W Reaching outwithintentduringtimeofsocialdistancing essential gatheringsandface-to-face a directivetopostponeallnon- Jane Alexander’s guidelines,was ourselves orothers. Among times ofCOVID-19wasnotsafefor getting togetherintheseuncertain But quicklywediscoveredthat gathering inchurchforworship. of ustookforgrantedtheact feeling unwelltostayhome. only), andstrongadvicetoanyone Communion inOneKind(bread stricter provisionsforsanitizing, begun tolookdifferentlytoowith vulnerable citizens. Worship had virus fromreachingsociety’s curve” andstoptheCOVID-19 day inaneffortto“flattenthe social distancingguidelinesevery with thegovernmentissuingnew was changingquicklyin Alberta, recorded sermon? streamed worshipserviceorpre- hand, iPadinlap,watchingalive- sitting athomeinpajamas,coffee on Sundaymorningwouldmean ,goingtochurch Faith Journey Unconventional Milestone in Marks Service Simple There wasatimewhensome But inearlyMarchdailylife MARGARET GLIDDEN Edmonton Editor for parishionersinthe a fewmonthsagothat, ho wouldhavethought Ordination Service p.2 Story onpage 2. A SECTIONOFTHEANGLICAN JOURNAL SERVINGTHEDIOCESESOFATHABASCA & EDMONTON

THEM Morning Prayer parishinWetaskiwin. forImmanuel MathesonandFionaBrownleeleadvirtual Hugh body ofChristtogetherinourlocal deep joyofbringingthewhole gather forworshipandthedeep, know thecomfortofbeingableto make asyourBishop.I,personally, “difficult decisionIhaveeverhadto proactive stepaspossiblythemost fear.” decision madeoutofloveandnot know thatthiswasaverydifficult all else,”saidBishopJane.“Please members ofourchurchesbefore put theneedsofmostvulnerable extraordinary timeandweneedto day, Sunday, March15. be postponedeffectivetheverynext that publicworshipserviceswould 14, shenotifiedclergy ofthediocese meetings ofvestries. Then, onMarch potluck lunches,Biblestudiesand meetings, likecoffeehoursand Later, shewoulddescribethis “We arelivinginan essenger MAY 2020 to theBlessedVirgin Mary, inasimpleserviceattendedbyherfamily, closefriendsandafewclergycolleagues. Rebecca wasordainedan Harris Anglican priestintheDioceseofEdmontononMarch25,2020, Annunciation oftheLord COVID-19 Response p.s5-6 we maybe. way ofsharingGod’s lovewherever building, churchisawayofbeing; knowledge thatchurchismorethana of doingworship,confidentinthe led theircommunitiesinnewways connection intheirparishes. They physical distancingbarriersandbuild media resourcestoovercome combined ingenuityanddigital around the , community acrossCanadaand Edmonton diocese,likethepastoral COVID-19, churchleadersinthe prayerful presenceduringthistime.” “My hopeistobeanon-anxious, where weareatcomefall,”shesaid. December 31,2020,andwewillsee I willstayinplaceuntilatleast the dioceseatthistime. Therefore, I wouldnotfeelrightinleaving intention toleaveattheendofJuly, previously announced. Kerr-Wilson in April ashadbeen Greg Metropolitan Archbishop to DioceseofRupert’s Land not begivingherformalresignation Bishop Janeannouncedshewould and steadypresenceforherdiocese, parishes toshareinthesacraments.” With onlyweeksuntilHoly When facedwiththethreatof “Although ithadbeenmy Avowing tobeacomforting www.edmonton.anglican.org Messy Easterto Gop.6 is “inus.” most present? The answer, ofcourse, consider aquestion: Where isJesus by askinghiscongregationto Edmonton, putthingsinperspective Augustine ofCanterburyChurchin Rev. JonathanCrane,rectorofSt. service onSunday, March15,the people arrangedvirtualgatherings. meetings populatedemailinboxesas Invitations to“Zoom”virtual of MarkandHoly Week reflections. Lenten readingseriesontheGospel people tojoinherforavirtual the diocesanwebsite,andinvited were sharedoversocialmediaand clergy, madeprayervideoswhich hosted virtualcoffeehoursforthe podcasts wereposted.BishopJane and prayersweresent,blogs newsletters fullofcomfortingwords of hopewerelit,emailmessagesand room. Inhomesandparishes,candles their ’s ownlivingordining a nearlyemptysanctuaryorfrom services overtheinternet,eitherfrom preparations tobroadcastprayersand worship. Severalparishesmade resources forat-homeprayerand church membersandgathering making pastoralphonecallsto Week andEaster, clergy began While leadingalive-streamed Continued onpage3. 2 THE MESSENGER News MAY 2020 Rebecca Harris trusts in God to follow path to priesthood MARGARET GLIDDEN Edmonton Editor hen the Rev. Rebecca Harris was ordained an WAnglican priest in the Diocese of Edmonton on March 25, 2020, the Annunciation of the Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the simple ceremony was a fitting reflection of her unpretentious ministry and unconventional faith journey. As was to be expected, the ordination service was led by Rebecca Harris awaits the start of her ordination Bishop Jane Alexander at All Saints’ service with daughter Misty and husband Ian; Bishop Cathedral. Unexpected, and, as a Jane presents Rebecca, the newly vested priest, with a result of precautionary measures chalice and paten. instituted during the COVID-19 Later, Bishop Jane said of this minister from her pew week after in Edmonton was very small, she pandemic, the congregation was holy time, “I was keenly aware that week, she felt “a strong desire to be found she felt “relaxed and at home fewer than 15 people, including Rebecca was being commissioned at the front leading, so I could teach preaching to a congregation of 100 at Rebecca’s husband Ian and daughter for pastoral and priestly ministry people too. It was as if something St. Paul’s.” Misty, chancellor, parishioner and and being sent out to work in ways was tugging at my heart telling me In February, 2019 Rebecca friend Ken Holmstrom and Patti she could never have imagined. She ‘you can do more.’” She became a and Ian sold their home in Yuma Holmstrom and clergy. will, of course, have the opportunity licensed lay reader, helping to lead and moved back to Edmonton to Yet, through the wonders for a larger celebration once we can worship and preaching sermons. be closer to their daughters and of digital technology and video all gather again, but as she herself Clergy and friends also grandchildren. Around the same equipment set up by the of said, ‘It’s not about the ceremony of recognised her gifts and encouraged time, the Rev. Dan Wold, who was Edmonton the Very Rev. Alex Meek, ordination, it’s about the ministry.’ her to pursue becoming a . interim deacon-in-charge of Holy the service was live-streamed for Yes indeed, Rebecca, and the prayers But by this time the Harris’s had Trinity Riverbend parish, stepped those who were unable to be present of the whole diocese are with you in retired from their secular careers and back from his ministry to be with in person. This thoughtful gesture your work.” purchased a home in Yuma, Arizona. his wife Daphne who had been was, undoubtedly, appreciated by It is little surprise that Harris She doubted whether a second diagnosed with cancer. members of Holy Trinity Riverbend, would enter priestly ministry in career as a minister made sense for “I started right at Easter – the Edmonton, where Harris serves as unusual times when you consider a woman in her 60s. “I honestly busiest time of the year,” she says, priest-in-charge, and her daughter the unconventional path she has thought it was too late; I couldn’t adding she has received incredible Wendy, who watched from her home followed to the priesthood. Raised attend seminary at that stage in my support from the parish she and Ian in Edson. in a “non-church-going” family, she life.” helped start. The service, a pared-down asked Jesus to enter her life at age At this point Harris says her faith “We have been attending Holy version of the ordination eucharist, 16 after encountering a stranger on a journey started to get difficult with Trinity Riverbend since its inception, was held in the chancel. Members of Hawaiian beach. numerous “disappointments and and I think of every member of the the congregation, with the exception “He asked if I’d like to accept setbacks.” parish as my extended family. They of those who live in the same Jesus into my heart,” she says. “My “I wasn’t sure about God’s path are a wonderfully diverse group household, were seated a minimum family didn’t talk about God and for me,” she says. “But I knew I of people who are my constant of two meters apart, as per social we didn’t attend church, but my needed to trust him.” She sought the supporters.” distancing protocol. The music response was ‘yes, I would.’” guidance of a Spiritual Director who and sung prayers were offered by At university Harris experienced continues to help her know herself A year later, she remembers All Saints’ Music Director Jeremy what she describes as a “period of and God better. crying tears of joy at upon hearing Spurgeon. Patti Holmstrom gave wonder and learning” while studying “My very wise spiritual director the news from Bishop Jane, her the First Reading Hebrews 10:5- world religions. But it would be told me, ‘God doesn’t call the friend of more than 25 years, that 10; and the Rev. John Gee read the several years later, after marrying Ian qualified. He qualifies the called,’” she would be ordained a priest. Her Gospel of Luke 1:26-38. Harris was and starting a family, that she would she says. family, including her parents, now in presented for examination, signing start attending church regularly. It She also enrolled in pastoral their nineties and living in Oregon, her declaration before chancellor was important to the couple that “our training and Education for Ministry were “really excited and supportive,” Ken Holmstrom. Consecrated and children have Christian knowledge (EfM), and “all of a sudden things to hear the news of her ordination. proclaimed a priest in the church in order to make informed choices as began to change.” After she was Among the gifts Rebecca brings of God by Bishop Jane, she was they grew up,” she says. ordained a deacon by Bishop Jane to her ministry, says husband Ian, presented with a Bible, chalice and Harris loved her church Alexander on Holy Cross Day in are “a deep-seated commitment to paten, and was vested according to community. “It wasn’t long before I September, 2017, Harris began assist parishioners with their spiritual the order of . was actively involved in all aspects; ministering to people in ways she growth; and her personal relationship “It was not at all what I expected, serving on the altar guild, as a had only dreamt of. with God, and an understanding that but everything I could ever want,” member of vestry, teaching Sunday “I had the privilege of serving she is acting as a steward of God’s says Harris now of her spirit-filled school, and representing my church under a wonderful mentor, the Rev. word.” ordination to the priesthood. “It was at synod.” Liturgical dance, which Dr. Cherian Pulimootil, at St. Paul’s intimate and solemn, yet joyous and she performed at several churches Episcopal Church in Yuma for two “People ask me how I got to filled with love... I was surprised at in the diocese throughout the 1980s winters. He took me under his wing where I am and I tell them it’s the my emotional reaction when I was and ’90s, was a way for her to and taught me the things you don’t Holy Spirit,” she says. “This is God’s pronounced a priest. God’s grace passionately express “God’s word learn from a book: the nuts and bolts plan for me.” Borrowing from an oft and love was very present in that through music and dance.” and behind the scenes,” she says. repeated quote, she adds, “I found moment.” However, as she observed the Even though her church community my life, and it fits.” MAY 2020 3 THE MESSENGER Bishop’s Corner Harmony of shalom to prevail over dissonance caused by virus istening to Gershwin’s God writes great music. In killing, war. The music became not We are not people of the virus, “Rhapsody in Blue,” I the beginning, he introduced a triumphal march from creation we are people of Christ. COVID-19 Lthought: ‘all great music has his melody: a burst of creation, to shalom (wholeness in God), will become a part of our history. a strong melody and speaking good from but one in which the major theme, In Christ, God came to earth and harmony.’ Beethoven, nothing, introducing the harmony of shalom, is often sacrificed himself to restore the great Mozart, Tchaikovsky, greater order and countered with, and sometimes melody. In Christ, his people can Gershwin, Strauss, complexity from overwhelmed with, the dissonance of live in harmony, bringing forth the Debussy, all created chaos, culminating death. World War I and World War gifts each has to provide a fulsome great melodic music. in the rich treasure of II are good examples of this. Any image of Christ. The Bible tells us Pachelbel’s “Canon living in tranquility, time we sacrifice another person’s the strategy of God’s brilliant piece in D Major” is a great health, and wholeness livelihood or wellbeing on the altar is to reassert the original melody, and example. Modern with his people, of greed or selfishness (often called end with that: God and his people, classics have the same his Images. It was ‘economics’ or ‘expediency’), we living together in tranquility, health, attribute: “Let it Be,” good, very good. are in the dissonance. Plagues and and wholeness; living in harmony. “Bridge Over Troubled The harmony diseases are one of the counter- We can look towards this, even Water,” “Yesterday,” Bishop DAVID GREENWOOD was fantastic. But harmonies of this dissonance. whilst the counter-harmonies assail “Georgia on My Mind,” Diocese of Athabasca then dissonance COVID-19 started life as an animal us with their dissonance. Each day to name a few, all was introduced: a virus, crossed over to humanity, we can practice walking with Christ have great melodies which wind harshness, a break from the theme; and is now, as we know, wreaking and talking with Christ. Reach out throughout. J.S. Bach’s music humanity decided it wanted not to havoc amongst us. But it is not the with him to those in need. Live his often seems to be a melody that is be Image Of God but, rather, God melody. It is not the main harmony. life of shalom. It truly is the life of continually playing with itself: a himself; and picked the apple. This In all great music, the melody and love. May you be blessed in this good example of this is “Jesu, Joy of introduced a whole kaleidoscope harmony will prevail; ‘carry the day,’ experience. +David Man’s Desiring.” of counter-harmonies: jealousy, so to speak. Reaching out with intent during period of social distancing continued

Continued from Front Page. can be assured that we will emerge felt strange not to be able to invite together and being the church, we “We forget often, one of the out the other side of this time with a them inside.” have grown more confident in our hardest teachings of Christianity, deeper knowledge of ourselves, how In mid-March the “Worship at ability to use digital technology to that Jesus takes flesh and becomes our society functions, and our own Home” online prayer and resource connect with Christians, not just in present in our own being,” he said. capabilities and various forms of offerings on www.edmonton. Alberta, but everywhere. “Jesus is looking out your eyes, resilience.” anglican.ca also grew exponentially. Although we may not be able and Jesus is present equally in our At the same time people were The March 15 eucharist led by Holy to meet again in person “until neighbours and families.” Crane being asked to stay home, concern Trinity Anglican Church (HTAC) Pentecost, or even beyond,” asked his viewers to look around for the people most vulnerable to was watched by more than 1,100 says Bishop Jane, “I am hearing their communities for acts of love COVID-19, those who do not have Facebook Live viewers. According to comments from folks all the and compassion being carried out a home to stay in, was growing. the Ven. Chris Pappas, HTAC began time about the blessings, often by healthcare professionals, first Essential ministries, such as the broadcasting sermons on Facebook unexpected, of reaching out through responders and caregivers, grocery community meal programs run by Live about three years ago. The virtual worship.” store clerks, frontline agencies and St. Faith’s PrayerWorks and Christ gradually added Christmas, Easter In addition to hearing from people offering to pick-up groceries Church and the Manna Market and Remembrance Day services our own parishioners, Bishop Jane for an elderly neighbour. and Friday Morning Breakfasts at to the live-stream line-up and, in says people who have seldom been That same morning, the All Saints’, as well as the Sunday September, 2019, made all Sunday heard from, or who were feeling Rev. Madeleine Urion emailed lunch program, an ecumenical effort services available to online viewers. disenfranchised, are reaching out. parishioners at St. George’s, coordinated by Inner City Pastoral By Palm Sunday, April 5, half of the “How amazing is it that God Edmonton, with a reassuring and Ministry (ICPM), would need to 50 urban and rural parishes in the takes even these situations and turns encouraging message. be continued, but not in the normal Edmonton diocese offered morning them into blessings to bring God’s “We are each waking up to fashion. or evening prayer, eucharist or Taizé children closer to him and to one a strange new landscape here in “We served about 60 bag services online via Facebook, Zoom another?” she asks. “I think we will Edmonton,” she wrote. “The healing, lunches to community dinner or YouTube. Some parishes were be an even more connected church restoring, and comforting Spirit of guests who came to our doors,” also distributing Messy Church and at the end of this pandemic, knowing God is present in this landscape in said the Rev. Susan Oliver, Sunday school crafts to families with each other more deeply, praying a multitude of ways. Although the of Christ Church, in an email to her online or printed instructions for more deeply and reaching out with future may seem uncertain as we parishioners in March. “It was a very completing the activities at home. even more intention than before.” adapt our lives to this new reality, we different way of feeding people and With these new ways of being

