The Saskatchewan Anglican, March 2013

Saskatchewan anglican

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

“Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all nations...” (Luke 24:46-47).

Photo – Shutterstock.com

Feed My Sheep

By Laura Pogue REGINA – In the beginning . . . in 1988 . . . St. Paul’s Cathedral recognized a need – it saw hunger on people’s faces in the downtown area and started a Breakfast Club for those in need.

Every Friday morning, volunteers would get up at some ungodly hour and begin cooking breakfast at the cathedral for people who would not have a nutritious start to their day. For many, it was probably the only good meal they had that week.

Porridge, cold cereal, sausages, pancakes with syrup, juice, milk, coffee – what more could you want? There was no problem with seconds, either. Many came; all were grateful for the outreach, the warmth, the welcome, the safe place and the food.

Times change. Disruption in ministry occurs. The old hall connected to the cathedral had to be torn down and its replacement is currently under construction.

Breakfast Club has been put on hold because there is no kitchen,

nowhere to prepare food and the only washroom is down a steep flight of stairs beside the columbarium.

To continue helping those in need, the cathedral has turned to a lunch-bag ministry and named it Feed My Sheep.

On Jan. 18, Tannis Patterson (a long-time Breakfast Club organizer) and Dean Mike Sinclair went shopping for lunch bags and food to put in them.

The bags were filled with bottled water, granola bars, an apple, orange, banana, juice box and a

package of gum.

The next morning, Saturday, the cathedral was open and coffee and hot chocolate were available as people were invited to sit down, have lunch, enjoy the warmth and talk with about a dozen St. Paul’s parishioners.

There were many thank-yous for this care. The City of Regina’s Public Health Services partnered with the cathedral by providing a basket of condoms from which guests could help themselves.

Business was a little slow at the start, but a steady stream developed. By the end of the morning, 53 people had sat down with hot coffee and lunch and shared some of their stories with others. It confirmed there is need.

Feed My Sheep has a mandate and a need it can fill. “Son of Breakfast Club” will continue on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. until the cathedral finds a way to resume or replace the feeding ministry it has been delivering so capably for 25 years.

Photo – Basil Pogue

Silent retreat for Qu’Appelle lay people Contributed LUMSDEN (QU’A) – Rev. Catherine Harper and Brother Gerry Clyne, both of St. Michael’s Retreat Centre, will be conductors for the Anglican lay retreat from April 5-7.

Rev. Mary Ann Boote will be chaplain for the weekend event, which begins with supper on Friday and ends shortly after lunch on Sunday.

The annual silent retreat is a wonderful opportunity for lay men and women to get away from the noise and hustle of daily living.

There will be five addresses, worship, tasty meals and refreshments, and plenty of free time to read, meditate, relax and enjoy St. Michael’s beautiful setting in the Qu’Appelle Valley outside of Lumsden.

The theme for this year’s retreat is “The Secret Kingdom: Parables of God’s Reign”. Jesus inaugurated the kingdom of God

on Earth.

The word translated “kingdom” in the New Testament refers, not to a place, but to the right of a king to reign.

Through the addresses, retreatants will reflect on Jesus’ parables and explore their meaning for modern Christians, seeking to live under the reign of God in the midst of the challenges of modern society.

For full details and to register, please go to the diocesan website quappelle.anglican.ca, or pick up a retreat brochure at your local parish.

For information on the retreat centre, please go to www.stmichaelsretreat.ca. The cost for the weekend is $180, payable to St. Michael’s Retreat at the end of the weekend.

St. Michael’s Retreat was established in 1963 and is owned and operated by the Franciscan Friars of Western Canada and operates through an interchurch board.

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The Saskatchewan Anglican

March 2013

‘Log on’ in love when using technology How can we use today’s communications tools to create deeper communion with people?

By Rev. Shawn Sanford-Beck SASKATOON – Online communication: love it or hate it, there is really no way of ignoring it in today’s world.

My two youngest children, ages four and seven, are already using e-mail and the Internet, while my eldest,12, seems permanently attached to his iPod, with apps for mailing, texting, tweeting, youtubing and things I haven’t even heard of!

And it is not just the kids who are into it. My wife and I regularly do family scheduling online. I’ve written a blog for several years now (http:// ecosophian.wordpress.com/).

I recently joined Facebook (somewhat against my better judgment) and I’m much more likely to respond to an e-mail than to a phone call. Like it or not, I’m wired!

The question is, am I more deeply connected? With all these online communication tools at our disposal, are we using them to deepen our relationships with our neighbours? Or does the infinite universe of cyberspace simply magnify the brokenness which plagues us in the “real world”?

These questions are not just the grumblings of a closet Luddite; for thousands of years our faith traditions have expressed a profound ambiguity toward technological

development.

In the apocalyptic ramblings of the Book of Enoch, for instance, it is fallen angels who teach various forms of early technology to humans.

These technologies include warfare, poisoning, cosmetics (!), astronomy and, I couldn’t believe it, writing! How could writing be a bad thing?

And if writing itself is demonically inspired, then how much more so the Internet?

Of course the point being made in texts like these is not that technology is inherently evil. For instance, Sophia/ Wisdom Herself teaches humans all types of skills and knowledge (see Wisdom 8:7-22 and Sirach 38:1-8, 24 – 39:11).

But knowledge and technologies (ancient or modern) are not simply neutral tools. They shape us in countless subtle ways, even as we use them to change the world around us. So it matters greatly how we use these tools.

Technologies, online or otherwise, augment both sin and grace in our lives. As Luther might say, technology is: simul justus et peccator, simultaneously justified and sinful.

A word of confession might be due here: I am a flame warrior. Online, I sometimes burst into flame. For those of you unfamiliar with the lingo, this means that I can get downright nasty when I engage in online arguments. I say things online which I would never say face-to-face, because it would be a sin against courtesy and our common humanity.

(An aside, if you think Anglicans are meek, mild and inoffensive to each other, have a look at some of our online forums! I think all our repressed ecclesiastical anger comes pouring out over the web!)

This is one of the particular dangers, I think, of online communication. While it bridges physical distances, it

can also create an artificial sense of emotional distance.

Online, adversaries can become faceless “others”, and our communication can become downright demonic.On the other hand, online communication can be simply divine! Never in human history have we had the opportunity to connect with so many people and have access to so much information so easily.

Online, the world is at our fingertips. But the real question for us as Christians is how do we make sure that communication deepens into communion? These two things are related, but are not the same.

We communicate all the time and online technologies make that communication faster and more prolific. But how often does our communication become communion?

