The Saskatchewan Anglican, January 2025

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Saskatchewan anglican

Anointing the master's feet

Stained-glass windows are reflected in the drawing of Mary anointing the feet of Jesus with nard, featured during an Advent retreat at St. Aidan, Moose Jaw. For full story, see page 5.

Editor's note

Due to technical glitches, this issue does not have any articles from the Diocese of Saskatoon. We apologize for this and will strive to be more prompt in the future.

Weyburn organist retires after 35 years

WEYBURN (Qu’A) — In February 1990, Rev. Ken Buchan, then priest at All Saints, asked Weneen Georgeson if she would cover for their current organist. Georgeson replied, “I can only give you three weeks.”

She was already an experienced organist, having started in her home parish at Govan when she was just 12 years old.

As often happens, the three-week commitment stretched, in Georgeson’s case, to about 35 years.

“Weneen became a major part of our congregation,” says Deacon Debbie Hubick. “It’s not a job for her; it’s a ministry. She led our group of song leaders, and Continued on page 4

Two vocational deacons ordained in P.A.

This was a very special ordination in our diocese recently, and one reason was that it was Bishop Rick’s first time doing an ordination, and second, the two people ordained as deacons, David Zulkoskey and Arlene Sturgeon, will be vocational deacons.

The Rev. Elizabeth Short began her homily congratulating David and Arlene on what is a

profound moment for them.

Deacons aren’t merely appointed, their ordination is the culmination of what is usually years of soul searching, prayer, study and discernment.

The reading for Nov. 1 on All Saints Day — “for the lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life” Revelation 7:17 — reminds us of our baptism.

It is through the waters of baptism that our life

in Christ is created and has its being, we receive our identity and all other ministry springs from it. It is not only initiation into the church, but the first call to ministry.

Rev. Short has been a vocational deacon for eight years in the Diocese of Calgary where there are 20 deacons. A vocational deacon is someone who does not plan on being ordained a priest. The Greek word, Diokonia, from which the word deacon comes, means

humble servant.

During a Eucharist, the deacon demonstrates this servitude by setting the altar and performing the ablutions, or cleaning up, afterwards. He or she stands on the priest’s right hand, ready to assist.

It is why the stole is worn sideways — out of the way.

The deacon is also given the responsibility of bringing the church to the world and bringing the needs of the world to the church.

Continued on page 3

Photo by Michelle Josefson

'Nice' people need salvation, too

What would society look like if it were based on the fruit of the spirit?

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and selfcontrol.” (Galatians 5:2223).

It might suffice to say such a society would look like a wonderful and delightful place of meaningful human flourishing.

Perhaps a more pointed question would be: is there any possible path toward actually finding or becoming such a society? Could it be a matter of simply adding these virtues to our existing lives and societies?

In the middle of the last century there was a marketing craze for additives. Many products were recommended because they were “improved” with the addition of one special ingredient or another.

Although there is irony in the way marketing has now shifted to promoting “additive-free,” perhaps if we all just added more of these nice Fruit-of-theSpirit virtues to our lives, we might approach utopia.

C.S. Lewis comments on the possibility of making ourselves nice but nevertheless remaining estranged from our Creator:

‘Niceness’— wholesome, integrated personality — is an excellent thing We must try by every medical, educational, economic, and political means in our power to produce a world where as many people as possible grow up ‘nice’; just as we must try to produce a world where all have plenty to eat.

But we must not suppose that even if we succeeded in making everyone nice, we should have saved their souls. A world of nice people, content in their own niceness, looking no further, turned away from God, would be just as desperately in need of salvation as a miserable world — and might even be more difficult to save.

For mere improvement is not redemption, though redemption always improves people even

Rev. Dell Bornowsky. Photo courtesy Wikimedia.org

Although there is irony in the way marketing has now shifted to promoting “additive-free,” perhaps if we all just added more of these nice Fruit-of-the-Spirit virtues to our lives, we might approach utopia.

here and now and will, in the end, improve them to a degree we cannot yet imagine.

