44 TheAnglican TheAnglican
COMMENT COMMENT
Replace consumption compassionlives Our Faith-Our Hopewith is changing “I don’t think we’ll understand Advent correctly until came across a pastoral letwe see it as a preparation for ter from the Bishop of a revolution.” The Rt. Rev. Toronto to the clergy and Robert Barron laity proposing a significant fundraising effort. In it he dvent and Christmas proposed a graduated schedcan become obscene. ule of offerings to achieve a You know what I substantial goal and an indimean. People spendvidual appeal to each church family in the ing money they don’t have, on things they diocese by a member of their parish “to don’t to impress people they often knockneed, at every one’s door and rouse the indon’t like. And while there certainly will habitants to devote a small portion of what be moments of peace and holiness for usso God has bestowed upon them to promote all over the coming weeks, there can also great a work.” beThat incredible pressure haveStrachan, the “perfect letter came fromtoJohn the Christmas” – beautifully decorated house, first Bishop of Toronto, in January 1854! fabulous food, luxurious gifts – all of which The Our Faith-Our Hope: Re-imagine boils down to a message of “consume, conChurch campaign began with an idea I first sume, consume.” proposed to Synod a decade ago. As it graduChristians have setting aside ally took shape, webeen determined that itthe would season of Advent,program the fourshared weeks between before the be a cooperative Christmas, at leastthat 1,500 years, with the diocese andfor parishes responded to the first recorded mention of Advent being at the generosity of God’s many gifts to us to enCouncil of Tours in 567 It hasthe traditiongage God’s mission. WeA.D. identified goals of ally been a season ofParishes, spiritual preparation Strengthening Local Building the both forfor theTomorrow, nativity ofRevitalizing our Lord Jesus Church OurChrist Inand for his Second Coming. The first and secheritance and Giving to Others. ond coming of Christ the pivotal points The Canadian Northare has many clergy andof human history, culmination of the lay catechists inthe charge of parishes whorevoluwork tion thataGod wishes to bring about in without stipend. Many are isolated inthis 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. Grants ranged from $500 to $100,000.1The DioCathedral’s dean retires cese of the Arctic, for instance, brought peoVANCOUVER - Peter Elliott, who served as dean and rector of Vancouver’s Christ Church Cathedral for 25 years, retired on Sept. 30. Dean Elliott, 65, began his role at Christ Church in 1994. He had served as curate of Christ Church Cathedral in Hamilton from 1981 to 1985 before working for the head offices of the Diocese broad inviting smile, of of Toronto and then the Anglican Church firm handshake and Canada. the nerd” word “welcome” A self-described “church as a teenager, are the memories Dean Elliott served the national churchwe in a have when Angelaeight and General I first number of capacities. He attended metstaff Terence Finlay, Bishop of Synods, either as or delegate, including in the of He stints as deputyToronto, prolocutor andsummer prolocutor. I was beginning my minwas chair of the1997. Residential School Settlement istryForce, as thetasked incumbent of St. Joseph of Task with negotiating a settlement Nazareth, Bramalea. for compensating former Indian Residential When we entered his office, there was a on School students. He also served for a time warmth and genuineness experiencedAnglican by both the worldwide Anglican Communion’s of us in our first meeting with Bishop Finlay. Consultative Council. HeAs was very in getting to know us dean ofinterested Christ Church, he led a lengthy and our young family. We sharedthe thecathedral. stories $25-million process of renovating of our Christianalso journeys family It Its attendance grewand during hislife. tenure, was aan pleasure toSunday engage attendance with him and a from average ofhave 395 in sense of the pastoral care and support he of1994 to 492 in 2018. According to one estimate, fered clergyspell and their families. I had no idea his lengthy at Christ Church meant that that six laterofI would be working closely some 85 years per cent its current congregation withnever him as his executive assistant has known another dean at theand cathedral. Archdeacon of said York.he saw his role as to be a Dean Elliott I got know Terry, as he kind of to artistic director forwas theaffectionatecathedral in ly called,itswhen I became member of the Posshaping worship. “The aliturgy expresses the tulancy Committee a regional deepest realities of and life in ways wedean. missHe most gave counsel and offered good inof thewise time,” he said. “For me, it’s likeinsight entering to challenging matters facing moment.” the Church. His the eternal now, the timeless was a calming voice and a non-anxious presTopic ence. He offered strong episcopal leadership in the diocese, both pastorally and morally. He Diocese was a modelplans of deep faith and prayerful affordable thoughtfulness,housing and was genuinely concerned 2 about the well-being of the clergy and laity of OTTAWA - A new project in the Diocese under his episcopal leadership. Ottawa is set to provide between 70 and 200 In the spring of 2003 I received a call from affordable housing units in the Nepean area. the Archbishop’s office inviting me to meet The parish of Julian of Norwich and the diocese with signed him. I thought I was going to be invited have a memorandum of understanding to sit on another committee of the He with two equity partners, Cahdco –diocese. an Ottawa-
