44 TheAnglican TheAnglican
COMMENT COMMENT
Autumn invites Hope us to isreflect Our Faith-Our changing lives W I
ith the arrival of came across a pastoral letautumn comes the ter from the Bishop of departure of the Toronto to the clergy and heat and humidity laity proposing a signifiof summer. Short sleeves are cant fundraising effort. In it he changed out for sweaters. The proposed a graduated scheddays become shorter and the ule of offerings to achieve a nights longer. Leaves turn to substantial goal and an indicolour before letting go and falling to the vidual appeal to each church family in the ground. By its very nature, autumn invites diocese by a member of their parish “to us to fall too, into a time reflection, knock at every one’s doorof and rouse thereinmembering and looking back. It’s aoftime habitants to devote a small portion whatof pulling in, tugging things back, like God hasthings bestowed upon them to promote so drawing the harvest into the barn before great a work.” theThat snow comes. letter came from John Strachan, the I always a little more sentimental first Bishopfeel of Toronto, in January 1854! in theThe fall;Our more hopeful and grateful, too, for Faith-Our Hope: Re-imagine the simplest of gifts and with the myriad blessChurch campaign began an ideaof I first ings that I have received in the year. With proposed to Synod a decade ago. As it graduthe of fall comes the need toitput ally advent took shape, we determined that would summer away – storing garden furni- the be a cooperative programthe shared between ture, turning the garden, raking the to leaves diocese and parishes that responded the and puttingofthings rest.gifts to us to engenerosity God’s to many ForGod’s the Anglican Church of Canada, thisof gage mission. We identified the goals was quite a summer. A Tale ofBuilding Two Cities, Strengthening Local Parishes, the written by Tomorrow, Charles Dickens, opensOur with Church for Revitalizing In-the familiar phrase: “It was the best of times, heritance and Giving to Others. it was the worst North of times, was clergy the age of The Canadian has it many and wisdom, it was age of ofparishes foolishness, lay catechists in the charge who it work was the aepoch of belief, it was the epoch without stipend. Many are isolated in comof incredulity, it was the season of Light, munities that face traumatic pastoral issues it was the unfortunately, season of Darkness, it was the including, the accumulated spring hope,with it was the winter of despair, pain of of dealing multiple suicides. The we had everything before us, weofhad nothDiocese of Toronto made a grant $500,000 ing us, we were all(OFOH) going direct frombefore Our Faith-Our Hope to fundtoa 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. The Diocese of the Arctic, for instance, brought peo-
BISHOP’S DIARY ARCHBISHOP’S DIARY B y B ishop A ndrew A sbil BY ARCHBISHOP COLIN JOHNSON
ple from 48 communities together. The feedHeaven, we were all going direct the other back has been astounding. It makes a differway.” ence in peoples’ lives. Dickens could very well have been deThe Anglican Chaplaincy for the Canadian scribing General Synod 2019. There were Forces elected its first full-time bishop to promoments of light and darkness, of having vide episcopal care for regular and reserve everything and notfamilies, much at and all. There were chaplains and their to military times when it seemed we were all going personnel across the country. It only became directly to heaven whenendowment it appearedof possible because ofand an initial we were all going directly the other way. $500,000 from OFOH. The headlines in the newspapers andtothe Another $500,000 grant from OFOH the coverage in the media captured some of Primate’s World Relief and Development what happened. However,new it seems tomaterme it Fund (PWRDF) supports work in willand takechild timehealth to siftinthrough the leaves of nal the developing world GS2019 a little longer to know what really and midwifery services in remote northern took place there for those seven days in the communities in Canada. Ours is the largest summer 2019. single giftofany diocese has ever given to There in were times of history. great light and of PWRDF its 50+ year Because wisdom. We badegovernment farewell and thankthat you matching federal grants, to Archbishop Fred Hiltz, who served so gift created a value of over $2.5 million. Safe faithfully. and We welcomed Archbishop Linda deliveries proper health care are now Nicholls as our new Primate. We made great available because of your generosity. strides in supporting the self-determining Parishes around the diocese have been Indigenous Church. made physically accessible, youth work is bewas also a timeare forbeing apology, by our ingItfunded, leaders trained, pioPrimate:ministries “Tonight,in I offer this apology neering new contexts havefor been our cultural and spiritual arrogance toward planed and an amazing array of creative projall Indigenous Peoples – First Nations, Inuit ects have been undertaken locally because of and Métis – and the –harm we because inflictedofonthe Our Faith-Our Hope not just you.” financial resources now available, but also It was of a time for the elders who were because 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
