PARISH NEWS PARISH EVENTS LOVING OUR LIMITS Living the Gospel throughout the diocese, PAGES 8-9 The many ways to celebrate the season, PAGE 13 Confessions of a perpetual over-achiever, PAGES 14

A section of the Anglican Journal

NEWS • PERSPECTIVE • REFLECTION • FOR A GROWING CHURCH • DECEMBER 2008

The Old Same Prayers

MICHAEL THOMPSON PRIEST, ST JUDE'S OAKVILLE December is an important month for Mary the mother of Jesus. The feast of her nativity comes on December 8, and then, of course, we honour her birthing of Jesus on the Feast of his Nativity. But Mary is also dear to others, and especially to Muslims. The House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus is a Chris- tian and Muslim shrine, in which the prayers of Christians and Muslims honour Mary as the Mother of Jesus.

 CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Almost there

Canon Mark Tiller dramatically proclaims the NISSA BASBAUM Gospel during the Synod Eucharist on Friday RECTOR, TRANSFIGURATION ST CATHARINES November 7. Years ago, when I lived in England, I had a friend who described priests by the sea- sons of the Christian calendar. According to this man, there were four defi nitions. To the Clergy and People of Niagara Synod 2008 The exciting, over-the-top and extraordinarily creative person is an Easter priest. The one who leaves you CHARLES STIRLING there was sense of clarity for his own with the impression that something is the Diocese of Niagara RETIRED CANON, CHRIST'S CHURCH CATHEDRAL Episcopal ministry and the work we about to happen, that he or she is on One of this year’s special times for must undertake together. the cusp of magnifi cence but hasn’t God to speak with a prophetic voice Bishop Bird was the Lambeth Con- One of the Bible studies was quite arrived, is the Advent priest. The on this subject. I, therefore, intend to ference. In his Charge to Synod the based on Jesus’ words, “Very truly, I newly-ordained keener is the Christ- ask for a rite to be developed for the Bishop spoke of this experience, tell you, I am the gate for the sheep”. mas priest – just born and raring to blessing of same-sex couples who and how his vision for the Diocese There is an invitation to take a jour- go but, like a toddler, likely to get into have been civilly married, along with emerged. ney that involves entering a sheep trouble from a lack of experience. a process to enable these blessings to What has indeed emerged is a enclosure and going beyond the take place that will at the same time challenge to the people of Niagara to sheep pen. All of these gates have  CONTINUED ON PAGE 11 MICHAEL BIRD honour the diversity of tradition and begin to develop a new and challen- two sides, the safe interior, and the BISHOP OF NIAGARA theology that exists across Niagara. ging way to do ministry. The Bishop other pasture and abundant life. I write to you on the Eve of our It is my hope that this process tells of his daily Bible study with What then does it mean for us to Christmas! Whoop- Synod to indicate to you the next would move ahead as expeditiously as African, English and American Bish- think of Jesus as a gate that invites step I am asking us to take on the possible and that I will be in a position ops, himself being repeatedly intro- both the world into the Church and dee-doo journey of discernment that we con- to report back to the Diocese within duced as the Bishop of Niagara Falls. urges the sheep to follow Jesus trust- tinue to travel as a Diocesan family, the next few months. The focus of the study was the series ingly into the world? JERRY SALLOUM with regard to the issue of same-sex I want to assure you and be abso- of the ‘I am’ sayings for John’s Gos- RETIRED VICAR blessings. There will be some time lutely clear, that all clergy and all par- pel. Studying these passages allowed The Vision Emerges Well, here it is again, Christmas: the set aside to hear from delegates on ishes will be fully free to follow their them to be a doorway into some great The vision that has been emerging at trees, the tinsel, the turkeys and the gifts. this matter on Saturday but a large own conscience in this matter, as and stories, powerful insights and won- regional meetings and clergy gather- Sometime in November, the media kick- part of the agenda will deal with our when we are able to move forward. derful fellowship. For him the space ings calls us away from survival to started our excitement over this historic vision for the future and so I feel it I ask for your prayers for our was Holy Ground. a vision of vibrant abundant hope in celebration, reminding us it was a season is important to issue this statement Diocesan Synod that opens with the As he looked over his eight the life of the Church and invites us to to be jolly, a season of chestnuts roasting ahead of our gathering. Synod service tomorrow evening and months as Bishop, he could see the what has become the Bishop’s man- and of Jack Frost nipping. The media As is the case with our brother and for the guidance of the Holy Spirit vision beginning to come together. tra over these months, the Pursuit of told us that Zellers was the place to shop sister Anglicans in the Dioceses of as the delegates gather in session on The ‘I am’ passages seemed to make Excellence in Ministry. for that perfect Christmas gift. Montreal and Ottawa, I believe we are Saturday. real the lives and ministry of those among those who have been called by Yours in the love of Christ. Bishops gathered there and for him  CONTINUED ON PAGE 2  CONTINUED ON PAGE 16 2 NIAGARA ANGLICAN DECEMBER 2008 SYNOD 2008 Compelling vision calls for total support

CHARLES STIRLING undertake a justice issue. Acts of char- RETIRED CANON, CHRIST'S CHURCH CATHEDRAL ity are vital and the roots of need have The focus of Synod 2008 was the to be examined to ask why people are Bishop's vision: The pursuit of excel- hungry and homeless. lence in ministry. Peter Wall examined the model of In his opening remarks, Michael abundance rather than scarcity, noting Patterson called the Bishop's vision our God was one of abundance. He an exciting opportunity in the Church felt we need to improve our communi- of Niagara to be a vibrant faith com- cation through the web-site, Niagara munity giving witness to faith the Anglican, meetings, Deanery gather- diocese. ings and more. We need to examine Lambeth was most formative for our systems to develop economies of Christyn Perkons and Joyce Wilton show their 'Yes our Bishop and he has been sharing scale, sharing and partnerships. There We Can!' shakers, which symbolised the Bishop's his experiences in this regard. But the is the need to track, acknowledge and vision of shaking up the church. experience has to go beyond Cathedral celebrate volunteerism. Place to the whole diocese. At a meet- Joyce Wilton and Lynne Corfi eld ing at Canterbury Hills in September a felt the need to respond to situations, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 group of people met to discuss fi ve pri- meeting people where they are and to » orities, which included prophetic social inspire social activism through wor- justice, effective use of resources, life ship. Christyn Perkons and Cheryl changing worship enterprises, outstand- Fricker suggested a covenant partner- Niagara Synod 2008 ing leadership and cultural innovation. ship with clergy and laity, saying we The process has encouraged feedback need to live out our Baptismal coven- to assure we are on the right track, and ants in shared ministry, build relation- It is the opportunity to reclaim our ment with our vision, coming back to to the members of the National Church the regional meetings, which have given ships in the community around us in prophetic voice in a troubled world synod in February or March with a more and the Anglican Communion. Bishop feedback, were very well attended. response to their need. They also sug- and to lead the fi ght against poverty, realistic picture of where we are headed. Bird has consulted widely in the Diocese, The Bishop then took over and gested creating intentional experiences violence and injustice that continues to This will be an interim step toward the the country, at the House of Bishops and mentioned that at the closing Eucha- that relate resources to areas of need. pervade our communities and society. hopes and goals we have for the future. with the Primate. He has now made his rist at Lambeth a special rite took Stephen Hopkins suggested that we At the same time there is a challenge We will have an emerging vision and response public and responded to the place, during which the names of the can only live our way into newness. We to embrace the United Nations Millen- a clearer understanding of what it will House of Bishops and has outlined the Melanesian Martyrs were received by need to try new ways and accept some nium Development Goal of 2001. We all take to get there. steps as we move forward to Same Sex the Archbishop of Canterbury. The mistakes. We need to see more trans- need to celebrate the gifts of ministry we The Bishop offered the bottom Unions. He has come to a better under- impact was incredible as the ques- formed parishes and a more just world, have been given and move ahead with a line that the status quo is no longer an standing of what is at stake and what the tion arose “what is our witness" in the sharing stories of creative innovation theological premise of abundance rather option both in terms of how we func- implications are on the decisions that are face of people giving their lives in the and giving permission to celebrate suc- than a scarcity in a more effective use of tion as parishes and how we function made at this time in our church. There world around us. cess, together with taking intelligent our resources and the practice of good as a diocese. He called for us to be was further time at Synod to respond to The vision is not a project to get risks and learning from failure. We also stewardship, sharing and making sure united in this fi rm commitment that we these announcements. people working on new programs, or need to look very widely for ideas. He we get the resources into the hands of are moving well beyond a position of to get them in pews, or to get money called for new forms and processes for those who need them. mere survival and passionately and cre- Return to a vision fl owing in the synod offi ce. It is a dealing with diffi cult issues. atively responding to God’s mission in As the Bishop looks back, it is very compelling vision that needs to be Margaret Murray wrapped up the The challenges of the 2009 budget every region of the Diocese. clear that gifts of God’s presence and embraced by all of us. morning by asking questions that were The Bishop is seeking changes on the love have upheld both he and ourselves Carolyn Vanderlip and Owen Nash to be discussed in small groups. 2009 Budget because of challenges that Wrestling with the duties of a Bishop as we journey together, and he believes told us scripture calls us to witness and After lunch comments were heard, must be addressed so that we can con- Archbishop Caleb Lawrence asked these there is a profound movement of the to be prophetic in our age. To make after which Nissa Basbaum and Beth tinue our obligations in payroll and with questions to him at his consecration; Holy Spirit sweeping across our dio- justice we need to show the world Kerley presented the following motion the bank. There have been both cost and “Will you boldly proclaim and interpret cese calling us to new vision. He gives that the Gospel is alive and well in the which was very widely accepted: losses in regard to the separated parishes, the Gospel of Christ, enlightening the thanks to God for this wonderful call- world and in us. They said we have to That this synod of the diocese of signifi cant historical outstanding parish minds and stirring up the conscience of ing and gives thanks to be serving at commit to Millennium Goals, educate niagara affi rm, support and endorse receivables, lower return on investment, your people”, and “Will you share with our side. We now step forward through laity and clergy in respect to justice the vision document entitled :the Pur- increasing operating defi cits associ- your fellow bishops in the government the doors together, with a fresh vision issues and perhaps hold justice work- suit of excellence in Ministry"; and ated with Cathedral Place and defi cits of the whole Church....”? The Bishop and a renewed commitment to God’s shops. We also need to encourage life- That this synod enocurage the incurred by the diocese over the past two has been wrestling with the duty of being glorious mission and for the work we styles which are consistent with planet bishop or his designate to develop years. There is serious work to do. The both a Bishop in the Church and deal- will share together. Let us not fail. sustainability, recognizing our respon- strategic action plans with specifi c Bishop believes that we must establish ing with same-sex blessings. He ponders sibilities as stewards of the earth. The quantifi able objectives; and a set of markers or criteria to help make how he can keep in balance the respon- The Bishop's Charge to Synod 2008 Greening of Niagara is important as That the bishop's vision team decisions. His expectation was a period sibility he feels to those who elected him, can be viewed online at www.niagara. might be a Radical Abundance Con- report directly and regularly to Synod of time for further refl ection and engage- while at the same time remaining faithful anglican.ca/synod2008. ference. Perhaps each parish could Council

Provincial Synod Delegates Increasing Financial Challenges The following were elected to Synod council, held in Moosonee in November of this year CHARLES STIRLING the inability of parishes to meet their The synod referred the budget RETIRED CANON, CHRIST'S CHURCH CATHEDRAL DMM is increasing. to the budget and fi nance commit- Clergy: Robert Fead, Lynne Corfi eld, Kevin Block, Stephen Murray The Diocese is currently projecting It was the intention to not bring a tees, with reference to the Bishop’s Clergy Substitutes: Mark Tiller, Margaret Murray, Kathy Morgan, a shortfall of $600,000 for 2008. budget to Synod, but defer it to Janu- Vision. A second motion, somewhat Susan Wilson The projected loss for the Cathedral ary or February. It was then decided more specifi c, was defeated and now Lay: Carol Summers, Susan Little, Ross Gillett, David Ricketts over the next fi ve years cumulatively to bring the budget forward, but not to the budget will again be presented in Lay Substitutes: Patricia Davis, Ruth Anne Martin, Russ Kelk, Paul Holyoke exceeds $1,000,000. The loss of and pass it until next year. Parishes have a January or February, when the com- Youth appointees: Alisha Archbell and Justin Michael the separation of parishes has contrib- real need to raise their giving beyond mittee is expected to bring forth a bal- uted to the ascending debt. In addition the $1,000 per year average gift. anced budget. NIAGARA ANGLICAN DECEMBER 2008 3 The status quo is no longer an option

this “either/or” debate to a “both/and” “witches,” were a minority disposed Change does happen. All around the to full communion with us. paradigm because by deciding that of in medieval times by burning at the world, on November 4, people cheered What came out of Lambeth was our diocese will support homosexual stake. The small pieces of wood used the election of the fi rst black (well, a commitment to eradicate poverty. rights he both “proclaims the gospel to kindle these fi res, also used to kill half-black) man to the Presidency of Great, let’s do it! But to do so we need of Christ” and takes a step to preserve homosexuals, were called faggots. And the United States. After centuries of all of us, including the young and the institution of the whole church. in times of hardship, racial minorities oppression, Barack Obama’s success the homosexual, working together. The worried conservatism of the anti- were victimized, especially Jews. Even proved that the country’s claim that (Women already have been blessed ELEANOR JOHNSON same-sex ecclesiologists is misguided. in 20th century Canada, many bishops “all men are created equal” was fi nally with more than their share of the ST. THOMAS'S ST. CATHARINES It is their opposition to same-sex bless- of the priests who abused native children true for men of African descent (if not work!) As we are now, wasting our In the “Bishop’s Charge” of 2008, ings that hurts the church. covered up these crimes. We’re all still women, homosexuals, and immigrants emotional and fi nancial resources Bishop Michael articulated his con- How so? Let’s go back to fi rst princi- paying for what the priests did in the of other races). Young people, who had squabbling over who owns what prop- cern that, because of the same-sex ples. Jesus gave us two Commandments: residential schools, paying money to not bothered to vote for decades, have erty and who has what powers, we debate, two of the promises he made to love God and to love others as we love individuals who suffered and paying the returned to involve themselves in the have no energy left to do God’s will at his Consecration “need to be held ourselves. From these hang all the laws cost of losing believers who have turned political process. Bishop Michael pro- in the world. in such a state of tension in this early and prophets. In other words, love takes away from the church in indignation. claims, “We witnessed another new From what we read in the Gospels, stage of my episcopacy: ‘Will you precedence over Old Testament beliefs, It would have been better if the church door opening and the breaking down Jesus showed little interest in teach- boldly proclaim and interpret the gos- rules and assumptions. Our instruction had, like Jesus, treated all people in their of barriers that has sent ripples of hope ing sexual morality or in the power pel of Christ, enlightening the minds is to love. Or look at it this way: when society, especially the minorities and the and promise not only across the United struggles between Pharisees and Sad- and stirring up the conscience of your Jesus had to choose between a belea- helpless, with respect, with love. States but around the entire world.” ducees; he reached out to heal and people?’ and ‘Will you share with guered minority and the established When, do you suppose, will the Where are the young people of teach the marginalized of his society. your fellow bishops in the government priesthood, he would stand up for the institution of the church be taken to the Anglican Church of Canada? If He preached a Kingdom that is now of the whole church...?’” victim. He certainly showed more con- court by a homosexual for harassment the institution is looking out for its and here; he did not pass resolutions Likewise, at Lambeth the choice cern for Samaritan women than for the in the form of a priest’s refusal to offer best interests, it needs to inspire the implementing moratoria promising seemed to be: either stand up for gay priests of the temple. Church initiatives him or her the rite of marriage or pro- idealism of the young by rejecting its a better future while adding insult to rights and tear the church apart, or that evolved from Christ’s teachings motion to the bishopric, for its insist- mistreatment of minorities in the past. injury. The Anglican Church of Canada protect the world-wide communion through St. Augustine’s understanding ence on his or her celibacy? To speak In fact, as our church leaders have is humbly moving towards “truth and and put the same-sex blessings issue of social justice to the present are Vati- pragmatically, it’s in the best interests formally apologized to natives for the reconciliation” with our First Nations. on hold. The decision at Lambeth this can II’s “preferential option for the poor of the church to support minority rights abuse of their children, their next step I suggest that now is the time for the summer and by the Canadian House and vulnerable” and the Lambeth deci- now, before it fi nds itself in court, should be to apologize to the homo- Diocese of Niagara to lead the Church of Bishops this fall favoured the latter. sion to “to embrace the United Nations arguing ecclesiastical tradition and sexuals and women in our midst for in stopping our heartless mistreatment Hence the moratoria. Millennium Development Goals.” laws written over two thousand years all the rejections they have suffered, of homosexuals. To paraphrase for- I would like to argue that by choos- Ironically, Christian churches in ago in what we now call the Middle and take steps to share rights and mer Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, ing to proceed with same-sex bless- years past have preferred the institu- East against the 1982 Canadian Char- power with them. That could inspire “There’s no place for the church in the ings, Bishop Michael moved beyond tion to the outsider. Uppity women, ter of Rights and Freedoms. our young people and bring them back bedrooms of the nation.” Evensong at my Favourite Church

