44 TheAnglican TheAnglican
COMMENT COMMENT
Prayer shawl offers moreisthan just warmth Our Faith-Our Hope changing lives
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f you have ever spent time in the emergency departcame across a pastoral letment, you know well what ter from the Bishop of it means to wait. And more Toronto to the clergy and than wait, you know what it laity proposing a signifimeans to try to contain your cant fundraising effort. In it he anxiety, pain and want for reproposed a graduated schedlief. And while you wait, you ule of offerings to achieve a can’t help but watch people come and go; substantial goal and an indisome on stretchers, some in wheelchairs, vidual appeal to each church family in the others on crutches, some hunched over, othdiocese by a member of their parish “to ers limping. Allone’s waiting hear theirthe name knock at every doortoand rouse inbe called, to be summoned into the inner habitants to devote a small portion of what sanctum where healing mighttocome. God has bestowed upon them promote so Perhaps you also know what it’s like to great a work.” wait in the emerg a pandemic. That letter cameduring from John Strachan,My the mother needed to go to the hospital not very first Bishop of Toronto, in January 1854! long ago. father, older Brent and The OurMy Faith-Our Hope:brother Re-imagine IChurch went with her, only to be told theIdoor campaign began with anatidea first that two oftous would have toago. waitAs outside proposed Synod a decade it gradu–ally pandemic protocols. The weather was took shape, we determined that it would pleasant and we program found a bench which be a cooperative sharedupon between the we couldand sit.parishes And there we waited. Ittowould diocese that responded the take almostofnine hours before myusmother generosity God’s many gifts to to enwas seen by a doctor. It was a particularly gage God’s mission. We identified the goals of busy day. Strengthening Local Parishes, Building the To pass time, myRevitalizing father, brother Church forthe Tomorrow, Our and InIheritance took turns sitting with mom, keeping her and Giving to Others. company, chatting about this or that or and The Canadian North has many clergy 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 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 e are living in to Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples troubling times hold regional circles where clergy and laythat are being played out leaders could come together for mutual before us on learning, support and refreshment. Sotelevifar, 276 sion, radio socialdioceses. media. have participated from halfand a dozen of our Grants ranged Some from $500 to communities $100,000. The Dioare for facing significant social cese of the Arctic, instance, brought peounrest and protests arising out of concern for blatant injustices. These include systemic racism, gender discrimination, disparity between the wealthy and the poor, unjust immigration practices, very poor policing practices in some of our communities and the way Black, Brown and inviting Indigenous people arebroad regarded andsmile, treated firm handshake and by our institutions, including the Church. word “welcome” The evolution of thethe movement Black are the memories we Lives Matter over the past seven years must have Angela I first not be regarded as awhen threat to ourand commumet Terence Finlay, nities or as a “terrorist” group, as Bishop some inof the summer of very prominentToronto, politicalinpositions would 1997.Rather, I was beginning my minwant us to believe. Black Lives istry as is the St. has Joseph of Matter a incumbent movement of that attracted Nazareth, Bramalea. not only Black people but many others When we entered his office, there who genuinely are concerned aboutwas thea warmth and genuineness experienced both injustices inflicted on Black people inby our of us in our first with Bishop Finlay. communities. It meeting is a movement that has deHe was very interested to know us termined that the “timeinisgetting up” and no longer and ourthere young We the would befamily. silence inshared the face ofstories racist of our Christian journeys and behaviour towards people of family colour.life. It isIt was a pleasure to engage with have a noted that the movement has him seenand millennisense of the pastoral care and support he ofals being in the forefront of protests. Many fered clergyand andindividuals their families. no idea businesses areI had endorsing that giving six years later I to would be working closely and support the movement. with him as his executive assistant and The concerns shared by our younger Archdeacon of York. for all, gender equalgenerations – equality to know Terry, as he was ity,I got closing the gap between theaffectionaterich and ly called, I became Posthe poor, when climate change,a member the rightoftothe marry tulancyyou Committee a regional He whom love, andand removing thedean. barriers gave wise counsel and offered good insight inposed by systemic racism – challenge us to to challenging matters facing the Church. commit to building communities of hopeHis was justice a calming and a is non-anxious presand forvoice all. There a wind of change ence. He offered taking place thatstrong we, asepiscopal Church, leadership need to in the diocese, pastorally and morally. be a part of. It both is a change that compels usHe 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 ARCHBISHOP’S DIARY By Bishop Andrew A sbil BY ARCHBISHOP COLIN JOHNSON
