February 2023: In the Silence

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

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

Contentscopyright2023by Rupert’sLand News.Allrightsreserved.

Cover: BroodingSilence byJohnF.Carlson. SmithsonianAmericanArtMuseum,Bequestof HenryWardRangerthroughtheNational AcademyofDesign

Letmehavesilence,andIwillspeak, andletcomeonmewhatmay. Iwilltakemyfleshinmyteeth andputmylifeinmyhand. See,hewillkillme;Ihavenohope butIwilldefendmywaystohisface. Thiswillbemysalvation, thatthegodlessshallnotcomebeforehim.

Listencarefullytomywords, andletmydeclarationbeinyourears. Ihaveindeedpreparedmycase; IknowthatIshallbevindicated. Whoistherewhowillcontendwithme? ForthenIwouldbesilentanddie.

Inthispassage,takenfromthe13thchapterof Job,Jobaddresseshiscompanyoffriendswho havebeenattemptingalternatelytocomfort, counsel,andreformJobamidsthissuffering.As hiscompanionsattempttoofferexplanations andsolutionsforhisagony,Jobdoggedly insistsontheinjusticeofhissituation,and demandsaresponsefromGod.Jobpriorto andfollowingthispassagespeakswords offensivetohiscompanions,and,intheinterest ofhisownwellbeing,theyattempttoquieten Job,andtoconvincehimthathispainarisesin partfromhispersonalobstinacy.

ButJobdoesnotactfromanideological positionbutinsteadfromtheimmediacyand necessityofhissuffering(manystrugglesfor justiceandpeacearisefromthis).Andinthis passageheasksforthosetryingtomakesense ofhissituationtobesilent,andtoallowhimto speakwhathemay.Jobissettospeakjustice, toupholditevenbeforeGod,andisprepared tobecutdownforit.Jobhimselfisinnoway silent.Buthislaments,unlikethesystematizing discourseofhiscompanions,signalthings incommunicable.Jobsitsinhispain,unableto speakasolution,andinrefusalofaflatteningof hisexperience.

Amongsthiscompanions,itisJobwhom Godwillconversewith.AndwhileJobis

repudiated,whatisrevealedintherepudiation isconsistentwithJob’sprotests.God’sresponse toJobcontainsthemostexpansive,beautiful descriptionsofcreationfoundintheHebrew Bible.Thevisionhumblesandperhaps satisfies Job,butitisalsoconsistentwithhissuffering andcomplaint;Job’stestamenttoirreducible creaturelysufferingsharesinGod’s overwhelmingvisionofthecreaturelyorderas limitedbeforeGod,uncomprehending,and dependent.ItisJobwhohasexpressedacore featureofthiscreatureliness—theexperienceof painwithoutaccesstosenseorsolution.Job’s friendshavetrulybeenunjustinattemptingto systematizeandexplainwhatisexcessiveand unspeakableinthesufferingofcreation.They wouldhavedonewellto“havesilence,”—tobe insolidaritywithJobandallowhiscries. Ultimately,Job’scompanionsmustseek forgivenessthroughJob,whohasalonefound communionwithGod.

Thismonth,contributorstothemagazine conversewithsilence.InourCommunity Catechesissection,PhilBarnettwritesaboutthe Christiancontemplativetraditionand introducesreaderstospiritualpracticesof silence.KirstenPinto-Gfroerermeditateson silenceamidsuffering—on“trustingsilence” whichmaysitwithpain.AllisonAbraand MatthewBowmanareinterviewedaboutSt John’sCollege’seffortstohouseUkrainian refugeesandthegiftof enlivenmentthatthe college’sguestshave broughtamidstthequiet isolationofthepandemic. Finally,TheoRobinson challengesreadersto consider“silentvoices,” thosepersonswhose voicesaresuppressed throughmeanssubtleand direct,andconsiderhow wemightspeakupforall.

“LetMeHaveSilence,andIWillSpeak”

Silenceisavariedthing.Sometimes,whenIam silent,Ihearthingsbetter,becauseIlisten better.Therearetimesimmediatelyfollowing personalandcorporateprayerthatIfindavoice, notmyown,speakingintomysoul’sear;itisnot alwaysclearandnotalwayssayingsomethingI like.ThereareothertimesthatIusesilenceasa weaponofprivilegeandpower,orasasecondratewayofconfessingIdonotknowsomething. Inmanycases,silenceispotent,uncomfortable, anddistracting.Yet,itisalwaysagift,andit requiresdisciplineandpractice.

