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St. Martin of Tours Anglican Church Crossword Newsletter
http:// www.anglican.ca/
February 2013
Website www.stmartinoftours.ca
Priest Rev. Joan Scandrett
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/
Wardens: Angela Nutter, Vic Wiebe Alternate Warden, Rob Brockley
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Crossword Newsletter “ We are people of God, followers of Jesus, open to the Spirit”
Inside this Issue Rev. Joan
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Christmas Alive
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Rev Anne’s Induction
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Stewardship
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Bishop’s Letter to Parish
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Safe Church
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An Introduction to Lent
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Bible readings for Lent and 22 Easter What does Lent Mean to You ?
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The Altar Cometh
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Valentine Day Tea
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The Prayer Shawl Ministry at Work
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Food for Life PWRDF
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Baptism
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Bishop’s Challenge Over Colour Purple
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Anglican Church Women
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Mardi Gras Shrove Tuesday
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Church Notices
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Priest Rev. Joan Scandrett Wardens: Angela Nutter, Vic Wiebe, Alternate—Rob Brockley Prayer Wheel: Phyllis Reeve tpreeve@shaw.ca
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Thank-you Susan for all your hard work in planning and executing this amazing re-enactment of the Nativity story. What a wonderful gift to the Gabriola Island community !!
CONT�D
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Christmas Alive! On Saturday, December 22, about one hundred people attended Christmas Alive! – an outdoor nativity play held at the Commons. It was offered as a gift to the whole community of Gabriola from St. Martin’s, GUC and Our Lady of Victory, who worked as partners to put it together. People acted, did the lighting, gave out carol sheets and served hot chocolate. Behind the scenes, people sewed costumes, created props and worked on publicity. The Rev. Joan Scandrett was our Master of Ceremonies. Nancy Jenner was the Angel Gabriel. Bart Jessup, Jason Sims and Aidan Sims were shepherds. Don Butt led the singing, and Marilyn Smith played keyboard. Were the three purposes for Christmas Alive met? 1) Certainly the three churches worked together, but except for the organizing committee, sort of in their own small corners. 2) It was definitely a different way to hear and see the story. 3) From looking at pictures of the event (thank you, Richard Pullano and Don Butt!), from talking to people who attended, and from reading e-mails received, it appears that people, young and old, who do not usually attend church were in attendance and saw, heard, and sang the Christmas story. We were very grateful for all the people outside of our church communities who generously gave of their time, talents, and material gifts to help out the project. Antony Holland was our narrator. Lisa Butler, Pollen Heath and Arlo Heath were Mary, Joseph and Jesus. Taylor Turrie of Paradise Island Alpacas and two of her young friends were our three wisemen, complete with alpacas masquerading as camels. The Sparks and Brownies were our heavenly host. Village Foods donated all the hot chocolate and cookies. Both newspapers generously helped us with publicity. People and organizations loaned lights and reflective vests. We couldn`t have done it without them. Many have urged us to consider doing a similar event next year. What do you think? Please see below for pictures
and comments.
From Kit Szanto, Dec.28, 2012: Hi Susan - Just got my computer back - and thought of you. Not only was the whole show just great - as you could see by reactions etc - but your thanks note to Mary was very generous re help - we gave brief, and finally not useful help - your team did the real work. Your return the next day to wipe up muddy footprints might have been someone else's - not yours, I thought. No one could beat you for responsible clean up. Hope you had a good Christmas and now are relaxing a bit, maybe even napping..... unlikely as it seems to me. I will see you on eof these Saturday ams - if it ever stops raining! Cheers - and good wishes for 2013
From Mary Wilson, Dec. 26, 2012: Susan, I have heard such wonderful things from everyone about the production! I'm really sorry we weren't able to be there -- just too cold and wet for the average age 89 population we planned to bring along. We will no doubt get the tent sorted out. I fully expect you did a better cleanup job than I usually do! It was a pleasure working with you on this project -- not that I did a heck of a lot. I'll forward your note along to the PMT folks. Thanks again, From Melinda Wilde, (member of GFC) Dec. 23, 2012: Hi susan, just want to thank you for the amazing event last night at the commons! Loved It!!!!! xoxmelinda From Kathy Fretheim (liaison with Our Lady of Victory) Lovely note, Cathy and I "ditto" every comment. It was a very special "happening" and the gentle rainfall just cleaned it all up! Sorry I messed up on the "Silent Night" light cue--I thought after I had turned it off that it probably was too soon, but then what to do??? Otherwise, I think it went splendidly and I am soooo grateful to you and Rob for your your initiation, perserverance and calm organization. I don't know if the two of you can even think of doing it again, but I am game! Blessed Christmas Cont’d Kathy
