Insight WINTER 2023
Marc Chagall and the Bible exhibit at Wycliffe
IN THIS ISSUE From the Principal’s Pen........... 3 News.................................. 4 Convocation 2023................... 6 Faculty News........................ 8 Student Focus...................... 10 Donor and Alumni Focus.......... 18
FEATURES 12 Moses and Chagall Throughout our Chagall exhibit, Wycliffe has hosted a “Marc Chagall and the Bible” lecture series. Read excerpts from the meditation given by the Rev. Dr Jason Byassee.
2
Marc Chagall, “Creation,” 1960
14
16
Acacia Café receives warm Wycliffe welcome
What is the Ministry Apprenticeship Program?
The long-standing, well-loved Innis Café has found a new home and taken on a new name at Wycliffe College.
A Q&A about a new initiative that allows young people discerning God’s call to experience a taste of ministry leadership and seminary study.
FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S PEN
Catching glimpses of Christ’s glory By The Rt Rev. Dr Stephen G.W. Andrews
Since we are God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals. (Acts 17:29) Dear Friends, The monotheistic religions have always had a thing about images. The Second Commandment in the Torah begins, “Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven image,” while the art decorating Muslim mosques features no illustrations of people or animals, but only the ornamented Arabic of the Qur’an. The matter of icons has occasioned great debate in the Christian Church throughout its history, with the iconoclasts (sometimes violently) squaring off against the iconophiles. A fundamentalist pastor in my hometown once described how appalled he was to find European statues of the saints with their toes kissed off! I don’t imagine that this is a debate that particularly troubles us, but there is an important distinction here between the representation and the thing that is represented. We are not meant to confuse the two or worship what we have ourselves made. As the Psalmist says, idols “have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see; ears, but do not hear.” And yet there are expressions of art that can elicit admiration and even reverence. Many have described in awed terms their recent visit to the College to see an installation of the nearly 60 etchings and lithographs of the renowned Jewish artist, Marc Chagall (1887–1985). Set in Wycliffe’s beautiful Great Hall, over the last few months hundreds of visitors have been drawn into Wycliffe for a deeper engagement with the story of the Bible through his art. In this issue of Insight our friend and College Research
Fellow, the Rev. Dr Jason Byassee, offers some reflections on Chagall’s depiction of Moses that serve as evocative windows on the dynamics of our souls and the merciful work of God in our broken world. In our contemplation of Chagall’s art, we are led by his inspiration to a greater awareness of the power of the inspired Word of God. But St Paul reminds us that “we are God’s offspring.” We ourselves exist as a work of divine creativity, and, without confusing the art with the Artist, we are all icons because we bear Christ’s image. The English poet, Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844–1889) extolled this truth in his poem, “As Kingfishers Catch Fire”: For Christ plays in ten thousand places, Lovely in limbs, and lovely in eyes not his To the Father through the features of men’s faces. In the following pages you will read about many of the talented and “lovely” people who both study and work at Wycliffe College. We are excited about what God is doing here, and for our partnership with all who support us by prayer and gift. But I hope, above all, that you will join us in our gratitude for the privilege of seeing Christ at work in our midst and share our pleasure in catching glimpses of his glory in the lives of one another. Grace and peace,
The Rt Rev. Dr Stephen Andrews Principal and Helliwell Professor of Biblical Interpretation 3
NEWS Lilly Grant Wycliffe College has received a grant of $999,075 USD from the Lilly Endowment to establish the Canadian Institute for Empirical Church Research, the first of its kind in Canada. The Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative is designed to help theological schools across North America respond to the most pressing challenges they face as they prepare pastoral leaders for Christian congregations now and in the future. “This initiative will help to position the College as a locus of information and support on trends and developments in the Canadian Church,” says Principal Stephen Andrews.
New Chaplain We thank the Rev. Dr Annette Brownlee with deep appreciation for her 15 years serving as Wycliffe College chaplain. Dr Brownlee retired from Wycliffe’s core faculty effective August 2023, though she continues as Director of Field Education. Following her retirement from this role, Wycliffe has appointed the Rev. Ajit John to serve as interim chaplain. Father Ajit is known to many in the College as a former Wycliffe Board member, as a trustee of the Toronto School of Theology Board, and as the current Chair of the Anglican Communion Alliance. He has been a priest in the Anglican Church of Canada for nearly 20 years, serving congregations in Toronto and in the Diocese of Europe.
The Rev. Dr Annette Brownlee
4
Father Ajit John
Reformed House of Studies inaugural lecture
The first Reformed House of Studies Conference was held at the College in June and featured Dr Chad Van Dixhoorn, Professor of Church History and Director of the Craig Center at Westminster Theological Seminary. Dr Van Dixhoorn addressed the theme “Reforming the Church: Learning from the Westminster Divines.” More than 60 people from a wide range of denominational backgrounds attended in person and online. In his opening welcome, Principal Andrews observed that the Westminster Assembly had as a major project the reform of the Church of England, both doctrinally and politically. “On the Divines’ table of dissection were especially the Book of Common Prayer and bishops,” he remarked, “which makes me wonder, then, what the leaders of the Westminster Assembly might have thought about a presbyterian partnership with an Anglican theological college headed by a bishop of the Anglican Church!” The College hopes that this conference and its new Reformed House of Studies course offerings will nurture enriching conversations.
