The Saskatchewan Anglican, March 2021

Saskatchewan

anglican

The newspaper of the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle • A Section of the Anglican Journal • March 2021

Bishop Rob Hardwick announces intention to retire

By Joanne Shurvin-Martin

Building up the Nutflakes movie collection A team of NUTFLAKES volunteers (all sharing the same COVID-19 bubble) takes a moment’s breather in the basement of Christ Church Anglican, where hundreds of movie donations on DVD, VHS and Betamax have piled up for the church’s forthcoming video rental store all in the aid of local hunger relief.

Store manager Judy Anderson promises a “soft

opening” later this spring with curbside service and other COVID-19-appropriate measures. A kids’ room, slumber party suite, and even malt shop are also in the planning stages, and franchisee locations across Canada remain in the works. Also, we are proud to reveal the design for our NUTFLAKES mascot/logo (top left).

Photos courtesy Christ Church Anglican, Saskatoon

REGINA — Bishop Rob Hardwick gave advance notice of his intention to retire, first to clergy of the Diocese of Qu’Appelle at a Clergy Day on Jan. 29, and to diocesan council the following day.

He said he plans to retire sometime around his 65th birthday, which will be this July. He decided to give advance notice of his plan so that the diocese would have more time to explore options.

At press time, not many details were available, but these will be announced in the future. Diocesan council plans a special meeting in February to discuss the process to elect a new bishop. Diocesan council is required to elect three Continued page 2

Restoration work resumes at St. John's Cathedral in Saskatoon

By Bob Halliday Editor’s note: People can check the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist’s website for restoration updates and details, or to make a gift at stjohnscathedralsaskatoon.ca, and join them for online services via YouTube on the cathedral’s page or through links on the Diocese of Saskatoon’s webpage.

The cost for the entire cathedral restoration project, which began in 2010, is $6 million; the work completed so far has cost $3.4 million. The final two phases of the project require $1 million and $1.6 million, with $750,000 raised so far for the first phase.

There is $250,000 still needed to allow the first of the two remaining phases to be completed.

SASKATOON — The restoration of St. The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist is continuing its multi- John’s Cathedral began in 2010 with a year repair of the building to restore it to its former glory. generous donation from the Frank and

Photo by Heather Punshon Ellen Remai Foundation.

An action plan developed by restoration architects initiated the project. Two years later, with many donations and the support of the Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation, St. John’s celebrated the centenary of the laying of its cornerstone with a joyous ceremony.

The completely restored chancel roof emphasized an observation from many years earlier that the cathedral was “a source of pride to the entire city.”

With many donations, restoration work continued until, at the end of 2019, when as it rained outside it no longer rained inside. This year the cathedral will embark on the final phases of the restoration plan.

The south roof of the nave and the south transept will be re-shingled.

The original diamond roof pattern, discovered earlier in the restoration process, will be applied to this Continued on page 5

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The Saskatchewan Anglican

March 2021

DIOCESE OF QU’APPELLE

Council talks pandemic, property sales

By Joanne Shurvin-Martin

Bishop Rob Hardwick

... Bishop Hardwick announces plan to retire Continued from page 1 clergy and three lay members to a search committee, which will also include three members appointed by the ecclesiastical Province of Rupert’s Land.

Following the retirement of the bishop, Dean Mike Sinclair will be the diocesan administrator, as set out in diocesan canons.

When speaking to diocesan council, Bishop Hardwick said that a “fresh vision for the church” will be needed as it moves out of the current pandemic.

He spoke of coming to the diocese from Britain in 2001 and spending eight wonderful years in Swift Current, followed by “12 incredible years in the synod office.” Hardwick was diocesan executive archdeacon before being elected 12th Bishop of Qu’Appelle in December 2012.

REGINA Diocesan Council met Jan. 30 (via Zoom) and discussed COVID-19 in the country, province and diocese; mental and emotional health of clergy and parishioners; and passed two new policies relating to the sale of church properties.

Bishop Rob Hardwick made an episcopal recommendation that clergy and parish employees take up to seven days off as needed to deal with mental and emotional issues and fatigue, with the realization that the ongoing pandemic has created great difficulties for many people.

These days would be available to be used between the end of January and the end of July 2021.

Hardwick also said that he plans to arrange for a counsellor to whom clergy could speak confidentially, to help with stress.