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"Cathy Tanner Hi Susan, Congratulations on tonight’s presentation of Christmas-Alive! It was magical and touching! While the little angels were waiting for everything to begin, they started singing The Little Drummer Boy as a few of them were in the elementary school’s Charlie Brown Christmas Concert on Wednesday and the song was one of their numbers. Then Marilyn started playing it and the children started again with Marilyn; it was a sweet and spontaneous kick-off to the evening. And I think they felt that they were a special part of what was about to happen. The gentle yet powerful message narrated by Antony Holland was music to my ears. Everything was cued perfectly from my perspective– the lights, the cast, the animals – plywood and woolly; the musicians and vocalists; not to mention our wonderful MC! I loved it! I hope you feel very good about what you initiated over a year ago. It was a gift to our community! Thank You! My husband and relatives enjoyed participating tonight and ask me to send their congratulations too. Blessings, Cathy The Christmas Alive pageant was lovely, and the presentation as a gift to the community just exactly right. Haven't been to a real Christmas pageant since Barbara Ebbeson produced a memorable event at the Community Hall, in the mid 1990s. We have one suggestion for next year - for those of us who are easily disoriented in the dark, it might make a huge difference to schedule it an hour earlier. Loved the camels - and everyone else. MERRY CHRISTMAS! Phyllis and Ted Reeve from Chris Jacobson (GFC): Hi Susan We salute you and your team for a great effort. We did make it, unfortunately a bit late so we missed Sir Anthony's reading for the most part. Alas. We did see the display, hear some music, and ran into several island friends . I believe you raised the profile of the Christ child, and thereby of The Saviour . Well done. All the best for a joyous Christmas and truly prosperous 2013. Chris Jacobson Hi, Lynne and I thoroughly enjoyed the Christmas Story this evening. Many thanks for your collective time and efforts. Merry Christmas Lynne and Randy Hi Susan At the Commons Council last night when we were discussing a bunch of events on the Commons I asks about what people thought about Xmas Live - and everyone who had seen it said it was a great success. One person said, "I'm not even a Christian and it moved me to tears." Everyone said it was terrific, despite the rain, cold etc and commented on how many kids were there, loving each bit. A general agreement it had heard it was a great success. So - that is the semi official response from the Commons. Well, I was told I could send all this on to you by Council so it is more or less the Commons take on it. You all deserve huge credit everyone says. And thank you. Kit Hi Susan, Sorry it took this long but I wanted to say, "Well done". The Christmas Alive program was awesome. I know it was an awful lot of work but it would be great if it can become an annual tradition for the community of Gabriola. Maybe you need to give it some more time before you answer that. Wish you many blessings for this coming year. Cont’d Alice Verstraete
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Christmas Alive 2012
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Rev’d Anne Privett’s Induction St Mary the Virgin, Oak Bay, Victoria
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Stewardship Gatherings – Becoming a Cheerful Steward Between Jan 14th and Jan 25th, five different groups of St. Martin’s folks (a total of 24) met to discuss Christian stewardship issues. The informal, in-home sessions were a follow-up to the Stewardship Workshop last fall, at which the Rev. Dale Huston characterized stewardship as an ongoing expression of one’s growing relationship with God, rather than an annual fund-raising campaign to balance the parish budget. To build upon the “attitude of gratitude” theme that Dale spoke about at the workshop, the in-home discussions were based on 2 Corinthians 9: 6-8, which includes the well-known verse “Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver”. Each group discussed the following four questions: 1. Describe an example of abundant and cheerful generosity that you have witnessed in another person. 2.
Think back to a time in your life when it felt especially good to give. What do you think fostered this cheerful generosity?
3.
If generosity comes from within, then how do we cultivate generosity?
4.
What guidelines have you found helpful in deciding how bountifully to sow and where to sow?
We all had a chance to think about where our urge to give (whether it be time, talents, or money) comes from. Many people shared examples of specific times when it felt especially good to give. Thankfulness for what has been given to them (i.e., paying it forward), responding to a well-defined need, and the knowledge that their gift made a difference or was unexpected were mentioned frequently as key elements in fostering a feeling of cheerful generosity. Some people felt that giving anonymously was especially gratifying. As usual, when people from St. Martin’s get together, conversations were both thoughtful and creative. Excellent questions were posed and several issues were raised for further thought and discussion: What sets our financial support of St. Martin’s apart from the annual dues we pay to other clubs or organizations? Why did our many shared stories of cheerful generosity contain so few examples of church giving? How should a church’s needs be defined and communicated in ways that encourage cheerful generosity? How can St. Martin’s ministry be grown to make a difference to others? How can we become more deliberate and purposeful in deciding where and what to give? As with our investments, should we periodically review and re-balance our “giving portfolios” in order to ensure that our giving (of time, talent and money) is allocated as effectively as possible? Because so many mentioned thankfulness, maybe we as a church can find ways to have Thanksgiving Sunday more than once a year – to find ways to think about how much we have to be thankful for and include those thanksgivings in our church services more often. We need to celebrate the collaborative and cohesive leadership that Rev. Joan has demonstrated since arriving at St. Martin’s and the exciting opportunities that her leadership presents to us. As a congregation, we need to develop our ability to identify and use our gifts for ministry so that we continue to make a difference on Gabriola Island and beyond. As newer parishioners, we loved the stories people had to tell about giving and receiving. We wonder if there might be a way for these stories to be heard within the wider congregation. We all have our own stories to tell about where God has led us and
blessed us.
