Saskatchewan
anglican
The newspaper of the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle • A Section of the Anglican Journal • December 2019
St. Giles buys the farm, and then some By Wendy Godfrey ESTEVAN (Qu’A) — Last year St. Giles Anglican Church decided to fundraise to buy a farm through the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) World of Gifts. The farm included a cow, a goat, two pigs, five sheep, 40 chickens, 20 guinea fowl, a 20-kilogram bag of seed and some farming tools — all items needed for people in Third World countries to be able to feed their families and make a living. The cost of a farm was $470. Once it was announced, the people of St. Giles stepped up to make it happen. A farm-yard collection box was made and through the generosity of parishioners the parish was able to purchase not one, but three entire farms, as well as one Continued on page 4
Hanging of the Greens
The Hanging of the Greens is a tradition in many Anglican parishes, and often features the children of the parish decorating a Christmas tree, while the religious significant of the ornaments is explained. Keira McIlmoyl places a dove on the tree at St. Luke, Regina, assisted by her sister, Lucy, behind her. Photo by Nigel Salway
Diocese sells synod office and moves to cathedral By Mary Brown PRINCE ALBERT — In 1998 the Diocese of Saskatchewan Synod Office was located in an old threestorey house on the West Hill in Prince Albert. In January of that year I started work as the bishop’s secretary in that office. By June of 1998 we moved to a new location on Fifth Street East. It was a big job to move years of stuff. We had an auction to sell off many items that had been stored in the basement. The auctioneer’s eyes lit up when he saw the dinky toys in their original box
that had never been played with, as they were in Christmas wrapping paper destined for children in the north in the 1950s. Before moving into the new office Don Smith, who was on the executive committee at the time, organized a crew to paint and fix up the new space. A few years ago, two members of the executive committee did a thorough
comparison between the synod office and St. Alban’s Cathedral office space. Their job was to investigate
the feasibility of moving the bishop’s offices and archives department into St. Alban’s. It turned out that there was not much difference between the two locations. The diocese has decided to sell the synod office as “One of Prince Albert’s Premiere Freestanding Office Buildings” and is asking $459,000.
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The description states: 5,689 square feet architecturally designed building, built in 1981 to provincial government standards, exceptional design, wheelchair accessible, large gracious reception area with adjacent secure storage, spacious functional boardroom for up to 15 to 20 people, seven existing offices on exterior walls all offering windows with natural light, spacious filing areas, loading dock from onsite partially fenced and paved electrified parking lot. It was an ideal office in which to work, from Continued on page 6
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The Holy Spirit gives profound experiences What spiritual disciplines do you attempt to follow? By the Rev. Dave Tyler
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piritual disciplines evolve through the stages of life’s journey and are different for each person. I became a Christian mid-life after experiencing a profound conversion experience as the frustrations of career and financial responsibilities overwhelmed me. I did not choose spiritual enlightenment, it chose me! Similar to St. Paul on the road to Damascus I encountered Christ, who reached out and led me to many lifechanging encounters. I had little knowledge of the Bible and spiritual disciplines. However, it was a fast learning curve and the Alpha program that came flooding out of England in 1993 was a wonderful way to learn the basics of the Christian faith, spirituality and discipleship. Joining a Bible study group was also new to me and I was lucky to join an excellent one with regular
opportunities to share life experiences followed by prayer for each other and the world around us. Next came the Order of St. Luke, a ministry of healing that initially involved a study of each healing miracle Jesus performed. As a scientist and clinician working in medical science I was confronted with vivid contrasts between science and a faith-based approach to healing and miracles. My wife and I also joined Marriage Encounter. Christian couples from several churches in the city met regularly after an initial weekend immersion course. In friendship and meals shared together we explored dimensions of married life, deepening the bonds of love while studying marriage and life’s struggles in a safe Christian-based environment. My spirituality took a massive leap forward as the Church and I discerned a calling for me to enter ordained ministry. I started taking classes in the College of Emmanuel and St Chad; exploring the Book of Common Prayer
Preparing for Christmas By Ruth Skinner I was thinking, the other day, about the most memorable Christmas card I ever received. It was a hand-made card, and although it was charming, it was the lack of predetermined sentiment which made that notable. The card was from a friend who I’ve known for many years and with whom I’ve shared many a deep conversation. The inside said something to the effect of: As you prepare for Christmas, think of what John the Baptist told people to do in order to prepare for Jesus’ coming — Repent! The card made me smile for two reasons. First, the juxtaposition between the message in this card and the normal Christmas card message was laughable. I know the sender knew me well enough to assume I would see the humour in that. But secondly,
this dear friend knew me well enough to know that not only would I not find it offensive, but I would appreciate the challenge to pull my head out of the wrapping paper, party invitations and tinsel, and think about what really matters most in preparing for the coming of our Lord. What gets in the way of my relationship with Him? What takes priority in practice, even if not in theory? Do I have any fears or biases or habits that I need to do something about? What things in my life might I madly try to stuff in a metaphorical closet if I knew Jesus would be coming for a visit? If I take an honest inventory in my life, there is always room for improvement. So, this year, I plan to add another item to my Christmas to-do list. I will prayerfully consider what I can do to make my heart a more welcoming place for my Saviour.
and the Book of Alternative Services; participating in formal services in the seminary, developing a regular habit of reading the Bible; praying; experiencing the daily offices; and assisting at Eucharists. Preaching became a deeply spiritual experience while reflecting on the readings assigned for each day and the intersection of biblical storytelling with events both past and present. Writing a sermon remains one of my most fulfilling spiritual disciplines, allowing God to direct that process and take me to places, sometimes unexpected often painful, but constantly encouraging me to grow. Each encounter with the same Scripture as it appears in the lectionary is fresh and takes me to new places. Since ordination I have been fortunate to have experienced parish ministry in short incumbencies, interims as well as semi-retired, honorary positions. I still experience the thrill of the Spirit moving in so many aspects of
life in the church and in ministry. Pastoral care and praying with and for people living through the cycles of life remains a rich spiritual well, both exhausting at times as well as uplifting. I have developed a passion for creative writing of short stories, memoirs and reflections on life’s journey. They provide spiritual rushes that motivate me to read not only the Bible but also fiction and inspirational biographies of the many saints who have laid the foundations of our beliefs and practices. Spiritually, I have developed a multidisciplinary approach, because I find the Spirit wherever it takes me. Sometimes it is to the profound mountaintop experience of a silent retreat, or walking on the beach with my wife, or watching the sparrows bathing in our bird bath and seeing them loving life in all its abundance. “The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit” John 3:8.
DIOCESE OF QU’APPELLE
Diocese sees changes in clergy personnel g Clergy changes Rev. Dell Bornowsky (retired) is licensed as associate priest for the parish of Plain and Valley (Lumsden, Kennel and Pense). Archdeacon Catherine Harper has been appointed to the Senate of the College of Emmanuel and St. Chad. Rev. Zsofi Schmiedge (ELCIC) is appointed part-time interim priest at All Saints, Regina, for a two-year term, beginning Oct. 1. Rev. Kim Sherwin is Archdeacon of St. Columba Archdeaconry, which covers the northeast area of the Diocese of Qu’Appelle. Sherwin has served the full communion parish in Melville for the past 12 years, and is chair of the Interchurch-Interfaith Committee diocesan rep-
resentative on LUARC (Lutheran-Ukrainian Catholic-Anglican-Roman Catholic) committee. Rev. Murray Wright has relinquished the exercise of ministry, and is no longer a licensed priest in the Anglican Church of Canada. Wright thanked the diocese for his time in the Anglican church, as he seeks God’s direction for the future. Rev. Nancy Yee, parttime interim priest for the parishes of St. James and St. Philip, Regina, has been appointed to part-time Urban Indigenous ministries. g Obituary John Young, husband of Rev. Vicki Young of the Parish of Good Shepherd, died Sept. 9.
