The Saskatchewan Anglican, April 2017

Saskatchewan The newspaper of the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle • A Section of the Anglican Journal • April 2017 www.facebook.com/thesaskatchewananglican

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Saskatoon sends missionary to darkest Halifax By the Rev. Dr. Jan Bigland-Pritchard

Sacred spaces at St. Luke’s

During Lent, St. Luke’s, Regina was open each Tuesday evening for prayer and contemplation. There was no formal worship; people were invited to come and take an hour out of their day to spend some time to reflect.

Photo by Michael Bruce

Afghans, prayer shawls a big help

By Marj Kirkby Diocesan ACW, Saskatoon, 2015-16 missions’ projects and social action officer SASKATOON – Thank you to Anglican women of our diocese for their generous donations of afghans, prayer shawls and stuffed socks at our 2016 conference and annual general meeting.

Large boxes of socks

stuffed full of toiletries and necessity items were collected and distributed to men and women at the Lighthouse and Egadz.

A total of 35 afghans were donated by St. Paul’s, North Battleford; St. John’s Cathedral and St. Matthew’s, Saskatoon; Kiera Vors, Saskatoon; and Dorothy Turner and Eleanor Wells, Saskatoon.

Also, three prayer shawls mysteriously

appeared; a big thank you to the donor.

Afghans were donated to The Lighthouse, Egadz, Crisis Nursery, Affinity House, AIDS Saskatoon, Onion Lake Lodge (in Saskatoon) and the North Battleford Women’s Shelter.

Used stamps collected will be taken to Edmonton to the Canadian Bible Society Office by ACW Patroness Joan Irving.

SASKATOON – Maybe it’s in the blood.

Rachael Groat’s grandfather and grandmother were Anglican missionaries in Japan. Rachael’s mother was born and raised on the mission field. It was part of the family ethos all through Rachael’s childhood that faith in Jesus is something to be believed, lived, and shared.

Now Rachael is setting off for her own mission field, not far across the seas, but on the campus of Dalhousie University in Halifax, N.S., where until recently she was a student.

Rachael returns as a campus worker for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF), whose task is to reach a largely unreached generation: the Canadian millennials.

Rachael’s degree is in community design and environmental sustainability. So what led her to set out on the missionary trail? And why at Dalhousie?

Rachael said, “Being part of Inter-Varsity at Dalhousie had a big influence on my faith development as a student and challenged me to share my faith with my friends.

It helped me begin to grow into my faith as an adult and realize what it meant to follow Jesus every day of my life.

“I came to see the university campus as a prime mission field; a place filled with hurting people who are seeking the love of Jesus. I, and three of my close friends, felt God calling us to continue to invest in the students and community of Dalhousie.”

Rachael grew up as an active member of St. Stephen’s Anglican Church

in Saskatoon and of Camp Okema. She spent many summers at Okema as camper, cabin leader, and later as the camp lifeguard.

I asked her whether Camp Okema had played a part in her current decision. She said, “I find I experience God best in two ways: through nature and through community with others. Camp Okema has always been a place where I have profound experiences with God. “The things that I learned at camp and the opportunities that I have had to serve there are definitely an important part of where I find myself today.”

For almost 90 years, Inter-Varsity has sought to be a light in dark places. It seeks to transform youth, students and graduates, in all their ethnic diversity, into fully committed followers of Jesus Christ.

Inter-Varsity runs nine summer camps and more than 70 high school and university fellowship groups across Canada.

These offer safe spaces for young people to explore and grow in a relationship with Jesus.

When Rachael returns to Dal, her first task will be to get settled into her new home in Halifax and begin to connect and reconnect with students involved in the fellowship there.

Then she will be leading weekly Bible studies, facilitating the student leadership team and disciplining and mentoring students. The InterVarsity community life also involves having fun together: Rachael will be hosting events and potluck feasts, planning hikes and pick-up basketball games.

Continued on page 6

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The Saskatchewan Anglican

April 2017

Resurrection is the bedrock of our hope Resurrection is … ?

By Rev. Cheryl Toth

R

esurrection is God’s response to humanity’s deathdealing betrayal of one another and of God. In Jesus the Christ, we see God’s love for us.

That love is incarnate in the One who walks among us, teaching us the way of God, healing our illnesses and wounds, and breaking the bondage of our selfpreoccupation.

He forgives what we cannot forgive in ourselves or others, and welcomes those we reject.

Jesus is among us, living God’s righteousness and merciful justice, building God’s peace and showing us how to live as sisters and brothers of our Father, children of God’s realm.

Jesus reveals to us God’s amazing, unlimited and unfathomable love for all of creation.

Jesus, in His death on the cross, shows us a love so profound it is willing to expend everything to show us that nothing – not betrayal, abandonment, violence or death – can defeat it.

In the face of all the worst of who we are, Jesus speaks God’s Word of

forgiveness, compassion and courage.

In His death, He is victorious in revealing God’s undying love.

In His resurrection, God reveals that what was initiated in Jesus cannot be contained by a tomb, but has instead burst upon the world.

It is not death but God’s life, not sin but love, that has dominion over me, you and all the cosmos.

This understanding of resurrection is what I believe and it shapes my approach to life.

But I must say it is easier to say than it is to experience, because, as we know, Jesus’ resurrection follows His death. He needs to go through death to come to resurrection.

So do we. In the midst of a dying when we are experiencing pain and grief, it is hard to hold on to the hope of resurrection.

As human beings, we seem far more likely to believe in death than resurrection. Let me give you an example.

In 2001 my marriage came to an end — or perhaps I should say we agreed to acknowledge the end that had happened long before.

Even though I knew my husband and I were speaking the truth

of our reality, it was incredibly painful to acknowledge that to my bishop, my congregation, his colleagues, our families, our friends and, most difficult of all, our children.

It was unbelievingly shattering as our lives fell apart and we went through the death of a relationship, a dream and a future we no longer had.

In the midst of it all, I went through a gamut of emotions and had to let go of my belief that I could somehow manage the unmanageable.

It was a year of incredible change as a marriage ended, a time of ministry came to an end, a move took me across the country and I came to Regina on my own to rebuild my life.

I truly believed God had called me to my new position as chaplain of Luther College University Campus. Yet I was continually surprised at how much new life felt like death as I struggled to know a new community and a new ministry.

At times I felt as though God had left me to my own devices even as I prayed to see where I was being led.

Holding on to the hope of resurrection in the midst of that death made getting

through it possible.

Resurrection did come; a fulfilling ministry, a second marriage, a reshaped family and much, much learning.

My story is not unique.

We all experience deaths in our lives—times of struggle and pain, despair and decision, loss and loneliness.

As individuals and communities, we know death all too well.

Yet, as Paul tells us, the resurrection of Christ shows us God’s intention for us even in the midst of that turmoil: “We were under great pressure, far beyond our abilities to endure, so that we despaired of life itself.

