ANGLICANLife
5
October 2009
Mission is not our idea - it is God’s “Mission is not our idea; It is God’s” When I came across this line, I said “Thanks be to God”. Much of what I see and read gives the impression that Mission is our idea and that it has only occurred to us in this generation. Additionally, it is considered by many to be one of the programs of the Church almost like a side order of French fries – an option. If we read the Scriptures we know that can never be the case. From Genesis to Revelation we come to the conclusion that our God is an awesome God and the God of
Mission. As Tim Dearborn says “it is not the Church of God that has a mission in the world, but the God of Mission who has a Church in the World”. The most important thing is not the Church but the world. “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life” (John 3:16). We are a sent people in the name of our Lord - that is what the word mission means in our context. For some the Church is a building, a priest, and enough laity to pay the bills. We are called to be much more than
that. We are called to journey with people so that together we are empowered and equipped to do God’s work in the world. We have heard a little bit about what is called “Fresh Expressions of Church”. A fresh expression of Church is a form of Church for our changing culture established primarily for the benefit of people who are not yet members of any Church. This can happen in any community of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is encouraging to see what is already developing in several parishes. This is exciting. We hear more and more
about the New Testament model of Church Planting. Church Planting has to do with accompanying people as they establish a relationship with Jesus Christ. It has little to do with shifting established believers around from one jurisdiction to another. Mission is God’s work and plan. We are commissioned to share in that work which very often involves change and transformation. This process for Christians is grounded in the Cross of Jesus. It includes grief, conflict and suffering. It always results in resurrection and new life. We will always be chal-
bishop’s letter
Bishop Cyrus Pitman Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland & Labrador
lenged to work toward a Church that cares passionately about what God cares about. That needs to be at the heart of our response to sharing in God’s Mission.
Ministry in Rose Blanche Do you know these clergy?
On Sunday, June 7 at Saint Michael and All Angels’ Church, Rose Blanche, ACW officers were installed, Licensed Lay Ministers were commissioned, and two people were thanked and honoured for their service to the Church. Back row (left to right): Edith Leamon, Lay Reader & Pastoral Visitor; Victoria Savoury, Lay Reader, Eucharistic Assistant & Pastoral Visitor; June Hardy, Pastoral Visitor; Vera Clarke, Pastoral Visitor & ACW President; Joanne Savoury, Pastoral Visitor. Front row (left to right): Father Andrew Nussey, Rector; Judy Francis (12 years of service as church treasurer); Sebina Keeping, ACW Secretary & Social Concern Officer; Marlene Williams, ACW Treasurer; Sandra Hardy, ACW First Vice-President; Florence Parsons, Altar Guild President; Joan Durnford, Family Life Officer; Audrey Best, Family Life Officer; Walter Keeping (Lay Reader for 50 years at the church; 54 years in total). Absent: Phyllis Parsons, ACW Second Vice-President. Photo: Brodie Thomas
In the photo above, the person seated centre is Bishop Philip Abraham. Can you identify the other remaining five clergy? Send your answers to samrose@nl.rogers.com Photo courtesy of Eastern Diocesan Archives