Published by the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle. Published monthly except for July and August. Whole No. 292, Vol. 48, No. 4 A Section of the Anglican Journal SUBSCRIPTIONS For change of address, undeliverable copies and subscription list updates, contact: • Your parish • e-mail: circulation @national.anglican.ca • Or send to Saskatchewan Anglican, c/o Anglican Journal, 80 Hayden Street, Toronto, Ont. M4Y 3G2 RATES $10 in Canada $17 outside Canada SUBMISSIONS Submissions for the February issue must be received by the diocesan editor no later than Jan. 24.. All pictures must be sent as JPEGS and 1 MB (megabyte) in size. CONTACT INFORMATION Managing Editor: Jason Antonio SKAnglicanEditor@gmail. com 1501 College Ave Regina, Sask., S4P 1B8 Phone: 306-737-4898 Qu’Appelle: Joanne Shurvin-Martin joannesm@myaccess.ca 6927 Farrell Bay Regina, Sask., S4X 3V4 Phone: 306-775-2629 Saskatoon: Peter Coolen ptrcoolen@sasktel.net 820 Avenue I South, Saskatoon, Sask., S7M 1Z3 Phone: 306-244-0935, Saskatchewan: Mary Brown mary1949brown@gmail.com Box 25, Shellbrook, Sask., S0J 2E0 306-922-5159 Advertising agent: Angela Rush saskatchewan.anglican.ads@ gmail.com 905-630-0390 PUBLISHING DETAILS Published from 59 Roberts Place Regina, Sask., S4T 6K5
December 2019
The Saskatchewan Anglican
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The Bishop's Corner
Look up, but don't forget to look in By Bishop Rob Hardwick
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n many of the Advent Bible readings, we read that there will be signs in the sun, moon and stars, foretelling that Jesus is coming, that our redemption is drawing near. Jesus told His generation to watch; to watch for His return. We, too, are bid to be watchful. We watch the heavens because there will be signs of our redemption, and secondly, we watch on Earth. It, too, is a witness of things to come (Matthew 24). The weather, the fig tree, immoral living, lawlessness, wars, sacrilege and false prophets are all signs. Jesus seems to suggest that when nature and the world are in chaos the birth pangs of the end are near. But when has the world not been in chaos? World wars; climate change; natural disasters; epidemics; chaos alone does not seem to foretell the end.
Some point to progress as if it is a sign. But when has there not been progress? Martin Luther, the protestant reformer of the 1500s, thought that the signs on Earth were pointing to Christ’s immediate coming. In his sermon on Luke 21, Luther wrote: ‘There has never been such building and planting in the world. There has never been such gluttonous and varied eating and drinking as now. Wearing apparel has reached its limit in costliness. Who has ever heard of such commerce as now encircles the earth?
There have arisen all kinds of art and sculpture, embroidery and engraving, the like of which has not been seen during the whole Christian era. In addition, men are so delving into the mysteries of things that today a boy of 20 knows more than 20 doctors formerly knew. This compels me to believe that Christ will soon come to judgment.’ Sound familiar? As great a mind as Luther had, he could not have imagined the world today, so what is this sign, if not these things? I think when the signs are here it will not take a theologian to interpret them. Every person will know. You won’t need a PhD in New Testament Studies to conclude the end is near. On that day we are told, ‘stand up, lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near’ (Luke 21:28). Till that time let me remind you of the Good News. Yes, signs of our redemption may be written in the heavens one day, and witnessed
on Earth, but those signs are secondary. The real signs of Jesus’ coming is in the heart of every believer. If you want the assurance of redemption you might look up, but don’t forget to look in. Jesus warned His disciples to be careful with their hearts (John 14). To not let them be weighed down with the anxieties of life but to trust in the One who is to come, and to faithfully live out our lives like the good steward. To be about the Lord’s work till He comes again. So this Advent, be watchful, prayerful and look heavenward, by all means, but do not neglect to share the hope you have within you, for there are many people searching for hope in these sometimes dark and turbulent days. Point them to the One — Jesus — who will come again in glory, so that they will also know there is nothing to fear and that their redemption is also near.
Iron gates dedicated in service at St. Stephen's, Merrill By David Christensen MERRILL (S’toon) — During Harvest Festival Sunday on Sept. 29 at St. Stephen’s, Merrill was celebrated by a service of Evening Prayer led by Archdeacon Daniel Hughes, with the sermon preached by the Rev. Canon Colin Clay; these two clergy are responsible for the worship at St Stephen’s. At the service, the small church, filled for Evening Prayer, resounded with harvest hymns led by Randy Rooke on the organ. After the service, everyone assembled at the entrance to the churchyard for the dedication of the new wrought-iron gates to the churchyard that had generously donated by Maggie Robertson and her family in memory of her late husband, Donald J. Robertson, a past faithful member of the community. Bishop Rodney Andrews, a frequent member of the congregation, dedicated the gates along with Archdeacon Daniel Hughes, the Rev. Canon Colin Clay and Mrs. Robertson, members of the
On Sept. 29, after an Evening Prayer service celebrating Harvest Festival, a memorial gate at the entrance of the churchyard, was dedicated in memory of Donald J. Robertson by Bishop Rodney Andrews (left) who was assisted by the Ven. Dan Hughes (right), as well as Donald Robertson’s wife, Maggie, members of the Robertson family, as well as friends and parishioners. Photos by David Christensen family and the parish. After the dedication everyone adjourned to the former one-room Merrill schoolhouse — where some of the members once attended school — for a reception and refreshments. The small church of St. Stephen’s, Merrill was built in 1907, when there was a fair size community in the area. Along with a beautiful
churchyard, in addition to the church building, there is a small wooden
building that was at one time used for the Sunday school. Since there is no running water or electricity available, the church is only used twice a month during the summer; the service on Sept. 29 was the final service of worship until May 2020. The only exception to this schedule will be, if the weather is not excep-
tionally cold on Christmas Eve, a Christmas Carol service will be held with the assistance of a propane stove Donald J. Robertson lived in the Merrill District for 35 years; he was founder of Robertson Valley Farm, The Valley Road Association and a partner in the Merrill Hills Subdivision. He died in 2016 and is interred in the cemetery that surrounds the St. Stephen’s, Merrill church building. The Donald J. Roberson Memorial Gate was designed by Don’s friend and brother-in-law, internationally renowned Canadian artist, Mel Heath. Don had immense pride in his Scottish heritage; that is the reason for the thistle, the national emblem of Scotland, is used as the central design on the gates. The gates were manufactured and installed by Merrill residents Ron and Tim Abramoff, replicating Mel Health’s design perfectly; they used their exceptional skills to ensure that the Memorial Gate will endure as a fitting tribute to Don’s memory for many years to come.
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... St. Giles Continued from page 1 goat, five sheep, 20 guinea fowl and a 20-kg bag of seeds. This year St. Giles hopes to raise enough to buy more farms, animals and seeds! It is challenging all other Anglican churches to join the parishioners. The hope is all churches will do some fundraising to help buy farms through PWRDF. St. Giles’ campaign will start at the beginning of Advent and will run until Easter Sunday. In this year’s World of Gifts, the farm package has a few different items and costs $450. The package receives a 6:1 Government of Canada matching grant to make up the full cost. See the World of Gifts insert included in your Anglican Journal, or check pwrdf.org/worldofgifts. St. Giles will be posting weekly updates on www. estevananglican.com. It hopes to hear how well other churches are doing too. If your church would like to take up the challenge and raise money to buy PWRDF farms, please email stgiles@sasktel.net.
