The Saskatchewan Anglican, December 2023

Saskatchewan anglican

The newspaper of the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle • A Section of the Anglican Journal • December 2023

Christmas is about love column

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Dads help organize fun outdoor festival

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Co-op donates over $18K to lunch program

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Family's missionary activities in new book

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Dinner raises over $1K to support youth ministries

By Mary Brown

A feast for a community A group of women from Stanley Mission in northern Saskatchewan prepares food for the annual community gathering, which included many outdoor activities. For story, see page 10.

Photo by Mary Brown

PRINCE ALBERT — The Rev. Brody Albers, diocesan youth minister, was excited to tell us all about this past year and his involvement in the first year of youth ministry.

It was an absolute success and there are many more areas in which to grow. In the past year there were five youth retreats with 53 youths attending so far.

There was an average of 10 youths at each retreat.

There have also been eight young adult events to date.

At the Camp Okema Young Adults retreat there were 25 participants.

Some of you may remember the Opening Continued on page 5

Tri-diocesan talks result in two dioceses deciding to look for new bishops

By Rev. Peter Coolen SASKATOON — On Oct. 16 and 17, members of the diocesan councils of the three Saskatchewan dioceses — Qu’Appelle, Saskatoon and Saskatchewan — met at Queen’s House of Retreat in Saskatoon for the second session of tri-diocesan meetings.

The intent of the meetings was to consider ways in which the

three dioceses could work together to reduce administrative and other costs, co-ordinate and share aspects of administration and ministry and to look at the potential for reorganizing and perhaps amalgamating two or more of the dioceses.

The meetings were organized and attended by Bishop Helen Kennedy of the Diocese of Qu’Appelle, the Ven Alex Parsons, administrator for the

Diocese of Saskatoon, and the Ven. Andrew Hoskin, administrator for the Diocese of Saskatchewan; the sessions were also attended by the Metropolitan, the Most Rev. Greg Kerr-Wilson.

The sessions began and closed with, and were interspersed by, a series of daily devotions and services; the sessions included discussions on themes looking for areas of common concern and areas

where two or more dioceses could co-operate by adopting similar structures or even sharing systems.

For example, some sharing ideas included property and liability insurance, accounting services, financial administration, revising canons, paying clergy salaries, and licensing of clergy.

Combined with these issues was the discussion of potential merger of two or

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more dioceses and various possible models for the internal structures of these merged entities, with one or more bishops and suffragan bishops or archdeacons and regional deans with expanded roles.

It became apparent during discussions that all three dioceses wished to take advantage of the efficiency and cost reductions involved in sharing administrative Continued on page 2

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The Saskatchewan Anglican

December 2023

Published by the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle.

Published monthly except for July and August.

Whole No. 292, Vol. 52 No. 4 A Section of the Anglican Journal SUBSCRIPTIONS For change of address, undeliverable copies and subscription list updates, contact:

A bench at Queen's House Retreat Centre overlooking the Saskatchewan River.

Photo courtesy Facebook

... Dioceses agree to share resources during talks Continued from page 1 functions often by adopting the “best” model already in place in one or more of the three dioceses.

However, on the subject of mergers it was decided that each diocese should discuss this in-camera and report back to the meeting as a whole as to what they each wished.

From this in-camera session it emerged that the Diocese of Saskatchewan was not interested in merging with either of the other two diocese, as it felt that its focus of emphasis on traditional Anglicanism using the Book of Common Prayer and the significant indigenous participation

in its life were not reflected as strongly in the other dioceses.

In short, its culture and traditions set it apart from the other two, although it was interested in working on areas such as shared administration.

Meanwhile, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle felt that they had many areas of commonality but that the large area resulting from the merger could not be served by a single bishop and therefore a suffragan bishop would also be required.

In effect, having to pay for two bishops negated much of the rationale for merging the dioceses, when much of the other

areas of co-operation, efficiency and cost reduction did not require a merger.

Therefore, Saskatoon decided that it, too, did not wish a merger.

With Saskatchewan and Saskatoon deciding that they did not want to merge, they informed Archbishop Greg, who was present for the discussions, that they both wished to proceed separately with the process of electing a new bishop.

The archbishop stated that this process could begin as soon as each diocese gave him the request in writing.

On Saturday, Dec. 9, Saskatoon’s diocesan

council will be formally presented with the decision made by our representatives of the tri-diocesan council to no longer consider merging and to advise the archbishop in writing that we wish to elect a new bishop for our diocese.

This process must begin, at the latest, by April 2024 as that is the end of the period originally provided by the archbishop for us to hold off on making a decision to elect a new bishop, while we held discussions on the potential for amalgamation.

May God bless us as we each move forward together separately.

DIOCESE OF QU’APPELLE

New warden named for diocesan readers program g New warden for diocesan readers Rev. Canon Cheryl Toth has been appointed warden to Diocesan Readers, effective Oct. 1.

Toth served in ordained ministry for more than 40 years. She retired as Archdeacon of St. Cuthbert in 2022, and is now an honorary assistant at St. Paul’s Cathedral.

As warden, Toth has oversight of the ministry of Diocesan Readers.

Though the ministry of Diocesan Readers is primarily in their own parishes, they may undertake duties in a parish other than their

own, when requested by the bishop or bishop’s representative.

Readers’ duties may include leading services of the Word, such as Morning Prayer, in a parish or nursing home. g QSMM has new organizer Timothy Lenko has been appointed co-ordinator for the Qu’Appelle School for Mission and Ministry.

He is a member of St. Aidan, Moose Jaw, and studying theology at Briercrest Seminary, Caronport. He also has a degree from Canadian

Southern Baptist Seminary in Cochrane, Alta.

For information on QSMM courses, please see the diocesan website at quappelle.anglican.ca. g Women's retreat in April An Anglican Women’s Gathering will be held Saturday, April 20, 2024 at St. Mary the Virgin, Maple Creek. The theme will be “Challenges Change Us.” All women are invited to come and join in the fellowship. Watch for more information as plans are finalized.

Please contact Edith

Maddaford, vice-president, at 306-744-2216 or esmadd@ sasktel.net if you have questions, suggestions or topics for the gathering. g Free suicide prevention training The Ministry of Health is providing free licences for a suicide prevention resource from LivingWorks. This is a 90-minute online training that helps learners develop foundational skills to recognize when someone may be thinking about suicide and connect them to further help.

To register, email support@livingworks.net.

• Your parish • e-mail: circulation @national.anglican.ca • Or send to Saskatchewan Anglican, c/o Anglican Journal, 80 Hayden Street, Toronto, Ont. M4Y 3G2 RATES $10 in Canada $17 outside Canada SUBMISSIONS Submissions for the February issue must be received by the diocesan editor no later than Dec. 27.

All pictures must be sent as JPEGS and 1 MB (megabyte) in size.

CONTACT INFORMATION Managing Editor: Jason Antonio SKAnglicanEditor@gmail. com 1501 College Ave Regina, Sask., S4P 1B8 Phone: 306-737-4898 Qu’Appelle: Joanne Shurvin-Martin joannesm@myaccess.ca 6927 Farrell Bay Regina, Sask., S4X 3V4 Phone: 306-775-2629 Saskatoon: Peter Coolen ptrcoolen@sasktel.net 820 Avenue I South, Saskatoon, Sask., S7M 1Z3 Phone: 306-244-0935, Saskatchewan: Mary Brown mary1949brown@gmail.com Box 25, Shellbrook, Sask., S0J 2E0 306-922-5159 Advertising agent: Angela Rush saskatchewan.anglican.ads@ gmail.com 905-630-0390 PUBLISHING DETAILS Published from 59 Roberts Place Regina, Sask., S4T 6K5

December 2023

The Saskatchewan Anglican

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The Bishop's Corner

Christmas is about love By the Right Rev. Rodney Andrews, D.D.; Interim Bishop for Saskatoon

I

was preaching but nobody was listening. The eyes and hearts of the congregation were focused on two babies, a boy born in August and a girl born in October. Their adoring mothers held them in their arms.

