PAGE 7 PAGE 8-11 PAGE 12 Start with Jesus, Synod focuses on A space opens up says archbishop Earth, mission for the Gospel
TheTHE NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF TORONTO A A SECTION OF THE ANGnLICAN JOURNAL g l www.tiorontoc.anglican.ca n JANUARY 2012
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED Bishop Patrick Yu, area bishop of York-Scarborough, cuts the ribbon to open the new St. George on Yonge (his - torically known as St. George, Willowdale) on Dec. 3. Left to right are Archbishop Colin Johnson, the Rev. Pam Prideaux (assistant curate), the Rev. Steve Shaw (priest-in-charge), Willowdale MP Chungsen Leung, Doug Heyes (people’s churchwarden) and City of Toronto Councillor John Filion. For story, see Page 12. PHOTOS BY MICHAEL HUDSON Day for laity focuses Intern on fresh expressions works Conference teaches how to share the Gospel for social BY STUART MANN space for lay leaders,” says Ms. He says clergy should take as Spray. many people as they can to the justice ARE you a lay person who wants to Saturday will include plenary conference, even if it’s just for the share the Gospel with people out - sessions and workshops led by lay Saturday. “It’s a powerful experi - side your church but you don’t people and clergy who have expe - ence. It’s worth taking the risk. know how? rience in planting new churches. It’s an excellent investment in BY CAROLYN PURDEN Leah Watkiss If so, consider attending the Vi - One of the speakers will be the ministry.” tal Church Planting Conference, Rev. David Male, a pioneer of the All three days of the conference LEAH Watkiss says she has found ground information on the three which will be held at St. Paul, fresh expression movement in will include plenary sessions and the perfect job with the Diocese of main things that the politicians Bloor Street Feb 2-4. The last day England. workshops for all people, both Toronto. With a strong back - will be asked to do: raise the min - of the conference—Saturday, Feb. The Rev. Canon Al Budzin, in - clergy and lay. “There’s always a ground in religion and social jus - imum wage, index social assis - 4—will focus on teaching lay peo - cumbent of St. Philip, Etobicoke, sense of excitement and it’s a tice, she was recently hired on a tance to the inflation rate and ple how to start fresh expressions has brought lay people from his good time to connect with people,” one-year contract as an intern bring in a housing benefit plan. of church. church to previous conferences, says Ms. Spray. with the diocese’s Social Justice The meetings between Anglicans “Saturday is for people who see and plans to do so again this year. Since it began six years ago, at - and Advocacy department. and the MPPs have been taking a need in their community to He says lay participation in the tendance has climbed from 60 to “I’m loving it,” she said recently place in December and will con - reach people with the Gospel of conference has borne fruit in his 150. Last year’s conference was in an interview. “This is the kind of tinue in January, prior to the gov - Christ,” says the Rev. Anna Spray, parish. sold out. “What’s really exciting is position I’ve always wanted to do.” ernment’s presenting its budget. an assistant curate at St. Bride, “It opens up their minds and seeing how far this has come,” says She has two key assignments. Ms. Watkiss is also helping to or - Clarkson, and one of the confer - eyes and hearts to seeing St. Ms. Spray. “It’s amazing to see the The Social Justice and Advocacy ganize the week-long Shalom Jus - ence organizers. “It’s for people Philip’s in a different way,” he growth that has happened. We’ve department is coordinating meet - tice Camp, to be held in Peterbor - who care about seeing the church says. Since attending the confer - come a long way in a short time.” ings between Anglicans and ough from Aug. 19 to 24. A national reaching out beyond its borders.” ence, Canon Budzin and his The conference is co-sponsored MPPs on social justice issues, and gathering that moves to a different The conference is usually held parishioners have started Messy by the diocese and Wycliffe Col - Ms. Watkiss has been finding an diocese each year, the camp’s aim in the middle of the week, but this Church, the Pints of View Chapel lege’s Institute of Evangelism. For Anglican coordinator in each rid - is to engage every part of a per - year’s gathering will include the at the local Army Navy Club, and information on how to register, ing who will take the lead on the son—mind, heart and hands—to Saturday so that lay people can at - a community lunch with a neigh - visit the conference’s website, meetings. better understand every part of tend. “We really want to make bouring church. http://vitalchurchplanting.com/. She is also developing back - Continued on Page 2
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY CONFERENCE A FIRST – SEE PAGE 20 2 The Anglican N E W S January 2012 AIDS Day sees Missional resources more involvement available for Lent
BY MURRAY MACADAM BY STAFF website, www.shapedformis - sion, at [email protected] - Meanwhile, a flash mob at Dun - sion.ca. glican.ca. WORLD AIDS Day, Dec. 1, has das Square in Toronto drew about If you are interested in exploring • Re-Imagining Church: Shaped “As the diocese moves towards come and gone for another year, 100 people for a powerful dance where God may be calling your for Mission is a five- week becoming a mixed economy dio - but not without increased involve - and music event, sponsored by parish in the future, and how your course that introduces basic cese, where healthy inherited ment by Anglicans in a range of the Canadian Foundation for parish can begin to make the tran - concepts and ideas on being a churches and fresh expressions of activities. A group of Anglicans, AIDS Research, with support sition to a missional way of think - missional church. This course church exist alongside each other both lay and clergy, took part in from Rachel Johnson, a member ing, there are two resources avail - is a first step for people to following the God of mission, we the World AIDS Day Breakfast, of the Diocesan HIV/AIDS Net - able for you to use in Lent. start thinking about how their all have much to learn and explore sponsored in part by the Blueprint work. A YouTube video of the • Mission Possible Bible study parish can make the transi - together,” says Ms. Andison. for Action on Women and Girls event, including basic facts about is a five-week resource that tion from a Christendom “While Jesus Christ is the same and HIV/AIDS. The Anglican HIV/AIDS in Canada, notes that helps people think through mode of life to a post-Chris - yesterday, today and forever, the group was introduced to all by 65,000 Canadians are living with who God is and the mission tendom and missional way of church itself is always reforming name. The breakfast is an annual HIV, and the number of infections that God calls them to in the thinking and being in their lo - and being reformed in each gener - event, but almost none of the An - is rising. post-Christendom context. cal context. If you would like ation, and our current age is no glican participants had taken part “It’s encouraging to see a grow - More than 50 parishes in the to teach this course in your different. Lent is an ideal time to before. ing awareness and involvement diocese have taken the course. parish or arrange for a engage in reflection together as a More than 70 people watched a by Anglicans,” says the Rev. All of the teaching notes and teacher to do so, contact the congregation on how your com - film about AIDS, called We Were Canon Douglas Graydon, who co - participants’ guides can be Rev. Jenny Andison, the mon life is being shaped by and Here , and took part in a candle - ordinates diocesan involvement downloaded for free from the Archbishop’s Officer for Mis - for God’s mission to the world.” light service at St. Paul on-the- on HIV/AIDS issues, including in - Hill, Pickering, including local volvement with AIDS service or - parishioners and people from the ganizations. “The challenge now Correction broader community. An evening is to expand the number of parish - Intern answers call vigil with a guest speaker at the es involved, and to truly make our Church of the Redeemer, Toronto, parishes places of welcome for IN the December issue, The Stew - drew 45 people, up from last people who have often felt unwel - ard by the Rev. Bill Welch con - to social justice work year’s event. come