said. were downandweone,”she crash inIran.Suddenlyallbarriers families affectedbytheterribleplane in ourresponseEdmontontothe something ofextraordinarykindness reasonable expectation.” be extraordinaryandexceedany at theirmostvulnerableshould community inresponsetopeople “The kindnessoftheChristian island ofMalta,”BishopJanesaid. kindness fromthepeopleon they wereblessedwithunusual shipwrecked. Wet, coldandtired on astormyseabeforebeing with himhadjustspent14days greater generositytothoseinneed. call asaChristiancommunityto Paul ontheislandofMaltaandour recognises thehistoricshipwreckof of MaltaandGozo,thetheme kindness,” from Acts 28:2. theme: “Theyshowedusunusual of Edmonton,reflectinguponthe Bishop Jane Alexander, Diocese the kindnessofstrangers,”said Jesus andhisdisciplesreliedupon group ledtheworshipmusic. Edmonton Ecumenical Taizé Prayer Moravian churches.Membersofthe of North America, Unitedand Eparchy, ChristianReformedChurch Edmonton, UkrainianCatholic Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Church inCanadaSynodof Alberta, Edmonton, EvangelicalLutheran included the Anglican Dioceseof Service onSunday, January19. Christian UnityEcumenical Worship (EDCC) 2020 Week ofPrayerfor District CouncilofChurches Christians totheEdmontonand T “Also thispastweekwe “Earlier thismonthwesaw “Paul andthosetravelling Chosen bytheChristianchurches “Throughout hisearlyministry Participating faithcommunities Anglican Church,welcomed rector ofSt.Patrick’s he Rev. KevinKraglund, MARGARET GLIDDEN Edmonton Editor Anglican archives p.5 A SECTIONOFTHEANGLICAN JOURNAL SERVINGTHEDIOCESESOFATHABASCA & EDMONTON

THEM for therefugees? welcome, tosponsorandadvocate Edmonton lookliketocontinue of ourChristiancommunityherein What doesthekindnessandunity as dangerousthoseofSt.Paul. who todayembarkonjourneysjust hospitable tomigrantsandrefugees time nextyear? To continuetobe within ourcommunitybythis more affordablehousingoptions ensure, forexample,thereare show extraordinarykindness;to What willwedotocontinue the immediatedangeroffrostbite? neighbourly kindnessextendbeyond waiting atabusstop.Butwillour car andgavearidetosomeone the like.Perhapsyoustoppedyour Seed, CatholicSocialServicesand Community Services, The Mustard Bank, BissellCentre,BoyleStreet meals; donatingtotheFood offering warmclothingandhot communities aswarmingstations, the extremecold,openingour responded topeoplesufferingin for the2020Week ofPrayer UnityecumenicalserviceatSt.Patrick’s forChristian Anglican ChurchonJanuary19. inCanada, Edmonton; andFaithNostbakken,EvangelicalLutheranChurch Alberta/Territories Synod;togetherproclaimtheclosingblessing Christian leadersincluding,fromleft:Britt SherwoodPark;Aerhart, SalisburyUnitedChurch, BishopJane Alexander, Anglican Dioceseof Christian CommunityCalled toan “Our communitymustwitness essenger MARCH 2020 Extraordinarily KindResponse Ministry milestones p.7 Edmonton, bringsforthanoarfor“Strength.” David Motiuk,UkrainianCatholicEparchyof love”: duringthePrayers ofthePeople, Bishop “Gracious God,giveusthetruthwithjusticein not blessedbyours. We cannot live rejoice inablessedlifeifothersare how weuseourvoices. We cannot sick, welcomeastrangerandin we reachouttoaprisoner, healthe in howwetreatthepoor, inhow unshakable similarityamongstus what, thereisarecognisableand And liveinwaysthatnomatter and careofGod’s holychildren. together totheoutrageouslove www.edmonton.anglican.org Treasurers’ teachingdayp. 8 situations. age of60whoareleavingabusive help formenandwomenoverthe providing temporaryhousingand the SAGESeniors’ SafeHouse, which thisyearwillhelprenovate No RoomintheInnCampaign, in supportoftheEDCC’s annual the ecumenicalservicewasgiven the altar. placing themnexttoaboatbefore Conversion andGenerosity, and Hope, Trust, Strength,Hospitality, Reconciliation, Enlightenment, forth rowingoarsbearingthewords Prayers ofthePeople,bringing storms oflife,faithleadersledthe to Christianunityinfaceofthe we findit.” make thisworldabetterplacethan a veryboldcall.Letuscommitto receiving. This year’s themeissues blurs thelinesbetweengivingand kindness, Christ-like It issaidthattruekindness:Godly at theexpenseofothersnearorfar. The offeringcollectedduring Affirming theircommitment 2 THE MESSENGER News MARCH 2020 Bishop Jane Alexander to step down on July 31, 2020 In a letter read in parishes on Sunday, January 26, world; concentrating on discipleship and the 2020, the Rt. Rev. Jane Alexander announced she mission of Christ’s church. I love you deeply is resigning as Bishop of the Diocese of Edmonton and will miss you terribly. It has been my as of July 31, 2020. great joy to see us step out in faith into new y dear brothers and sisters in Christ, areas of ministry, and to dive more deeply into This is a difficult letter for me to our roles as Disciples of Christ. I will cherish Mwrite but, as I prepare to enter my the memories of my parish visits, the many 13th year of Episcopal ministry I have, through confirmations, ordinations and synods that we prayerful discernment, realised it is time for me have shared. to leave. Therefore, with a great sense of both In the coming weeks we will circulate sadness and thanksgiving for my time with you, materials that explain the process of electing I will be stepping down as of July 31, 2020. I am the 11th Bishop of Edmonton. There are so Bishop Jane Alexander in the Indigenous chapel at All Saints’ deeply grateful for your love, your prayers and the many things I would like to say and give thanks Cathedral. Photo: Bryan Girard ministry we have shared, but there is a season for for, but for now, please know I have felt so Him with a joyful heart whatever his plan may be. everything and the season for a new Bishop to lead blessed to be your Bishop and to play my part in I will remember you in my daily prayers as we the diocese is now upon us. the councils of the church on your behalf. navigate this time of transition, and I ask that you During my time as your Bishop I have done I do not know what God may have in store for might do the same for me and for my family. my best to focus us on looking outward into the me in the future, but I commit myself to serving In Christ, +Jane Windsor Park community grieves in plane crash aftermath MARGARET GLIDDEN Situated on the edge “It was important Edmonton Editor of the U of A campus, the Lord, have mercy upon our city of Edmonton. for us to do this,” says We ask for your Spirit to be in and around us, n the morning of January 8, 2020, Parish of St. George’s, Carla. “The Mousavi’s at around 7 o’clock, Carla Stewart, Edmonton has leased especially with those among us whose depth of were a huge part