire from the position of PWRDF Parish Representative in St. John's, Fort Qu'Appelle. Elaine served in this job for more than 25 years. A certificate recognizing this dedicated service will be presented to her in the near future. Thank you, Elaine, for this long time labour!
50th Anniversary The Primate's World Relief and Development Fund traces its beginning to Canadian Anglicans reaching out to support people caught up in the tragedy of the Springhill Mine disaster in Nova Scotia. In September 1959, General Synod created the Primate's World Relief Fund. Ten years later a focus on development in the third world was added - PWRDF had arrived. In the 50 years since October 23, 1958 more than $90 million has been contributed to the Fund, $1.9 million from the diocese of Qu'Appelle. PWRDF is now celebrating its 50th anniversary over a 20-month period that began in October 2008 and will end with the General Synod meeting in Halifax in June 2010. Many different events are being held in dioceses and parishes across Canada to mark the anniversary. In addition, PWRDF is working with refugee coordinators to achieve the resettlement of 50 refugees or refugee families during this anniversary time. With a view to future strengths, a program called 50 Leaders is being implemented through justGeneration.ca - the youth arm of PWRDF. Because the anniversary has also coincided with the Diocese of Qu'Appelle's 125th anniversary, planning for a possible Qu'Appelle diocesan celebration has been deferred to early 2010. Parish Representatives Workshop A workshop for PWRDF parish representatives will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2009 at St. Mary's Anglican Church in Regina. Beth Baskin, PWRDF Public Engagement Team Leader will talk about the development of PWRDF, its current work, and the 50th anniversary program. In addition, Dave Meier will speak on the
Notes from the Diocese of Saskatchewan Remember to pray for the Diocesan Synod, taking place in Prince Albert on October 16th and 17th.
work of the Canadian Food Grains Bank and Dick Peters will outline the advocacy work of Kairos: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives. Ralph Paragg, Diocesan Refugee Coordinator, will bring participants up to date on refugee work in the diocese. Bishop Gregory will preside at Eucharist and a brief commissioning service. Though primarily designed to equip parish representatives, anyone interested in the work of PWRDF may attend and be welcome. The registration fee is $15.00 to cover the cost of lunch. Please contact Basil Pogue at (306) 586-6846 or by email at quapwrdf@sasktel.net to register.
Solidarity with Ciudad Juárez Since Felipe Calderon declared a war on drugs in Mexico shortly after becoming President in 2006, the streets and neighbourhoods of Ciudad Juárez (just across the international border from El Paso, Texas) have become increasingly dangerous. Juárez already had a serious problem of feminicides with young women being disappeared or murdered on an almost daily basis. With the Mexican government's war on drugs, the city has becomevery militarized. This was not evident when the PWRDF delegation visited Juárez in March 2007. However, in the past two years the situation has changed violently and for the worse. For more than 30 years the drug trafficking had taken place with little intervention by authorities. But in 2007 the Sinaloa cartel began to move in on the Ciudad Juárez cartel to try to control the drug trade and the violence began to increase. The homicide rate climbed astronomically reaching 1,607 deaths by yearend 2008. No country, that is not at war, has this level of violence. There is one of the highest levels of violence in the world in Ciudad Juárez. This year, more than 1,000 homicides had occurred by early July. In the face of this, churches in El Paso are discouraging their members from crossing into Juárez. And yet there is a need for Christians to remain in solidarity with and in support of our brothers and sisters in Juárez. A Solidarity with Ciudad Juárez delegation will meet in El Paso, September 22-27. PWRDF has asked Basil Pogue to attend as its representative given his interest in Mexico and (somewhat) familiarity with the issues in Ciudad Juárez. The delegation's meetings will also include a day with Liberation theologian Richard Rohr. On September 20-22, the University of Texas at El Paso is holding a public policy forum focused on the 40-year U.S. war on drugs, which delegates are also encouraged to attend. The Rev. Billy Graham tells of a time early in his career when he arrived in a small town to preach a sermon. Wanting to mail a letter, he asked a young boy where the post office was. When the boy told him, Rev. Graham thanked him and said, “If you'll come to the Baptist church this evening, you can hear me telling everyone how to get to Heaven.” “I don't think I'll be there,” the boy said. “You don't even know your way to the post office.”
