The Saskatchewan Anglican, May 2015

Saskatchewan anglican

The newspaper of the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle • A Section of the Anglican Journal • May 2015 www.facebook.com/thesaskatchewananglican ­—

www.issuu.com/thesaskatchewananglican

TRC closing ceremony set for Ottawa

By Mary Ann Assailly SASKATOON – The Multipurpose Room at Station 20 West in Saskatoon was filled to capacity on April 1 to listen to the words of Dr. Marie Wilson.

Dr. Wilson has served for seven years as one of the three commissioners appointed to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

In her speech, Dr. Wilson reminded us Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission is unique in the world. The Class Action Court Case against the Government of Canada and Canadian churches created the platform for the TRC. During the seven TRC years, commissioners Murray Sinclair,

Wilton Littlechild and Dr. Wilson travelled the country to preside at seven national and a myriad of regional events to listen to survivors and families of the residential school system and record their stories.

Documents will be saved, so the stories of what we did as a country and in God’s name to these little children will never be forgotten and cannot be denied.

Over 7,000 stories have been recorded and saved.

Dr. Wilson spoke of two phrases used at the Saskatchewan National Event in Saskatoon in 2012. One survivor said, “The love bond was cut,” while a priest said, “What in God’s name were we doing?”

See “TRC” on page 5

Marking Maundy Thursday During the March clergy retreat at St. Michael’s Retreat Centre in Lumsden, The Primate, the Most Reverend Fred Hiltz, chose to mark Maundy Thursday by conducting a service of foot washing for all who were present at the retreat. Here, Hiltz washes the feet of the Right Reverend David Irving, bishop of the Diocese of Saskatoon. For full story, see page 10.

Photo — Peter R. Coolen

D I O C E S E O F Q U ’A P P E L L E

DIOCESE OF SASKATCHEWAN

Diocese of Qu’Appelle to sponsor second Iraqi refugee family

Diocese of Saskatchewan ends 2014 with small surplus

By Jason Antonio REGINA – A second Iraqi refugee family will soon call Regina home, after the Diocese of Qu’Appelle decided to sponsor the five-member family, who are currently residing in Turkey.

The Abbo family – relatives of the Moussa family, who were sponsored by the diocese as part of PWRDF50 in 2011 – are Orthodox Assyrian Christians who fled from the Mosul area in Iraq, after the Sunni Muslim terrorist group ISIS overran the area in the past year.

According to the refugee sponsorship proposal, presented to Diocesan Council members on March 21 and approved unanimously, the area of Iraq in which the Abbos had been living had been a safe place for Christians, both under Sadaam Hussein and the post-Sadaam Shia majority government.

This safety vanished when the recent offensive by ISIS, a radi-

cal Sunni group, began.

With the family at risk, the Abbos fled to Turkey roughly five months ago from this May, where they had friends.

They subsequently registered with a United Nations refugee agency and with Turkish authorities. The family is living in an area called Cappadocia, about 300 kilometres southeast of the capital of Ankara.

The Abbo family is made up of father Saeed Abbo Paulos, 71, son Amjad Abbo, 24, daughterin-law Rawan Saeed, 22, and Amjad and Rawan’s two children, Sarita, 3 ½, and Simon, 2. Saeed is retired and formerly worked for the Iraqi State telephone company.

The diocese was “quite successful” in sponsoring the first Iraqi family with the PWRDF50 initiative in 2011, stated Ralph Paragg, the diocese’s refugee coordinator and a member at All Saints, Regina.

The first family – husband

Safaa Abed Mousa, wife Marleen Saeed Abbo, three-yearold daughter Magdleena Saafa Abed and baby Sarah – have integrated well at St. James the Apostle Anglican Church in northwest Regina.

Safaa is working full-time at night with a cleaning company to support the family. Marleen is taking English classes and speaks better English than her husband.

She, too, is working for the same cleaning company parttime. Daughter Magdleena is in school while a second daughter, Sarah, was born last summer and baptised at St. James the Apostle.

To sponsor the Abbo family, it is expected to cost roughly $40,000 for one year, including a $6,000 reserve for contingencies.

“We need to fundraise another $20,000, aside from the money we already have,” Paragg said.

The extra $20,000 “is not a big sum. If 200 people give $100, we would have the money.”

See “FAMILY” on page 5

By Mary Brown PRINCE ALBERT – Despite a budget and predictions that forecast a significant deficit at the end of 2014, the Diocese of Saskatchewan closed the year with a small surplus in the operating fund.

Three items that contributed the most to this turn around were the continued generous support of the General Synod through the Council of the North grant; Parishes were able to pay up for some of their outstanding apportionment and ministry costs; and a significant reduction in budgeted administrative costs.

The diocese had budgeted for a $10,000 reduction in its Council of the North Grant from General Synod, but in the fall of 2013 the Council of General Synod resolved to maintain that funding, a generous decision repeated again in the fall of 2014.

Parishes paid more than $20,000 in outstanding ministry and apportionment from previous years and all but one parish was able to meet their ministry and

apportionment obligations for 2014. Administrative costs were $16,000 less than anticipated in the budget and these three items, along with several smaller ones, turned a deficit into a surplus.

Said Bishop Michael Hawkins, “Generosity, at the national and parish level, as well as careful spending at the diocesan level, has brought us this very encouraging result.”

At the end of 2014 the Executive Committee of the diocese resolved to increase its proportional gift to General Synod by $1,000 (to $74,000), take out a Sustaining Membership for the Diocese ($500 annually) in the Anglican Foundation and change the employer/employee share of Health Benefits costs from 50 per cent/50 per cent to 100 per cent/0 per cent.

In March, Bishop Michael pointed out to the executive that we are seeing the fruits of a growing generosity in the Church and diocese and congratulated the committee for its generous decisions.

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The Saskatchewan Anglican

May 2015

Follow my love How are we asked in the Bible to show obedience/be obedient to God? By the Reverend Alex Parsons SASKATOON – Obedience to God’s Word, and the consequences of ignoring it, are themes that play out in every book of the Bible.

One could think of this sequence visually as a sine wave of a peak of obedience cascading into a valley of disobedience, rising again into obedience.

Sound travels this way, waves travel this way, light travels this way and so does our life in God. Good and evil, pride and humility, praise and depravity, all in a cyclical sequence that is the human condition in general terms.

Some waves are huge globally-shared news items, others barely perceptible daily struggles, but every one of us has our chart.

It has always been like this and the Bible makes no bones about it.

Starting with Adam and Eve first living in, and then exiting, the Garden, the whole subsequent history of the people of Israel, of ourselves, follows this pattern of obedience and good living that seems to inevitably lead to disobedience and disaster.

While the line from Amazing Grace – “The Lord has promised good to me, His word my hope secures” – speaks to this, our

free will pushes us so often in the Believing them to be true and opposite direction. staying obedient to them does Even many of those who came not cause trouble for those so face to face with Christ were no engaged in this world or the next. better and so it has continued on Disobey them and anarchy down through the ages to our ensues. There is no frame of present day. It reference is in our nature with which to to slip up and conduct day Jesus said, “If to think the to day affairs, you love me, good life can but if there is replace God. no God, why you will keep my Temptation tells even bother. commandments.” us so!

Survival of the It is the love of So what fittest takes exactly does on a very dark Christ, a love for the Bible offer meaning.

God that informs as a guide The first the ultimate to showing commandment obedience then is underpinning when we are critical in for obedience. so inclined? understanding Obviously the the rest of all Ten Commandments are a great biblical requests to be obedient starting point. to God’s Word. It is because After the promise that the God is God and there can be Earth would never be flooded no other on whom to pin our to destruction again, the hopes, especially ourselves as a expectation of Divine minimums replacement. was brought down from the Ecclesiastes puts it simply: mountain by Moses.

“Fear God and keep His These 10 form the basis of a commandments, for this is the right relationship with God and whole duty of man.” with all who live together in Story after story abounds reciprocity. illustrating rulers and commoners Not stealing, lying, flying high and forgetting this murdering, committing adultery simple maxim and suffering or mocking God are good things the consequences. Even Israel’s and these commandments are greatest king is written up as no the bedrock of law for many better than any of us. societies with good reason.

The powerful accusation They create a civil and just of Nathan spells it out when basis to operate within, relying he shames David saying, “You on mutual respect and honesty. are that man!” exposing his

covetousness for all to see.

Disaster strikes many who fall foul.

This would make it appear that obedience is solely enforced through fear of a Divine wrath dispensing constant retribution.

Many have understood this to be just the case.

Such a system relies on no end of worry by focusing solely on punishing non-compliance as a way of getting submission.

Living in constant terror of God is a definite motivator but cripples us in living as we should, as we were meant to.

So while acknowledging we will be held accountable, the Bible also shows us a healthy, wholesome way to be obedient that is the opposite of fearing punishment; a way that is actually far more powerful.

Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

It is the love of Christ, a love for God that informs the ultimate underpinning for obedience.

Such love takes away all the fear, the temptations and the disobedient heart far more than the threat of any punishment ever will.

We can justify all sorts of actions in other settings and plan to escape detection, but when you truly love someone, you will do everything you can to honour that love.

