ContactA Newsletter for the Council of the North Advent 2019 Responding to God’s Call to mission and ministry in the northern regions of

photo: nancy bauer/shutterstock Glory to God, Peace on Earth, Goodwill to All

By Archbishop Some years ago I tried to encourage a of the birth of Jesus, tending the flocks very small congregation—which needed as they have always done. Sitting or In my experience there is something lay leaders to step up to lead worship— dozing under the stars, they kept one ear both ordinary and profound in the that each of them had the capacity to tuned for the wolf or thief and the other way that people close to the land live speak about their experience of God to listening to the sounds of the flock at daily. Farmers and shepherds know others. I asked them to name a moment night. Was it the brilliance of the night the patience needed to tend the land of encounter with God in their lives. sky? A song humming on the wind? or animals, knowing that they cannot One after another struggled to find the Whatever it was that drew their attention, control many of the factors they depend words except a taciturn farmer at the end in that moment they took notice, and the on—the sun or rain, the predators of the table. In a few spare sentences he night sky was filled with the song of the or growth. They have endurance and described a moment of encounter with angels inviting them to seek the reason for perseverance in the face of uncertainties the glory of God in nature as he stood at this moment. and also have capacity to see beauty the fence of his fields—a moment both They leave their flocks to search, and in the world around them in the most ordinary and profound. find it in a baby. An ordinary night turned ordinary moments. Imagine the shepherds on the night See GLORIUS on p. 4

contact | advent 2019 | a newsletter for the council of the north | 1 HE C D T O N U U N

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photo: contributed Bishop receives blessings and well wishes during her retirement party on November 15. The Diocese of Saskatchewan is putting Archbishop Linda Nicholls attended its office up for sale, and will be moving its offices to St. Alban’s It was a momentous month in the Bishop Barbara Andrew’s retirement Cathedral. The 5,689 square feet building Territory of the People. The newly party; learned more about the mission has been occupied since 1998, and elected Primate of the Anglican and ministry of the Territory at St. housed the bishop’s offices and archives Church of Canada, Archbishop Linda Paul’s Cathedral, and presented the department. It is hoped that the move Nicholls, visited from November 15– Anglican Award of Merit to Melissa to St. Alban’s will provide the space 17. Over the course of the two days, Green. needed for hosting larger events and eliminate the number of trips made to Germond’s announcement, which was the cathedral. made on the diocese’s Facebook page, called on Moosonee to make 2020 the year of ‘Holy Discernment.’ The Diocese of Athabasca has a new bishop. Canon David The Diocese of Caledonia will be having Greenwood was elected a Diocesan Synod on May 8 - 9, 2020 in on the third ballot Terrace, B.C. It has been five years since on November 16 at photo: contributed the diocese last had a synod, and one of the agenda items will be the election St. James Cathedral [From left: Archbishop Fred Hiltz, of lay delegates. Bishop Lehmann is Canon in Peace River, Alta. Archbishop Anne Germond, Archdeacon currently looking for a sponsor to cover David Greenwood was Paul Feheley] the cost of dinner on May 8th and lunch Greenwood ordained as a vocational deacon in 2004, and on May 9th. Please reach out to him joined priesthood in 2012. He succeeds Diocese of Moosonee at [email protected] if you can support this much needed synod. Ω the previous bishop of Athabasca, Rt. The Diocese of Moosonee will have Rev. Fraser Lawton, who resigned in a familiar face take over the duties September of this year. As bishop, Canon of Bishop Tom Corston upon his Greenwood has set his sights on drawing retirement later this year. Archbishop in a younger generation of worshippers Fred Hiltz, former Primate of the as well as finding ways to nurture and Anglican Church of Canada, will serve develop relationships with clergy and as the new assisting bishop of the parishes. diocese of Moosonee. Archbishop Anne

Matthew 10:29 is produced by the Council of the North Are not two sparrows Contact sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to

the ground apart from I have been crucified with Christ. It is Bishop William Cliff, Chair your Father. no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the “flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Email: [email protected] —Galations 2:20 ESV” For all communications Subscribe to our email list to inquiries or to share your stories receive newsletters and updates or experiences about positive about the Anglican church’s

Council Council ministry projects in the North, ministry in the Council of of the North anglican.ca/cn of the North anglican.ca/cn

Council please email the editor, Alice the North. Go online here: anglican.ca/cn of the North Namu at anamu@national. anglican.ca/cnml RESOURCES anglican.ca. Placemats from Council of the North The Anglican Church of Canada Place your order on the CoN website: anglican.ca/cnorder

2 | contact | advent 2019 | a newsletter for the council of the north Looking North