Cont’d
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At the end of each in-home gathering, everyone was given a Personal Pledge Form (see below) to take home with them. The pledge form differs from a traditional pledge form in that it is not to be returned to St. Martin’s. The Personal Pledge is simply intended as a tool to assist each of us to become more deliberate and purposeful in deciding how much to give and where to give. Some may find it useful, and others may not. While this form was designed specifically for gifts of money, a similar form could be used to determine how much to give and where to give of our available time and talents. Thanks to everyone who participated and put aside any reservations they may have had about attending a stewardship-themed Bible study and discussion. Hopefully, we’ve all learned something about ourselves and how we can become more cheerful and purposeful stewards. We encourage those who didn’t attend to ponder the four discussion questions and then to consider filling out their own Personal Pledge form. Rob and Susan Brockley
Personal Pledge 2013 After prayerful consideration, I/we deliberately choose to support the ministry at St. Martin of Tours Anglican Church. I/we do so cheerfully, as an expression of gratitude for the generous gifts that God has given to me/us. Amount: _________ weekly __________ monthly __________ yearly This commitment amounts to ______ % of my/our anticipated total charitable giving for this year My/our anticipated total charitable giving for this year amounts to ______ % of my/our expected yearly income DO NOT return this personal pledge to St. Martin’s.
2 Corinthians 9:7 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
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Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, fo God loves a cheerful giver.
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Letter from Bishop James Cowan to Rev Joan and St. Martin’s
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Cont’d
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Response Letter from St. Martin’s to Bishop James Cowan
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Reply from Bishop James Cowan to St Martin’s
16 http:// safechurch.anglicancommunion.o rg/about/index.cfm
What is ‘Safe Church’ all About? In July 2008 an international Anglican conference 'Creating a Safer Church' focussing on the abuse of children and adults in faith-community settings was held in London, England. The bishops of the Anglican Communion who gathered at the Lambeth Conference in July 2008 considered the abusive use of power within society as well as in the church, and affirmed the need for special care to be taken so that power would always be life-giving.
Global Anglican Body Urges Members to Adopt Safe Church Charter
A meeting of Anglicans from around the world unanimously voted to call on their Churches to adopt and implement a charter protecting vulnerable people. More than 80 members of the Anglican Communion gathered in Auckland’s Holy Trinity Cathedral for the 15th Anglican Consultative Council committed themselves to promoting the physical, emotional and spiritual welfare and safety of all people, especially children, young people and vulnerable adults, within their national and regional churches. They voted to pass a resolution that called on their Churches “to adopt and implement the following Charter for the Safety of People within the Churches of the Anglican Communion, and report to the next meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council as to steps taken to adopt and implement the Charter.”
Posted On : October 30, 2012 ‘Anglican Communion’
a. Listening with patience and compassion to their experiences and concerns; b. Offering spiritual assistance and other forms of pastoral care. Effective response to abuse 2. We will have and implement policies and procedures to respond properly to allegations of abuse made against clergy and other church personnel that include: a. Making known within churches the procedure for making complaints; b. Arranging pastoral care for any person making a complaint of abuse; c. The impartial determination of allegations of abuse against clergy and other church personnel, and assessment of their suitability for future ministry; d. Providing support for affected parishes and church
Charter for the Safety of People within the Churches of the Anglican Communion
organisations. Practice of pastoral ministry 3. We will adopt and promote by education and training
Pastoral support where there is abuse 1. We will provide pastoral support for the abused,
standards for the practice of pastoral ministry by clergy and other church personnel.
their families, and affected parishes and church organisations by: Cont’d
17 (Cont’d from previous page) Suitability for ministry 4. We will have and implement policies and procedures to assess the suitability of persons for ordination as clergy or appointment to positions of responsibility in the church including checking their background. Culture of safety 5. We will promote a culture of safety in parishes and church organisations by education and training to help clergy, other church personnel and participants prevent the occurrence of abuse.
Members of the committee– (Marion Little second on left)
Marion Little, Canon Pastor for the Diocese of British Columbia Sexual Misconduct Policy, noted : “If the church ever hopes to attract and retain discerning young adults and young families, we need to assertively address the issues around abuse, its perpetuation, how to prevent it and how to support healing.” She added that the church is uniquely positioned to provide its members with sanctuary, which for her is the most central aspect of Christianity. “If we cannot provide true sanctuary to our most vulnerable…, we might as well lock our doors and go home.”
