December 2022: Gifts

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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

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RLNexiststoexploreissuesattheintersections offaithandlife.Indoingsowesolicitand publisharangeofopinions,notallofwhich reflecttheofficialpositionsoftheDiocese. Weacknowledgethatwemeetandworkin Treaty1,2,and3Land,thetraditionallandof theAnishinaabe,Cree,andDakotapeopleand thehomelandoftheMetisNation.Weare gratefulfortheirstewardshipofthislandand theirhospitalitywhichallowsustolive,work, andserveGodtheCreatorhere.

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Contentscopyright2022by Rupert’sLand News.Allrightsreserved. Cover: MarkusSpiske

OnCommonGifts

Ihaveabestfriendwhodetestsgift-givingand receiving.

Myfriendhaslongdealtwithfrustrationand anxietyinmeetingtheexpectationsofgift exchanges.Recently,shebecamebolderin addressingherdiscomfortwithfamilymembers andtoldthemshewouldpreferneithertogive norreceivegiftsduringholidays.

Agiftissomethinggiventosomeoneelse which,intheory,iswithoutanobligationof reciprocation.Anunderlyingassumptionofgiftgivingpracticesisthatthegiverishanding-off something theyown,beitanobject,theirenergy, ortheircare.Giftingisdifferentiatedfrom exchangeinthatthereis,intheory,nomeasuring ofvalues,andnoobligationstoreciprocate.

Ofcourse,weallknowthatthereare frequentlyunspokencontractsinvolvedinourgiftgivingpractices.Giftsareoftenmeasuresofcare andappreciation,andwithinthefamily,intimate relationships,friendships,orinworkplacesgifts functiontoreinforcesocialrelationships;giftsare notentirelyfreelygiven,thoughtheymaybe genuineexpressionsofloveandwell-meaning.

Whenmyfriendannouncedherwithdrawal fromgifting,shewasmetwithto-be-expected hurtfeelingsfromfamilymemberswhowere concernedthatherabstentionindicatedthatshe didnotvaluethesharingandreceivingofcare.

Thecuriousthingisthatmyfriendis someonewhoshareshercareandher possessionsfreely.

Ihaveseenmyfriendofferhousingto peoplewhoneededit,orofferbothsmalland substantialamountsoffinancialsupport,asshe isable,tootherswhoarestruggling.She organicallyextendsmoney,food,andbus ticketstostrangerswhenasked.Ipersonally treatherhomeasthoughitweremyown, showingupandrummagingthroughherfridge andcupboardswiththeunderstandingthat what’shersislargelymine,andviceversa.

Myfriend’shabitsofdistributionemerge

fromadifferentsetofassumptionsthanmany moderngift-givingpractices.Careand resourcesarenotsomuchvirtuouslypassed fromonetoanotherassharedaccordingto abilityandneed.Anunderlyingsolidarityis assumedwhichsays,“Youhaveasmuchrightto nourishment,care,anddelightasI,and,asIam able,Iwillliveintothepossibilityandnecessity ofourmutualsustenanceandjoy.”Thisvision, itseemstome,hasthepotentialtowiden expansivelyourunderstandingofhow,as commoncreatures,wehavebeen“gifted”with formsoflifeandenjoyment,andhowweareto affirmthosegiftsasbelongingtoall.

Inthismonth’sissue,TapjiGarbawritesinthe “CommunityCatechesis”sectionabouthow gracefunctionsas“gift”inthewritingsofPaul. Next,in“ASponsorshipConnectionforAdvent: AFamilyinVenezuela,”GwenMcAllister discussesherlong-term,cross-continent friendshipwithHenryGomez,andoutlinesways ourdiocesecancontributetothewell-beingof Henryandhisfamily.Thisarticleissupplemented byapiecefromHenryGomezaboutthepresent economicsituationinVenezuela.In“Sittingwith Synod,”TheoRobinson,RachelTwigg,andChris SalstromreflectonthegiftsofSynod2022for thosewhogathered,memorablemomentsfrom theevent,andpossibleareasofimprovementfor futuregatherings.Next,JamieHowisondiscusses renownedartistMakoto Fujimura’stimeatsaint benedict’stableandwhat thosewithinstben’s communitylearnedfrom himaboutartandfaithas giftsfortheworld.Finally, readersareintroducedto thegiftsofSt.Alban’s CathedralinKenora, Ontario(Treaty3)inthis month’s“ParishProfile” section.

