44 TheAnglican TheAnglican
COMMENT COMMENT
March 2019 June 2017
Travelling together Easterlives Our Faith-Our Hopetowards is changing W I e are en route now. came across a pastoral letFor almost 30 years, ter from the Bishop of I have had the joy Toronto to the clergy and of holding the keys laity proposing a signifiand serving as the incumbent cant fundraising effort. In it he of a parish church. Sunday proposed a graduated schedmornings were spent holding ule of offerings to achieve a the door open to welcome the substantial goal and an indilong-time parishioner, a lost soul or two and vidual appeal to each church family in the visitors coming for the first time. Worship diocese by a member of their parish “to happened in a well-known place, with knock at every one’s door and rouse thethe inregular crowd, in a predictable way… habitants to devote a small portion of what Wehas arebestowed en route upon now. them EverytoSunday mornGod promote so ing, it is the keys to the car that I hold in my great a work.” hand. carcame points in aJohn different direction ThatThe letter from Strachan, the week after week; sometimes to the north, first Bishop of Toronto, in January 1854! sometimes to the eastHope: and sometimes The Our Faith-Our Re-imagine to the west. With Mary by my we set out Church campaign began withside, an idea I first in anticipation of meeting you. We find our proposed to Synod a decade ago. As it gradubearings in the suburb, the country in ally took shape, we determined that itor would the of city.program And while the place maythe be aheart cooperative shared between be new to us,parishes there isthat something familiar. diocese and responded to the One of my mentors was Dr. George Black, generosity of God’s many gifts to us to enwho liturgicsWe at Huron College. He of gage taught God’s mission. identified the goals was convenor of the Parishes, Common Building Praise Hymn Strengthening Local the Church for Tomorrow, Revitalizing Our Inheritance and Giving to Others. The Canadian North has many clergy and lay catechists in charge of parishes who work without a stipend. Many are isolated in communities that face traumatic pastoral issues including, unfortunately, the accumulated pain of dealing with multiple suicides. The od is good. of Very often Diocese of Toronto made a grant $500,000 we think “stuff” is a from Our Faith-Our Hope (OFOH) to fund good, too.North Sometimes request from the Council of the and we like our stuff better Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples to than people relationships. hold regional circles whereand clergy and lay People can be for difficult; they leaders could come together mutual sometimes let us down learning, support and refreshment. So and far, 276 often require lot of dioceses. monihave participated from half aadozen toring maintenance. on theThe other Grantsand ranged from $500 Stuff, to $100,000. Diohand, good times; if it was cese ofcan theremind Arctic, us forofinstance, brought peogifted or earned, it can make us feel appreciated, beautiful, valued. But stuff always has a shelf-life. Wise words from Jesus in Matthew 6.19: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where broad inviting smile, neither moth nor rust destroys and where and thieves do not break infirm andhandshake steal. For where word “welcome” your treasure is, there the your heart will be are the memories we also.” have work whenof Angela It is the steadfast a richand andI first met Terence Finlay, Bishop of rewarding life to engage with one another, the summer to be open and Toronto, willing toinshare oneself of to 1997. Ithe was beginning my mindeepen and develop connections that, istryof aslike theelectricity, incumbentignite of St. Joseph of and sort light, life Nazareth, Bramalea. relationships that love. It is interpersonal When we entered office, there was a build community andhis nourish us in long-term warmth andsatisfying genuineness experienced and deeply spiritual health. by both of My us in our firstrecently meeting showed with Bishop daughter me aFinlay. video HeMarie was very interested in getting know us of Kondo, a brilliant tidy-uptoexpert and our young family. We shared the stories of our Christian journeys and family life. It was a pleasure to engage with him and have a sense of the pastoral care and support he offered clergy and their families. I had no idea that six years later I would be working closely with him as his executive assistant and Archdeacon of York. I got to know Terry, as he was affectionately called, when I became a member of the Postulancy Committee and a regional dean. He gave wise counsel and offered good insight into challenging matters facing the Church. His was a calming voice and a non-anxious presence. He offered strong episcopal leadership in the diocese, both pastorally and morally. He was a model of deep faith and prayerful thoughtfulness, and was genuinely concerned about the well-being of the clergy and laity under his episcopal leadership. In the spring of 2003 I received a call from the Archbishop’s office inviting me to meet with him. I thought I was going to be invited to sit on another committee of the diocese. He