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BISHOP’S OPINION ARCHBISHOP’S DIARY By Bishop Jenny Andison BY ARCHBISHOP COLIN JOHNSON
world. The revolution that Jesus brings sees ple from 48 communities together. The feedthe first being last and the last being first, back has been astounding. It makes a differsinners being offered forgiveness, creation ence in peoples’ lives. being stewarded rather than exploited, kings The Anglican Chaplaincy for the Canadian thrown down from their thrones, the lowly Forces elected its first full-time bishop to probeing lifted, and the hungry filled with good vide episcopal care for regular and reserve things. So, if Advent is an opportunity to chaplains and their families, and to military prepare foracross the coming revolution that Jesus personnel the country. It only became inaugurates, howofcan joinendowment the revolution possible because an we initial of and rebel against the siren call of consumer$500,000 from OFOH. ism this year? Another $500,000 grant from OFOH to the As Anglicans across our diverse Primate’s World united Relief and Development diocese, let us search out ways to replace Fund (PWRDF) supports new work in materconsumption with compassion this Advent nal and child health in the developing world and midwifery Christmas services season. A resource and inwonderful remote northern that many churches are Ours usingisisthe called “Adcommunities in Canada. largest vent Conspiracy” (www.adventconspiracy. single gift any diocese has ever given to org). Advent invitesBecause us to adopt PWRDF in itsConspiracy 50+ year history. of these fourfederal habits government (or four virtues): matching grants, that Worship fully.ofAdvent begins andSafe gift• created a value over $2.5 million. ends with Jesus. health If you are deliveries and proper carenot aredoing now so already, take on the habit of daily available because of your generosity. scripture reading and prayer, Parishes around the diocese havecreate been an wreath as a family, useisan madeAdvent physically accessible, youthand work beAdventleaders calendar your children ing funded, arewith being trained, pio- and grandchildren. neering 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 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
• Spend less. Free up your resources to support things that truly matter. Calcugoals to meet parish capital needs and did late what you normally spend on gifts spectacularly well. Taking that into account, and entertaining during the Advent/ at least $50 million in new funds has been Christmas season and resolve to spend contributed to ministry in the diocese and be10 per cent less this year. yond in the last seven years, over our regular • Give more. Give more intentionally and offerings and FaithWorks contributions. relationally. You could do some of your We are a different diocese because of that. Christmas shopping through the PriYes, the money has helped us fund new minmate’s World Relief and Development istries, adapt old buildings, engage in new Fund, www.pwrdf.org. mission, support vulnerable people in • Love all. Radically love others as Jesus Christ’s name. More than that, though, it has did. Is there a brokenbetween relationship in alhelped build relationships people, life to that youpersonal could bestories, intentionally lowedyour people share idenabout through Advent? tifiedpraying and trained new leaders, built upInvite confi-a work or friend to join you for dence, andcolleague assisted people to articulate and one of the Advent or Christmas services share their faith. at your I have beenchurch. changed by the experience. I is a season of waiting – waiting in amAdvent more confident in speaking clearly about the darkness for God’s hopes and dreams my faith and my commitment to it. I have disfor the world unfurl.toWhile God’s reignI covered a newto capacity give generously. will not be realized until the Newheard have metfully the most amazing Anglicans, Heaven and the New Earth have begun, their stories and been moved by their faithwe are invited to co-operate with the Holy fulness. I have rejoiced in the creativity and Spirit and theparishes darkness of boldness ofshine visionas oflights peopleinand our present age. Let us be known as people (and yes, to be honest, occasionally disapof compassion rather than pointed by a few). I think ourconsumption, church is in a preparing ourselves, families and the different place becauseour of Our Faith-Our communities are part of, for thechurch. coming Hope. We havewe begun to re-imagine revolution of Jesus. Maranatha, Lord I am profoundly grateful to you come, and the Jesus!people like you who have made and are many 