JudeClaudeistheeditor ofRupert'sLandNews.

Photo:JamesWaincoat

WorthinessoftheGift

GreetingsinthenameofOnewhoformsand shapesdisciplesintotheBody.

OneChristmas,somewherearound1970,I rememberloadingintoourfamily’scar, latefor churchagain.LookingupintotheskyIsawthe firststaroftheevening,andcommentedto Dad,“Isthat the star?”Hisnon-committal answer,“Itmightbe,”keptmecuriousforthe restoftheevening,especiallyduringthe readingofLuke’sbirthnarrativeconcerningthe shepherds.WhenIexitedtheceremony,Iwas dumbfoundedtoseemillionsofstarsabove me,nolongerabletoidentifythestarthatdrew meintothestoryofJesus.

Ididnotrealizeitthen,butthestarthat eveningwaspartofmanypersonalstories whichGod’sangelsusedtocallmetowards discipleship.Itmakessensethatitbeginsfor mewithJesus’birth,anditnowmakesa busloadofsensethatIcontinuetobevisited/ giftedbyGod’smessengersannouncingGood News.LifeisagiftthatGodcontinuallywillsto flourishintheentiretyofcreation.Nomatter howmuchIwishtocontrolmylifeandits environment,thisisGod’sgift,notmine.

ThelifeIhavelivedhasnotalwaysbeena lifeofhumblenessandgratitude.Infact,ithas atmanytimesbeenapathwayofego-stroking, uncheckedwants,andunadmittedfears.These threeworldlyenterprisespromptedmeto believethatmybody,mythoughts,fears,and earthlydesiresweremyproperty,andmine alone.Ihavefeltcompelledtoholdapostureof self-centeredness,whichinhindsighthasonly causedpain.Thisposturehasproveditself untenableagainstthevisitsfromGod’s messengers,andthecontinuallyrising

compassionatthecoreofmybeing,andat timesIhavebeenrippedintwo,orthreeor…

AsImatureintheBodyofChrist,Imore readilyacceptthatGodcallsuponallto experiencenewbirtheachday.ForJesus’ discipleswhopresentlypopulatehisSon’sBody, Godalsocommandsustodiebysacrificingour ego,greed,andfear,thusallowingeachtooffer thegiftGodhasgivenwithbrokenandcontrite heartstoaworldintendedtoflourish.Jesus’ discipleslearnandgrowintheverymoments Godtouchesthelivesofothers.Whatis alarmingtomeasadiscipleisthatmy interactionwithalllifeisnotaboutme,but aboutthegiftthatGodisgivingtoallliferight here,rightnow.Whatisevenmoresurprisingis thatGodchoosestogivedisciples,you,andI, asgiftsfortheworld’sthriving.

Godwillsustobethegiftspentwithout limitationintotheworldinthesamemanner thatGodhaslavishlymadeourlives.Godcalls ustobethemessageofGoodNewsforaworld whichiswakingup.JesusinhabitshisBody todaywithdisciples,gifts, andmessengers—one cohesiveBody.The strengthisinfinite,the messageclear,andfearis conquered.God’s purposefortheChurchis tobepoured-outupon theearthsothatall creationabundantly flourishes.Youarethe mostlavishgift,worthyof theywhoshallreceive you.

GeoffreyWoodcroft

GeoffreyWoodcroft, BishopofRupert’sLand

Photo: SamGoodgame

TheGiftofJustice

TapjiGarba

Whatdoesitmeantosaythatgraceisagift? Whatdoesgraceasgifthavetodowithjustice?

WhenIwasgrowingupIwastoldthatwe areallsinnerswhoareunablebeforeGodto paythepriceofoursins,andsoGodgraciously paysonourbehalfbysacrificingJesusinour place.GodisgraciousbecauseGodpaidon ourbehalf,andgraceisa gift becauseweare undeserving.