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An Introduction to Lent The name "Lent" is taken from a German word once used to refer to the spring season. Over time, it replaced the Latin quadrageima, which means "40 days." The period of Lent is 40 days to remind us of Jesus' spiritual retreats into the wilderness where he fasted and prayed before undertaking his ministry. Lent is the period of six weeks (not including Sundays) leading up to Easter, the most important festival in the Christian calendar. Lent starts on Ash Wednesday in western Christian Churches and climaxes during Easter Week. The last week of Lent is called Holy Week. During the 40 days of Lent, Christians remember the time when Jesus went into the desert to fast and pray before beginning his work for God. During this time Jesus was tempted several times by Satan, but was able to resist. Shrove Tuesday The day before the beginning of Lent is known as Shrove Tuesday. To shrive someone, in oldfashioned English (he shrives, he shrove, he has shriven or he shrives, he shrived, he has shrived), is to hear his acknowledgement of his sins, to assure him of God's forgiveness, and to give him appropriate spiritual advice. The term survives today in ordinary usage in the expression "short shrift". To give someone short shrift is to pay very little attention to his excuses or problems. The longer expression is, "to give him short shrift and a long rope," which formerly meant to hang a criminal with a minimum of delay. On Shrove Tuesday, many Christians make a special point of self-examination, of considering what wrongs they need to repent, and what amendments of life or areas of spiritual growth they especially need to ask God's help in dealing with. Often they consult on these matters with a spiritual counselor, or receive shrift. Shrove Tuesday is also called Fat Tuesday (in French, Mardi=Tuesday; gras=fat, as in "pate de foie gras", which is liver paste and very fatty), because on that day a thrifty housewife uses up the fats that she has kept around (the can of bacon drippings, or whatever) for cooking, but that she will not be using during Lent. Since pancakes are a standard way of using up fat, the day is also called Pancake Tuesday. In England, and perhaps elsewhere, the day is celebrated with pancake races. The contestants run a course while holding a griddle and flipping a pancake. Points are awarded for time, for number and height of flips, and number of times the pancake turns over. There are of course penalties for dropping the pancake. Festivities take place in many cities all over the world, including Mardi Gras in New Orleans (Carnival in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and Venice (Italy). People dress up, wear masks, parade and dance in the streets.
Cont’d
St Martin’s is having its own Mardi Gras as we celebrate Shrove Tuesday with a pancake meal followed by Jazz Vespers.
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Ash Wednesday Ashes are an ancient symbol of repentance (sackcloth and ashes). On Ash Wednesday many western Christian churches, as does St. Martin’s, hold services during which Christians are marked on the forehead with a cross of ashes. This is a sign of saying sorry to God for any wrong doing (penitence) and mortality. Ashes were used in ancient times, according to the Bible, to express mourning. Dusting oneself with ashes was the penitent's way of expressing sorrow for sins and faults. The Bible does not mention the custom of Lent, however, the practice of repentance and mourning in ashes is found in 2 Samuel 13:19; Esther 4:1; Job 2:8; Daniel 9:3; and Matthew 11:21
. Ashes also remind us of our own mortality ("remember that you are dust") and thus of the day when we will stand before God and be judged. To prepare well for the day we die, we must die now to sin and rise to new life in Christ. Being marked with ashes at the beginning of Lent indicates our recognition of the need for deeper conversion of our lives during this season of renewal. The ashes come from burning the palm crosses from Palm Sunday of the previous year.
Giving Something Up - Fasting Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline. The purpose is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ - his suffering and his sacrifice, his life, death, burial and resurrection. Lent is about conversion, turning our lives more completely over to Christ and his way of life. That always involves giving up sin in some form. The goal is not just to abstain from sin for the duration of Lent but to root sin out of our lives forever. Conversion means leaving behind an old way Cont’d We need to approach the season of Lent asking ourselves what needs to change in our lives if we are to live the gospel values that Jesus taught us. Our journey through these forty days should be a movement ever closer to Christ and to the way of life he has exemplified for us. Cont’d
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Cont’d
Below is an excerpt from ‘Anglican Lenten Spirituality’ A retreat given to the Clergy of the Diocese of Fond du Lac in Lent, 1998 Speaker Fr. Gregory (Order of Julian of Norwich) Indeed, in a wonderful inversion of the medieval atonement theory where God or the Devil is satisfied by Jesus’ death on the Cross, Julian experienced the Crucified Christ looking at her and asking her if she is satisfied: Then spoke our good Lord Jesus Christ, asking: "Art thou well satisfied that I suffered for thee?" I said: "Yea, good Lord, thanks be to Thee. Yea, good Lord, blessed mayest Thou be!" Then said Jesus, our kind Lord: "If thou art satisfied, I am satisfied. It is a joy, a bliss, an endless delight to me that ever I suffered the Passion for thee; and if I could suffer more, I would suffer more."16 ‘Art thou well satisfied?’ This is the crucial question for us as we enter Lent. Within ourselves, where are the tender, inflamed areas of wrathful dissatisfaction where we are not surrendered to God, but in secret revolt? Where are the little hells of bitterness, spite, hatred, unresolved suffering and anguish? The role of divine mercy is first to raise these negative dimensions of ourselves into explicit consciousness and then to bring them into dialogue with the self-emptying love of Jesus on the cross. Julian says that it is only when our inner wrath and infantile sense of justice are slaked by the self-revelation of God in the suffering Christ, only when our interior hells of resentment and anguish have been invaded and overturned by the foolish prodigality of Jesus, only when through Jesus we are fully gratified and fully satisfied ‘with God and with all His works and with all His judgments, and loving and peaceable with ourselves and with our fellow Christians and with all that God loves, as love pleases’ that we are blissfully safe in possessing our endless joy, our heavenly beatitude. The complete PDF file from this retreat may be found here: http:// www.orderofjulian.org/ipubs-essays_files/Anglican%20Lenten%20Spirituality.pdf
Julian of Norwich is the patron of the Order named after her. Living in Norwich, England in the 14th and early 15th century, Julian spent much of her life as an anchorite, that is, as a vowed religious living by herself in a small room attached to a parish church. Beyond this, little is actually known about Dame Julian, as she was called. (Copied from www.orderofjulian.org) Cont’d
Cont’d
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The Revelations of Divine Love.’ The Revelations are a description of a series of visions
which opened Julian to the depths of God's unconditioned love for us in Jesus Christ. They are noted for their spiritual depth and theological courage, for their literary elegance and the spirit of joy and humility that permeates them.
