44 TheAnglican TheAnglican
COMMENT COMMENT
Racism is smotheringHope the beauty of God’s creation Our Faith-Our is changing lives
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ament is the prayer language for hurting came across a pastoral letChristians. Lament is ter from the Bishop of a biblical way to share Toronto to the clergy and our grief, pain, anger and laity proposing a signififrustration with God, rooted cant fundraising effort. In it he in the hope that God in Christ proposed a graduated schedalone can bring. We all began ule of offerings to achieve a to learn in March to stop saying, “This year substantial goal and an indicouldn’t possibly get any worse,” with 2020 vidual appeal to each church family in the clearly being a year for lament. Over a third diocese by a member of their parish “to of the Psalms laments, androuse the apostle knock at everyare one’s door and the inPaul says that the entire creation habitants to devote a small portiongroans of what (Romans 8:22). Theupon created world in which God has bestowed them to promote so we live, while beautiful, is contaminated with great a work.” theThat broken effects sin –John bothStrachan, our personal letter cameof from the sinfulness, but also sinful structures that are first Bishop of Toronto, in January 1854! built upOur andFaith-Our sustainedHope: by humanity. While The Re-imagine death is campaign the ultimate reminder that allI first is not Church began with an idea well with the world, there are many other proposed to Synod a decade ago. As it gradudaily examples: failedthat relationally took shape, COVID-19, we determined it would ships, abuse of creation, sexism,the be a cooperative programloneliness, shared between homophobia and racism. diocese and parishes that responded to the Alongside devastation generosity of the God’s many giftswrought to us to by enCOVID-19, this summer has brutally gage God’s mission. We identified theremindgoals of ed us of the devasting legacy and present Strengthening Local Parishes, Building the reality the sin of racism. The deaths Churchoffor Tomorrow, Revitalizing Ourof InRegis Korchinski-Paquet, Ahmaud Arbery heritance and Giving to Others. and George Floyd, amongst so many others, The Canadian North has many clergy and have not only shone a light on anti-Black lay catechists in charge of parishes who work violence, have Many highlighted the persistent without abut stipend. are isolated in comand insidious of structural racism, munities that nature face traumatic pastoral issues both in theunfortunately, U.S. and here the in Canada. As a including, accumulated white privilege, while I am aware pain ofwoman dealingofwith multiple suicides. The that the sin of racism infects my own heart, I Diocese of Toronto made a grant of $500,000 also that I cannot fully underfromacknowledge 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. The Diocese of the Arctic, for instance, brought peo-
BISHOP’S OPINION ARCHBISHOP’S DIARY By Bishop Jenny Andison BY ARCHBISHOP COLIN JOHNSON
stand the impact and effects of racism on my ple from 48 communities together. The feedracialized brothers and sisters. This summer, back has been astounding. It makes a differas part of my own education, I am reading ence in peoples’ lives. The Cross and the Lynching Tree by the The Anglican Chaplaincy for the Canadian late James H. Cone. If you haven’t read this Forces elected its first full-time bishop to proseminal work, do. vide episcopal care for regular and reserve I can’t breathe were the last words of chaplains and their families, and to military George Floyd. I can’t breathe are the words personnel across the country. It only became of many who haveofbeen suffocating underofthe possible because an initial endowment weight of systemic racism and violence for $500,000 from OFOH. centuries. smothering the beauty AnotherRacism $500,000isgrant from OFOH to the of God’s rich andRelief diverse creation, and racPrimate’s World and Development ism will smother our ability to follow God Fund (PWRDF) supports new work in the materof in health the Diocese Toronto. Racism nalmission and child in theof developing world sucks breath and life outinofremote people, so we can and midwifery services northern be comforted in and rejoiceOurs withis the communities Canada. theprophet largest Job (33:4) “The Spirit God has to made single giftthat any diocese has of ever given me, and the breath of the Almighty gives PWRDF in its 50+ year history. Because ofme life.” matching federal government grants, that simply the shedding giftLament createdisa not value of over $2.5 million. of Safe tears but is crying outhealth to ourcare Heavenly Fadeliveries and proper are now ther in pain. It is prayer, the invitation of available because of your at generosity. God, to renew our confidence Jesus Parishes around the diocese that havein been Christ all things accessible, are being made made physically youthnew workand is bethe Spirit ofleaders God is are being poured out pioon all ing funded, being trained, flesh. the current Diversity Officer neeringAs ministries in new contexts have for been the Diocese of amazing Toronto,array I am working closely planed and an of creative projwith the Intercultural Committee to bringof ects have been undertaken locally because anti-racism and anti-bias training to our Our Faith-Our Hope – not just because of the diocese fall. This training willbut bealso manfinancialthis resources now available, datory clergy and leaders of diocesan becausefor of all 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
committees. While under no illusions that such training will “solve the problem,” it is goals to meet parish capital needs and did my hope that it will raise awareness about spectacularly well. Taking that into account, systemic racism and galvanize the people at least $50 million in new funds has been of God across our diocese to pray and work contributed to ministry in the diocese and bealongside each other on this painful, yet yond in the last seven years, over our regular hope filled, journey. offerings and FaithWorks contributions. Part of our vocation, as people learning We are a different diocese because of that. how to follow Jesus, is to allow the breath Yes, the money has helped us fund new minof the Almighty to call us to truth telling, istries, adapt old buildings, engage in new and then repentance and reconciliation, so mission, support vulnerable people in that more and more people, reflecting the Christ’s name. More than that, though, it has marvelous of creation, canpeople, experi-alhelped builddiversity relationships between ence hope and life. The well known and lowed people tonew share personal stories, idenbeloved prayer of St. Francis seems an approtified and trained new leaders, built up confipriate prayer to pray together as a diocese dence, and assisted people to articulate and as we journey forward in these extraordinary share their faith. days. I have been changed by the experience. I ord, make me an of your am Lmore confident ininstrument speaking clearly about peace, my faith and my commitment to it. I have disWhereathere is hatred,tolet megenerously. sow love; I covered new capacity give Where is injury, pardon; have met there the most amazing Anglicans, heard Where there is been doubt, faith;by their faiththeir stories and moved WhereI there is despair, hope; fulness. have rejoiced in the creativity and Where there is darkness, boldness of vision of people light; and parishes Where is sadness, joy; (and yes, there to be honest, occasionally disapO Divine pointed by aMaster, few). I think our church is in a Grant that may not of soOur much seek different placeI because Faith-Our To be consoled as toto console; Hope. We have begun re-imagine church. beprofoundly understoodgrateful as to understand; ITo am to you and the To be lovedlike as to love. many people you who have made and are For it aisdifference in giving in that weworld receive; making our because of It is in pardoning that we areI am pardoned; your faith in Jesus Christ. And especialnd it isto inthe dying we and are born to in ly A grateful lay that leaders clergy eternal life. our diocese who took the initiative and rose to Amen 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.
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broad inviting smile, firm handshake and the word “welcome” are the memories we have when Angela and I first met Terence Finlay, Bishop of Toronto, in the summer of 1997. I was beginning my ministry as the incumbent of St. Joseph of Nazareth, Bramalea. When we entered his office, there was a warmth and genuineness experienced by both of us in our first meeting with Bishop Finlay. He was very interested in getting to know us 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 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 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
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 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 and suffragan bishop. In receiving the admonition, he told his successor in office that he expected nothing less from him and that he was exercising his episcopal ministry 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.
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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. 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