The rector’s warden had built a fire for the Christmas Eve service. I stopped preaching. Everyone was silent. The only sound was wood crackling in the stove. It was a holy moment. The Christmas story was proclaimed.

The babies were born like every other baby, vulnerable and helpless. Babies need protection and care. What was the baby Jesus like? I suppose He gurgled, smiled, and cried. No doubt He kept His parents awake at night and yelled for food.

Loving a baby and being loved in return is a wonderful feeling. At Christmas we see Jesus as a baby, a refugee baby born in a cave and placed in a manger. Christmas invites us to allow our hearts to melt.

Christmas is about giving our

hearts and our love. Love is doing, giving, surrendering and merging.

Love breaks down walls of separation, pride and bitterness. Christmas is about love.

Read the Christmas story from St. Luke again. Joseph and Mary make a long trip to Bethlehem because a tyrant ordered a census. The census will allow him to collect more taxes. Mary gives birth in a cave used to house farm animals.

The child is placed in a feeding trough. The parents took shelter in the cave because there were “no vacancy” signs on the doors of all the inns, the hotels of the day. Mary and Joseph found their way to the livery stable.

Elizabeth Welch Parker tells about Christmas Eve at a large, wealthy church in New York. On Christmas Eve they had a living representation of the Nativity. As people arrived in Cadillacs, Lexuses and long limos, they were greeted by street people on the front steps.

A man and woman with a shopping cart and a bundle of rags.

Several people stopped to offer help. Some invited them in out of the cold. They politely declined all offers.

Finally, a senior church member approached the rector and said, “We’ve got a problem.” He insisted on calling the police and asking them to remove the street people. Eventually a patrol car came by. The people were asked to move across the street where they would not disturb the worshippers.

The church was full, standing room only. Finally, the climactic

moment arrived. As Mary and Joseph entered there were gasps of recognition. The holy family was the homeless couple from the front steps. The baby Jesus was the bundle of rags they had held in their arms. Most of the congregation wept.

Karen Sandell is an Anglican priest who began her ministry in a small church in rural Ontario. She tells the story of Bo, age six, who was chosen to be the innkeeper for the Christmas pageant. He had one line to say: “There is no room.”

The pageant director and Bo’s parents rehearsed his short line many times. The night of the play came. Bo answered a knock on the door of his inn. Joseph and Mary pleaded with him. “She is about to have a baby. Please find a room for us.” Eventually Bo broke down. “All right . . . come on in. . . . You can have my room.”

Some people laughed and some were angry, but Bo expressed the Christmas message: Show mercy and act kindly toward those in need.

Best wishes for a joyful and peaceful Christmas.

Suggested Scripture: Isaiah 52:710, Luke 2:1-7.

PURSUING THE GREAT COMMISSION

Evangelism institute makes key change to leadership

By Judy Paulsen

F

or the past 32 years the Institute of Evangelism has equipped churches to share the Christian faith, and for the past eight years it’s been my joy to serve as its director.

While I have also taught courses at Wycliffe College in evangelism, church leadership, worship, and mission, my work for the Institute has involved mentoring young leaders, developing resources, and offering workshops, webinars, and conferences across Canada and the United States.

Even in the face of declining church attendance, wherever I have gone across this land I have sensed among God’s people a deep love for God and an excitement to learn how to better share the faith.

I’ve also sensed that the Holy Spirit is preparing the Church for something both challenging and

exciting in this time. But what exactly will that look like?

As I move into a new phase of my vocation, I’ve been sensing that this is a golden opportunity for the Institute of Evangelism to enter a period of discernment about that very question.

For this reason, I made the decision to step down from the Institute of Evangelism directorship and proposed that Wycliffe hire a transitional director for the Institute, whose work over the next two years would focus specifically on several aspects of discernment.

This will include such things as gathering feedback, assessing resources and structures, and suggesting strategic new initiatives.

The search process to fill this two-year interim directorship is already well underway, and Wycliffe will soon be ready to announce the successful candidate.

There is real excitement afoot!

And what will I be doing now that I’m moving out of the role of Director of the Institute of Evangelism? For one thing, I plan to do more writing.

My research over the past few years has focused on what we can learn about sharing the faith from the conversion stories of Scripture.

Next spring Baker Academic will be publishing the result of that labour. "A New and Ancient Evangelism: Rediscovering the God Who Calls and Sends" will be released next spring.

Additionally, I will be overseeing the revision and publication of the 4th edition of Christian Foundations, a resource that teaches such basics as the story of Israel, who Jesus is, what all Christians believe, how we arrived at so many denominations, and basic practices of the Christian

faith.

I’ll also be spearheading the production of a Mandarin translation of Christian Foundations, which we hope will be used by the many churches now reaching out to new Chinese immigrants coming to North America.

Finally, I’ll continue to serve the broader Church by preaching and leading webinars and workshops, although these will take up a smaller proportion of my time.

As I step out of the role of director of the Institute of Evangelism, I want to particularly thank Judith Purdell-Lewis, who for many years, month after month, has published our Good Idea e-letter.

Judith, your creativity and attention to detail in this task has been a very real blessing to both the Institute and to me personally.

I also want to thank Ryan Sim, who has served many years as

the I of E webmaster and communications director, and for those who served through the years on the I of E team of mentors.

You’ve all been wonderful to work with!

Now I bid you all farewell, with a promise to continue to pray for both the new interim director and the future long-term directors of this organization, through which God has blessed his Church and the world.

I’m so grateful for the faithful support of our donors, whose prayers and financial support have made the work of the Institute of Evangelism possible through the past three decades.

My prayer is that all of you will take this opportunity to renew your own commitment to the Institute of Evangelism’s ministry, until every church is cultivated and equipped as an evangelizing community in the service of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

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The Saskatchewan Anglican

December 2023

Installing a new rector at Saskatoon's cathedral The Right Rev. Rodney Andrews, interim Bishop of Saskatoon, presided at the service of installation and Eucharist for the Rev. Dr. Laura-Marie Piotrowicz, as the new rector of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Saskatoon, on Oct. 29. Bishop Rodney was

assisted by the Venerable Alex Parsons, administrator of the diocese.

Clergy attending the service posed for a picture, with Laura-Marie (centre left) and Bishop Rodney (centre right) after the service. The service was followed by a reception.

Photo by Rev. Peter Coolen

DIOCESE OF SASKATOON EVENTS

Announcements for December 2023 g Saskatchewan Anglican online! Did you know you can read current and past issues of the Sask.

Anglican online?

Visit www. anglicandiocesesaskatoon. com/saskanglican or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ saskatchewananglican. g Please note that if you plan to attend any church service in person, check on service times and any requirements for preregistration.

If attending, please follow all indicated seating, movement, distancing, masking, and sanitization rules. g Licentiate in Theology Courses offered by College of Emmanuel and St. Chad and Western Education Collaborative Anglican Network (W.E.C.A.N.): Emmanuel and St. Chad College has been working with the WECAN group to develop a ministry preparation program relevant to the various Anglican contexts in Western Canada.

The local diocesan ministry schools make substantial

contributions to the program by offering courses mapped out in the ESC-WECAN Licentiate in Theology handbook.

Whether you are feeling called to do more formal ministry or are drawn to taking certain courses, please contact the person named for the course or courses you are interested in doing.