If the simple addition of virtues was sufficient, shouldn’t we have been experiencing peace on earth long before now?

The fallacy of the simple addition proposal might be further exposed by the observation that both Hitler and Stalin were kind to little children.

Nevertheless, for many, being a Christian is about adding Jesus, in hopes of improving lives that are already well established on the values of popular Western culture. For some, Christian faith was primarily about getting forgiven. For others, influenced by popular humanism, following Jesus meant just using his “teachings” to try harder to be better people. In both cases little

attention was paid to the kinds of transformation needed to actually form godly character, values, and behaviours.

Seldom was it asked whether common values imbedded in Western culture such as materialism, consumerism, patriotism, and individualism needed evaluation regarding their compatibility with Jesus’ gospel.

Although many of us admitted we wanted God’s help, what we really hoped was that God would help us achieve our own goals, follow our own dreams, choices and passions.

The popularity of the so called “prosperity gospel” is evidence of this trend to see God as a facilitator or servant of our own human ambitions, and although we might not use the term, greed. Even those of us in more traditional faith expressions may have to

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admit that when we pray for God to “bless us” what we are really hoping is that God will help me to have it “my way.”

There are other clues that the virtues known as the Fruit of the Spirit involve more than simple addition — trying to add them into our lives by our own strength and good intentions. One clue is that the famous fruit of the Spirit passage comes directly after a contrasting list of the “works of the flesh.”

Once again it is worth quoting C.S. Lewis:

Fallen man is not simply an imperfect creature who needs improvement: he is a rebel who must lay down his arms. … This process of surrender — this movement full speed astern — is what Christians call repentance. Now repentance is no fun at all. It is something much harder than merely eating humble pie.

It means unlearning all the self-conceit and self-will that we have been training ourselves into for thousands of years. It means killing a part of yourself, undergoing a kind of death.

Continued on next page

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C.S. Lewis commented on the possibility of humans making themselves nice but nevertheless remaining estranged from their Creator, writes

... Deacons are more than just glorified lay readers

Continued from page 1

To understand where the roots of the diaconate lie, we look at the phrase that states “he/she (the deacon) will seek for the sick, poor and impotent people of the parish, to intimate their estates, names and places where they dwell, unto the curate, that by his exhortation they may be relieved with the alms of the parishioners or others.”

This is built on Acts, where we hear of the Twelve Apostles calling the many disciples to

them and appointing seven to undertake service in the world, so the apostles may be freed up for their ministry in the word of God.

Having a deacon in your congregation means having someone who, by example, can help point you in the way of humble service to answer the call we all received in our baptism.

There are two definitions on the Anglican Church of Canada website of what

a deacon is: “Deacons are symbols of Christ and his church, filled with grace and power through ordination” and “Deacons are agents of the Church in word, action and attendance who lead the people of God in carrying the light of Christ into places of Darkness.”

Short went on to say what a deacon is not. They are not glorified lay readers or wardens, a second-class priest of some kind of church administrator or officer.

They are not there to

run things or to keep everything together singlehandedly. The order of deacon is a full and equal order, not merely a stepping stone to priesthood.

Vocational deacons are deacons for the rest of their lives.

The Rev. Deacon Elizabeth Short recalled her memories from her school years beginning in Grade 2 to graduating from Grade 12.

Her many visits home and fond remembrances of her life in the church

family at St. Alban’s. David is her brotherin-law who is married to her sister Margaret, her father was bishop of the diocese for many years and her mother Frances was an integral part of the operation of the cathedral. Deacon Arlene Sturgeon will serve with the Rev. Michael Lyons, in St. John’s Church in Nipawin and Deacon David Zulkoskey will serve with the Rev. Canon Dr. David Butorac in the Cathedral Church of St. Alban the Martyr.

