CALGARY SCHOOL FOR MISSION & MINISTRY

ANGLICAN OF CALGARY ISSUE NO. 1 FALL 2018

Four Kinds of Lay Ministers

Committee to create four different 2 Lay Licenses to address churches’ individual needs.

The Rocky Road to Consistency

Licensed Lay Ministry Program to 3 honour various skills and experiences bring to the table.

Calgary School for Mission and Ministry Equipping Lay Ministers Four Common Questions asked in 4 st the Diocese when people hear for the 21 Century about the new Licensed Lay Ministry. Southern Alberta has its share of schools – grade schools and trade schools; charter schools and barber schools; business schools, bible schools and more – but the Anglican Diocese of Calgary has discerned a call to develop a new kind of school to help our churches st Meet the Teams to thrive in the 21 century and beyond. Lay leaders play an increasingly vital role in Anglican Meet BCOM members, and those today – and the Calgary School for Mission and Ministry is designed 5 to equip them to lead, preach, teach and administer sacraments, under on the Board of the Calgary the Diocese’s new Licensed Lay Ministry Program. School for Mission and Ministry. The school’s story began four years ago, with the ’s Committee on Ministry (BCOM) – a demographically diverse group of and laity from across the Diocese. They began by noticing Ordained Ministry? what kind of ministries were being offered by Licensed Lay Readers Missionaries? and lay leaders across the Diocese. They soon realized that incredibly faithful and dedicated lay people all across the Diocese were offering vital ministries in their parishes – yet there were few systems or Work continues for Bishop’s 6 resources to support them. Committee on Ministry as they prepare for the future. Continued on page 2

ISSUE NO. 1 FALL 2018

“One of the reasons to regroup and reconsider how to provide Lay Leadership and training is that churches across the Diocese are doing things very differently.”

— Most Rev. Gregory Kerr-Wilson

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Furthermore, it became clear that this wonderful lay ministry looked very different from Four Kinds of to parish. Some Lay Readers had taken this course, others took that course, others got licensed when there were no courses offered! Still others Lay Ministers were offering vital leadership for which the Diocese hadn’t yet ever offered any training or support. The BCOM also noticed that the Diocese Since the duties of Lay Readers vary significantly across had no resources to raise up the new generation of the Diocese today, it’s clear that different churches have different needs. So rather than trying to standardize all lay lay leaders for the Church. Over time, the call ministry into one model, the Bishop’s Committee on became clear: equip lay leaders by focusing on Ministry (BCOM) decided to create four different licenses to specific licenses and offering high-quality raise up Licensed Lay Ministers in four different ministry programing so that our lay leaders feel confident areas: and competent to offer vital, flourishing ministry in their local churches. ➢ License A: Leading public worship in Morning and “One of the reasons to regroup and reconsider Evening Prayer, including the reading of or how to provide Lay Leadership and training is that homilies approved by the designated local or churches across the Diocese are doing things very regional clergy. differently,” says the Most Rev. Gregory Kerr- ➢ License B: Administering Reserved Sacrament to the wider public (and, with permission of the Wilson, Archbishop of Calgary and Chair of the Bishop, at parish services). BCOM. “In some churches, Lay Readers only read ➢ License C: Preaching in public worship. This the readings on a Sunday. In other places they take includes the preparation and writing of the reserved sacrament to seniors’ homes. In others, as well as delivery. Lay Readers do everything except baptisms, ➢ License D: Catechists: teaching those preparing for weddings, and the Eucharist.” Baptism or Confirmation. It’s not all that surprising that lay leaders offer such a wide diversity of ministries. The Anglican “The licenses are not intended to be hierarchical, and Church of Canada’s Lay Reader Program began none of them are meant to be prerequisites for the others,” more than a century ago, when the dynamics says the Rev. Clara King. “The question is, what ministry or ministries is God calling you to? It may be that you’re between clergy and laity were very different than called to one kind of Licensed Lay Ministry; it may be that today. you’re called to several. At that time, clergy did everything in the “It may be that you’re called to a ministry that you no service; laity didn’t read any Scripture lessons, longer have to have a license for at all, like leading the didn’t lead any prayers and never touched the Prayers of the People. It’s all about the ministry God is chalice or paten. calling you to offer in your community.” † † † Continued on Page 3 2 ISSUE NO. 1 FALL 2018

