MAY 2018 the Vision Was Our Guide … Bishop Michael Reflects on the Diocesan Vision
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Live well in community My life as a bishop Parish spotlight on … An opportunity for women is offered Bishop Michael shares a few of St. John's Jordan. to spend a year in community with many photographs covering his the Society of Sisters of St. John the days as Bishop of Niagara . Divine. Page 5 Starting page 6 Page 12 A section of the Anglican Journal NA A Gathering Place and a Sounding Board for the People of the Diocese of Niagara — Since 1955 MAY 2018 The Vision was our guide … Bishop Michael reflects on the Diocesan Vision I was asked a few days ago The Diocesan Vision was developed under the guidance of what I thought was the greatest Bishop Michael. He referred to it as a compass accomplishment that we had for our journey as a church. achieved in the diocese over the past ten years. It was a good question and a thousand different answers came to my mind. However, I eventually settled on one answer. I believe that in all the ways we have answered the sacred calling to be God’s people in the Diocese of Niagara; it has been our Diocesan Vision that has inspired us, challenged us and guided us since we set out upon that journey a decade ago. Photo: Niagara Anglican files Many of you will remember that we came together in a us in the right direction. It was number of different gatherings a template that would guide in those early days, and I had local congregations to engage in the privilege of sharing my faith their own discernment and to story — as well as some of my respond to their own contexts initial hopes and dreams for our for ministry. work in the diocese — with you. Oh, what an incredible jour- I also invited you to do the same. ney it took us on! In those meetings it was clear Sometimes we travelled down that God’s Holy Spirit was mov- well-worn paths but many ing among us and empowering times we blazed new trails and us for the task that was ahead. encountered exciting new pos- God was calling us to open sibilities and gazed upon new ourselves up to the promises vistas. A few times we took a that were made in our baptisms, wrong turn and had to double to accept our calling as followers back, but at every turn there of Jesus, to be renewed in a life was never any doubt that our of discipleship and to go beyond loving and gracious God walked the walls of our churches to with us every step of the way. embrace and participate in God’s Thank you, dear friends, for mission for the world. your companionship and your Our Diocesan Vision was faithfulness and for the love never intended to be the final that we have shared so richly on word or the ultimate itinerary that road together. for our journey. It was, instead, I wish you every blessing a rudimentary map and a set as that glorious journey of sign posts that would point continues here in Niagara. Connect with your diocese: NA niagaraanglican.news niagaraanglican.ca /niagaraanglican /mynadio @niagaraanglican @NAnewspaper @niagarabishop /NiagaraAnglican niagaraanglican.ca/subscribe eepurl.com/n5RzL 2 MAY 2018 | For the latest news and events visit niagaraanglican.ca Susan Bell’s consecration as bishop BILL MOUS livestreamed so that as many after the service at the John people as possible can take part Weir Foote VC Armoury, one A service to consecrate the in this sacred event. block south of the Cathedral. Reverend Canon Susan Bell as Each parish will also be issued We ask that you remember a bishop in the Church of God two tickets so that, in addition Bishop-elect Susan and her to serve as Niagara’s coadjutor to clergy and licensed lay work- family in your prayers, as well as bishop is planned for Saturday, ers and invited guests, people Bishop Michael and his family, May 5 at 11:00 a.m. at Christ’s from all our churches will be and our whole diocesan family Church Cathedral Hamilton. able to bear witness to this in the midst of this important Archbishop Colin celebration of ministry. transition. Johnson, metropolitan of Additional tickets may be avail- the Ecclesiastical Province of able; if you are interested please The Reverend Canon Bill Mous is Ontario, will preside and act email Canon Alison D’Atri at Director of Justice, Community as the chief consecrator for [email protected]. and Global Ministries - the ordination. Bishop Linda Unfortunately, those with- Communications Coordinator Nicholls of Huron Diocese will out a ticket will not be able to for Niagara Diocese. be the preacher. attend. [email protected] The ordination will be A reception will take place Photo: Michael Hudson Book Review Unbelievable is believably clear and concise