To do otherwise is not even contemplated. It is that simple and joyful to walk in the way of the Lord.

Seek to understand the truth found in Jesus How are we asked in the Bible to show obedience/ be obedient to God?

By Rev. Nobert Haukenfrers, DMin PRINCE ALBERT – Whenever someone demands of me obedience, I bristle. Who do they think they are, telling me what to do? Who made them the oracle of truth?

Interestingly, in the Bible obedience to God is not presented within the context of authority but within a context of relationship.

Obedience to God is presented in terms of hearing and seeing that involve actions of the people that God responds to. In every instance the people are to hear God and God is hearing them.

The chosen people of God are to hear and keep God’s words, as attentive watchmen, remembering it is God who keeps them from evil.

God does not desire to be obeyed in an authoritarian way, although He may be the only

one who has ever had the right to demand such obedience.

The kind of obedience God desires is a faithful response to what is seen and heard, responding to an action that has already occurred.

The apostle Paul, in Romans 2:13-16, makes it clear obedience is not a person following particular rules, but is a holistic response of a person to God’s action in Jesus, making obedience a central part of Christian ethics.

But I digress.

Moving away from an authoritarian model of obedience, that is stifling, towards a way of life where obedience is life-giving and exhilarating, we need help.

The way of seeking truth that is forged in an authoritarian model blinds us to the needs of the world, in essence giving us welder’s flash, eventually blinding us, even to God and His activity.

Rather, what we need to seek truth is eyes and ears wide open to the present and active God, seeking God and His will first,

like miners seeking to stake a claim.

This seeking is not done in some sealed off special place, but out there in the mess of creation relying on God’s holy word, revealed and made flesh.

In doing that, we are seeking to be part of God’s transformative activity in the world, accepting responsibility for the world around us, joining God in His creativity, freedom and spontaneity, witnessing changed lives and communities.

Jesus the great liberator has paid the debt of sin and won the victory over death.

We live into this freedom with, what Dorothee Soelle helpfully calls, a discerning obedience, through our daily practice of seeking to live and understand the truth as revealed in Jesus Christ.

Set free to discover God’s desire in a future that is full of possibility because today we made provisions.

Remembering that whenever we are talking about the future, we are not referring to science fiction or fantasy, but a way of

living where we are learning from the past and the present, reading the signs in the here and now.

Understanding the present is to live into the future.

This practice of discerning obedience, where we daily seek to understand and live the truth found in Jesus, frees us to be drawn into the heat, brazing heaven to Earth, a future that is fully open to possibilities, yet unimagined.

The challenge of discerning obedience is remembering Jesus calls us into a way of truth that originates in God, not humanity.

This eternal truth, that is neither relative nor provisional, is an intricate and necessary part of God’s continuing activity in our lives and in creation.

In obedience we are participating in the preparations for all things to be made new.

Biblical obedience is practised as we get our hands dirty with the raw materials of life, forged out of the struggles and challenges; God breaking molds and recasting lives, welding heaven and Earth together.

Saskatchewan The newspaper of the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle • A Section of the Anglican Journal • January 2013

anglican

Published by the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle.

Published monthly except for July and August.

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CONTACT INFORMATION Managing Editor: Jason Antonio SKAnglicanEditor@gmail.com 59 Roberts Place Regina, Sask., S4T 6K5 Phone: (306) 737-4898 Qu’Appelle: Joanne Shurvin-Martin joannesm@myaccess.ca 6927 Farrell Bay Regina, Sask., S4X 3V4 Phone: (306) 775-2629 Saskatoon: Peter Coolen ptrcoolen@sasktel.net 820 Avenue I South, Saskatoon, Sask., S7M 1Z3 Phone: (306) 244-0935, Saskatchewan: Mary Brown synod@sasktel.net 1308 Fifth Avenue East Prince Albert, Sask., S6V 2H7 Phone: (306) 763-2455

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The Saskatchewan Anglican

May 2015

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Reflecting on the Five Marks of Mission

By Bishop Rob Hardwick Diocese of Qu’Appelle REGINA – I write this reflection having been at the clergy retreat for the Dioceses of Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle at St. Michael’s Retreat Centre in Lumsden.

It was an amazing week in which we were nourished by the companionship of friends and colleagues; by silence and conversation; and by prayer, song, sacrament and the Word.

We all need such times as these for refreshment and renewal. This particular week was led by our Primate, Archbishop Fred Hiltz.

He took the opportunity to not only remind us of the Five Marks of Mission of the Anglican Communion, but to have us dwell or immerse ourselves in them.

In each of the five meditations the Primate brought insights to the Five Marks of Mission from all around the world.

It was a rich diet, so I apologize that this reflection will only impart a few crumbs from the banquet, crumbs upon which I hope you will be able to meditate.

• The challenge from Alan Roxborough in “Vital Leadership” that the church of today “be with God in the re-founding of the Church, not just in its renewing.”

• That clergy not just conduct good liturgy, proclaim the Word and visit the faithful, but be detectors of divinity, to attend to the clues as to what God is up to and, as Rowan Williams urged, to join in.

To be, as Richard Giles suggested, “Artists

of Community shaping with our hands and prayers communities of faith.”

Places where the ordinary experience the extraordinary.

Places for those fascinated by God and fascinated by people and to unfold the Scriptures in such a way people see themselves as a word within The Word and to enable them to become what they receive.

• That we be extravagant with the waters of baptism and the oil of Chrism while the memory and fragrance of the event be long lasting.

• That nurture of new disciples, the catechesis, be the responsibility of the whole people of God. • That we be expectant, expectant like Mary and Elizabeth. Expectant that we

would see the birth of faith in those we carry and nurture.

• The Primate talked of the challenge of the Magnificat, the song of Mary; a song that disturbs the comfortable and brings comfort to the disturbed; in what ways, the Primate said, is this song a song of our own hearts, or a song of the Church today?

Are we called blessed? Are our churches? Are we filling the hungry with good things and lifting up the lowly week by week?

• The Primate then reflected on Luke 4:18-21 where Jesus quotes from Isaiah 63.

Are we bringing Good News to the poor; proclaiming release to the captives; recovery of sight to the blind; letting the oppressed go free and proclaiming the year of the Lord’s favour?

Can we say with Jesus that today in our hearing this Scripture is fulfilled in our ministry, in our churches?

• Are we planters and gardeners?

Do we see the Earth as a sacrament and ourselves as earth keepers and earth healers?

How green is our ministry? How green are our churches?

Yes, there was much to reflect upon.

Each Mark of Mission challenged us in our status quo to delve deeper into the Scriptures and to re-engage in God’s call to Mission: • To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom • To teach, baptize and nurture new

believers • To respond to human need by loving service • To seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation • To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the Earth May you be blessed and be a blessing in the mission to which God has called His Church Note: The Five Marks of Mission have developed over several years. Originally, there were only four.

The Marks were first formulated and presented as part of the report of “Working Section I: Mission and Ministry” to the sixth meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council which took place in Badagry, Nigeria.

At the eighth meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council in Cardiff, Wales, a fifth mark was added.

The report of “Section II: Mission, Culture and Human Development” said: “There has been a consistent view of mission repeated by ACC, the Lambeth Conference, the Primates’ Meeting and others in recent years, which defines mission in a four-fold way . . . .

“We now feel that our understanding of the ecological crisis, and indeed of the threats to the unity of all creation, mean we have to add a fifth affirmation: To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the Earth.”

Responsibility for cemeteries in nonactive parishes may be transferred

By Jason Antonio

Jim Halmerson retires at Christ Church, Saskatoon after 10 years of ministering there On Feb. 20, Christ Church Anglican in Saskatoon hosted a farewell for Pastor Jim Halmarson. More than 150 guests came to honour Jim and his wife, Cindy Halmarson, the former Lutheran bishop.

The ACW prepared the meal and as part of the festivities, Jim was presented with, and cut, a cake frosted with a colour photographic depiction of Christ Church.

Of special note were the clergy guests from Saskatoon: retired bishops, the Right Reverends Tom Morgan and Rod Andrews; Pastor Mark Hedlin (ELCIC); the Most Reverend Don Bolen, the Catholic Bishop of Saskatoon and the Reverend Deb Moore from Mayfair United Church.

Representatives from

the North Saskatchewan Regiment, Retired Col. Malcom Young and Colonel Tony Engleberts also attended.

Entertainment for the evening was provided by the Reverend John Seib and Cathy Chase, the Christ Church Choir, Renee de Mosiac and members of the ACW. Christ Church was Jim’s home for the past 10 years. He brought a zest to the congregation and the community. One of Jim’s greatest accomplishments was opening the doors of the church to a variety of community members and organizations.

Jim’s thoughtful presence will be missed. We wish Jim and his wife, Cindy, all the best as they begin ministry in Chicago.

Photo — Ted Neiman

REGINA – Any cemetery no longer connected with an active parish in the Diocese of Qu’Appelle may be transferred to a local cemetery society or municipality in which it lies.

A decision to allow handing over responsibility and surface title to non-connected cemeteries was made during the diocese’s Diocesan Council meeting on March 21 in Regina.