Indeed, we felt we received the sentence of death.

“But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and will deliver us again. On him, we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us” (2 Cor. 1:8-11, NIV).

Resurrection is God’s “yes in Christ” and the foundation of our hope.

Alleluia!

Rev. Cheryl Toth is a priest in the Diocese of Qu’Appelle and intentional interim priest at All Saints, Regina.

God's power unleashed in the resurrection Resurrection is … ?

By Archdeacon Norbert Haukenfrers, DMin

R

esurrection is God making all things new.

A task God began with the incarnation of Jesus and fully revealed in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, after three days in the tomb.

It is God Almighty who seeks, saves and refreshes, making all things new. Our task is not resurrection; our task is participation as we hear, believe and join God by protecting and enhancing the flourishing of life in a world we cannot save, but is being made new.

In the incarnation and resurrection of Christ the new creation has been initiated. Creation awaits its resurrection; the old has gone and the new is present, waiting to be fully

revealed.

Often when we think of resurrection we think of Ezekiel’s experience of dusty bones coming to life or Daniel’s depiction of the righteous being raised to a glorious life, shining like stars.

We don’t often imagine that resurrection to the glorious life refers to returning to Earth and walking among people, yet this is what Christ’s resurrection introduces.

Resurrection life is not the end and it’s not retirement. It is a new beginning.

It is an initiation of a new community of God’s people with new assignments that are no longer subject to futility.

Futile work will be replaced by creative work of eternal significance as we live into the resurrection.

We can practice living our future resurrection

life now by embodying our permanent purpose today.

Living our creative purpose in community today brings a taste of our resurrection life into a world longing to be unbound and recreated.

God, in Jesus, fully reveals Himself and the new creation work with Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday.

This is not like Elijah’s raising of a boy, or Elisha raising of a Shunammite’s son, or Peter raising of Dorcas, or Paul raising of Eutychus, or even Jesus raising of Jairus’ daughter and Lazarus.

These resuscitations don’t hint at or suggest the prevention of a future death.

These are restorations of the old, physicallypowered life.

The resurrection of Jesus from the dead introduces something entirely new, something

that fully and completely defeats the power of death, which is sin.

It is a new life powered by spiritual energy. A new life not less than physical, but more than physical and no longer subject to sin and decay.

It is energized by the breath of God, a new existence of knowing and being known by God. The first fruit of the new creation is Jesus’ resurrection, proclaiming the defeat of death, removing the sting of death.

The resurrection of Jesus introduces a realm that is beyond our current comprehensions, for death is no longer a power to contend with.

Jesus speaks about Moses getting a glimpse of this realm at the burning bush.

He recalls Moses calling on, “God: God of Abraham, Continued on page 3

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

Published monthly except for July and August.

Whole No. 292, Vol. 45, No. 8 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 June issue must be received by the diocesan editor no later than Friday, April 28. 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: Munden and Linda Coates linda.munden@sasktel.net Box 208 Arborfield, Sask., S0E 0A0 Photo: 306-769-8339 Advertising agent: Angela Rush saskatchewan.anglican.ads@ gmail.com 905-630-0390 PUBLISHING DETAILS Published from 59 Roberts Place Regina, Sask., S4T 6K5

The Saskatchewan Anglican

April 2017

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Is Jesus dead?

By the Right Rev. David Irving Bishop of the Diocese of Saskatoon

T

hroughout Jesus’ ministry, He taught life does not end after our earthly bodies die.

He said, “I am the resurrection and the life.

Those that believe in me, even though they die, will live again.”

Jesus went on to demonstrate His power over death by rising from the dead Himself after being crucified and buried for three days.

It is this promise that has sustained Christians through the centuries.

Can we believe it? Do we have any proof?

Yes, Jesus’ close followers stated that He showed Himself to them after His crucifixion and burial; could they have fabricated the story and over the years the story grew?

What is the evidence that Jesus rose from the dead?

Let’s go back a bit.

Before Jesus’ death, He told His disciples that He would be betrayed, tried, crucified and after three days He would rise again.

Through His death and resurrection, people would finally realize He was indeed the Messiah.

As Jesus predicted, He was betrayed by one of His disciples, He was arrested, tried and ordered to be put to death by crucifixion.

Records state before being nailed to the cross He was viciously beaten, punched, kicked and spat upon. They then placed Him on a wooden cross,

where He hung for about six hours.

Before He was removed from the cross to be buried, Pilate wanted verification that Jesus was dead, so a Roman soldier was ordered to thrust his spear into Jesus.

Once His death was certified by the soldier, Jesus’ body was then taken down and buried in a tomb owned by Joseph of Arimathea. Roman soldiers were then placed outside the sealed tomb.

Jesus was dead.

After the crucifixion, Jesus’ disciples were in shock; many hid; they feared for their lives; the Jewish and Roman leadership had got rid of Jesus; their messianic hope was dead; all was lost.

But we know it wasn’t the end. Within days His disciples changed from a cowering group to a group of people with a message to share about the resurrected Jesus and the coming kingdom.

There is no historical account in any records

– Roman, Jewish or Christian – that disputes the fact Jesus was really dead and He was buried in a tomb.

So, if Jesus is not now in the tomb three days later, where is He? Some of Jesus’ enemies would say His disciples stole the body, but we have to remember the Romans had assigned a 24-hour watch over the tomb; Roman guards were very vigilant, as they could be executed for failing in their duty.

It would have been impossible for the disciples to sneak past the soldiers and move a massive stone without being seen, and yet, the stone was moved and Jesus was no longer in the tomb.

But an empty tomb would not in itself have galvanized Jesus’ followers to come out of mourning and make them fearless evangelists proclaiming the risen Christ.

For this to have happened, they really had to have seen Him. It is recorded that Jesus

appeared bodily to His followers – the women first – and all the disciples saw Jesus on many occasions.

He showed them His hands and His feet and told them to touch Him; He ate with them and He appeared alive to more than 500 followers on one occasion.

Something happened that changed the lives of these men and women and it can only be that they did see, touch and hear the resurrected Jesus.

Their lives were changed by the encounter, so much so, that they were prepared to be jailed or killed rather than deny what they knew to be true: that Jesus was raised from the dead.

Jesus is alive!

As Jesus’ followers today, we must also be galvanized into sharing with those around us the truth that Jesus was raised from the dead, and we too, are promised a new life beyond our earthly life.

Alleluia, Christ is risen!

Many you have a blessed and peaceful Easter.

Former chancellor George D. Hill dies Submitted ALDERGROVE, B.C. –George Duncan Hill, QC, B.A., LL.B, died on Feb. 21 in Aldergrove, B.C. at the age of 83. Hill served as chancellor of the Diocese of Qu’Appelle from November 1983 to the spring of 1988.

Hill was a well-known

figure in Saskatchewan.

He practised law in Estevan from 1958 to 1984 and was involved in several business enterprises in the area.