IntheepistletotheRomans,Pauloffersa differentviewfromtheonesummarizedabove. InthetextPaultriestodrawadistinction betweenatransactionalrelationship(likethatof aworkerandtheirboss)andarelationship establishedonthebasisofgrace.Thelatter providestheappropriatelanguagewithwhich tounderstandthegiftofGod’sgraceas disclosedinthegospel.Paulpointstothefigure ofAbrahamtoexplainwhatitmeansforGod’s gracetobeagiftandhowthisgraceistiedto justice.InGenesis,whenGodpromisesmany descendantstoAbraham,Abraham’strustin thispromiseisreckonedasjustice.Thisis explicitlycontrastedwiththerelationship betweenaworkerandtheirboss:“Nowtoone whoworks,wagesarenotreckonedasagiftbut assomethingdue.Buttoonewhowithout workstrustshimwhojustifiestheungodly,such faithisreckonedasrighteousness.”(Romans 4:4-5)Abrahamdoesnotgivesomethingto Godandreceivejustificationinreturn,nordoes Abraham’sfaithfulresponsetoGod’spromise countasagifttoGod,forGodneed’snothing. GraceistheformofallofGod’sactions.Itisa giftbecauseitisfree.

Despitehisaging,failingbody,Abraham trustedGod’spromisetomakehimthefatherof manynations.HedidnotdoubtGod’spoweras thesolecreatorofallthings,thepowertogive “lifetothedeadandcallintoexistencethe thingsthatdonotexist”(Romans4:17).In

doingso,Abrahamdoestheoppositeofthose PauldescribesinRomans1,whohavenot recognizedorabidedbythequalitative distinctionbetweenGod’seternalpowerand majestyandtheirownfinitudeandmortality, butinsteadhaveraisedthelatterasanidol.This isopposedtojusticewhichexistsinrelyingon God’spower.TotrustGod’spromiseistorelyon God’spower,andbyimplicationacceptone’s ownlimitations.Idolatrymaymeanheremaking thingswhichobscureourownlimitations,and insteadcastcreaturelylife as God.Inthe processwedogreatharmtoothers.Trustin God’spowerislinkedtojusticebecausein trusting/recognizingdivineinfinity,we recognizeourownfinitudeandrelatetofellow creaturesonthatbasis.ThatGod alone holds thepowertocreateoutofnothingandtoraise thedeadimpliesacreaturelysolidarity, stemmingfromthegiftofgrace—God’sfree action.AndjustasAbrahamwasjustifiedin trustingGodtogivelifetohisagingbody,so“it willbereckonedtouswhobelieveinhimwho raisedJesusourLordfromthedead”(Romans 4:24).ResurrectiondisclosesthejusticeofGod becauseitrevealsGod’sfreedom.Jesustrusted Godwithoutfailandhis faithfulnesswasaffirmed byhisresurrection.

Forus,trustingin God’spowertoraisehim fromthedeadentails recognizingthedifference betweenGod’screative powerandourown limitations.Wearenotto taketheplaceofGod, andwearetotreatothers asoursimilarlylimited, fellowcreatures.This dispositionisjustice.

TapjiGarbaisaMaster’s studentatYorkUniversity, Toronto,inSocialand PoliticalThought.Theyare alsoamemberofSt Matthew'sAnglicanChurch, Winnipeg.

ASponsorshipConnectionforAdvent:

AFamilyinVenezuela

Adventremindsustoshareourabundance forthegoodofall,andourfaithfamilyhas severalpartnershipsthroughwhichwecando that:ourdiocesanpartnershipwiththeDiocese ofCentralBuganda,PWRDF(thePrimate’s WorldReliefandDevelopmentFund),and Kairos(anecumenicaljusticeinitiative).Ioffer onemoreoption,onethatispersonalforme: thisAdventIinviteyoutodirectlysupporta familyinVenezuelabyhelpingthempurchase income-generatingtools.

partofmytrainingforministrythroughthe CentreforChristianStudies,Iandtwoother CCSstudentsvisitedVenezuelaforan educationaltour,andHenryspoketoourgroup abouteconomicsinhiscountry.

Henryandfamily

HenryGomez-BarriosandImetas membersofourcountries’StudentChristian Movements:weandadozenotherslived outdoorstogetherinSouthernOntario, learningtoliveincommunity,practicingsimple living,andgettingtoknowruralcommunities nearby.Thatwasin2001.Elevenyearslater,as

In2019,Henrycontactedmeandsome othersfromour2001grouptoaskforhelpwith aninitiativeofhischurch,tryingtoraise awarenessinCanadaabouttheeffectsofU.S. andCanadianinterventiononregular Venezuelans.

StudentChristianMovementSolidarity SummerCamp.Gwenisinthefrontrow, secondfromtheright.Henry isinthebackrow,rightmost

StudentChristianMovementproject,2001

GwenMcAllister

thegreatneedinHenry’scommunityandhis ownfamily,andtheworkofhischurchand anotherfaithgroupthattheyarepartoftotryto carefortheneedsamongthemandaround them.SomefriendsandIfoundthatwecould helptheirimmediatesituationbyraisingfunds forsewingmachinesandausedcar,whichthey willusetoearnincome.Theitems,exchange rate,andtransferfeeshavebeenpricedout, andwearehopingtoraise$7,690.