Simon and St. Jude share a feast day, preaching, its reverent but unfussy ing worship suddenly became popular in No, evensong doesn’t exactly fi re and an early Christian legend identifi es worship, its great music combining 1983, when the new post-Vatican II code you up for work in the world, and maybe them as fellow missionaries to Persia. old and new hymns, and its strong and of canon law provided that the faithful that’s a reason it fell out of favour in the The congregation met at fi rst in close sense of fellowship. could satisfy their Sunday obligation by activistic 1960s. But it does re-centre the auditorium of Munn’s School. The In its parish life and ministry I like attending mass on Saturday evening. In your soul in Christ. The service includes neighbourhood grocer contributed its commitment to issues of local and an apostolic letter of 1998, appropriately the nunc dimittis (Luke 2:29—32), one prayer books. The theological student global justice, its enthusiasm for out- called Dies domini (“the Lord’s Day”), of the most serene passages in Scripture, ALAN L. HAYES at St. Jude’s took most of the services, reach, its keen interest in getting to know the pope explained that the ecclesias- and the magnifi cat (Luke 1:46—55), THE ITINERANT CHURCHGOER but once a month a priest came to pre- people of other Christian denominations tical day begins at sunset of the previous possibly the most subversive. Together, My favourite church in the diocese side at the eucharist. An orange crate and other faiths, its fun social events civil day. (That’s why the fi rst eucharist sung prayerfully, they help you see your is my own. I’ve scarcely mentioned served as the fi rst altar. that can be themed Celtic, Caribbean, of Christmas takes place after sunset on life in eternal perspective. it in the Niagara Anglican over these The mission moved to portable country club, or something else, and its December 24. Clement Clarke Moore fi ve years or so, because I’ve preferred buildings on Upper Middle Road west innovative and creative spirit. notwithstanding, this is not, ecclesiastic- Beautifully sung to talk about my experiences visiting of Trafalgar. By the end of 1956, the It meets its budget, supports the ally, “the night before Christmas”.) The new service has struck a chord new churches. But recently I did sim- congregation counted 331 souls, an diocese, runs engaging and effective Quite a number of Episcopal with people. The evening I attended, ply sit myself in the back of my own average Sunday morning attendance programs, pulls together in the things churches tried the new pattern. My I was stunned to fi nd the large park- congregation at a special evening ser- of 48, and 22 envelope subscribers. that unite it, and agrees to disagree in fi rst experience of it was at St. Mar- ing lot almost full. A hundred people vice, trying to adopt the frame of mind In 1967 St. Simon’s erected its fi rst the things which can be divisive. garet’s Episcopal Church in Palm were already waiting inside, including of an ordinary visitor. church building on Sixth Line. Twenty It’s a perfect combination of good Desert, California, the home church of about a dozen Presbyterians. St. Simon’s, Oakville, like many years later that was no longer adequate, things. You can tell that it has been President Gerald Ford in his last years. The service was sung beautifully churches in the diocese of Niagara, and the congregation decided to sell it blessed with a succession of stunningly There you can attend a choral eucha- by the talented curate. The choir led was born in the post-war boom. Oak- and build a new church in a more cen- good rectors and marvelous curates. rist with full sermon on Saturday night the canticles and psalms in Anglican ville had been pretty sleepy in the tral location. In 1988 it moved into its and head for the golf links fi rst thing chant, and sang a sublime anthem by 1940s. Its population wasn’t much present building facing Trafalgar Road Evening prayer on Sunday morning. Who says you Adrian Batten, who was a vicar choral more than 4000, its northern town lim- south of Upper Middle Road. Archi- In the past year St. Simon’s has added can’t have everything? of St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, in the its were at the QEW, and you couldn’t tecturally, it’s in a modern idiom, but a service of evening prayer one Sunday 1630s. The hymns were well chosen, order liquor in a restaurant. it has a classical sensibility. a month. It was one of these services A lay campaign including one in a setting by Graeme When Ford opened its new factory that I attended as if I were a visitor. Some folks at St. Simon’s remembered Donaldson of Trafalgar Presbyter- in Oakville in May 1953 and created What I like Sunday evening services were once the reverence, warmth, and peaceful- ian Church, who was present. The 3000 new jobs, lots changed very fast. Well, what do I like about St. Simon’s? very popular in Anglicanism. A great ness of the Prayer Book evensong, and preacher reminded us that the gospel New residential areas were developed, I like its interesting, kind, talented, many Anglicans went to church Sun- mounted a little campaign to restore it. is primarily about relationship, not new automobile-related industries took authentic, committed people. I like its day morning and evening both. But if Someone had the particularly good idea busyness. Did she realize how well root, and the service sector exploded. ordinariness: it’s just a neighbourhood you went to just one service, you prob- that the service would be a great oppor- that would fi t the tone of Anglican church, rooted in its surrounding com- ably chose the evening one if you were tunity for ecumenical engagement. evensong? A new mission munity, multigenerational, multicul- an evangelical Anglican, on the prem- After all, most other clergy in town You know, sometimes being a Chris- In 1954, as new housing was going up tural, without pretension, seeking no ise that that was the apostolic model don’t preach on Sunday evening, so St. tian is hard, and being an Anglican north of the QEW, St. Jude’s Angli- theological or liturgical niche, simply (Acts 20:7). If you spent weekends at Simon’s invited them onto a preaching Christian can defi nitely have a weari- can Church in old Oakville decided to trying to be faithful. the cottage, you could drive back on schedule for Sunday evensong. The some side. But this service of evening plant a mission up there. They called On Sundays I like its rootedness Sunday in time for evening prayer. evening I attended, the preacher was the prayer in a wonderful church commun- it St. Simon’s. That was cute, since St. in the gospel, its responsiveness to In the Roman Catholic world, even- Presbyterian minister from up the street. ity made me feel very blessed indeed. 4 NIAGARA ANGLICAN DECEMBER 2008 One giant step... We are mind, body and spirit in one

Lives have been lost as a direct result of degree or other. the others have that we may have intolerance and hate. Now we see Obama I am persuaded that it is import- overlooked. take the reins of offi ce with a signifi cant ant for each of us to understand the This thought was made avail- majority in the Electoral College and precious intimacy of our divine/ able for me through the writings with roughly 53% of the popular vote. In human engagement. We are complex of Thich Nhat Hahn, a Vietnamese a fl urry of hopefulness the citizens of the creatures with enormous potential Buddhist monk. Hahn not only sees United States have placed their faith in a which we neglect at our own peril. and admires richly his own Eastern JOHN RIPLEY man who challenges the status quo. One IAN DINGWALL Our task, never taken simplistic- Tradition but also appreciates the INTERIM RECTOR, HOLY TRINITY WELLEND giant step has been made south of the bor- RETIRED ARCHDEACON OF NIAGARA ally, is mysteriously beautiful in its power of Christianity as he allows At 10:56 p.m. (EDT) on July 20th, 1969 der. I, like them, hope that Obama will be As we strive to consider meaning in desire to move towards the Loveli- it to enhance his own religious com- Neil Armstrong became the fi rst human successful in achieving the high standard our existence, I have noticed an old ness of God, The Holy One. We are mitment. In commending Nhat Hahn to set foot on the lunar surface as part of that he has set for himself and the citizens theme rewritten in different sorts constantly to be the receivers of Gift and his thoughts to you, I suggest the Apollo 11 Space Mission. Placing of the United States. of new ways. We fi nd these ‘new’ in order that we may glorify God and you obtain his book, “Living Bud- In the euphoria of Obama’s election places, reworked and reworded not celebrate our humanity to its full. dha; Living Christ”. we must not forget that nearly half of only in the writings of Communities There is much here to confound May it be a blessing to lead you Americans did not vote for him. Preju- of Faith but in other diverse spots. and confuse. Given that we are toward understandings you may have Prejudice comes from the dice and hate does not disappear because The places to which I refer are able to understand this task, what overlooked or misunderstood the heart, not, from the brain. an election is lost. I was with a group of “Mind, Body and Spirit”. We are are we going to do about it? How fi rst time around. You may wish to friends before the election and we were invited to consider this “Old/New” do we accept the challenge and examine and rethink your personal talking about the coming election and subject in different ways. I suggest move towards this new creativity vocabulary. Words like freedom, his foot on the moon he uttered the now possible results. I was shocked when one we might tackle it by looking at each of thought and action? How do we need, inclusive, hospitality, radical, famous words: “That’s one small step for of our number said that he hoped Obama word individually and, even more fulfi ll the desire of the Divine Heart friendship, openness and many other man; one giant leap for mankind.” I, like wouldn’t win because “I wouldn’t want importantly, as an integral oneness. to love and perfect our Creation’s words open heavenly vistas and many others, sat in front of the television a black man to be president.” The reality My argument is simply that the one Story? redemptive places to visit. and witnessed that event. Modern history of that statement really drove home to word must be studied and understood In these past weeks, I have In conclusion, we are physical/ is rife with events that are fi rmly imbed- me the fact that prejudice is never very in the context of the other two. received a couple of ways to engage matter just by being human but we ded into our consciousness through the far away. My friend’s statement was not Many Western scholars seem to in a process which, although imper- are also decidedly Spirit. In the path wonder of television. In my lifetime the a statement of hate, but, a statement of focus their attention solely on the fect, could be an option to develop of this collective understanding, we assassination of J.F.K. and R.F.K, the tra- ignorance. Prejudice comes from the fi rst two, Body and Mind, while ourselves in more diverse ways. will fi nd a will that takes us along gic 1986 Challenger disaster, the fall of heart, not, from the brain. The ultimate Spirit is very much neglected to a The fi rst of these was to accept the Journey to the perfection that the Berlin Wall are a sampling of some emotional prejudicial position is hate. more or less after-thought. Each this opportunity as a Religious Quest God has planned for us. of the profound events that I have shared That hate comes from deep within us. word is essentially important as that is far, far greater than most have Therapeutic Touch Ministry, through images beamed into my living- In Rogers and Hammerstein’s 1949 we rediscover ourselves along with ever contemplated. Truth is not is for many today, being found by room. All of us on a personal level have production of “South Pacifi c” one of other people who live with us on found in structures or institutions many searchers for Truth, Under- our own array of life changing events the characters, Lieutenant Cable, says, Planet Earth. We cannot even begin or ‘denominationalism’. Nor will standing, Guidance and Support. that will forever be imbedded on our “racism is not born in you; it happens without appreciating each word Truth be discovered in the rational It is a Spiritual Adventure found in minds. I suggest that on November 4th after you’re born.” He then proceeds to carefully but, more to the point, to thought programs of the Ecclesias- some congregations that takes some at 11:00 p.m. (EST) another profoundly sing the song “You’ve Got to be Care- understand each one as part of the tical Hierarchy. It will touch us as of this thinking and translates it into life changing event took place – the elec- fully Taught”. The lyrics, with simplicity, whole thing – a present day Trinity we refl ect on being part of a great a model that enables us to see our- tion of Barack Obama as President of the speak of how the lessons of prejudice are of Meaningfulness. world-wide ecumenical understand- selves as “whole” living persons. United States. learned. Yes, we do learn our prejudices, First, our humanity is embodied ing in which all the world’s religions If only we could be brave enough I, like many others, never thought that and to one degree or another we all have and we are physical beings. We are will embrace each other and come to to risk in joining this Journey by lay- we would ever see the day that a person them. It was to a prejudicial world that material entities with all the benefi ts appreciate the uniqueness of spirit ing aside our biased western preoccu- of colour would be the President of the Jesus came. To hate just because of a and foibles of that condition. that is part of itself and of all those pation that fragments and alienates United States. The history of the United person’s skin colour, sexual orientation, Second, we appreciate that in other traditions and truths. us from self and others. Having done States has been, since its beginning, chal- gender, religion and/or nationality fl ies each human body there is a Mind Each religion has a special voca- that, we once again see our potential in lenged by racial tension. From the days in the face of the message of Jesus to us that allows us to think and perceive, tion towards Truth. We will never allowing our Spiritual Reality to pos- of slavery to intentional segregation the all – “Do unto others as you would have to reason and understand life and understand our own persuasion (or sess and redeem us. May we accept prejudices have been deep and profound. them do unto you!” our own existence, at least to some bias?) without appreciating all that the God’s gift and live it to the full.

