The Saskatchewan Anglican, May 2024

Four-legged friend joins Birch Hills for service 4

Faith matters when a church closes 7

Moose Jaw has an encounter in Narnia

The birth of the Church

"On the day of Pentecost all the Lord's followers were together in one place. Suddenly there was a noise from heaven like the sound of a mighty wind! It filled the house where they were meeting. Then they saw what looked like fiery tongues moving in all directions, and a tongue came and settled on each person there. The Holy Spirit took control of everyone, and they began speaking whatever languages

the Spirit let them speak. Many religious Jews from every country in the world were living in Jerusalem. And when they heard this noise, a crowd gathered. But they were surprised, because they were hearing everything in their own languages. They were excited and amazed" (Acts 2:1-7, CEV). Photo by Getty Images/Sedmak, a painting of Pentecost in Saint Anastasia Church in Verona, 1506.

Listen to the Holy Spirit for His guidance, conference hears

By Mary Brown

WASKISEU (Skwn) — This year’s conference, “Praying with Purpose,” was led by Bishop David Parsons (pictured right). He has been married for 45 years to Rita Parsons (née Fournier) and they have three sons and four grandchildren. Parsons was an active church member since birth, and after a span of 24 years of living life as an old Covenant Christian Anglican, he began another eight years of intense bible

study before going to Bible college.

He has spent years meditating on the blessed covenant promises of God and has lived life asking God to guide him into divine appointments to share Jesus Christ and Jesus’ hope filled covenant promises.

He has been the bishop of the Anglican Diocese of The Arctic since 2012.

There were about 60 people attending the conference this year at the Hawood Inn in Waskesiu

Siddons’ new baby girl, and also Ava Butorac, her second time at a prayer conference.

The meeting began with Evening Prayer followed by a delicious dinner and the first session by the speaker, concluding with compline.

This year participants were encouraged to stay after and play board games or take a dip in the hot tubs on the roof of the hotel.

When Parsons began his session with a prayer, it was like he was having a talk with God; as if they were

old friends and were having a discussion about what to say to us.

Did we keep praying when our path is suffering? He said we should listen to God and it is not easy. Why are we here? How do we get our faith to grow?

We need to listen. We need to be listening to God the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the person of the Trinity who teaches us, comforts us, councils us and guides us but is also the one who corrects us, and Continued on page 5

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

including one-month-old Loralei, Perry and Andrea

Resurrection is God's business; proclaiming Jesus Christ is ours

How can the church survive in modern times?

By Canon Cheryl Toth

We live in a time of rapid change. One of the effects of this is a society that is anxious about what the future will bring.

The church is not exempt from this anxiety because it percolates through so many of our conversations on vestries, during coffee hours, on diocesan councils, and in provincial or national gatherings. We wonder about how we will survive in the future and what we need to do now to ensure that survival.

The truth is, we don’t know. While we may be able to look at the trends of the moment and strategize about how to meet the challenges we see coming, we do not truly know what the future will bring.

There will be unexpected events, like a pandemic; there will be difficult challenges, like invasions or wars; there will be climate emergencies or economic crises that demand our attention; and there will be things we cannot yet predict.

In the midst of this uncertainty and anxiety about what may come, what are we to do?

We need to do what people of faith have done for centuries. We need to gather with others to worship our God and to listen to the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We need to pray for one another and the needs of the world and to ask for the strength of the Holy Spirit to meet the demands of our lives and our times.

Where we meet, how we meet, when we meet are not as important as why we meet and that we meet. Knowing why we meet is crucial for being in community with one another as siblings in Christ.

It gives us perspective on what we do and how we do it. Fifty years from now we may be meeting in small groups in one another’s homes.

We may be singing our songs in some of the places we currently know and love. We may be gathering via electronic means across communities and regions. We may be doing a combination of them all. We don’t know.

But if we know that we need one another to strengthen our faith and confirm our identity as followers of Christ, then we will be able to find our way forward to whatever form of gathering suits the situations in which we will find ourselves.

We also need to study the Scriptures in order to understand the story of God’s salvation of humanity. It is not enough for us to know some of the stories or the echoes of those stories as we learn them in Sunday school or glean them from the occasional sermon.

We need to join others in studying the Scripture to understand what God was doing in Jesus Christ and how we are called to participate in that mission of God’s love for us all.

Without deep understanding of the story of God’s salvation, we will chip away at the foundation of our faith and weaken it. Just as we know our identity and our families, through the stories we remember and the stories others tell, so we know our identity in Jesus Christ through the stories we hear, remember and incorporate into who we are.

Then, if the world around us ridicules our faith or ignores our hope, we will have the knowledge of who God is and what He is doing through Jesus Christ within us to guide us as we move ahead.

As Jesus said to His disciples, we are not to worry about what we will say or do in the days ahead, but rather rely on

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

Whole No. 292, Vol. 52 No. 9

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the Holy Spirit to give us the words we need and the guidance we seek.

We also need to put into action what we believe. If God’s love is for all, we need to make it evident that everyone is welcome.

If God wants justice and peace, then we need to be engaged in activities that show His longing for all to be fed and live in safety. If God is compassionate, then we need to be compassionate to others whether or not they show any compassion for us.

How we do so will change over time. Yet if we are willing to engage with those around us, work with others to show God’s love, seek God’s justice, and offer God’s compassion then we will be living in God’s way. By doing so we will walk God’s way into a future not yet known.

We need to put God’s mission of love for the world at the heart of who we are. That is more important than our survival. Jesus lived that mission, and as disciples of Christ we need to live it as well. If we die, we die. We know that as individuals, but we also need to know it as an institution, a community. Our lives are to be poured out for the sake of God’s good news. We are to Continued on page 3

Submissions for the September issue must be received by the diocesan editor no later than July 26 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

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A group of people praying and worshipping.

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By Archdeacon Andy Hoskin

“

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8 ESV).

In March I celebrated 47 years as a priest. On May 19 I will be celebrating 48 years since I was ordained a deacon in the Anglican Church of Canada. Many things have changed since then. Many of these changes have been good, but not all of them.

The Bishop's Corner The problem is us

Today I will address one of these negative changes in the Church in particular. That change is the matter of decline in the Anglican Church. In the last few decades we have seen churches closed, buildings and land sold, and congregations combined and the number of full-time stipendiary clergy reduced.

The Church has sought to meet this decline in the number of stipendiary clergy in various ways and much of this is good in terms of a broader understanding of Christian ministry. However, much of it is part of what is now termed “managed decline,” how to make the best use of the resources available to us now, to sustain what we’re doing for as long as those resources enable us.

I do not believe the Church’s

... the Church in modern times

Continued from page 2 follow Jesus, knowing that our discipleship may lead us to the cross and death. We may faithfully die to what we now know, and the church we now love may become unrecognizable. But if people gather for worship, seek to understand and follow Jesus, and engage with their community in acts of love and mercy, peace, and justice, Christ will be present.

Resurrection is God’s business. Proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ and living in its hope is ours. Survival is not.

Canon Cheryl Toth is a retired clergyperson now serving as an honorary assistant at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Regina.

mission is “managed decline.”

Since 1976 the Anglican Church has declined in members, parishes, and clergy while at the same time the population of Canada has doubled.

Wouldn’t you agree that there is something wrong with this picture?

I propose that one of the reasons for this decline is our lack of confidence in the Gospel and our lack of commitment to evangelism. This isn’t the whole nor the only answer to our situation, but I believe we need to take a fresh look at the Good News of God’s love for us in Jesus and our commitment to share that message.

This year, May 19 is not just the anniversary of my ordination as a deacon; it also is Pentecost Sunday, the day the Christian Church began its mission to the world.

At His ascension Jesus spoke the words quoted above. On the Day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came upon the Church, empowering it for its mission just as Jesus had promised. The

apostles and the others with them witnessed to the resurrection. Peter preached, and in response, 3,000 people committed themselves to be followers of Jesus. Not bad for day 1!