Communion is about love, faithfulness and depth of relationship. Our communion with others is also deeply intertwined with our communion with God; indeed, the two forms of communion cannot be separated.

This applies just as much online as it does face-to-face in the real world. So this Lenten season, as we walk with Jesus through the desert of temptation, let us be conscious of our use of online communication.

The wilderness of cyberspace is a haunt of demons, but it can also be a place of profound faithfulness and deep communion. May God grant us the Wisdom to “log on” in Love.

Photo – Shutterstock

Tech makes communicating easy but human experiences shallow

By Rev. Dell Bornowsky BIG COUNTRY PARISH (QU’A) – If my short answer to this question is “very carefully or not at all,” I risk being written off as a reactionary old Luddite, one out of touch or needlessly paranoid.

Why wouldn’t deeper communion be aided by using every and all means of communication possible? The present array of communication tools is a force that permits life-enriching relationships that simply would not be possible without them.

But does this force have a dark side? Aside from the point that not all tools are suited to all jobs, Jacques Ellul suggests (The Technological Bluff) the costs and consequences of any “technique” are usually not apparent at first.

Communication tools such as “texting” and “tweeting” are fast and powerful because their essential brevity operates at a distance allowing us to communicate faster with more

people in more places than ever before. But the more time spent being brief-at-a-distance, the less we have for communion that is close up and prolonged.

Web-logs (blogs) and e-mail technologies allow for more sustained discourse and dialogue.

However, the move toward communicating with disembodied personas is more a Gnostic vision than the Christian Gospel, in which prime significance is placed on “the word made flesh.”

The problem is not that new technologies are apt to be used for exploitive purposes, nor the question of whether Twitter serves to deeper communion.

This question of suitability is often short-circuited by the tendency of our technological culture to simply change, often without much thought, what we want to do, into what we can do.

Albert Einstein noted that the “perfection of means and confusion of goals seem …to characterize our age.” Marshall McLuhan observed that “we

become what we behold. We shape our tools and then our tools shape us.”

If the tool we like best is a hammer, every problem will begin to look like something that needs to be hammered.

Technologies that make things easy may tend to make human experience shallow.

Tracking 40 or 50 Facebook “friends” will distract me from developing deeper communion with four or five friends.

The ability to “like” something on Facebook is only a click away, but how far away is the formation of enduring personal loyalty, commitment and courage?

The irony of the Internet giving a voice to the masses is while the otherwise marginalized now have the means to say significant things, such significance could be lost in a sea of the banal and trivial.

It seems our culture has exhibited this naivety about the consequences of knowledge and technology ever since the humans in Eden “liked” the tree

of knowledge and the residents of Babel “liked” making a name for themselves by means of their technology.

It seems the powers of knowledge and technique will always tempt humans to emulate divinity and exert control.

Not only does the powerful convenience in today’s communication tools come with hidden costs, but I suspect, truly “deeper communion with people” is more apt to arise from living together in ways that actually inconvenience us.

I suggest the following books: Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other, by Sherry Turkle; and The Making and Unmaking of Technological Society: How Christianity Can Save Modernity From Itself, by Murray Jardine.

I also suggest these Internet links www.jesusradicals. com/theology/jacques-ellul/; www.spurgeon.wordpress. com/2009/08/28/neil-postmantechnology-and-society/; and www.donteatthefruit.com.

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

Published monthly except for July and August.

Whole No. 292, Vol. 41, 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 recieved by the diocesan editor no later than Friday, March 29. All pictures must be sent as JPEGS and 1 MB (megabyte) in size.

CONTACT INFORMATION Managing Editor: Jason Antonio SKAnglicanEditor@gmail.com 59 Roberts Place Regina, Sask., S4T 6K5 Phone: (306) 737-4898 Qu’Appelle: Joanne Shurvin-Martin joannesm@myaccess.ca 6927 Farrell Bay Regina, Sask., S4X 3V4 Phone: (306) 775-2629 Saskatoon: Peter Coolen ptrcoolen@sasktel.net 820 Avenue I South, Saskatoon, Sask., S7M 1Z3 Phone: (306) 244-0935, Saskatchewan: Mary Brown synod@sasktel.net 1308 Fifth Avenue East Prince Albert, Sask., S6V 2H7 Phone: (306) 763-2455 PUBLISHING DETAILS Published from 59 Roberts Place Regina, Sask., S4T 6K5 Printed and mailed by Webnews Printing Inc. 8 High Meadow Place North York, Ont. M9L 2Z5

The Saskatchewan Anglican

Forgiveness, resurrection and life is the message of healing to the world

By Bishop Michael Hawkins Diocese of Saskatchewan “He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5) PRINCE ALBERT – I have been using a short prayer of Jeremiah for more than a year now, “Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise” (Jeremiah 17:14).

The Gospel of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is about the healing of the world.

Isaiah’s prophecy tells us Jesus’ suffering was all for our healing.

His wounds bring healing: “He has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases” (Isaiah 53:4).

Christ shares in the suffering of the world and of all of humanity, and in His resurrection, He wins the victory over sin and sickness, brokenness and death once and for all. The risen Lord still bears those wounds, but they are no more signs of pain and hatred but of joy and peace.

It is in His wounds, now glorious, that Christ is recognized. In His broken body and shed blood, in His wounds,

the love of God is shown and known.

To understand the healing power of Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection, we need to look back in the Gospel account to His healing miracles. These all point to and draw out the meaning of Jesus’ passion.

He was blindfolded for the blind. He was silent for all those with speech impediments.

He was made unclean for all the lepers. He bled for the hemorrhaging woman. He was nailed still to the cross for all the paralyzed.

He died for the dead girl, for the only son of the widow, for Lazarus and for you and me.

Fundamentally, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is healing from self-destruction, which we call sin. Christ heals first the disease and then the symptoms.

His healing begins and is rooted in forgiveness. Jesus Christ heals us inside out, but that healing will be finally and completely extended to our bodies in the resurrection.

He heals our relationships, He heals our bodies, He heals our death. Forgiveness and resurrection and life: this is the message of healing to a world and people oppressed by sin and the grave and death.

Part of our Lenten journey is to discover our own sickness.

That means being honest with ourselves and open with Christ about our wounds, those we have inflicted and those we have received. To be healed is, at its core, to be forgiven and forgiving.

Wherever it is in your life, in your relationships, body, heart, mind, soul or memories that you need healing, Christ can give it. He suffered with you and for you and brings light out of darkness, joy out of sorrow, health out of sickness, life out of death.

May you know anew in this holy season the healing that Christ gives to all who put their trust in Him, the joy of forgiveness, resurrection and life in your soul, your relationships, congregation, family and community.

