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PAGE 2 PAGE 7 PAGE 9 Priest helps Event thanks Refugees head homeless in tents internees’ supporters upstairs to church TheTHE NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF TORONTO AnglicanA SECTION OF THE ANGLICAN JOURNAL www.toronto.anglican.ca OCTOBER 2019 New dean installed in joyful service Former parishioners make trip downtown BY STUART MANN former deans, bishops, clergy and Indigenous welcome song, per- members of the cathedral and St. formed by the Rev. Leigh Kern, LONG after the service had ended Bartholomew, Regent Park, where the diocese’s Coordinator of Indig- and most of the congregation had he is also the priest-in-charge. enous Ministries and Reconcilia- headed next door to the recep- Reflecting the love and admira- tion Animator. Accompanied by tion, the Very Rev. Stephen Vail tion that many had for him, mem- a drum, Ms. Kern’s voice carried Clockwise from top left: Dean Stephen Vail speaks to the congregation after his remained in the entranceway of St. bers of three of Dean Vail’s former through the cathedral, providing installation; clergy head to the cathedral before the service; applause for the James Cathedral, happily greeting parishes – All Saints, Whitby, St. a stirring start to the nearly two- new dean; greeting friends afterwards; bus brings members from All Saints, friends and strangers alike. John the Evangelist, Port Hope hour service. Whitby; the Rev. Geoffrey Sangwine gives the homily. PHOTOS BY MICHAEL HUDSON It was a fitting place for Dean and St. Bride, Clarkson – made the The first reading, Isaiah 61:9-11, Vail to officially start his new duties long trip downtown for the event, was read by Sarah McDonald, ODT, in people of every walk of life.” Asbil, the diocesan bishop, insti- as rector of St. James Cathedral hugging him afterwards and hav- a member of the cathedral’s par- He praised Dean Vail’s ability to tuted and inducted Dean Vail as and Dean of Toronto – rooted in ing their pictures taken with him. ish selection committee, and the “listen and to discern, to affirm and the rector of the cathedral, receiv- the historic downtown church but “I was really touched by that,” second reading, Titus 3:4-7, was to question and to advise – all in a ing a pledge from the members of just steps away from the hustle he said. “All I’ve prayed for is to be read in Mandarin by Qiulei Lin, a spirit of love and charity. We know the cathedral, representatives of and bustle of Canada’s largest city. a faithful parish priest and to try young member of the cathedral’s his passion for the gospel and his St. Bartholomew’s and all others “In the service it says that we to touch people with God’s love in Mandarin Ministry. The gospel efforts to seek God’s presence in present that they would share with welcome all who come through some way, and that makes me feel reading was Luke 1: 26-33. every situation. We know, too, his Dean Vail in his ministry. the doors – I also want to welcome like I guess I did my job.” The Rev. Geoffrey Sangwine, charm and his quick, wonderful and Bishop Asbil then installed Dean those who don’t, and to reach out The service began with the the incumbent of St. Peter and sometimes over-the-top sense of Vail as Dean of Toronto, asking all the arms of the cathedral to em- processional hymn “Tell Out, My St. Simon the Apostle on Bloor humour. Stephen, you are a person present, “People of the Diocese of brace the community,” he said. Soul,” sung with conviction by Street in Toronto and a friend of of many gifts, and what a blessing Toronto, will you support Dean Dean Vail’s service of installation the roughly 600 clergy and laity Dean Vail’s for 30 years, gave the that is to your family, your friends Stephen in this new ministry and on Sept. 8 was a joyful occasion, in attendance. It was followed by homily. He described his friend and to the Church.” attended by family, friends, three a land acknowledgement and an as a faithful priest who “delights After the homily, Bishop Andrew Continued on Page 12 PORT HOPE CHURCHES CELEBRATE – SEE PAGE 12 2 TheAnglican NEWS October 2019 Priest helps homeless in tents emails, and there have been angry Despite comments on the parish’s Facebook page. We get calls all the time from anger, people complaining about smells and needles and garbage, but when I go out there, I don’t smell or see experience them. I think these things get made up because people simply don’t ‘life-giving’ want tents on the church’s lawn.” He says some parishioners are upset by the tents, but the church BY STUART MANN has been supportive. “Helping vul- nerable people in Peterborough FOR the Rev. Canon Brad Smith, has been part of the culture of St. helping some homeless people in John’s for a long time, long before I Peterborough this past summer got here,” he says. “Those involved has been a bruising experience, in the parish’s community minis- but it has also deepened his faith tries understand that simply being and his calling as a priest. nice to those in need isn’t enough. “I’ve been ordained almost a dec- Tents on the lawn this summer at St. John the Evangelist, Peterborough. At right, the Rev. Canon Brad Smith. PHOTOS They continue to work towards a ade and a half now, and I’ve never SUBMITTED BY ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST, PETERBOROUGH more just society, which includes felt more intensely connected to my advocacy for housing as a human vocation as I have this summer,” he end of June, when an overnight the church to operate the shelter. and can eat meals at the drop-in. right and developing local shelter says. “The experience of going out shelter operated by the church, Not wanting to spend the night There are shower and laundry solutions for the most vulnerable and meeting the people and listen- The Warming Room, had to close. in the city-run shelters, many of facilities nearby, and a portable of their neighbours.” ing to their stories and connecting The Warming Room was the only The Warming Room’s guests and toilet has been installed for when He admits that he is “sticking them with the supports they need “low-barrier” shelter in Peterbor- others started sleeping in tents in the church is closed. his neck out” by allowing the tents has been life-giving for me.” ough, often used by people who local parks and on St. John’s front Canon Smith says the camp- on the property but says his faith When the weather turned warm could not function in the city-run lawn. At one point, there were 18 ers at the church are a peaceful, compels him to act. “So much of last spring, some homeless people shelters, explains Canon Smith. tents on the church’s property; as tight-knit community. “They’ve the world now thinks of people as started sleeping in tents in the park “We would take anybody. As long of Sept. 4, the number had gone all articulated very clearly to me economic units, so if you’re not a across from St. John the Evangelist, as you were reasonable, you would down to 11 (eight occupied and that none of them want to be there, taxpayer and you’re not contribut- Peterborough, where Canon Smith have a bed to stay in that night.” three used for storage). that this is where they have to be ing, you are worthless in our society is the incumbent. The city asked The shelter was located in an- Canon Smith says some residents because they can’t get a job or and seen as an animal. Whereas, them to leave, so he invited those other church in Peterborough and in the neighbourhood are angry money. They’re desperate to find our baptismal vows call us to seek who wanted to stay to camp on the had to move because the building at the presence of the tents at the employment and a place to live.” and serve Christ in all people and church’s front lawn. needed major upgrades. St. John’s, church. He has worked with the His interactions with them respect the dignity of all people.” A few people took him up on his which runs a drop-in in its own police to address noise and tres- have been illuminating and heart- He will continue to work with the offer and set up their tents on the building, couldn’t find another passing concerns and has created a warming, he says. One of the men campers to find jobs and housing. church’s property. The number location in time, and the city even- Code of Conduct that the campers announced with glee that he had “Some may have to go back into of tents remained small until the tually withdrew its permission for must adhere to. found a job. Another young man the shelter system, but I’m hoping “I’ve been out there every day for said no one would hire him be- that by the time it gets really cold, at least an hour talking to all the cause he had a criminal record. I will have been able to connect CHRISTMAS TREASURES BAZAAR people and building relationships Four friends were planning to pool them to the people they need to November 23 • 9 a.m.

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