The mission given to the apostles by Jesus is still our mission today. The Holy Spirit continues to indwell and empower the Church for its mission. A big part of that mission is evangelism. To be clear, by evangelism I mean the presentation of the Good News of Jesus in such a way that people are invited to respond by placing their faith in Him.

If we have this commission from Jesus, and God the Holy Spirit to empower us to do it, what’s the problem?

The problem is us.

We have neglected our proclamation of the Gospel. We are to proclaim in word and deed but too often we excuse ourselves from the word part, even in sharing why we do the deeds. How will people know we do it for Jesus unless we say something?

We have been tongue-tied, worried about causing offence, and too often apologetic about evangelism even to the point of dismissing it altogether. How sad. Because we have Good News to share!

In not sharing the gospel we are failing in our mission, failing to show the love of Jesus to others. If you truly loved someone, wouldn’t you want them to know Jesus and the depth of His love for them?

But as St. Paul stated, “So faith

comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17 ESV) How will people hear unless you and I, those who know the risen Christ, tell them?

Years ago, Archbishop Barry Curtis said that “evangelism is not just for those who like that sort of thing, but it is the responsibility of all.” The call, the challenge is for all Christians.

Here are a few suggestions that may help us to turn this around:

• To pray — for the fire of the Holy Spirit, for evangelistic zeal, for a deeper walk with Jesus, for the courage to share the Good News of Jesus in His love, for those who do not yet know Jesus, for the right opportunity to share and eyes that see the opportunities.

• To take time to reflect on our own walk with Jesus so that we can better grasp how He has touched our life, as this will be our authentic witness.

• To support and pray for evangelistic endeavours.

We began with the suggestion that our lack of evangelism was one of the reasons for our church’s decline. But let us be clear — we don’t undertake evangelism as an answer to decline.

We take it up because we have Good News to share, because it is and has always been the church’s mission, and the church is us!

Four-legged friend joins Birch Hills for Palm Sunday

By Ethel Rutherford

BIRCH HILLS (Skwn)

— St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Birch Hills had a special guest at its Palm Sunday parade and morning service. This guest was a miniature donkey named Mini Pearl, which attended the beginning of the service at the Birchview Nursing Home.

Announcements for May 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 Courses at Queen’s House Retreat & Renewal Centre , 601 Taylor Street W, Saskatoon, SK S7M 0C9. For course information and to register for courses please contact: Sarah Donnelly, Programming Director: 306-242-1916 x 226; Email: programming@ queenshouse.org. Website at www. queenshouse.org

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 Final Service for All Saints’ Anglican Parish, Saskatoon : The final service for All Saints' Parish will be a Service of BCP Evensong held on Sunday, June 2, at 2:30 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 It Is OK TO Talk Here, a Men’s Group : Christ Church Anglican, Saskatoon started a monthly men’s support group in April as a way for guys to get together to connect and support each other in healthy ways as we navigate the issues we face in this present time.

In a nutshell, too often, men still expect themselves to resolve faced issues alone, with little to no outside help or resources, and all too often scant family, friend, or community support. Please see the poster elsewhere in this issue for more information and/or to contact the organizers.

g Mentors and Instructors Needed for ESC and WECAN Licentiate in Theology : Mentors and instructors for the students of our diocese enrolled in the Emmanuel and St. Chad College and the Western Education Collaborative Anglican network's Licentiate in Theology are required.

For your information, a student may be in the L.Th. program for three to five years, depending on their life context and other responsibilities in their lives. If interested, please contact the Rev. Dr. Trish McCarthy at trish.mccarthy@ saskatoon theologicalunion.ca.

To maintain some continuity, we would like mentors to consider being in this role for two years. Longer would be appreciated and acceptable. Please review the mentor role description listed below.

Retired clergy would be warmly welcome to serve as mentors as being willing to participate in the mentor orientation and engage in ways listed below. Mentors do not need to be clergy or even incumbent clergy.

People with teaching experience, who are respected members in their faith community with a knowledge base relevant to the one of 12 courses required in the L.Th. could serve as instructors.

g Courses at the Refinery : The Refinery at Emmanuel Anglican Parish, Saskatoon is offering a series of courses during the Winter 2024 season on a variety of subjects

Mini Pearl then led the parade from there down the street to St. Mary’s Anglican Church for the conclusion of the service.

All the churches in Birch Hills were invited to participate and join in the parade, the service and stay for hot cross buns and coffee.

including painting and various other art media, Zumba, and various spiritual and meditative modalities. For more information or to register, please contact the Refinery at: www. emmanuelrefinery.org or 306 653-3549.

g Ordination to the Priesthood : The Right Rev. Rodney Andrews, Interim Bishop of Saskatoon, has announced that, God willing, the Rev. Peter Coolen will be ordained to the priesthood at Christ Church Anglican, Saskatoon, on Ascension Day, Thursday, May 9, at 10:30 a.m. The service will be followed by a lunch in the parish hall.

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.

Photo by Ethel Rutherford

... A church is not a building but a mission team

Continued from page 1 convicts us when we are going the wrong way.

Throughout the Bible we are told to seek God with all our hearts. You have no proof that God will help you except your faith. Faith is like a servant; a servant does work for you. We need to take time to meditate, to hear. How does faith grow? A little bit at a time.

Faith is a process of believing the promises of God, acting on hope. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Faith believes that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.

The next day started with breakfast followed by Morning Prayer and Davd’s next two sessions. We have two powers that influence us; fear through the devil or faith in God Almighty our creator. It is a tug of war on our soul.

One side is faith in God’s word, the other side is a seed of desire or dread that, when meditated on or worried about, grows into action called SIN that paralyzes us by creating doubt and fear.

The good news is our God is a God of provision and when we believe His promises and follow the principles and precepts of His word, faith is loosed to empower those who walk by faith and not by fear.

God sent His son Jesus. We need to read the Bible to discover God’s promises fulfilled. A church is not a building, it is a mission team. The church is made up of people whom

God has called out of the kingdom of darkness to now be partners with Him in the kingdom of light.

God’s way is not natural to us. We by nature are sinners, sinners called to be saints. Therefore, we need to be re-educated.

Jesus’s plans for us are:

1) We are to be students and disciples who make disciples. 2) Fathers and

mothers are to teach their children. Families are to be the foundation of healthy societies. As parents draw closer to God they will draw closer to one another and the children will see this. They help their children follow Jesus in such a way that they will learn how to face life's many challenges.

3) Teamwork — families

work with other families to form community. We are to be a people filled with hope-filled faith not doubt. Parsons ended with a challenge that we look for one to three people hungry for God and teach them what we have learned from following Jesus, and then teach them to teach others to also follow in Jesus' steps.

Conference attendees Connie and Margaret spend some time relaxing in a hot tub on the roof of the Hawood Hotel in Waskesiu.

Archdeacon Hoskin invited participants to pray at their table and ask for prays from each other. The conference ended with the Eucharist. There was a lot of info to process and Bishop Parsons handed out study sheets for further enlightenment. As is tradition, the Parsons were given a Birch Bark picture as a parting gift.

Bishop David Parsons accepts a birch bark gift from Archdeacon Andrew Hoskin. Photos by Mary Brown

Sarah Albers hangs out with one-month-old Loralei Siddons during the prayer conference.

Musicians help lead the singing during the conference. From left are Kathleen Stewart, Shirley Guest, Mary Lou Hoskin and Christine Rye.

Saskatoon's Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy welcomes new bishop

Submitted

SASKATOON — Michael

Smolinski was born on Sept. 10, 1972, in Saskatoon to Morris and Iris Smolinski, being the youngest of three children.

He completed his elementary and secondary education in the Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Division and later received his bachelor of education from the University of Saskatchewan in 1994.

Then, from 1994 to 1996, he worked as a youth pastoral co-ordinator in the Edmonton Eparchy.

Smolinski entered the novitiate of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists) on Sept. 1, 1997. On Aug. 15, 2002, Brother Michael Smolinski, C.Ss.R., took his perpetual vows. In 2002, Brother Michael received a master’s of divinity from the Faculty of Theology of the University of St. Michael’s College in Toronto.

