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St. Martin of Tours Anglican/Lutheran Crossword Newsletter
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Easter Services
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Family Night
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Church Council Meeting
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Lenten Study Program
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Baptism
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Shared Ministry
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TRC Regional Event Victoria
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Not a Question of 19 O Ye of Little Faith Queen Elizabeth’s 20 Photo Archives
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PWRDF
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The Commons
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News & Events
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April 2012
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Holy Week & Easter at St. Martin of Tours
Friday March 30th: Folding Palm Crosses at St.Paul's, Nanaimo. Members of the Altar Guild will fold on our behalf but all are welcome. Palm Sunday: 9:00 am Rev’d Linda St. Clair Readings done in narrative form (St. Mark's Passion) Holy Tuesday: Church open for prayer 7-9pm Devotional material will be available Holy Wednesday: Church open for prayer 7-9pm Devotional material will be available Maundy Thursday: 7:30pm Rev'd Anne Privett Hand washing, Holy Eucharist and Stripping of the Altar Good Friday: 11:00am Rev’d Rohana Laing & Rev’d Anne Privett Joint service with Gabriola United church No Communion Easter Vigil at St. Paul's Nanaimo 8:00pm- All invited! Rev.d Shelagh Huston, Rev’d Anne Privett, Archdeacon Brian Evans and other regional clergy Easter Day: 11:30am Rev’d Anne Privett Holy Baptisms and Blessing of Pilgrims
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A blessed Holy Week and Easter! As we begin our journey to the cross, here are a few resources for your pondering and prayers. The first is a meditation on Holy Week by our Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams. The second is a poem by Dr. Ted Loder from Guerrillas of Grace (Augsburg Books 1981). Look for Bishop James’ Easter Letter in the latest issue of the Diocesan Post.
Holy Week http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/pages/holy-week-video.html © Rowan Williams 2012 In all sorts of ways Holy Week really is the most important week in the Christian year because it's a week when we discover in a way we don't at any other time just we are and just who God is. And we do this in the worship of the Church in very dramatic ways, the whole long tradition of the ceremonies and liturgies of Holy Week is meant to take us through a journey. We begin with identifying ourselves with the people who welcomed Jesus on Palm Sunday. We bless palms and palm crosses, we wave them around, we shout Hosanna, and for that moment we are the people on the first Palm Sunday were glad to see Jesus and welcomed him in. And then during the week we have to come to terms with the fact that when Jesus actually does arrive in Jerusalem he turns out not to be so welcome after all and we have to ask ourselves, 'What about us?' When Jesus arrives in our world, in our lives, we actually glad to see him and if Holy Week is going well we really begin to understand why it is that Jesus can seem threatening and dangerous to our safety; and why we, just like the people in Jerusalem in the first Holy Week, don't want him around. So we move through the story; we hear day after day the story of the Passion being read from the Gospels. In the last few decades, the practise has grown up in lots of Churches of having a particular ceremony on the morning of Maundy Thursday where the priests and the deacons of the Diocese come together with their Bishop to renew their commitment, to renew their promises as Ministers of the Gospel, and for the Bishop to bless the oil that is used in Baptism and Confirmation and Ordination in many Churches. And that is a very important moment for the Ministers of the Church during Holy Week. Like every other Christian, they've been on this journey of self discovery and because for a priest, or a deacon, for an ordained minister, a Bishop, or anyone else; because being a Minister is part of who they are as a Disciple of Jesus, renewing their promises at that moment is a really significant renewal of their baptismal commitment - their commitment as Christians. That is why it is wonderful that there is an opportunity for that renewal of commitment in the middle of Holy Week just as in the ceremonies of Easter Eve the whole congregation will renew their promises made at Baptism. And the blessing of the oil is a reminder to all those who minister the Gospel; first that the things of this world, the ordinary material things like bread and wine, oil and water, are used to convey and symbolise God's grace in powerful, transforming ways in the life of the Church But also because oil is so often associated in the Bible both with anointing and healing it reminds the Ministers of the Gospel that they're there to anoint people in the name of Christ, Christ the word that simply means 'the anointed one', and to bring healing to those alienated from God and from one another and those who are isolated by sickness and suffering from the community. So what happens on the morning of Maundy Thursday is a reaffirmation of the central realities of Christian ministry itself. Cont’d
