PAGE 4 PAGE 6-7 PAGE 10 Bishop Asbil Order honours Anglicans ring starts Diary unsung heroes in new year TheTHE NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF TORONTO AnglicanA SECTION OF THE ANGLICAN JOURNAL www.toronto.anglican.ca FEBRUARY 2019 Installation begins new era Bishop Asbil becomes chief pastor BY STUART MANN WITH three knocks on the door of St. James Cathedral with his crozier, Bishop Andrew Asbil ushered in a new era in the Diocese of Toronto. Admitted into the cathedral by the assembled clergy and laity, Bishop Asbil was then installed as the 12th Bishop of Toronto, making him the chief pastor of Canada’s most populous Anglican diocese. The cathedral was filled to ca- pacity for the two-hour service, held on Jan. 13. It was streamed live on the internet and watched by people across the diocese and around the world. During the investiture, held near the beginning of the service, Bishop Asbil received the diocesan crozier. He then placed his hand on a Bible and made a solemn promise and declaration to fulfill the responsi- bilities and obligations of the office of the Bishop of Toronto and to be a faithful shepherd to the flock of Christ. He was then escorted to the ca- thedra, the seat of the bishop, and installed there. Afterwards, he was presented to the congregation, which responded with sustained applause. Archbishop Anne Germond, the metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario and the Bishop of Algoma, was the presiding cel- Clockwise from top: Bishop Andrew Asbil receives the diocesan crozier from ebrant. Archbishop Colin Johnson, representatives of Synod; water from the diocese’s four episcopal areas is the 11th Bishop of Toronto who poured into the baptismal font; Bishop Asbil blesses the city and the diocese; retired on Dec. 31, participated in Bishop Asbil hugs Bishop Kevin Robertson, Bishop Riscylla Shaw and Bishop the service, as did the diocese’s four Jenny Andison after the service. PHOTOS BY MICHAEL HUDSON suffragan bishops. Archbishop Fred Hiltz, the Primate of the Anglican French, Swahili and Spanish. about baptism, transformation and Church of Canada, and other bish- Bishop Asbil spoke about inclu- change, encouraging churches to ops also took part. sion in his sermon. “In a time of “knock on doors” and be present After Bishop Asbil’s investiture transition, you’re probably think- in their neighbourhoods, trusting and installation, the service con- ing will there be room for me, will that God will provide. “My brothers tinued with readings, prayers and there be a place for me, if I am and sisters, walk with me and I will the celebration of the Eucharist. part of the LGBTQ2 community, if walk with you. And let us together At the end of the service, Bishop I’m progressive, if I’m evangelical walk with the one who created us, Asbil returned to the cathedral’s or conservative, if I’m an Anglo- redeemed us and sets us free.” doors to bless the City of Toronto Catholic, if English is not my first After the sermon, liturgical danc- and the diocese. tongue? Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. My ers and four people brought water One of the themes of the service pledge as your bishop is to walk from the traditional four directions newal of their baptismal covenant. to spiritual to rock. The music was inclusion. The Indigenous land with you, not some of you but all and the diocese’s four episcopal The asperges was accompanied was provided by the cathedral’s acknowledgment was said in Cree by of you… We need all to be a part areas to the baptismal font for the by “Wade in the Water,” a moving choirs, musicians from Church of the Rev. Canon Andrew Wesley, and of this journey.” asperges, the rite of sprinkling the spiritual song. The music during the Redeemer, Bloor St., and the prayers were offered in Cantonese, He ended his sermon by speaking congregation with holy water in re- the service ranged from traditional Nathaniel Dett Chorale of Toronto. WHAT’S REALLY OUR MESSAGE? – SEE PAGE 5 2 TheAnglican ARCHBISHOP’S RETIREMENT February 2019 Portrait, anthem among surprises at celebration BY STUART MANN named the Johnson Boardroom in thanksgiving for Archbishop John- ON the walls of the Diocesan Centre son’s four decades of service to the hang pictures of all the Bishops of diocese. It is the largest meeting Toronto since Bishop John Stra- room at the Diocesan Centre and chan, the founder of the diocese. provides space for many groups. A new addition to this select group “I am deeply honoured that Ali- is a painted portrait of Archbishop son Knight and Rod Barr have Colin Johnson, who retired on Dec. given this gift in honour of Alison’s 31. It is the first painted portrait