Schedule changes benefit commuters Wycliffe recently evaluated how course offerings could be made more efficient for commuter students, so they could have an option to attend as many of their classes as possible within one or two days. “We determined that the best days were Tuesday and Wednesday,” says Registrar Jeffrey Hocking. “As a result, we tried to run as many courses on those days as possible. We moved chapel and the community dinner from Wednesday to Tuesday so that students commuting could take courses on both days, participate in chapel and the dinner, and spend the night in the commuter dorm.”
Hybrid classes In summer 2023, Wycliffe offered hybrid classes for the first time so distance students could complete the in-class component of two courses during one week in Toronto, enabling a wider group of students to participate. Student Paul Baskcomb says, “Having the in-person part of the class at the beginning meant that the follow-up sessions on Zoom were undertaken with the benefit of having met the professor and all the participants in person. The experience reinforced my desire to experience more in-person learning. As a result, I am living and studying at Wycliffe for the Fall 2023 semester and enjoying every minute of it.”
Chagall Exhibit From May to October 2023, in partnership with IMAGO Arts, Wycliffe brought to Toronto a fascinating exhibition titled “Marc Chagall and the Bible” from the Bowden Collections. The exhibition showcased 58 etchings and lithographs by the legendary artist Marc Chagall (1887–1985), curated by visual artist Sandra Bowden, and presented to the Canadian public for the first time.
The exhibit has drawn a variety of visitors into College—students, faculty, church groups, artists, members of local synagogues, Buddhist monks, and others who saw the promotional banner outside and walked in from the street. Visitors have signed the exhibition comment book from locations as far flung as California, New York, and Jerusalem, leaving their response to Chagall’s art: “Utterly magnificent,” “Evocative and moving,” “The show is a beautiful gift.” In September, curator Sandra Bowden
“King Solomon,” 1956
“David and Bathsheba,” 1956
“King David,” 1956
“Jeremiah,” 1956
gave a public lecture at Wycliffe and spoke at a reception and dinner in support of future art initiatives at Wycliffe in partnership with IMAGO.
Throughout the duration of the Chagall exhibit, Wycliffe has hosted a “Marc Chagall and the Bible” devotional series. You can read an edited version of the meditation given by the Rev. Dr Jason Byassee on pages 12 and 13.
5
CONVOCATION 2023 Congratulations to the Class of 2023! It has been our privilege to journey alongside you, and we pray that God keeps your footsteps firm as you live out God’s purpose for your lives. The Degree of Doctor of Theology Adrian E. Isaacs The Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Brendan Bott Michael Brain Joel T. Chopp Sean Denny Ian Jordan Kissell Benjamin Michael Macdonald Corine Milad Michael Martin Chester Reardon James Robert Wood The Degree of Doctor of Philosophy University of St. Michael’s College Conferred November 2022 Eva Sham Matthew Jordan Thollander Tyler Fedor Wigg-Stevenson
The Degree of Master of Theology Stephanie Robyn Douglas Tsung Jung Lee Amanda Michelle Ross The Degree of Master of Arts Rachel Anne Beckman Kenneth James Light Melissa Katherine Ritz The Degree of Master of Divinity Ryan Deyo Landon Errol Erb Louis Henry David Harris Daniel Moses Joseph Hyunjun Kim Justin Hiu-Lok Lam Scott M. Mark Paulina Evelyn Roberts Chiung-Wei Shih Erin Waller Roy The Degree of Master of Theological Studies in Urban & International Development Debbie Anne Martinez
6
The Degree of Master of Theological Studies Marnie Jane Beaubien Aaron Joel Craig Nathaniel Athian Deng Mayen Charity Kaiya Grace Fowler Michelle Alison Mailhiot Clement Ng Lynne Amelia Reckhow Kim Joshua Rodriguez Salcedo Josua Schoechli Lue-Yee Tsang Jonathan Tysick Conjoint Certificate in Theological Studies Erica Danielle Delaney Jenny Ching Yee Ho Jeonghwa Park Michael Quach Certificate in Anglican Studies Jacob Nichols Jillian Ruch Kate Smith Douglas Smith
Graduating Class of 2023
7
FACULTY NEWS
The Rev. Dr Ephraim Radner
The Rev. Dr Jeremy McClung
In August 2023, the Rev. Dr Ephraim Radner, Professor Emeritus of Historical Theology, officially retired from his position at Wycliffe College, although he will maintain his role in guiding and supervising doctoral students. Over his remarkable 16-year tenure at Wycliffe, Dr Radner significantly impacted the students who had the privilege of studying under him. He directed many doctoral dissertations across a broad spectrum, drawing upon his extensive and diverse knowledge. Dr Radner consistently encouraged students to engage in profound theological reflection and deepen their own relationship with God.
In September, we welcomed the Rev. Dr Jeremy McClung as the new transitional director of the Institute of Evangelism. A Wycliffe PhD graduate, he takes up this role as an experienced pastor and church planter.
Ahmeda Mansaray-Richardson
The Rev. Dr Judy Paulsen
As she transitions out of this role, we thank Professor of Evangelism the Rev. Dr Judy Paulsen with heartfelt gratitude for serving as director of the Institute of Evangelism at Wycliffe College for seven years. Her enthusiasm, dedication, and wisdom for equipping churches to communicate the Gospel have inspired many, and her contribution will be felt for years to come. Dr Paulsen retired from Wycliffe’s core faculty effective August 2023, though she continues to teach and to advise students.