Elijah,in1Kings19heardthevoiceofthe Lordinthesoundofsheersilence.Thischapter oftenconfusesmebecauseitappearsbetween storiesofElijahbeingsurroundedbyviolence. Puttingmyconfusionaside,thesoundofsheer silenceattractsme.Whetherinnature,sleep,or withnoise-cancellingheadphones,Icannot recallhearingit.However,Godmuststilluse thatspace,thesoundofsheersilence,to communicatewithus.Indeed,muchinspiration, imagination,andcreativityhasflourishedinus forthelast3years,whilewar,tempestand pandemichavebeenscreamingatus.3years— thewarsincrease,theillnessappearschronic, andthetempestsincreasetheirharshbehavior, butIknowthatGodhasspokenthroughand arounditall.

Inlate2019NeilElliottreleasedhis analyticalprophecyofthedeathoftheAnglican ChurchofCanadaby2040 if nothingchangesin theACC’strajectory.Iinterpretthistomeanthat shouldwedonothingtostopthetrend—thatis, ifweremainsilent—theprophecywillfulfill itself.Iagreewiththis.However,Idonotthink thatGodiscallingustosilenceatthistime. Rather,likeElijah,wehavebeenwholly equippedindeafening,sheersilencetoraise thestoryofJesusChrist,andtomorefully

understandtheauthorityandpowerentrusted totheChurchforourtime.

AsJesuscameoutofthewaterofbaptismat thebaptizer’sside,JohnheardthevoiceofGod clearly Thisismychild,withwhomIamwell pleased,andJohnsawthespiritdescendlikea doveandremainonJesus.Again,inthe transfigurationevent,Godspeaksoutof dazzling,stunningbrightnesstothreedisciples ThisismychildwithwhomIamwellpleased. Listentohim! ThroughbotheventsIthinkJesus, thesilentOne,isactuallytheloudest,atleastfor ourcollectiveear.God’swords,andJesus’ actionsteachdisciplestocontinuelearning,and tobehaveasChristbehaves.Disciplesareto seekChristandserveChristinallpeople,loving one’sneighbourasoneself.

ThroughourAnglicancommunitywemake disciplesinthewatersofbaptism;supposedly, wepromisetodoallinourpowertosupport disciplesintheirlifeinChrist.Todoallinour powerimplieslifelonglearning,lifelong relationship,lifelongmentoring/mentorship,and acommitmenttohearthewords Thisismychild withwhomIamwellpleased.Tochoosetodoall inourpowerforotherdisciplesistoteach Christ’sministryandmission,authority,and powerwhicharealivein

HisBodytoday.Wecome outofoursilencetosayto some Goyourfaithhas madeyouwell,andto others, Followme,Ihave newsforyou. Todoallin ourpowerfordiscipleswill reversetheerosion happeningbeforeusaswe focusourattentionnoton ourselves,butonGod’s call.

GeoffreyWoodcroft

GeoffreyWoodcroft, BishopofRupert’sLand

Photo: SeanSinclair

SilenceandtheTradition ofChristianMeditation

ThenthewordoftheLordcameto(Ezekiel), saying“Gooutandstandonthemountain beforetheLord,fortheLordisabouttopass by.”Nowtherewasagreatwind,sostrongthat itwassplittingmountainsandbreakingrocksin piecesbeforetheLord,buttheLordwasnotin thewind;andafterthewindanearthquake,but theLordwasnotintheearthquake;andafter theearthquakeafire,buttheLordwasnotin thefire;andafterthefireasoundofsheer silence. -1Kings19:9b,11b-13

EzekielexperiencedthepresenceofGodin thesilence.Contemplativeprayerenablesusto enterintosilenceandexperiencethepresence ofGod.

IntheChristiancommunitytherearetwo commonlyusedmethodsforcontemplative prayer.TheyareChristianMeditationand CenteringPrayer.Eachusesaprayerwordto enableustoletgoofourthoughtssothatwe canbequietinourheartsandmindsandenter intosilence.Thepracticeissimple.InChristian Meditationitinvolvessayingaprayerwordora shortphraseandrepeatingit,silently,interiorly, throughoutthemeditationperiod.InCentering Prayer,theprayerwordisusedtoletgoof thoughtsandissaidagainwhenthethoughts return.

Itissimple,butnoteasy,becauseourminds arecontinuouslybusy.Thethoughtswillbe there,butsayingtheprayerwordhelpsusnot topayattentiontothem,sowecanenterinto silence.

Jesus’teachingaboutprayerisinstructive. InMatthew6:6-7weread“Butwheneveryou pray,gointoyourroom,andshutthedoorand praytoyourFatherwhoisinsecret,andyour Fatherwhoseesinsecretwillrewardyou.When youarepraying,donotheapupemptyphrases asthegentilesdo,fortheythinkthattheywill beheardbecauseoftheirmanywords.”

Inmeditation,wekeeptheprayersimple–awordoraphrase.Wegointoourinnerroom andenterintoaquietnessofheartandmind, leavingspaceforGodtobepresenttousand withinus.