... Including the Fruits of the Spirit in everyday life Christianity started with lay preaching

Continued from page 2

While fruit growing may seem a relatively peaceful process, Paul asserts that it actually involves great conflict. As gardeners know, successful fruit growing requires constant vigilance against weeds, pests, and diseases; and, occasional pruning of branches.

Becoming truly “spiritual,” like a dental cleaning, is often not pleasant. Indeed the removal of the things that are not healthy for us may even feel painful. We should probably admit we don’t have the skills to perform the needed surgery on ourselves.

However, production of the character traits known as the Fruit of the

Spirit is not just magical divine action performed on passive human hearts, but neither is it the result of unaided human effort and good intentions.

As in AA and 12 step programs, our liberation from addictive selfishness requires submission to and active co-operation with a “higher power.”

The kind of heart and soul surgery we need requires the two hands of God in creation: the Word and the Spirit. Our role is to surrender to the Spirit of God and the Lordship of Christ.

When we put away not only our swords but also our egos and our pride, may it be that the Fruit of the Spirit grows sweeter our lives and nourishes our communities.

Preaching the transforming power of Jesus is central to how Christians share their faith. This is true in Saskatchewan, whether by clergy or lay people, as it was for Peter and Paul in the Acts of the Apostles.

In our region, one of the first preachers was Henry Budd. Later ordained, Henry Budd was first a lay preacher. In this way, lay preaching is the beginning of Christianity in Saskatchewan.

Lay preaching, indeed, all lay ministry, begins with confirmation, a service during which we pray for the Holy Spirit to come down. The foundation for lay preaching is prayer.

As we think of the future, lay preaching may be a way to recover the mission of the church. One indication of this is the preaching conference held in Saskatoon, hosted by

St Chad’s and Emmanuel College, at Christ Church, Saskatoon, on Nov. 2.

There were 14 inperson participants, and 12 online. Participants heard five talks on preaching. The speakers were Canon Dr. Iain Luke, the Rev. Matteo Carboni, the Rev. Dr. Laura Marie Piotrowicz, Dr. Adam Wright, and Bishop Dr. Sid Haugen.

The speakers gave academic and pastoral perspective on preaching. For examples, Dr. Adam Wright gave the biblical background and history of theological themes. His talk showed how our Advent readings are rooted in the Old Testament.

The speakers often gave tips on how they preach. For example: meeting with members of the congregation and discussing the Bible reading together, considering the perspective of the parish,

and, framing the sermon as hopeful by thinking of the future.

As the conference was academic in nature, some people became tired. It can be overwhelming to hear five lectures. Nevertheless, the conference met the need for the Anglican dioceses in Saskatchewan to provide training for lay preaching.

It was Bishop Sid, from the Lutheran church, who gave the context for this need. Out of 100 congregations in the Lutheran Church, 40 are without clergy. It is similar in the Anglicans dioceses in Saskatchewan. The next step is to assess how many lay preachers we have in our three dioceses, and ask how we can help.

As we build lay preaching in our dioceses, perhaps we will follow the steps of Saints Peter and Paul, and Henry Budd, and find ourselves sharing our faith in the living rooms of friends and neighbours.

Bishop Rick Reed (middle) with newly ordained deacons Arlene Sturgeon and David Zulkoskey.
Photos by Mary Brown
Clergy with the Diocese of Saskatchewan gather for a photo after the ordination service.

... Retiring Weyburn organist began her career at age 12

Continued from page 1 practised with the group, having already practised the music by herself.”

Hubick recalls that Georgeson would always bring a special devotion to pray before the practice. “She helped get our minds and spirits ready to address the Lord in music.”

Hubick says it was important to her to be “properly prepared, and her heart and soul were in it.”

Georgeson says that through the years she has played for more than 100 funerals. She said she “felt honoured to be asked to play at funerals,” and often helped the families choose appropriate music.

She said that her love of gospel music brought her to the church. Of her music, she said, “I hope it spoke to people and resonated in their soul.” One parishioner commented, “When I hear her playing, it makes my soul sing.”