of our administrative director of the Windsor its hall to the Windsor grief defies words. Equip us to be instruments program and the staff O Park After School Care and children were close Park After School Care Program, read about the of your healing presence, that our hearts may crash of Ukrainian Airlines International Flight Program for more than be radiant with your love and compassion to the family members. PS752 in her Google news feed. 30 years. When the Rev. We will observe a Madeleine (Maddie) for the families and friends of those who moment of silence “At the time, I was away from the program have died. May we carry the strength and attending to some additional work,” she says. “I Urion and the Ven. Alan each year, on January commented on social media to some peers about Perry heard about the tenderness of your Spirit with us as we learn 8, in remembrance this tragic loss, along with the devastation in Ukrainian Airlines tragedy together how to sit in grief, to listen to those of the Mousavi’s and Australia regarding the bushfires.” they reached out Carla who are hurting, and to offer you our own the others killed in A few hours later, around 10:30 am, Carla and the members of her grief. May all of our responses to the needs of the plane crash. We was shocked and saddened to learn that among program, as well as the will also invite the Windsor Park Community our city for compassion, presence, and comfort children to help us the 176 passengers and crew members on be blessed through the power of your risen life. board the plane were 57 Canadians, 13 from League and Windsor Park plan a celebration of Edmonton, and 10 of whom were students or School. At the same time, We pray this through Jesus Christ our Lord. life, allowing them to faculty at the University of Alberta. Anglican Educational Amen. grieve in a way that “I received a text and phone call from my Chaplain the Rev. Heather is supportive of their colleagues and I realised the Mousavi family, Liddell and members of needs.” members of our program, had been killed,” she the U of A Interfaith Chaplains’ Association In addition to providing prayer and grief says. were present for students and faculty on support to the Windsor Park and university University of Alberta (U of A) engineering campus. communities, members of St. George’s signed a professors Pedram Mousavi and Mojgan “Carla has done a phenomenal job of card of condolences for their friends at the ISIA Daneshmand and their daughters Daria, 14, and leading her staff through grief while still having mosque in Mill Woods, expressing their sorrow her younger sister Dorina were flying home to work,” says Maddie. “It’s something that a to the Iranian community. to Edmonton from Iran when their plane was person can’t really be prepared to do, and yet shot down by a missile shortly after takeoff Carla has had to manage it, somehow.” from Tehran’s airport. Daria was a student at Shortly after the crash, Maddie wrote an Allendale School and Dorina attended Windsor email to St. George’s congregation. “It can be Park School. Both sisters had attended the difficult to know where to put our grief and Windsor Park After School Care Program. shock in these times,” she said. “Some members Upon hearing the tragic news, Carla of St. George’s are personally affected by this informed members of the program board, staff tragedy, or know and care for people who are. and parents, and contacted the Windsor Park We invite you to pray with us as we hold space School. for the presence of God to quietly speak words “My team was in shock and despair when of comfort to those who are grappling with grief I arrived that day,” says Carla. “St. George’s and sorrow:” Following the tragedy, the parish prayed with us and we have been able to use the held Morning Prayer daily and provided quiet church’s extra rooms to create a space for our space for prayer and grief support. children to talk about this loss. We discussed the In honour of the Mousavi family, the possibility of providing Art therapy as a way of Windsor Park After School Care community helping them grieve,” she says. “The Church created a memorial display that they shared with has been very considerate and accommodating more than 2,300 people at a memorial service Staff and families of the Windsor Park After School Care organised by the U of A on Sunday, January 12, Program created a memorial to the Mousavi family who lost during this devastating time and we are truly their lives in the crash of Ukrainian Airlines International grateful.” at the Saville Community Sports Centre. Flight PS752 on January 8, 2020. MARCH 2020 3 THE MESSENGER Bishop’s Corner “A ministry so much more than I could have imagined” s I prepare education. Expressing this hope is not always easy, all consider our call to vocation in Christ; to leave my and I think I knew this from the beginning. At the • To consider new models of ministry for some Aposition Lambeth conference of 2008, Archbishop Rowan of our rural parishes and our seasonal churches as Bishop of told us, at some point we would have to say to to provide stability; the Diocese of someone, ‘I’m sorry to let you down in the name • To define and strengthen a focus on First Edmonton I have of Jesus.’ Many of us had a Peter moment: ‘Oh, Nations ministry in the diocese, and commit had lots of time no, not me, that doesn’t even make sense.’ But ourselves to listening and a ministry of to reflect on how you know, Rowan Williams is very wise. He knew presence; this ministry has following Christ and looking out for the weakest • To help each parish plan for mission; shaped me and and most vulnerable in community does not • To grow into God’s vision of what is to be; to changed me. I think always make you popular. Speaking up when your have the courage to reach for that which might that, right from friends want a particular course of action and you seem impossible, for we know that nothing is Bishop JANE ALEXANDER the start, it was think it is the wrong one, doesn’t always make you impossible for Christ; Diocese of Edmonton a steep learning popular. Saying, ‘no,’ to a friend may be hard, but • To focus on our mission as the church of God, curve, “What if I mess this up? What if I hurt this your faith may compel you to do so. All we can do unity in worship, in acts of compassion and church I love so much?” These are still questions is fix our eyes on Christ and try and go where he is sharing the good news in Christ. in my mind at every turn. And from the day of going and align our lives with his. I unpacked some of this in my last report the election I think I have been saying the