The Saskatchewan Anglican, March 2020

Saskatchewan

anglican

The newspaper of the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle • A Section of the Anglican Journal • March 2020

Five adults from one family baptized together

By Ivan Millard REGINA — It was a unique event.

Rev. Nancy Yee, interim minister at St. Philip, said, “It was a day to glorify God,” and that she was privileged to baptize her four adult children and her 87-year-old mother-in-law on Jan. 5.

Pastor Russell MitchellWalker from Eastside United (one of the partner churches at Living Spirit Centre), and Archdeacon Catherine Harper spoke at the service.

Pastor Russell encouraged the candidates to find a church that was inclusive and supported their faith journeys, helping them to be who they are and become the people God desires them to be.

Archdeacon Harper commented on the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which isn’t often talked about in the Anglican Church. She spoke of baptism as three things: dying, rising and belonging.

Rev. Yee preached as well. She said after the service, “I want to thank the national Anglican Church for having the baptismal rite in Chinese on their website.” She gave her mother-in-law a copy, and after reading it, Wan Jing Yee expressed her desire to be baptized.

She then showed Rev. Yee the faith confession she had previously written and kept in her Bble for the past 30 years.

Rev. Yee also gave thanks to God for the privilege and the joy of seeing her four children and mother-in-law take communion for the first time.

She said, “I wasn’t sure if our adult children would ever be baptized, although they express faith, have had religious experiences and heard the gospel many times; but

The newly baptized Yee family group prepare to cut the cake. From left, Sagan, Taylor-Anne. Rev. Nancy, Nicholas and Michael Yee, and Wan Jing Yee. Photos by Tim Yee God answers the prayers of a faithful mother.”

Her sermon was based on a Carl Jung quote, “That which we need the most will be found where we least expect to look.”

She added, “Seek God, God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness, and all other things we seek will be given to us.”

It was a privilege for St. Philip’s parish to host such a unique event.

Rev. Nancy Yee (second from left) hands a baptismal candle to her daughter, Taylor-Anne, during the service at which Rev. Yee baptized her four adult children and her mother-in-law.

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2

The Saskatchewan Anglican

March 2020

Creation reflects the love of God What does it mean when God "speaks" through creation?

By the Rev. Dr. Dave Tyler

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nurse came down the hospital corridor to the waiting room carrying a bundle with two feet, pink and beautiful and surprisingly big. “You have a girl weighing in just under seven pounds and both mom and child are doing just great!”

I was not a Christian at this time, in fact I had barely been in a church apart from our own wedding and the odd funeral or wedding of family and friends. It was a pivotal moment in the context of a conversation some years earlier as a student in residence while studying human physiology.

An engineering student was quite forcefully mounting the familiar arguments against Christian creationism. He suggested that random events in a primordial “soup” led to the formation of the basic elements of life that progressed from the simplest unicellular creatures through evolutionary stages to

Photo courtesy FreeImages.com humankind.

No God or intelligent design was responsible, simply random actions over millennia of time.

I reacted very strongly to this conversation, not because of any religious bias, but somehow it was a sterile, mechanistic view of the origins of life that seemed repugnant.

In that hospital waiting room new life cradled in my arms reflected a deeper truth.

“The earth was a vast waste, darkness covered the deep and the spirit of God hovered over the water” (Genesis 1:2).

I believe that the Spirit of God is the element who powers the first breath of life, the incarnation of the

divine, the life force who characterizes the living as opposed to the inanimate.

What seems random still moves in an unfathomable way to reveal “God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine” (Doxology).

The Spirit of God hovered over the water that is so critical to life.

Water is a molecule that can be steam in one form with its power to move a locomotive or be a snow flake of tremendous beauty, and can be a liquid that nourishes, blesses, and cleanses us.

Water is the medium in which most of the chemical processes that keep us alive take place.

It is not surprising that water is a critical element in the baptismal ritual in which the candidate ceremonially dies to sin only to rise out of the water cleansed, born again to a new life in Christ. Water, the crucible of creation is sacred in itself.

Creation in all its complexity and intricate beauty reflects the love and passion of God not just in speaking but in singing out to us with awe-inspiring power and yet tender moments of heartfelt intimacy.

A day in the woods, by the lake or seaside and we return to be grounded again in a creative force that defies our simplistic efforts to contain it and explain it as the product of randomness.

Creation continues to inspire love, reflect love and is perpetuated by love.

Creation is love in action.

There is something beyond our imagination encapsulated by love, water and Spirit that is the generator of life in all its abundance and was revealed to me that day in the baby swaddled in a blanket.

“So it was and God saw all that he had made, and it was very good” (Genesis 1:31).

God's fingerprints are all over creation What does it mean when God “speaks” through creation?

By Rev. Michael Bruce

R

arely in my life have I heard God speak to me the way I hear a friend call my name, or the way I speak to someone on the telephone.

In my spiritual life a clear and succinct conversation usually is only used

by God as a last resort; when I’m so blatantly missing every point that nothing short of an extraordinary experience would set me back on the right path.

Even then I’ve sometimes gone my own way.

More often, the presence of God is a far more fragile and elusive thing. It’s a feeling that is impossible to conjure, but rather it requires retreat and contemplation.

Among my favourite

places there is a common thread: they all tend to be out and away from civilization.

It is hard to deny a hint of the transcendent when we stare into cloudless sky on a moonless night.

It’s hard not to feel some sense of deep peace when walking along a quiet forest path.

There is something about spending time in creation that connects us to the Creator of all in a way that spending time in an office building, or dare I say, even a church, doesn’t.

I think even the ancient people of the Bible felt this way and I see the same sense of awe in nature in the words of Psalm 19: The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.

Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.

There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.

As humans we share the image of God and I see that expressed by our creative elements. So often we put our own stamp on nature.

We plant trees to line our streets; we have lights to drive back the darkness; we build our roads on grids for efficiency.

The more we believe we are the masters of our world, the less we see of God’s good design.

But just like every work of art, great or not, lives first in the mind of the artist, and carries some element of the artist, so all of God’s creation has, as a fundamental part of its being, the fingerprint of the creator.

Without all of Leonardo’s experiences there would be no Mona Lisa,

and without a love of flowers my little cousins’ drawings would be lacking subject matter.

We are able to learn something about the one who creates through what they have created. So we begin to learn about God through what God has created.

Just like us, God can’t help but express something of who God is through what is created.

Look around the room you are in now.

If you are at home look at how you have decorated; the choices you have made about the space you are in speaks to who you are.

If you’re not at home, the room will tell you something of the intention of the place you find yourself.

If you happen to be outside, look around; see, hear and know the presence of God. Rev. Michael Bruce is rector of St. Luke, Regina.

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

Published monthly except for July and August.

Whole No. 292, Vol. 48, No. 7 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 RATES $10 in Canada $17 outside Canada SUBMISSIONS Submissions for the May issue must be received by the diocesan editor no later than March 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

March 2020

The Saskatchewan Anglican

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The Bishop's Corner

Identity and solidarity

By Bishop Michael Hawkins

L

ent begins with the brutal and unwelcome reminder of our mortality, frailty and culpability. You are dust! In this there is no distinction.

Thank God there is more to human solidarity than just our sin and suffering, our brokenness and death.

But it does not hurt us to be reminded that we all bleed and cry and die alike.

The great sweep of Sacred Scripture affirms and teaches that “there is no distinction, all have sinned,” but this is hardly a wisdom that we could not come to on our own.