BISHOP’S DIARY ARCHBISHOP’S DIARY Bishop ACndrew Asbil BY B AyRCHBISHOP OLIN JOHNSON
ple from 48 communities together. The feedBook Task Force and one of the key leaders back has been astounding. It makes a differin developing the Book of Alternative Serence in peoples’ lives. vices. George used to say that liturgy is like The Anglican Chaplaincy for the Canadian visiting with old friends. The readings, the Forces elected its first full-time bishop to proprayers, the hymns and mass settings take vide episcopal care for regular and reserve us home and us in a narrative of God’s chaplains andbathe their families, and to military love. No matter where we go on a Sunday personnel across the country. It only became morning,because we somehow feel atendowment home among possible of an initial of old friends. $500,000 from OFOH. Sometimes we meet infrom the most serenAnother $500,000 grant OFOH to the dipitous ways. After the New Year’s levee Primate’s World Relief and Development at St. (PWRDF) James Cathedral, and Iin headed Fund supportsMary new work maternorth Balahealth for a couple of days of rest. nal andtochild in the developing world We stopped at services the ONroute Service Centre and midwifery in remote northern in King City for some refreshments. Once communities in Canada. Ours is the largest inside,gift weany traipsed behind someone who single diocese has ever given to looked familiar to year me. “I think Because I know that PWRDF in its 50+ history. of guy,” I said to Mary. As we emerged matching federal government grants, into that the dining area,athere a throng of people gift created valuewas of over $2.5 million. Safe gathered at tables sipping andnow tea. deliveries and proper healthcoffee care are available because of your generosity. Parishes around the diocese have been made physically accessible, youth work is being funded, leaders are being trained, pioneering ministries in new contexts have been planed and an amazing array of creative projects have been undertaken locally because of Our Faith-Our Hope – not just because of the financial resources now available, but also BISHOP’S OPINION because of a reinvigoration of imagination By Bishop Riscylla Shaw and commitment. We have succeeded in remarkable ways. While not every parish participated, the vast whose methods areachieved simple and compelling. majority did – and more than many She thought invites people to sift and through had possible. Some ofsort the parishes their worldly possessions, collections did not formally join the OFOH projectand beacquisitions – i.e., their stuff. this cause they were already in theFollowing midst of suborganizing of clothing, papers, stantial funding efforts.books Othersand added to their kitchen, and finally collectibles and sentimental items, Marie encourages individuals to consider with their minds and with their hearts, “Does it spark joy?” If yes, keep it. If no, be grateful to the item for its place in your life, then liberate it to go to the giveaway pile, the re-use store, or the garbage it if it has no material value to anyone. BISHOP’S OPINION Now, truth be told, a lot of prickly issues open up asBpeople begin to unpack Y BISHOP PETER FENTY their lives: rampant consumerism, unchecked spending quickly got to the purpose of our meeting habits, mental health issues including de-and asked if I and was compulsive willing to bebehaviours, considered as a pression cultural candidate executive assistant and norms andfor expectations, environmental archdeacon. The position had become vacant waste and impact, individualism and greed. when Archdeacon elected We must not do it Colin on ourJohnson own: wewas need help suffragan I was surprised when heto from eachbishop. other and from professionals met justmatters. before the clergy dealwith withme these It is rightconference to ask for that and offered me the helpyear and accompaniment as position. we go down the It was a privilege distinct honour to path of healing and and recovery. Marie Kondo serve his executive and of archdeahas it as right: it is good assistant to take stock our con. I got to know Terry even better and learned much from him. I witnessed the depth of his faith and his concern for every parish in the diocese. He showed compassion, particularly for the marginalized and minorities in the Church and in the wider community. Archbishop Finlay was very disciplined in his work. He worked long hours and paid attention to detail, thoroughly reading documents, letters or any material needed for meetings. It was also evident that he cared deeply for the wider Church and appreciated the importance of ecumenical relationships. One of the qualities I admired about Terry was his willingness to make time for people. He made himself available to clergy and laity who needed to meet with him. I was often asked to join him in meetings with others, and it was evident that he always listened intently. Terry was a pastor, mentor, friend and confidante. Another quality I admired in him was his humility. He engaged with people in all stations of life. He was as comfortable talking
Does it spark joy?