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We have the Ceremony of the Washing of the Feet. We remember how in that last great event of Jesus' meeting with his Disciples he shows himself to be literally and completely at their service. He kneels down to perform a menial task for them and so in the worship of Maundy Thursday evening the most senior cleric present will wash the feet of the members of the congregation. A reminder of how in Jesus' gospel power, authority and significance is always connected with service and that there is no kind of power that doesn't express itself in service in Christian terms. So on Thursday evening when the Disciples gathered round the table at the Last Supper sharing Jesus' body and blood in the sacrament of the Holy Communion and receiving from him that gift of his humility and his service. Then we move into the darkness of the vigil where we keep watch with Jesus in Gethsemane and like those first disciples who fell asleep and then ran away; once again we have to face the fact that we are not heroes, that we are not willing so much of the time to walk with Jesus to the Cross, that we want to be somewhere else. When the Eucharist is over; the Altars are stripped, the decorations are taken away, the Church is left absolutely bare and it will be bare in that way for the whole of Good Friday, right up to the beginning of the vigil before Easter. It is if we have come at this point to a moment of real nakedness. We're down to basics; we have to face the most essential facts about us; our need, our poverty. And so it is no time for having flowers and decorations. We take away all the inessentials: bare walls, a bare table and ourselves left face to face with the terrifying reality of Good Friday. Then on Good Friday in many Churches and many traditions, when the Gospel is read aloud the congregation has to take the part of the crowd in Jerusalem and they have to shout out, 'Crucify him!' It's the ultimate moment of identification with those who wanted Jesus' death. It's the moment when our sinfulness, our failure is really laid bare to us and that's why for so many people Good Friday is a moment of deep self-discovery when we have to face in ourselves all those same motives that lead people two thousand years ago to shout for the death of Jesus. So we've gone on that journey from the superficial enthusiasm, which welcomes Jesus, to the recognition that Jesus feels dangerous and difficult to us and that a lot of the time we turn away from him. But of course on Good Friday we are not only discovering something unwelcome about ourselves, we are seeing Christ's arms extended to us on the tree of life as the old Hymn says. We look at Jesus as the source of new hope because we see in his sacrificial love what God is willing to do for us. We see that he knows and understands our darkness more fully than we do ourselves and still embraces us and takes us forward and that becomes absolutely real and concrete in the events of Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday morning. We gather in darkness on Holy Saturday evening. We gather to listen to the story of how God brought light out of darkness at the very beginning and how God's pillar of cloud and fire lead his people through the desert. We celebrate the way in which God set his people free in the story of the Exodus, and we listen to all those prophecies of how God will honour his work and his word and bring it to completion in Jesus. And so we are drawn into the great mystery of Easter, we come to the point when the lights are fully on, the candles are all lit and we can celebrate a light that has dawned again on the world. We've been taken on a journey all week from darkness to light, from the darkness of not really understanding ourselves to the light of seeing God's face clearly and seeing ourselves; from the darkness of recognising our own failures and our sins into the light of hope and forgiveness. And that is why as the first Eucharist of Easter begins we pull all the stops out quite literally, the organ plays, the bells ring and we recognise that the journey for this week, for this time, is over. We've come home to where Jesus is. The risen Jesus is standing with God the Father pouring out in the Holy Spirit his love on the world and we just stand there for a moment at Easter receiving that, basking in it as you might say. We've come on a journey, we've come home and we know that that home is always there for us in the accepting, compassionate love of God which has paid the ultimate sacrifice to make peace between heaven and earth. Cont’d
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Shock and Save me with the Terrible Goodness of this Friday, Holy One, shock and save me with the terrible goodness of this Friday, and drive me deep into my longing for your kingdom until I seek it first- yet not first for myself, but for the hungry and the sick and the poor of your children, for prisoners of conscience around the world, for those I have wasted with my racism and sexism and ageism and nationalism and religionism, for those around this mother earth and in this city who, this Friday, know far more of terror than of goodness; that, in my seeking first the kingdom, for them as well as for myself, all these things may be mine as well: things like a coat and courage and something like comfort, a few lilies in the field, the sight of birds soaring on the wind, a song in the night, and gladness of heart, the sense of your presence and the realization of your promise that nothing in life or death will be able to separate me or those I love, from your love in the crucified one who is our Lord, and in whose name and Spirit I pray.
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Family Night: Discerning Hearts & Enquiring Minds In our Baptismal liturgy we pray that our children will have “enquiring and discerning hearts” (BAS 160). The Hebraic understanding of heart, as we know, means both heart and mind. What a beautiful thing to pray for our children ! Indeed, what a marvelous thing to hope for adults in their lives of faith. How do we as a church uphold this prayer that we offer at baptism? With this question in mind, a small committee has been brainstorming and speaking with local families on the Island. We learned that what young families would welcome would be a shared meal, activities for children, and time to explore the very basics of Christian spirituality. Formal Sunday worship, we learned, is actually quite intimidating. On Saturday May 5th, 5-7pm, St. Martin’s will host its first exploratory family night! We will have a meal together, an interactive tour of the church, a sharing circle for discussion, a story and craft. At this first evening, we hope to discern how we might enable both parents and children to grow “enquiring and discerning hearts” together. Should this be a ministry into which we as a community are being called, we hope to offer another evening in June. We will need: Tea/Coffee & milk Simple veggie dip Goldfish crackers (or some child-friendly cracker) Pasta Sauce Grated Cheese Desert (ice cream & sprinkles? Or Cupcakes?) Numbers: TBA when RSVPs received Please let Nicki Westarp know if you would be willing to donate any of the above and/or the labour involved in their preparation. If your support comes in the form of your presence or ideas for future evenings please speak to Shelagh Huston or Jill Marsh.