What Scripture also teaches and the Church affirms is a unity and

solidarity of humanity in creation and redemption, which is prior to all subsequent distinctions, hostilities, and dividing walls and that finally transcends them all.

We are first and last human beings.

Genesis explicitly teaches us that our common humanity, created

by God in God’s own image and likeness, is prior to the distinction of male and female, man and

woman.

So St. Paul addresses us as “children of God by faith in Christ Jesus” in whom “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3.26,28).

Many of us face the new identities and genders that we hear of and meet in our day with fear, suspicion and confusion.

There is a lot of work both theological and pastoral to be done to address a rapidly changing context, but our one message in the face of multiplying sexual and gender identities must be that we find our fundamental and common identity and dignity together in our Creator and Redeemer.

We are all sinners, but we are all also made in the image and

likeness of God and we are all those for whom Christ died.

Son of Man is sometimes translated Human One and we learn from Jesus how to be human.

In Him humankind is restored, and in rediscovering that humankind in Christ, humankindness is re-established.

Without a theology of humankind, our kindness will always fall short and show its narrowness, its small mindedness, its hard heartedness.

It is in His passion and death that Jesus shows us what it is to be human.

It is to cry and bleed and die, but it is also the reign of service and the glory of sacrifice. To be fully human is to serve and to give.

Jesus Christ shows us our dignity.

In Him we find our true identity and our solidarity.

Spiritual gap year gives women space to reflect, deepen faith

By Stuart Mann TORONTO — One is a music therapist, recently graduated from Wilfried Laurier University. The second is a spiritual director from Hong Kong.

And the third, from Lethbridge, Alta., is discerning a call to the religious life.

Three women from different backgrounds, but with one thing in common: they are all spending a year living and working at the Sisterhood of St. John the Divine’s convent in Toronto.

Since 2016, the sisterhood’s Companions on an Ancient Path program has offered a spiritual gap year to women over the age of 21. Fifteen women from across Canada and overseas have participated in the program, and applications are open for the 2020-2021 cohort.

“One of the real gifts of this program is that it opens up space in a woman’s life to think, to experience, to create community, to deepen one’s faith or maybe struggle with faith,” says Shannon Frank-Epp, the program’s assistant coordinator.

“A lot of women come here and say, ‘I don’t know what I believe anymore.’

And this is a safe space to go deeper.”

While at the convent, participants – called “companions” – live, work,

From left, Florence Au, Jasmine Lo, Shannon Frank-Epp and Kelsea Willis in the library at St. John’s Convent.

Photo by Michael Hudson pray and learn alongside the sisters. Their room and board is fully paid for by the sisterhood, a Canadian order that was founded in 1884. The sisterhood has received generous grants from the Diocese of Toronto’s Our Faith-Our Hope campaign to fund the program.

Sr. Constance-Joanna Gefvert, co-ordinator of the program, says the gap year isn’t a recruitment tool for the sisterhood, although a couple of companions have joined the order.

“The purpose of it is to help women deepen their

spiritual lives and have the tools they need to live a discerning Christian life and a life of discipleship,” she says.

Companions need not be Anglican. Many have come from different denominations, including the Pentecostal and evangelical traditions. They have often been referred to the program by their parish priests, chaplains or friends.

For Jasmine Lo, 25, the experience has grounded her in her faith and provided her with valuable work experience. A music therapist, Lo helps patients

at St. John’s Rehab, a hospital located next to the convent that was founded by the sisterhood and is now part of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

“Being here, I feel really privileged,” she says during an interview at the convent. “We have a sense of peace and a time to be open to God.” Halfway through the year, she says she has learned a lot about herself.

“It has nurtured me. I’ve learned that it’s important to just be myself, to be authentic in my therapy practice as well as my faith journey.”

Born in Vancouver and raised in Hong Kong, she hopes to return to the former British colony to help those who have been traumatized by the ongoing protests and riots.

But she’s keeping an open mind. “This is a really interesting journey that I’m on and I look forward to where it is going,” she says.

Florence Au, 55, says the pace of life at the convent is a world away from her busy life in Hong Kong.

“It can be sort of hectic here, but in a nice way that grounds you. You aren’t attached to work all the time, like you can be in your other life. Whatever you are doing here, you have to stop and go to prayer. God is at the centre of everything.”

A spiritual director back home, she has been able to apply her skills at St. John’s Rehab and the convent’s guesthouse, where people often stay for retreats.

She says living alongside the sisters has been a unique opportunity.

“I can see God through the sisters,” she says. “I can see how they age so gracefully and how wise they are and how they live with one another.”

She encourages other middle-aged women to apply to the program. “You need to embrace change, whatever stage of life you’re in. It’s harder when Continued on page 8

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The Saskatchewan Anglican

March 2020

Vintage Youth to 'Feud' with other parishes in Saskatoon Submitted SASKATOON — The next gathering of Vintage Youth — a youth group for old people (18-plus) held every month at Christ Church — will take place at

Christ Church, Saskatoon at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 29 when we will be playing Family Fued.

Christ Church officially challenges other parishes in the Diocese to put together a team and enter into the Family Fued challenge, hosted

by the Rev Mark (Richard Dawson) Kleiner.

Bragging rights and nominal prizes at stake. If you are interested in entering, please contact Christ Church at christchurchsaskatoon@sasktel. net.

DIOCESE OF SASKATOON

Announcements for March 2020 g Saskatchewan Anglican online! Did you know that you can read current and past issues of the Saskatchewan Anglican online at https://issuu.com/ thesaskatchewananglican or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ saskatchewananglican or the Diocese of Saskatoon website at www.anglicandiocesesaskatoon.com/ saskanglican? g What is our bishop up to? check out the bishop’s Calendar on the redesigned, new and improved diocesan website. g New Ministry Preparation Program: The Diocese of Saskatoon is beginning this new program that will consolidate the separate programs of Lay Reader and Locally Raised Clergy training, St. Bridget’s and training in ministry support. The new Ministry Preparation Program: 2020 - 2023 Plan has now been released.

For information on this program and the program’s courses and to inquire about applying and to obtain application forms, please contact the Ministry Preparation Program’s co-ordinator, the Rev. Dr. Trish McCarthy, at tmccarthy@ sasktel.net or 306-3708378. g New Ministry Preparation Program’s Spring

2020 Discernment Weekend: The Right Rev. Bishop Chris Harper and Rev. Dr. Trish McCarthy have announced the first discernment weekend for those interested in considering training in ministry.

The Spring 2020 Discernment Weekend will be held at Scholastica House, St. Peter’s Abbey, Muenster on Friday, March 20 from 7 to 9 p.m. (supper at 6 p.m.) and Saturday, March 21 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost is $100.

For information and to inquire about registering for the program and the weekend, please contact the Ministry Preparation Program’s co-ordinator, the Rev. Dr. Trish McCarthy, at tmccarthy@ sasktel.net or 306-3708378. g Vintage Youth, a monthly youth group for old people (18-plus) at Christ Church, Saskatoon: The next gathering of Vintage Youth will take place at 7 p.m. on Saturday, February 29.

The theme for the night will be Family Feud. Christ Church officially challenges other parishes in the diocese to put together a team and enter into the Family Feud challenge, hosted by Rev Mark (Richard Dawson) Kleiner. Bragging rights and nominal prizes at stake.

If you are interested in entering, please contact Christ Church at christ-

churchsaskatoon@sasktel. net. g Free Lectures at Em & St. Chad: Gordon Smith (president of Ambrose College, Calgary) will be on campus conducting events about the life of organizations, intended for publicsector and social-sector leadership.

