CONNECTING CHURCH & COMMUNITY September '22 ANewClimate AGreenwayin DowntownWinnipeg AbundantLife:Food SecurityandFoodRelief 57 Mylifechangedforever: ReflectionsonOrdination 1015 ToSynodor nottoSynod
Publisher |BishopGeoffreyWoodcroft Editor |JudeClaude Accounting |JoyValencerina Advertising |AngelaRush Layout&design | cityfolkcreative.ca Rupert’sLandNews ispublished10timesper year(September-June)bytheDioceseof Rupert’sLand,intheAnglicanChurchin Canada.Itconnectschurchesandcommunities fromPortagelaPrairie,MB,toAtikokan,ON, byofferingnews,events,opinions,andideas to4,000readerspermonth.RLNisavailablein avarietyofformats: Website • Facebook • Twitter Wealsodelivertimelynewsandinformation viaaweeklyemail. Signuphere Advertising -RLNacceptsadvertisinginour monthlymagazineandourweeklyemail. Viewourratesheet.Todiscussadvertisingcall (905)630-0390or emailus. Editorialoffices: AnglicanLutheranCentre 935NesbittBay WinnipegManitoba,R3T1W6
2 CONNECTING CHURCH & COMMUNITY
RLNexiststoexploreissuesattheintersections offaithandlife.Indoingsowesolicitand publisharangeofopinions,notallofwhich reflecttheofficialpositionsoftheDiocese. Weacknowledgethatwemeetandworkin Treaty1,2,and3Land,thetraditionallandof theAnishinaabe,Cree,andDakotapeopleand thehomelandoftheMetisNation.Weare gratefulfortheirstewardshipofthislandand theirhospitalitywhichallowsustolive,work, andserveGodtheCreatorhere. RLNwelcomesstoryideas,newsitems,andother input.Ifyouwanttobeinvolvedinthismedia ministry,please emailtheeditor Contentscopyright2022by Rupert’sLand News.Allrightsreserved. Cover:ChengFeng
Climateschangethroughcontinuous motions,graduallyorrapidly,butthrough themselvesandpropelledbyexistingdynamics withinthem.Manyhavefelt,overthelastfew years,theemergenceandexacerbationof dissonantpatternsintheclimatesweinhabit.It ischeerlesstoreiterateallthatiswrong,butitis worthstatingthatweareamidsocial,political, economic,andecologicalcrisis.Largely,the questionhasshiftedfrom whether wearefacing seriouschangeto how wewilladapt,react, resist,understand,andengagethechangeswe areexperiencingintheecosystem(s)wearea partof.
Iwonderwhatitmightmeantoliveintothis politicsofgrace?Whatdoesitlookliketo testifytoChristwhoseownbodyandblood becomegracegivenoutbyGodselfand partakenofwellbeyondtheirinitialsharingat thetableofthelastsupper?Ibelievewecan respondtothefeltnecessityto “storeup” throughfaithinChrist,andincaritas—love,in allitsmanifestforms,sharedwithoutcoveting, alwaysnew.
NaomiKleinhasspokenofadisturbing conceptshecalls “climatebarbarism,” whichis a“formofclimateadaptation”wherethoseof uswhoareableparticipatein“lockingdown, protectingourown,pullingaid,”resultingina dramaticaggravationofinequityatatimewhen theconsequencesfortheoppressedand impoverishedaredevastatinglysevere.
EDITORIAL
JudeClaudeistheeditor ofRupert'sLandNews.
AllThingsNew
Photo: KarstenWinegeart
AsIjoin Rupert’sLandNews aseditor,IfeelI havebeengivengiftsinseveralways.Iam giftedtobefollowinguponSaraKrahn’swork, andtohavehadthebenefitofherinstructionas Itransferintothisnewrole.Iamgiftedtooby thewarmwelcomeIhavereceived,andbythe priorpreparationdoneforthisSeptember’s issue,includingthoughtfulcontributionsfrom writers.Finally,Ifeelgiftedwiththeespecially generativethemeforthismonth’sissue—
Thearticlesinthismonth’sissueexplorethe themeof ANewClimate initsvariouspositive andnegativeconnotations,inexperiencesof steppingintonew ministrythrough ordination,ofchange emergingthrough synodalprocess,inthe questionsofglobalfood security,andmorelocally inthepushtobring communalgreenspaceto Winnipeg’sdowntown.I hopereadersthinkwith andenjoyeachofthese fruitfulcontributions.
Climate.
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Ihavebeenthinkingabouthow,as Christians,wemightattempttogroundand directourthoughts,hearts,andactions,ingrim climates.Ihavebeenthinkingabouthow descriptionsofthe“kingdomofGod”inthe gospelspresentanalternativepoliticsto “climatebarbarism.”It’sstrikinghowmany imagesexistofabundance,oftenderivingfrom little,whichisfreelyshared.Thereis the mustardseed whichbecomesagreattree, the weddingbanquet thepoorpartakeofinplace oftheotherwise-occupiedrich,themany loaves andfishes sharedoutfromfew, labourers who arepaidbeyondexpectedwages, healing experiencedthroughmeretouch, netsarising fulloffish,andsoon.