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Justice Camp would be a way to animate ence of poverty in their everyday lives to respond to the needs of our neigh- community social justice ministry in Niagara. in Ontario. Over 75 public consulta- bours. But for too long, faith and com- Endorse the 25 in 5 Declaration at A few days later, I was back at tions on what a poverty reduction munity groups, individuals, volunteers www.25in5.ca St. Christopher’s for the Trafalgar strategy should look like have been and social service agencies and minis- Go to the next Interfaith Social Regional meeting on the Pursuit of hosted by the government or a com- tries have carried a disproportionate load Assistance Reform Coalition (ISARC) Excellence in Ministry. This was an munity coalition called “25 in 5”. in meeting the needs of individuals at the forum at Queen’s Park opportunity to learn more about the “25 in 5” stands for the call for a local community level through the oper- Form a “community connectors” COLLEEN SYM Bishop’s vision. While the process poverty reduction strategy for Ontario ation of community centres, daycares, group in your parish to reach out and SOCIAL JUSTICE COORDINATOR, ST. MARK ORANGEVILLE is still ongoing, I suggest that some that will result in a 25% reduction in breakfast programs, thrift shops, food connect with those responding to and On the morning of Saturday, Octo- themes are emerging relating to a jus- poverty in fi ve years, 50% in ten years, banks, overnight shelters, hospitality living with injustice in your community ber 18, 2008, a group of about thirty tice focused ministry: themes such as with a view to building a poverty free programs and other social services. Read The End of Poverty by Jeffrey people gathered at St. Christopher’s in charity vs. justice, education on justice Ontario. As the Millennium Develop- "These temporary measures have Sachs and The Bottom Billion by Paul Burlington to learn about Commun- issues, building awareness of the Mil- ment Goals are a strategy to eradi- not broken the cycle of poverty nor Collier to learn more about the Millen- ity Justice Camp: Live the Change lennium Development Goals, advo- cate poverty in the developing world, alleviated the diminishment of people’s nium Development Goals you want to see. Over the course of cacy, sustainability, poverty reduction, Ontario is developing its strategy to dignity. To do more than respond to Explore the concepts of charity and two hours, Anglicans from across the standing in solidarity with the margin- eradicate poverty at home. emergencies and crises, more resour- justice through hosting a Charity vs. Diocese, from parishes big and small alized and a call to take action. On November 5, 2008, the Inter- ces are needed in our communities. Justice workshop with the assistance and community justice partners repre- In the book Justice in an Unjust World, faith Social Assistance Reform Coali- "We recognize that we all have a of the diocesan Outreach Committee senting agencies and coalitions, secu- Karen Lebacqz writes: “To hear the cry tion hosted a forum at Queen’s Park role to play to reduce poverty, however, Go to the Poverty Watch Ontario lar and faith based, big and small got to of the oppressed is the fi rst act of justice”. – “Poverty, Why have it”. The keynote only government can accomplish the website to learn about poverty reduc- know each other and with the help of Bishop Michael heard the cry for justice speaker was Peter Clutterbuck, of the structural changes to law, programs and tion work across the province the Venerable Peter John Hobbs from from the Bishops from the developing Social Planning Network of Ontario policies that are essential for a success- Collect ideas on community develop- the Diocese of Ottawa, got to know all world with whom he connected at Lam- and one of the spokespersons for the 25 ful poverty reduction strategy. Only gov- ment techniques from sources like The about Justice Camp. beth. And, as hearing alone is not enough, in 5 coalition. Peter was at the Niagara ernment can re-allocate the resources of Troublemaker’s Teaparty, A Manual Then the exciting work began, we he has responded to the cry by calling for Justice Camp workshop. The follow- society more equitably through its regu- for Effective Citizen Action by Charles started to explore a vision for our camp. action against injustice here in Niagara by ing is a quote from Bishop Michael’s latory and taxing powers and increase its Dobson By “our” I mean the camp which is charging each parish to undertake a pro- June 2008 letter to Minister Matthews funding of social programs. Send a letter to the Premier and hosted by our Diocese, ours to make of it ject for justice. endorsing 25 in 5 and advocating for "Please hear our communities’ call Finance Minister demanding a fund- what we will. Back in May, I dare to say, Over the past year, social activists poverty reduction and was included in for social justice." ing down payment for poverty reduc- as Bishop Michael had barely begun the and Minister Deb Matthews, Chair of the keynote address at ISARC: tion in the 2009 budget process of discernment for his vision for the Provincial Government’s Cabinet Be a part of it The possible projects that can be his Episcopal ministry, he must have Committee on Poverty Reduction and "In the short term, we realize that char- Pray for those in power to show undertaken are unlimited. known that “justice” would become a many others have been listening to the ity and compassion are essential when leadership in poverty reduction God’s justice begins in response to central theme for that vision and that voices of those who know the experi- people are suffering and we will continue Attend a 25 in 5 meeting in your injustice. The doll's highchair: A Child's Christmas in 1926

was on my plate. I said my prayers. I but Margann and I had to stay in the the gold lumps), crayons (I always of it all. At last he read the name on the didn't bother Sarah, the cook. I played upstairs sitting room with the gas fi re- used up the pink ones fi rst), watercol- tag, and.. it was not for me. nicely with Margann and tried not to place until the proper time. Aunt Annie our paints, colouring books that you It was not for me. It was for quarrel with my sister, Macia. I didn't had delivered me in that room, mother 'fi lled in'; cut-out dolls that you dressed Margann. race up and down the halls yelling, if my said. And that was very special, because with cut-out clothes with tabs on them; He handed the highchair to Mar- father was home, or slide down the stairs all the deliveries – the bread, the milk, picture books with big lettering, show- gann, and with one more whoop head fi rst if my grandmother was look- the ice, and Eaton's - came in wagons ing ships that I thought reached across and ho-ho-ho, he took his leave. The FRANCEAN CAMPBELLRICH ing. I drew pictures and wrote poems and with baskets and went to Sarah, at the the ocean to England; a glass ball with clearing up began. There was milling CHRIST'S CHURCH CATHEDRAL made up new pieces to please my par- back door, who gave them tickets. a snowman in it, in a snowstorm if you around, gathering up paper and boxes; I wonder if we really understand about ents, and went to bed when I was sent. I At last we were allowed out. You shook it; celluloid cupie-dolls; sets of it was hot and noisy. Margann brought Christmas and a child's feelings. I drew up a list, with 'Doll's Highchair' at could smell the tree, but the fi rst doll-house furniture that you traded the highchair back to where we had remember a Christmas in Toronto the top, and wrote a letter to Santa Claus glimpse of it was from the stairs, with Margann. Usually there was been sitting together on the carpet. when I was six years old. I wanted a by myself. I even tried to give up suck- through a crack in the sliding doors, something nondescript from a distant She waited for me to say something. doll's highchair. ing my fi ngers. All this, and three whole and there it was, lights, tinsel, green- aunt that you didn't even know You Neither of us spoke. I had seen one in the toy department weeks being good until Christmas. ery, and oh joy, under the branches, had to write a thank-you letter (Dear I'm not going to cry, I said to myself. at Eaton's. It was wooden, and you could We lived in my grandparents' house, sticking up from the red and white and Aunt Nellie, Thank you for the shoe Nobody must see. I'm not going to lift up the little tray and put it over back, somewhere in the many rooms at 239 green presents around it, like a little bag. I've always wanted a shoe bag, but ask. Mother would say, “Another time, like a real highchair. I wanted it more College Street. Great Aunt Martha came throne, the doll's highchair. not very much...) Sometimes there was dear...” Macia would say “I can make than anything else in the world. out from one of the rooms from time to Santa Claus had come in through an Eatonia doll; the head usually got you one”. Aunt Frances would say The visit to Eaton's was an annual time, and Mother had her Coming Out a skylight on the third fl oor and was broken, or the eyes pushed in, before “Margann will let you play with it.” ritual; then there was the Santa Claus party in the drawing room downstairs, thumping down the stairs, ho-ho-ing the day was out, and it had to be taken And indeed, after a moment Margann parade, when you were never dressed Nannie said. Granddad and Uncle Her- in a voice like my father's. He had a to the Dolls' Hospital. .There was very said “You can play with it, Francean”. warmly enough but you didn't say any- bert had their medical offi ces on the nose like my father's too – but this was rarely anything like a doll's bed or doll's But it's not the same thing. It's just not thing about it. If you were lucky, you ground fl oor; the patients entered by all you could see of him, and I won- carriage, because Margann or I usually the same thing. watched it from on top of a car radiator the side door and waited in a dark room dered why he needed to come back if broke them, trying to get into them our- The time in my story is many years hood, but mostly you peered through with varnished chairs and the National he had brought all the presents during selves. And never a doll's highchair – later. JR and I had been married six legs or jumped up and down if you Geographic. Granddad’s offi ce had a the night. Aunt Frances played Jingle until this Christmas. months. We had told each other lots of wanted to see the clowns or the dan- great chair upholstered with horsehair Bells, and he made his entrance. The ceremony dragged on. I con- stories. He told me about Christmas in cing girls. The fl oats were easier to see fi lled black leather; if you pushed in a Too slowly, he began to give out tained my excitement as best I could England when he was six and the pre- because they were high, with the girls certain way, the whole thing heaved and the presents, one by one, starting with – politely, on the surface, at least. For a cious chocolate that got thrown in the your own age dressed in cuddly woolly clanked and rolled back and threw your a little one at the edge of the pile, read- minute I thought he wasn't going to get fi re with the wrappings by mistake. I things and waving at us, by the time legs up over your head. There was a roll- ing the tag aloud, with great care, pre- to it at all. The presents had all been told him about Christmas in Toronto they got to us, at College Street. After a top desk where Granddad kept pepper- tending not to know how to read, and given out. Maybe he thought that if it when I was six and about the doll's while I got dizzy with all the movement mints for us, and there was a cabinet fi nally making a fancy presentation to wasn't wrapped, it wasn't a present. Oh highchair. going in the same direction, and looked with surgical tools in it. One of them was Sarah, who opened it then and there, little Lord Jesus. On our fi rst Christmas morning, away until the big moment came. I used to take out tonsils. Everybody had daintily untying the knot and winding Then he saw the tag. “What's this?” there was a big bag of Laura Secord knew, for a certainty, that Santa Claus their tonsils out, but I didn't. up the ribbon and smoothing out the he said, picking up the highchair and chocolate, all for JR. And under the up there, at the end of the parade, was The other side of the hallway was paper. I was fi t to be tied up myself holding it high over his head. “Not for tree, a little wooden highchair, with a going to bring me the doll's highchair. I where we had Christmas. Aunt Mar- and didn't dare show it. Mother, certainly, ho ho ho...not for tray that you lift up and put over back. told my cousin Margann about it. tha and all the other aunts and uncles There were presents for me, of Nannie, ho ho ho, not for Towser, ruff The tag, with my name on it, read, I did all the right things. I ate what and cousins gathered in the morning, course. A box of plasticine (I only liked ruff, he barked, making a great show “You see, it was for you all along. 6 NIAGARA ANGLICAN DECEMBER 2008 PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

It is with deep regret and tremen- Carol Witcher and the family. ial Service was held at St. Thomas’ on Fergus, effective November 9. farers, part time, within the diocese. dous sadness to announce the sudden The Reverend Carole Langlotz November 22. Canon Marni Nancekivell has been The Reverend Hollis Hiscock has been death of Archdeacon Stephen Witcher resigned as honorary assistant at St. Canon Paddy Doran will conclude appointed interim pastor at Grace appointed interim pastor at Grace Church, on October 27. Archdeacon Witcher John’s Church, Burlington effective his interim ministry at Waterdown on Church, Waterdown, beginning Nov- Milton, beginning November 1. served in the parishes of St. Paul’s, Fort October 24. November 16, and begin his interim ember 17. Congratulations and best wishes to Erie; St. John’s, Jordan and St. James, Monica Stevenson, O.N., a long- ministry at St. Michael’s, Hamilton, Canon Robert Hudson’s appointment Faye Shaver, who will step down as Fergus. The funeral service was held time and faithful member of St. the week following. as Rector of St. Luke’s, Hamilton, con- organist and choirmaster at St. Mark’s from Fergus on Saturday November Thomas, St. Catharines, passed away Canon Frances Darlington has been cluded on October 24, but he will con- Church, Niagara on the Lake, after 31 1. Our thoughts and prayers are with suddenly in St. Catharines. A Memor- appointed interim pastor at St. James, tinue as Chaplain to the Mission to Sea- years! The high cost of cheap grace

COLIN C. M. CAMPBELL on sinning so that God may give us more obedience to the moral law, written on He understood that the Law, wrath, and Western Church since the Reforma- TEACHER, DIOCESE OF NIAGARA grace?” (Rom 6:1) To believe this is to our hearts, and made explicit on Mount penalty have their place. However, their tion. One opinion states that those, Advent is the time when we prepare to turn grace into a licence to sin. It leads Sinai. Second, God’s wrath. God sets purpose is to reveal sin, not to deal with who die with unconfessed severe sin, celebrate the gift of Jesus, who by his to a doctrine of cheap grace. However, before us life or death. If we choose life, it. God deals with sin by forgiving it. He go to Hell. The other opinion states Cross and Resurrection, saved us from grace is not cheap. It comes at a high cost. he will give it to us in all its fullness. If substitutes forgiveness for penalty. that, even if you repeatedly commit sin and reconciled us to God. Apart It cost Jesus his life and it costs us our we sin, we shall incur his displeasure. Jesus forgave the woman uncon- severe sin, you cannot lose your salva- from Calvinists, Christians agree that sins. A theory is needed which explains (Romans 1:18) Third, penalty. When ditionally. He did not question her tion. Both sides buttressed their pos- Christ died for everyone, not just for the how Jesus wins our salvation and how we sin, God’s Holy Spirit troubles our motives or try to establish extenuating itions from different interpretations of we do not receive it automatically. That hearts with guilt and his Providence circumstances. He did not try to ascer- the substitutionary atonement. is, we need a theory of the Atonement, mars our lives. Fourth, salvation. Christ tain whether she felt a true guilt (con- The theory of substitutionary which is consistent with the facts. One not only freed us from sin, but from the trition) or merely fear (attrition). He atonement is associated with Anselm. Although we are saved by form of the substitutionary atonement Law, the wrath, and the penalty. Five, simply said, “I do not condemn you. However, supporting texts are found grace not works, this does theory provides this. However, it needs Christ’s sinlessness. For Jesus to do Sin no more.” If he had said merely, “I especially in the description of the not mean that works are careful nuancing, if it is not to become this, he had to be without sin. do not condemn you,” then he would Suffering Servant in Isaiah and in the not important. antinomian. It is commonly expressed in These fi ve elements operated in the be antinomian and his forgiveness letters of St. Paul. The theory was elab- terms of our penalty being given to Jesus case of the woman taken in adultery. could be taken as permission to sin. orated further by Aquinas, Luther, and and his reward being given to us. If this First, Jesus upheld the Law and affi rmed However, he added the phrase, “Sin Calvin and is still with us in popular elect. Apart from Universalists, Chris- is understood as our penalty given to that adultery was a sin. Second, the crowd no more.” A true antinomian would theology, where it takes the following tians agree that some may not achieve him instead of us, and his reward given decided to help God out with his wrath. not have corrected the woman. If the form. Since God must punish sin, and salvation. If not all may be saved, yet to us instead of him, then antinomianism Third, the penalty would be both pain- woman had continued to sin, we may reward virtue, he must punish us and Christ died to save us all, it follows that follows. To avoid this error, it is better to ful and permanent. Fourth, Jesus saved infer what Jesus would have done reward Jesus. However, since he loves there is a condition attached to salvation. express the theory as our penalty given the woman from the Law, the wrath, and from his instruction to forgive, not sinners, he gives Jesus our punishment John the Baptist, who established the to him, as well as to us, and his reward the penalty. Five, He was only able to do seven times, but seventy times seven. and gives us Jesus’ reward. The sin- fi rst Advent, believed that the condition given to us, as well as to him. In this this because of his superior powers of It might seem that this does make him lessness of Jesus is necessary, so that necessary was repentance. If salvation way, the doctrine of justifi cation by faith discernment. This last point needs clari- antinomian. It is unlikely that Jesus he may merit an infi nite reward, salva- automatically followed from Christ’s does not lead to cheap grace or circum- fi cation. The crowd revered God but did would have said, “If you do this again, tion of the entire world. If we accept will to save, then repentance would be vent the certainty of fi nal judgment. not know who he is. The woman prob- do not come back.” However, if she what Jesus has done for us, we escape unnecessary and there would ultimately Most Christian traditions agree that ably feared God but also did not know did return for forgiveness, he would the Law, the wrath, and the penalty be no disadvantage to sinning. This belief fi ve elements must be present in a valid who he is. Jesus knew not only that God certainly have corrected her. of sin. is antinomianism. St. Paul was aware of theory of the Atonement. First, the forgives sinners but also that the crowd This insight helps us to avoid the it, asking rhetorically, “Should we keep Law. Fullness of life is conditional on were sinners no less than the adulteress. two extremes, which have divided the  CONTINUED ON PAGE 13 The challenges of the Church in the fi rst decade of the century