Deacon Michael completed further education in Eastern Christian Studies at the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute at St. Paul’s University in Ottawa in 2003.

On July 5, 2003, he was ordained a priest by

Bishop Michael Wiwchar, C.Ss.R., at Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Saskatoon.

During his priestly ministry, he first served as assistant pastor at St. Joseph’s Ukrainian Church in Winnipeg from 2003 to 2005.

Father Michael was then director of the Welcome Home in Winnipeg (2005-2015); an extraordinary member of the Redemptorist Provincial Council (since 2008); and pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Saskatoon (2015-2019).

From Aug. 1, 2019, he has served as the regional co-ordinator of the Yorkton Region of the Redemptorists in Canada, while being assistant pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Church.

On Nov. 17, 2022, Father Michael was elected and appointed as provincial superior of the Redemptorists in Canada serving from Jan. 17 until Nov. 30, 2023 when the Holy Father accepted the recommendation of the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and appointed him bishop of Saskatoon.

On Jan. 20, Bishop Michael was consecrated at Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Saskatoon by His Beatitude Patriarch Sviatoslav Shevchuk with co-consecrators Metropolitan Lawrence Huculak, O.S.B.M., and Bishop Bryan Joseph Bayda, C.Ss.R.

He was later installed at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of St. George. Bishop Michael’s episcopal motto is taken from the First Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to Timothy.

It was a Scripture passage Bishop Michael had read around the time he received the phone call requesting his acceptance of nomination as bishop, as well as being read at a Divine Liturgy of Thanksgiving for the priestly ordination of a Redemptorist friend earlier that year.

It recalls the themes of synodality, enlarging the tent of the Church, empowering the laity and openness, all of which the bishop wishes to bring forward in his episcopal ministry.

NOTICE

The June issue of the Saskatchewan Anglican may be late to your mailbox because the Diocese of Saskatchewan is having its episcopal election in midMay and we want to include that good news in our last issue before the summer break.

Thanks for your understanding.

Clarification

On the last page of the March issue, the caption for the photo of Bishop Rob Hardwick, Rev. Nathaniel Deng Mayen and Bishop Nathaniel Garang, should have stated that the photo was taken in approximately 2016, when Hardwick was Bishop of Qu’Appelle.

We regret the confusion.

Bishop Michael Smolinski

Faith matters

By Valerie Middleton

Editor’s note: Valerie Middleton was a long-time lay reader at St. John’s, Unity, which closed in 2022. A version of this article appeared as the last in a series of articles entitled, “Faith Matters” in the Press Harold .

UNITY (S’toon) — Why does faith matter? Faith is what keeps you going during the hard times; easy times too, but I found people don’t pay as much attention then.

I have to say that as of today, if I hadn’t had my faith during COVID-19, the following shut down

and closure of St John’s Anglican, Unity, I doubt that I would be here today to write this column. By now everyone in Unity knows that the St John’s Anglican Church is no more and the buildings have been sold. The last service, in August 2022 was heartbreaking and the start of a long grieving process for me.

Calling other churches or museums to see what things could be reused, having the insides “cannibalized” with bits and pieces leaving, and having an empty sanctuary is not a process I recommend, but it was

necessary. I don’t know what the building will be used for next, but my prayers are that they find peace, joy and success there. My faith has sustained me through all of these changes.

It is easier to keep up your faith when you get reassurance and a boost every Sunday from others who believe as you do; that’s the whole point of going to churchsynagogue-mosque.

Church surrounds you with family, sharing the word of God, includes everyone in praising Him in song and prayer and lets you know that you

are NOT alone.

Sometimes, the readings and message are so pointed and directed to what you are feeling and going through, you wonder if the leader is psychic. When I was leading service, I relied on my faith, my relationship with God and my prayers that He would direct my words — and He did.

More than once, I had people tell me that they really related to what I had said. Thanking God after those services was easy because it was His words — not mine — to which they responded.

I have had faith mentors all my life, starting with my mom, Rev. Cliff McMurtry UC and Father Bob Ogle RC.

My faith journey has not been like the late Kitty Grosskopf. She started and finished at St John’s. What a great faith mentor and encourager she was!

I was extremely blessed to witness God’s power in our LTC. A group of us were taking turns sitting with a parishioner as she was dying.

and the late Art Finnell. I could always count on them to let me know if the lights had been left on or if something out of the ordinary was going on at the church.

Working with the ministerial association over the years has been very illuminating, compelling and fun! A few of the restaurants in town remarked, after one of our lunches, that it was great to hear so much laughter from ministers! It’s been a great support system for the people who are leaders in our churches.

I was perfectly happy being a member of the congregation until 22 years ago when the late Rev Deb Ramage asked me to cover for her one Sunday. Whenever I did a bad service after that, it was her fault — I joke! — but she was another of those wonderful faith mentors for me.

Artist: Wilfrid Dieter, Ignite Media

Join us to think, talk and pray about the ways in which we can transform our worship, in authentic ways, from language and image of empire and colonialism to one which seeks to honour the experiences of racialized and Indigenous people.

These are challenging and, at times, difficult conversations and topics. Together we will explore our own experiences, biases and hopes for new ways of being the church.

Keynote speakers include Michelle Nieviadomy, Rev. Chung Yan Lam and Becca Whitlaw.

Music could be played, some read to her from the newspaper; basically, just to let her know she wasn’t alone. She was another faith mentor, so I decided to read from our service book.

As I read to her, her anxious movements calmed, and peace came over her face. After a while I changed to a different book and her movements came back so I went back to the Psalms and she calmed down again.

After that I stayed with the service book, saying the Psalms, the prayers for the sick and dying, the collects for that time of year.

Hearing God’s word was a comfort to her and me.

There were some wonderful kids/teens in the community who stepped up and did the work I couldn’t over the years. My first hire was Cierra Olfert, who did lawns and snow removal, and then the Parker family; as the kids grew and left the next one would step in.

Seb and Holly Lauinger were my go-to people during the closure, dismantling, doing inventory, whatever was needed. We had great neighbours in Dorothy

I was exposed to a variety of priests and bishops over the years and learned from all of them. When it came to the end, it was Rev Gordon Lines, from Saskatoon, and I who were sharing the leadership duties of St John’s.

I wasn’t alone in any of this — God was right next to me and still is. On the other side, for support were my husband Rob and our girls Tara and Angie. My thanks to the Press Herald for giving me this final opportunity to do a Faith Matters column.

Why does faith matter? You will find your own answers during your faith journey just as I did. I truly believe that God led me to St John’s, has stood by me and will continue to be there for me as my faith journey continues in whatever is next. May He bless you all on your own faith journeys.

A final note: T he next closest Anglican church to Unity would be in Biggar, Battleford, Lashburn and Maidstone. I’m sure all those places would welcome people but, for anyone who needs assistance to travel (like me), then it really isn’t an option.

I do miss my church family, the getting together to worship and share our faith. Television is fine but the “family” isn’t there.

Qu'Appelle hosting several summer camps

Weekend craft camp

Women in the Diocese of Qu’Appelle are invited to a weekend craft camp, June 21 to 23, at Camp Harding in the beautiful Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park.

The weekend will provide an opportunity for women in the diocese to spend time together enjoying nature, crafting, visiting with each other and participating in relaxed worship.

Organizers point out that it is not a retreat, as it won’t be led by a retreat leader; however, there will be suggested activities for each part of the day and participants will have the option to participate with the group or do craft work or devotions independently.

Rev. Christine Burton will lead worship times and may lead the group devotional times as well.

Participants are invited to bring their own craft items to work on if they wish, or to join in a cardmaking class or other activities.

It is designed to be a relaxed and not overly structured weekend.

Participants can stay in a bunk on-site; in their own tent or trailer; stay in Maple Creek; or at the Lodge in the park.

The cost for the weekend camp is $75 per person, which includes five meals, snacks and basic card-making

materials.

Space is limited. For further information and to register visit www. quappelle.anglican.ca.