Rebecca Duncan holds the little red barn collection box that St. Giles, Estevan used last year to collect enough money to buy three entire farms, and more, through PWRDF World of Gifts. The collection box is back in business this year and the parish is inviting all other Anglican churches to follow its example. Also pictured: (back) Wendy Godfrey, (front) William Duncan, Rachel Duncan and Archdeacon Wilma Woods. Photo by Margaret Duncan
DIOCESE OF SASKATOON
Announcements for December 2019 Saskatchewan Anglican online! Did you know that you can read current and past issues of the Saskatchewan Anglican online at https://issuu.com/ thesaskatchewananglican or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ saskatchewananglican or the Diocese of Saskatoon website at www.anglicandiocesesaskatoon. com/saskanglican? g What is our bishop up to? Check out the Bishop’s Calendar on the redesigned, new and improved diocesan website. g Celtic Evening Service in Saskatoon: The Celtic Evening Eucharist Service continues in its third year at St. George’s Anglican Church, 624 Ave. I South, Saskatoon. Services are held every Tuesday night at 7 p.m. g New School of Discipleship: The Diocese of Saskatoon is beginning a School of Discipleship that will consolidate the separate programs of Lay Reader and Locally Raised Clergy training; St. Bridget’s; and training in ministry support. Uptake for this School of Discipleship is expected to begin
in early 2020. For more information concerning the School of Discipleship please see the larger notice elsewhere in this issue and also see our events and lectures for “Preparing for Advent” advertised elsewhere in this issue. For more information on these or the School of Discipleship, please contact the School of Discipleship’s co-ordinator, the Rev. Dr. Trish McCarthy, at tmccarthy@sasktel.net or 306-3708378. g Seniors’ Lunch in Battleford: St. George’s Anglican Parish, Battleford holds a monthly seniors’ lunch the first Monday of each month. The food is provided by the parish members and is complementary. g Thinker’s Tea Party: A Thinker’s Tea Party lecture series will continue with “Science and Storytelling with Sandy Bonny” at the Refinery Theatre at 609 Dufferin Avenue, Saskatoon on Tuesday, Nov. 26 at 7 p.m., followed by tea and refreshments downstairs. Visit www.emmanuelrefinery.org for more information.
g Market and Tea at the Cathedral for Advent: The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist will be holding its pre-Advent market and sale on Saturday, Nov. 23 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the St. John’s Parish Hall, 816 Spadina Crescent East, Saskatoon. Featured will be baking, homemade turkey pies, jams, jellies and preserves, crafts, plants, Nu-2-U, children’s make ‘n’ take area. Tea tickets are $5. Parking is free. g Joys of the Season: Christ Church Anglican, Saskatoon, 515 28th Street West is having its annual “Joys of the Season” Christmas event on Saturday, Nov. 30 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event includes a festive luncheon with a bake sale, chicken pot pie sale, poinsettias and many great door prizes. g New Course in the Gospel of Matthew: The College of Emmanuel & St Chad is excited to announce that it will be hosting a week-long intensive course on the Gospel of Matthew from Jan. 6 to 10, 2020! In this class, students will be introduced to many topics, such
as how Matthew was composed; the social and religious context in which Matthew was written; the preaching style of Jesus; and the theological significance of the parables. The students will also learn several ways to incorporate Matthew’s Gospel into their own ministry and how it fits with our lectionary year. For questions and enrolment, please contact our registrar at esc. registrar@usask.ca. Also, please visit the college’s newly constructed Facebook page for updates and news about the college at www.facebook.com/ The-College-of-Emmanuel-StChad. Deadline To be included in a timely manner, brief notices should be sent to the Associate Editor by e-mail or “snail mail” by the last week of the month, two months before the month in which insertion is desired (for example, December submissions will be in the February issue). Detailed and longer texts of upcoming events will not be included here, but should space allow, could be the subject of article and notices elsewhere in the paper.
December 2019
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Excitement fills 100th anniversary event in Mont Nebo By Mary Brown MONT NEBO (Skwn) — As with most churches the history is about the people in the area. It is about their hard work to erect a building to be used in which to worship. One-hundred years ago the people in Mont Nebo decided to build a church. John McLean Cameron donated a portion of his land just above the “big hill.” George Young and his sons, Halfred and Frank, were the carpenters who built the church with help from many others. Halford Young built the railing and lectern and Dick Hatch built the altar. Of course, the ACW also played a major part in the completion of the church. Through fundraisers they purchased the furnishings for the church including an organ. In 1980 they had cement headstones made for any graves in the graveyard that did not have markers. The list of clergy who celebrated in this church is a long and prestigious record. To name a few the list includes Stan Cuthand, Andrew Ahenakew, W.E.J. Paul, Terry Weibe, William Rowe, Tom Morgan, James Isbister, Ian Luke Anthony Burton, and Michael Hawkins. The service was from the Book of Alternative Services with readings for a service of thanksgiving on the anniversary of a parish. The Rev. Ian Luke gave the sermon. He spoke of the seeds planted in him during his time as having grown in other ministries. The stories he remembers have shaped his attitude to ministry, and to this day, he will tell them to the students he is teaching and mentoring. He would arrive at the church at 1:30 p.m. for the 2 p.m. service, and by 1:40 p.m., people would be in their seats and would say to him, “You can start now Ian, nobody else is coming.” He would insist on waiting until 2 p.m., saying someone else could still arrive — but no one ever did. They were right. There are two lessons to this story: one, the congregation is always right, and two, how amazing it is when people’s faith is so integrated with their daily life that they know each other well enough to be able to look around and see
Parishioners and guests gather in St. Luke's, Mont Nebo before the start of the service that celebrated the parish's 100th anniversary. Photos by Mary Brown who’s here, who’s missing, who might still be on their way, and who was the last person to arrive. That faith was formed into that shape by having this church to come to. Rev. Luke concluded by saying that looking back and looking forward we have memories and we have hopes, maybe we have regrets and hopefully we have plans. But there is also one constant that connects us to our great-grandparents, to our grandchildren yet to be born, to the first disciples and to the last ones, whoever they may be — Jesus. He connects generation to generation, neighbour to neighbour, and earth to heaven. All those hopes, regrets, plans and memories are not just offerings we bring here to this place, either. They are also the lives into which Jesus sends us, like He sent people for centuries before us and will keep sending them to the end of time. Greetings were received from Doreen Becker in British Columbia, who wrote that the apostle St. Luke has been recorded as a man who was especially concerned with the least powerful of his time: women and children. She remembered arriving for a service and seeing four generations of women devotedly preparing the altar for the Eucharist. She had many fond memories of the devoted congregation and
Rev. Iain Luke, Bishop Michael Hawkins and Rev. Eyad Ajji gather for a picture after the service. a little mouse. The Rev. Tracey Smith was overjoyed to congratulate the members of St. Luke, Mont Nebo in their celebration of gathering for worship for 100 years. Bishop Anthony Burton remembered well the 80th anniversary celebration. One of the highlights that day was a conversation he had with the late Rev. Stan Cuthand in which he spoke of St. Luke’s history, in
part from first-hand experience, as a wonderful partnership between the First Nations and pioneer communities. Archdeacon Peter Boote wrote that when he thinks about Mont Nebo, he thinks of the faithful few who worked tirelessly to keep the church going and to be a presence in the community. They were few in number, well into their senior years, but big in heart, sprit and generosity.