The bishop reported that he had recently written to the provincial health authority, offering the free use of All Saints Regina building, as a site for public vaccinations. He said that he knew that the Anglican church in Swift Current, the Living Spirit Centre, Regina, and other churches are considering similar offers.

Hardwick reported briefly on a (virtual) meeting he attended, along with more than 1300 faith leaders across the country, with Dr. Theresa Tam, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada.

Dr. Tam stressed the importance of sharing factual information about the pandemic, and said that faith leaders have an important role as ‘influencers’ in society.

Pandemic questions The members of council broke into small groups to discuss three questions relating to the pandemic: *What is your counsel to the diocese regarding the pandemic? *What would hinder your church re-opening under the provincial guidelines? *Should the diocese have a uniform policy for the whole diocese or

should local churches/ parishes be able to decide for themselves?

After lively discussion, highlights were shared.

Many participants spoke of caution, and used phrases like, “err on the side of caution.” Many spoke of waiting until the number of cases was much lower.

One mentioned that anti-maskers in the congregation are difficult to manage. One member asked what would or could a parish do if a person came to a service but refused to wear a mask inside the building.

Another asked if local leadership would be willing and able to deal with the consequences if they re-opened the church and then there was an outbreak or even death as a result of gathering for a church service.

A uniform policy Participants mentioned that the situation is very different from one location to another across the diocese, and one member pointed out that a location may have no cases – until they have an outbreak.

Many spoke of increased concern because of the more virulent variants of COVID-19.

Although some members spoke in favour of a “local option,” most said that it was important to have a uniform policy.

They pointed out that having exceptions and different rules in different areas has been shown to cause confusion.

Referring to the current regulations that do allow in-person worship with no more than 30 people in a building, Rev. Michael Bruce paraphrased St. Paul, pointing out that although some actions may be permissible under government regulations, they may not be wise. (‘All things are lawful for me,’ but not all things are beneficial. 1 Cor. 6.12) Archdeacon Cheryl Toth suggested that the diocese observe a Lenten discipline by not having churches open, and look forward in hope to Easter.

Property policies Bob Hawkins made a motion stating that council recommends a cautious approach (continuing with the current diocesan

rules), and a diocesan approach rather than a local option, until the Diocesan Council meeting on March 20, when the situation can be reviewed.

The motion was passed unanimously.

A brief financial update was presented by Executive Officer Shelley Baron. She reported that the diocese had applied for the federal wage subsidy on behalf of parishes, and that payments have been sent to parishes for three periods in the spring, with more to be sent shortly.

There is a shortfall of approximately $34,000 in Fair Share contributions from parishes for 2020.

Baron reported that the Finance Committee will assess options to remedy the shortfall at its February meeting.

Two policy statements, both relating to the sale of diocesan property, received unanimous approval. The first one will see five per cent be deducted from the proceeds of the sale of all property in the Diocese of Qu’Appelle, to cover administrative costs.

These costs include staff time as well as the costs of archiving and storing records. There was brief discussion to clarify that “the proceeds” means after realtor and legal fees have been deducted from the total price.

The second policy states that 10 per cent be deducted from the proceeds of the sale of all diocesan property, to be used for ministry among Indigenous and Metis peoples who reside in the Diocese of Qu’Appelle.

This includes those who live on reserves and in urban areas. The guiding principles behind the policy state that the diocese is committed to Healing and Reconciliation: Recognizing the diocese’s historical role in harm done to Indigenous peoples, this policy seeks to provide means for amelioration.

Bishop Hardwick comment that the first Bishop of Qu’Appelle, at the first diocesan synod, had asked for similar support for ministry to area first peoples. He also pointed out that the Diocese of New Westminster (Vancouver area) has a similar policy.

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

Published monthly except for July and August.

Whole No. 292, Vol. 49, 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. 26. 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 2021

The Saskatchewan Anglican

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The Bishop's Corner

Our Lenten journey By the Right Rev. Chris Harper Bishop of Saskatoon

A

s we continue the Lenten journey in the month of March, it is a very personal journey that reveals our call to ministry, a journey to a living faith, strengthened and founded in Christ our Lord. It is a journey that some of us might struggle with due to the challenge of what is reflected back: is it Christ-centred?

Perhaps this Lent has brought us through the desert of our souls in where we have been found lacking and wanting. Maybe we have traversed through the jungles of our lives and seen what hinders, holds back or distracts us from what we are called and meant to be in this life.

