September 2008 Bishop’s Message Page 2
A Section of Anglican Journal
Saskatoon Photographer Wins National Awards by Peter R. Coolen -- SASKATOON --Congratulations to Dr. Jim Arnold and Mr. Tim Sandell of St. Mark's Church for receiving first prize for a submission to the Anglican Journal's 'Picture Your Faith' photo series. Picture Your Faith is a new feature at the Anglican Journal Web site, found at www.anglicanjournal.com. The photo, entitled “A Prayerful Pause”, appeared as a front page Journal picture in September 2007. The photo won in the colour photo (newspaper) category from the Canadian Church Press Association. The photo has been reprinted in a number of other church publications. Tim (the Reverend Karen's husband) and Jim went on a canoe trip last August and took the picture as their canoe drifted along near Holy Trinity Anglican church, at Stanley Mission, Sask. The church, built in 1856, is accessible by water only and is the oldest building standing in Saskatchewan. Tim said “I saw a call for photos when I was sorting through pictures from the trip”. And as they say, “the rest is history”.
Jim Arnold, St. Mark's Saskatoon; reprinted from the September 2007 issue, www.anglicanjournal.com
God's Music by Doris Turner, St. Stephen, Swift Current (This is a reprint of a poem published in the June issue. The ending was omitted. The Saskatchewan Anglican regrets the error.) I think that God in Heaven above Has made the world to sing, Each little note on Earth that's born Is listened to by Him. photo Phyllis Armstrong
He hears the merry, babbling brook Beneath the hills below, And the whispering of a scented breeze Is an anthem soft and low. The cries of all Creation speak Of Heavenly joy fulfilled, And ever since the world was formed These sounds cannot be stilled. But most of all I know He loves The songs His children sing, Of the praise and worship in our hearts That glorify our King.
1883 - 2008! St. Mary the Virgin Church, Whitewood, Celebrates 125 Years! by Phyllis Armstrong
A Prayerful Pause
It may be just the joyous songs Of birds upon the wing, Or even just a cricket's chirp Is a precious sound to Him.
In Memoriam Page 3
Diocesan Notes and Events Pages 2&3
People gathered at the lychgate to begin the 125th anniversary celebrations for St. Mary the Virgin, Whitewood. The first service was held in a tent in 1883, so a small tent was pitched in the churchyard to symbolize the parish's beginning.
WHITEWOOD (QuA) St. Mary the Virgin Church celebrated its 125th anniversary on the weekend of June 21 and 22. The first Anglican service in the area was conducted in a small tent on July 11, 1883. The first church was built in 1885, and parish records show the cost of the building was $80. The present stone church was consecrated on July 3, 1902. The 125th celebration began at the lychgate in front of a tent which symbolized the church's beginnings. Rev. Cheryl Johnson, present rector, said a prayer for the weekend and welcomed everyone. A greeting from the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, Dr. Gordon Barnhart, was read. Pamphlets were available for self-guided tours of the church, listing the memorials given by past and present members of St. Mary's. The afternoon events were held in the Legion Hall, conveniently located beside the Parish Hall. “Her Majesty”, Ms Donna Sanders, a humorist from Regina arrived in a horsedrawn carriage and started the afternoon entertainment. Former parishioner Sherrie Meredith was master of ceremonies for the afternoon. Entertainment was provided by local singing groups: Pleasant Company Singers, Ernie and Dianne Veresh, and Connie Maier and Sherrie Meredith. Bishop Gregory, Allison Kydd of Indian Head, and the singing group Take 5 (Park Munroe, Ardith Cook, Gerry Elliot, Laurie Kyle and Dave Matity) from Winnipeg also entertained. Anniversary greetings from past clergy and parishioners were read. Doug Stevenson and Macey Raiwet, Pam Wushke and Dale Danscok, and Les and Janet Blackstock provided horse and buggy rides which were enjoyed throughout the afternoon. More than 200 people enjoyed a roast beef supper on Saturday evening. Two anniversary cakes decorated with pictures of St. Mary's were made by Linda Keeler and were cut by Bert and Doris Page, long time members of the parish. On the same evening, the town held a parade as part of Family Fun Day. The parish float depicted the life of the church from tent to the present stone church. Some people attended the events in period costumes which added to the historical atmosphere. After the parade, Cheryl Johnson celebrated Evening Prayer, using the form of service very similar to that used by the first worshippers in the parish. Bishop Gregory Kerr-Wilson presided at the Holy Eucharist on Sunday morning, which was attended by 114 people. Visitors from surrounding parishes as well as past parishioners helped the congregation celebrate this momentous
event. The members of the parish thank all those who took part in the weekend events. The anniversary organizers said, "Without our church family, past, present and future, we would not be able to carry on and fulfil our mission to be a caring, loving, worshipping and open community of people, who proclaim the Good News of Christ."
Joanne Shurvin-Martin, new Qu'Appelle Editor Staff Following the resignation of Barbara-Lynn Dixon, Bishop Greg Kerr-Wilson has appointed Joanne Shurvin-Martin as associate editor for the Diocese of Qu'Appelle. Joanne worked in the field of corporate communications for 15 years before she "retired" to be home with her three children. The children are now all teenagers, and Joanne has begun working as a free-lance writer and editor. Joanne, her husband Walter Martin, and their family live in Regina. Readers may recognize part of her name - Joanne is the daughter of the late Ven. Howard Shurvin who was a long-time priest of the diocese, and sister of Rev. Peter Shurvin who was also a priest of the diocese before moving to B.C. Joanne was the Qu'Appelle editor from 1979 to 1989, and says that the technology she used then seems like just a short step from Gutenberg, compared to the systems being used today. The Saskatchewan Anglican is indeed fortunate to have on staff a person of Joanne’s experience and capabilities.