Alleluia! Christ is Risen!

Christian Unity Day at St. Michael’s Retreat

By Kevin Lynch, ofm LUMSDEN (QU’A) – Despite the bad winds and snow, St. Michael’s Retreat Centre held its annual Day with our Bishops on Jan. 24, during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

The theme for the session was “Authority in our Traditions.” Two scheduled speakers, Roman Catholic Archbishop Daniel Bohan and Dean Michael Sinclair, representing Bishop-elect Rob Hardwick from the Diocese of Qu’Appelle, were snowed in and unable to get to St. Michael’s.

Lutheran Bishop Cindy Halmarson arrived the night before the storm. The weather also kept most others from attending.

Five people from Regina braved the storm and the remaining eight were St. Michael’s staff and Lumsden residents.

New this year was a format that allowed more participation

Friar Dennis Vavrek spoke of authority as service and how St. Francis of Assisi remained faithful to the hierarchical church in a time of turmoil (1200s) in the church and society. by those in attendance. Many points of view were put forth.

Parents expressed how the gift of a child calls one to use authority responsibly in care and love. Real authority comes from within, even though there is a tendency to point fingers to outside decisions with which we don’t agree.

Part of the service of authority is to hold onto what is right. Honesty and integrity mean doing the right thing when no one is looking. Authority is to hold out for the common good.

Bishop Halmarson of the Lutheran tradition pointed out that Scripture, the Book of Concord and the Lutherans’ constitutions are the three pillars of her authority as bishop.

Friar Dennis Vavrek, head of the Franciscans of Western Canada, spoke of authority as service and how St. Francis of Assisi remained faithful to the hierarchical church in a time of turmoil (1200s) in the church and society.

The highlight of the afternoon was the prayer service led by (Anglican) Rev. Catherine Harper and Friar Gerry Clyne, both of St. Michael’s Retreat.

The Journey to Emmaus from the Gospel of Luke (24:13-35) formed the background of a pilgrimage to call all the churches to be one, when and how Christ wills it.

Possible themes proposed for next year’s Day with Our Bishops are “the environment and our church traditions” or “how we do mission together.”

March 2013

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‘Nothing inferior’ about non-stipendiary ministry (Editor’s note: The Diocese of Lichfield is a companion diocese of the Diocese of Qu’Appelle).

LONDON, ENGLAND – Clergy who give their time voluntarily to churches all over the diocese were given a boost recently with the licensing of a new diocesan officer for SelfSupporting Ministry.

At a service in Lichfield Cathedral, Bishop of Lichfield Jonathan Gledhill licensed Rev. Amanda Rylands to the voluntary, part-time position to give support and a voice to other self-supporting clergy.

“Self-Supporting Ministers are a wonderful and generous group of people and a great gift to the Church of England,” said Bishop Gledhill.

“They receive the same quality of training as stipendiary clergy and freely give their time to parishes. There is nothing inferior about their ministry.”

Amanda became a deaconess in 1985, working in Chester diocese in the time before the ordination of women as priests, and moved to the southwest in 1997. Here she served as a parish priest, an advocate for ministry among children, Bishop’s Adviser for Women in Ministry and Diocesan Director of Ordinands (trainee vicars), before giving up her salary and moving to Shropshire when her husband Mark was appointed bishop of Shrewsbury.

Self-Supporting Ministers often go under a variety of acronyms: OLM (Ordained Local Ministers – often from the parish where they serve and not expected to transfer elsewhere) or NSM (Non-Stipendiary Ministers may be full- or parttime but receive neither salary nor housing).

House-for-duty priests are not strictly non-stipendiary, as they often receive housing in return for looking after one or more parishes on a full- or part-time basis. Self-Supporting Ministers may be retired from other careers, earn a living from another job or may be supported by a spouse.

“I’m looking forward to hearing their stories; it will take time as this role is itself part-time. I hope to be an advocate, and model how a person can have a fulfilling and effective ministry while being neither full-time nor paid!” said Amanda.

As well as being supportive and encouraging to ministers, helping parishes understand the part played by Self-Supporting Ministers in the church today is one of Mandy’s goals.

“It’s a fascinating role, but sometimes structures or misunderstandings about the role prevent these ministers from flourishing,” she said.

“Part of my role is to explain what they can expect from these clergy and how they can work alongside lay readers and congregations to meet the parishes’ needs.”

Bishop Gledhill is also a supporter of different types of minister.

“As the church adapts to changes in society and the way people engage with the Christian faith, we need to be continually ensuring that we are flexible in the opportunities we can offer for people to use their God-given gifts for the benefit of the local and wider church,” he said.

“Self-Supporting Ministers are like the territorial army of the church – well trained, committed and in for the longhaul. That they often also have other roles in society means, alongside their priestly calling, they may maintain the secular experience that is vital in relating to many people today.”

Amanda added, “I want to help the diocese by continually raising the profile of these ministers. I shall be asking whether there is a self-supporting minister who might be the best person for a particular job.

“We are on the way to ensuring that people are well trained and continue to be equipped. I...will be looking for further ways to encourage and support this ministry.”

Pennies from Heaven SASKATOON – By now you’ve heard the news: the Canadian penny will be going out of circulation at the end of 2012 (as reported in the June 2012 PWRDF e-mail update).

The good news for the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund is we will have even longer to collect coins to make a difference

in the lives of children and communities around the world.

All money collected will go towards supporting the work of PWRDF partners where it is needed most.

Take your pennies to your parish and ask them to send a cheque marked ‘Pennies from Heaven’ to PWRDF for the amount you collected.

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The Saskatchewan Anglican

March 2013

Letter to the Editor

Misuse of ‘Reverend’

Incredible forgiveness

By Mary Brown PRINCE ALBERT – You may recognize the above picture from a Council of the North Collection Box that was sent out to dioceses a few years ago.

You would not know that the children pictured are the grandchildren of Rev. Rita Nawakayas, the priest at St. Stephen’s, Red Earth First Nation. The young girl on the far left of the picture is Christy.

Christy married her childhood sweetheart Duril McKay in October 2012. They have two small children and are expecting a third.

On Dec. 31, 2012, like many people, Duril attended a New Year’s Eve party with his friends. Unfortunately, his life

In the time between his death and the funeral, his family wrote a letter to everyone in the community, expressing their grief and their invitation for all in the community to support them in their intent to forgive and support the members of the family accused of the violent act on New Year’s Eve. The community was invited to join them in welcoming that family to the wake and funeral. tragically ended that night at the hands of some of the other people at the party.