Junior Camp June 30 to July 5

Children aged nine to 12 are invited to bring an adventurous spirit to Camp Harding for Shipwrecks and Sailboats, Journeys with St. Paul

The Junior camp from June 30 to July 5 will offer horseback riding, games, swimming, singing and survival skills.

The cost is $225 per camper. Transportation will be offered at no additional cost between Regina, Moose Jaw, Swift Current and Camp Harding in Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park. For more information and to register visit www. quappelle.anglican.ca

Camp Harding information

For job opportunities, camp programming information and to find out how you can support Camp Haring, visit: https://quappelle. anglican.ca/campharding

Special thanks to Friends of Camp Harding donors, Ann Knutson and Doug and Elizabeth Turnbull, without whom these programs would not be possible.

Campers from decades ago enjoy the lake in Cypress Hills Provincial Park. Photo courtesy Facebook

OKAY TO TALK HERE MEN’S GROUP

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This group is for guys to gather in a supportive and non-judgmental space, and, be heard as we talk about the challenges we face as men in the 21 st century. The first session will create the topics, based on what the group wants to talk about. STARTS APRIL 11 EVERY 2ND THURSDAY 7:30PM

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Obituary Rev. Sam Halkett helped youths re-connect with God

By Mary Brown

PRINCE ALBERT — I am sad to say that Rev. Sam Halkett died on March 6; he was 68 years old.

He had been dealing with cancer and other complications for the last few years. He still attended diocesan functions when he was able.

Sam was ordained a deacon on Oct. 22, 2011 and as a priest on June 5, 2015. When I asked his wife, Liz, what parishes Sam worked in she said anyone that calls. He was officially the priest at Little Red and Big River First Nation, but if La Ronge, Montreal Lake, Sturgeon Lake or any community needed him he would be there.

He had played the guitar all his life and was a regular at the Gospel Jamborees around the diocese.

He also taught Cree and syllabics classes and composed children’s books of Gospel stories.

Sam had a vision to build an outdoor camp where youths could stay and reconnect with nature and the spiritual.

He realized his dream and established Camp Paskwawaskihk on the

Little Red River.

He started construction in 2012, and since then, the La Ronge Band has held youth camps. One of his daughters will follow her father’s legacy by working with the youths who will have attend a camp.

Halkett used the teepee as a teaching tool. There are always 13 poles in a teepee representing rules by which to live.

Sam was an example of someone who lived his life by these rules of obedience, respect, humility, happiness, love, faith, kinship, cleanliness, thankfulness, share, strength, good child rearing and hope.

When I last saw him in February in the hospital, he was just skin and bone, but he still had that twinkle in his eye and was joking around with me.

Sam and his wife Elizabeth were childhood sweethearts from the age of 10 and 12 and were married for 46 years.

They had nine children with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who deeply love them.

May they find peace in their grief and know that everyone will miss him so much.

Rev. Sam Halkett poses in front of a teepee at his camp. Photo by Mary Brown

Easter joy in Swift Current

The congregation of St. Stephen the Martyr, Swift Current, poses together on Easter Sunday. It was Rev. Leonard Botchway’s first Easter in Canada, and with his new parishioners. It was also St. Stephen’s first Easter with a full-time Incumbent since Rev. Chris Dowdeswell left for his sabbatical starting in May 2022, and then moved to Calgary to become Dean. The Parish of St. Stephen has embraced Rev. Botchway as he settles in and awaits the arrival of

D I O C E S E O F SASKATCHEWAN

Episcopal election this month

g A new newsletter is coming soon; watch for it.

g On May 11, the diocese will elect a new bishop; the selection committee is Connie Jessop, Tom Sanderson, John Hareuther, the Rev. Theresa Sanderson, the Rev. Brody Albers and the Rev. Jordan Draper and three Province of Rupert’s Land delegates. Any diocesan member can submit a name; the deadline is April 12. Two synod members can nominate extra people after that, but before 9:30 a.m. on May 8.

g The Rev. Wendell Brock has been hired at the Sask. Penitentiary as chaplain

g The Rev. Canon Don Skinner, Turtleford area, is retiring in June

g May 17-20: Camp Okema work bee

g May 24-26: Camp Okema Ladies’ Retreat

g May 31 to June 2: Camp Okema Men’s Retreat

g June 21-23: Youth Retreat Camp Okema (CO)

g July 6: CO open house

his family. The parish thanks all the clergy who conducted services while they were without a full-time priest: Rev. Beverley McLean, Rev. Nancy Yee, and Rev. Patti Sherk from St. Olaf Lutheran Church. They also thank Bryan Kellwell, a theological student who spent the summer of 2023 in the parish, and the four lay readers who conducted Morning Prayer. Their willingness and love for Christ was and is extremely appreciated.

Photo by Martin Munga

Encounters in Narnia: St. Aidan holds Lenten retreat

By Rhoda Cairns

MOOSE JAW (Qu’A) — A narrow entrance framed by two racks of furry winter coats. A dim, candle-lit nave. Fir trees spangled with snowflakes. A glowing lamp post. A carved chair swathed in purple tulle.

This scene greeted those attending the opening session of the Lenten retreat held March 1 and 2 at St. Aidan Church in Moose Jaw. The retreat was birthed, planned, and facilitated by a small group of lay people in the congregation.

Titled “Encounters in Narnia,” it focused on three scenes selected from The Chronicles of Narnia, a series of books for children written by C.S. Lewis in the 1950s. More than 30 congregants, including several families, attended the retreat, which was designed to be appealing to all ages.

Friday evening highlighted the story of young Edmund encountering the White Witch in the snowy, lamplit woods of Narnia, where she tempts him with a box of Turkish delight and persuades him, with the promise of more sticky sweets, to betray his siblings.

As the retreat began, participants were immediately drawn into

a dramatic reading of that episode from The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.

Alina Poettker (13) was particularly impressive as the haughty-voiced White Witch, complete with a crown and silver wand. As the participants listened to the story, a tray of Turkish delight was passed around so that everyone could sample the candy that was Edmund’s downfall.

The Saturday morning sessions focused on two more Narnian encounters.

The first featured an ill-tempered young boy who spends time trapped in a dragon’s body (Voyage of the Dawn Treader), and the second highlighted a startling encounter a cheeky young girl has with Aslan, the great lion of Narnia, who gives her an important mission to complete (The Silver Chair).

Volunteers from the congregation made up the unrehearsed “cast” for all dramatized readings, providing an

animated and imaginative recreation of the voices to bring the stories to life.

In all three sessions, the dramatic readings of the episodes were interspersed with a variety of related activities designed by the planning team and facilitated by Ellen Duffield and Tim Lenko.

In groups of two and three, participants discussed questions connecting the stories to their lives.

They engaged in short, imaginative activities (one

involving blowing ping pong balls!) and spent time in guided personal reflection.

On Saturday morning, the coffee break featured special “Narnian” treats, including scones and slices of sugar-topped cake, freshly baked by a member of the planning team.

A brief liturgy provided by Father Cal Macfarlane closed the retreat.

Shelley Ruecker, Glynn Wright and Alina Poettcker read from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe during the first session of the Lenten retreat at St. Aidan, Moose Jaw.

All photos by Michelle Josefson

Retreatants blow ping pong balls across a table, to contrast with Aslan's breath in The Silver Chair.

Abigail Stulac sits in the White Queen’s sledge, holding the pamphlet prepared to aid reflection in the Encounters in Narnia retreat.

The BCP holds nuggets of wisdom about prayer

By the Rev. Teddy Williams

Meditation is everywhere! For us, it seems there is a desire to adopt meditative practices in the Church, hence, our question, what is the difference between Scripture meditation and reading the Bible?

The answer to that is, I don’t know. As far as a common practice goes, the prayer book is a good place to begin.

While it doesn’t speak to meditation-upon-scripture,

it holds these nuggets:

• The rule of life includes: the practice of private prayer, Biblereading, and selfdiscipline (page 544).