The proposal includes the intention to transfer, with a cemetery, any trust funds designated for that cemetery to a local cemetery society or municipality.

Wherever possible, either of these groups would assume costs involved in the transfer of the title.

However, the diocese would maintain any mineral title associated with the property.

The development of the proposal included considerations such as: in the absence of a local parish, who could and should administer ongoing maintenance and record keeping; and what sources of funds such as plot fees, trust accounts, or donations may be found for those maintenance costs.

Archdeacon Malcolm French explained there are several cemeteries in this situation to which the diocese has title, but there may be others not yet on that list.

From time to time, requests come in for people to be buried in a particular cemetery, but with no local parish to provide administration, the diocese remains liable for property over which there is no functional accountability and no means of ongoing care.

French suggested the most “responsible thing to do is relieve ourselves of these cemeteries.”

He presented three options, including turning over the cemetery to local groups or historical societies; turning it over to the municipality if no such groups exist; or finally to the provincial government.

In the case of active congregations that do have cemeteries, French recommended in the event parishes were to disband, consensus would be needed about the best option for the ongoing care of the cemetery.

Executive Archdeacon Dell Bornowsky noted in Big Country Parish in the west of the diocese, there is a cemetery

that no longer has an active local congregation, but is nevertheless in the geographical area of the multipoint Parish.

From time to time, there have been a few burials there with local families voluntarily looking after the cemetery by mowing the grass and managing its upkeep.

“Perhaps this is an example of a local de-facto society which is looking after such cemeteries,” he added.

Bishop Rob Hardwick gave an example that motivates this motion, where a remaining few parishioners feel they can no longer provide adequate care for a cemetery and ask to be relieved of that responsibility.

“Also, we occasionally have requests from mining agents to mine under these cemeteries. But, we have said no,” he added.

The maintenance of mineral rights where applicable would allow this level of consideration by the diocese, but without liability for surface use, insurance and administration.

Under the proposal, Diocesan Council would be able to review and assess each particular situation before a decision was made.

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The Saskatchewan Anglican

May 2015

Rev. Jeremy Boehr ordained in Nipawin

Saskatoon Theological Union 2015 Convocation The 14th Joint Convocation of the Saskatoon Theological Union Friday, May 8 7 p.m.

Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Saskatoon.

All are welcome to attend.

For additional information, please contact: Lisa McInnis, Registrar/Administrative Assistant, College of Emmanuel & St. Chad, at 306-975-1550.

Rev. Jeremy Boehr was ordained to the priesthood on March 20 in St. John’s Church, Nipawin. Boehr is standing to the left of Bishop Michael Hawkins.

Photo — Mary Brown

By Mary Brown NIPAWIN (Skwn) – Clergy in the Diocese of Saskatchewan met in St. John’s Church, Nipawin on March 20 for the Renewal of Vows and Blessing of Oils.

Canon Philip Hobson OGS, from St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Diocese of Toronto, was the guest speaker. He spoke on the theme of the Wilderness in our lives. The congregation of St. John’s hosted the clergy and their spouses for a delicious supper following the service.

Canon Hobson also preached at the ordination to the priesthood of Rev. Jeremy Boehr. Jeremy has been serving as a Deacon in St. John’s, Nipawin and Church of the Ascension, Arborfield since October 2014. The last time the

congregation in Nipawin hosted an ordination was in 1998 at the deaconing of Craig O’Brien.

That was the first ordination I attended. What was evident at both ordinations was the joy and pride on their mothers’ faces. In Jeremy’s case, his wife Jane was sharing in the happiness.

Canon Hobson distributed a sheet with the service bulletins with three pictures on it. One picture was of a statue of Jesus as a young shepherd boy with a lamb across His shoulders; another an icon of the Shepherd Jesus; and the third of Jesus as the shepherd leading His flock of sheep.

The sermon spoke to these pictures and the duty of the priest towards his congregation. Members of the two congregations put together

The Sask. Anglican is now online twice as much!

a choir, while a musical group from the Arborfield Church brought along their instruments and played the communion hymns.

As happens at these occasions, there was a wonderful reception following the service.

Jane Boehr received a large bouquet of flowers while Jeremy was given gifts from his home parish of St. Christopher’s.

It was interesting to listen to Jeremy, as he compared his words of thanks at this ordination compared to his deaconing. He said at his deaconing he felt like some kind of movie star, thanking everyone he could think, of while this time he knew he should be thanking God. We also thank God for Jeremy and Jane and know they will endear themselves to their flock.

Staff There are now two more ways readers can access the Saskatchewan Anglican on the Internet.

If you use Facebook, you can find the newspaper at www.facebook.com/thesaskatchewananglican.

This site enables us to post stories and pictures each month from all three dioceses.

With Facebook having such as cross-country reach, you can “like” the page and encourage others to do so as

well.

The Saskatchewan Anglican’s other online presence is on a website call Issuu.

This website allows the Sask. Anglican to post full digital versions of the newspaper.

So if you miss reading the newspaper one month or want to go back and read a story again, this is the website you should visit often. There are back issues of the Saskatchewan Anglican going all the way back to September 2005.

You can find the paper at issuu.com/thesaskatchewananglican.

DIOCESE OF SASKATOON

Announcements for May 2015 Sask. Anglican Online! Did you know you can read current and past issues of the Saskatchewan Anglican online at www. anglicandiocesesaskatoon. com/20142015-saskatchewananglican/ Friends and Family Service: St. George’s, Saskatoon, at 7 p.m. every Friday night.

Informal music and prayer focused on families. g The Parish of St. George’s, Saskatoon, hosts a Community Coffee morning in the parish hall every Thursday from 9:3011:30 a.m. Join them for a warm social time with coffee, tea, toast and some type of baked goods at no charge. g Integrity/Saskatoon: Integrity/Saskatoon is a group of the GLBTT community and friends. Services and meetings g

are held at St. John’s Anglican Cathedral, 816 Spadina Crescent East.

For times and dates please phone 306-491-3315, or visit the Facebook page at “Integrity/ Saskatoon” or check out the Integrity/Saskatoon web site at www.integritysaskatoon. blogspot.com. g Seniors’ Lunch in Battleford: The Friendship Committee of St. George’s, Battleford invites all seniors to join them for lunch the first Monday of each month.

Each Seniors’ Lunch begins at noon. g Order of St. Luke Meetings: The Saskatoon Chapter of the Order of St. Luke meets at St. Stephen’s, Saskatoon, at 7:30 pm on the first Tuesday of each month.

The Order of St. Luke is an interdenominational group that

promotes the healing ministry in the church.

We have a time when we pray for others, and also have a study, a guest speaker or a healing service. For more info visit www.ststephens.ca.

Upcoming Events: Saskatoon Theological Union 2015 Convocation: The 14th Joint Convocation of the Saskatoon Theological Union will be held on Friday, May 8 at 7 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Saskatoon.

All are welcome to attend.

For additional information, please contact Lisa McInnis, Registrar/Administrative Assistant, College of Emmanuel & St. Chad, at 306-975-1550. g Summer Language Courses: g

The College of Emmanuel and St. Chad will be offering spring and summer introductory language courses in Greek, Latin, Hebrew, Coptic and Syriac from May 11-29 (Part I, 3-credit courses) and June 8-26 (Part II, 3-credit courses).

A course on “Agrarianism and the Bible” by Dr. Matthew Thiessen will occur from June 22-26 (3-credit course or audit).

For more information, please contact Lisa McInnis, registrar, at 306-975-1550 or esc.register@usask.ca. g The 2015 Diocesan ACW Bi-Annual Retreat: “Gratitude: A Way of Being.”

The retreat committee is working hard on the retreat, which will be held on Sept. 18-20.

To find out

more, contact Mary Ann Assailly at maryann.assailly@ gmail.com, or Karen Whitelock at saskatoonacw@gmail.com.

Please also see the notice elsewhere in this issue.

DEADLINES: To be included in a timely manner, brief notices should be sent 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, February submissions will be in the April issue).

Detailed and longer texts of upcoming events will not be included in this section, but should space allow, could be the subject of article and notices elsewhere in the Saskatchewan Anglican.

The Saskatchewan Anglican

May 2015

5

Farewell to Joyce Brunton

By Chris Lyons

Rod Ashley’s car is loaded and ready to deliver Easter hampers on behalf of St. Philip, Regina.

Photo — Gordon Ward

Preparing Easter hampers

By Ivan Millard REGINA – St. Philip’s Anglican Church has modified a tradition.

For more than 50 years the parish has provided Christmas hampers to numerous families in its part of town.

They recently decided to do Easter hampers instead.

A large number of organizations distribute food

and presents throughout the city at Christmas time, but although Christmas has a special meaning and is a time for family gatherings, the need for food is just as great at other times.

These hampers are a reminder to both the donors and receivers that Easter is a time for hope and new beginnings.

Last year St. Philip packaged the hampers at a local public

school, where the Grade 2 students enjoyed the opportunity and recognition that they were helping others by assembling the packages.

The packages were delivered by members of St. Philip in time for Easter.

