The Saskatchewan Anglican, Feb. 2015

Saskatchewan The newspaper of the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle • A Section of the Anglican Journal • February 2015

anglican

DIOCESE OF SASKATCHEWAN

Consider helping African students by giving to Bishop McAllister College Contributed by Rosemarie Kingston, Uganda, for the Diocese of Saskatchewan

A successful Christmas hamper program The Spirit of Christmas was very much alive at Emmanuel Anglican Church in Saskatoon on Dec. 19, 2014, as 49 food hampers were prepared for distribution to AIDS Saskatoon; Global Gathering Place; and the Oskayak High School Teen Moms’ Program. Money for the purchase of the hampers came from several Emmanuel Outreach Committee fundraising efforts. The hampers were blessed by the Reverend Dianne Mesh before being sent out. The Hamper helpers were E. Sparks, K. Fey, D. Ferguson, W. Molnar, G. Zinck, G. Ferguson, M. McClean, R. McClean, K. Siemens, R. Assailly, D. Siemens, N. Ladd, K. LaddD. McClean, D. Bekolay and C. Molnar. Above is an overview of the plethora of boxes being filled during Saskatoon’s Emmanuel Anglican Church Christmas Hamper Program.

Photo — The Reverend Dianne Mesh

DIOCESE OF SASKATOON

Mission accomplished with five houses completed in Mexico Contributed SASKATOON – The Diocese of Saskatoon’s External Mission Project has accomplished another hard-earned goal with its successful 2014 venture.

Mission is more than building houses, however.

It is about relationships, team building, spiritual growth and sharing our faith in action.

At the same time, the members experienced some unique opportunities for learning, fellowship and personal growth.

The impact of this experience for all involved will certainly continue, long after the volunteers downed their tools and returned home.

On a 10-day trip last June, a team of 26 workers completed three houses in and around the community of Vicente Guerrero, Mexico.

These three houses added to

the two completed during the diocese’s 2012 build project.

As in 2012, the 2014 work team was very diverse.

It again included members from every corner of our diocese.

The 12 men and 14 women ranged in age from 15 to 76 years.

The group included five couples, as well as a mother-anddaughter and a mother-and-son team.

For about a third of the group, this was a return trip; eight had gone on the 2012 mission and one had been on a mission in 2008.

In addition to the Right Reverend David and Joan Irving, the others members of the 2014 team were: Roy Clark, Harwood Davies, Julie Davies, Debby Ferguson, Noreen Ford, Joyce Jurke, Luther Jurke, Ivan Kantzell, Allan Leslie, Linda Leslie, Jeannette Markus, Ted Markus, Madison Miller,

Cheryl Moen, Janine Moen, Duane Siemens, Anne Smith, Micheal Stonhouse, Lila Wagner, Maureen Walley, Ken Watts, Gordan Yarde, Nancy Yee and Tim Yee. Thanks to the support raised by individuals and groups around the diocese, the group was able last year to have a substantial impact on the lives of three more Mexican families.

Please continue to pray for these families.

Detailed information about their situations and the homes that were built, including many photos, are available on the diocesan website at www. anglicandiocesesaskatoon. com and in past issues of The Saskatchewan Anglican.

Planning is now underway for the next External Mission Project. Stay tuned and please consider becoming involved as a supporter or volunteer builder.

What might your giving look like in the New Year? Have you pondered some worthy causes and found yourself unsure of who should receive your goodwill? Why not consider Bishop McAllister College in Uganda?

Bishop McAllister College Kyogyera is a private coed school founded in 1983 by the Anglican Diocese of West Ankole. It recently added a primary section that is the Seminary. For more information on the college, visit www.bishopmcallisteranglican seminary.com.

With regard to the tuition, it remains the same: $400 for students in Grades 1, 2, 3 and 5. Another $50 is needed for Grade 4 and Grade 6, as they must write government papers.

It would be appreciated if the contributions could come in the early New Year.

There are many ways you can support them: by sponsoring an orphan, sending donations towards the infrastructure or supporting the efforts of rector Canon Paul Jeffries. Below are some particulars on giving.

Sponsoring an orphan: If one wants an income tax receipt or just a receipt, please send sponsorship money to Rosemarie. All cheques payable

to The Parish of Quispamsis.

When all the money is collected, Canon Jeffries and Rosemarie will review the sponsorship list and ensure all students who have been sponsored in the past continue to be sponsored.

Then and only then are new children chosen to be sponsored. All sponsorships can be mailed to Rosemarie Kingston, 10 Woodmill Road, Quispamsis, N.B., E2G 1B7, (New Brunswick) Infrastructure (buildings): If one would like a receipt for income tax purposes, make a cheque to Parish of Quispamsis and send it to Rosemarie.

If a receipt is not required, send to Rev. Canon Kevin Stockall at Parish of St. Mary, 770 McEvoy Street, Fredericton, N.B. E3A 3B7, with cheques to Rev. Paul Jeffries.

Canon Jeffries’ Stipend: If one would like to support Canon Jeffries, it can be done by sending funds to the Diocese of Fredericton, where the giver will get an income tax receipt.

Please include on the memo line Canon Jeffries’ Stipend.

Make the cheques out to The Diocesan Synod of Fredericton, c/o Irene Adams, treasurer, 15 Church Street, Fredericton, N.B. E3B 4C8.

All other money for Canon Jeffries’ stipend can be sent to the Diocesan ACW treasurer, Karen Patterson.

Students at the Bishop McAllister College in Uganda.

Photo — Contributed

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The Saskatchewan Anglican

February 2015

God looks not on our outward selves, but what’s on our hearts What does the Bible say about the role and place of physical fitness in a follower of Jesus?

By the Rev. Alex Parsons SASKATOON – Paul in his letter to the Corinthians admonishes them saying, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been purchased at a price.

Therefore, glorify God in your body.”

I can certainly see this being a call to work out at a gym, or wherever one could find a place to exercise. To run in the sun, to exert for the rush of endorphins, to gain strength and agility, staying fit as a way of worship has its attractions.

The Roman poet Juvenal, writing not so long after Paul, suggested, “You should pray for a healthy mind in a healthy body.”

Self-generated Darwinian survival of the fittest seems to be a motivator. Was your New Year’s resolution to get in shape in 2015? Juvenal is not so long ago nor is the ethos of the Spartan warrior lost.