before.” tained information from a previ - ous column. The Anglican regrets the error. "".VTJD%JSFDUPS.VTJD%JSFDUPS Continued from Page 1 JTCFJOHTPVHIUCZ 'SJEBZ+BOBUQN social justice. ways focused my studies on the in - 4U1IJMJQTPOUIFIJMM"OHMJDBO$IVSDI &QJQIBOZ&WFOTPOH #$1 Organizers hope to attract 100 terplay between social justice and GPMMPXFECZMJHIUTVQQFS attendees from across Canada, religion, specifically focusing on 5IJT IJTUPSJD QBSJTI TFSWJOH UIF 6OJPOWJMMF.BSLIBN BSFB JT B XPSTIJQGVM BOEGFBUVSFUBML GSPNUP UISJWJOH DPNNVOJUZPGGBNJMJFT8FBSFTFFLJOHBUFBNQMBZFSXIPJT with half of them between the Christian social teaching, non-vi - LOPXMFEHFBCMFBOEBQQSFDJBUJWFPGUSBEJUJPOBMBOEDPOUFNQPSBSZDIVSDINVTJD ages of 16 and 35. Participants will olence and religious conflict reso - BOEFOKPZTXPSLJOHXJUIBMMBHFHSPVQT3FTQPOTJCJMJUJFTJODMVEFQMBZJOHGPSBOE be able to choose from one of 10 lution,” she says. DPOEVDUJOH4VOEBZ4FSWJDFT OVSUVSJOHBOEEFWFMPQJOHNVTJDBMUBMFOUXJUIJO immersion programs, such as Although she is not an Angli - UIFDPOHSFHBUJPO QMBOOJOHUIFXPSTIJQNVTJDXJUIUIFDMFSHZ BOENVTJDBMMZ 13":&3 poverty and food, or water quality, can, Ms. Watkiss says it has been TVQQPSUJOHPVSUXPZPVUIESBNBBOENVTJDHSPVQT8FIBWFBOFOUIVTJBTUJD and will hear from experts in “exciting and eye-opening” to "EVMU $IPJS GPS XIJDI UIFSF JT B XFFLMZ SFIFBSTBM " TPVOE LOPXMFEHF PG #00, these areas and meet with local learn about what Anglicans are "OHMJDBO MJUVSHZ JT QSFGFSBCMF BOE UIF BCJMJUZ UP QMBO GPS NBKPS GFTUJWBMT 4( !..)6%23!29 groups engaged in the same work. doing in the field of social justice. UISPVHIPVUUIF$IVSDI:FBSXJMMCFBOBTTFU5IFDIVSDIIBTBNBOVBM 'BNPVTXSJUFS4VF$BSFMFTT There will also be opportunities to As an example, she cites a visit to TUPQEJHJUBM1IPFOJYPSHBO QMVTB)FJOU[NBOGPPU(SBOE1JBOP5IF FYBNJOFTUIF1SBZFS#PPLTPSJHJOT network with people working on All Saints, Sherbourne Street, BQQMJDBOUTIPVMEIBWFBNVTJDEFHSFF TUSPOHQMBZJOHBOEDPOEVDUJOHTLJMMT JUTJNQBDUPOUIF&OHMJTIMBOHVBHF other social justice issues. where she was astonished when MFBEFSTIJQBOEJOUFSQFSTPOBMTLJMMT BOEBQBTTJPOGPSXPSTIJQNJOJTUSZ4BMBSZ BOEJUTTUSPOHJOēVFODF PO DPNNFOTVSBUFXJUI3$$0HVJEFMJOFT BQQSPYIPVSTBXFFL Ms. Watkiss says she feels she entered the church to find the $BOBEJBOMJUVSHZUPEBZ called to do justice work. “That’s pews pulled to one side and their 3FTVNFTTIPVMECFGPSXBSEFEUP 4U0MBWFT$IVSDI where I feel my vocation is,” she space taken up with tables and .T,BUIBSJOF$SPXF 1BSJTI"ENJOJTUSBUPS #MPPSBOE8JOEFSNFSF says. “I see social justice as really chairs for the morning drop-in PGmDF!TUQIJMJQTVOJPOWJMMFDB t 4FF XXXTUQIJMJQTVOJPOWJMMFDPN doing the work of the Gospel.” program. After earning her Bachelor of “It was really moving to me to Arts degree in Social Justice and go into the church and see the Peace Studies at King’s College, pews pushed aside for God’s peo - the University of Western On - ple,” she says. “It’s what a church tario, she obtained her Master’s is meant for. This is ministry.” degree in Peace and Justice from Ms. Watkiss is available for pub - the University of San Diego, Calif. lic speaking engagements about During her studies, she spent a non-violence and religious conflict summer taking a cross-cultural resolution. She can be reached at program in Ecuador, and she [email protected]. served as an intern in applied non-violence at Berkeley. “I’ve al - See page 16 for related story.
-ARY ' 'RIFlTH "! -"! *$ -ACLAREN #ORLETT ,,0 "ARRISTER 3OLICITOR /NTARIO "LOOR 3TREET %AST !TTORNEY #OUNSELOR AT ,AW .EW 9ORK 3UITE 3OUTH 4OWER 6W-RKQ·V'L[LH(%!$' "+" 6W-DPHV·( # ' 6W(-%R!K$Q'·V1%R&*UZ ,D\ 4ORONTO /. -7 2 &H P H#W H(U \&, & &UH P# (%&")#DWRULXP & HP #H WH( U&, &\ &U H# (%&")#PDWRULXP & H P#H W(H U&, &\ &U H# (%&")#PDWRULXP "USINESS ,AW 7ILLS 4RUSTS %STATES 4EL .( ,-+'XQGDV6WUH H W- ,-(DVW +&$ '3DUOLDPH Q(--+W6WUH H W- $(",-)() .LQJVWRQ5RDG &AX 0LVVLVVDXJD21/<%$,,$,, ." 7)RU+R)Q(W-R)210;5 7)R+U)R(Q-W)R210/6 WWWMACLARENCORLETTCOM % MAIL MGRIFlTH MACORLAWCOM 3KRQH #)( 3#)(KRQH #)(3KRQH Z0Z0Z0V,W-M%R)K#Q(V,G L[$1LH$ FR P)' 0Z0Z0Z,V-%W MD'P H,V F DW-#KH G U+D O&R)Q(F D 0Z0Z0Z,V-W%)MR#K(Q,V(Q)RU+Z0D \2F)R+P" RUARY 2012 &&)!).+*+)* +-$ ,)!! + ADVERTISING DEADLINES FEB Deadline JANUARY 3, 2012 &)("0$-#-# !)&&)0$(", +/$ , Call Carol McCormick 905.833.6200 X25 or email [email protected] January 2012 O U R F A I T H - O U R H O P E The Anglican 3 Laity leads church to goal
had not asked people for money before, and that was intimidating. Clergy lend However, the thing that gave the group courage to go on was the helping hand process outlined by the diocese for parishes working on the Our Faith-Our Hope campaign. BY CAROLYN PURDEN “It was really excellent,” Ms. Peers said, explaining that the THE fact that they were between process trained the volunteers incumbents did not hamper the and gave them an idea of what parishioners of Epiphany and St. was expected. The fact that they Mark, Parkdale, as they tried to were to work in pairs also took reach their target in the Our some of the fear out of the chal - Faith-Our Hope campaign. lenge. “After we’d done one or In fact, not only did the volun - two visits, we really got very ex - teer committee of six people meet cited about it,” she adds. the $85,000 target, they exceeded By mid-November the group, it by almost $35,000. The achieve - with some volunteers from the ment is even more remarkable, congregation, had raised $119,930 considering that there are only 82 from 20 pledges. They had not yet families on the parish roll. started the telephone campaign, When the parish’s incumbent and still had six weeks before the retired earlier this year, it was im - campaign was to end on Dec. 31. mediately apparent that the bur - Apart from raising the funds— den of fundraising would fall on and few of those approached de - the shoulders of the laity. Bishop clined to give—the volunteers ex - Philip Poole asked parishioner perienced many satisfactions, Kennedy Marshall if he would be says Ms. Peers. There was the prepared to lead the campaign. recognition that other people had Mr. Marshall said yes, provided a strong faith and a strong com - he could have another parish - mitment to the parish, and that ioner, Dorothy Peers, working the parish has a strong commit - with him. ment to the diocese. “I wanted someone who would Many of the parishioners ex - commit to something and deliver pressed deep appreciation for the on that commitment,” Mr. Mar - visits, including some who were shall says. “She’s involved with Members of Epiphany and St. Mark’s campaign executive committee helped the church reach and then sur - housebound. Out of that experi - everything in the parish.” pass its goal. From left are Ezra Cyrus, Gail Turner, Kennedy Marshall, Vicky Brook and Dorothy Peers. Missing ence, Ms. Peers says, the parish With Ms. Peers in place, Mr. from the photo is Claudette Taylor. PHOTO BY MICHAEL HUDSON will find a means of visiting these Marshall received invaluable as - parishioners more frequently. sistance from Br. Reginald Cren - porter to the team. Mr. Marshall says he was not way since the fundraising started Being able to visit parishioners shaw of the Order of the Holy “He was a tower of strength,” surprised that the parish reached in the fall. “In some ways, we in their homes, and see their pic - Cross. Br. Crenshaw had been act - says Mr. Marshall. its goal and surpassed it. “What were leaderless,” she says. “It tures, treasures and memorabilia, ing as mentor to the parishioners Additional help came from the has surprised me about the whole was a very scary place to be in, gave the volunteers a different as they began their search for a interim priest-in-charge, the Rev. exercise is the enthusiasm and and to think of starting a major appreciation of their fellow new incumbent, and since he had Jim Houston, and assistance from commitment exhibited by the campaign in that space was really parishioners, she says. All in all, just completed the Our Faith-Our the sidelines was provided by campaign executive,” he says. daunting.” she concludes, the campaign that Hope campaign at his own church Archbishop Michael Peers, the But it was not so easy in the be - While the six members on the started with trepidation is ending of St. Paul, Runnymede, he former Primate, who is the hus - ginning. Dorothy Peers says the campaign executive committee on a note of triumph. “It has been agreed to be an adviser and sup - band of Dorothy Peers. campaign team has come a long knew each other, she adds, they a success,” she says. After initial reluctance, campaign takes off