“Ash Wednesday" by Carl Spitzweg The end of Carnival.
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Bible Readings for Lent, Holy Week and
Lent C Joel 2:1-2, 1217
Ash Wednesday (A, B, C)
Psalm 51:1-17
2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10
Matthew 6:1-6, 1621
Luke 4:1-13
Isaiah 58:1-12
First Sunday in Lent
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16
Romans 10:8b13
Second Sunday in Lent
Genesis 15:112, 17-18
Psalm 27
Philippians 3:17 -4:1
Third Sunday in Lent
Isaiah 55:1-9
Psalm 63:1-8
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Luke 13:1-9
Fourth Sunday in Lent
Joshua 5:9-12
Psalm 32
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Luke 15:1-3, 11b32
Philippians 3:4b -14
John 12:1-8
Psalm 126
Fifth Sunday in Lent
Sixth Sunday in Lent
Isaiah 43:16-21
Psalm 119:916
Liturgy of the Palms
none
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
none
Liturgy of the Passion
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16
Philippians 2:511
Luke 13:31-35 Luke 9:28-36
Luke 19:28-40 John 12:12-16 Luke 22:14-23:56 Luke 23:1-49
Holy Week C Monday of Holy Week (A, B, C)
Isaiah 42:1-9
Psalm 36:5-11
Hebrews 9:11-15
John 12:1-11
Tuesday of Holy Week (A, B, C)
Isaiah 49:1-7
Psalm 71:1-14
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
John 12:20-36
Wednesday of Holy Week (A, B, C)
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 70
Hebrews 12:1-3
John 13:21-32
Holy Thursday(A, B, C)
Exodus 12:1-4, (5-10), 11-14
Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
John 13:1-17, 31b35
Good Friday (A, B, C)
Isaiah 52:1253:12
Holy Saturday (A, B, C)
Job 14:1-14 Lamentations 3:1 -9, 19-24
Psalm 22
Hebrews 10:1625 Hebrews 4:1416; 5:7-9
John 18:1-19:42
Matthew 27:57-66 Psalm 31:1-4, 15-16
1 Peter 4:1-8 John 19:38-42
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Easter C
Easter Vigil (
Easter Day Resurrection of our Lord
Genesis 1:12:4a
Psalm 136:1-9, 23-26
Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18; 8:6-18; 9:8-13
Psalm 46
Genesis 22:1-18
Psalm 16
Exodus 14:1031; 15:20-21
Exodus 15:1b13, 17-18
Baruch 3:9-15, 32; 4:4
Psalm 19
Isaiah 55:1-11
Isaiah 12:2-6
Ezekiel 36:2428
Psalm 42 and 43
Ezekiel 37:1-14
Psalm 143
Zephaniah 3:1420
Psalm 98
Proverbs 8:1-8; 19-21; 9:4b-6
Psalm 114
Acts 10:34-43 Isaiah 65:17-25
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
Easter Evening(A, B, C) Isaiah 25:6-9
Second Sunday of Easter
Acts 5:27-32
Psalm 114
Psalm 118:1429 Psalm 150
Romans 6:3-11
Luke 24:1-12
1 Corinthians 15:19-26
John 20:1-18
Acts 10:34-43
Luke 24:1-12
1 Corinthians 5:6b-8
Luke 24:13-49
Revelation 1:4-8
John 20:19-31
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Lent, for me, is a time to reflect on what being a Christian means and considering what actions I need to take so "They'll Know We Are Christians". David Soy
od i l dh o h c from g up a ory m ivin , in e g m y was g myself s n i d for ean stan amil long in my f peaking y Lent m eath." e h s T sa is d days ." Now ould ey to h w g I n i n s eth ord jour "som y few w hrist's C r ve s g on usin Jone c o f " Rose
What does Lent mean to me? two words: give UP. To explain: the 'traditional lent' was to give up something, like chocolate. It has that meaning. To me, I think it also has the meaning to give UP ie, to give to God. Thirdly, I think it means to give up, as in 'to surrender', to put God in charge. Susan
Reflection.
To Pray and Prepare
Carolyn
Jacquie
“Pre pare
” g up
in “giv llis P hy
and
an N erm
ard yga
ye th e
Way of th e Lo rd” Hilar y
H
Despair and Joy Linda H.