At the same time, let your diocesan school co-ordinator know your plans. If interested, please review the detailed list of fall and winter course located elsewhere in this issue. g STU/ESC course offerings for this fall and winter: Spiritual Practices, Cultivating Compassion and Resilience, with the Rev. Dr. Trish McCarthy, Dec. 4-8 and Jan. 8-12, 2024 Gospel of Mark, with Dr. Adam Wright, Jan. 8-12, 2024 Please call 306-9753753 for more details and information on these course offerings. g Joys of the Season at Christ Church, Saskatoon: Christ Church, Saskatoon will be presenting “Joys of the Season” in the parish

hall at 515 28th Street West, on Saturday, Nov. 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Festive lunch ($10), the event includes sales of Christmas baking, turkey pies, poinsettia plants, handicraft sale and door prizes. g Advent Sale at Cathedral of St. John: The cathedral’s annual Advent Sale is coming up on Saturday, Nov. 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring baking, turkey pies, jams and jellies, “sweets and treats,” crafts, church calendars, New 2 You and lunch!

There is also a limited number of vendor tables available to crafters for $25. If you, or someone you know, are interested in a table, please email the church office at stjohns@sasktel.net.

Upcoming services and weekly or monthly events: g The Painting Table: All are welcome at the “Painting Table” held in the lower parish hall at Emmanuel Anglican Parish, 607 Dufferin Ave., from 7to 8:30 p.m., the first Wednesday of each month. All art materials are supplied.

g All Saints Anglican Parish, Saskatoon; Choral Evensong followed by a potluck supper. Third Wednesday of each month; 5:15 p.m. g Christ Church Anglican, Saskatoon: BAS Evening Prayer, every Thursday at 7 p.m.; Free community supper, 5 to 7 p.m., the third Tuesday of each month; Community Coffee House, every Wednesday, 10 a.m. to noon; Nutf lakes Videos, Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Men’s breakfast the first Sunday of each month, a free breakfast by the men of the parish, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Bereaved Caregivers, Living Through Loss: A support group held at Queen’s House, Saskatoon. Please contact Brenda Gibbs, facilitator, prior to registering, at 306-2277323.

Caregivers have often experienced years of anticipatory grief caused by the cumulative losses that occurs when a family is expecting a death. Now the vigil is over, and the final grief can be intense. No one

grieves the same and there is no single recipe or formula to grief work.

All that is needed is a commitment to do the work and grow in your grief. With grief in your heart, you will never be the same again, yet there is hope in finding meaning and reinvesting in your future.

Six Wednesday afternoons, Jan. 17 to Feb. 21, 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Registration deadline is Jan. 15. To register: https://qh.retreatportal. com/events/ f ?p=EVENTS:2:::::P0_ EMBED,PROGRAM_ ID:0,12874. g To be included in a timely manner, brief notices should be supplied to the associate editor by fax, email or “snail mail” by the end of the month, one month before the month in which the insertion is desired (i.e. February entries will be in the April issue).

Detailed and longer texts of upcoming events will not be included in this section, but should space allow, could be the subject of articles and notices elsewhere in the Saskatchewan Anglican.

December 2023

The Saskatchewan Anglican

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Feeling the Holy Spirit

An Anglican Charismas story

By Rev. Gene Packwood

I Revs. Brody Albers and David Butorac (back) and youths gather during a youth event.

Photos by Mary Brown

How much is that silent auction item? Attendees to the youth ministry fundraising dinner and auction place their bets on items on a table. The dinner and auction ended up raising $1,025.

... Youth program continues to grow Continued from page 1 Doors Campaign that the diocese spearheaded in 1998. Part of this campaign was to help parishes raise money for their churches but also to have a fund specifically for youth ministry.

Since then the diocese has used this fund to pay for youth ministers and activities. Over the years donations have come in but not enough to sustain this account.

With this in mind, Albers decided to have a youth ministry

fundraising dinner and auction on Oct. 18 at St. George’s Church. A request went out for new items that could be offered for a silent auction.

There were about 40 people at the dinner with a table full of items on which to bid. The auction was quite civilized with most people not wanting to bid on something someone else really wanted.

The bidding heated up when “somebody” kept bidding up the leather purse that Nancy Carruthers wanted and

did finally get for $100.

The supper of spaghetti, put on by St. George’s ACW, for $25, was enjoyed by all with the ACW donating the food.

The year's cost for youth ministry is $16,500. The number of monthly donors needed to raise $16,500 is 15 at $40 a month, 25 at $20 a month and 30 at $10 a month; $1,025 was raised at the dinner/auction. If you want to give, you can send a cheque to the Synod Office.

The next youth retreat was Nov. 17-19.

know I’m jumping the Advent gun here but I want to set the scene a bit for Christmas.

For example, I love that The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) Collect for Christmas Day is so charismatic!

ALMIGHTY God, who hast given us thy only begotten Son to take our nature upon him, Grant that we being regenerate, and made thy children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen (p104).

Renewed. Daily. That’s a good Christmas Day prayer.

It’s like a miniconfirmation booster in that, according to the BCP Conformation rite, “being regenerate” we were made that way through “water and the Holy Spirit,” as the bishop laid hands on us and prayed that we would “daily increase in thy Holy Spirit, more and more” (BCP p560; BAS 628).

Regenerated. Renewed.

Daily. More and more.

The next day comes The Feast of Stephen when we pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit, like St. Stephen was (Acts 6:9).

GRANT, O Lord, that in all our suffering here upon earth, for the testimony of thy truth, we may stedfastly look up to heaven, and by faith behold the glory that shall be revealed; and, being filled with the Holy Spirit, may learn to love and bless our persecutors, by the example of thy first Martyr Saint Stephen, who prayed for his murderers to thee, O blessed Jesus, who standest at the right hand of God to succour all those that suffer for thee, our only Mediator and Advocate.

Amen (The Collect for Saint Stephen the Martyr, BCP, p108).

Prayer about martyrdom, persecutors,

murderers, suffering — on Boxing Day!?

That’s not very Christmas-y.

Except it is. Jesus was born into the marvelous and complicated mixture of wellbeing and woe that is life.

Holy Scripture is full of such filled references.

John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit, so much so that even before he was born he jumped (for joy?) within his mother Elizabeth’s womb at the sound of Mary’s voice.

Then Elizabeth was filled and prayed that wonderful blessing over the mother of her Lord.

Her husband, Zechariah, was also filled to prophesy the Benedictus — it was a family affair (Luke 1:39-45, 67-79).

Jesus was filled, too (Luke 4:1), as were Paul and Peter (Acts 4:8, 9:17, 13:9). Then there were all the believers who also gathered on the Day of Pentecost, and at other times, who were filled (Acts 2:4, 4:31, 13:52).

These Prayer Book collects and prayers remind us that Holy Scripture says we can be renewed. Daily. And filled.

More and more. So how can we make the most of that?

Here’s how. Place yourself in blessing’s way.

Worship from the heart and often. Pray, alone and with others, looking for more of God’s presence in their lives. Read Holy Scripture and listen to what The LORD is saying through it.

After all, if we know how to give good gifts to our children, how much more will the Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him (Luke 11:13)? How much more?!?!

May your Advent be rich with new and delightful Holy-Spirited expectation, so your Christmas is very merry, indeed, more and more each day!

Rev. Gene Packwood is with Anglican Renewal Ministires.

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The Saskatchewan Anglican

December 2023

Most of the events of SaturDad were held on the west lawn of Christ Church and included Indigenous drumming demonstrations, a bouncy castle and martial arts demonstrations and lesson.

All photos by Rev. Peter Coolen

The free barbecue was a popular at SaturDad with an unending supply of hamburgers and hotdogs.

The organizers of SaturDad, from left, were Rev. Mark Kleiner, Stephanie Sydialia and Ian McWalter.

The first 'SaturDad' event at Christ Church a success By the Rev. Mark Kleiner SASKATOON — The first ever SaturDad! took place at Christ Church Anglican in Saskatoon on a beautiful early autumn Saturday (Sept. 23) afternoon.

Billed as a “free family fun day hosted by Dads n Dudes,” the event brought together men with unique gifts to share including mixed martial artists

offering tutorials; a pair of professional jugglers hosting workshops and stilt walkers; a model train enthusiast; a magician; a NHL veteran, plus a caricaturist and face painter; along with a barbecue, impromptu puppet theatre, a top spinning contest, and a bouncy castle.