The church and graveyard were always kept in good order, which has special meaning to him as his late wife Mary Ann is buried there. Boote remembered conducting Bible studies at Alice’s house and was humbled to overhear one of the ladies say, “That was wonderful. I only wish I could remember what was said.” He was surprised when visiting Grace’s Continued on page 6
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The Saskatchewan Anglican
December 2019
New course given on Gospel of Matthew Submitted
Laura French had the task of matching individuals, taking into account when they stated they would prefer to meet, and ensuring that each member was from a different parish. She explained the process at the Trios’ kickoff day. Photo by Joanne Shurvin-Martin
'Trios' meet on journey of dialogue, discernment, discovery By Joanne Shurvin-Martin REGINA — As part of the discernment process for the future of the seven Anglican parishes in the City of Regina, parishioners and clergy met in groups of three for Share and Prayer Trios. Each Trio participated in six guided discussions, following an outline for each session including Scriptures to read and discuss, and prayers and questions to answer. The answers were sent to the archdeaconry Growth, Vision and Min-
istry Group. This feedback is helping to guide the archdeaconry toward the future. The kickoff for the Trios was held Oct. 7 at All Saints, with 77 attending. Following an ice-breaker activity and a demonstration of how the Trio meetings were to be conducted, individuals met their trio groups and set their first meeting date.
All the discussions were to be completed by mid-November, with each group setting its own schedule. Members of the Trios were invited to attend the Archdeaconry Vision Day, to be held Nov. 30. Organizers are pleased with the response from across the city. More than 80 individuals registered to take part in a Trio, and 29 Trios have been formed. A few of those had only two members – therefore, Duos – at the kickoff date, to allow others to become involved. Clergy, active and retired, are involved in four clergy Trios.
SASKATOON — The College of Emmanuel & St Chad is excited to announce it will host a week-long intensive course on the Gospel of Matthew from Jan. 6 to 10, 2020. In this class, students will be introduced to many topics such as how Matthew was composed; the social and religious context in which Matthew was written; the preaching
style of Jesus; and the theological significance of the parables. The students will also learn several ways to incorporate Matthew’s Gospel into their own ministry and how it fits with our lectionary year. For questions and enrolment, please contact the registrar at esc. registrar@usask.ca. Also visit the college’s newly constructed Facebook page for updates.
... Mont Nebo 100th birthday Continued from page 5 house to be told to use the bathroom outside on a cold minus-25 day because the bathroom was out of order since the bath was full of chickens! There were many stories of faith and humour that day. The church was full of people from surrounding congregations in Leask, Shellbroook and Canwood and also ancestors of
the original founding members of the church. If it had been a nice day there would have been a potluck picnic on the grounds of the church. Everyone went to the hall in Mont Nebo to enjoy their lunch and see the old pictures on display. The history and people of this 100-year-old church are a testimony to the development of Saskatchewan and the country.
... Diocese sells office Continued from page 1 hosting meetings, Order of Saskatchewan teas, to putting together all the necessary paperwork for synods, ordinations and James Settee College sessions. So many other events, because of larger numbers, had to be held at St. Alban’s Cathedral,
which is as familiar to most, if not probably more, people in the diocese as the synod office. It will also eliminate all the trips made to the cathedral with everything necessary for the larger events. This will be an exciting new chapter in the life of the diocese for which they will need our prayers and support.
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The Saskatchewan Anglican
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A letter to new Catholic saint, John Henry Newman By the Rev. Marie Louise Ternier Editor’s Note: The following is a letter written by Marie Louise to Cardinal John Henry Newman (1801 – 1880) on the occasion of his canonization by the Roman Catholic Church on Oct. 13, 2019. St. John Henry Newman was described in a joint letter on Oct. 13 from our Primate, Linda Nichols. and Richard Gagnon, president, Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, as: “… a disciple of Jesus Christ who was uniquely graced by the Holy Spirit with many personal, intellectual, and spiritual gifts. Baptized into Christ in the Church of England, his particular journey of faithfulness, through the baptism we all share, would call him into service as a priest, scholar, and educator, and later as a Roman Catholic theologian and eventual member of the College of Cardinals. “Along the way, his talents and charisms were nurtured and shared in a variety of ways in both our traditions, to their significant mutual benefit.” “… we recall how his writing and teaching led to a renewal of contemporary theological reflection through a return to the sources of the apostolic and conciliar periods of early Church history. “We recognize his influence on liturgical life and traditions of contemplative prayer, with its emphasis on beauty, devotion, and reverence, particularly through his life in the Congregation of the Oratory, which he established in England. “A number of institutions of higher education have likewise drawn deep inspiration from Newman’s intellectual legacy, as marked by the establishment of Newman Centres on university campuses in North America and Great Britain since the late 19th century. “We remember his pastoral heart, especially for young people, and how he sought to bring intellectual appreciation towards the mysteries of the faith, always keeping in mind the pastoral needs of people.” Dear John Henry: How impressive; you made it to the highest honour
Former Anglican theologian was made a saint in the Roman Catholic Church on Oct. 13. He appears in this painting created by Sir John Everett Millais. Photo courtesy ThePublicDiscourse in the Roman Catholic Church, official sainthood. One, holy, catholic and apostolic church is what you lived, loved and died for. Church relations were very different in your time, coloured by a spirit of animosity and scorn, infected with political manoeuvring and ploys. It would still take another century before Rome could write declarations such as Nostra Aetate, Lumen Gentium and the Decree on Ecumenism. Paradoxically, it is in part thanks to your ground-breaking and intense scrutiny of the Christian tradition that Rome could, at Vatican II, admit: “Many important elements build up and give life to the Church itself, and can exist outside the visible boundaries of the Catholic Church: the written Word of God, the life of grace, faith, hope, and charity, with the other interior gifts of the Holy Spirit … “Our separated brothers and sisters also carry out many liturgical actions of the Christian religion … these liturgical actions most certainly can truly
engender a life of grace, and … are capable of giving access to that communion in which is salvation” (No. 3, Unitatis Redintegratio). Your sermons and tracts, books and other writings, John Henry, continue to animate invigorating debate and edifying discourse in church halls and colleges. By far your greatest contribution was your Essay on the Development of Doctrine and your conviction of the primacy of one’s personal conscience above all else. Both these contributions played key roles in the deliberations and developments at the Second Vatican Council. Apparently, Pope Paul VI described you as an “invisible presence at Vatican II.” Both contributions played an important role at crucial spiritual and ecclesial intersections of my own journey with God and with the church. While you, John Henry, moved from the Anglican to the Roman Catholic tradition, I made the move in reverse. While you felt a deep pull to the Roman Church,
because you found in her the fullness of faith, I felt a strong call to make the God-given Anglican charisms and its particular ethos of discipleship my own, and to bear ecumenical fruit in the Anglican household of God, bringing the best from my Catholic heritage with me. To this day, many follow our example in a distinctly two-way flow of denominational traffic between our two traditions. In each of us the ecclesial move was a slow but sure ripening over time, engaging both mind and heart, stirring our deepest levels of being. Your insistence on and utmost respect for the primacy of conscience made our moves possible. Both of us continued to cherish all that is holy and good, beautiful and sound in our ecclesial family of origin. Had you lived today; I imagine you would be an eager participant in ecumenical dialogue. You displayed an enviable surrender to the Holy Spirit in your intellectual as well as your spiritual pursuits. This was most evident
when scrutinizing the Christian tradition against Scripture and the early Church Fathers. Your unwavering respect for the other, including your opponents, infused your search and research, your writings and debates, with ruthless honesty and humility, especially in your own self-examination as you diligently sought God’s will and truth. You lived in your bones what St. Thomas Aquinas stated several centuries earlier: “We must love them both: those whose opinions we share and those whose opinions we reject, for both have laboured in search for truth, and both have helped us in finding it.” It is this striking posture of yours, sadly uncommon, that made H.R.H. Prince Charles, who attended your canonization, write in the Vatican News of Oct. 12: (Newman) “could advocate without accusation, could disagree without disrespect and perhaps most of all could see differences as places of encounter rather than exclusion.” In today’s conflict-ridden world and scandal-ridden Church, we desperately need your intercession and your guidance, John Henry. And so, Saint John Henry Newman, I claim you as our new patron saint for ecumenism. In Canada a joint Anglican - Roman Catholic Letter was published for your canonization. As the letter states, we now claim together your legacy and witness as the foundation for the recovered kinship and growing affection, mutual understanding and appreciation between our two traditions: “Though Newman’s life has at times been a source of tension between Anglicans and Roman Catholics in the past, today we are able to affirm together that Newman is a figure whom all of us can celebrate in common; a brother in Christ Jesus, in whose formation both our churches had a share. Indeed, we can even see in his legacy the planting of many seeds in both communities which later contributed to the ecumenical fruit which has grown between us at the global and local levels.”