In spite of our culture of fast food, obesity issues, dubious food additives and armchair consumption, we still look to the

body beautiful The reason we care but we an as an ideal. for our bodies is not to i m p e r i s h a b l e Advertising prolong our own lives one.” capitalises on And here is or gain popularity; it is the difference. this obsession. because we value and If we are F i t n e s s desire to steward God’s to think of centres are everywhere and gift to us so we may certain biblical sports has an carry out the work God verses as an entire section of gives us as energetically exhortation to the newspaper fitness, as a as we can. We are command to and more indeed, as followers of keep our bodies coverage on TV Jesus, in a great race, pure, it is with than anything else. an eye to this a lifetime Olympics.

Athletes reason. are esteemed as heroes and role It is for the glory of God and models deservingly or not. As a not us. society, we look up to the buff The real reason then, that we body, yet few of us achieve are called to care for the body we it. have, is not so much to extend Is this the glorification of God life or gain fame using it; it is that Paul speaks of for followers because we value and desire to of Jesus? We are certainly steward God’s gift to us. lacking then, as a general Therefore, the proverbial statement, in fulfilling it. So sand-kicking fitness bully is what exactly is the biblical take not what Scripture speaks to. on physical fitness?

Misused strength does not cut it.

Many verses could be Nor does narcissism, for God construed as supporting a does not look so much on our healthy lifestyle and keeping in outward selves, but on what is in good shape. True enough. Few our hearts. It all depends on our would argue better health and motivation. fitness are not essential to a full Exercise is in every way good and effective life. And we can for us and certainly can improve take much from the sports world our mood, which in turn builds in shaping our approach. better relationships with those “Every athlete exercises around us. These are positive discipline in every way. They things and to be sought where do it to win a perishable crown, possible. A balanced approach to

exercise and health, then, is what the Christian should pursue.

We should exercise – it is good for our bodies as well as for our moods. We should take care of our health. However, in these pursuits we must not lose sight of God. The reason we care for our bodies is not to prolong our own lives or gain popularity; it is because we value and desire to steward God’s gift to us so we may carry out the work God gives us as energetically as we can. We are indeed, as followers of Jesus, in a great race, a lifetime Olympics.

And here is where real fitness is mentioned. Isaiah tells us God “gives power to the faint, abundant strength to the weak.

“Though young men faint and grow weary, and youths stagger and fall, they that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on eagles’ wings; they will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.”

It is the fitness of love, for a body full of strength whose owner has no love is far weaker than a body that cannot move yet has a heart that shares abundantly.

Love is the greatest exercise of all and the Bible speaks of it from start to finish. It can move mountains, something no gym can promise!

Jesus invites us to offer ourselves as pure and holy

By Rev. Norbert Haukenfrers, PhD PRINCE ALBERT – There are many ways to read the Bible.

I have read it morally, as an instructive children’s story; devotionally, attempting to nourish my soul; academically, seeking its original meaning; technically, as a rulebook or operating manual, striving to understand what it means for today; and leisurely, enjoying it for the great literature it is.

By reading the Bible in these ways, and a few others, I have found these ways can be helpful and instructive, while some have even been formative.

So when I am asked, “What does the Bible have to say about the role and place of physical fitness in a follower of Jesus?”, I hear the academic and technical request.

Did they have gyms? Was physical fitness a concern? Should it be today? I hear the devotional stirrings of how this relates to my spirituality. Perhaps, even echoes of a great literary reading, providing fodder for intelligent social commentary, but certainly not something that calls me to actions of followership.

I am still reading with all these

methods, but chiefly I am reading the Bible as if it matters today, as if it is Good News to me, just like it was in days gone by and continues to be. These Scriptures do not matter because they are sacred texts.

They matter because of the story I am invited to live into. The story reveals a God who desires to live in close relationship with every human being, where such a relationship is possible.

That God desires to have a relationship with me blows my mind, which is also incredibly Good News to me, my family, friends and my community.

This story is dedicated to revealing God as the Creator, Sustainer God who begets humanity, making everyone in the image of God. How one understands this image of God playing out determines a lot.

How am I an image bearer? Do I understand that this image bearing is about a hope concerning some future reality, as well as a hope to be lived into today, in this world, in this body given to me as an icon of God? Since the story has been told, there have been people who are convinced this image bearing is a sacred future reality that has nothing to do with their current realities;

living as if what they do in this world or with their bodies does not matter.

They go on sincerely believing what they do in this life has little to do with the kingdom promised.

Micah tells of God’s coming judgment on those who make the appropriate temple sacrifices, believe in the coming of the Messenger but living as scoundrels, not connecting their corporate acts of worship with their personal lives of work, family and community.

The Scriptures are full of dietary guidelines, with seasons of feasting and fasting. Jesus even gets into trouble for His eating and drinking because of His great desire to live in relationship with all people.

Jesus ate and drank with the very rich and provided food for the hungry. Jesus understands eating is such a big deal in relationships that He asks His followers to remember Him in the breaking of bread and drinking of wine, but I digress.

Jesus never said we had to be physically fit, but He did invite His followers to offer themselves, their souls and bodies, as a living sacrifice, pure and holy. Stop and think about it.

If I eliminated electricity, cars, trucks, trains and planes from my

life, as Jesus never had them, I would have sufficient activity that physically fitness would not be an issue or concern.

The question of physical fitness is most rousingly addressed in the babe in the manger and the king on the cross, God in the flesh (incarnate).

My image-bearing flesh and blood is restored in Christ’s image bearing flesh and blood. This restored image sees God placing me in creation to create, care and conserve, to steward God’s image in the world.

The creation story reveals God’s desire for humanity, before our disobedience.

This story of God’s desire continues at the cross, with God’s own Son bearing the cost of our disobedience, with Jesus’ resurrection the work of the new creation beginning, leaving us to be involved in the restoration work that has begun with the image bearing One, the image of God in humanity, God with us, who identifies us as sons and daughters. Living in right relationship with God is to be actively engaged in creating, caring and conserving of this world, including our image-bearing bodies.

At least, that is how I read the story.

Saskatchewan The newspaper of the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle • A Section of the Anglican Journal • January 2013

anglican

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

Published monthly except for July and August.

Whole No. 292, Vol. 43, No. 6 A Section of the Anglican Journal SUBSCRIPTIONS For change of address, undeliverable copies and subscription list updates, contact: • Your parish • e-mail: circulation @national.anglican.ca • Or send to Saskatchewan Anglican, c/o Anglican Journal, 80 Hayden Street, Toronto, Ont. M4Y 3G2

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SUBMISSIONS Submissions for the April issue must be recieved by the diocesan editor no later than Friday, February 27. All pictures must be sent as JPEGS and 1 MB (megabyte) in size.