Saskatoon Diocese Sponsors Refugee Family
OBITUARIES
By Barb Spurr and Mary Ann Assailly; Co-chairs of the Settlement Committee Earlier this year the Diocesan PWRDF Refugee Committee met to discuss responding to the National PWRDF initiative for its 50th Anniversary : “50 years 50 Refugees”. A letter was sent and a presentation made to Saskatoon Diocesan Council on Feb.7th,2009 asking them to consider backing the proposal. The vote was an unanimous yes, that we as a Diocese sponsor a refugee family. Preliminary meetings were held with the invitation for all PWRDF parish representatives to attend a June 13th workshop or be informed. On the 13th Klaus Gruber conducted the workshop for those interested in being involved with the refugees. Twenty-four Anglicans attended and volunteered to offer their skills on the Settlement Committee: language, education, housing, health, transportation, furniture/furnishings, food, clothing, employment and more. That day we were told of the proposed Iraqi family of five that Citizenship and mmigration Canada (CIC) said were Visa approved. Committees began working and communicating. The response for furniture has been overwhelming; we are ready to furnish and outfit a three-bedroom apartment. Housing, short term and long term, has been investigated; agencies have been approached; interpreters are ready to assist and we, of the Settlements Committee are undergoing volunteer police checks. There is so much to be done and all before we really get going. There is now confirmation of our Araqi family: father, mother and three little girls ages 6, 4 and 1 and1/2. We do know that they ran from their home in Baghdad, in 2006 and have been in a camp in Syria, where the youngest girl was born. They are being handled by the Damascus Visa Post and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) will be trying to find them reasonable flights. Now we prayerfully wait. Will they arrive? In three months, three weeks or three days ! There remains an ongoing need for the donation of funds to cover the initial and day- to-day expenses. We are working on a budget of $20,000.00; we know that PWRDF contributes $2,600.00 to each sponsorship of five or more people and that CIC will match this contribution. Funds are also being donated by parishes and individuals. If you are called to donate, please make your donation cheque out to: “St John's Anglican Cathedral” and on the memo line put “PWRDF refugee fund #3”. Income tax receipts will be issued at the end of the year. For more information, to volunteer or to arrange to make non-monetary donation please phone: Barb Spurr at 373 - 4579 or, Mary Ann Assailly at 382 - 0766.
Photo contributed
Reverend John Matthews Reverend John Gilbert Matthews was born in Regina, SK, March 16, 1922 to Ernest and Alice Matthews and passed away in Prince Albert, SK on August 10, 2009. John was predeceased by his wife Agnes, the love of his life, in February 2009; his sister Barbara (Bob) Armet, and his brothers Harry (Phyllis), and Richard (Geraldine) Matthews. Uncle John will be fondly remembered by numerous nieces and nephews and many friends whose lives he touched throughout his life. As a young man, John joined the Canadian Armed Forces stationed overseas during the 2nd World War. John was ordained as an Anglican minister in 1955 and served in churches across Western Canada: Winnepeg and Manitou, Manitoba, Chemainus, and Vancouver, BC, Fort McMurry, AB, Nipawin and finally Prince Albert where he eventually retired, June 30, 1990. A role very dear to his heart was Hospital Chaplaincy. John was Honorary Assistant Priest at St. Alban's Cathedral, Prince Albert until his death. John's joy was serving God and his congregations along with the loving support of his wife Agnes. A Memorial Service will be held 1:30PM on Friday, August 21, Bishop Michael Hawkins officiating, at St. Alban's Cathedral, 1410 Bishop McLean Crescent, Prince Albert, SK. In lieu of other tributes, memorial donations can be made to Mont St. Joseph Foundation. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Gray's Funeral Chapel, Drew Gray, Funeral Director.
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. for we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13
4 - The Saskatchewan Anglican, October 2009 The “Turning Hope into Action” Team presents
The " Starting Now" Conference With Keynote Speaker:
The REV. HAROLD PERCY Priest, Author, Lecturer, and Evangelist With a passion for congregational development and evangelism, Harold will have us think about what it is we are supposed to be doing as the 'Church' in these difficult times. How might our thinking, our perspective and our direction need to change in order to get on with our work - and what are the implications of that for our life and witness today? If you are passionate about surviving and even thriving in these tough times and if you have a hunger for fresh ideas and strategies for being all that God calls you to be then don't miss this conference.
OCTOBER 30th AND 31st, 2009 October 30th, Christ Church, 515 - 28th St., Saskatoon 6:30 p.m. - Meet and Greet for early arrivals 7:00 p.m. - Banquet Dinner and Harold Percy's Introductory Address October 31st, St. James', 607 Dufferin Ave., Saskatoon 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. - Conference and Workshop (lunch included)
Conference Fee: $50.oo per person (Includes lunch and Banquet) Billets are available upon request. Registration forms are available at your parish office or you may call St. John's Cathedral office: (306) 242-5146 For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Cor.6:2
Book Review: In the Eye of the Storm: Swept to the Center by God; Bishop Gene Robinson by Jim Komar, St. James', Saskatoon
5-Day Club Comes to Hudson Bay Staff Hudson Bay (SASK) On a warm, sunny Friday afternoon, Melissa Genoway stood on the lawn of St. Patrick's Anglican Church in Hudson Bay. Surrounding her were two dozen children, each one with a bucket, squirt gun or water balloon, all aimed her way. How did Melissa find herself in this situation, facing an impending soaking? Melissa was in the Hudson Bay area in late August as a missionary worker for the Child Evangelism Fellowship of Saskatchewan (CEFS). This organization, which has been around for more than 50 years, seeks to bring the good news of Jesus, and of God's love, to children around the province. One way they do this is by leading “5-Day Clubs” for kids ages 5 to 12, a mini Vacation-Bible-School. These are neighbourhood Bible clubs held in a Christian home, a church, or other community location for an hour and a half for five consecutive days. This year, CEF-S sent nearly two dozen workers like Melissa to lead 300 such clubs in cities, towns and reserves all around the province. At the clubs, the missionaries shared the Good News of Jesus through songs with simple words and lots of actions, through memory verses, with prizes as added motivation, and through stories about important Biblical characters and their faith. Melissa Genoway was the missionary who came to Hudson Bay this year. She is from Three Hills, Alberta, where she recently completed the first year of a nursing certificate at Prairie Bible College. During that year, she became a Christian, and says that meant “I devoted my life to Christ.” Yet spending her summer working with children for CEF-S was a surprise. “I was not aware that God was directing me to teach clubs this summer, until I took a step of faith and followed God's calling to come to Regina,” she said. The 5-Day Clubs are geared to be delivered in whatever space is available, including the back yard of a private home. In Hudson Bay this August, there were four clubs, and each was held at area churches (Church of God, Mennonite, Adventist and Anglican). Melissa noted that this summer she had done more clubs in backyards than in churches. The kids are encouraged to bring a friend to the club. Melissa bravely promised that, if more than 25 children came, she would let them soak her and have a water fight after the final day's lesson. And the children responded to this challenge. At St Patrick's club, the small crowd of 7 kids on the first day grew to 27 by Friday, all of whom enjoyed spraying, squirting or otherwise helping Melissa keep her soggy pledge. One challenge CEF-S faces is plugging the children into local churches, to help their faith continue to grow beyond the end of the 5-Day Club. St Patrick's church in Hudson Bay feels that challenge as well. More than half the children who attended their club do not attend any church in town. “It showed me that there is a real need to reach out to the children and families in our area,” said the Rev'd Steve Page, priest-in-charge of St Patrick's church. “Now that they've been introduced to Jesus, we need to find ways to help them grow this budding faith.”