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DIOCESE OF
'From Disciples to Apostles: The The 74th Synod of the Diocese of Saskatoon By Rev. Peter Coolen SASKATOON — The 74th Synod of the Diocese of Saskatoon was held at St. Matthew’s Church, Sutherland from Oct. 3 to 5; this was the first synod of the episcopate of the Right Rev. Christopher Harper, 13th bishop of the diocese. The synod began with registration early in the afternoon of Oct. 3, followed the opening Eucharist service at 3 p.m. and the presentation of the Bishop’s Charge. A full copy of the Bishop’s Charge as well as the response to his charge from the synod responding committee can be found in the November Saskatchewan Anglican. In his charge, Bishop Chris referred to Matthew 28:18-20, which says, “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ The bishop said this is the Scriptural passage for this synod, which leads to and uplifts the synodical theme: “Disciples to Apostles: The ministry of our beloved church.’” Bishop Chris said that Jesus thus had a clear identity and a clear message and that to be effective disciples and apostles we must also be clear in our identity and have a clear message. History has proven that we as a church have often forgotten our identity and failed to have a clear message. Therefore, through this synod, we will attempt to develop a desire and a vision for a path forward as servants of Christ’s Church, going together with a clear identity in Christ and clear message of faith to and for all the children of Gods’ creation.
Bishop Chris then outlined the five Marks of Mission of the Church; these five Marks of Mission are a framework used to describe and encourage ministry throughout the worldwide Anglican Communion. Bishop Chris emphasized the actions and plans that the diocese has, working with individuals and parishes, to address these especially in terms of the final Mark. The five Marks are: • • • •
•
To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom To teach, baptize, and nurture new believers To respond to human need by loving service To seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation
Throughout this synod presentations were to be given and resolutions presented to help move this process forward in the diocese. Bishop Chris concluded with: “I charge you, the ministry of the Diocese of Saskatoon, in seeking out truthfully the ministry proclamation you have been lifting up, does it reveal clearly the identity and authority of Christ, are the words and ministry message, clearly that of being Christ centred? “Do you know who and what you are? Is your message the faithful message that you have been ordained into? Jesus has given you all authority and you have been also given a clear identity of God Almighty in Christ and a clear message given through the Word, and the blessing of the Holy Spirit … to go, making and enabling disciples, baptizing them in the Triune and teaching them
About 100 delegates from the Diocese of Saskatoon assembled at St. Matthew’s, Sutherlan Apostles: The Ministry of Our Beloved Church.” the given Word … and that God is with us.” Following the Bishop’s Charge, the Rev. Alex Parsons gave an overview of the synod schedule and a rationale for and an explanation of synod processes. The appointments of the lay and clerical secretaries and the members of the Bishop’s Charge responding committee were announced and general housekeeping motions (74.1 to 74.5) were announced and approved. Parsons presented the results of the 2018 audit and a motion to accept the audit was passed. Parsons and Executive Archdeacon Ken Watts gave a financial summary of the 2018 fiscal year, as well as a snapshot Continued next page
The Rev. Dr. Trish McCarthy, the new co-ordinator of the Diocese of Saskatoon’s School of Discipleship, gave a presentation on the school’s programs at the 74th Synod of the Diocese of Saskatoon.
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SASKATOON
ministry of our beloved Church'
nd from Oct. 3 to 5 for the diocese’s 74th Synod, which had the theme “From Disciples to Photos by Rev. Peter Coolen
Alexa Wallace presented the information of the results of the Safe Church Committee, which was voted on and passed at the 74th Synod. She also provided introductory remarks at the synod and technical support for the presentations and presenters.
Continued from page 8 of how things were progressing in 2019. He noted that synod investments had a better year in 2019 as opposed to 2018, however, the drawdown of capital in 2018, due to the deficit, had meant there was less capital for revenue to accrue from so that revenue had still fallen. Additionally, there was a larger deficit to date in Fair Share in 2019 compared to 2018. Several parishes still require diocesan financial support as well. However, as the bishop noted in his charge, reaching new people is more important that buildings, so the diocese is willing to look at ideas for spending for new ministry even in this environment. Following the budget review there were presentations from the delegates to General Synod and from Tigist Gebeyehu-Ketsela, the diocesan refugee co-ordinator, and Jan Bigland Pritchard, the former co-ordinator, on the refugee program that had sponsored more than 50 refugees in the past year. Friday began with Morning Prayer and a presentation from Bishop Chris on the TRC process. He pointed out that reconciliation is an ongoing process and requires that both sides communicate, while listening is active and sympathetic. Both the Church and our culture are resistant to change and we need to support, love, honour and respect one another in order to walk together. We must also recognize as we do so that an indigenous ministry is about listening to the voice of indigenous peoples and their need for ministry in their context, meeting them wherever they are in the journey of life and faith. What does it mean to be indigenous in our church today? In our spirituality, practices and in members of our congregations how can we honestly adapt and develop these with respect, truth and honesty? We also need more indigenous voices to speak for us and to listen for us and to us. We only have
one indigenous deacon and one other deacon who concentrates on indigenous needs. Where are the others and how do we find them? The synod breakout sessions allowed the delegates to investigate each other’s spiritual development and family church histories, to interactively compare and work on parish mission and vision statements, to discuss how they developed these, and how they are used in each of their parish contexts. Resolutions were presented and calls for nominations for delegates to General and Provincial Synods, and the constitutions and canons committee were made. A discussion on discipleship with the Ven. Ken Watts, the Rev. Amy Bunce, the Rev. Alex Parsons and Bishop Chris and sharing of opinion, expertise and experience and group discussions and a presentation by the Rev. Dr. Trish McCarthy, co-ordinator of the School of Discipleship, closed the afternoon. Friday concluded and Saturday morning involved the voting on resolutions and the election of General and Provincial Synod, and constitution and canons committee members: Resolution 1: Passed Whereas the number of active members in Saskatchewan is not able to support three separate diocesan structures and administrative costs (remove “can be reduced”), therefore be it resolved that the 74th Session of the Synod of the Diocese of Saskatchewan request that diocesan council actively pursues the amalgamation of the three dioceses of Saskatchewan: Diocese of Qu’Appelle, Diocese of Saskatoon, and Diocese of Saskatchewan. Resolution 2: Passed Be it resolved that the 74th Session of the Synod of the Diocese of Saskatoon enact the constitution and canons as approved by the 70th (2010) Session of the Synod of the Diocese of Saskatoon as the current Continued on page 10
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St. Luke's, Regina creates outdoor labyrinth By Nigel Salway REGINA — A labyrinth was recently created on the south side of St. Luke’s Church. This triangle of land immediately in front of the large cross in the southern wall is located on City of Regina property. The labyrinth is available for all citizens and parishioners to guide their prayers and ref lections. Suggested prayers and meditations will be available on the St. Luke’s Church website at stlukesregina.com. Construction of the labyrinth was co-ordinated with the City of Regina, which donated the rocks that delineate the pathways. These had previously been installed at the fountain in Confederation Park just west of Mosaic Stadium. The pathways of the labyrinth were laid out by students from Prairie Sky School, a private school that rents space from the parish. The students and teachers also spread the crusher dust on the pathways. The labyrinth was blessed on Oct. 27 by Rev. Michael Bruce.
