Saskatchewan anglican
The newspaper of the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle • A Section of the Anglican Journal • September 2013
Looking outward together
Women celebrate church’s history
Impressions from General Synod
By Marion Pope
By Meghan Lofgren SASKATOON – In the first week of July this year, the Ottawa Convention Centre was teeming with Christians from all over Canada, who were living out the theme of the very first Joint Assembly of the Anglican Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), “Together, For the Love of the World”. This theme, so beautifully chosen for the historic occasion, was both a call and a challenge not only to the attendees, but also to the broader churches, to be carried out through the next triennium and beyond. It was definitely a unique experience for all involved, as I’m sure many people took very different things from the conference. Not only was it a logistical challenge for the more than 800 Christians attending, but the scheduling (I’m sure) proved difficult as well, as the intent of the Joint Assembly was to do as much as possible with the two churches together, while still allowing time for each church to tend to its own respective and necessary business separately. As a member of Synod from the Diocese of Saskatoon for the past four General Synods (2004, 2007, 2010, 2013), I was both honoured and encouraged to be a part of the first Joint Assembly of the two national churches. I went to this year’s gathering feeling confident and excited. I was looking forward to being able to meet together with Christians from ELCIC as well as fellow Anglicans, to be able to participate in the living out of the Waterloo Accord and to see what new things the planning committee might have in store for us this year; I was not disappointed. While I have enjoyed, to some extent or another, every synod I have attended, this year felt different due, I believe, largely to the theme that governed our meetings. For me, every other (See SYNOD on page 7)
Cataloguing the history of the Saskatchewan Anglican Trevor Powell, canoner and archivist for the Diocese of Qu’Appelle, poses with five bound books containing issues of the Saskatchewan Anglican newspaper from the past 26 years, at the Saskatchewan Archives Board in Regina. Book 1 contains issues from Jan. 1987 to Dec. 1991. Book 2 contains Jan. 1992 to Dec. 1995. Book 3 contains Jan. 1996 to Dec. 2000. Book 4 contains Jan. 2001 to Dec. 2005. Book 6 contains Jan. 2006 to Dec. 2012. Photo – Jason Antonio
Winna Martin, secretary for four bishops, retires By Joanne Shurvin-Martin REGINA – “Think back to 1989,” said Dean Michael Sinclair. “It was the time of rock stars with big hair and women with bigger hair. One of those women was Winna Martin, when she came to work as diocesan secretary.” Dean Sinclair was master of ceremonies at the dinner to honour Deacon Winna Martin on her retirement, after serving the diocese for 24 years. About 80 people gathered for dinner in June, shared memories and wished her well. Deacon Martin (she was ordained Deacon in 2002) served as diocesan secretary and assistant
to four bishops of Qu’Appelle. Dean Sinclair read messages from three of those bishops, who were unable to attend the celebration. Bishop Eric Bays described how, then, Deacon Martin was “acquainted with the mysteries of the wider church,” and praised her “dedication to the diocese.” Bishop Duncan Wallace wrote that he commended the state of retirement and regretted he could not be at the dinner. Bishop Gregory Kerr-Wilson thanked her for her “support and help as I began my ministry as bishop.” The current bishop, Robert Hardwick, described how Deacon Martin provided a sort of pastoral care to visitors to the
Synod Office, as she would be the first person seen when people arrived at St. Cuthbert’s House. She would often be the first one to hear complaints, but also the first to hear good news from people in the diocese. A group of deacons and individuals who regularly attended the Diocesan Summer School, along with their fuzzy mascot, Deacon Duck, performed “O, Summer School” to the tune of Home on the Range. The bishop and dean presented farewell gifts of money donated by people throughout the diocese, and a large piece of stained glass artwork, created by Roy Ohashi of St. Paul’s Cathedral.
SASKATOON – For over 50 years, St. Timothy’s Anglican Parish, Saskatoon, has resonated with the sound of women’s voices, their laughter and tears. The history of the parish and its women are so uniquely intertwined that the essence of one is the essence of the other. It was therefore a special day, June 18, when approximately 30 parish women chose to reminisce and celebrate their work and ministry. They began their reunion and celebration in thanksgiving by sharing in the Eucharist at the church with Rev. Ken Watts. Then they treated themselves to a river cruise on the South Saskatchewan on the Prairie Lily before dining together at the Parktown Hotel. June 18 was indeed a significant event, not only because we deserved to celebrate, but also because St. Timothy’s parish, having come through turbulent times, was about to close and become part of Emmanuel Anglican Church; a ‘new creation’ formed through the merging of St. James’, St. Mark’s and St. Timothy’s parishes. The first service for Emmanuel was held on July 7. The history of St. Timothy’s ladies goes back to September 1956 when the Women’s Church Year (W.C.Y) was formed with Mrs. Lillian Rutherford as president. In 1958 a Women’s Auxiliary (W.A.), with its president Gwen Thornton, was also formed and functioned simultaneously with the W.C.Y. until June 1966, when the W.A., of course, became the ACW. Eventually the two groups merged as the ACW. Some of the memories include: SAVING COUPONS: In 1960, it was reported that 509 Betty Crocker coupons, 1,390 Robin Hood proofs of purchase, 172.5 Blue Ribbon coupons and 921 Nabob coupons had been saved (ages some of us, doesn’t it?); STOCK YOUR FREEZER sales with Penny Powers, Art Shows, Fashion Shows, Teas and (See EVENTS on page 8)