ANew
GeoffreyWoodcroft, BishopofRupert’sLand
GeoffreyWoodcroft 4 PastoralNote
Photo: KierinSight
Ourthemethismonth, ANewClimate, intriguesbecauseitofferssomanyunique possibilitiesforreclaiminghealthandvitalityin thisworld. ANewClimate offersushopeata timewhenproblemssometimesseem insurmountable.Giventherelativelyshort historyofourdependencyonfossilfuels,there aresignificanthurdleswefaceinengaginga newclimate.Thedevelopmentofweaponsof Earth-destroyingcapacityleavemanyfeeling helpless,asifprisonersathome;howcouldwe possiblystanduptosuchmortaldanger?Pope Francis,inhisencyclical LaudatoSi,illustrates thepointthatmustbemadeagainandagain: God’sChurch,aliveonthisplanet,hasthe powerandauthoritytousherinanewclimate withinitself.
Theprevailingtrend,or climate,ofthe AnglicanChurchofCanadaisthatofashrinking Churchwithgrowingdebtthatisincreasingly unabletomaintaininfrastructure.Ofcourse,this isageneralizeddescriptionoftheChurch’s climate—itdoesnotpertaintoallparish/ missioncommunitiesoftheBodyofChristin ourcare.However,somecommunitieswillnot survivemuchlongerontheroadtheypresently travel,becausetheyhaveslippedbelowcritical massandtowardspalliativecare.Still,the Churchisnotjustsome other socialagencyor club,measuredinsocialstandards,likemoney, andbumsinpews;rather,weighitagainstour inheritedChristianDNAgiftedintheRiteof Baptism.Haveweforgottenordismissedthat DNA? Whatdoesittaketoforceagainstthe prevailingtrends,toestablishanewclimate, andthenthrive?Ittakesdiscipleswiththeir gazeupontheheadoftheBody.Ittakes discipleswhocanmakeacompellingcasefor Christwiththeirentirebeing,24/7.Ittakes discipleswhoare“oneinChrist,”notmany, whoareservantsofall.Ittakesachurchthat livesasJesuslivedhisearthlyministry.Ittakesa ChurchthatunderstandsthatitnowlivesJesus’ risenlifeintheBodyofChrist,compassionately sacrificingsootherscanbeclothed,housed, fed,andgiventheirdignity.Livingour baptismalcovenantishowandwhoweare calledtobe.IttakesaChurchthatseesthe worldandallthatisinitasGod’s,andthen commitstostewardingtheworld,whileplacing ourselveslast,sotheworldmayalsoknowGod andlove.
TheChurchwillsurviveashrinkingAnglican ChurchofCanada.Godwillcallagaintothe childrentoanswer,tocommitandtosacrificeso theworldmayhavelifeandhaveitabundantly. TheBodyofChristhastheblueprint:Jesus’ storyrevealedintheChristianTestamentand experiencedindisciples’ livesfortwomillennia. PopeFrancisknowsthis andhasinvitedusonthe journeytousherinanew climate.TheAnglican Churchisrichbeyondits wildestdream,anditis richwithGod’s abundance;todayand into ANewClimate,thisis yoursong.
ANewClimate
AbundantLife: FoodSecurityandFoodRelief
Food,andthetable,uniteusall,nomatterour income,race,gender,sexuality,orability.Food feedsourbodyandsouls,aswellasour communities,throughtogetherness.Yet,while thereiscapabilitytofeedeveryoneintheworld, accordingtotheWorldFoodBank,over50 millionpeoplein45countriesareteeteringon theedgeoffamine.EveninCanada,aso-called “developed”country,9.6%ofCanadiansface foodinsecurityinoururban,suburban,andrural areas.
Campbellisaretiredpriestandhonorary AssistantAssociateatHolyTrinityindowntown Winnipeg,whoservedformanyyearsatSt. Matthew’sAnglicanChurchinWinnipeg’sWest End.Beforethat,Campbellwasaprofessorof foodpolicyattheUniversityofToronto.“My vocationisaboutbuildingcommunityaround tables,”Campbellsaysofherlongandvaried careerasapriest,professor,andactivist.
Photo: PolinaRytova
AfterservingasaparishpriestinVancouver forseveralyears,CampbellmovedtoWinnipeg toserveatSt.Matthew’s.Atthattime,shewas involvedinconversationsthatresultedinFood SecureCanada,anallianceofCanadian
FoodsecurityisdefinedbytheUnited Nationsasthestateinwhich“allpeople,atall times,havephysicalandeconomicaccessto sufficient,safeandnutritiousfoodtomeettheir dietaryneedsandfoodpreferencesforan activeandhealthylife.”Withinthedioceseof Rupert’sLandtherearemanywaysthatpeople arecombatingfoodinsecurityandusingfood asatooltohelpaiddisasterreliefinCanada andaroundtheworld.