apartments. It needed to be gut - campaign. She got up in the day for Tim Horton’s coffee. She Incumbent ted, insulated, rewired, roofed church the following Sunday and suggested she put that money and brought up to code. Another was tentative in what she said. aside and he match it. “We could home was the rectory, similarly “I’ve never done fundraising be - do $10,000,” she told her husband. uneasy about rented out. It also needed to be fore and I was very uncomfort - “I want to do it.” roofed and renovated to become a able asking people for money,” Then Ms. McArthur phoned a asking retreat centre. The church itself she recalls. member of the church’s corpora - received a new roof, along with But later, she had lunch with tion and relayed the good news, many upgrades. one of the parishioners, and he and that member matched Ms. BY CAROLYN PURDEN The parishioners accomplished called her out for being so reluc - McArthur and her husband for it all. “When Our Faith-Our Hope tant. He told her she was not ask - another $10,000. So with just a SOMETIMES when a congregation came out, I was really reluctant to ing for herself. She was asking handful of people, St. Andrew’s has given and given, both of their raise it, because the people had people who already believe in was well on its way to meeting its money and themselves, it be - given so much, not just in money their church whether they would goal. comes a real challenge to ask but in time, in help and in so invest in its future, if they are Ms. McArthur and the major them to do more. many ways,” says Ms. McArthur. able. donor booked four days of visit - That was the dilemma facing In fact, she was so reluctant, She responded by asking if he ing, saw 14 people, and achieved the Rev. Kim McArthur, incum - she wrote a five-page letter to knew how much the church want - their goal of $160,000. “Then the bent of St. Andrew, Alliston, with Archbishop Colin Johnson, ex - ed her to ask from him. “I gave a team just kept going,” she says. the Our Faith-Our Hope cam - The Rev. Kim McArthur plaining that the time was just really large number,” she says, The end result of the campaign? paign. The parish’s target was not right for St. Andrew’s and “and he said he’d have to think St. Andrew’s has raised $207,000. $160,000—yet the parishioners of asking that the parish be ab - about that, but offered to help me Ms. McArthur praises the con - St. Andrew’s had already given so al heart,” says Ms. McArthur. solved of the task for a few years. on the campaign.” gregation for its devotion. “I much. Over the course of the past sev - However, her own area bishop, A few days later, the parish - would like people to know how Alliston is a small community eral years, the congregation has George Elliott, asked her to re - ioner phoned and told her he wonderful this congregation is, and St. Andrew’s congregation raised more than $250,000 to re - consider, as Archbishop Colin would make the pledge. “It made how much they have given al - numbers about 100 people on Sun - store and renovate three build - Johnson would like every Angli - my heart soar,” she says. ready,” she says. “They love their days. “We’re not a church with a ings. One century-old home is can to be asked. Then she went to her husband church and want it to be there for lot of money, but people have a re - rented out by the church as two So Ms. McArthur launched the and pointed out that she pays $2 a the generations that follow.” 4 The Anglican C O M M E N T January 2012 This was a transfiguring journey The Anglican was privileged to be ARCHBISHOP’S DIARY This is exactly the world Jesus was born The Anglican is published under granted a Sabbath leave into. This is exactly the response his forced the authority of the Bishop of Toronto Iduring August and Sep - BY ARCHBISHOP COLIN JOHNSON march to Calvary would have evoked. A and the Incorporated Synod of the tember. The Sabbath in small, beleaguered country with unremark - Diocese of Toronto. Opinions expressed in Genesis is a gift of God, the able people, busy with their own concerns, The Anglican are not necessarily those of last of the days of creation shrinking. jealousies and joys, conflicts and loyalties, the editor or the publisher. when God rested to savour all You go “up” to Jerusalem and “down” to eccentric and eclectic—yet the very place Stuart Mann: Editor that God had made. Jericho, literally. The ruins of the synagogue that God chose to make his home! That model of a weekly rhythm that punc - that Jesus attended in Capernaum are amaz - The contemporary politics of three faiths Address all editorial material to: tuates creative work with a period of rest to ingly well preserved. The Temple Mount, site and two peoples living in an uneasy coexis - The Anglican enjoy what has been done has been one of of Solomon’s temple from 900 BC, has been tence are enormously complicated. We 135 Adelaide Street East the many enduring marks of Judaism. Sab - the site of the Dome of the Rock since the 7th spoke to Israelis and Palestinians, Chris - Toronto, Ontario M5C 1L8 bath is not about an escape from the daily century, the second most holy site for Mus - tians, Jews and Muslims. People can sum - Tel: (416 ) 363 -6021, ext. 247 drudgery of work. Work is a positive, hon - lims after Mecca. We walked the new walls of mon up centuries-old grievances as if they Toll free: 1 -80 0-66 8-8932 oured activity that participates in God’s Old Jerusalem, built as recently as 1550! happened to their mother at breakfast yes - Fax: (416 ) 36 3-7678 work. Rather, the Sabbath reminds us that Some are put off by the kitschy, in-your- terday. We met an Armenian Christian E-mail: [email protected] work, important as it is, does not completely face commercialism surrounding the holy whose family has lived in Jerusalem for cen - Circulation: For all circulation inquiries, define us as human beings. Made in the im - sites. Others are disillusioned by the antago - turies. He moved to Toronto for four years including address changes, new age and likeness of God, we are also reflec - nisms of the various Christian traditions before returning to Jerusalem. “Canada,” he subscriptions and cancellations, tive, playful creatures who need to balance staking competing claims to holy “territory” said, “is no one’s home but everyone who call the Circulation Department at activity with rest, production with contem - with such ferocity that greedy gold-rush comes there can begin to feel at home. (416) 924-9199, ext. 259/245, or email plation, doing with being. The day of rest, the prospectors look positively congenial in com - Everyone claims Jerusalem as home but no [email protected]. Sabbath, was reinterpreted in Christian ex - parison. Others grow cynical because of the one ever feels at home here.” I read the You can also make changes online: perience, which very early moved it from the ambiguity of historical “facts” claiming “this near-daily news from the Middle East with visit www.anglicanjournal.com end of the week—Saturday—to its beginning, happened right here or maybe it was over different eyes now. and click Subscription Centre. Sunday, to honour the Day of Resurrection of there.” We spent a lot of time trying to figure out Carol McCormick: Advertising Jesus, the first day of the “new creation” of Somehow the majesty and power of what the country, the history, who Jesus is, who the world and of us. It is the day of re-cre - has really occurred here renders all the oth - we are in relation to it all. It was important Address all advertising material to: ation! er stuff insignificant. It’s like the awe of work. St. Anselm of Canterbury said that Fenn Company Inc. So this Sabbath leave, I spent some time standing at the brink of Niagara Falls that ut - faith needs to seek understanding. But faith 2130 King Road, P.O. Box 1060 being “re-created.” Yes, it involved some holi - terly dwarfs the tawdriness of the tourist comes first. Faith is a gift, not an intellectual King City, Ontario L7B 1B1 day time, free from the obligations of work, traps that surround it. Or, as John puts it: achievement. Tel: (905 ) 833 -6200, ext. 25 but the most powerful experience was time “The Light came into the darkness, and the One Sunday morning, I was invited to cel - Toll free: 1 -80 0-209 -4810 that my wife, some friends and I spent in darkness could not overpower it.” ebrate the Holy Eucharist on the Mount of Fax: (905 ) 