The Saskatchewan Anglican, February 2024 by The Saskatchewan Anglican

Saskatchewan anglican

The newspaper of the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle • A Section of the Anglican Journal • February 2024

Evangelism and church growth

Generous friend Frank Flegel dead at age 89

Church continues to serve Endeavour area

An update on O of S Nipawin recipients

Qu'Appelle hires new diocesan refugee co-ordinator By Joanne Shurvin-Martin

Create and make in us contrite hearts "Jesus said, 'Now whenever you fast, do not make a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they distort their faces so that they will be noticed by people when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But as for you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that your fasting will not be noticed by people but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you'" (Matt. 6:16-18, NASB). Lent begins on Wednesday, Feb. 14 with Ash Wednesday. Photo by Shutterstock/Simson Nelson Salouw

REGINA — The Diocese of Qu’Appelle has hired Muyiwa Adewale as the diocesan refugee coordinator. He began work in the Synod Office in November 2023, after being involved for some months, “learning the ropes” from Ralph Paragg, who retired after 27 years of dedicated volunteer service. Adewale explained that the Diocese of Qu’Appelle is one of four sponsorship agreement holders (SAH) in Regina. The SAHs are “an interface between the government and the sponsors” who are usually family members of refugees. Each SAH has its own policies and procedures, but all follow the process set out by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Canada (IRCC). IRCC has recently changed from a system based on paper application forms to an online portal. This will be fully operational from Jan. 1 of this year. Adewale believes this process is an improvement because it will be faster and better. The refugees and their sponsors provide the information for the application, but the SAH must submit the applications to the IRCC. Another level in the system is the constituency group (CG), which “works hand in hand with the sponsor,” says Adewale. He gives the example of a parish being the CG, and a member of the parish is the sponsor of a relative. The sponsor is responsible for raising enough money to support the refugee (or refugee Continued on page 4

Nipawin priest helps create first BCP in Braille By Mary Brown

A Book of Common Prayer in Braille.

NIPAWIN (Skwn) — When discussing with retired Bishop Michael Hawkins how Rev. Michael Lyons began his ministry, the topic came up that there is no prayer book in Braille. As someone with limited sight, he was the perfect person to spearhead an endeavour to produce the Book of Common Prayer in Braille. So, with a $5,000

grant from the Anglican Foundation, he contacted an embossing company in New Brunswick with the idea. There now is the one and only — and the very first — book in Braille of Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, Holy Communion, the Baptism Service, Burial of the Dead and the Matrimony service. The project snowballed into collaboration with King’s College, which

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want to develop Braille in its chapel. There is such thing as a braille typewriter, but it was better to outsource its production to speed things up. Lyons can read Braille, but he told me he can still see to read at 30-point font. He hopes to get all the collects, epistles and gospels into Braille, and knowing Michael, he will. Photo courtesy Forward Movement

The Saskatchewan Anglican

February 2024

Life's a tug-of-war between physical desires and spiritual needs How does free will affect my faith?

Published by the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle. Published monthly except for July and August.

By Rev. Cheryl Toth

id you make any New Year’s resolutions this year? If so, you probably have an idea by now how well it’s going in keeping them. For some of you, the resolution you made is bolstered by the will you have to keep it and progress is being made. For some of you, the will to keep your goal is fading and it is getting harder and harder. Some of you may have already given up. You might be saying as St. Paul did in his letter to the Romans: I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. …I can will what is right but I cannot do it (Rom. 7:15, 18b). This portion of Paul’s letter gets right to the heart of the human dilemma, a dilemma we experience when we try to change. We may see a needed change of course. We may want a new outcome. Yet we are often frustrated by our inability to follow through in a way that truly makes a difference. The biblical narrative has this dilemma woven into the story of the Garden of Eden, home for the human ones, creatures of earth and breath, bone and blood. They live in a world not of their making. The Creator gives them one another and all that they need to flourish. The Creator also gives them boundaries about what they can take for their own. Those limits are named as the tree (or trees) in the middle of the garden — the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and the tree of life. The fruit of those trees is not for them to eat. But the serpent — cunning creature that it is — moves their gaze from what they have to what they are forbidden, and shifts their understanding from what they were told to what they want to hear. They eat the fruit of a tree and at once they are changed. They become aware of themselves as

Whole No. 292, Vol. 52 No. 6 A Section of the Anglican Journal SUBSCRIPTIONS For change of address, undeliverable copies and subscription list updates, contact: • Your parish • e-mail: circulation @national.anglican.ca • Or send to Saskatchewan Anglican, c/o Anglican Journal, 80 Hayden Street, Toronto, Ont. M4Y 3G2 RATES $10 in Canada $17 outside Canada

St. Paul knew what it was like to struggle in life, because as he wrote in Romans 7:15, 18b, "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do ... . For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out." Photo by Shutterstock/Renata Sedmakova vulnerable and naked before one another. They soon realize that their act has disrupted their relationship with God and with each other. They will need to labour to live and bring forth life. Also, they will die. The tree from which they ate is

is part of being a limited creature. The Genesis story reminds us that we human beings have what philosophers and theologians call free will. We have freedom to choose one course of action over another, to shape our

The Genesis story reminds us that we human beings have what philosophers and theologians call free will. We have freedom to choose one course of action over another, to shape our lives and our world. Yet our freedom also has limitations not one that gives eternal life but rather one that gives them knowledge of good and evil. They become acutely aware that their choices and their actions may or may not bring forth good. Most particularly, just as they are not free from suffering and death, they are not free from the burden of making choices. They must will and act even when they cannot know all the outcomes of their choices. That, too,

lives and our world. Yet our freedom also has limitations. Reality defines some of the choices we can make. We can choose to harm others but that breaks relationships and causes disruption. We can choose to pollute the Earth but that diminishes the creation upon which we depend for life. Also, as Paul poignantly said, another limitation to our free will is our propensity as human

beings to desire more than one thing and those desires are often in conflict. That’s why New Year’s resolutions are so hard to keep. We may want to be more physically active but we may also want to watch a program or read a book. Which desire will win out? Can we do both? Paul saw this human dilemma in terms of a battle between spirit and flesh. By this he meant a struggle between our rational desires and spiritual understanding, and our bodily desires and limited perception. Modern science might see it more as a battle between the cerebral cortex and the reptilian parts of our brain. Either way we are often conflicted and frustrate ourselves and others. Yet Paul did not despair. That is because he realized two things that speak to our dilemma. Firstly, Paul proclaimed that we are not reconciled to God because we do good things. We are reconciled to God because of Jesus, the One who did “my Father’s will” on behalf of all humanity. Continued next page

