Saskatchewan anglican
The newspaper of the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle • A Section of the Anglican Journal • December 2015 www.facebook.com/thesaskatchewananglican —
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Successes across the Diocese of Qu’Appelle noted during 79th Synod By Joanne Shurvin-Martin
Meeting the family Majdleen Moussa (left) was introduced to delegates at the Diocese of Qu’Appelle’s 79th Synod by Archdeacon Malcolm French. She and her mother, Marleen (right), and father Safaa, were refugees sponsored by the diocese in 2011 and are now active at St. James the Apostle, Regina. This year the diocese is sponsoring five members of Marleen’s family, who were in Turkey awaiting final paperwork before coming to Regina. It was stressed to delegates that although more than half the required money had been raised, $16,000 was still needed to sponsor the family. Donations were accepted and the open collection during the closing Eucharist was given to the refugee fund, resulting in more than $2,000. Photo by Joanne Shurvin-Martin
Signs of hope: Conversations on Aboriginal ministry By Frank Flegel REGINA – It’s the first time Anglican and Roman Catholic groups have come together to talk about Aboriginal ministry in Regina. About 30 Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people attended what was called Signs of Hope: Conversations on First Nations Ministry, Oct. 17, at St. Paul Cathedral’s Community Centre. It was organized under the auspices of the Anglican Roman Catholic Covenant Implementation Committee and is one of the goals and activities that are part of the Covenant signed between the Archdiocese of Regina and the Diocese of Qu’Appelle in 2011. “It is important to educate each other about First Nations and what is going on in their lives. It’s important to hear
the stories of the people,” said Susan Klein, Roman Catholic co-chair of the Implementation Committee, in conversation with the Prairie Messenger. Anglican co-chair Deacon Michael Jackson said it is a continuation of the process of reconciliation and healing between First Nations people and the rest of society. “This workshop we have been considering for some time. I think it is God’s will that it should happen now and at this very time in our history.” Sister ReAnne Létourneau, Sisters of the Presentation of Mary, heads up the Roman Catholic Aboriginal non-Aboriginal Relations Community, while Rev. Dale Gillman is an Anglican priest who is chair of the Anglican First Nations Ministry. The two were the major
presenters; their presentations were followed by discussion periods that encouraged audience participation. Létourneau talked mostly about the importance of building relations between Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals. “Our vision is relationships and our mission is to facilitate relationships and to journey together interculturally rooted in truth, justice, love and humility.” As part of that process, her group even changed their name from Aboriginal Ministry to Relations Community. “We were seen as always doing something for people.” Gillman is incumbent of a church in Nokomis. She described her life and her five siblings with a mother who had attended a residential school. See ABORIGINAL on page 7
REGINA – After many years of holding synods in conference centres and other locations, the 79th Synod of the Diocese of Qu’Appelle was held at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Fifty-four elected lay delegates and 33 clergy attended, from Oct. 23 to 25. The weekend event was inspiring and uplifting and two of the business sessions ended slightly ahead of schedule, prompting one attendee to comment, “The Age of Miracles is not yet passed!” Most business sessions as well as worship were held in the cathedral, with meals, coffee breaks and fellowship in the adjoining Bagnall Hall. St. Paul’s catering group ensured that all delegates were well fed. The final business session was held in the hall on Sunday morning. All delegates received printed copies of the Bishop’s Charge to Synod, while Bishop Rob Hardwick presented highlights from that document as the sermon in the opening Eucharist on Friday night (see article on page 8). Business that evening included calling the roll; establishing committees such as scrutineers and nominating committees; memorials of former members of synod who had died since the last synod meeting; and approving the minutes of the 78th synod. The first sitting ended with compline and was followed by a wine and cheese reception hosted by St. Aidan, Moose Jaw. The second sitting began with Morning Prayer on Saturday. Diocesan reports, which had been distributed in advance, were received. The diocesan Mission Action Plan for 2016-17 was presented to delegates, in a printed version and by presentations from Bishop Hardwick, Deacon Arleen Champion, Julie Moser and Archdeacon Catherine Harper. Hardwick first outlined the main parts of the diocesan mission: The Great Commandment to love God and our neighbours; The
Great Commission to bring others to the knowledge of Christ; The Great Transformation to be able to discern the will of God; and The Great Purpose of evangelism, to proclaim God’s love and saving grace to the world. Church at Buffalo Pound Provincial Park Champion described how services were held this summer at St. Columba near Buffalo Pound Provincial Park, east of Moose Jaw. Champion was conducting a wedding in the little church and noticed the church guest book had been signed by more visitors than many parishes would see in many years. Later, at a funeral at St. Columba, people expressed the interest in having regular services. St. Aidan lay people and Rev. Dean Pinter agreed to conduct a service on Saturday evenings. “Before the first service, we prayed for ‘even one person to come’,” recalls Champion. “Be careful what you pray for!” Only one visitor did come to the first service, but the last two services had 10 visitors each. Four services of Celtic evening prayer were offered and one holy Eucharist. The parish plans to have more advertising for campers and cottage residents for next summer. Children’s and youth ministry Moser spoke about ministry for children and youth in the diocese. She described travelling with the bishop to Big Country parish, in the northwest of the diocese. Suddenly, for no apparent reason, the bishop beeped the car horn. She asked if there had been a bird on the highway, and he replied, no, he had beeped at the tree. It is a local tradition to beep at “the lonely tree” on the bald prairie. “Seeing youth in our churches can be rather like seeing a tree in southern Saskatchewan,” she noted. Moser highlighted the successful youth program at St. Aidan, Moose Jaw, and offered free materials on youth ministry. See SUCCESSES on page 7