SUBMISSIONS DUE 1 MONTH Send to: A $15 annual donation is suggested. PRIOR to PRINTING DATE Margaret Glidden (Edmonton) LAYOUT & DESIGN Please send donations to the Margaret Glidden of Athabasca or Edmonton, DEADLINE for June, 2020 [email protected] c/o The Messenger. Shelly King Issue: MAY 1 Peter Clarke (Athabasca) [email protected] The Messenger is published under PROOF READING the authority of the Dioceses of Jennifer Wirun Athabasca and Edmonton. Opinions www.edmonton.anglican.ca/ expressed in The Messenger are not blog/the-messenger MESSENGER TEAM necessarily those of the editor or publisher. EDITORS REPORTING Submissions: Margaret Glidden (Edmonton) Peter Clarke The Messenger is a section of the We welcome letters to the editor, Anglican Journal, printed 10 times a news, stories and book reviews (max Peter Clarke (Athabasca) Margaret Glidden year (no issues July and August) by 500 words), event notices and high Shelly King Webnews Printing Inc. resolution photos (min 300 dpi). North York, ON. 4 THE MESSENGER Missional Discipleship MAY 2020 Go and make disciples! Leadership in trying days begin with nurtured and valued obedient to what God would we ensure we care for everyone and words I never through this time. have us do? Life is very different nurture missional discipleship when I dreamed I • He is Rabbi/Teacher. at the moment, so it’s very we can’t meet on Sundays? That is would write: we He will have things important we ask these kinds of the key question here. We answer by are having to be to teach us in this questions. It’s important we not leading with Jesus (Christology) and the church in the time that we could simply assume we must do the bringing all five of these aspects of time of a global not learn any other usual thing, just in a different Jesus’ mission and ministry to bear pandemic. How do way. So we continue way. on every decision we make. we do that? What to focus on getting to • He is the great Apostle (Hebrews What will success look like? do we need to be know our God and 3:1). We saw that we too are That is a simple question to answer. able to do that? I what it means to be a ‘sent’ (apostolos) into the Jesus calls us, as his disciples, to go would suggest that faithful disciple. world. We are part of God’s and make disciples. That’s it! That’s we already have all The Ven. RICHARD KING • He is the great ongoing mission of redemption the unchanging task given to the we need. Our God Archdeacon for Evangelist, in the and reconciliation. What an Church. We are called to be faithful, has not changed Mission and Discipleship purest sense of the opportunity we have been given trusting, loving, grace-and-hope- Diocese of Edmonton and continues to word. He continues in these days, to think through filled disciples who go and make abide in us as we abide in Him. We to invite people to work and what we do and why! more disciples. Success in these days have seen in the articles over the past walk with Him. We still need to So by starting with Jesus and is not ultimately about our streaming, months what He calls the church to be Jesus’ inviting, connecting these five functions (shepherding, the clicks on our websites, our be and how he equips us. people, though we may need to teaching, inviting, plus that which social media use or the quality of We look to Jesus and we ask be more creative in how we do is prophetic and apostolic), we lead our online production, except in as what would Jesus have us do? As that. with Christology through these trying much as these things enable us to we have seen over previous articles, • Jesus is described in Luke 24 as days. It’s all about Jesus, making move forward as disciples who make Jesus engages in the world in these the Prophet, the one promised Him known in word and action, disciples. five ways, which he calls us to reflect in the Old Testament who glorifying Him in our lives. We saw (Ephesians 4:11-16): would call us back into faithful in previous articles how we tend to May God bless you richly in all • He is the Good Shepherd. He relationship with God. So we lead with our ecclesiology instead, your endeavours in His name, would have us care for each need to keep asking ourselves: focusing upon our church life and Richard other and ensure everyone is Are we being faithful and what we do on Sundays. How can Walking the Red Road as a follower of Jesus he moonlight shines through the passing down of oral traditions the small opening between the and stories recorded using wampum Tcurtains in my bedroom as the belts. For some, they were recorded scream of the alarm clock goes off. using petrographs on buffalo robes. It is 5:30 am and the start of a new Lessons on how to love and live day. For many people, the start of the were passed on to children from day means a quick meal before a run generation-to-generation. If we look or a spin on a bicycle. As a person of at how we came to have the Bible, Indigenous ancestry and a follower this is not much different than the of Jesus, my day starts differently. Hebrew Scriptures, passed on from Grateful for the gift of each new generation to generation until they day, I sit to express my gratitude to were documented on scrolls during Creator in prayer. the exile in Babylon. Each day starts with the smudge. receive the wisdom of his word as “Three strands in a braid of sweet Daily devotions have long been a Mixing a little sweet grass with I settle down to read Scripture and grass. They represent three spiritual part of discipleship, and even though sage and tobacco, I light the sacred pray the Daily Office (Morning and qualities – maybe love, kindness, we cannot meet together in public medicines with a match and fan the Evening Prayer) from the Book of humility. When I smudge myself, worship, it is important we continue small flame with my prayer fan to Common Prayer. I purify myself in those qualities. I to hold onto what keeps us connected ensure that the smoke rises. I fan the To some, combining the smudge prepare myself for my day with the to God. For some, it is meditation. smoke over my head so I can think with the Daily Office may seem strength of those spiritual qualities. For others, it may be praying using