The newly completed Labyrinth at St. Luke, Regina. The labyrinth is entered from the Montague Street sidewalk at the right of this photo. Photo by Terry Page The following prayer was read while blessing the site of the labyrinth with holy water: Father in Heaven, We praise you for sending your Spirit into our hearts to teach us to pray. Bless this labyrinth and teach us to use it as an aid to sincere and devoted prayer and be pleasing to you in our lives. All praise and glory are yours, Father, through Christ our Saviour In the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
On a blustery Sunday, three hardy parishioners (and the photographer!) joined Rev. Michael Bruce to bless the St. Luke’s Labyrinth, from left, Terry Gates, Kim Smith, Rev. Michael Bruce, and Margi Hollingshead. Photo by Nigel Salway
... Diocese of Saskatoon's 74th Synod focuses on being apostles Continued from page 11 set of constitutions and canons of the Diocese of Saskatoon. Also passed were: Resolution 3: Concerning how the diocesan Archives transfer records; Resolution 4 to remove Canon 11 A that specified a retirement age for clergy; Resolution 5 that the Safe Church Policy as developed by the Safe Church Working Group be adopted (Alexa Wallace gave an extended history of the development and an explanation of the Safe Church Policy as presented to synod); Resolution 8 to allow resolutions from the floor of synod; Resolution 9 to approve and respond to the 2019 General Synod’s environmental call to action, and Resolution 10 to remove those existing sections that the now-approved Safe Church Policy will replace. Resolution 6, to provide for the development of annual or periodic performance reviews, was withdrawn so that diocesan council can consider how and if this should be developed and
implemented, and Resolution 7 concerning the solmization of the marriage of same-sex couples was withdrawn as well. The response of the Bishop’s Charge responding committee was presented. This was followed by the presentation and passing of several resolutions made and seconded by the committee: Resolution 11: Be it resolved that the 74th Session of Synod of the Diocese of Saskatoon encourage parishes to establish and grow small groups. Resolution 12: Be it resolved that the 74th Session of the Synod of the Diocese of Saskatoon encourage and also support the baptized in their new life in Christ in concrete, specific ways, for example, praying for them and maintaining a relationship with them whenever possible, and inviting them into our families of faith. Resolution 13: Be it resolved that the 74th Session of the Synod
of the Diocese of Saskatoon encourage all members of the Diocese of Saskatoon to live into the call of reconciliation with our First Nations and Metis relations in concrete ways and intentionally learn about our joined history and ministry. Elected as delegates to General Synod: Clergy: the Rev. Matteo Carboni and the Rev. Dr. Iain Luke; alternates the Ven, Dan Hughes and the Very Rev. Scott Pittendreigh Laity: Colleen Walker and Judith Herbert; alternates Chris Wood and Patricia Hoffart. Elected as Delegates to Provincial Synod: Clergy: the Rev. Dr. Trish McCarthy, the Ven. Dan Hughes and the Rev. Gordon Yarde; alternates the Rev. Peter Coolen and the Rev. Karen Walters Laity: Chris Wood and Patricia Hoffart acclaimed. For the Canons and Constitutions Committee: As present and remaining
Bishop Chris, Andrew Mason, the Ven. Ken Watts, Karen Whitelock, Chris Wood, and the Rev. Peter Coolen and Gordon Yarde as appointed by bishop. The synod closed with the bishop stating his thanks for all those who had worked in the diocese this past year helping him and Tracey adjust to their new life, for all who worked and volunteered in the spiritual life of the diocese, for those who work in parishes paid or unpaid, for those individuals who support the diocese from within the synod office, and for St. Matthew’s for providing the space, the meals and refreshments for the synod. He also announced that the former St. Mark’s Parish church building will be come the Bishop’s Chapel for use by the diocese. Bishop Chris concluded his remarks with: “I agree with all resolutions; I concur and ratify them.” Alexa Wallace moved a motion to close the 74th session of the Synod of the Diocese of Saskatoon; it closed at noon.
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Listening and learning By the Rev. Iain Luke Principal, College of Emmanuel & St. Chad
I
n the last few columns, I explored aspects of what indigenization means for our College, and how that reflects what is going on in our church. This column concludes that series, for now, but not because we’ve finished the task! Rather, my topic this month takes us into territory where I and many others would have to say, we do not know as much as we need to know. So it signals a lot of work ahead of us, maybe more than we yet realize. We will only know what we need to learn, after we address the building blocks of indigenization which I described previously. Our goal is an atmosphere of mutual trust,
Edmonton supports Burundi EDMONTON — Parishes in the Diocese of Edmonton are raising funds to support an initiative in their companion Diocese of Buyé in Burundi. Through the $5-5 Ways Challenge, parishes are raising money in support of an initiative by the Buyé Mothers’ Union, which helps seniors and lowincome families purchase a $5 medical card that grants them 80% medical coverage for a full year. This is the second year donating to the project. In 2018, the diocese raised $5,460, enough to provide medical cards to 1,092 seniors in 20 parishes. The total for the 2019 giving is still being tallied. Several messages of thanks were shared with the diocese, including one from Uwimana Charlotte, 59, from Mwumba Parish, who was able to pay for her husband’s 41-day hospital stay because of the 80-per-cent cost reduction, and 52-year-old Barengayabo Daphrose from Gashikanwa parish, a widow who often has to sell food in order to afford medical care when her children get sick. — The Messenger
where we can learn from those who know indigenous spiritual traditions from the inside. The apology for spiritual harm provides a starting point to describe our ignorance. This is a statement Archbishop Fred Hiltz offered last summer, in the name of the Anglican Church of Canada. He identifies many of the ways in which our church,
along with others, demonized, misunderstood, and failed to appreciate the indigenous spiritualities we encountered in Canada. Too often this rejection came with a theological rationale. When Christians believed they were bringing revelation, or faith itself, to a new culture, everything that came before was treated as having no religious value, or worse. Ironically, the same Christians expressed their faith in forms drawn from the pre-Christian lives of their own ancestors: church buildings based on Roman courts, or calendars where Christian feasts took over the dates and celebrations of earlier seasonal festivals. This attitude led to the spiritual harm the Primate describes. Its undoing requires us to ask how the principles of anti-
racism, and conversion of heart, can be applied within the sphere of theology itself. So, for example, the Primate’s apology suggests another place to begin thinking about faith. Instead of starting with the uniqueness of the missionaries’ gospel, we can start with something present in the land, and its inhabitants, before Christians arrived: the relationship with God that was already here. The Bible itself offers a model for this, as it tells the story of Israel, showing God’s grace and God’s law at work in the world before Christ. St Paul in Acts, and many of the later missionaries across Europe, carried the same conviction into the new cultures they encountered. From there, we can learn how different world
views lead us to ask different questions. The theological issues of the Reformation, for example, arose in a specific western European setting, and those controversies don’t have the same resonance in Asia, Africa, or the Americas. Instead, indigenous peoples identify other challenges, in the relationship of individuals to their communities, or communities to the land they inhabit. These differences of perspective lie at the heart of some of the historic tensions of colonialism within Canada. When one party interprets a treaty as a spiritual sharing, and the other party treats it as a legal contract, for example, there is no real meeting of the minds. Similarly, within most or all in Continued to page 12
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... Listening and learning Continued from page 11 digenous traditions, you couldn’t even imagine asking whether land could be owned and transferred. Because of the marginalization of indigenous spiritualities, though, Canadian society (including the churches) is just beginning to rediscover the world views held within those spiritual traditions, and the kinds of questions and answers they offer. The sadness here is that historic treaty negotiations often expressed a hope, on the indigenous side, that spiritual teachings could be shared in both directions. Some of these teachings are embodied in sacred events which the church rejected, and Canadian law prohibited for many years. While the general public has some awareness of traditions like the sweat lodge, others like the sun dance or potlatch are just returning to our attention. Indigenous communities are observing these practices, and the way of life they represent, more
openly. This means there are opportunities for the rest of us to learn about these spiritual traditions, lessons we missed many years ago, when we assumed they had nothing to teach us. Many of those teachings are consistent with the values taught within the European Christian world view. Some of them put our own values to shame. Others are, simply, different. It’s not about measuring one spiritual tradition against another but seeing how they each lead towards and shape our understanding of what God, revealed in Christ, is doing in the world. In our response to TRC Call to Action 60, our College, and our Church, will continue to find ways to listen for what indigenous peoples have to teach, to push our own prior assumptions out of the way, and to recognize our inherited responsibility for the spiritual harm done in our name in generations past.
