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COMMENT COMMENT
Let’s join in prayer Our Faith-Our Hopetogether is changing lives I M
“Prayer is where the action came across a pastoral letis” - John Wesley ter from the Bishop of Toronto to the clergy and y 16-year-old laity proposing a signifidaughter Kate and cant fundraising effort. In it he I visited southern proposed a graduated schedIndia in January, at ule of offerings to achieve a the invitation of the Diocese substantial goal and an indiof Madhya Kerala. It was so encouraging to vidual appeal to each church family in the see the incredible vibrancy of the Church diocese by a member of their parish “to there to beone’s reminded of the power knockand at every door and rouse theof inthe gospel to change and transform habitants to devote a small portion oflives what all around the globe. Butthem whattoparticularly God has bestowed upon promote so struck Kate and me was how committed our great a work.” Indian and brothers were to prayer. Thatsisters letter came from John Strachan, the Over the course of our 10-day visit, we frefirst Bishop of Toronto, in January 1854! quently found ourselves praying with young The Our Faith-Our Hope: Re-imagine and old alike for the continued and Church campaign began with anspiritual idea I first numerical growth of the churches of their proposed to Synod a decade ago. As it gradudiocese. ally took shape, we determined that it would his engagingprogram book Dynamics of beIn a cooperative shared between the Spiritual Life, Richard Lovelace crafts – by diocese and parishes that responded to the examining renewing action generosity God’s of God’s many gifts to uswithin to entraditions as diverse as Roman Catholicism gage God’s mission. We identified the goals of to Pietism and Local Anabaptism – aBuilding theology of Strengthening Parishes, the renewal in churches. you don’t want Church for Tomorrow,IfRevitalizing Our to Inread the whole book, to here is a spoiler alert: heritance and Giving Others. at The the heart of spiritual, and thenclergy numeriCanadian North has many and cal, renewal ininall Christian traditions lay catechists charge of parishes whodown work the ages ahas been Many – you guessed it – in prayer. without stipend. are isolated communities that face traumatic pastoral issues including, unfortunately, the accumulated pain of dealing with multiple suicides. The Diocese of Toronto made a grant of $500,000 from Our Faith-Our Hope (OFOH) to fund a request from the Council of the North and Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples to hold regional circles where clergy and lay leaders could come together for mutual learning, support and refreshment. So far, 276 have participated from half a dozen dioceses. Grantsdestroys ranged from $500 to $100,000. The DioFire cese of the Arctic, for instance, brought peo1
CANADA BRIEFS St. James, Roseneath
TORONTO - The 156-year-old church of St. James, Roseneath was destroyed in a fire during the evening of April 9. No one was injured. The church is located just north of the village of Roseneath, about a 25-minute drive north of Cobourg. It is part of the Parbroad inviting smile, ish of Campbellford, Hastings and Rosefirm handshake neath in the Trent-Durham episcopal and area. theat word About 15 people worship the “welcome” church on a are the memories we Sunday. have when by Angela and I first “The land was donated a local family Finlay, Bishop of and the churchmet wasTerence built with people’s sweat Toronto, the summer of and hard work,” said theinRev. Bryce Sang1997. was beginning my minster, incumbent. “It’sI terrible, very sad.” istry thethe incumbent of St. Joseph of its He as said church planned to hold Nazareth, Bramalea. Palm Sunday service on April 14 at the civic When entered his office, therethe was a centre inwe Roseneath, and possibly Holy warmth and genuineness experienced by both Week services there as well the following of us in“We’re our first meetingoptions,” with Bishop Finlay. week. exploring he said. HeBishop was very interested getting knowof us Riscylla Shaw,inthe area to bishop and our young family. the Trent-Durham, visitedWe theshared church onstories April of our journeys family“We life.lift It up 10 andChristian says the fire was aand tragedy. was a pleasure to engage with and and haveI a Bryce and the congregation inhim prayer, senseoffered of the pastoral careand andencouragement support he ofhave my support feredwe clergy and their had no idea that will find a wayfamilies. forwardI together as thatcome six years later I would be working closely we into Easter,” she said. with him as his executive assistant Bishop Andrew Asbil, the Bishopand of ToArchdeacon ofwas York. ronto, said he “shocked and devastated” gotnews to know as he was affectionatebyIthe andTerry, encouraged other parishes ly called, when a member Posto help out. “It’sI became important for us asofathe diocese tulancy and a regional He to reachCommittee out to the community anddean. to supgave them wise counsel and offered good insight port with encouragement, prayer andinto challenging matters facing the Church. His tangible support.” was a calming voice and a non-anxious preswww.toronto.anglican.ca ence. He offered strong episcopal leadership in the diocese, both pastorally and morally. He Students todeep walk was a model of faithCamino and prayerful2 thoughtfulness, and was genuinely VICTORIA - A group of Universityconcerned of Vicaboutstudents the well-being of the clergy and toria has been preparing forlaity a pilunder hison episcopal leadership. grimage the Camino de Santiago in Spain. In thebyspring of 2003 I received call from Co-led the Rev. Ruth Dantzer,aAnglican the Archbishop’s office inviting me to Lock, meet campus chaplain, and the Rev. Henri with him. I thought I was the going to be invited United Church chaplain, pilgrimage was to sit on another committee He scheduled to begin April 28 of at the the diocese. monastery