prayer As I look back, I am amazed at the sheer to Synod which you can read in the 66th Synod we all say every day: “Lord I cannot do this by number of doors that God has opened into new Circular: https://edmonton.anglican.ca/ myself, please be with me and guide me.” My spaces, new conversations with people who are synod/66th-synod-2019 . I hope that in reading daily prayer has been this one shared with the searching for answers. The diocese has changed the report again, and perhaps the charge, you will bishops by then Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan quite a lot in the last 12 years. We have not been see how far we have come together. If you feel I Williams at the Lambeth Conference in 2008: immune from the challenges of decline that have let you down or that I have disappointed you, God, we thank you that you have made us mainstream churches in society have faced. But I ask your forgiveness. ministers of promise, and that you have entrusted we have not let fear define who we are. We have We have all come to know each other very us with the words and the actions that show to the stepped out in faith and have been more and well, I think. You, as a diocese, know I have a world the reality of new creation: as we baptise, more a church that stands in the gap with those passion for the inclusive love of Jesus; a love as we preside at the Lord’s table, as we confirm who are vulnerable or hurting. We have preached that leaves no one behind. When a person is in and ordain, give us, we beg you, the courage we the incredible love of Jesus and witnessed to it Christ they are a living, breathing extension of the need both to be on the side of all people, and to across the diocese. Our new relationships with our Kingdom of God here on earth. When a person is be able to question and enlarge their perspectives. Indigenous brothers and sisters and the work we in Christ they are entrusted with God’s message of Above all, hold us close to yourself and give us the continue to do in reconciliation are a blessing. The reconciliation and this message is not an optional strength to hold on to you: to you that have taken opportunity to work with the city of Edmonton extra of our faith. I am so thankful for this diocese hold of us in Jesus Christ, to you the love that on End Poverty Edmonton was both an enormous and for the witness to Christ I see here, from will not let us go, to you bound to the world as if honour and a blessing. person to person and parish to parish. Thank you by nails driven into wood, to you the promise, the I never imagined that I would have the so much for all you have done and all you will future, the beginning and the end. Amen. opportunity to learn so much about the Anglican continue to do to transform this world in the name This continual throwing yourself back into Communion throughout the world and to serve our of Christ. the arms of Jesus is the only way any of us can wider family through the Anglican Consultative On a very personal note, I want to thank my minster, lay or ordained. Seeking His will above Council and the Jesus Shaped Life initiative. The absolutely beloved husband Tim, for all his love our own and trying to follow even if the path is reminder that we are part of a much larger plan and support during this ministry and the sacrifices difficult or not what we ourselves might have that belongs to God and not to any one piece of the he has made. Thank you too to my whole family, chosen. In episcopal ministry, just as in all walks family is really good. The opportunities to learn for all their love and for always being there. of life, there is never a lack of people who will and grow bring new life to all parts of that family. This past time of discernment has been tell you what they think of the decisions you One of the things, I think, that has blessed us here difficult in so many ways but, as I said in my letter have made and whether they would have done it in Edmonton, is our partnership with the Diocese at the end of January, there is indeed a season differently, so this anchoring of ourselves in Christ of Buyé in Burundi. It is my prayer that this for everything and the season for me being your is vital. relationship will continue in the years ahead. bishop is drawing to a close. This, as you have As your bishop, my hope has always been When I was elected as your bishop, in 2008, I seen, is a resignation not a retirement. I have no that our faith will make a real difference in our believed I was called to help shape the diocese in idea what God has in store for me in the future. lives, change our view of the world and give us this way: All I know is I trust God completely, and I will be all radical dreams for the future. I hope that we • To equip and strengthen our parishes to be shown what comes next when it is God’s time to all look at the world and imagine a place where bold in our faith; show me. So I step out in faith and in thankfulness there is no room for prejudice of any kind, where • To encourage the discernment of spiritual for all that has been. we allow ourselves to be outraged by poverty, gifts in both laity and clergy; building on the In Christ, +Jane and inequality of access to medical care and to ministry of existing programs so that we may

SUBMISSIONS DUE 1 MONTH Send to: A $15 annual donation is suggested. PRIOR to PRINTING DATE Margaret Glidden (Edmonton) LAYOUT & DESIGN Please send donations to the Dioceses of Athabasca or Edmonton, DEADLINE for APRIL, 2020 [email protected] Margaret Glidden c/o The Messenger. Shelly King Issue: FEBRUARY 28 Peter Clarke (Athabasca) seens@telus.net The Messenger is published under PROOF READING the authority of the Dioceses of Athabasca and Edmonton. Opinions www.edmonton.anglican.ca/ Jennifer Wirun expressed in The Messenger are not blog/the-messenger MESSENGER TEAM necessarily those of the editor or REPORTING publisher. EDITORS Peter Clarke Submissions: Margaret Glidden (Edmonton) The Messenger is a section of the We welcome letters to the editor, Margaret Glidden Anglican Journal, printed 10 times a news, stories and book reviews (max Peter Clarke (Athabasca) Shelly King year (no issues July and August) by 500 words), event notices and high Webnews Printing Inc. resolution photos (min 300 dpi). North York, ON. 4 THE MESSENGER Missional Discipleship MARCH 2020 Envisioning mission through eyes re-focused on Christ ello, and we use liturgy in which the words ‘mission’ from our liturgy at such events. We lead with our welcome or ‘mission of God’ are conspicuous by their ecclesiology. (For those who wish to explore the Hback. absence. We give the new priest