ContactA Newsletter for the Council of the North Summer 2021 Responding to God’s Call to mission and ministry in the northern regions of Canada

photo: contributed L-R: Bishops Lucy Netser, Annie Ittoshat, and Joey Royal at their consecration on March 31, 2019 Radio brings Nunavut hamlet together during pandemic

By Matt Gardner committee to ask if she could bring her “In the Arctic, a lot of people go to Christian message to the airwaves. The church,” Netser says. “When something On Nov. 13, health authorities confirmed committee responded favourably, and like a pandemic is happening, that’s the first case of COVID-19 in Arviat, a other churches soon followed. when we really need to be there for each predominantly Inuit hamlet in Nunavut Today, Bishop Netser has a other and encourage each other and pray with an estimated population of 2,850. two-hour slot every Sunday on the for each other.” The following months saw Arviat local community radio station, Bishop Netser primarily uses the become by far Nunavut’s worst-hit Arviaqpaluk 96.5 FM. From 11 a.m. Inuktitut version of The Book of Common community, with 339 confirmed cases— to 1 p.m., she offers morning worship, Prayer to lead prayers on the radio, since more than two-thirds of all cases in the Scripture readings, and prayers and there is no Inuktitut translation of The territory as of April 30. encouragement for the community. Book of Alternative Services. She also Soon after the appearance of Other churches offer their own programs prays for the communities and offers COVID-19, the hamlet imposed tight afterwards, with Arviat Alliance Church listeners a brief period of silence to pray lockdown measures to control the spread starting at 1 p.m., Glad Tidings Church on their own for people they might be of virus. An Anglican bishop, the Rt. Rev. at 3 p.m. and St. Therese Catholic concerned about. Lucy Netser, contacted the local radio Church at 5 p.m. Continued on page 5

contact | summer 2021 | a newsletter for the council of the north | 1 Bringing summer Bible camp home to families

By Matt Gardner

If kids can’t go to Bible camp, the will bring Bible camp to kids—and parents are welcome to join the fun. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit last year, the diocese realized it couldn’t hold its annual summer program at Camp Caledonia, located at Tyhee Lake, B.C. Traditionally, the diocese has hired a student seminarian each summer to teach Bible stories and lead activities for campers. Sending a seminarian to Camp Caledonia to lead virtual activities posed a challenge due to limited Internet access and poor cellphone connections. Instead, the diocese took a different approach with the help of partner On Eagle’s Wings Ecumenical Ministries (OEW), which offers Christian education programs for remote northern communities. The diocese has previously incorporated parts of the photo: on eagle’s wings OEW curriculum into its summer Bible Volunteers help assemble kits for Bible Camp in a Bag. program. In response to the pandemic, OEW turned its curriculum from an in- “Often they don’t realize they are person program to one that could be children, and instructions and materials because they’re just having fun, teaching done by families at home—using kits for making crafts. A memory stick or their kids. But they’re also hearing and in backpacks that give the program its DVD features OEW volunteers who lead name, Bible Camp in a Bag. The diocese engaging with the Bible story.” participants in making crafts, telling of Caledonia seized the opportunity Bible Camp in a Bag takes the regular Bible stories and singing songs. and held its first backyard Bible camps five-day Bible camp curriculum—led in One of the benefits of bringing of the in 2020, a trend that will continue this pre-pandemic times by an OEW team camp experience home, Hand notes, is summer. going into a community—and converts it that parents can experience the same “What we’re trying to do with this is into home programs that provide enough “basic level of Christian education to actually engage parents in the Bible content for three weeks of activity. alongside their children.” story along with their children so that Each child or family receives a “What we experience in a traditional Bible camp setting where there’s a team the parents are learning alongside the backpack with five different kits inside. that goes into a community is that children,” says the Rev. Lesley Hand, Each kit contains a booklet with prayers, parents tend to drop the children off Anglican priest and executive director of a Bible story, a note for parents on On Eagle’s Wings. how to work through activities with Continued on page 3

THE COUNCIL OF THE NORTH is a Specifically: grouping of financially assisted dioceses, supported through grants by General • • • Diocese Synod, that serve sparsely populated of Brandon • Diocese of Caledonia • Indigenous Spiritual areas in the Arctic, Yukon, Northern and Ministry of Mishamikoweesh • Diocese of Moosonee • Central Interior British Columbia, Alberta, • • northern Saskatchewan, Manitoba; and northern Ontario. •

2 | contact | summer 2021 | a newsletter for the council of the north photo collage Some of the items found in Bible Camp in a Bag kits