• The 2nd collect of Advent speaks to how we relate to Scripture; wherein we hear, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them (page 97).

• The prayer book contains sentences from Scripture before Morning

and Evening prayer (pages 1 and 17).

My suggestions:

• We include meditation under the umbrella of the rule of life as a private prayer that uses Bible reading and requires selfdiscipline.

• Our meditation on the Holy Word is to hear, read, mark, learn, as to embrace hope in Christ.

• Before holy worship, the opening

sentences guide us on what verses we read, and how to read. Privately, we read them slowly, and with repetition, and with periods of silence. These sentences inform our collective understanding of meditation as an Anglican practice.

Now, my observations and suggestions don’t show big differences between reading and meditation. They are alike. Indeed, when we use them to

our own end, both Bible reading and mediation can lead us astray.

To ensure Bible reading and meditation guide us to Christ, we practice them within our church. Wherever you are in the Anglican Communion, Anglicans have a unity in reading Scripture together as worship.

This holds true for meditation. When we follow common readings, meditation becomes part of our corporate worship. We read and meditate in the unity of Christ, and wonder at God’s majesty.

WECAN offering many courses in coming year

Three-Year Course

Rotation 2024 – 2027

All of the coursed listed below will be available online. Folks are to register for courses at: esc-wecan. ca

To Register for the Licentiate in Theology Program, ask your Diocese for L.Th. Program Application Form

Individuals may take these courses to enrich their own spiritual life, better equip them for current ministries or take while in discernment about a formal vocation .

Biblical Studies: Saskatoon Diocese April to May 2024

Thursday, May 2 7:30 to 10 p.m. Synoptic Gospels Adam Wright

Thursday, May 9 7:30 to 10 p.m. The Gospel of John Wei Luo

Thursday, May 23 7:30 to 10 p.m. Biblical Exegesis, Bernon Lee

Thursday, May 30 7:30 to 10 p.m. Pauline Letters  Adam Wright

Biblical Studies: Qu’Appelle Diocese, Dates Pending - check escwecan.ca.

Doctrine of the ChurchEcclesiology

Spring 2024 Qu’Appelle, Register: esc-wecan.ca

Instructor: Dr. Joel Houston of Briercrest online; May 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th, 2024 from 6:008:00 pm, CST Eco-Theology Spring 2024 St. John’s College Winnipeg: Ryan Turnbull “Eco-Theology” For information only esc-wecan.ca, Thursdays

Studying at a desk.

May 2 – July 11 6:30 – 9 p.m. Eco-Theology course requires student to register with $200 audit and $420 for full course at St John’s College | University of Manitoba (umanitoba. ca).

Register: https://umanitoba.ca/st-johns-college/ form/course_registration

One Book of the Bible: Judges Spring 2024 Qu’Appelle Register: esc-wecan.ca

Instructor: Daniel J. D. Stulac of Briercrest College and Seminary

April 17, May 1, May 15, May 29, June 12, June 26 7

p.m. to 8:45 p.m. CST Liturgy: Fall 2024

Sponsoring Institution Pending Register: esc-wecan.ca

Sept. 13 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. & 14 10 a.m. a.m. to 5:00 p.m. SK time and Sept. 27

7:30 to 9:30 p.m. & 28 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. SK time

Instructor: Rev. Dr. Richard Leggett, VST Professor Emeritus

Pastoral Care: Fall 2024 SaskatoonThursdays Evenings: Oct.

3, 10, 17, 24, Nov. 7, 2024

7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. SK time Register: esc-wecan.ca

Instructor: Rev. Dr. Trish McCarthy

Teaching and Learning: Stages of Faith, Education and Nurturing Children in Faith Fall 2024, Qu’Appellewebsite for finalized dates Register: esc-wecan.ca

Spring 2025 Saskatoon

Thursday evenings: Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27 and Mar. 6, 2025

7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. SK time Register: esc-wecan.ca

Instructors: Rev. Fiona

Brownlee and Rev. Dr. Trish McCarthy

Leadership: Athabasca and Saskatoon Group Discernment and Conflict Mediation Register: esc-wecan.ca

Late Fall 2025 Thursdays, Nov. 6 – Dec. 4, 2025 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. SK Time, Instructors: Bishop David Greenwood Athabasca and Rev. Dr. Trish McCarthy

Spiritual Practices and Spiritual Formation: Register: esc-wecan. ca, Fall 2025 Saskatoon Thursday evenings: Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30, 2025, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. SK time

With all-day Saturday online retreat on Oct. 26

Instructor: Rev. Dr. Trish McCarthy

Homiletics: Saskatoon and Kootenay, Dates Pending - check esc-wecan.ca

Instructors: Rev. Iain Luke and Rev. Dr. Garry Schmidt

Integrative Internship / Field Placement: Dates as needed.

Potential Instructors: Rev. Dr. Iain Luke and Rev. Dr. Trish McCarthy

Ethics - Offered Soon: Qu’Appelle, Dates Pending - check esc-wecan.ca

Indigenous Relationships and Wisdom and Teaching of the Elders: Dates Pending - check escwecan.ca

Facilitator: Rev. Dr. Kara Mandryk. Potential Instructors: Will be chosen in consultation with First Nation Elders based on their special areas of interest and expertise from various backgrounds and geographical locations.

Getty Images

Lenten lunches in Humboldt a success

A collage of the Lenten lunches held at St. Andrew’s, Humboldt: this past Lent, a successful post-COVID-19 return of Lenten lunches was enjoyed at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Humboldt. The parish offered soup and sandwiches, while speakers from various Humboldt

churches shared their wisdom on various aspects of our faith. Well over $700 was collected for PWRDF, as well as a generous donation to the food bank.

Photos by Rev. Marie-Louise Ternier

Stewards of God's abundance Meaningful gifts for grad season and more

By Rev. Christine M. Burton

If you’re anything like me, your knowledge of currently “hot” singers and celebrities, of “cool” games, and of desirable clothing is slim to none. This makes acquiring gifts for the younger generation a bit of a challenge … .

Gifts are no longer restricted to birthdays and Christmas, either. Of course, there’s university and high school graduation, but also from elementary to high school, and between each of the grades; from Sparks to Brownies to Guides, and from Beavers to Cubs to Scouts; and probably loads of others that I, with my aging aunt status, am not aware of.

Early summer is the busiest season for all these occasions, as well as for engagement parties and weddings, deferred christenings and birthday celebrations, and more.

Recently I have started defaulting to gift cards, but that feels like a copout.

It doesn’t reflect what I know of these precious people in my life, or what I hope for them. But what can I give them that would reflect my prayers?

If you’re like me, you may be surprised to realize a bit of creative thinking can lead you to gifts that benefit both the recipient and the church.

If you’re invited to an infant baptism, well, the infant won’t actually know what it’s getting, and it probably already has lots of onesies. But, depending on what’s going on in its home church, you could make a donation that it WILL know about later.

For example, if there’s a building project going on, you could contribute to the cause in their name — and maybe it comes with a name printed on a brick or plaque.

In the future, the child can see their name on that brick, and know they helped to physically build their church.

Or maybe the church needs new hymnals — a wonderful new choral supplement to Common

Praise was recently published, but isn’t yet available in many churches — you could purchase one, and have a dedication faceplate pasted in the front.

Just talk to your priest or deacon and they can give you ideas.

For children, whether they attend church or not, they would probably enjoy attending one of the camps at Camp Harding. It’s remarkably affordable; you could pay for their registration — and possibly the registration of a friend or sibling to accompany them!

Youths and young adults are growing every day in their awareness of the many challenges facing the world and their generation.

The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) supports efforts in and for some of the areas most urgently needing help — war relief in Gaza and the West Bank and Ukraine; Canadian Indigenous programming; creation care and climate change; emergency

relief in Canada and internationally in the face of weather and other disasters; sustainable partnerships for health, food security, and human rights; and support for youths generally.

When so many people throw their hands up in despair that “there’s nothing I can do,” a gift in your young person’s name would help them realize how they can make a difference.

