page 2 page 7 page 10 Program revives Church reduces Group supports lay leaders carbon footprint church secretaries TheTHE NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF TORONTO AnglicanA SECTION OF THE ANGLICAN JOURNAL www.toronto.anglican.ca DECEMBER 2017 READY From left, Matthew Ferreira, Kaitlyn Heffern, William Kneeshaw, Nicole Knewshaw, Aiden Sorensen, Billy White, Ethan Sorensen and Joshua Heffern practice lighting the first candle on the Advent wreath at Trinity, Bradford. A candle will be lit each week during Advent, followed by the lighting of the middle candle on Christmas Eve. Advent starts on Dec. 3. PHOTO BY MICHAEL HUDSON THE ARCHBISHOP’S LEVEE 2018 He came to show us at the Cathedral Church of St. James a way to love and live n Luke 2:11 we read, “to you is born this day in the city of David a Sav- CHRIstmas message iour, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” BY BISHOP PETER FENTY IWe may ask why God sent his Son Please join Archbishop Johnson and the College of Bishops into the world. As in the gospel story, to offer best wishes and prayers for the New Year. we may answer that he came to the We believe in Jesus Christ, that he is with us and shepherds who were looking after that he offers comfort, hope, reconciliation and heal- January 1, 2018 their sheep, but not only to them. He ing. We rejoice in the knowledge that in the birth of came to the marginalized, the voiceless, to victims the child of Bethlehem, he came among us to offer Said Eucharist at 12:30 p.m. of exploitation and violence, to a broken world, to a better way of living. Jesus’ coming into the world Receiving Line and Reception from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. those without hope and to those with hope. God sent is about making a difference, transforming lives, with the ringing of the Bells of Old York his Son into the world so that the world through him offering peace and hope where there is brokenness Festive Music at 3:00 p.m. might be saved. and division. The birth of the Christ child is for Christians, the In Jesus Christ the Way, the Truth and the Life, Choral Evensong at 3:30 p.m. birth of the Messiah as proclaimed by the prophets we look to him who shows us a more “excellent way” with presentations of The Order of the Diocese of Toronto of old. At the heart of this narrative is the conviction of being. He shows us how we should love, forgive, that God intervened in human history and became be compassionate, and live in community as good King & Church Streets, Toronto human in the person of Jesus. This act of uncondi- neighbours. The incarnation is the Good News of tional love by God is for the sake and salvation of all. how individuals, families, and communities can be All are welcome. The incarnation is that God chose to come among us Nursery care provided. and share in our humanity. Continued on Page 12 2018 PHOTOS FROM THE STREET – SEE PAGE 9 2 TheAnglican NEWS December 2017 Lay leaders brought closer to God really simple and important.” “I don’t feel alone anymore on Program Revive invites lay leaders to my spiritual journey,” she says. journey with their clergy for a “Wondering and questioning about year. The intent is to adjust their God is so private and personal and piloted here orientation from one of always giv- sometimes it feels awkward to ing to also receiving. “Instead of share that. But after the course, I ministering out, it’s about allowing saw there were people on a similar and abroad the church to minister to them,” journey and that made me want says Canon Davis. to open up more and share more. BY STUART MANN The program starts with an I feel closer to God, closer to a opening retreat followed by three higher purpose.” LORRAINE Bell had been attending modules, each lasting about six Canon Davis says the program Trinity Church, Aurora for five weeks. In the first module, partici- has helped to change the culture years but had always felt that some- pants learn several different types of the church as well. “The congre- thing was missing. She volunteered of prayer. They develop a prayer gation had deeper joy because it to help out with mailings and other practice for themselves and feel wasn’t so tired anymore, because tasks, but the feeling remained. confident about praying in public. it was being spiritually fed. Also, “I felt somewhat stuck in my In the second module, they learn there is much more healthiness own spiritual journey,” she says. “I Revive participants, front row from left: David