In the midst of such terrible grief and tragedy, Duril’s family and community showed amazing grace.

In the time between his death and the funeral, his family wrote a letter to everyone in the community, expressing their grief and their invitation for all in the community to support

them in their intent to forgive and support the members of the family accused of the violent act on New Year’s Eve. The community was invited to join them in welcoming that family to the wake and funeral.

In the letter they also wrote: “Any intent of retaliation, any act of retaliation or for retribution by anyone or on anyone or against anyone,

turning to alcohol for escape or comfort will not bring Duril back or change the events of that evening.

“This is not how we wish to remember Duril. Our family does not wish Duril to be remembered as the cause for further hurting.”

The Christian witness of this family honoured their husband, son and brother as well as our Lord. Please keep the community of Red Earth in your prayers as we thank God for his power at work in his people.

Hopefully the people in the community of Red Earth will honour the memory of Duril McKay and his family by remembering their message.

Photo – Council of the North

Saskatchewan Anglican is, unfortunately, contributing to the misuse of the term “reverend.” In the December 2012 issue, for example, we find references to “Rev. Harper” and “Rev. French”. No! “Reverend”, as an adjective, does not immediately precede a person’s last name.

In titles, only nouns can precede names. A parallel is the term “honourable”. For the premier, we don’t say “Honourable Wall”, but “the Honourable Brad Wall” or “Premier Wall” or “Mr. Wall”.

For clergy, it is Archbishop Ashdown (not Most Reverend Ashdown), Dean Sinclair (not Very Reverend Sinclair), Archdeacon Hardwick (not Venerable Hardwick), Dr. Pinter (not Reverend Pinter), Deacon Jackson (not Reverend Jackson).

So, dear editors, please refer in future to “the Reverend Malcolm French”, “Father French” or “Mr. French”, but not “Reverend French”. Or “the Reverend Catherine Harper” or “Chaplain Harper” or “Ms. Harper”, but not “Reverend Harper”. If our church newspaper can’t get it right, who can?

(Deacon) Michael Jackson Regina, Sask.

Diocese of Saskatoon: Announcements for March 2013 Happenings at St. James’ with the Refinery: The “Re[de]fining Church” Service is at 7 p.m. Sunday; Refining Readers: Meets one Wednesday evening a month; The St. James’ Farmers’ Market and International Bazaar is Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

International Drop-Ins are held on the second Sunday of every month, 2-5 p.m.. Also see www.stjamesrefinery.org for more information.

Grandmothers 4 Grandmothers (G4G) Saskatoon Fundraising Dinner: Friday, March 1, 2013, at the Western Development Museum. MC is Brenda Baker, guest speaker is Paula Gianturco, author of “Grandmother Power: A Global Phenomenon”. Contact Lily Krause at 652 8209 for tickets.

Cost is $40.

Annual Meeting & Conference for women in the Diocese of Saskatoon: April 12-13. All Anglican women are invited to attend the ACW Annual Meeting and Spring Conference on April 12-13 in

Saskatoon. The conference will begin on Friday evening, April 12, with a “Meet & Greet,” an opportunity to connect with friends old and new. The evening concludes with a Taizé prayer service, candlelight and meditative music.

Activities planned for the next day, Saturday, April 13, include music, updates and presentations, elections of officers, worship and an inspirational speaker, along with many opportunities for fun, food and fellowship.

All activities will take place at Christ Church Anglican (515 - 28th Street West, corner of Avenue E North). Billets will be available for those travelling from a distance. A more detailed schedule and registration information will be sent to each parish.

Centering Prayer at the Cathedral: If you are longing for a little more quiet, solitude and an opportunity to “be still”, please join Sarah Donnelly on Sunday mornings for 20 minutes of Centering Prayer at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.

This is an ancient form of prayer, grounded in the Christian Mystical Tradition.

The group will meet in the Lady Chapel at 9:45 a.m. for a 10 minute teaching/reflection on some aspect of Centering Prayer, and then 20 minutes of meditative silence will begin promptly at 9:55 a.m. and end at 10:15 a.m. All are warmly welcome!

Integrity/Saskatoon: Meetings are held at St. George’s, Saskatoon on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. For more information contact Tom and Rose Rogers at (306) 373-5165.

For further info and to view related articles, links and photographs of Integrity events visit www.integritysaskatoon. blogspot.com.

Coffee at St. George’s, Saskatoon: All are welcome to join the Parish of St. George’s Community Coffee House on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. for coffee, muffins and fellowship.

The address is St. George’s Anglican Church, Parish Hall, 624 Ave I S., Saskatoon. For

information call 242-7973.

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

A Healing Service with Anointing and Laying on of Hands is held on alternating basis monthly in the two Battle River Parishes. Please contact Rev. Peter Norman at (306) 4454155 or by e-mail at stpaulnb@ sasktel.net for dates and times.

Advance notice: Please note a change of date for the the Diocesan Anglican Women’s Retreat, which will be held at the Mineral Springs Resort and Mineral Spa, Little Manitou Lake, near Watrous from Sept. 27-29, 2013 (rather than Sept. 20-22).

As a result of the date change, the rate charged at the Mineral Springs Resort has been reduced by 10 per cent. The theme for the Women’s Retreat will be “Angels Amongst Us”. More information will be provided in future issues of the

Saskatchewan Anglican.

Appointments: Rev. Jessica Latshaw has been appointed by Bishop David Irving of the Diocese of Saskatoon as an Associate Priest (non-stipendiary) of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Saskatoon.

She will receive a licence to indicate this, in addition to her position as Hospital Chaplain.

She will also assist Dean Scott Pittendrigh and Rev. Shawn Sanford Beck with their duties when needed.

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

Detailed and longer texts of events will not be included in this section but, if space allows, could be the subject of other articles or notices elsewhere in the Saskatchewan Anglican.

The Saskatchewan Anglican

March 2013

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The challenge of forgiveness It can be difficult, but since God forgives us, we should also

By Jason Antonio

Members of the Five Loaves Theatre Group perform a dramatic re-enactment of the story, On the road to Emmaus, from the Gospel of Luke 24:13-35. The troupe performed the story during the ecumenical worship service in Regina on Jan. 20, as part of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

The theme for this year was from Micah 6:6-8 – What does God require of us?

Photo – Frank Flegel

A warm reception for a new priest and his wife

By Stella Demery BIRCH HILLS (SKWN) – The Parish of Birch Hills and Kinistino with Muskoday welcomed Rev. Chris and Amy Dow at the beginning of this year.

Chris convocated from Wycliffe in 2012 and Amy has also compled studies at Wycliffe. They were married in October 2012 in Ontario, where their families reside.