When speaking of her 35 years as organist at All Saints, Georgeson says, “I enjoyed every moment, but it’s time to wind down.”

She wants to be able to spend more time with her family, which often came second to church

at All Saints, Weyburn. Her favourite hymn — “To God Be The Glory” — is reproduced on the plaque, which was presented by the song leaders who she led for many years.

commitments while she was organist.

She and her husband, Yegori, moved around quite a lot in the early years of their marriage, and eventually settled in Turtleford before moving to Weyburn.

She often played the church organ in the towns

where they lived.

Last summer, All Saints held a party and celebration to mark Georgeson’s retirement. There was special music during the service, including a duet with her granddaughter, Katia Georgeson, on saxophone, and another with Rev.

Brian Buydens on cello.

The song leaders and occasional organist/ pianist sang Georgeson’s favourite hymn, To God be the Glory, at her retirement party.

Before she officially retired, Georgeson recorded some songs for the parish to use during

services, so her music continues to be heard in All Saints.

Hubick concludes, “Weneen fulfilled a ministry that gave her — and gave all of us — joy in worshipping.” The true gift of her ministry is that she helped people to worship.

'Red Bull gives you wiiings:' Advent retreat looks at St. Luke

WEYBURN (Qu’A) — On the very last day of the church year, Nov. 30, parishioners and clergy from Weyburn, Estevan and Regina came together for an Advent retreat in the hall of All Saints Anglican Church.

The cold weather was challenging and prevented some people from attending, but there were a number of hearty souls who came together from all three communities.

The purpose of the retreat was to celebrate and consider Luke’s Gospel, which is the liturgical focus for Year C, which began in Advent and continues in 2025.

Rev. Christine Burton led an engaging and entertaining discussion and review of Luke’s gospel.

This included a multimedia presentation,

a shared reading and discussion of the gospel, a meal, scavenger hunt, and prayers. Throughout the retreat there were different references to St. Luke, who is often represented by a

winged bull. The bull is symbolic of sacrifice, and especially of Christ’s self-sacrifice.

For the first contest, Burton asked how a can of Red Bull energy drink related to the discussion. Of course the answer

was, “Red Bull gives you wiiings.”

Luke is the patron saint of physicians, artists, bachelors, notaries, butchers, brewers and lace makers.

These were represented in the meal,

which included beef soup, “brewed” apple cider, quilled pasta (penne “the pen”) and buns served on a lace doily.

There were paints and drawing materials available for crafting, and one table was decorated with a child’s stethoscope and other medical tools, The retreat was informative and offered community, fellowship and learning for everyone who attended.

After the retreat in Weyburn, both those who attended and some who were not able to come due to the weather, expressed interest in having another retreat on Luke’s Gospel in the new year in Regina. At press time, plans were being developed. If you are interested, please contact Rev. Christine Burton at christinemburton1@ gmail.com

Weneen Georgeson holds the plaque that she received at the party to celebrate her retirement as organist
Photo by Rev. Brian Buydens

Praying with Mary of Bethany during Advent retreat

MOOSE JAW (Qu’A)

— The parish of St. Aidan gathered for a two-day Advent retreat entitled “Praying with Mary of Bethany,” on Nov. 29 and 30.

The retreat was led by Bruce and Carolyn Hindmarsh, long-time friends of St. Aidan. Both are instructors at Regent College in Vancouver, B.C., where Bruce teaches spiritual theology and history, and Carolyn teaches Greek.

They have co-authored a book based on this retreat entitled At the Feet of Jesus: A Guide to Encountering Christ in the Gospels (Intervarsity Press, 2024).

The retreat focused on Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, the close friends of Jesus who repeatedly invited Him into their home — Jesus’ “domestic disciples.” In three sessions, the Hindmarshes led the participants in Ignatian-style imaginative readings of the Scripture scenes involving these siblings.