Meditativeprayerhasalonghistoryinthe Christiantradition.Itwasalmostunknownfor manycenturiesandwasre-introducedtothe westernChurchinthe1970’sand80’s.Fr.John MainreintroducedthepracticeofChristian MeditationandFr.ThomasKeatingfounded thepracticeofCenteringPrayer.

Wecantracethepracticeofrepeatinga wordorphrasebacktothefourthcenturywhere wefinditrecommendedbytheDesertFathers andMothers.JohnCassian,inparticular,wrote aboutthiswayofprayerinhisIXthandXth Conferences.

Cassianwrotethatheandhisfriend GermanushadtravelledtothedesertofEgypt wheretheymetAbbaIsaac,arespected teacher,whotalkedtothemaboutceaseless prayer.Hetoldthemtopraybyrepeatinga singleverse.Theoneherecommendedwas, “Godcometomyassistance.”

PhilBarnett

Photo:eberhardgrossgasteiger

Cassiannotedthatbyprayinginthisway, repeatingaprayerwordorphrase, “Themind thuscastsoutandrepressestherichandample matterofallthoughtsandrestrictsitselftothe povertyofasingleverse.”

Inmeditation,then,wetrytoletgoofall thoughts,sothatwecanfocusonsimplybeing inthepresenceofGod.Whenwehaveaninner silence,itgivesusthechancetolistentoGod inaveryintentionalway.Ourmindsareusually soclutteredwiththoughtsaboutourbusylives thatwedon’tleavemuchroomfortheSpiritto communicatewithus.Itisinthestillnessand thesilenceofmeditationthatwebecome centredinthepresenceofGodandbecome moreopentotheworkoftheHolySpiritwho dwellswithinus.

Approximately10centuriesafterJohn Cassian,wefindananonymousEnglishmystic ofthe14thcenturywhowroteabooktitled The CloudofUnknowing. Theauthorwrites:“So takealittlewordofjustonesyllabletohelpyou focusyourattention.Theshorterthewordthe better,becauseitismorelikethisparticular activityoftheHolySpirit.Chooseawordlike 'God'or'love'oranyotherwordofonesyllable thatappealstoyouandimpressitindeliblyon yourheartsothatitisalwaysthere,whatever happens...Fixthiswordfasttoyourheartso thatitisalwaystherecomewhatmay.Withthis wordyouwillsuppressallthoughts.”

Anotherexampleofprayerbyrepeatinga wordoraphraseistheJesusPrayer.Themost commonformoftheprayeris:"LordJesus Christ,SonofGod,havemercyonme,a sinner."It,too,goesallthewaybacktothe DesertFathersandMothers.IntheEastern Orthodoxtraditionithasbeenmaintained throughoutthecenturiesandisstillverymucha partoftheirpracticeofprayer.WhenIwasatan internationalconferencesomeyearsagoa youngmanfromPolandsaidthatmeditation wasnothingnewtohimbecausehehadbeen sayingthisprayersincehewasachild.

Wehaveseen,then,thatmeditationis deeplyrootedinourChristiantradition.When weengageinthiswayofprayerweare

connectedtonumerousspiritualteachersfrom differentpartsoftheworldandfromdifferent centuries.Andmostimportantly,weknowthat wearewalkinginthefootstepsofJesushimself.

ThisquotefromJohnMain’swriting summarizeskeyaspectsofthiswayofprayer:

“Meditationisnotthetimeforwords, howeverbeautifullyandsincerelyphrased.All ourwordsarewhollyineffectivewhenwecome toenterintothisdeepandmysterious communionwithGod.

Inordertocomeintothisholyand mysteriouscommunionwiththewordofGod indwellingwithinus,wemustfirsthavethe couragetobecomemoreandmoresilent.Ina deep,creativesilence,wemeetGodinaway whichtranscendsallourpowersofintellectand language.

Wehavetolisten,toconcentrate,toattend ratherthantothink.AsJohnMainsays:

Silenceisabsolutelynecessaryforthe humanspiritifitreallyistothrive,andnotonly justtothrive,buttobecreative,tohavea creativeresponsetolife,toourenvironment,to ourfriends.Becausethesilencegivesourspirit roomtobreathe,roomtobe.Insilence,you don’thavetobejustifyingyourself,apologising foryourself,tryingtoimpressanyone.Youjust havetobe,andit’samostmarvellous experiencewhenyoucometoit.Andthe wonderofitisinthatexperience,youare completelyfree.Youare nottryingtoplayanyrole, youarenottryingtofulfil anyone’sexpectation.

PhilBarnetthasbeena meditatorfor30years,active intheCanadianChristian MeditationCommunityasa RegionalandNational Coordinator.Hehasled retreatsandworkshops acrossCanadaandinthe Caribbean.