Perhaps we have found the silence and the solitude needed for that still place in which God

Almighty might be able commune and speak to our spirit and fill our emptiness. Maybe we have found that still moment to look up from ourselves and see that our faithful Creator has faithfully been with us all along.

Maybe He has revealed to us that we now have that perfect moment to finally see our Lord’s comforting countenance and to

hear His life-giving voice.

The Lenten journey is always a very personal one, because in it, we as the children of God in the family of God open our hearts and souls to our Lord and walk with Him. We also see ourselves reflected back in the people of Jesus’ time and ministry.

The pandemic has revealed to our ministry all the strengths and weaknesses that we as human beings bring. It has revealed our rebellious nature and tendencies, it has opened our eyes to the value of things in which we never knew we took comfort, such as gathering with others in community of the church. It has reminded us of what things in our lives are of true value and importance.

We now know our sensitivities and lack of control. We know the reality that there are others in our world other than ourselves and our ideals. We know as well that there are others around us and amongst us who think far differently from ourselves.

We have had revealed that we need each other and that we need to go forward in humility and love to find peace and faith; a living

faith that is the test of all that we are as Christians profess.

“So, faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith (James 2:17-18).

What we do today as Anglican Christians will speak loudly into the future; what we as individuals say and do speaks of our faith and faith life. We as children of God cannot claim rights or righteousness when we step on others and diminish those we are called by faith to love as we desire to be loved ourselves.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God - not the result of works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).

The preceding two scriptural passages remind us that faith and how we live out our faith need to be within the vision of God’s grace. Faith cannot be blind, and faith cannot be lived out according to our own individual ideals and expectations, but only with God and the true living word.

Emmanuel & St. Chad announces new Licentiate in Theology By the Rev. Dr. Iain Luke Principal, College of Emmanuel & St. Chad

L

ast April I wrote about a new Licentiate in Theology program, designed to serve people training for ministry in their local context.

In the past year, even in the midst of the pandemic, work on the new curriculum sped up, to the point where we will shortly be ready to inaugurate the program.

It’s important to stress that this is a collaborative project, between the College of Emmanuel & St. Chad and WECAN, a partnership of dioceses and local training schools across Western Canada.

This is a new way for WECAN and the college, so we trust it will draw on the strengths each of us brings to the table.

Here in Saskatchewan, all three dioceses have participated in WECAN at various times since 2017.

We were joined by most of the other dioceses in the Provinces of Rupert’s Land and BC/Yukon.

The program design represents a consensus that addresses the needs of each diocese, leaving room for local adaptation and application. In fact, that attention to context defines our unique approach.

We aim to equip students with a deep understanding of the setting where they minister, recognizing that different contexts require us to approach the activities and structures of ministry in various ways.

This common approach unites us across the vast geography and cultures of the north and west.

Doing theology this way is not just a matter of finding something that works for our region. It is deeply rooted in Anglican tradition and identity, given how the English Reformation centred so

much on connecting the church’s ministry to the language and culture of the people.

Anglicans also give special attention to the doctrine of the Incarnation, which celebrates that in Jesus, God took on humanity in a specific place and time.

This doesn’t mean we can only know God through understanding 1st century Palestine; on the contrary, it compels us to look for the ways God keeps encountering us in specific places and times, including our own.

The diocesan schools of ministry are a great example of how this plays out in our church today.

Each of them is quite different, recognizing the resources, needs, and circumstances of their community. Yet each

wrestles with the same question: how to equip leaders who will show and tell the Good News in the place where they are.

Building on this strength, we will offer the new L.Th. through those local schools. Dioceses that do not currently have a training program will be able to count on the college to support the creation of a format that works for them.

Students will register for the L.Th. through their local program. Local instructors and mentors will support their studies, though they will have access to courses in other dioceses, and the college.

Another new approach is the new licentiate is not based on the completion of specific courses, but the fulfilment of learning outcomes. These outcomes form the core of the curriculum, and they were designed in a creative process using college- and diocesan-based expertise, to ensure they reflect well-defined educational standards and pastoral and practical realities.

As an illustration, outcomes for study

of the Bible require students to be confident in understanding what is in the Bible, and how to interpret it.

Going beyond that, though, students learn to involve their community in reading and interpretation, giving the Bible its place at the centre of the church’s sacred circle.

While local schools and the College already cover many of the learning outcomes, we will develop new kinds of learning activities and evaluation to address the elements of context and practical experience.

Some outcomes will be fulfilled in the ministry students are already doing, reflection on it, and where feasible, exposure to other ministry settings and cultures where they do things differently.

