Deacon's Ministry Based on Servant Role of Jesus
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JANUARY 2009 THE NEW BRUNSWICK ANGLICAN / 1 A SECTION OF THE ANGLICAN JOURNAL JANUARY 2009 SERVING THE DIOCESE OF FREDERICTON ‘ V I C A R ’ B L E S S E S V I C A R Deacon’s ministry based on servant role of Jesus BY ANA WATTS Deacons exercise a ministry of love within the community and their model is the servant role of Jesus. Not many people are fortunate enough to have “love” in their job descriptions, but deacons do, and Bishop Claude Miller believes we could use more of them in our diocese. At the moment we have three — the Rev. Francene (Fran) Bedell of Edmundston, the Rev. Constance Whittaker-Soulikias of Saint John, and the Rev. Joyce Perry of Fredericton. In the not too distant future we will have two more: Eleanor Dryden of the The Rev. Fran Bedell Parish of the Nerepis and St. the diocese aware of the benefits John and Debra Edmondson of of the “vocational” deacon the Parish of Bright are current ministry, to develop an candidates for ordination. educational program for those Most New Brunswick called by God to this servant Anglicans have known many role, and to provide oversight to deacons over the years, deacons that community. Ordination to who were subsequently raised to this diaconate is not a stepping- the priesthood — “transitional” stone to the priesthood, it is a deacons. Theirs is a different vocation all its own. ministry from the one Bishop Commission members Fran MARGARET LAKING Miller had in mind in April of Bedell, the Rev. Canon Neville The Rev. Kevin Cross, deacon-in-charge of the Parish of McAdam, recently blessed Vicar, a 20-month-old 2007 when he named a Diocesan Cheeseman of Fredericton, and black Labrador dog guide from Canine Vision Canada. Vicar lives and works with Jim Laking, a faithful Diaconate Commission to make Please see “Commission” on page 3 parishoner and choir member at St. George’s. Jim and Vicar became a team at the Lions Foundation of Canada Sir James Dunn Dog Guide Training Centre in Oakville, Ontario and came home to McAdam on Dec. 5. Jim’s previous guide dog, Porter, retired for health reasons following seven faithful years of service to Jim and a special member of the church choir. The congregation participated in the blessing which Diocesan finance committee confident included parts of the Prayer of St. Francis. It gave thanks for loyalty, love and trust of companion animals in long-term investment strategy and encouraged respect and appreciation for their kindness, mercy, gentleness and humility. In December the diocesan treasurer and finance committee advised parishes participating in the Diocesan Consolidated Investment Fund to ignore the fund’s shocking bottom line and keep their money in the fund. Spiritual growth, cultural adventure The late-fall economic meltdown that decimated markets and created an abysmal investment climate is responsible for the fund’s losses. In a letter to the parishes, Canon Fred Scott, the opportunities for NB Anglicans in Africa diocesan treasurer, and the committee admitted the market would get worse before it gets better, but it will get better. “As BY KEITH OSBORNE opportunities to travel with him personal support. The long as we are patient and stay the course, our long-term The Companion Diocese to the far-flung reaches of volunteers will also receive strategy remains viable and our fund remains strong.” Committee continues to seek Eastern Ghana and to encounter training through the Volunteers The Diocesan Finance Committee recently approved a 3.25 two intrepid and adventurous his people where they worship in Mission Program of the per cent rate of return on the fund for 2009 and determined, for volunteers looking for an and live. It is an opportunity for National Church before they the first time in 15 years, there would be no year-end bonus exciting African adventure. If all of us to enhance our embark on their African capital addition in 2008. you to want to carry your faith Companion Diocese experience. The committee explored the bond option before it settled on and give it full expression in the relationship and for the The Companion Diocese the hang-tough strategy. It found interest rates in the bonds context of a different culture, volunteers to enjoy a rich committee vision also includes market are extremely volatile and require a lengthy encounter our Companion spiritual experience as they a diocesan delegation led by commitment term so they carry their own risks. Diocese of Ho in Ghana on a share their faith with fellow Bishop Claude Miller in order to “So we stepped back for a moment and reconsidered our deeply personal level, and help Anglicans in an interesting and forge an essential link between