good thoughts; I fan the smoke over contradictory. I can understand that The smoke clings to my hair, my prayer beads. For me, it is the smell my eyes so I can see things in good view given our colonial past and clothes, and it remains in the air of of the sage, sweet grass and tobacco, light. I fan the smoke over my ears how the Church failed to see how my home. As I move through the and beautiful rhythm and language so I hear good things and listen to there are similarities in some of the day and smell that fragrance, I am in the prayer book. For me, walking what others say with respect and spiritual practices of my ancestors reminded of how I have chosen to the Red Road and being a follower understanding. I fan the smoke over and Church liturgical practices. After live-and in that is power of greeting of Jesus are complementary on this my mouth so I will say good things all, Indigenous ceremony is another each day with reverence, calm and journey of being in relationship with and only speak the truth. I fan the form of liturgy used to pray to God. prayer. That is how I learn to direct our Creator. smoke over my chest where my heart I believe that, while they are indeed my humanity toward peace, equality, Fred Matthews is an Indigenous is so I approach each day with love different, they also complement one and harmony: one day, one person, Anglican the Edmonton diocese. for my fellow human beings. As I another. one circumstance at a time.” As my He worships at St. Thomas’, am doing this, I pray to the Creator I find Annishnabe author Richard prayers rise to the Creator with the Sherwood Park and at St. Faith’s, asking that I walk with a good Wagamese’s insights into smudging smoke of the smudge, I am made Edmonton. Fred continues to be an heart and a good mind. I ask for his speak to the truth of the effect ready to meet God as I read and active member of the Messy Church blessing on all who walk this earth smudging has when used as part of meditate on his word given to us in Reconciliation Team and assisting so we can live in harmony with one prayer. On page 47 of Embers: One the Scriptures. with the ministry at Frog Lake First another. I pray my heart is opened to Ojibway’s Meditations, he writes: My ancestors learned through Nation. MAY 2020 5 THE MESSENGER COVID-19 Response ICPM a presence at Expo Centre and in urban core MARGARET GLIDDEN back and forth services are is present throughout Edmonton Editor between Boyle kept at a safe the building and Bissell n these extraordinary Street and distance from staff maintain a friendly days when so many are Northlands. one another supervision of the site. The being asked to self- People are able by standing atmosphere is congenial and I to come in to within tape the patrons, as usual, are isolate and stay home, what happens to those who don’t the centre each boundaries thankfully appreciative of have a home? Edmonton is day, from 8:00 on the floor. the services offered.” trying to answer that need, am to 8:00 Tables are Meanwhile, ICPM has using the Expo Centre pm, to use the set up with found a way to continue at Northlands as a day washroom, barriers in its year-round (52 weeks) shelter where 4-500 people have a shower, place to Sunday lunch program, experiencing homelessness take a nap or maintain social which is provided by can still access the things have a meal. distancing volunteers from more they need for daily life. Services Volunteers hand out drinks and bagged lunches on Sunday mornings at when people than 80 local churches, Inner City Pastoral such as a tax the Bissell Centre. ICPM is temporaily relocated to the Expo Centre. sit down. To synagogues and a mosque. Ministry (ICPM), an clinic, clothing underwear. the rear of the Instead of patrons being interdenominational storage, chaplaincy and ICPM pastor the Rev. hall, 35 day cots are set up invited to the Bissell Christian ministry of counselling, as well an Rick Chapman reported for people needing a rest, Centre to worship with presence in Edmonton’s opportunity to connect during the first week of again with proper distancing. the Emmanuel community urban core, plays a with Housing First are also operations that emergency At night, Hope Mission, and enjoy a sit-down meal significant role in the city’s available. At the time of relief workers at the EXPO the George Spady Centre and fellowship, the ICPM response to homelessness. printing, more services were Centre were doing their and the Kinsmen Centre in ministry team hands out Like other social service being added daily. best to maintain a safe the river valley are open for bag lunches through the agencies coping with the ICPM team members environment and prevent the people to sleep. door from 10:30am to noon, COVID-19 pandemic, it has Jim Gurnett, Michelle spread of COVID-19. People “The site is well with any leftover lunches to had to adapt its services to Nieviadomy and Rick coming into the facility have organized on every level, be distributed at the Expo continue to safely meet the Chapman maintain a their temperature taken to including staff care,” said Centre. needs of the city’s vulnerable presence with the Bissell assess their health. Patrons Chapman. ICPM continues to population. Centre in Hall A, from who do not have an elevated “The Bissell team and connect with people on Ordinarily based out of 10:00am to noon, Monday to temperature then register and other agencies are partnering the street throughout the the Bissell Centre, ICPM is Friday. They offer spiritual proceed to Hall A, a large, in this venture, which the week, asking for prayer, and now part of the centralized care, quiet conversation open, well ventilated space social care professionals say, acknowledging these are still operations at the Expo and distribute essential with high ceilings. ‘seems to be working.’” early days in dealing with Centre. An ETS shuttle runs items such as socks and People lining up for He said, “Security this pandemic. Cathedral food ministry feeding neighbours in uncertain times CANON BARBARA BURROWS distancing became a All Saints’ Cathedral reality, we