Christianity, the most professed of the world's religions, is probably its least understood. Tragically, from time to time, the immense contributions of Christianity to human progress and Western civilization have been obscured and compromised by power brokers, ecclesiastical and lay, who sought to make it, from a way of life in a loving relationship with God and neighbor, into a collection of academic incredibilities which served the ends of the privileged, acquisitive few at the expense of the many, so that the lust for power could masquerade as piety. Every so often, however, a Christian leader arises with the faith and courage to challenge the champions of self-interest. In our own day, Bishop Robinson is one of these champions; all the braver and more faithful for being openly gay and married to another man in an age in which rampant homophobia is tearing our church apart. His book opens with over three-and-a-half pages of endorsements by people with first-caliber religious credentials and a foreword by Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The basis of their approval of the author and his topic is evident after the first few pages have been read. Robinson asks very searching questions about what it means to be a Christian, and you don't have to be a theologian to understand his answers. He confronts the arguments of his detractors head on, boldly, with the conviction born of a pastor's understanding of the Bible and the human heart, and without bitterness in response to the vilification which has been heaped upon him. His insights into the meaning of dialogue offer hope to those who seek our Anglican middle way of fellowship in the midst of diversity. They recall the finest hour of the early Church at the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15), where faith in the Risen Christ took precedence over cultural differences. Bishop Robinson makes clear that homosexuality is a scapegoat, the tip of an iceberg, in an ocean of turmoil battering the Christian faith today. Two centuries of critical biblical scholarship and progress in science have raised questions about the nature of God, the authority of Scripture, the origin of the universe, Photo contributed and the role of experience versus tradition; all of these challenge our understanding of the universe and our Melissa with kids role and place within it. I am grateful to the author of "In the Eye of the Storm" for his role in meeting these challenges. In an age of ecclesiastical careerists and those who place the Church (read "office and perks") and the status quo above the Good News of Jesus of Nazareth, how marvelous and refreshing to find a believer who is a bold spiritual leader. Gene Robinson is a man “Swept to the Center by God.” Published by Seabury Books, ISBN - 10: 1596270888 192 pg, $30.75 CAN
The Challenge of the Frontier
This year the Diocese of Qu'Appelle celebrates 125 years of ministry and witness to the Christian faith in southern Saskatchewan. This is the fourth in a series of historical vignettes prepared by the 125th Anniversary Committee at the request of the Bishop to recognize this milestone in the life of the Church. by Trevor Powell Despite its early ministry among First Nations people, the Anglican Church, unlike other denominations, found it difficult to reach its members scattered across the prairie frontier. The failure of Canadian Anglicans to respond in a generous fashion was given as the chief reason. While statistically correct, a lack of suitable manpower ranks a close second. Methodists and Presbyterians were successful in recruiting most of their clergy from eastern parts of Canada whereas Anglicans were not. Failure of Canadian-born or Canadian-trained clergy to volunteer for domestic mission work meant missionary dioceses like Qu'Appelle had to recruit largely in England. A young priest fresh from England or eastern Canada often had to undergo a period of adjustment before he could work effectively and win acceptance from parishioners. Even men with sufficient dedication and daring could not always cope with the hardships, privations, danger and isolation of the frontier. In publications of the day, clergy recounted their experiences. There were the monotonous, if not exhausting, trips in the heat of summer or the cold of winter made by the Rector of Grenfell, Frank V. Baker, arriving disappointed to find “… only a handful of people gathered” for a service. Or Rev. Arthur Wells and his wife, Janet, who set off on a 'driving tour' to visit settlers under his spiritual care. Their 200-mile journey took them to the Alberta border and back to their 14 x 16 foot vicarage in Kindersley “where we arrived sunburnt and very dusty” only to find difficulty in getting “…enough water to wash with, it is such a scarce commodity.” Or Rev. John Shelley of Cannington Manor who escaped death from a raging prairie fire by driving his team of horses and democrat into a slough! Hardships, privations and the occasional danger were to be expected. It was the loneliness of the frontier, however, which could break the spirit of the most determined character. Rev. Malcolm Winter of Saltcoats described “the feeling of utter loneliness that comes over one when quite alone on these long trips …; no beaten trail for the horses and sleigh to run on, no house to be seen, nor any sign or token of human life.” Or, there are the haunting lines of Rev. Malcolm Buchannan of the Prairie Brotherhood penned from “my temporary prison” while trapped for days in blizzard conditions southwest of Weyburn. To counter the isolation and to share common problems, the Rector of Outlook, James Williams, invited clergy and lay readers from as far as 60 miles to a day of worship, discussion and socializing which ended with Evensong at St. Mark's during “which responses were sung for the first time.” This informal gathering in the Spring of 1910 set the tone for more regular meetings of clergy as rural deanery chapters were set up prior to the First World War.