Silent Presence inthe Faceof Suffering

Partoftheworkofthechurchintheworldisto careforthosewhosuffer.Thus,itisaskedofthe BodyofChristtogrowourcapacitytodoso withwisdom.However,inthefaceofsuffering weareoftenundone;wedon’tknowwhatto sayordo,wefeelourownbrokenness,andwe feelafraid.Butwhatifitisn’tourcapacitytodo orsaytherightthingwhichisthecrucialoffering ofthechurchinourtime?Whatifsilence can actuallyspeaklouderthanwords?

WhenIwastrainingtobeacounsellorIhad acounsellorprofessorwhowaswellpracticedin Buddhistmeditation.WhenIwenttoheroffice Iwouldknockandshewouldgreetmevery brieflyandthensitandwaitinsilence.Allofher bodylanguagetoldmeshewasfullypresent andready,butshewasimmovable,waiting withinsilenceformetoemerge.Andshewas

verycontenttodosoforaslongasnecessary.It wasextremelydisconcerting,andthefirstfew timesIwasflusteredandjumpyandstarted talkingamile-a-minute,butshedidn’tchange herwayofbeing,andslowlyherconfidenceand peacedidsomething;Islowedandfeltthe centreofme.OvertimeIlearnedtocomein, sit,andtakeamomenttoletthesilentroom andthissilentwomangivemeagiftwhichin turnhelpedmetoreceivetheteachingorthe balmofhealingthatIneededinthemoment.I remembernothingofwhatwassaidinthose meetings,butIcanstilltouchthatsilence.

Whywasthatsilencepowerful,andhow wasithealingandfacilitativeofmycoming-tobe?Whyisthatkindofsilencesohardtosustain (Ihaveneverbeenabletoholdherdepthsof silence,yet)?Thisisaquestionthathasstayed

KirstenPinto-Gfroerer

Image: OdilonRedon, LeSilence, WikimediaCommons

withmeasIhavelivedalifewithinthelifeofthe church,whosetaskitistobeneartothosewho suffer.Itstruckmemoredeeplywhenstudying JulianofNorwich;shewasananchorite, enclosedinaroomattachedtoaparishchurch, andshepaidattentiontoandwroteaboutone visionofthesufferingofChristonthecrossfor almostfiftyyears.Thistimespent—the seclusionofthistask,andthefocusonlyonthe faceofChristcrucifiedandnothingelse—isa formofsilencewhichlacesthepagesofher writing.650yearslatertheyspeakpowerfully “Allshallbewell,andallmannerofthingshall bewell.”Whereinliesthispower?

Thepowerliesintrust.Mywiseprofessor, andJulian,hadapracticedconfidenttrust whichfilledtheroomandthepagesofthetext thatspeaksthroughtheages.Icannotdefine thetrustingsilencethatmyprofessorpracticed butittouchedandresonatedwiththetrust whichJulian’swritingexudes.Thiskindof silenceopenstomore.Itrelinquishescontrol.It waitswith,ratherthantakesover.Itworkswithin thestill,ratherthanwiththerushoffear;it dispelspanic.Theonewillingtositwitha suffererinthiskindofpotent,practicedsilence trustsintheparticularityofthepersonwhoisin frontofthem,andiswillingtoholdroomforthe innerlifeoftheother,alonebeforeGod.Julian whensheaskedGodabouthow“allwouldbe well”foraparticularfriendofhers,learnedthat thiswasnotaquestionthatshecouldask.It wasn’therstoknow;itwasherstoholdintrust. Apractitionerofthiskindofsilencelearnsto liveinthistrust.Theydosobecausetheycome toknowthattheinfinitehasmorepossibility thanourvisioncanperceive.Theydoso becausetheyhavecometoknowthattheone whoisseeking,andsuffering,isheldas preciouswithinagoodlove,evenwhenall appearancesshowittobeotherwise.Thissilent trustspeakswithoutwordsthathopeexists withineverypersonandeverysituation.

RowanWilliams,onewhomIbelieveisalso adeptatthiskindofsilence,oncesaid:“Hope saysthatwhetheritturnsoutrightornot,there’s nevergoingtobealastwordofpain,orloss,or failuresolongasGodremainsGod…Notthat

Godisgoingtobringaboutahappyendingin thisworld,butthatGod’sworkwith,andGod’s faithfulnessto,peopleinthemostacute, unreconciledkindsofsufferingorlossisnot underdiscussion.”Thiskindofhopecanonly beheldwithinsilencebecauseitonlyexistsin the more thatwecannotaskorimagine.