BISHOP’S OPINION ARCHBISHOP’S DIARY B y B ishop J enny A ndison BY ARCHBISHOP COLIN JOHNSON
ple from 48 communities together. The feedRenewal and new life within Christian back has been astounding. It makes a differcommunities of any size or theological and ence in peoples’ lives. liturgical stripe, has always begun with a The Anglican Chaplaincy for the Canadian few people gathering together, in a living Forces elected its first full-time bishop to proroom or a field, and turning to our Heavenly vide episcopal care for regular and reserve Father in prayer. Infamilies, prayer we draw closer chaplains and their and to military to the heart of God, open ourselves up to bepersonnel across the country. It only became ing shaped by theofdreams and hopes of God, possible because an initial endowment of and are strengthened $500,000 from OFOH. to follow the costly path of being followers Jesus. Another $500,000 grantoffrom OFOH to the There are many good and worthwhile Primate’s World Relief and Development resources that the Diocese of work Toronto and Fund (PWRDF) supports new in materother organizations offer, to help parishes nal and child health in the developing world grow in their love for God and neighbour. and midwifery services in remote northern (Growing Healthy Stewards, Church communities in Canada. Ours Natural is the largest Development, Revive, has Alpha, mission single gift any diocese everand given to action plans a few examples, and PWRDF in itsare 50+but year history. Because of I would urge you togovernment investigategrants, them.)that But matching federal the in ministry, themillion. more ISafe am gift longer createdI aam value of over $2.5 convinced thatproper prayerhealth is as close to anow magic deliveries and care are bullet as we have of got, as Christians. available because your generosity. Prayer is not a program; it can be parthave of your Parishes around the diocese beenlife whether you areaccessible, a new disciple a veteran, made physically youthorwork is beand it doesn’t cost aare penny. ing funded, leaders being trained, pioIf prayer is at theinheart of all church neering ministries 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 because of a reinvigoration of imagination and commitment. We have succeeded in remarkable ways. While not every parish participated, the vast majority did – and achieved more than many 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
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renewal, then I would encourage you to goals to meet parish capital needs and did think about joining in with the global wave spectacularly well. Taking that into account, of prayer called Thy Kingdom Come. TKC at least $50 million in new funds has been is an international ecumenical initiative contributed to ministry in the diocese and becalling on all Christians to join together for yond in the last seven years, over our regular 10 days between Ascension and Pentecost offerings and FaithWorks contributions. (May 30 to June 9) to pray that their friends We are a different diocese because of that. would come to know the love of Jesus. It’s Yes, the money has helped us fund new minthat simple. Lots of creative resources can istries, adapt old buildings, engage in new be found at www.thykingdomcome.global to mission, support vulnerable people in help you participate as a family, individual, Christ’s name. More than that, though, it has youth group, church or deanery. three helped build relationships betweenPick people, alfriendspeople or work colleagues whom you idenwould lowed to share personal stories, love to come to know and then tified and trained new Jesus, leaders, built up pray confifor them every day people for 10 days. Pray forand 10 dence, and assisted to articulate days that God would draw new people into share their faith. the life ofbeen yourchanged parish. by Pray 10 days that I have thefor experience. I youmore would be giveninopportunities to share am confident speaking clearly about the faith gospel with and to teenagers my and my children commitment it. I havein disyour neighborhood. covered a new capacity to give generously. I Prayer is where the action is. We have have met the most amazing Anglicans, heard just journeyed through Holy Week their stories and been moved by theirtogether, faithfrom theI have desolation of in Good to the fulness. rejoiced the Friday creativity and triumph of Easter Day. We have tasted boldness of vision of people and parishes deathyes, andtoare feastingoccasionally on the renewal of (and be honest, disapresurrection. Let’sI think join inour prayer together, pointed by a few). church is in a that God place wouldbecause continue to renew our different of Our Faith-Our heartsWe forhave service, and that our local Hope. begun topray re-imagine church. churches would begrateful renewed beand beacons I am profoundly to to you the of God’s people transforming many like youmercy. 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 our diocese who took the initiative and rose to it so graciously. The campaign is now officially concluded, but the allocations continue and the mission God invites us to share is still on our doorsteps. As my first 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.