833 -2116 Jerusalem. We took part in a course at St. If Jesus was not born precisely on the spot Transfiguration. Trans-figuration literally E-mail: cmccormick @canadads.com George’s College, part of the compound where his nativity is commemorated, then it means “beyond figuring,” a revelation. The around St. George’s Anglican Cathedral in was just a few metres away, and in any case, trip to the Holy Land was a transfiguring The Anglican Church East Jerusalem, a few minutes’ walk from this spot has been venerated by Christians, journey for me and for many of us. Beyond the gates of Old Jerusalem. and made holy by their prayers, since the all the figuring out, the puzzling, the analy - In the Anglican Communion: If you have never been to the Holy Land, early 4th century. sis, there is a gift there of something even A global community of 70 put it on your bucket list now, and try out St. We walked the traditional Stations of the more important, more real, more life-chang - million Anglicans in 64,000 George’s College. It will change your life. Cross through Jerusalem at dawn. It was a ing. The Gospels recall that on this Mount, congregations in 164 countries. Israel and Palestine are small. It’s no more kaleidoscopic mixture of reverent awe, pushy Jesus’ closest disciples heard the voice of Archbishop of Canterbury: than 15 kilometres from Bethlehem to shop keepers hawking their wares, obnox - God saying, “This is my beloved Son. Listen The Most Rev. and Rt. Hon. Rowan Williams, Jerusalem. The Sea of Galilee is smaller than ious tourists yakking on cell phones, and im - to him.” Lambeth Palace, Lake Simcoe. The Jordan River is neither patient residents elbowing through knots of And that’s what we were doing on this London, England SE1 7JU. cold nor deep nor wide—it is a creek. But the pilgrims. No holy quiet, and yet it was ex - Sabbath pilgrimage. And that’s what we try Dead Sea really is dead—35 per cent salt and traordinarily poignant. to do now. In Canada: A community of about 600,000 members in 30 dioceses, stretching from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland and north to the Arctic Ocean. Together, let’s discover possibilities Primate: The Most Rev. Fred Hiltz, Church House, 80 Hayden St. uring my time in high see how much becomes possible when we Toronto, ON, M4Y 3G2. school, there was a BISHOP’S OPINION abandon hope of being saved by the perfect class on debating in leader or the perfect program, and instead In the Diocese of Toronto: D BY BISHOP LINDA NICHOLLS A community of 254 congregations in 210 which everyone had look inside our community to notice that the parishes covering 26,000 square kilometers. to choose a side in the debate resources and wisdom we need are already Of the nearly 5 million people who live and then defend it vigorously we live in the midst of the great paradox: that here.” God has promised us the presence of within the diocesan boundaries, 376,000 in a competition. I was never in Jesus Christ the kingdom has come but is the Spirit and gifts we need to be the Body of claim to be affiliated with the Anglican good at debates because I lis - not here—the “already and not yet.” Jesus Christ in every age. Church, with about 80,000 people tened to the arguments of the other side and was a living paradox as a faithful Jew com - The parable of the Sower and the Seed is a identified on the parish rolls. The diocese wanted to agree with their reasoning. I could mitted to fulfilling the law yet constantly reminder that not all the seeds we plant will is home to many ethnic and language- see the good points on their side and often transforming and challenging it by his life germinate. Some will not find good soil and based congregations, including African, left the class feeling frustrated and a failure. and witness. He consistently told parables, some will not have the stamina for the Caribbean, Chinese, Filipino, French, “Just tell us what we need to do.” That stories that come alongside our lives and growth needed. Some will flourish for a while Hispanic, Japanese, and Tamil. The City of seems to be the cry of many in the church as challenge our expectations. Christian life is and then die. And some will grow strong and Toronto has the largest population of we all wrestle with change, declining mem - an ongoing cycle of listening to the tensions vibrant. No one knows which will be which, aboriginal peoples in the country. bership and the high anxiety it produces for in the paradoxes we meet and letting them, and this is an opportunity for humility and The Archbishop of Toronto: those who have been faithful. “Just show us by the work of the Holy Spirit, stir our prayer and not for blaming the sowers or The Most Rev. Colin Johnson what to do and all will be fine.” We are hearts, minds and souls to discover some - caregivers. In our diocese, we are planting geared to solving problems by doing some - thing new about ourselves, God and our seeds through new initiatives that are excit - York-Credit Valley: thing—add this program, tweak this service, world. ing—and scary! We wait expectantly to see The Rt. Rev. Philip Poole advertise something new. As a bishop, I often This is not a straight line from problem to which will grow and flourish. say I don’t know what we need to do, though solution or a matter of what we must “do.” It Our life as Christians is not a debate with Trent-Durham: I am sure we are being called to be open to is the work of discernment that is more like a clear, singular answer. It is an opportunity The Rt. Rev. Linda Nicholls change. For some, this is a failure of leader - planting seeds that germinate and gradually to live in the midst of paradoxes, tensions York-Scarborough: ship. For me, it is the realization that togeth - grow into beautiful flowers over time with and anxiety by listening to one another and The Rt. Rev. Patrick Yu er we are in a time of paradoxes where there care and nurture. That discernment is found the Holy Spirit, discerning possibilities, is no simple answer to our challenges—no when we work together in teams—laity, cler - planting seeds and watching for the signs of York-Simcoe: debate that we can have with a single win - gy and bishops together—to discover possi - the presence of Christ emerging. It needs The Rt. Rev. George Elliott ning solution. bilities. In their book about resilient global each of us working together. May we have The Diocese of Toronto: A paradox is something that seems contra - communities, Walk Out Walk On , Margaret patience and courage for the discernment we 135 Adelaide St. E., dictory yet may still be true. As Christians, Wheatley and Deborah Frieze write: “We’ll will discover together. Toronto, Ont., M5C 1L8 1-800-668-8932/416-363-6021 TO ADVERTISE IN THE ANGLICAN CALL 905.833.6200 X25 Web site: http://www.toronto.anglican.ca January 2012 C O M M E N T The Anglican 5
EDITOR’S Top 10 excuses not to give CORNER BY STUART MANN wice a year, senior THE STEWARD ent, and my treasure is mine. stewardship staff from Each one of these excuses comes from reg - Tacross the province, BY PETER MISIASZEK ular attendees and reflects a very narrow General Synod and the understanding of what it means to be a disci - Diocese of Montreal gather ple of Christ. It’s as if church is merely the - The church for what we affectionately ported by parishes. We can see the potential atre, and they are there to be entertained. call our noon-to-noon gather - for a massive investment in ministry if we To make matters worse, if they were to go to has shaped me ings. These meetings play an could mobilize the other 70 per cent to give any other type of theatre, giving would be important role in helping us identify trends at the level of the 30 per cent. Of more con - obligatory at the entrance and they would be in giving, organize stewardship-related cern to me are those who come to church expected to pay more for the seats closest to e had walked every - events and network with one another. The and never make a gift of treasure at all. the front. where in our quadrant greatest benefit that I experience is the The Rev. Canon Andrew Asbil, incumbent There is a solution to the current under - Wof town, so there was sense of shared journey with my colleagues of the Church of the Redeemer, Toronto, be - performance in giving. In his book, Your only one place left to in the church. I always come away feeling re - lieves every person who comes to church Church Can Thrive , the Rev. Canon Harold go— the graveyard