At first the idea was questioned, but later there was agreement it was a credible venture and it will be continued.

TRC Continued from page 1 Many survivors for the first time came to “unload the stuff that has been parked inside.”

Dr. Wilson shared a heartening statistic that shows we, the non-indigenous, are listening. The first National TRC Event was held in Winnipeg.

At that event, 10 per cent of registrants were non-aboriginal.

By the seventh and final National TRC Event, held in Alberta, 60 per cent of those registered

were non-aboriginal. She also reminded us Saskatchewan has the largest number of living survivors.

What do we do from here? For a start, the Closing Ceremony for the TRC is being held in Ottawa from May 31 to June 3.

At this time, survivor representatives, leaders and officials will gather.

The call is now going out to the planners of the seven national event organizing committees

(which include the Roman Catholic, United, Presbyterian and Anglican churches) to locally “rev up” and shadow the walks and events being held during the Closing Ceremony in Ottawa.

For us in Saskatchewan, planning is now underway for us to gather and once again honour memories and plant dreams.

Please plan to join us and share in this historic moment in our story.

issue exit visas, but is now doing so on a trial basis with Canadian Immigration.

Archdeacon Malcolm French explained St. James the Apostle plans to hold a Middle Eastern Dinner in the spring, since Safaa Moussa was a chef in Iraq.

He added since the Abbo father worked with the Iraqi telephone company, French could ask SaskTel or the SaskTel Pioneers if they would contribute funds to the initiative.

St. James intends to allocate any Living the Mission pledges

celiac disease. Bev Ledding, the organist at the church, wrote a song in honour of Joyce.

Everyone joined in to sing the following to the tune of Stand up for Jesus, accompanied by Bev on the piano and David Palm on the violin.

Farewell, farewell to Joyce Our fellow Christian gal Her years of dedication Have been a blessing to all She greeted Sunday mornings, She read the Bible too Made the coffee for fellowship And assisted in all we do.

Farewell, farewell to Joyce We thank her for bookkeeping And finding a janitor too Our church is now in order But who will fill her shoes.

Photo — Chris Lyons

Saskatchewan Anglican looking for new associate editor for Diocese of Saskatchewan Contributed PRINCE ALBERT — The Diocese of Saskatchewan is looking for an Associate Editor to assist the diocese with collecting articles and photos from around the diocese, as well as making monthly submissions to the Saskatchewan Anglican’s managing editor for print.

The Associate Editor

will work for the bishop of Saskatchewan and parish correspondents from around the diocese to bring information to the public.

The requirements for the position are firstly, experience in editorial work and secondly, a Grade 12 education. Those interested are to contact the synod office at 306-763-2455 or synod@sasktel.net.

Saskatoon’s 2015 ACW fall retreat: ‘Gratitude: a way of being’

FAMILY Continued from page 1 The extra $20,000 could be lower, the proposal explained, as a result of in-kind support such as kitchenware, winter clothing, furniture and other items.

The estimated monthly support is $2,500, except for the first month.

This would require an extra $1,000 to $2,000 for the rental accommodation damage deposit.

It may take a year before the sponsorship can be approved, the proposal added.

Turkey has not been keen to

SHELLBROOK (Skwn) – What is becoming an all too familiar event in many small town parishes is the evacuation of long-time faithful Anglicans such as Joyce Brunton.

Joyce (pictured at right) grew up in Shellbrook, where in St. Andrew’s Anglican Church she was baptized, confirmed and married. Her children were baptized and confirmed there.

Her husband’s funeral was also in her beloved church.

Over 40 people gathered on March 12 for a surprise going away party for Joyce. Rather than waiting until she had no choice, Joyce chose to put her name on a waiting list for a seniors’ residence in Calgary, where one of her children lives.

She will be able to begin a new life in a different place.

Knowing Joyce, she will soon be involved in whatever needs to be done as she has been in Shellbrook. She was a member of the ACW for 50 years and involved in all aspects of church life.

Joyce is a living example of the healing power of prayer, as she was very sick and was prayed for every Sunday while she wasted away in the hospital, until it was discovered she had

above its goal to support the refugees. Meanwhile, All Saints, Regina, may be asked to do a Steak Night in the fall, as it did for the PWRDF50 sponsorship.

The Diocese of Qu’Appelle expended $30,200 for the PWRDF50 sponsorship in 2011.

The Diocese of Saskatoon also contributed $7,000.

“We should thank Ralph for his compassionate heart,” said Bishop Rob Hardwick.

“This is a great testament” to the efforts of Paragg and All Saints.

Contributed SASKATOON – Save the date.

Come join your Anglican sisters on Sept. 18-20, 2015 as we gather at Queen’s House in Saskatoon for a time of spiritual growth.

Gratitude is such a big word; for some, it comes naturally, while for some it requires practising until it becomes habit and ultimately a way of being.

Plans are well underway for inspirational, thoughtprovoking talks, worship, joyful singing, meditative walking and purposeful journaling.

We will be learning more about hospital ministry, while each of us will bring to the retreat a gift for the hospital ministry, be it a prayer shawl for an adult or child, a baby blanket or a toque for cancer patient.

Get out those knitting needles, crochet hooks or your sewing machine. Not crafty, you say? Can you trade skills with a friend?

For more information contact Mary Ann Assailly at maryann. assailly@gmail.com or Karen Whitelock at saskatoonacw@ gmail.com.

6

The Saskatchewan Anglican

May 2015

D I O C E S E O F Q U ’A P P E L L E

Midlakes leads the way

By Murray McCarthy

Madge Bennett (left) and Mona Jones are both 100 years old and active members in a stitching group at St. Aidan, Moose Jaw. The group knits and crochets items for babies in need.

Photo — Gayle Jones

Two centenarians in one congregation

By Sandra Messner MOOSE JAW (Qu’A) – St. Aidan has a group of ladies who knit and crochet all year long, creating baby items for needy babies in the diocese.

This group, Stitch ‘N’ Chatter – Dorcas’ Circle, meets on the first and third Mondays of each

month to visit, knit, crochet and help with other activities that benefit their community and the diocese.

Among this group of ladies are two centenarians, Mona Jones and Madge Bennett, who have been friends since their husbands started working together in the late 1940s.

Both turned 100 this year, Mrs. Jones in January and Mrs. Bennett in February.

Both ladies are very active in the group and are still crocheting and knitting like they did in their younger years. Bennett makes baby afghans in the grannysquare pattern and Jones makes baby hats and scarves.

D I O C E S E O F Q U ’A P P E L L E Clergy appointments Retired Bishop Duncan Wallace was appointed interim priest at St. Luke the Evangelist, Regina.

Beginning May 1, Archdeacon Dell Bornowsky will be working three days a week in the Synod Office as Executive Archdeacon and Assistant to the Bishop, and two days per week as priest-incharge of St. Philip Regina.

His new email address is archdeacon.dell@sasktel.net.

His office number is 306-522-1608, ext. two; cell phone number is 306-552-6107.

Rev. Canon Catherine Harper has been appointed to the position of diocesan Ministry Development Officer effective May 1.

For the past four years, she has worked on developing the Qu’Appelle School for Mission and Ministry, and this work has increased exponentially with training and curriculum requirements now for Post Ordination Training, the QSMM and Licensed Lay Reader training.

There are also plans for new diaconal and evangelist stream of education and training.

This requires increased time and responsibility.

The funding for this part time (four days a week) position will be from Living the Mission funds and part of the budgeted Executive Archdeacon g

allocation.

Harper will also be associate priest at St Paul’s Cathedral as of May 1. g Archdeacon Mary Ann Boote thanks diocese The “diocesan purse” for retired Executive Archdeacon Mary Ann Boote raised $5,000, which was matched by the parish of St. Mary, Regina, where Boote was an honorary assistant.

She wrote to Bishop Rob Hardwick and said, “I would like to thank this generous diocese for the cards and the prayers and the generous purse delivered to me. To each and every one who contributed, I would hug you if I could! Your contributions have already helped and will continue to help.

“We were referred to the ALS clinic in Calgary and they were very supportive. It made so much difference to not have to worry about the cost of the trip. And as we have subsequent trips to the clinic, your gift to me is peace of mind on the financial side of things.

“May our good God continue to hold each one of you and bring you to peace and joy in His service.” g New Sumner anniversary The Parish of New Sumner is hosting a 45th Anniversary Homecoming Celebration at Esterhazy, May 30-31.

The price for the whole weekend including both meals

is $25 per person, while children 12-and-under are free. All the events will be held at the Golden Jets Centre, Main Street, Esterhazy, which is wheelchair accessible.

All present and former parishioners and clergy are invited to attend. If you are unable to attend, greetings, reminiscences or memorabilia are welcome.

Any profit from the anniversary celebration (after expenses) will be donated to the companion Diocese of Muyinga, Burundi, for their hospital fund.

Saturday, May 30 3:00 p.m. – meet-and-greet with refreshments available 5:00 p.m. – supper, followed by guest speaker, Rev. Canon Murray Still Sunday, May 31 11:00 a.m. – Church service, with lunch to follow To register or for further information contact Judy MacDonald, by mail at Box 482, Esterhazy, Sask., S0A 0X0; Telephone at 306-745-2911; email at judynmo@yahoo.com.