He was active in the community, including St. Giles Anglican Church, where he served as warden and vestry member, and was a key supporter of the

Haukenfrers Continued from page 2 God of Isaac, God of Jacob!

God isn’t the God of dead men, but of the living. To him we are all alive”(Luke 20:37-38, MSG).

It is with this resurrection, breaking the chains of sin and death, that Jesus offers eternal life to all who hear His word and believe in the God who sent Him. As we hear and obey, we begin living toward the resurrection promise of eternal life.

Life in this new-creation reality of the resurrection of Jesus begins the

restoring of creation that is eternal in duration and quality, a more relational life.

A reality we rehearse in the Church, which is God’s gift of a community for disciples of Jesus, as we orientate ourselves in the practice of resurrection.

Resurrection is the creative power of God unleashed and unconstrained by our sinful disobedience that introduced death and decay.

Resurrection is life raised to the power of Life indivisible.

new hospital in the city.

Hill was born and attended school in Star City, Sask. There he met Eileen Clarke, whom he married in 1957.

Since his years at the University of Saskatchewan, Hill was passionate about politics.

His family said, “He loved nothing better than a good political argument and there was no doubt where his political affiliations lay.

“There are few people that have not been privy to his opinions, thoughts and life lessons!”

He served as president of the Conservative Party of Saskatchewan, was a board member of the Law Foundation of Saskatchewan, and chair of the board of SaskPower.

In 1985, Hill was named a Justice of the Court of Queen’s Bench.

When he realized the job wasn’t what he had envisioned, he resigned and became president of the Souris Basin Development Authority.

George D. Hill

Under his direction, the Rafferty and Alameda Dams were constructed in southeast Saskatchewan.

He was named president and CEO of SaskPower in 1987.

In that role he was one of the architects of economic development in the province through implementation of “Buy Saskatchewan” programs, construction of power plants, expansion of natural gas distribution systems to rural areas and improvement of the electrical system.

As a pre-retirement job, Hill took a position with

SRI Homes in Kelowna, B.C. When he actually retired, he and Eileen spent time travelling and entertaining.

They lived in Kelowna until Eileen died in 2012, then George moved to Langley, B.C. Hill is survived by his children Nadine (Bruce) Elson of Estevan, Sandra (John) Graham and David (Mariann) both of Langley, B.C., and numerous grandchildren and greatgrandchildren; two sisters Ethel (Ed) Campbell and Ruth Hill, both of Langley.

He was predeceased by his sisters Margaret Jessop and Bess Murphy, and by his brother Jim Hill.

Hill was known for his humour, generosity and kindness. He was a friend and an inspiration to many.

A memorial service to celebrate and honour his life was held at the Anglican Cathedral of St. Michael’s and All Angels, Kelowna, on May 20.

Photo contributed

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The Saskatchewan Anglican

April 2017

Prayer shawl ministry Prayer shawl colours

By Susan Bain PRINCE ALBERT – The Prayer Shawl Ministry at St. David’s Anglican Church, Prince Albert, began 10 years ago by one of our parishioners, Karen Hindle, and then taken over by myself (Susan Bain) eight years ago.

The ministry gathers once a month at my home, and although we only have five regular attendees (Susan Bain, Karen Hindle, Heather Gibson, Wanda Owen and Merle Johnson), there are another four (Jean Mills, Jen Gibson, Kathleen Stewart and Rob Gibson) who are unable to attend but continue to knit/ crochet in their homes.

At our gatherings, we begin with the lighting of a candle to welcome the Lord into our circle, as He is the light of the world.

This is followed by an opening prayer.

We give thanks for our gift from God, allowing us to make these garments given to anyone who is lonely, in trouble, sick, feeling unloved or is in need of a warm embrace.

It is like receiving a warm hug from the Lord.

Hand-crafted prayer shawls on display at St. David Anglican Church in Prince Albert. Photo by Susan Bain As we knit, we discuss if any of us know who needs to receive a shawl.

We also help each other with difficult patterns and encourage one another to try different patterns and wools. We also have time to socialize and reflect on the number of shawls we have made each year.

We are all very supportive of each other and so enjoy this ministry.

Once the shawls have been made, they are then taken to St. David’s Church where we lay them on the communion rail in the sanctuary for all to see. Then we have our minister, Archdeacon Norbert Haukenfrers,

bless them. They are then tagged with a card that has this prayer: This shawl was knit with love and care.

Each stitch made with a special prayer.

To warm you when you feel a chill, And hold you when you’re very ill.

To give you strength and hope and cheer.

To let you know that God is near.

As you wrap it ’round you tight, Know that God blesses you this night.

The shawls are then packaged and kept in

the church to be given to someone who is need of one. It is wonderful to see they are not only given locally, but have reached the shores of Ireland and England, as well as the United States and many places in Canada.

Our little group produces roughly 36 to 40 shawls per year. Many recipients send thank you cards and are appreciative of receiving a shawl.

Some have even returned to their churches after being absent for some time.

Their faith is restored and we like to think these shawls have helped in some way.

Whether you are making a prayer shawl as a gift for healing, protection, or celebration, you may find a colour that symbolizes the quality or sentiment you want your shawl to convey.

If more than one colour holds the meaning(s) you choose, consider using a variegated or painterly shade of yarn that combines those colours.

Red: Energy, strength, power, determination, love, courage Pink: Joy, friendship, femininity Brown: Stability, masculinity Orange: Happiness, success, encouragement, endurance Gold: Illumination, wisdom Yellow: Cheerfulness, energy, joy, confidence Green: Healing, harmony, safety, hope, protection, peace Blue: Stability, trust, loyalty, faith, truth, tranquility Purple: Wisdom, dignity, independence, creativity, mystery White: Goodness, purity, innocence, faith, safety, light

DIOCESE OF SASKATOON

Announcements for April 2017 g Saskatchewan Anglican

online! You can read current and past issues of the Saskatchewan Anglican online on the Diocese of Saskatoon website or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ saskatchewananglican. g No news is not “Good News”!

Is your parish planning an event, fundraiser or has it already held one and has something to report?

Well, don’t keep it to yourself!

Your news and upcoming events are “Good News” to us all and the news of your planned activities and their successes can help put your parish and its activities in “the news” and perhaps give additional people the chance to consider supporting them! g Native Ministry in Saskatoon: St. George’s Anglican Church (624 Ave. I South) provides a monthly Anglican Native Ministry Service.

The service is held in the church hall at 1 p.m. with soup and bannock then at 2 p.m. a Eucharist and sharing circle that is led by Denise McCafferty and others.