began packing bags with popular food t All Saints’ items and/or items that Cathedral we are might last a while, such as Aall trying to adapt potatoes, apples, oranges, to our new ‘normal’ created pears, onions, carrots, by the Covid-19 crisis. It is tomatoes, cucumber, important we continue, as broccoli, cauliflower or long as possible, our food bananas. ministry to our neighbours At first, it worked who rely on us in downtown for people to come Quinn Strikwerda greets Manna Market customers outside All Saints’ Cathedral. Packed bags replace the open market. Edmonton. We have made in one door, pay, pick significant changes to these up their bag, and exit Manna Market patrons. The shelters, a free, nutritious started, because it was cold programs to provide for out the other door of the next week, we distributed meal. In the past, we have outside, our friends were the health and safety of hall. Then we streamlined 35 bags. The bags hold quite concluded our annual invited into the church to eat both the volunteers and the distribution further and, with a bit of produce and some breakfast ministry at the (keeping the correct physical community members. fewer volunteers, we tried may still have had food left end of March. As a result of distance of course). This was At Manna Market, which selling the bags of produce from the week before. As extraordinary circumstances very moving to see, and our runs every Wednesday outside. Our system seemed always, we keep any leftover this year, we will continue, dean and vicar sanitized the afternoon, we now pre- to worked well, enabling produce to sell the following along with a new Tuesday pews afterwards! pack bags of fresh groceries everyone to maintain the week, if it is still sellable, breakfast, as long as we We hope to continue which customers can pick appropriate physical distance or we donate it to St. Faith’s can during the Covid crisis. to run these programs as up for $10. Before the crisis, from one other. We hope PrayerWorks Community These meals have also taken long as we can throughout our neighbours, many of to continue this routine Meals program. We also on a different form. Instead the Covid crisis. We will whom reside in the low- as outdoor temperatures order extra bananas and of inviting our friends in continue to adapt to the new income seniors residence increase this spring. oranges to give away at our for a sit-down breakfast of and ever-changing safety next door, could choose their In mid-March, 60 Friday breakfasts. pancakes, ham and porridge, protocols, endeavouring own produce from baskets bags of groceries were The Cathedral Friday the team prepares a take-out to provide a safe and set out in our indoor market. distributed, reflecting our Breakfasts feed our friends, container with a toasted ham healthy environment for In mid-March, when social weekly average number of including many people sandwich, hard boiled eggs, our volunteers and our who live on the street or in fruit and coffee. When we community. 6 THE MESSENGER Covid-19 Response MAY 2020 Edmonton diocese and international partners hold each other in prayer MARGARET GLIDDEN Ciza, former Diocesan Edmonton Editor Secretary for Buyé diocese, n March 14, that the first positive the Diocese of cases of Covid-19 had Edmonton received been recorded in Burundi. O (On April 3, there were word from Audace Kwizera, Diocesan Secretary, Buyé 7,080 confirmed cases of Diocese, that the COVID-19 COVID-19 in Africa.) virus had not yet reached “We need your Pictured above: Fr. Michael Lapsley speaks to parishioners during a Burundi, but it had reached prayers,” said Ciza who is visit to Edmonton diocese, November 2019. Pictured right: Bishop currently at seminary at the Sixbert and Bishop Jane sign an agrement to walk together, to neighboring countries. uphold each other in prayer and to work for the Kingdom of God in “Let us pray for University of the South in Buyé and in Edmonton, May 2009. each other during this Sewanee, Tennessee. unprecedented time,” said Fr. Michael Lapsley, at the beginning of April. lockdown. All Kwizera. our Honorary Canon for He requested prayers for South Africans are Healing and Reconciliation the people of South Africa. required to stay in But by April 1, the it is not uncommon that 10 and resident of Cape Town, On Thursday, March 26, their homes. Please pray Synod Office had also people might share a small South Africa, also reached the government there began for the thousands who live received news via an email shack with no running water. from the Rev. Dominique out the Edmonton diocese a three-week, nation-wide in depressed areas where PrayerWorks Community Meals Continue through Crisis

Pictured above left: Meredith Watt, Paul Chu, Carmen Chu and Treena Chu, volunteers with the St. John the Evangelist PrayerWorks team, prepare sandwiches for a hearty and nutritious lunch on April 4, 2020. St. Faith’s PrayerWorks’ volunteers prepare and package take-away lunches from Wednesday to Saturday each week. Pictured above right: Greg Hendricks and Treena Chu from the St. John the Evangelist team hand out lunches with St. Faith’s rector Travis Enright. Lunches are passed to community members through the doors of the church hall, ensuring physical distancing for the safety of all, and enabling volunteers and lunch recipients to exchange greetings. Some meals are delivered directly as well, always holding safety as a priority. Photos: Jennifer Stewart, St. Faith’s Anglican Church St. Luke’s Messy Church finds creative way to celebrate Easter SHELLY KING Through Messenger Staff research and planning after ocial distancing did the Covid-19 not stop Messy Easter crisis hit, the at St. Luke’s Anglican S St. Luke’s Church in Edmonton. It is Messy true, families and friends Church were not able to gather Team was around tables in the usual inspired to fashion, working on their an Easter story booklet, put together “Messy Church crafts and enjoying a meal the Easter jellybean To-Go” bags! They filled including pencils, crayons to let them know when to together. Still, the Messy prayer, and a