World's churches highlight plight of innocent fleeing violence in Syria (ANCS) —Speaking on behalf of churches across the world, the World Council of Churches (WCC) General Secretary has called for an end to the violence in northeast Syria as Turkey’s military action puts refugees at risk. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit said he was gravely concerned about the humanitarian impact on the people of the region, where reports state tens of thousands of civilians are fleeing from Turkish attacks. He said, “The Syrian people have already been subjected to too much conflict, and far too much bloodshed, destruction and displacement. The churches of the world demand an end to it – an end to the suffering of the people. “Enough fighting, chaos and death. It is time for peace, for respite, for dialogue, and for justice for the victims of atrocities perpetrated through these catastrophic years of
violence.” In addition to those displaced by the fighting, it is expected that as many as two million people will suffer as a result of the military operation’s impact on infra-structure, facilities and services for basic life needs. The WCC reports that the area under attack includes populations of Christians, Yazidis, Kurds, Arabs and other vulnerable groups that suffered during the years of war. Many have already been displaced multiple times as they fled the fight in other parts of Syria towards the north-east, which had remained relatively secure and stable. But now even this refuge is being turned into a battlefield by the Turkish operation. The continued violence will also affect the UN-led political process, and the recently resumed national dialogue in Syria through the Constitutional Committee.
Bishop Chris Harper visits St. John’s, Unity
On Sept. 5 the Right Rev. Chris and Tracey Harper had a lovely fall drive and visit with the Parish of St. John’s, Unity. He conducted a service of Holy Communion at St. John’s Church and then had a time of fellowship, with a delicious lunch following the service. Pictured during the visit to St. John’s, Unity are, from left, Bishop Harper, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Hawkins, Valerie Middleton and the Rev. Gordon Lines. After the visit to Unity Parish, the bishop and Tracey visited the now closed building of St. Paul’s, Wilkie — formerly a part of the Unity Central Parish with St. John’s, Unity — on their drive home. Photo by Tracey Harper
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DIOCESE OF QU’APPELLE
Focus on buildings has 'malnourished' diocese, bishop says By Joanne Shurvin-Martin REGINA — In his comments to diocesan council on Oct. 5, Bishop Rob Hardwick spoke about a wistful phrase from the gospel account of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, “we had hoped.” Hardwick said that same feeling is prevalent in the diocese today. He expressed regret that less than half of the parishes had participated in the Living the Mission campaign, and as a result, not all the goals had been achieved and important work remains undone. Hardwick said he had been remembering the words of the late Bishop Duncan Wallace, at the height of the residential schools litigation, “when bankruptcy was knocking loudly at the door.” Wallace said then, “Even if we lose every building, as long as we have bread,
wine and the Bible, we will be all right.” Hardwick said, “But now we seem to have forgotten the bread and wine in order to keep buildings, and we wonder why we are malnourished.” Bishop Hardwick reported that, following severe burnout in the summer, he had dramatically reduced his commitments for work outside the diocese by stepping down from many national and provincial committees. He thanked the council members for their continuing prayers and support, and especially thanked Shelley Baron and Archdeacon Catherine Harper “for their faith, compassion and for their commitment to this diocese and for covering my absence so well. “I am improving and look forward to further recovery,” concluded the bishop.
Financial news The diocesan budget for 2020 was approved. A balanced budget of $804,535 included revenue from Living the Mission and bequest interest. The diocese has reduced its apportionment to the national church by $5,000 from the previous year. The clergy minimum stipend schedule was increased by two per cent for 2020, based on the increase in the provincial Consumer Price Index. The same percentage was
used to adjust diocesan staff salaries. Honoraria for occasional services were also increased, but it was pointed out those rates are still below the standard for the ELCIC in Saskatchewan. The diocese is working to continue to keep Fair Share requests to a minimum. In 2019 there was an average reduction of five per cent, with a further average three per cent reduction for 2020. The subject of chronic underfunding for First Nations ministry and hospital chaplaincy was discussed in connection with the use of proceeds from property sales. The topic was sent to the executive committee to draft a motion for the next meeting of diocesan council, on Jan. 25. Two church buildings – St. George, Canora, and St. John the Baptist, Pennant – have been deconsecrated and sold. The hall in Canora and the rectory in Oxbow have also been sold. Over the years, many trust funds have been established across the diocese. The paperwork for these funds has been disorganized and scattered. Diocesan archivist, Canon Trevor Powell, has
devoted many hours and much energy to locate information on all these funds, and has prepared a comprehensive review. As a result, the diocese has a much clearer understanding of where some of its resources are, and how they can be used. Muyinga update The Diocese of Qu’Appelle received a report from its companion diocese of Muyinga, in Burundi. It included many photographs of delighted priests receiving bicycles to use in parish work, where previously they had to walk everywhere. The people of Muyinga are grateful and very thankful for the good work being done by our diocese. Qu’Appelle has provided funding to build a medical centre, for training and education for Deacon Alexis, for 16 bicycles, and food and agricultural seeds when starvation was forcing people in Burundi to eat seeds for the next year’s crop. There is still great need in Muyinga, particularly for equipment for the medical centre. Bishop Hardwick hopes to visit the African diocese in February 2020.