SUBMISSIONS Submissions for the April issue must be received by the diocesan editor no later than Feb. 23. All pictures must be sent as JPEGS and 1 MB (megabyte) in size. CONTACT INFORMATION Managing Editor: Jason Antonio SKAnglicanEditor@gmail. com 1501 College Ave Regina, Sask., S4P 1B8 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 mary1949brown@gmail.com Box 25, Shellbrook, Sask., S0J 2E0 306-922-5159 Advertising agent: Angela Rush saskatchewan.anglican.ads@ gmail.com 905-630-0390 PUBLISHING DETAILS Published from 59 Roberts Place Regina, Sask., S4T 6K5

February 2024

The Saskatchewan Anglican

PURSUING THE GREAT COMMISSION

Evangelism and church growth strategies aren't the same thing By Alan Hayes Wycliffe Institute of Evangelism

vangelism, at its root, means sharing the gospel. Scripture asks us to be prepared to “give a reason for the hope that is in you.” (1 Peter 3:15). That is within our power to do, and there are skills to learn for doing it well. But we are not in control of how people respond to our sharing of the gospel, or whether they will make a commitment to Christ.

Growing the Church

In the 1970s and 1980s, many people proposed that it was in our power to grow churches. We cannot convert people, but we can attract them to church. Evangelism may have an uncertain outcome, but church growth can be scientifically strategized. That was the argument of such books as Donald McGavran’s Understanding Church Growth (1970), Peter Wagner’s Your Church Can Grow (1984), and George Barna’s Marketing the Church (1989). The Fuller Institute of Evangelism and Church Growth in Pasadena produced church growth consultants. The premise was once

people were in church, they would become faithful Christians. Now, there were other views on that score. In the 1830s, Kierkegaard’s judgment on the Church of Denmark was it prevented churchgoers from knowing Christ, because it made them think they already knew Christ. Yet, the church growth movement was more interested in increasing numbers than deepening the quality of faith.

What About Evangelism?

Connecting evangelism to church growth has mightily influenced our thinking. Is our

... Using our free will to serve God Continued from page 2 Our salvation is not dependent on how well we will the right thing. It is because of God’s grace. Secondly, Paul understood our finite freedom to be a gift from God that gave us the possibility of choosing the good. The ultimate good we can choose is to follow Christ and allow ourselves to be transformed by the Holy Spirit working in our lives. This is not an instantaneous transformation but the reshaping of our desires and practices as disciples of Christ in community with one another. As followers of Christ we have many

opportunities to realign our lives with God and practise the ways of faithfulness. In a few weeks we will be entering the season of Lent in which we focus on just that. Perhaps in this new season of the church year we can join with others in practising the ways in which we might more fully love God, our neighbours and ourselves. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2) Canon Cheryl Toth is a retired clergyperson now serving as honorary assistant at St. Paul’s Cathedral.

congregational life feeling stagnant? Bring in new members! Are we losing people to the church down the street? Let’s market our brand better! Is our church having financial problems? Grow the number of envelope subscribers! Do we want to feel more successful? Add bums to pews! I have looked at some Anglican parish websites. They typically reflect church growth ideas, not evangelistic ones. They promote their worship services, introduce the clergy, and picture social events. They hope to make their church look more interesting, more hospitable, and less threatening than others. But most of these websites do not evangelize in the sense of proclaiming the gospel of Christ. In fact, many seem to downplay anything that sounds doctrinal, presumably because that might make them look, you know, zealous, and therefore less inclusive. There are problems with this approach. An obvious one is to build a church on growth strategies—like a charismatic pastor and a homogeneous culture—is to build on sand. Think of the Crystal Cathedral during Robert Schuller’s time. It had 10,000 members and 20 million television viewers in the 1990s. When Schuller retired at the same time that Orange County was becoming demographically diverse, the ministry went bankrupt and the church was sold to the Roman Catholic diocese.

Why people stray from church

A bigger problem with prioritizing growth over proclaiming Christ is, many non-Christians actively hunger for God, but disdain the church. Churches have a bad name. Not a week goes by without a news story connecting churches to sexual abuse, misappropriation of funds, the mistreatment of children in residential schools, hypocrisy, repressive practices, aggressive political partisanship, or exploitation. Churches just are not places where nonChristians expect to meet God. As the 1960s countercultural stand-up comic Lenny Bruce said, “Every day people are straying away from church, and going back to God.” Even if churches behaved themselves better, they would still have an unattractive image to overcome. They are property-owning, clerically controlled, legally incorporated, selfprotective institutions. Who trusts that? And that kind of church is a far cry from the one in Acts 2.

Private Piety

In the 1980s, an influential sociological study called Habits of the Heart by Robert N. Bellah (an Episcopalian!) and others presented a portrait of individualism in middle America. The most prominent form of religiosity, as they discovered, was the kind that said, “I believe in God, and I pray sometimes, but I

do not have any interest in going to church.” Following the early German sociologist Ernst Troeltsch, the researchers called this religious type “mystical anarchism”— mystical since it assumed a direct relation between individual and God, anarchism because it resisted external restrictions on freedom of spiritual expression. A little later, Robert Putnam’s Bowling Alone used the disappearance of bowling leagues as a symbol of the decline of community feeling in America. As individualism has strengthened, mainline denominations have suffered. When so many prefer private piety, we will have trouble making church look attractive to those who do not already love Jesus, or who are seeking him.

