Saskatchewan The newspaper of the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle • A Section of the Anglican Journal • January 2017 www.facebook.com/thesaskatchewananglican
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Rev. Betty Garrett: a pioneering saint falls asleep By Joanne Shurvin-Martin
A guided visit on Nov. 8 to the Islamic Association of Saskatchewan mosque located on Copland Crescent in Saskatoon was part of a five-part Saskatoon series entitled A Christian Study of Islam: an Introduction. During the evening, leaders at the mosque expressed appreciation to the organizers of the series. Pictured are (left to right): Fr. Bernard de Margerie; Mohamed Hajinoor; Sr. Phyllis Kapuscinski, NDS; the Rev. Canon Colin Clay; Khalil Rehman and Imam Sheikh Ilyas Sidyot. Photo by Kiply Yaworski
A Christian study of Islam By the Rev. Canon Colin Clay SASKATOON – Looking back on the year 2016, many of us remember a few accomplishments we found encouraging. But sadly, most of what we remember focuses on the violence so evident in war-torn countries and the political, social and economic upheavals in places such as the British Isles and the United States. But now we stand at the beginning of a new year and this gives us the opportunity to remind ourselves of the hope and trust we all share as members of Christ’s Church. Realizing the great need for men and women of all faiths to come together and share their spiritual commitments and understanding, three Christians in Saskatoon, Fr. Bernard de Margerie, Sr. Phyllis Kapuscinski and the Rev. Canon Colin Clay, shared a conviction, inspired by the Holy Spirit, that steps should be taken to enable Christians to have a deeper understanding of our sisters and brothers of the Muslim faith. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon sponsors programs under the title Foundations that enables different groups
to offer educational sessions on a variety of spiritual subjects. As a result, with help and encouragement from Archbishop Don Bolen and the Foundations director, Rita Taylor, a series of five evening sessions were planned for October and November. Four were to be held at the Cathedral of the Holy Family and one at the mosque of the Islamic Association in Saskatoon. The first session, on Oct. 18, an introduction to the subject, began with a presentation by Fr. Bernard with a response by Dr. Joel Schindel from the Islamic Association. We should not have been surprised, but we were immensely encouraged, by an attendance numbering 350 people. By the next session, the number was actually increasing. At session two, we heard two presentations, one from Imam Ilyas Sidyot speaking on the essential Islam, and an introduction to the Koran, followed by one from Dr. Brenda Anderson, from Luther College, University of Regina, explaining to us the history of Muslim-Christian engagement over the centuries. Both presentations were
accompanied by powerpoint illustrations which, along with questions written on cards by those attending, were made available on the website. Many took advantage of this during the course of the program. The third session featured an internationally respected Christian scholar concerning Islam: Dr. Roland Miller, now 90 years old and living in Ottawa. His presentation, also available from Foundations, was entitled The Relationship of the Bible to the Koran. A number of years ago, when Dr. Miller was a professor at Luther College in Regina, he was a valued teacher respecting Islam for both Archbishop Don Bolen and Sr. Phyllis Kapuscinski. Archbishop Bolen came to the third session to welcome and introduce Dr. Miller whom the archbishop described as ”one of the greatest teachers of my life.” Imam Ilyas Sidyot responded to Dr. Miller’s presentation. The fourth session, on Nov. 8, took place at the Islamic Association mosque, where once again large numbers came and were graciously received by the Imam and the Muslim community. Continued on page 6
MOOSOMIN (Qu’A) – The first woman to be ordained priest in the Diocese of Qu’Appelle, Rev. Betty Garrett, has fallen asleep until her Lord returns. “Betty Garrett will be remembered as one of the pioneering saints of the Diocese of Qu’Appelle,” said Bishop Rob Hardwick, quoting retired archbishop David Ashdown. “The way she patterned ministry has prepared the way for women in the church.” Bishop Hardwick was speaking at the funeral of Rev. Betty Garrett, held at St. Alban’s Anglican Church, Moosomin, on Nov. 25. Garrett died Nov. 17 after a short time in the Southeast Integrated Care Centre. She was 87. Born Betty Maud Hawkins in Wiwa Hill, Sask., she lived first on the small family farm, where she showed early signs of her calling by preaching to her dolls and chickens. The family moved to Moose Jaw where she attended high school, and then to Edmonton, where she completed high school. In 1949, Garrett moved to Toronto to study theology at the Anglican Women’s Training College, with academic classes at Wycliffe College, University of Toronto. Despite taking the same classes as men, she could not earn a degree because she was a woman. After completing her studies, she returned to Saskatchewan, where she worked as a Bishop’s Messenger based in Pelly, Prince Albert, and then Cabri. There she met Bob Garrett, a rancher and cowboy who was also church warden. They married in 1957, and became parents of Hal and Sheilagh. Son Pat was born while Garrett was serving as lay incumbent of Lucky Lake. In 1966 the family moved to Wapella where Bob was a pasture manager. That same year Betty
delivered twins: son Hugh and daughter Margaret, who sadly survived only three months. Pat died as a teenager and Garrett showed herself to be a woman of great faith in the face of family tragedy. Garrett spent most of her life doing the Lord’s work through the Anglican Church, first as a theologically trained lay person, then as deacon (1975), priest (1979), the first female canon of the diocese (1980) and the first female
Rev. Betty Garrett archdeacon in Canada (1992). In 1993 the College of Emmanuel and St. Chad (Saskatoon) made her an “Honorary Fellow,” and the following year she received the Soroptimist International Award for “Woman Helping Woman.” Bishop Hardwick said that, like Esther of the Old Testament, “Betty was born for such a time as this.” He said her extraordinary contributions to the church brought recognition of the ministry of women. He also reminded the congregation that 2016 marked the 40th anniversary of the ordination of women in the Anglican Church of Canada. Although Garrett officially retired in 1994, she continued to assist and mentor whenever she could. Rev. Malcolm French (now in New Zealand) and Rev. Michael Rosseau, who had been priest in Saskatchewan Gateway, both sent messages to be read at the funeral. Continued on page 7