Hotels in Esterhazy: Canalta: 306-745-3644 or www.canaltahotels.com Western Star Inn and Suites: 306-745-5600 or www. westernstarhotels.com Esterhazy Motor Hotel: 306-745-3901

KENASTON (Qu’A) – The parish of Midlakes, approximately one-and-ahalf hours north of Regina, is comprised of two churches.

St. Columba in Kenaston and All Saints in Davidson are faithful congregations serving small farming communities in rural Saskatchewan.

As vital members of the Diocese of Qu’Appelle, the Parish of Midlakes, not unlike so many of the churches in the diocese, face the realities of ministry in this largely rural diocese.

While the majority of diocesan parishioners reside in the urban areas of Yorkton, Regina, Moose Jaw and Swift Current, the majority of churches are in rural communities.

“Rural ministry today is as challenging as ever, maybe more so,” stated Bishop Rob Hardwick.

Increasingly the population of small towns is declining and communities are struggling to continue to provide services to those who choose to reside there.

“But this is where our churches can find God calling us into mission,” he continued, and “that’s what the Living the Mission Campaign is inviting our congregations to do.”

Over the fall, both congregations were encouraged to come up with ideas for mission.

All suggestions were posted on a “mission” bulletin board.

In January, each congregation held a strategic planning session during which members were given the opportunity to identify the ideas that spoke to them.

Based on the Mission Action Plan identified by the St. Columba congregation, Rev. Susan Anholt and her team in Kenaston developed the plan budget, which was subsequently approved at the annual meeting.

The vast majority of the funds raised will go to support community-based outreach initiatives. Children’s movie

nights and the equipment necessary to hold such events will be funded from the campaign, as well as the annual registration fee for a child to attend Camp Harding.

Most importantly, however, is the single largest financial aspect of the campaign at St. Columba is support for the hungry. The church will support the Kenaston School Breakfast Program and the Feed My Sheep initiative at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Regina.

At All Saints in Davidson, retired Bishop David Ashdown worked with lay leaders to develop a budget to support the congregation’s plan of maintaining the building for many years; support Wednesday School where young people come to church to be nurtured in the faith; and support for outreach funding when members of the broader Davidson community are in need.

Midlakes is taking a leadership role in the diocese.

“By looking outward, rather than inward, our churches can make a big difference in our communities,” said Anholt.

“God calls us to love our neighbours as ourselves; He also calls us to a servant ministry.”

She went on to say, “Our mission action plan is primarily directed at children.

“As a church community, any time we can touch the life of a child in a positive and affirming manner, we are opening them to the possibility of a relationship with God that can carry them through the good times and the bad.”

They are proof that multipoint parishes can work together to bring about change in their communities. They are proof that all parishes, no matter the size, can participate in the Living the Mission campaign.

They are proof that through discernment and with a bold faith, communities of all sizes across this diocese can be “Kingdom People” for the glory of God.

The Saskatchewan Anglican

May 2015

7

The curious case of the vintage quilt

By Cathy Tickner SASKATOON – Editor’s note: At the time of printing, plans were being made to have the quilt top written about here be displayed at the Saskatoon Diocesan ACW conference in April. Any new news in regard to the history of the quilt will be carried in future issues of the Saskatchewan Anglican.

An embroidered quilt top/ bedspread (unfinished) was discovered among various treasures stored away at the home of Jean Bennett as she was preparing to “downsize” and move into a seniors’ residence in Melfort in January.

Jean does not recall how she came into possession of the quilt top/bedspread, unless perhaps her older sister, Mary (Trent) Swaffield passed it along to her, as it is thought Mary’s initials are on the square depicting the “Junior W.A. Pathlow 1933.”

Unfortunately, Mary is now deceased.

Contact was made with the Saskatoon Diocesan Archivist and the Saskatoon Diocesan ACW for possible information, but it will take some time to research any records.

Meanwhile, it is hoped someone reading this article might have some recollection of having participated in this project or heard about it through family members, or, perhaps, it was mentioned in ACW minutes that are in storage.

The quilt top/bedspread does not have a backing on it, but has been bound along the outer edges with light blue seam binding.

There are 30 squares in the

The vintage embroidered quilt top/bedspread in question.

Photo — Cathy Tickner approximate size of 10.5 feet by 11 feet, all beautifully handembroidered in mostly floral designs, while one square has a large outline of a butterfly.

Some of the fabric seems to be linen, but most is white or off-white cotton and perhaps cut from flour sacking.

There are a few squares in light beige cotton. Some

squares depict the year 1933 and one square indicates April 1933.

Also embroidered on the squares are names of various ACW branches, Anglican parishes, a Girl’s Auxiliary, a Sunday School and initials of probably the people who embroidered the squares.

Most depict place names

DIOCESE OF SASKATCHEWAN Congratulations To Amy and Chris Dow on the birth of their little girl, Carla Elizabeth. She was born on March 21 at 1:57 a.m. and weighed 5 pounds, 14 oz. Mum and baby are doing well. g ACW News The AGM for the Diocese of Saskatchewan ACW will be held on Saturday, May 2 beginning at 10 a.m. in St. Alban’s Church Hall in Prince Albert.

The guest preacher at the 11 a.m. Eucharist Service will be Rev. Jeremy Boehr with Bishop Michael Hawkins officiating. The guest speaker for the afternoon talk at 2 p.m. is Kathryn Hawkins. All are welcome to attend. There is a potluck lunch at noon. g

Ladies’ Day Out at Camp Okema will be from June 9-11 this year. For more information contact Doris Wideen-Bazley at 306-425-2754. g Visitors to the Diocese The Venerable Dr. Michael Thompson, General Secretary to the Council of General Synod, will be in the diocese from Thursday, May 7 to Saturday, May 9. He will be attending the Emmanuel & St. Chad convocation on Friday, May 8 in Saskatoon.

Student Jeff Boldt will be attending the ACPO weekend in Lumsden at St. Michael’s Retreat from May 16-17. g Upcoming Events • April 28: Executive Committee Meeting • June 5-6: General Assembly

• June 7: Primate Fred Hiltz visits Stanley Mission • June 18-20: Province of Rupert’s Land Synod in Watrous.

Our synod delegates are Eric Bear, Carol Spencer, Jane Parrott, Dean Kenneth Davis, Rev. Patricia Langlois, Rev. Patricia Martin, Rev. Richard Custer and Caitlyn Bilyk (youth delegate).

• June 22-26: James Settee College will be offering a course at Camp Okema g St. Mary’s Cemetery Summer Schedule • June 28 – 3 p.m. Memorial Service with Bishop Michael Hawkins • July 26 – 3 p.m. Evensong • August 23 – 3 p.m. Harvest Thanksgiving, with Eucharist

throughout the Anglican dioceses of Saskatchewan and Saskatoon and, possibly Qu’Appelle, as well as names from British Columbia and England.

Names that might help in identifying this special project are as follows: Bethlehem; Buckle, Eng.; Whitefish Lake, 1933; Cortez Island, B.C., 1933; Whaletown, B.C., 1933 (Note: Whaletown, B.C. is located on Cortez Island, B.C.); All Saints Church, Melfort, 1933 & initials D.I.T.; St. George’s Girl’s Auxiliary, Saskatoon; Bradninch, Eng.; Duffield, & initials K. J. M.; Rich Valley, W.A., Sask.; Leask, Sask. 1933; Big Beaver & initials L.P. 1933; St. James Evening Branch, Saskatoon; All Saints Mothers’ Union; St. James Saskatoon, 1933; Debden & initials L.C.; Junior W.A. Pathlow, 1933, initials M.E.T.; All Saints, S. School; Shell River, Sask, April 1933; Maggies; Birchmoor, Eng. & initials E.D.; Prince Albert; Canwood, 1933; Mrs. J.B., Polwarth, 1933 (note: Polwarth seems to be a place name northwest of Canwood); Biggar, Sask. & initials M.S.; St. James W.A., Saskatoon; Shellbrook, 1933.

Each square is machinesewn together and outlined

in light blue embroidery stitching.

Possible ideas for the purpose of the project are a prayer-partner project or a special project relating to the split of the original Diocese of Saskatchewan to form the current dioceses of Saskatchewan and Saskatoon, which would have occurred at approximately the time this embroidery project seems to have been made.

Another possibility might be it was a Dorcas project. In the “Pathways to Pathlow” history book, reference was made to the Junior W.A. (which was formed in the 1930s) as follows: “Following studies and devotions, the girls were taught handicrafts.

“They made articles to be sold at the W.A. Bazaars as well as items and quilt-blocks for Dorcas work.”

Please share this article and photo within your parishes, your family and friends to see if there are any memories about this project.

If you have information, please contact Saskatoon Diocesan ACW President Elta Fae Marlor by e-mail at efmarlor@gmail.com, or Peter Coolen, Archivist for Diocese of Saskatoon, at ptrcoolen@ sasktel.net.

