The Saskatchewan Anglican, Nov. 2008

Page 1

November 2008

A Section of the Anglican Journal Bishop’s Message Page 2

Camp Okema AGM Pge 2

Diocesan Notes and Events Page 3

In Memoriam Page 9

Letters from Lambeth Page 11

Remembrance Day Page 12

Reverend Arthur Anderson Inducted as Qu’Appelle Diocesan Elder

by Rev. Victoria Young

PUNNICHY (Qu'A) - Sunday, September 14, the Parish of the Cree People celebrated the induction of Rev. Arthur Anderson as an Elder in the Diocese of Qu'Appelle. Bishop Greg Kerr-Wilson and Bishop Mark MacDonald, the bishop of the Indigenous Peoples of Canada, officiated at the first-of-a-kind celebration. They were assisted by members from the three points in the parish. About 150 people attended the celebration in the gym of George Gordon Education Centre, George Gordon First Nation. The honor was bestowed on Arthur in recognition of his years of service to God and church, and his endeavors to bring the aboriginal and non-aboriginal peoples together. When Arthur was ordained a priest in 1988, Chief Hilliard McNab of George Gordon First Nation presented him with an eagle feather and a beaded leather cross, fastened together. Chief McNab's wish was for Arthur, a member of the George Gordon Band, to work to bring the two peoples together in love and understanding. Arthur is faithful to his Lord, preaching the Gospel and bringing the communities together. Chief McNab's daughter, Irene Walter, a retired teacher and a member of the George Gordon First Nation, re-presented the feather and cross to Arthur in recognition of work accomplished. Arthur described what he sees as the meaning of “Elder” in First Nations lives: you are a busy body who makes people laugh; through your careers and family you have garnered respect and love of others; you are perceived to live a life of spirituality, compassion for others and a life of prayer; you help in times of difficulty and loss; you are 'a bit ignorant' so you remain teachable by the youths and others; you take time to laugh; you tell stories; as an elder you make people laugh and you are laughed at. At times you become the joke - not disrespectfully! "Let me tell you a story," said Arthur. “An Indian Elder loved to fish. He was sitting on the bank of a river fishing. Suddenly he heard a voice say 'pick me up.' He looked around and could not see anyone. He thought he was dreaming when he heard the voice again, 'pick me up.' He looked into the water and there, floating on the top, was a frog. The Elder said 'Are you talking to me?' The frog said 'Yes, I am talking to you. If you pick me up and kiss me I will turn into the most beautiful woman you have ever seen. I will make your friends in Gordon's First Nation jealous and envious, because I will be your woman.'The Elder looked at the frog, reached over and picked it up carefully. He placed it in his front breast pocket. Then the frog said 'What, are you nuts? Didn't you hear what I said? Kiss me and I will be your beautiful woman!' The Elder opened his pocket, looked at the frog and said, 'Nah, at my age I'd rather have a talking frog.'" Arthur continued, "At a certain age Elders talk to themselves. Please be understanding with us. We could be talking to our frog. You see, others have lost interest in us!” Arthur was asked what this celebration meant to him. He was overcome with emotion. “I have tried, with God's help, to bring these two cultures together. Today we are experiencing the love and respect of my people, both indigenous and non-indigenous, in this great celebration in the community where I was born! This is a wonderful 'bringing together' where there was so much misunderstanding, and we celebrate our Lord in our midst. 'To God be the glory, great things He has done!'” This celebration will mean different things to different people. Arthur believes,“to some it will mean nothing. For others it is a great time to celebrate. It means with God'shelp, I will walk among them in their pain, isolation, inequality, loss and times of celebration. In this capacity we are a role model of diversity, decency of love and healing. We bring, throughChrist, hope in the midst

Photo - Patty Pratt

Rev. Arthur Anderson (second from left) is the first Elder of the Diocese of Qu'Appelle. He is wrapped in a star blanket quilt, and holds an eagle staff, carved by John Fisher, third from left. Bishop Mark MacDonald, bishop of the Indigenous Peoples of Canada (left) and Bishop Gregg Kerr-Wilson (far right) officiated at the ceremony. Darlene Fisher stands at the back.

of pain and loss.” Chief Ken Sinclair of the Gordon First Nation sat with the chiefs of the Diocese of Qu'Appelle, Bishop Greg Kerr-Wilson and Bishop Mark McDonald, the bishop of the Indigenous Peoples of Canada. On behalf of the Gordon First Nation, Chief Ken presented a star blanket quilt to Arthur. As is the custom, Arthur was wrapped up in the blanket to keep him safe and warm. Bishop Greg presented an exquisite eagle staff, made by John Fisher of Gordon's, to Arthur. On behalf of the Canadian Churches of Indigenous Peoples, Bishop Mark presented a stained glass window of the logo of the Council of Indigenous Churches of Canada to Arthur. Lee's Funeral Home presented Arthur with a beautiful painting done by Ken Lonechild of White Bear Nation. Ken attended school for many years at Gordon's. The Eucharist was celebrated, indigenous and non-indigenous serving together, and everyone had a great time of fellowship over a scrumptious lunch served by Freda Crow Buffalo McNab, Betty Riddel and Irene Walter. Truly “To God be the glory. Great things He has done!”

Christ Church Nokomis celebrates 100 years by Colleen McNichol NOKOMIS (QuA) Present and former members of Christ Church, Nokomis, as well as parishioners of the Parish of Last Mountain, gathered on June 1 to celebrate 100 years as a congregation. The church began as a mission church, with the first services being held in 1905. With the coming of the CPR and Grand Trunk railways, Nokomis sprang up at the junction and flourished. Church work began quickly with the election of church wardens, vestry and finance committee in 1907. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Halstead donated the two lots where the church was built. Anglican Christ Church, photo by Dennis Simpson which opened in 1908, was the first church building in Nokomis, Following the service of thanksgiving for the centennial of and was paid for by 1911. Christ Church, Nokomis, the whole congregation posed Rev. Walter H. White wrote in a letter in 1909, “The favourable with Bishop Greg Kerr-Wilson and Rev. Dale Gillman. showing is, under God's Blessing, to be attributed to the enthusiasm and energy of the settlers themselves, to timely assistance from England, but not least to the fact the church for once 'came in with the steel.'" Many improvements and donations were made to the church and vicarage over the years. Quite evident today are the oak prayer desk, chair and lectern presented to the church by Mr. S. W. Currin of Belfast Ireland. The history of the church also mentions great contributions toward the work of the church made by the W.A. (ACW) and Sunday School teachers. The centennial celebration began with a Service of Thanksgiving with Bishop Gregory Kerr-Wilson officiating. Pastor-in-Charge Rev. Dale Gillman assisted. Organist Lorna Mansell and guitarist Jack Robson provided the music. The church was decorated with beautiful fresh flowers. Some were gifts of congratulations and some were placed in memory of family members.

After group photos were taken, the congregation proceeded to the Community Hall for a delicious turkey dinner. Jack Robson was MC for the program following dinner, which included congratulatory greetings from the other churches in the parish and community, and messages from Bill and Norma Novak and Rev. John Rettger who were unable to attend. Phyllis Konschuh read a history of the church and Colleen McNichol showed a slide show of pictures taken over the years. The crowd was entertained by singer Eric Jeschke and the gospel music of Jack Robson and the Block Brothers Quartet. There were guests from Spokane, Wash., Ontario, Alberta and various parts of Saskatchewan. The day ended with refreshments, following lots of visiting and reminiscing.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.