There is a free afternoon workshop, and a free evening public lecture, both on Thursday, March 12.

Afternoon workshop is “The Anatomy of Organizations: How They Work and How We are Effective within Them” from 2 to 4:30 p.m. and evening lecture is “Leadership in a Society Consumed with Fear. Talk for Leaders and Leaders of Leaders,” followed by forum conversation from 7 to 9 p.m.

Both are at University Club, University of Saskatchewan, 101 Administration Place, Saskatoon.

For more information visit www.eventbrite.com/e/ leadership-in-a-societyconsumed-with-fear-withgordon-t-smith-phd-president-ambrose-universityin-tickets-91429669603.

Or visit www. eventbrite.com/e/ workshop-the-anatomyof-organizations-withgordon-t-smith-tickets-91237613157. g A Diocese of Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle Clergy Retreat hosted by the

Diocese of Qu’Appelle will be held from March 23 to 26; location and cost TBA. g Seniors’ Lunch in Battleford: - St. George’s Anglican Parish, Battleford holds a monthly seniors’ lunch the first Monday of each month.

The food is provided by the parish members and is complementary. g Community Coffee House and Bible Study: The Parish of St. George’s, Saskatoon hold its weekly Coffee House and Bible Study every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

The Bible Study is held from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

All events are in the Parish Hall, 624 Ave. I South.

Other special church services and meetings: g Queen’s House: Centring Prayer is Monday evenings, 7 to 8:30 p.m.; Women in Ministry Luncheons are monthly from 12 to 1:30 p.m. (please call for schedule); Taizé Prayer is second Wednesday of the month from 7 to 8p.m. g Celtic Evening Service in Saskatoon: The Celtic Evening Eucharist Service continues in its fourth year at St. George’s Anglican Church, 624 Ave. I South, Saskatoon.

Services are held every Tuesday evening at 7 p.m.

g All Saints’, Saskatoon: Thursdays at 5 p.m. (BCP) Said Evening Prayer followed by Low Mass. g Christ Church, Saskatoon: Evening Prayer (BAS) followed by coffee/tea and conversation, every Thursday at 7 p.m. g Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Saskatoon: Every Wednesday, lunch time Eucharist at 12:10 p.m. in the Lady Chapel followed by tea/coffee in the parish hall (bring your own bag lunch). g Weekly Taizé Service and Potluck in Sutherland: St. Matthew’s, Sutherland is holding a Taizé Service and potluck supper every Monday night. The supper begins at 6 p.m. and the service at 7 p.m.

Deadline To be included in a timely manner, brief notices should be sent to the Associate Editor by e-mail or “snail mail” by the last week of the month, two months before the month in which insertion is desired (for example, December submissions will be in the February issue).

Detailed and longer texts of upcoming events will not be included here, but should space allow, could be the subject of article and notices elsewhere in the paper.

March 2020

The Saskatchewan Anglican

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Edward Ahenakew Chapel a 'special place' for all

By Mary Brown PRINCE ALBERT — The Edward Ahenakew Chapel was deconsecrated on Jan. 14.

I expect I would have been at the consecration in December 1998. I tried to get to the final communion service in the chapel, but it was held during the days of minus 30-degree weather and my car wouldn’t start.

When I finally got it going and drove the half-hour to Prince Albert everyone was leaving. The altar was stripped and all items in the chapel were removed, as was the buffet breakfast enjoyed by the congregation after the services. Oh well.

From my desk at the synod office I looked directly into the chapel and witnessed many very moving events. Most of the services in the chapel were Holy Communion.

There were some baptisms and two confirmations.

Both of the confirmations were what you could say were secret services under special circumstances.

But some of the best uses for the chapel were in training new clergy. Both Bishop Anthony Burton and Bishop Michael Hawkins would have their newly ordained deacons come to the chapel to learn how to conduct a Communion service.

It was really interesting to hear them practising their craft.

At other times, usually during the summer months, the young students, discerning their vocations, would be commissioned to preach a sermon to the small congregation in the chapel.

Once a week we would have a communion service with, what I thought of as mini sermons, because usually the service only lasted a half-hour, from 9 to 9:30 a.m. One special service was led by Rev. John Matthews.

It was probably the last time that he celebrated the Eucharist, and he and his wife Agnes were so grateful for the opportunity afforded him.

Children were intrigued by the little church and would have fun playing church. They were always respectful of the space as were their parents.

There were a lot of visitors to the office

A view of the altar and communion rail of the Edward Ahenakew Chapel. looking for their baptism, matrimonial and family history records.

Some of the other visitors to the office were street people. They knew it was a religious place and were looking for comfort.

Most times there was a priest in the office, but the odd time they were not around and I would take them in the chapel and try to help.

Luckily that didn’t happen very often.

I put some of the items back in the chapel to take some pictures.

The beaded frontal with the eagles was made

by Louisa Isbister from Ahtahkakoop First Nation, which is where Edward Ahenakew was also from.

The kneelers were designed and stitched by Joanna Weston, the wife of Robert Weston, who was the finance officer in 1998.

The chapel was designed to match the two pews that were from St. Alban’s Cathedral. The lovely credence table was from the church in Star City.

The painting of the chalice was done by Andree Martinson and the beautiful stained glass was put in by Bishop Charles Arthurson. The glory of the windows is most evident at around 6 p.m. on early summer evenings.

The marble plaque commemorates Helen

Photos by Mary Brown

Blocks of stained glass filter sunlight into the chapel.

Margaret Charles, who was a student at a residential school and who then went on to become a teacher at that same residential school.

Some of the people who were in the office for archival research told me about their former teacher when they saw the plaque.

It was a very special place and I was always thankful to be a part of it.

A plaque dedicated to Helen Margaret Charles.

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The Saskatchewan Anglican

March 2020

Book Review

Two more volumes added to priest’s six-part autobiography

By Rev. Peter Coolen

I

n 2018, the Rev. Canon Colin Clay celebrated both his 86th birthday and his 60th anniversary as a priest (see June issue of the Saskatchewan Anglican) and published the first two, of a six-book set of, autobiographical books.

Recently Colin added to these first two books by publishing the next two tomes. These most recent books “The Big Nickel” and “Train for Thought” cover the periods 1959 to 1970 and 1970 to 1977 respectively.

Also in production now are the final two books of this set: “It’s A Dry Cold” (1977 to 1994) and “The Sun Still Shines” (1995 to the present).

As with the first two volumes, these two new books recount, not as Samuel Pepys did, a daily journal, but rather, a narrative of important people, events and current events, and thoughts and experiences in Colin’s life, from his unique perspective, as he progressed through a life that slowly evolved and resolved itself around an energetic core of wit and “spunk” devoted to family, ministry and a pursuit of world peace and ecumenism.

In volume one (1932 to 1952), “From Schoolboy to Soldier” Colin recounts his family’s roots and histories, then his life as a child, between the wars, through adolescence, during the blitz of the Second World War, through boys’ school, and then as a soldier in the Korean War and then demobilization and return to civilian life.

In his second book “Fifty-Nine Dinners and other Stories” Colin details his life, from 1952 to 1959, as he attended Cambridge University, Wells Theological College,

The Rev. Canon Colin Clay has completed the third and fourth of a planned six-volume autobiography series.

These two new volumes, “The Big Nickel” and “Train For Thought,” have been published and may be purchased from the author or ordered through Friesen Press, Amazon.ca or McNally Robinson Books.