“We look forward to feasting and saying prayers with you to our Lord and Creator; please notify your friends and family and plan to

attend this gathering.” g Community Coffee House The Parish of St. George’s, Saskatoon, every Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Join them for a warm social time with coffee, tea, toast and some type of baked goods at no charge. The coffee time is followed by a weekly Bible study from 11:00 a.m. to noon. Both events are in the Parish Hall, 624 Ave. I South. g Seniors’ Lunch in Battleford: The Friendship Committee of St. George’s, Battleford invites all seniors to join them for lunch the first Monday of each month until June. Each Seniors’ Lunch begins at noon. g Spring Convocation: The 16th Joint Convocation of the Saskatoon Theological Union will be held Friday, May 5 at 7:00 p.m. at Knox United Church, 838 Spadina Crescent E. Everyone is welcome to attend. g Spring and summer school in Ancient Languages: The College of Emmanuel & St. Chad is offering its spring and summer school in Ancient Languages. Introductory courses in Greek, Hebrew, Latin, Coptic and Intermediate Greek

will be offered. The courses will be held May 8 to 26 and June 5 to 23.

They are three credit courses.

Please contact the registrar, Lisa McInnis, at 306-975-1550 or esc. registrar@usask.ca for more information. g Anglican and Lutheran Women’s Spring Conference: The first Anglican and Lutheran Women’s Spring Conference – “Together we are stronger!” – will be held in Saskatoon on April 28 and 29 at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Saskatoon.

The theme for this conference will be: “I am the vine, You are the branches.”

For more information or to register please contact Elta Fae Marlor, president, Saskatoon Anglican Women at 306-955-1972 or Lorraine Harilstad, Saskatoon Evangelical Lutheran, at 306-6522497. Please also see the notice posted elsewhere in this issue.

Appointments and Vacancies Treasurer needed for the Cathedral: Vestry at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist is searching for a volunteer treasurer g

for St. John’s. If you are interested in applying for this position, or have any questions, please contact Lauri Miller, Dean’s Warden, or Neil Doell, People’s Warden, or Dean Scott.

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

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

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The Saskatchewan Anglican

April 2017

The Saskatchewan Anglican

March 2016

5

Celebrating 115th anniversary at St. Mary, Whitewood

By Phyl l is A r m st rong W H I T EWOOD (Qu’A) – T he pa r i sh of St .

M a r y t he Vi rg i n i s pl a n n i ng to c elebrate t he 115 t h a n n iversa r y of t he ye a r t he chu rch bu i ld i ng wa s c on secrate d.

A l l pa st a nd present clerg y a nd pa r i sh ioners a re i nv ite d to joi n t he c elebrat ion, Ju ly 1 a nd 2.

T he pa r i sh event w i l l t a ke pl ac e i n c onju nc t ion w it h t he Tow n of W h itewood’s 1 2 5 ye a r c elebrat ion a nd t he 15 0 ye a r c elebrat ion for Ca n ad a.

Pl a n s a re u nder way for a pa r i sh f loat i n t he tow n’s Ca n ad a Day pa rade.

T here w i l l b e a present at ion on t he Dioc ese of Muy i nga out re ach projec t s on t he a f ter noon of Su nd ay, Ju ly 2 .

A b e ef ba rb ecue supp er i s a l so pl a n ne d for Ju ly 2 , fol lowe d by a n even i ng Euch a r i st ser v ic e, w it h Bi shop Rob H a rdw ick presid i ng, a ssi ste d by Rev. Cher yl Joh n son.

A 32 -page pic tor i a l book let i s a l so b ei ng produc e d.

Ple a se help t he pa r i sh spre ad t he word by i nv it i ng f r iend s a nd fa m i ly to at tend.

T he c ost w i l l b e by don at ion. A l l f u nd s rec eive d w i l l b e u se d to supp or t out re ach projec t s, w it h h a l f goi ng to loc a l projec t s a nd h a l f to t he

The historic stone church of St. Mary the Virgin, Whitewood, was consecrated 115 years ago. Celebrations are planned for July 1 and 2.

Photo contributed Dioc ese of Muy i nga i n Bu r u nd i, wh ich i s i n pa r t nersh ip w it h t he Dioc ese of Qu’App el le.

To a ssi st i n pl a n n i ng, ple a se R SV P

by Ju ne 1. C ont ac t Ewen A r m st rong (em a i l) phew m a@ sa sktel.net or ( phone) 3 0 6 -73 5 -2 9 8 9; or L i z Gi rou x (em a i l) l i zg i r@ hot m a i l.c om or ( phone) 3 0 6 - 8 5 3 -7615.

114 Seminary Crescent Saskatoon, SK S7N 0X3 (306) 975-1550 www.usask.ca/stu/emmanuel

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Spring and Summer School In Ancient Languages 2017  

Introductory Biblical Languages: Greek, Hebrew, Latin and Coptic Intermediate Greek Part I: May 8-26, Part II: June 5-23 (3 week course = 3 credit units)

For more information or to register contact: Lisa McInnis esc.registrar@usask.ca (306)975-1550

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The Saskatchewan Anglican

April 2017

Rachael Groat off to Halifax Continued from page 1 She will “do life” and become friends with students on campus, always pointing them to their best friend of all, Jesus Christ.

In mission work today there are few central funds dispensing salaries and expenses.

Inter-Varsity workers must be self-supporting.

Rachael has made presentations at churches and met with individuals to ask them to become part of her support team.

The task is ongoing.

It’s not Rachael’s favourite part of the job, but it is worth it because it will give her the opportunity to be a part of the lives of students, who are increasingly not involved in the church or have never

had the opportunity to experience God’s love and healing.

University is a strategic time to reach people.

Students are making decisions that will shape the rest of their days.

Inter-Varsity can be the catalyst they need to shape their lives around following Jesus.

Please pray for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, for the students at Dalhousie and for Rachael as she steps into her new life.

For more information on the work of InterVarsity visit www.ivcf.ca.

To receive updates about Rachael’s ministry, or to invite Rachael to speak at your church, contact her at rgroat@ivcf.ca or 902809-3748.

Caledonia bishop election is April 22 B.C. — A successor to William Anderson, who retired as bishop of Caledonia Dec. 31, will be elected in Prince Rupert April 22.

The date of the electoral synod was set on Jan. 13 by Archbishop John Privett, metropolitan of the ecclesiastical province of British Columbia and the Yukon, with the

diocese’s executive committee.

The bishop-elect will need the vote of twothirds of each of the electoral synod’s two houses (clergy and laity). Diocesan canons also require the vote to be in-camera (not open to the public).

In 2015, Anderson announced he intended to retire the following

autumn. However, in July 2016, after General Synod’s provisional vote to allow same-sex marriages, he postponed his retirement to Dec. 31, in order to help the diocese and its members discern their response.

Anderson, 66, served the diocese as bishop for a decade and a half — Caledonia Times

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7

The Saskatchewan Anglican

The Saskatchewan Anglican

April 2017

March 2016

7

Bishop's 2017 bike tour

By Joanne Shurvin-Martin REGINA – Bishop Rob Hardwick’s Pedalling Pilgrimage of Prayer in 2016 was amazing, but he plans to recycle the event in 2017 and make it even better.