May & June 2015 RETREATS & WORKSHOPS THE BOOK OF EXODUS – Fr. Paul Fachet, OMI First Wednesday of each month; May 6. 10:00 am – 12:00 pm.

Cost: $15/session.

WHAT IS TRUTH? THE PERENNIAL QUESTION – Marie-Louise Ternier-Gommers Saturday May 23 9:30 am — 1:30 pm.

Cost $35 w/lunch (or $25 with bag lunch).

A DAY AWAY – Gisele Bauche Second Wednesday of the month, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm. May 13.

Cost $25 w/lunch.

LIVING SPIRIT – BAUCHE ART SHOW May 9—10. Coffee House Saturday from 7:00 - 9:00 pm; Mother’s Day Tea on Sunday May 10, 1:30 – 5:00 pm. Free admission.

ICONOGRAPHY WORKSHOP – Gisele Bauche & Anna Mycyk Monday May 25 – 29, 2015; 9:00 am – 4:00 pm each day. Cost: live-in $540/Commute $450 (includes lunches).

TRANSITIONS: JOURNEY OF TRANSFORMATION THROUGH GRIEF AND LOSS Sarah Donnelly. Thursday May 28, 7:00 pm – Sunday May 31, lunch.

Cost: $390 (live-in).

SILENT DIRECTED 8-Day RETREAT — Dianne Mantyka and Bishop Gerry Wiesner, OMI Sunday, June 28, 4:00 pm – Sunday, July 5, 3:00 pm Cost: $850 live-in.

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8

The Saskatchewan Anglican

May 2015

Muriel Blundell provided ‘loyal service’ to the Church, her friends and family

By Jason Antonio REGINA – Serving others was a big part of who Muriel Blundell was, no matter what the activity.

Muriel Gladys Blundell served the rectors of St. Paul’s Cathedral in Regina for more than 30 years by providing breakfast for them before Sunday morning services.

The coffee was always on before Sunday morning services in the cathedral Reading Room, brewed by Blundell for parishioners who stayed around to chat. She would usually be “fashionably late” in getting to her pew, since she was putting on the coffee.

Blundell was heavily involved in the Anglican Church Women (ACW) for decades, from the parish level to the national level.

She was a Sunday School teacher, represented the cathedral with The Canadian Bible Society Auxiliary, planted innumerable plants along the church’s west wall and kept them watered, and attended practically any and every service held at the cathedral; whatever event took place at the cathedral, Muriel was always there.

However, after a lengthy fight with cancer, Muriel Blundell passed away at the age of 87 on March 24. She had been the longest-serving member of St. Paul’s Cathedral, after having moved to Regina in 1951.

In a conversation weeks before her passing, Blundell spoke about some of her experiences, from her upbringing to providing breakfast for the rectors of the cathedral in Regina, who were also deans of the Diocese of Qu’Appelle.

Born Jan. 11, 1928 on the family farm near Dysart, Muriel was the third of six children.

After finishing Grade 10, she worked for a family in Cupar for a few years, before moving into Cupar itself.

After moving to Abernathy for other work, she then moved to Regina in 1951 in her early 20s.

Need coffee? Muriel Blundell stirs up a cup of coffee for herself in the Reading Room, after a service at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Regina. One of Muriel’s ministries was putting on a pot coffee before both services at the cathedral, for parishioners to enjoy afterward. After a year-long fight against cancer, Muriel passed away on March 24.

Photos — Provided by Warren Blundell “I started going to the cathedral right away when I moved to Regina (in 1951),” Blundell recalled.

This meant she would have attended St. Paul’s Cathedral for 64 years, one year longer than the current reign of Queen Elizabeth II. She would also be witness to all three of the cathedral’s halls and their construction.

In Regina she started working for SaskTel as a switchboard operator. She would later move into the switchboard supervisor role, a position she held until retiring in 1983 – at the age of 55 – after 32 years of service with the Crown corporation.

••• The first Sunday after retiring, Muriel began serving a small breakfast to the then-rector of the cathedral, Duncan Wallace, between the 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. services.

Other clergy would also attend the Sunday morning ritual and enjoy some tea or coffee.

“I thought it was just wonderful,” Wallace said of this act.

With a chuckle, he added, “Of

course, Michael Peers, who had been Dean before me, said, ‘She never did that for me.’ I said, ‘That’s right, fella.’”

“She was so gracious about it all and obviously enjoyed doing it,” Wallace continued.

“And she discovered fairly quickly I wasn’t overly fond of sticky, sweet things. So the menu changed.”

Some of the breakfast items that were served included rye breads, jams and peanut butter.

••• “I was thinking that (Wallace) deserved a bit of help,” Blundell

recalled. “He must have had to get up early in the morning to get to (the cathedral) to get everything straight and line up all the people for the service.

“I was very pleased that I was able to help and eat with (Wallace) and other people,” she added.

“It gave them a nice (start).

They liked their coffee and tea.”

••• Wallace, who later became the bishop of Qu’Appelle, explained Muriel brought a sense of life, commitment and joy to the Christian faith and in being part of the Church.

••• Besides serving the dean breakfast, Blundell also brewed coffee for the parishioners, with the pot being turned on usually after communion.

“The people really liked it because the people got to spend some time with Duncan,” she said.

••• During his eulogy at the funeral service for Muriel, Ian Mitchener described her as “one of the kindest and most loyal

friends” he ever had, who was “fashionably late” for get-togethers or other church-related activities.

He admitted it will be hard to accept she won’t be able to come over for suppers anymore; that she won’t be leaving any more “very long” voicemails that exceed the maximum length of SaskTel’s messages; or that she won’t be able to have the usual long conversations on the phone.

“But we know God needs a coffee lady and He knows you are an expert,” Michener added.

“Pretty good promotion over the years, from a small town Anglican church to the Anglican cathedral and now on to ‘Head Office.’”

••• “Breakfast was one of my ministries,” said Blundell during the chat in her hospital room. “I tried to always be there.”

However, she had to stop serving those breakfasts on Sunday mornings when her illness began affecting her too much.

As she recalled, “I felt I wasn’t strong enough anymore.”

Blundell added she felt somewhat sorry for not being able to serve breakfast or put on that pot of coffee.

She was also melancholy in not being at the cathedral as much to answer people’s questions, whether they were about the parish or not.

However, she was “very pleased” to have been able to carry out her own special breakfast ministry.

And those whom she served would also agree they are – and were – pleased with her efforts, generosity and loving ministry of service to St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Diocese of Qu’Appelle and wider Christian Anglican community.

“Prayer is so strong. It will never fade away as long as Jesus Christ is there,” Muriel Blundell said at the end of the chat.

“It will make you feel needed. Why can’t I do some of the things Jesus Christ did? I can …

God wants us to look down, look around and help people.”

Letter to the Editor

A promise is a promise To the editor: In light of the recent Supreme Court ruling on assisted suicide, it is time for leadership to fill the vacuum that has been created. The Liberals put forward a narrow response that only addresses assisted suicide.

Meanwhile, the Conservatives have only provided silence and inaction.

Now is a time for leadership in putting forward a comprehensive

plan for end-of-life care. New Democrats proposed a PanCanadian end-of-life care strategy that parliament passed with the support of the Conservative government. They have no excuse for inaction. The government needs to live up to its promise.

Canada’s population is aging and less than one-third of Canadians have access to quality, end-of-life

care. Huge disparities exist in access to end-of-life care across Canada and we need action to improve it.

Now, with the Supreme Court’s ruling, there is a policy vacuum.

That is why I have launched the “A Promise is a Promise” campaign. It’s simple: a vote is a vote and a promise is a promise.

It is time for the government to implement our call. It is time to see

a comprehensive plan for end of life care.

The federal government must work with its provincial and territorial patners to give more support to caregivers, improve the quality and consistency of care in urban and rural communities and encourage Canadians to plan with their families for end-of-life care.

We are working with grassroots

organizations and health providers to push the government to live up to the promise. I am asking you to support the call for a Pan-Canadian Palliative Care Strategy to help ensure all Canadians have access to high quality, home-based and hospice palliative care at the end of life.

NDP MP Charlie Angus (Timmins-James Bay)

The Saskatchewan Anglican

May 2015

9

Small world for Qu’Appelle travellers

By Barbara Bolton

Service of Renewal and Blessing On Maundy Thursday, the Right Reverend David Irving, bishop of Saskatoon (right), and the Reverend Emily Carr, blessed the oils at the Service of Renewal of Priestly Vows and Blessing of Oils, in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Saskatoon.

Photo — Peter R. Coolen

KELLIHER (Qu’A) – I was fortunate to spend a holiday with my daughter, her husband and family in Victoria.

We attended church at St. Andrew’s in Sidney and their very gentle minister was very caring.

On the last Sunday of my holiday I suggested we go once again to St. Michael and All Angels in the Royal Oak area.

As we left the church, Rev. Dawna Wall gave me a friendly hug and I said, “Blessings from the Diocese of Qu’Appelle.”

I was very surprised when she said retired Bishop Eric Bays was also visiting St. Michael’s that morning.

She pointed him out, as he was chatting outside.