Thisprojectonlyhelpsonefamily,andby extensiontheircommunity;butitisaverydirect andrealactofChristiansolidarityacross languageandborders.Iextendthisinvitationto ourdiocesanfamilyinhope.

Henryandfamily

Presentsituation:

Venezuelaiscurrentlybeingsubjectedtoaset ofsanctionsandaneconomic-financial blockadeimposedbythegovernmentofthe UnitedStatesandothers.Theseactionshave impactedtheconditionsandqualityoflifeof theVenezuelanpopulation.Manyofthe achievementsmadeinpreviousyearsinterms ofaccesstohealth,food,education,housing, decentworkandpovertyreductionhavebeen harmed.

Abiblical-theologicallook:

TheIsraelitePeople,thebiblicalpeopleof Israel,intheirlonghistoryofsalvation/liberation weresubduedandbesiegedbytheempiresof theirtime.Thepossibilityofbeingadifferent society,focusedontheprotectionofthe defenceless,theorphan,widows,theelderly, theforeignerandtherighttorestontheland, livedinaperennialthreatfromexternaland internalpowers.TheprophetIsaiahrightly denouncesbothsituations.Inthefirstplace,he denouncestheinternalpowersthatdeviate fromtheliberatingprojectofGodandwhich commitactsofinjusticeagainsttheweak,the poor,thewidowsandtheorphans(Isaiah10:12).Secondly,hedenouncesandhighlightsthe imperialmentalityofhistimerepresentedby theKingofAssyria,characterizedbyarrogance.

Venezuela,likethebesiegedand blockadedpeopleofJudah,isthreatenedand attackedbyimperialpowersthatusestrategies similartothoseusedbytheKingofAssyria Sennacherib,whothroughahighofficial,warns thebesiegedandblockadedpeopleofJudah thattheywillhavetoeattheirowndungand theirownurine(Isaiah36:12).Theentiretyof chapter36ofthebookoftheProphetIsaiah

reveals a speech of imperial domination; it is a speech that seeks to sow fear, terror, division, and distrust in the people of Judah. This is especially seen in verses 16 and 17 in which the empire makes use of a deceitful offer: "Do not listen to Hezekiah, for thus says the king of Assyria: Make your peace with me and come out to me; then every one of you will eat from your own vine and your own fig tree and drink water from your own cistern, until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of grain and wine, a land of bread and vineyards.”

Centuries later it is worth asking who is King Sennacherid today? Who is a high official? And who are the people of Judah today? What are the strategies of submission and conquest that are used to subdue people? Our communities in Venezuela continue to have hope. Many dream of seeing a new heaven and a new earth, many walk day-by-day towards a dawn of justice. The project of the Kingdom of God, the history of the salvation project, is this: the constant struggle for a world of justice in favour of the oppressed, the underprivileged, the widow, the orphan, the disabled, the poor, the people who belong to the LGBT community. We have hope in our small project of liberation and justice that is built day-byday here against systems of injustice.

VenezuelaDoesNotGiveUp.VenezuelahasHope.

HenryGomez

Rupert’sLandNewsreachedouttovarious delegatestothe118thSessionoftheSynodof theDioceseofRupert’sLandwhichwasheldin Octoberofthisyear,andaskedthemto respondtothesequestionsabouttheir experiencesatSynod2022:

1.Canyoupleaseshare:Whatisyourhome church?Whatkindofdelegatewereyouat Synod2022(clergy,lay,youth,etc.)?Was thisyourfirst-timeattendingSynod,orhad youattendedpreviously?Didyouhaveany specificrolesduringSynod2022?

2.Weretherethingsyouappreciatedabout Synod2022?Tobringitbacktothetheme ofthismonth’smagazinetheme,werethere any“gifts”ofSynodwhichyou experienced?

3.Arethereanymomentsfromthisyear’s synodwhichstandoutinyourmind?

4.Weretherethingsyoustruggledwithor founddifficult?

5.WhatwouldyouliketoseeatSynod2023, ifyouweretoattendagain?

Belowareafewthoughtfulreflectionsfrom delegatesaboutSynod2022.