Last summer Hardwick cycled across the diocese from the Alberta to the Manitoba border, a total of 731 kilometres in 10 days.

He visited 19 churches and raised $25,689 for the Bishop’s Discretionary Fund and for Living the Mission.

This summer the route will take him to all the churches in the Diocese of Qu’Appelle north of the Trans-Canada Highway.

Between July 20 and August 4, Hardwick will bicycle to 34 churches in 21 parishes, a total of 1,235 kilometres.

The money raised will be split between the Bishop’s Discretionary Fund and local churches.

“It is humbling how taking time to be with God in His creation leads you to prayer and to praise,” Hardwick says.

“The cycle ride is also an opportunity to meet

with parishioners across the diocese and to hear their missional stories.”

The bike tour will visit churches beginning in Rosetown, and followed by: Kindersley, Eston, Kyle, Beechy, Outlook, Kenaston, Davidson, Imperial, Nokomis, Govan, Raymore, Day Star, Gordon’s, Kennell, Lumsden, all seven Regina parishes, Dysart, Fort Qu’Appelle, Katepwa, Balcarres, Melville, Esterhazy, Churchbridge, Saltcoats, Yorkton, Canora, and finishing in Kamsack.

“Whether we gather for a Eucharist, Morning or Evening Prayer, or for a Gospel Jamboree, gather we will,” says the bishop, “and together we will be refreshed and renewed in our faith.”

Worship is not the only way to be involved in the bishop’s bike tour.

Individuals are invited to ride along with the bishop for any distance, to raise money, or to volunteer with the support vehicle, by taking photos, or in the events along the route.

For more details, please email bishop.rob@sasktel. net.

DIOCESE OF QU’APPELLE g Archdeacon Wilma

Woods has been appointed as intentional interim priest at St. Giles, Estevan, effective March 1. g Diocesan Anglican Women’s annual gathering is planned for Saturday, April 22 at St Matthew’s,

Regina. All women are invited to participate and not just members of ACW groups. g The Diocesan Lay Retreat is scheduled for April 28 to 30 at Wood Acres in Moose Jaw. Please see page 7 for more details.

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On the road again: Bishop Rob Hardwick will be on the highway again this summer, cycling 1,235 kilometres to visit 34 churches in the Diocese of Qu'Appelle.

Photo by Nigel Salway

Rev. Smitty Kent dies at 105

By Joanne Shurvin-Martin GRENFELL (Qu’A) – Rev. Jennie Eleanor Kent died Feb. 22. She was known to all as “Smitty,” from her maiden name of Smith.

At the age of 105, she may have been expected to have been retired for decades, but she served as an active honorary assistant until 2006.

Born in Kennedy, Sask., in 1912, she received a teaching certificate from Normal School in 1930 and taught in several country schools.

While teaching in Grenfell she met and then married Alfred (Buck) Kent. She was a hands-on farmer for many years, and then moved into the town of Grenfell, where she taught math and typing at the high school.

Kent received a B.A. from the University of Ottawa in 1967.

After retiring from teaching, Kent studied for the priesthood and received a Diploma from Thorneloe University School of Theology (a federated college of Laurentian University) in 1992.

In 2007 she was awarded an Honorary Fellow by the College of Emmanuel and St. Chad in Saskatoon.

Kent was ordained deacon by Bishop Michael

Rev. Smitty Kent, seen here at her ordination in May 1983, died Feb. 22 at age 105.

Photo submitted Peers in 1981 and priested two years later.

She served as assistant priest in Pipestone Parish from 1981 to 1987, and then as honorary assistant until she was 94 years old. Rev. Willie Lourens was priest in Grenfell for seven of those years.

He recalls, “She was a great help in ministry in the parish. We were able to provide four Sunday services every Sunday in Pipestone Parish at Grenfell, Broadview, Wolseley and Kipling, and in the summer months an additional service at Windthorst.

Smitty was a great teacher of the Word and in the community. She

presided at Eucharist with great care.”

Though she was retired from teaching, she tutored the Lourens’ son and many other kids in muchneeded mathematic skills.

Lourens describes her as “pleasant, highenergy, goal-oriented, faith-inspired and a good friend.”

Kent is remembered for her musical talent, which she shared with many in the community: as church organist for more than 20 years, playing piano in a popular local dance band, accompanying fiddlers in competitions, entertaining at the seniors’ home, and playing at the Legion and for Christmas carol festivals.

Notably, she spearheaded efforts for a music-a-thon to raise money to upgrade the church hall, at which she played piano for about 24 hours.

She was involved in many community activities and served as secretary for the Agricultural Society for several years.

She and Buck were active curlers for many years.

The funeral was held at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Grenfell, on March 4, with Bishop Rob Hardwick and Rev. Willie Lourens officiating.

8

The Saskatchewan Anglican

The Saskatchewan Anglican

March 2016

April 2017

8

Lay retreat in April

By Joanne Shurvin-Martin REGINA – Registration is open for the annual silent retreat for lay people, to be held at Wood Acres Conference Centre, Moose Jaw, April 28 to 30.

Forms have been sent to all parishes and registration can also be done easily on the Diocese of Qu’Appelle website at quappelle. anglican.ca.

The retreat will be led by Rev. Michael Bruce, incumbent of St. Luke, Regina.

He is a specialist in liturgical and sacred music and finds great beauty in the classical ways Scripture has been incorporated into worship within the services of the Anglican church.

Bruce says, “This year we will delve deeply into the canticles that form the backbone and template for our services of Morning and Evening Prayer.”

He will present five short addresses on this theme during the weekend retreat.

Rev. Cheryl Toth will be chaplain for the retreat.

Toth was ordained in 1982 and has served Christ’s church in three dioceses, as parish priest, high school and university chaplain, and diocesan staff person.

She was also Anglican editor and writer with the Whole People of God curriculum for several years.

Currently, she ministers as intentional interim priest at All Saints’ Anglican Church, Regina.

She is also learning to quilt with the goal of creating quilts for her ever-expanding number of grandchildren!

Malcolm Tait, the Anglican Fellowship of Prayer representative, is this year’s retreat organizer.

He invites all lay people to attend the

retreat, which provides an opportunity for silent ref lection, meditation and worship, along with the learning opportunity of the addresses.

Silence is a rare commodity in the modern world and the annual silent retreat is an ideal time to follow Christ’s invitation to “come away a while.”

Wood Acres Centre is located along the river at the edge of Moose Jaw and provides dormitorystyle accommodation, along with space for the presentations and worship.

All meals are provided. The cost for the retreat is $260, payable to the diocese before the retreat.

Camp Okema 2017 schedule announced

By Carmen Holmes Publicity co-ordinator, Okema Society Camp Okema’s 2017 camp schedule is here! We are happy to announce our newest camp, Senior Teen Retreat (Grade 11 to 20 years old) as well as our classic camp lineup.

