Saskatchewan The newspaper of the Dioceses of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and Qu’Appelle • A Section of the Anglican Journal • September 2017 www.facebook.com/thesaskatchewananglican
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Mary Brown retires in P.A. By Munden and Linda Coates
Lawrence and Priscilla Joseph wrap Mary Brown in an honoured star blanket from the indigenous Diocese of Missinippi during Brown's retirement celebration in Prince Albert. Photo courtesy Kathleen Stewart
Six diocesan readers commissioned for Qu’Appelle By Joanne Shurvin-Martin
This stole, custom-made in England, was presented to retired Bishop David Ashdown, the warden to readers of the Diocese of Qu'Appelle. Photo by Margaret Ball
REGINA – Six lay people were commissioned as diocesan readers in a special service at St. Paul’s Cathedral in May. During the same service, retired Bishop David Ashdown was commissioned as warden to the diocesan readers of Qu’Appelle. Ashdown received a specially made stole, and each of the new diocesan readers received a blue scarf, used by readers throughout the Anglican Communion. Each reader was presented to the bishop by a sponsor: Rodney Ashley of St. Phillip,
Regina by Heather Brownell; Gladys Foster of St. James, Regina by Margaret Nicholls; Carla Hoffman of St. Aidan, Moose Jaw by Catherine Osachoff; Jennifer Jacobs of St. James, Regina by Lorraine Hardwick; Malcolm Tait of All Saints, Regina by Rev. Susan Anholt; and Ellen Yuhas of St. Mary, Whitewood by Ewen Armstrong. The role of lay reader is an ancient one that has evolved over the centuries. Originally one of the orders of the early Church, the order was discontinued in Anglican practice at the time of the Reformation. Continued on page 5
PRINCE ALBERT – After 18 years of faithful service, Synod Office secretary Mary Brown has taken a well-earned retirement. About 90 people turned out for her retirement tea. Bishop Michael Hawkins remarked on Mary’s loyalty. She found her vocation and ministry in her job. She cared for the clergy as well as the people of the diocese. She brought the bishop tea at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. for eight years! She was a generous hostess to friend and stranger alike. Mary was presented with several gifts. A star blanket was given to her by the indigenous Diocese of Missinippi. It is the second-greatest honour that can be given. She also received a gift and card from the ACW and people of Little Red reserve. The diocese gave her a specially selected painting of Andre Martinson as well as a large travelling purse. A donation was collected and $1,200 was given towards her travel plans. Mary thanked everyone with the following: “Without all of your prayers my life would have been empty. I also have been blessed to not only have one great boss, but when he left, my next boss was just as great as the first one. “It was wonderful to have a caring and supportive staff to work with in the synod office. I am grateful and overwhelmed to receive so much love.” Mary’s previous boss was Bishop Anthony Burton. He wrote the following letter, that was read at her retirement tea: I am grateful for the opportunity to add my voice to the chorus of praise for Mary Brown on her richlydeserved, if oft-postponed, retirement. Mary makes friends wherever she goes and with
all sorts and conditions. She will be missed at the office not just by Bishop Hawkins, Bishop Halkett and (on Wednesdays) Bishop Arthurson – and not just by the other staff members whose day she brightens – but also by the volunteers with whom she enjoys such wonderful friendships, many of whom are no doubt at the retirement party. May I presume to say on behalf of those who are not able to be there this afternoon (including Stella Demery and Verna Redhead, for example, Percy Ross, James Settee, George Roberts, Myra Buck, John Fiddler, Charlie Fiddler, Edmund Bloomfield, Emily Felix, Mary-Ann Boote, Andrew Hallidie-Smith) congratulations! We are raising a glass to you from our several earthly and celestial postal codes! Mary came to the Synod Office exceptionally well qualified. She is one of the last administrators out there who is a whiz at the (now nearly extinct) art of shorthand. Siri may be getting smarter but you’ll never be able to get Siri to give you back a letter that includes all the stuff you should have said but didn’t, and leaves out all the stupid stuff you did say but shouldn’t have. Sic transit gloria mundi. When it comes to getting the job done, there is nobody as game as Mary. I remember making a diocesan video one winter. I got it into my head that we should film some of it outside when it was 35 below. At St. Mary’s Cemetery we set the video camera on a tripod in the snow. There was Mary, up to her hips in a snow bank, patiently holding up giant cue cards for me as I flubbed one line after another. From that day on, to me, “Saint” Mary’s cemetery took on a whole new meaning. Continued on page 6