I went over and introduced myself and he immediately connected with our (now deconsecrated) Holy Trinity Church. He had been a guest on the Sunday when we celebrated 70 happy years of music by our organist.

This meeting and talk with Bishop Bays was a highlight of my holiday and I feel it was the Lord’s gift.

D I O C E S E O F Q U ’A P P E L L E

News and notes from the latest Diocesan Council meeting Diocese of Qu’Appelle looks at various teaching resources for confirmation; Fair Share acceptance levels throughout the diocese; employing one of the best youth missioners in the Anglican Communion; and Camp Harding

By Jason Antonio REGINA – The Diocese of Qu’Appelle held its Diocesan Council meeting on March 21 at All Saints in Regina. The following are highlights from the meeting.

• Four new missioners have been appointed to assist Archdeacon Malcolm French in the central region, St. Cuthbert

Archdeaconry, which includes Plain and Valley (Lumsden and Pence) and Regina parishes.

Those four people include: Deacon Susan Page, regional missioner, Kate Berringer, regional lay missioner, Diane Gingras, regional lay missioner, and Laura French, regional youth missioner.

The first major focus for this regional leadership team will be to assess the current state of the Church within the region and begin developing a missional strategy for Regina and area.

• A number of teaching resources and materials have been gathered so far for creating new confirmation courses, explained Archdeacon Kim Salo.

However, it is not the committee’s goal to write a new course yet.

“We are moving toward recommending a two-year confirmation course,” Salo said. “It is a move away from the six- to 10-week courses. We are about making disciples, as opposed to making confirmation students.”

So far the committee has looked at the Diocese of Albany’s 14-week course; reviewed Alpha programs; looked at the Church of England’s Pilgrim course; and looking at the Lutherans’ Re-form and Connect programs.

“We are looking at priorities that matter … and more toward (lifelong) discipleship,” said Salo.

Said Rev. Wilma Woods, “I’ve (led) the two-year ELCIC program.

“We’re now into the second cohort (of students). I’m so pleased with the parents coming in.”

Executive Archdeacon Dell Bornowsky pointed out there are multiple entry points with twoyear confirmation courses.

They allow people already confirmed to join in as well.

“We need to separate discipleship and growth,” said Salo.

“We need to work on being Anglican. If we don’t do confirmation, we aren’t doing anything for young people.”

“We need to be training and producing lay catechists,” added Bornowsky, “disciples who make disciples.”

• Fair Share acceptance levels – those fees paid by each parish in the diocese to the diocese – have been at all-time highs over the past four years, which has been “excellent,” said diocesan finance officer Biljana Grujic.

Two years ago the acceptance level throughout the diocese was 98.14 per cent.

Last year, that level rose to 98.38 per cent. Currently, this year’s Fair Share acceptance level is pegged at 92.20 per cent.

However, Grujic explained some parishes say they may not be able to pay the full requested amount, but in the end, some do pay the requested amount in full.

Meanwhile, some parishes

don’t respond at all but end up paying their full share.

Bishop Rob Hardwick stated behind all these numbers, however, are “real people, real stories (and) real struggles.”

He gave the example of one parish struggling to recover from a major flood last year.

They may not be able to pay their full Fair Share level this year.

“Do we care?” the bishop wondered.

He suggested Diocesan Council send a letter to that parish, with Council members collectively expressing their support for the parish’s recovery.

• The diocese has one of the best youth missioners in the whole Anglican Communion, said Hardwick.

He pointed out Julie Moser is well-respected for her efforts in engaging children and youth in the Christian faith.

In her report to Council, Moser provided a summary of some of the key events and ministries that have taken place over the past few months.

Some of the events included children’s ministry volunteer morning teas; the Q Event; grandparent ministry weekend; resource pages containing information for those working with children, youth and teenagers; and Youthsurge, a regional youth gathering.

Upcoming opportunities include assisting churches in min-

istering to youth through ongoing weekly small group Bible studies after confirmation is completed; having a youth and children’s volunteer appreciation lunch on June 13 at St Aidan’s, Moose Jaw to honour those who have been involved in this type of ministry over the years or decades; and a new season for Camp Harding.

The information about the camp is “really important,” Hardwick said.

The camp struggled with low attendance for a number of years and had difficulty recruiting leaders and volunteers.

It functioned almost separately from the diocese, since there were very few children from any parishes attending and little to no involvement from those in the parishes.

“But in the last few months, we have seen a transformation,” the bishop added.

“More clergy are going to help.

“One year ago, we thought we would have to shut down the camp. But not now.”

Upcoming camps include: • Adventure Camp, from July 5-11 (Ages 14-17) • Intermediate Camp, from July 13-17 (Ages 10-13) • Crosstalk Juniors Camp, July 20-24 (Ages 6-9) • Messy Church Family Camp, July 28 to Aug. 1 (All ages, Cypress Hills Provincial Park)

10

The Saskatchewan Anglican

May 2015

Year 2 of ‘Fred Says’ campaign looks at food security Contributed

Attendees of the clergy retreat gather at the end of the four-day event. The clergy include the Primate, the Most Reverend Fred Hiltz (centre); the Right Reverend Rob Hardwick, Bishop of Qu’Appelle (left) and the Right Reverend David Irving, Bishop of Saskatoon (right). The music team includes (left to right) music leader Sara Comerford; Pastor Mark Kleiner (ELCIC), St. Paul’s, Biggar; the Reverend Warren Heustis, St. John’s, Fort Qu’Appelle; and the Reverend Emily Carr, St. George’s, Saskatoon.

Photo — Peter R. Coolen

Silence and joy in the valley

By Peter R. Coolen LUMSDEN — Another annual four-day clergy retreat has come and gone.

The clergy retreat is held annually for clergy of the dioceses of Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle at the St. Michael’s Retreat Centre, Lumsden, in the beautiful Qu’Appelle Valley.

This year 40 attended (21 from Saskatoon and 19 from Qu’Appelle).

For the first time, two attendees were not priests or deacons but students of the Locally Raised Clergy Program in the Diocese of Saskatoon.

This year the theme of the retreat was the Five Marks of Mission; the presenter during the retreat was the Most Reverend Fred Hiltz, Primate.

The retired bishop of Saskatoon, The Right Reverend Rodney Andrews, led the services and worship for the retreat.

Music leadership was provided by Sara Comerford with the assistance of the Reverend Emily Carr, St. George’s, Saskatoon; Pastor Mark Kleiner (ELCIC), St. Paul’s, Biggar; and the Reverend Warren Heustis, St. John’s, Fort Qu’Appelle.

The annual clergy retreats are characterized by silence; outside of the services and presentations, which were held in the chapel, and except for a break from 6-9 p.m. each day, the retreat and all meals were silent, allowing time for undisturbed study, reflection, meditation and rest.

This silence can be quite

jarring for the modern mind – loaded as it is with multiple thoughts, demands and distractions – and enforces a gradual and growing sense of calm and focus in those involved in the retreat.

Each retreat day began with quiet time and then breakfast, followed by a Eucharist Service and then a presentation.

A time of reflection with lunch and then more time for study followed, until the late afternoon Service of Evening Prayer and the second presentation.

After the second presentation of the day and another time of reflection, dinner was served, followed by three hours where talking was permitted.

The day concluded with a Service of Late Evening Prayer.

The Primate gave five presentations on the Marks of Mission during the retreat and provided background information and handouts as reference and resource materials for his talks.

The Primate’s main message was the Five Marks of Mission are not an additional five commandments for the Church, but rather represent a guide to opportunities to exercise our Christian vocation and bring the Good News to the world in a nurturing, caring and transformative way.

We should express ourselves in voice, action and ceremony (for example, in baptisms and asperging), boldly and generously with joyful ostentation and sumptuous noise and motion.

Our actions should be as

Christ’s were: open, loving, without boundary and limitless with social justice, the elimination of suffering and the protection of creation as our priorities.

Finally, the worldwide Church can be seen as moving with us towards a common shared vision, which can be most recently shown by the papal encyclical Evangelii Gaudium (the Joy of the Gospel) and by our Church’s involvement with other Canadian faith groups in “Dignity for All.” On Thursday evening, prior to the last service of the day and to mark Maundy Thursday, Archbishop Hiltz conducted a service of foot washing at which he personally washed and blessed the feet of all who were present.

The music ministry team, during the foot washing, played a version of “This Little Light of Mine,” prepared especially for the retreat which, in part, used the words of the Five Marks of Mission as lyrics.

The retreat concluded with the singing of Draw the Circle Wide, with all those present singing and standing in a linked circle in the chapel.

Some comments received from those who attended the 2015 retreat: “The best retreat that I have ever been on.” — The Very Reverend Scott Pittendrigh, Dean of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Saskatoon.

“A wonderful balance of time for worship, study, learning, inspiration, meditation and communion with others.”— The Reverend Alex Parsons.

We live in a world where one in eight people don’t have enough to eat.

The Most Reverend Fred Hiltz, the “Fred” behind Fred Says, together with The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund, is for a second year reminding us when it comes to development work, it all starts with food.

The campaign is designed to move us to understand food security; the availability of food and one’s access to it.