Not able to attend a camp this summer? Fret not, our open house on

July 15 is a great way to get a little bit of camp this summer, or if you have never been, a great way to see what Camp Okema has to offer. Join us for another wonderful summer of faith, friendship and fun!

Camp Schedule 2017: June 30 - July 3: Senior Teen Retreat (Grade 11 to 20 years) July 3-7: Cabin Leader Training

July 9-13: Small Fry 1 (7-9 years) July 16-21: Junior 1 (1012 years) July 23-27: Small Fry 2 (7-9 years) July 30 - August 4: Junior 2 (10-12 years) August 6-10: Family Camp (ages 18-plus and families) August 13-19: Teen (Grades 8 to 12) Photo Sask. Anglican files

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The Saskatchewan Anglican

April 2017

9

St. Matthew's Church honours Rev. Blair Dixon

By Kathleen Chlopan REGINA – St. Matthew Anglican Church commemorated an important milestone in the life of Rev. Blair Dixon, as he recently celebrated his 50th year of ordination in the Anglican Church of Canada.

Blair Allison Dixon was born in Saint John, New Brunswick.

He was one of 11 children.

After high school he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and served for five years.

Dixon then enrolled in College at Acadia University in Nova Scotia.

He was an undergraduate student at Dalhousie University in Halifax.

In 1966 he graduated in Theology from King’s University in Halifax.

In his earlier years Blair played basketball.

In 1960-61, while he was playing for the Acadia University

team, they won the Maritime Intercollegiate Championship.

He was one of the starting five and the designated rebounder for the team.

Blair played all sports and also won a couple of events at track and field.

In 1999 he was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame at Acadia University.

Many church youth groups have benefited from having Dixon as coach for their basketball teams.

Rev. Dixon’s walk with God has taken him to many places.

He served in the Diocese of Ottawa for six years before he was sent to Detroit, where he served for five years at St. Matthew’s and Grace Church.

This was at a time when racial tension was very prevalent.

While in Detroit he hosted a weekly children’s program and produced a weekly adult religious show on Channel 7 with the

ABC network.

During a sabbatical, Blair went to Africa and served in the Diocese of Grahamstown, and more recently, he returned to South Africa assisting in the Diocese of Malawi.

Rev. Dixon came to St. Matthew Church in 1991 and was its priest for 17 years. His energy and enthusiasm was evident from the beginning.

It was a time of healing at St. Matthew’s and he was just what the parish needed.

Blair came back to St. Matthew’s two and a half years ago at a time when the parish felt it truly needed his leadership and continues his ministry devoted to work on mission.

His friendship, loyalty and guidance have helped them greatly. St. Matthew’s asks for God’s blessings on both Blair and his wife, Karen.

The event happened on Jan. 29.

Looking at liturgy

Ecumenical dimensions

By Canon Michael Jackson

I

n the previous column, I noted that the 20th century liturgical movement and a growing ecumenical consensus on worship, stimulated in part by the Second Vatican Council, transformed interior church design.

In this 12th and final column of the Looking at Liturgy series, I’ll comment on some other ecumenical influences.

Cross-fertilization

between different worship traditions is nothing new.

The Anglican Book of Common Prayer has had a major effect on other churches over the centuries.

The 19th century catholic revival in the Anglican Communion borrowed heavily from the Roman Catholic rite.

All of us have benefited from the great Lutheran hymns.

Today in many Christian traditions we find a similar “shape of the

liturgy,” to quote Anglican liturgical scholar Dom Gregory Dix. Anglicans, Roman Catholics and Lutherans, for example, will readily recognize the basic pattern of the Eucharist in each other’s rites.

In the Reformed tradition, too, ecumenical influences are apparent.

In his recent book Countercultural Worship, Mark McKim, senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Regina, describes a structure

Canon Michael Jackson is deacon at St. Paul's Cathedral. Photo by Margaret Ball

Rev. Blair Dixon cuts a birthday cake during a celebration at St. Matthew's, Regina.

Photo by Morley Evans of common worship for evangelical Christians to which Anglicans can relate.

More unexpectedly, he encourages evangelicals to use the church calendar, with its seasons such as Advent, Lent and Ordinary Time; liturgical colours; and the common lectionary – practices that are second nature to Anglicans but were infrequent in the Reformed churches.

This applies even to liturgical vestments.

The cassock-alb and stole are now worn by clergy and ministers of many denominations: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Baptist and the United Church.

Moving the altar forward and celebrating the Eucharist facing the people, now commonplace for Anglicans, are direct results of the reforms started by Vatican II. My liturgical “wishlist” for Anglicans would include replacing the lectern and pulpit by a single ambo; Episcopal liturgist Marian Hatchett

pointed out that “use of a lectern apart from the pulpit is a 19th century innovation” and “diminishes the symbolism of the unity of God’s Word.”

We should follow the direction of the late Roman Catholic Archbishop of Regina, Daniel Bohan, that the altar is a Holy Table for the Eucharist, not a repository for books, papers and various paraphernalia!

I’d like us to have periods of silence after the readings, homily and communion.

Ecumenical sharing in worship patterns does not mean uniformity or loss of identity.

We can keep the best of our own customs while benefiting from the riches of others.

In so doing, we show that we follow the same Lord as we share in the one baptism.

10

The Saskatchewan Anglican

March 2016

The Saskatchewan Anglican

April 2017

10

Quiet Day at St. Mary’s Church, Birch Hills

Participants in the Quiet Day at St. Mary’s Church, Birch Hills gather after their day. In the middle of busy lives, Christ says, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31). On Feb. 4, more than 30 people from across the Diocese of Saskatchewan gathered at St. Mary’s Church, Birch Hills for a day of prayer, quiet time and teaching. The theme was the Gospel of Mark, which the whole diocese read in Lent, guided by a booklet written by the clergy called “Read, Mark, Lent.”

Photo by Mary Brown

Equipping the saints Reflections on the Niagara Consultation By the Rev. Dr. Iain Luke Principal, College of Emmanuel and St. Chad

I

t turns out that Niagara Falls, in February, isn’t as romantic as you think.

Not too far away, though, with a great view of one of nature’s wonders, a group of Canadian Anglicans forged some new relationships in the service of theological education and ministry training.

The gathering, called “Equipping the Saints,” created a space for conversation between Anglican colleges and the rapidly-growing sector of local training programs.

Almost every diocese, in one way or another, is taking action to make ministry training accessible for lay leaders, and for deacons and priests serving other than as paid, professional, or career clergy.

In the past, these two sectors may have felt they were in competition with one another.

The shrinking number of full-time clergy positions had an effect on the seminaries, while the creation of local alternatives suggested some college degree programs were not meeting the church’s changing needs.

Happily, the winter gathering demonstrated a different spirit, allowing both groups to explore how their strengths might be complementary and how collaboration between them could strengthen the church.