Older adults might appreciate variations on these ideas, especially as they reach the stage of trying to divest themselves of “stuff,” telling us “I don’t need anything!” Except that we still want to give them something … . If they enjoyed happy times at camp in their youth, they might appreciate a gift made in their name towards capital or programming upgrades at Camp Harding — new windows or flooring, new beds, paint, drywall — each of these enhance the experience of participants, so they can focus on getting closer to nature, to

each other, and to God.

Adults can understand the financial challenges facing churches — an extra donation to the church, like paying for flowers for a Sunday, a month, or a season; or contributing towards care of the church yard, would be a blessing.

So would a donation to the priest’s discretionary fund so they can help those who DO still need “things.”

Even a donation towards the ongoing operation of the church — so it will still be there when mom’s time comes to return to God — can be a wonderfully meaningful gift to our loved ones. Each of these could be stand-alone gifts, or they could accompany a gift card or some small token. In any case, it would be lovely to include a card explaining why the gift was chosen, and reminding the recipient that they are the chosen of God, and that the gift was given in thanksgiving for them, and in prayerful hopes for their future.

By Rev. Gene Packwood

Pentecost is nigh. It is always an especially evocative time to do some deep Spirit breathing. So, get out your Book of Common Prayer — or borrow one from your church, or download one for free at www.anglican. ca/about/liturgicaltexts/ and get thee to page 204:

THE DAY OF PENTECOST BEING THE FIFTIETH DAY AFTER EASTER COMMONLY CALLED WHITSUNDAY

And what is a Whit? Most people think it’s a contraction of White, after the colour of the robes catechumens wore in the early days. Some think it was more to do with wit and wisdom. To wit, from

Feeling the Holy Spirit Keeping our 'Whits' about us

an early English homily:

Goode men and woymen, as ye knowen wele all, þys day ys called Whitsonday, for bycause þat þe Holy Gost as þys day brot wyt and wysdome ynto all Cristes dyscyples.

White, whit, wyt or wysdome — whatever — as you see in the second Anthem for Whitsunday, the promise of the Holy Spirit came from God, the Father. Jesus, in whom all God’s promises come up “Yes!” (2 Cor 1:20), sheds

it forth to all and sundry, transforming us into His image and from glory to glory.

All this before we even get to the Collects and readings. Glory be to the Father… indeed! A splendid beginning.

There is more to mark, learn and inwardly digest in the Collects (p205). For example, in the first Collect, the Holy Spirit lights things up by teaching us all things and reminding us of what Jesus said (John 14:26).

Faithful hearts taught in that way will, indeed, judge all things rightly and rejoice in His holy comfort.

How do we discern whether a judgment is

right or not? If it is right, Jesus will be clearly glorified, it will align with Holy Scripture, and the fruit will be godly and good.

The additional Collect reminds us that, in the disciples, we have good examples to follow, as we live out our lives in the Spirit from glory to glory. The Holy Spirit rushed upon them at Pentecost.

Learn from them by prayerfully reading the book of Acts and noting the references to the Holy Spirit throughout. I count at least 55 of them. They provide a useful and inspiring portrait of the Holy Spirit at work and of Spirit-filled disciples — just the thing for daily increasing in the Holy Spirit!

And there is even more to learn from the readings. First, the Day of Pentecost itself, and what a day it must have been: the sound of the very Winds of Heaven, a filling to overflowing, tongues, bewilderment, amazement, and marvelling over the wonderful works of God.

May we continue to belong to The One who did this for ever, daily increasing in the Holy Spirit and breathing

Pentecost Breath on everyone we encounter. What else can we learn about the Holy Spirit here?

In the Gospel (John 14:1527), we are reminded that He is the:

Comforter — and Helper, Advocate or Counsellor (depending on your Bible translation).

The Mother Heart of God, wrote A. B. Simpson, Canadian preacher, theologian, author, and founder of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church.

After all, St. Paul wrote, any participation in this Spirit brings comfort from love, affection and sympathy (Phil. 2:1) and its fruit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness — well, you know — the list goes on (Gal. 5:22-23). And, not only that, He will teach us all things and remind us of what we need to know. Spirit of Truth, which makes perfect sense because truth is in Jesus (Eph. 4:21), The One who is truth personified (John 14:6).

So why not keep your “Whits” about you this Pentecost, and get the life Jesus wants for you?

Page 204 of the BCP.

Photo by Jason G. Antonio

Renewal of baptismal, diaconal and priestly vows and blessing of oils in Saskatoon

On Maundy Thursday, the Right Rev. Rodney Andrews, interim bishop of Saskatoon, conducted a Maundy Thursday Eucharist Service at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, that included the renewal of baptismal, diaconal and priestly vows and the blessing of oils.

Photo by Shirley Armstrong

Educational sessions focus on Indigenous voices in Humboldt

By the Rev. Canon Marie-Louise Ternier

HUMBOLDT (S'toon)

— Recently a series of educational sessions was hosted in our community of Humboldt on reconciliation and healing of our relationships with fellow IndigenousCanadians

With the help of stories in the resource book/guide Listening to Indigenous Voices and illustrated by relevant videos, participants engaged a painful aspect of Canada’s history. The learning and sharing in a safe open space helped to articulate questions and struggles to integrate the colonial legacy of our country.

The sessions were sponsored by the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism in Saskatoon and hosted by the local Ministerial Association.

It has become a basic principle that events in the spirit of reconciliation with Indigenous people is to be done with concrete engagement of Indigenous participants, leaders or elders.

“Nothing about us without us” has become the main criterion when engaging in educational and cultural events around our colonial past and the destructive legacy for Indigenous Canadians.

The Indigenous

participation in this project was represented by the diverse Indigenous voices and stories in the resource guide (published by the Jesuit Forum for Social Faith and Justice) as well as the numerous videos featuring Indigenous speakers.

It is imperative for our country’s healing that we learn to listen deeply to what Indigenous Peoples are sharing, that we allow ourselves to

be transformed by their words, and that we act based on what they are telling us so that we can begin to address injustices, heal relationships, and bring about a post-colonial Canada.

Listening to Indigenous Voices explores Indigenous worldviews, examines the history of colonization, and concludes with sessions on righting relationships, decolonization, and

indigenization.

The guide features writings from authors such as Arthur Manuel, Beverly Jacobs, Lee Maracle, Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair (Justice Murray Sinclair’s son), Sylvia McAdam Saysewahum, John Borrows, and Robin Wall Kimmerer, along with works from a variety of Indigenous artists including Christi Belcourt and Kent Monkman.

Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair is Anishinaabe (St. Peter’s/Little Peguis) and an assistant professor at the University of Manitoba.

He puts it this way:

“Listening to Indigenous voices is a journey through some of the most important Indigenous voices of our generation. In it, you will learn how to engage in dialogue, growth and change — all the while enacting justice and relationships from the visions, stories, and words of Indigenous artists and knowledge keepers.”

Ten brave souls in Humboldt opened themselves up to this listening and learning.

Over the course of the sessions, shame and guilt over past injustices made way for understanding and empathy for the plight of today’s Indigenous populations still living with the effects of our

country’s painful past.

This was followed by another new insight: amazement and deep respect for the resilience, perseverance and courage displayed by many Indigenous people in their efforts to reclaim their rich cultural, social and spiritual heritage.

Kurtis H. is a young father who has widely travelled the world and now lives in Humboldt.

Of his participation in this project, he shares: “For centuries, Canadian society has enacted the belief that we have nothing to learn from the indigenous people in our country.

"On the contrary, Canadians have held the opinion that indigenous people should learn from the colonists to better themselves.

"This workshop is a new and needed paradigm shift where the colonist is the student who is learning the wisdom of indigenous teachings. I feel very blessed and privileged to have the opportunity to change lenses like this in the rural setting of Humboldt.”

For more information and to order Listening to Indigenous Voices: https:// www.ltiv.ca.

To apply for funding contact the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism: https:// pcecumenism.ca/

Saskatoon installs a new canon

Moving into a new and different future

By the Rev. Canon Dr. Iain Luke

Principal, College of Emmanuel and St. Chad

Land continue to live out God’s Good News.