CONTACT INFORMATION Managing Editor: Jason Antonio SKAnglicanEditor@gmail.com 59 Roberts Place Regina, Sask., S4T 6K5 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: Amy Dow amy.elizabeth.dow@gmail.com 1308 Fifth Avenue East Prince Albert, Sask., S6V 2H7 Phone: (306) 763-2455

PUBLISHING DETAILS Published from 59 Roberts Place Regina, Sask., S4T 6K5 Printed and mailed by Webnews Printing Inc. 8 High Meadow Place North York, Ont. M9L 2Z5

The Saskatchewan Anglican

February 2015

3

Making a spiritual pilgrimage

By Bishop Rob Hardwick REGINA – I have been blessed with the opportunity to visit the Land of the Bible on four occasions: to see the historic sites of the Old Testament, to kneel in prayer near the place where Jesus was born, to stroll by the shores of the Sea of Galilee and to walk the Way of the Cross in Jerusalem.

In effect, our lectionary, Sunday by Sunday, from now until Pentecost invites us to do the same. We may not physically make this pilgrimage but spiritually we can.

I say this, because making such a pilgrimage is what every Christian is invited to do from Candlemas (Feb. 2) the day we turn our gaze from Bethlehem, through Ash Wednesday (Feb. 18), Palm Sunday, the Way of the Cross and to Easter and Pentecost.

It is a pilgrimage, whether it is spiritual or physical, that is marked by repentance, fasting, contemplation, prayer and self discipline.

On each visit to the Holy Land, I have walked from the top of the Mount of Olives down into the Kidron valley, the Palm Sunday route, and each time I have been conscious of the words in Luke 13:31-35, which talk of

Jesus weeping over the city.

On my last visit, pausing at the chapel of tears, I was suddenly moved to ponder ‘what is my Jerusalem?’ that my Lord weeps over. What are the things I am refusing to yield to God; refusing to listen to Him about; refusing God opportunity to help me with? These are important questions for us all to grapple with as we journey the Way of the Cross, this year. What is your Jerusalem?

On the mountain upon which Jerusalem is built, there is a long history of God meeting with His people.

However, because of our selfish desire to keep precious things to ourselves or destroy something that is precious to others, the history of conflict continues, to the extent those who have brought God’s word to that city through the years have suffered the same fate.

And yet it could be so different. The message of Jesus is of a God who wants to enfold His children – to protect and gather them up in His wings like a hen gathers her chicks, so that we, His people, would know His love, forgiveness, grace and mercy.

Sadly, many still continue to aspire to be the Godly hen

It’s mission possible to feed the hungry in Brandon

By Michelle Hauser For the Council of the North/ Diocese of Saskatchewan Whether it’s grocery store gift cards on the offering plate, home-cooked meals tucked away in the parish freezer, non-perishable food items in a cart in the narthex, or hot dogs and hot chocolate delivered to people living on the streets, the parishioners of St. George’s, Brandon in the Diocese of Brandon have made it their mission to feed the hungry.

St. George’s is located in a low-income residential area in Brandon and Fr. Chad McCharles, incumbent since 2012, says the neighbourhood residents, like many Canadians who are struggling financially, often find themselves a few days from payday and sometimes just can’t make it.

But more and more, as word spreads around the community, people in need know they can turn to St. George’s and will not be turned away.

“A family or single parent can afford to rent a house, and put food on the table,” said McCharles, “but the hydro bill comes, or the car needs gas and there isn’t enough money to buy bread, or formula.”

Due to the generosity of parishioners, the church has many options to give those in dire need some emergency supplies or to give them the resources to buy what’s most urgent.

Members of St. George’s Dragon Slayers youth group gather for a photo after an event.

Photo — Contributed “The Grocery Card ministry has exploded. I used to get one or two cards a week on the offering plate, now I get six, eight, or 10 (cards, with) some in $50 increments.”

Even with the outpouring of generosity, the church still doesn’t have enough cards to meet the need, so parishioners fill the grocery cart in the narthex with non-perishables and the freezer with home-cooked meals to augment much-needed outreach to the community.

When asked how he knows what people are buying with the grocery cards, McCharles’ response is simple: “It is between them and God if they buy a pack of cigarettes. It’s not for me to judge.”

He acknowledges some in the parish have felt that tension, the anxiety of no-strings attached giving, but he stresses there are many outlets for generosity in the church.

As with all of the ministries at St. George’s, feeding the community is an intergenerational affair. Heart Dogs is a monthly initiative of the Dragon Slayers youth group: “The church is our base camp.

We use the kitchen to help us get the hot dogs and hot chocolate ready and then we pack up our stuff and head downtown to meet the folks we serve.”

At St. George’s Brandon, faith and an unwavering generosity have made feeding the hungry Mission Possible.

when we are but chicks.

This being the case, putting the above Lenten question another way, I invite you to also ponder with me this Lent, What are the things that are causing conflict in your life of faith and why? Is it stubbornness, refusing to do the things God is asking of you? Is it failure to give your full commitment to God? Is money a source of your conflict? Is it your pride? Or is it the fear of letting go and letting God? The sooner the monotheistic faiths give up their worship of the ground our Lord has trod and begin whole-heartedly to worship the One who made the footprints, Jerusalem (the city of peace), will be the better for it.

Likewise, the sooner we give up on worshipping our created or desired things and start to worship and heed our Creator more, the better we will be.

I know this is easier said than done, but it is foolish to invest so much time in disputes and conflict, defending the pride-ridden objects of our lives, which will rust and fade, when we have the opportunity to be gathered up, to be embraced and to be loved by Him who is eternal.

We are asked to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122). As we embark on our Lenten pilgrimage, may the holy city of Jerusalem begin to listen to the God of peace and may our holy city – our very heart – discover and become a place of God’s peace for all to visit this Lent and always.

A new refugee arrives at St. Stephen’s, Saskatoon

By Julia Davies SASKATOON – After several weeks of anticipation, the Refugee Committee of St. Stephen’s Anglican Church in Saskatoon received the happy news their sponsored refugee from Ethiopia was due to arrive in Saskatoon on Nov 14.

Her long journey from Africa took her to London, England, and then to Toronto for a brief overnight, before arriving in Saskatoon, where she was greeted by some of the members of St. Stephen’s Refugee Committee.