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The Altar Cometh The difficulty in creating a space conducive to worship has been a challenge, but accepting challenges and overcoming them is what we are all about. On our journey, we were led to the Theatre Centre where we worked through the logistics of setting up and taking down furniture needed for our service each week. At that time we had no altar. The Altar Guild was able to use linens to disguise a table. On the arrival of Rev. Susan, She suggested at a worship Committee meeting that we obtain an altar. Diane agreed to look into the matter and resolve it. A carpenter was hired to make the altar. He designed it so that it could be folded for storage after each service. Diane was able to sand it down and varathane it. On use, it was found to have a slight angle to the top which was remedied by Digby. Digby was a very unassuming man who has done a lot to keep us shipshape. He has played a big part in providing the church with furnishings. Former priests have made suggestion, stated their wishes and Digby has produced results. With his own hands, he fashioned many furnishings that adorn God’s House. In the tradition of Jesus’ own family, he did God’s work. It is incredible, just how many things he has created! I can point out only a fraction here. The small lectern for holding the prayer book which sits on the altar, the stand for the baptismal font, the Pascal candle stand, the Advent wreath stand, a credence table, and the Remembrance book box were all built by Digby to the glory of God. What a legacy! When Rev. Joan, took over the services, she decided to use the altar. It was retrieved from the Gray’s barn. The altar was set up and adorned with linens, but the front was bare and called out for adornment. The fact that Digby had passed was heavy on my mind. So through verbalizing this, we came up with a solution. In memory of Digby , his cross would be placed on the front. The cross was sanded and restained. An angel was placed at the center of the cross. Now, how beautiful it is!
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The Prayer Shawl Ministry of St. Martin’s at Work
A Prayer Shawl Tale A phone call from a person who had long since given up religious practices surprised me. It was a request for a prayer shawl. The recipient was a woman who had survived one cancerous brain tumour only to be plagued by another. On the receipt of the shawl, the woman was taken aback and pleased. A phone call relayed her thanks and later a letter expressed her amazement and gratefulness. Her younger sister explained that she was so thrilled that she called her at the cottage, something she had never done before. The shawl became part of her daily life. One day her daughter and granddaughter came to visit. The two year old was out of sorts, fussy and cranky. Unable to pacify her, they were at their wits end, when Grandma invited the baby to lie on the shawl. Totally at peace, the baby settled down and went to sleep. And so we pray: May the person who wears our prayer shawls experience the peace of the loving embrace of Christ.
"Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work." ~Mother Teresa
Getting involved in the Ministry The ministry is open to anyone who has the skills to knit or crochet. Additional hands are always needed! Whether you knit or crochet quickly or slowly, your help is valuable to make our mission succeed. Additionally, if you would like to learn to knit or crochet so you can become a part of the ministry,
Contact Susan Brockley for more information sbrockley@shaw.ca
We feel blessed to be able to bring the Lord’s comfort to those in need. Your prayers for our ministry are greatly appreciated.
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BAPTISM
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When Were You Baptized? Rev. Joan has given us a challenge to find out about our own Baptism. From Rev. Joan - For the records, I was baptized on May 13, 1951, at Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Ogema, Sask. My Dad was the priest there. My mother told me that she was relieved I didn't cry!! Thomas Harding - My father was killed overseas in August 1944. That October I was born. The next spring my mother, who had been living with her father, took my sister and me to stay with my father's parents. My grandfather was an Anglican priest serving in Lytton. There I was baptized on Pentecost Day, 1945. My mother married again several years later and I was raised in the United Church. Twenty-five years after my baptism I was ordained, again on Pentecost Day. Nancy Jenner - I was baptized and probably confirmed at the same time. The date was April 6, 1947. I was 12 years old; now you know how young I am. This took place at Edmunston, N.B. The United Church there was called St. Paul’s. I was in the Sunday School, CGIT and Jr. Choir. My confession is that one of the greatest joys of the day was the new red shoes that I wore. Please send you baptismal stories to: Hilary at: hplowright@shaw.ca or Rev Joan at: revjoans@gmail.com
30 Last Christmas it sold a range of chocolate Christmas
Bishop's Challenge to Cadbury Over the Colour Purple
tree decorations with nativity scenes, displayed in a purple packaging – the colour long recognised by the Church as symbolising advent.
Cadbury, the chocolate maker, is on an unlikely collision course with the Church of England over the right to use “ecclesiastical” purple.
But the company has been forced to switch to scarlet
By John Bingham, Religious Af-
bury’s rights.
fairs Editor for The Daily Tele-
The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Rev Stephen
graph
Cottrell, last night urged Cadbury to ease the restric-
wrappers this Christmas after being advised by intellectual property lawyers that it could be infringing Cad-
tion, warning that it could “demean” itself by being “precious” about the colour. "Relax, smile, eat a few squares of your chocolate and don't be so precious over purple," he said. "Cadbury should reflect that before they even existed, the colour purple was around and – perish the thought The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Rev Stephen Cottrell, last night urged Cadbury to ease the restriction Photo: IAN JONES
– after they have gone, it will still be here.