HannahFoulger
5 FoodSecurity
ForCathyCampbell,theselife-affirming actionsoffoodsecurity,ofcourse,arefirmly rootedinatheologyoffoodsecurityas demonstratedintheEucharist.“Christvalues anabundantlifeforall.”Campbellsays.“Tome thatphrase—‘allmyrelations’—includesmy relationshipwithcreationandalllifeformsof creation,notjustoureconomy,whichisan orientationofabundantlife,butitisabundant lifeforthefewandagreatsufferingforthe many.”
“Iwantedtocreatemoreawarenessinthe livestockindustryportionofthefarmingsector. MysisterNancyandIarecoordinatingan auctionsaleinKillarney.Wegetother producerstodonatehay,straw,andcalves whichareauctionedoff.Theproceedsare donatedtotheAnglicanGrowHopeproject, whichisinturngiventotheFoodGrainsBank.” Leasays.
Tomakeanimpactonglobalfoodsecurity, theAnglicanChurchofCanadacreatedthe Primate’sWorldReliefandDevelopmentFund. ThePWRDFworkstogetherwith14other churchesandchurch-basedagenciesthrough theCanadianFoodGrainsBank.In2021-2022, throughtheirmembershipwiththeFoodGrains Bank,thePWRDFsupportedChurchWorld ServiceTanzaniawiththeiragricultureand livelihoodprojectintheKasaludistrictinthe Kigomaregion.4,050peoplefrom810refugee householdsarecurrentlyparticipatinginthe projectwhichinvolvestraining,andthe distributionofseedsandagriculturaltoolsto helpfamiliesdevelopsustainablepracticesto supportandfeedtheirfamilies.
“Thatnetworkofpeopleislookingathow tomakeoursystemwork,”Campbellsaysofthe FGB.“Individualparishesaremostoften involvedinrunningcommunitykitchens, pantries,fooddrivesandfoodbanks—allof thoseactivitieswhichconnectchurchesto vulnerable,food-insecurepeople.”
ThisyearGrowHopeisn’tdirectlyworking withCanadaFoodGrainsBank,astheyare workingwiththelivestockindustry,whichisn’tin CFG’swheelhouse.
“ForChristians,wegathertoworshipJesus theChrist,whoofferedhimselfasthebreadof lifeandopensthedoortoshowusthepathfor abundantlifeforall,”Campbellsays.“Jesus, linkedwiththeHebrew scripturesthatcame beforehim,built communityaroundthe table,akindoftable fellowshipthatholdsatits heartthateveryonehasa placeatthetableofGod’s love;everyplaceisa placeofdignity.”
DonationstoAnglican GrowHopeCanbemade throughtheCanadian FoodGrainsBank.
6 FoodSecurity organizationsworkingtoadvancefoodsecurity andsovereignty.Latershewasinvolvedinthe developmentoftheWinnipegFoodPolicy CouncilandFoodMattersManitoba.She currentlyservesontheboardwithCanadaFood GrainsBank(CFGB)andthePrimateWorld ReliefandDevelopmentFund(PWRDF).
InManitoba,GrowHopeisahomegrown initiativecreatedbysiblingfarmersNancy HowattandChrisLea.In2021,whendrought hadparticularlysevereeffectsonfarmingin Manitoba,HowattandLeaorganisedagroupof localfarmerstodonateextrafeedtosellto strugglingfarmers,withtheproceedsgoingto disasterreliefinHaiti.“Ourlifestyleprovidesus withallourwantsandneeds,thereissomuch hungerintheworld,thatitisonlynaturalto shareourabundancewiththoselessfortunate,” Leasays.“Theprojectismysmallwayof recognizingthestrugglesofothersinthe world.”
Throughtheirtoolsandmeans,GrowHope, theFGBandPWRDFcontributetoholistic creationcare,bothathomeandabroad, contributingto“allourrelations”onthisplanet.
HannahFoulgeristhe Reporter/WriteratLargefor Rupert’sLandNews.Sheisa disabledBritishCanadian writerandtheatreartist.She iscurrentlyanMFAcandidate inCreativeWritingatthe UniversityofGuelphin Toronto.
ThePWRDF’sdefinitionof“worldrelief” doesnotexcludeCanada;theysupportseveral Indigenousdevelopmentprojectsand,earlier thisyear,supported14Indigenouscommunities duringtheOmicronwaveinnorthernOntario andManitoba.Thefundingprovidedmasks, food,andcleaningsuppliestoaffected communities.Sincethesecommunitiesare oftenfarremovedfromcentralizedmedical services,supplieshadtobecartedlong distancestogettothosewhoneededthem, withArchdeaconDeborahKraftworkinghardto getsuppliesdelivered.