of father,” said Archbishop Johnson. a Bishop of Toronto since Bishop “That it will hang in the diocesan Derwyn Owen in 1947. boardroom, now renamed in my The portrait was unveiled at a honour, is a double blessing.” retirement celebration for Arch- In addition to the painting, a new bishop Johnson at St. James Cathe- anthem was created in recognition dral on Dec. 15. Anglicans from all of Archbishop Johnson’s love of parts of the diocese joined Toronto music. The anthem, composed Mayor John Tory and other digni- by organist Matthew Larkin, is taries at the event to express their called “Strengthen for Service” thanks and appreciation to him. and uses the text from Matthew With the newly unveiled portrait are, from left, artist Gregory Furmanczyk, Chancellor Clare Burns, Archbishop Colin and Archbishop Johnson said the por- 25:37-40. The anthem was sung for Ellen Johnson, Alison Knight and Rod Barr. PHOTO BY MICHAEL HUDSON trait took him totally by surprise. the first time by the cathedral’s “It was painted from a photograph, choir during Evensong, held after “You’ve planted seeds of love and find faith. If you hold it in a different I don’t think I would be as happy. so I had no idea that it was being the celebration. hope in your advocacy to which we light, you can see the whimsy and After 41 years, I would do this all done,” he said. “It’s a beautiful The portrait’s unveiling and the can all aspire,” she said. “You’ve the humour and the good nature, over again. The joy in ministry representation and I am happy announcement of the new anthem performed your service joyfully but also a man who deeply loves is profound and deep, and while the artist generously carved off a were just two of many surprising and faithfully. Your advocacy for this Church.” there are occasions when I pull few pounds!” and delightful moments at the the marginalized demonstrates He added: “We are so grateful to my hair out and get frustrated, I The portrait, showing Arch- three-hour celebration, which in- your commitment to helping our you. The shoes you have left behind remember that initial call of joy bishop Johnson in a relaxed and cluded a reception line, a cake in the most vulnerable.” are massive. I will do my very best and gladness, to be able to serve approachable pose, was painted shape of the cathedral and reflec- Bishop Andrew Asbil, who be- to try to fill them.” the people of God in such a huge by Gregory Furmanczyk, a noted tions by Mayor Tory, Lieutenant came the Bishop of Toronto on Archbishop Johnson was joined range of ways.” Canadian artist whose works hang Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Jan. 1, reflected on how the portrait by his wife Ellen and their three He said he was humbled that on Parliament Hill and in Queen’s Deputy Premier Christine Elliott showed various sides of Archbishop grown children and grandchildren people had given up their Saturday Park. It was a gift from Alison and Thomas Cardinal Collins of Johnson. “If you hold it in a par- at the celebration and the Even- afternoon, often travelling many Knight and Rod Barr, long-time the Archdiocese of Toronto. ticular light, you might just see the song that followed. Archbishop miles, to attend the celebration. friends of the diocese and life mem- Mayor Tory praised Archbishop patience of a man who has tried Johnson’s brother and his wife also “I am incredibly honoured by the bers of the Bishop’s Company. Ms. Johnson for his advocacy on behalf to keep the Church together – but attended, along with many close gifts I’ve received today, but what Knight was the diocese’s chief ad- of the poor and marginalized, say- deeper still of a shepherd who friends and colleagues. Clergy, I’m most deeply grateful for is your ministrative officer from 2003 to ing he had made Toronto a better has created a gracious pasture lay people and staff also attended. presence,” he said. 2009 and the donation was made place to live. “Your advocacy has for a flock to dwell in, so that our “It is a privilege and an honour to Many came to express their in memory of her father, Donald been exemplary – quiet, respectful differences do not consume us but have served this great diocese for thanks and appreciation. “I think John Knight, a devout churchman and informed,” he said. “You have make us better, deeper and richer. 41 years, and also to have served what Archbishop Johnson has who died last year. respected the diversity of this city, If you hold it in a different light, it as the Bishop of Moosonee and done for the diocese is beyond The painting now hangs in the focusing on making it inclusive.” speaks of a man with deep faith, Metropolitan of the province,” he measure,” said the Rev.