RachelTwigg

RachelTwiggisa Priest,Writer,Spiritual Director,andRetreat Guide.Youcanfollow heronherwebsiteat revracheltwigg.com,or onsocialmediaas “RevRachel.”

SittingWithSynod2022

Photo:JoannaKosinska

1. IhavebeengoingtoSynodforabout10 years.IattendedSynod2022asaclergy delegateforStGeorge’sTranscona.Iwasalso ontheliturgyplanningcommittee,lead MorningPrayer,andpresentedamotion.

2. SomethingwhichIappreciatedwasthe smudgingthatwasofferedatthebeginningof Saturday’ssession.Iwasverygratefultobeable tostartthedayinthatway.

3. Onemomentwhichstandsouttome washavinglunchintheTijuanaYachtCluband watchingtheprimatelineupforfoodonwhat isnormallyadancefloorwithmusicpulsating throughthespace.Itwasanincongruous momentthatmademechuckle,butalsoa beautifulone–thechurchisthechurch regardlessoflocation.Itwasalsojustlovelyto beabletohaveface-to-faceconversations withpeople.

4. Wordsmattertome,butwespentso muchtimefocusingonspecificwordsthatI oftenfoundmyselfhavingahardtime rememberingwhattheactualpointsofthe variousmotionswere.

5. Iwouldliketoseeusfindwaystoremove thebarriersofparticipation.Ithinkshort presentationsonthecontextofamotionbefore debatebeginswouldbehelpful,aswouldsome instructioninthebasicrulesofdebatinga motion.Italkedtoanumberofdelegateswho saidthattheydidnotfeelcomfortablesaying whattheyfeltbecausetheydidn’tknowthe rules,orbecausetheywouldnotbe comfortablewiththelevelofcriticismspeaking upmightresultin.Weneedtomakesurethat anyonewhowantstospeak,can,andnotjust peoplewithaspecificskillset.

TheoRobinson TheReverendTheo Robinsonisan Anglicanpriest servingasaPastorin theInterlake RegionalShared Ministrywiththe LutheranChurchoftheMNOSynod.Youcan followhisblogat tjrobinson.blogspot.com

1. Overtheyears,Ihaveattendedthe diocesansynodindifferenttypesofdelegation roles—firstasanelectedlaydelegate,thenasa deacon.Thisyearmarkedmyfirstsynodasa priest,andIrepresentedStCyprianAnglican, Teulon,MBastheirincumbent.

Iwasalsoaskedtobepartoftheworship teamforSynod2022.Iwashonouredtotakeon thechallengeofplanningtheopeningworship andwasblessedwithanamazingsupportteam thathelpedensureasmoothlyrunevent.

2. Itwasamazingtobeabletogatherat Synodonceagain.Thepreviousmeetingwas heldviaZoom,andwhilethebusinessgot done,wemissedoutonallthesmaller conversationsthathappenatthecoffeestation oroverlunch.Thegiftofbeinginthecompany ofpeoplefromalloverthediocesewhowantto seeourchurchflourishandgrowisincredible.

TheadditionalbonusofhavingthePrimate attendoursynodandgivetheopening welcomewasamarvelousgift.

3. SpeakingofthePrimate,sheprovideda stand-outmomentforme.Duringthe discussionperiodofoneofthemotions,a clergymemberhappenedtomentionhow someofushadjustcomebackrenewedand encouragedfromtheAnglicanHealthCare Chaplain’sretreatinMississauga,ON.Within minutes,I,andtheotherswhohadattended, receivedanemailfromtheorganizerofthat eventtellingusthePrimatenoticedwhathad beensaid.Itstoodoutformebecauseofthe speedatwhichthatmessagewentaround.It showedmethatthePrimatewaslisteningand heardus.

4. Beingpartofameetingofthissizeisnot theeasiest.Thereisalotofinformationto processandplentyofopinionsaboutthetopics athand.Itcanbedifficulttostayengagedwhen thereareback-and-forthdiscussionsabout sentenceformattingandspecificwording.Itcan behardtokeeptheconversationontrack.

5. OnethingIwouldlovetoseeatfuture synodsisapre-meetingreviewofRobert’sRules ofOrder.

Overall,attendingSynodisanamazing experienceandIwoulddoitagainina heartbeat.