WilsonAkinwale
MydefiningmomentwaswhentheBishop laidhishandonmyheadwiththeotherpriests, presentingtheconsecration.Thisspecial momentopenedmyeyestoseeenormous tasksandresponsibilitiesattachedtothisroleas apriestintheChurchofGod.Wordsalone cannotfullyconveymythoughtshere.Butthis amazingexperienceputsmeinasafespace wherethiscallinginspiresmeasapriest,pastor, andteacher,andevenasaservant,toapplydue diligenceandthoughtfulconsiderationbothin wordsanddeedstoliveorderlyamongthose whoareseekingthisoffice.
ReflectionsonanOrdinationServiceinRupert’sLand
“Alandmarkandeventfulday”
OnJune15,2022,mylifechangedforever.I receivedtheblessing,withcommitmentto proclaimthegoodnewsofGod’skingdomtoall people.Thiswasalandmarkandeventfuldayin mylife.Inthisshortreflectionontheevent,Iwill articulatethewaysinwhichIwillconsistently liveoutmyfaithasabelieverandministerof Christ,assomeonewhowillupholdmy BaptismalVowsandpropagatetheteachingsof ourLordJesusChristthroughtheFiveMarksof ourMission.
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Lefttoright:MattKoovisk,R.Susan Smandych,andMatthewBowmanat
“Mylifechangedforever:”
St.John’sAnglicanCathedralon Wednesday,June15,2022.
HavingbeenordainedasapriestinChrist’s holycatholicChurchtoperformthisministry role,thesymboloftheclericalstolebestowed uponmeembodiesthegracetofunctioninthis capacityasapriest,pastor,andteacher.This, withGod’shelp,Iwillnottakeforgranted.Iam calledinallactivitiesandatalltimesto diligentlyfollowtheApostles'teachings,which areembodiedintheChurchofGodandinthe holysacraments—inthebreakingofbread. Therefore,itwillbemytasktocontinueto proclaimthegoodnewsofourLordJesus Christandtoleadalifethatisinaccordance withHisteachings.Iwill,withGod’shelp.
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“IaminGod’shands”
Oneofthegreatjoysofordainedministryisbeing abletoattendordinations,especiallyiftheyare peopleyouknowwell.Iwasprivilegedtobeat therecentordinationsinJuneattheCathedral, wheretwoclassmatesandfriendsfromTrinity College,Torontowereordainedasdeacons.
Ileftthecathedralthatnightrenewedonce moretodomybesttoupholdmyvowsasa baptizedChristian,deacon,andpriest.Asweall goaboutourvariedministriesasthebodyof Christ,maywebestrengthenedinthose ministriesbythevastanddeeptreasuresthat wefindintheHolyEucharist,theBodyand BloodofChristhereonearth.
“TheChurch,assherenews herself…”
Atmyownpriestlyordinationafewyears ago,asthebishoppresentedthenewly ordainedpriestanddeaconstothe congregation,hesaid:“theChurch,asshe renewsherself…”Imustadmitthatthesewords havestuckwithmesince.WheneverIattend ordinations,Ifeelrenewedinmyownvowsasa baptizedChristian,deacon,andpriest(forwhen Ibecameapriest,Ididnotrenouncemy baptismalanddiaconalvows.)
ChrisSalstrom
June15,2022,thedateofmyordination,was notatallwhatIexpected.IthoughtIwould becomeatransitionaldeaconinmyparish,orat leastbeabletoinviteallthefamilyandfriends thatIwished.Butthatwasinthebefore-times. COVID-19haschangedsomanyfacetsofour lives.Facedwiththeimpossibletaskof choosingonly25ofmyclosestfamilyand friends,Itriedtofigureoutwhichofthoseinmy parishIshouldinvite.Mylovelyparishioners fixedmydilemmabyofferingtohavea“watch party”onthebigscreen.Twofriendsofmore thantwodecadesstoodwithmeinthe cathedralwiththeotherfourordinands,and manymorewerevirtuallypresent.Theenormity oftheoccasionenvelopedme.Thewordsof BishopGeoffwereloudinmyheadasthe servicecommenced,“yourlivesareaboutto change.”IcouldfeeltheHolySpiritinthis venerableandbeautifulcathedral.TheSpirit wasweavinginandoutamongstusall;itwasin myheartandmysoul.Therehavebeensomany thingswhichhavehadtobeadaptedinmytime asastudent,aspirant,andpostulantto ordainedministry.Butthisservice—theprayers andtheeucharist—theseritualswere groundingandtrue.AsImademyvowsand kneltbeforemybishop,Iwasnevermore certainofmycommitmentandsomehownever moreapprehensiveaboutwhatordainedlife holdsinstore.Iwasalsonevermoreconfident thatIaminGod’shandsandinthecareofGod’s disciples.Myfellowordinands,whowere strangersaweekbeforeourordination,arenow colleaguesandfriends.Ihaveanewsetof supportpeopleintheclergyasmycolleagues. Iampartofasacredprocessthatbeganso manyyearsago,anditisbreathtaking.The JuneOrdinationservicecompletedina whirlwindofmemories,music,andpeople,and Iknewthatmylifehadbeenchangedforever.