of the parish the issue of the language of mission in our liturgy and Over the past keys of the church building and canons of the worship, I wholeheartedly commend Creating several articles diocese, amongst other things. Let me be clear. It’s Missional Worship, by Tim Lomax). we have looked important all priests uphold the canons and fulfill In our structures of Vestry and Corporation, at how, although all that is symbolised by the giving of the keys. accountable to both parish and Bishop, do our Christendom is But when we present these symbols of the church agendas reflect a Christology or Ecclesiology- well past, it still has as key to the rector’s role, but omit the language first lens? Once again, let me be clear. Of course, our churches in its of mission at such events, we are leading with our we have to take care of our buildings and do all vice-like grip. It ecclesiology. those things that are right and necessary as part of may seem obvious When we consider what we are looking for the Anglican Church and Diocese of Edmonton. to begin all we do The Ven. RICHARD KING in new priests and testing a call to ordination, But there also we tend to omit the language of with a focus on Archdeacon for the criteria, and indeed the ordinal, tend to focus mission. In such meetings, we often lead with our Jesus, which then Mission and Discipleship upon the life of prayer and the scriptures, being ecclesiology. Diocese of Edmonton shapes our mission ministers of word and sacrament and “a faithful So how do we re-tool our lens to a and how we do pastor to all whom you are called to serve…” Christological-missiological-ecclesiological focus? church (Christology - missiology - ecclesiology), (Book of Alternative Services, p. 647). Let me be How do look with new eyes at all we already do but we have locked ourselves into the reverse clear again. These are vital functions for the health and take for granted? That’s where we will begin of that sequence. We are locked into a way of and wellbeing of all the Lord’s people. It’s crucial next time. thinking about pretty much everything through an all priests uphold these charges. But where, also, ‘ecclesiological’ lens. is the Lord’s calling to us all, lay and ordained, to May God bless you most richly as you live out Let me give you some examples of what I be agents of His mission as Christ’s body in the your Jesus-shaped life, Richard mean. When clergy are inducted into their posts world? We tend to omit the language of mission Surrendering Our Lives to the “Outside Truth” here are at “relative.” The world says strongly there is no least two truth; there is only opinion and ideology, both of Tsides to The which are capable of ignoring anything even close Truth: the outside to “fact.” So, how are we to share our inside truth, and the inside. which reflects the outside truth, with people who The outside have little regard for any truth? truth is that which We start with the obligation to proclaim the is universally and truth in word and deed. It is part of our identity as eternally true. disciples of the Christ. The outside truth We continue with our own experience and is independent of appropriation of the truth. That is, we work from our perceptions, our foundation in God. We know for ourselves opinions and The Ven. TERRY LEER how God has molded us and transformed us interpretations. Archdeacon for through our interaction with his truth. The outside truth Mission Development Then, we make our proclamation of the truth is greater than Diocese of Athabasca in our words and in our deeds. “I understand God our capacity to like this…” “In my experience, God works in this understand it. way…” “I know God has changed me through…” The inside truth is that of the outside truth You get the point: we are not using our inside that we perceive as true. We experience the truth truth as a kind of blunt instrument with which and make it part of the foundation of our being to inflict spiritual or ethical wounds. We are not and our actions. It is the truth inside us. speaking or acting in order to coerce or convince Of course, the truth inside us will never others. We are testifying, bearing witness to God’s encompass the whole of the truth outside us. It work in and through us. would be arrogant and dangerous to presume that This proclamation occurs in our worship any of us (even the Catholic Church) knew the and in our workplaces. People experience our whole of the outside truth. Heck, it is arrogant proclamation in our volunteer work and through and dangerous to presume that our inside truth is our personal lives. We clearly and intentionally an accurate representation of parts of the outside make the connections between who we are and truth. who God is, so that others may witness the inside God, you see, is beyond our ability to truth transforming us. perceive. In our limited humanity—limited by The goal is to surrender more and more of time, space and human experience—we can only our lives and our proclamation to the outside approximate God in our understandings and truth. We allow others to witness this process of perceptions. transformation as we more and more accurately So now, how are we to incorporate this into embody the image of God. our demonstration of God through proclamation That’s what the outside truth does in and to in word and deed? We have to proclaim the truth, the lives of Christ’s disciples. At least, that’s what and God as the source of all truth, to people who we are supposed to allow as Christ’s disciples. steadfastly believe there is no truth; that truth is MARCH 2020 5 THE MESSENGER Edmonton Diocese Cursillo celebrates 30 Years with conference for everyone VALERIE WILBUR will address Church Mission, Prison Ministry, it was time to bring the first weekends to Edmonton Anglican Cursillo Understanding Indigenous History and What We Edmonton. With the help of the Cursillistas from Can Do as We Move Forward. the Diocese of Calgary, the Diocese of Montreal, t is time to celebrate with great joy the gift Among the guests will be former weekend and the Edmonton Roman Catholic Diocese, team of Cursillo with which God has blessed our directors, members of the national Canadian preparation began and the first weekends were diocese. I Anglican Cursillo Secretariat, and everyone who offered in November of 1990 under the leadership Since the first Cursillo Weekend was offered in has supported the Cursillo movement during the of Ray Canton, lay director of the first men’s the Edmonton diocese 30 years ago, approximately past 30 years. We especially hope that all current weekend, and Ruth Genge, lay director of the first 1,000 