Proclaiming Jesus

Now, there are exceptions. Some seeker churches, like Saddleback, do a pretty amazing job of bringing curious people in, hooking them into the gospel, giving them a community (in a cell group), and changing their lives. But then their website really does do oldfashioned evangelism. You will find “About Jesus” before you will find “About Saddleback.” I write as one whose own path to Christian commitment did not reach a parish until near the end. I also know many other Christians with similar experiences. People like me wanted God, but, frankly, as I am ashamed now to recall, we felt smugly superior to ordinary churchgoers. So we came to know Jesus through: conversations with Christian friends or teachers, popular theological reading, Bible studies, courses, a crisis that forced us to reevaluate our assumptions, someone’s invitation to prayer, a televised sermon or interview, a movie with a Christian message, or Christian music. So that is why I think we miss many folks when we focus on marketing our church more than proclaiming Jesus. Photo by Shutterstock

The Saskatchewan Anglican

February 2024

... Workshops to teach people how to help refugees Continued from page 1 family) for an entire year. After the refugee arrives in Canada, the sponsor must also look after getting the refugee a social insurance number, health card and other documents; opening a bank account; as well as taking them to language and job training classes. The sponsor helps with whatever the refugee needs to to settle properly in the new country. These duties are often more than one individual can handle, so the constituency group would be there to help out. The diocese, as the SAH, holds the finances and disburses them monthly for the first year, after which the refugee is expected to be independent. Adewale stressed that neither the sponsor nor the SAH can require a refugee to repay the money raised,

A group of refugees walks toward the Turkish border. Photo courtesy Shutterstock/Lumiereist nor require the refugee to work for them as compensation for their sponsorship. The sponsor, often with a constituency group, must make sure that everything is in place for refugees to settle into their new home. This includes not

only accommodations, but furnishings, suitable clothing, even groceries in the cupboards. The diocese plans to offer workshops for parishes or individuals interested in helping refugees. These workshops will be offered a few times

each year. Adewale was born in Nigeria, and immigrated to Canada in 2022, so he has experience being a newcomer in Canada. He was born an Anglican and considers himself part of every parish in the diocese.

Adewale encourages more people to get involved in sponsoring refugees, “to extend the hand of friendship to vulnerable people in many dangerous parts of the world, because this will be in tandem with the kind of love our Saviour taught us.”

DIOCESE OF SASKATOON EVENTS

Announcements for February 2024 g Saskatchewan Anglican online! Did you know you can read current and past issues of the Sask. Anglican online? Visit www. anglicandiocesesaskatoon. com/saskanglican or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ saskatchewananglican. g Licentiate in Theology Courses offered by College of Emmanuel and St. Chad and Western Education Collaborative Anglican Network (W.E.C.A.N.): Emmanuel and St. Chad College has been working with the WECAN group to develop a ministry preparation program relevant to the various Anglican contexts in Western Canada. The local diocesan ministry schools make substantial contributions to the program by offering courses mapped out in the ESC-WECAN Licentiate in Theology handbook. Whether you are feeling called to do more formal ministry or are drawn to taking certain courses, please contact the person named for the course or courses you are interested in doing. At the same time, let

your diocesan school co-ordinator know your plans. If interested, please review the detailed list of fall and winter course located elsewhere in this issue. g ‘Growing in Wisdom’ at Queen’s House Retreat and Renewal Centre: Queen’s House continues to accept applications for its “Growing in Wisdom” program at www. growinginwisdom.ca. “Growing in Wisdom” is an ecumenical, two-year program, designed for those who are retired, and are curious and interested in exploring the spirituality of aging. This program will be offered even with the potential closure of Queen’s House occurring as it is offered completely on Zoom. A free threehour information session was offered in late June, and a recording of this session can be found on the home page of the website. The program was originally scheduled to begin in late September; however, the start date has been moved to February and ends in November

2025. People can register through the website above. If you have anyone in your congregation who might be interested in a program like this one, please encourage them to visit the website. Upcoming services and weekly or monthly events: g The Painting Table: All are welcome at the “Painting Table” held in the lower parish hall at Emmanuel Anglican Parish, 607 Dufferin Ave., from 7 to 8:30 p.m., the first Wednesday of each month. All art materials are supplied. g Winter Course at The Refinery: The Refinery at Emmanuel Anglican Parish, Saskatoon is offering a series of courses during the winter season on a variety of subjects including painting and various other art media, Zumba, and various spiritual and meditative modalities. For more information or to register, please see the notice located elsewhere in this issue of the Saskatchewan Anglican or contact the Refinery at www.emmanuelrefinery.

org or 306-653-3549. g All Saints Anglican Parish, Saskatoon; Choral Evensong followed by a potluck supper. Third Wednesday of each month; 5:15 p.m. g Christ Church Anglican, Saskatoon: BAS Evening Prayer, every Thursday at 7 p.m.; Free community supper, 5 to 7 p.m., the third Tuesday of each month; Community Coffee House, every Wednesday, 10 a.m. to noon; Nutflakes Videos, Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Men’s breakfast the first Sunday of each month, a free breakfast by the men of the parish, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. g Prairie Centre for Ecumenism (PCE) Events (for more information on these events, please see the more detailed notices posted elsewhere in this issue of the Saskatchewan Anglican): g Ecumenical Book Club ‘Grassroots Ecumenism’: The Prairie Centre for Ecumenism invites you to participate in an Ecumenical Book

Club planned for three Thursday evening Zoom sessions as they study “Grassroots Ecumenism” by Karen Petersen Finch. This study group will be led by Rev. Canon Marie-Louise Ternier and Cathryn Wood, executive director of the PCE. The study will run from Feb. 1, 8 and 15. The book costs $35. Limited copies will be available through the PCE for purchase. Please email admin@pcecumenism.ca to register and for book ordering details. For more info, please see the detailed notice elsewhere in this issue. g To be included in a timely manner, brief notices should be supplied to the associate editor by fax, email or “snail mail” by the end of the month, one month before the month in which the insertion is desired (i.e. February entries 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 articles and notices elsewhere in the Saskatchewan Anglican.