AswecelebratedtheFeastofCorpus Christithatday—thatveryfeastwherewe celebratethepresenceofChristinthe Eucharist—itseemedfittingtometothink aboutourownplacewithintheBodyofChrist, whetherasbaptizedmembers,deacons,priests orevenasbishops.Eachofushasourown placewithinthebody,andnoonepersonis moreimportantthananother.Weneed baptizedChristiansfollowingtheirvowstolove Godandtoloveoneanotheraswehavefirst beenloved,deaconsfollowingtheirvowsto servetheother(especiallythoseonthefringes ofthechurchandsociety),priestsfollowing theirvowstosanctifytheBodyofChristwiththe sacraments;andbishopsfollowingtheirvowsto upholdandstrengthenusallinourvaried ministries.
MattKoovisk
Overthepasttwomonths,Ihavehadto pinchmyselfoverandoveragaintomakethe realityofmyordinationsinkin,andIamstill surprisedwhenpeoplerefertomeasReverend and/orasaDeacon!Itisanincredibleblessing toserveasaDeacon,anditisanhonoranda responsibilityIwillnevertakeforgranted.
R.SusanSmandych
Bottomlefttoright:JoanMerton,ChrisSalstrom,R.SusanSmandych
Second,thelayingonofhandsbyBishop Geoffwasbyfarthemostsolemnandthemost emotionalmomentintheservice.Evennow,I catchmybreathwhenIreflectonit,andI
“Anincredible,intensesenseof grace”
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AsadeaconintheChurch,Iappreciatethat oneofthemostimportantthingsIamcalledto doistoradiatetheloveofChristtoothers,and dosowithhumility,joy,generosity,and conviction—andIbelievethatIcanandwill continuetodoso,bybindingmyselftoGod:“I binduntomyselftodaythepowerofGodto holdandlead,God'seyetowatch,God'smight tostay,God'seartohearkentomyneed,the wisdomofmyGodtoteach,God'shandto guide,God'sshieldtoward;thewordofGodto givemespeech,theheavenlyhosttobemy guard.”Amen.
Toplefttoright:WilsonAkinwale,BishopGeoffreyWoodcroft,MatthewBowman
Third,asIlookedoutatthosecoming forwardtoreceivetheEucharist,Iwas overwhelmedbyanincredible,intensesenseof thegraceofGodflowingfreelyandabundantly amongsteveryonethereinperson(Icouldsee itsoclearlyontheirfaces!)andamongstthe broadercommunionofsaints,i.e.,thosewho havegonebeforeusinfaith—andIparticularly feltthedearpresenceofmymaternal grandparents.
First,duringthehymn,“Takemylifeandlet itbe,”Icouldnothelpbutthinkofmyjourney offaithanddiscernment(whichhasliterally takenmeacrosstheworld,asIhavedrawn closertoGodandcontinuedtosurrendertoHis will),andhowgratefulIamfortheprayersand supportoftheamazingpeoplethatGodhas broughtintomylife,whohavewalkedwithme onsucharemarkablepath.
Severalpeoplehaveaskedmewhatthe mostspecialpartoftheOrdinationwas,and althoughitisdifficulttonarrowitdown,three thingscontinuetoresonate.
cannotimagineamoreprofoundandhumbling experience.
ANewClimate
10 Come,HolySpirit,andrenewthefaceofthe earth.
WhenIarrivedatHolyTrinityinfallof2020, theRev.CanonDr.CathyCampbellandIhad severalconversations.Shehadbeenservingas interimpriest-in-chargeandwehadmuchto discuss.Inoneofourconversations,she pointedouttheofficewindowtotheeast, acrossSmithStreet,andaskedmewhatIsaw. “Ashutteredhotelandawastelandofasphalt parkinglotsallthewaytoMainStreet,”wasmy unenthusiasticresponse.Cathynoddedand smiledandsaid,“SowhatifHolyTrinitydid somethingaboutit?” Come,HolySpirit,andrenewthefaceofthe earth.
Sincethatconversation,HolyTrinityhas beensweptupintoaprojectmuchlargerthan us.Weinvitedfolksfromtheparish,bothactive membersofthecongregationandour neighboursindowntownWinnipeg,to dreamingandimaginationsessionsaboutwhat thiscornerofdowntowncouldlooklike.The interestinandenergyfortheseconversations surprisedandinspiredus.
RenewtheFaceoftheEarth: AGreenwayinDowntownWinnipeg
Photo: EnriqueAmaya
WepraythisinvocationonPentecost,at ordinations,oftenatRogationliturgies,andany timeweneedtheHolySpirittocleanse,renew, andreinvigoratesomepartofourlives.Wetrust thattheSpirit’sworkwillbelikeanaturalforest fire,removingwhatisnolongerneededand makingwayfornewgrowthandfreshlife.Of course,theSpirit’ssenseoftimingissoseldom whatwewouldlikeittobeandsometimeswe feelmorelikebystanderssweptupinherwake, ratherthanwillingparticipantsinherwork.