people have attended. To commemorate and formerly active Cursillistas will come and women’s weekend. (A Cursillo weekend consists this special anniversary, the Edmonton Cursillo celebrate with us. The conference will conclude of separate men’s and women’s weekends, but community is offering a conference for everyone with a Grand Ultreya to which, of course, all are they are considered as one weekend offered in two in the diocese. invited, whether or not you have attended the parts). The theme of the conference, “Going for conference or a Cursillo weekend. In order to be able to sustain successful local Growth,” has been developed under the guidance The Edmonton Cursillo Movement began weekends and post-Cursillo activities, the Cursillo of Bishop Jane Alexander. The conference will be under the direction of Bishop Ken Genge when community needed to grow quickly. Thus, in the held at King’s University, Edmonton on June 19- a group of dedicated Anglicans met for several earliest years of the Edmonton movement, two 20, 2020. years with the mission of bringing Cursillo to the weekends per year were offered to both a men’s Among the gifted speakers leading the Diocese of Edmonton. Over the first few years group and a separate women’s group. Now only program (which will include worship, music these members attended Cursillo weekends outside one weekend is offered annually and Edmonton and all meals) will be Bishop Victoria Matthews the diocese. A working secretariat was then formed has moved to having co-educational weekends. and Bishop Jane Alexander, both of whom and its members began to plan just how to begin. Please mark your calendars and look for are Cursillistas and staunch supporters of the They met as a community at monthly Ultreyas registration brochures and posters coming to your Edmonton Cursillo community. They will speak and began a Servant Community in order to teach parishes very soon. We look forward to welcoming about how we are called to use our gifts and talents people about Cursillo. both Cursillistas and the wider diocesan Christian to serve our communities, and how we can grow In 1990, the bishop and secretariat decided family to celebrate this special time with us. in the gifts of the Spirit. Other featured speakers Anglican Archives’ Volunteers Recognised for Dedication MARGARET GLIDDEN when they were in the Edmonton Editor Provincial Museum building. She was ith a gentle hand, discerning eye and working in the office at loads of patience, Jeanette Flesher, St. Peter’s and compiling Beth-Anne Exham and Diane Morgan W short histories of the have dedicated several hours each week to helping parishes when she was preserve the rich heritage of Anglicans in Alberta. told “there are two ladies Guided by Diocese of Edmonton Archivist who sort all this out.” Kathryn Ivany, the team processes (prepares) She has been an active historical records for the Anglican Church of volunteer since 2012. Canada collection at the Provincial Archives Jeanette, a former of Alberta, located at 8555 Roper Rd NW in Anglican Archives’ volunteers Jeanette Flesher, left, Beth-Anne Exham and Diane Morgan, school teacher with a right, were recently honoured at an appreciation tea hosted by Provincial Archives’ staff. Edmonton. natural curiosity about “Your time and contributions are invaluable people, was particularly provincialarchives.alberta.ca/ or by calling the to us here at the archives,” said Jaclyn Landry, intrigued by records from the Athabasca diocese. Provincial Archives Reading Room: 780-427- program and volunteer coordinator for the “Their correspondence, written in the margins 1056. Provincial Archives of Alberta. “As a team you and both ways to economise space, paints a Volunteers are needed to help care for have great comradery.” picture of what life was like. I found it quite Anglican Church records at the Provincial Archives’ staff and volunteers hosted a fascinating,” she said. Archives. If you would like assist the diocesan volunteer recognition tea on Tuesday, January Beth-Anne shares Jeanette’s affinity for the archivist by processing records on site as they 28. Also in attendance were members of the north, having served with her late-husband Kenah come into the collection, please send a letter of Edmonton diocese including Kathryn Ivany, Dr. Exham, an Anglican priest, in Old Crow in the interest to Kathryn Ivany: ivak2arch4hist@ Jane Samson, associate ecumenical and interfaith Diocese of Yukon, from 1965 to 1969. She also hotmail.com, or call 780-903-7993 for more officer, and Margaret Glidden, communications has a special interest in the Anglican Church information. director. Women (ACW) collection. Jaclyn expressed gratitude to Jeanette and “The work you have done has been amazing Beth-Anne, both members of St. Peter’s Anglican and the synod really does appreciate it,” said Church in Edmonton, and Diane, a member of Kathryn Ivany. “I know you spend hours St. Matthias, for their dedication. She noted that removing staples, clips and coils to get the papers Jeanette who has had to step back from her role, into the folders so that we can use them and and Beth-Anne who will continue to help as she researchers can access to them.” is able, have achieved gold-level status at the “To be able to feel like I’m doing something archives, together amassing more than 3,000 worthwhile and to do it with good companions has hours of volunteer service since 2004. been very satisfying,” said Jeanette. Beth-Anne recalled being recruited to help Records covering roughly the northern two- Jeanette and Evelyn Capps in the archives, thirds of the province from the Anglican Dioceses when they were still housed in the “old museum of Athabasca and Edmonton, including registers building” (Provincial Museum building in of baptisms, marriages and burials, are stored Glenora). in vault #1, “God’s Vault,” as the ladies call it. Diane also began volunteering in the archives The records can be accessed online at https:// 6 THE MESSENGER Outreach MARCH 2020 PWRDF valuing Indigenous knowledge and customs ignored. As leader of behalf, PWRDF is sponsoring many north, their cultural and community the Jigija Indigenous Indigenous initiatives, including the context, and the state of healthcare Fire Training Program, support of threatened Indigenous in remote areas. Studies show that he recognizes the depth languages and cultural knowledge when a woman gives birth within her and value of Aboriginal in First Nation’s Communities in cultural context, the outcomes for knowledge and skills in Canada. both her and baby are better. hazard management. One A few years ago, in the Mohawk