Yet, in every generation so far, people have done just that, and I can see the evidence that new people, and new leaders, are showing up once again.

Photo by the Rev. Peter Coolen

On Maundy Thursday, at the service of renewal of baptismal, diaconal and priestly vows and the blessing of oils held in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Saskatoon the Rev. Dr. Iain Luke was collated as a canon of the Diocese of Saskatoon for his many years of service to the greater church, religious education, the diocese and Saskatoon’s cathedral. Pictured from left are the Right Rev. Rodney Andrews, Interim Bishop, the Rev. Canon Dr. Iain Luke and the Ven. Alex Parsons, executive archdeacon of the diocese.

ooking ahead is one of the great privileges of my work in theological education. It doesn’t always feel like a privilege, since the future can be scary to contemplate.

The pace of change seems to be accelerating, and it is becoming ever more difficult to forecast what the church and the world will look like five years from now, never mind 25.

Yet our responsibility to our students means we need to do exactly that. We need to look into the future and come away with some sense of how the shape of the church and its ministry is changing.

As the world moves ever faster, it is even more important to do this.

It is no longer possible to serve the church by preparing students for the way things used to be, or even for the way things are now.

Ironically, it is our students themselves who bring us the best insights into what the future holds. First, the very fact that there are people showing up to learn, tells me that there is a future for the church.

Their commitment, their sense of call, and the gifts they bring to their studies, go a long way towards dispelling the “narrative of decline” that would have us believe that the church is on the verge of disappearing.

In many ways, the church has always been on the verge of disappearing. As the slogan goes, we are “one generation away from extinction,” since we can never guarantee that new people will pick up the torch of faith and service

What is clear, though, is that the church of the next generation will be different, perhaps massively different, and those who are preparing to lead us there are aware of this reality. One obvious difference is that entering a lifetime career as a member of the clergy is only a realistic possibility for very few.

The flip side of that challenging thought is that there are many other kinds of people being drawn into study and service, bringing with them a huge variety of background and potential.

In the first few classes I taught as a theological educator, I met, amongst others: a retired civil servant, a warrant officer, a social worker, a baker, a biochemist, a daycare operator, and a band instrument repair technician.

I could go on, but the point is that all sorts of people are expressing an interest and a commitment to learning more about their faith, and about how to put it into action.

Today’s variety of students is, if anything, even wider.

Some explore a call to be deacons. Others know they are going to lead congregations while carrying on a career or business elsewhere.

Many, in the Licentiate program, have been nudged forward by their home churches, to be better equipped to lead and serve in the communities they have known all their lives.

Some are also being Continued next page

... Shifting resources to help others

Continued from page 16 called to invent new forms of ministry we have never seen before.

Some of those new forms are shaped by the changes in technology and lifestyle we see all around us in the world we inhabit.

What does it look like, for example, to bring together a faith community in a purely virtual space?

How do God’s people identify, and help to meet, the spiritual needs that are emerging in a society where (almost) everyone has access to the world in their pocket?

In another way, though, I see the church returning to its roots.

As the power and authority of all kinds of historic institutions dissipates, it should come as no surprise that the church is losing ground, too, at least in its capacity as an institution.

Yet the church is much more than an organization, just as it is much more than a building. Like the song says, “The church is a people.”

The most powerful signs of hope I see are the people who continue to gather in order to learn, from Scripture and from one another, who God is, what He is up to, and how they can join in.

This has been the work of the Holy Spirit in the church since the first Pentecost, and it has never stopped.

Perhaps we can shift our resources, in colleges, in dioceses, in parishes, to help people find the new patterns they need, in order to keep coming together in faith as God’s future unfolds around us.

Cathedral holds inaugural Easter tea and bake sale

Submitted

REGINA — Baked goods by the dozen, along with deli items like homemade perogies and chili, and all manner of quilted and sewn items, were offered for sale at the inaugural

Easter tea and bake sale at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Regina, on March 16.

The sale was held in the cloister, while refreshments in the form of tea, coffee and muffins were enjoyed at card tables set up at the front of the nave.

The Caring Crafters sold handicrafts ranging from full-size quilts to quilted coasters, as well as aprons, jewelry bags and more. Photos by Angie Friedrich

Mercedes Will (centre) serves tea to the many guests who attended the tea at St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Susan Wahba displays some of the baking for sale, before it was quickly purchased by appreciative shoppers.

Yellow daffodils.

Photo by Getty Images

Moosomin church did right thing in giving building new life in deal with visual arts centre: Opinion

Editor's note: The Saskatchewan Anglican featured a story in its April issue about St. Alban's in Moosomin welcoming a new visual arts centre into its building. The Moosomin WorldSpectator newspaper has kindly given several stories that it has run during the past few months about this topic.

By Kevin Weedmark/ Moosomin WorldSpectator

MOOSOMIN (Qu'A) —

The congregation of St. Alban’s Anglican Church in Moosomin has a historic building that is larger than it needs. The Moosomin Visual Arts Centre was in need of a home.

It’s great to see the two were able to come up with an agreement for the Visual Arts Centre to share the church’s building.

No doubt the arrangement will help preserve one of Moosomin’s oldest and most unique buildings, built in 1885, and provide an important hub for the local arts community.

Kids Kollege will remain in the basement of the Parish Hall portion of the building, and the church will continue to use the sanctuary for Sunday services and religious events.

Most of the building will be used by the Visual Arts Centre for classes including everything from pottery and painting to fabric arts and culinary arts.

The visual arts group hopes to offer afterschool programming for children, so the centre

will serve everyone from the very young to the very old, and will fill a very real need in the area.

Many churches across Canada are facing the reality that they no longer need or can no longer afford to maintain their buildings, and that is a heartbreaking realization for many congregations, as the church building often means a lot to church members.

Many church buildings are beautiful historical buildings that also have deep meaning to church members since so many

emotional life events are associated with the church building—baptisms, marriages and funerals.

In some cases churches fall into disrepair or are sold for commercial or residential use once the congregation disbands.

In the case of St. Alban’s, the local church didn’t wait until they had to make a difficult decision about the future of their church building, church members were proactive and decided to offer the church to the Moosomin Visual Arts Centre while the

congregation is still meeting and can make some decisions on the future of the building without being in crisis mode and needing to make a decision quickly.

The agreement with the Visual Arts Centre will ensure that the church building will continue to serve the community in an important role into the future.

It was the church members who first approached the arts centre board about using the building after seeing the news that the visual arts

group was looking for a location.

Offering the use of their building to serve a community need is a selfless act for the church members, and will serve the community well.

Board members of the Visual Arts Centre referred to the building as a “community hub” in an interview last week, as it will house the church, the arts centre, and Kids’ Kollege.

While some groups may have such an attachment to the building that they want to hang onto it as long as possible, the church members at St. Alban’s thought of the community first and not themselves, and offered up the building for a use that will benefit many in the community.

We will probably see more reuses of church buildings in the future.

There are fewer churches in Canada today than there were a decade ago and there were fewer churches a decade ago than 20 and 30 years ago.

By some estimates, 9,000 churches and religious spaces will close in Canada over next 10 years—about a third of all faith-owned buildings in the country.

The United Church alone is closing a church a week at this point.

That’s a lot of congregations wrestling with their future.

Hopefully many of them take a thoughtful, community-focused approach to the future of their buildings, as St. Alban’s has, to ensure that buildings built by community members are there to serve the community well into the future.

Arts Centre members excited about organization's new home

Editor's note: This article was written before the arts centre moved into St. Alban Anglican Church, but is still a worthy read.

Ryan Kiedrowski/ Moosomin WorldSpectator

MOOSOMIN (Qu'A) — The doors haven’t officially opened just yet, but the Moosomin Visual Arts

Centre already has two months worth of activities scheduled on the calendar. What began as an idea about a year ago has come to fruition with a place to call home.