AndrewRampton
Soonpeoplewereimagininggreenways andpedestriancorridorsupanddownGraham Mall;a“stringofgreenpearls”intheformof smallparksandgreensitesthroughthe downtownlinkingmajordestinationslikethe Forks,CanadaLifeCentre,andtheBurton CummingsTheatre;treesandplantersliningthe “hellstrip”ofsomanysidewalks;sitesforpopupeventslikeconcerts,dances,andfood trucks;opportunitiesforpublicartinstallations. Centralintheseconversationshasbeenthe inclusionoftheWinnipegIndigenousExecutive Circleandadesiretobuildreconciliationinto thedreamfromtheverybeginning.
Come,HolySpirit,andrenewthefaceofthe earth. WhenHolyTrinitywasfoundedin1868,it wasaparishtoservewhatwasthentheextreme southendofthegrowingcityofWinnipeg. Whenthecurrentchurchwasbuiltin1884itwas criticizedforbeingahugebuilding“inthe middleofnowhere.”Overtime,homesand schoolswerebuiltandaresidential
Whatwasheresincetimeimmemorialuntil veryrecentlyandisstilllargelymissingfromthe spaceistherestorationofahealthyandvibrant greenlife.Green,growingspacesinwhichto gather,relax,findcoolshade,holdfestivalsand markets,sharestoriesandart,toplaywith childrenandpets,towalksafelyandcomfortably betweendestinations,togatherandbe community,toseetheBodyofChristaliveand wellintheworld.Thisiswhatweareworking towardandwearefindingmanyfriendsand alliesalongtheway.
AstheCityofWinnipegconsultsonits2050 downtownplan,theGreenCorridorAdvisory Circlehaslearnedthattheredevelopmentof GrahamMallasapeople-first,greenspaceisa corepartoftheplanning.Thereisenthusiasm andwilltoencouragepropertydevelopersto includegreenscaping,bioswales,soilcells,and communityspacesintheirplanning.Wearein earlydaysbutthesignsareencouraging.
Come,HolySpirit,andrenewthefaceofthe earth.
Godseldomrespondstoourprayersinthe waysweexpect.Whenweinvitedneighboursto aconversationaboutgreenspaceand community-buildingdowntownwedidnot expecttobemeetingarchitects,designers,city planners,andpolicy-makers.DiscoveringGod’s workintheworldisoneofthedelightsofthis lifeandCathyandIhavebeenconsistently surprised,delighted,andencouragedalongthe way. Come,HolySpirit,and renewthefaceofthe earth.
ANewClimate
Aftersixdecadesofflighttothesuburbs, wenowseepeoplemovingbackdowntown. TheparishofHolyTrinityisreturningtoits originalpurpose,butinadramaticallynew expression.Farfromacolonial,planned Hudson’sBayCompanyneighbourhoodfor wealthysettlers,theparishisnowhometo peoplefromnearlyeverycountryintheworld. Theseneighbourshavebroughttheirclothing andfestivalsandfoodandlanguageswith them.Thedevelopmentofnewhotels, restaurants,concertvenues,andpublic gatheringspacesintheareaalsoimpactsthe parish.
11 neighbourhoodgrewupallaroundus.As generationspassed,thecitygrewlarger,and theparishboundsbecamecommercialspace, thecentreofthecity'sfinances,andhostto civicandprovincialgovernmentoffices. Throughallofthechanges,HolyTrinityhas stayedinplace,itschurchyardoneofveryfew green,unbuiltspacesinthedowntown.
TheRev.AndrewRamptonis therectorofHolyTrinity, Winnipeg.Heisalwaysupfor aconversationaboutliturgy, music,books,andchurch trivia.Hecanbefoundon mostsocialmediaplatforms as@bookishpriest. CathyCampbellspeakstoagroupof urbandesignersonabicycletourof sitesinWinnipegaboutthegreen corridordreamforthedowntown.
JointheGreen Corridorfor downtown Winnipeg Facebookgroup to supportthe projectandreceive regularupdates.
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Thisisinresponsetotherecent announcementfromtheUnitedNationsHigh CommissionforRefugeesthatthenumberof refugeesanddisplacedpersonsintheworldhas surpassed100millionpeople,morethanany timeinhumanhistory.Roughly1%ofthe world’spopulationisonthemove.From unseaworthyboatsintheMediterraneantoLa Bestia,atrainthatrefugeesandmigrantsride norththroughMexico,thedesperatejourneys thatrefugeestakeoftenmeetatragicend.
Duringthepandemic,wewereencouraged byparticipantswhoventuredoutontheirown tocreatetheirownchallenge.Thosewhowant tocycleorwalkthisyearcansettheirown courses.ArchbishopLindaNicholls,Primateof theAnglicanChurchofCanada,willagainbe lendingherconsiderablemusicaltalentsto presenttwoHymnSingsonFacebookLiveon September22and24at7p.m.EasternTime. Requestyourfavouritehymnwhenyoumake yourdonationtohercampaign!