Church trains Burundi's youths in peacebuilding (ANCS) — As Burundi gears up for elections next year and the threat of further unrest, the Anglican Church has been helping prepare its young people to promote peace and reconciliation. Young people under 15 make up almost half of Burundi’s total population, and with high unemployment they are viewed as vulnerable to all sorts of manipulation in a volatile political situation. The Anglican Church of Burundi aims to address some of the social issues and challenges they face by helping empower young people through training. Some 15,000 young people are being trained by the Church to act as pair-educators in their communities. Advocating peaceful ways of over-
coming differences and problems. A spokesman said: “The training focused on identifying the potential that young people have and how they can use it to promote peace and reconciliation. By initiating common activities young people create a platform where they can discuss social matters that are relevant to the community and seek together to discover appropriate ways they can contribute to solving problems.” Elections are due to take place in 2020 and the church states that past experience of elections in Burundi has shown that young people have had an important role to play, but have also been prone to becoming victims of manipulation.
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New priests ordained during 'special service' By Mary Brown PRINCE ALBERT — On Oct. 18 in St. Alban’s Cathedral Jordan Draper and David Butorac were ordained into the priesthood. Members of their families came from all across Canada, such as Nova Scotia, Toronto, Hamilton, Edmonton and Yellowknife. The Rev. Gary Thorne was there along with a colleague of David’s, Logan Hurst from Wycliffe College. Some of the summer students came back from Nova Scotia, including Karis Tees, who led the singing of the Litany. The parish singers, led by the Rev. Ken Lyons, also took part in the service. In his sermon, the Rev. Canon Dr. Murray Henderson from Wycliffe College in Toronto asked the congregation to join him in prayer and witness in helping David and Jordan to reach people of which it might seem to be the crowds of Jesus’ ministry. He noted how great a treasure is committed to their charge and is too great a task for them alone. In their responses to the bishop they say, “The Lord being my helper,” which is the gift of his presence in their hearts. I have been to many of ordinations as the secretary from the synod office. So usually I would be thinking about what needs to be done, such as proofreading the bulletin. In this ordination I actually realized how very important and special this service is. The words spoken by the bishop and the candidates are awesome: And now again we exhort you, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you have in remembrance, into how high a dignity, and to how weighty an office and charge you are called. To be a messenger, watchman, and steward of the Lord, to teach, and to premonish to feed and provide for the Lord’s family; to seek for Christ’s sheep that are dispersed abroad, and for his children who are in the midst of this sinful world, that they may be saved through Christ for ever. How great a treasure is
Flanked by Bishop Michael Hawkins and Bishop Adam Halkett, Rev. David Butorac and Rev. Jordan Draper are celebrated after their ordinations. Photos by Mary Brown
Pictured with newly ordained priest, Rev. David Butorac, are family members Mark, Aunt Paula, Andrea, Gabriel, Bill, Christian and Jude.
Newly ordained priest, Rev. Jordan Draper, gathers with mother Heather and brother Jonathon.
committed to your charge. See that you never cease your labour, your care and diligence until you have done all that lieth in you to bring all such as are or shall be committed to your charge, unto that agreement in the faith and knowledge of God. Forasmuch then as your office is both of so great excellency and of so great difficulty, ye see with how great care and study you ought to apply yourself. Howbeit you cannot have a mind and will thereto of yourselves, for that will and ability is given of God alone. Consider how studious you ought to be in reading and learning the Scriptures: so that, as much as lieth in you, you will apply yourself wholly to this one thing and draw all your cases and studies this way; pray that by daily reading and weighing the scriptures you may wax riper and stronger in your ministry. For an unabridged version of the vows see pages 641-653 in the Book of Common Prayer. Draper has an older brother, Jonathon, and younger sister Bethany. His mother Heather and brother Jonathon came to Saskatchewan for his ordination. His father was here in September to visit him. His family belonged to the Grace Chapel of the Plymouth Brethern. Draper worked as a phlebotomist in the Halifax infirmary. He also worked planting trees and was a teacher’s assistant in German literature. His brother brought him over 100 pounds of religious books. If there is one thing all clergy like, it is books! Butorac’s family consists of two brothers, Mark from Montreal and Jason from Yellowknife, and two sisters, Andrea from Toronto and Paula from Hamilton. His nephews Gabriel, Christian and Jude were also at the ordination. Ten years ago, Butorac’s mother Suzanne died of a neurological disease. We remembered Suzanne in prayers for the deceased. A special guest from Edmonton was Butorac’s Aunt Paula, Suzanne’s sister. His brother and sister told me their mother was the family matriarch and Continued page 15
December 2019
The Saskatchewan Anglican
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Interim priest installed at All Saints By Bette-Lou Paragg
Wardens Kurtis Krug (left) and Richard Simpson share a laugh with Rev. Zsofi Schmiedge after her induction service at All Saints, Regina. Photo by Grant Schellhorn
REGINA — On the evening of Oct. 10, a joyful crowd gathered to participate in the celebration and installation of Rev. Zsofi Schmiedge as interim priest at All Saints. Schmiedge is a Lutheran pastor ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, and able to serve as interim priest at All Saints because of the Anglican Church of Canada’s full communion agreement with the ELCIC. Bishop Rob Hardwick presided at the service with concelebrant Bishop Sid Haugen (Saskatchewan Synod, ELCIC). Archdeacon Cheryl Toth, Rev. Winna Martin and Deacon Susan Page also participated in leading the service. The sermon was preached by Lutheran pastor Rev. Pat Simonson. A well-attended reception with several speakers continued to welcome Schmiedge to her new ministry at All Saints.
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... New priests Continued from page 14 you could tell by talking to them how her influence is still with them and holding them together. Both David and Jordan are bringing young vibrant changes to their parishes and we look forward to following their ministry in the coming years.
St. Luke’s celebrates patronal festival On Oct. 20, St. Luke’s parishioners were joined by parishioners from All Saints, St. James, St. Matthew’s and others to celebrate their patronal festival. Rev. Dr. Iain Luke of the College of Emmanuel and St. Chad was the guest preacher, and Pastor Zsofi Schmiedge
of All Saints gave the children’s message. Following the patronal service, the congregation of about 120 enjoyed sandwiches and potluck desserts and shared fellowship in the parish hall. Photo by Nigel Salway
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The Saskatchewan Anglican
December 2019
St. Stephen's, Merrill and its adjacent Sunday school building have served the small farming community of Merrill and surrounding area since 1907. For full story about the church see page 3. Photo by David Christensen
Rev. Gary Parker returns to Beechy, renews friendships By Rev. David Nevett BEECHY (Qu’A) — To mark St. Michael and All Angels Day, the Anglican Church in Beechy invited a special preacher for Sept. 29. From 1986 to 1989 Rev. Gary Parker was the priest for the former Lakeside Parish that included the congregations at Outlook, Milden, Lucky Lake and Beechy. He now resides in Thamesville, Ont., where he is the associate priest in a parish with six churches. The congregation of St. Michael and All Angels was delighted to renew their friendship with Parker and appreciated his sermon and particularly his comments about angels. During the offertory, the church warden Keith Taylor re-enacted an incident from Parker’s time in the parish, when the offering plates could not be found. Once again Taylor took up the collection in his cowboy hat.
Rev. Gary Parker wearing Keith Taylor's cowboy hat, in which the offering was received, at St. Michael and All Angels, Beechy. Photo by Rev. David Nevett The congregation learned that sadly, Parkers’s wife Joan died in December 2018. He
has two children, Lori and Robert, and so far six grandchildren. The Beechy United
Church congregation joined with the Anglicans for this special Eucharist
service. Following the worship everyone enjoyed a beef-on-a-bun lunch.