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St. Peter's Friends and Neighbours Kick up Heels at Cowboy Church

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St. Peter's Friends and Neighbours Kick up Heels at Cowboy Church A SECTION OF THE ANGLICAN JOURNAL SERVING THE DIOCESES OF ATHABASCA & EDMONTON THE MessengerOCTOBER, 2019 www.edmonton.anglican.org St. Peter’s Friends and Neighbours Kick Up Heels at Cowboy Church Bishop Jane Alexander (front, left) blessed the 35-year marriage Coleen and Mike Lynch, rector and assistant priest of St. Peter’s, Edmonton, Story on page 6 before a congregation of 119 friends, family, neighbours and parishioners dressed in Western wear for Cowboy Church on August 25, 2019. Long-serving member of Christ Church ordained a deacon Pictured, from left, at the ordination service at Christ Church, Grande Prairie (back row): Dean of Athabasca Jason Haggstrom, Janice Orr, Wayne Putman, Rosemarie Howell, Danielle McKenzie. (Front row): Fariborz Khandani, newly ordained deacon Karen Kovacs, Bishop Fraser Lawton; Karen Kovacs and family. Photos: Peter Clarke that leads where it may, fact, they do not. he said. The Ordination hymn “Veni To this end, we Creator Spiritus” (Come Holy Ghost) were reminded of our concluded the presentation, examination responsibility to support and consecration of Karen Kovacs as Karen in this new role deacon, and she was invited to celebrate Canon PETER CLARKE Psalm 31:1-7 and 16: “Let your face in her life. We are all the eucharist with Bishop Lawton. The Athabasca Editor shine upon your servant save me in your one family in Christ and Karen may be service concluded with the recessional n the eve of St. Stephenʼs Day, steadfast love,” and seemed a fitting called to serve in areas that will make hymn “You are Mine.” August 2, 2019, family, friends blessing for Kovacs in her new ministry. her uncomfortable; speaking Godʼs truth We descended to Speke Hall for and parishioners gathered In his sermon the Rt. Rev. Fraser to people who may not wish to hear it. a presentation by Bishop Lawton to O Lawton, Bishop of Athabasca, reminded In Matthew 13: 54-58, the people in the newly ordained deacon, and a time at Christ Church, Grande Prairie to celebrate the ordination of long-time Karen, as well as the congregation, to Jesus’ hometown do not want to hear of food and fellowship. It was a great member Karen Kovacs as deacon. be mindful of ministry’s real cost, at all His message. They do not believe He evening of celebration. Thanks be to The opening hymn “We are Called” levels. Effective ministry comes from can be so knowledgeable and powerful. God. was paired with the message from an all-encompassing passion for Christ They presume to know Him when, in Bishop Lawton Farewell p. 5 Appeal of John Bunyan p. 15 Base Camp p. 16 2 THE MESSENGER Bishop’s Vision OCTOBER 2019 Edmonton diocese 2025: faithful, inclusive, responsive, growing and integral to community preparing our case statements for the • Clear mission and purpose; but also in a few rural communities, REACH campaign; when we thought • Willing to self-reflect and learn as well. It is unlikely that we can of the things that would help us in continually; afford many new church buildings, our mission and ministry. • Willing to change and adapt (to so this hoped for flexibility means For my part, when I look ahead experiment); new partnerships – such as the one to 2025, I am confident that God • Actively engaging children and between Holy Trinity Riverbend, the will lead us into a time when our teenagers (retreats, conferences, Diocese and Right at Home Housing parishes are indeed places that are etc.); Society – and the formation of new integral to the local neighbourhood, • Actively engaging with those worshipping communities in non- incubators of faith, places of who might not go to church traditional venues. There is also welcome and inclusion, places that (those outside the existing scope for ecumenical partnerships, respond to local concerns and needs. community); such as the Anglican Lutheran Safe places. Basically, places where • Hospitality (good welcoming and Church of Holy Trinity, in Edson, people can see and feel the presence follow up for visitors); birthed from the churches of St. The Rt. Rev. JANE ALEXANDER and love of Christ in action. Having • Committed to nurturing new and Catherine’s Anglican and Grace Bishop of Edmonton experienced that love, I pray that existing members (evangelism, Lutheran. f we could look forward to two people will be drawn ever closer to discipleship courses); There are places that could synods time, at the Diocese of God and seek to become disciples. • Vision (a vision for growth – use extra support because of an IEdmonton in 2025, what would In order for this to happen, I needs to be intentional). economic downturn, places in need we hope to see? I would like to see believe there are four areas we need Building on what we