So,howdoweexpandourcapacityfor trustingsilencesothatwethebodyofChrist cangivethissilenceasgiftwithinthisworldso thickwithsuffering?Itisahard-wrought, lifelonglearningwhichisendangeredbya worldfullofnoise.Idon’tthinkitisanywonder thatmyprofessorpracticedmeditation,northat Julianwasenclosedinananchorhold.Totrust silence,youmustbecomedeeplyacquainted withit.Someareacquaintedwithitbecauseof theirownexperienceofsuffering,andthe presencetheyhavemetwithinit;theybringit withthemwithintheirhealingwounds.Time withnaturecanalsoteachthisgift,asthe psalmistsays:

TheheavensaretellingthegloryofGod; andthefirmamentproclaimshishandiwork… Thereisnospeech,noraretherewords; theirvoiceisnotheard; yettheirvoicegoesoutthroughalltheearth, andtheirwordstotheendoftheworld.

Intheend,as Christianswearegiven thecrossofChristasthe mostpotentteacherof trustingsilence,wecan leanintoitinthistimeof Lentandpraythatitwill bearusandslowlyteach uswhatwelongtoknow.

KirstenPintoGfroererisa counsellor,writerandlay theologianwholivesneara smallforestontheedgeof LakeWinnipeg.Herbook Anchorhold:Corresponding withRevelationsofDivine Lovecontemplatively exploresthetheological writingsofJulianofNorwich. Tolearnmoreaboutherwork visitherwebsite.

CanyouspeakbrieflyaboutwhatStJohn’sis andtheworkthatthecollegedoes?

Allison: StJohn'sistheeducational institutionfortheDioceseofRupert’sLand.We werefoundedin1866andthenbecamea constituentfoundingcollegeoftheUniversityof Manitobain1877.OurrelationshipwithbothU ofMandthediocesehasevolvedovertime,but wemaintainclosetieswithbothinstitutions.Our currentstudentandfacultybasearegenerallyall UofMstudentsfromarangeofdifferent disciplinesacrosstheuniversity,butweretain controlofourTheologyprogram.Wealso maintainindependentfoodserviceandcatering operationsandastudentresidence.

Overthelastyear,StJohn’shasbeen involvedinhousingnumerousUkrainian refugees;canyousayabitabouthowthis cametobe?

Allison: StJohn'shostsalotofeventsboth forUofMandforthecommunity,andweheld oneatthecollegeinJune.Afriendofmine happenedtobepresentandIwaschattingwith heraboutthefactthatsomeonesheknewhad

beenputinchargeoffindinghousingfornewly arrivedUkrainiansandthechallengeithad beenbecausesomanyhotelswerebooked.We happenedtobestandinginthepartofthe collegethathasabigglasswallthatlooksout ontoourquadtowardsourresidence,andI pointedtoitandsuggesteditasanoption. SinceUofMwasmostlyremotefromMarchof 2020untilthesummerof2022,thereweren'ta lotofstudentsoncampus,andourresidence wasnotfull.Withinafewdays,Igotacallfrom theprovince,andwestartedconversationswith them.Wesignedacontractinmid-Julyandby lateJuly/earlyAugustwehadourfirstfolks movingin.

Howdoestheprogramwork?

Matthew: CanadasetuptheCanadaUkraineAuthorizationforEmergencyTravel, whichessentiallyallowsrefugeestoliveforup to3yearsinCanadaonavisitor’svisa,withthe abilitytowork.Peoplestayedwithussoonafter arrivinginthecountrywhiletheylookedfor permanenthousing.Wehavehostedaround 200peopleintotal,forvaryinglengthsoftime. Somewerewithusforseveralmonths.

Photo: JonTyson

Arethereanymomentsthatstandoutin yourmemoryfromthelastyearof involvementinthisprogram?

Allison: Ihavethreethatspeaktotheways thattheUkrainiansreallybecamepartofour community,butalsotohowmeaningfulthiswas forsomeofthemandforusaswell.

Atthestartoftheacademicyearour studentcouncilhostsaneventcalledJumpstart .ItusuallyinvolvesaBBQmealandhasthegoal ofengagingthestudentcommunityatthe college,includingstudentsinresidence.The Ukrainianswereinvitedtothis,andweallate togetherinourCrossCommonRoom.The studentcouncilhadplannedgamesfor afterwardsandseveralUkrainiansstayedfor them.Ihaveamemoryofsittingattableswith studentsandafewofourUkrainiannewcomers playingbingo.Itwasjustreallycooltosee.It wasthefirstrealbiginteractionIhadseen betweenthestudentsandtheUkrainians..

Then,inDecemberthecollegehosteda Christmasjazzconcertthatwasafundraiserfor chaplaincyandfortheEmmanuelMission LearningCentredowntownatHolyTrinity AnglicanChurch.Weknewthatwehadn't oversoldthechapel,soMatthewsentallthe Ukrainiansanemailinvitingthemtocometothe Christmasconcertiftheywanted,forfree.When theconcertstarted,Iwenttothefrontofthe Chapeltowelcomepeopletothecollege,and therewasoneUkrainianthatwasinthe audience,whichwasgreat.Butthenafterthe concertwasover,Iturnedaroundtoseethat twofullpewsofUkrainianshadshownupafter intermission.Itjustmademehappy,because it'sthisfestive,lovelyeventandIwasgladthat theyhadchosentoexperienceit.Andsomeof themtoldMatthewhowmuchtheyhadenjoyed it.