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 Archdeacon Colin Johnson was elected suffragan bishop. I was surprised when he met with me just real before the clergy conference area non-profit estate developer – and that year and offeredInitiative. me the position. Multifaith Housing By the end of It was a privilege and distinct to 2019, a plan will be created for ahonour development serve as likely his executive assistant and archdeathat will include up to five new buildings, con. I got to know Terry better and outdoor community space,even a community kitchen learned much from him. I witnessed the depth and multi-use spaces. of The his faith and his concern for every parish in Rev. Monique Stone, incumbent of Julian the diocese. He showed compassion, particuof Norwich, says the plan is part of a larger larly for thetomarginalized and ministry minoritiesofinthe challenge re-examine the the Church in the“We wider community. diocese andand parish. are looking at new Archbishop Finlay was very disciplined in ways of being church,” she says. hisThe work. He worked long hours and paid at- to diocese and parish are committed tention to detail, thoroughly reading docucreating sacred space and shared community ments,onletters or any material needed for – the space the property, and L’Arche Ottawa meetings. wasinternational also evident organization that he caredthat local arm ofItthe deeplypeople for thewith wider Church and appreciated brings and without disabilities into the importance of ecumenical relationships. shared living spaces – will continue to partner One ofparish the qualities I admired with the in the new space.about Terry was hisdiocese willingness to make time for people. The has committed to creating 125 He made himself available units of affordable housingtobyclergy 2021. and Thelaity new who needed to be meet with him. I waswith often project will not completed by 2021, timeasked to join him in meetings with line estimates ranging from three toothers, five years. and it was evident that he always listened inCrossTalk tently. Terry was a pastor, mentor, friend and confidante. 3 Innovative outreach Another quality I admired in him was his humility. He engaged with people in all stabrings people back tions of life. He was as comfortable talkingparFREDERICTON – A rural New Brunswick
and engaging with persons on the street corner or drop-in centre as he 3 was with persons serving in public office. One of the challenges he faced was the 2 Church’s position on human sexuality. While 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 was once his archdeacon, executive assistant andis suffragan In receiving admoniish thrivingbishop. after several yearsthe of reaching tion,tohethe told his successor inaoffice that he exout community with new playground, pected nothing less from him and that he was dances for children and more. exercising his episcopal ministry responsibly. Seven years ago, when the parish’s current I believethe thatRev. Archbishop Terence was three leadincument, Chris Hayes, arrived, ingthe thefour diocese in thein direction of being more of churches the parish of Salisbury welcoming to those who vulnerable, and Havelock were nowere longer being used. marginalized, voiceless and in the minority. One of those three, St. Andrew’s, was up for He made very significant in the sale. Mr. aHayes asked the difference vestry to consider life of the Diocese of Toronto. not later surprisre-opening St. Andrew’s, andItais year the ing, therefore,had to hear anddoubled read theinvery congregation nearly size.comNow plimentary reflections that attend many have shared about 60 people regularly the parish’s about their experiences of him. He exercised a two functioning churches, and its members servant his ordained life, are less ministry worried throughout about its survival, he says. and forHayes that we give thanks tohas Godhad for his exMr. says the parish success ample. I was privileged and honoured to have reaching out to the community in various ways. had theaopportunity as Andrew’s, my bishIt built playgroundtoinknow fronthim of St. op, mentor and friend. The Church has and it has become something of a localbeen meetblessed to “It’s haveamazing had him as faithful bishop. ing place. thea number of casual He will be missed a legacy of conversations at and the leaves playground,” heexsays. emplary leadership, humility, compassion and “It’s doing what we hoped and it’s gathering profound faith. We are grateful to his family traction.” forThe having shared him withof the Church include and parish’s other forms outreach assure them of our prayerful support. We givea dances for elementary school students, Archbishop Terence Finlay back to his CreVacation Bible School, a breakfast program atorstudents, God with yoga, the same graciousness we exfor soap-making classes and perienced ofcraft him. May community sales.he rest in peace and rise with in glory. The New Christ Brunswick Anglican
November 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. Linda Nicholls, 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 a large population of aboriginal peoples. 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