A leading bishop has issued a warning to the US-owned
“Fighting some battles, even ones you win, can actu-
confectionery giant after a small Christian fair trade pro-
ally be demeaning. Far better to be generous, then no
ducer was forced to redesign its products because Cad-
one loses.”
bury had successfully trademarked the colour for the sale
“The reason we use purple is that it has been used for
of chocolate.
centuries by the church during advent – but appar-
In a landmark High Court victory last week Cadbury, now
ently no longer … it appears that the association is
owned by the US conglomerate Kraft, saw off a challenge
now with Cadbury.
from its rival Nestlé over the exclusive rights to use the
“That strikes me as being absurd that a company can
distinctive shade of purple used on its Dairy Milk wrap-
claim a colour that has other cultural connotations with
pers.
the Christian community for hundreds of years.
The ruling was the culmination of a long-running legal battle between the two of the world's biggest confectionery companies but it has also forced a rethink by one of the smallest. The Meaningful Chocolate Company, based in Manchester, produces a special range of fair trade chocolates for Christmas and Easter with a Christian message. Its supporters include the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, who gives the company’s Easter eggs away as gifts.
“You may own the rights to purple, but you can’t own the colour.
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Anglican Church Women (ACW) Diocese of BC
Anglican Church Women Diocese of BC gathered at St. Mary’s Metchosin in November. The Rev. Rob Hutchison presided at worship and was assisted by Rev. Dolly Beaumont. Music provided by Brenda Dhaene. The readings for the day gave warnings of the hazards of hoarding and worshipping false gods and the eternal blessings received by souls who remain faithful and trusting in times of trouble. National Conference: Barb Coleman gave feedback from the National Presidents Conference “Called to Serve” held in September in Calgary. Care bears and hats were brought from each diocese. Barb brought two hats, one representing that we race around doing many areas of ministry that God calls us to serve and the other was a Camp Columbia hat symbolizing service to Youth. Barb displayed a black teddy bear, outfitted from an ACW craft table and representing the highway between Port Hardy & Port McNeill The offering was split between Council of the North and expenses for Marion Little’s attendance at the ACC meeting. Prayer partner for 2013: Montreal; Calgary will be praying for BC. Speakers: Jayne Carlielle, Calgary who has travelled to Bolivia and Rwanda to train teachers and do some classroom teaching gave a presentation called “Take the Plunge”; God calls us to serve at any age. The Primate Archbishop Fred Hiltz shared how leadership in the Canadian church is being called to serve the worldwide community. The Canadian church is being perceived in a good light because of our willingness to listen with respect to one another. The Primate said women of the church have been ‘called to serve’ as enablers and advocates through the years. He asked that we pray for a vision for the present and bring it to birth. The Primate blessed servers’ towels with the National ACW crest and presented one to each delegate. Metropolitan David Ashdown spoke on the link with the Council of the North. He shared how often a monetary gift arrived from ACW or MU to meet a need the Council was being called to serve. Book of Remembrance: The following names inscribed in the Book of Remembrance: Marjorie Olive Bailey, St. Peter’s Pender Island (101 years) and Margaret Hilda Macauley, St Peters, Pender Island; Madge Ann Edginton, St. Andrew’s, Cowichan Station;Violent Mary Skapski, Courtenay; Gertrude Alberta (Madden) Briggs, Campbell River; Margaret Norma Bishop, St. John`s South Cowichan. Dorcas: Dorcas boxes were packed/shipped in late October. A thank you was sent to the Montreal knitter for all the knitting. Joy Bags are needed – sewers please take note Threshold Ministries: Street Hope: Their RV goes out as needed during the week. Please put soup donations into ice cream buckets so that they are easily frozen. More volunteers needed for the street ministry. Mt. Douglas Court Seniors Housing: A new path was constructed for people with walkers/wheelchairs to access the grounds/gardens. Camp Columbia: Please follow the Diocesan Post regarding Camp Columbia news. We have many opportunities to walk with God so that He can heal and transform. Seek God’s will/calling for that place in this time. The Diocesan line of budget grant will be used to obtain professional recommendations on the facility.
Joke Bergink on right
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Anglican Church Women Cont’d
White Ribbon Campaign: Wearing white ribbons say that we will not commit or condone or remain silent on gender violence. Gloria Hockley is an advocate/delegate appointed by the Primate to attend UNSCW. Gifts/Financial: A gift was made to Precious Jewels Ministry; membership was renewed for Anglican Foundation. A thank you for purchase of a seat on the Blue Bus was received.