Closer to home, PWRDF am looking out program they teach is community of Kahnawake, near has partnered with The First at a beautiful cool-fire burning, which Montreal, only 100 of the local Nation Adult & Higher Education I Alberta winter involves lighting small 8,000 residents could speak their Consortium on the Sisiska Blackfoot day; clear blue patches of low-intensity language. A two-year Mohawk Nation near Calgary. They have sky reflecting off fires during the cool immersion course, supported by developed courses on traditional a sea of snow DOROTHY MARSHALL season, burning off bush PWRDF, is making a difference, Blackfoot Knowledge for online PWRDF Representative blanketing the undergrowth, thereby enabling students of all ages to delivery. These courses contribute to Diocese of Edmonton fields and resting reducing the amount of learn the language. As graduates understanding among the Blackfoot on the boughs of flammable materials. This teach Mohawk to their families people of their origins, culture, and the evergreens. I am continuously prevents fires from developing, as and community there has been language. People are developing thankful that God has “planted” they have now, to catastrophic levels. steady progress in sustaining the positive self-concepts as a result of me in this place, especially when In Canada, we also tend to ignore language. PWRDF also supports these courses and a reawakening I contrast it to the tremendous the value of Indigenous knowledge a creative initiative in which a is happening among Blackfoot struggle the people of Australia and customs, and by our ignoring we Kahnawake puppeteer uses puppets youth. Many of these courses are have recently be dealing with during are devaluing the traditional identity she has made in a local TV show. transferable to Athabasca University the devastating wildfires in that of our Indigenous neighbours. One Immersion program graduates are and the University of Calgary. region. In the news we read of the example is the loss of Indigenous vital in making this very successful Supporting the preservation and destruction of entire communities languages; languages tied show happen, and it is helping spark transfer of traditional Indigenous and of thousands of people finding irrevocably to Indigenous culture. interest in the language in local knowledge is an important part of refuge on the beaches as they wait Recognizing this shortcoming, children. the work of PWRDF in Canada. To for the fires to travel through their the strategic plan of the Primate’s Another cultural Initiative learn more about these projects, or land. World Relief and Development PWRDF supports in Canada is the PWRDF’s response to the wildfires I have also read of the voice of Fund includes “accompany and training of Indigenous midwives in Australia, visit www.pwrdf.org . the Australian Aboriginal people support First Nations, Métis, and through a partnership with Ryerson If you would like to be part of saying “Want to stop Australian Inuit people, guided by both the University. With the use of the team that promotes PWRDF in fires? Listen to our people.” UN Declaration on the Rights of traditional knowledge integrated your parish, please email Dorothy According to Indigenous Elder Indigenous Peoples and the priorities with modern medicine, their Marshall at pwrdf@edmonton. Murrandoo Yanner, their knowledge of the Indigenous communities and practice has developed in order to anglican.ca . of caring for the land is largely organizations in Canada.” On your meet the realities of families in the Warm parishes provide refuge from frigid January cold MARGARET GLIDDEN the hall at Christ Church, which afternoon and breakfast on Friday with a “Make-Your-Own Sundae Edmonton Editor is not ordinarily used during the morning. Resurrection Party” hosted by dmontonians woke up to a day, could provide much needed Christ Church provides its parishioners. About 60 people stayed low temperature of minus warmth in the community of Oliver, neighbours with nourishing meals for the eucharist.” 37.8 degrees on January 15, Edmonton’s most densely populated year-round. In the summer, members “I think this is what Jesus E neighbourhood. They thought of the of the Oliver community, including has taught us and calls us to do,” 2020, the coldest morning in two decades. Arctic air began flowing people who attended the church’s Ward 6 Councillor Scott McKeen she said. “Building community into Alberta on January 5 chilling the community dinners, an average of and his office staff, Edmonton the way we do gives us a clearer province for more than a week. The 180 guests every month, and hoped Anglican Cursillo, and friends and understanding of what the Kingdom cold was extreme even for those who they been able to find warm shelter. colleagues of parishioners team up of God is; what it is to look like and began and ended each day in a warm Chelsy sent an email to the to serve hamburgers and hotdogs our role in that. It also helps us to see home. But for the approximately parish list and, within minutes, 30 on the church’s front lawn. Last there are no limits, or requirements, 1,600 Edmonton residents without people had offered to make a pot of year, the community dinner fell on to belonging to the Kingdom.” a place to call home (source: soup, or to welcome people in from Easter Vigil Saturday and dinner Homeward Trust), the frigid weather the cold by spending time at the guests were invited was life-threatening. church chatting and playing games. to worship with the The City of Edmonton’s “The response from parishioners congregation. emergency response included was very positive,” said Chelsy. “We had the help opening shelter space at the “When people weren’t able to of the Ven. Travis Commonwealth Recreation Centre volunteer they offered donations of Enright and the Rev. to house some of the homeless who toques, mitts, scarves and money.” Nick Trussell to plan were seeking a warm place to sleep. She also contacted inner city the service and it During the day, Anglican churches in social agencies and asked the Rev. worked really well the downtown and university areas, Quinn Strikwerda, vicar at All Saints’ and was incredibly and in Spruce Grove, opened as Cathedral, to pass on the word. All beautiful,” said warming stations; providing warm Saints’ was also open as a warm-up Chelsy. “The Easter clothing and refuge from the cold. station for several hours each day story was interwoven Canon Chelsy Bouwman and during the cold snap, in addition to with the meal, Warm-up stations, like this one at All Saints’ Cathedral, the Rev. Susan Oliver decided welcoming community