February 2024

Feeling the Holy Spirit

A Lord's prayerful lent By Rev. Gene Packwood

’ve done a lot of praying since I became a Christian. Structured and non. I’ve enjoyed the more cerebral order and solidity of liturgical prayer and the freer expression and warm-heartedness of extemporaneous nonliturgical prayer. I’ve prayed in silence and in tongues. I’ve prayed with my eyes closed and eyes open. I pray lists. Here’s a Lenten confession — I’ve disapproved of and thought judgmental thoughts about people who pray liturgical prayers seemingly by rote and without engaging in what they’re saying. I’ve also wished some of my more motor-mouthed evangelical/charismatic

brothers and sisters would sometimes shut up for 30 seconds! And there is no health in me. Sigh. What to do? Especially when the challenge of observing a Holy Lent is upon us? Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints (Eph. 6:18 CSB). Prayer in the Spirit can be verbose or wordless, earnest and passionate. Remember: The Spirit also helps us in our weakness,

because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us, with inexpressible groanings. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God (Romans 8:26–27 CSB). One way the Spirit helps us in our weakness is by reminding us of what Jesus taught (John 14:26). For example, when the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, He said, “Whenever you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name” and went on to give us the Lord’s Prayer (Lk 11:1-4 and Mt 6:5-13). In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus also says, “When

The Saskatchewan Anglican

you pray don’t babble like the Gentiles, since they imagine they’ll be heard for their many words. Don’t be like them, because your Father knows the things you need before you ask him.” Working on the principle of evangelist Smith Wigglesworth’s dictum, “Jesus said it, I believe it and that settles it!” Jesus said pray like this, so I’ve been praying the Lord’s Prayer more often and I thought I’d suggest it as a spiritual exercise for a holy Lent. Here are three ways: 1. Use the Lord’s Prayer as an intercessory prayer for people and situations about which you’re worried — for example, Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name in N, your kingdom come, your will be done in N— and so on. 2. Leanne Payne, in her book, Listening Prayer (Kingsway, 1994), describes an excellent method for prayer journalling and using the Lord’s Prayer as a template for private

prayer: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name — praise and thanksgiving; Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven — intercession; Give us this day our daily bread — personal petitions; And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us — repentance and forgiveness prayers; And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen — committing ourselves and our day to The LORD 3. Pray the Lord’s Prayer as a contemplative prayer — pray each of the seven “phrases” and then sit in silence with each one — try three minutes to start — and let yourself marinate spiritually in each. Consider giving time to seven minutes a phrase — seven times seven — good biblical numbers. After all, they are the very words Jesus taught His disciples to pray. Let it be with us according to His Word.

Frank Flegel, generous friend to the Saskatchewan Anglican, dead at 89 By Joanne Shurvin-Martin REGINA — Frank Flegel died Dec. 31, 2023, at age 89. A long-time news manager with CKCK TV and later writer for The Prairie Messenger for more than 20 years, Flegel was a friend to the Saskatchewan Anglican. He often provided articles and photos — for free — reporting on events involving Anglican and Roman Catholic ecumenism. Flegel was a reporter for The Prairie Messenger until it ceased publication in 2018. He also wrote for the RC Archdiocese website. Archbishop Donald Bolen, of the Archdiocese of Regina, wrote: “After a lengthy and illustrious career in broadcasting with CKCK, the Archdiocese of Regina was blessed to have Frank take the helm of its communications. He brought a broad

Frank Flegel range of experience and a deep and informed faith to this work, producing informative articles for the Prairie Messenger for many years. Frank worked in communications into his 80s and was a gracious and generous colleague. May he rest in peace and rise in glory to see the face of the Risen Lord.” Besides radio and TV, and for the church, Flegel taught communications classes at the University of Regina and served two terms as a Regina Catholic School Board trustee.

The Saskatchewan Anglican

February 2024

The little church that could By the Rev. Canon Marie-Louise Ternier ENDEAVOUR (S’toon) — At the time of this writing (mid-December), winter driving on Saskatchewan roads has been glorious so far. Last Sunday I revelled in the long drive from Humboldt to Endeavour with the hoarfrost glistening in the radiant sunlight against a stark blue sky. It's a long trek to the outer eastern edge of our Saskatoon diocese, even from Humboldt, 236 kilometres one way. Once upon a time there were several Anglican parishes scattered in a radius of about 80 kilometres in that region. Now there is one left, St. James Anglican Church, in Endeavour. St. James has been without a resident priest for nearly three years, pointing to the tenuous nature of its existence. But I was in for a surprise. Adorned for the Advent/ Christmas season, the quaint church filled with about 27 worshippers, warmly welcoming me in their midst. Celebrating Holy Communion was special as it is only available every few months. An Anglican priest from Yorkton, in the Diocese of Qu’Appelle, drives to Endeavour (“only” 128 km!) about every six weeks to offer the Holy Eucharist. Following the worship service, everyone piled into the hall for the potluck Christmas dinner and entertainment. The chatter and laughter resembled a large family gathering. One parishioner brought out his guitar, frayed newspaper supplements of Christmas Carols were distributed, and we all sang our hearts out with old-time favourites. By the time I headed back on the road for the 236 kilometres trek back, everyone was still going strong. Their fellowship and community shone as bright and radiant as the sun on the hoarfrost that day. I was amazed. How do they keep their church family in such good spirits? Several conversations were instructive. This small church community, one of

Following the worship service at St. James, Endeavour, everyone piled into the hall for the potluck Christmas Dinner and entertainment. The chatter and laughter resembled a large family gathering. One parishioner brought out his guitar, and all sang their hearts out with old-time Christmas favourites. Photos by Rev. Canon Marie Louise Ternier

