44 TheAnglican TheAnglican
COMMENT COMMENT
It’s to findHope our gardening tools Our time Faith-Our is changing lives T I hings tend to happen in came across a pastoral letthe garden. ter from the Bishop of Our story of faith Toronto to the clergy and begins in the garden. laity proposing a signifiThe garden was verdant, luscant fundraising effort. In it he cious, brimming with life. The proposed a graduated schedsoil, streams, rain and sun ule of offerings to achieve a provided perfect conditions substantial goal and an indifor growth. It was home for plant and animal, vidual appeal to each church family in the winged bird and fish in the waters. And it diocese by a member of their parish “to was home for humanity, forthe Adam knock at every one’s doorparadise and rouse inand Eve. A sacred place where God walked, habitants to devote a small portion of what holy,has safebestowed and secure. We knew to God upon them to ourselves promote so be loved. We knew our place. However, we great a work.” have this tendency to over-reach, to takethe too That letter came from John Strachan, much before our time, to grasp for a little first Bishop of Toronto, in January 1854! more. were right for that, too. The The Our conditions Faith-Our Hope: Re-imagine A serpent, the tree, the fruit knowlChurch campaign began withofanthe idea I first edge of good and evil. We took a taste and proposed to Synod a decade ago. As it graduthentook we tried to we cover up. We pointed fingers ally shape, determined that it would to deflect blame,program but no matter, left thethe be a cooperative sharedwe between garden – or was it more that the garden left diocese and parishes that responded to the us? generosity of God’s many gifts to us to enThings to happen in the garden. gage God’stend mission. We identified the goals of On the first day of Parishes, the week,Building while it was Strengthening Local the still dark, the Gospel Our of St.InChurch for(according Tomorrow,toRevitalizing John) Mary Magdalene to the garden. heritance and Giving to went Others. Perhaps she went to grieve, to make some The Canadian North has many clergy and sense, to be asinclose to him as possible. lay catechists charge of parishes who To work her horror, she discovered the tomb was without a stipend. Many arethat isolated in comopen; thethat stone was rolled away. It must have munities face traumatic pastoral issues been a frightening scene.the Was it grave robincluding, unfortunately, accumulated bers,of mischief-makers or authorities pain dealing with multiple suicides.trying The to erase of the evidence? What she of could not Diocese Toronto made a grant $500,000 see, atOur first, was thatHope the open grave would from Faith-Our (OFOH) to fund a become from our doorway back the garden. request the Council ofto the North and Stooping to look in her Peoples tears, the Anglican Council ofthrough Indigenous to linens that once lay near hisclergy head and lay his hold regional circles where feet hadcould become angels. Whyfor are you weepleaders come together mutual learning, support and refreshment. So far, 276 have participated from half a dozen dioceses. Grants ranged from $500 to $100,000. The Diocese of the Arctic, for instance, brought peo-
BISHOP’S DIARY ARCHBISHOP’S DIARY By Bishop Andrew Asbil BY ARCHBISHOP COLIN JOHNSON
ple from 48 communities together. The feeding? they asked her. She was still so stuck in back has been astounding. It makes a differFriday that she could not see Sunday dawnence in peoples’ lives. ing. The same question was asked again, by The Anglican Chaplaincy for the Canadian the one she thought was the gardener: Why Forces elected its first full-time bishop to proare you weeping? vide episcopal care for regular and reserve My veryand first job families, was cutting and chaplains their andgrass to military tending gardens. I was in Grade 8. My older personnel across the country. It only became brother and I hadofstarted ourendowment own business, possible because an initial of but thenfrom he quit when a better job offer came $500,000 OFOH. along. He was in Grade So, OFOH I hired to mythe Another $500,000 grant10. from younger brother, Mark, who was in Grade Primate’s World Relief and Development 5. We (PWRDF) had 20 regular customers. Weinhad Fund supports new work materourand ownchild lawnmower, implements nal health ingarden the developing world and midwifery tools. We were busyinthat summer. We and services remote northern cut grass, trimmed hedges, and duglargest up and communities in Canada. Ours is the weeded gardens. Cutting was the single gift any diocese hasgrass ever given to easy part but tending the gardens – that was a difPWRDF in its 50+ year history. Because of ferent enterprise altogether. We really didn’t matching federal government grants, that know what we wereofdoing. Sometimes weeds gift created