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St. Martin of Tours Parish Council St. Martin’s Parish Council Wed. March 14, 2012 1 pm also Thurs March 15, 2012 at 3 pm at Angela Nutter’s 1880 Starfish Place Minutes Present Wed: Anne, Angela, Jacquie, Corinne, Rob, Pam Regrets: Vic, Linda, Hilary Present Thurs; Anne, Angela, Jacquie, Rob, Pam guest Nancy Hetherington Peirce Regrets: Vic Linda, Hilary Corinne. Round Robin Catch up Opening Prayer: Jacquie Welcome: Chair Approval of Agenda including additional items M/S Corinne/Rob Minutes of the Meeting on February 14, 2012 - errors or omissions M/S Anne/Corinne Warden’s Report Angela The AGM was held at the end of February at the Rollo Centre. It was reasonably well attended. We thank the retiring members of Council for their faithfulness and diligence. Hilary Plowright, Carolyn Pullano, David Soy. We welcome Rob Brockley, Pam Hodgkins, Jacquie Jessup as new members. The Lenten series is proving most interesting and is well attended by members of three churches. We are still in the process of exploring shared ministry and all that that means. We sponsored Jacquie Jessup to attend the Shared Ministry Conference in Sorrento BC. When we have formulated our position on the form of Shared Ministry for and GUC, we are due to meet with Bruce Bryant-Scott Archdeacon for the Diocese, who will advise us on our next steps. The Bishop must approve the decision. Clergy Report Anne Sincere thanks to the Wardens and to the parish for being so supportive over the last two months and enabling me to take some time away to rest and heal. Thank you to the pastoral care team for your card! I am happy to report that I am on the mend and it is good to be back. Shared Ministry: “We are rich because we need each other and therefore poverty is a blessing”. Our shared ministry agreement writing committee has been working very diligently at crafting an agreement in draft. This draft is before Council and will also be sent to the Diocese for review BEFORE it is presented to our congregation. We require general approval of our proposed direction and Agreement from the Bishop and Diocesan Council before we can proceed. Thank you to Jacquie (and Nancy from GUC) for attending the Shared Ministry Conference in Sorrento and bringing back with you both new knowledge and enthusiasm! Worship: At the request of GUC, we will worship together is a combined Good Friday service at 11:00am (no communion). St. Martin’s will have an ‘Anglican’ Maundy Thursday service to which GUC are most welcome to come if they wish (7:30pm). We will worship separately on Easter morning and our service, with 3 baptisms and a Pilgrim’s Blessing, will begin at 11:30am. BCP service continues at 3:30pm on the second Sunday of the month averaging 4-6 people. There will be no BCP service on Easter day. As spring arrives we will discussion moving the service time. There is more need being articulated for a service in the North end, possibly at the Garden Homes. Know this is on my radar and I’m thinking about creative possibilities. AGM: Our AGM was this month. Thank you to those responsible for set up/clean up and technology. We welcome Pam Hodgkins and Rob Brockley to Parish Council, Jacquie Jessup as Synod Delegate, and we welcome back Angela Nutter and Vic Weibe as our Wardens. We formally welcomed and liturgically acknowledge these ministries in our service on March 11th, 2012. Pastoral: I continue to take communion to those unable to come to a Sunday service. Now that I am healthier, I look forward to returning to visiting. Correspondence: Letter from Joan Potter thanking Pastoral Care for their support. Information received by Corinne from the Diocese about Insurance; we have a balance of $400 remaining for the year from June to December because we pre paid some of this year last year. Anne reported that there may be a question of Back Pay for MSP for Clergy for some of the Churches.
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St. Martin of Tours Parish Council Treasurer’s Report February 2012 accepted as circulated M/S Corinne/Angela Musician’s Contract: Angela reported that there is a small consideration still to be negotiated about extra payment for Special Services. [eg Christmas] Business Arising from Minutes Following up on the question asked at the AGM. *Who is a Director/trustee or like official? Directors/trustees and like officials are persons who govern a registered charity as members of the board of directors or a similar type body. These persons hold positions that are usually identified in an organization's governing document (e.g., president, treasurer and secretary). A registered charity may have other officials that have governing powers similar to a director or trustee. For example, religious leaders often have some governing authority and would be considered as like officials. (George) The documents submitted to obtain insurance and there is a schedule that specifically refers to "all officers and employees....who, as part of their regular duties, handle, have custody or maintain records of money, securities or other property, including in any event those holding any position listed below:" These are the positions listed for St. Martins Wardens (2), treasurer, secretary, bookkeeper, Synod reps (2), communications member, member at large, minister/ priest, pianist. So, between the info that George provided and the info submitted on the application for insurance, I think we are covered. (Corinne)