on the other juvenated about the important stewardship should give something, “not just because we Percy states that “the failure to make disci - side of the ravine. education work we do to help fulfil God’s live in such a blessed country with untold ple-making a priority is the basic cause of As graveyards go, this one was work on earth. wealth, but because we are called to be our current malaise and stagnation. It is the a classic: a forgotten plot of land At our last meeting in November, Jim givers.” Andrew has probably spoken about primary reason our local churches so often at the end of a lonely road. The Newman, my counterpart in the Diocese of stewardship more than I have, and he is lack excitement and vitality.” This misunder - town fathers had set it aside Niagara, shared some interesting statistics amazed that people still find reasons not to standing of discipleship is manifest in bibli - over a hundred and fifty years about giving patterns. After analyzing give. So am I. cal illiteracy, lack of a meaningful prayer life ago. It had little hills and a churchwardens’ returns spanning several Over the years, I have heard almost every and a disengagement from parish life. hodge-podge of tombstones, years, he found that nearly 30 per cent of excuse that exists for why people can’t or I am convinced that many lifelong, well- some leaning over at odd angles, givers are responsible for about 70 per cent won’t give. The 10 most common excuses are: meaning Anglicans don’t give because they others hidden beneath bushes of all donations; that many parishes depend 1. I don’t like the church’s position on.... are unfamiliar with what it means to be a long unpruned. heavily on two or three donors; and close to 2. I have nothing to give. Christian. If you understand the very tenets We walked in and were imme - one-third of people listed on parish rolls 3. I’m on a fixed income. of our faith, then giving is merely a by-prod - diately engulfed in its silence, each year give no financial offering to the 4. My gift won’t make a difference. uct. We give because a generous God gave even though a major highway church. 5. Our parish is going to close anyways so us the free gift of life. We give because the was just a stone’s throw away. It I suspect that the experience in Toronto is there is no sense in supporting it. model of generosity has already been laid was the final resting place for a similar to that of Niagara. To put these num - 6. I’m saving for a ___ and can’t afford to out for us by Christ’s own example of serv - famous businessman and his bers in perspective, of the $32,537,000 re - give right now. ice. The church needs all of us to be joyful family, but otherwise the ceme - ceived as freewill offerings across the Dio - 7. It’s not my responsibility to pay for the and generous givers in all walks of life. It is tery had no claim to fame. There cese of Toronto in 2010, $22,776,000 was given upkeep of the church. an invitation that is central to the calling of was lots of grassy space between by 9,067 donors. That amounted to a re - 8. I’ve given all my life; ask someone new. a Christian. the headstones. No one was spectable $2,511 gift per giver. As a whole, 9. The church has mistreated people, and buried here anymore, unless however, the average gift falls to $1,076 when they don’t deserve my money. Peter Misiaszek is the diocese’s director of they wanted to be. we include all 30,223 identifiable donors re - 10. I give enough through my time and tal - Stewardship Development. The dirt path drew us further in. My son stuck close by me. He does not share my morbid cu - riosity of these places. We read the inscriptions on the head - At least strike out swinging stones. There were elderly cou - ples, veterans of the wars, cler - gymen and their wives. A lot of oth of my parents, ing that His plans for us will come to pass re - babies and young children. Some while being excellent FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION gardless of what we might unwittingly do to of the inscriptions were almost Bproviders, have also BY AMIT PARASAR hinder them. But God also gave us free will too poignant to bear. taught me the pru - and what’s free will if we don't have to deal “There are lots of stories dence of frugality. However, with the consequences of our choices? here,” I said as we looped my mother’s extreme reluc - tice. Its connection with other virtues only I’m reminded of an old joke about a drown - around and headed back out to tance to spend any money on increases its complexity. ing man who is offered assistance by three the road. The church had played herself has been as much a Patience is tied with kindness when we different boats. The man insists that God will a part in almost all of them, I frustration to me as it has been a valued les - have to control our tempers. For a Christian, save him and instructs the boats to leave. thought. I thought of my own son. I can’t count how many times she has it’s tied with humility in accepting that God’s Then the man drowns and goes to heaven. life—the baptisms, funerals, con - waited to purchase some small luxury in the timing is best when we have to wait for him When he sees God, he asks, “God, why didn’t firmations, weddings, Midnight hopes that the price would go down, only to to provide us with an opportunity. However, you save me?” God replies, “I sent three Masses, Easter vigils, countless wait so long that the item is sold out. While it’s a mistake to equate patience with inac - boats for you. What more did you expect?” services. I realized the extent to patience is a virtue, too much patience can tion. Patience may sometimes mean waiting While we must sometimes wait for God to which the church had shaped be a downfall. to act, but patience is also tied to the virtue act by providing us with an opportunity, me. Except for my own family, it In Too Big to Fail , Andrew Ross Sorkin of diligence in our persistence while acting. sometimes God has already provided us with had had the greatest influence demonstrates that too much patience can be The applicability of patience to both action an opportunity that doesn’t meet our ideal on my life. downright dangerous. The world may have and inaction makes it perplexing at times. and so we fail to recognize it or lack the This is a good thing, and I’m faced something far worse than a recession It’s like batting in baseball. Batters might be courage to act on it. To add to the pressure, grateful for it. I pity my friends had the politicians and Wall Street execu - commended for their patience when they re - opportunities don’t last forever. who do not have this experience. tives that took drastic measures to prevent a frain from impetuously swinging at the first It’s as my cousin Zarmeena once told me: It’s like having an immense ex - global economic meltdown in 2008 chosen to pitch, but striking out without swinging is an sometimes you have to stop aiming and tended family—full of strange patiently wait for problems to fix themselves. embarrassment. This is where patience must shoot. My prayer for this New Year is that we characters and inexplicable Patience can be especially tricky when it be tied to two more virtues—wisdom and all have the wisdom to know when to be pa - turns of events, to be sure—but a comes to matters of the heart. Waiting too courage. tient and when to pull the trigger. I pray that bedrock you can count on, a long to tell someone how you feel about them We need wisdom to know when to wait for we all have the courage to take advantage of home to always go back to. might mean that you lose that person to the right opportunity. We need courage to all of the opportunities that God puts in front “Dad, can we go to Tim Hor - someone else or that their feelings for you act on an opportunity before it passes us by, of us and that, if we strike out, we strike out tons?” asked my son as we fade away. Of course, you can also scare even if there’s a high risk of failure. As im - swinging. turned down the road for home. someone off by professing your feelings for perfect creatures, we’ll undoubtedly make He had had enough of grave - them too soon. Clearly, patience is a multifac - mistakes in judging when to act or not act. I Amit Parasar is a member of St. Paul on-the- yards and his father’s brooding. eted virtue that’s difficult to apply in prac - believe that God is entirely capable of ensur - Hill, Pickering. I put my arm around him. “Sounds like a great idea.”