After picking up her “landed immigrant” luggage, she was given a brief ride along the riverbank, through downtown and then to the church, where a reception committee had prepared some goodies and some introductory social time.

Our lady’s documents were photocopied as the initial preparation for her registration with the government.

After settling into her first home that evening, several members gathered together for her first meal, which was a delightful surprise for her, an authentic Ethiopian meal of injera and wat, along with salads, a dessert and coffee.

The coffee originated in Ethiopia in the Kaffa region, hence its name!

The first two weeks were busy dealing with paperwork with citizenship and immigration, including

registration of address, health card, passport, banking, library and other things.

As well as familiarization with bus routes and shopping for clothes and groceries, some members of the congregation invited our new refugee for meals, enabling her to meet new friends, get a taste of Canadian cuisine, while enabling members of the congregation to get to know her.

Although to us her knowledge of English is very good, her Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Test indicated she would benefit from formal English classes, in which she is now registered and taking classes at SIAST. This is a blessing, as she is able to make connections beyond our congregation and will put her in good position for future employment.

Fundraising plans are ongoing as the congregation takes on, and embraces, the joy and responsibility of providing our new friend and member with a new life as a citizen of Canada.

If someone or an organization would like to sponsor a refugee and would like information regarding the process, please contact our church office at 306-3744066 or contact a member of our Refugee Committee, including the Reverend Jan Bigland-Pritchard, Lura Mae Sider, Jean Gibson, Julia Davies, Nancy Wilson, Donna Neufeld and Gaye Michasiw.

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The Saskatchewan Anglican

February 2015

Holy Baptism just the beginning for children in the church

By Canon Michael Jackson, Deacon at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Regina REGINA — If I have a favourite liturgical ministry, it must be Holy Baptism.

Featuring the Sacrament of Holy Baptism at Sunday services is salutary for all of us. In the Anglican tradition, while of course we baptize young people and adults, our normal practice has been the baptism of infants.

And in these infants, we celebrate new life both literally and figuratively. At every baptism, we welcome new members into Christ’s Holy Catholic Church and we renew our own baptismal vows in powerful words such as these: Celebrant: Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbour as yourself?

People: I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant: Will you strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being?

People: I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant: Will you strive to safeguard the integrity of God’s creation, and respect, sustain and renew the life of the Earth?

People: I will, with God’s help.

Members of the community are asked to join with the parents and godparents in nurturing the newly-baptized in the Christian life. So, not coincidentally, another of my favourite activities

The Sask.

Anglican is now on the ‘Net twice as much!

Staff

Dean Mike Sinclair holds newly-baptized Everleigh Quinn Jollimore. at St. Paul’s Cathedral is working with children and young people in the ministry of servers.

Ranging in age from fiveyear-old Lexi, our Cathedral “boat-girl,” through seven-yearold Zachariah, just starting as a junior server; to mature young people like head server Madison, 16, our servers rejuvenate us, enhance our worship and remind us the faith community is multigenerational.

It has been gratifying over the years to see our cathedral

worship become increasingly child-friendly, beginning with the wise decision three decades ago to admit young children to communion.

It would be a cause for serious concern if we didn’t have children and young people actively participating in our services.

I know some other parishes are surprised we have such young children as servers at the cathedral. However, I would respond that (a) these children

Photo — Margaret Ball want to, and (b) they bring an invaluable contribution to our worship. It is good news that in 2015 we will have a confirmation class, while we look forward to a spring visit by the bishop for the Sacrament of Confirmation, when young people will renew for themselves those baptismal vows.

This is an edited version of a column in the December 2014 issue of The Epistle, the Newsletter of St. Paul’s Cathedral, Regina.

There are now two more ways readers can access the Saskatchewan Anglican on the Internet.

If you use the social media site Facebook, you can find the newspaper at www. facebook.com/thesaskatchewananglican. This site will enable the newspaper to post a few stories and pictures each month from all three dioceses in the province.

With Facebook having such a broad reach across the country, you can “like” the page and encourage your family and friends to do so as well.

The Saskatchewan Anglican’s other online presence is on a website call Issuu.

This website allows the Sask. Anglican to post full digital versions of the newspaper each month. So if you miss reading the newspaper one month or want to go back and read a story again, this is the website you should visit often.

There are back issues of the Saskatchewan Anglican going all the way back to September 2005. You can find the paper at issuu.com/ thesaskatchewananglican.

DIOCESE OF SASKATOON

Announcements for February 2015 g Friends and Family Service:

St. George’s, Saskatoon, at 7 p.m. every Friday night.

Informal music and prayer focused on families.

The Parish of St. George’s, Saskatoon, hosts a Community Coffee morning in the parish hall every Thursday from 9:3011:30 a.m. Join them for a warm social time with coffee, tea, toast and some type of baked goods at no charge. g

Integrity/Saskatoon: Integrity/Saskatoon is a group of the GLBTT community and friends. Services and meetings are held at St. John’s Anglican Cathedral, 816 Spadina Crescent East.

For times and dates please phone 306 491-3315, visit the Facebook page at “Integrity/ g

Saskatoon,” or check out the Integrity/Saskatoon web site at www.integritysaskatoon. blogspot.com.

healing service. For more info visit www.ststephens.ca

g Seniors’ Lunch in Battleford:

g

The Friendship Committee of St. George’s, Battleford invites all seniors to join them for lunch the first Monday of each month.

Each Seniors’ Lunch begins at noon in the hall. g Order of St. Luke Meetings:

The Saskatoon Chapter of the Order of St. Luke meets at St. Stephen’s, Saskatoon, at 7:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month.

The Order of St. Luke is an interdenominational group that promotes the healing ministry in the church. We have a time where we pray for others, with a study, a guest speaker, or a

Upcoming Events: 2015 Clergy Retreat: The annual Clergy Retreat will be held March 23-26 at St. Michael’s Retreat Centre in Lumsden. The retreat conductor will be the Most Reverend Fred Hiltz, Primate of Canada.

Retreat registration forms will be e-mailed in mid-February.

The 2015 Diocesan ACW Retreat: The planning for the next Anglican Church Women’s bi-annual retreat, which is scheduled for Sept. 18-20, has begun. If you have ideas or experience in planning events, please join the Retreat Planning Team!

Meetings will be scheduled at mutually convenient times. g

To volunteer or find out more contact Mary Ann Assailly at maryann.assailly@gmail.com, or Karen Whitelock at saskatoonacw@gmail.com.