By telling the stories with attention to the sensory, psychological, and literary layers of each passage, the Hindmarshes invited retreatants to engage all of their senses, helping them experience Scripture as real as their winter-chilled toes.

On Friday evening, in his retelling of Luke 10:38-42 (the meal in which Martha serves and Mary sits at Jesus’ feet), Bruce invited participants to experience the sights, scents, and sounds of Martha’s first-century home.

This scene-setting included at least 14 people lounging on cushions in the glow of the setting sun; the aroma of baking bread in the hearth fire; the grate of pestle on mortar as Martha crushes coriander for hummus; a crash as Martha, distracted, drops a serving dish and cries in exasperation to Jesus, “Don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?”

They feel the awkwardness of witnessing a family squabble; and were awed along with the disciples as Continued on page 7

Retreatants share food and drink during the Advent

Bruce Hindmarsh, standing, speaks to retreatants at the "Praying with Mary of Bethany" Advent retreat in Moose Jaw.
Photos by Michelle Josefson
Jeremy Dyck (left) and Tim Lenko choose prayer aids offered at the "Praying with Mary at Bethany" retreat.
retreat at St. Aidan.

It’s Epiphanytide. I would like Jesus to make himself manifest — more obvious — to me and to the people for whom I pray. How? Here’s a good way:

Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. [Christian Standard Bible (Eph 6:18). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.]

I have heard it said that praying “in The Spirit” can’t be done from books. I used to think that myself. I am now convinced that praying “in The Spirit” can be done both with — and without — books.

DIOCESE OF SASKATCHEWAN

Farewell to the Butoracs

g A farewell tea was held on Dec. 14 for the Rev. Canon Dr. David, Emily and Ava Marie Butorac. They will be moving to Nacogdoches, Texas where David has accepted a position at Christ Church.

g The 2025 summer schedule for Camp Okema is July 5, open house; July 6-11, Cabin Leader Training; July 13-18, Jr. Teen; July 20-25, Junior; July 20-25, Youth Canoe Camp; July 27-30, Small Fry; Aug. 2-5, Family; Aug. 8-12, Adult Canoe Camp and Aug. 10-16, Teen.

g From Nov. 15-17, 13 youths gathered at the Quest Camp at Christopher Lake for a retreat. They played games, including a ping pong tournament, eating together, worshipping and praying together. Their topic was The Sacramental Life. The weekend ended with baptism confirmation with Bishop Rick Reed in St. Christopher’s Church.

g Look for a story on all the Christmas sales in the February issue.

Feeling the Holy Spirit On being manifestly prayerful

I also believe there is a fair amount of praying with and without books that is not “in the Spirit.” Prayer is more a matter of the heart and of The LORD’s leading than a matter of books, or not. But books can help. Written words of prayer can be savoured and dwelled upon. They can be repeated and learned by heart.

Often, for example, one of my spontaneous prayers

for someone or something is enriched by a phrase or an idea that comes from a Prayer Book prayer that has soaked into my heart and memory. For example, I will often pray for my loved ones using words from The Collect for Protection in Compline:

VISIT (or make yourself manifest), we beseech thee, O Lord, this place (and the places where my family and friends live, parishes, synods, meetings, etc, etc), and drive from it (them) all the snares of the enemy; let thy holy angels dwell herein to preserve us

(them) in peace; and may thy blessing be upon us (them) evermore; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, p726).

To that I often add, from the Forms of Prayer to be Used at Sea—yes, the Canadian Book of Common Prayer includes such a thing — the following, depending on the proximity of those for whom I am praying: Prayer for Home and Loved Ones

O GOD, who art present (or is manifest) in every place: Look down with thy mercy upon those whom we love, now absent from us; give thine angels charge over them, and defend them from all dangers of body and soul;

bring us together again, if it be thy holy will; grant that both they and we, drawing nearer to thee, may draw nearer to one another, and in the end, united in thy presence, may evermore rejoice together in our heavenly home; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, p633)

I especially love “visit their homes and drive from them all the snares of the enemy,” and “preserve us in peace” from Compline and that The LORD “will give thine angels charge over them, and defend them from all dangers of body and soul” from a Prayer for Home and Loved Ones. Continued on next page

... Feasting with Mary, Martha and Lazarus during Advent

Continued from page 5

Jesus defends Mary, who has chosen “the one thing necessary.”