HaveyoujoinedthePWRDFWildRide? Doyouhaveapassionforcycling?Baking? Hiking?Reading?Nomatterwhatyourfavourite activity,you’reinvitedtojointhePWRDFWild Rideandputyourstamponitwithyourcreative participation.
PWRDFisproudtowelcomeCanadaHelps asourfundraisingpartnerthisyear.Participants mayjoinorstarttheirownteamtofundraisefor PWRDF,andtheregistrationprocessisquick andeasy!Simply registerfortheWildRide throughaCanadaHelpsplatformthatis embeddedonthePWRDFwebsite.
ThePWRDFWildRidecampaignwill continueintothefall,runninguntilOctober8, 2022insupportofourpartnerswhoworkwith refugeesorinternallydisplacedpersons(IDPs).
“It’sacriticaltimeintheworld,”says CarolynCummins,PWRDF’sDirectorof FundraisingandSupporterRelations.“Climate change,conflictandfamineareallcontributing factorsthatforcefamiliestoleavetheirhomes.
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InUkrainealone,millionsofpeopleare affected,butPWRDFisalsocurrently supportingrefugeesanddisplacedpeoplein Syria,Ethiopia,SouthSudan,Iraq,Afghanistan, KenyaandBangladesh.”
ParishNewsRoundup
Insomeways,COVID-19andtheglobal pandemichasbeenitsownwildride,upending thelivesofsomanyinwaysweareonly beginningtounderstand.
Youmayalsoreachoutto info@fncaringsociety.com
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Yourparishcouldbecomean Ambearrister!
SpiritBear isamembearof theCarrierSekaniTribalCouncilandisan AmbearristerwhorepresentsFirstNationsand otherchildrenwhoarestandingupfor culturally-basedandequitableFirstNations publicservicesattheCanadianHumanRights Tribunal.Hebelievesthataddressing discriminationtakeslove,honesty,compassion, andarealcommitmenttohelpingothersdothe rightthing.SpiritBearhaswrittenbookstelling thetruestoriesofhowchildrenofalldiversities havehelpedensureFirstNationschildrenget thepublicservicestheyneedwhentheyneed them.Still,thereismoreworktodoandmore workthatSpiritBearcanhandlealonesohis relativeshavecometohelphimeducateand engageotherchildren,youthandadultstohelp maketheTruthandReconciliation Commission’sCallstoActionareality.
TheAmbearristersaremeanttobuild relationshipswithlocalFirstNations,Metis,and Inuitpeoplestoworktowardasharedvisionof reconciliation.Weareintroducingaphasedin approachtotheAmbearristerprogramthat recognizesthatsomegroupshavegood relationshipswithFirstNations,Métis,andInuit peoplesintheirterritoriesandothersarejust gettingstartedinbuildingthoserelationships.
WhileyouandAmbearristergettoworkon reconciliation,weaskthatyoukeep@SpiritBear andtheCaringSocietypostedeachmonthon theinnovativewaysyouandthelocalFirst Nationscommunityareworkingtoimplement theTruthandReconciliation’sCallstoAction andthe
Doesthissoundlikeaprojectyourparish mightbeinterestedin?Alltheinformationyou needabouttheReconciliationAmbearristers processandrequirementsison TheFirst NationsChild&FamilyCaringSocietywebsite.
MissingandMurderedIndigenous WomenandGirls CallstoJustice.
Afterspendingayearwiththeir Ambearrister,groupsmustwritealetterand/or prepareavideoexplainingalltheyhave learned,andtheirAmbearrister’sstory.Since groupsareaskedtoupdatetheCaringSociety monthly,compilingtheirlettersand/orvideos shouldbeaneasyprocess!
Attentionparishes!TheCaringSociety’s ReconciliationAmbearristersprograminvitesall typesofgroupstohostaReconciliation Ambearrister(ambassadors+barristers)who willguideyouthroughyearsoffreewaysto implementtheTruthandReconciliation Commission’sCallstoActionandmakea positivedifferenceforFirstNationschildren, youthandfamilies.
Thepositioningofprayer,andthe Complineservicealsoremainmemorable,as wellastheopportunitytohearclergyspeak abouttheissuesfacingusasAnglicansin Canada.
JJ: Itisvaluabletounderstandhowthe DioceseofRupert’sLandoperatesandhowit interactswithparishesandwithnationalchurch. It’sfascinatingandimportanttolearnaboutthe challengesfacedbytheDORLingeneral,and tomeetotherswhosharethefaithandgrowin one’sprayerhabits.Overall,attendingSynod andsittingoncommitteesisadevoutlearning experiencethatshouldbeembracedby parishionersinourdiocese. ToSynodorNottoSynod: DelegatessharetheirexperienceswithRLN
InterviewwithJuneJames,WardenatSt. BartholomewAnglican
RLN:Whatwouldholdyoubackfrom lettingyournamestandtositonvarious Synodcommittees?