There are 10 core areas: Bible, theology, Anglicanism, leadership, worship, preaching, teaching/learning, pastoral care, ethics, and Indigenous teaching.

That 10th area responds to TRC Call to Action No. Continued on page 6

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The Saskatchewan Anglican

March 2021

Obituary

Becoming a hospital chaplain important to Brian Woodrow Submitted CALGARY —Rev. Brian Woodrow, who served in the Diocese of Qu’Appelle in the 1970s and Diocese of Saskatoon in the 1980s, died peacefully on Jan. 9 at the age of 86. Woodrow was born in Moose Jaw. As a youth he played in municipal and military bands, and played the carillon of bells at St. John the Baptist Anglican Church.

At the age of 16 he enlisted in the army reserve.

After completing high school he worked at Saskatchewan Government Telephones in Moose Jaw, Regina and Saskatoon.

During this time he was commissioned in the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals and commanded the reserve Signals unit in Saskatoon.

In 1964, at the age of 30, Woodrow resigned from SGT and the reserve force, and began his studies for ordained ministry. He enrolled at the University of Saskatchewan and received a B.A., then moved to Toronto where he earned a bachelor of sacred theology from Trinity College, University of Toronto.

As he wished to become a hospital chaplain, he also took special training at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.

Bishop G.F.C. Jackson ordained Woodrow as deacon in 1969, and also to the priesthood in 1970, at St. John the Baptist Church, Moose Jaw. In the Diocese of Qu’Appelle he served three reserves at Punnichy, first as deacon and then as priest, then was assis-

tant priest in Big Country Parish, in 1971-72. He and his new wife, Evelyn, then moved to Claresholm, Alta., where he served as assistant priest.

In 1974 the family returned to Saskatchewan, where Woodrow was priest for Pipestone parish (Grenfell) and served as rural dean of Cannington Manor Deanery for two years.

In 1976, the bishop gave permission for Woodrow to complete his qualifications to become a hospital chaplain. He went to the University of Virginia Medical Center and in 1977 returned to Canada and received his diploma as specialist in institutional ministry.

Woodrow relocated to Regina, where he began his position as hospital chaplain at the Plains Hospital. In 1980 he moved to Saskatoon where he became hospital chaplain for

the Diocese of Saskatoon.

Woodrow continued his studies towards a master of sacred theology degree, and completed this degree in 1985. He also remained active with the military, re-enlisting in 1973 as chaplain with the rank of major.

For the next 10 years he ministered to the various units of the militia districts to which he was attached.

For nine years, beginning in 1985, Woodrow was director of Pastoral Care at Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary. When pastoral care was eliminated at the hospital, he took a short break, then joined the Corps of Commissionaires and worked at CFB Calgary.

In 2010, when the base was closed, he retired and he and Evelyn returned to Kindersley, where he lived until 2018, when health is-

sues required him to move into an assisted living centre, and he returned to Calgary.

Woodrow is survived by his seven step-children, 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Evelyn Mary, in 2015, both his parents, and his only sibling Capt. Frederick Garth Woodrow.

During his years as a chaplain and later in life, Brian never forgot his heritage as a parish priest, and he served as an honorary assistant priest in many churches until he was in his 70s.

Throughout the years, Brian found his many roles as priest, chaplain, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather challenging and fulfilling in a life well-lived.

Photo courtesy Kindersley Funeral Home

DIOCESE OF SASKATOON EVENTS

Announcements for March 2021 g With the severe drop in the number of Saskatchewan Anglican subscribers in the past year, all parishes in the diocese are asked to poll their membership and send a list of all those not currently receiving the paper and who wish to receive it to the Rev. Peter Coolen at ptrcoolen@sasktel. net. He will compile the addresses and submit them to the Anglican Journal subscription department.

Please include congregation (if part of a multi-point parish), parish, community, salutation (Mr., Mrs., Ms., etc.) as well as name of one individual per household, the postal address and, if possible, email addresses. g Saskatchewan Anglican online! Did you know that you can read current and past issues of the Saskatchewan Anglican online? It can be found at www. anglicandiocesesaskatoon. com/saskanglican or on Facebook at

www.facebook.com/ saskatchewananglican.

safeguard yourself and protect others.

Union, please also contact our office at 306-975-1550.

g During the COVID19 interruption in daily and church life, recordings and live-streaming of church services are available from links on the diocesan website and diocesan Facebook and YouTube pages, as well as on various individual parish websites, and locally (for Battle River Parish) on radio.