The Rev. Canon Colin Clay was ordained, married and began a family and was given his first parish.

Volume two closes with the ocean voyage and immigration of Colin and family to begin a new life with the Anglican Church in Sudbury, Ont.

In volume three, “The Big Nickel,” Colin conducts the reader on a tour, from 1959 to 1970, of his life and the lives of his wife Barbara and his four children in their new country, Canada, as he engages in pastoral, parish and academic ministry in Sudbury and began to teach at Laurentian University.

Volume four recounts the seven years (1970 to 1977) that the Clay family enjoyed living in the town of Capreol, a railway community just a short distance from Sudbury.

During this period, Colin became rector at St. Alban’s, continued teaching at Laurentian U and served as civilian officiating clergyman

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at the Canadian Forces Station at Falconbridge and was active with the Army Cadets.

For those of us who know and love Colin, he writes in these books as he speaks; as an energetic and lively raconteur with a deep spirituality and faith; a wide breadth of knowledge; a strong optimism and years of experience; and strongly held convictions about war, conflict and the need for world peace and ecumenism.

The story he tells, as read in these volumes, becomes, for the reader, a colourful history of not only his life and times, but also of a world, a society and a Church going through radical trans-

formation and struggles while still holding to past symbols, ceremonies and titles.

To read these pages is, if not to live the times, to understand and appreciate them and to admire the clear vision, courage and sheer fun that Colin obviously had and is able to express to us, as he shows us how to have a long, satisfying, optimistic, and industrious life’s journey, while living both a deeply spiritual vocation and avocation in service to the needs of others.

“The Big Nickel” and “Train for Thought” may be purchased from the author or ordered through Friesen Press, Amazon. ca or McNally Robinson Books.

DIOCESE OF QU’APPELLE

Women's gathering coming soon Submitted REGINA — The theme for the annual gathering of diocesan women will be “Use your gifts to serve” (1 Peter 4:10-11).

All women in the Diocese of Qu’Appelle are invited to St. Matthew’s Anglican Church on Saturday, April 18, beginning at 9 a.m.

To register, please

send a cheque for $20 each, payable to St. Matthew’s ACW, by mail care of Kathleen Chlopan, 315-2550 25 th Avenue, Regina, Sask. S4S 4E6.

March 2020

The Saskatchewan Anglican

7

New altar table crafted for St. Aidan, Moose Jaw

By Rev. Dr. Dean Pinter MOOSE JAW (Qu’A) — The baptismal font and the altar table are two primary symbols within Anglican church buildings.

The font, while often associated with birth and beginning, is the place where followers of Jesus face their dying and union with Christ.

The table, while often (and rightly!) associated with sacrifice and death, is the place where followers of Jesus face their resurrection and communion with Christ.

In the building where the congregation of St. Aidan, Moose Jaw, worships, the font is well over 100 years old; the table in the nave is just a few weeks old…sort of.

It was dedicated as an altar table on the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord (2020).

The table was made from the wood of an older pulpit. Bishop Rob Hardwick pointed out that this, too, is a powerful symbol as it reminds us of the unity between word and sacrament in our common worship.

Although St. Aidan’s nave is primarily used as a space for worship, it is often used for various community events including concerts, lectures and forums, so it is important that the table be able to move.

As such, the table is equipped with slides so that it can be re-situated.

There is something symbolically fitting about that,

Bishop Rob Hardwick (centre) blesses the new altar at St. Aidan, Moose Jaw. Deacon Arleen Champion (left) and Rev. Dr. Dean Pinter assisted at the service. The altar was made from wood from an older pulpit and can easily be moved to create space for community events.

Photo by Doug Reichel too. Our table communion is not restricted to just one place – it moves, so to speak, with us whenever and wherever we are sent out from common worship.

That is, our communion

with Jesus is what propels us into mission in the power of the Spirit.

Our identity, however, renewed around the table, is where we remember we are placed “in Christ”

and affirmed as beloved children of God. We are grateful that Bishop Hardwick was able to come and lead us in the dedication of this new altar table.

It is our prayer, in the words the bishop used in the dedication, that it be “a sign of the heavenly

Altar where your saints and angels praise (God) for ever,” and a continual reminder of the sacrifice of the Son and a place where we will “be fed and refreshed by His body and blood, be forgiven (our) sins, united with one another, and strengthened for (God’s) service.”

DIOCESE OF SASKATCHEWAN

Primate visits P.A. in April g The synod office is now located in the lower level of St. Alban’s Cathedral, 1410 Bishop McLean Crescent with the same hours, open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday – 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. g Holy Communion Services will continue each Tuesday at 9 am in the Cathedral Chapel g March 20, 21 – fourth annual Prayer Conference – Hawood Inn, Waskesiu – Cost $50, shared accommo-

dation; registration forms at the Synod Office g April 8 – 7 p.m. in St. Alban’s Cathedral - visit from Primate Linda Nichols – all are invited g March 1 – St. David’s beef supper – Midtown Hall 540-9th Street - 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. sittings. For tickets: 306-764-1310, 306940-8199 or 306-763-2759 g March 1 – Recital of Songs by Soprano Megan Fournier Mews at St. Alban’s Church at 7:30 p.m.

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The Saskatchewan Anglican

March 2020

Street sign coaxes residents to come for free soup

By Mary Brown BIRCH HILLS (Skwn) — Only in small-town Saskatchewan would you see a sign in the middle of the road telling people of free soup at the church.

On the first and third Friday of each month, St. Mary’s Church in Birch Hills offers soup and a bun with dessert and drink for free or freewill offering.

They usually have 25 to 35 people, and sometimes more than 40 people turn.

There are three different kinds of soup from which to choose, along with a bun and various desserts. I talked to Jan Bliss, who said they don’t often have any problem getting the food.

Two people bring dessert and two bring buns, along with the three who provide the soup.

Once a year they offer the lunch for free. The soup initiatives are not fundraisers; they're community outreach projects.

The congregation put on a couple of fundraisers, a stew supper on St. Patrick’s Day and a Shrove Tuesday supper, along with a cookie walk that the ACW organized.

St. George’s Church in Kinistino and St. James Church in Muskoday are part of the Birch Hills Parish.

What is quite unusual about St. Mary’s Anglican Church is it is also called St. Anne Roman Catholic Church. In the early 2000s a contract was drawn up and signed by Anglican Bishop Anthony Burton and Roman Catholic Bishop Morand.

Both congregations are represented on a council by three representatives from each congregation, who meet two to three times a year. The term for each member is a staggered three years.

This way, at no time would there be three new members on either side.

This ensures there are at least two people who know the procedures and rules of the partnership.

When you think of the politics and complications there are with just one Anglican congregation, it is amazing how well this arrangement works.

Once a year the congregations get together for a spring barbecue and a joint service of Stations of the Cross.

It's a sign of the times: come for soup!

Photos by Mary Brown

'Normal' Christian life to be explored at retreat

By Malcolm Tait LUMSDEN (Qu’A) — What is a “normal” Christian life? That will be explored during the diocesan retreat for lay people, to be held April 24 to 26 at Living Skies Retreat outside Lumsden. In the five themed addresses, Rev. Nancy Yee will lead retreatants to explore different aspects of the “normal” Christian life.

Some questions the retreat will explore are: What can a Christian expect from living out faith in this broken world?

What are our promises, victories, and empowering gifts to overcome evil, flesh and the world in Christ Jesus?

How can we obtain the promises of God in Christ?