a value over $2.5 million. Safe looked a lot like somehealth perennials. deliveries and proper care are now We took instructions our customers – available because of yourfrom generosity. what to prune, what to weed and notbeen to weed, Parishes around the diocese have what to trim andaccessible, what to leave. Even with made physically youth work is begood directions, weare didn’t always get pioit right. ing funded, leaders being trained, If the truth be told,inwe kind of messed neering ministries new contexts haveup been sometimes – okay, I messed Like the projtime planed and an amazing arrayup. of creative Iects lopped off sprouting peonies, thinking them have been undertaken locally because of to beFaith-Our dreaded weeds. Our Hope – When not justI recognized because of the my mistake, I tried now to find a way tobut reattach financial resources available, also the stem,oftoa no avail. I triedof plunking the cut because reinvigoration imagination pieces into the soil, shoring up the stems and commitment. with to make them look good, but the Weearth have succeeded in remarkable ways. stems not wilted in the midday heat. It was While every parish participated, the betvast ter to confess to cover more up. than many majority did – than and achieved had thought possible. Some of the parishes did not formally join the OFOH project because they were already in the midst of substantial funding efforts. Others added to their
She thought he was the gardener and she goals to meet parish capital needs and did was not wrong. After all, it was the familiar spectacularly well. Taking that into account, sound of the gardener’s footsteps that Adam at least $50 million in new funds has been and Eve heard when they took cover in the contributed to ministry in the diocese and begarden. And it would be the gardener who yond in the last seven years, over our regular would restore life on Easter morning. Like offerings and FaithWorks contributions. the living creatures being named in the We are a different diocese because of that. garden so long ago, she would experience Yes, the money has helped us fund new minthe resurrection when she heard him call istries, adapt old buildings, engage in new her name, Mary! The cover-up, the hurt, the mission, support vulnerable people in brokenness, the separation, the grief, the Christ’s name. More than that, though, it has sorrow, the pain and the disbelief helped build relationships betweenevaporated people, alwith her simple confession: Rabbouni! lowed people to share personal stories, idenThings tend to happen in the garden. tified and trained new leaders, built up confiAndand now,assisted it is thepeople very garden that isand undence, to articulate der threat. Our over-reaching and grasping share their faith. ways, our neglect and cavalier attitudes have I have been changed by the experience. I putmore such confident a strain upon creation.clearly As temperaam in speaking about tures continue rise, weather my faith and mytocommitment topatterns it. I haveshift, disspecies once so to long ago slowly disapcovered a newnamed capacity give generously. I pear.met Some some deny and have themake mostpredictions, amazing Anglicans, heard somestories believe, some downplay their and been moved bywhile theirothers faithwring their hands. Andinwhat about us?and How fulness. I have rejoiced the creativity do we as a people of faith respond? boldness of vision of people and parishes The last that is put to usdisapin the (and yes, toquestion be honest, occasionally Baptismal in the Book of Alternapointed by aCovenant few). I think our church is in a tive Services Will you to safeguard different placeis: because of strive Our Faith-Our the integrity ofbegun God’s to creation, and church. respect, Hope. We have re-imagine sustain and renewgrateful the life of I am profoundly to the youEarth? and theWe respond by saying, I will, It’s many people like you who with have God’s made help. and are time to find our gardening tools, because to take inmaking a difference in our world of structions from scientists and Iclimatologists, your faith in Jesus Christ. And am especialmystics and farmers and monastics, ly grateful tochildren, the lay leaders and clergy in Indigenous elders and theologians. It’srose time our diocese who took the initiative and to ittend the garden with all our might, to to so graciously. avoid moment try as we might, we The the campaign is when, now officially concluded, cannot reattach the stem to and the root. After but the allocations continue the mission all, when weusconfess that Godon is our our helper, God invites to share is still anything isAs possible. is Risen! doorsteps. my firstChrist paragraph noted, this was not the first financial campaign, nor will it be the last – the work of the Church is not over. Let us continue onwards in faith and in hope.