The Rocky Road to Consistency

One of the biggest challenges faced by the Bishop’s Committee On Ministry (BCOM) in designing the LLM Program has been how to honour the different skills and experience that people bring with them – especially the Licensed Lay Readers. “It was one of the toughest problems we wrestled with,” says the CENTURY: From Page 2 Rev. Pilar Gateman, a BCOM member and Regional Dean for the The Licensed Lay Reader Program was High River Deanery. “We spent quite designed to help change this culture, to make “Lay ministry literally months of bi-weekly meetings it more acceptable for laity to be involved in really took on a talking about this issue, because it’s so important to honour the ministry the service. life of its own and people have offered faithfully for so This proposal was made acceptable to blossomed and long while also moving into the the clergy and by the promise that adapted into no lay people would take leadership in the future.” something that’s service without being rigorously trained and The BCOM identified two much bigger and licensed. It started with reading Scripture prevailing approaches that have been lessons. more important used elsewhere: to “grandfather” in all Now we look back and see that the than they the Licensed Lay Readers into the new Licensed Lay Reader Program has been originally system en masse; or force everyone wildly successful – much more successful imagined.” back to Square 1 as if they were new recruits. But neither of these options than the original founders could ever have — Rev. Clara King imagined. Now, every parish in the Diocese worked for the BCOM when involves lay people in worship, and it’s all compared against people’s lived thanks to the Licensed Lay Reader Program. It is because of the success experience. of the Licensed Lay Reader Program that we now need a new program At the same time, one of the for the next stage of the Church’s life. complaints the BCOM has heard from “Lay ministry really took on a life of its own and blossomed and Licensed Lay Readers and lay leaders adapted into something that’s much bigger and more important than is that everyone in the Diocese they originally imagined,” says the Rev. Clara King, Rural Missioner received different training from each for the Diocese of Calgary and a member of the BCOM. “That makes other, depending on what program the Lay Reader Program a spectacular success. Our goal is to build on was in use under what Bishop. that success – to support, build up and celebrate lay ministry – not to try What was taught under one to undo any of it.” training program was ignored under The BCOM talked to stakeholders across the Diocese informally another, or contested under a third; and through focus groups and surveys. They researched other lay and some folks had no training at all. licensing and training programs, like the Qu’Appelle School of Ministry All this has led to confusion and and the Kootenay School of Ministry. anxiety. The BCOM found that consistency Continued on Page 4 Continued on Page 6 3 ISSUE NO. 1 FALL 2018

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Bringing all the information together and “It’s a ‘school’ in the sense that it’s an considering the local conditions here in the Diocese of organization that provides education,” says the Rev. Calgary, they crafted a skeleton of what it could look Bob Mummery, at Holy Nativity Calgary, like for us to have an excellent program to develop lay who co-chairs the board of the Calgary School for ministries and raise up lay leaders here in this diocese. Mission and Ministry, with the Rev. Clara King. Then Archbishop Greg directed the committee to “Logistical details like where, when and how are still establish the Calgary School for Mission and being worked on, but we certainly plan to use existing Ministry, to put flesh on resources across the these bones and breathe “It’s a ‘school’ in the sense that it’s Diocese as much as life into this vision. an organization that provides possible.” The first step was to education. Logistical details like To that end, the board establish a board, so where, when and how are still being has established three sub- members of the BCOM worked on, but we certainly plan to teams to simultaneously spent several months use existing resources across the Diocese as tackle the three key areas: (1) curriculum/program recruiting a team of much as possible.” Clergy and Laity with a design, (2) logistics, and diverse range of expertise —Rev. Bob Mummery (3) communication/talent and perspectives. The acquisition. board first met in August 2017, and has made “It’s a tricky thing starting a brand-new significant process since then. educational institution from scratch. We haven’t done Now, when you read the word ‘school’, you this in this Diocese for over 30 years, so in a lot of probably think ‘classrooms, gymnasium and bike ways, we’re writing our own playbook,” Bob says. racks’, but that’s not quite what this board is working “But we’ve got a great team of highly competent, on creating. In fact, the school won’t even be a collaborative and prayerful Christians assigned to the physical building, but rather a series of programs tasks. With God’s help, we’re getting there.” offered regionally across the Diocese – and perhaps The board is aiming to begin offering courses in even online. the fall of 2019. † † †