What does the “normal” Christian trip look like?

The cost for the retreat, including meals and accommodation is $285.

More information will be included in the April issue.

Registration info will be sent to all parishes.

Retreat conductor Yee is an intentional interim priest in the Diocese of Qu’Appelle. She serves two parishes in Regina, St. James the Apostle and St. Philip, and was recently charged with overseeing an urban indigenous ministry. She previously served two parishes in Colonsay and Watrous in

the Diocese of Saskatoon.

Having a curious soul with many interests, her current passion involves learning to express herself creatively in artistic projects such as collage and making junk journals.

Yee and her husband Tim have their primary residence in Saskatoon.

They have four adult children who, with God’s grace, are happily making their way in the world.

Rev. Gene Packwood will be the retreat’s chaplain. He and his wife, Judy, were both born in New Zealand and immigrated to Canada in 1974.

... Spiritual gap year Continued from page 3 you’re older, but you have to try. Some things I don’t want to change in my life, but it’s good to be open to possibilities.”

Kelsea Willis, 24, is on her second year in the program and is discerning a call to the religious life.

“I was very comfortable with the sisters and they were comfortable with me,” she says, recalling her first year. “It felt that I wasn’t ready to go when the time came, that there was more to be explored here and more to do.”

Before being accepted

They have two grown married children (one of whom is Kate Berringer, who is active in St. Mary, Regina, and the diocese) and four grandchildren.

Packwood was ordained an Anglican priest in 1991 after seminary in Saskatoon. Before seminary he spent 20 years making TV shows, most recently with Alberta’s ACCESS Network.

Since ordination he served eight years at St. Francis of Assisi, Airdrie, and 15 years at St. Barnabas, Medicine Hat; he retired in May 2014.

Packwood has been

active in Teens Encounter Christ and Cursillo, and has long had an interest in revival and in the work and gifts of the Holy Spirit.

He currently serves as chairman on the board of Anglican Renewal Ministries Canada, has been a part of the presenting teams for several Schools of Renewal Ministry and has spoken at numerous parish and diocesan renewal conferences.

He resides in Regina, blogs somewhat erratically at GENEralities (kiwirev. blogspot.ca) and putters about on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

into the program, the native of Lethbridge had quit her job and moved in with her mother.

“I wasn’t living the life I knew I wanted to live or the life I knew I should be living,” she says. “I was feeling so disconnected from everything. I was looking for a community or something that would bring together the person I wanted to be and the values I wanted to live out, with the person who I was.”

Her parish priest recommended the program to her. “He said, ‘I think this would work for you.’ It was in line with some discernment that I was going through at the time, but I didn’t know how much

fruit it would bear.”

As it turns out, it would bear a lot. Willis beams as she describes her life at the convent. She is the sacristan at St. John’s Rehab’s chapel, assisting the chaplain and also helps out in the chapel.

“I’ve really enjoyed living intentionally and always with the sisters, praying with them and being a member of the community. They are great women, and they are my friends now.”

She encourages other women to try the program.

For more info about the Companions on an Ancient Path program, email Sr. Constance Joanna Gefvert at cj@ssjd.ca or visit www. ssjd.ca.

March 2020

The Saskatchewan Anglican

9

Education that supports new forms of ministry By the Rev. Dr. Iain Luke Principal, College of Emmanuel & St. Chad

F

or the last three years, I’ve worked alongside a group of clergy and academic staff from across Western Canada who are leading the way towards a new model of ministry training. Each time we meet, we have a sense that a momentous shift is under way. God must be up to something!

What’s striking about this shift is that it is a movement happening from the ground up. Independently of one another, almost all the dioceses in the provinces of Rupert’s Land and BC/Yukon have put in place new programs of ministry development.

They go by different names: schools of discipleship, leadership academies, colleges of mission and ministry.

But these programs share the same core principles and goals. They are founded on a conviction that God is calling communities of faithful people together, to respond to God’s love by sharing in God’s mission, in the places where they live.

This means placing responsibility in the hands of local congregations, to discern, resource, and lead the work of the church in their neighbourhoods.

For 20 or 30 years, a sense of scarcity, decline, and even desperation masked this exciting reality. In many places, the push for local training was simply to find people to take on the clergy role, to keep churches functioning, and to provide sacramental ministry.

Across rural and remote parts of our region, people were called to minister as priests and deacons in their home parishes, and they responded.

As so often in the Christian story, though, there is a hope born out of this profound challenge.

We have seen people willing to offer their gifts and energy for leadership, and congregations determined not just to survive, but to renew their sense of purpose and mission.

Wider church leadership is beginning to recognize how this response from

the grassroots brings a new shape to the church’s ministry.

We can see congregations, some of them very small, where every member believes that God calls their church to be there for a reason, in order to love and serve their neighbour, and to share God’s good news.

They are not dependent on the wider church for their survival; rather, they are the reason why the church will survive, to continue its mission.

Leaders emerging in these congregations have a very different profile from the people who became clergy in times past. Their sense of call is shaped less by a private sense of encounter with God and more by the encouragement of people around them.

They see their work as ordained ministers not as a profession, but as a commitment to a community.

From a ministry training point of view, then, these new leaders need to be prepared for a different kind of ministry, with training that builds up their distinctive gifts.

This is the need to which the college is responding, as we work with diocesan partners in the WECAN network to create a new pattern of ministry training.

Some of the principles required for this new model are already emerging.

First, we want to acknowledge the strength of being embedded in a specific context. I’ve met “locally raised” clergy who can look back into the life of their community, not just for the 10 years they served as priest, but for the 60 or more years they lived with their neighbours.

It’s exciting to imagine how we can equip people to tap that wisdom, to connect the gospel of Christ with the places they know.

Secondly, training for this new ministry model must respect the practical focus of communities and their leaders, and their passion for local mission.

It still matters what content students learn,

but their learning has to be evaluated in terms of outcomes, keeping the focus on what students are doing and will be able to do, with the skills and knowledge they acquire.

As much as possible, this learning will happen in situ, and will involve congregations and communities, not just individuals.

The expected learning outcomes lean heavily on developing the students’ capacity for practical

theology, and connecting what they learn to the church’s role in God’s mission.

Finally, as we develop standards, we uphold the value of training that takes seriously the needs of this new model.

This is rigorous work, both intellectually and practically, and not just a scaled-down version of the training professional clergy receive.

Instead, local training

equips local leaders to use their distinctive gifts and to build on the strengths of this new model.

This is, indeed, something new for the church.

As a new form of ministry claims its voice, and as we learn more about how to provide appropriate training, I look forward to what the church will discover about God’s call to us, here and now.

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10

The Saskatchewan Anglican

March 2020

DIOCESE OF QU’APPELLE

Qu'Appelle hires finance company to manage the books

By Joanne Shurvin-Martin REGINA — The main topic for the special meeting of diocesan council on Jan. 25 was hearing recommendations for the future of St. Cuthbert’s Archdeaconry. (please see article at bottom of page) .

Council also heard about preliminary discussions between the bishops of the three Anglican dioceses in the province of Saskatchewan about possible mergers.

Bishop Rob Hardwick said the bishops felt “a real sense that God is calling us to something new on the Prairies.”

(These discussions were detailed in the February issue of The Saskatchewan Anglican.)

A draft of a covenant among the Evangelical Lutheran, Anglican, Ukrainian Catholic and Roman Catholic churches in the province of Saskatchewan was distributed, and Bishop Hardwick commented that it is “historic – the first of its kind in the world.”