in great numbers. There are many activ- what to read or what not to read. I make acquainted with the church today and The Church’s ministry is sacra- ities and attractions these days, and as I my choices again by God’s three gifts. a fi ve dollar bill is about as much as mental and social and it never was a have said before people tested the water What we really have to do is make an they can fi nd when the plate goes by. series of meetings which fail to solve and found that, if they stayed away, God effort to understand one another with- What can we buy with fi ve dollars? As our challenges. We have seen more did not get them. Naturally and increas- out the feeling of contamination, or I read the Gospel messages for mid-day gatherings that point to new visions, ingly many have taken advantage of indeed the feeling we are going to get during the week, I am amazed to fi nd but not one is alive and well. There are this. Strangely, at the same time, those them, or they us. We, after all, are all much that might help us in our quests some churches that have been moved CHARLES STIRLING of us who remained didn’t seem to rec- people of God and pray for his good- along with some serious meditation. to greatness. Let’s check them out and RETIRED CANON, CHRIST'S CHURCH CATHEDRAL ognize our commitment to try to attract ness and mercy, and not for someone’s Our obligations are clear; we must see if we can’t get an idea or two from As I look at the Church in 2008 a num- them back in love and friendship. We conversion to our vision. Even in our again appeal to people in terms of the someone else’s ministry successes. ber of things come to mind. The most also have been slow to seriously move separate choices, we are one and must Gospel message and our need as Chris- Having attended one of the pre- important challenge is where have we our liturgies along to refl ect the present live and act as such. tians to minister openly and willingly to synod meetings, I am convinced that gone? We are missing lots of people. age and our concerns, for every age has As the position of the Church con- all we meet. We also have to teach these the hope for change and growth we More especially we have not built a new and different challenges that we tinues to weaken, we are faced with too people what a gift of money is all about, seek lies in the heart and mind of church in some time. In most centres have to address. We seem to have taken many churches in our downtown areas and that it is more than $5.00 or $10.00 Bishop Bird and others. In this new we have fewer churches in our cities the whole concept of liturgy too far and and none in our newer communities. a week. It is also our obligation to teach era let us get together and truly see that and outside of the centres of these cities worship it for itself. When we close an inner city parish, we them how it’s our collective duty to give we can bring our ideas and our gifts and towns we have almost none. Any Some few folk have left us, because need to take whatever we can get for as much money as we are able for the of time, talent and treasure and grow churches we have in these expanded they believe we have strayed from the it, and that is not often very much, and work of God. Nothing comes free! our churches and our ministry to new communities belonged to former small truth. But, what is truth but that which makes it available in one of our newer We truly have to seek the way to heights. Of course it will mean change centres and have been there for years. each of us has chosen to embrace communities. It could be a beginning the building of simple start-up facili- and sometimes sacrifi ce as some Added to the mix we discover most through God’s gifts of memory reason in a small way of something that with ties in new area, sometimes sharing things will become less important, of our remaining folk are largely grey and skill. I have no trouble understand- work and in faith and trust will grow. space. We need to give up some of but the gains we can achieve will be haired and growing more scarce. A few ing what these people believe, but at Money, like people seems scarce our buildings happily and with joy and outstanding. The church is no longer are still wedded to the BCP. The out- the same time they have to understand these days. We do not have the well- thanksgiving for ministry completed the repetition and trust of the past as it look can seem very bleak. what I believe and am committed to. to-do of a century ago. The well-to- and join new congregations whose changes to become the salvation and People have indeed left the Church We are created equal. I cannot be told do-of the 21st century is not well ministry is about to begin. hope of the future. NIAGARA ANGLICAN DECEMBER 2008 7 The world changed at Imagine Music and Word

new visions and new directions, while grounding us fi rmly together as we journey forward as God’s people. That plan revolved around: Powerful, impactful keynote speak- ers from away to inject a freshness to our perspective CHRISTYN PERKONS Complemented by workshops led PROGRAM CONSULTANT, DIOCESAN RESOURCE CENTRE by local leaders already doing this in Sophia (aka Wisdom or the Spirit) their own faith communities has been weaving her way through Supplemented by practicums in lit- contextual worship in the Diocese of urgy writing, song writing, and music Niagara in many ways; in parishes, Augmented by time for jamming and sharing of resources Highlighting organic, creative worship responsive to the conference Reactions ranged from culture and the Spirit 'great' and 'LOVED it' to Thanks to a grant from Training 'incredible', 'soul-touching' and Development for Leadership in and 'inspiring' and 'life- the Church Fund, the planning team changing'. was able to bring in Andrew Asbil, John Campbell and Mike Daley from Church of the Redeemer, Toronto to through The Gathering, in the Alterna- ground the work of the participants, tive Liturgy Conversations over the to teach new skills in both liturgy past 18 months, through Road Show development and worship music, and and The NYC Band, and most recently, to weave a thread through the many at Imagine Word and Music. aspects of the conference. It’s delightful how the Spirit moves Participants poured into the idyllic in us! Joyce Wilton, Congregational setting of Canterbury Hills on Friday, Support & Development Consult- October 24 ready for a weekend that ant, suggested hosting a contempor- promised to bring musicians, song- ary music conference to Christyn writers, and liturgists together to har- Perkons, the other CSD Consultant, ness the power of music and word, digm, Scripture in Song, and Making mélange of offerings of word and gift the church in Niagara with con- who immediately said ‘YES - and it providing them with the environment the Old New: Elementary Arranging song from conference participants textual liturgy and music. Comments needs to include a contemporary lit- to create, dream, re-imagine, network, to name but a few! Supplementing the that morphed into a liturgical pat- ranged from ‘please, more of the same urgy component as well.’ Their pas- and ultimately equip themselves as planning team in offering workshops tern that became WordSong. Without to feed us’, ‘keep asking me back; sion for music and liturgy that speaks leaders for a new future of music and were Brian Kerley, Janet Hope, Dave coordinating who did what or control- this is where I get my inspiration’, to and from the context (time and worship in our church. They were not Orrett, Brandon Prodger, Lynne Cor- ling what each person brought to the ‘more networking and opportunity place) in which we live refl ects an disappointed! Observed Janet Hope fi eld, and Dale Peters. Following a day table,“…the Words that people chose to work with liturgical resources’ to awareness that our culture is strug- (Church of the Incarnation, Oakville), fi lled with the ‘how to’ of community- to weave the Songs together were ’keep the fi re burning’! The planning gling with new paradigms of under- “This was one of the most spirit-nur- based liturgical development, Stephen incredibly powerful.”, commented one team - Joyce and Christyn; Dwight standing our global village, how we turing, life-giving, and transformative Hopkins (St. Christopher’s Burling- of the young adult participants. The Prodger (St. James, Dundas), Lindsey live in changed relationship with each church-based experiences I have had ton) wrapped the learning aspect of community worship culminated with Mills (St. David’s, Welland), Mike other, and what that means in our in recent years.” the conference on Sunday morning a Spirit-fi lled liturgical experience Deed (St. Christopher’s, Burlington), relationship with God. Christyn and Parish teams from across the Dio- with a session on facilitating change in crafted by participants through three and from Church of the Incarnation; Joyce share a calling to create new cese as well as lone representatives of the parish. Steve’s workshop affi rmed practicums; liturgy writing, song writ- Janice Moro , Phil Jones, and Jamie contexts for how we gather as God’s faith communities were engaged by the wisdom participants already carry ing and music. Reactions ranged from Barnes were deeply moved by the people, and how we fi nd our own Andrew, John and Mike in plenaries while at the same time, elucidating ‘great’ and ‘LOVED it’ to ‘incredible’, impact on participants, and felt the faith journey; a calling that engages that explored liturgical leadership as effective strategies and best practi- ‘soul-touching’ and ‘inspiring’ and experience was as transformative for them with churches struggling to cre- a vehicle for “inspiring a community ces for change management in faith ‘life-changing’. them as for everyone else. The excite- ate worship experiences that speak to to be shaped and re-shaped by grace communities. Several conference- The theme of wanting more per- ment was so contagious that another and for a world that has changed and week after week”. The breadth, depth goers remarked that Steve’s work- vades the evaluations of the weekend. event is already in the works! If you is changing. and variety of workshops caused par- shop left them hungry for more; more Conference-goers relished connecting read this article wishing you had been A planning team was drawn ticipants to agonize over their choice information and more time in small with other like-minded musicians and there, book Sunday, March 1 on your together from around the Diocese and for each session e.g. Congregational groups sharing successes and failures liturgists, felt inspired by the cross- calendar for an afternoon/evening of an ambitious plan emerged from the Song: Leadership without Instruments, in navigating change in the parish pollination of ideas and resources, liturgy, music and songwriting prac- fi rst meeting that acknowledged the Finding Creative Liturgical Resour- environment! and expressed an intense desire for ticums focused on creating liturgical church’s rich tradition and tapestry of ces, Working with Secular Music, The weekend’s worship moved more time together – creating, shar- expressions for Pentecost. For details, music and word that has changed and Faith, imagination and Possibility in from one created by the plenary team ing, learning from one another, and contact Joyce (ex 430) or Christyn (ex evolved, feeding and responding to Liturgy, Equipment for the New Para- on Friday night to the Saturday night nurturing each other in this calling to 460) at 905-527-1316. Bishop appoints lay director for Cursillo Niagara

It is with great excitement that the involved in many roles within the Director. Ann has also been awarded people to a deeper relationship with tion about Cursillo, may contact the Niagara Anglican Cursillo Move- church, including Rector’s Warden, the Order of Niagara for her continu- God and a stronger commitment to Lay Director, Ann Grose at 905-842- ment announces that Bishop Michael member of Parish Council, a reader, ous involvement in and commitment discipleship. These, in turn, will help 1847 or the Spiritual Director, the Rev. Bird, Diocesan Bishop of Niagara chalice bearer, and intercessor, as well to Cursillo since 1983. people to grow in their faith, and as a Susan Wells at 905-547-8851. has appointed Ann Grose as Lay Dir- as being part of a number of special Ann is committed to leading Cur- result infl uence their environments and If you would like to be put on the ector for the Cursillo Movement in projects over the years. sillo in a manner that will support the people around them for Christ. Cursillo Niagara mailing list, please Niagara. Her appointment is effective Ann’s Cursillo experience extends Bishop Michael’s pastoral plan for Nancy Harris from St. Jude’s, contact the Cursillo Communications immediately and will run till Septem- over 25 years and has involved nearly the Diocese, and believes that Cursillo Oakville has been appointed by the Chairperson, Nancy Wood at 905-335- ber 2009. all aspects of the Cursillo program, has an important role to play in imple- Cursillo Secretariat as the deputy 5067. Ann, with her husband, Brian, has from working on numerous teams and menting the Bishop’s vision of “excel- Lay Director and will succeed Ann in worshiped at St. Cuthbert’s church in committees to taking leadership roles lence in ministry”. September. Oakville for 33 years. Ann has been on Secretariat including a term as Lay Cursillo’s purpose is to bring Anyone wishing more informa- 8 NIAGARA ANGLICAN DECEMBER 2008 PARISH NEWS

St. Mark's Orangeville Youth Canoe Trip

REBECCA SCOTT Unfortunately, the car trip to Coon us going. The extra six hours added make our total of 16. Long Lake. We did about 5 km of SAINT MARK’S, ORANGEVILLE Lake (our starting point) did not go onto our trip were because of fl at tires On the Saturday, we did many por- canoeing that day. This year the youth from Saint Mark’s, quite as smoothly. A trip that usu- and a leaking transmission. tages and lots of canoeing. That night The drive back to Orangeville was Orangeville went north to the Kawar- ally takes about three and half hours When we fi nally arrived we were we put up our tents on Buzzard Lake. uneventful. When we arrived back at tha Lakes. We left with high sprits and with one rest stop, took us about nine! exhausted after our trip. We put on a Later in the evening we had a large rain the church we collected our belong- high hopes. We stayed positive the entire time, BIG pot of spaghetti and had an early storm. It rained for most of the night. ings and headed home to go to bed The trip itself went smoothly with although many Halloween candy bars night on Coon Lake. The next day we The morning (Sunday) of our fi nal so we weren’t too tired for school the no more than a minor leak in a canoe. were distributed along the way to keep were joined by fi ve more people to day was beautiful as we canoed down next day. Mark your Advent Calendar for New Harbours

MATT THOMPSON ton that most people have in mind from Lessons and Carols Service CHRIST’S CHURCH CATHEDRAL the stories they’re told. People turn the “you gotta believe that god is just a streets into a vibrant public space, and broken-hearted boy or lady or red- fi ll the dozen galleries on the second haired dog moaning up or down some Friday of every month. The Cathedral worried scale while whole continents opens its doors that night as well. The spasm, bleed, & slowly groan across community is invited to step inside, for the oceans’ fl oor…) and don’t we all a tour and for the music. of us tumble out of our mothers’ bel- The music series challenges lies gurgling & singing & crying? and people. The artists that played the fi rst don’t we all still sing, gurgle & cry?” round of the series ranged from the - Efrim Menuck improvised piano of Michael Snow to When the New Harbours new the spacey lap steel of Polaris-nom- music series began at the Cathedral inated Sandro Perri and all out walls in the spring of 2008, we wondered if of noise from Matthew Boughner and we would survive the fi rst show. Here Slither. These aren’t the sounds that was this new music, so different and most people would associate with a radical in its non-structure , taking cathedral. A few people have even told place in a building founded in trad- us that think that they don’t belong in ition and the inherit need for structure. such a space. We saw the paradox in bringing this Yes, this music is a challenge, but music to this place. We, an organizing it’s also an invitation. These artists, group from the community, spent the with the best of intentions, demand entire fi rst show wondering if our loud that we reconsider our assumptions Out of the seeds of summer come plans accompanist Dawn Brodie and partici- ists Chris Latour and Dawn Brodie and noises would not only bring down the of what music is and what it could for candles at Christmas. Several months pated in musical events at St. Paul's over organist Judy Hunter. building, but if we’d even be allowed be. We never planned for this, but ago, Sue Anderson, music director at the years. Boston organist and choir When Bob Argall founded the back again. the series itself asks something of the Grace Anglican Church presented the director, Flora Sloski, long time friend, Handbell Choir, he must have been By the time everything packed up cathedral as well. Unintentionally, idea of bringing her choir, Boston Pres- and the Boston Presbyterian Choir have thinking of how Christmas played out and the artists had gone home, we real- but with best of intentions, the series byterian Church and St. Paul’s United appreciated Bob's musical gifts in choir in the vaulted churches of Europe that ized that over 250 people had come asks for a reconsideration of not only Church together for a service of Lessons concerts and church services spanning echoed with silver voices and church through the doors of the Cathedral. what this cathedral is as a place in the and Carols in memory of a dear friend, several decades. bells. Who can forget the words: "I This was far more then on a regular Fri- community, but to have faith in the colleague and musician, Bob Argall. The Service of Lessons and Carols, heard the bells on Christmas day, their day Art Crawl night, far more than any possible and to ask what else could All three choirs and their music dir- slated for December 7 at St. Paul’s United old familiar carols play; and mild and of us expected, and with far more posi- this place be? ectors have been inspired and touched Church, will combine the talents of all sweet the words repeat, of peace on tive of comments and feedback than The next free show in the New by the gifts that Bob so generously choirs as well as the Handbell Choir and earth, good will to men." expected. So, we were allowed back. Harbours series takes place at 9:00 shared. Bob served as organist at Grace Junior Choir of Grace Anglican Church. It is this sense of a storied choral New Harbours is a series of chal- PM on Friday December 12th 2008 at Anglican Church for many years where More than 80 singers and musicians will past that will be recreated in the Advent lenges. It challenges our ideas about Christ's Church Cathedral, with Sun he founded the Handbell Choir and present anthems interspersed with con- Service of Carols and Lessons. Mark place. The series takes place during the Circle, Eric Chenaux and Goatfooted. teamed with Sue Anderson as music gregational carol singing and lessons your calendar for this special highlight monthly James North Art Crawl, which For more information, contact minister. Bob was also a special friend around the journey of Christmas. The of the Christmas season. The service is invitation is see downtown Hamilton www.myspace.com/newharbours. of choir director Judy Hunter and choirs will be accompanied by pian- starts at 7 pm. on a Friday night. This isn’t the Hamil- NIAGARA ANGLICAN DECEMBER 2008 9 St. Michael’s honours Kay Firth Four's Company