Please also see the notice elsewhere in this issue.

two articles on the National ACW Conference held in Saskatoon were erroneously credited to Karen Whitelock.

These pictures should have been credited to Marion Pope.

DEADLINES:

Appointments: The Ecumenical Chaplaincy Board at the University of Saskatchewan is pleased to announce the Reverend David Kim-Cragg has accepted their invitation to serve as their next Ecumenical Chaplain at the university. David will begin the appointment July 1, 2015. g

Errata In the December issue of the Saskatchewan Anglican, the pictures which accompanied g

To be included in a timely manner, brief notices should be sent to the Associate Editor by fax, e-mail or “snail mail” by the last week of the month, two months before the month in which the insertion is desired (for example, February submissions 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 article and notices elsewhere in the Saskatchewan Anglican.

The Saskatchewan Anglican

February 2015

5

Spiritual Direction Formation Program

January 2016 — July 2017

St. Andrew’s Church in Tompkins was at capacity to celebrate its centennial. Photo — Sally Chant

St. Andrew’s continues to abide for the future

By Rev. Eleanor Rockabar TOMPKINS (Qu’A) – More than 100 people – parishioners, former parishioners, members of the community, clergy and guests – gathered to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Saint Andrew’s Anglican Church on Sept. 21.

Concelebrants for the centennial Service of Thanksgiving were Bishop Rob Hardwick and Archbishop David Ashdown, Metropolitan of the Province of Rupert’s Land. Scriptures were read by Archdeacon Dell Bornowsky, Rev. Eleanor Rockabar, Rev. Jonathan Hoskin and Rev. Peter Boote. Bishop’s chaplain was Malcolm Tait.

Jackie Parker led the Prayers of the People while Gwen McGregor, Dylan McGregor, Ken Mitchell and Ralph Rockabar presented the gifts.

Music was led by the Tompkins Community Choir, who sang the anthem “Seek Ye First” under the direction of Lisa Casey. Organist was Cindy Nelson and guitarist was Fred Reinhart.

Rev. David Nevett of Beechy was guest preacher. He recalled memories of his time spent in Tompkins while incumbent of Chinook Parish, saying it was evident the Golden Age for St. Andrew’s was the time when David Ashdown was their priest, as he was constantly being reminded of how wonderful things were at that time.

However, that didn’t bother him, as for the most part it was true.

But, he quipped, he had to remind everyone he had taught David Ashdown in Vacation Bible School and took full credit for any of his accomplishments since then!

Nevett stated many people

in small rural congregations are “abiding,” and although abiding is not a word we use much today, it does not mean just waiting or sticking around. It means staying power, perseverance, hopefulness. It is looking to the future, not to keep things as they are, but reaching out to God and the world around us.

He went on to say our communities and the world need our help and our prayer.

He concluded by saying it was his prayer the people of St. Andrew’s, Tompkins, would abide for another 100 years, not waiting to die but abiding in faithfulness, hope, word and sacrament in the ministry to which Christ has called them.

Following the service, a cold plate supper was served in the Tompkins Community Centre.

Rev. Peter Boote asked the blessing. Archbishop Ashdown and Rev. Rockabar cut the anniversary cake, which was made by Carol Mitchell.

Bishop Hardwick spoke to the gathering, referring to the amazing faith of the congregations of St. Andrew’s, both past and present.

They continued to carry on as a worshipping community, beginning in the first year of First World War, through the Great Depression and the Second World War, continuing on through the following decades despite all kinds of circumstances right up to the present.

In 1912, the Anglican congregation in Tompkins began holding worship services in the top level of the Orange Hall, with horses being stabled in the ground floor below. In 1914, the present church was built under the leadership of Bill Simpson, Sam Harnett and other early

members. The first wedding in the new church was held in 1915.

The early church was served as a railway mission by priests from Moose Jaw. One of the first missioners was Rev. John Carter whose son, Rev. Dr. David Carter and wife Jean of Elkwater, Alta., was in attendance at the centennial service.

During the early 1950s, St. Andrew’s was amalgamated with St. John the Baptist in Gull Lake. Later, along with the Anglican churches in Sceptre, Cabri and Pennant, they became the Parish of Prairie Cross.

In 1992, Prairie Cross disbanded and the Anglican congregation of Tompkins joined with St. Mary the Virgin in Maple Creek to form the present Parish of Chinook. Currently, St. Andrew’s Anglican Church and the Tompkins United Church work and worship together under priest-in-charge Rev. Rockabar.

Greetings and congratulations were brought from Tompkins’ Mayor John Woodward; Gull Lake RM Reeve Terry Winter; Rev. Peter Boote on behalf of St. Mary’s in Maple Creek and on behalf of Archdeacon Mary Anne Boote; Sheila Peters of Gull Lake and Margaret Brady of Shaunavon from Palliser Parish. Rockabar read a letter of congratulations from Vaughan Schofield, Lieutenant-Governor of Saskatchewan.

To end the evening, Archbishop Ashdown addressed the gathering. He reminisced about the four years he and Penny and their family spent in what was then Prairie Cross Parish. This was his first parish as a priest and he felt it quite fitting his first and last service should be in Tompkins. His retirement was in September and they have moved back to Craik.

This two year Spiritual Direction Formation Program prepares mature adult Christians for the ministry of spiritual direction and companioning of leaders and laity in parishes and congregations, vocation and ministry.

Co -Directors: Bishop Emeritus Gerry Wiesner, OMI, Gisele Bauche and Dianne Mantyka

Request Application Form by April 30, 2015 For further information contact: Queen’s House Retreat & Renewal Centre Saskatoon, SK. Phone: 306-242-1916 or Dianne Mantyka: 306-931-7118; dimantyka@sasktel.net

www.queenshouse.org

Saskatchewan Anglican looking for new associate editor for Diocese of Saskatchewan Contributed PRINCE ALBERT — The Diocese of Saskatchewan is looking for an Associate Editor to assist the diocese with collecting articles and photos from around the diocese, as well as making monthly submissions to the Saskatchewan Anglican’s managing editor for print.

The Associate Editor

will work for the bishop of Saskatchewan and parish correspondents from around the diocese to bring information to the public.

The requirements for the position are firstly, experience in editorial work and secondly, a Grade 12 education. Those interested are to contact the synod office at 306-763-2455 or synod@sasktel.net.

Saskatoon’s 2015 ACW fall retreat: ‘Gratitude: a way of being’ Contributed SASKATOON – Save the date.