To advertise in 9OUR FRIENDS AT 4HE !NGLICAN WISH YOU A THE ANGLICAN -ERRY #HRISTMAS AND A (APPY .EW 9EAR please call 905.833.6200 X25 6 The Anglican C O M M E N T January 2012 When my world changed Here’s to true
BY MICHELLE Church on McNabb Street in about faith. connection HAUSER Sault Ste. Marie. We always felt In the end, Father Mike agreed like outsiders, so we stayed pret - to baptize me, together with a “ hat ty close to Mom during our occa - group of other parishioners, in a BY THE REV. something to say in the face of kind of sional visits. month’s time. There was no fur - MARTHA TATARNIC the world’s alienation and hurt— Wa spite - Father Mike probably didn’t ther study or preparation. I had how is it possible to be simulta - ful God realize there were some un-bap - seen an infant baptism once at acebook, neously so connected and also so is this, anyway?” I tized people in the congregation my mother’s family church (Ro - Twitter, disconnected? exclaimed as my sister closed the that day when he took on John man Catholic) so I didn’t quite Fblogs, We applaud social networking door to our tiny bedroom. These 3:5. He could not have imagined understand why I needed to Google+, because of its ability to bring private conferences were com - the fear he was about to strike bring my bathing suit and beach email—one thing people together, even if oceans monplace between us, particular - into my pre-adolescent heart; cover-up. Much to my shock and you can say for sure about our or continents divide them. But it ly when we needed to restore or - that his vigorous and legalistic dismay, I learned there was a world is that we are connected. turns out that physical presence der and balance in our home. interpretation of scripture that pool at the back of the church in - We can not only share our actually matters: unplanned Shaking her head in quiet af - day would leave me lying on my to which I was to be dunked. But thoughts, feelings and where - breaks in the conversation, fidg - firmation, my sister sat down op - bed in tears, grasping for the since the total body submersion abouts with our nearest and eting, awkward and enlivening ‘’ posite me on her twin bed. I was comfort of a soft quilt, and was only slightly less terrifying dearest on a regular basis, but chemistry of bodies interact - reeling in the aftermath of what mourning the loss of the kind than my un-baptized soul being we can immediately receive ing—they’re all important. Un - had started out as an ordinary and generous God I was just be - condemned to an eternal hell feedback from them about their fortunately, social networking Sunday morning but had now ginning to learn about. fire, I decided to go through with thoughts on our thoughts. bypasses that. Twitter or Face - turned into a personal apoca - When my sister and I were fin - it. Where we used to say that we book has the definite advantage lypse with my whole life, includ - ished with our in-camera ses - I have never forgotten how were only separated by six de - of smoothing out our clumsy at - ing everything I thought I knew sion, she summoned our mother afraid I was that day after Fr. grees, now I can say, if I choose, tempts at relating, but it turns about God, turned upside down. upstairs. I wiped away my tears Mike’s sermon. And perhaps in that I am a “friend” of just about out that the clumsiness is The loving, generous God I and pulled myself up out of bed large measure because of that every famous person in the missed. thought I knew had been de - and said, “I want to be baptized. experience I have always under - world, and there is no separation No one believes that social me - stroyed that day and Father I want you to call Father Mike stood that religion can either be between me and anyone I want dia should be chucked. It’s not Mike had killed him. Where and tell him to baptize me right a force for tremendous good in to know. that there isn’t potential, possi - there had been a loving, benevo - away.” I was doing everything I people’s lives or tremendous Why do we make our personal bility, and realized gain from lent eye in the sky (naïve as that could to be a good person, a God - harm. lives subject to instantaneous these networks. But now more may be, it had served me well), ly person. I was even trying to For my sister’s part, she was and constant examination? Why than ever, we have to invest in there was now an angry bureau - remember to say my prayers at not as fearful as me about heav - are we so enraptured by the cy - authentic community—the crat, standing at the heavenly night, even though prayer had en and hell and death and dying. ber-revelations of others? We nerve-racking, pulse-quickening, gates checking off boxes and never been part of our regular Maybe she knew that one day want to belong. We want to be faltering, clumsy act of people crossing out names if a prospec - bedtime routine. I was absolute - things would be different, and in - seen. We want our lives validated honestly sharing in something. tive candidate failed to produce ly not going to be kept out of deed they were. About 10 years through relationship. While so - We have that gift of authentic a baptismal certificate. heaven on a technicality. Mom ago I had the joy of watching her cial networking is new, the desire community in church. I give To discover at the age of 11 did as I asked and a few days lat - be baptized as an adult at St. driving it is not. No matter the thanks that in church we make that even a small child could be er Father Mike paid a visit to our Aidan’s in Toronto. I attended time or place, the fundamental, music, we garden, we worship, excluded from the Kingdom of house. the adult confirmation and bap - aching desire for connection is at pray, dance, cook, serve, eat, Heaven if he or she were not I remember being extremely tism study class with her and the core of human experience. make crafts, light candles, medi - baptized just blew my young jus - nervous to talk to him and had a chance to finally under - This is the irony: the more we tate, contemplate, give, receive, tice-minded brain wide open. ashamed to be having the con - stand the true nature of baptism use social networking as a play sports, study, learn, make in - The next step of personal devas - versation in the first place. How and its role in a person’s life. means to connect, the more iso - struments, collect pennies, gath - tation came at home later that dare my parents leave such an I was confirmed and she was lated we feel. The new studies er shoeboxes, knit toques, sew, day when my mother con - enormous loose end for me to tie baptized on the same Sunday. are discouraging. There is a dis - quilt, teach, buy fair-trade and lo - fessed—under a rigorous line of up! Father Mike could see my Looking back, it really is quite tinct correlation between social cal products, write letters, vote, questioning—that my sister and distress and he went on at interesting how two young networking and heightened advocate, build, fix, host, work, I had not been baptized. That’s length about things I didn’t un - women, with what I have affec - rates of depression, feelings of care, play. I give thanks that not when the tears erupted and I ran derstand at the time. I know now tionately referred to as a patch - alienation and overall dissatis - one of these things is the basis upstairs, with my sister follow - that he was trying to educate me work quilt of a religious upbring - faction with life. We want to con - for our life in community, but all ing close behind. about baptism, if not also soften ing, became Anglicans. And yes, nect so badly that we invest each of these gifts flow out of the rela - Father Mike’s sermon that the tough stance that he had tak - I was a touch envious about the and every spare minute into the tionship we share in God’s love. Sunday had been of the fire and en in the pulpit. But his attempts most dignified “sprinkling” that construction of our on-line life, Thank you for authentic commu - brimstone variety. Most of the at reason—sketching shades of she received, wishing I’d waited and yet what we seek gets fur - nity and true connection. tender ears in the congregation grey between the clear lines of about 20 years for one just like it. ther and further from our grasp. were in the basement for Sunday black and white he’d drawn on This raises the question—for so - The Rev. Martha Tatarnic is the school, except for me and Kim. Sunday—fell on deaf ears. Fear Michelle Hauser is the manager cial theorists, philosophers, jour - incumbent of St. David We were only occasional parish - is a powerful emotion and it of Annual Giving for the nalists, and Christians who be - Anglican-Lutheran Church, ioners at the Free Methodist clouded anything he had to say Anglican Church of Canada. lieve passionately that God has Orillia.