members breaking for song or provided shelter and warm clothing when temperatures plunged for Manna Market on Wednesday a play, and ending below -30 degrees for more than a week in January. MARCH 2020 7 THE MESSENGER Faithful Service Moving Send-off for Long-time St. John the Evangelist Rector The Rev. SHELLY KING Messenger Staff unday, January 5, 2020 marked the end Sof an era at St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church in Edmonton. After 20 years of faithful service, St. John’s rector the Rev. Don Aellen retired from his post. In St. John the Evangelist, Edmonton held a moving farewell service for Don and Carolyn Aellen honour of the occasion, St. on January 5, 2020. Pictured, clockwise from left, are: Don Aellen and rector’s warden John’s combined its usual Catherine Rostron; Soren Hendricks reading the Scriptures; Richard King, incoming rector of St. John’s, preaching the sermon. three Sunday morning message for the church will remain so dear to services into one. the church.” newsletter: us.” Three hundred-and- Where words Archdeacon Richard “We both feel As incoming rector, sixty people attended to failed, two then asked the congregation, undone—but in the Archdeacon Richard found say farewell. Both the scriptures summed up his “Do you, the people of best possible way: your it to be “a profoundly junior and senior choirs sentiments: 2 Corinthians St. John the Evangelist, being present in such meaningful day and a participated in leading 4:1 - “Therefore, having recognise and accept the numbers; your love privilege to be there; an worship, two children of this ministry by the conclusion of this pastoral for us so unreservedly honouring of Don and the parish Stephanie Okolo mercy of God...” and 2 relationship?” to which they expressed; your heartfelt Carolyn’s ministry and an and Soren Hendricks read Corinthians 3:2 - “You responded, “We do.” thanksgivings for the life acknowledgement of the the scriptures and incoming yourselves are our letter (of The reason for this we shared; and by the need we all have to say a rector the Ven. Richard King recommendation), written liturgy was to provide an munificent generosity proper ‘farewell;’ to grieve preached the sermon. on our hearts...” opportunity for rector and of the communal gifts the losses we feel before we A key part of the service Wardens Toby Ramsden parish to say a clear and you gave us. What you can truly embrace whatever was a piece of liturgy titled and Catherine Rostron intentional ‘good-bye;’ to did and spoke Sunday it is that Jesus has for us ‘The Ending of a Pastoral offered reflections on behalf mark an important point in was a synopsis and next. I echo the words of Relationship.” It included a of the parish and Delia the journey of St. John’s. confirmation of the one parishioner who said the statement by Rev. Don that: Kariwo sang a blessing. Rev. Don then shared richness of our over 20 whole event was like calling “On the first day of No parish event is some of his reflections on years of doing life in the past, present and future July, 1999, I was complete without lots of a 20-year ministry. Being Christ with you. And together in one moment: a inducted by Bishop great food! So all who an avid hunter and having could stay enjoyed a why you have been, and true blessing.” Victoria Matthews as worked as a parks warden rector of St. John the lunch together, followed before entering ministry, by a program in which Evangelist. I have, with he joked that the biggest You yourselves are our letter (of God’s help and to the more members and difference between the two former members of the recommendation), written on our best of my abilities, lines of work is that a priest exercised this trust, congregation had the chance hearts... can’t “shoot his problems.” to share stories and make accepting its privileges On the more serious side, “ 2 Corinthians 3:2 and responsibilities. tributes to their outgoing he shared what the love and priest. Even the previous After prayer and careful support of the congregation consideration, it now St. John’s rector, the Rev. has meant to him and his Canon Dr. Barry Parker, seems to me that I should wife Carolyn over the years; leave this charge, and was able to participate via how St. John’s has been recorded message from his I publicly state that my “a place of discovery and tenure as rector of St. home in Toronto. intense spiritual growth, Rev. Don and Carolyn John the Evangelist ends learning to live relying this day.” responded to this moving on the grace of Christ and send-off in a written The congregation gives Don and Carolyn Aellen a moving send-off. Michael Williamson expresses gratitude for 32 years of ministry he Rev. Michael In September, 1990, he Edmonton, he has served and a pleasure, to Williamson will became the youth pastor at the diocese in many ways share in ministry Tretire, on March St. Paul’s Anglican Church, on Executive Council, and contribute to 31, 2020, after 32 years of Edmonton. In 1993, he Administration and Finance, the Kingdom of ministry in the Diocese of became associate priest at the Diocesan Property and God through the Edmonton. St. Paul’s, Edmonton, and in Planning Committee, as Anglican Diocese Williamson was 1995 was appointed rector, Regional Dean and, most of Edmonton. ordained deacon at Christ a position he held for 23 recently, on the Rural Church, Edmonton by years until September, 2018. Strategy team. Editor’s note: Bishop Ken Genge in In recent years, Williamson Williamson would like Michael will reflect 1988, and ordained priest has served as part-time to express his heartfelt on more than three at All Saints’ Cathedral interim rector at St. Paul’s, gratitude to the parishes and decades of ministry the following year. He Leduc and St. George’s, Fort colleagues he has worked in the April issue of served as assistant priest at Saskatchewan. with over the years. It The Messenger. Christ Church, Edmonton. Throughout his time in truly has been a privilege, Michael Williamson 8 THE MESSENGER Edmonton Diocese MARCH 2020 Online giving apps, cloud-based accounting programs and narrative budgets useful tools for managing parish finances