8
We are pleased to welcome Ahmeda Mansaray-Richardson as the new transitional director of the Master of Theological Studies in Development (MTSD) program. In taking up this post, she will provide strategic continuity for the MTSD while assessing the program and its contributions to the College and the Christian not-for-profit and development sectors.
PUBLICATIONS Professor of Old Testament the Rev. Dr Lissa Wray Beal wrote “The Monstrous, the Prophetic, and the Enduring: Yahweh’s Servants of Horror and Grace in Jeremiah 25:1–14” for Global Perspectives on Bible and Violence (Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2023). She also wrote “Prophetic Ministry in Jeremiah 20:7–18: ‘Violence and Destruction,’ and Paradoxical Hope for a Shattered Community” in Violent Biblical Texts: New Approaches (Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2023).
Co-edited by Professor of New Testament Dr Stephen Chester, The New Perspective on Grace: Paul and the Gospel after Paul and the Gift (Eerdmans, 2023) is a volume of essays in honour of John Barclay, Lightfoot Professor of Divinity at the University of Durham, England. The volume responds to Barclay’s 2015 monograph, Paul and the Gift, which is widely regarded as one of the most important books on Paul in recent decades. Professor Chester also contributed an essay to the volume, which focuses on John Calvin’s interpretation of Ephesians 2:8–10: “Works Themselves are a Part of Grace.” Professorial Fellow Dr Mark Elliott wrote Psalms 42–72 for the International Theological Commentary (Bloomsbury, 2023). He has also co-edited Studies in the History of Exegesis: History of Biblical Exegesis, Vol 2 (2022), within which he wrote “Behind the Bible in the Reformation: Luther and Biblical Revelation.”
Meet the Rev. Dr Boram Lee By Patricia Paddey
Ask Wycliffe’s newest professor, the Rev. Dr Boram Lee, about her faith journey, and she traces her Christian roots back to the 19th century, when one of her ancestors first encountered the Gospel during studies abroad in Japan. He returned to Korea as a minister who shared his newfound faith with countless of his countrymen and planted churches across the country. His passion for Christ would become his legacy, with some among his children and grandchildren becoming pastors and adopting lives of service to others.
to help a pastor’s family. “Through the relocation challenges,” Dr Lee says, “we have witnessed the unwavering presence of a merciful and compassionate God.”
“I was blessed to be born into a devoted and evangelical Christian family,” Dr Lee explains, “with an unbroken heritage of faith in Jesus Christ that spans six generations.”
Having completed her Doctor of Philosophy in August 2022 at Emmanuel
Those who have experienced God’s mercy and compassion are often eager to share it, and Dr Lee says she is driven “by a profound passion for assisting vulnerable individuals.” In addition to her pastoral work, since 2002 she has been actively engaged as a counsellor, a chaplain, a registered psychotherapist, and a spiritual director.
College (she also has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Ajou University in Korea, a Master of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary in New York, and a Master of Sacred Theology from Drew University in New Jersey), Dr Lee describes joining the Wycliffe faculty as “a true honour and blessing.” She appreciates the sense among the Wycliffe faculty that teaching is a ministry dedicated to Christ’s Church and his global mission, saying, “I am genuinely excited about our collaborative efforts and the power of prayer as we work together for our students and the College.”
She began her tenure as Professor of Pastoral Care and Practice at Wycliffe on August 1, teaching courses such as Boundaries and Bridges, and Advanced Pastoral Care. For Dr Lee, joining the Wycliffe faculty isn’t simply a professional step, but a “seamless continuation” of her ministerial journey. That particular journey began 21 years ago, she says, when she responded to Christ’s call to a ministry of pastoral care and education “for students who are also called to a ministry of care.” Ordained in the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of South Korea (PROK), Dr Lee has served as a pastor within evangelical church communities in New York, New Jersey, Toronto, and Seoul, and credits her many international moves for her adaptability and resilience. Still, she admits that the process of finding suitable housing in Toronto for her, her husband of 13 years, the Rev. Hong Ki Kim (also ordained with PROK), and their six-year-old daughter was a “formidable task.” Toronto’s tight rental market made the selection process highly competitive. After encountering numerous rejections, the family was finally accepted by a landlord who, they would later learn, was a Christian eager 9
STUDENT FOCUS
DISCERNING GOD’S CALL By Rajini Lyman
By Shih-En Kuo
While I was serving as a youth coordinator at my church in Scarborough, ON, I felt called to take a few biblical courses to enhance my spiritual knowledge so that I could better teach our youth.
I was born and raised in a Christian family in Taiwan. After completing my Master of Divinity in Taipei, I pursued a Master of Theology at Gordon-Conwell in Massachusetts due to my passion for the Old Testament. Encouraged by two of my previous professors, who are Wycliffe alumni, I applied and was admitted into the Doctor of Philosophy program at Wycliffe in 2019.