In financial news, the diocese has contracted The Corner Office to handle finance office duties, a move that will streamline processes, free up time of Synod Office staff, and reduce expenses.

Beginning this year, the diocese will contribute $250 per year to non-stipendiary clergy

and diocesan readers who previously had not received continuing education funds. In 2021, the matching parish portion will be added. A $250 personal contribution is also required.

Insurance of churchowned land and buildings was discussed, along with personal liability. These topics are expected to be presented at the upcoming diocesan synod.

Synod will begin Nov. 26, meeting Thursday evening, all day on Friday and Saturday, and

conclude on Sunday, Nov. 29.

Executive Officer Shelley Baron reported that she and Archdeacon Catherine Harper had attended a national church conference for executive officers and finance officers. She reported that it was a very worthwhile event, and mentioned that Qu’Appelle is the only diocese with a designated stewardship officer.

Bishop’s report to council

In Bishop Rob Hardwick’s report to diocesan council, he commended the churches in the St. Cuthbert Archdeaconry.

“We have never seen this level of co-operation and willingness to come together for services, visioning, discernment and prayer. Incumbents, interims, wardens and parishioners are working really hard. … I commend them for their faith, courage and commitment to make this journey.”

He mentioned that many other parishes in the

diocese are also considering their futures.

“It is a time of transition … and much pastoral care and prayerful discernment and guidance is required,” wrote Hardwick.

The diocese has supported Archdeacon Abraham Malith Deng, of the Diocese of Duk, South Sudan, in his recent university studies.

Archdeacon Deng wrote to the diocese to report that he had convocated with a bachelor’s degree in education, and is now teaching clergy in the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya.

He wrote, “I thank God for you. It couldn’t have been possible, but you made it. May God bless you abundantly. Regards, Abraham.”

Hardwick also reported that at least 14 people are on the list before the Committee of Ordained Ministry (COOM), as well as people discerning diocesan reader ministry.

He thanked Archdeacon Catherine Harper for her work with them and with the Qu’Appelle School of Mission and Ministry.

After diocesan council finished, the inaugural annual gathering of the Diocese of Qu’Appelle took place upstairs.

The bishop, along with each archdeacon, later gave updates about their respective areas of the diocese. (see page 15 for story).

Recommendations given for future of St. Cuthbert's Archdeaconry Five Regina parishes to merge

By Joanne Shurvin-Martin REGINA — Plans are coming together for the future of St. Cuthbert’s Archdeaconry, which includes seven parishes in the City of Regina as well as the three-point parish of Plain and Valley outside the city.

In January Bishop Rob Hardwick and diocesan council received the recommendations from the archdeaconry, which come after two years of discussion, meetings and

Led by Archdeacon Cheryl Toth (standing), members of the St. Cuthbert's Archdeaconry transition team talk about plans for the archdeaconry during the diocesan council meeting on Jan. 25.

Photo by Jason G. Antonio prayer about the future.

The first recommendation is for the Regina parishes of All Saints, St. James, St. Luke, St.

Matthew and St. Philip to come together to form one parish with a new name and a common vision, with a target date of January

2021. The plan sees parishioners of all five parishes worshipping together at one main location (which is yet to be chosen).

There is a possibility of having satellite locations specific to certain ministries.

Continued next page

March 2020

The Saskatchewan Anglican

11

Israel: A journey of faith

By Nigel Salway REGINA — A pilgrimage to the Holy Lands led

by Rev. Michael Bruce is planned for 2021. The trip will depart on April 14, 2021 and return on April 22.

An information night on this pilgrimage was held at St. Luke in January.

Following a delicious middle-eastern themed meal catered by ZamZam Wraps, the formal presentation began with an introduction by Bruce, rector of St. Luke.

He drew on his experience of previous tours to the Holy Land and related how his experi-

... St. Cuthbert merger Continued from page 10 The second recommendation is for a renewal team composed of two representatives from each of the five parishes, in addition to up to five more individuals appointed by the bishop to serve as members-at-large.

This team will develop an implementation plan and have general oversight for the renewal, transition and implementation of moving to one parish.

Working groups will also be involved in this process.

The final recommendation is for a greater focus of all eight parishes in the archdeaconry on communications and collaboration. This includes forming a covenanted Archdeaconry Group Ministry Council that would include lay and clergy representatives from each parish.

The council will focus on alignment of vision, communication, collaboration, accountability, efficiencies, and relationship building across the archdeaconry.

Following finalization of the recommendations at diocesan council on Jan. 25, recommendations were communicated to parish vestries and then shared with all parishioners on Feb. 2.

The recommendations were to be discussed at parish annual general meetings in February and feedback given to the newly-formed renewal team.Â

Rev. Michael Bruce (centre) relates his experience in the Holy Land to Brian Herman and Allison Fizzard while Shanna Schill (right) of CAA watches. Bruce will lead a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2021.

Photo by Nigel Salway ence of walking in the land brought him closer to the Bible.

The tour operator

is Collette Tours of Canada. Danielle Martins of Collette presented a multi-media

introduction to the Holy Lands and the itinerary of tour. Arriving in Tel Aviv, pilgrims will travel

to Caesarea, Nazareth, Cana, Tiberius, Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Mount Zion, Ein Karem, ending in Jerusalem.

Pilgrims will have the opportunity to bathe in the Dead Sea and see the important sights of Jerusalem such at the Via Dolorosa and The Ecce Homo Arch.

Also presenting was Shannan Schill, a travel consultant with CAA Saskatchewan.

She explained some of the procedures associated with the trip, including visa requirements and inoculations.

Anyone interested in further details of this pilgrimage should contact Rev. Michael Bruce at St. Luke, Regina, phone 306-5869355 or email stluke@ sasktel.net.

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The Saskatchewan Anglican

March 2020

Diocesan indigenous culture and spirituality event a success By the Rev. Peter Coolen SASKATOON — On Jan. 25 more than 30 clergy and representatives from parishes throughout the diocese and their guests attended an all-day, diocesan-wide Indigenous culture and spirituality event held in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist’s parish hall.

The event was organized and facilitated by the Rev. Dr Trish McCarthy, co-ordinator of the Diocese of Saskatoon’s School of Discipleship.

The day’s events began with a Blanket Exercise that served to allow those present to experience, in a tangible and interactive way, the history of the relationship of Indigenous and non-indigenous peoples as treaty peoples in Canada.

The exercise informed those present of the history and past practices of indigenous groups and governments in regard to how land, resources, peoples and treaty were viewed and used by both parties and the history of treaty, treaty lands and indigenous peoples from first contact up to the present.

This presentation also

During the Saskatoon diocesan Indigenous culture and spirituality event, those present participated in a Blanket Exercise, which helped them experience in a tangible and interactive way the history and the relationship of Indigenous and non-indigenous peoples as treaty peoples in Canada.

Photo by the Rev Peter Coolen included issues such: the residential schools system, the inequities resulting from the Indian Act, the results of the TRC process and its recommendations, the ’60s Scoop and more recent issues of legal, social and economic inequality both on and off reserve lands.

The Blanket Exercise was followed by a period

of questions and answers and a time of sharing with Bishop Chris Harper and the Rev. Denise McCafferty, Indigenous Deacon.

A talking circle also allowed those present to share and express their experiences, knowledge, feelings and concerns, as well as to express their gratitude for the information they had received.

Following this time of sharing, videos of Archbishop Michael Peer’s apology and the apology of Archbishop Fred Hiltz were presented.