They travelled to Birch Hills, arriving on Dec. 30 (temperature around -25 C!).

There was no furniture in the rectory, so, their first night in the community was spent at the home of one of the parish families, Barb and Les Stobbs.

Acclimatizing to -25 C and orientation to rural life in one fell swoop!

Next day, New Year’s Eve, a crew of parishioners moved

furniture into the rectory – working speedily as the parish families had a planned New Year’s Eve Shower for Chris and Amy. Chris and Amy, having heard tales of frigid temperatures on the prairies, arrived at the shower all decked out in very appropriate prairies winter attire – toques, thermal jackets, mittens and boots.

Inside it was toasty warm and cozy. We enjoyed an evening of getting acquainted, sharing family stories, munching, showering the couple with gifts for their new home

and finally bringing in the New Year together.

Never having had the opportunity to “shower” a parish priest/spouse, this was indeed a special New Year’s Blessing!

Chris officiated at his first service at St. Mary’s Anglican Church in Birch Hills on Jan. 1, 2013.

Photo – Mary Brown

Royal visit to Iqaluit IQALUIT – In September, Prince Edward and the Countess of Wessex visited Iqaluit, in Nunavut.

Andrew Atagotaaluk, bishop of the Arctic diocese, and Rev. Canon Jonas Allooloo, the new rector of St. Jude’s Cathedral, gave them a tour of the

cathedral.

The prince presented a gift of a Bible stand to the cathedral from Queen Elizabeth.

(The Queen turned the sod back in 1970 to mark the place where the old cathedral was to be built and later she donated the silver lining for the

baptismal font.)

The vestry and people of St. Jude’s presented Prince Edward with a painting of the old cathedral and a copy of the newly completed Inuktitut Bible.

The Arctic News

REGINA – Forgiveness can be difficult for us to do because there is usually a cost involved, but we need to remember that God’s cost in forgiving us was His son Jesus Christ.

“Forgiveness needs to be understood in terms of a God who loves and a God who forgives.

“In engaging in practices of forgiveness, we learn to follow the crucified and risen Christ in overcoming and transcending the destructive patterns of relationship,” remarked Rev. Catherine Harper.

“It’s learning to love neighbour and one’s self.

“The Holy Spirit enables those who are forgiven by Christ to forgive and gives the grace to do so…God’s love for us moves to reconciliation, and as followers of Christ, our love should move to others in reconciliation (as well).”

Learning about the challenges to forgiveness and whether human forgiveness is even possible were just some of the topics covered during the Qu’Appelle School for Mission and Ministry’s weekend retreat, held at St. Philip’s in Regina.

The retreat was entitled “Soul-full Living: Spirituality for a Busy World”.

Forgiveness can be defined as freedom for both the injured party and the one who did the injuring.

It can also be seen as a cancellation of debt, or more commonly, reconciliation.

Forgiveness is costly and not easy, Harper said, as it can take time to find it in our hearts to do so.

But we believe in forgiveness in a Christian context.

We worship the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, which is the Trinity of relationship, communion and community (John 15:9, John 17:26).

So not only is God love, He also loves those He created (1 John 4:16, John 3:16, Romans 8:31).

God walks among his “creatures,” but because of sin, that communion is broken between God and his creatures and between human and human.

So since God is love and forgives us, we need to also forgive.

“We are bound up with other Christian practices, in confession, repentance and reconciliation,” she added.

Forgiveness can thus be seen

in the context of Baptism – and our Baptismal vows – and through the Eucharist.

In Baptism, as written in 1 Peter, we are baptized into Christ’s death, which signifies a transition from sin and death to God’s kingdom.

Baptism may be an action of the church, but it is also an ongoing process, where we are welcomed into a family that understands itself in terms of who God is and His story.

“To claim our forgiveness through baptism means that we recognize and claim our new selves, who we are, because of Jesus,” Harper said.

“Secondly, it means that we recognize (our new selves).

Colossians 4 talks about the old self and new self and putting on the new self.

This new self is in continual need of transformation.

“We realize that the forgiveness we receive from God allows us to be transformed, so we should be willing to offer that to others.

“Our forgiveness…is a gift that calls us into community and relationship with others.

It stresses the importance of forgiveness to our forgivenness.”

In terms of the Eucharist, it recalls the past (Jesus’ death), anticipates the future (awaits His coming in glory) and sustains us in the present (gives hope and sustains us).

The Eucharist is an action, something we do at church, but it is also a call to enter into Eucharistic living.

Harper explained when we take communion, we bring our “stuff” with us.

Through that Eucharist, we can “claim our past truthfully because we say ‘Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.’”

And the Christ who loves and forgives us, who said ‘Do this in remembrance of me,’ from that, we can remember the love, community and forgiveness Jesus left us.

So why should we forgive?

It grants us freedom from our hurt and doesn’t allow someone to “live rent-free in your head”, as one retreat participant pointed out, while it also takes more energy to not forgive – to hold a grudge – than to forgive.

And even if someone does not repent of their sin(s), we should still forgive anyway.

When we withhold forgiveness, we are doing damage to our own nature.

6

The Saskatchewan Anglican

March 2013

Grandkids not in church? Have faith

By Ruth Delaney

OSHAWA, ONT. – Many of us raised our children in the context of a Christian family.

We attended church with our children and were the best Christian parents we knew how to be. Yet many of our kids, and thus grandkids, do not attend church or even know the Lord.

What heartache! What can we do about it?

Of course, we cannot force anyone to believe. But we can sow seeds or nurture seeds that others have sown. At the very least, we can remove stumbling blocks. Since the Lord created each of us to be unique, there is not one answer.

However, as a grandparent, and as one who has talked to other grandparents about this concern, I can offer a few suggestions.

1) Pray. God is just as sad and disappointed, perhaps more so, than we are when children and grandchildren do not believe or accept Him. Talk to God about how you feel.

Perhaps you are experiencing guilt or regret. Perhaps you are feeling that you could have done things differently.

Ask for and accept God’s forgiveness. As a grandparent, you have a new chance to share your faith with the next generation. Pray for God to provide you with the opportunities to share your faith, or to show you how to be an effective witness. Perhaps you need to pray for other Christians to come into your children’s or grandchildren’s lives, or for their hearts to be softened and their ears and eyes to be opened.

Maybe you just need to lift the loved one up in prayer and

and we need to respect that.

For example, if you receive an invitation to join your kids and grandkids in their home on Christmas Eve, it is not appropriate to tell them that you will only go if they join you first at the Christmas Eve service.

This ultimatum will only result in either you not seeing your grandkids or a very hostile attendance at church.

