Saskatchewan anglican
The newspaper of the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle • A Section of the Anglican Journal • May 2014
Qu’Appelle to re-introduce licensed lay reader program By Jason Antonio
The Diocese of Qu’Appelle’s Bishop Rob Hardwick (left) talks with retired Bishop Duncan Wallace about some of the repairs that were made to the Anson Crozier, after a service on March 22 at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Regina. The crozier was stolen from the cathedral last October, recovered in November and sent to Manitoba for repairs. It was then rededicated in March. The Anson Crozier was presented to the first bishop of Qu’Appelle in the late 1880s. Photo — Jason Antonio
Crozier recovered, repaired, rededicated Historic crozier, presented to first Qu’Appelle bishop near end of the 19th century, was damaged after stolen from cathedral in Regina By Joanne Shurvin-Martin REGINA – The irreplaceable Anson Crozier, which was stolen from St. Paul’s Cathedral in October, was rededicated on March 22, after being recovered by police and repaired by a Winnipeg silversmith. Bishop Rob Hardwick prayed, “May this crozier, re-worked and repaired, be a sign and symbol that those lost in this diocese will be found; that your shepherding hand will move amongst us and guide us to fertile pastures.” (The
full prayer is at the end of this article.) When the Regina Police Service recovered the bishop’s crozier in mid-November as part of an ongoing investigation, it had been damaged. Some of the semi-precious jewels had been removed and it appeared the thief or thieves had tried to pry the ornate silver head off the top of the staff. Retired Bishop Duncan Wallace and his wife, Mary, offered to take the staff to Winnipeg, where it was repaired at the House of Silver. Dean Mike Sinclair said the cathedral, and the whole diocese, are glad to have the crozier back. It is an important piece of the diocese’s family history, presented to the first bishop of the diocese in the late 1880s or early 1890s. The bishop’s full prayer: O God, of eternal power and love, you have given to people skills of hand and eye to share
in your re-creative work in many ways. We present and re-dedicate to your glory this Crozier, Given by the 1st Bishop Of Qu’Appelle. We give thanks for its safe return and for the skill of those who were tasked with its restoration. May this Crozier, re-worked and repaired, be a sign and symbol that those lost in this diocese will be found; that your shepherding hand will move amongst us and guide us to fertile pastures; and that the renewing and restoring power of your Holy Spirit will fall upon us. May all who are chosen to bear this Crozierdo so in love and in faithful obedience to your will We pray your blessing on the benefactor of this gift, And we ask that you would bring us, together with Bishop Anson to your eternal kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
REGINA – The Diocese of Qu’Appelle plans to re-introduce a licensed lay reader program by the beginning of September, with the possible commissioning of the first lay readers at the fall Q Event. The Diocese of Ottawa recently amended its Lay Reader program and was willing to share much of its revised materials with Qu’Appelle. From these materials, a manual for this program has been produced for Qu’Appelle and is in its second draft form. For the full Licensed Lay Reader manual, contact the Synod office. “This is a ministry that will compliment and enrich
the ministries of the diocese offered by clergy and laity alike,” said Bishop Rob Hardwick. “In a diocese like ours, comprising many small multipoint rural parishes and several urban centres, I have no doubt that effective ministry across the diocese will be enhanced by the leadership of dedicated and licensed lay readers.” Lay Readers will be licensed to lead non-sacramental worship, such as morning prayer, evening prayer and compline; assist clergy in their parish and deanery; teach and preach; assist with administrative roles; and be able to officiate at funerals and offer pastoral care to the bereaved. See ‘Licensed’ on Page 4
Memorial vigil held for murdered Inuit woman By Mary Ann Assailly SASKATOON – Concerned citizens from all walks of life in Saskatoon gathered at Station 20 West on March 5 to sign petitions and join in the national Call to Action, calling on the federal government to work with Indigenous women’s organizations to establish a comprehensive, national plan of action to stop violence against Indigenous women and girls. The Native Women’s Association in Nova Scotia had called for the day of action and local organizers pulled the event together within 24 hours. The event was held in honour of the late Loretta Saunders, an Inuit woman from Goose Bay. Loretta, age 26, an expectant mother and a student at St. Mary’s University, was murdered recently in Nova Scotia. Loretta was writing an honour’s thesis on missing and murdered aboriginal women.
The tragic death of Loretta triggered the national consciousness and created the impetus for the Call to Action. The vigil was hosted by Iskwewuk Ewichiwitochik (Women Walking Together) and friends. Master of Ceremonies, Chris Sicotte, opened the gathering with greetings, followed by a prayer by Elder Ethel Ahenekew and a memorial song by drummer John Noon. Speakers at the event were Senator Lillian E. Dyck; Dr. Robert Innes, Department of Native Studies, University of Saskatchewan; Myrna LaPlante, a voice for families of missing; and John Parry, the prairies representative of the United Nations Association of Canada. Following the prayers, drumming and speakers, those gathered lit candles and circled the blanket-covered empty chair holding Loretta’s picture, while Mary Ann Assailly read a memorial poem.