Come join your Anglican sisters on Sept. 18-20, 2015 as we gather at Queen’s House in Saskatoon for a time of spiritual growth.

Gratitude is such a big word; for some, it comes naturally, while for some it requires practising until it becomes habit and ultimately a way of being.

Plans are well underway for inspirational, thoughtprovoking talks, worship, joyful singing, meditative walking and purposeful journaling.

We will be learning more about hospital ministry, while each of us will bring to the retreat a gift for the hospital ministry, be it a prayer shawl for an adult or child, a baby blanket or a toque for cancer patient.

Get out those knitting needles, crochet hooks or your sewing machine. Not crafty, you say? Can you trade skills with a friend?

For more information contact Mary Ann Assailly at maryann. assailly@gmail.com or Karen Whitelock at saskatoonacw@ gmail.com.

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The Saskatchewan Anglican

February 2015

Freeing up $50 for the Anglican Foundation

News and notes Executive Archdeacon Mary Ann Boote retires

By Diana Swift TORONTO – Let’s face it. Nowadays, $50 doesn’t buy a group or body very much, certainly not an annual membership in most national organizations.

But for a parish, just five purple Sir John As will buy it an annual membership in the Anglican Foundation of Canada (AFC), the church’s national charitable organization that funds a wide variety of projects in support of Canadian Anglicanism. In the past few years, the AFC has awarded half a million dollars in grants for ministries across the Anglican Church of Canada.

Under the executive directorship of Toronto-based Rev. Judy Rois, PhD, the AFC is currently running its “Free Up $50” campaign. The goal is to get each one of the country’s roughly 1,650 Anglican parishes on board with a $50 donation.

“Since the campaign began this past November, 65 new parishes have become AFC members,” said Rois. “Added to the 400 existing members, that leaves just 1,185 to go!”

Rois is optimistic about expanding AFC membership.

“I believe most Anglicans are ready and willing to give to their Foundation so that it can be there for them when they need it,” she said. “For various reasons, I think the entry fee of $50 a year per parish may have simply fallen off people’s radar.”

The AFC has been working hard to raise its profile and make people aware of its significant capacity to support Anglican ministries from infrastructure improvements to youth ministry and much more in between.

Aware that supporting the AFC ultimately benefits their parishes, diocesan bishops are

D I O C E S E O F Q U ’A P P E L L E

g

Bishop David Parsons, Diocese of the Arctic. Photos — Contributed among the AFC’s strongest proponents. “What goes around comes around,” said Archbishop Percy Coffin, when asked why every single parish in his Diocese of Western Newfoundland is an AFC member.

“The practice of each parish in the diocese being a member was started a long time ago by Archbishop Stewart Payne.

He motivated the parishes by reminding them, ‘As you have received funding from your Foundation, you ought to give something in return.’”

The other two dioceses in Newfoundland & Labrador (Central and Eastern) have also signed on. As Bishop David Torraville of the Diocese of Central Newfoundland puts it, “The Anglican Foundation is a way of saying we are in this together.”

Bishop Geoff Peddle of the Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador is another staunch supporter of the AFC. All congregations in Bishop Peddle’s jurisdiction are members. The diocese’s

Rev. Alex Faseruk, PhD, is an AFC board member who has served on the finance committee.

Looking to the Far North, both the Diocese of Yukon and the Diocese of the Arctic purchased AFC memberships for all their parishes before Christmas 2014.

“The Anglican Foundation has always been a fantastic partner with the Diocese of the Arctic,” said diocesan Bishop David Parsons. “Investing in the AFC is really investing in our own family, and who wouldn’t do that?”

Added Bishop Larry Robertson of the Diocese of Yukon, “For over 35 years, and within two northern dioceses, I have seen the great benefits that many parishes have received from the Anglican Foundation.

“I am proud to be a member and to encourage the parishes I serve to be members.”

The Diocese of Yukon’s executive committee considered it important to support the Foundation fully with every parish paying its membership because of the AFC’s generous support over the years.

Joint service between Melfort and Carrot River Valley continues 40year relationship All Saints’ Anglican Church in Melfort shared communion and fellowship with the folks from Carrot River Valley Lutheran Church last fall.

The two congregations have been gathering together twice a year for over 40 years. The ministers from both churches are pictured above.

Photo – Bob Ellis

Executive Archdeacon Mary Ann Boote has retired effective Dec. 31. Archdeacon Boote has been tentatively diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease).

Archdeacon Boote was appointed Executive Archdeacon and Assistant to the Bishop in August 2013.

In a letter to the diocese, Bishop Rob Hardwick wrote, “Mary Ann has fulfilled her duties in the diocese extremely well this past year and has added greatly to the mission and ministry across the diocese with her insight, faith and prayerful resolve.”

Dean Mike Sinclair and Archdeacon Malcolm French have been tasked with assisting Bishop Hardwick in the search for a new Executive Archdeacon.

Ian Payne appointed honorary assistant g

Rev. Ian Payne has been welcomed back to ordained ministry as Honorary Assistant in Teachers of the Faith parish.

He had been on a leave of absence since 2004.

Payne came to the Diocese of Qu’Appelle from British Columbia in 1993, where his first appointment was in Whitesand Parish. He then served at St. John’s, Moose Jaw, from 1998 to 2002, followed by Holy Trinity, Regina. Teachers of the Faith parish includes congregations in Fort Qu’Appelle, Dysart and Balcarres.

Retired Archbishop to conduct Lay Retreat g

Archbishop David Ashdown, recently retired Metropolitan of Rupert’s Land, will be the conductor of the annual lay retreat April 10-12 at St. Michael’s Retreat Centre, outside Lumsden.

The chaplain will be Rev. Tracey Taylor. The silent retreat will feature addresses by the conductor, daily worship, excellent meals and plenty of time for private prayer, meditation and reading, all in the beautiful and restful surroundings of the retreat centre in the Qu’Appelle Valley.

The price for the weekend event is $215. Registration information will be sent to all parishes and will be available on the diocesan website at quappelle.anglican.ca.

A full communion update between Anglicans and Lutherans Information submitted

by Rev. Dale Gillman PUNNICHY (Qu’A) – Rev. Dale Gillman of Gordon’s First Nation is a member of the Joint Anglican Lutheran Commission.

There are five other Anglicans and five Lutherans on the committee, which works on behalf of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and Anglican Church of Canada.