Confirmation at Church of the Ascension, Arborfield
Staff ARBORFIELD (SASKATCEWAN) The Rt. Rev'd Michael Hawkins, Bishop of Saskatchewan, was in Church of the Ascension, Arborfield, for a Confirmation and celebration of our annual Parish Sunday this August. Braeden Daniel Edwards was confirmed during the Sunday morning communion service, a joint one with St. Patrick's Church in Hudson Bay. The service was followed by the annual Parish Pot Luck and a time for parishioners to visit with Bishop Michael. Photo contributed
Braeden Edwards poses with Bishop Michael Hawkins on the occasion of his confirmation.
The Saskatchewan Anglican, October 2009 - 5
ST.MICHAEL'S ANNUAL BIKE-ATHON AUGUST 8-9 2009..
LUMSDEN……A summer haze filtered early morning sun and no wind greeted enthusiastic bikers and walkers August 8,9 for the annual St. Michael's Retreat House walk/bike-a-thon. Bike enthusiasts gathered in the parking lot of Sobey's on Rochdale Boulevard north Regina and at 8 a.m. in groups of six left for the 28 Kilometre route to the Retreat House in the Lumsden Valley. Walkers chose between a five or 10 Kilometre route through the town of Lumsden from the campground. “It was a great day” said Penny Malone who annually organizes a group from Regina's Christ the King Parish. “It was a long walk up the hill but some of the walkers picked Saskatoons to sustain them and it was just a beautiful day.” Reverend Kevin Lynch ofm, Chair of the Inter-Church Board that governs operations at St. Michael's, along with Friends of St. Michael's Lawrence McGinnis and Maureen Miller biked Saturday, August 8 from the Retreat House to Bethune and back, a distance of about 74 Kilometres. Lynch's bike snapped a spoke on the return trip requiring a quick repair from Dutch Cycle which enabled him to join the Sunday group in Regina. “We didn't have quite as many people as last year but together participants raised $$$$$$$$$. All funds raised go to support programs at the Retreat House. “Fund raising is very important to the operation of St. Michael's and we're very grateful to all who participated and raised funds,” said Lynch. The Friends of St. Michael's also organize an annual breakfast and a dinner. Lynch said more than 150 people showed up for the service, one of the largest turnouts ever, which followed the bike/walk-a-thon. Evangelical Lutheran Bishop of Saskatchewan Cynthia Halmarson presided over the service which was followed with a lunch.
Photo contributed
Bike-a-thon participants pedal along Highway 11
Centennial Celebrated at Maple Creek by Elaine Isabelle and Ev Southwood of the Centennial Committee MAPLE CREEK (Qu'A) A lovely weekend welcomed the centennial celebration of St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church on July 25 and 26. Guests arriving on Friday evening registered for the weekend and enjoyed a tour of the church, browsed a hall full of archival material and checked out the souvenirs. Saturday dawned sunny and warm as the registration continued and guests visited over tea and coffee, reminiscing and renewing old aquaintances. The highlight of the day was a fashion show of wedding dresses featuring gowns from the past 100 years of past and present parishioners. Some wore their own gowns and others were modelled by young members of the parish. This was an entertaining crowd pleaser and many of the local community attended the tea and show. The original cornerstone was dedicated on July 29, 1909 by the Masonic Lodge. This bit of history was made meaningful to present parishioners as they watched the rededication ceremony by the Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan, supported by members of the Maple Creek Maple Leaf Lodge #9. After an eventful day, people relaxed under tents on the church lawns and sampled an excellent barbecue supper, complete with ice cream cones and lemonade.
Father Dick and Friends opened the evening entertainment with a half hour of music with vocals and instruments. The Southwest Harness Team had wagon rides touring the town throughout the evening. The day was brought to a close with a street dance, with music provided by a local old-time dance band. Sunday was the culmination of all the activities and century old church was filled for this historic moment. After a service celebrated by Bishop Gregory Kerr-Wilson, Father Dick Kennedy and Rev. Eleanor Rockabar, the congregation went out to the church lawns and enjoyed a light lunch. As people departed it was rewarding to know a good weekend had been enjoyed by all and that St. Mary's Anglican Church was ready for the next 100 years! St. Mary's Church has served the community since 1887 and has a rich history. It was fitting that the present church building, with its beautiful stained glass windows, traditional style, and pews from the original frame church, be celebrated for its past 100 years. Souvenirs of this centennial are available, also booklets and CDs of the church history. For details, e-mail stmarysmc@sasktel.net or write to St. Mary's Anglican Church, PO Box 1568 Maple Creek, SK S0N 1N0
6 - The Saskatchewan Anglican, October 2009
Centennial Celebrated at Maple Creek (continued from Page 5)
An Interview with the Primate, the Most Reverend Fred Hiltz (continued from the September issue) This interview was conducted by Tim Christison, editor of The Sower, at the Rupert’s Land Provincial Synod in June, 2009 I have been at a Bishop's consecration and someone saying well I guess the Primate didn't think he was a good bishop because he wasn't here.