few treats. The the bags with six Easter and glue dots. The team pick up their Easter bags at Celebration of Easter found bags contained everything crafts, plus crossword then emailed the St. Luke’s St. Luke’s or to arrange for a way to go ahead. needed for making the crafts, puzzles, colouring pages, Messy Church congregation delivery if needed. MAY 2020 7 THE MESSENGER Athabasca Bishop connects with Athabasca friends and rich history Bishop DAVID GREENWOOD Young, second Bishop • In 1895, a Day School live while they attended Today, the parish Diocese of Athabasca of the Diocese of was started at Bishop’s school in the town. provides a vibrant food Athabasca, left Fort Court (the residence • Camp Matawawin on ministry to the homeless he weekend of March Vermilion to reside in of the Bishop). This the northeast shore of through All Saints’ Kitchen 15, I had the privilege Athabasca Landing. He was continued until 1904 Baptiste Lake started in (ASK), a soup kitchen open Tof returning to the the first clergy in residence. with the start of the 1943. The grounds were Monday, Wednesday, and parish of Athabasca. This In 1894, HBC transferred public school district. closed in 1980. Friday; regular services at would be my last in-person land to the Anglican Church • The same year, a Many of the the extended-care facilities visit for a while, and I for a church and residence. printing press was used congregations around in town; a prayer chain thoroughly enjoyed myself. The first church (St. to produce scripture and Athabasca were originally and pastoral visiting to the I attended a congregational Matthew’s) and Bishop’s instructional materials started as mission outposts hospital. meeting with the wardens, residence were completed in English and Cree of clergy based in I greatly enjoyed my and visited some of the and opened on September Syllabics. Athabasca. Clergy and lay visit to Athabasca. Please parishioners with the Rev. 20, 1896. A new church was • In 1920, Sunday school readers would regularly keep the parish in your Christobel Lines. I enjoyed completed in 1908. As a by post was started, as make trips to Smith (90 km prayers as its mmbers serve more fellowship at a lunch memorial to all the pioneer was the Sunday school away to the northwest), to God in this beautiful area of following the Sunday Christian workers, known traveling mission (“The Rich Lake (145 km away to our diocese. service. Even though I had and unknown, in the north, Van Ladies”). the east), and many points In Christs’ Name; only been away from the the church was named All • In 1938 a boys’ hostel between. +David parish for three months, Saints. was opened it felt like a long time had The Rt. Rev. Edwin for school-age elapsed, and it was great to Robins was Bishop from children, with see old friends again. 1912-1930. When the a girls’ hostel Athabasca has a rich railroad expanded into following in history in our church. As the Peace River region 1941. These early as 1879, missionaries he moved the See from continued passing through Athabasca Athabasca to Peace River, in until 1966, Landing held services 1916. and were a in teepees or buildings Since its beginning, place where belonging to the Hudson’s Athabasca parish has always children from Bay Company (HBC). In made education and outreach across the 1893, the Rt. Rev. Richard priorities. north could Bishop David and the parishioners of All Saints’ Church in Athabasca. St. Thomas’ vestry goes virtual Love of Christ Abounds Bishop DAVID GREENWOOD delicious meal and great through highs and lows in its Diocese of Athabasca conversation. brief life, and at present is re- in Lac la Biche t. Thomas’ was Of all the parishes establishing itself. in the Athabasca diocese, St. I was encouraged in Bishop DAVID GREENWOOD St. Andrew’s, the first of my virtual Diocese of Athabasca Lac La Biche was visits. I met with Thomas’ is the one I have discussion with the vestry, S spent the most time in. Our as our honest and fruitful founded in 1915, several members of the was greeted warmly family attended St. Thomas’ discussion I believe God has and together with St. Vestry via Zoom conference by the members of from 1988 to 2015, and I great things in store for our Mary’s Rich Lake (50 km call, and had a very good visit St. Andrew’s, Lac to the south east), forms with the Rev. Christopher count many of the members diocese, and St. Thomas’ is I La Biche, on March 7-8, as good friends. It is a no exception: His hand is the Parish of the Living Tapera. Benita and I also had just as I had been when comparatively young parish; upon them. Please keep them Water. The church centre the pleasure of having supper visiting in Fort Chipewyan being established in 1983 as in your prayers as they follow and rectory are on the with Chris and his wife the week before. I wish a “daughter parish” of All Christ in doing His will. south side of the lake with Julliette and daughter Lisa, to thank the Rev. Terry Saints’. The parish has been All glory be to God. beautiful views of sunsets where we were treated to a Francis and his wife Pat for over the water in the hosting me at their house, summer. and engaging in wonderful Lac La Biche has a (and wide-ranging) population of around 2,300 conversations. people (2016 census) and We were able to is in a beautiful country celebrate at St. Andrew’s of lakes, rolling hills, on Sunday morning; farms and forests. Please gathering afterward to keep the members of the exchange ideas and get to Parish of Living Water know one another better. in your prayers, that they We had a fairly frank, and continue to be filled with healthy, discussion about the presence of Christ more the parish which, though and more, and that they presently small in numbers, get to witness Christ doing is full of the presence of wonderful and amazing Christ. Their love of Christ things in their beautiful is self-evident as shown by community. their graciousness to myself Glory to God, and each other. +David Screen capture of St. Thomas’, Fort McMurray vestry meeting with Bishop Greenwood (pictured top row, center). 