This was particularly welcome news for me, in the light of Emmanuel & St. Chad’s recent

commitment to develop a partnership with local training programs.

As I outlined in a presentation at the event, there are at least three different areas where our college, and others, can work with local initiatives. The first and simplest is to enable better communication and co-ordination among diocesan programs.

A co-ordinated approach allows dioceses to draw on instructors based in other places, while enabling those in training to participate in courses or events offered by other programs.

When numbers are small, as in most of our western Canadian dioceses, the ability to connect beyond diocesan borders will be key to offering broad-based training for local leaders.

Amazing new technologies for distance teaching enable people, even in the most remote settings, to join together for learning.

The benefit is not merely in the content of what can be taught, but in building relationships across great distances, which help clergy and lay leaders appreciate the reality of the church we serve.

It is heartening to see how a network of western diocesan programs, along with Emmanuel & St. Chad, is already starting

to develop for the purpose of this kind of sharing.

A second area where colleges have an important role to play is credentialing. Some local programs began as a reaction against the expectation that all clergy need to “go away to school” for a three-year degree.

More recently, there is a renewed recognition of the benefits of a formal credential.

It is portable, giving people a qualification that can be accepted elsewhere, should they move away from the diocese where they trained.

It gives students confidence that their training meets the needed criteria and is taken seriously by others.

It can be a motivating factor in completing a program and a way of recognizing the distinctive skills and knowledge base developed in a local setting.

Most of the conversation about credentials, at our college and others, has focused on the Licentiate in Theology (LTh).

Amongst the colleges, and in conversation with diocesan programs, there is real interest in creating a new format for the LTh that would allow its content to be delivered in local settings, but recognized and accredited by academic institutions.

The third element of cooperation I look forward to, is the opportunity for our college to support the leaders and staff of local programs.

Our university setting gives us access to a wide range of resources, including expertise in adult education and information technology, which could be

a direct benefit to diocesan initiatives.

The college also maintains a focus on the theological scholarship and study that has to underpin any teaching strategy within the church.

People in alternative training models, in Canada and elsewhere, often say they still want to know they have access to the kind of learning that goes on in seminaries.

If this can’t happen directly, it is important to find ways to make it part of a more dispersed model of education.

It’s exciting to consider the potential benefits for the church, as we look forward to combining the strengths of theological colleges and locally based training.

It can feel like a disruption of traditional ways of doing ministry, but two factors weigh in the balance.

One is realism: in our part of the world, many church communities cannot sustain a full-time paid clergy position, and many never could.

Beyond that, though, the church has learned a lot in recent years about how all of us, no matter how large or small our congregations, are called to share in the mission of Christ where we are.

Local leaders, trained locally, have unique gifts for enabling their fellow Christians to engage in that mission.

As all our institutions learn to focus more clearly on supporting front line mission leadership, we can look forward to being more effective witnesses, together, to God’s work in the world.

11

The Saskatchewan Anglican

The Saskatchewan Anglican

April 2017

March 2016

11

Taking communion to shut-ins Lay distribution of the Eucharist

By Joanne Shurvin-Martin

Jamie Halpenny shows the travelling communion set which she uses when taking the reserve sacrament to shut-ins. The set had belonged to the late Rev. Derek Nicholls.

Photo by Joanne Shurvin-Martin

REGINA – Jamie Halpenny is a doer.

When she realized that many elderly parishioners could no longer participate regularly in Sunday services at St. James the Apostle, she began the steps to be licensed to take the Eucharist to them, whether in their homes, seniors residences, special care buildings, or in hospital.

Halpenny said, “I started thinking about this a couple of years ago.

There is a need for this kind of pastoral care, beyond what one busy priest can do. And it’s not fair for the priest to have to it all. I felt called to do this.”

As a former parish warden, Halpenny was familiar with the diocesan canons, so checking the canons was her first step.

With that knowledge, she wrote to the current wardens, who brought the matter to vestry, and then presented the topic to the congregation. She received a ringing endorsement from the congregation

and unanimous approval from vestry, to apply to be licensed by the bishop.

The next step was some formal training.

This involved watching about eight hours of video of an instructional course presented by retired Archbishop David Ashdown and Deacon Susan Page, which was recorded last year.

With this training available online, it is hoped that eventually every parish in the diocese will have a lay person licensed to distribute communion.

The training covered topics including communication skills, dealing with different types of illness including dementia, legal issues and guidelines for visiting.

After completing the online training, Halpenny was mentored by Rev. Anne Marie MacNeil, and accompanied her to a large special care institution, private care homes and individual homes, so she had experience with most of the settings where she will take the Eucharist to residents.

Halpenny says she

is very grateful to the support and guidance from MacNeil for this mentoring. MacNeil had been an honorary assistant at St. James, and is currently serving St. Matthew’s, Regina.

Bishop Rob Hardwick licensed Halpenny for lay distribution of the Eucharist within the parish of St. James the Apostle, Regina at the beginning of January.

The formal commissioning was conducted at St. James on Jan. 29. On that date, Margaret Nicholls presented a travelling communion set to the parish, for use by Halpenny as well as clergy. The set had belonged to her late husband, Rev. Derek Nicholls, who had been an honorary assistant at St. James at the time of his death in 2014.

Margaret said Derek “considered it a great privilege and honour to be able to take communion to shut-ins.”

Halpenny echoed those words when she described how she felt being licensed to take communion.

Licence for lay readers important theologically, legally

By Jason Antonio

L

ay readers need to be licensed for theological and legal reasons, said retired Archbishop David Ashdown, while also ensuring they have their diocese’s full support.

Diocesan readers is a ministry that finds its expression in the local context, Ashdown said recently during a Qu'Appelle School for Mission and Ministry training session.

Moving into that role requires a licence and training. Just “going and doing” is contrary to Anglican tradition and to the Scripture.

“Our God is a God of order,” Ashdown said. “We read that right in creation.

He brought order out of chaos.”

In the Church’s early days, people were chosen and licensed, such as the

first seven deacons. There was much prayer and conversation about who should fill those positions.

“We have to proceed as the Body of Christ,” Ashdown noted.

Licensing is not an onerous task, said Ashdown. It benefits the person, as the licence says the person has the recognition and support of his or her community and church.

The certificate tells society that this person is doing mission on behalf of the Church.

There are good theological reasons for licensing someone, but there are even better legal reasons, he continued.

The church has faced different problems throughout the years; we now live in a litigious society. A person could go into a hospital and do something “very inappropriate,” with the

church then being blamed and a lawsuit possibly following.

“If we say person A is licensed and they have a certificate to go and do that ministry, then yes, we stand fully behind them,” Ashdown said.

There have already been teaching sessions about taking reserved sacrament to hospitals and to the sick, said Bishop Rob Hardwick.

Even if there is a lay reader in a church leading worship, the vestry should have a motion giving authorization to that person to perform these particular actions.