And that's not true. Yeah [ with a resigned sigh] I think it was an eye-opener for some people. It was probably the first time many people actually had a focused conversation on what is the nature of the primacy anyway? What does the primate do? We all have a primate but what does he do? So again I know I spoke with the chair of the task group as they were leaving and he felt that there was good feedback and I think if we have that conversaphoto by Fr. Dick Kennedy tion in the other three provincial 150 people for lunch after church? No problem! The parish of synods again that is exactly what St. Mary the Virgin in Maple Creek celebrates the centennial of they want. They want food for the church building. thought from the church local and that is what they are going to get and that is going to really ETTERTOTHE DITOR help them to consider okay what The Editor: is the shape of this report? What Last fall the Uranium Development Panel (UDP) released a report that are the findings in terms of the recommends Saskatchewan build a Nuclear reactor with a capacity of data we have gathered? What 3,000MW. The cost ob building a reactor was uggested to be around trends are emerging in terms of $8 to $10 Billion. Some say it does not matter what the construction what people are thinking in costs of a Nuclear Reactor are because it will not be built with terms of the primacy? How it Saskatchewan tax payer’s dollars. However, you cannot get financing has been. How it should be. to build a reactor until you have a guaranteed sale of the electricity. How they'd like it to be? That’s where SaskPower comes in. Sask. Power would guarantee to It was very interesting buy the electricity from a new Bruce Power Reactor and then sell it yesterday when someone stood back to you and me. It’s a pretty sure bet that the price we pay for up and talked about we tend to electriccity will be enough to cover the constructin costs of the reac- think of the primate as chief mistor. And that’s why the price f building a reactor matters, you & I will sionary. What does that mean? pay for it on our electricity bill. And the whole relationship Ontario just received a tender from AECL to build a 2,400MW reac- between the primate and the mettor. The bid price was $26 billion. Ontario was originally told a reac- ropolitans - that's a very intertor would cost around $8 billion. Now that we have a realistic price esting conversation that we need tag for a reactor, it raises questions about whether nuclear power can to have as a church. be competitive with the Renewable Energy options. The good thing about the I have a real hard time seeing households, business and farming com- primacy review task group is that munity going along with a plan to triple their electricity costs. The their whole approach is so solid. Provincial Government should take the next logical and prudent step They've first of all gathered a and establisdh an Expert Renewable Energy Task Fordce to carefully whole pile of data from archives. examine these growing energy sources. Then we would have the What have we talked about in the information required to lookcritically at both nuclear and renewable past when we've reviewed the energy and choose the future energy supply that makes the most sense primacy? Secondly they've for Saskatchewan. talked about their consulting It’s you and I that will pay for this so pick up the phone, contact your with the church so there is that MLA and demand we see an Expert Assessment of Renewable Energy opportunity to hear from people before any decisions are made on a nuclear reactor. who have some understanding or experience of the primacy. And Jim Zimmerman thirdly, they have taken time to Meota Sask. interview people who have had experience in the office. And you really have to have all three - the archival record, the reality of those who served the office - their experience and the peoples' experiences of the primacy. That's what I like about their approach. They are going to be able to make recommendations that I think are going to be grounded in a good consultative process. It's all part of - whether you are talking about the primacy, the sexuality or the governance review, I think there is a real feeling that this triennium 2007 - 2010 is a huge time of transition in our church. As I was saying last night, the way we talk about sexuality I think we are discerning in this time of transition that trying to resolve this by resolution one to five is not working so we are discerning a different way to have the conversations. The whole thing around governance especially with the indigenous portfolio, this is a time of transition. In 2007 we installed the National Indigenous Bishop so we are feeling our way along in that ministry and how we give it shape and so on. We elected a new primate in 2007 and at the same time said it is appropriate for us to review the role of the primate. And I am very open to that I think it is a good thing that we are having that. - all these conversations and I think they are going to influence the kind of General Synod we have in 2010.