8 THE MESSENGER PWRDF MAY 2020 PWRDF plants seeds of hope with Canadian Foodgrains Bank description, and animals wandering freely about. I also hadn’t anticipated the lasting impact the wonderful people I met would have on me. Upon our was recently arrival, we traveled north invited by through the state of West the Canadian Bengal for several hours I by train to visit projects Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) to join with our partners. DOROTHY MARSHALL a “learning tour” We ventured up into PWRDF Representative the foothills to remote of India, meeting Diocese of Edmonton with partner villages perched on the organizations and seeing supported sides of steep hillsides; projects. Our Anglican Primate’s home of the Malto people. World Relief and Development Fund After a very warm welcome, Dorothy and her team members with Raju, Devi, and their daughters in front of their home. (PWRDF) is one of 15 church-based which included colourful dancers and Devi who live with their two young goat and would now be able to send member agencies of CFGB. I had no drummers leading us into the village, daughters live in a small mud hut. her to school! idea what an adventure India would we were told about the ongoing Raju told us how he grows a variety Knowledge transfer is a powerful be! project to teach local farmers of crops like maize, pigeon peas, tool with tremendous possibilities. Realising I knew very little about conservation agriculture techniques. lentils and mustard on the two acres People’s lives are transformed the country, I decided to do some Lives had already been dramatically he farms. With the addition of a by the opportunity to learn basic research. I read a book about the changed. We heard of efforts to build variety of vegetables he no longer techniques to gain food security. history of India, and followed that stone berms across the hillside fields struggles to feed his family. He The Canadian Foodgrains Bank and by watching an excellent YouTube to minimise soil loss during the rainy grows tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes, PWRDF working with local partners video series called “The Story of season and retain moisture; to plant okra, pumpkin, flat beans and papaya who are aware of the challenges and India” by historian Michael Wood. in rows rather than scattering seed; in the family garden. The village had can envision viable solutions. I saw I was given two guide books, full to abandon the practice of burning received a male goat that was larger firsthand the results of this working of helpful hints on traversing the forest when new land was cleared than the local breed, and now Raju’s model! Together, our goal is “a world culture, by my daughter, and I also for fields. We learned of healthier goats were producing larger kids that without hunger.” Your donation to read a couple of novels set in that livestock due to the practice of crop he could sell for much more money. the PWRDF through the CFGB) will country. I was ready! rotation; and healthier people who When asked about his dreams enable the continuation of projects In spite of all my pre-travel were growing fresh produce in their for the future, Raju replied, “Me and with our partners, similar to those diligence, I was not prepared for gardens. I was surprised to learn my wife are illiterate. We hope to I saw in India. Every donation is what I saw when we arrived in the that the idea of growing garden have our children be educated. We matched by the Government of Kolkata. I could not have imagined vegetables had been until recently want to grow our food in a better Canada by up to 4:1. the cacophony and mayhem of unknown to these people, and they way.” He also told us that 9-year-old Go to www.foodgrainsbank.ca traffic. I had no real concept of the had certainly embraced the idea. Biji’s dream was “to be able to go to learn more about the work of the poverty I would see; people living on We were invited into family to school. She wants to be a doctor CFGB, and for more about projects the streets and in makeshift shelters homes to have conversations (with and be able to give medicines to the supported by Canadian Anglicans wherever there was a bit of space. I interpreters) about how their lives people in the village.” With pride, visit www.pwrdf.org. didn’t realize how crowded it would had been impacted by the project. he shared that he had recently sold a be – with people, vehicles of every It was here that I met Raju and Affliction or Opportunity: a Reflection Sunday. It is the season of Lent and, without the distraction of going here or there, I have more Annual General Meeting opportunity to open the Book Due to COVID-19, the Board of Directors is working of Common Prayer and Book of diligently on an alternate plan for its 2020 AGM Alternative Services I keep in my originally scheduled for May 20 in Edmonton. nightstand and read and pray. We invite you to check the website for an update I am also aware of other on the date, time and how you can participate. opportunities to connect with people. Our phone prayer chain is holding up more people in prayer, I have participated in Zoom virtual meetings and I Face-time with my family. After weeks in isolation it was beautiful to see and be seen, This photo of an empty church also our responsibility as members to hear and be heard. is apparently both a reflection of of the church to shine our light In all situations, I believe God present reality amidst the Covid-19 in the world. We have no better challenges us to seek opportunities pandemic and also (according to opportunity than now to share our to be our best and love all people – the January, 2020 issue of the stories. both the seen and unseen. Anglican Journal) a glimpse of In the last few weeks, thanks church in 40 years. to digital technology, I have Submitted by I know that with God all things been able to worship with the Candace Mahaffey, are possible and he will bring Archbishop of Canterbury, my Christ Church, www.anglicanfoundation.org people to the church, but it is Bishop and my rector on the same Grande Prairie