ChrisSalstrom ChrisSalstromisa CertifiedSpiritual HealthPractitionerat RiverviewHealth Centre.Sheconducts researchinthearea ofSpiritualHealth, especiallyinthefieldofLong-TermCareand Dementia,andQualityofLifeissues.Sheisa TransitionalDeaconworkingatSt.Stephenand St.Bede.

1. IhavebeentoSynodasbothDiocesan staffandasalaydelegate.Iwasafirst-time clergydelegateatSynod2022,andalsoan AnglicanFellowshipofPrayerrepresentative, offeringaprayerfulpresence.AcolleagueandI submittedamotionandfoundoutthatlate motionshaveseveralconditionstheymust meetbeforebeingheard.Wesubmitteditand leftitwithGod.

2. TherewereseveralthingsIappreciated aboutSynod2022.Onerecurringthemeduring thegatheringwasadeepconcernwith discipleship,andthebishopdefinedwhat discipleshipmeanstothediocese.Thatwasa hugegift.Ialsosensedagreatdesireofthe delegatestobeinclusive.Debatingtermscan feeldifficult,andIappreciatedtheintention behindit;Ithinkitislife-giving.Ialsovaluedthe carevoicedforthebishop;itisimportantto careforourchiefpastor!

3. Amomentwhichstandsouttomeis whenourmotionfinallycameup.Ithadpassed thebishopandcommitteebutneededtobe approvedbytwo-thirdsofthesynodjusttobe heard,anditwas.Iwasdelightedwhenthe bishopspokeeloquentlyabouttheroleof ChaplaincyintheDiocese.Hewasfarmore articulatethanIcouldhavebeen.Ionlyadded thatchaplainsliveddiscipleshipasthebishop describedit.Themotionaskedthatthe AnglicanChaplainsNetworkberecognizedas anofficialministryoftheDioceseandbe commissioned(sentout)bytheDiocese.It passed.IthankedtheHolySpiritforthenudge. Iwaspleasedthatthiswasalsothewillofthe Diocese.

“ThisGenerousRiver”: MakotoFujimuraandGiftEconomies

JamieHowison

ThispastApril,ourcommunitywasgiventhe opportunitytogatherforavideotalkbythe esteemedvisualartistMakotoFujimura,onhis 2020book, Art+Faith.The60peoplepresent werejoinedbyanadditional40Zoomscreens, asweconsideredtogethertheroleoftheartist inthelifeofthechurch.

ForthosenotfamiliarwithMako’swork,an overviewofhisartisavailableonhis website, whileadeeperlookintohisproject“TheFour HolyGospels”canbeviewedon Youtube.

Itwasanextraordinarilyrichafternoon,such thatitwouldbeallbutimpossibletosummarize itallinashortarticleforthe Rupert’sLand News.Therewas,however,onepointthatmany ofusfoundstriking,andthatmonthslatersome ofusarestillfindingacompellingcall.Drawing onthe1983book TheGift byLewisHyde,Mako pressedustoconsiderwhatheidentifiedas “thegifteconomy.”

“Weareallmakers,”heinsisted.“Weare createdtobecreative.That’swhatmakesus distinctintheworld.Wehaveadistinctiverole toplay.”AndwhileGodisclearlyrevealedtous as the Creator,ourcallingistoseektobewhat Makocalled“sub-creators.”Perhapssomewhat ironicallyforasuccessfulvisualartist,Mako insistedthatartistobegivenawaytotheworld. “Yes,”hecommented, …wehavetomakealiving,butwhatyouwant atthebasisofyourcreativityandimagination istobeabletobegenerous.Tocreatethis generousriverthatflowsintocultureand rejuvenatespeople.Andbecausewe’renot doingthatandweseeartasatransactional reality,weloseoursoulsintheprocess...Art isagiftthatisgiventoustosteward,andwe workveryhardwhennooneislooking.Tobe abletocreatesomethingthatisenduring,that goesbeyondthemarketplace.

Similarly,inhisbook Art+Faith,Makohas commented,“Artispartofourwork,yetart mustbetreatedasagift,notmerelya commodity.Artneedstobackintothepristine riverofthegifteconomy.”

Yetthisisnotaneconomythathasaneasy placeinourcurrentculture,andsohewrites, “Butgiventhecurrentconditionsoftheriverof culture,theartswillalwaysbeimpoverished. Theriverofculturehasledtoadehumanized viewofart,itsbeautyrobbedbyovercommoditization.Thus,rebuildingavigorous ecosystemofartdependsontheexistence,and therecognition,oftheprinciple(aprinciple learnedfromLewisHyde’sbook)that‘where thereisnogift,thereisnoart.’”