Above, the faithful Lay Readers of St. James, Endeavour. From left, Edie Belesky, Kathy Ambrose, Lynette Geistlinger, and Linda Westermann. Below right, a picture of the church exterior. only three in Endeavour, has developed solid lay leadership in the absence of an ordained priest. Four women take turns as lay readers to preside at Morning Prayer every Sunday. Another two serve as backup in case the others are unavailable. They co-ordinate, support and guide each other. They delve into Bible studies together, drawing on trustworthy website resources. Judging from the long list of names in the prayers, they serve as the intercessory voice for the entire village. Of course, it's not always easy, and given the average age of members, they too worry about their

future. But they have each other to share blessings, challenges and concerns. They simply go about serving up spiritual and bodily food to God's holy people in a remote area, breaking bread together (often a potluck meal) in the social following worship every Sunday. Such is the strength of small churches, sharing life in all its joys and sorrows on a small scale, for better and for worse of course. On good days, such small church families know how to relate to God, to each other, and to the wider community. On bad days, well, they have each other to lean on. Holding

them up as a beacon of light is important for us all, so we feel connected with one another in the larger church family, and they can claim their rightful place among us. I know that I will make the long trek again. Not only for their sake, but for my own inspiration and encouragement. To paraphrase Mother Teresa, this little-churchthat-could reveals Christ's presence on the prairies in ordinary people doing ordinary things with great love. Their witness is heart-warming and strengthened my own commitment to ministry and hope for the future.

February 2024

The Saskatchewan Anglican

Moose Jaw engages in some 'holy horsing around' at Advent By Michelle Josefson MOOSE JAW (Qu’A) — On the evening of Gaudete Sunday (Dec. 17), the parish of St. Aidan gathered for an evening of celebration and holy horsing around — the final Christmas Presence with Rev. Dean Pinter as their incumbent. The tradition started in the Pinter living room 26 years ago as they gathered a few people to share readings, poems, and songs. Eleven years ago, when they arrived at St. Aidan, the Pinters moved the ongoing tradition from their living room to the chapel. A small group of 20 or so gathered for a few readings and songs. Over the years, it has outgrown the chapel. This 12th annual Christmas Presence at St. Aidan included 120 people gathered in the nave to enjoy an evening of songs, stories, poems, and acts. The pieces ranged from the sublime (classical cello piece and the Pinter quintet singing Still, Still, Still) to the hysterical (an improv skit and Gobnait O'Lunacy's 12 Days of Christmas reading) to the profound (readings of Frederick Buechner and Madeleine L'Engle) and everything in between. The special lighting during the program and the delicious spread of food concluding the evening all contributed to a wonderful parish celebration. It was a great snapshot of the gifts the Pinters have brought to St. Aidan as well as the diverse gifts among those who make the parish a quirky, creative, and welcoming body to play and pray with.

The Pinter Quintet (Pintet) singing Still, Still, Still to close the program. From left, Rev. Dean, Carl, Emily, Darlene, and Rachel Pinter. Photos by Jeremy Ratzlaff

Matt Mitchell performs a melancholy tune during the Advent-based event.

Robert Currie weaves a tale of Morley's mishaps at Christmas, while reciting a Stuart McLean story.

St. Aidan parishioners singing in thanks to Rev. Dean and Darlene Pinter during Christmas Presence.

The Saskatchewan Anglican

February 2024

Noel Chevalier (left), as Ebenezer Scrooge, and Robin Swales as the Ghost of Marley, perform in A Christmas Carol at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Regina. Photos by Margaret Ball

Noel Chevalier (left), as Ebenezer Scrooge, is alarmed by The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come portrayed by Neil Henneberg.

Regina cathedral presents beloved 'A Christmas Carol' By Angie Friedrich REGINA — A special family Christmas performance of A Christmas Carol was presented at St. Paul’s Cathedral on Dec. 17, 2023. Bob Nicholls’ adaptation of A Christmas Carol

was based on an abridged version used by Charles Dickens himself for public readings. The cast of 13 performers (many of whom played several roles) from St. Paul’s Players, Regina Little Theatre and the Regina Symphony

took those in attendance through Ebenezer’s encounters with the spirits and the novel’s ultimate message that there is good in everyone. Dorianna Holowachuk, accompanied by David McIntyre on piano and David Hopkinson on the

violin, led a sing-along of Christmas tunes before the performance. A Christmas reception of hot chocolate with whipped cream, coffee, tea and, of course, cookies followed the presentation. This is the third theatre presentation by the St.

Paul’s Players in 2023. At Last, a love story about a summer romance of two teenagers who met again 40 years later, was presented in May. In September, Love Letters, a reading of the love letters sent between friends over the years, was performed.

Catching up with two Order of Sask. recipients in Nipawin By Mary Brown

Christie Crane and Louisa Buck spend time socializing at their care home. Photo by Mary Brown

NIPAWIN (Skwn) — Whenever I would see the late Park Buck, he would tell me I should go and see Christie and Louisa, two elders his parish had nominated for the Order of Saskatchewan. He would be pleased to know that I finally went to see them. Parishioners in Cumberland House nominated Christie Crane for the Order of Saskatchewan in 2007 and Louisa Buck in 2009. The two women moved into the Pineview Seniors’ Home in Nipawin recently and their rooms are side by side. Louisa had a visitor, her daughter, but Christie was alone. She hasn’t changed a bit since she was a regular at the Synod Office, attending elder’s meetings and O of S functions. Crane had a gallery of

family photos we looked at. She was married in 1955 and had seven children, five girls and two boys. Her husband left her with seven kids to bring up 10 years after they were married. A family picture was taken recently at one of her children’s weddings, and there, sitting in the front beside Crane was her husband, looking like he’d had a few too many (she said). Crane insisted that her children go to school and graduate. They followed her advice and went on to further education becoming teachers and nurses. She told me her oldest wanted to quit school so he could go to work and help her. Crane is proud of her children and grandchildren as she should be. I remembered one of her daughters was

waiting for a heart transplant which she received, sadly another daughter died of a heart attack. She still gets calls from people wanting to purchase one of her fruit cakes. I felt sad leaving her as she said she’s happy to have company, but then is lonely when they leave. She looked forward to going to her daughters for Christmas. I talked to Louisa through her daughter translating the Cree. We had a good laugh when Louisa told her daughter she used to fill out the paperwork for the church and would send it to the Synod Office. She’d send it to Mary; what a surprise when she realized that was me. One other lady who received the Order of Saskatchewan in Cumberland House is Philomene Chaboyer, who still lives in Cumberland.