Canterbury experience was remarkable
Serving Archbishop Finlay was a privilege P
rograms for new missionary to England from Rome in the BISHOP’S OPINION bishops are somelate 6th Century. For 15 centuries, Christimes referred to with tians have gathered there to pray, break By Bishop Kevin Robertson some cheek as “Baby bread and study. In that same place, we inviting smile, Bishops’broad Schools.” Since my and engaging withsang persons on the street coralso prayed, and exchanged gifts BISHOP’S OPINION firm handshake ner or drop-in with persons consecration, I have hadand the the real fear that the effects of climate – all in thecentre nameas ofhe thewas same Jesus who the word “welcome” serving public office. opportunity to attend two such changeBYwill wipe P out entire islands near wasinworshipped and proclaimed by St. BISHOP ETER FENTY arefor the memories we One of the challenges facedago. wasRegardthe programs “baby bishops,” his home in Melanesia. Augustine all thosehe years haveEpiscopal when Angela and and I first quickly got to the purpose of our meeting and Church’s position on humanin sexuality. While one offered by The Church less of our differences language, met Finlay, Bishop of asked if Iwe wasare willing to be considered a in office he upheld the doctrine andwe discipline the other offered byTerence the Church of England. 2. Yet the same. In spite ofas our culture, theology or politics, were Toronto, the summer of candidate executive assistant anddiversity of theunited Church. On leaving office, he officiated The English program is in based in Canterbury, manyfor differences, and the rich in our praise and thanksgiving 1997. I was beginning my minarchdeacon. The position what had become vacant in a same-gender marriage, for which had which I attended in February. of our Communion, a privilege it to God, and in our confession of he Jesus istry the incumbent of St.inJoseph of whenwas Archdeacon Colin Johnson was of elected to beChrist disciplined by firstborn his diocesan bishop, who Theasexperience of being Canterbury to share stories that spoke our as “the of all creation, Nazareth, Bramalea. suffragan bishop. I was surprised he the was once his archdeacon, executive was remarkable. Twenty-nine bishops from common fellowship. All of uswhen shared the head of the Church and theassistant author of Whenthe weAnglican entered his office, there was a met with me just before of thetrying clergyto conference and suffragan bishop. In receiving the admoniaround Communion gathered joys and struggles proclaim our salvation.” warmth andofgenuineness experienced by both that year and the offered me in thea position. tion, he told his successor in office that he exfor 10 days prayer, study and fellowship. and live gospel diverse world. of us in ourwere first meeting Bishop Finlay. It was a privilege andbishops, distinct honour to pected fromtogether. him and that he was Most days spent at with Canterbury, though For some African their minis4. W enothing are allless in this Before I He was know us servetry as takes his executive and archdeaexercising episcopal ministry responsibly. we also very had ainterested road trip in to getting London,towith place inassistant areas where Islam is left forhis the U.K., some people predicted and our young family.Communion We shared the stories con. Igrowing got to know Terry even better and I believe that Archbishop Terence was trips to the Anglican Office and much faster than Christianity. that bishops from other parts of theleadof our Christian family life. It learned him.ministry I witnessed thein depth ing the diocese in the direction of much being more Lambeth Palace.journeys I am stilland reflecting on this Formuch otherfrom bishops, is set Communion wouldn’t want to do was a pleasure to engage him have of histhe faith and of hisan concern for every parish in welcoming to thosefrom who Canada were vulnerable, profound experience, butwith I want toand share a a midst increasingly secular with bishops and the U.S., sense of theI pastoral care andme: support he ofthe diocese. compassion, marginalized, and in the minority. few things took away with society.He Forshowed all of us, there wasparticurecognigiven thevoiceless current disagreements within fered clergy and their families. I had no idea larlytion for the marginalized andbe minorities in He made a very significant in the that ministry must adaptable the Communion. I wasdifference pleased that that six later I would be working closely the Church and in theso wider life ofnothing the Diocese Toronto. is notthe surpris1. O uryears Communion is wonderfully and contextual, that community. the gospel can couldofbe furtherItfrom truth. withdiverse. him as his executive assistant Archbishop Finlay was disciplined in ing, therefore, hear and read the to very comThe 29 bishops in the and program continue to speak tovery the changing There wastoan earnest desire talk Archdeacon of York. his work. long hours atplimentary that have shared came from six continents and repreneedsHe ofworked