G
We looked at them and they looked at us. It goals to meet parish capital needs and did took a moment to recognize each other. Hey, spectacularly well. Taking that into account, it’s St. George’s, Fairvalley! we called out. at least $50 million in new funds has been Hey, it’s the Bishop! they said. Arms went contributed to ministry in the diocese and beup, there were pats on the back and shakyond in the last seven years, over our regular ing of hands. A newly minted Order of the offerings and FaithWorks contributions. Diocese of Toronto medal hung around a We are a different diocese because of that. neck or two. They were on their way home. Yes, the money has helped us fund new minWe delighted in the surprise of seeing each istries, adapt old buildings, engage in new other en route. We marked the moment by mission, support vulnerable people in taking a group photo. The other travellers Christ’s name. More than that, though, it has on the build road must have wondered on alhelped relationships betweenwhat people, earth people was happening. lowed to share personal stories, idenWeand are trained en route now. With ashes tified new leaders, built up confismeared our foreheads Wednesday, dence, andon assisted people toon articulate and we turn our faces toward the promise of share their faith. the resurrection on Sunday. From ashes I have been changed by the experience. I to Easter, we travel the am more confident intogether speakingmaking clearly about commitment for 40 days to steep ourselves my faith and my commitment to it. I have disin the ways ofcapacity Lent. Old fasting, I covered a new tofriends, give generously. almsgiving, penitence have met the self-examination, most amazing Anglicans, heard and prayer us tomoved prepare their stories help and been by and theirmake faithour souls ready for theinweek that holds fulness. I have rejoiced the creativity and the key to life itself. With Jesus, we go to boldness of vision of people and parishes celebrate feast. (and yes, tothe be paschal honest, occasionally disappointed by a few). I think our church is in a different place because of Our Faith-Our Hope. We have begun to re-imagine church. I am profoundly grateful to you and the many people like you who have made and are making a difference in our world because of your faith in Jesus Christ. And I am especially grateful to the lay leaders and clergy in possessions, especially make sure our diocese who took thetoinitiative andthat roseour possessions do not possess us. to it so graciously. In the Ash Wednesday service, we give The campaign is now officially concluded, voice the beautiful wordsand from but thetoallocations continue thePsalm mission 51.1:invites “Have us mercy on me, O God, according God to share is still on our to your loving kindness” with the refrain, doorsteps. As my first paragraph noted, this “Create in me clean heart, O God.”nor Coming was not the firsta financial campaign, will into right-relationship with stuff,iswith it be the last – the work of theour Church not our habits, with our onwards loved ones, and with over. Let us continue in faith and in our souls, is a life-long endeavour. Be enhope. couraged in your journey! For the season of Lent, we are invited to take on the process of tidying up some of our chaos – whether it be avoiding grease and sugar, as in the old traditions of food austerity, or, in this age, perhaps a fast from social media, electronic entertainment and relentless schedules. and engaging withwe persons on the street corMaybe this Lent can share our abunner or drop-in centre as he was with persons dance. serving public office. Someinpurposes of Lenten practices are of the challenges he faced was the toOne reconcile or come closer to Jesus in our Church’s on human sexuality. While hearts; toposition walk more intentionally with our in office radically-including he upheld the doctrine and discipline loving, God through our of thepractices Church. On office,and he humilofficiated own of leaving self-control in a same-gender marriage, which heneed had ity; to open our eyes to ourfor own deep to beto disciplined his diocesan bishop, and the worldbyaround us in its need;who to was once and his archdeacon, hearten to uplift oneexecutive another assistant in our and suffragan receiving theand admonidaily walk. Bebishop. gentleIn with yourself love tion, he told his successor in officea that he exyourself. When you undertake devotional pected nothing from him and hemake was practice to theless glory of God thisthat Lent, exercising his episcopal ministry sure it is one that sparks joy. responsibly. I believe that Archbishop Terence was leading the diocese in the direction of being more welcoming to those who were vulnerable, marginalized, voiceless and in the minority. He made a very significant difference in the life of the Diocese of Toronto. It is not surprising, therefore, to hear and read the very complimentary reflections that many have shared about their experiences of him. He exercised a servant ministry throughout his ordained life, and for that we give thanks to God for his example. I was privileged and honoured to have had the opportunity to know him as my bishop, mentor and friend. The Church has been blessed to have had him as a faithful bishop. He will be missed and leaves a legacy of exemplary leadership, humility, compassion and profound faith. We are grateful to his family for having shared him with the Church and assure them of our prayerful support. We give Archbishop Terence Finlay back to his Creator God with the same graciousness we experienced of him. May he rest in peace and rise with Christ in glory.
Serving Archbishop Finlay was a privilege
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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