February 2024

The Saskatchewan Anglican

Lessons and carols contribute to memorable Advent season By Mary Brown NIPAWIN (Skwn) — After visiting with Order of Saskatchewan recipients Christie Crane and Louisa Buck, I went to St. John’s Church for its Lessons and Carols Service. The church looked beautiful with the sun shining in the west window onto the front of the church. Someone had done a lovely job of polishing all the brass, setting up the potted poinsettias and lighting all the candles. There are three windows on each side of the church and there were 10 candles at each window, also lit. They had a good turn out with more than 50 in attendance. I’ve been to Lessons and Carols at a few churches, and they all do it differently. This one started with the Rev. Michael Lyons reading the Bidding Prayer, which was the original prayer written in 1918 by Eric Willner White. In Shellbrook we usually read five lessons but in Nipawin there were nine lessons read. St. John’s has an organist and choir who also read the lessons along with their three lay readers. If you had ever heard Michael’s grandfather, Ken Lyons sing, you would know how lucky they are to have their priest leading them with his wonderful voice, just like his grandpa. The service went smoothly with everyone following along in the bulletin. We sang 11 hymns some of the favourites like O Little Town of Bethlehem, The First Nowell, We

The church before the start of the service. Photos by Mary Brown

The servers gather at the back of the church after the service ends. Three Kings and Hark the Herald Angels Sing, and some not so familiar, like Twas in the Moon of Wintertime, In the Bleak Midwinter and Angels from the Realms of Glory. Of course, at the end of every Lessons and Carols everyone is invited to stay for coffee and tea and dainties, even fudge.

The Lyons' family; from left, Andrew, Chris, Michael and Linda.

Licentiate in Theology offers many courses for Anglicans By Rev. Dr. Trish McCarthy

mmanuel and St. Chad College and WECAN have developed a Ministry Preparation program relevant to the contexts in Western Canada. The local Diocesan Ministry Schools make substantial contributions to the program by offering courses as mapped out in the ESC-WECAN Licentiate in Theology handbook. Whether you feel called to formal ministry or drawn to

take courses, contact the course leader you are interested in doing. Also, let your diocesan school coordinator know the plans. ESC-WECAN L.Th. Implementation Coordinator: Rev. Dr. Trish McCarthy trish. mccarthy@saskatoon theologicalunion.ca or 306-370– 8378. REGISTER FOR ALL COURSES at esc-wecan.ca.

WINTER 2024 Anglican Studies: Kootenay

Diocese and ESC Taught by Archbishop Lynne McNaughton and Rev. Dr. Iain Luke. Takes place Friday evening, Jan. 19 and Saturday daytime, Jan. 20, 2024 as well as Friday evening, Feb. 9 and Saturday daytime Feb. 10, 2024 Registration: esc-wecan.ca or Lisa McInnis. Indigenous Relationships and Wisdom and Teaching of the Elders: Henry Budd College and Brandon

Diocese. This is a new and exciting course in our L.Th. School Coordinator: Rev. Dr. Kara Mandryk Registration: esc-wecan.ca or kdmandryk@gmail.com Introduction to the Bible: Saskatoon School of Discipleship; March and April 2024 Format and Dates TBA School Contact: Rev. Dr. Trish McCarthy. Registration: esc-wecan. ca, Lisa McInnis or Rev. Trish McCarthy.

The Saskatchewan Anglican

February 2024

Stewards of God's abundance

True Valentine's gifts come from the heart By Rev. Christine M. Burton

where we might find it difficult.

h, February, the month of Valentines Day, roses and chocolate, romance and love. We often talk about “giving our heart to someone.” Well, as Christians, Love should be the focus of every month. “That’s a lot of chocolate,” I hear you thinking. Fortunately, Christian love doesn’t end up on your hips or clogging your arteries! The evangelist Matthew offers some advice on how to live out the love of God. He tells us, “Where your heart is, there your treasure will be also” (6:21). So, where do you put your treasure? It’s understandable that we spend money on our family and friends. We love them. Indeed, we often spend not just money, but our time and our talents, searching for or creating the perfect gift, one that will demonstrate just how much we love them, are attuned to them, want them to achieve all their best dreams. Parents of multiple children have undoubtedly been faced with that unanswerable question, “Which one do you love more?” Regardless of how much we might like or get along with or agree

* Including the family and friends who can sometimes be difficult to love; * Including the marginalized whose actions can make them difficult to love, and certainly difficult to like — whether by virtue of undesirable behaviours such as people with addictions, or as a result of social ostracization or shaming, such as members of the queer community, or as members of a minority community, whether cultural, ethnic, or religious; * Including the poor, whose needs can feel overwhelming, and so we put walls up around our hearts; * Including the people we never see or don’t realise are in pain, who need God’s love poured out on them.

with the actions of one or another, when it comes to love, the answer is always some version of, “It isn’t a quantifiable

thing… I love them all to the same inexpressible degree. I love their different gifts. I want what is uniquely best for

each of them.” Surely it is the same with God. As we are reminded in Luke, “If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him” (11:11-13). If we love our children equally and completely, albeit “differently” according to their unique personalities, then knowing the boundless love of God, we know that God’s heart is with each of us individually, and with all of us as the family of God. Each of us is loved and valued exactly as we are. Also, recognising that some of us have fraught relationships with our parents, children, siblings or friends, it’s comforting to know that God can and does love

And even us, when we are not our best, or when we rail against God for some real or perceived injustice. God demonstrates Matthew’s text about heart and treasure with such depth and abundance. Each day is an irreplaceable treasure, regardless of the joys or sorrows that it may entail. This year Valentine’s Day is also Ash Wednesday — the beginning of Lent, a season of ref lection and intimacy with God. Lent is an opportunity to further our relationship with God, sharing our hearts and treasure with the One who loves us beyond measure. And so, are you buying something for your loved ones this Valentine’s Day? Perhaps this year you could also give a gift to God through a donation of the same amount to your home parish and diocese, and through the gift of the perfect treasure: your heart.