Butprobablythemostspecialmemorywas backinOctober.Wehavebanquetsforour residentsthatareplannedbytheResidence Councilthattendtobetiedtosomeholidayor season.WeweresittingattheHalloween banquetandoneoftheUkrainians,Denys

Gerashchenkocameuptosaythathewas leavingtheCollegethenextday,buthewanted tothankusfortheopportunitytostaywithus. Hethentoldusheisanartist,butthatsince thewarbegan,hehadn'tbeenabletoproduce anyart.Hewasjustfeelingsodownabout everythingthatitstifledhiscreativity.Butsince comingtoStJohn’s,hehadfeltthatcreativity return.Andhemadeapieceofartforus.Itwas reallymoving,becauseIthink,likeeveryone,all ofusherehavebeensohorrifiedatwhat'sbeen happeninginUkraine.Tofeellikewecando somethingtosupportpeoplethathavebeen displaced,it'sjustbeenreallygratifying.

ArtworkbyDenysGerashchenko, giftedtoStJohn’s.

Matthew: YouhadIvanSafarov atJumpstartaswell,right?

Allison: Yes,that’sright.Oneofourvery firstfolkstostayintheresidence,IvanSafarov, endedupgettinghiredtojoinourfoodservice staff.WehavetwoUkrainiansnowworkingfor thecollege,oneofwhomlivedherebrieflywith usandoneofwhomdidnot.Ivanisalsoa musicianwhoappearedonX-FactorinUkraine, sothestudentcouncilhiredhimtodosome numbersatJumpstart,whichwasgreat.

WhathavethebenefitsbeenforSt.John’sof havingUkrainianrefugeesstaywithyou?

Allison: Ithinkthatallofusjustfeltgrateful thatwecouldasindividuals,butalsoasthe college,contributetosupportingpeoplethat aresufferingasaresultofthisterriblewar.I thinkit'salsobeenagoodeducational experienceforourstudents,theonesin residenceespecially,livingside-by-sidewith folksastheypassedthrough.WhenIstartedat thecollegeinJulyof2021,weweredownto about25%occupancyintheresidence.Those studentswerereallywonderfultohavehere becauseitremindeduseverydaywhywedo whatwedo.ButIthinkhavingtheUkrainians comeinandsuddenlyhavetheresidencebe almostfullforthefirsttimesinceMatthewandI hadworkedherewasagoodreminderto everyoneaboutwhatthecollegeis.Ithelpedus asaninstitutionreviveandrenewafteralong, hardperiodofthepandemic.

Matthew: Also,Ithinkthismadethesocial lifeoftheresidentslivelier.Having30peopleat abanquetversus60or70—itwouldhavebeen sortofsad.

Iunderstandthatthecontractwiththe provincialgovernmentforthisprogramwillbe endingsoon.Aretherewaysinwhichyouthink thisworkwillliveon?

IvanSafarovandKateryna“Kate”Kharkivska employedwithStJohn’s’Collegeasfood servicestaff

Matthew: Formyself,Ihadthesame experiencesasAllisonatbanquets,etcetera.In general,though,myinteractionswerelargely administrative.I’vehadpeoplecomeinwith theirphoneandpressthebuttontogetSirior Googletolistenandtranslateandthentheyjust holdthephoneinmyface,like“Nowit'syour turntotalkback.”OthertimesI'vesortof turnedmycomputermonitorandtypedwhile they'vetypedontheirphone—alltosortof makeitwork.

Allison: It’snotonthisscale,butthecollege doeshaveahistoryofsupporting refugees.Therewasaprogramamidstthewar inSyriawherethecollegehousedseveralSyrian studentsintheresidence.Wealsohavehada longrelationshipwithastudentfromSouth Sudanwhocamehereasaninternational student.Ourformerchaplainandcurrent chaplainworkedcloselywithhimtohelphim applyforrefugeestatusandultimately permanentresidencyinCanada,whichhas beenachievedinthelastfewmonths.So,it's alwaysbeenpartofourmission,butIthinkthat theexperiencewiththeUkrainianshasopened oureyestothepossibilities.

Wehaveafacultyfellowwhoisaffiliatedwith thecollege;she'sasociologistnamedLori

Wilkinsonwho'salsoaCanadaResearchChairin MigrationFutures.We’vebeentalkingwithher aboutpotentialrolesthatthecollegecouldtake oninthiswayinthefuturetocontinue supportingrefugees,butalsoinwaysthatwould carryoutoureducationalmission.We’re exploringpotentiallyprovidinghousingto refugeesthatarealsopursuingstudiesatUofM.