Shared Ministry Plan: the council discussed Draft 7 [in camera/confidentially] and also again the next day Draft 8 which resulted in Draft 9. The Shared Ministry Committee will be meeting with the Diocesan Representative and the Presbytery Representative on Monday March 21. 2012. A Joint Congregational Meeting for questions only/no discussion is scheduled for between the services on Sunday March 29, 2012 [Note:Separate not Joint meetings were held] New Business Stewardship Workshop with Dale Huston Anne Dale Huston has offered to hold a Stewardship Workshop for St. Martin’s from 9-3 suggest morning with St. Martins and afternoon with GUC/St. Martins. Anne will talk with him next week and Rob will contact him by email to set up a date for this event. Replacement Chalice (Graham Memorial Fund) Anne We are looking for a replacement Chalice because ours is broken and can’t be fixed. Anne asked at the Diocesan Office if there were any surplus Chalice available. She received an answer that there were two and Angela has offered to pick it up next week if it is suitable. Other suggestions were to ask congregation for a donation to supplement the Graham Memorial Fund to purchase one at a cost of about $500. Pam suggested we contact a sister church to see if they might have one to donate. We could also borrow one from St. Paul’s until we find a replacement. Truth and Reconciliation Commission is holding workshops through out Vancouver Island. Anne suggested we have a special prayer for them on the Weekend of April 13, 2012. Since GES is holding a workshop that weekend Jacquie will ask that prayers be included in the Event. Also to be included in the Prayers of the People and St. Paul’s is holding a vigil. Altar Guild Communications Fellowship/Fundraising Outreach Pastoral Care
No report No report No report No report No report
Rose Hilary Jacquie Diane Hilary
Care Givers Support Group Angela The meeting on March 7, 2012 was somewhat different in tone from the previous ones. It was more serious and there was much more exchange of information gained from our various experiences. People admit how valuable they find this group which is very heartening. We are pleased that PHC is going to include us in their “Circle of Care”. Unfortunately, once again the “Sounder” forgot to put in our paid advertisement but the Shingle included it. We also advertized in the doctor’s office and of course at Church. Nancy Jenner and Judy Moxam from GUC co-host this group with me
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St. Martin of Tours Parish Council
Shared Ministry [AC/UC] Business Arising above [In Camera] Jacquie Stewardship
Letter sent to parish
Rob
Little feedback to the “Naval Gazing Letter” mostly positive in general Worship
No report
Jacquie
Jacquie will take to Worship Committee Pam’s suggestion of a service on “All Saints/Souls” perhaps a Taize service. Anne had a meeting [March 15] with Tina Lynch about starting a children’s program once a month. A Messy Church for Mother’s and young children was suggested. Possible starting date Sat April 28th and we could possibly provide a spaghetti dinner and other times could be potluck or potblessed. Shelagh and Jill will be contacted for a discussion. Announcements and Reminders Adjournment: 4:10 pm Wed Closing Prayer: Anne
Rob will be absent April 9 to May 17, 2012 M/Corinne and 5:45 pm Thurs M/Pam
Next Meeting: April 10, 2012 at 7 pm United Church [Opening: Angela Closing: Corinne]
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"Happy are the people whose strength is in you! whose hearts are set on the pilgrims way" Psalm 84:5. Rob and I will be walking part of the Camino Mozarabe, also called, the Via de la Plata. It is actually a more ancient route than the well-known Camino frances. The Camino Mozarabe goes from southern Spain to northwest Spain, from Seville to Santiago de Compostela, about 1000 km in total. The original Via de la Plata was a Roman road. It is a beautiful route, passing through small rural villages, fields, cork oak forests,lakes, and rivers. The wildflowers should be in full bloom while we are walking. The northern part of the route is quite hilly, with a climate similar to ours. Rob and I will be walking with our friends, Jane and Rene. She is an Anglican priest and he is a structural engineer. We will start walking south of Salamanca and do a total of about 450 kilometres in about 18 days (we hope!). We have some rest days built into the plan. "Pilgrimage in its truest sense is religiously motivated travel for the purpose of meeting and experiencing God with hopes of being shaped and changed by that encounter." (The Way is Made by Walking, by Arthur Paul Boers). We will let you know when we get back if it turned out to be a pilgrimage or just a very long walk! Susan Brockley
The congregation of St. Martin's wishes you Godspeed as you walk the Via de la Plata! Prayers will be with you all 450 kms; please carry us in your hearts too. The Way of St. James ( Santiago de Compostela ) has existed for over a thousand years. It was one of the most important Christian pilgrimages during medieval times, together with Rome and Jerusalem, and a pilgrimage route on which a plenary indulgence could be earned; other major pilgrimage routes include the Via Francigena to Rome and the pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Legend holds that St. James's remains were carried by boat from Jerusalem to northern Spain where he was buried on the site of what is now the city of Santiago de Compostela. The Way can take one of any number of pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela. Traditionally, as with most pilgrimages, the Way of Saint James began at one's home and ended at the pilgrimage site. However a few of the routes are considered main ones. During the Middle Ages, the route was highly traveled. However, the Black Death, the Protestant Reformation and political unrest in 16th-century Europe led to its decline. By the 1980s, only a few pilgrims arrived in Santiago annually. Since then however the route has attracted a growing number of modern-day pilgrims from around the globe. The route was declared the first European Cultural Route by the Council of Europe in October 1987; it was also named one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites.