present to receive the apology: “This is an goals to meet parish capital needs and did historic week in the life and future of our spectacularly well. Taking that into account, Church. We did it together! We are partners at least $50 million in new funds has been in change. It was our finest moment as a contributed to ministry in the diocese and beChurch. As a fully recognized self-determinyond in the last seven years, over our regular ing people within the Anglican Church of offerings and FaithWorks contributions. Canada, the Apology is timely in reinforcing We are a different diocese because of that. that the Church is walking side-by-side with Yes, the money has helped us fund new minus as we continue our spiritual journey for istries, adapt old buildings, engage in new healing.” mission, support vulnerable people in It was a time of incredulity and despair Christ’s name. More than that, though, it has for many on relationships the floor of Synod following helped build between people,the alvote on second reading of the marriage canlowed people to share personal stories, idenon. It and wastrained a time of upset no matter which tified new leaders, built up confiway you cast your vote. I must say, though, dence, and assisted people to articulate and even in thatfaith. most difficult moment there share their was grace. After the vote, when the even-I I have been changed by the experience. ing more session closed and as the room emptied, am confident in speaking clearly about the Diocese of Toronto’s delegates huddled my faith and my commitment to it. I have distogetheraoff tocapacity the side,toingive a collective group covered new generously. I hug, met to talk, and pray… and thenheard I have the weep most amazing Anglicans, bought the first We were all hurting their stories and round! been moved by their faithand yet Iwe found solace fulness. have rejoiced in together. the creativity and It was aoftime forofapology again, this time boldness vision people and parishes by the House Bishops following disapthe vote (and yes, to beof honest, occasionally on the second reading ofour thechurch marriage pointed by a few). I think is incana on: “We, members of the House of Bishops different place because of Our Faith-Our of the We Anglican Church of Canada, church. see the Hope. have begun to re-imagine pain and anguish inflicted onyou LGBTQ2S+ I am profoundly grateful to and the people, on members thehave General many people like you of who madeSynod, and are across the Church, and in world the world, as aofremaking a difference in our because sult of the work and the vote on the matter your faith in Jesus Christ. And I am especialof grateful Canon 21, marriage. We in see ly to concerning the lay leaders and clergy yourdiocese tears, we cries, and werose weep our whohear tookyour the initiative and to it so graciously. Continued on Page 5 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.
A summer of joy and challenge
O Archbishop Finlay was a privilege Serving
n their first day of school in September, our children were asked to share with the class how they had spent the summer. At the risk of broad inviting smile, doing that myself, I’d like to share two highlights offirm thehandshake summer ofand 2019. the word “welcome” Firstly, I attended General Synod in July. are the memories we Some parts of that Synod were filled with have when Angela and–I the first great joy. We elected a new Primate Finlay, Bishop of first woman to met holdTerence this office – and we are Toronto, in the summer of delighted that Archbishop Linda Nicholls, I wasfor beginning who served our1997. diocese most of my herministry as the incumbent St. Joseph of ordained ministry, willofnow be returning to Nazareth,atBramalea. Toronto, least for part of the time. Please When we entered his office, was a pray for Archbishop Linda asthere she takes warmth and genuineness both on this ministry. She is a experienced great gift to by our of us in our first meeting with Bishop Finlay. Church. HeWe wasalso very interested in affirming getting to various know us had the joy of and our young family. We shared the stories resolutions that will allow the emerging of our Christian journeys family life. It Indigenous Church to beand more autonomous was self-governing. a pleasure to engage with him and have a and Among the changes, sense of the pastoral care Anglican and support he ofthe National Indigenous Bishop fered clergy families. I had nonew idea assumes theand titletheir of Archbishop, and that sixwill years I would working efforts belater made by ourbeChurch toclosely with him as our his executive assistant strengthen commitment to theand United Archdeacon of York. on the Rights of IndigNations Declaration I gotPeoples. to know Terry, as he was affectionateenous After Synod adopted the ly called,changes, when I became a member Posvarious the room eruptedofinthe “How tulancyThou Committee dean. He Great Art.” Itand wasa aregional moment of joyful gave wise counsel andfor offered good insight incelebration, not only our Indigenous to challenging matters facing the Church. His siblings, but for our whole Church. was calmingGeneral voice and a non-anxious presOfacourse, Synod also brought ence. He offered leadership moments of deepstrong pain. episcopal The second readin the both pastorally morally. ing ondiocese, the proposed changes and to Canon XXIHe was a model of deep faith and prayerful (the marriage canon) narrowly failed to thoughtfulness, and was genuinely concerned receive the required two-thirds support about the well-being of the clergy and laity in the House of Bishops, though it passed under his episcopal leadership. easily in the other two houses. This was In the spring of I received a call heartbreaking for2003 many people on thefrom floor the Archbishop’s office inviting me to meet of Synod and across the country, particuwith him. I thought was going to be invited larly for those of usI in the LGBTQ2S+ to sit on another committee of the diocese. He community. Many are questioning whether