nothing at all. Nine hours gives you time ple from 48 communities together. The feedto think, reflect, hope, worry and pray… a back has been astounding. It makes a differlot. It also gives you time to talk with other ence in peoples’ lives. folks who are going through the same thing. The Anglican Chaplaincy for the Canadian At first, talking in the emerg is like breakForces elected its first full-time bishop to proing the unspoken rule of not talking in an vide episcopal care for regular and reserve elevator or on the subway. It is understood chaplains and their families, and to military that you supposed to keepItto yourself. personnelare across the country. only became But oncebecause you’re past you can learn of possible of anthat, initial endowment something about the toddler with an ear $500,000 from OFOH. ache, the man who grant fell offfrom his bike and Another $500,000 OFOH to the broke his clavicle, the woman needing Primate’s World Relief and Developmentsome stitches or the fellow with a broken Fund (PWRDF) supports new work inhand. materFor a few short hours life, perfect nal and child health in of theyour developing world strangers gather randomly looking for the and midwifery services in remote northern same thing: ain healing hand. communities Canada. Ours is the largest Somewhere around has hour four or so, single gift any diocese ever given toI could tell that my mother was feeling PWRDF in its 50+ year history. Becausethe of effects of staying too long in the air condimatching federal government grants, that tioning of the hospital. Are$2.5 youmillion. cold mom? gift created a value of over Safe I asked. Yes,and sheproper replied, a little bit. I wondeliveries health care are now dered what I might We had not planned available because of do. your generosity. our visit very well. Then I remembered Parishes around the diocese have been it. I went the car, and there ityouth was on theisback made to physically accessible, work 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 because of a reinvigoration of imagination and commitment. We have succeeded in OPINION remarkable ways. BISHOP’S While not every parish participated, the vast majority did achieved than many By –Band ishop Petermore Fenty had thought possible. Some of the parishes did not formally join the OFOH project beto be silent no more about those whoofare cause they were already in the midst submarginalized and treated unjustly because stantial funding efforts. Others added to their of the colour of their skin. We in the Church need to ask ourselves if we are acting consistently with the values of justice and equality that our scriptures and teachings call us to observe. There are many in our communities and churches who are ignorant of what non-White people experience daily. The experiences of our BISHOP’S OPINION Indigenous brothers and sisters, Black and Brown people, and new immigrants BY BISHOP PETER FENTY are often heartbreaking and downright appallquickly to the purpose of our meeting and ing andgot unjust. asked if I privilege was willing to benever considered White would allowas fora candidate for executive assistant and a White person to suffer such indignities. archdeacon. The position had become vacant Every day, when many people of colour walk when Colin Johnson elected out ofArchdeacon their front doors, they arewas viewed suffragan bishop.simply I was surprised when he with suspicion, because of the ebony met with mewhich just before the clergy grace with they have been conference blessed. that and offered thetoposition. If theyear Church is to beme true what it claims It was privilegeand andbeing distinct about itsamission an honour agent ofto serve as his executive and archdeatransformation, then assistant it is my hope that con. I got to knowinTerry even better every Anglican our diocese will and embrace learned much him.implemented I witnessed the depth the work thatfrom is being around of his faith and his concern for every anti-racism, sensitivity training andparish anti- in the diocese. HeItshowed particuBlack racism. would compassion, require a commitlarly theall marginalized minorities mentfor from of us to do and the hard work in in the Church and in the wider community. dismantling unjust structures in society and Archbishop Finlay was disciplined in the Church. Andrew, ourvery diocesan bishop, his worked longto hours and paid haswork. calledHe for this work be done and Iatjoin tention to detail, thoroughly reading docuhim in challenging the clergy and people ments, letters or needed for of the diocese toany seematerial this work as integral meetings. It was also that he to God’s mission andevident the witness wecared must deeply bear. for the wider Church and appreciated theAs importance relationships. I prepare of to ecumenical transition into retirement, One of the qualities I admired I am filled with gratitude for theabout manyTerry was his willingness to make time people. blessings I have received. I do notfor know He himself available to clergy andto laity thatmade any of us could ever fully express 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