“We are officially going to be at St. Alban’s Anglican Church,” said Terry Grant, representing the centre in an update to the Moosomin Chamber of Commerce last week.

The group also reports having secured their nonprofit status thanks to the Moosomin and District Arts Council. Showing their support, the Town of Moosomin has backed the group with a three-year commitment of $150,000.

“We are currently booking classes that are going really, really well,” Grant said.

Those classes span

darn near everything imaginable when it comes to creating, with an inclusive atmosphere for everyone around.

“It’s going to meet a need in the community,” said Moosomin Visual Arts Centre representative Kara Kinna. “It’s obviously filling a big hole and I feel like just seeing what’s happening with the calendar already, things

are working.

"Rather than having people leave our town for classes, our hope is that we bring people to Moosomin and have this as an institution in Moosomin where people can come and access art— both local people and out of town people to come into town and make use of the centre.”

Continued next page

Kara Kinna with the Moosomin Visual Arts Centre (right) speaks to media about the centre moving into St. Alban Anglican Church. Photo courtesy Facebook

... New arts centre home still requires some work, upgrades

Continued from page 18

The excitement surrounding the centre’s opening is electric, but there’s still a lot of work ahead for the 13-member board.

“With us starting up on February 1, we’re basically full speed ahead. That said, we are a new group, so we do need to fundraise like crazy,” Kinna explained.

“This is basically a six- to seven-days a week centre. It’s going to be a pretty big institution in the community.”

She noted the centre’s ‘wish list’ stands at around $87,000 worth of supplies—all the way from paint brushes to computers.

The group also presented Chamber members with more details on the centre and an outline of corporate sponsorship tiers, adding that staffing will soon be another criteria.

Donations such as

Terry Grant, Krista Crellin and Kara Kinna with the Moosomin Visual Arts Centre update the community chamber on the centre's progress.

the kiln Dr. Kristin Foy recently gave to the centre are gladly accepted, as well as plain old honestto-goodness cash.

“We actually have an after school program that

we’re starting right away here and we’ve already got people who are applying to be part-time staff in regards to that,” Kinna said.

“We also want to have

a staff member just to help basically right in the centre.”

The World-Spectator is also a drop-off location for art supply donations, and has already accepted many items.

submitted

“We basically think the sky’s the limit in terms of what we can offer for visual arts programming,” Kinna concluded.

Church happy to see new life for building as arts centre

By Ashley Bochek/ Moosomin WorldSpectator

MOOSOMIN (Qu'A) —

Sheilagh Garrett is a member of the St Alban Church's vestry, and the church has been declining in attendance over the past few years and has decided to lease space to the Moosomin Visual Arts Centre.

Sheilagh reached out to Terry Grant, vice-chair of the Visual Arts Centre, offering the church as space for the new arts centre.

“St Alban’s, as with so many churches, has declining attendance. We have lost many older members and been unable to attract a younger membership. We have had no paid minister for several years, and mainly rely on volunteers for weekly lay services.

"It’s difficult to offer extra programs such as Bible study or mid-week services with volunteers who all have other jobs or commitments. In the fall of 2022, after poor attendance at an open meeting, the decision was made to continue with services until Easter 2023 then make some hard

decisions.”

Sheilagh thinks the church will be a perfect fit for the new arts centre.

“In May, I read the article in the World Spectator about a group wanting to create a local arts centre. I thought, wouldn’t the Anglican church be a fantastic building.

"It has various areas that can be developed for different uses, it is in a good location, and maybe most importantly for myself personally, a great future use for a sacred and cherished historical building that has been so important to my own family for so many years.

"My mother (The

Reverend Betty Garrett) first began working in the parish in the early 1970’s and I was involved with the joining of the church and hall in 2001. I have pictures of my mom, myself, my daughter and granddaughter at the blessing and sod turning ceremony that year.

"Of course so many other families have their own connections.

“I called Terry Grant and said ‘hey this is unofficial, but what do you think?’ He was very receptive to the idea. And it went from there. There were discussions with both groups. Would the space work for the Visual Arts programs; how would it all

evolve?

"Although as a congregation we had already been discussing the reality of the future of our church, when the actual moment came, there was definite second thought. St Alban’s of course, is owned by the Anglican Diocese of Qu’Appelle and they have final say in the use of the building.

"We included our Bishop Helen Kennedy and she made some excellent suggestions. Instead of all or nothing, we looked at smaller steps."

Sheilagh explains it was tough for board members to agree to pass the church building along.

“There was some second thought definitely, but we agreed it’s better to see it be used then to sit empty. It is tough. When we had our meetings on the next steps for the church we agreed we had to do something.

“I think the real gamechanger was when we talked to the Bishop and she said, don’t be in too big of a panic here, slow it down, smaller steps because we just thought it had to be all or nothing.

“Then we thought we would keep the church

just we might not hold a service every Sunday, but we will see where that goes. We have a threeyear lease and by the end of the three years, then it will be passed on. I think we ourselves took little steps and we had our own comfort level with it.”

Sheilagh feels this is the right next step for the Anglican Church.

“The church has limited funds and cannot continue to operate on the offerings received. With so few members it makes it hard because we rely on our peach fundraiser that was huge and being able to rent space to the Kids’ Kollege, that was good.

“After several meetings with the Arts group we came to an agreement. For now, the church will continue to rent the basement of the hall to Kids’ Kollege, and retain the church body itself.

"The rest of the building will be rented to the Arts Group. Regular services will be held as long as possible, and then the hope is that a full transfer of the building will be made to the Arts Group. It seems like it was meant to be.

“The reality is you have to move on. ... it is only a building.”

Photo

An Easter activity. Photo courtesy Facebook

The problem of not listening attentively

This humourous cartoon is attempting to show what happens when six beavers decide to participate in church. Photo courtesy

Regina's Immanuel Parish gets OK to spend $15K to replace doors

By Jason G. Antonio

REGINA — During its most recent meeting, diocesan council voted in favour of allowing Immanuel Parish in Regina to spend up to $15,000 for major repairs of the doors and door frame at the east entrance facing Massey Road.

The money will come from the parish’s legacy temporary trust account, while, based on three competitive bids received, the church will award the contract to Shuba Glass and Construction Ltd., which will start the work soon.

The request follows the approval of Immanuel’s 2024 capital plan during its annual general meeting in February and a letter that the wardens sent to Bishop Helen Kennedy last June about how the church would access the funds.

This money arose from the sale of Immanuel’s five legacy parish properties that are now held in the trust.

The narthex doors at Immanuel Parish in Regina do not close properly, while the wooden frame is rotten. The church is unable to use its security system since the doors don't close properly. Photo submitted

The east narthex exit door has a pair of wooden doors with hinges screwed into a wooden frame, and in late 2023, it became increasingly difficult for

people to open and operate the doors normally.

Investigations revealed all the wooden pieces had rotten and given way, causing the doors

to separate, sag, bind together and not close well.

The sagging has also led to the building’s alarm proximity sensor not functioning, making the building alarm system inoperable.

“Our attempts to support and gusset the door with longer door hinge screws and plywood (are) only a temporary fix to allow exit in emergency circumstances,” the wardens wrote in a letter to diocesan council, “and has not restored the sensor connection necessary for the building alarm system to operate effectively.”

There are several reasons that this project needs to happen, the wardens continued.

One is the east doors are the main street-facing entrance to the church and, apart from their use by regular parishioners, their accessibility is important for welcoming visitors and inviting them to worship.

Secondly, if the contract

were delayed or refused, worshippers could be at risk due to limited building egress during a fire, smoke or emergency in the church or narthex. This would result in insurance companies limiting public liability and personal liability insurance coverage because of the noncompliance with fire code regulations.

Also, since the door sensor is impaired, the alarm system sensor remains inoperable until the door frame repairs occur.

Three companies visited the site, assessed the east narthex exit door and submitted quotes based on price, experience, availability and methodology.

The parish used the west entrance door as a guide for the proposals it received.

After review, vestry decided to award the contract to Shuba Glass and Construction, with the contract totalling $14,161.60.

Ted Engel