By Archbishop Mark MacDonald spiritually tested by these trends. certain that without the guardianship of The is warming three times the People of the Land, there will be no faster than the rest of the planet. While good way to slow down a melting Arctic AROUND THIS TIME of year, the many contemplate the horrific and its consequences for the planet. millions of Canadians who live in the south are reminded that Canada is one consequences of melting ice and The Arctic will provide much of of the great northern countries. Though permafrost, others contemplate the the framework of our global future. It it doesn’t appear to come to mind opportunities a warmer Arctic provides provides a vivid warning of the coming very often—it was largely missed to create wealth. Because of Canada’s consequences of a warming planet. It is in conversations that accompanied colonial policies, the people of the a call for meaningful action. Close to a our recent election—the North is an North are neither able to sufficiently quarter of the world’s remaining usable essential part of our land. A great deal control what happens on their land, nor land is now under the guardianship of the future of Canada and of our are they able to participate fully in the of Indigenous Peoples around the planet is unfolding in the North. wealth that is produced there. This is globe. Many of the moral, legal, and The Anglican Church of Canada is bad for them and the planet. social principles that will decide the not unlike Canada in its relationship In addition to these issues, a few future of the Indigenous peoples of the to the North. There is some awareness centuries of colonial social policy world and their protection of their lands of our presence there, but it is not have left deep wounds among are being debated in the Arctic. Canada an active part of the identity of most the people. Coupled with climate will either play a positive role in this Anglicans. Despite the challenges injustice, these conditions are a conversation or frame it in a negative in the North, the churches there particularly toxic mix. Without full way. continue to bring an essential element authority to oversee their land or their During my time in the Arctic, I to the whole of the region, providing people, wealth, weather, and economic have heard many prophecies about a gospel-based spiritual community expansion could intensify the social revival in the churches of the world and pastoral care. With that work, problems of the area. that would begin there. I believe these we are arguably one of the most It would appear that those least prophecies. This revival will have northern churches in the world, responsible for climate disaster many consequences - moral, political, but our denomination attention is now carry a heavy load of its and spiritual. It means that we are all usually elsewhere. That is about to consequences. This is a great problem called to a deeper and more faithful change. Forces, social, legal, and for the planet, since the people who commitment to Jesus. It also means environmental, are making Northern have been guardians of the Arctic for that we are, right now, called to defend Canada, especially the Arctic, the place thousands of years are also the carriers the peoples and land of the North, in where a number of dangerous trends of an environmental wisdom that could the name of our God, in defence of our are coming together. The Anglican be a substantial contribution to a livable planet, and in a commitment to justice Church of Canada will be morally and future for all. Furthermore, it seems and truth. Ω

photo: tyler olson

THE COUNCIL OF THE NORTH is a Specifically: grouping of financially assisted dioceses, supported through grants by General • • Diocese of Athabasca • Diocese Synod, that serve sparsely populated of Brandon • Diocese of Caledonia • Indigenous Spiritual areas in the Arctic, , Northern and Ministry of Mishamikoweesh • Diocese of Moosonee • Central Interior British Columbia, Alberta, Diocese of Saskatchewan • Territory of the People • northern Saskatchewan, Manitoba; and northern . •

contact | advent 2019 | a newsletter for the council of the north | 3 photo: dk samko 10 ways to green your church without breaking the bank Adapted with permission from the Anglican Journal 1. Weather strip and caulk around windows and doors. 7. Unplug appliances that aren’t in use, and turn off unused power bars. 2. Insulate attics and other areas that may not yet have been insulated. (But note that this might not always be 8. Open and close window blinds depending on the season. advisable with stone walls—see above.) In the summer, turn on fewer lights and rely on natural light. In the winter, keep blinds closed to keep heat from 3. Get setback, or programmable, thermostats, which leaking out through windows. automatically reduce heating and cooling in rooms when no one is present. Set the temperature to 14 C in winter 9. Switch to LED light bulbs. Replacing light bulbs in exit or colder areas, and 29 C in summer or hotter climates. signs can be particularly effective in saving energy, because these lights are on 24 hours a day. 4. Install automatic lights or dimming switches, or post reminders by light switches to turn off lights when they’re 10. Get rid of energy-wasting appliances, or replace them not being used. with Energy Star appliances or appliances with high EnerGuide ratings. 5. Host a green conversation after worship, or start a green team to brainstorm new projects. Adapted from: “Top 10 Green Actions Under $10”; “Reduce Your Ecological 6. Use a portable fan and/or ceiling fan together with your Footprint: Faith Community Tips”; and “‘Do-It-Yourself’ Faith Building air conditioner. Energy Audit Guide”, all by Faith & the Common Good. Ω

Glorious and powerful the extraordinary promise of God. This daily life of ordinary people open to the child will carry the message of God’s extraordinary possibilities of God at work Continued from p.1 love to any and all who will hear. He around them. will become a shepherd to his people God is always present. The possibilities glorious and powerful enough to send and change the world. For now, these of participating in God’s creating activity the shepherds to seek the child, becomes shepherds simply enjoy the miracle of in the world are only limited by our infinitely ordinary and vulnerable again a new baby, the joy of his parents, and willingness to see God in our daily lives, when they arrive at the manger. The this moment of promise. Then they leave inviting us to see—to wonder—and to feeding area for animals, such as they daily to tell the story and become the first tell the Good News we know. May this tended, holds just a baby—a wriggling, evangelists of this part of the Good News Christmas be a celebration of God in the noisy baby boy watched by a young that they have seen. midst of our lives here and now –filled mother and father, nervous and new to We now retell their story as a with possibilities when we look and see their role as parents. And God is here. miraculous event with delight and awe. God at work around us and are ready to This very ordinary moment contains Yet every part is rooted in the activities of hear the angels singing. Ω

4 | contact | advent 2019 | a newsletter for the council of the north