JANET CRESS the number of children attending. CHRIST CHURCH, WOODBURN We have four ladies that are co- For the past 11 years, Christ Church operatively leading the Puppet Min- Woodburn has had an excellent youth istry here at Christ Church. We all leader, Donna Ellis. She took on the believe in the Puppet Ministry and the duties of teaching Sunday School, joy it brings to the children. We knew leading the youth group and starting that we wanted the children to have the the puppet ministry. Under her leader- opportunity to continue to enjoy it. ship the youth group successfully con- We are amazed at how well this com- SUE CRAWFORD The life of a church secretary can be a difference. It takes time to get to know tributed to a number of ministries such mitment is working for each one of us. I ST. MICHAEL'S HAMILTON very complex. I asked her what was the what is expected from me when we get as The Primate's World Relief and write this article today to celebrate the On Sunday October 26th, St. Michael’s most diffi cult part of being the secretary at a new rector and wardens.” Development Fund and St. Matthew's success of our "4's Company" team. Church presented Kay Firth, our secre- St. Michael’s and she responded that “try- I can sympathize with her as a rela- House, among others. For the past Each one takes a part of the work- tary of 36 years, with a beautiful Swiss ing to please everyone” was not easy. She tively new warden. Each of us has our year Donna has been working with the load and shares at the following meet- watch. Canon Lynda Kealey also pre- joked with me that she felt she had “too own ideas about what we want and how youth at St. John's Church in Ancaster. ing. If someone is unable to be there, sented a delightful bouquet of roses. many bosses” sometimes. I asked her if we want things done. I don’t think it How lucky they are! then the others will lead the way. The The main presentation took place in the she had ever felt like quitting. I had a big helped matters when I introduced our Two special people have taken over workload is shared and the creative church at the end of the service. Fol- chuckle over her response. She told me monthly parish newsletter which has to the existing Sunday School program ideas are multiplied. It is a wonderful lowing the service, parishioners were she was ready to quit when we purchased be photocopied and then folded. We do here at Christ Church and are looking way to work together and everyone invited to join Kay and her family in the our fi rst computer. I am sure that there are have a network of volunteers, though, to improve curriculum and increase benefi ts, especially the children. Parish Hall. A specially decorated cake many church secretaries in the Diocese who help Kay with folding bulletins and was awaiting Kay to cut. who would probably agree with this. It the newsletters. How did she become our church sec- was a huge change from a typewriter. I Church secretaries are on the front retary? Well, I sent Kay a whole bunch have to commend Kay for sticking with line for all of us in our parishes. They of questions via email for her to ponder it and learning how to use the computer. fi eld calls to the Rector and are often about her history as our secretary. She She said that there were a couple of the fi rst ones to hear heartbreaking or answered a few of them. patient parishioners who stepped in and distressing news from parishioners. How did she become our secretary? helped her understand the basics of word Grieving people need a caring voice at At fi rst she was asked to volunteer for processing, how to use the programs and the end of that phone. Secretaries are the three months which stretched into three even how to check and use email. I can fi rst ones that people outside the parish years. After three years it was decided certainly attest that she is very capable of speak with in order to fi nd out about that we needed a paid secretary. She using the computer now. the church and its programs. Without a thinks that the corporation probably It was not easy to encourage Kay to knowledgeable and friendly person on took three years to decide if they wanted talk about herself. She is a quiet, very the other end of that phone, we can lose to give her the job or not! Well here she modest and humble person. She says potential new parishioners. I am pleased is 33 years later. this about working at St. Michael’s as to say that Kay is that caring voice and is Kay has served no fewer than four our secretary. that knowledgeable and friendly person. clergy over her years. When Canon “I have enjoyed doing the work and We appreciate Kay’s faithful 36 Lynda Kealey retires at the end of Nov- feel it is a privilege to be able to help in years at St. Michael’s. Thank you to all ember she will add a fi fth to her total. this capacity. I have been lucky to have our church secretaries in the Diocese for Her fi rst rector was Archdeacon Harold very understanding rectors and wardens the wonderful work that you do for our Llewellin. over the years and that certainly makes parishes.

15 Towering Heights Blvd Suite 904 Michael Mouse in the Glen St. Catharines, ON L2T 3G7 905-397-8278 RACHEL SCHOLZ It's a story of a mouse and his animal they enjoyed coffee and conversation, we ST. ALBAN'S GLEN WILLIAMS friends, all traveling with gifts to meet familiarized the children with placement I believe I can date my love of Christmas this new important baby. and timing. Unfortunately, the day of the pageants back to the donning of my fi rst So just after Remembrance Day, we pageant landed right in the middle of a halo at the tender age of 4; how it did started reading over the script with the snowstorm and we had to bump it to the shine! Since then I have participated in children and casting characters, I typed following Sunday. Fortunately we had a few, and as time goes by, I have even out the script; adding in notes about another Sunday before Christmas and watched my eldest daughter shine in placement of people and props. In the fol- everything went off really well. One of her fi rst pageant as one of the faithful lowing weeks we practiced and worked our leaders had the fantastic idea of hand- sheep. out problems. For example, Michael’s ing out copies of the script to the congre- Last year I found myself volunteering lines were too long to memorize so we gation so that they could follow along in to co-ordinate our small children's wor- put them in a binder and turned it into a case they couldn't hear properly. ship program which left me responsible map for his journey to Bethlehem. A lot Our congregation truly enjoyed the for fi nding the script for the pageant. of costumes had to be made but we kept pageant, as did the children and all of Luckily for me, I had already met it simple and stitched ears to headbands, us who supported them. I have already Christyn Perkons (Diocesan Consult- made tails and attached them to belts, started the search for this year’s pageant, ant in Children’s Ministry) and I wasted and bought foam noses and gloves from and have come up with several scripts. no time in asking for her help. Christyn the local dollar store. I look forward to another pageant, and e-mailed me several scripts, and I found As we got closer to the big day, we perhaps this year I will see all 3 of my Michael Mouse, a truly wonderful ver- asked the parents for some time after the daughters don their own halos. May sion of the traditional nativity pageant. service to practice in the church. So while your own Christmas shine. 10 NIAGARA ANGLICAN DECEMBER 2008

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 » The Old Same Prayers

There are, of course, profound theo- mon, thanking that same generous Heart matters a great deal whether we trust logical differences between Mus- for the last warm day of autumn, for the that Jesus is both the divine initiative lim and Christian understandings of silhouette of my beloved against the and the human response, that his death Mary’s son. Unlike the example of the western dusk, for the sheer liveliness of a confronts and overcomes the power of “holiday concert” that seems to assert healthy child, for the song that carries us, death to defi ne our lives. But I don’t that Christmas and Hanukkah are for the water than nourishes and delights think it matters enough that people variations on some generic theme, it is us, for every momentary glimpse of the who don’t see it can’t get their prayers wrong to overlook those differences – world “thy kingdom come”. on God’s agenda. I won’t say “Who a dishonour to both traditions and to They are the same prayers. And they cares?” any more than I would say those who inhabit them. are the old prayers. Whether they go on “Who cares?” about a corresponding All the same, when Frank and foot across the heath and through the reluctance within Islam to risk the pro- Jean-Anne came back from Turkey, it forest, or on silver wings across the sea found authority of monotheism for the wasn’t the theological differences that and through customs, we pray for their opaque mystery of the Triune God. had captivated them. It was, instead, safe returns. Whether on a straw mat on My baptism in 1956 has meant that the tradition of leaving written pray- the monastery fl oor, or in a high-tech I have sought truth fi rst of all within the ers clipped to a mesh wall. Though bed in the ICU, we pray for their health. Christian faith, in its scriptures, com- Prayers are posted on a mesh wall leading to the the rooms inside for Christian and Whatever felled them – plague or AIDS munities, practices, and habits. And house of Mary the Virgin in Ephesus. Muslim prayer are segregated, the or famine; spear, sword or missile; because I have not exhausted the depth written prayers outside are integrated. whatever part of them betrayed them – of those scriptures, communities, practi- Said Frank, “They’re just the same old liver, heart, lung, we pray for their safe ces and habits, I simply have not looked prayers, you know.” passage across the threshold we neither elsewhere. There is enough here for me. That’s what they are. They are the see nor understand. I do, however, wonder what might old prayers. And they are the same pray- These old prayers, these same pray- have happened had my parents initi- ers. They are prayers we have in com- ers hang from the trees and the mesh ated me into another way. Would I have mon, out of our grief and gladness, our wall at the House of the Virgin Mary in sought truth there, and found enough to struggle and celebration. They probe Ephesus. You would be hard pressed to keep me lifelong searching? I do know the fragile edges of our lives – the sick know which ones are Muslim and which that the deepest truth and truest depth or broken child in some parent’s ach- Christian. And you’d have to wonder at disclosed to me in Jesus is the boundless ing arms, the absent, angry beloved, the the character of a God who looked for costly compassion of the living God. friend in harm’s way, and the persistent the fi ngerprints, tested the spiritual DNA Of the living God who has called aging of our bodies towards death. on these slips of paper – desperate, grate- me to follow Jesus. Who may for all I They are the prayers we have in ful, or both – you’d have to wonder at know call others to follow other paths. common, beseeching the Heart that a God who would send them to the lab Of the living God who commissions beats at the heart of the universe for before taking them to heart. a people – the church – to bear witness to justice, aching breathless begging that Not for a minute would I say that the truth that is in Jesus, and to proclaim the abundance of the earth might over- our traditions of faith don’t matter, and enact the kingdom he enacted and come the scarcity in our hearts, that that their differences are meaning- proclaimed. Who may, for all I know, the hungry might eat, the homeless be less, that one is just the same as the call others to another sort of witness. sheltered, and the poor lifted out of the other. I wouldn’t say that because – at Of God whose aching heart, broken This stone chapel is built over what is believed to dust and disdain that confi nes them. least in part – we hold these distinc- open on the cross, welcomes the old have been the house of Mary the Virgin. They are the prayers we have in com- tions dear even within a single faith. It same prayers. At Christmastide whom do we worship: the beast or the lamb?

prediction of future events. Some would for the world we live in, and the New of great joy that will be for all the This is why we don’t see the peace have us believe that the world is getting Jerusalem, which comes down to earth people,’ as the angels proclaimed to that we all so desperately crave for. steadily worse, and will go on deteri- from heaven, not taken up to heaven; the shepherds. Christianity isn’t about We pray for peace, but continue to orating, until God has had enough, and but it’s none the less a heavenly city. doom and gloom, but about hope and serve the Beast, who only gives us calls it quits by totally destroying it, One we see with our natural eyes, the joy and peace; we don’t need to die to strife, schism and war. if we’ve not done that already. But in other only through the eyes of faith. see its fulfi llment in heaven; we see it We’re in a terrible bind. I believe addition, he’ll destroy everyone on it, The one is addicted to war, conquest right now on earth. we truly wish to worship the Lamb, MICHAEL BURSLEM except those who are ‘saved,’ whom and victory over all nations; the other After mulling over the book, especially at Christmas time, but end RETIRED PHYSICIAN, ST. GEORGE'S, GUELPH he will ‘rapture’ off the earth, before brings peace and healing to the nations. though, I did become concerned, lest, in worshipping the Beast. This was Advent and Christmas are seasons of he returns to rule the world for 1000 In one there is a river of blood; in the we have chosen to lie in bed with the the bind Paul found himself in when hope. Not only do we look back to years. This is graphically illustrated in other a river with trees on either side, Beast, rather than with the Lamb. he wrote to the Romans; “So I fi nd the fi rst Christmas, when we remem- LaHaye and Jenkins Left Behind ser- the leaves of which are for the heal- That’s why the Book of Revelation this law at work: When I want to do ber the birth of Jesus, our savior, but ies of novels. Rossing, in her lecture, ing of the nations. One is governed is so diffi cult for us today. We’re not good, evil is right there with me. For we also look forward to his second calls these ideas “just nuts.” Her main by the Beast; the other by the Lion of where we’re supposed to be. The in my inner being I delight in God's coming in glory. His second coming purport in speaking and in writing is the tribe of Judah, which is no lion, popularity of the Left Behind novels law; but I see another law at work in is more problematic than his fi rst. to counteract these, because they have but (surprise... surprise) a Lamb, and is that they make it all to appear so the members of my body, waging war Not being clairvoyant, we know very caught hold of so many in the church, a slain one at that. She speaks of two easy, which everyone can follow as against the law of my mind and mak- little about it. I have always found and even in the U.S. State Department, contrasting, and confl icting, ‘powers’ a guide book into the future. To use ing me a prisoner of the law of sin at the Book of Revelation so diffi cult to so that many innocent people in the by which we may live; the Beast’s love the Bible in this way is the Beast’s work within my members. What a understand until I read Barbara Ross- Middle East are dying because of them. of power and Lamb’s power of love. ploy, as it supplants the Holy Spirit, wretched man I am! Who will rescue ing’s The Rapture Exposed, The Mes- Here I must confess that I have not read The reader is left to choose in which who is the Christian’s true guide into me from this body of death? Thanks sage of Hope in the Book of Revelation any one of these books, but the excerpts city we are living, and to which power an unknown and uncertain future; be to God—through Jesus Christ our (Basic Books, New York, 2004). I read quoted by Rossing were enough to turn we are subject. but he is right there with us, all the Lord! Therefore, there is now no con- this after hearing her lecture online me off. In contrast to the pessimism of way. We’re tempted to use physical demnation for those who are in Christ at http://www.trinitywallstreet.org/ The traditional church, await- LaHaye and Jennings, Rossing is weapons rather than spiritual ones. Jesus.” (Romans 7: 21-8:1) If Paul had calendar/index.php?event_id=40241. ing the second coming of Christ, has extremely optimistic. God is doing Paul says: “The weapons we fi ght this problem, is it any wonder that we This was part of the 37th Trinity Insti- taught that we’re in the millennium great things. For those who have the with are not the weapons of the world. have too? Thanks be to Jesus, indeed, tute, a national theological online con- now, not literally a thousand years, eyes to see it, he’s building the New On the contrary, they have divine who, enables us all to live with him ference sponsored by Trinity Church, nor sometime in the future. Rossing Jerusalem on earth, here and now, power to demolish strongholds.” (2 here and now in his New Jerusalem. New York. states that Revelation makes the con- not in a never-never land. This is the Corinthians 10:4) He and his contem- This Christmas, we need to ask Contrary to what some Doomsday trast between the two cities, Rome/ hope of God with Us, the message poraries may not have used worldly ourselves, do we really believe in the preachers tell us, Revelation is not a Babylon, an earthly city, which stands of Christmas. This is the ‘good news weapons, but I fear that we do today. love of power, or the power of love? NIAGARA ANGLICAN DECEMBER 2008 11 Bring in the novelties!