As I explored my options, a guest priest at our church told me all about Wycliffe and encouraged me to pursue theological studies. After much prayer and consideration, I enrolled at Wycliffe to earn a diploma, but God has now led me into the Master of Divinity program. In January I fasted to ask God to speak with me about my call. Suddenly, I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit. I could only say thanks and praises. At that moment I sensed in my heart that God called me for ordained ministry. I applied to become a postulant and was chosen by the committee. At Wycliffe, I’ve learned to embrace the culture of innovative discussions and enjoy the Taizé, which gives us the opportunity for silent prayers. Even though I work full time, I make every effort to be present to enjoy my student life, which I treasure. When I look back on my journey, I am brought to one of my favourite scriptures: “He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. He seats them among princes and bestows on them a throne of honour” (1 Samuel 2:8). All glory, honour, and praise to God.
Rajini Lyman is a fourth-year MDiv student, serving at The Anglican Church of St Paul, L’Amoreaux, Scarborough, ON, working with English and Tamil congregations preaching, leading a prayer team, and working among the younger generation.
10
BUILDING BRIDGES
Nestled at the heart of the University of Toronto, Wycliffe College has been an invaluable platform for my growth. I have walked a rich and meaningful journey here, deepening my theological insights and honing cultural awareness during my studies. The professors here genuinely care, offering guidance in navigating the challenges of my academic and daily lives. Wycliffe’s community life has also greatly supported us as a family of six. Upon completing my studies, I am eager to return to Taiwan to equip the next generation of pastors and theologians. I see myself as serving as a bridge between seminaries and churches and between North America and East Asia. By integrating theological resources from both Western and Eastern perspectives, I am committed to fostering the cooperation of global Christians to advance God’s kingdom.
Shih-En (Andy) Kuo is a fifth-year PhD student currently writing his dissertation on the allusions to the Golden Calf Narrative (Exodus 32–34) within the Book of the Twelve.
God is faithful
By Su-Yuan Yang
As a first-generation believer, I longed to study theology since my early twenties. After finishing my bachelor’s degree in history in Taiwan and a master’s in sociology of religion in the US, I finally saw it right to study theology from an “insider’s perspective.” I applied to divinity schools three times, but God did not answer my prayer. After working as a public relations manager and a corporate social responsibility specialist, my desire to study theology did not go away. In 2013, by God’s grace, I joined Taiwan Theological Seminary (TTS) as a research assistant. There, I was deeply moved by God’s Spirit in prayer meetings. I dedicated my life to God again. The following summer I started the Master of Divinity at TTS, then finished the Master of Theology at Western Theological Seminary in Michigan. From there, I went to England to begin doctoral studies at the University of Exeter.
However, during the pandemic years, I faced strong personal difficulties and paused my studies to return to Taiwan without a plan. In that season of hardship, I learned more deeply to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight” (Prov. 3:5).
As a second-year PhD student, Su-Yuan Yang is also working to translate digital publications on theology and the Bible from English to traditional Chinese.
At church, my husband and I met one of the lead elders, who had graduated from Wycliffe’s doctoral program and shared his good experience at Wycliffe and in Canada. I never expected to continue my theological journey at Wycliffe College or to meet this group of devoted professors, colleagues, and friends, but our God knows and prepares everything. Good theology conveys the Gospel; I pray that my studies in systematic theology will benefit Christian communities, especially those who desire to know more about the Christian God in East Asian countries.
Studying theology online
By Dan Price
After completing a bachelor’s degree in biblical theology in the UK, my goal was to complete a master’s degree by the time I was 30. But when my 30th birthday came and went, I repeatedly moved the goalposts. By the time I was 43, and after 22 years in full-time Christian ministry in England, Montreal, and Vancouver, I finally had no more excuses and decided to enroll at Wycliffe as an online student in the Master of Theological Studies program, fulfilling my long-held goal, while continuing to serve in Vancouver. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting back to reading theology, hearing different ecclesiastical perspectives, and having my denominational leanings challenged. The teaching at Wycliffe is of a very high
standard, with engaging professors, and a broad scope of study. It was the close association with the Anglican Church, a recommendation from a former student, and the affiliation with the University of Toronto that spurred me on to study at Wycliffe.
Dan Price is an MTS student and Senior Pastor of Harvest City Church in Vancouver, BC.
Studying exclusively online while leading a busy Pentecostal Assemblies of God church in downtown Vancouver has not been without its challenges. Nevertheless, I have learned so much during the last couple of years and am so grateful for the opportunity to undertake further education. In addition to expanding my theological knowledge base, the MTS could potentially equip me to serve as a denominational leader or a chaplain in the Canadian Armed Forces in some capacity in the future. 11
Moses and Marc Chagall By the Rev. Dr Jason Byassee
Throughout the duration of the Chagall exhibit, Wycliffe has hosted a “Marc Chagall and the Bible” devotional series. The following is an edited version of the meditation given by Jason Byassee on four lithographs of Moses. The Rev. Dr Byassee is senior minister of Timothy Eaton Memorial Church in Toronto, and previously full professor and inaugural holder of the Butler Chair in Homiletics and Biblical Hermeneutics at the Vancouver School of Theology in British Columbia. Marc Chagall is the most important 20th century painter of Scripture. He is especially that for Christians interested in reclaiming the Jewish roots of our faith. We Christians are part of the people Israel by grace, grafted in, adopted into a family in which Chagall is a natural son.
12
practicing Jew after his youth, but the Jewish imagination never left him—it grew over time. He didn’t so much render the Bible as it rendered him.