Serving Archbishop Finlay was a privilege
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BISHOP’S OPINION BY BISHOP PETER FENTY quickly got to the purpose of our meeting and asked if I was willing to be considered as a candidate for executive assistant and archdeacon. The position had become vacant when Colin Johnson was elected along Archdeacon the ancient Camino Frances route. suffragan I was surprised he After two bishop. nights of immersion inwhen Gregorian met with just before the clergy conference chant andme Christian contemplative thought, that year andwill offered methe the250-km position. the students begin trek to It was a Eight privilege and distinct honour to Santiago. students are participating. serve as hisonexecutive assistant and archdea“Going a pilgrimage is evangelical in con. I gotastoparticipants know Terrywill evenhave better nature, theand opporlearned him. I witnessed the depth tunity tomuch walkfrom an ancient path that is infused of hishistorical, faith and his concern for parish in with traditional andevery spiritual the diocese. He showed compassion, particusignificance from the Christian religion,” larly for the marginalized and minorities in says Ms. Dantzer. The initiative is supported the ingrant the wider by aChurch Vision and Fund fromcommunity. the Diocese of Archbishop Finlay was very disciplined in British Columbia. his work. He worked long hours and paid atDiocesan Post tention to detail, thoroughly reading documents, letters or any material needed for Churches open meetings. It was also evident that he cared 3 and appreciated ovensforfor deeply thefestival wider Church the importance of ecumenical BRANDON - In a place whererelationships. the winters One of the qualitiesthe I admired about Terry can seem unending, Northern Manitoba was his willingness to make for people. Trappers’ Festival brings thetime communities He made himself available to Cree clergy and laity of The Pas and Opaskwayak Nation towho needed to meet with him. I was often gether for all things northern: championship asked to join in meetings with others, dog races, loghim splitting and flour packing. and it was evident that he always listened inVisitors can also witness contests of practitently. Terry was a pastor, mentor, friend and cal skills like bannock making, fish filleting confidante. and tea boiling, all done on a fire that comAnother quality in him was his petitors must buildI admired by axe and match. humility. He engaged people all staLocal churches getwith involved byin opening tions of life. He was as comfortable talking their doors – and ovens – to the festival’s
and engaging with persons on the street corner or drop-in centre as he was with persons serving in public office. One of the challenges he faced was the 1 on human sexuality. While Church’s position in office he upheld the doctrine and discipline of the Church. On leaving office, he officiated in a same-gender marriage, for which he had to be disciplined by his diocesan bishop, who participants, providing homemade meals was once hiscompetitors archdeacon,and executive assistant for hungry spectators. In and bishop. In receiving the admoniThesuffragan Pas, Christ Church’s Anglican Church tion, he told successor in office that he exWomen andhis Men in Aprons served stew, pected nothing less from him that heand was chili, authentic tourtière, pie,and bannock exercising ministry hot drinks.his Atepiscopal Opaskwayak Creeresponsibly. Nation, I believeof that Archbishop Terence was leadmembers Church of the Messiah hosted ing the diocese the direction of beingChurch more breakfasts andin lunches; the Anglican welcoming to thoseof who vulnerable, Women at Church thewere Redeemer offered marginalized, voiceless and in the minority. the same, with traditional food donated by He made a very significant difference in the community members: fresh-fried pickerel, life of the Diocese ofmeat, Toronto. is not surprisrabbit stew, moose wildItraspberries ing, to hear and readduring the very comand therefore, saskatoons. Funds raised the plimentary reflections that many have shared outreach effort will support church programabout theircommunity experiencesinitiatives. of him. He exercised a ming and servant ministry throughout his ordained life, The Mustard Seed and for that we give thanks to God for his example. I was privileged Anglicans visit and honoured to have had the opportunity to know him as my bish4 northern Philippines op, mentor and friend. The Church has been blessed to have -had faithful bishop. VANCOUVER On him Feb.as 17,aafter more than He will beofmissed leaves a legacy offrom ex13 hours flight,and a team of travellers emplary leadership, humility, compassion the Diocese of New Westminster arrived and in profound faith. We are grateful his family Manila for a 10-day visit to the to Episcopal Diofor having shared Philippines him with the(EDNP), Church part and of cese of Northern assure them ofChurch our prayerful We give the Episcopal in the support. Philippines. The Archbishop Terence Finlay back to his Creteam attended the EDNP’s 48th convention ator God with theinsame graciousness exat the cathedral Bontoc, toured thewe region perienced ofmany him. May he rest in peace and and visited churches. rise with Christ in glory. Topic
May 2019 June 2017
TheAnglican The Anglican is published under the authority of the Bishop of Toronto and the Incorporated Synod of the Diocese of Toronto. Opinions expressed in The Anglican are not necessarily those of the editor or the publisher. Canon Stuart Mann: Editor Address all editorial material to: The Anglican 135 Adelaide Street East Toronto, Ontario M5C 1L8 Tel: (416) 363-6021, ext. 247 Toll free: 1- 800 - 668 - 8932 Fax: (416) 363 -7678 E-mail: editor@toronto.anglican.ca Circulation: For all circulation inquiries, including address changes, new subscriptions and cancellations, call the Circulation Department at (416) 924-9199, ext. 259/245, or email circulation@national.anglican.ca. You can also make changes online: visit www.anglicanjournal.com and click Subscription Centre. Annie Fenn: Advertising Address all advertising material to: Fenn Company Inc. P.O. Box 1060 King City, Ontario L7B 1B1 Tel: 905-833-6200, ext. 22 Toll free: 1- 800 - 209- 4810 Fax: (905) 833- 2116 E-mail: anglican@churchadvertising.ca
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