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Four Common Questions A When people around the Diocese hear about the new Licensed Lay Ministry (LLM) program, they often have questions. Four main themes have emerged from these conversations, and we’ve tried to capture and address them here: we are completely up and running, but bit by bit we are going to try and get people moving. We know that 1. How will those who have been licensed previously fit regardless of how quickly we move, laypeople are providing into the program? amazing ministry to the people all over this Diocese. We are Everyone entering the Licensed Lay Ministry Program will all so grateful for all the lay ministry we see happening. be offered the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and experience, if they wish, to a group of assessors. If the 4. Why are we making people who feel called to assessors find you already demonstrate all the competencies ministries take a bunch of courses and jump a bunch of for the license(s) to which you are called, you will be licensed hoops before they can serve? without further requirements. If there are gaps, you will be Because the ministries that lay people offer are hugely asked to take courses to enhance your competencies. If you important and necessary in our congregations and in today’s don’t wish to meet with the assessors until after you’ve taken world. Each of us is called by our baptism to be a minister of your courses, you can simply take the full course complement Christ – baptism is the first we receive. The for your license(s) and meet the assessors at the end to show Anglican Church is called to offer a powerful ministry in the off your new skills. wider community – and that ministry isn’t offered by clergy alone. 2. If my community needs me to offer ministry before you The ministry of the laity is an essential component of the launch the school, how can I get trained? ministry that we, all of us together, offer to the wider Talk to your local or regional Clergy. For License A or B community as the Diocese of Calgary. If we take this (leading Morning/Evening Prayer or Reserved Sacrament), a seriously, it’s obvious that raising up lay people in their local or regional clergyperson can train you in this role, and ministry is something the Diocese should be doing. God is then write a letter to the Archbishop and the responsible calling us to support confident, competent lay ministers. God Regional Dean explaining your training and requesting you be is calling us to ensure that all of our lay ministers have what licensed. they need to help deliver a deep and meaningful message of The Archbishop will then license you temporarily until the the Gospel – a message that is transformational. new system is in place. If you’re a lay preacher or catechist in At the Calgary School for Mission and Ministry, we want your community, keep doing what you’re doing until the school to do everything we can so that every Licensed Lay Minister launches. There’s also the Lay Preachers’ Bulletin to help equip is confident and competent in offering great ministry. We you for your Sunday sermons – email want you to be equipped and rooted in the richness of our [email protected] for more information. apostolic faith, scholarship, tradition and ways of interpreting scripture. 3. When will the licensed lay ministry program be We want you to feel confident that you can address completely up and running? questions, inform yourself in the service of others and be Well, that is a tough one. It’s likely that the program will be encouraged and empowered to serve God, others and the launched in stages – more like a gradual unfolding than a church. We stand on the shoulders of giants in the faith, and sudden reveal. This project is a bit like putting together a jigsaw we stand on the success of the Licensed Lay Reader puzzle when you don’t know what the picture is supposed to Program which changed our culture over 100 years. look like. Since this hasn’t been done before in this Diocese, it’s So let's learn from them and provide the richness and difficult to know how long it will take. depth that the Gospel offers, and which people are craving, As often happens, as soon as we answer one question, in our parishes and in the world – for the glory of Christ’s about 10 more replace that one! So, it might be a while before name. † † † 44 5 ISSUE NO. 1 FALL 2018

The Bishop’s Committee Deacon, All Saints Meet on Ministry the (BCOM)Teams Calgary Cochrane and St. Michael’s ➢ The Rev. Dr. Bob Canmore Mummery – Co-chair of The Bishop’s Committee on • Former Members who the CSMM Board; Ministry participated in the development of Vocational Deacon, Holy • Current Members (2017 – a Licensed Lay Ministry formation Nativity Calgary present): process: ➢ The Rev.Pilar Gateman – ➢ The Most Reverent ➢ The Rev. Clara King – Regional Dean, High River Gregory Kerr-Wilson – Rural Missioner for the ➢ Rob Petkau - Layperson, Archbishop of Calgary and Diocese of Calgary, Holy Trinity Calgary Metropolitan of Rupert’s Incumbent, St. George’s ➢ The Rev. Gordon Pontifex, Land (Chair) Calgary Incumbent, St. Associate , Meota ➢ The Rev. Dr. Bob George’s Calgary Parish (Millarville, Priddis Mummery – Deacon, Holy ➢ The Rev. Pilar Gateman – and Turner Valley) Nativity Calgary Regional Dean, High River ➢ The Rev. Canon James ➢ The Rev. Larry Nicolay – Deanery Robinson – Incumbent, St. Deacon, Holy Cross ➢ The Rev. Dr. Norman Augustine Lethbridge Calgary Knowles – Professor, St. ➢ The Rev. Elizabeth Short – ➢ The Rev. Fergus Tyson – Mary’s University Vocational Deacon, All Incumbent, St. Paul’s ➢ The Rev. Dr. Jane Saints Cochrane and St. Calgary Rowland –Incumbent, St. Michael’s Canmore ➢ The Rev. Sean Krausert – Peter’s Calgary ➢ Jennifer Solem – Deacon, St. Michael’s The Board of the Anglican Layperson, St. Paul’s Canmore Diocese’s Calgary School for Calgary ➢ The Rev. Julienne Mission and Ministry: ➢ Carol Tubman – Hendricks – Deacon, St. ➢ The Rev. Clara King – Co- Layperson, Holy Cross Peter’s Calgary chair of the CSMM Board; Calgary ➢ The Rev. Elizabeth Short – Incumbent, St. George’s