EH?M' $OO6DLQWV·$QJOLFDQ&KXUFK Our Faith-Our Hope GhmcnlmZ $SUHV6NL mk^g]r\hg]h' 5HY+HDWKHU*Z\QQH7LPRWK\,QFXPEHQW reaches $30 million
;dgi]Z]dbZaZhhl^i]bZciVa &DQGOHOLJKW+RO\&RPPXQLRQ BY STAFF • Pilot phase parishes – those ]ZVai]VcYVYY^Xi^dcX]VaaZc\Zh! ´)URPWKHVNLKLOOWRWKHSHZµ that offered to run campaigns AD;IXVcWZVeaVXZidXVaa]dbZ# DEAN Douglas Stoute gave an up - in the fall of 2010 – collectively date on the diocese’s Our Faith- raised $2,538,000, representing $W$OO6DLQWV·$QJOLFDQ&KXUFK L]ZcndjhZZi]ZldgYÆAD;IÇ! Our Hope campaign at Synod. 103 per cent of their goal. YdcÉi_jhii]^c`d[igZcYnXdcYdh! (OJLQ6WUHHW&ROOLQJZRRG21 Here are the highlights of the cam - • In 2011, 85 parishes have com - i]^c`d[jh# ZZZDOOVDLQWVFROOLQJZRRGFRP paign as of Nov. 25: pleted the campaign to date, • The campaign is now in the with another 127 currently at latter stages of a two-year various stages of the cam - 6cYi]^c`VWdji]dlndjXVc]Zae# $W SPHYHU\6DWXUGD\EHJLQQLQJ fundraising process and has paign. ;dgbdgZ^c[dgbVi^dc!dgidYdcViZ -DQXDU\XQWLO0DUFK raised about $30 million (as of • As of Oct. 31, 460 donors, or dca^cZ!\didlll#ad[iXh#dg\# Nov. 25) towards the overall nearly 10 per cent of all goal of $50 million. donors, have pledged gifts in DgXVaa)&+".,."&..)Zmi'''# :LQHDQG&KHHVHIROORZLQJ • 86 parishes have completed excess of $10,000. LQWKH3DULVK+DOO the campaign, with impressive • The leadership phase of the results. Dean Stoute said it is campaign has been extremely 9LVLWRUVDUHPRVWZHOFRPHDWDOOVHUYLFHV imperative that parishes fol - successful. As of Oct. 31, 7KHUHLVVQRZ low the plan as directed by the $6,070,000 from 14 donors has campaign office professionals. been raised . January 2012 C O M M E N T The Anglican 7 Jesus is the starting point
The following is an excerpt of the Snell play a variety of roles, on many sides of ed in assumptions of limitless resources, Sermon, preached by Archbishop Thabo the debate, that are not immediately clear obsession with short-term profit regard - Makgoba at St. James Cathedral, Toronto, and directly complementary. And often less of long-term consequences to human - on Oct. 3. we have no way of assessing in advance ity and planet, and promotion of the inter - all potential consequences of our actions. est of the rich at the expense of the poor, hen I was invited to give this But nonetheless, in Christ incarnate, I are recipes for continuing economic fail - sermon, I was particularly de - can risk getting my hands dirty too, and ure and human diminishment. We need a Wlighted to learn that Bishop find myself released from feeling obliged new honesty and truthfulness in our mon - Snell had specified the theme of to seek out some impossibly perfectionist etary systems, as the Pontifical Council “The Incarnation of our Lord Jesus course of action that is, as some have de - for Justice and Peace proposed at the be - Christ—His person and His message in scribed it, so heavenly minded that it is of ginning of last week. We also need to look contemporary theological thought.” For, no earthly use. All I am asked to do is to at the unjust economic legacies of the more than anything else, it is to the per - be faithful and obedient to answering past, not only in finances and the odious son of Jesus Christ and his message that I Christ’s call to “follow me” a.s I step into debts with which parts of Africa, for ex - ‘’ have found myself returning in the four the situations into which he calls me. I do ample, are still burdened. So we also must years since I was elected as Archbishop of not need to see everything from God’s name openly, and tackle, the ways the Cape Town, and especially after my instal - perspective. I only need to make my con - Bretton Woods institutions operate with lation, when I began to learn just quite tribution, and perhaps other Christians inadequate sensitivity to local context and how broad and challenging this calling are called to bring another part of the jig - need. There are also wider questions of was to be! saw to the whole picture: different but trade regimes that fail to address the spe - It is a challenge that goes far beyond complementary in God’s grand scheme of cific circumstances of developing coun - the life of the Anglican Church of South - things. In this way, Jesus, God with us, al - tries in any differentiated way, and so re - ern Africa, which is itself quite broad ready present in all situations, is the sult in richer countries continuing to ben - enough, when one realizes that it encom - starting point, the model, and the guide, efit disproportionately at the expense of passes not only South Africa itself, but al - for my engagement with the messy reali - the poorer. Similar questions of justice so Angola, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namib - ties of life. must surely underlie our approach to the ia, and Swaziland, together with the is - challenges of climate change, not least at lands of St. Helena and Tristan da Cunha. How can we help people encounter Je - COP-17 in Durban, South Africa, in just a In all these places, and especially upon sus? few weeks’ time. the continent of Africa, we find ourselves Archbishop Thabo Makgoba Yet in all this, I realize I am generally not deeply involved in life beyond our church asking myself, “What would Jesus do?” as Rooted in human realities walls, often heavily engaged in public de - many do these days. For, importantly, I All of these matters must be dealt with bate where we attempt to provide a plat - Theologians will probably wrestle for - know I am not called to be Jesus. Jesus not merely in technical and economic form for the voices of the voiceless and a ever with what exactly it is of which the alone is the Lamb of God who takes away terms, but in practical, sustainable ways moral compass in shaping our nations. In eternal second person of the Trinity emp - the sins of the world; who gave himself, that are rooted in human realities. We addition, we often find our gaze looking tied himself—the kenosis of the second once for all, upon the cross and who offers need what Africans call “ubuntu,” the phi - wider, both on international issues of jus - chapter of St. Paul’s letter to the Philippi - the gift of eternal life. No, I am not called losophy that says “I am because we are,” tice and within the global Anglican family. ans. But what is certain is this: in Jesus to be Jesus. It is rather for me to ask, that we find our humanity through rela - In all of these, I have found that reflection Christ, God took on flesh and became tru - “How can I, how can we, help people come tionship with others, and my full humani - upon Jesus, the incarnate Christ, has pro - ly one of us, with all our physical limita - into closer encounter with Jesus? How ty is dependent upon the full humanity of vided particularly rich resources for re - tions, mortality included, becoming part can we better help them hear the Gospel, others. This is what it truly means to love sponding to God’s calling upon my life, of human society, with all its complexities. his good news?” Dr. Rowan Williams, the our neighbours as ourselves. And indeed, and therefore I am particularly glad of In Jesus, we find God prepared to “get Archbishop of Canterbury, has put it this perhaps we need to go further in our love, this opportunity to share some of this re - stuck in,” so to speak, rolling up his way: “Every vocation in the Church of following not only Jesus’ words, but his flecting, out loud, with you today. sleeves alongside us, and getting his God is a calling to be a place where God’s example of laying down his life for his hands dirty. For Jesus, there were no no- Son is revealed.” In this, he challenges us friends, for those who were in greater For us here and now go areas and no taboo subjects. to consider where, in whom, and in what need. For, as St. Luke reminds