New dates for events already announced as being postponed in earlier issues will be given in future issues as and when these events are re-scheduled, and the info becomes available.

g 2021 Convocation: The 20th Joint Convocation for the Saskatoon Theological Union will be held on Friday, May 7 at 7 p.m. At this time, it will likely be a virtual event. For updated information visit www. usask.ca/stu/emmanuel or contact Lisa McInnis, registrar, College of Emmanuel & St. Chad.

g Nutflakes Movie Library: Christ Church Anglican, Saskatoon is building a COVID-safe movie lending library: Nutflakes! The parish is now accepting donations of gently used videos and DVDs. To donate please call 306-242-0165. Once open, reservations for hour-long blocks, 24 hours apart, to browse and select videos may be made by calling 306-242-0165. g To be included

g At the time of this writing, all in-person services and churches are indefinitely closed.

When these are opened again check service times and any requirements for pre-registration that may exist.

If attending services in person, please follow all the indicated seating, movement, distancing, masking and sanitization instructions in order to

g Address Change: Please note that with the move of the College of Emmanuel & St. Chad to the St. Andrew’s College building, its new address is 1121 College Drive, Saskatoon, S7N 0W3, 306975-1550, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to noon g Spring Courses at the College of Emmanuel & St. Chad: The College of Emmanuel & St Chad welcomes Inquiries and applicants for its 2021 courses. All teaching currently is planned to be offered only online. For information on courses available through the Saskatoon Theological

in a timely manner, brief notices should be supplied to the associate editor by fax, email or “snail mail” by the end of the month, one month before the month in which the insertion is desired (i.e. December 2020 entries will be in February 2021 issue).

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

Deadline for application submissions to the Anglican Foundation of Canada is April 1.

Application forms and information about applying may be found at www.anglicanfoundation.org

March 2021

The Saskatchewan Anglican

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... Restoration resumes at St. John's Cathedral in Saskatoon Continued from pg 1 new roof. This current phase is budgeted at $1 million. Completion of the restoration project will take at least another $1 million. Restoration details can be found at stjohnscathedralsaskatoon.ca.

In celebration of this event and of the role of the cathedral in our lives, retired Bishop Tom Morgan has written a meditation entitled: The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist as a Beacon of Light – A Brief Meditation: “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after, that I may behold the fair beauty of the Lord, and to dwell in his house forever” (Psalm 27:4).

Mask of Zerro asks for donations Diocese of Saskatoon sword-for-hire mascot Zerro stands atop the formidable mountain of snow in the Holy Trinity parking lot as part of the Mask of Zerro campaign, raising money to support 10 food-insecure households in the city throughout 2021. Raised money goes to CHEP Good Food Inc.’s Pay it Forward Program. So far friends of Zerro have raised $4,260 of the $11,700 goal. Donations can be made via e-transfer to christchurchsaskatoon@sasktel.net, or by cheque to Christ Church, 515 28th St West, Saskatoon, Sask., S7L 4R5, payable to Christ Church Anglican and with “Mask of Zerro” in the subject line (unmarked bills also gratefully received through the mail slot) ... and tell them the masked bandito sent you! File photo

In the Beginning “In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void, and darkness covered the face of the deep.”

That is the first sentence of the Bible, a description of a great emptiness.

And God’s first spoken words were, “Let there be light,” a prescription for hope! In these few short words, good news is proclaimed. John’s Gospel

begins in a similar fashion to the Book of Genesis.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness could not extinguish it.”

The last chapter of the Bible describes the end of the journey, our final arrival into the Holy City, where “there will be no more darkness, no need of light or sun, for the Lord God will be their light for ever and ever.” That is the Gospel story in summary. At the moment light breaks through, hope smiles on us, and all shall be well.

The Cathedral a Doorway into the Light For more than a century, St. John’s Cathedral has been among us as one of God’s wonderful gifts. The cathedral was built to be a holy place, a shining light. Located on the bank of a flowing river, the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist rises to bless the city.

Carved oak doors invite us to enter and be at peace.

Stained glass proclaims the light and beauty of God. Graceful architecture enfolds us in its arms.

An altar invites us to “come to God and he will give us rest.” Music

sounds a “sursum corda,” a “Lift up our hearts!” The columbarium below the cathedral also invites us to join with that wonderful company who have gone before!