Moses with horns?
In Vitebsk, Russia, where Chagall grew up, it wasn’t just Jewish. It was devout. His parents and community were inspired by the Hasidic movement, a movement of Jewish renewal that sees the presence of God everywhere. All things in creation shimmer with divine power. For Chagall the artist, his work was a way of showing this: the divine power just under the surface of all things. Chagall was no longer a
When St. Jerome translated the Old Testament into Latin in the 4th century, he made some decisions that have done harm. One was to take the Hebrew term for “irradiated” and translate it “horned.” In Exodus 34:29–30, Aaron and the Israelites see something odd extending from Moses’ head. The Hebrew could be rendered as “light” or “horns.” Both words suggest spiritual power, illumination, but also boldness, possibly even arrogance. Moses’ fellow Israelites
“Moses Receiving the Tablets of Law,” 1956
“Moses II,” 1956
can’t bear to look at him, and they cover Moses’ face after he is in God’s presence. Modern translations all describe it as light coming from Moses’ face, as did St Paul in the New Testament. Chagall knew this translation issue well. But like lots of artists he splits the difference. Sometimes in his depictions of Moses they look like light. In others they look like horns.
Chagall’s Moses lithographs In “Moses Receiving the Tablets of Law,” Moses receives the law, directly from the hand of God. Even Jewish and Christian traditions that are nervous about the depiction of God will occasionally render
“Moses III,” 1956
a divine hand. Exodus itself describes God writing the commandments with his own finger (Exodus 31:18). So, the hand image is perfect. I love the depiction of the head of Moses here. Those don’t look like horns. They also don’t look like light. They look like . . . a crown. Moses is no king, but he represents royal humanity. When we receive God’s laws from God’s own hand, we are in fact royalty, even if just for a moment. In “Moses II,” Moses cradles the commandments like a baby. No sense that they’re heavy stone things with him buckled under the weight. No, they’re almost convenient to carry—an easy burden, a light yoke. He’s looking up to God with eagerness, listening to the rest of the commands outlined in the Torah. The tablets have the 10; there are 603 more to go. Moses will write those down later. I love his look of attentiveness, of total focus on God. Moses looks to God, and we look to what Moses writes. That’s what Jews and Christians alike do when we listen to God’s word. In “Moses III,” Moses has turned to us. He has listened to God, received the tablets, heard the rest of the Torah, and now he turns to show us what he’s learned, what we stand to learn. His eyes are huge. Moses is watching to see whether we’ll heed God’s commands. And I think the early returns aren’t good. In the previous two images, Chagall had used peaceful blue and purple to mark the giving of the law. In this image, there is also the eruption of a little red around the tablets. Moses looks at us dispassionately, but we might anticipate this isn’t going to go well. And finally: “Moses I.” Moses looks furious. All red. Eyebrows angry. The horns or light are back with a vengeance. And Moses is nothing but rage. The background, the orange in his face, the hot red. I suggest this is the moment when Moses descends the mountain, and all Israel has risen up to play. In his long absence they’ve worried he’s gone. They’ve leaned on Aaron to “make gods for us,” the definition of idolatry. And Aaron has, taking their gold to the smelter. The people praise the golden calf as the one who brought them out of Egypt. Now, first, God’s blood had boiled. He’d seen this all from the top of
“Moses I,” 1956
Mt Sinai, and Moses had to talk him out of killing Israel. God wanted to start over with a clean slate and make of Moses a great nation. And Moses, like Abraham had before him, talks God down. “No, God, you don’t want to kill them, you don’t want Egypt saying you led Israel into the desert to murder them, do you?” And God says, “You’re right.” Moses stands in the gap for the people and saves their lives. But then Moses sees the people with his own enormous eyes, and he loses his mind. He smashes the tablets, grinds up the calf, and makes the people drink it. He leads the Levites to destroy the rebels. Many die of plague. Mass hysteria. Moses gets angrier than God ever did. It’s a good reminder for us religious types. God may get angry for a moment, but God forgives much faster than we do. It’s we religious folks, like Moses, who tend to get angry and stay
that way, to do harm and kill in God’s name when God never asks us to. I take Moses here as an icon of human overreaction in God’s name. And Chagall may even be savvy to this. In the blue of the tablets in “Moses I” you might see the image of a man. He looks like he’s dancing. Or maybe on a cross. Moses might be angry, but the God rendered in the law has returned to a place of grace, of mercy. The John 3:16 of the Old Testament is this, from Moses, “The Lord, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Exodus 34:6–7). Moses indeed goes nuclear in response to Israel’s sin, to ours. But God does not. God responds with mercy rather than the terror we deserve. And that’s the Gospel whether it comes from the New Testament or the Old. 13
Acacia Café receives warm Wycliffe welcome The long-standing, well-loved Innis Café has found a new home and taken on a new name at Wycliffe College. By Karen Stiller
Damon Shahidi knows the power of a good meal for creating and nourishing community—both literally and figuratively. Damon is a chef with the newly launched Acacia Café and a member of the Shahidi family—the family behind Wycliffe’s new on-site restaurant, serving homecooked food across the refectory’s new, gleaming white counters. “We’re a family business,” says Damon. “People enjoy coming and talking to the staff. We train them to be friendly and treat people like they’d like to be treated, and that plays in with how we build community. A lot of the students are away from home, and it’s nice for them to have somewhere to go where they know the people and can get good food.” After 23 years of running the popular Innis Café in Innis College at the University of Toronto, the Shahidi family are experts at food and at creating a haven for students. Last spring, a large construction and renovation project 14
brought the family’s lease with the University to an end. A firestorm of protest erupted as a loyal student body fought to keep the beloved café alive; a student-led petition to keep the café on campus garnered more than 4,500 signatures.
for the Shahidi family and for Wycliffe. Wycliffe’s student body hasn’t had access to a means to purchase food in the College since the pandemic. Kirk brought the possibility of Wycliffe hosting a transplanted, re-named café to Wycliffe’s attention. Wycliffe was keen.