in the Church" then each member must sermon, just in case the congregation a smattering of the glories of the Bible. Unfortunately, the active and respon- have the "ammunition" for the battle missed the point.) Our clergy seem to be afraid of trust- sive "kids" are teenagers nearing adult- with the secular world. Our biggest In an article entitled The Impris- ing their own laity to give instruction hood and the younger members tend failure to date has been a laissez faire oned Bible (Niagara Anglican, Novem- in the Bible. Perhaps they think that the to stare around as if they were won- attitude to the study of the scriptures. ber 2007) I wrote "We know that many Holy Bible is too "holy" to be entrusted dering what it is all about. When I was It is useless to think that the scriptures people will not give more than an hour to the unordained. Thirty years ago I teaching teenagers I told them that if may be studied through sermons which to God once each Sunday. Most will not moved from Hamilton to Rexdale and they were kids, then I was an old goat. SUSAN C. HUXFORDWESTALL are limited in time and in scope and, if return for 'Bible Study'. If our people immediately associated myself with They appreciated it. As a member of RETIRED TEACHER, ALL SAINTS HAMILTON they are scholarly, will often send the are to become prepared as were those my local parish church. I had been the congregation with no family mem- (to) innovate, v.i., Bring in novel- person in the pew to sleep. of the Primitive Church, then instruc- there little more than two years before bers in the "Sunday school" I have no ties; make changes in. Hence or cogn. Are we too wrapped up in liturgy? tion must be given during the hour of the rector permitted me to conduct a clue as to what happens in the parish ~A'TION. (Concise O.E.D.) If church members are to have an service time on each Sunday. I suggest Bible study class one evening a week. hall while we are continuing with the The season of Advent has just adequate knowledge of the scriptures that we do away with the traditional I got their interest by presenting the lid service. Perhaps that is my own fault. begun. It heralds a new beginning, the surely more attention must be given sermon and substitute three short hom- of a jar of Lyle's golden syrup and ask- We shall shortly tear down our church coming of a Saviour and, shortly after, to instruction during the regular hours ilies, each placed immediately follow- ing them what that had to do with the and the parish hall in which, years ago, the beginning of a secular new year. of service. We call it "service", but are ing the Bible readings (Old Testament, Bible. There is no prize for this, but it there was a very active AYPA (Angli- That new year is still tied to the old we serving God by ignoring the funda- Acts and Epistles, and Gospels). In that showed a dormant lion with the quote can Young Peoples Association). We Roman gods, for whom many of our mental knowledge that is set out in the way congregations will receive instruc- "Out of the strong came forth sweet- have an active Youth Synod; can it months are named. The days of our Bible? I am appalled by the slip-shod tion that they will otherwise avoid and ness". When I returned to Hamilton propose new ways of involving and weeks are tied to Nordic gods. Advent treatment of the Lectionary. it will be relevant and appropriate. This I suggested to the then rector of my informing our youth? begins the Christian New Year, but During this past summer I visited a need not eradicate the opportunity for present parish church that we should Bible study is only one way how many of us realise that? It is time number of churches in Hamilton dur- the incumbent to give the congregation have a weekly Bible class. Although towards understanding and articu- to wake up! ing which I heard readings from the a short pep talk. he knew that I was the former warden lating our own faith journey. If we In his recent meetings with the Old Testament and the Epistles read "Since the Gospel is frequently read of lay readers he shrugged off the sug- were only actively involved, espe- regions (archdeaconries) of the Dio- very indifferently by a variety of lay by the parish priest, the opportunity gestion. We still have no formal Bible cially in the Millennium Develop- cese of Niagara, Bishop Michael Bird persons. How on earth can our con- for a brief 'sermon' of encouragement study except as an adjunct to the Lenten ment Goals, we would become more introduced an outline for The Pursuit gregations become informed (edu- in amplifi cation of the Gospel reading mid-week service. passionate in our spirituality. As we of Excellence in Ministry in which he cated) if the reading set for any day is would not be eliminated. I suggest that There is a parish in our neighbour- become more aware of Church activ- advocated a "culture of innovation". not put in context by the reader, who if explanation of the O.T. and Epistle ing diocese where there are regular ity in the world around us, we would Near the end of the session each atten- must him/herself understand what is readings is limited to no more than fi ve weekly courses on church member- become more aware of our own dee received a set of three "Refl ection to be read? Furthermore, good enun- minutes each and the Gospel disserta- ship and the Bible. The Bible courses Anglican identity. Questions" with the request that they ciation is essential. Too many scrip- tion to ten minutes, the Sunday service are designed at two or three levels, This article only scratches at the be returned at the end of the session. ture readings are delivered in a "mat- would be no longer than it is at present, numbered 101, 102, 103... The cynic surface. Our own individual ministry I determined that "refl ection" required ter-of-fact" tone of voice as if they unless preachers ignore the admonition may say "But they have a large con- cannot be developed in isolation. It more time than was given at the con- where a part of the liturgy that has that 'If you can't get your message across gregation so they can count on having depends upon our parishes and dio- clusion of the evening and took it to be dispensed. The late Professor in ten minutes, it's probably not worth attendance at these classes" Perhaps cese and the world in which we live. home to think about. This article is Roy Wiles, who was Warden of Lay preaching at all'. With the increased the reason that they have a large con- It requires prophetic social justice- merely the start of my "refl ections"; it Readers, would be turning over in speed of modern life and the shortening gregation is because they have the making, effective resource manage- constitutes my refl ections on the fi rst his grave were he to hear some of the of attention spans many modern listen- classes and not the other way around. ment and outstanding leadership. page of a ten page pamphlet, a page scripture readings today. (It is notice- ers are turned off by learned and wordy "Where two or three are gathered These will never be developed without entitled The Pursuit of Excellence in able that I have omitted the reading of sermons." together....." taking risks, without bringing in the Ministry -- in our own lives, (underlin- the Gospel, but even here the reader Bishop Michael advocates "renewed Bishop Michael also advocates for novelties, without innovation. Without ing mine). must enunciate clearly. I have heard emphasis on the study of scripture". the young people of our Church. In my these we can hardly develop outstand- If "every member" is " to exercise a preacher repeat all or part of the The twenty minutes that I advocated own parish we have a "Kids talk" at ing leadership and we have to take ministry that serves our common life Gospel reading at the beginning of a last year is not enough; it can only give the beginning of the Sunday service. risks in order to uncover it.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 » Almost there And then there is ordinary time – the but not quite there; dark but not so was no longer any hope, her words felt knew that light was around the cor- For this reason I would like to think green priests, my friend used to call dark as to be gloomy; unknown but like a lie. Yet, as I have since looked ner, if only people would open their that my English friend would today them – the ones who least impressed somehow known; not optimistic but back on those words, I’ve come to eyes suffi ciently to witness to it. The classify me as an Advent priest – not him. In fact, we probably shouldn’t go not totally pessimistic either; prepara- realize that she was lying neither to ones who followed him were not the necessarily a package that has arrived there. He was never terribly compli- tory rather than complete. I recognize me nor to herself. Instead, they were people who had already arrived nor but a package that is at least moving mentary about green priests! myself as defi nitely on the journey probably an expression of what was at were they the ones who had given up in the right direction, a package that at As silly as this game was, I used to but I always wonder if I’m ever going that time her deepest need – to hold on on possibility. Instead, they were the least conveys that something magnifi - think it was fun to listen to this man cat- to arrive, even as I secretly know that to a last smidgen of hope regarding her people who, although uncertain about cent is on its way. egorize all the clergy he knew. Some- I really don’t want to arrive because, husband as long as she was still able to the destination, nonetheless were pre- The wilderness is a place pregnant how, it removed that aura of seem- for heaven’s sake, I wouldn’t have hold on to this. Until he was actually pared to risk the journey, ever hopeful with possibilities even as the journey ing holiness that many priests adopt a clue what I would do when I got gone, she refused to stop believing of its outcome. Just before my father through it can be annoying, risky and and named them as no more than the there! there wasn’t some light around the died, my mother was one of those at times, quite dangerous. Sadly, so human beings they really were; not so Advent is a season of questioning; corner on which she could focus. This people; I, on the other hand, was accustomed have we become to the distant and untouchable. And now that a season of looking ahead in such a was her last grab at preventing the decidedly not. Christmas carols starting right after I, too, am a priest I have to admit that way as to be able to contemplate what darkness from engulfi ng her. This was Oddly enough, I have since become Halloween that too many of us land in sometimes I wonder how my friend might be around the corner. Like Lent, her John the Baptist. that person of hope. Perhaps it takes Bethlehem before travelling through would categorize me. While I don’t it is a time of refl ection but unlike If he had been a Christian, John the kind of dramatic life loss which I this messy place of hope. I won- know what he would say, I do know Lent, it is not a time to consider past the Baptist would have been an experienced in order to become such der if that stable would have looked what I would want him to say. I warm sins; rather, it is a time to consider Advent priest. Indeed, in the church a person – being in a place that leaves as warm and inviting to Mary and to the idea of being an Advent priest – future hopes, and it is for this reason we have made him thus – not quite one feeling, “I’ve been down so long, Joseph if they hadn’t been forced to someone on the cusp of magnifi cence that I am at the very least an Advent the central fi gure of the story but everything looks like up to me.” I hon- journey such a long distance before but not yet quite there; someone who person if not an Advent priest. someone pretty close to the central estly can’t say what changed for me, arriving there. has the potential to be there if only I At 15-years-old, my father died and fi gure; the prophet who came out of except that I do know that as cynical Don’t get me wrong. I like Christ- could get my act together to make this my world collapsed. The day before the wilderness to preach to a people as I can get about many things, I never mas but more than this, I like the pos- happen. he died, my mother told me, “Where who were still in the wilderness; the get so cynical as to assume there is no sibility of Christmas, for as long as The Season of Advent is where I there’s life, there’s hope.” I have vivid one person to whom some people then hope for something different, some- the season is just a possibility, then live – not just for four weeks before memories of hating her in that one looked and to whom we now look as thing better just around the corner. (I something wonderful will always lie Christmas but most of the year. There moment. Because I was certain there the harbinger of hope. He it was who even feel this way about the church!) in store for me. 12 NIAGARA ANGLICAN DECEMBER 2008 The Niagara Anglican In the pursuit of excellence in ministry The offi cial publication of the Anglican Diocese of Niagara is published ten times a year from September to June by The CHRIS GRABIEC program. If we try to turn it into a pro- ity? They all chose something. Min- forgive sins. It is the ministry of every Dunham Group in Hamilton, Ontario. EDITOR gram, we are doomed to fail, as have istry is the property of the baptized. Christian to forgive unconditionally. The new guy on the block, Michael most of our attempts at programming If in fact ministry is a result of our It’s possible that a good number of Editor: Christopher Grabiec Bird, has certainly grabbed everyone’s our faith in the past. Secondly, it is not baptism then it seems that each of us, us will walk away from this article at attention these days. It seems like the about clergy. Most of us have resisted responding to the call of our bishop this point. We all have people to for- Phone: 905-312-8444 (ext. 101) laying on of hands, might be quite the title of “minister” for our clergy need to think about what is it that God give and we do not feel like doing it. effective! The bishop is calling the for a long time. Anglicans have talked asks of me with regard to ministry, and If forgiveness is a ministry then we Advertising: Colin Jacobs church to an excellence that we haven’t about deacons and priests and bishops, how can I pursue that with some kind don’t necessarily “feel like it”. We thought about for a while. Let’s take a but we haven’t called them our min- of excellence? Here’s the crunch. The are asked to go out and forgive the Phone: 905-526-0154 step back and think this through. isters. Thanks be to God! Ministry is bottom line of the pursuit is prayer. sins of others and that means all of us. There is no doubt that we are not the property of the clergy. It is the Every Anglican needs to fi rst of all It means that we have to forgive the experiencing a decline in attendance property of the baptized. Thirdly, the learn to hear the voice of God speaking four parishes that have left the diocese Publishers Advisory Board in our Anglican churches. We’re not pursuit of excellence in ministry is within their own hearts. Do we really of Niagara. It means that we have to Pam Claridge alone. Some other denominations not a guilt trip. This is not to say that think that Mary had some miraculous forgive our husband, our wife or our Phone: 519-941-6804 have steeper declines and others not our predecessors were not trying to apparition of an angel to speak God’s children for whatever we hold against so steep. The mainline churches seem be everything that God called them to will to her? If she did, then why does them. We must never allow someone Geoff rey Purdell-Lewis to be suffering the most. The funda- be. The pursuit recognizes that times it not happen to the rest of us at some to walk around with the burden of Phone: 905-628-4176 mentalist versions of Christianity con- have changed and that God’s Spirit point? Mary was a woman of prayer, their sinfulness. tinue to fi ll their parking lots. Coming blows in the wind of time asking us to who took the time to listen to the It’s Advent and Christmas which to grips with that observation is the constantly renew our understanding of voice of God. She heard it within and means that it’s a special time of prayer. Charles Stirling Phone: 905-383-1088 subject of another article. Most of us faith and mission to the world. responded generously. Each and every We cannot let the days go by without don’t believe much of the fundamen- Michael Thompson, who is the rec- one of us needs to take that time. We listening to the voice of God within. talist message and we don’t want it as tor at St. Jude’s in Oakville, I’m told, need to settle ourselves, perhaps read We should not sit around waiting for Carol Summers part of our faith journey. Our approach does not put up his license to oper- a line or two of scripture and then sim- our clergy to “become excellent”. Phone: 905-772-5641 to scripture is careful, methodical and ate as a priest in his offi ce, but rather ply listen. Will God answer you right Let’s not expect some program that utilizes all of best forms of literary, his- proudly posts his baptismal certifi cate. away? Maybe not, but who knows? will solve the problems of our church. Staff torical and form criticism that we have For Michael, his ministry is a result of Eventually we will become convinced Instead, listen, hear and respond gen- at our disposal. So, let just say that we his baptismal commitment, fi rst and that God is calling us (like Mary, like erously to the voice of God. Know Design/layout: Kayn Leduc want to continue along our journey foremost. I remember when I was rec- Joseph) to minister to the world around that the call of our Bishop is to each Proofreading: Bryan Stopps but we want to stop the decline in our tor of the University Catholic Parish us. When we become convinced, then and every one of us and it is to pursue numbers and we really want to make a in Waterloo; we had a sign-up Sunday we can move forward. excellence in our ministry. If we only Submissions difference in our world. every September when the majority So what are these ministries that try to enter into this pursuit, then the We welcome letters from our readers. All If that’s the case then maybe we of students arrived for the year. There we must pursue? For some of us they will of God will be accomplished and submissions must include the full name ought to think a little more seriously were about 1500 students who signed will be public and for others more pri- God’s reign will be established. We do and contact information of the author. The about excellence in ministry. But, in up as members of the parish each year vate. Prayer itself is a ministry. Have have a clue what our church will look newspaper reserves the right to edit sub- order to do so, let’s think about what and beside their name and address was you ever thought about the ministry of like as we begin this journey, but then missions. Submissions must be received this is not. First and foremost the pur- a line that was not optional: What min- forgiveness? We have wanted to assign again, what will it matter. The will of one month prior to the newspapers publication date. suit of excellence in ministry is NOT a istry will you exercise in our commun- that one to the clergy because they can God is all that counts.

Subscriptions

Yearly subscriptions cost $15.00. For new subscriptions or to make changes to your existing subscription, please contact your parish. Niagara Cursillo www.niagaracursillo.org The Diocese of Niagara

The Diocese lies at the western end of Lake Ontario, and is defi ned roughly by the Niagara Escarpment from the Niagara River in the east to the Dundas Valley in the West and north to Shelburne, Mt. For- est and Orangeville.