A
BISHOP’S OPINION By Bishop Kevin Robertson
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 before the clergy conference that year and offered me the position. It was a privilege and distinct honour to serve as his executive assistant and archdeacon. 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 particuFrom left, Mohan Sharma, compassion, Archbishop Justin Welby larlyBishop for theKevin marginalized in at and Robertson and afterminorities their meeting the Church andinin the wider community. Lambeth Palace July. Archbishop Finlay was very disciplined in his work. He room worked hours and paid atthere is still forlong us in the Anglican tention to detail, thoroughly reading docu- to Church of Canada in light of the decision ments,the letters or anycanon material needed for leave marriage unchanged. Our meetings. It was evident that he many cared Church needs toalso acknowledge that deeply for the wider Church and appreciated LGBTQ2S+ Anglicans are deeply hurt. the of ecumenical relationships. Atimportance the same time, I am proud of our own One ofBishop the qualities I admired about Terry diocese. Asbil has said that samewasmarriages his willingness to make time people. sex will continue to befor celebrated He made himself available to clergy and laity according to the 2016 pastoral guidelines, who needed to meet with him. I was often and I’m aware that a number of parishes asked him inofmeetings with others, are in to thejoin process requesting approval. and it was evident that he always listened inElsewhere in the Canadian Church, several tently. Terry was a pastor, mentor, friend and dioceses have made the decision to move confidante. forward with same-sex marriage in acAnotherwith quality admired in him waswas his cordance the I“local option” that humility. He engaged Synod. with people in some all sta-Anaffirmed by General While tions of have life. He was as comfortable glicans asked how a handful talking of bishops
could have thwarted the will of the vast majority of General Synod members, even here we may see some positive change, as these governance questions will be taken up by the Council of General Synod in the coming triennium. So, I pray that much good will come out of a with difficult General Synod. and engaging persons on the street corner or drop-in centredays as he personsof Secondly, within ofwas the with conclusion serving in publicmy office. General Synod, spouse and I accepted of the challenges he faced was the theOne Archbishop of Canterbury’s invitation Church’s positionaton human sexuality. to be his guests Lambeth Palace inWhile Lonin office he upheld thethere, doctrine and discipline don. While we were Mohan and I had the Church. On leaving office, with he officiated aofgood and frank conversation Archin a same-gender marriage, he had bishop Justin Welby about for hiswhich decision to to be disciplined byspouses his diocesan who exclude same-sex frombishop, next year’s was once his archdeacon, assistant Lambeth Conference. Weexecutive look forward and suffragan bishop. In receivingwith the admonito continuing that conversation him tion, he told his successor in office that he exbetween now and next summer. pected nothing less from and that he was One of the things that him emerged from exercising histoepiscopal the decision exclude ministry same-sexresponsibly. spouses I believe that Archbishop was leadwas an invitation for me to Terence join an internaing theconsultation diocese in the of Bishops being more tional ofdirection “Anglican in welcoming The to those who werebrings vulnerable, Dialogue.” consultation together marginalized, voiceless andfrom in the minority. approximately 30 bishops across the He made a very difference the Communion. Wesignificant met in Liverpool in in June, life of themeet Diocese of Toronto. It is in notFebrusurprisand will again in Tanzania ing, therefore, to hear and building read the very comary. I have deeply valued new relaplimentary reflections manyinhave shared tionships with Africanthat bishops particular, about their experiences of him. Heisexercised and I believe our work together already a servant ministry throughout bearing fruit for the unity ofhis ourordained Church.life, and for that wethat givethese thanks to God converfor his exI often hear ongoing ample. I was privileged and honoured have sations about sexuality and marriagetoare the opportunity know my bishahad distraction for us, to and thathim theas Church op, mentor and friend. Thethe Church has been needs to just get on with real busiblessed to have had as a faithful ness of mission andhim ministry. Whilebishop. I take He will be Imissed leaves a legacy ofand exthe point, believeand that the inclusion emplary leadership, humility, compassion and welcome of all God’s people is the work of profoundand faith. We are It’s grateful his family mission ministry. at thetocore of our for having shared him with the Church calling in Jesus Christ. Through timesand of joy assure them of our prayerful support. We give and challenge, may we grow more deeply Archbishop Terencecalling Finlayto back to his Creinto our baptismal be those who ator God with the same graciousness we exstrive for justice and peace among all peoperienced of him.the May he restofinevery peacehuman and ple, and respect dignity rise with Christ in glory. being.
October 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