The day began with Trevor singing a traditional Cree honour song accompanied on the

drum.

From there, participants comprising “children of all ages” made their way around the various stations set up across Christ Church’s outdoor green areas, as well as in the church basement.

Why SaturDad!?

According to event co-organizer Ian McWalter, “Mothers have traditionally carried a disproportionate amount

of responsibility in taking care of the kids.

An event like this, it doesn’t exactly clear the debt, but it does give us dads the chance to work together and put on an afternoon of fun for some folks.

A lot of dads, we’re already thinking up fun stuff for the kids.

The difference this time is we’re not doing it on our own; we’re part of a team so we can pool

ideas and resources and make it way more than we could alone.”

Organizers, thrilled with the great turnout, the positive responses (and the several hundreds of dollars donated to the Christ Church roof fund during the festivities), are already in the spit-balling stages for the follow-up, Son of SaturDad! … stay tuned for more good times to come!

December 2023

The Saskatchewan Anglican

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Art as vision: Exploring iconography at St. Mary the Virgin

By Rev. Christine Burton REGINA — Earlier this year, St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church took participants into a new appreciation of ancient and modern Eastern Christian art, when it hosted artist and iconographer Symeon van Donkelaar for a threeevening public lecture series as part of the annual Cathedral Village Arts Festival.

Art — from Michaelangelo’s painting of the Sistine Chapel or his tragic sculpture of Mary and her crucified son, the Pieta; Allegri’s sublime Miserere; Bach’s St. Matthew’s Passion, to the beautiful stainedglass windows of our churches — has played a significant role in Western Christianity.

St. Mary’s Rector, Canon Claude Schroeder, observed that “only in recent years have we come to embrace the ancient beauty of Eastern Christianity’s tradition of iconography, and its gifts to contemporary, Western Christians.” He added “these powerful ancient art forms are prayerful invitations to both artist and viewer.”

The first Christians recognized that if God could be seen, God could also be depicted in art.

As the ability to read

Icons are prayerful invitations to both artist and viewer. An icon is a sacred image of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, or other saints, which has an important spiritual role in the Orthodox Christian tradition.

Photo by Rev. Christine Burton was uncommon, they used images to teach and as an inspiration to prayer. Thus, icons were among the first visual representations of our faith. Some believe the

first icons were actually painted by St. Luke.

An icon is a sacred image of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, or other saints, which has an important spiritual role in the

Orthodox tradition. For Orthodox Christians, a religious icon is more than just a beautiful piece of art — it is a “window into heaven” and a way to commune with Christ.

Each icon is created in prayer; in fact, the process of creating an icon is not called “painting,” but ‘writing’ an icon, as each brush stroke is to be a prayer, and the artist fasts while working.

It was a desire to share this unique vehicle to witnessing the spiritual presence and power of God that led Canon Schroeder to invite Symeon to explore the theme of iconography.

Each day’s lecture led to a greater understanding of the artist’s perception of reality.

For the last 20 years, Symeon has worked with God in his Red Earth Icons liturgical arts studio near Red Deer, Alta., creating icons for churches and homes. Symeon venerates God not only in his art, but in the materials he uses.

In response to the call to be good stewards of the Earth, his icons are crafted from local trees and rocks, using the gifts God has given us in the land to return thanks.

The three-evening lecture series began with the common elements that inform modern art, then moved to the more specific role of sacred liturgical art

before ending the series with a look at the personal aspects that ground Symeon’s studio work.

In practical terms, this involved lectures as well as “Compline by Candlelight,” the ancient chanted monastic service, a “Signs and Wonders” Church tour showing how the interior architecture, stained glass windows, wood carvings, and symbolic furnishings of St. Mary’s, a traditional Anglican Church, mediate spiritual reality.

Finally, on the third night, beeswax candledipping, using the ancient and all-natural medium for so many artistic endeavours, was demonstrated.

The workshops were also a way to share the beauty of Christ — through art, worship, and fellowship — with a normally secular audience, and in this regard, Canon Schroeder viewed the event as a runaway success.

“I had people telling me stories about their encounters with God from years ago, others who were fascinated by the design of the church and the service. I could see their hunger for transcendence.

I like to think that these workshops may have been a step towards a deeper encounter with Jesus Christ.”

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The Saskatchewan Anglican

December 2023

Anglican-Roman Catholic meeting talks 'theologies of apologies'

By Rev. Scott Sharman and Rev. Canon MarieLouise Ternier SASKATOON — The Anglican-Roman Catholic Dialogue in Canada (ARC) has met regularly since 1971. It works closely with the Anglican-Roman Catholic Bishops’ Dialogue (ARC-B), which was established in 1975.

Supported by the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) and the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, the mandate of both dialogues is to advance ecumenical understanding and cooperation between the churches in our country.

In recent years, the Anglican contingent on ARC has also added members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) as a expression of the deepening full communion relationship between the ACC and ELCIC. The latest round of meetings of the ARC Dialogue were held Oct. 2 to 5, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The ARC-B Dialogue also convened for both independent and overlapping sessions with ARC from Oct. 1-4.

The gatherings provided the opportunity to continue work on several current projects, as well as to connect with local church leaders and their communities, in order to learn about the ecumenical context on the ground.

Over the past year, ARC has been focused on research around “theologies of church apologies,” from an ecumenical perspective.

While each tradition has particular ways of understanding and articulating the relationship between personal sins by members of the Church and the identity of the Church

Attendees at the latest round of meetings of the Anglican-Roman Catholic Dialogue in Canada meeting, held Oct. 2 to 5, in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Photo by Rev. Canon Dr. Scott Sharman and Rev. Canon Marie-Louise Ternier itself, nevertheless there is a high degree of agreement on all sides that it is important and necessary for Church leaders today to confess and take responsibility for the failings of the Church, and the harms committed in its name, in generations past.

Indeed, this seems to be an increasingly common feature of ministry in the 21st century, as churches are regularly being called upon by their own members, as also by the wider society, to make amends and to seek justice for both historic and contemporary wrongdoings.

This penitential vocation does not belong to any one denomination or ecclesial communion alone, and ARC therefore, thought it critical to reflect on the matter from an ecumenical point of view.

ARC anticipates that it will have a written resource to share later in 2024 that may assist leaders and members of the churches to do so in their own right.

While in the Halifax area, members of ARC

were also able to encounter the local community through excursions and public events.

On Oct. 3, a special Choral Evensong, followed by a reception, was held at the chapel of the University of King’s College, providing the chance for the dialogue to connect with both students and members of the administration.

On the morning of Oct. 4, ARC travelled to the Millbrook First Nation to visit the local Roman Catholic parish, to spend time at the cultural and heritage centre, and to sit in circle with Mi’kmaq Elders and community member to receive their teaching, listen to their concerns, and share in their hopes for the restoration of right relationships.

The evening of Oct. 4 saw a public event hosted at the Atlantic School of Theology; an academic panel presentation on how to encourage ecumenical formation in the changing world of contemporary theological education.

As is always the custom, these times of

discussion and learning were complemented by daily prayer drawn from different rites and forms within the Anglican, Lutheran, Roman Catholic, and Ukrainian Catholic liturgical traditions.

Eating together and enjoying social times are also essential components of the ARC Dialogue, which must always be built upon a foundation of trust and friendship if it is to bear good fruit.

Meeting two times per year and alternating between digital and physical gatherings, ARC will convene virtually in May 2024, and in-person in November 2024 in another region of the country yet to be determined.

Current members of the Anglican-Roman Catholic Dialogue in Canada are: Anglicans/Lutherans: Bishop Bruce Myers, co-chair, Anglican Diocese of Québec Bishop (retired) Cindy Halmarson, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Cobourg, Ont. Rev. Dr. Iain Luke, Principal, College of Emmanuel and St. Chad,

Saskatoon, Sask.