position,” the letter said. “We could get a slightly better return Bishop Matthias in the daily vibrant part of the worldwide us and the people there as we in the short term, but we certainly didn’t want to tie up our operation and ministry of his Anglican Communion. continue to support and pray for money for three or four or even five years for a marginally higher diocese — this opportunity is for In support of this venture, each other, even though we are rate than today’s admittedly terrible one. you. the Companion Diocese separated by thousands of miles “Our DCFF long-term conservative investment approach has We offered Bishop Matthias Committee will encourage some of ocean. served us well for many years. Its solid interest rates and a bonus administrative support in his crucial fundraising to cover Our archdeaconries are already capital addition almost every year, even when the market falters diocesan office for six months, or travel and living expenses. The linked in prayer with a from time-to-time, are the envy of many other market investors.” longer. The positions come with volunteers will need to raise See Our Companion on page 2 Get the news first at http://anglican.nb.ca While you’re there, subscribe to E News and get the news delivered to your in-box each week Click on the E News button under What’s New, scroll to the bottom and click on the E News Information Page 2 / THE NEW BRUNSWICK ANGLICAN JANUARY 2009 A R C H I V E S C O R N E R Forty years was I comforted, cheered and gratified: William Jaffrey f you have ever wandered he listed 12 different preaching William; Mary B.; and Margaret found in the diocese of around St. Mary’s Church places — Stanley, Nashwaak B. His was a full household for Fredericton. Instead of saying I(McEvoy Street, Fredericton) Mills, Ironbound Cove Jaffrey brought his younger ‘forty years long was I grieved and read the many memorial (Chipman), Newcastle (Grand sister, Louisa Hanna to live with with this generation,’, I may inscriptions to the Jaffrey Lake), St. Mary’s Village, him when she was orphaned at truly say, forty years long was I family, you might have Woodlands, Nashwaak Church, 16. She remained in her comforted, cheered and wondered about the Rev. St. Mary’s Church, Little River brother’s home all her life and gratified therewith.” William Jaffrey who was so Mills, Pennyack, “Lumber was “a devoted worker in this revered in this church as well as Camp,” and King Settlement Parish” according to a memorial Sources: Canon David in a community that it boasts a (York County). He noted that donated by her niece. Other Kierstead, “History of the “Jaffrey Street.” these places were scattered Jaffrey memorials in St. Mary’s Parish of St. Mary’s (York)” as Born in 1821, William with 65 miles separating are the ewer in memory of the printed in the parish bulletin Jaffrey was ordained deacon Ironbound Cove and Stanley, Rev. William and his wife; a during the Parish on February 28, 1847 and the two most distant points. stained glass window in Bicentennial; Diocesan immediately sent to St. Mary’s Eventually, the churches were memory of their daughter, Church Society Reports, 1860, Parish (York), where he had strong enough to support their Lucretia Clowes; a pew in 1863, 1890; Synod Journal, 1902. been a lay reader since 1845. In own rectors and Jaffrey was memory of daughter Mary Apparently, William Jaffrey his early days in the parish, he The Rev. William Jaffrey left with St. Mary’s only. Benjamin Jaffrey and an alms kept a diary — but its present was involved in the building of where his services continued After baptizing 964 basin. location is unknown. Holy Trinity, Lower St. Mary’s fortnightly until 1878. individuals in St. Mary’s (and Perhaps the best memorial (consecrated in October 1848) Though only one person about 400 more in Stanley), to the Rev. William Jaffrey The Archives Corner is and studied theology under attended Jaffrey’s first service burying 257 and marrying 302 (1821-1901) is the remarkable prepared by Twila Buttimer Bishop Medley’s direction. On in St. Mary’s, by 1860 he couples, Jaffrey retired in 1890. words he wrote as he retired: ([email protected] or 506- June 15, 1851, Jaffrey was reported to the Diocesan Apart from his busy “This ends 43 happy years of 453-4306) and Frank Morehouse priested and his “reward” from Church Society (DCS) that he missionary work, Jaffrey missionary work in one ([email protected] or 506- Bishop Medley was the held “regular periodical married Lucretia Margaret missionary field, by one 459-3637). They welcome your additional responsibility of the services” at seven preaching Allan on June 21, 1856 and they missionary, among the kindest comments, questions and story neighbouring Parish of Stanley stations.