LENTEN STUDY 2012 11 A seven week study of THE PATH TO YOUR DOOR: Approaches to Christian Spirituality by Ellen Clark-King
LENTEN STUDY 2012 A seven week study of THE PATH TO YOUR DOOR: Approaches to Christian Spirituality by Ellen Clark-King
Week 1 February 14: INTRODUCTION by Ellen Clark-King started our study with an overview of her book on different approaches to Christian Spirituality. She writes that we have to find our own spiritual path and know that how we pray or what path we might take can change over time. She gave examples that we could experience. She said the book was about spiritual direction and journey with seven themes The Word, Silence, Creation and Creativity; Wilderness, Body, Desire, Mystery. SESSION OVERVIEW Q: Christian spirituality – what is it? No one right spiritual path Need to explore what works for us Differences and commonalities Ground spirituality in real lives which show diversity Dorothy Day - pray & do Anthony of Hippo – intellect & spirit “Enid” [ordinary modern person] God is welcoming with arms open Inward & outward – done with others Companions on the journey May involve change and could be unique Response to Trinity [Spirit God Christ] Discussion about someone who’s life has spoken to us or encourages us to live a spiritual live. Themes: genuine, humble, empowering, generous, enthusiastic, loving, unconditional Q: How do we fit spiritual practice into our lives? Find own practice Professional Christians Imaginative ways to be spiritual Pray as we can not as we can’t Something you want to do – not a duty Drawn not driven to Be yourself Prayer walk with senses – present in God’s creation What we say and do are not the same Pray so we can be open to God and other people Can’t change God’s mind or tell him what he already knows Not to change God but to change us Prayer is risky and can change who we are Out of comfort into insecurity Open to God’s priorities but not to forget we are a child of God Possible focus: “Lord Have Mercy” or the Lord’s Prayer [part of who we are as Christians] Ignatius examination: At the end of day celebrate and acknowledge challenges The Rev. Dr. Ellen Clark-King was ordained a priest in England in 1994 and has a doctorate in the-ology and spirituality. She has served as a Spiritual Director for over ten years & is currently the Arch-deacon of Burrard in the Diocese of New Westminster. Ellen has said that here is no "best" or "better" approach to either prayer or to God & being consciously in the presence of God is a worthy goal.
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LENTEN STUDY 2012 13 A seven week study of THE PATH TO YOUR DOOR: Approaches to Christian Spirituality by Ellen Clark-King (Cont’d)
Week 2 February 21: The second session is titled "The Word" and is based on the first chapter of the path to your door with an emphasis on the scriptural texts as an avenue to explore. Psalms, the Ignatian approach, Lectio divina and other resources will be tried and discussed. The Rev. Dr. Linda A. St.Clair will guide this session. SESSION OVERVIEW A look at two bible passages Genesis & John “In the beginning was the word” A closer look at the Lord’s Prayer and reflection on what is being said Praying with the Psalms some are uplifting and others more somber both dark and light Lectio Divina which provides a structure for response to a bible reading which makes scripture a living word for today by concentrating on what word or phrase speaks more strongly to you and then thinking about the meaning. Jesus Prayer [Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner] and to use this prayer either by repeating it over and over or by saying it in the gaps in the busyness of the day Kataphatic [embracing imagery and words as a way to grow in understanding of God] Spirituality which emphasizes our relationship to God and finding new ways of speaking to and of God. Words are a way to begin our journey with God The Rev. Dr. Linda St.Clair is a retired Anglican priest and has served in Christ Church Cathedral Vancouver and as Director of Programs for the Diocese of New Westminster before retiring to Gabriola Island where she served as Priest in Charge of St. Martin’s and now as an honorary assis-tant. Her doctoral work focused on impact of social power and communication in small groups and large organizations. Changing traditional power based roles to empowering roles as servant leaders is still her focus. Week 3 February 28: The focus on the third week will be on “the awakening of spirituality through silence”. The challenge to be still and know I am God will be studied and experienced. Works ranging from Thomas Merton and Meister Eckhart to Zen Masters will be referenced. The Rev. Dr. Linda St. Clair will guide this session. SESSION OVERVIEW: Tools for silence Nouwen “Quiet Rest” conscious use of silence [we chose a stone to hold] We live in a world that tries to banish silence and it is difficult to find Psalm 46 v 11 “Be Still and know that I am GOD Take time to communicate with God through our hearts & souls Be present and God will come – Just show up Meditation: Conscious breathing e.g. in [Yah] our [weh] Labyrinth a walking meditation Centering Prayer – choose a meaningful word to focus on [Thomas Keating] Meister Eckhart “Apophatic” = the way of unknowing - we are called into oneness to empty ourselves so we can be filled with God – God’s grace working within us Reflective Meditation – recall the past when you felt God’s grace Thomas Merton: All Christians need places & times of silence in order to get in tune with God Contemplative Prayer
LENTEN STUDY 2012 14 A seven week study of THE PATH TO YOUR DOOR: Approaches to Christian Spirituality by Ellen ClarkKing (Cont’d) Week 4 March 6: "Human creativity " writes Ellen, "enriches and enlivens our own spiritual journey." This session will give us the opportunity to look at our own creativity as an avenue to a closer relationship to the Divine. The Rev. Rohana Laing will be guiding this program SESSION OVERVIEW Creativity affects our spirituality and vice-versa Spirit masks, poetry, dance, icons, architecture, music, art etc. Fully human we express deepest truths through our creative urge Any focused activity is prayer Being creative can take us out of our heads into our feelings Need to be honest and open to God’s presence Art is subjective like religion we are at different stages in our journey What touches one may not touch another Betty Edwards: don’t look at form but look at the space around the form The Rev. Rohana Laing holds degrees from both the Emily Carr University of Art and the Vancouver School of Theology. She is a United Church minister of the church here on Gabriola Is-land and a creator of bright and colorful art in many forms including acrylic and batiks. She sees her art as "an expression of my belief that we are all One, all interconnected by the Spirit of life."