seat. Just a few days earlier, it was sitting on my desk, a gift from one of our parishes goals to meet parish capital needs and did in the diocese. spectacularly well. Taking that into account, I wrapped it around my mother’s shoulat least $50 million in new funds has been ders. As she held the delicately woven green contributed to ministry in the diocese and beand blue material in her hand, she looked yond in the last seven years, over our regular at me and said, I know what this is, it’s a offerings and FaithWorks contributions. prayer shawl. We are a different diocese because of that. That’s right mom, I said, it’s a prayer Yes, the money has helped us fund new minshawl from St. Stephen’s church in Maple. istries, adapt old buildings, engage in new The shawl never left her side. Wherever mission, support vulnerable people in she went, so did the shawl. It offered more Christ’s name. More than that, though, it has than just warmth. It gave between her a little shelter helped build relationships people, alfrom fear, worry, and personal anxiety, astories, covering of lowed people to share idenhope and the promise of presence. tified and trained new leaders, built up confiIn this of people gratitude, I am grateful dence, andseason assisted to articulate and for alltheir frontline share faith.workers, in particular the volunteers, staff, nurses doctors whoI I have been changed by and the experience. serve in our hospitals and clinics every am more confident in speaking clearly about day. For teachers, professors, and my faith and my commitment to it. Istaff haveindisour schools, colleges universities whoI covered a new capacityand to give generously. gather in the themost classroom to impart learnhave met amazing Anglicans, heard ing. Istories am grateful for our bishops, priests, their and been moved by their faithdeacons,I have musicians, layinleaders and volunfulness. rejoiced the creativity and teers whoofhave worked so hard to open our boldness vision of people and parishes church so that the community (and yes,buildings to be honest, occasionally disap- of faith might And Iour amchurch grateful pointed by agather. few). I think is for in a the prayerful hands that wove a shawl different place because of Our Faith-Ourthat made We a difference. Thanks be to God. Hope. 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 our diocese who took the initiative and rose to it so graciously. The campaign is now officially concluded, Almighty God ourcontinue heartfeltand thanks for His but the allocations the mission infinite love, and God invites usmercy to share is goodness. still on ourNor do I believe that anyfirst of us can fully noted, express doorsteps. As my paragraph this thanks the love, support,nor encourwas not to theGod firstfor financial campaign, will agement of family, friends, church comit be the last – the work of the Church is not munity colleagues through the years. over. Letand us continue onwards in faith and in Nevertheless, it is with profound gratitude hope. and humility that I offer thanks to God and to the many who have shared in my life and ministry. While I have met with challenges along the way, which are realities of life, ordained ministry has been a blessing in the midst of joy and sadness, disappointment and and engaging withfear persons on theI street corencouragement, and hope. have had ner drop-in centre as he of was with persons the or honour and privilege working with serving in public office. and young people for dedicated men, women of the challenges he facedI was 45One years of ordained ministry. willthe be forChurch’s position sexuality. While ever grateful for on thehuman many with whom I have in office he upheld theministry, doctrine and discipline journeyed in parish in diocesan of the Church. Onarea leaving office, officiated ministry and as bishop of he York-Simcoe. in aI look same-gender for which he had forward marriage, to retirement in anticipato be of disciplined his invite diocesan whoas tion what Godbywill mebishop, to do, just was once his archdeacon, assistantI he has for the 45 years ofexecutive active ministry. and suffragan bishop. In past receiving admonishared with you in the that the engraved tion, hePectoral told his successor in office thatashea exon my Cross which I wear pected from himProverbs and that he bishopnothing are theless words from 3:6:was “In exercising his episcopal ministry all your ways acknowledge him,responsibly. and he will I believe that your Archbishop wastoleadmake straight paths.”Terence I continue ing the in the in direction of being more hold todiocese these words the confidence that welcoming thoseand whothat were God alwaystoleads wevulnerable, can trust his marginalized, and in the minority. promise to bevoiceless with us in whatever we do He a verywe significant difference in the andmade wherever go. lifeI of the Diocese of Toronto. It isgoing not surprisbelieve that Jesus is always before ing, therefore, to hear and read the very us every day, leading, empowering andcomplimentary that many have shared enabling usreflections in our daily lives. Let us grasp about their experiences of him. He exercised every opportunity to experience new begin-a servant throughout hisis ordained life, nings inministry the name of Him who alive and and for forever. that we give thanks to God for his exreigns ample. I was privileged and honoured have I offer Aaron’s blessing: The Lord to bless had to know ashis myface bish-to you the andopportunity keep you; the Lord him make op, mentor Churchtohas been shine uponand youfriend. and beThe gracious you; the blessed have him as a faithful bishop. Lord lifttoup hishad countenance upon you and He will bepeace. missed and leaves a legacy of exgive you emplary 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.
Jesus is always going before us every day
W
Serving Archbishop Finlay was a privilege
A
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October 2020 June 2017
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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