ROCKY: From Page 3 experience, if they wish, to a group of assessors. If the assessors find that the person already demonstrates the and clarity across the Diocese need to be one of the competencies for the license(s) to which they are goals of the LLM Program so everyone is on the same called, they will be licensed without further ado. And page. if the assessment identifies gaps in the person’s “Grandfathering seems to make sense at first, but competencies, they’ll be asked to take the specific if you think it through, it just wouldn’t be fair in the courses necessary to build up their competence and end,” the Rev. Bob Mummery says. “We want all our confidence to become a well-rounded Licensed Lay lay ministers to feel confident and competent in the Minister. ministries God is calling them into, whether they’ve Everyone will be offered this chance to been ministering in the church for 50 years, or had demonstrate prior skills and experience, whether never heard of liturgy until three years ago.” you’ve been a Licensed Lay Reader for most of your So, like good Anglicans, the BCOM discerned a life, if you’re starting from scratch, or if you have middle way, an innovation not seen in other . experience in another denomination or Diocese. This Under the BCOM’s middle way, there will be no way the LLM Program can honour your prior grandfathering. Instead, each person will be offered experience and skills, while also unfolding the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and consistently across the Diocese. † † † 44 6 ISSUE NO. 1 FALL 2018

Calgary School for Mission and Ministry

THE FUTURE: Ordained Ministry? Missionaries?

Now that the Bishop’s Committee on Ministry has passed the torch on Licensed Lay Ministry to the Board of the Calgary School for Mission and Ministry, its work is done, right? Not quite. In fact, the members of the BCOM feel like they’re just getting started. You’ve probably other ‘M’ in the school’s name: their journey of noticed that the name of the Mission. The Rev. Canon James discipleship with Calgary School for Mission and Robinson – Incumbent at St. Christ. I don’t Ministry has a broader scope than Augustine’s in Lethbridge and a know what just ‘Licensed Lay Ministry’, and member of the CSMM Board – is training people for that’s definitely not by accident. intrigued about the role the school mission here in the Rev. Pilar “The BCOM is currently can play when it comes to mission Diocese might Gateman looking at the Diaconate and how work. look like, but the to set up steps for people “I’m fully supportive of our possibilities are quite tantalizing.” discerning a call to become efforts to equip people for Lay and Clara agrees. She says she’s Vocational ,” says the Ordained ministry in their own proud of the two teams’ ability to Rev. Pilar Gateman, a BCOM parishes, but what really excites keep one eye focused on the task member and Regional Dean for me is what we could do to help at hand, and the other on the the High River Deanery. “The equip the missionaries of the horizon. next step after that will be to look future,” James says. “There’s a “We’re in the exploration at Priestly ministry.” mission field opening up right here phase on these topics right now. The destination in these areas in the Diocese of Calgary. Young We need to pray constantly for isn’t quite clear just yet. Will the people who have never been to wisdom and discernment, but CSMM eventually become a full- Church are discovering the riches without a doubt God is calling us fledged seminary? Definitely not. of Christ and the power of liturgy. forward. The vision that draws us But it might have a role to play in People are arriving here from all onward, of having an Anglican to supplementing a student’s journey over the world, looking for equip people for flourishing through the discernment process, communities of faith. Many of mission and ministry, right here in Pilar notes. our congregations are facing our Diocese, is really incredibly Also on the horizon is the opportunities to go much deeper in exciting.” † † †

For more information about the CSMM, contact: ➢ The Rev. Clara King : [email protected] Got Questions? ➢ The Rev. Dr. Bob Mummery: [email protected] ➢ The Rev. Pilar Gateman: [email protected] 44 7