After this reading, retreatants dispersed about the nave for a time of quiet reflection, with the option to use various aids for prayer — such as bowls, beads, or handcrosses that were set on the altar.

They considered questions such as, “What would Jesus say to you if you came to Him with your resentment and exasperation?” and “What would it look like to offer Jesus rapt attention in the midst of your busy life?”

Then they came back together to pray onesentence prayers in response to what they received during the reflection time.

This scene included at least 14 people lounging on cushions in the glow of the setting sun; the aroma of baking bread in the hearth fire; the grate of pestle on mortar as Martha crushes coriander for hummus; a crash as Martha, distracted, drops a serving dish and cries in exasperation to Jesus, “Don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?”

A break for fellowship over wine and cheese followed.

On Saturday morning, Carolyn led participants in the second imaginative retelling — the story of the raising of Lazarus (John 11:1-44). She focused on Jesus’ encounters with each of the siblings, and invited retreatants to reflect on several questions.

“Can you imagine,” she asked, “the bewilderment of the sisters at Jesus’s delay in coming to heal their brother? Can you receive, with Martha, the comfort of the hope of the resurrection, even in the midst of your grief?

"How do you respond,

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when, like Mary, you hear, ‘The teacher is here and is asking for you’? How does the resurrection power of Jesus bring hope to your own situation?”

At the late-morning break, retreatants enjoyed fellowship over delicious homemade bread, hummus, olives, cheese, and fruit.

Bruce then led them through the third and final meditation: Mary’s extravagant anointing of Jesus’s feet with a jar of nard (John 12: 1-8).

Having just feasted on Mediterranean fare, it was not hard to imagine the celebratory feast Martha had prepared for Jesus.

This time, Martha serves with a singularity of focus, listening to Jesus as she passes dishes. Mary defies social convention with her

scandalously intimate gesture, and her “absolute lack of prudence in matters both social and financial.”

Once again she is criticized, and once again defended by Jesus. Before dispersing for a final time of quiet reflection, participants were invited to ask: “What is your pint of nard?” and, “In what areas might worldly prudence be keeping you from reckless love of Jesus?”

During a time of year when the world beckons Christians to be “worried and distracted by many things,” from Black Friday sales to Christmas parties, this Advent retreat created time and space to welcome Jesus into the home of participants’ hearts, where He is already waiting to meet them.

... The Prayer Book can enrich our prayers

Continued from page 6

Okay. I admit. I pray you instead of thee, and your rather than thy and thine. But what perfectly wonderful, beautifully composed prayers! What more could I ever need to ask?

I don’t see how I could improve on those intercessory sentiments. It’s exactly what I would like The LORD to do

manifestly, from the heart and earnestly.

Using the Prayer Books as systematic tools for prayer will not only manifestly enrich your devotional life, but they will improve your prayer vocabulary and have you praying for things you wouldn’t necessarily have thought about on your own.

Federal inmates help beautify rural churches near P.A.

PRINCE ALBERT — Over the years, churches near the City of Prince Albert have been fortunate to make use of the skills of the inmates in the Saskatchewan Federal Penitentiary.

There are some beautiful pews and

furnishings that were made at the Penn and purchased by the parishes to furnish their churches.

Unfortunately, you are not able to buy such things now, but the minimumsecurity inmates do cut the grass during the summer at Holy Trinity Church in Sturgeon Valley and St. Martin’s

Church in Briarlea, along with three other community graveyards in the area.

The cost for the two churches is to take turns providing lunch for the work crew and their guard at the site.