L
E
I think that everyone will come as you said feeling they have been heard. Yes. And also informed. And they can say I was at a provincial synod, or I was at a diocesan synod and we talked about it. And you know I have a sense therefore what we said was heard by the governance task group or the primate's review group. And that is what for good relations within the church and that is one of the things that I am really - that is a priority for me. Is that we have to work at our relationships one with another in Christ so that as a church we can renew our confidence as Anglicans. Do you think that the indigenous people to needing to be heard over the residential schools has made us more aware of the value of listening to every body's story? Yes, I do. Every cloud has its silver lining and I think we have learned through the painful experience of the residential schools the value of listening, the value of hearing stories because it is in the stories that the experiences are shared, the truth is told. It's out of the experiences of hearing the stories that we move ourselves into repentance and renewal. It's interesting if how even if you look at the history of the residential schools when people first began to come forward it is was I have a story to tell, a charge to lay. I'm requesting compensation. We have moved through a period where our church was consumed with how do we handle litigation. I think we have moved beyond that. We have moved beyond that to how do we facilitate and encourage story telling that leads to healing and reconciliation and new life for all. That's the sad thing for so many of us around the truth and reconciliation commission - as I said last night - within the last year people have died who had great hopes when the prime minister made the apology and when the truth and reconciliation commission was announced - people's hopes were raised and then they [actions?] got stalled and stalled and their hopes were dashed in some cases. The word that I used is some people felt “betrayed” again. I am happy that the prime minister has finally been able to name the commissioners. And I remember Mark MacDonald and I having a meeting not too long ago with the assistant deputy minister of Indian Affairs and I must say she helped me understand that with the commission's delay with getting its work started there were also however some learnings for them in terms of how the commission works - now I think she was trying to put a positive spin on it - an unhappy situation. My hope is whatever learnings there were they will be brought to bear on the new commissioners. As I said last night the TRC has become still significant but just a piece in much larger array of things that we need to be continually giving our attention to in terms of our relations to first nations peoples. Not just patience but interest shown during presentations about fourth province. I think there is a huge effort on the part of the government to be culturally sensitive - even nomenclature should we be speaking of Bishops or should we be speaking of Sacred Elders or Grand Chiefs and sacred circles - language that is much more in keeping with the culture and traditions of aboriginal peoples. I think it is very moving on the part of the people - particularly people who like David Jones[ chancellor of Rupert's Land] who is so well versed in Canon law and he can name that stuff off in a snap. I find it inspiring that DJ can say we need to find language and terminology that is appropriate to someone else's culture. They want clearly to remain within the Anglican Church of Canada. Now how can we do that in such a way that honours their desire for self-determination? And is as I say culturally appropriate and sensitive to their history. Well the fact that he would dig through the canon laws and find a way that something could happen at this synod because it may be needed. I thought that was wonderful because he is a very precise and fact-oriented person And then when you stop and think about it, you have sense that this is really spirit-lead. This isn't just about let's find the right words, dot the i s and cross the right tees. This is really a spirit-lead movement and I really appreciate as I said last night the governance working group is saying in the interest of mission in a contemporary context what do we need to do here? How are we going to make this work? It's like the spirit of the servants' song, we are pilgrims on a journey, we are fellow travellers on the road and you really that sense from the way the governance group is trying to do their work. It's very encouraging.
The Saskatchewan Anglican, - October 2009 7 Could we talk a little bit more about the primacy. If this is too impertinent or puts you in a bad position, we'll just forget I asked the question. If you were writing the job description for the primate what would it look like? [A long pause] I think it would represent first the chief pastoral office of the church. I would highlight the chief pastoral office first and the relationship therefore with every diocese and every bishop - pastoral relationship. Second component would be around the primate's relationship with the national office staff. The current canon says that the primate is the chief executive officer of the national staff. What that really means no body knows and we are working at sorting that out the relationship between the General Secretary and the Primate and their respective roles with the general staff at church house. But it is a constituency that the primate does have some resonsiblity for. In fact I said to Michael Ingam yesterday the same exercise that the provincial synods are doing ought to be given to the national staff to do as well. Because they are a significant constituency who have a vested interest and rightly so in what the primate does. A lot of my ministry is out there in churchland as we say but a chunk of it also needs to be there in church house. Sso I would think I would want to put that second and then growing out of the pastoral role with the dioceses and growing out of the relationship that I would have with the national office staff would come the prophetic voice in terms of public voice on behalf of the church in the public square. And then I think the other component would be the relationship with the wider church and when I say the wider church, I mean not the Anglican Communiion but with wider circles of the ecumenical church. I think we are living at a time when church leaders need to be working together and they need to be seen to be working together. I think those would be some of the main components of the position. It is interesting when you look at the current position of the primate's position description because Canon three - I went through it in preparation for the primacy task group and it is fascinating to see there are about 12 or 13 points and I think three of them have to do with the primate's pastoral role, a couple have to do with the primate speaking on behalf of the church in consultation with the House of Bishops, and the General Synod and the rest are all administrative. I am right with Howard Clark, and so was Michael Peers and so was Andrew Hutchinson and so am I and Ted Scott was probably with him as well a primacy devoid of any pastoral or sacramental function - you have to question whether or not you need a bishop in that case. So to do that pastoral role would there be something like the primate would be how wide open or how restrictive so that you would in fact be at consecrations and not to say I am your boss but rather to say now the whole church accepts you? That is exactly where I see the value of the primate being present for Episcopal ordinations. We have a history. It has not always been the case that primate has attended every Episcopal ordination. I can only speak for myself that I made a