Twosaintben’sstudygroupswereformed inthemonthspriortoMako’svideoconference, totakeanin-depthlookat Art+Faith.Formany ofusinthosegroupsitwashisreflectionsonthe Eucharistthatwereparticularlystriking.

“Duringcommunion,”Makowrites,“the Giftliterallypassesthroughourbodiesand leavesusaltered—bothtransformingand sanctifyingus.Thereisnoreciprocityinthis transaction:Godlikestogiveone-waygiftsthat cannotbereciprocated.Wecannotoutgiveor out-giftGod.”

YetevenasreceiversofthisGift,the Eucharistcallsonustobewhathecalls“culture makers.”“Breadandwine,”hewrites,“are bothrealitiesthatwouldnotexistontheirown, butearthlymaterialsmustbecultivatedby humanbeingsandrequiremuchtimeto create.”Atsomelevelweallknowthis,but perhapsthedepthofthatroleisobscuredby ouruseofmanufacturedwafersandmassproducedcommunionwine?ForMako,these tangibleelementsmustcomewithasenseof beingmade bysomeone,perhapssomeone fromourowncommunities.Andso,hewrites,

Photo:mercyseatbyMakotoFujimura,2010

God,forsomemysteriousreason,waits uponhumanmakingandchoosestouseour abilitytomakebreadandwinetorevealJesus’ resurrectedpresenceknownatthetableofthe Eucharist.Imaginethat!TheresurrectedChrist waitsuntilwecreate,untilthesoilwecultivate isharvested,anduntilwemake,toreveal himselftous!

Still,forallthatthissimple,symbolicmeal ofbreadandwineshouldimpressuponus, callingustosub-createorco-createwithGod, toooftenthechurcheshaveforgottenthat truth.Toooften,hecontinues,“inourchurches, wehaveoftentreatedthegospellikea commodity,shoppingitaroundasifwewere peddlers,orworseyet,savvyperformers.”

Challengingustomovebeyondsucha debasedviewofourChurch,ourselves,andthe Gospelitself,hepressesusalltowardwhathe calls“TheTheologyofMaking,”whichhe insists“encourageschurchestoprioritizethe gifteconomy,torestoreourmessageasa powerfulantidotetogreed,therebyfreeing culturefromits‘bondagetodecay.’”

InMako’sview,thereisagreatand liberatingfreedomtobefoundinturningaway fromathin,transactional,consumereconomy,

andembracinginsteadthisgifteconomy,which isbothanewthingandsomethingwithancient sensibilities.Itisaneconomythatvaluesthings thatwilllast,thatmaywelloutliveus,thingsthat arenottobethoughtofastooeasilyorquickly disposable.Andwhilehespeaksasavisual artist,herecognizesthatthingsliketheclothing wewear,thefoodweeat,andthefurniturewe chooseforourhomescanalsobeconsidered withintheframeofagifteconomy.If,for instance,Ichoosetopurchaseclothingmadeto lastinsteadof“fastfashion,”Imaybepaying more,butthequalityIreceivewillbelasting, andthepeoplewhohave labouredtoproduce thosegoodswillhave receivedalivingwage. Thisisakindof“gift”that cutsinbothdirections, andinthelongrunweare allbetterserved.

MakotoFujimura’sbook Art+Faith ispublishedby YaleUniversityPress,and isavailabledirectlyfrom their website

JamieHowisonisapriestof theAnglicanChurchof Canadaandthefounding pastorofsaintbenedict's table.

LittleGiddingbyMakotoFujimora,2007

DiocesanNewsRoundup

Highlightsfromthe CouncilofGeneralSynod

OnNovember11,membersoftheCouncilof GeneralSynod(CoGS)gatheredtogetheratthe QueenofApostlesRenewalCentrein Mississauga,Ont.andonlineviaZoom. Highlightsfromthegatheringcanbefound ontheAnglicanChurchofCanadawebsite linked here.

TheWestEndChristmasStore: HelpmakeChristmasSpecial intheWestEnd

Donationdelivery:Dec8&9,8am-4pm ChristmasStore2022:Saturday,Dec10 365McGeeStreet,Wpg

Thisyear'sChristmasStorewillbeonSaturday December10,andthereareafewwaystobea partofit.