There are usually six or seven guys who are so thankful and appreciative

of a home-cooked meal.

They will also do various types of maintenance jobs. This year we asked them if they could paint the inside of our church. We provided all the supplies, ladders, paint, brushes, etc.

As it turned out, there was one fellow on the crew who had been a painter, so

he was in charge. They had it all done in two days, with two coats of paint on the walls and ceiling.

They had it finished before our annual flower service in August.

There was a good turnout at the service, and we had lots of lovely flowers to decorate with.

St. Aidan, Moose Jaw receives big donation from Souls Harbour

Article courtesy

MooseJawToday.com

MOOSE JAW (Qu'A) — Souls Harbour Rescue Mission (SHRM) may have closed Riverside Mission and dropped the proposed building project, but it is continuing to donate food and money to community organizations helping the less fortunate.

“It shows that we care about the community — we’ve always said that — and we still want to be a part of helping feed people in the community,” said Joe Miller, SHRM’s executive director. “We have donors that want us to do that, so we’re doing what we can.”

SHRM recently made two $11,000 cash donations to St. Aidan Anglican Church and First Baptist Church to support their food programs, while it recently donated three tons of food to the Moose Jaw and District Food Bank.

It also made a $20,000 cash donation to New Life Centre Church, which was the founding church of Riverside Mission.

The items the non-profit donated to the food bank came on six pallets, which included non-perishables such as canned foods, sauces, pasta, cereals, cookies and other items.

These donations show that Souls Harbour has not abandoned Moose Jaw, contrary to what people may say or think, Miller said. The “bottom line” is that SHRM wants to continue supporting people in need and addressing food security issues in Canada’s Most Notorious City.

Board members decided that they wanted the organization to make these cash and food donations to show their commitment to Moose Jaw, he remarked. This is the first round of donations, while they will continue to make donations as finances allow.

“We’re still trying to recoup our costs (from the failed building project), but … we want to do what we can as well,” Miller added.

Jason Moore, the food bank’s executive director, said it was great to receive the donation, especially since Riverside Mission’s closure strained the resources of the food bank and some churches.

“So, for Joe Miller and Souls Harbour to come with this offering is generous, and it is remarkable that he is still willing to help out in this way even though Riverside Mission can’t be a part of our city,” Moore continued.

The three tons of food are important because the food bank’s client numbers have nearly doubled during the past few years, he noted. Furthermore, recent “shocking” numbers from Food Banks Canada show that, over the past five years, almost every

food bank across the country has seen a doubling of numbers.

What’s worse is 30 per cent of such organizations closed their doors this year because they ran out of food, Moore said.

Moose Jaw faced something similar this summer, but the public’s generosity kept the food bank open. Donations from the Better Together Food Drive are also expected to benefit the food insecurity agency.

“But this is certainly a blessing that we will not turn down and will put it to good use,” he chuckled, “as we figure out new ways to be sustainable.”

St. Aidan Anglican Church is filled with “lots of gratitude” for Souls Harbour’s $11,000 donation, especially since the church is aware of how hungry people are, said Michelle Josefson, parish administrator.

The church is waiting to learn whether its other

funding applications are successful for its weekend lunch program, so this financial gift means it won’t have to worry about resources “for several months.”

“It just allows us to carry on,” she remarked. The donation was not entirely unexpected because Miller contacted the church once he realized Riverside Mission would be closing and asked what St. Aidan was doing and how the Regina-based organization could help, Josefson recalled.

While it’s not yet confirmed, St. Aidan could use some of the money to support Community Connection, she added.

That group is handing out food in the church’s parking lot and has been playing a bigger role while other social agencies attempt to find a permanent, indoor location during this period of “turmoil” in Moose Jaw.

Federal penitentiary inmates haul out pews from St. Martin's, Briarlea, before they begin painting the inside. Photos by Mary Brown
An inmate paints a wall in the church.
Inmates take a break from their work of painting the church and cutting the grass.

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