The session concluded with responses from the participants, additional conversation with speakers and the participants and closing prayer lead by Bishop Chris.

The indigenous theme of the day was supported by a delicious buffet lunch of make-your-own bannock tacos supplied by Chester Knights Bannock.

Consideration is now being given to arrange similar Indigenous culture and spirituality events in the Western and Eastern Deaneries in the near future.

March 2020

Father Heinner Paucar of the Roman Catholic Church in Pelican Narrows speaks during the service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Photos courtesy Diocese of Saskatchewan

The Saskatchewan Anglican

13

Canoes are a symbol of importance in life from the past, the present and future in Aboriginal culture.

Pulling together in one direction in Christian unity

By Mary Brown

Rev. Canon Angus Sewap and Bishop Adam Halkett share a laugh in Pelican Narrows.

Photo by Mary Brown

PELICA N NA R ROWS (Skwn) — The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity service — entitled They showed us unusual kindness (Acts 2 8.2) — in Pelican Narrows began with a Gospel Jamboree concert.

It was held in the school g ymnasium with more than 10 0 people in attendance.

Bishop Adam Halkett and Bishop Michael Hawkins, along with the Rev. R ichard Custer and priest of St. Bartholomew, and the Rev. Canon Ang us Sewap represented the Anglican Church.

Archbishop Murray Chatlin from Keewatin the Pas and F r. Heinner Paucar, the priest in Pelican Narrows, represented the Roman Catholic Church.

Leaders of the community representing the traditional and Christian, plus the chief and a lay leader were part of the procession During the sing ing of the opening hymn the visiting clerg y, elders and leaders of the community processed into the room.

The elders then

proceeded to smudge the cong regation.

One of those entering placed the Bible in a place of honour in the centre of the worship ping community.

A canoe was placed in the middle of the g ymnasium.

It is a symbol of importance as a way of li fe from the past, the present and the future existence of the native culture.

The reading in the service describes a perilous sea voyage by the Apostle Paul.

The canoe is symbolic of the sometimes-tempestuous journey Christians make together towards unity.

During the prayers of the people eight paddles were brought into the assembly by members of di f ferent communities. Each paddle had a single word: Reconciliation, Enlightenment, Hope, Trust, Streng th, Hospitality, Conversion and Generosity.

The presentation of the oar introduced each of the petitions, followed by a time of silent prayer. It would have been very moving to be a part of this ceremony.

The leader began

the prayers with the following: We cannot face the storms of life alone A boat moves forward when all row together.

In the face of difficulties, we recognize the need to pull together and to unite our efforts.

The prayers ended with a prayer asking God for help with social problems in the communities such as alcohol, drug dealers, violence, suicides, alcohol and verbal abuse, and poverty.

A ll the participants joined hands for the f inal prayer in the words Jesus taught them, Our Father … .

Everyone then shared the peace.

The night ended with a generous and delicious feast including fried f ish and bannock and two birthday cakes one to honour a very spry and dear local elder and the other for the archbishop.

It is expected that this will be an annual af fair as when the g uests arrived, they were welcomed to the “f irst annual” ecumenical service in Pelican Narrows.

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The Saskatchewan Anglican

March 2020

Eight paddles with prayer themes were presented at the altar during the ecumenical service for Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, held at All Saints, Regina. Photo by Nigel Salway

Ecumenical service for Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

By Nigel Salway REGINA — All Saint’s Anglican Church hosted a city-wide ecumenical service on Jan. 26, to conclude the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

The service drew upon St. Paul’s shipwreck on Malta, which led to the establishment of the Christian church on the

island, as inspiration for the prayers, and the sentence from Acts 28:2: They showed us unusual kindness.

The Prayers of the People continued with the nautical allegory introduced by Paul’s shipwreck. A kayak was placed in front of the altar, and during the prayers, eight paddles were brought

forward by members of different communities.

Each paddle bore a single word: Reconciliation, Enlightenment, Hope, Trust, Strength, Hospitality, Conversion and Generosity.

To introduce each petition, a paddle was held high, then placed by the kayak.

After a time of

silent prayer, a reader announced the petition, and the congregation responded.

Participating clergy included Rev. Amber Hoffman, Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church; Rev. Charles Kooger, retired, Christian Reformed Church; Deacon Joe Lang, Resurrection Roman Catholic Parish;

Rev. Winna Martin, All Saints, St. Luke’s, and St. Matthew’s Anglican Churches; Pastor Joe Russell-Maclean, First Baptist Church; and Rev. Bob Wilson, retired, Presbyterian Church in Canada.

Following the service, a time of fellowship and refreshment was held in the church hall.

Regina cathedrals celebrate Christian Unity Week

By Canon Michael Jackson

Parishes trade members during WPCU REGINA — Parishioners of St. Luke’s Anglican Church and the Roman Catholic parish Christ the King observed the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity with exchange visits. On Jan. 19, parishioners from St. Luke’s shared worship and fellowship at Christ the King. Nigel Salway (pictured) read the second lesson at Christ the King.

On Jan. 26, parishioners from Christ the King completed the exchange and came to St. Luke’s for worship.

Photo by Judy Salway

REGINA — St. Paul’s Cathedral and Holy Rosary Cathedral in Regina marked the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity by exchanging delegations at Sunday services in January.

The two cathedrals are partner parishes in the Anglican-Roman Catholic Covenant between the Diocese of Qu’Appelle and the Archdiocese of Regina.

On Jan. 19, a delegation from St. Paul’s attended the 11 a.m. Mass at Holy Rosary, where they were warmly welcomed by Father Thomas Nguyen and ecumenical representative Gillian Brodie.

Deacon Michael Jackson brought greetings and parishioner Edie Hilts did a reading.

After the service, the Anglican visitors were guests at a pancake brunch hosted by the Knights of Columbus.

A week later, a delegation from Holy Rosary came to St. Paul’s for the Solemn Eucharist of the

Stephanie Molloy gives the homily at St. Paul’s Cathedral, with Deacon Eric Gurash in the background. Molloy is retired campus minister at Campion College, University of Regina, and a member of the Anglican-Roman Catholic Covenant Implementation Committee.

Photo by Margaret Ball Conversion of St. Paul — a long-standing tradition celebrating the cathedral’s patronal festival and the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

In addition, two members of the arch-

diocesan lay formation program from Moose Jaw attended.

Berbell Knoll, representing Trinity Lutheran Church in Regina, did a reading, as did Paul Adekogbe from Holy

Rosary.

Bishop Rob Hardwick presided, with Dean Mike Sinclair and Rev. Ed Dunfield as concelebrants.

Deacon Eric Gurash brought greetings from Holy Rosary.

The guest preacher was Stephanie Molloy, MDiv, MTh, retired campus minister at Campion College and a member of the Anglican-Roman Catholic Covenant Implementation Committee.

In her homily, she emphasized the constant need for conversion, exemplified by the Apostle Paul. Molloy applied this to the relationships between the Christian churches and within the churches as they face the challenges of declining numbers and parish mergers.

Each year the two cathedrals have a tonguein-cheek competition to see which will have the larger delegation visit the other parish.

This year, for the first time, Holy Rosary won, with 17 delegation members to St. Paul’s 13.