Instead, say you will be worshiping at that time and that they are welcome to join you, or you will be happy to join them in their home at a different time.

8) Seek out other grandparents who share your concerns. It is

ask for God’s protection and blessing to be poured upon them. Remember: God hears and answers all prayers.

2) Live your life with integrity, in accordance with your faith. A sincere,

silent witness speaks louder than preaching or criticism.

Grandkids are usually quite observant.

Saying a brief grace before a meal in your home or bowing your head in a silent pray before eating in their home, or showing kindness, patience and self control—these will not go unnoticed.

Perhaps a grandchild will ask a question about your behaviour, providing you the opportunity to give a simple, honest answer.

3) Compliment and encourage, not condemn.

It is important for kids to have love and hope and to feel significant. Try to reinforce the

positive. If you want to offer a correction, be selective in your words and tone of voice; otherwise, your grandkids may not see your unconditional love and their parents may get offended.

4) Build family relationships. It is important to show that you love and care about the whole family, even if you don’t have shared values.

The unconditional love of Jesus needs to shine through you, and your grandkids need to see that.

5) Be sensitive to and observant of the parents’ position. In terms of spiritual values, there might be differences between the parents that could lead to conflict, or there might be a hurtful experience in one of their backgrounds. You want to be supportive, not divisive.

6) Be aware of unintentional

Bishop walks for cathedral restoration

By Peter R. Coolen SASKATOON – Retired Bishop Tom Morgan (pictured right) will walk from St. Alban’s Cathedral in Prince Albert to St. John’s Cathedral in Saskatoon to raise funds for the restoration of the Saskatoon cathedral.

The walkathon is scheduled for May 13-18 and Bishop Tom will be accompanied by Rev. Alex Parsons, Saskatoon’s Diocesan Stewardship Officer.

Saskatoon’s Bishop David Irving and retired Bishop Rod Andrews will also participate for a portion of the journey.

St. John’s is well into a multimillion, multi-year capital campaign to restore the century old cathedral.

To date, the congregation has raised over $1 million already and extensive work has been done on rebuilding the roofs and gutters to stop the ingress of water that has plagued the building for years.

The steeple, the highest in Western Canada, has been rehabilitated, as have the cathedral’s Tyndall stone steps and wheelchair ramp.

Insulation has been added where there was none and parishioners have already noted the warmer interior climate this winter.

Much more remains to be done over the next several years.

Tom Morgan was bishop of Saskatoon form 1993 to 2003 and prior to that was bishop of the Diocese of Saskatchewan from 1985. He and his wife,

Lillian, are active members of St. John’s.

He and his fellow walkers will be taking pledges for the 140-kilometre journey that, after leaving Prince Albert and over a period of six days, will pass through Anglican parishes in McDowell and Rosthern and other communities along Highway 11.

The walkathon will provide an opportunity for Anglicans and others from across the diocese and beyond to support the restoration of this historic cathedral, the mother church of the diocese and a designated heritage building.

To support Bishop Tom, his fellow walkers and the restoration project, call the cathedral at (306) 242-5146 for a pledge form. All pledges are income tax deductible.

favouritism. It is such a joy

and a blessing to pray, worship and share Bible stories with grandchildren who are practicing Christians. We need to thank God for the blessing of faithful families and to spend time with them.

However, it is important not to exclude other children and grandkids, or to have them feel that there is favouritism.

Geography and common interests can create unintentional favouritism. Jesus demonstrated unconditional love and concern for all. We need to do the same.

7) Believe, not bully.

Yes, we need to let children and grandkids know they are welcome to worship with us. We need to encourage their spiritual growth. But we have to remember that God, in His infinite wisdom, gave people free will

important to respect your family members’ privacy and to treat shared information with confidentiality. However, support and sharing experiences is important and helpful.

9) Above all, have faith. Let us not forget that

Jesus has already won the battle against the enemy. It is our responsibility to be faithful and prayerful. God answers all prayers—yes, no or wait.

We need to trust that some of those seeds sown or nurtured will come to fruition, even if not in our lifetime. Without violating our free will, God wants all of us to know and accept him, and He gives each of us every opportunity to do so.

As we seek to be faithful in our life, may we be encouraged

by Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

Photo – istockphoto.com

The Saskatchewan Anglican

An argument in favour of the ‘Open Table’

By Rev. Canon Glenn Ash SASKATOON – Editor’s note: Rev. Canon Glen Ash was ordained in 1956. He has been a canon in the dioceses of Athabasca, Saskatoon and Saskatchewan and is presently canonically resident in the Diocese of Saskatchewan.

Canon Ash was originally attracted to the Anglican Church by his being accepted into the congregation of St. James’ Cathedral, Peace River, Alta., and by his being allowed to fully participate in the Eucharist prior to his baptism.

For him, the open table was a significant part of the spiritual journey leading him to his career as a priest in the Anglican Church.

The following article is not the official position of the three dioceses in Saskatchewan.

My task is to present the case for open communion, that is, for making all people welcome at the Lord’s Table. To do so is to challenge understandings that Christians have had going back at least to the conversion of St. Paul. Others in the church’s history have done that; I just add one more to their number.

I believe baptism should be looked at with an inquiring and discerning heart.

It is written that Jesus asked John the Baptist to baptize him.

Biblical scholars for a long time have discussed among themselves why He did that, but there does not seem, as yet, to have been a satisfactory answer.

One thing is definite and that is there is no record of Jesus baptizing anyone, no record of His disciples being baptized and only one mention, in passing, of His disciples baptizing.

There is mention in the postresurrection sayings of Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel that Jesus commanded them to baptize, but there is good evidence the words were not those of Jesus, but added to the story later on.

At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, He proclaims the nearness of the Kingdom of God and calls on people to repent but, unlike John the Baptist, He says nothing about baptism.

Toward the end He said, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Luke 9:23-24). From the beginning to the end of His ministry, He calls for the kind of change in people’s lives that is characterized by dying to the old and being raised to the new.

The experience of others who, like myself, have gone through that new orientation of self before baptism know that the dying and rising comes as an event in the mind and before the symbolic event of baptism.

It seems unreasonable to deny unbaptized people the bread and wine of the Eucharist while someone who was baptized as an infant, but never made that inner commitment, would be welcome to receive it.

The symbol, baptism, seems to have upstaged the decision of the mind and heart. While baptism is a powerful symbol, it must be the decision a person makes that determines whether or not that person is a follower of Christ and to be regarded as a member of his church.

What about someone who has never been baptized or made the commitment to put their trust in God and to follow the way Jesus has shown us?