Psalm 46: “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 26: “We love the place O Lord, in which your glory dwells, the place of thine abode, no earthly joy excels!”

Psalm 27: “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after, that I may dwell in house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the fair beauty of the Lord, and to see the way ahead.”

At the End At the conclusion of each worship service we hear the words, “Let us depart in peace.” Even if we entered the cathedral carrying a heavy burden, “with darkness covering the face of the deep,” the cathedral is there to echo God’s words, “Let there be light.”

That light reveals the imprint of God all around us, in the face of others, in the sky, the soil, the leaves of the trees, in the rising and setting of the sun. All is well, and all shall be well.

Feeling the Holy Spirit

Here's mud in your eye!

By Rev. Gene Packwood

J

esus caught my attention in John 9 the other day, when I read about Him spitting on the ground and making mud with which to anoint and heal the eyes of the man who was blind from birth. Spit, dirt and the resulting supernatural healing synergy are an intriguing mixture.

“Mud, mud, glorious mud,” goes the chorus of the old Flanders and Swann song. Although they were singing about a love-sick hippopotamus rather than Jesus, since spring is almost upon us, I

thought we’d play in the mud for a bit.

As I write, the passage about spiritual and earthy things from 1 Corinthians 15 in The Book of Common Prayer Order for the Burial of the Dead pops into my mind. “The first man was of the earth, earthy,” it reads. So also was the first woman and the man blind from birth in John 9. So are you. So am I. We are earthy — creatures of spit and dust.

Our souls cling to the dust, writes the Psalmist (Ps.

119:25).

But whenever Jesus, the “second man,” comes on the scene, as “the Lord from heaven” (BCP, p596) He is able to turn spit and dirt into a gloriously healing mud — earthy and heavenly all at once — that opens blind eyes. Jesus, by divine salivation, made holy mud, anointed the man’s eyes and sent him to wash in the pool of Siloam.

The man did what he was told and came back able to see (John 9:6-7).

Jesus still reaches down to us earthy folk to make our dusty, muddy selves glorious, whole and holy, and to open eyes that are blind. St. Paul experienced that when Ananias laid his hands on him saying, “the Lord Jesus who appeared to you … has sent me so that you may regain your

sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 9:17-18).

The earthy folk in Ephesus experienced it when St. Paul prayed for them “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened (or “flooded with light” NLT, “focused and clear” The Message) that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe” (Eph. 1:17-19 ESV )! — eyes of the heart enlightened, flooded with light, focused and clear so we can truly see and know the hope, the riches

and the immeasurable greatness of His power that comes in Jesus.

It’s also all done by the Holy Spirit.

I’ve read that the John 9 story of the man born blind may well have been behind the old toast, “Here’s mud in your eye!”

It is said to wish your companions joy in what they’re about to drink. I hope it does.

I love the idea of Jesus, with a mischievous twinkle in His eye, saying it to the man as He anointed his eyes and sent him off gloriously muddy.

Earthy and heavenly.

Natural and supernatural.

The Holy Spirit at work.

So here’s mud in your eye! May your Easter Resurrection celebrations be full of wide-eyed wonder and joy!

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The Saskatchewan Anglican

March 2021

DIOCESE OF QU’APPELLE

Rev. Peter Boote to retire at the end of March g Joan Gunayon has been appointed part-time accounting assistant for the diocese. She has excellent finance skills and has received additional training from The Corner Office (the company that handles finances for the diocese).

She will be in the synod office on Thursday and Friday afternoons as well as working from home.

Gunayon can be reached at 306-522-1600 or by email at finance.dio@sasktel.net.

... College offers new program Continued from page 3 60, which directs faith communities to offer a curriculum that “respects Indigenous spirituality in its own right.”

Students can work through the program at their own speed, while it will work for people who can give it a lot of time or just a little.

It is not just for those being ordained as deacon or priest, as it also equips official and unofficial lay leaders.

A student who completes all the learning areas will earn the Licentiate, or you can focus on areas of interest that connect to your specific calling.

Each diocese will need to consider how to handle the costs of offering the Licentiate.

This could include student fees if desired, parish or diocesan grants, and staffing of local courses. College resources will focus on program consistency, development, administration, “training the trainers,” and covering gaps in local provision.

We look forward to final approval of the curriculum by our academic senate this winter, with students able to register in 2021.

g Rev. Peter Boote (pictured) will retire from parish ministry in the Chinook Parish (Maple Creek) on March 31. His ministry as archdeacon of St. Chad ended Dec. 31, 2020. Boote now reverts to the title “The Reverend” instead of archdeacon.