Unbelievable; Why Neither living faith today.” Christianity of tomorrow.” but provocatively, calling for Ancient Creeds Nor the Spong posits 12 theses to Excellent Biblical scholar that Christianity, or at least its con- Reformation Can Produce a encourage a new reformation, a Spong is, he examines what the temporary expression, to change Living Faith Today new re-formation of our spiri- scriptures actually say about the or die. John Shelby Spong tual lives. He begins with the crucifixion and the resurrection. Spong’s last book summarizes (HarperCollins, 2018) theistic image of God, replacing Freed from reading the Gospel the clarion call of his career for the vision of God as a Supreme accounts literally, Spong discov- a new Christianity for a new WAYNE FRASER Being with God as Being itself. ers the spiritual enlightenment world. That first thesis challenges behind the New Testament I returned at the end of many fundamentals of creedal writers’ Easter experiences. The Reverend Doctor Wayne February from the Wycliffe tour faith. Without a judgmental Finally, Spong examines the Fraser can be reached at of Israel to find Bishop John god to appease, there is no need outcomes for a living faith in [email protected] Spong’s latest book in the mail. of “God’s great rescue plan” for the areas of ethics and prayer. Spong, two years ago, suffered mankind, no need to limit our The yardsticks for both are that a stroke which curtailed his understanding of Jesus’ cruci- which enhance “living, loving weekly essay writing and his fixion as a sacrifice for the sins and being”. many speaking engagements, he calls people to renew their of all: “There can be no ‘substi- Unbelievable is believably but he has finished what he connection to God. What he tutionary atonement’ in the clear and concise. It reads easily says is his last book. I rather challenges are traditional doubt it: just as this book is explanations as he calls for based on a series of his weekly new language to describe our essays from the last two years, 21st century understanding of so his publishers and literary the Divine, because, as his title executors will no doubt produce suggests, traditional expres- posthumous collections of his sions of the Christian faith essays and his speeches. We will have become “unbelievable” to hear more from this modern day modern day minds. His book prophet for many years to come. explores, as his subtitle says, And prophet is what Spong “why neither ancient Creeds nor is, for, in the Biblical tradition, the Reformation can produce a Song of the Grand A Musical Written & performed by George Hall & Company ‘A story set on the banks of the Grand River and Need entertainment for your Fundraising event? We would like to help you raise funds for your worthy charity. Please contact us to discuss putting on a free performance of Song of the Grand. E-mail George at [email protected] to discuss further Copyright © 2015 Dave Walker. This cartoon originally appeared in the Church Times. Visit us online at niagaraanglican.news NIAGARA ANGLICAN | MAY 2018 3 HOLLIStorial Fare thee well, Bishop Michael … Newfoundland style In 1984 a car arrived at the rec- tory in Burin, Newfoundland. Newly ordained deacon Michael Bird, wife Susan and son Michael had travelled over 3,000 kilometres from their Ontario home to his first parish posting. They did not know what to expect. Suddenly, the rectory door opened. A group of parishio- ners hurried out to welcome their new pastor and integrate The Newfoundland and Labrador flag, Niagara’s vision for ministry and the Niagara him and his family into their Anglican enfold Bishop Michael sitting at his desk in Cathedral Place Hamilton. community. When Michael returned to Niagara Diocese three years later, no doubt he lamented leaving behind his new found friends in Central Newfoundland Diocese. Since then he has ministered at St. George's St. Catharines, St. Paul's Church Dunnville and the Dunn Parish, St. Cuthbert's Oakville and St. Luke's Burlington, before being conse- crated and enthroned as the 11th Photos: Hollis Hiscock Bishop of Niagara Diocese on Bishop Michael enjoyed this lighter moment at a Bishop’s Company dinner. Bishop Michael, with the renovated Chancel of Christ’s Church Cathedral as the March 2, 2008. backdrop, presided at the Bishop’s Eucharist during Holy Week. The service also Soon he moves to another these sentiments succinctly advice to the Christians in included the renewal of vows for licenced lay persons and clergy, as well as the location and chapter in his life when he penned his iconic Colossae. He suggested they blessing of oils. In his message he thanked them for the support and encourage- and ministry.