Rev. Paul Sartison, Pastor, Epiphany Lutheran Church, Winnipeg, Man. Rev. Canon MarieLouise Ternier, St. Andrew’s Anglican Parish, Humboldt, Sask.

Rev. Canon Dr. Scott Sharman, co-secretary, Animator for Ecumenical & Interfaith Relations, Anglican Church of Canada Catholics: Archbishop Brian Dunn, co-chair, Archdiocese of HalifaxYarmouth Adèle Brodeur, Grand Séminaire de Montréal, Québec Sr. Dr. Donna Geernaert, SC, Halifax, Nova Scotia Nicholas Jesson, Ecumenical Officer, Archdiocese of Regina, Sask.

Dr. Nicholas Olkovich, St. Mark’s College, Vancouver, British Columbia Subdeacon Dr. Brian Butcher, co-secretary, Advisor for Ecumenical & Interfaith Relations, Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops

DIOCESE OF SASKATCHEWAN

Diocese planning electoral synod to find new bishop g Four King’s College students from Halifax will visit the diocese. g The 2024 calendars are available for purchase at the Synod Office for $9.

g There is a weekly service of Holy Communion on Tuesdays in the Chapel at St. Alban’s Cathedral at 9 a.m. g Gladys Warren, who was a faithful

member of St. John’s Church in Nipawin and received the Order of Saskatchewan in 2014, has died. g The Diocese of Saskatchewan will be having an Electoral

Synod in order to elect a new bishop to replace Bishop Michael Hawkins, who resigned in May due to lingering health challenges. Archdeacon Andrew Hoskin has been the diocesan administrator since then.

December 2023

The Saskatchewan Anglican

9

Project Shine raises nearly $8K for St. Aidan lunch program

By Moose Jaw Express staff MOOSE JAW (Qu’A) — St. Aidan Anglican Church was handed a cheque recently at the Moose Jaw Co-op, after the successful first run of Project Shine.

The cheque was cosigned by Moose Jaw Coop and SaskWater, and the funds will help St. Aidan continue to strengthen the community.

St. Aidan has provided meals to the less fortunate for the past three years and Project Shine is the church’s most recent undertaking.

“Right now, I would say on average we are looking at 50 meals per day that we’re serving, but it does fluctuate,” said Michelle Josefson, parish administrator. “At one point since we started, we were serving over 100 (meals per day).”

The community’s needs fluctuate based on several factors, including who’s in the city, who else is providing resources, and just the timing of things.

There are other organizations assisting the homeless, but there’s been a gap on weekends and St. Aidan has made its mission to keep resources available every day of the week.

“There was a desire within our congregation to step into that gap, so we started serving lunches by April of 2020, and the need hasn’t decreased whatsoever, so we just carried on with that project,” said Josefson.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought attention to the hunger situation in Moose Jaw, and St. Aidan took note. The parish couldn’t raise enough funds alone, so Josefson knew she’d have to reach out to the community.

True to their long history of charitable outreach, Moose Jaw Co-op and SaskWater agreed to help St. Aidan reach its noble goal. Project Shine is the result of this collaboration.

Josefson said she was happy to have support from neighbours. “SaskWater is literally a block from us, and we’re just a few blocks from Co-op. It’s like a neighbourhood coming together” to help those in need, she said.

Funds were raised for the program through voluntary donations made by customers at Co-op’s tills.

St. Aidan Anglican Church received $7,895.69 from Moose Jaw Co-op and SaskWater on Sept. 8 to support its weekend lunch program.

Photo contributed

“Right now, I would say on average we are looking at 50 meals per day that we’re serving, but it does fluctuate. At one point since we started, we were serving over 100 (meals per day).”

“It was a month-long till campaign for the month of August,” explained Maureen Latta, Co-op’s interim marketing and community relations manager.

“Basically, Project Shine is a new inspiration… to do in collaboration with SaskWater, where we selected a local organization that was doing really good work regarding food security.

We had great faith in our members and customers because they are very generous… we are very happy with the outcome,” Latta said.

Josefson said St. Aidan is thankful for the support. “(We’re) so grateful for everybody, and the community that was willing to give their extra change… for them to make that choice to contribute to this project was wonderful,” she said, noting it’s even more remarkable with current living costs.

SaskWater then matched that raised at the Co-op.

“SaskWater was happy to jump on the success and the experience and the reputation that Co-op has in the community from doing this kind of work…,” said Courtney Mihalicz, SaskWater’s manager of corporate communications.

The project was given a name designed to keep the door open for future beneficiaries, as support is intended for those who are most in need while the next project is being planned.

“We wanted to come up with something that would not be necessarily tied to the specific recipient, and then something that we could attach a logo or an emblem of some sort, so

we came up with the sun,” Mihalicz explained.

The sun logo serves as an acronym, and is fitting as the program seeks to strengthen, unite, and nurture everyone in the community. “This is the first time we’ve done this, and it won’t be the last.

We intend to do this on a yearly basis,” Mihalicz confirmed.

The goal was to raise $2,500 at the Co-op and then for SaskWater to match that for a total of $5,000. This money will then help purchase and deliver food for the program.

In total, Project Shine raised an impressive $7,895.69.

Latta also wanted to recognize the cashiers at the Co-op for their important role in the project.

“Without the support and the promotional talents of our cashiers, it just wouldn’t have been the same. They’re already very busy… (and) they did an amazing job of fitting that into their routine…,” she said.

Extra money Moose Jaw Co-op informed St. Aidan in early October that it was giving the church at store credit of $10,000 for the purpose of supporting the weekend lunch program.

This donation — along with the previous one — will allow the church to continue the lunch program well into 2024 without financial concern.

The parish later sent a thank-you card to the Coop acknowledging the gift.

10

The Saskatchewan Anglican

December 2023

Visit to Stanley Mission a chance to build community

By Mary Brown STANLEY MISSION (Skwn) — If you have never been to Stanley Mission, you should go when they have a community gathering.

This year the gathering was from July 18 to 20.

If you go to the government docks there is a flotilla of boats ready and willing to give anyone who wants a ride across the water to the old church grounds. There is no charge for the boat ride; everyone just piles in and gets ferried across the water.

When I found out Barb, the bishop’s secretary, had never been to Stanley Mission, I invited her to accompany me. The Rev. Eugene Merasty had sent me an invitation to attend the gathering. We went on the 19th, which was the day with the most activities.

There was a stage set up for entertainers and even a bouncy castle for the kids. There were also booths selling ice cream cones and various snacks.

Another sold sweatshirts and beautiful beadwork.

We even played bingo.

To experience the best of Stanley Mission is to be there when the men heat up their large outdoor kitchen, where they have huge frying pans full of fish and cauldrons full of moose stew.

Next to the outdoor kitchen there is an indoor kitchen where all the women were busy peeling potatoes and vegetables to go with the meat.

Everyone is friendly and happy to welcome guests.

We asked if anyone had seen Eugene but, unfortunately, he was visiting a sick person in Saskatoon. We did find the Rev. Richard Custer, who has been the priest-incharge of Stanley Mission for years. Richard brought his 13-year-old grandson to the festivities, and later, he would be playing his guitar and singing.

Custer was ordained as deacon in 1996 and appointed to St. Bartholomew, Pelican Narrows and St. Peter, Deschambault Lake. In 1997 he was ordained a priest and made priestin-charge of St. Peter’s, Grandmother’s Bay. He is now the incumbent in Holy Trinity, Stanley Mission and St. Peter’s Grandmothers Bay.

Rev. Richard Custer spends time reflecting inside Holy Trinity Anglican Church at Stanley Mission, during the community's annual gathering.

Photos by Mary Brown

A volunteer cook helps prepare some of the food.

Fun on the bouncy castle.

Richard and his wife Noreen were frequent visitors in the Synod Office when their kids were young. He is a student at the James

in Pelican Narrows and he noticed a man abusing a woman. He intervened and put a stop to the abuse, but little did he know the man would come at him with a

Settee College and has been a member on many diocesan committees.