“We had an enormous amount of support from the University community,” says Gunash Shahidi, co-owner of the small restaurant. “It was a long-time customer who started the petition. We knew her since she started at U of T years ago, and she’s now completed her PhD. This is one of the reasons that community is so important to us, because it touches many people and creates positive memories for the students. We believe that food can bring people together, especially for those who are away from their families.”
“They’re a well-liked fixture on campus and we’re lucky to have them here,” says Steve Hewko, Program Director at Wycliffe. “They’re family oriented and friendly, and they’re all about healthy food. It fits in well with the community. It’s great food,” he adds. “They have good smoothies and fresh baked goods. I know Wycliffe staff are excited. Everyone is looking forward to the refectory being a gathering place for people again.”
The student outcry caught the attention of part-time Wycliffe student and York University professor Kirk Vandezande, who saw the potential for a win-win
Damon and his family are also excited about drawing an even wider community of students and U of T faculty and staff into Wycliffe, as well as serving Wycliffe students already familiar with the charms of the refectory and the historic Wycliffe building. “We’re
looking forward to people coming and making Wycliffe a hub again. It’s such a beautiful building, with so much history. When we’re doing our ads, we will tell people to come and visit the historic Wycliffe College. And, of course, we have great food,” says Damon. Not surprisingly, the food enthuses the Shahidi son. “In the mornings we do a lot of breakfast plates, a grilled omelet sandwich, a veggie omelet with cheese grilled in the panini press, and an egg and bacon club. We do a barbeque chicken, a jerk chicken, chicken kebabs, burritos, and quesadillas, which are very popular,” Damon explains. “We have salads. The freshly squeezed juices and especially the smoothies are very popular. It’s all fruit, frozen yogurt, banana, and juice. It’s a balanced menu. Anybody who is looking for something will be able to find it on our menu.”
Gunash shares that the family was familiar with Wycliffe College before moving here. “Since moving here, we have learned more about Wycliffe and love the feeling of community here. Wycliffe is very different from Innis. We have more to work with here at Wycliffe, in terms of space and services we can offer. We’re very excited to be here. We’re in a new environment, so that feels like a fresh start.” Renaming the business from Innis Café to Acacia Café was a thoughtful part of the process, says Gunash. “We had many names picked out for the café at Wycliffe. We had to go through a lot of different ones as we chose. We wanted something that not only resonated with us, but also with the College. Acacia was the one that resonated with us the most,” she explains. “Not only is acacia a beautiful tree, but it also has references in the Bible. It’s a strong tree. It’s a beautiful
tree, with flowers during one season. We’re going to use that as a brand name for us as well.” Relocating from Innis College, one of the smallest colleges in the University’s Faculty of Arts and Science, into an Anglican seminary at the heart of the campus was a big change for the café crew, but it feels right. “Being at Wycliffe will definitely be a different experience, in a positive sense. We are looking forward to being a part of this College. We had a church on Sundays at Innis that we served for many years, and we appreciate a Christian community,” says Gunash. “Everybody has been welcoming. It makes a huge difference. It makes us want to do even more. We are very grateful to be at Wycliffe and are very excited to start a new adventure.”