The Saskatchewan Anglican

February 2024

March 2016

What's love got to do with it? By the Rev. Dr. Iain Luke Principal, College of Emmanuel and St. Chad

here is an unusual collision coming up in this month’s calendar, as Ash Wednesday falls on Feb. 14, better known to our secular world as Valentine’s Day. The coincidence has me thinking about what these two days might have to do with each other. Both in the past and in the present, Christian ethicists and theologians give a lot of focus to “love,” though typically not in the way that the Hallmark holiday does. Love, as we know from the Summary of the Law in our worship services, is the core expression of our faith. Loving God, and loving our neighbour, are how we put faith into action. Putting it that way, it sounds as though we start by knowing what we believe, and then have to figure out what to do about it. In practice, though, it can often be the other way around. Life is full of people and things to love. Loving

everyone and everything isn’t easy. Nor is it even healthy, as we learn when we discover our own boundaries and limitations, as well as the risks involved in loving. From this point of view, our faith emerges from our experience of love. Faith is, after all, another way of describing trust, and we use trust to help us make sense of our experience. Loving teaches us who to trust, how to trust, and what happens when trust is broken. Loving God, first and foremost, shows us that there is Someone who can be trusted, even when all other trust fails. Theologians sometimes describe love as an act of the will, in stark contrast to the romantic Valentine’s version of love, something that comes along and sweeps you off your feet. The love ethic reminds us that it’s not good

enough just to have warm feelings towards someone; you also have to choose how to act, in a way that does them some good. When it comes to shaping our wills towards love, Lent has a lot to offer. It can be a time for reflecting on how our actions show who we really love. It reveals how our love of material things can get in the way of really loving, or really trusting, God and the people around us. It invites us to make new commitments, new acts of will, that help us put our most important loves first. An even deeper theology of love, though, points us beyond just getting our choices in order. Our acts of will, it turns out, are pretty inadequate as an expression of real love, for the simple reason that love is not about me and my

choices! It is about the beloved, and on this point Christian theology may be a lot closer to Valentine’s Day romance than we realize. What Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day actually have in common is this recognition that real love requires more than an act of will. It requires a conversion, a total reorientation of your life towards the object of your love. This is true whether we are talking about loving God, a spouse, a child, a friend, a neighbour, or a stranger. For a moment, or for a lifetime, your life is different, you are different, because of who else is there with you. Christian stories of conversion, like romantic love stories, often feel like something that comes out of the blue. It’s not something you choose, or decide, it’s something that happens to you. This is a great way of expressing what it feels like to be drawn out of

your own orbit, by the discovery of someone worth loving. Perhaps what Lent can add to that story is the recognition that everyone is, actually, worth loving. Jesus demonstrated that reality for us on the cross, but long before that, He kept showing what it looked like to “fall in love” with everyone who crossed His path. Whether it was the little children His disciples tried to shoo away, or the Samaritan woman at the well, or the rich young ruler, Jesus looked at each of them and saw someone worth loving. His life changed each time He met someone, and made them the centre of his attention. If you want to be like Jesus in that way (and I know I do!), Lent offers the opportunity to practise, be prepared, to welcome each opportunity of conversion that comes along. As you read, pray, worship, give something up, or take something on, may your Lenten commitments open your heart to being changed by every person you meet, knowing they are worth the love that cost God everything.

Queen's House Retreat Centre offers many useful courses Submitted For info: 306-2421916, programming@ queenshouse.org, www. queenshouse.org. QUEEN’S HOUSE RETREAT AND RENEWAL CENTRE welcomes you! Our ecumenical programming combines in-person and online events using Zoom. Please visit our webpage for all upcoming programs and to register for all programs. Nourish Your Mind and Nurture Your Spirit at Queen’s House! For inquiries/additional information contact Sarah Donnelly, Programming Director: 306-242-1916 x226. Centring prayer – all are welcome to gather in-person or virtually on Zoom on Monday evenings, 7:00 to 8:15 p.m. This drop-in gathering includes a 20-minute sit, additional insights regarding contemplation and centring prayer from the great teachers will be

part of every evening in the form of videos, and time for group sharing. Register online to receive the Zoom invitation/let us know that you will be coming in person. There is no fee to attend these gatherings. Donations to support the ministry of Queen’s House can be made on the site. Soul listening: A day of learning and renewal Friday Feb. 2, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Offered in-person and on zoom. Facilitator: Julie Bergen. Join other caregivers as we step away for a day to focus on listening to ourselves and others. We will learn active listening skills and contemplate how listening becomes soul listening. We will practice this as we in turn offer a listening presence and receive the gift of soul listening. This inter-faith program is for: those seeking to further develop their supportive presence with those they

encounter; those who wish to volunteer in their faith-group or in the wider community; those already volunteering in their faith-group or in the wider community; those who are caregivers with their families or friends. This interactive training will provide skills, discussion, and small-group interaction as we practice active listening, attend to feelings, and focus on providing a compassionate presence to others. In-person registration: Soul Listening: A Day of Learning and Renewal - at Queen’s House (retreatportal.com) Zoom registration: Soul Listening: A Day of Learning and Renewal - on Zoom (retreatportal.com) Spiritual direction: If you are interested in having a mentor and companion to accompany you on your spiritual journey contact Sr. Adeline Behm - email spiritualdirection@