He is missing some of his front teeth and told us how he lost them. He was

rock in his hand and hit him in the face knocking out his teeth.

As hard as his life is, Richard always has a smile and is ready to visit.

December 2023

The Saskatchewan Anglican

11

A lament for Queen's House Retreat Centre By the Rev. Canon Marie-Louise Ternier

I

stared at the screen, dumbfounded, absorbing the news: “It is with a great deal of regret and sorrow that we are announcing the closure of Queen’s House, which we are anticipating to take effect in mid to late July 2024.”

How could this be?

Queen’s House of Retreats closing?

The only remaining retreat centre in our province, bustling with activity, an inspiring ecumenical hub where many from all walks of life, Christian and nonChristian alike, have found sacred silence and beauty, solace and inspiration, communion and community, closing?

To understand this shocking decision, it is important to know that the legal owner of the 11acre riverfront property that is home to Queen’s House is OMI Lacombe Canada, the Roman Catholic religious order of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

Like many religious communities today, they are living through a season of rapid diminishment due to dwindling resources and aging members. Without new vocations in their ranks here in Canada, they simply cannot sustain their cherished ministry involvements, however much they would want to.

It is in this light that the announcement of closing the retreat centre needs to be received.

Fr. Ken Thorson, the provincial of OMI Lacombe, stated in the news release of early September:“I recognize that this is a painful decision for many, and one that has been difficult for our entire council. There are many people who leave legacies that we intend to honour and celebrate, and we are committed to treating staff with the utmost respect as they conclude their work. "... These decisions were made with close attention to the evolving needs of the (Oblate) Congregation and the people we serve. We have to let go of some things in order to say yes to others, including a call from the 37th Oblate General Chapter for an equitable

A view of the back side of Queen's House Retreat Centre in Saskatoon in the winter.

Photo courtesy Facebook

real estate, has not been sold — yet.

As QH director Brendan Bitz stated in a letter two weeks after the news broke, “While the future of this beloved retreat centre and its ministry to the ecumenical, interfaith, and secular communities in our province and beyond remains uncertain, (the fact that the property has not been sold yet) gives the wider community some time to take a deep, prayerful, and creative breath as we discern how we might move forward.”

July 2024, nine months left before the doors lock for the last time. Nine months; will this be a palliative season, waiting for death to take from us a cherished sacred space where God has touched so many seeking wholeness and healing, guidance and wisdom?

Or will these nine months be an intimate gestation time for new life to grow in secret?

All we know right now is that countless hearts are shattered by the news.

After the initial shock

of grief and loss, and with the help of conversations with staff and patrons, the prism of our faith began to adjust my spiritual lens.

As Sarah Donnelly, QH program director, shared so aptly, is this a Maundy Thursday moment for Queen’s House, preparing for its inevitable demise?

Or is this Holy Saturday; death has occurred, we are keeping watch, and Easter morning could dawn any moment into a new purpose and mission. Is our resurrection faith worth clinging to in this matter?

Is Queen’s House in a tomb or in a womb: one letter makes all the difference. At the end of nine months, will the angel stand at the empty tomb and ask: Why look for the living among the dead?

Holy Spirit, sustain us in this nine-month liminal space, suspended between sorrow and hope.

Holy Spirit, sustain us in this nine-month liminal space, suspended between sorrow and hope.

Like many religious communities today, (the Oblates) are living through a season of rapid diminishment due to dwindling resources and aging members. Without new vocations in their ranks here in Canada, they simply cannot sustain their cherished ministry involvements, however much they would want to. It is in this light that the announcement of closing the retreat centre needs to be received. distribution of Oblate finances and personnel to ensure the provision of a balanced formation for young Oblates throughout the congregation (most notably in Kenya).

"We also foresee continuing costs related to our efforts towards truth and reconciliation in response to our historical involvement in residential schools.” (source: https:// omilacombe.ca/omilacombe-canada-provinceoutlines-new-chapter-forretreat-ministry/) The above words reiterate that the decision to close Queen’s House

was driven by factors entirely internal to the Oblate order, unrelated to any performance considerations of the retreat centre itself.

The reasons for the Oblate decision are understandable and deserving of our utmost respect; but it does force Queen’s House into a death of sorts.

Given its wide and vibrant ecumenical reach, many are weeping at the pending departure from the prairie landscape of an inspiring and very visible Christian witness.

The property, prime

12

The Saskatchewan Anglican

December 2023

All Saints, Lumsden celebrates 125 years of ministry

By Rev. Winna Martin, Louise Holloway and Barbara Rendall LUMSDEN (Qu’A) — The beautiful little church in the valley, All Saints, Lumsden, celebrated its 125th Anniversary on Oct. 15. Bishop Helen Kennedy presided and preached with Rev. Winna Martin assisting. The hymns chosen for the service were ones used for the 100th anniversary.

A highlight of the service was the presentation and blessing of a First World War Union Jack, lovingly kept and preserved by long-time member Florence Holt.

Florence felt this was an appropriate time to honour the memory of those brave young men and women from the Lumsden area who gave their lives in service of their country and served under the Union Jack. The flag now has pride of place at the back of the church.

After the service there was a gathering in the hall where delicious goodies were served and stories told past days, and often humorous tales of previous rectors and parishioners.

In attendance were Rev. Dell Bornowsky and his wife Susan. Bornowsky served briefly as parish priest and shared many fond memories of his time at All Saints, Lumsden.

All Saints has been a thriving congregation for all its 125 years. While now small in number, which is the reality of so many

Bishop Helen Kennedy and Rev. Winna Martin during the service to celebrate All Saints, Lumsden’s 125th Anniversary in October.

Photos by Georgina Flavel of our churches, they are mighty in their dedication and service to their church and community.

All Saints will continue to serve God and the church for as long as “two or three are gathered” and will stand as a beacon of hope in a troubled world.

When what is now

Blessing pets at Pense The appropriately named Francis (Frankie) the cat was at All Saints, Pense, for the Blessing of Animals on Oct. 4, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.

Toddler Turner Harlton is reaching out to get better acquainted. Bishop Helen Kennedy led the service.

Photo by Laure Ariane Desrosiers

southern Saskatchewan consisted of a mere handful of frontier outposts, the earliest Anglican services in the Lumsden area were conducted by clergy from Brandon, Man., who came once a month.

Between 1885 and 1901, as the area became more settled and self-sufficient, various clergy from Regina and Qu’Appelle came to Lumsden at intervals, and the small congregation presumably met in homes or rented space in one of the town buildings.

(In the 1890s, some of Lumsden’s first church services were held in the railway station, and later in a room over Binning’s store).

When Lumsden, Craven, and Pense areas combined to form a parish, Pense originally served as the headquarters and the clergy travelled to Lumsden.

The Lumsden sector of the parish received a boost with the arrival of Mrs. A. Hudson in April 1903.

She found that a small group of Anglicans met occasionally for services.

These people, at the

urging of Mrs. Hudson, banded together to form the basis of an organized congregation.

They rented the upstairs of Mr. Mutch’s machine shop for a meeting room.

Chairs were donated

by Mrs. Little and Mrs. Maxim, and Mrs. Hudson purchased a collapsible organ for $50. The church treasury at this time amounted to $22 and was kept, according to legend, in a pitcher on a cupboard shelf.

Rev. Gross of Pense was responsible for the church during this period, though one wonders how often he was able to get to Lumsden. He was the only minister serving the area from Strasbourg to Pense, and from half-way to Fort Qu’Appelle to halfway to Saskatoon.

With the aid of volunteer labour and donated material, a building of concrete block construction was erected on what is now Elgin Crescent. All Saints’ Church was dedicated on Nov. 1, 1904. Rev. F.T. Lewis was the first resident rector.

Over the next 10 years or so, the congregation worked hard to furnish and beautify the new church. In November 1911 electric lights were added.