“You need to have that in writing somewhere to have that accountability,” he added.

Even if a parish hasn’t had a problem in the last 20 years, possessing a licence ensures a lawsuit will be less likely, agreed Ashdown.

If a lay reader carries such a licence, the church and insurance companies have to stand behind that person if they are falsely accused, noted Ashdown.

He would even like to see Sunday school teachers licensed.

“If you don’t have an extra $3 million kicking around (in petty cash at church),” he added, “you may want to listen to this wisdom.”

People interested in becoming a licensed lay reader should give some thought to their spiritual journey, said Archdeacon Catherine Harper, since this is a ministry of leadership.

We are witnesses for Christ, so it’s important that people reflect and share what this relationship with Him means.

Part of the responsibilities of Ashdown and Harper

will be to assist with the educational aspects of the program.

There is no hierarchy of ministries here, said Ashdown. While there is an order among bishops, priests and deacons for responsibilities, all ministers — lay and ordained — stand equal at the Lord’s Table. Everyone occupies different roles at different times.

A licence for a lay reader will be valid for three years, said Hardwick. It is renewable and not dependent upon parish clergy for approval.

Ashdown will advocate for lay readers and can speak to a parish priest, without jeopardizing that lay reader’s ability to continue worshipping at that church.

Ashdown will also work closely with Harper, with the QSMM, in educating and training of diocesan readers.

12

The Saskatchewan Anglican

The Saskatchewan Anglican

March 2016

April 2017

12

DIOCESE OF SASKATOON

Commitment or surrender? Quo vadimus?

By Elta Fae Marlor President, Diocese of Saskatoon Anglican Church Women Editor’s note: This letter has also appeared in the Diocesan ACW’s newsletter, Anglican Women News and Views, Vol. 1 Issue 5, March 2017 and is printed here to provide a wider circulation and perhaps encourage greater comment and input.

SASKATOON – The time has come to talk of many things … of cabbages and kings … and whether pigs have wings, or so the walrus claimed.

I use this light quote by Lewis Carroll to introduce a serious topic. The time has come for Anglican women to talk of many things … of volunteers for executive and retreats … and whether we continue having a Diocese of Saskatoon Anglican Church Women’s (ACW) organization.

Quo Vadimus is Latin for where are we going.

At last year’s spring conference, no one came forward to be nominated for executive positions.

This put an overload on the four active executive positions remaining, causing us to limp through 2016 doing the bare minimum.

Last September, the executive opted to send out a survey to Anglican women across our diocese to solicit your views about the future of the Diocesan Anglican Women’s organization.

Of the 360 surveyed, only 62 replied. Fiftyone per cent of the 62 respondents said they felt our organization served a useful purpose; the remainder were either unsure or said it was not useful.

Forty-nine per cent of respondents said they wanted it to continue, while 53 per cent said they were unsure or said no.

Where the survey asked for willingness to serve, only four offered to help, one to possibly serve on the executive, and three as church contacts.

In view of these results, we must come prepared to seriously consider our future when we meet at the annual meeting on April 29.

Unless at least eight volunteers come forward to serve on the executive and keep our organization viable, this year’s spring conference could well be the last Diocesan ACW event for the women of our diocese.

What can you do? If you wish our organization to continue to send out

newsletters, support mission and outreach, develop retreats and conferences, and/or explore new innovative ways to help enrich and encourage the lives of our diocesan women, then: 1. Please offer to volunteer to fill the following vacant positions on the executive for 20172018: (*positions marked with an asterisk require computer skills) president, vice-president, secretary*, treasurer*, missions’ projects and social action, program, devotions, and communications*.

Positions that are filled include: past-president (Elta Fae Marlor) and publications* (Merce Montgomery/ Marion Pope can serve one more year). Members-at-large (Karen Whitelock and Bev Otsuka) presently carry

out some communication functions.

2. Discuss this urgent matter with the women at your church, and feel free to write to me, Elta Fae Marlor, at 341 – 1802 Alexandra Ave., Saskatoon, Sask., S7K 8A6, or call me at 306-955-1972, with your comments/ suggestions.

3. However, if you feel the Diocese of Saskatoon Anglican Church Women’s organization has served its purpose, then let us all give thanks for the many productive years of ministry and fellowship we have enjoyed together, and dissolve our organization with the dignity it deserves.

If we are unable to vote in a functional executive at our spring conference on Saturday, April 29, our executive is prepared

to propose the following motion: NOTICE OF MOTION: “In view of diminished interest in the organization of Diocese of Saskatoon Anglican Church Women, as evidenced by results of the survey conducted in 2016, and the lack of candidates to fill executive positions on the executive of Saskatoon Diocese of Anglican Church Women, we submit the following motion: Be it resolved the Saskatoon Diocesan ACW be dissolved effective today, April 29, 2017.” Members of the Diocese of Saskatoon Anglican Church Women’s Executive It’s up to you. I encourage you to attend the annual meeting and spring conference and make your views known.

ALL ANGLICAN AND EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN CANADA (ELCIC) WOMEN ARE INVITED TO A JOINT

FOR WORSHIP, SHARING AND LEARNING Theme: “I am the Vine; you are the Branches” Friday, April 28 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. – Registration, social, compline Saturday, April 29 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Conference, meeting, presentations St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, 10 Grosvenor Cres., Saskatoon.

Key Note Speaker: Zoey Roy on Healing Zoey Roy is a poet, a performing artist, an orator, a film producer, a writer and a community based educator and a student in the SUNTEP Program at the U of S. Based out of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, this Cree-Dene Metis rebel has been making waves around the world for over ten years and has had a strong focus on indigenous rights, youth advocacy, artistic expression and education. Zoey has continued to use innovative ways to find solutions and knows that the solution is within us all.

Musical leadership: Anne Naugler, Kendra Kuse Presentations:

Do you know someone who is being ordained or someone celebrating an ordination anniversary?

Give them a Clergy Bear with surplice and stole in a colour of your choice. www.anglicanfoundation.org

 Donna Goodridge (St. John’s Anglican Cathedral) - St. John’s Refugee Family  Verle Mastan (Saskatoon Interval House) - Violence against Women  Elliot PausJenssen (Saskatoon Council on Aging) - Elder Abuse

Entertainment: The Swinging Shepherds BAG IT UP! You are invited to bring a gift bag (preferably fabric) with items for the Lighthouse and Egadz (socks, mitts, toques, shampoo, toothpaste, magazine, $5 Tim Horton’s card, etc.).

Register by April 15 to Elaine Jarvis, 247 Stacey Cres., Saskatoon, S7L 7A9 with $35 registration fee.

For more information contact: Elta Fae Marlor, President, Saskatoon Anglican Women (306-955-1972), or, Lorraine Harilstad, Chairperson, Spring Gathering Committee Saskatoon Conference ELCIC (306-370-7260)