Chef Damon Shahidi and Dr Stephen Chester serve food to Dr Marion Taylor at a Wycliffe welcome event. 15
What is the Ministry Apprenticeship Program? A Q&A with Associate Priest of St Paul’s Bloor Street the Rev. Dr Tyler Wigg-Stevenson about a new initiative that allows young people discerning God’s call to experience a taste of church ministry leadership and seminary study at Wycliffe. Q: What need do you hope the new Ministry Apprenticeship Program will meet? A: There’s a crisis of vocation that’s facing the church today. We have more clergy retiring than we have signing up to ordained ministry, and something needs to be done about that. I hope that for recent university graduates and people in their 20s still working out what their career will be, the Ministry Apprenticeship Program (MAP) will create possibilities to consider a life in ordained ministry. We want to give that opportunity to young people who might not otherwise consider it. One of our aspirations is to encourage racial and economic justice as part of the program. We will be intentional
16
in our recruiting about trying to raise up applicants who come from groups currently underrepresented in church leadership, and make sure that this is a program available to young people regardless of economic situation. That’s why it’s fully funded, thanks to the generosity of the St Paul’s congregation. The program includes room and board and a modest monthly stipend. So, while no one is going to get rich in their MAP year, neither will it drain their savings or impoverish them. We want to make sure that the doors are wide open for potential future church leaders. The path into ordained ministry, which runs through a three-year Master of Divinity program, is a pretty high bar to clear if you’re not entirely sure. For many people that’s difficult—committing to a program, taking on financial loans,
moving to a new place. You have to know that you want to do that. We hope MAP will be a testing ground. Q: How did MAP come about? A: The former rector of St Paul’s Bloor Street, Canon Barry Parker, raised quite a lot of money for a Ministry Apprenticeship Program, but then the pandemic struck, and he was also on the cusp of retirement. So, when Bishop Jenny [Andison] came to St Paul’s and I followed shortly thereafter, we inherited this concept and pool of money. We put our heads together and discerned what the focus of the program would be, based on that crisis of vocation that I mentioned. We spent a year developing the concept with our lay leadership, thinking about what is the particular
spiritual DNA that St Paul’s is able to pass along, and then launched the program this year. We are excited to have just welcomed our first apprentice; she’s moved into Wycliffe and will be with us through next summer. We’re looking forward now to our first full year of recruiting, and hopefully getting a good crop of applicants, from which we’ll select a cohort of three to five apprentices for 2024–2025. Q: What does the program entail? A: The program is a year-long, full-time apprenticeship at St Paul’s. The full-time commitment is broken into three parts. Roughly half will be ministry service at the church. Apprentices will run the gamut of all the things that constitute vibrant urban ministry at St Paul’s. We are a growing and extremely diverse congregation, so I think we have a lot to share with the apprentices. This includes leading in worship and finding occasions for speaking, participating in the liturgy, serving in the various music ministries, children’s ministry, youth ministry, our outreach programs, Alpha, and our digital ministry that is a legacy from the COVID lockdown. They will experience the full range of what it looks like to be engaged in dynamic urban ministry. My intent is that the apprentices see whether they can picture themselves operating in a ministry environment over the long haul.
The other aspects are study—they will audit a class at Wycliffe for each of the two semesters they are there, as well as some independent study with a cohort that I will lead. And, finally, spiritual formation. One of the hallmarks of St Paul’s is the “Rhythm of Life.” These are five ancient spiritual practices that have guided Christians for centuries. It’s very similar to the Rule of Life that the Book of Common Prayer encourages all Christians to develop. It’s worship, prayer and study, service, generosity, and faithful living. What we want to do is equip the students to have this Jesusoriented rhythm of life that will serve them over a lifetime of ministry. One of the things I’m also excited about is that St Paul’s is recruiting lay mentors who can be conversation partners for them as they think through this discernment. So they will not only talk to ordained people, but they have members of the congregation who can help guide them in that process. Q: How will the connection between St Paul’s and Wycliffe College benefit the apprentices? A: We’re delighted that Wycliffe has agreed to partner with us in this and invited our apprentices to live as part of the Wycliffe community. We think it is important that the apprentices live and work together, and Wycliffe is the
perfect place for that. Not only does it give them the place to be in each other’s company, but it puts them in an existing community at a seminary that’s potentially the next step that they would take on their vocational journey. They can see what it’s like to be in a seminary community and to experience seminary classes. Q: What should someone do if they know of a potential applicant? A: What I’m really hoping is that pastors who have a passion for vocation will hear of this program, think of a young person in their community for whom this might be a good fit, and use this as an opportunity to encourage that person. To say, “What if you took a year to test this out?” I’m hoping that we’re going to get applications from people who are referred from older leaders in their lives who can say, “I think this could be good for you.” Please do encourage them to check it out online: stpaulsbloor/map.
The Rev. Dr Tyler Wigg-Stevenson is Associate Priest and MAP Director at St Paul’s Bloor Street in Toronto. He was a Wycliffe student while doing his doctoral work in theology at the Toronto School of Theology, and is an adjunct Wycliffe faculty member.
The Rt Rev. Jenny Andison (left), and the Rev. Dr Tyler Wigg-Stevenson (right) at St Paul’s Bloor Street in Toronto. Photos by Dewey Chang and provided by St Paul’s. 17
DONOR & ALUMNI FOCUS
Mark Boundy An unfettered mind, a life of service to others By Patricia Paddey
1958, while on a train from Montreal to Toronto heading back to school, he encountered Dr Ramsey Armitage, Wycliffe’s principal at the time. “He was a very tall, very good-looking senior clergyman,” Mark remembers. “He was a very impressive and fine person. I could not forget him.” Then in 1975, he spent three-and-a-half months volunteering with a missionary society affiliated with the Diocese of Montreal called The Fellowship of the West (1928–1978). In charge of a fourpoint parish in the Diocese of Athabasca, he drove 100 miles every Sunday, paying for his own gas as he travelled from congregation to congregation. “The nearest cleric to me was a woman deacon, who was a graduate of Wycliffe.” That woman was the Rev. Canon Phyllis Lock (W72), a person he remembers as exemplary. “She could not be ordained priest because at that time there were no women priests.” Mark Boundy has always been an independent thinker. Perhaps it comes from living a life of independence; an only child who never married, at 81 he lives alone in Montreal, the city where he has spent most of his years. A selfdescribed “avid reader,” (especially of church history) he inhabits five-anda-half rooms, “and every space is filled with books,” he says. One of his current reads is The Enduring Word: A Centennial History of Wycliffe College (University of Toronto, 1978, Arnold Edinborough, ed.). “I had to get myself ready for this interview,” he explains. His independence of thought was evident early. Much to the dismay of his parents, he refused to be confirmed when most of the other boys were doing so at Trinity College School—an Anglican boarding 18
school in Port Hope, ON, where he lived and studied during his high school years. (He was eventually confirmed at the age of 21, when he believed the time to be right.) That he financially supports Wycliffe College—an institution at which he has never studied, and one that he has never even visited—also points to his unfettered mind. It is the only theological college to which he gives. He says he does so, “Because I think that Wycliffe has a very high standard of training. The church is struggling. It has lots of problems. But problems will only be alleviated if men and women are given proper training. And I’ve been impressed with any [Wycliffe] graduate I’ve met.” Over the years, he has crossed paths with more than a few. In September
He would go on to earn a Bachelor of Theology from McGill, having previously earned a Bachelor of Arts from Sir George Williams University (now Concordia). But his life has revolved around service to others, and he has devoted a great deal of time to working on housing and other social issues and with people who are blind and physically challenged (especially, those with quadriplegia and paraplegia). “I don’t really think I’ve ever retired,” Mark says. “This morning I was up just after six. If you look for something to do, there’s always something to do.” One of the things he has found to do over the past two decades is to support Wycliffe College. “I won’t be here when Wycliffe has its 200th anniversary,” he says. “But I want to see Wycliffe go on.”
FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL ESTATE PLANNING with a Certified Financial Planner Did you know that through Wycliffe’s new partnership with Advisors with Purpose, we are now able to offer Wycliffe Alumni, students, donors, faculty, and staff access to certified financial planners to help you create or revise a personalized plan for your Will? Nearly sixty percent of Canadians lack a current, up-to-date Will—or have no Will at all. If your Will is the last statement you will make, it is important that it be reflective of your priorities. Many people are not aware of the benefits of good planning, the variety of options and choices available, and the
potential tax benefits that exist. Our new partners at Advisors with Purpose can discuss your unique situation and help you create a fully personalized estate plan. This will be a completely confidential conversation.
There is no cost or obligation to you, and no one will try to sell you anything. Whether your estate is large or small, you can benefit from these services. Don’t wait—create a plan that will ensure the legacy you wish to leave.
For more information, email plan@advisorswithpurpose.ca or call (866) 336-3315.
Nominate a Wycliffe Alum for the Harry St. Clair Hilchey Award Nominations are now open to recognize Wycliffe Alumni for outstanding service in the name of Jesus in social, professional, and/or academic circles. All nominations should by submitted by January 10, 2024. Visit www.wycliffecollege.ca/alumni/awards to see the full criteria and complete your nomination.
Thank you for your generous support of Wycliffe College. As we pause at year-end to take stock of what we do, of how we can improve, and of why we do what we do, we want to thank you for your generous support. Your gifts make rigorous theological education more accessible to those whom Christ has called at a time when it is much needed in our churches and our world. You are making an investment in the future of the church, and we are grateful for your partnership in this mission. If you’d like to give a year-end donation to Wycliffe, visit www.wycliffecollege.ca and click on the “Give to Wycliffe” link. Thank you! Shelley D. McLagan Director of Development 19
Share This Magazine Would you help our family grow? We are always looking to expand the reach of the College and share with others the things that God is doing through Wycliffe. If you would like additional copies of this magazine to pass along to friends who are unfamiliar with Wycliffe College, please email us at alumni@wycliffe.utoronto.ca and we will be happy to send them. Thank you.
Join the Wycliffe College Alumni Association Facebook Group For continued connection and interaction with Wycliffe and our Alumni, we hope you’ll join this private group on Facebook by searching “Wycliffe College Alumni Association” and sending us a request to join. Keep up to date on upcoming Wycliffe events, gain Alumni resources, and share support and encouragement with fellow Alumni.
The Wycliffe College Newsletter for Alumni and Friends October 2023, No. 94
ISSN 1192-2761 (Print) ISSN 2563-2892 (Online)
Inight EDITORIAL BOARD
CONTRIBUTORS
The Rev. Aidan Armstrong Connie Chan Jeffrey Hocking Shelley McLagan Patti Smyth Dr Marion Taylor The Rev. Dr Lissa Wray Beal
The Rt Rev. Dr Stephen G.W. Andrews The Rev. Dr Jason Byassee Shih-En Kuo Rajini Lyman Shelley McLagan Patricia Paddey Dan Price Karen Stiller Melissa Stratis The Rev. Dr Tyler Wigg-Stevenson Su-Yuan Yang
Connect with us:
COMMENTS/QUESTIONS:
DESIGN: wishart.net
Shelley D. McLagan Director of Development Wycliffe College 5 Hoskin Avenue, Toronto, ON M5S 1H7
shelley.mclagan@wycliffe.utoronto.ca (416) 946-3524 www.wycliffecollege.ca
UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION: Wycliffe College Development Office
alumni@wycliffe.utoronto.ca (416) 946–3549
FRONT COVER IMAGE:
Marc Chagall, “Abraham and Sarah,” 1956 From May to October 2023, in partnership with IMAGO Arts, Wycliffe brought a fascinating exhibition titled “Marc Chagall and the Bible” from the Bowden Collections to the Canadian public for the first time. The exhibition showcased 58 etchings and lithographs by the legendary artist Marc Chagall (1887–1985).