MARGARET GLIDDEN participants about possible time-saving an app like Receipt Bank users can Edmonton Editor measures such as pre-authorised Giving input utility bills and expense receipts epresentatives from more than 20 rural and (PAG) and online giving. Noting a trend directly. The WayPay app then enables urban parishes attended a workshop on toward online giving, she said 20.5 per cent users to make payments electronically, parish finances at All Saints’ Cathedral on of charitable donations are made online thus eliminating the need for cheques R (Canadahelps.org). To make it easier which are quickly becoming obsolete. January 18. Hosted by the Rev. John Gee, diocesan for people to give when they don’t carry The process can be set up to require treasurer, the training day provided an opportunity cash, parishes can provide a “click and authorization by two people. For more for people involved in parish financial give” option on their website’s home page. information on cloud-based accounting, management to come together to share ideas and Through a new partnership between church email [email protected]. resources. website provider Ascend and online In addition to keeping track of Put simply, the role of parish treasurer, giving provider Tithe.ly, parishes of parish finances, treasurers have an invaluable member of vestry, is to assist the Edmonton diocese can register for a the responsibility of presenting church wardens in the handling of offerings and free account and be eligible for a lower financial information in a format contributions, and to keep the parish accounts. But, transaction fee. Donors have the option others will understand. Alan Perry as John Gee observed, a treasurer should be well of a one-time contribution or monthly giving. noted that traditional line-by-line budgets versed in areas such as methods of receiving and Parishes can contact Margaret at the Synod Office are useful for showing the amount of money receipting for donations and accounting methods. for the registration link. coming in and how much is being spent. Canonical Gee shared a few best practices for parish Additionally, parishes with an Ascend or requirements for a parish financial plan are that it treasurers’, such as keeping personal information Tithe.ly website are eligible for a lower monthly includes revenue and expenditure, apportionment, secure, regularly backing up data and reconciling hosting and technical support fee which includes salary and benefits, debt payments (if any) and the parish account once a month, ensuring expense access to digital communication tools, such as operational expenses (Canon 5.111). A parish must payouts are authorised by two people, never e-newsletters, sermon podcasting and online event submit its budget to the diocese within 14 days of signing a blank cheque and ensuring one trusted registration. adoption and by the March 15 deadline. person in addition to yourself has access to the Toby Ramsden, chair of the diocesan Signs of a healthy parish, said Perry, include: parish account. He also noted that each parish administration and finance committee and income revenue which is comprised of 80 per cent is responsible for appointing an giving; giving that is growing year by year (at least accounts examiner, a financially at the rate of inflation); 50 per cent of giving from knowledgeable volunteer who is Pre-authorised Giving (PAG); starting the year not directly involved with parish with a surplus; having enough to get through the financial administration, to review lean summer months (or not having lean summer the financial statements before the months); ending the year with a small surplus parish annual general meeting. (or a large one). On the other hand, signs for Parishes are required to submit concern may include: dependence on fundraising, a monthly remittance to the diocese investment income or rental income (greater than by the 20th of each month as payroll 20 per cent of income), year-end panic appeals, goes out on the 28th. Should an issue frequent or chronic deficits, shrinking reserves, More than 20 parishes were represented at the Parish Finances Traning Day in and/or “deferred maintenance.” with finances arise, such as a budget January. deficit, it is the parish’s responsibility But what does parish giving and spending say to inform the diocese immediately. about our mission priorities? Perry shared how The Parish Remittance Form and You budget expenditures so you narrative budgets are useful tools for painting a items pertaining to parish finances can fund your parish mission. broader picture of parish life and good works and including the Treasurer’s Handbook supporting the parish stewardship program. can all be found in the Treasurer’s The Ven. Alan Perry “You don’t budget expenditures so you can Toolbox on the diocesan “ pay the bills,” he said. “You budget expenditures website: https://edmonton. so you can fund your parish mission.” anglican.ca/parish-info/ people’s warden for St. John He outlined the process for creating a narrative pages/treasurers-toolbox . the Evangelist in Edmonton, budget which begins with grouping budget items Parishes should note that presented on yet another into categories, such as ministry, worship, pastoral there are legal requirements potential time and cost care, Christian education, fellowship, community for handling “restricted” saving measure, a cloud- outreach, etc, then determining what percentage donations designated for a based accounting system. of the budget is allocated to each focus area. It specific purpose. While not Storing financial data in the is important to refresh categories and recalculate complying with a donation’s cloud, which can then be allocations every year. The next step is to invite restriction is a criminal breach, accessed electronically via parishioners to share experiences which can be parishes do have a right to wifi from anywhere in the woven into short stories for each category. refuse a donation if they do world, improves efficiency He also encouraged parishes to consider not agree with the conditions. and accuracy, he said. various ways to package and present a narrative Parishe should also note the Cloud-based bookkeeping budget, whether it be included in an AGM report, deadline for filing a T3010 can generate accurate and presented as a PowerPoint slideshow, or displayed Charitable Information Return up-to-the-minute reporting. as a YouTube video on the parish website. is June 30. Authorised users can use a “Be sure to enlist the help of creative With many things to keep program like QuickBooks parishioners with a knack for storytelling track of, Margaret Glidden, to retrieve bank statements and include lots of colourful photos. As with Toby Ramsden, chair of the diocesan electronically and download everything else, narrative budgets get better with diocesan communications administration and finance committee and director, told workshop people’s warden for St. John the Evangelist, the data into the user’s program practice,” he said. Edmonton, presents on cloud-based accounting. in a matter of minutes. Using