Continued from p. 2 Indigenous, a northern-Canadian- built around the theme “Christ loves and come and pick them up three designed program made far more sense all people” and proved a hit among hours later,” Hand says. “Because in my mind,” he adds. Anglican families. Lehmann says that COVID has made us adapt to a virtual The partnership between the the kits were “very much appreciated”. environment, we decided that we diocese of Caledonia and OEW greatly “Kids [were] tearing into stuff … would structure it in such a way that expanded during the pandemic. They didn’t need the videos to do the we can actually engage those parents.” Unable to host their in-person Bible crafts,” he recalls. “Most of the kids just The Rt. Rev. , camp, the diocese took advantage looked at the [instruction] sheets and Bishop of Caledonia, one of the of the backyard Bible camp kits that got into it. I dropped some off to one founding board members of OEW, teams of OEW volunteers put together. family myself and stood back and was has used the ecumenical group’s “They count out the markers and just amazed at watching the kids get material in his parishes since the late cut the length of yarn that they need excited and engage in the stories—and 1990s. After becoming bishop in 2018, and count out the paper plates that the parents appreciating the fact that he incorporated parts of the OEW they need,” Hand says, “This is a we couldn’t get together [in person], curriculum into the diocesan program whole crew of volunteers that love this but we had a resource for them.” at Camp Caledonia. ministry and love the north and love The theme of this year’s camp “When I became bishop, I realized the Lord, and that’s their motivation to is “Living in God’s house together.” the summer campers [were] creating do this.” Lehman hopes the experience will help their own summer program from It was July last year by the time the parents and children to “step out of the scratch,” Lehmann says. “We were diocese of Caledonia received its Bible regular routine that’s been happening hiring people and they were trying to camp kits and was able to distribute and to engage in some Bible story, do come up with a curriculum and all I them to families, “just because we were some crafts and some activities … to thought was, why re-create the wheel?” shifting gears and then we had to learn think about how God connects us all “Because the bulk of the people a bunch of technology,” Lehmann says. in this and that God is with us in this attending our summer camp are The first backyard Bible camp was pandemic.” Ω

contact | summer 2021 | a newsletter for the council of the north | 3 Mentoring new clergy in the Diocese of Moosonee during a Pandemic

By the Rev. Diane Hilpert Mcilroy Mentor for Clergy and Spiritual guidance, Diocese of Moosonee

2020 was a year that most of us will not soon forget. We were separated from our families, friends, neighbours, schools, jobs, and churches. The global pandemic changed most of what we call “normal.” Many people began to rely on the Internet for shopping, socializing, working, and even worshipping. Before the pandemic began, although I am retired, I had been doing some supply work, but obviously, with churches closed, supply clergy were not needed. After a few months of lockdown I began to question what God might be asking of me. Early one morning I prayed that Jesus would reveal God’s plan to me. photo: contributed That very evening I received an email The Rev. Diane Hilpert Mcilroy (R) with Archbishop Anne Germond from Archbishop Anne Germond asking me to prayerfully consider the position of mentor in the Diocese of Moosonee. preached and how the Presbyterian Hall, and Gregory Kerr-Wilson, and Archbishop Anne and assisting author and professor Rev. Dr. Tom Long others that are listed at the end of this Archbishop Fred Hiltz were looking for preaches. And lastly, we looked at how article. After each session, notes are sent a new and inventive way of engaging Phyllis Tickle and Fredrick Buechner to the participants. their clergy in continued learning. I was “tell the story in today’s language,” We were blessed to have Rev. Norm invited to mentor the clergy who had keeping true to the text. This way of Wesley teach us about the shaking tent. graduated from the Moosonee School preaching is a powerful way of putting Some of the experienced clergy are of Ministry and to be a spiritual support people into the story with Jesus. interested in having at least one Zoom and confidante to the other clergy in To study , we session on moving forward after the the diocese. There wasn’t a ministry concentrated on a general view of the pandemic in the “new normal.” There are description per se, but the focus was on Anglican Church in Canada. Many of us many exciting possibilities for us, but we mentoring newer clergy in preaching, are taking the Anglican Origins course also know there will be issues. Working liturgy, and Anglicanism. out of the Diocese of Montreal, which is together as colleagues in ministry is a I was confident that this was going giving us an overview of the history of strong and powerful way for equipping to be a learning curve for me. The first the Anglican Church. When this course one another to build Christ’s Church, item on the learning list was conquering ends we are planning to join with the here in Moosonee, well into the future. technology. Thankfully, Zoom is easy— people from Henry Budd College, where Our Zoom sessions begin with a and after sending out a Zoom invitation the Indigenous clergy and students will short devotional service and/or a prayer, with the wrong date, I learned to discuss how Anglicanism has affected and end with prayers. Over the months connect with clergy all over Moosonee. them as First Nations people. Moosonee that we have been together, there have Most of the clergy from the Moosonee is well represented, with about a dozen been all kinds of questions, as well as School of Ministry have participated people taking the course. enlightening and lively conversations. in weekly Zoom sessions, daily phone The teaching has been reciprocal. The clergy in Moosonee who take part conversations, emails, and texts. We have shared resources for funerals have a deep desire to continue to grow The Zoom sessions on preaching and baptism rites, the church seasons, and learn. We keep in touch between focused on Paul Scott Wilson’s The and feast days within the church. The Zoom sessions, and we have built caring Four Pages of the Sermon. We had liturgy sessions will be based on the and supportive relationships with one conversations and demonstrations on work of several people, including Nora another. I have been blessed to meet how the Episcopalian priest, professor, Gallagher’s The Sacred Meal, Let Us Give some amazing, deeply devoted Christian and author Barbara Brown Taylor Thanks by David Holeton, Catherine Continued on page 5