March 2020

The Saskatchewan Anglican

15

Clergy celebrate ordinations to the priesthood and diaconate

A joyous gathering of clergy, family and friends attended the service of ordination for Karen Walter to the priesthood and Rosemary Matthews to the diaconate, held at St. Matthew’s, Sutherland the evening of Dec. 1, 2019. Here, the clergy present for the service pose with the ordinands and the Right Rev. Chris Harper, Bishop of Saskatoon. The Rev. Karen Walters stands at the front left of the bishop and the Rev. Rosemary Matthews to the front right of the bishop. A more extensive article on this service appeared in the February issue of the Saskatchewan Anglican.

Photo by Rev. Peter Coolen

Christians called to 'fly the plane' and proclaim the Good News

By Jason G. Antonio REGINA — Using Colossians 1:9-12, Bishop Rob Hardwick spoke about how he had used this section to pray for the diocese and its people, specifically, that everyone would have the strength to do God's work and not be distracted or diverted from that task.

That can be difficult, he said, since sometimes we become fixated on the small things. He used a story of how a plane crew became too focused on a small 75-cent lightbulb in the cockpit and ended up crashing the plane.

"The crew, distracted and diverted, forgot the most basic of all rules of the air: 'Don't forget to fly the plane," the bishop told a dozen people on Jan. 25 during the inaugural Diocese of Qu'Appelle annual gathering, held at St. Philip, Regina.

"Life is messy, lights often fail to illuminate or warning lights sometimes activate for no reason, in the church and the world," Hardwick continued.

Our attention can be distracted and diverted; conundrums can be many; world can be a mess and the Church can be as well.

However, through the

Bishop Rob Hardwick speaks during the inaugural Diocese of Qu'Appelle annual gathering at St. Philip in Regina on Jan. 25. Photo

by Jason G. Antonio din and clamour, warning lights and turbulence, "as Christians and as a Church, we are called to fly the plane. To be faithful, and to go! To 'Go out to the whole world; and to proclaim the Good News to all creation."

The year 2019 was challenging for the diocese, he continued.

Clergy faced issues such as employment, health, burnout, financial issues

and loneliness.

This was Hardwick's seventh year as bishop and he found it to be the most difficult, he said. There were many demands on him within and outside the diocese. It was exhausting spiritually, emotionally and mentally.

However, God's constant assurance — "Trust me I've got this" — and generous financial giving, along with prayers, kept him going. Furthermore, the bishop pointed out God is evident everywhere, in the diocese and Church.

"The plane is still flying and, despite the turbulence and the flashing warning lights, we will reach our destination and land safely. The plane is in good hands; it's God's Church," Hardwick said.

He then listed all the ways God worked in the diocese last year.

Some examples include Regina clergy and wardens working together more closely; Alpha programs; more youth programs; an urban Aboriginal ministry; and laypeople helping with hospital chaplaincy.

There were also unexpected bequests; money for Fair Shares and Living the Mission;

more refugees supported; a medical centre built in Burundi with money from the diocese; churches paid off mortgages; and some finished the year financially healthy.

Meanwhile, two clergy wrote books; more children and youths attended retreats and camps; an ecumenical church plant occurred in White City; interest grew in the Qu'Appelle School for Mission and Ministry; and movement occurred with an ecumenical covenant in the province.

When we stop, look and listen and become attentive to our surroundings, we can see that through the trials, tribulations, disruptions and worries, "Jesus is with us, just as He promised He would," said Hardwick.

The bishop then spoke of those priests who had left, retired, or died; of office staff who left; of five churches that celebrated major anniversaries; and of the disestablisment or deconsecration of churches.

Several theology students began studying or did internships. In particular, Archdeacon Abraham Deng (Kakuma Refugee Camp in Burundi)

completed his degree in education, arts, history and religion.

The diocese did much to support the people of Muyinga, providing funding for a medical centre, agriculture seeds and 16 bikes for clergy.

Hardwick then spoke about his discussions at the national and provincial level with other Anglican dioceses, particularly about possibly merging. He noted that everyone is called to be in God's mission together.

The bishop then listed 18 objectives for 2020, including the triannual Diocesan Synod from Nov. 26 to 29.

"Yes there is much to do and fewer of us, but ... God is leading us, shaping us, correcting, encouraging and blessing us," he said.

"We are a church on the move from a settled state that we have enjoyed and known so well, to an exciting, awe inspiring, anxiety-invoking, new beginning.

"So confident in the God who says, 'Trust me I've got this,' let us go forward in faith."

Hardwick then added that Joshua 1:9 will be a good guide for the work the diocese does this year.

16

The Saskatchewan Anglican

March 2020

A new hall, a new initiative in Watrous

By Rev. Marie-Louise Ternier

Epiphany cake In celebration of Epiphany, rather than having a reception for people during Advent at the Saskatoon diocesan office, as has been the practice in past years, this year All Saints, Saskatoon had a lovely buffet dinner with clergy and spouses on Jan. 8 in the parish hall. The dinner was an evening of conversation and good food that ended in the presentation — and the eating — of a marbled Epiphany cake.

Photo by Tracy Harper

WATROUS (S’toon) — The news about the renovated Anglican hall in Watrous is making the rounds.

Already a favourite venue because of its central location in town and its accessibility, the mid-size attractive space has now become home to several exercise groups such as Zumba and yoga, as well as support groups such as AA. Angela Siltzer, Zumbainstructor, comments: “The Anglican hall has been a great facility to hold my weekly Zumba classes in. I needed a hard surface floor and with the new renovation the hall is perfect for my needs.

“Everyone comments what a great space it is now and I’m so glad to have a facility that works for my classes. There aren’t a lot of spaces to rent in Watrous that are this size, so I feel this hall really fills a gap in our community.”

The new kitchen, complete with new appliances, attracts families, organizations and businesses to host social functions and family celebrations: Christmas parties, baby and bridal showers, as well as significant birthdays and anniversaries.

Even a wedding reception was among the many events that have already taken place since its official re-opening in the summer of 2019.

All Saints’ parish can be rightfully proud of this accomplishment. On one of his visits to the parish last fall, Bishop Chris Harper affirmed the good work and diligent stewardship of parishioners, adding that the hall can now serve as an outreach ministry by the Anglican faith community.

On that note, one of the parish’s own initiatives has taken off swiftly, and that is a weekly drop-in social time for stay-athome parents with little ones.

Promotion on social media resulted in donations of plenty of

toys, a high chair, craft supplies and babyfriendly dishes.

Amy Krause, from Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, with whom All Saints enjoys a formal ministry partnership, has taken on co-ordinating the project while on maternity leave herself.

“Being a first-time mom, I really appreciate connecting with other mothers and talk about our kids,” she said.

Every Wednesday morning young moms make their way to the hall by car or on foot with strollers. Some daycare moms pack up all the kids and trod over to the hall.

“Especially on sombre winter days, and when it’s not too cold, it’s good to get the kids out,” says one daycare mom.

The mothers enjoy casual conversations with each other over coffee and goodies (which they bring) while their little ones play in a safe space under their parental watch.

It’s a simple formula for bringing young parents together and for the parish to connect with a younger generation.

While numbers vary each week, one Wednesday saw nine moms and 19 little ones crawling, running and laughing, with the odd crying. Special parties were enjoyed for Halloween, Christmas and Valentine’s with decorations and games, treats and crafts.

The group is growing into a lively extended family, generating refreshing energy and joy.

Recently some grandparents caring for grandchildren joined the group. This prompted the group to change its name from “Moms’n Tots” to the “Watrous Tots Playgroup.” A Facebook page with this name has been launched to facilitate communication.

They hope that this allencompassing term will encourage stay-at-home Dads to join them with their little ones whenever they feel the need for some adult company.