In 1930, renovations became necessary. The church had to be closed temporarily while the whole front portion of the building, including the bottom part of the tower, was reinforced with concrete. It re-opened on Sunday, June 29, 1930.

By 1945, however, the church had been struck by lightning twice and large cracks developed in the structure, making it unsound and difficult to heat.

Bishop Edwin Knowles offered the congregation St. James’ Church, Condie, which had been built in 1898, and had been closed for some time.

The Women’s Auxiliary purchased the present lot on Second Avenue for $50.

A basement was dug, and the small frame building was moved over fields, down a hill, and into town.

The last service in the old church was on July 25, 1948.

The building was then torn down, and the chancel was added to the new church along with the pulpit, pews, font, and

other furnishings.

The first service in the new church was Harvest Festival, held on Oct. 11, 1948. Rev. L.G. Warren was the rector at this time.

In about 1975 the subject arose about putting water and sewer into the church basement.

Without running water, the basement it wasn’t useable for much. There was (and still is) a sort of outdoor “john” located just inside the back door of the church but no one wanted to use that!

Discussion was lively at the vestry meeting. Some of the members wanted to spend the money and plumb the water in to make the building more functional.

Ken Earl, the rector of the day, was quite adamantly opposed to the idea. He thought it was a waste of money.

Finances were tight and putting money into the church building was not a good use of funds.

Many rural Anglican churches were closing and he thought that Lumsden’s days were numbered too.

Nevertheless the decision was made to install water and sewer into the church.

The water and sewer were only run to the front of the basement (nearest the street) to minimize the costs. Hot water never was put in.

One final job was pouring concrete in the basement to cover up the roughed-in plumbing.

There was no way to mix concrete in the basement so they had a “bee” and mixed it outside in a wheelbarrow and brought it downstairs in buckets.

The crew that night included Rev. Ken Earl (yes, he relented and helped with the project after all), Art Pearson and Art Perkins (both over 80), Jim Pearson, Ben and Barry Wolf, Dave Dolman and Phil Holloway.

As it turned out Ken Earl’s fears were unfounded and it was a good decision. The parish has coffee and goodies after church often.

Since 2004, All Saints has worked with a combination of supply ministers and some shortterm ministry.

Throughout all the changes and as ministers come and go, they have been blessed with many different preaching styles.

December 2023

The Saskatchewan Anglican

13

Licentiate in Theology offers many courses for Anglicans

By Rev. Dr. Trish McCarthy

College Ave. Registration: esc-wecan.ca or lisa. mcinnis@saskatoon theologicalunion.ca

E

mmanuel and St. Chad College and the Western Education Collaborative Anglican Network (WECAN) group have developed a Ministry Preparation program that is relevant to the various Anglican contexts in Western Canada.

The local Diocesan Ministry Schools make substantial contributions to the program by offering courses as mapped out in the ESC-WECAN Licentiate in Theology handbook.

Whether you are feeling called to do more formal ministry or are drawn to take certain courses, please contact the person named for the course or courses you are interested

... Book looks at family's medical support in Africa Continued from page 16 patient but other times there was no hope of recovery, and of course, the medicine men would blame the result on the White doctors.

Such an instance happened with Steve, a woman walked 1,500 kilometres to the church with her sick son, the minister sent her to the hospital where the boy was hospitalized for six months with a full recovery.

As it turned out the woman was the chief’s wife, and when she told the head medicine man what happened, he said she glowed with the wonder of the healing of Jesus.

Dr. Foster is not like your typical doctor; he is more likely to start praying with you before operating on you.

I have not finished the book yet. It is quite a detailed awesome story and if you want to read it, it comes in paperback ISBN 13:978-1-9990990-0-8 or ebook ISBN 13-978-19990990-1-5.

WINTER 2024

in doing. At the same time, let your Diocesan School Coordinator know your plans.

ESC-WECAN L.Th. Implementation Coordinator: Rev. Dr. Trish McCarthy trish. mccarthy@saskatoon theologicalunion.ca or 306370–8378.

REGISTER FOR ALL COURSES LISTED HERE at esc-wecan.ca.

FALL 2024 Spiritual Practices

for Cultivating Resilience and Compassion Course Adapted for L.Th. Students Instructor: Rev. Dr. Trish McCarthy Monday to Friday, Dec. 4 – 8, 2023 and Monday to Friday, Jan. 8 to 12, 2024. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Onsite Location: St. Andrew’s Building, 1121 College Avenue, Saskatoon, SK Online Link will be forwarded after registration. On-Street parking in area south of

Anglican Studies: Kootenay Diocese and ESC Taught by Archbishop Lynne McNaughton and Rev. Dr. Iain Luke.

Takes place Friday evening, Jan. 19 and Saturday daytime, Jan. 20, 2024 as well as Friday evening, Feb. 9 and Saturday daytime Feb. 10, 2024 Registration: escwecan.ca or Lisa McInnis.

Indigenous Relationships and Wisdom and Teaching of the Elders: Henry Budd College

and Brandon Diocese.

This is a new and exciting course in our L.Th. School Coordinator: Rev. Dr. Kara Mandryk Registration: esc-wecan. ca or kdmandryk@gmail. com Introduction to the Bible: Saskatoon School of Discipleship; March and April 2024 Format and Dates TBA School Contact: Rev. Dr. Trish McCarthy.

Registration: escwecan.ca or Lisa McInnis.

WECAN and the College of Emmanuel and St. Chad thank the Anglican Foundation of Canada for partially sponsoring program start-up and implementation costs.

14

The Saskatchewan Anglican

December 2023

The message of Christmas is 'God is with us' By the Rev. Dr. Iain Luke Principal, College of Emmanuel & St. Chad

M

uch has changed since the 1980s, but one thing that remains pretty much the same is the series of interviews facing someone who thinks they might be called to ordination.

Our college students still go to ACPO and have conversations very much like the ones I had as a student myself several decades ago.

The Christmas season always reminds me of one of those conversations.

The interviewer had already asked me some sticky questions, and then came to the stickiest. “In one word,” she said, “What is your gospel?”

A whole stream of thoughts ran through my head. What is the good news, really? Can you actually sum it up in one word? What will happen if I give the wrong answer!

And then inspiration struck. I’d taken a Hebrew course the summer before, and realized I could fit a lot into one Hebrew word.

“EMMANUEL,” I said.

God is with us.

I’m not sure if that response doomed me to a career in seminary education, or just marked me out as a smart aleck.

But it was a response from the heart, and it is something I keep coming back to, especially as we prepare to celebrate each anniversary of Christ’s birth.

There is a lot of profound theology about what it means for God to become human in Jesus. There is a paradox involved in the idea of the author of creation becoming a character in

the story, a creature in the very world that God created. But like so many paradoxes, it is a fruitful one.

For one thing, it tells us plenty about the character of God. In one way, we cannot really see or know God, who is so far beyond our understanding. But when God makes the choice to join us in human living, we know something we didn’t know before.

We know that He wants to be with us, and not remain remote and distant. We can see and know God, because He chooses to be here with us.

In rich detail, the human life of Jesus tells us more and more about the character of God. Jesus shows us a God who is full of compassion and love; who is willing to be vulnerable and weak; who cares enough to grieve or get angry when people suffer or do wrong; who has a sense of humour and a vivid imagination.

Just like any person, Jesus opens up depths that we cannot fully comprehend, but invites us to get to know Him ever more deeply.

God-with-us also shows us something important about our own lives.

The birth of Jesus did not suddenly change the details of life in first century Bethlehem. The shepherds still had their work to do.

Mary and Joseph still had their fears, and if

A Christmas angel. File photo

anything, more trouble as they cared for an infant.

People still got sick. The oppression of the Roman Empire did not vanish.

But something did change. God was with them, exactly in the hardest places where they most felt alone. God was with them, experiencing the same difficulties, the same fears, the same oppression, the same griefs.

He was with them, telling them that they mattered in the big scheme of things — mattered enough for God to come alongside, to share all that

they were going through, to be in their life.