Bishop of Niagara: Michael A. Bird

CHRISTMAS TREE SALE Phone: 905-527-1316 Buy an “Anglican” tree this year at St. Cuthbert’s Church (Maple Grove and Oakhill, two blocks north of Lakeshore Administrative Assistant: Alison D'Atri Road East in SE Oakville) Phone: 905-527-1316 (ext. 310) #905-844-6200

Sale Hours (staffed by volunteers): Executive Offi cer: Michael Patterson Monday to Friday 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Phone: 905-527-1316 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Saturdays 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Sundays 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Program Department

Christyn Perkons Phone: 905-527-1316 (ext. 460)

Joyce Wilton Please remember to support Phone: 905-527-1316 (ext. 430) St. Matthew's House this Christmas Contact the Diocese

Cathedral Place 252 James St. North For more information see the ad on PAGE 14. Hamilton, ON L8R 2L3 Phone: 905-527-1316 Website: www.niagara.anglican.ca NIAGARA ANGLICAN DECEMBER 2008 13 EVENTS

Spaghetti Dinner Christmas Bazaar which we are a member, will hold a majesty and mystery of this wondrous A Candlelight Christmas Concert All Saints, Ridgeway St. Paul's Anglican Church, Shelburne Christmas Artisan and Trade Show at Christmas season. Refreshments to St. Matthew on-the-Plains, Burlington Last spaghetti dinner for 2008. Home- Annual Christmas craft and bake sale Lookout Ridge Retirement Community follow. Variante Harp and Flute Duo perform with luncheon. (Corner of Highway 20 and Lookout Cost: $10.00 per person made pies and desserts as well as a con- their magic music at this Candlelight tinuous service and 50/50 draw. December 6, 10:00 AM-2:00 PM Street). Come and celebrate Christmas December 10, 7:00 PM Christmas special. All proceeds go to Cost: Adults $8.00, Children (5-12) and Christ and the Workplace in Pel- Partnership West Food Bank. $5.00, Under 5 Free Holiday House Tour ham. Handel's Messiah December 3, 5:00 PM-7:00 PM St. James, Dundas December 6, 12:00 PM-5:00 PM St. John's, Ancaster Cost: Adults $15, Children (Under 13) Tour fi ve Dundas homes and come back St. John's Presents Arcady, performing Free with non-perishable food item. A Dickens of a Christmas Dinner to St. James for refreshments. Browse Annual Christmas Concert for Children Handel's Messiah. December 14, 7:00 PM St. James, St. Catharines our baked goods and Dickens Lane to in Need Cost: $30.00 per person A four course Victorian dinner with a shop for Christmas gifts, and spend time St. Luke, Burlington December 12, 7:30 pm Queenston Ladies Choir This will be our 17th Annual Fundraising reading of Charles Dickens A Christmas in our art gallery. St. Mark, Niagara-on-the-Lake Cost: $20.00 per person concert for children in need in our com- Salvation Army Community Carol Sing Carol. For reservations call 905-682- The Queenston Ladies Choir Christmas December 6, 12:00 PM-5:00 PM munity. Featuring the Christmas music St. George's, Guelph 8853. Concert at St. Mark's with reception to Cost: $25.00 per person of John Rutter, the centerpiece of this Come and spend the afternoon and hear the sounds of Christmas. Coff ee follow in Addison Hall. Please call 468- December 3, 6:00 PM An Evening with Canada's Singing Priest concert will be Rutter's charming and All Saints', Ridgeway amusing musical fable "Brother Hein- and cookies reception to follow. 3123 for tickets and more information. Alzheimer Society Concert Presenting the Reverend Mark Curtis for rich's Christmas", which tells the story of Cost: Free will donations December 14, 7:30 PM the composition of the Christmas hymn, December 13, 2:00 PM St. George's, Guelph The Churches of the Ridge. You might "In Dulci Jubilo". The narrator, assisted by Come enjoy the Guelph Chamber Choir. consider a non-perishable food item. Family Christmas Party choir, oboe and bassoon will beautifully Christmas Concert with Port Colborne Cost: $20.00 per person For more information call Judy Young at St. Cuthbert's , Oakville 905-894-3502. bring the fable to life. Chorale December 3, 7:30 PM Join us for our annual, family Christmas Cost: Freewill off ering December 7 St. John's, Ridgemount party. Special guest will be Bernie Ger- Christmas Potluck Dinner Party December 6, 7:00 PM Come hear this wonderful concert Bread and Wine People which will have contemporary and tra- man, Canada's Singing Cowboy! St. Columba, St. Catharines Don't Wanna Wait St. Cuthbert's , Oakville ditional music. Cost: Donation for pizza and entertain- All ladies of the parish are invited to Holy Trinity, Fonthill Join us for an inter-generational worship Cost: $7.00 per person ment attend our Christmas Potluck Dinner Treblaires Ladies Show Choir presents experience as together we explore our December 13, 7:00 PM December 19, 5:30 PM Party. Be prepared for a great evening the Don't Wanna Wait concert. For tick- full participation in the Eucharist. of food and music, a silent auction with ets, call the offi ce at 905-892-6011. December 7, 10:00 AM Advent Quiet Day some beautiful gift ideas, and singing of Charles Dickens Christmas Carol Cost: Adults $8.00, Children (Under 13) St. Cuthbert's, Oakville Christmas carols. Kindly remember to St. Mark, Niagara-on-the-Lake $5.00 Advent Lessons and Anthems Join us for a day of prayerful refl ection bring your own dishes and cutlery and A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens December 6, 7:30 PM St. Paul's United Church, Milton upon what 'keeping awake' or 'watch- your favourite potluck dish. If you need A service, in memory of Grace Church ful anticipation' may look like for you presented by members of The Shaw Fes- transportation, please call the offi ce to Breakfast with Santa Organist Bob Argall, at St. Paul's United in this Advent season. We meet at the tival Theatre at St. Mark's. A great way to arrange a ride. St. John's, Ancaster Church (125 Masin Street, Milton) with SSJD Convent in Toronto and carpool get into the Christmas Spirit! Reception Cost: Potluck dish Sing carols and listen to the story of St. choirs from Grace Anglican Church, St. out together. to follow in Addison Hall. Call 905-468- December 4, 6:00 PM Nicholas. Paul's United Church and Boston Pres- Cost: $30.00 per person 3123 for tickets. Cost: Adults $10.00, Children (Under byterian. December 13, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM December 21, 3:00 PM Family Movie Night 11) $5.00 December 7, 7:00 PM St. Cuthbert's, Oakville December 6, 9:00 AM Outreach Bake Sale Christmas Carol and Candlelighting Service Watch a favourite fi lm on our 8' by 8' Christmas Bake Sale St. Cuthbert's, Oakville St. George's, Guelph screen. Bring friends, parents, pajamas St. Nicks Shopping Day All Saints, Hamilton Buy all your Christmas goodies at St. (if you want), sleeping bags, pillows and St. Paul's, Fort Erie An opportunity to shop for Christmas Cuthbert's, Maple Grove and Oakhill in There is nothing more beautiful than St. friends. St. Nicks Shopping provides an opportunity goodies. Oakville. All proceeds to the Oakville George's decorated by candles at Christ- Cost: $1.00 per person for children to make their Christmas pur- December 7 Million or More Stephen Lewis Founda- mas. December 5, 7:00 PM chases in a relaxed and happy atmosphere. tion and Kerr Street Ministries. December 21, 7:00 PM Assisted by 'elves' each of the children's Emmanuel December 13, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM Christmas on the Credit gifts is given special attention, wrapping St. Columba, St. Catharines Community Christmas Dinner St. Alban the Martyr, Glen Williams and tagging. This all day event is greatly A 45 minute journey through the Christ- Christmas Around the World St. Alban the Martyr, Glen Williams Please join us for our annual Christmas anticipated by all. Mark your calendars. mas story. Using original arrangements St. Christopher, Burlington We would like to extend an invitation to Bazaar. Baked goods, frozen foods, December 6 of beloved Christmas songs, classical Christmas musical performances. Carols, join us for a time of community fellow- crafts, penny table sale, silent auction ballet, live music, and readings from the sweets and hot chocolate in the Great and much much more. The draw for the Christmas in Pelham Gospels and the Book of Isaiah. A mod- Hall. A gift from St. Christopher's to the ship and Christmas Dinner at St. Alban's lottery will be held at 2:00 PM. Holy Trinity, Fonthill est, worshipful, and artistically excellent Community. Church Parish hall. December 6, 10:00 AM-2:00 PM The Pelham Business Association, of presentation to touch the audience with December 14, 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM December 25, 1:00 PM

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 » The high cost of cheap grace

This theory is not congruent with the such ideas about the Atonement! them. God did lay on his Anointed the best parts of these two positions. The grace may be infused in us and we case of the woman taken in adultery. One person may indeed pay another punishment of us all for our sake, but purpose of Law, Wrath, and penalty is may be sanctifi ed. Christ confi rmed the woman’s sin and person’s penalty. However, if another along with us not instead of us. to reveal our sin so that we may seek Although we are saved by grace not upheld the Law. The crowd believed always pays my speeding ticket, there At the Reformation, the substitu- God’s forgiveness. However, because works, this does not mean that works that their anger was morally appropri- would be no disadvantage to my speed- tion theory gave rise to two warring sinners understand neither themselves are not important, as James insisted in ate. They also believed that it was their ing. If the taxpayers always bail out the camps, associated with the terms (Rom 7:23) nor God, they are unable to his Letter. Justifi cation by faith does duty to stone the woman. This theory banks, there would be no disadvantage “imputation” and “infusion.” One make an accurate confession. By being not mean that we shall escape the would change the ending. God would to being fi scally irresponsible. If Jesus group believed that, when the merits sinless, Christ can. He can confess to Final Judgment, when it is our works require that the crowd stone Jesus, had been stoned and the woman freed, of Christ were imputed to us, we were God for us and pronounce forgiveness that will be judged. If we submit to instead of the woman, and set the then the penalty would have been paid saved once for all time. This event is for God to us. His is a priestly role. the judgment, we have the assurance woman free, instead of Jesus. Barab- by him, instead of her. However, if Jesus justifi cation, received by faith, not What he does indeed we cannot do of Christ’s forgiveness. This insight is bas was indeed freed instead of Jesus had been stoned along with her (a more works. The other group believed that for ourselves. The merit of his action important. To set justifi cation by faith but this was Pilate’s idea, not God’s. In reasonable possibility) then Jesus would the merits of Christ were infused is imputed to us, and we receive the over judgment produces the smug com- a German concentration camp, when a have suffered her penalty with her for over a whole lifetime. These events benefi t by faith, not by works. We are placency of God’s antinomian elect. priest volunteered to be shot instead of her sake, and she would have experi- constituted the process of sanctifi ca- justifi ed by faith and forgiven. How- It is a very great sin to opt out of the another prisoner, it was the Nazis who enced his “reward,” through union with tion and, this group believed that we ever, we still sin. In one sense, we are battles of life by relying on the merits accepted the proposal, not God. To use him in death. On the Cross, Jesus suf- would not know whether we would be Christians since we belong to Christ. In of Christ. Seeking to avail ourselves of these examples as analogies for the fered the penalty of sin for our sake, saved until the Final Judgment. With another sense, we are not, since we do cheap grace comes at a high cost. By Cross is to equate God’s thinking with along with us not instead of us. The just the benefi t of the story of the woman not always act like Christ. Throughout neglecting to develop our full potential, that of Pontius Pilate and the Gestapo. did indeed suffer for the unjust for their taken in adultery, it is now possible to our lives, we must continue to return we cheat ourselves out of the abundant This should give us cause to rethink sake, but along with them not instead of advance a theory, which embraces the for correction and forgiveness so that life, which God intends for all of us. 14 NIAGARA ANGLICAN DECEMBER 2008 Loving Our Limits

to take my day off. I can’t be out every ing things to say about human lim- sense to this revelation. Who will fi nd, we want to think outside? We want night,” I said. “There’s enough work itations. It was my husband Dan who as I did, some delight and joy and hope to think outside any box that might at the two parishes to keep me busy brought his words to my attention. in loosening their grip on the elusive prescribe who is and who isn’t wel- twenty-four-seven. But I can’t do that. Gregory says that as human beings, trophy of accomplishment. But it come in God’s Kingdom. We want to So every day is a reminder of my own we are limited. We may be created in occurs to me, on refl ecting about the think outside the ubiquitous cultural limits. I do what I can do. I can’t do the image of God, but whereas God is wider life of our diocese right now, box of consumerism, of the messa- everything.” eternal and unbounded, we are mortal, that my experience might open some ges of 'more, more, more', 'bigger, MARTHA TATARNIC we are locked into particular bodies, wider points of consideration as well. faster, newer, better', or 'you are not PRIESTINCHARGE ST. HILDA’S OAKVILLE PASTORAL CARE COORDINATOR, ST. JUDE’S OAKVILLE Shifting priorities particular consciousnesses, particular We are beginning some lively and enough, you do not have enough, I thought about that conversation expressions and modes and perspec- imaginative conversations right now you need to have more in order to It’s not easy being back at work afterward. It sounded so negative! I tives. Although we chafe up against in the Diocese of Niagara as Bishop be enough'. We want to think out- after maternity leave. It’s good, but can’t do everything. I’m busy. Boo these limitations, and in many cases Michael invites us into shared con- side the box that all of us can fi nd not easy. I thought that my life was hoo. Why didn’t I spin my limitations attempt to transcend them all together, sideration of where God might be so seductive, the knee-jerk-reaction full in the pre-Cecilia days when I around? Say something about God’s our limitations are in fact what make calling us to journey. We are dared to box of 'we've always done it this was simply working full-time as a power? ‘Every day I realize that I can’t us beautiful. It is the limits of our body dream expansively, to think widely, to way,' and therefore, 'this is the only priest. Then I thought that life was do everything. But that just gives me and our soul and our spirit and our creatively and boldly venture ‘outside way it can be.' full post-Cecilia with the constant a chance to recognize God’s power.’ minds that give each and every one of of the box’ of what has always been But if we are going to make the whirl of activity of a new baby and Why didn’t I say something like that? us form. In fact, it is what gives each done, what we think we need to look choice of intentionally and thought- the sharp learning curve of having no For one thing, this statement didn’t of us a unique, a specifi cally individ- like, what church should be. fully looking outside such boxes that clue what I was doing in the parent- feel negative when I made it. And it ual, form. The uniqueness of each liv- In that conversation, however, can be stifl ing and imprisoning, we can hood department 95% of the time. A still doesn’t. When I said, ‘every day ing human form has been the inspira- there are some limits. There are some also creatively and joyfully look inside new defi nition of ‘full’ naturally hap- is a reminder of my own limits,’ the tion for countless expressions of art, of limits, and it is not settling for less, the box. Inside the box of Anglican pened when I started back to work words came out of my mouth with a music, poetry, and literature for thou- or shutting the conversation down, to identity. Inside the box of a centering last May. And then when I received sense of buoyancy and hope. As some- sands of years. It is what makes this acknowledge them. It is instead being and binding tradition of common my new appointment to St. Hilda’s, one who is a perpetual over-achiever, human journey so interesting, what clear about the form, the particularities prayer, common prayer that has much while continuing to work part-time at who behaves as if every responsibility brings to our encounters with one of our context, within which God has greater elasticity and fl exibility than St. Jude’s, with the full-time parent entails a referendum on my self-worth, another so much joy, mystery, adven- asked us to offer something beautiful we sometimes give it credit. Inside the part a non-negotiable, I realized that and who is rightfully accused on a ture, and wonder. We may fi nd our- and life-giving to the world. It is, in box of table fellowship, which is our I had reached my limit long ago and regular basis of setting my expecta- selves standing before the majesty of fact, only in acknowledging our God- primary symbol, and I would even say something would have to give. tions too high, slamming up against the ‘More than we can ask or imagine’ given, blessed and blessing, limita- source, of unity. As the people who care about my limits has been a positive develop- God with our jaws dropped to the tions, that we can then truthfully, with God has given particular gifts, me often do, someone asked me one ment. It is good to realize that there fl oor, but so too do we stand in amaze- integrity, honesty, vision and a sense particular form, particular beauty to day how I was managing my various is more that I could do, and infi nitely ment at the beauty of the fl awed and of delighted anticipation, re-new the our Anglican church. These particu- commitments. I said that it was chal- helpful to simultaneously realize that frail reality of mortal life. offering of who we will be as God’s lars must be honoured, must shape lenging but that the fact that I am now my priorities have shifted and I can church. and guide our conversation with one a mother was preventing me from only do so much. Dreaming expansively another. I can attest to the fact that over-working. “I have to be home at Gregory of Nyssa, an early Ortho- Perhaps there are people who will Looking inside the box there is joy to be found in loving our a reasonable time for Cecilia. I have dox theologian, had some enlighten- read this article and will relate in some So. What box, what limitations, do limits.

Make a real difference - share your Christmas with a family in need...