commitment at the outset that I would be at every Episcopal ordination from the perspective of the role of chief pastor and the perspective of someone who has pastoral care and responsibilities for bishops. I chair thehouse of Bishops. I also think it is really important when a diocese is consecrating a new bishop for someone representing the wider church i.e. The Anglican Church of Canada to be present. It sends a signal that the whole Canadian church is rejoicing and is here with you and the primate represents that. So I kind of feel that when I go to an Episcopal ordination no matter of what I do or don't do I still feel that I go there as an ambassador representing the good will, good wishes and prayers of the whole Anglican church of Canada. It also sends a signal I think that when Bishops are consecrated they are consecrated as bishops in the whole church. They are given function, authority and license to be bishop of a particular See but they are consecrated a bishop in the whole church so you are there to represent that wider church. Plus I think it sends a signal that a] I am interested in the diocese and b] I am interested in the individual. They are taking on a new and challenging ministry and they need to know from the get-go that their primate cares about them as an individual taking on a new ministry in the church that the primate is there to say we're delighted and we welcome you into the house of Bishops and we look forward to your place in that body and you are going to be a member of the general synod automatically now. I'm delighted. I'm here to welcome. So it is all that relational stuff for me that is so important around the primate being present for Episcopal ordination. I am the kind of person that I can work it out with the Metropolitan what it is we are going to have the primate do or not. And I have had a variety of experiences in the last two years around Episcopal ordinations but I think that there are ways that we can work this out and work together. Is this the first time you have been at a Metropolitan's installation? Yes. And again there is a strong tradition across the church that it has always been the senior or next senior bishop to do the installation and that's always been the way it's been. If the primate is there the question is does the primate have any role in the installation historically? No. I mean it was gracious of the province and I don't know whether it was the initiative of the acting Metropolitan or the provincial executive to invite me to preach at the installation of the new Metropolitan tonight. I have been asked to preach at the installation of the new Metropolitan in Canada and in Ontario - so all three. Which I am happy to do because again the Metropolitan has a unique relationship with the primate. And again here I am to rejoice with province in what's happened and be part of that celebration and again I say it is about relationships and our capacity to work together. What is the relationship between the Metropolitan and the Primate? Traditionally it is very interesting. On the one hand, it says in the canon on the primacy, the primate is the senior archbishop and metropolitan. But that is all it says. It doesn't explain what that means. It is strange language. In actual practice, what
has happened over the years, is the primate has had a relationship that was such with the metropolitans that he could talk with any of the metropolitans at any time about any concerns the metropolitan might have or the primate might have. The metropolitan could contact the primate and say we've got an issue here. We need to talk about this. And then we have an opportunity every time the house of Bishops meets. The metropolitans meet with the primate for the afternoon before the meetings start. And basically we go over the agenda. We do what we call provincial check-in. I ask them to restrict their comments to the province not what they are doing in their own diocese. What are you doing as metropolitan? And so I check in with them and then we go over the agenda. Sometimes out of the provincial check-in comes some burning issue and the whole rest of the agenda goes over to the side while we deal with this. And then from time to time between meetings of the house of bishop,I'll have a conference call with the metropolitans. Some issue will come up. [The Primate was saying primates instead of metropolitans {and then correcting himself} during the previous paragraph so I asked - ] Do you think of them as your equal? Your peers? Yeah,[ with a laugh] I think we do need some kind of a … I said to David one of my desires, deep desires that the primate and metropolitans will in fact work in new and different ways together in the interest of giving strong pastoral prophetic leadership in the house of bishops and to the general synod. That's our role. That's our role. And we can't do that if we only meet for a couple of hours before each meeting of the house of Bishops. What I would like to see us do is have the primate and the metropolitans have at least one residential meeting a year where we are together for a couple of days. And we can do a proper provincial check-in. I could do a proper primatial check-in. We can say here are some issues that our church needs to be dealing with. How can we do that? I'd like to see attached to that body someone who for us is like a canon theological or canon liturgist. Someone who's really got some savvy in debate in the public square. Someone who's really got some skills in terms of how we work ecumenically and how do we work with people of other faith traditions? We need that kind of expertise to draw on in terms of how we respond to certain situations in our roles as primate and metropolitans. That is the kind of thing I would like to see us do move in that direction. In as much as funds are available. But my sense is that if I laid that on the table - but we can't do that until we have new metropolitans but we have three new metropolitans this year. I don't see us waiting until BC/Yukon gets a new metropolitan. I think with three new metropolitans this year this would be the time to start thinking about that. I would like to see us test this within the next year. With three new metropolitans you have three new sets of experience, three new sets of eyes, capacity for insights for discernment. That's the time because basically what we are doing to do in the next year or two, we are going to build a new team. By the end of October, we'll have three new metropolitans. It is not inconceivable that
I couldn't have a meeting with the three new ones and Terry Buckle. And say this is a new team. How do we desire to work together? What do you bring to this table in terms of your own hopes and expectations for this team? And what do we need to make this team work for the good of our church? So the General Synod in 2010 will probably be very different than the last one? I hope so in some ways, yeah. As someone said to be we aren't electing another primate are we? Because we didn't expect to be doing that the last time. It came as a bit of a surprise. So we won't have that kind of - God willing - that kind of anxiety around and you know it takes a lot of time because you have to set aside a whole day or however long it takes [for an election]. I am hoping people will be able to see a real connection between General Synod 2007 and General Synod 2010 in how much work has been done that GS 2007 said we need to do around governance, same sex and primacy. So I think we are going to get three good solid faith reports and that people are going to be able to see that those groups have all worked hard to consult the church. I think the way we are going to discuss sexuality will be very different. I'm hoping that we have a great presentation on the 50th anniversary of PWRDF and that I hope the branding exercise will done, ready and if we are going to have a new name then let's launch it. Let's do it. I am hoping there will be a focus around the millennium goals. I've already extended an invitation to John Kapointa ? of the Anglican Communion office who staffs the desk for evangelism and church growth as a keynote speaker for the synod. So again the focus will be on mission. So it will be action rather than theory? Yes, I hope so. I think the feeling was the last one was talk and theory. Yeah. Yeah. . And you know I think experiences like … well there is going to be some exciting stuff happen probably around indigenous ministry too but I think we are learning the value of story telling, intentional listening, induba learned from the Lambeth conference - I think those things will influence the shape the synod takes and I have also heard - which would be very different - is that people will spend far less time in diocesan table groups and much more time in mixed groups which I think will help people get to know each other across the church and build a sense of community. Some things we'll have to do of course in diocesan groups. That's a given. But I think that is going to be a good thing. ...to be concluded in the next issue
Qu’Appelle Diocesan Synod
All members of the Diocese of QuAppelle are invited to participate in the Qu’Appelle Diocesan Synod in Regina on October 30th and 31st. Contact your priest or wardens for details.