It’s that truth that I think is good news for us in the present, as well. God is with us and has not gone away.

The presence of Christ can still be felt and seen and experienced in so many ways, whether that is in the bread and wine of communion, in working together as Christ’s body with your fellow Christians, or in serving the “least of these,” whom Jesus identifies with Himself.

The world is still the way it is. We still long for

peace, and rarely see it. We still hope for justice, and are so often disappointed.

Our bodies ache, our ambitions fail, the people we trust let us down. But God is with us, every step of the way, right here in this world where so much is wrong.

Because that is true, there is also one more piece of good news.

Through Jesus, we know God well enough to realize that He wants more. God wants a world of peace, justice, healing, and trust, even more than we do, and God came here alongside us to start building it.

Knowing that God is with us, beside us and within us, we can find the strength, the grace, and the faith to work with Him in making that new world, which began when Mary first held her baby, and angels sang, “on earth peace, good will among all people.”

15

The Saskatchewan Anglican

The Saskatchewan Anglican

December 2023

March 2016

15

Stewards of God's abundance

Have yourself a counter-cultural Christmas

By Rev. Christine Burton

the lives of the makers not just the recipients, such as Fair Trade gifts, or by giving gifts that have the added blessing of changing lives, such as those in the PWRDF gift catalogue (https://pwrdf. org/worldofgifts/).

A

dvent is a time of waiting and expectation — a season of quiet anticipation and preparation. We are waiting for the infant Jesus of Bethlehem, but we are also waiting for the adult Jesus of the cross and for the triumphant Jesus’ eventual return.

Advent is a season yearning for God to come and set the world right with justice, truth, and peace. It's a season of hope.

How, then, can we keep Advent in a way that honours the fundamentals of stewardship: spiritual growth and preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ?

We can start by remembering what we are truly waiting for in the arrival of the Christ. Let us recall Isaiah’s beautiful and powerful words: The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour (Isaiah 61).

These are the promises of the Year of Jubilee — when debts are forgiven, the slave and captive are freed, and the land and its abundance are freely shared — and when Jesus invokes these words, He is telling us the promises of Jubilee are to be celebrated perpetually, starting from His birth.

Perpetual Jubilee? What might that look like? An end to crippling costs in education, housing and food, especially for the working poor and those on fixed incomes? Freedom for captives like the hostages held in Gaza?

Freedom from the fear of bombs for civilians in Israel and the Palestinian territories? Freedom to learn for the children of Ukraine enduring yet another year of war? An equal sharing of resources rather than the economy we’ve created today in which 80 individual people hold about the same amount of wealth as 3.6 billion people, or half of

the world’s population?

Well-known theologian Walter Brueggemann said, “At the centre of biblical faith is a command from God that curbs economic transactions by an act of communal sanity that restores everyone to proper place in the economy, because life in the community of faith does not consist of getting more but in sharing well.

"What (Jesus) meant was, ‘I am Jubilee. Isaiah wrote about it. I am going to enact it.’ And he set about giving social power and social access and social goods to the poor and excluded. … This vision of God is not a vision of accumulation and monopoly so that those who have the most when they die win. "… This vision, rather, is about God’s kingdom coming on earth as it already is in heaven.

God’s rule where the practices of justice and mercy and kindness and peaceableness are every day the order of the day. "… And this community of peaceableness will come only when the vicious cycles of violent accumulation are broken.”* So, how are we honouring Christ’s presence with us? What debts are we forgiving?

What prisoners are we releasing? What land and resources are we allowing to rest? How can we break those cycles?

How can we be part of what is a very countercultural approach to wealth through a radical act of ‘communal sanity,’ particularly in this season that vaunts over consumption?

Here are a few ideas: Become fully aware of how we spend, use, and consume our time, talents, and resources. * Begin the season with a list to prioritize what you really want spiritually, and in relation to friends and family, from Advent. * Make gifts with meaning, or if you purchase gifts, pick those that make a difference in

Remember our choices DO make a difference. * Discard all “extras” and fantasy of the perfect “Hallmark Christmas.” * Plan for activities that bring spiritual growth, personal peace, and quality time with family and friends.

Practice, model, and teach gratitude and compassion. * Pray for patience. As you drive over icy streets or navigate through a crowded store, take time to pray for those around you and for those who struggle with much less. Become aware of people around you and lift them in prayer rather than seeing them as obstacles to your goals.

* Give to your church and to charities so they may continue to help those in need. In the midst of abundance, do not forget the poor.

Remember, and thank, those who guided us, who helped spark our faith and instilled in us a generous spirit. * Renew the practice of sending Christmas cards to elderly family and friends for whom the internet and email is still a bit wild and woolly.

Whether an actual card or a newsletter, try to personalize one a day, including a note.

When we live as if we are in the Year of Jubilee we become part of the Incarnation of Christ in a world that desperately needs it. May this blessed Season and the coming New Year bring peace not just to us, but to all. *Inscribing the Text: Sermons and Prayers of Walter Brueggemann

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The Saskatchewan Anglican

March 2016

December 2023

The Saskatchewan Anglican

16

New book recalls family's missionary activities in Africa

By Mary Brown PRINCE ALBERT — Every few years, when they are in Canada, Steve and Peggy Foster visit Prince Albert where Peggy’s sister and brotherin-law, Mary Lou Hoskin and Andrew Hoskin, live.

Usually, Andrew arranges an evening event for people to learn about what Steve and Peggy are doing in Angola. There were about 20 gathered at St. George’s Church.

Foster gave us an overview of their life in Angola with a slide presentation.

Andrew’s son Michael collaborated with Foster to write a book, “The Benefit of Steel,” about the Fosters’ 100-year family history. In the year 1917 Charles and June Foster, Steve’s grandparents, arrived in Africa and were assigned as missionaries in northern Rhodesia.

As a member of the South African General Mission, Charles was expected to prove he could handle a rifle. He had his chance during the threeweek walk to their final

"The Benefits of Steel: The Life and Times of Dr. Steve Foster," a book about the family's 100year history.

Peggy and Steve Foster. destination of Musonweji.

Meeting up with a herd of wildebeest he shot two after firing a few practice shots. They had six children, Harold, Mabel, Edgar, Robert, Herbert and Rhoda.

In 1929, before returning to Africa after a furlough, Charles and June said goodbye

Photos by Mary Brown to Harold and Robert (Steve’s father) who were enrolled in the Gowan School, a spacious manor that tended to dozens of children whose parents were international missionaries.

They did not see their parents again for eight years. Robert entered medical school. In 1948

he married Belva Mark and in 1949 Stephen was born. In 1950 they moved to Africa sharing living space with Steve’s grandparents, Charles and June, who were still in Africa. They had seven children.

In 1973 Steve married Peggy and in July 1975 they travelled to Angola for a six-month internship.

In July of that year the civil war broke out and the U.S. government issued an

evacuation order and so it was decided that Peggy, who was pregnant at the time, would leave.

Steve felt he could not leave as he was the only doctor for 150 kilometres.

When his father returned in November, Steve went home for the birth of their first child Rebecca.

In April 1978 Steve and Peggy and their two daughters arrived in Africa to begin their life in Angola. There was another daughter and a son born to Peggy and Steve.

Steve had many stories to tell about their mission, and because of what is going on in Gaza, they have a relevance to present time, with the lack of medical supplies, electricity and war.

One thing he mentioned was the fact that half of the people in his area were still being treated by their traditional medicine men (witch doctors). When that treatment failed to cure an illness, the people would then go to the White doctor. Sometimes they were able to save the Continued on page 13

Managing editor visits former diocesan intern Managing editor Jason Antonio flew across the pond at the end of October to attend the wedding of former Diocese of Qu'Appelle intern Catherine Crawley,who worked at the synod office in 2017-18 during an exchange with the Diocese of Lichfield. Catherine and husband Peter will make their home in southwest England. Photo by Jason G. Antonio