know, of a fresh start and sense of purpose lively and engaged congregations to make priorities in our diocesan using the materials from the Church in the local area. Through the in every parish, a church known for ministries of support, education and Growth Research Program, I.D., REACH campaign extra levels of compassion, healing and inclusion; facilitation: and the Holy Cow surveys we are support have been offered through a new generation of young people 1. Growing, Healthy Parishes then in a good space to plan for both the Rural Ministry Initiative and growing up to know and love 2. Committed Discipleship growth. We need to reach more of the Ministry Fund. We have learned Jesus and a community of engaged 3. A Rural Plan our existing communities but we many things about the need for disciples who are, quite literally, 4. Exemplary Stewardship also need the flexibility to reach into sustained and supported ministry. changing the world. of Our Resources. new developments: this is clearly Continued on page 10. Our diocesan vision is to Growing Healthy Parishes seen in the greater Edmonton area, proclaim the Gospel, make disciples We have talked about church and further the Kingdom. For us to growth before but, I think, a quick live fully into this mission there are refresher is good: The factors some building blocks that need to be associated with growth are worth in place. In some places they need mentioning. From Anecdote to to be strengthened and in some to be Evidence, findings from the Church re-embraced. In looking ahead there Growth Research Programme, 2011- are conversations we need to have 2013, (Church of England), listed in every parish for our hopes for the following attributes of healthy the future. In many ways they may parishes: be like the conversations we had in Diocese of Athabasca prepares for episcopal election The Ven. TERRY LEER Parish of Christ Church, Grande • Notice to nominate at Synod two relationships that will also support Secretary Prairie. Now we have to elect a new Electoral Synod delegates due by the development of the diocese. Episcopal Search Committee bishop. November 13 Persons interested in the Diocese of Athabasca Canon 9 of the Provincial • The Electoral Synod, St. episcopal election should contact the he Diocese of Athabasca is Canons governs elections in the James’ Cathedral, Peace River: Administrator, the Very Rev. Jason seeking a new bishop. It is Diocese of Athabasca. It is a difficult November 16, 2019. Haggstrom by email at now common knowledge that piece of legislation to interpret, [email protected] or by T but according to the best advice The “Memorandum for the phone at 780-624-2743. the Rt. Rev. Fraser Lawton, 11th Bishop of the Diocese of Athabasca, available, the canon has been Election of a Bishop” was released is moving to Mineola, Texas, to interpreted to create the following by the Search Committee on August Episcopal nominations in become the rector of St. Dunstan’s timeline: 27 and the Committee is prepared the Diocese of Athabasca are Parish and the assisting bishop of the • Deadline for the reception of to receive proposals, the completed governed by the Canons of Diocese of Dallas. He drove down proposals to nominate: October curricula vitae and other such forms the Province of Rupert’s Land. to Texas on September 4. His wife 11, 2019 from proposed nominees. The Proposals for nominations may Veronica will be residing in Grande • All information from proposed diocese is looking for nominees who be submitted by any member Prairie, AB, while awaiting the nominees due to the Search fulfill the five canonical requirements of the Synod of the Diocese of results of her immigration processes. Committee by October 19 for election and who might be Athabasca or by any member The diocese bade them farewell on • All proposed nominee inspiring leaders who will focus on of the Provincial House of August 23 at a dinner with guest information due to the congregational health and effective Bishops. All such proposals speakers Vicki and Dan Townson, Administrator by October 26 ministry development inside the must be received by the who have known Bishop Lawton • All proposed nominee diocese. Additionally, the new search committee by October since he was a young person in the information due to the Electoral bishop’s diocesan ministries will 11, at 5:00 pm MDT. Synod delegates by November 2 focus on unity, communication and OCTOBER 2019 3 THE MESSENGER Athabasca Frontier missionary leaves legacy of fervent service The Very Rev. JASON HAGGSTROM some vigour and his health. There were complaints subscription to augment the quarterly stipend of Rector and Dean, St. James’ Cathedral about his manner and his preaching was called less the missionary. Reynard was also employed as a Peace River than edifying by local critics. He laboured under tutor, helping local children with their schooling.
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