queenshouse.org or to see a list of our affiliated spiritual directors. In-person and online meetings are available. Growing in wisdom: Seeking deeper generativity Two Years of Learning and Exploring for Those Seeking a Spirituality for their Wisdom Years Feb. 2024 to Nov. 2025 Growing in Wisdom: Seeking Deeper Generativity is an ecumenical program, rooted in the Forest Dwelling Program created by Fr. Ron Rolheiser OMI, grounded in the mystical Christian Tradition, open to learning from other interfaith and spiritual traditions, and designed for those seeking to engage in their maturing years with wisdom and grace. It is a program that welcomes participants who have the time, interest, and energy to engage in a dynamic two-year adventure of learning and

exploration. This is when we can look back on the life we have lived and find openness to new or previously undeveloped inner vistas. It is a time to begin to come to terms with our mortality and the grace we find in facing this part of our lives with wisdom and satisfaction. This program, offered on Zoom, is a dynamic interplay between and among each participant, the Growing in Wisdom Community, and Divine Mystery, assisting in the inner transformation of participants as the journey unfolds. This program invites you to explore how you might commit yourself to giving your life and your death to the world, in a way in which both are the ultimate gift and blessing that you give to others. A minimum of 60 people are needed to offer this program. For information and to apply, visit www. growinginwisdom.ca.

The Saskatchewan Anglican

March 2016

February 2024

The Saskatchewan Anglican

Former Lumsden retreat centre to become province's largest addictions treatment venue Submitted LUMSDEN (Qu’A) — The former St. Michael’s Retreat Centre in Lumsden will soon receive another lease on life as the provincial government turns the venue into the largest addictions treatment centre in Saskatchewan. In keeping with the Government of Saskatchewan’s commitment to add 500 addictions treatment spaces across the province, a new 60-bed inpatient addictions treatment centre will be established at the former Living Skies Retreat & Conference Centre near Lumsden. The new venue, located about 20 minutes northwest of Regina, will provide adults 18 and older with holistic, wrap-around inpatient addictions treatment for up to 16 weeks. The facility will be operated by EHN Canada through the publicly funded health care system. “The Government of Saskatchewan is focused on getting people the treatment that they need to overcome addictions and live healthy lives in recovery,” Mental Health and Addictions Minister Tim McLeod said. “Doubling the number of addictions treatment spaces across the province is a key pillar of Saskatchewan’s new Action Plan for Mental Health and Addictions.” EHN is a leading addictions treatment provider with decades of experience across Canada, specializing in

The former St. Michael's Retreat Centre in Lumsden, also known as the former Living Skies Retreat Centre, will soon offer addictions treatment to Saskatchewan residents. Photo submitted the treatment of all types of addictions and related mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, trauma, and PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). “EHN Canada’s commitment to clinical excellence is at the forefront of this initiative,” said Dr. Christina Basedow, EHN National Operations vice-president. “The facility in Lumsden will be staffed by a team of highlyskilled professionals dedicated to providing the latest evidence-based

treatments. We aim to offer Saskatchewan residents the highest quality care and support in their pursuit of addiction recovery and concurrent mental health treatment.” The facility, which was also the former St. Michael’s Retreat site established by the Franciscan Friars of Western Canada in 1963, will undergo minor renovations by EHN in the coming weeks with plans to open in Spring 2024. The planned use of the facility was approved by

the RM of Lumsden No. 189 council on Jan. 3, 2024, with the support of the Town of Lumsden. The agreement to provide the service is between the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) and EHN Canada. “A key to successful addictions treatment is providing the right supports for people when they want them and are ready for them,” SHA Mental Health and Addictions Executive Director Colleen Quinlan said. “This facility will

provide the capacity to provide treatment in a timely and specialized manner in an inspiringly picturesque location.” The new facility near Lumsden brings the total number of addictions treatment spaces that have been announced under Saskatchewan’s Action Plan for Mental Health and Addictions to 168. This includes 26 posttreatment spaces at St. Joseph’s Addiction Recovery Centre in Estevan, 32 intensive outpatient treatment spaces through Possibilities Recovery Centre in Saskatoon, 14 inpatient addictions treatment spaces at the former Drumming Hill Youth Centre facility in North Battleford, and 36 virtual spaces through EHN Canada. The total of 168 exceeds the Government of Saskatchewan’s original commitment to add 150 more addictions treatment spaces across the province and advances toward the new target of adding 500. EHN Canada was one of the successful proponents chosen through a competitive Request for Proposals process initiated by the Ministry of Health and the SHA seeking addictions treatment services, including intensive outpatient services, inpatient treatment services, and recovery or transitional services. A new Request for Supplier Qualification was recently issued for approximately 250 more addictions treatment spaces across the province.

DIOCESE OF QU’APPELLE

Rev. Dean Pinter leaves Moose Jaw for Alabama g Dean Pinter leaves Moose Jaw Rev. Dean Pinter has accepted a call to the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Alabama, to be its Canon Theologian. Pinter has been priest at St. Aidan, Moose Jaw, for the past 11 years. His final service at St. Aidan was Jan. 7. In a letter to the

parishioners, Pinter wrote, “I am confident this congregation will continue to flourish and grow as you draw from your roots in Christ Jesus and the gospel.” g All women invited to Maple Creek The Diocese of Qu’Appelle Anglican Women’s Gathering will be held Saturday, April

20, at St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church in Maple Creek. This year’s theme is “Challenges Change Us.” All Anglican women and friends are invited to come and join in the fellowship. Registration fee is $20. Please send a cheque payable to St. Mary’s ACW, Maple Creek c/o Box 1030, Maple Creek, SK S0N 1N0. Deadline to register is

April 10. If you have questions or suggestions please contact: Edith Maddaford, vice-president at 306-7442216 or esmadd@sasktel. net g Camp Harding needs board members Camp Harding is looking for people to join its volunteer board to help guide the venue's

activities. Members must commit to a term of one year, beginning in January. Board meetings will occur on Zoom a couple times a month from January to September. Some duties include visioning talks; budgeting; drafting camp schedules; approving maintenance plans; approving communications materials; and other tasks.