Should such a person be invited to the Eucharistic table or not?

Sarah Miles was a convinced atheist, as were her parents. One day, she was walking by the Episcopal church of St. Gregory of Nyssa, in San Francisco.

For some reason she went in and found the congregation worshipping. She joined them and even joined in in receiving the bread and the wine. That was the start of her wondering what it meant to have received Jesus in the bread especially.

As she learned more and more about what it meant, she began a food depot in the church and a ministry of befriending and visiting the poor, the lonely, the sick and the elderly. She is a journalist and has written a book about her experience entitled “Take this Bread”.

On one occasion, when Jesus was approaching Jerusalem, He wept over its people and expressed a longing to gather them together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings.

He then also expressed a belief that the day could come when they would be ready to have Him do that. These were the same people responsible for His crucifixion, and yet, Jesus beseeched His Father to forgive them because they did not know what they were doing.

That sounds very much like His dying was for all people including them. If the breaking of Jesus’ body and the shedding of His blood was for all people, even if many have not accepted the costly gift He has given them, then surely the symbol of His gift should be available to them as well.

March 2013

7

Communicating effectively means speaking people’s language

By Jason Antonio

people.”

“God’s job is to bring them REGINA – (to church),” Carrying out the Rev. French Word of Christ said. And effectively and by using having effective technology as mission means one method being able to to reach some “speak the people, we can language” of the invite them to people so they church that way. understand the “If you invite message we are two people (to attempting to church), neither deliver. may come. If “One example you invite four of change (that) people, you the church has might get one,” Rev. Malcolm French been slow to he added. adapt to is with “At the end of how we communicate,” said the day, if your Christian life is Rev. Malcolm French. attractive to people, they might It is not liturgical renewal, accept your invitation to come but the way we communicate and join you. Whereas, if it which is important. The printing looks like you were baptised in press led to the Reformation. lemon juice, that’s not going to With computers and cellphones, be as effective.” we should communicate “with Speaking the language of our fingers.” the people was the situation “Are we prepared to the disciples faced in Acts speak the tongues using the 2:1-13 (14-47), when the Holy latest technology?” the priest Spirit allowed them to speak wondered. Other ways of in different languages. This effective communication drew a large crowd, with some include having up-to-date criticizing them for being drunk. outdoor signs, phone messages Learning about how the early and websites. disciples of Jesus managed “If spreading the gospel is after His death was the goal for at least significantly an item of participants who attended who communicating, then should the attended a Qu’Appelle School church perhaps not be effective for Mission and Ministry class in communications? And if in September. it’s the 21st century – and it Entitled “The Acts of the is – then should we not be Apostles,” the two-day event at communicating effectively in St. James the Apostle in Regina those means?” focused on the Book of Acts and “We are to go and proclaim the life of the early church. the Gospel and God will change From Acts 3-5, there is hearts,” remarked Rev. Peter healing, an arrest and Jesus’ Boote, a participant in the class followers are treated as an Rev. French was teaching. “No “annoyance.” The Jews are compulsion. Only inviting dismissive of the disciples,

who are considered “untrained, ordinary men,” explained Rev. French.

‘We can’t stop speaking!’ is how the disciples respond. They continue to speak, remain and worship in Jerusalem, where they consolidate themselves and wait for Jesus’ return.

“They are continuing to do what they’ve always done,” Rev. French said. “And if you continue to do what you’ve always done, you get what you always got. So they are getting some positive results…they are bringing new people in. They are living in a community life that is very kingdom-oriented.”

With the disciples remaining together in community in Jerusalem and witnessing for Christ – and still waiting for Him to come back – they were failing to go out into the world.

And they were “fishing in a small pond” and not interested in moving outside of their comfortable box.

“Does that sound familiar at all?” chuckled the priest, to which another participant replied, “That’s Anglican, isn’t it? You did it twice and now it is tradition.”

“I guess that’s staying within our own church community and…ministering to the people within our own church,” Deacon Anne Marie MacNeil, another participant of the class, said, “and not seeing that there are other people out there to minister to.”

We still believe we are living in the time of “Christendom,” Rev. French said, where everyone has their own church and inviting others to ours would be rude. This was true 50 years ago, but not anymore.

Christendom has “long since gone.”

78th Qu’Appelle Synod coming in April Three regional meetings to take place through the diocese in March

By Rev. Winna Martin REGINA – The 78th Diocesan Synod for Qu’Appelle will take place from April 26–28.

All Friday and Saturday sessions will be held at Parliament Community Church (Mennonite Brethren), 4011 Pasqua Street (just south of the intersection of Pasqua and the new extension of Parliament Avenue).

Sunday session and the closing Eucharist will be held at St. Luke’s Anglican Church, 3233 Argyle Road. All Saints Anglican Church, 142 Massey Road, will host the Friday evening supper for synod delegates only.

St. James will host a wine and cheese social later that evening, for synod delegates, also at All Saints.

A social gathering is being planned for the Saturday evening at Parliament Community Church, further details on this will be forthcoming.

There will be three pre-Synod regional meetings held: March 9 at St. Stephens, Swift Current; March 16 at St. Philip, Regina; and March 23 at Holy Trinity, Yorkton.

All Synod Delegates are expected to attend the meeting closest to their location.

These meetings are important as they will inform and educate as to what will transpire at the 78th Synod and allow an opportunity for questions and concerns.

Each out-of-town delegate is responsible for booking his or her own accommodation. A diocesan travel pool will cover the cost of transportation.

Should you wish us to find you a billet, please let Rev. Winna Martin know as soon as possible.

A bag lunch, after the closing Eucharist on Sunday, will be available for all out-of-town delegates – if you wish a bag lunch please let us know prior to Synod.

8

The Saskatchewan Anglican

March 2013

‘Man’s grief due to estrangement from God’

By Jason Antonio REGINA – Shame, guilt, rage – these are some of the main emotions involved when a person has been injured or done the injuring and which can get in the way of forgiveness.

One reason why forgiveness can be difficult and challenging is because the act calling for forgiveness causes guilt in the injuring person and shame in the injured person.

For the one who has been injured, the element of shame is particularly present, which can lead one to defend one’s self through rage, the desire for power or self-righteousness.

For the injured, there is shame and vulnerability of the soul, because shame can be very personal. What people often need on their journey to forgiveness, explained Rev. Catherine Harper during the “Soul-full Living: Spirituality for a Busy World” retreat, is time and a safe place or people to share their shame with.

“Shame can be viewed in two ways,” she continued.