Week 5 March 13: This week we have an opportunity to consider a range of approaches and exercises that can expand our approaches and ways of praying, focusing and knowing how much support we have by expanding our prayer life in new ways. SESSION OVERVIEW [Body & Desire] Body [physical] prayer getting in tune with our body e.g. Yoga, Meditation, Consistancy in worship: outer gesture to show respect to God Dualism in culture and church e.g. good/evil, black/white God is spirit intellect, heaven, unchanging versus the temporal – matter, emotion changing, Hierarchical: Men at the top [heavenly, superior] and women at the bottom [inferior, earthy] Dichotomous and paradoxical; physiological and psychological perspective Ascetic spirituality an example of dualism Liberation Theology a movement which focuses on the needs of the body and hence the poor and oppressed [justice] right behaviour versus right belief Help one another – working for change in the world Feminist theology – female spiritual writers/mystics; transformative theology; Ignatian prayer [exercises] Jesus the Christ is the only way to God [flow] Many mansions and paths to God The Rev. Shelagh Huston is a newly ordained Deacon in the Anglican Church and is currently serving in that role with both St. Paul, Nanaimo and St. Martin’s, Gabriola. She has been an advocate for social jus-tice and has a background in economics and its impact on communities. Renewing the culture in a way that is liberating and respectful of creation is a focus in her life. Week 6 March 20: The mystery of how one approaches union with the Divine has been seen often through the experiences of mystics such as Evelyn Underhill, Teresa of Avila and Julian Norwich. The Rev. Dr. Adela Torcia will guide us through this approach.
LENTEN STUDY 2012 15 A seven week study of THE PATH TO YOUR DOOR: Approaches to Christian Spirituality by Ellen ClarkKing (Cont’d)
SESSION OVERVIEW Evelyn Underhill “Practical Mysticism” Mystical experience can be ordinary e.g. the breeze caressing the face If we make space God responds God is everywhere except in arrogance [Heschel] Everything has cracks the light gets in [Leonard Cohen] Pieces of God longing to get back to God [Atman] Idea of things – God connects us all [Plato] Pursuit of eternal wisdom/pure being moments of deeper insight into real God Celtic spirituality “thin places where God gets through/we get through to God” Eucharist place where human and divine come close/intimate Mystical experiences should be shared Nature is transparent to divine Difficulties make us strong ‘test our metal” Teresa of Avila ‘mysticism begins in self knowledge’ Paradox self is the opposite of ego – ego can lead you down the wrong path Conquer/overcome the ego go beyond ego – rediscover lost innocence Buddhist attachment causes pain/suffering Let go let God Julian of Norwich [anchorite] “the father wills, the mother works” Rahner: “all Christians will be mystics or there will be no Christians at all” Etty Hillesum [modern mystic] based on her journal – defend the dwelling place of God within us Mysticism & Communion: pre-communion quote inspired by something from St. Augustine goes like this: This is the Body of Christ, You are the Body of Christ. Receive what you are, Become what you receive. Eucharist = thanksgiving – physical act of refueling our spirit The Rev. Dr. Adela Torchia is the rector of St. David and St. Paul Anglican Church in Powell River. Adela is also developing a home here on Gabiola Island. Her Doctoral work was in religion and ecology in a world religions context which included a review of the economic ethics of Gandhi. She sees the importance of our religious beliefs impacting positively our care for the earth.
Week 7 March 27: How the wilderness can help us focus on our spiritual journey as it has many others. This can be found in many forms in nature but also there is a wilderness in our cities as well. The Rev. Anne Privett will be the guide for this exploration. SESSION OVERVIEW Rhythm of the desert wilderness Time of struggle, temptation, transformation Live more fully in the everyday Intense paradox empty to be filled In tension tradition finds itself Need to be quiet to hear and listen Brought in to let go [work of emotion] – transformation Paradox permeates our religion Encounter stark aloneness – Moses burning bush God Testing preparation 40 years or 40 days
16 LENTEN STUDY 2012 A seven week study of THE PATH TO YOUR DOOR: Approaches to Christian Spirituality by Ellen ClarkKing (Cont’d)
Place of prophecy Desert is a necessity but we are not meant to stay – part of the journey What is necessary to encounter God? Desert in Greek = abandon Abandon ourselves into the heart/love of God Let go of ego, fear shame – let God “dark night of the soul” Lenten season of desert Place of encounter with God What was abandoned – transformed? Change: the way it is/was to the way it will be [defeat to success] Leviticus 19:2 “You shall be holy for I the Lord am holy” Spirituality of paradox Capacity to be alone versus with and for one another [community] Moses & and jug with holes leaves sins behind can’t judge sins of others In silence we are aware and hear Silence is God’s first language/prayer [silence keeps us pilgrims] Reflection: mirror [here I am], outside self [self aware], genuflection/kneel [acknowledge self before God] stripped and filled = transparent Living in tension – access for people into Christianity Live with holiness in daily lives Rowan Williams [2005] “Where God Lives”
Now O Lord, calm me into a quietness that heals and listens, and molds my longings and passion, my wounds and wonderings into a more holy and human shape. [Ted Loder, “Guerillas of Grace” 1981] The Rev. Anne Privitt is a Curate at St. Paul Anglican Church in Nanaimo and the Priest in Charge of St. Martin, Gabriola Island. Anne graduated from Trinity College with a Masters of Divinity and has begun her ordained ministry here in British Columbia. How our "spiritual heart" impacts our self under-standing and thus our institutions is her current concern.