Anglican Editors Association Celebrates 20 years
8 - The Saskatchewan Anglican, October 2009
by Fred Stephens
Every spring for the last twenty years the Anglican Editors Association has met in conference to learn, discern, and discuss issues and concerns. The gathering consists of editors of Diocesan newspapers across Canada, representatives from various offices of the Anglican Journal, and from the publisher, Signal Star Publishing in Goderich Ontario. The venue is determined by invitation from the members, an is agreed upon at the preceding conference. The group tries to vary the location and to consider the geography and the impact on the membership. Hence the location will shift yearly among East, Central and Western Canada. The 2009 conference was held in Victoria, BC. The weather was excellent, the membeers were in good spirits, and the conference had some unique features which provoked some soul-searching among the membership. The keynote speaker for the conference was the Revrend Gary Nicolose, who had the delegates listening intently from the edge of their seats. His theme was Reality vs. Hope. He pointed out that the Christian religion is in decline, and we don’t like to talk about decline. The membership rolls of the Anglican Church of Canada have dropped from three million people in 1961 to 651,000 in 2001, and will likely continue its precipitous fall to less than 600,000 by 2011.
Reverend Nicolose pointed out a few other important considerations. He stated the image of Anglicans is not positive. People today are suspicious of authority, and the churches in the most serious decline are the hierarchical churches which project an image of absolute authority. He pointed out, as well, that today, according to recent surveys, most people say that they are spiritual but not religious. People don’t care about sacred space--they want the sacred moment. The mainstream churches must give people honest reality. It is not enough to be optimistic. We must give Hope, because we believe in a God of Resurrection. The conference also spent some time looking at and hearing about technological advances. It was pointed out that microprocessors have changed our world. Over 2 million people are users of facebook, and many are looking at it as an attempt at community. Delegates were urged to take advantage of new technology, through emails, web conferencing, blogs, and even developing web ministries. More dialogue between diocesan officials, lay members, clergy and non-members was deeemed important, andthose present were urged to tell big stories with real compassion and caring which touch hearts, not minds. We were challenged to have fun and get rid of the dour Anglican stereotype, and express Hope. A great thought left with the dele
gates was that the Great Commandment and the Great Commision make a Great Church. Perhaps the greatest highlight for the delegates at this convention was a visit to a soup kitchen, established and run in an Anglican church hall by an Anglican congregation of about forty members, which daily feeds a noon meal to about 125 low income and homeless people. This is done with the help of several communities--parochial school children, the Jewish community, the Hindu community, and service clubs. It relies on donations of both food and money, and is supported by many in the Victoria area. This is the location where the traditional Bishop’s banquet was held. The banquet was organized and served by the soup kitchen volunteers. Needless to say the food was delicious, the fellowship superb, and the atmosphere celebratory. Time is built in to each conference for the delegates to do some sightseeing and become familiar with some of the historical and traditional sights of the locale. At this conference we were bussed to the town of Sidney, and were able to sample the atmosphere of this seaside town, and do a little shopping as well. We then proceeded to the world famous Butchart Gardens which were just coming into full bloom. The next conference will be in Halifax, NS. to coincide with the 2010 General Synod, followed by Quebec City, then possibly
Photo by Fred Stephens
Anglican Editors Association anniversary cake presented and served by the Soup Kitchen staff
Photo by Fred Stephens
Anglican Church in Victoria which runs the Soup Kitchen
Forest Gump and St. Peter
When Forest Gump died, he stood in front of St. Peter at the Pearly Gates. St. Peter said, "Welcome, Forest. We've heard a lot about you." He continued, "Unfortunately, it's getting pretty crowded up here and we find that we now have to give people an entrance examination before we let them in." "Okay," said Forest. "I hope it's not too hard. I've already been through a test. My momma used to say, 'Life is like a final exam. It's hard.' " "Yes, Forest, I know. But this test is only three questions. Here they are." 1) Which two days of the week begin with the letter 'T'?" 2) How many seconds are in a year? 3) What is God's first name? "Well, sir," said Forest, "The first one is easy. Which two days of the week begin with the letter 'T'? Today and Tomorrow." St. Peter looked surprised and said, "Well, that wasn't the answer I was looking for, but you have a point. I give you credit for that answer." "The next question," said Forest, "How many seconds are in a year? “Twelve." "Twelve?" said St. Peter, surprised and confused. "Yes, sir. January 2nd, February 2nd, March 2nd …"St. Peter interrupted him. "I see what you mean. I'll have to give you credit for that one, too.""And the last question," said Forest, "What is God's first name? It's Andy." "Andy?" said St. Peter, in shock. "How did you come up with 'Andy'?" "I learned it in church. We used to sing about it." Forest broke into
Photo by Fred Stephens
The Reverend Gary Nicolose
Photo by Fred Stephens
The world famous Butchart Gardens