“There is disgrace and discretion. Discretion has to do with modesty or appropriate behaviour. But then there is the shame of disgrace, and this is the one we spend the most time with.” The concepts of disgrace and shame can be found throughout the Bible, particularly in Leviticus 20:17 and Ezekiel 36:30.

Harper pointed out that theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said, “Man’s grief is due to estrangement from God, because shame signifies something is lacking.”

Humanity was doing OK until separation from God occurred in the Garden of Eden. Then Adam’s and Eve’s eyes were ‘opened’, they had an awareness they never had before and they then covered themselves because they were ashamed of their nakedness.

“In some ways, shame is the most elementary of all emotions,” Harper added, going on to list embarrassment, indignity and feeling exposed and judged as others. Shame can then lead to violence.

For the injuring person, they can feel guilt, and if they have a conscience, they may say, ‘I deserve punishment.’

If someone we trust betrays that trust, it can affect us deeply.

That betrayal makes us think, “How could I have been so foolish?” Then anger could potentially cover that feeling of betrayal and shame. Some of the

Dietrich Bonhoeffer main defences against shame include: Rage: When we are wronged, we should not say ‘Get over it.’ We need to forgive right away because people need to work through issues. One issue is working through the damage that has been done to the soul, or self.

The intensity of rage indicates the degree of damage done to our soul. It can become a state of mind that continues over time. We can rage against everything if given time.

Power: It can be used as a way to protect one’s self from further hurt. We can say, “I have the power to forgive, but I withhold this from you and I am going to make you know I withhold it from you.” A person who feels shame can feel as if they will be “squashed” by that same person again. The ego does not feel secure and asks for more and more power.

Righteousness: I have to be right in this situation. When a person takes no responsibility but is fixated on the idea that they are right, it can be destructive because we fail to recognize our own sinfulness in some situations. We can play the “Adam and Eve” game, where it’s her fault and his fault and God’s fault but not my fault.

If we try to find our righteousness in our own terms, it can lead to perfectionism, Harper said. We feel that if we attempt to do things without being wrong or without mistakes, then maybe we won’t experience shame ever again.

In both the Old and New Testaments, righteousness has to do with God and our relationship with Him. Rev. Harper pointed to Matthew 18:21-35, the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant, as a good example for forgiving and not forgiving. Participants were then asked to develop questions they would ask around the story.

For reflection, participants were directed to read: Luke 6:27-36; Matthew 5:43-48; and Romans 12:9-21.

Churches reach out to hungry university students during exams

By Patricia Brush OTTAWA, ONT. – Twenty-two Anglican, Presbyterian and United Churches partnered with the Carleton University Ecumenical Chaplaincy in providing free food to starving, stressed-out students during the December 2012 exam period through the Pause Table.

Not only did the churches bring amazing quantities of food, but also cheerful volunteers who offered expressions of support and encouragement to so many students. We are extremely grateful to all who participated.

The Pause Table is also supported by Roosters Coffeehouse, the student-owned restaurant in the Unicentre.They allow us refrigerator space and use of their kitchen sinks during exams, even though we cut into their customer base. They know the importance of this ministry.

The Pause Table was started in 1987 by then Ecumenical Chaplain, Rev. Neil Hunter, who realized the need; many students have no money left from their student loans and are trying to write exams without having eaten in days.

Other students are so stressed that they don’t have the time or energy to shop for groceries or cook. Knowing that we are there helps the students to be calm and the nourishment helps them to write better exams.

In 1987, the initial offerings were a pot of coffee and a plate of muffins and cookies, and they served about 80 students a day.

Now the Pause Table provides a full menu, with sandwiches, toasted bagels, baked goods, fresh fruit and veggies, juice, and tea and coffee, and serves an average of 1,200 students a day over the 10 days of exams that we operate.

These are the kinds of things that volunteers hear: • This is the silver lining in the very dark cloud of exams.

• I have no food in the house, but I slept well knowing I could get breakfast from you.

• I almost look forward to exams because I know you will be here.

• I don’t know what I would have done without you.

• I haven’t eaten a fresh fruit

Students at Carleton University in Ottawa grab some breakfast food before heading off to their exams.

Photo – Art Babych since last summer.

• This is the only free thing on campus.

• I didn’t know anyone cared.

In the first week of the 2012 December exams, a student came for a snack, found out what Pause was about, and returned almost every day to help with the operation of the table.

She admitted to having been stressed and in a foul mood, but the experience of the Pause Table kept her in a good state of mind throughout exams.

On the second last day, a student who was so grateful for having been fed through exams came with his guitar and provided us with an hour’s worth of good music.

The Pause Table has a very real impact on the students as they begin to see the tangible effect of churches providing ministry within the community.

The need continues and not just in exam time. The Chaplaincy tries to keep food on hand as part of our ministry of hospitality. Any donations of home baked cookies or of single serving portions of nonperishable food would be appreciated at any time.

But the Chaplaincy isn’t just about food. This is what the Chaplaincy does: • Saves Lives – suicide intervention and crisis counselling are available 24/7 from the Chaplain

• Keeps Students in School – students with learning disabilities or awkward social behaviours are given the support they need to be successful in a university environment • Short-Term Counselling – trauma, issues with sexual orientation, coping strategies for surviving in a dysfunctional family • Receives Referrals – University Health Services sends students to the Chaplaincy when their counsellors are overloaded or when the presenting problem is a spiritual issue • Mediation – student to student, student to professor, professor to professor • Internships – partnered with Saint Paul University in providing supervision to Masters students in Counselling and Spirituality, with insurance coverage provided by Saint Paul • Community – provides an open, safe space for all students Times are tough all over, and with a recent funding cut by a core funder, the ministry of the Chaplaincy is in jeopardy. The Anglican Diocese has roughly 10,000 identifiable givers according to the 2007 Ottawa Diocese Planning Study (the “Boken Report”). If every identifiable giver were to give one dollar a year to the Chaplaincy, the cut in the core funding would be covered.

Crosstalk

Fredericton youth to bring gift to Ghana diocese FREDERICTON, N.B. – In March, six young men and four young women from the Diocese of Fredericton will travel to their companion Diocese of Ho, Ghana.

They will help celebrate Ho’s 10th anniversary with the gift of an office space for Bishop

Matthias Kwabal MedaduesBadohu.

Though it will not be grand, it will be a space, which he has lacked, to work and store files.

The youth mission will work with local volunteers from March 1-11 to begin constructing the office space.

They also have taken the lead on fundraising for the project in a diocesan-wide appeal.

The Diocese of Ho covers the Volta Region of Ghana and the Republic of Togo. Ho is part of the Anglican Church of the Province of West Africa.

The New Brunswick Anglican