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Candidates for Holy Baptism Laura Ruth, Sarah Katherine Anna Jane
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Disturb us, O Lord when we are too well-pleased with ourselves when our dreams have come true because we dreamed too little, because we sailed too close to the shore. Disturb us, O Lord when with the abundance of things we possess, we have lost our thirst for the water of life when, having fallen in love with time, we have ceased to dream of eternity and in our efforts to build a new earth, we have allowed our vision of Heaven to grow dim. Stir us, O Lord to dare more boldly, to venture into wider seas where storms show Thy mastery, where losing sight of land, we shall find the stars. In the name of Him who pushed back the horizons of our hopes and invited the brave to follow. Amen Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Season of Lent Fast from pessimism, feast on optimism. Fast from criticism; feast on praise. Fast from self-pity; feast on joy. Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness. Fast from idle gossip; feast on love. Fast from discouragement; feast on hope. Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation. Fast from selfishness; feast on service. Fast from fear; feast on faith. Fast from anger; feast on patience. Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others. Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.
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After much hard work, draft 10 of a Shared Ministry Agreement went to Diocesan Council on March 24th and was approved in principle! The same draft has been distributed to members of St. Martin's (and GUC) for our careful consideration and prayer. Our Bishop commends our dedication and hard work and encourages us to proceed at the pace of grace and give ourselves a year with the new shared minister to see how everything goes.
Together our parish is discerning and praying:
Gracious God, you call us into community so that we may grow in Your likeness. Guide us, we pray, as we journey forward in Your love. Affirm us when we discern rightly; strengthen us to reconsider when we do not. Open our hearts to the future to which you are calling us so that we may show people Jesus. Amen. (John 12:20-33) Please make a note of the following dates: April 10th: Parish Discussion of Agreement (Time TBA but there will be food!) April 22nd: Formal Congregational Vote
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Indian Residential Schools and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Background
Indian residential schools date back to the 1870’s. Over 130 residential schools were located across the country, and the last school closed in 1996. During this era, more than 150,000 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children were placed in these schools, often against their parents’ wishes. Many were forbidden to speak their language and practice their own culture. It is estimated that more than 80,000 former students are living today. The ongoing impact of residential schools has been felt throughout generations. The Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement is Canada’s largest class action lawsuit. ( 2007)The Settlement Agreement is an important step towards healing the harm caused by the Indian Residential School legacy. What is the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada? The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) is an important part of the Settlement Agreement. The Commission has been given the responsibility of:
Telling Canadians what happened in the Indian Residential Schools
Honouring the lives of former students and their families; and
Creating a permanent record of the Indian Residential School legacy
To do this, the TRC wants to meet with, and collect the experiences of former students, staff, their families, and anyone else who has an experience to share.
Thank you to our parishioners who made shawls for those who will be telling their stories.
United Church of Canada Archives, 93.049P429, 1950s, Alberni School.
21 Not a Question of, O Ye of Little faith
Bremilham Church
Bremilham Church is perched on a small grassy mound in the middle of a farm yard in Wiltshire and is officially the smallest 'in service' church in Britain
Measuring just 13ft by 11ft
But despite it’s diminutive size this tiny little church still manages to draw quite a crowd and just having a service at all is quite an achievement.