Upcoming: Comox/Nimpiskish: Feb @ St. John’s Courtenay Cowichan/Malaspina: Sat., Feb. 16, St. John the Baptist, Duncan Tri Region: Sat., Feb.23, Church of the Advent, Colwood United Nations Status of Women Commission: Gloria Hockley; March 1-15, New York City. Thank you to all who have provided support. General Meeting for March 27th: An invitation is needed. Annual General Meeting: Mon. May 6 – Tues., May 7, St. Paul’s Nanaimo. Theme “Nurturing the Spirit Within” Speaker: Joke Bergink of Precious Jewels Ministry told how she and Lorrie Andreson left Canada 25 years ago, first doing orphanage ministry in India and Bangladesh. Following this difficult training ground, God led them to start Precious Jewels Ministry in the Philippines. Their decision was to keep the facility small to enable them to build loving relationships with those God gave them to care for. Precious Jewels has been used to build bridges with denominations. She spoke of a woman who knits scarves as a means to provide for self & family and this helps to heal the pain of loss in her life; of others who are off the street now and have hope in their lives; of 5 children in the respite care centre from 2 sibling groups who have improved in health. She highlighted experiences with the children and talking to them with hope, despite their loss of family. With Precious Jewels most of the children stay in extended families rather than in institutions. One woman has taken in 50 children. Since 2006 they have gone to Africa 3 -5 months/year with a ministry team of Canadians, Filipinos and Africans to train workers in grief and loss ministry. By the grace that was extended to her through her ministry at Camp Columbia she was given the leadership skills that she has needed for the work God calls her to do. The challenges are the same wherever we are. What the world needs to see are Christians who really believe in what they are doing. She thanked everyone for the freedom that the support from ACW has given them. The women present purchased crafts made by women attending Livelihood Projects that Joke had brought along with display boards celebrating PJM’s 25 th anniversary. Audrey H. and Rosemary D.
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Welcome to Update The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund Email Update – January 2013 Mission Statement As an instrument of faith, PWRDF connects Anglicans in Canada to communities around the world in dynamic partnerships to advance development, respond to emergencies, assist refugees and act for positive change. This list is an outgoing communication service from PWRDF only.
Food Being Distributed to Families Affected by Earthquake in Guatemala
Stronger advocacy needed from PWRDF, say partners
Bicycle Ambulances in Mozambique
PWRDF Lenten Resource
A Hope-Filled Anthem for the Church
Pennies from Heaven
PWRDF Lent Resource PWRDF’s 2013 Lent Resource was written by Rev. Laura Piotrowicz. We invite you to join us in these Lenten Reflections that encourage thought and action on issues of Food Security Download now (PDF)
Bicycle Ambulances in Mozambique By Danielle Morton, former PWRDF intern
Bicycle ambulances save lives in Africa, carrying patients dozens of kilometers to the nearest clinic or hospital when they are in labour, sick or injured. PWRDF, with support from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), has distributed 30 ambulances in Mozambique over the last few years and will be distributing another 100 in the next four years. Watch now...
http://pwrdf.org/
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Mardi Gras Shrove Tuesday Feb 12 Pancake Dinner followed by Jazz Vespers Pancakes and Sausages 4:00pm Jazz Vespers
6:00pm
Gabriola United Church
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Calendar of Events for February/ March
Feb 12 Jazz Vespers [Angela] Mardi Gras/Shrove Tuesday— Pancakes 4:00pm, Jazz Vespers 6:00pm Feb 13 10:00am-11:30am Ash Wednesday Service Feb 16 Gabriola United Church Valentine Tea 2:00-4:-00pm Church Hall Feb 19 Book of Common Prayer Service (BCP) Rev. Linda Feb 20 10:00am-11:30am Lent Study Group with Rev Joan GUC Feb 27 10:00am-11:30am Lent Study Group with Rev. Joan March 6 10:00am-11:30am Lent Study Group with Rev. Joan March 13 10:00am-11:30am Lent Study Group with Rev. Joan March 20 10:00am-11:30am Lent Study Group with Rev. Joan
March 3
Church Services First Sunday of the Month Book of Alternative Services BAS Eucharist Second Sunday Iona Service of Holy Communion Third Sunday Lutheran Service of Holy Communion Fourth Sunday Iona service of Holy Communion
Stay tuned for the Announcement for Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner with St Martin’s and Gabriola United Church
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Birthday Congratulations Jan 1 Jan 6 Jan 26 Jan 28 Feb 6 Feb 12 Feb 21 Feb 24 Feb 26
One Hundred Years Old! Gabriola United Church marks its 100th Anniversary in 2013 Plans are already being discussed about how this milestone can be commemorated. More details to follow‌
Robert Gray Diane Parks Anne Sims Sue Lissack Sandy Brydges Henny Jansen Rob Plowright Marilyn Smith Karnet Wiebe
Joint Advisory Committee: Helping our Transition in Shared Ministry Next Meeting Friday, March 15 at 1:00pm
Prayer Shawl Gathering Third Monday of the month 1:30pm GUC
Caregivers Meeting Meets at 2pm on the first Wednesday of the month. Gabriola United Church For more information call Angela:
St. Martin of Tours Parish Council
250-247-9732
People for a Healthy Community (PHC)
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.
Check out the Church Council Meeting Minutes on our church notice board.
Bible Study Wednesday mornings at10:00am Location announced each week Ph. Cheryl @ 247-8664 or Susan @ 247-9467
Church Council Meeting 2nd Tuesday of the month
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“ We are people of God, followers of Jesus, open to the Spirit”
Rev. Joan’s ph number : 250-247-7171 Email Address: revjoans@gmail.com
Bulletin Announcements to Jacquie by Wednesday at 5:00pm jmjessup@shaw.ca or phone 250-247-8308
Please submit your articles for the Crossword to Hilary at: hplowright @shaw.ca