Matthew: We'vealsomadepartnership relationshipswithMANSO,whichisthe ManitobaNewcomerSettlementOrganization andNewJourneyHousing,bothofwhichhelp newCanadiansfindpermanenthousing. There’stheneedforhousinginWinnipeg,in Manitoba,inCanadaforrefugees.Wehave madecleartoMANSOandNewJourney Housingthatourdoorsarestillopen.Aslongas wehaveroomsavailable,we'rehappytohave peoplemovein..

Doyouhaveanythoughtsonhowother Anglicanchurchesorinstitutionsmightmake useoftheirresourcestosupportrefugees?

Matthew: I'vewrittendown“Don'tbe afraidtotakerisksandtothinkoutsidethe box,”butalsoto“notreinventthe wheel.”Parishesdon'texistontheirownin

isolation.Neighborhoodsareuptointeresting things.Anglicansaregreatatstriking committeesandconsideringthingsandhaving meetingsanddiscussions,butwe'renotso goodatsaying:Maybethere'salreadypeople withexpertiseinthis,intheneighborhood,or downthestreet,orinthecity.Andmaybewe shouldbeaskingwherewecanhelpas opposedtostartingtotrysomethingfrom scratchallonourown.

It'salsoabouttryingtofocusnotonfuture possiblescarcity,butonourexistingblessings.

Allison: Iwouldsayweweretryingtojust thinkcreativelycomingoutofatoughperiod. Thepandemichashadasignificantfinancial impactonthecollege,asitdidforalotof parishes.Ourin-personcommunityhadreally struggledtofindwaystocometogether becauseofthepandemicandtheclosureof campus.Wehadthismore-than-half-empty residenceandhadbeenlookingfor solutions.Weweremoreopentoitbecausewe hadbeentryingtothinkcreativelyaboutthe resourcesthatwehadandwhattheycouldbe usedforinnon-traditionaltimes.AndIthink nowthatwe'velearnedalotofgreatthings fromthechallengesofthepastfewyearsabout whowewanttobemovingforward.

ThelastgroupofStJohn’s'UkrainianguestsarrivinginDecember

ChamberOrchestraMusaicannounces:

ShallWeGather:OrchestralMusicby composersofAfricandescent

Sunday,February26,2022

BethelMennoniteChurch 465StaffordStreet(parkingoffHarrowStreet)

ChamberOrchestraMUSAIC,underthe auspicesofChamberOrchestraWithout BordersInc., isanon-profitorganization promotingtheculturalmosaicofWinnipeg throughorchestralmusic.Theorganizationhas beeninoperationfor15yearsandisledby artisticdirector,LarryStrachan.Larryholdsa Master’sdegreeinOrchestralConductingfrom ShenandoahUniversityinVirginiaandisa graduatefromtheUniversityofManitoba SchoolofMusic.PreviousshowsfromChamber OrchestraMusaicinclude‘Beyond150’(2018), ‘Crossroads’(2014),‘Awakening’(2010),‘Steal Away’(2009),and‘JourneyfromAfrica’(2008).

Thenextconcert, ‘ShallWeGather: OrchestralMusicbycomposersofAfrican descent’, willbeheldonSunday,February26, 2023at3pm.ItwilltakeplaceatBethel MennoniteChurch,465StaffordStreet(parking offofHarrowStreet).

TheconcertwillincludeworksbyFred Onovwerosuke(Ghana),TJAnderson(USA), JennyPeñaCampo(Cuba),ShirleyThompson (Jamaica/UK),andAdolphusHailstork(USA). FeaturedsoloistsincludeCharlotteSiegel (soprano)andZillaJones(mezzosoprano).

CanadianHeritageandTheManitobaArts Councilhaveprovidedsupportforthisproject. Ticketsare$30foradultsand$25foryouth/ seniorsand$15forthoseundertheageof15. Toreserveyourticket,call(204)487-0302,via emailat chamorchwb@gmail.com orpurchase atthedoor.

Formoreinformationcontact: LarryStrachan

ArtisticDirector,ChamberOrchestraWithout Borders,Inc.

204-487-0302 chamorchwb@gmail.com

MargaretStrachan

BoardMember,ChamberOrchestraWithout Borders,Inc.

204-504-2185 margstrachan@gmail.com

Speaking Up for Silenced Voices

TheoRobinson

Silenceisadouble-edgedsword.Itcanbe equallybeautifulandcomfortingasdangerous andscary.

Therearemomentsinlifewherebeing silentorsittinginquietcanbeimportant.In churchliturgytherearevariousperiodsof silencestrategicallyplacedthroughouta worshipservicesothatapersonhastimeto reflectonwhathasbeensaid,tomeditateand topray,andtoopentheirhearttoGod.