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Queen's Diamond Jubilee stained glass window. Palace of Westminster
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Anti Kipper Camp in the Community http://antikipper.com/node/17
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Archiving Our Church History with Photographs and Pictures What would you save if your house were on fire? Many people answer, “My family photos.” Family photos are precious. Our church is a family, too, and so it’s imperative that we archive our church family photos not only for our own records but for the benefit of future generations of Anglicans and Lutherans on Gabriola. In this age of digital photography, we can store our church photos quite easily on the computer. Old photos can be scanned so the original photo can be returned to the owner but the scanned image is stored on the computer. Do you have any old photos or pictures of St. Martin’s of Tours which we can copy so they can be added to our church archives? Please contact me if you do at: hplowright @shaw.ca or 250-247-2037
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Seven Days to Tend the Earth Lenten Reflections by Suzanne Rumsey Day Six – A Little Knowledge? “God, who plants the garden, grant us wisdom and understanding.” When did you last visit a farm and spend time learning from a farmer? The world is losing its farms and its farmers and the wisdom they have to offer all of us. In “Seven Days to Tend the Earth” it is noted that, “Between 1991 and 2006 the number of farmers in Canada under 35 years old decreased by over 60 per cent and the number of farms declined by more than 70,000.” During the recent PWRDF delegation to India and Sri Lanka, delegation members had the opportunity to visit the small farm that was purchased in 1993 by long-time PWRDF partner, OfERR (Organization for Eelam Refugee Rehabilitation), just outside of Chennai, in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. For many of the almost 70,000 Tamil refugees living in camps scattered throughout the state, Nallayan farm is a place of quiet refuge, and a place where they can reconnect with their farming roots; for many of the refugees were farmers before they fled Sri Lanka. The farm, which is self-sustaining, offers training programs in animal husbandry, organic agriculture and spirulina (a high-protein algae) production. Those refugees (as well as local Indians) who receive training are able to return to their camps and communities to share their learned wisdom. Of the 113 refugee camps, 55 are now producing spirulina as a nutrition supplement for children and adolescent girls, as well as for commercial sale. When OfERR purchased the farm it was still in a rural area. But the delegation observed the encroaching development of India’s IT sector and heard about how the farm’s water table is being depleted by neighbours who are emptying their neighbouring wells for sale. Farm wisdom, it seems, is under threat everywhere. To support PWRDF’s work with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, pleasedonate here. Please make sure you enter “Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (Anglican Church of Canada)” under the “Member Designation” space. CFGB’s reflection on All Our Eggs in One Basket can be found in the 7 Days to Tend the Earth booklet. The Biblical passage (Proverbs 8:12, 22-31)) can be found here. “I wisdom, live with prudence, and I attain knowledge and discretion… when God marked out the foundations of the earth, then I was beside God… rejoicing before God always, rejoicing in God’s inhabited world and delighting in the human race.” Proverbs 8:12, 22-31 Read more at: http://pwrdf.org/
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Announcements 1. Raspberry's Farewell Bash to Benefit the Commons 2. Commons Allotment Gardens - two opportunities Participation Opportunities 1. Workbee to extend boardwalk to South end of Commons - April 1 at 1:30pm 2. Workbees - Saturdays 10-12 3. Join a Team; Attend Council - next Council: April 3 at 7pm Events 1. Many Goings-on at the Commons - Commons Calendar 2. Celebrating Earth Day on the Commons - April 22 3. 'Dinner at My Place', a delicious Commons fundraiser - March thru May Teams @ the Commons Commons Contact Info Quote of the week: "If a problem has no solution, it may not be a problem, but a fact - not to be solved, but to be coped with over time." - Shimon Peres (Polish-born Israeli, politician) This week's quote submitted by Richard Pullano... send in your suggestions. ________________________________________________ Announcements 1. Raspberry's Farewell Bash to Benefit the Commons Saturday, April 7th 12noon - 8:00pm Advance ticket sales at Raspberry's Beer, Burger and Salad for just $15. Plus a musical kaleidoscope with Gabriola’s favourite musicians. Get your tickets in advance. All proceeds to benefit the Gabriola Commons. 2. Commons Allotment Gardens - two opportunities 1) There are 3 open plots at the South Gardens Commons Allotments. They are about 400 sq. feet, but can be divided into smaller plots if necessary. If you are interested in registering to become a plot holder at the South Gardens please email commonsouth@gmail.com by April 5th. 2) New allotment gardens are being developed for Spring 2013 through the Commons, to be located at Namaste Farms in the South End. If you are interested in signing up for one of these plots, please email Sharon at sharon.pattison@gmail.com.
___________________________________________Read more at:http://www.gabriolacommons.ca/
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On April 29th, 2012 Our service will be at 11:00 am at ST. PAUL'S NANAIMO and Bishop James will be preaching. We can catch the 10:05 am ferry. For those who wish to remain on Island that morning, the Rev. Gary Schenk will minister to Gabriola United at the 11:00 service.
Caregivers Meeting
Or Hilary @ 250-247-2037 or hplowright@shaw.ca
Meets at 2pm on the first Wednesday of the month. Gabriola United Church
Prayer Wheel To make a request for prayers and/or thanks for prayers or to participate in this ministry please contact Phyllis reeve at 247– 7889 or tpreeve@shaw.ca
Donations for the Food Basket for People for a Healthy Community, Gabriola Please support this vital ministry to those in need Donations of food may be placed in the basket as you enter church or you may contribute financially using the Food Bank jar at coffee time.
For more information call Angela
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Rev Anne’s Schedule: April 2-6 and 8: St Martin’s April 7, 10-12 St. Paul’s ( 11 Duncan) April 13-14: Truth & Reconciliation Conference , Victoria April 15-19 St. Paul’s April 21-25, 28-23 St. Martin’s
Interim Priest: Rev. Anne Privett ph# 250-247-8648 E-mail: aprivett@bc.anglican.ca Wardens: Angela Nutter, Vic Wiebe Prayer Wheel: Phyllis Reeve tpreeve@shaw.ca Bulletin Announcements to Jacquie by Wednesday at 5:00pm jmjessup@shaw.ca or phone 250-247-8308 Please submit your srticles for the Crossword to Hilary at: hplowright @shaw.ca