Gordon, Lorraine Bell, the Rev. about scripture and how to lead a around the use of the buildings.” wasn’t connecting with God in the Canon Dr. Dawn Davis, Joan McIvor, Ed Golem. Back row from left: Dianne small Bible meditation group. The As a case in point, Trinity wel- way I wanted to be, and I wasn’t Steele, Margot Secord, Betty Innes, Kelly Peters, Frank Braithwaite, Patti Town third module is about orienting comed the congregation from sure what to do about it.” their ministry toward call and voca- Aurora United Church when its and Valerie Keith. PHOTO BY MICHAEL HUDSON The feeling persisted until her tion, rather than just doing a job. church burnt down three years priest, the Rev. Canon Dr. Dawn at Trinity who have taken Revive: also wanted, in some small way, to About 12 people and their priest ago. It also removed the pews in its Davis, incumbent of Trinity, invited Equipping Lay Leaders to be Spir- thank them for the enormous effort journey together from October to historic chapel to be more innova- her to join a new program that itual Leaders. The program was that goes into church leadership.” early June, taking a break during tive at one of its Sunday morning helped lay leaders get in touch created by Canon Davis to help The program is being piloted in the Christmas and Easter seasons. services. with their spiritual side. It changed churchwardens, committee mem- 10 parishes in the United States, They usually meet one night a week “The things that would prob- her life. bers, property managers, Sunday the United Kingdom and Canada for about two hours. At the end of ably cause a lot of controversy “I was doing things by rote and School teachers, volunteers and by RenewalWorks, a ministry of the program, they attend another are embraced with grace,” she wasn’t involving prayer and scrip- others draw closer to God – some- Forward Movement, an arm of The retreat and adopt a Rule of Life, a says. “They’re still done with a ture-reading in my daily life,” says thing they’re not always able to do Episcopal Church that is dedicated way for them to carry on their life lot of discernment and process Ms. Bell. “Now I have a renewed in their busy lives. to reinvigorating the Church. “I’m and ministry in a new way. and conversations, but there’s not confidence and an ability to reach “I felt that our lay people worked really delighted that it has a chance Canon Davis has run Revive five the same kind conflict that I see in out to others. It’s my job to live so hard for the Church but in so to go beyond Trinity, because what times in her parish and has seen other churches.” into the cross. It’s made me really many ways we weren’t giving them we achieved can be easily repli- participants profoundly changed Both Ms. Bell and Ms. Zhu say happy.” the greatest gift – a relationship cated,” says Canon Davis. “We’ve by it. “I saw them fall in love with the program can be used by anyone, Ms. Bell is one of several people with God,” says Canon Davis. “I stumbled onto something that is God,” she said. “They got in touch not just lay leaders. “It can apply to with the divine workings of God anyone, whether you’re just start- in their lives, and they were able ing out and you don’t know what St. John’s Willowdale to use a language to express the being an Anglican is all about or St. JOHN’S CEMETERY 1087 Lillian St., Willowdale, Ontario, M2M 3G1 experience and not feel embar- you’ve been here for a long time – it Anglican Parish of St. JOHN’S CHURCH, East Orangeville rassed about it.” brings you back and renews that Seeking Choir Conductor Because each life is important enough to remember … for Chinese (Cantonese) Congregation. One of those who have been energy and desire to find God in We need someone changed is Mei Zhu, the church’s your life,” says Ms. Bell. Located in spectacular Hockley Valley with pioneer graves P who can work with a variety of styles people’s warden for the past two Canon Davis adds: “I really hope of sacred music, dating from 1812, St. JOHN’S CEMETERY offers attractively years. Ms. Zhu came to Canada it helps the Church come to a place P who has experience in choir conducting from China 16 years ago with no where I think it should be, which priced burial options in a peaceful, unspoiled, and historical and good communication skills. religious background. She says is faith-forming our people so that place of rest. P The Conductor will lead our volunteer the program gave her a better we are followers of Christ.” organists in using our electric organ.