The Diocese of Qu’Appelle has eight parishes involved in joint Anglican/Lutheran relations, from sharing facilities to clergy from the other denomination serving a congregation. Also, the chaplain at Luther College High School, in Regina, is an Anglican priest.

In addition, there are many instances where Anglicans and Lutherans work and worship together, in Qu’Appelle as well as across Canada. Since 2001, The Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) have been in full communion, after the signing of the Waterloo Declaration.

Full details about that can be

found on the websites of both denominations at www.anglican. ca and www.elcic.ca.

The Joint Anglican Lutheran Commission (JALC) meets twice a year to provide oversight for the full communion relationship.

The commission has close ties to its American equivalent, since the Episcopal Church and Evangelical Lutheran Church have also been in full communion for more than a decade.

Readers may be familiar with the Anglican-Lutheran Cycle of Prayer, which is produced by the JALC. The cycle of prayer is used by both denominations so each Sunday a specific diocese, synod or group is remembered in prayer across the country.

Another example of AnglicanLutheran co-operation is the Canadian Lutheran-Anglican Youth (CLAY) gathering held every two years.

The list of partners from the other denomination serving on committees and commissions is too long to include in this article, but they occur at every level, from parish to diocese to national church.

The Saskatchewan Anglican

The Reverend Jie (Jesse) Pei installed

February 2015

Parish hosts Christmas party for Aboriginal children

By Kate Berringer REGINA – For years, the Women of the Dawn have been ministering to First Nations families in Regina and have put on an annual Christmas party for families, entitled Project Kid Care.

Ivy Kennedy, founder of Women of the Dawn, began attending Women’s Timeout Bible study at St. Mary’s a few years back, where a relationship then developed between the parish family and the organization.

For the last three years, St. Mary’s family ministries have supported the Women of the Dawn’s ministry by providing some activities, singing and the gifts for the Christmas party.

In 2012, St. Paul’s Cathedral provided approximately half of the gifts and St. Mary’s provided the rest. Some of St. Paul’s and St. Mary’s members came out to join in the carolling at the party.

They also staged a simple narrated pageant and invited the guest children to dress up

and participate.

In 2013, St. Mary’s offered its facility as well as some activities and carolling for the party, while the parish provided all of the more than 200 gifts.

Last year, they did the same, welcoming the guests into St. Mary’s building, providing games, activities and gifts.

It has been such a blessing to be able to share Christ’s love this way, supporting Kennedy, Women of the Dawn and their vital ministry in our city.

Upcoming RETREATS & WORKSHOPS The Right Reverend David Irving, Bishop of Saskatoon (left), installed the Reverend Jie (Jesse) Pei (centre), as the incumbent of Parkland Parish on Dec. 7. The Reverend Canon Peter Norman (right) preached the sermon for the service of celebration and installation. Parkland Parish is a three-point parish consisting of All Saints’, Lashburn; St. Paul’s, Forest Bank; and St. Andrew’s, Maidstone.

Photo — Joan Irving

MARANATHA YOGA — Kate O’Gorman

Explore the physical, emotional and spiritual benefits of yoga in this prayer-centered practice.

All-levels welcome and appropriate. Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23; Mar. 2, 9, 16, 23, 29.

WALKING WITH GOD IN OUR SACRED UNIVERSE — Sr. Judy Schachtel, SMS

Four Tuesdays 1:30 — 3:30 pm or 7-9 p.m. (one time will be chosen). Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24.

Cost: $20/session or $60 for all four.

THE BOOK OF EXODUS – Fr. Paul Fachet, OMI

The Micah Mission: A light in the darkness By Kate O’Gorman, Lay Formation, Program Coordinator, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon Editor’s Note: A version of this article has also appeared in the Prairie Messenger.

SASKATOON — The Micah Mission is an ecumenical nonprofit organization that provides support predominantly on a volunteer basis to current and formerly incarcerated people.

More than 50 volunteers offer their time and compassion to the three integrated programs forming The Mission’s ministry.

The first two programs, Person-to-Person and the Community Chaplaincy, connect volunteers with individuals both within and outside of correctional institutions through visitation opportunities and support for transition back into the community.

A third program called Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA) works with and accompanies people who have been incarcerated as sexual offenders and are transitioning back into the community.

The intention is to address the risk of re-offence while keeping the community and the formerly incarcerated individual safe.

Through a model of

friendship, these programs seek to make the reintegration process as smooth and successful as possible, inviting the individual and the community to enter into a process of reconciliation and wholeness.

According to Chaplain Peter Oliver, “Many people who find themselves in our correctional facilities are struggling with mental illness; some don’t have good social support systems and they may be in danger of reoffending.

“These people need assistance and this is what [Micah Mission] does. We help current and former inmates understand what is happening to them emotionally; we (help) people process how they are being treated by their families; we assist them in finding employment and put them in touch with any social services they may need, and so on … Our main goal is walking with and accompanying people as they make their journey back into the community.”

As a volunteer with Personto-Person, Harry Harder sees his job as one of extending friendship. “In the five years I have been volunteering, I have journeyed with three people; two have been released and I still maintain a regular telephone connection with them.”

See “MICAH” on page 8

7

First Wednesday of each month; Feb. 4, Mar 4, Apr. 1, May 6. 10:00 am – 12:00 pm.

Cost: $15/session.

COME AND GO ICON WORKSHOPS – Anna Mycyk and Gisele Bauche

Seven Wednesday evenings. February 4, 11, 18, 25; March 4, 11, 7:00 – 9:00pm.

Cost: $15.00 per session.

WHAT IS TRUTH? THE PERENNIAL QUESTION – Marie-Louise Ternier-Gommers

Friday Feb. 6, 7-9pm — Saturday Feb. 7, 9:00am – 4:30pm.

Cost $95 commute; $155 live-in.

A DAY AWAY – Gisele Bauche

Every second Wednesday of the month, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm. Feb. 11; Mar. 11; Apr. 8; May 13.

Cost $25 w/lunch.

THE FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES: A VALENTINE’S DAY WORKSHOP – Sarah Donnelly

Saturday Feb. 14, 9:30am – 1:00pm. Cost $35 w/lunch.

A GATHERING FOR SPIRITUAL DIRECTORS: ONGOING FORMATION AND PEER SUPPORT – Dianne Mantyka, with Deb Arndt, Karen Scott Barss and Sarah Donnelly.

Saturday Feb. 14 and May 9, 9:30am-4:00pm. Cost $55 ($45 (bring your own lunch).