Christmas is coming but it won’t be an easy time for hundreds of families that will be registering with St. Matthew’s House Christmas Adopt-a-family program early in November. If you, your family, parish, choir or group are looking for a special way to share your Christmas with a family experiencing hard times, St. Matthew's House offers you an opportunity to make a real difference.

Last year St. Matthew's House Christmas program helped 4,285 family members and individuals. Based on the numbers of families suffering from the impact of poverty in Hamilton - at least one in fi ve -, unemployment and fi nancial hardships, we expect to help as many or more families to enjoy a happier Christmas. Too many of them are at risk of becoming homeless.

Three ways you can sponsor a family:

• Provide the food for Christmas dinner for a family of two to fi ve people or for a larger family. • Or, provide new unwrapped toys for children or gifts for teenagers. • Or, sponsor a large or small family by supplying Christmas dinner as well as one new gift for each child according to the size of family chosen. St. Matthew's House suggests gift certifi cates from A&P, The Barn, Food Basics, Fortinos or No Frills to cover the cost of meat or main course (for the size of family chosen.) You can also supply potatoes, vegetables and dessert.

As a suggested guideline, you should be able to sponsor a family of four for $150. - $175. If it is not feasible to provide food or gifts, you can help sponsor a family by giving a donation to:

St. Matthew's House Christmas Adopt-a-family Program St. Matthew’s House 414 Barton Street East, Hamilton, L8L 2Y3 Income tax receipts will be provided

St. Matthew's House provides sponsors with fi rst names of family members, plus ages and sizes of children. Sponsors will bring the food and gifts to the Christmas program site located at: The Wentworth Campus, Mohawk College, 196 Wentworth St. North, Hamilton on December 10, 11 and 12 for distribution to families.

Families registered at St. Matthew's House are eligible for assistance from only one agency, thereby avoiding duplication.

Please call Debra House at St. Matthew’s House (905) 523-5546 until October 31. After November 3, please call the Christmas Program (905) 522-4584 if you wish to sponsor a family or to obtain more information. Thank you for remembering children and families most in need at St. Matthew’s House this Christmas. We send our best wishes for every blessing to you and your loved ones this Christmas season. NIAGARA ANGLICAN DECEMBER 2008 15

SHOOT READY AIM » All I want for Christmas is forgiveness

HOLLIS HISCOCK works together to becomes a living RETIRED PRIEST  BURLINGTON force in the lives of people. SHOOT - The photograph The second message, so powerfully The Shack, a novel by William P. presented, revolves around our under- Young, captivated my reading time standing of and application of ‘for- this fall and forced me to ask, ‘was giveness’. It deals not only with our forgiveness present in the manger inner cleansings, but also our external when Jesus was born in Bethlehem?’. healings and renewing of relationships The attached photo shows our with other people. former cabin, which until this sum- At that juncture I posed two ques- mer was part of our lives for over 35 tions, namely, ‘was forgiveness present years. in the manger, stable or shack where In our Newfoundland neighbour- Jesus was born?’, and, ‘did forgive- hood, there were three categories of ness occupy a status equal to or just summer dwellings, referred to humor- as important as the angels’ pronounce- ously as cottages, cabins and shacks. ment of peace and good will for all The latter were considered the lowest God’s people?’. classifi cation. When I began to read If so, it is not readily apparent. The Shack, my thoughts were trans- We do not sing about forgiveness at ported along three decades of time as Christmas. My quick survey among I relived our happy memories, our sad Church musicians and others drew a occasions, our struggles and our eur- blank when I asked if they could name eka moments which we experienced one Christmas carol or song in which in our cabin in the woods. ‘forgiveness’ is mentioned. hillside, rushed to THE SHACK where to ‘go and sin no more’ (John 8:2-11); accounts of Jesus’ birth and singing Yet, I am intrigued by the notion they found Jesus lying in the manger. and when some men busted a hole in the ageless carols of love, peace, joy READY - Words behind the photo that forgiveness was there at the fi rst Could it be they were enthralled by the the roof of a house and lowered their and hope. But this year include some- In The Shack, William Young relates Christmas, and that we should restore heavenly announcement, or that they paralyzed friend at the feet of Jesus, thing extra to the words you hear or the story of a man who received a per- it to its rightful prominence. just wanted to see a new born baby? He healed the man’s physical illness say or sing, make a deliberate effort sonal invitation from God to spend a One of the gifts presented to the Could it be they expected more? They with the words, ‘your sins are for- to add forgiveness not only in your weekend in a cabin, where four years newly born child by the astrologers were considered outcasts from their given’ (Luke 5:17-26). thoughts, but also in your actions. earlier his young daughter is believed was myrrh, a resin substance used in religion and society, so maybe they Today, in addition to a myriad of It may change your life and help to have been murdered after being medicine and known for its healing viewed the whole experience as a form problems confronting us as individ- usher in a new world order. abducted during a family camping powers. Myrrh symbolizes healing, of redemption. Perhaps the reason uals, our world is shaking and quak- trip. and forgiveness of oneself or another they returned to the hills ‘glorifying ing at its very foundations. With the AIM - Questions and actions for you The story is compelling in itself, person is often a prerequisite before and praising God’ was that, in addition global economy faltering, and with Read a copy of The Shack by Wil- but two special themes jumped out for healing can take place. These wise to the marvellous event they had wit- recessions, wars and violence deplet- liam P. Young. me. men had travelled for several years, nessed, they also felt the inner cleans- ing our limited resources and straining Where do you place forgiveness in Firstly, it is the best description enduring every imaginable situation, ing brought about by a baby’s gift of our relationships, perhaps the time is your preparations for Christmas? of the Trinity (three persons and one including strained relationships with forgiveness. right to introduce the powerful instru- How viable is ‘forgiveness’ in solv- God) I have ever read. The Athana- their companions, their long absence Chances are the wise men and ment of forgiveness into national and ing problems on the world stage? sius Creed (Book of Common Prayer from their families, and their frustra- shepherds did not live long enough to international diplomatic situations. If Hollis would appreciate your feed- page 695) may provide the skeletal tion in not knowing where their ultim- hear Jesus preach about or offer ‘for- applied according to God’s prescrip- back on this series. outline of the Trinity, but this author ate destination would be. However, giveness’ to a variety of individuals. In tion, with people practicing forgive- adds physical attributes, personality, when they looked into the face of the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus reminded His ness with one another, we cannot The Reverend Hollis Hiscock, a retired emotions, intellect, spirit and other Jesus Christ, I wonder if they felt the followers that to receive forgiveness foretell what impact it would have on priest, lives in Burlington. He is avail- God/human components which blend power of forgiveness fl owing from the a person must also forgive (Matthew poverty, confl icts, AIDS, ideological able to do multimedia presentations effectively to explain the interpersonal baby’s eyes. 6:9-15); when a woman was brought differences, etc. on spirituality, the Bible and the Chris- relationship among the three persons Those vagabond shepherds, after to him and accused of committing Soon we will be celebrating Christ- tian Faith. and one God, and how the Trinity hearing the angels’ message on the adultery, He forgave her and told her mas by hearing the timeless Gospel What has happened to our moral code?

after three weeks and received a twenty Young men are gunned down and time and money. If we had taken this needs of the few who take without a million dollar payout package. no one comes forward as a witness money we could have hired two hun- thought as to what pain their actions I am not talking just about the U.S. because they are scared and frankly dred and forty doctors and paid them cause. but the whole world - Canada four you can’t blame them. The Angli- two hundred and fi fty thousand dollars Since the time of Moses, we have billion, U.K. eight hundred billion, can Church argues as to whether two a year for fi ve years. Many who do not lived by a code of moral behavior - The France four hundred billion… and people who love each other should be have a family doctor would now have Ten Commandments - and there were so it goes on. We cannot imagine the allowed to marry in the church. health care. I realize this is too simple consequences for ignoring the code. GRAHAME STAP enormity of the total bailout package I wonder why we who call ourselves a comparison but it makes you think. It seems this has now all changed and RETIRED PRIEST caused mainly by the greed of maybe Christians do not rise up on mass and Out of a population of thirty three mil- there is no moral code other than the Is it just me or is there something really .000001% of the world’s population tell our politicians that if things do not lion, I suspect there are at least three laws imposed by government and the wrong with our scale of values? We can who could not care less about the real change we will not vote for them in the million that go to all denominations only sin is being caught. fi nd hundreds of billions of dollars to plight of the people of the world. next election. I know church and state of the church each Sunday, if some- Perhaps it is time to replace the bailout companies that only needed a One child dies every three seconds are, and must be, separate but surly what irregularly, and most of us have prayers we have taken out of schools bailout because of the enormous greed of starvation, AIDS, Malaria etc. and the main reason for this is to allow the a vote. with a moral code of behavior and of the executives that were, in one case, we do very little to help. A young girl church to disagree with the state and Perhaps it is time we stood make the consequence of moral injus- paid fi fty million dollars for one year's lies dying on the streets of Toronto stand up for the abuse of power. together and did as Jesus asked us to tice count. work; in another case, a signing bonus and young people stand around taking We just spent three hundred mil- do and put the need of the hungry, the However, I realize it’s only my of eighteen million dollars, then laid off pictures with their cell phone cameras. lion on an election that was a waste of sick, and the lonely fi rst and not the opinion. 16 NIAGARA ANGLICAN DECEMBER 2008 Refocusing the Advent/Christmas season for families

JANE ROKEBY We made an Advent wreath with mas happier for children who might DEACON, ST. MATTHIAS, GUELPH four purple or dark blue candles and a not have much Christmas without our Years ago, when our oldest son was white Christ candle in the centre; we help - Family and Children’s Services a young boy, this was very stressful started a project called "Krist Kin- could help you out there or perhaps time of year for him. As soon as the dle" — doing something thoughtful the Salvation Army or St. Matthew’s fi rst Christmas advertising appeared in secret for another member of the House in Hamilton. on television and the toy catalogues family each day during Advent (the The good news is that it worked! were delivered, he would begin to four weeks leading up to Christmas). The focus began to change. The whole worry about what he wanted to get Picking a new name each evening family began to look forward to the for Christmas, and whether he would was best for us. We used an Advent weeks leading up to Christmas with get what he wanted — and whether he Calendar along with some Bible a new and different kind of anticipa- would like it if and when he did get readings to help us understand what tion and, one year, David (the one it! He was not much fun to be around, this season is all about; we built a whose worrying had got us started) and his mood affected us all. Perhaps manger out of popsicle sticks and, announced that he had "decided that you too experience this with your using strands of wool as straw, we getting ready for Christmas was bet- children! were able to prepare for the Christ ter even than Christmas day!" It has One year I decided to do some- Child by putting a "piece of straw" become such a tradition in our family thing about it, and it was such a suc- into the manger each time we did that when our youngest moved into cess that I want to share it with you. something nice for someone else; we his own home, one of his fi rst requests We decided as a family to change our lit lots of candles on our supper table was, "Mom, would you make me an focus from "What do I want for Christ- to bring light into the darkness of the Advent Wreath?" mas?" to "What can I do for others to December days; we baked Christmas I hope your Advent is full of joy make them happy during this season goodies as a family project; and we and light and expectation — and a of joy?" looked for ways to help make Christ- little less stress!

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 » Christmas! Whoop-dee-doo!

And it did all this persuasively, with again! Hooray! What joy! Just for that there is Someone out there in the attractive images and sentimental the moment, scratch away all those blackness who hears OUR crying and music. And so, by Christmas Eve, negative aspects associated with this who has acted to do something about after about 7 weeks of a steady diet of occasion --your exhaustion and dis- it. We were made for nothing less. all this, our homes will be ready, our appointment and all those warm and Holy Scripture does not tell us that gifts purchased, our children will be cozy feelings we are all somehow Santa is coming. Rather, in Isaiah 9, we at the end of yet another endless wait required to experience whenever we are told that LIGHT is coming. We are for that old man on his sleigh, and we mention snowfl akes, Santa Claus described as people for whom a mys- will be broke. Though expensive and and Christmas morning. Just for the terious fl ash of brilliant light has sud- exhausting, it's nevertheless fun. And moment, discard all the clutter now denly penetrated the darkness of lives next year, it will all be repeated. fi rmly entrenched within the Christ- residing in the shadows of death. In But just what is all the hoop-la mas packaging --all that fl uff n' stuff Isaiah 40 we read that GOD is coming. about? We know it's not all about and those human fabrications which Isaiah 40 also declares that PEACE is have effectively buried the Mother of coming. In words saturated with great all Events in a pit of hopeless confu- comfort, the prophet declares that the sion. Just for the moment, turn away state of war which has existed since Behold this Child and you from the FORM of Christmas so that the Fall has been terminated. God has discover all for which the you may behold its SUBSTANCE, the acted to end our alienation and to par- human heart deeply longs... only thing that can cause any of us to don our iniquity. In Zechariah 2, we "repeat the sounding Joy". are told that HOPE is coming. And Central to Christmas is nothing again, in Zechariah 9, we are called to someone who hand delivers presents silly, nothing we could ever fashion, rejoice greatly, because SALVATION to the entire world in a single night. and nothing merely sentimental. We is coming, and also, because a KING We know it is not merely about senti- who were destined to occupy man- is coming. The coming of LIGHT; mental music and nice feelings. We sions and feast at banquets with Roy- the coming of PEACE; the coming of know it has something to do with a alty for eternity were never meant to HOPE; the coming of SALVATION; MARKET sleeping baby in a manger. Recently, be satisfi ed with fairy tales or trin- the coming of a KING; the coming of the TV ran a commercial for a diaper kets. Christmas is a treat because, GOD himself. Packaged together, we for the Holidays! product featuring a number of sleep- rather than being given things most discover all these comings within the ing babies. As the camera scanned of us don't really need, we are offered person of Jesus Christ, our God, our their beautiful faces, a soft female something we all desperately need: King, our Hope, our Peace, our Salva- Fun, fresh, eclectic and locally-made voice sang: "Silent Night". It was all so something that satisfi es our deepest tion. He is the mother of all Christmas lovely. I thought, "Finally, a commer- longings; an indispensable something gifts. Much much more than a fi ctitious gifts for everyone on your list. cial that will hint at the true meaning without which we cannot function; person in a red suit; much, much more of Christmas". However, the words, something that no amount of money than a mere cuddly baby in a feeding • local artists & makers "All is calm, all is bright", were fol- can buy; something we have tasted trough. The one who fashioned the • organic food & fair-trade coffee lowed by "Sleep in heavenly peace". thus far in only minuscule amounts. constellation Orion, the One who con- • antiques & vintage stuff Words about a virgin and a "holy Unwrap The Gift of Christmas ceived of you and me before the foun- • tours of the Cathedral • live music & much more! infant so tender and mild" had been and you fi nd a simple, yet confusing dation of this planet was formed, and completely dropped from the song. and mysterious gift --in the form of then meticulously assembled each one With many of us not noticing, a much- a naked and fragile Child who prob- of us with his fi ngers, slipped into our • 10am - 3pm loved Christian Christmas carol had ably began his life crying. Behold this world as God in miniature to pitch his Saturday, December 6th • free admission been altered and secularized and used Child and you discover all for which tent among us. What a Story! What a as an effective tool, not to unwrap the the human heart deeply longs: for- reason to celebrate. Whoop dee do! Located indoors at historic N true reason for the season, but rather to giveness; intimacy; belonging; home; "And the Word became fl esh and Christ’s Church Cathedral sell diapers. Its clear message? With a reversal of tragedy; release from cap- made his dwelling among us. We have certain make of diaper, all babies can tivity; endings to alienation, to sorrow seen his glory, the glory of the One 252 James Street North sleep in heavenly peace. and to hostilities. Behold this Child and Only, who came from the Father, But regardless, it is Christmas yet and you are gripped with a deep sense full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).