Bishop Rob Hardwick wrote, “We thank God for Peter’s faithful and muchappreciated ministry both in the Chinook Parish and the Diocese of Qu’Appelle.

We pray God will bless Peter and Nico abundantly in their new life together

and that they have a blessed retirement.”

Boote received a master of divinity from Wycliffe College, Toronto, and was ordained to the priesthood in 2004 by Bishop Anthony Burton, Diocese of Saskatchewan.

Boote and his late wife, Mary Ann, served in the Diocese of Saskatchewan from 2004 to 2008, and the Diocese of Western Newfoundland from 2008 to 2012, before coming to the Diocese of Qu’Appelle.

He was rector of Chinook Parish since 2012, and regional archdeacon of the Western Archdeaconry of St. Chad beginning in 2015.

Photo – Rev. Peter Boote g QSMM Pastoral Care series Pastoral Care in Times of Crisis, March 6, 10 a.m.

to noon, via Zoom Crisis is an integral part of life, but often leaves the pastoral caregiver feeling baffled, helpless or anxious. Margi Hollingshead MSW, PhD, will present this twohour seminar exploring the dynamics of crisis with an eye to offering pastoral care that is both timely and effective in deescalating the situation.

Particular attention will be given to suicide intervention.

Margi Hollingshead holds a master’s degree in social work and a PhD in higher education.

She is the former director of Regina Christian Counseling Centre, and was a family therapist at Family Service Regina.

For 19 years

Hollingshead taught human development and counseling at Canadian Bible College.

Prior to her retirement in 2017, she taught for the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Regina for 14 years. She loves helping people transmit the calm presence and love of God as they care for one another.

There is no cost for this event but a donation may be made to the Qu’Appelle School for Mission and Ministry.

Although this session is framed in the context of pastoral care, it will be of benefit to anyone interested in this issue.

Contact Archdeacon Catherine for details or to register, at 306-5223103 or email archdeacon. catherine@sasktel.net.

March 2021

Grace @ Sixty

Thou shalt not ... what?!

By the Rev. Marie-Louise Ternier

E

ver had someone puncture a hole in your conceptual world with comments that ruffled the well-manicured feathers of your pride? Well, that happened to me one day when a friend sneered that we Christians play fast and loose with what is considered sin. Nooo!, said that stubborn know-it-all little voice inside my head, how dare we do that?!

Next, I heard a priest comment on the sophisticated ability of Christians to sanctify evil when it suits them, adding: “In all my 40 years as a priest, I have never had anyone confess a sin against the 10th commandment. Why am I not surprised? Because we have built an entire economic system on that sin.”

Rats, there it was again, another feather-ruffling; my Christian pride started to look pretty shabby.

What is that 10th commandment in Exodus 20:1-17? The first five commandments point to what we must do, followed by another five forbidding certain acts: you shall not kill, not commit adultery, not steal, not bear false witness etc. So far so good.

Finally, the 10th and last one, forbids certain desires: You shall not covet (i.e., desire) the house of your neighbour. You shall not covet the wife of your neighbour, nor his male or female slave, nor his ox or ass, nor anything that belongs to him.

How can innocent desires be placed next to prohibitions against murder? And yet there it is, described in great detail, included in a list of dangerous crimes.

Why? To answer that, I turned to the French philosopher René Girard who died some six years ago at age 91.

Girard claims that the 10th commandment is in fact the most important, for it cuts to the root cause of all violence. It is human nature to covet, to desire what our neighbour has.

Since we desire what our neighbour has and desires, we also resort to stealing and killing, oppressing and exploiting, lying and bearing false witness.

The modern Western materialistic economy, with its seductive consumer advertising machine, is solidly grounded in insatiable desires, desires that literally and figuratively make us kill and steal.

Politics and shady corporate deals regularly reveal the extent of the sin of greed and the length of deceit we travel to rob entire nations of much needed means to provide for its own people.

While corporate greed is a glaring public example of deceit, each of us in our own little corner of the planet is guilty of the same sin somewhere on the continuum of desire and greed. It is thus that we have sanctified the evil in the sin of desire. Desire and coveting make the economy turn and thrive.

After René Girard, along comes Pope Francis; Continued on page 8

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The Saskatchewan Anglican

March 2021

... Thou shalt not ... what?!