4 | contact | summer 2021 | a newsletter for the council of the north Continued from p. 1 v Continued from p. 4 Hymns are a mainstay of the people in this vast and beautiful diocese. program, with Netser often inviting “Sometimes, parents call Originally, I was to mentor and teach, guests on the air to perform them. me afterwards saying but over the weeks and months, we have “Sometimes I call them ahead of time that they really enjoyed all learned so much from one another. [to see] if they can sing on the radio,” I am grateful for the ways everyone Netser says. “A lot of people are musical the radio show today, is willing to share their ministry in this community. They sometimes sing because ‘my children experiences and advice. It is a privilege over the phone, sometimes more than were listening with me to walk the good road with clergy in one person in a house.” and praying with me.’ Moosonee, and I am excited to see what Most weeks, Netser delivers a sermon God is going to do in Moosonee next. Ω on her Sunday show. But sometimes she Some little kids started invites guests from within the community knowing my voice, who Bibliography and or out of town to deliver sermons, such I was, so that was kinda Suggested Reading List as retired Anglican bishop Andrew Baycroft, John. The Anglican Way. Toronto: Atagotaaluk. Guests will call at a certain c u te .” ABC Publishing, 1980. time in order to speak on the radio. —Bishop Lucy Nester Baycroft, John. The Eucharistic Way. Toronto: Netser says Arviat residents ABC Publishing, 1981. responded positively to the on-air Bays, Patricia. This Anglican Church of Ours. prayers, sermons and hymns. Winfield, BC: Wood Lake Books, 1995. “They really liked it,” she says. “I’d that community programs can offer for say we reach more people that way. Braver, Barbara, ed. I Have Called You people isolated during the pandemic. “I Friends: Reflections on Reconciliation in Some people don’t really like going to think it keeps everybody calm and sane,” the church, but at home, they can have a Honor of Frank T. Griswold. Cambridge, Tassiuk says. MA: Cowley Publications, 2006. prayer at home with their family.” “Every day is different, I think,” she She adds, “Sometimes, parents call Carter Florence, Anna. Reshaping Scripture: adds. “We’re managing. We’re surviving, Discovering God’s Word in Community. me afterwards saying that they really one day at a time.” enjoyed the radio show today, because Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans In recent weeks, the situation has Publishing Co., 2018. ‘my children were listening with me and improved dramatically. Arviat’s fight Chapman, Mark. Anglicanism. Oxford: praying with me.’ Some little kids started against the coronavirus saw a major Oxford University Press, 2006. knowing my voice, who I was, so that victory on April 20, when residents was kinda cute.” marked two weeks since the last person Gallagher, Nora. The Sacred Meal. Nashville: Besides church programs on Sundays, in the community came out of isolation. Thomas Nelson, 2009. Arviaqpaluk offers a range of other Many locals celebrated the end of the Guenther, Margaret. Holy Listening: The Art radio programs throughout the week, outbreak with a parade of vehicles in the of Spiritual Direction. Chicago: Cowley with each business or community streets. Publications, 1992. organization given an equal two-hour Netser is unsure whether Long, Thomas G., and Thomas Lynch. slot. Mondays include cultural programs. Arviaqpaluk radio will remain as active The Good Funeral. Louisville, KY: Thursdays provide updates from the after the pandemic. But she hopes that Westminster John Knox Press, 2013. health centre. On Fridays listeners can residents gained encouragement and Maybee, Maylane, ed. All Who Minister. call in to a show focusing on mental hope from listening during the peak of Toronto: ABC Publishing, 2001. health. Content is in a mix of Inuktitut the outbreak—and a knowledge that Mission as Transformation: Welcoming the and English—the former being the even the hardest times will pass. Stranger. Toronto: ABC Publishing, 2007. predominant language in Arviat. “There’ve been pandemics before and Station manager Laura Tassiuk says that has passed, and it’s going to be like Sacks, Jonathan. Lessons in Leadership. New that community radio has been “very that again,” Netser says. She compares Milford, CT: OU Press, 2015. important” in bringing people together the experience of the pandemic to Willimon, William. Thank God It’s Friday: during the pandemic, helping residents stormy seas that eventually calm, or the Encountering the Seven Last Words from “be cautious and be careful, and to keep aftermath of an earthquake. the Cross. Nashville: Abingdon Press, everybody informed so we’ll all be on the “After the earthquake tremors, then 2006. s am e p a g e .” there’s peace,” the bishop says. “It’s like Wright, N.T. Mark for Everyone. Louisville, She also acknowledges the support that still …Ω KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2004.

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