THE CROSS OF CHRIST; AN ECUMENICAL LENTEN RETREAT — Sarah Donnelly Saturday Feb. 21 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Cost $55/$45 (bring your own lunch).

Part Two will take place on Saturday March 7. Both sessions will feature a DVD presentation by educator and theologian Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI.

ONGOING EVENTS AT QUEEN’S HOUSE:

CENTERING PRAYER: Monday evenings, 7:00 pm • TAIZE PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY Second Tuesday of the month, 8:00 pm • PERSONAL DAY(S) OF PRIVATE PRAYER: Book anytime • QUEEN’S HOUSE WEEKLY CELEBRATION OF HOLY EUCHARIST: Wednesdays, 3:00 pm.

For program details, visit www.queenshouse.org To register, please call 306-242-1916 or email receptionist@queenshouse.org Your Home Away from Home

A sacred place to stimulate your mind and nourish your spirit

Do you need a facility for:

In-services, seminars, workshops, retreats, celebrations or any other occasions? Check our website for facility & booking details.

601 Taylor Street W., Saskatoon, SK S7M 0C9

8

The Saskatchewan Anglican

February 2015

A Christmas prelude event with Mary’s mementos and news from WKRP Jerusalem

By Marion Pope and others SASKATOON – Great food, laughter and Christian fellowship were in abundance for women and friends of Emmanuel Anglican Church, Saskatoon, at their second annual Prelude to Christmas event on Dec. 5, 2014.

Traditionally, it’s a night where women get their spouses to feed their kids, or kids to feed their spouses; a night where decorating, shopping and baking are put aside; where women reflect on what the Advent-Christmas season is all about.

It was all good and fun-filled: the punch; the home-cooked turkey; seasonal carols; the 12 Days of Christmas birthday song; the $1 Left/Right gift exchange; and the sharing of items for Interval House and the YWCA Crisis Shelter.

Special thanks went to the leaders and young women of the Saskatoon Third Ranger’s Unit for being such great caterers.

And the music! We were in a win-win situation all around with the wonderful musical leadership of Anne Brennan and Kendra Kuse.

Women’s curiosities were peaked in the short skit Mary’s Mementos. Mary, Jesus’ mother (eloquently portrayed by Cec Molnar), invited us to explore her tickle trunk full of mementos

Mary, Jesus’ mother (portrayed by Cec Molnar), invited those present at Emmanuel Anglican Church’s “A Christmas Prelude” event to explore her mementos around the life of Jesus. Photo — Marion Pope surrounding the life of her beloved son, Jesus.

She reminisced about receiving and responding to God’s call, the joy of Jesus’ birth, His first visitors and reiterated the need for all to share God’s love through Christ to the world.

Word of mouth was the main

source of communication in the days preceding Jesus’ birth.

But a look online turned up a most amazing thing. There may have been basic television in Jerusalem long before CTV went on the air.

In fact, WKRP Jerusalem News anchors Martha Winfrey,

the optimist, and Ben Mercer, the skeptic, in front of a Jerusalem landscape, brought us live to Jerusalem, 2,000 years ago.

They were tired ad nauseum of stories of potholes, people’s sore feet from the chariot driver’s strike, javelin throwers deciding on their quarterback, while the bridge over

the river Jordan coming in over budget.

They were desperately searching for a fresh morning scoop when their assistant, Ruth, reported receiving amazing news from Josh, the field reporter in Bethlehem.

For Ben, on-the-spot interviews with shepherds talking about angels and an embarrassed innkeeper distraught he just may have allowed the Messiah to be born on the floor of his barn rather than in his royal suite, this news was just too much.

But for Martha, this was an incredible story she wanted to believe in and keep tabs on that night and in the years to come.

Special thanks were extended to Patricia Meddins (Martha), Kathy Siemens (Ben), Joan Herron (Ruth), Debbie Ferguson (Josh), Bev Otsuka (shepherd) and Dianne Bekolay (innkeeper).

Special thanks were also extended to the Art 10 student class at Tommy Douglas Collegiate, who through Alison Montgomery, art teacher, and Kaleah Balinski, teacher intern, created a delightful backdrop for the WKRP Jerusalem newsroom.

The evening ended with a surprise presentation to the Reverend Dianne Mesh of a clergy Hope Bear in support of helping children through the Anglican Foundation.

MICAH

Advent activities in Pense PENSE (Qu’A) — The combined congregations of Plain and Valley Parish gathered in All Saints, Pense on the first Sunday of Advent for an All Parish Pot Luck lunch, with a service led by Bishop Rob Hardwick and Rev.

Cheryl Toth.

On Dec. 20, Bishop Hardwick led a Christingle service, which is an old English tradition. The church was just about filled to capacity, with many young families present. During the

service, Toth was named priestin-charge on a part-time basis.

The church in Pense, just west of Regina, had been inactive, but now has a worshipping congregation again.

Photo — Phil Holloway

Continued from page 7 As board member Sharon Wright says, “One of the things I’m most impressed with when listening to the stories of our volunteers is they really develop friendships with those who are incarcerated, which is difficult I think for many people to understand.”

“You can’t journey with someone over a period of time and not develop a sense of community with them,” Wright added. “That’s what we’re all about. We want those who feel they are alone to have a sense of community and feel like they belong, because when you feel like you belong, you are accountable and you don’t want to do harm.”

The volunteers and those who serve on the board represent many different Christian churches. As Cam Harder, a fellow board member, explains, “We are an ecumenical group.

We have people who are United, Catholic, Quaker, Lutheran, Mennonite and Anglican who are actively participating on our board and in volunteer support.”

“Something I think this Christian heritage brings to the work,” he continued, “is we come with a Gospel perspective

that our value as human beings is not something we ourselves create, nor destroy, but it is a gift from God. “So we encounter people with a deep amount of respect.

We also recognize because these folks who have found themselves in prison or being released from prison are loved by God and are valued people, we want the best for them. We want them to live lives that are healthy and whole, where they can use their gifts in a useful way to contribute to the larger community.”

While it is the Gospel vision that inspires the work of The Micah Project and its volunteers, “the intention is not to evangelize,” commented Oliver.

“The intention is to walk with individuals on a journey of mutual care and concern. If that should emerge in some kind of faith encounter, then great; if it doesn’t, that is OK too. The point is we are two people walking with each other and respecting where the other is ... We want to create a culture of faith-filled volunteers,” For more info, contact Dave Fick at micahcoordinator@ gmail.com, 306-653-3099 or visit themicahhmission.org.