Continued from page 6 time and again, his words cut into that abomination, ruffling once again the feathers of Christian pride uncomfortably, from our own private dealings right into the halls of worldly power and prestige.

Francis doesn’t miss a chance to point out that our affluent lifestyles are sinful to the core; they rob the poor of the right and means to care for their families, and they rob the poor of plain human dignity and respect.

In a passionate speech in Bolivia (July 2015) he minced no words: “Unbridled capitalism is the ‘dung of the devil.’”

“The planet has enough food for all, but it seems that there is a lack of willingness to share it with everyone,” Pope Francis says repeatedly in his homilies and encyclicals.

“We ought to set the table for all and ask that there be a table for all.”

Citing Jesus’ explanation of the final judgment in the Gospel of Matthew, which includes the line, “For I was hungry, and you gave me food,” the pope said, “We must do what we can so that everyone has something to eat.”

A CBC article paying tribute to René Girard in 2015 quoted him as saying peace is the perennial hope of humanity: it is promised in the Bible,

where God “extends peace … like a river.”

It was promised by the Enlightenment, which had grown tired of religion and thought that reason and mild trade would soothe our war-like passions.

It was also promised again in our time with the promotion of “globalization” as the road to peace through prosperity. But violence is still with us.

Jesus is innocent, the Gospels insist. Christ’s innocence proclaims the innocence of all scapegoat victims. He reveals the founding violence, hidden from the start, because it preserved social peace.

A choice is set before us: we will have peace if we follow the way of life that Jesus preached. If not, we will inflict worse violence because the old remedy no longer works once exposed to the light.

In this season of Lent, with a pandemic raging while COVID-vaccines are being rolled out, we see again how the rich access the vaccine before the poor. The old violation of the 10th Commandment is still ruling the world, even after more than 2,000 years of Christianity. It is true: we do play fast and loose with what we consider sin.

My feathers of Christian pride are messed up big time by God’s judgment and my heart’s contrition.

Are yours?

Newly married couple Emily (Flowers) and David Butorac pose for a picture near the Saskatchewan border.

Photo submitted

Getting to know the newly married Butoracs Getting to know the newly married Butoracs

By Mary Brown PRINCE ALBERT — As an associate editor of the Saskatchewan Anglican I receive copies of the monthly papers printed from the other dioceses across the country. In the New Brunswick Anglican is an item called the Two Minute Interview. I thought this would be a way to get to know Emily Flowers and David Butorac from St. Alban’s Cathedral in Prince Albert.

Question Favourite book of the Bible Birthplace What you love most about God Favourite place on Earth Farthest you’ve been from home Favourite Meal or dessert

Hidden Talent

Mexican food and cannoli (something she had never eaten butter tarts!)

More viruses that keep us locked down forever Singer/Song Writer

Favourite Book or Movie

Goodwill Hunting

Your hobby Three things always in your fridge Favourite sports team

Reading historical fiction Lemons, eggs, milk PA Raiders

Biggest Fear

Diocesan archivist retires The Diocese of Saskatchewan will miss Jackie Hobbs, its head archivist, after she retired on Jan. 28. Hobbs has volunteered in the diocese since 1996. Pictured are Marlene Payton and Jackie Hobbs (standing) and Katherine Sutton (seated).

Photo by Mary Brown

Emily’s Answer Daniel Roanoke, Virginia Provides us with hope, there is something bigger than me that I can believe in Spain, Costa Rica Slovakia

David’s Answer Epistle of the Hebrews Oakville, Ontario He loved us first Canadian Shield Teilisi, Republic of Georgia, formerly Soviet Union Gnocchi Spiders Canoeist (and according to Emily he sings amazingly but only in the shower!)

Mercy Among the Children by David Adams Richard Listening to music Good salami, eggs, humus Toronto Maple Leafs

David and Emily met online at christianmingle.com in June 2020. She came to Prince Albert in September and they were married on Dec. 19. For the last five years Emily was in Spain and you might say, if not for the pandemic, they would never have met. She came back to the United States when COVID-19 began. Her parents live in Virginia and she has a brother and sister who live in North Carolina with seven nieces and nephews.

Emily teaches English as a Second Language to Spanish-speaking people. She got her start working at a hospital as a family support helper, where she began translating for people in the emergency wards. One of her other talents was teaching piano and voice lessons in an after-school program. She produced an album of folk pop music in 2013. It was fun interviewing this happy couple and I look forward to meeting Emily some day.