Sittinginasilentvigilnexttoadying friend’sbedcanbequitepowerfulforboth people.Whileitmaytaketimetoacclimate yourselftosimplysittinginsilencewithanother person(plentyofpeoplefindsilentpauses

uncomfortable),allowingforthatquietto permeatetheroomcanbringmomentsof reflection,meditation,andprayersimilarto thosefoundinaworshipservice.

JonathanBartels,aregisterednurseinthe US,createdthe medical“Pause.” Thiseventisa momentofsilencetakenbymedicalstaffand friendsandfamilyofthepatientimmediately afterdeath.Thissacredmomentofsilence “allowsindividualstopersonalisetheirpractice whilenotimposingontoothers,”andisa“means ofhonouringaperson’slastriteofpassage.”

Thesesilentmomentsareprecious, beautiful,andcomforting.Theybreakupour busylives,giveustimetohearourown

Photo:AminMoshrefi

thoughts,andtheycanreconnectustoGod. Thesegoldenmomentscanbetranquiland healingandaresometimessorarethatwhen theydohappen,oneneedstotakeholdof themandcherishthem.

However,silencehasadarksidetoit,as well.Whiletherearetimesinourliveswhen silenceisrequired,animposedsilencehasa verydifferentfeeling.Whenasilenceis imposed,itmeansthereisavoicethathasbeen silenced.Perhapssomeoneismakingdecisions foranotherpersonwithoutconsultingwith them.Perhapsavoiceissilencedbypassive aggressivecomments.Morethanlikely,this imposedsilencemeansthatnotallvoicesare beingheard.Whoisitthatwearelisteningto andwhoisitthatwearesilencing?

Beingunabletotellyourstorycouldmean lifeordeath.Apersonbeingabused,especially awomanbeingsexuallyabused,isoften silencedbydismissingcommentsoroutright declarationsofdenialbyothers.Theabusee’s voicegetslostinthenoisegeneratedtoprotect theabuser.

Atransgenderpersonlivingstealthwillbe inconstantfearthattheirsecretwillbe discovered.Itonlytakesoneslipofthetongue oronetinyrumourtodestroyaperson’slifeand possiblycausedeath,whetherbytheirown handoranother’s.

Theseareonlytwoexamplesofpeople beingsilencedinonewayoranother.

Theonlythingworsethanvoicesbeing silencedarethebystanderswhoremainsilent.

ThisquotehasbeenattributedtoDesmond Tutu:“Ifyouareneutralinsituationsofinjustice, youhavechosenthesideoftheoppressor.”By silencingyourownvoiceinsituationsofabuse orintolerance,youareencouraging harassment,bullying,dismissal,and humiliation.So,whosevoiceisbeinglabelledas moreimportant?Andwhoisitthatisbeing silenced?

Weasbystandersneedtobreakthesilence andchangethecourseofhistory.Breakingthe silencecanchangelawsandasaresultchange aperson’slife—maybeevensavealife.

ThisallbringstomindSimonand Garfunkel’ssong“SoundofSilence”, particularlythisverse:

Andinthenakedlight,Isaw Tenthousandpeople,maybemore Peopletalkingwithoutspeaking Peoplehearingwithoutlistening Peoplewritingsongsthatvoicesnevershared Andnoonedared Disturbthesoundofsilence

Wehavebecomeaccustomedtotheevil aroundus,desensitisedtothepointthatweno longerraiseourvoicesagainstcrueltyand injustice.Nolongerdowedare“disturbthe soundofsilence.”Instead,ithasbecomeeasier toturntheothercheekandallowthevoices aroundustobesilenced.Ifweignorea problem,itwillsimplygoaway,right?

ClinicalPastoralCarestudentsaretaught thatasilentlistenerisimportantforvoicestobe heard.Thatiswhatweneedtobetoday–silent listeners.Spaceneedstobegiventoallthe voiceswhohavebeensilencedovertheyears. Todothis,weneedtoshedourindifferenceand standbesidethosewhohavebeensilenced, historicallyandpresently.

Wecannolongerbebystanderswhile victimsofharassment,abuse,andviolenceare placatedwithhalf-promisesandtoldtokeep silentabouteventsthat haveunfolded.Wecanno longerbeindifferentas deathtollsrisefrom murderandsuicide.Itis longpastthetimefor silentvoicestobegiven thespacetheyneedin ordertospeakupagainst crueltyandinjustice.Itis timeforthoseofuswho haveavoice,tospeakup forthosewhohavebeen silenced.Itcouldmean thedifferencebetween lifeanddeath.

TheReverendTheoRobinson isanAnglicanpriestserving asaPastorintheInterlake RegionalSharedMinistrywith theLutheranChurchofthe MNOSynod.Youcanfollow hisblogat tjrobinson.blogspot.com