Whilethenominationsforclergyandlay delegatesareclosedforDiocesanSynodthis October2022,theNominationsCommittee wouldliketoencourageindividualstolettheir namesstandforelectioninthefuture.Rupert’s LandNews,inpartnershipwiththeNominations Committee,hasspentthelastfewmonths connectingwithdelegatesfrompreviousyears andinterviewingthemabouttheirDiocesan leadershipexperiences,includingstoriesabout servingonDiocesanCouncilandas representativesfromtheDioceseofRupert’s LandtoProvincialandGeneralSynod.Wehope youwillbeinspiredtoservetheDioceseandwe sincerelylookforwardtoyourfuturenomination!
JJ: Igreatlyappreciatedtheopportunityto meetandgreetothermembersofourchurch community.Thereweremanyspirited conversationsaboutvariationsinliturgical format,fundraisingideas,andyouth programming.Initially,Iwasabitsurprisedat howthedebatewasmonopolizedbyafew people,andthattherewerenotstandingrulesto preventrepetitionduringdebate.However,this improvedovertime.AsSynodworkingChair,I alsoremembersuggestingwehavesponsorsfor ourSynod,andIrecallaclergymemberdecrying itas“unthinkable;”however,itwaseventually acceptedandnowisthenorm.
RLN:Whatdidyoulearn/howhaveyou benefitedfromyourDiocesanservice?What experiencesattendingSynodhaveimpacted youthemost?
15 Diocese
JJ: Twofactorscometomind.1)Inmy experience,Iwouldoftensee“thesame personnel”tendtosticktogetheratthetable gatherings—akindofbalkanisation.Iwonderif randomseatingmightbeastrategytoconsider forfuturegatherings.2)IamolderandIfearthe “bestbeforedate”ispast.
RLN:Whatencouragingwordsdoyou haveforotherswhomaybeinterestedin lettingtheirnamesstandforelection?
RLN:Whatencouragingwordsmightyou haveforotherswhoareinterestedin attendingdiocesanSynod?
16 Diocese
MT: HereinRupert'sLand,Synodhasfelt likeachange-makingprocess.Toseetheeffects ofwhatmanywouldseeas"justvotes"or "boringmeetings"producechangeinpeople’s lives.IhavebeenabletostandwithourBishop andaffirmsame-sexrelationshipsassomething tobevaluedandnurtured,whileatthesame timerecognizingwherewehavefailedinthe processandattemptingtomakeamendswith thosethechurchhashurt.Nowthatsociety(and eventuallythechurch)ismovingtowards recognitionoftheharmsofResidentialSchools ithasbeeninspiringtoseethehealingwork beginfromtheinsideout.
MT: I’veattendedDiocesanSynodsixor seventimesbetween2006and2018,asbotha youthandlaydelegate,andI’veservedfour termsonDiocesanCouncil.I’veattended GeneralSynodin2007(youth)andGeneral Synodin2016(lay).I’vealsoattendedProvincial Synod2011(youth),servedon executivecouncilProvincialSynod2013 (lay),andservedonexecutivecouncil.
acceptancewehavebrokeredtoday.
InterviewwithMattTerlinksi
RLN:WhatlevelsofSynodhaveyou attendedovertheyears?
RLN:Whatexperienceshaveimpacted youthemostatthediocesanlevel?Where didyouseeGodatwork?
RLN:Whathas,ordoes,motivateyouto letyournamestandtoattendSynod?
MT: Tobetotallyhonest,thefirsttimeI attendeditwasatthebehestofmymotherto "fill thespotandseeifit'ssomething(Iwas)interested in."Ithasbeenadefinitelearningexperience, discoveringjusthowthingstickandseeinghow ourchurchgrows(ordoesn'tinsomecases). Politicshasalwaysbeenaninterestofminesoto actuallybeinvolvedandeveninvitedtotakepart hasbeenfantastic.Theconnectionswiththe peoplearereallywhathaskeptmecomingback timeandtimeagain;I'vehadthepleasureof meetingsomefantasticfolksfromacross thecountrythathavereallyhelpedmedevelop andgrowasapersonbothinsidethechurchand insecularlife.WitnessingGodatworkoverthat timeframeassomeonewhostartedwithnogray hair(onlyafewnow)wasfrustratinglyslow. However,Ihadtheperfecttimewindowtowork towardsinclusion,locallyandnationally,onthe issueofsame-sexmarriageandwasabletoseeit comefromthemarginsofconversationintothe
MT: Rightnow,themainfactorwouldbe time.Isimplydon'tfeellikeI'vegotenoughof ittodedicatemyselftoSynodatthelevelthatI wouldlike.Isaythatinnowaytodissuade anyonefromjumpingin(asmy"resume" shows,Itendtoovercommitmyselfwiththe minutiaonexecutivecommitteesetc.).
RLN:Whatfactorsmightholdyouback fromlettingyournamestandinthefuture?
MT: I’dsay,“Goforit!”Youhavenothingto lose(butasingleweekendofyourtime)and everythingtogain.Thepeopleyouwillmeet aregoingtobesomeofthemostgenuine, friendlyfolksyouwilleverknow.