a changing world.and On paid a more openlyreflections about some of many the challenges I got to know Terry, as he was affectionatetention to detail, thoroughly reading docuabout their experiences of him. He exercised a sented more than a dozen linguistic personal level, all of us expressed the we face, but there was also recognition ly called, when I became a member the Posments, letters or any material needed for servant throughout hiswork ordained life, groups. Certain bishops servedofsome importance of balancing the demands andministry appreciation that the of the tulancy Committee and a regional dean. He meetings. It was also evident and for that might we givelook thanks God for his exof the wealthiest dioceses in the world, of episcopal ministry onthat the he onecared hand, gospel verytodifferent across gaveand wiseothers counsel and offered insight indeeply forthe theneeds wider of Church and appreciated ample. privileged and honoured to have served some ofgood the poorest. with family and friendship theI was various provinces and dioceses of to challenging matters the Church. His the importance of ecumenical relationships. had the know him astomy bishOne bishop arrivedfacing late to the program on the other. ouropportunity Church. Asto we prepared return was because a calminghevoice a non-anxious One of the qualities I admired about Terry op, mentor friend. Church to hasconbeen was and burying one of hispresto our and homes, we The committed ence.priests He offered episcopal leadership was to One make for people. blessed to have had him a faithful bishop.to who strong had just been murdered 3. his It’s willingness about Jesus. oftime my enduring tinue working and as praying together, in the both civil pastorally and He made himself to clergy was and our laity He will be missed leaves a legacy of exindiocese, the ongoing conflict inmorally. South He memories of available our time together discover newand ways to give leadership was Sudan. a modelAnother of deep faith and prayerful who needed to meet with him. I was often emplary leadership, humility, compassion was the first bishop of last day, gathered in the chapel of St. to God’s Church in all its wonderful and thoughtfulness, was genuinely asked to join himAbbey, in meetings others, profound faith.and We complexity. are grateful to a brand newand diocese in Brazil, concerned and she Augustine’s not farwith from Candiversity In his thatfamily mutual about the well-being of the clergy and laity and it was evident that he always listened infor having shared him with the Church and was creatively figuring out how to lead terbury Cathedral. This was the place commitment, we have sought to reunder his episcopal leadership. tently. Terry was a pastor, mentor, friend and assure them of our prayerful support. We give something so nascent and ripe with where Augustine, the first Archbishop of spond faithfully to the prayer of Jesus, In possibilities. the spring of Another 2003 I received call from confidante. Archbishop Terence back to his Crebishopa spoke of Canterbury, prayed when he came as a “that they may Finlay all be one.” (John 17:21) the Archbishop’s office inviting me to meet Another quality I admired in him was his ator God with the same graciousness we exwith him. I thought I was going to be invited humility. He engaged with people in all staperienced of him. May he rest in peace and to sit on another committee of the diocese. He tions life. He was as comfortable talking with Christ in glory. Your friends atofThe Anglican wish you a joyfulrise Easter.
A
April 2019 June 2017
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The Anglican Church In the Anglican Communion: A global community of 70 million Anglicans in 64,000 congregations in 164 countries. Archbishop of Canterbury: The Most Rev. and Rt. Hon. Justin Welby, Lambeth Palace, London, England SE1 7JU. In Canada: A community of about 600,000 members in 30 dioceses, stretching from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland and north to the Arctic Ocean. Primate: The Most Rev. Fred Hiltz, Church House, 80 Hayden St. Toronto, ON M4Y 3G2 Tel: 416-924-9192 In the Diocese of Toronto: A community of 254 congregations in 210 parishes covering 26,000 square kilometers. Of the nearly 5 million people who live within the diocesan boundaries, 376,000 claim to be affiliated with the Anglican Church, with about 80,000 people identified on the parish rolls. The diocese is home to many ethnic and languagebased congregations, including African, Caribbean, Chinese, Filipino, French, Hispanic, Japanese, and Tamil. The City of Toronto has the largest population of aboriginal peoples in the country. Bishop of Toronto: The Rt. Rev. Andrew Asbil York-Credit Valley: The Rt. Rev. Jenny Andison Trent-Durham: The Rt. Rev. Riscylla Shaw York-Scarborough: The Rt. Rev. Kevin Robertson York-Simcoe: The Rt. Rev. Peter Fenty The Diocese of Toronto: 135 Adelaide St. E., Toronto, Ont., M5C 1L8 1-800-668-8932/416-363-6021 Web site: http://www.toronto.anglican.ca