Last year Anglican interest was sparked with “Fredisms:” Some Like It Hot, Have You Eaten Today, It’s Good to be Full of Beans and Let’s Jam. Over the next few months, Fred will share his passion and energy through four new “Fredisms.”

• Rice is Nice encourages us to give towards keeping a rice mill open in the Philippines.

Providing farmers with a fair price for their rice crops and encourage them to make their living off the land.

On page 16 in Gifts for Mission, $100 will keep a mill open for a week.

• Kids Rock encourages us to help provide families in Tanzania, in the Diocese of Masaia, with a goat.

A goat will supply a source of nutrition and a means of sustainable income.

On page 13 in Gifts for

Mission, $80 will purchase a goat. Consider that two goats are better than one!

• It’s Easy Being Green sets us off on the mission to outfit a refugee camp with spirulina tanks.

Spirulina is a nutritious algae that is dried and given to children and nursing mothers in more than 100 Sri Lankan refugee camps.

On page 16 of Gifts for Mission, $250 helps outfit one tank.

• Veg Out enables us to assist households to have a sustainable source of food.

Farmers in Tanzanian villages who receive seeds and training donate 20 per cent of their crop to their village’s seed bank.

On page 16 in Gifts for Mission, $80 helps one family.

What can you do to make a difference?

What can your family do?

What can Fredisms can your parish do?

Order online by visiting www.anglican.ca/giftguide, or call toll-free at 1-866924-9192.

Diocesan reps are also ready to answer your questions.

Qu’Appelle: Anne Marie MacNeil at annemacneil@ accesscomm.ca.

Saskatchewan: Violet Goodfellow at 306-3422135.

Saskatoon: Barbara Spurr at roxanaspurr@yahoo. ca; Mary Ann Assailly at maryann.assailly@gmail. com

The Saskatchewan Anglican

Battle River Parish bids farewell to the Rev. Peter and Debbie Norman

By Mary Mattila THE BATTLEFORDS (S’toon) – Following the church service at St. Paul’s on Feb. 1, a large group of parishioners from Battle River Parish gathered for lunch and to wish our rector, Peter Norman and his wife Debbie, farewell and Godspeed as they prepared to move to their new home in Calgary.

Peter has left North Battleford as of Feb. 28 and will be working part-time in Calgary. He and Debbie wish to be close to their son Kyle, who is having serious health issues in Calgary.

We will miss them very much at St. Paul’s and St. George’s.

After eight years, we feel they are very much a part of our family.

During the lunch, the ACW ladies excelled in providing a lovely lunch of beef-on-a-bun and wonderful salads.

A nicely iced carrot cake was served as dessert and enjoyed by all. There was a hum of fellowship as the parishioners gathered around our new round tables, set with pristine white table clothes and beautiful tiger lily centre pieces.

The program began with a trumpet solo by Jack Tatchell, who was accompanied by Junice Headley on the piano.

Jack chose to play three pieces of easy listening jazz, which the audience loved. The choir sang “A Farewell to Peter,” set to the tune of “Glory, Glory, Hallelujah.”

This was followed by a vocal solo by Piper Mutch.

The Sunday school teachers and children came forward and presented Peter and Debbie with a lovely arrangement made using a cowboy hat as a base, with many paper windmills of various colours filling the hat.

This seemed very appropriate as the Normans will be living on an acreage on the outskirts of Calgary.

A presentation of a photograph of the church and some flowers was made by Rector’s Warden Gail Morgan and the People’s Warden Cec Russell.

Cec spoke on behalf of the congregation of St. Paul’s. He spoke of being warden when Ron Baerg left and wondered at that time if we would find anyone to fill his shoes.

At that time Ron had said, “Don’t worry, you’ll find someone!” Cec was glad to state that, indeed, Peter had filled the shoes. We pray God will fill them again for the Battle River Parish.

Peter and Debbie, we wish you all of God’s blessings in this new phase of your life. We will miss you indeed!

May 2015

11

Camp Okema summer schedule Volunteer work weekend first activity at the camp • M a y 1 6 - 1 8 : Vo l u n t e e r Wo r k We e k e n d • July 5: Open House • July 5-9: Cabin Leader Training • July 12-16: Small Fry 1 (ages 7 – 9) • July 19-24: Junior 1 (ages 10 – 12) • July 26-30: Small Fry 2 (ages 7 – 9) • August 1-5: Family Camp • August 9-14: Junior 2 (ages 10 – 12) • A u g u s t 1 6 - 2 2 : Te e n (ages13 – 17)

The Reverend Canon Peter and Debbie Norman at Peter’s retirement luncheon, on Feb. 28.

Photo — Joan Bunce

Sabrina Adams presents a memento from the Sunday School children — a cowboy hat filled with paper windmills of different colours — to Peter and Debbie Norman at Peter’s retirement luncheon.

Photo — Kathy Adams

Jack Tatchell played three pieces of easy listening jazz on the trumpet during Peter Norman’s retirement luncheon.

Photo — Kathy Adams

All are welcome to join us for our Vo l u n t e e r Wo r k We e k e n d .

For more information contact Darryl McRae at 306-270-5182.

Our Open House schedule: Service at 2 : 3 0 p . m . ; Vi s i t / S w i m from 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.; Barbecue/Potluck at 5 p.m.

All are welcome!

The camp is available for rental in late M a y, J u n e , l a t e A u g u s t a n d e a r l y S e p t e m b e r.

For more information and available dates contact Andy To m y n at 306-3828447.

Check out our website at w w w. c a m pokema.com for additional information and online registration.

12

The Saskatchewan Anglican

May 2015

From medieval feast to Strawberry Fair

By Jason Antonio REGINA – The year was 1988.

Calgary hosted the Winter Olympics. The Hubble Space Telescope was put into operation. And Who Framed Roger Rabbit? was one of the top movies of the year.

In Regina, St. Paul’s Cathedral held its inaugural Strawberry Fair and kicked off a tradition – and major fundraiser – that has lasted 27 years.

The idea for a strawberry fair was created by Joyce Blake, who was one of the cathedral wardens at that time, explained retired Bishop Duncan Wallace, who was the rector of the cathedral at that time.

The first fair was a great success, said the retired bishop, except for the tiny fact the cathedral had not made provision for moving the remaining strawberries to other sales places.

“They were beginning to soften and smell by Sunday noon,” Wallace added.

“We did learn.”

For many years before, St. Paul’s major fundraiser and congregational project had been the Medieval Banquet, done in conjunction with the parishes of St. Luke and St. Michael in Regina and the parish in Lumsden.

While the banquets were a great success and great fun,

they proved to be extremely personnel-dependant and not as financially profitable, since the profit was divided among four parishes. However, Duncan acknowledged it was still a great project and did much for building the local community.

One of the few volunteers to see the Fair transform and grow has been Margaret Hammond.

From 1991 to 2012, she was in charge of ticket sales, including working at the truck on Fair Day. “It is notable that so many members of the congregation participate, not only on the day, but in preparing for it,” Hammond said, including “making meat pies and welsh cakes, et cetera, sorting and pricing donations, planning and setting up.

“It has also become a tradition.

“In 2014, at least three families had three generations volunteering.”

While much of the Fair activity has taken place indoors, weather has always played a factor for those working on “the Strawberry truck.”

Hammond noted some years it was so sunny, after seven hours of working outside, many of the volunteers had notably pink faces. More often, however, the volunteers would come bundled up and in layers.

“In 1995, weather in

Blessing the Eucharist in a pub “We need to remember that we can do this anywhere and Jesus is present with us as we do it, because that’s who Jesus is. He comes in our midst and He takes hold of us. He takes hold of the elements and becomes bread for us, becomes body and blood for us.” Rev. Cheryl Toth of Plain and Valley Parish was the preacher at Regina’s first Pub Church communion on March 29. Archdeacon Malcolm French of St. James the Apostle, Regina was the celebrant. St. James has been hosting a monthly Pub Church at The Tap Brewery and Eatery in Regina for the past four years. Photo – Jason Antonio

California had a great impact,” Hammond recalled.

“Just before noon on the previous Thursday, a telephone call informed us that because of rain, the berries had to dry out before they could be packed and thus the truck would not arrive on Saturday.

“Plans for the indoor booths were too advanced to change, so the decision was made to go ahead with them.

“When the truck arrived at noon on Sunday, there was a large crowd waiting and a loud cheer went up as it pulled in.”

Before the construction of the current facility, the cathedral possessed a hall that was twice the size and contained many smaller rooms on the floor below. These rooms housed the ever-popular White Elephant station – which featured a number of second-hand trinkets – and the Clothing Boutique, where a person could load up on outfits for the next year.

A medieval feast was the original major fundraiser for St. Paul’s Cathedral in Regina (top) for many years, but in 1988, medieval grub gave way to Strawberries from the sunny state of California (above).

Photos — Regina Leader-Post/Linda Kapasky However, due to the demolition of the cathedral hall and the construction of a smaller hall, those parts of the Fair had to be eliminated since there was no more room for them.

But, with some creativity, the cathedral itself is now being used to host many of the usual features of the Strawberry Fair, such as the books, collectables, crafts and baking.