1.Makeacashdonation online.Wehave partneredagainthisyearwithScoutCoffee +Tea,alocalbusinesswhowillworkwithus touseyourcashdonationtoordertoysat discountedcost.Wecanalsouseyourcash donationstopurchasegiftcardstohelp familiespurchasefoodandotheritemsfor theirownChristmasmeals/celebrations.

2.Makeaphysicaldonationofnew,unopened toys,books,games,craftsupplies,warm winterwear,oranythingelseyouthinkachild wouldbeexcitedtoopen onChristmasmorning.Wealsowrapthegifts thatwedistribute,sodonationsofgiftwrap, bags,andtapeareappreciatedaswell. PleaseplantodeliverdonationsDecember 8or9,aswedonothavethespacetostore donationsbeforethat.

3.Volunteertoworkinthestorebyreplyingto thisemail.Ittakeslotsofhandstomakethe storework!Wecanusepeopletohelpwith storesetuponDecember8and9,andthen tohelpruntheStoreonDecember10.

Weareseekingdonationsofnew,unopened:

•Toys

•Games

•StuffedAnimals

•Books

•CraftSupplies

Notsurewhattopurchaseforwinteritems?

•Newunwornsocks

•Longunderwear

•Underwear,pajamas

•Toques,gloves,mittens

•Scarves

•Newwintergear

•Coats

•Snowpants

•Women'scoats

•Children'sboots

Wecanalsousegiftwrapping supplies:wrappingpaper,tissuepaper,gift bags,tape,etc.

Thankyouinadvanceforyoursupportof thestore!Eachyearwesupportapproximately 80families/300children-doingourpartto ensurethatfamiliesintheWestEndhave aChristmastoremember!

ParishProfile:

St.Alban’sCathedral

Visit St.Alban'swebsite

Webelieveweareachurchthatiscenteredin ChristJesus,ledbytheHolySpirit,opentonew ideasandchangetoreachthenextgeneration withthehopeofthegospel.Wearecommitted tocelebratingdiversityandtomakingourchurch awelcomingplaceforall,regardlessofwherewe maybeonourspiritualjourney.Wejourney together.Weareacommunityoffaith,activeand engagedinreachingouttoourcommunitywhile anchoredinourAnglicantradition.

St.Alban’sislocatedatthefootofMain StreetandWaterStreetontheshoresofLakeof theWoods,Treaty3territory.Ithasbeenafocal pointinKenora’sdowntowndistrict.This locationisacenterforoutreachprograms& communityservices.Ourcurrentchurchwas erectedin1917andisbuiltinagothicstyle fromlocalgranite.Thebuildingisaccessible andwellmaintainedwithanexteriorrenovation in1995andmajorinteriorremodelingin2017.

StAlban’swasthecathedralchurchinthe DioceseofKeewatin.WhenthatDiocese closed,StAlban’sjoinedtheDioceseofRupert’s Landandretained“Cathedral”aspartofits name,eventhoughitisnotthecathedralofthe Diocese.

Ourliturgyisbothtraditional(BCP)and contemporary(BAS)andwehaveimplemented innovationsinordertobeinclusiveanduserfriendly.Musicisanintegralcomponentofour worship.

Weareacaringcommunitythathas reachedouttoprovideanewchurchhometo otherchurchesthathavehadtoclosetheir doors.AsofMay21,2019,St.Alban’s welcomedthemembersofBethesdaLutheran intoourcommunityinacovenantofshared ministry.

St.Alban’shasnumerousministries, includingmusicministries,outreach,broadcast, andcongregationalgroups.

St.Alban’sCathedral

Wehavemanyoutreachministries.Our parishisinvolvedinprogramssuchas“Bridges outofPoverty,”andEPIC(EveryPersonin Community),whichhelpcommunitymembers facingpovertyfindgreaterstability.Wealso supportalocalChildandFamilyResource CentreeachChristmasbydonatingmittens toques,scarves,socks,Christmashampers,and cash,whichgotofamiliesintheMinto neighbourhoodinKenora.Additionally, membersofourchurchhaveparticipatedinthe KenoraRefugeeSupportProgramwhich sponsoredarefugeefamilyoffourfromSyria andarecurrentlyworkingwiththegroup KenoraSupportsUkraine.StAlban’salso operatesanewandgentlyusedclothingstore called“TwiceinNice”whichaimstoprovide low-costclothingoptionstofolkswithlimited incomeandauniqueshoppingexperiencefor bargainhunters.Clothingisalsoprovidedto thehospitalandthelocalshelters.