us, Jesus Of course, Anglicanism is often described circumstances, we have ourselves seen also taught that “From everyone to whom as having a particularly strong focus on Jesus got his hands dirty Jesus revealed, as the starting point for much has been given, much will be re - the incarnation. It is, I have come to feel, This gives me confidence that for us, as understanding how he may be revealed to quired; and from one to whom much has one of our great strengths in responding Christians, as churches, there is no part of others. The well-known Taizé chant offers been entrusted, even more will be de - to God’s mission to his world, and our human life that is outside Jesus Christ’s one answer to how we recognize Jesus, manded” (Lk 12:48b). Those of us who ability to be caught up in it. But I hadn’t interest, or outside God’s interest, and and so directs us towards how other peo - have so much must be prepared to make quite realized how central the incarnation therefore outside ours. We can be sure ple can be helped to recognize him too: do with less. Those of us with power and is, even when, in my Installation Charge, I that God has something to say, and per - “Ubi caritas, Deus ibi est.” “Wherever influence must be ready to step back and spoke of the overarching need to “discov - haps say through us, to every area of hu - there is love, there is God.” make space for those without. The strong er afresh what it is to be the body of man endeavour. This gives me courage This reminds us of Jesus’ words, “Love must use their strength on behalf of the Christ in our time, and who God is in Je - when I find myself challenged to speak your neighbour as yourself.” This, of weak. sus Christ, for us here and now.” Since God’s word into situations from which, course, poses the question of who are our It has been said that God has an option then, I have found myself returning again perhaps, I would rather just walk away. neighbours and how can we reveal Christ for the poor. This does not merely mean a and again to this question, as many new For when I say that Jesus got his hands by showing them love. This is not just a justice in heaven that overcomes the in - and diverse challenges have crossed my dirty, I remember that he touched the matter of asking ourselves what it means justices found on earth. No, God in Christ path. I have come to see with fresh eyes dead son of the widow of Nain, and he em - to show love to those whom God sends has a special care in this world for all who how asking this question might be a braced the leper. He disregarded the holi - across our paths. As globalization shrinks are in need, marginalized, excluded, and touchstone, not only for my own ministry, ness codes of his day. He disregarded the the world, there are fewer and fewer peo - suffering in any way. This is made clear but also for the wider church, wherever moral rules of the religious establish - ple we can claim are not our neighbours by the example of Jesus’ life, and through we find ourselves both called and sent to ment. He was prepared to render himself and are not affected in any way by the his teachings. He has far more to say, ac - proclaim the Gospel. technically “unclean” in order to bring a lives we live and the choices we make. cording to the Gospels, about injustice Travelling from Cape Town’s warming cleansing, healing, redemptive, life-giving How do we show love in this world of vast than about prayer, surprising though that weather, with summer about to open upon touch wherever it was needed. In my own economic inequality, an inequality often may seem to us. The incarnate Jesus us, and finding the nights drawing in here context, I would say he was prepared to generated on the back of economic injus - Christ makes his vocation clear earlier in and the temperatures dropping, reminds touch the wounds, the pressure sores, of tice? St. Luke’s Gospel where, reading from the me that Christmas is closer than I had the HIV positive, even when no-one else While Canada is one of the more equal scroll of the prophet Isaiah, he sets out imagined. Soon it will be Advent, and would do so. of the world’s developed societies, the un - what my predecessor as Archbishop of once again we shall be singing “O come, O Therefore, I can have confidence when derlying injustices both within and be - Cape Town, Njongonkulu Ndungane, calls come, Emmanuel.” Jesus is Emmanuel, faced with the messiness of life. Some - tween nations, and the false values and his manifesto. Jesus Christ came to bring God with us. God is not some distant de - times there is a need to be met, even if the premises of so much of our global finan - good news to the poor, sight to the blind, ity—not even an old man in a beard on a situation is hopelessly complicated and all cial and monetary systems, are rightly a freedom to the oppressed (Lk 4:18), what - cloud somewhere up high—who looks available choices have both positive and cause of major concern. The tactics and ever form poverty, blindness or oppres - down on us from afar as we struggle with negative aspects. Often there is no obvi - remedies espoused by Occupy and vari - sion take. Or put it another way. Jesus is all the frustrations and failings of human ous single right thing to say or do, but a ous other protests around the world may the one who is present and revealed in existence. No, our God is prepared to step complex network of interlocking options be open to question, but the basic issues the bringing of healing and wholeness to right into the mess and participate in the and possibilities, with various advantages at stake are ones with which we should all a broken world. This is surely at the heart fullness of what it means to be human. and disadvantages. Sometimes Christians be concerned. Unbridled speculation root - of our vocation. Visit our website at www.toronto.anglican.ca 8 The Anglican S Y N O D January 2012 Election results
The following people were elected at Synod to represent the diocese at General Synod:
Clergy (in alphabetical order) • The Rev. Jenny Andison, St. Paul, Bloor Street • The Rev. Canon Andrew Asbil, Church of the Redeemer, Toronto • The Rev. Canon Kimberley Beard, St. Paul on-the-Hill, Pickering • The Rev. Canon Matthias Der, St. Christopher, Richmond Hill • The Ven. Peter Fenty, St. Hugh and St. Edmund, Mississauga • The Rev. Canon Sr. Constance Joanna Gefvert, SSJD • The Rev. Judy Herron-Graham, Trinity, Port Credit • The Rev. Heather McCance, St. Andrew, Scarborough • The Very Rev. Douglas Stoute, St. James Cathedral
Substitutes, in the following order: • The Rev. Canon Dr. Duke Vipperman, Church of the Resurrection • The Rev. Canon Dawn Davis, Trinity, Aurora • The Rev. Canon Stephen Fields, Holy Trinity, Thornhill • The Rev. Riscylla Walsh Shaw, Christ Church, Bolton
Laity (in alphabetical order) • Mr. David Allen, St. Peter, Erindale • Mr. Chris Ambidge, Church of the Redeemer, Toronto • Canon Robert Falby, St. James Cathedral • Ms. Leslie Hajdu, St. George, Pickering Village • Mr. Leonard Leader, St. Paul, L’Amoreaux • Mr. Kennedy Marshall, Epiphany and St. Mark, Parkdale • Mr. Ryan Ramsden, Grace Church, Scarborough PICTURE PERFECT • Mrs. Marion Saunders, St. George (Clarke), Newcastle Young members of Synod enjoy a • Ms. Marion Thompson, St. Peter, Oshawa break during discussions. At right, Matthew Carter of St. Andrew, Substitutes, in the following order: Scarborough, makes a video of the • Mr. John Brewin, St. Simon the Apostle, Toronto proceedings. The two-part video • Mr. John Fuke, St. Luke, Creemore includes interviews with Synod members and clips from Dr. Youth member Stephen Scharper’s keynote ad - • Mr. Stephen Warner, St. Peter, Erindale was elected the youth member. dress and Archbishop Colin John - son’s charge to Synod. The video The following people were elected at Synod to represent the diocese is posted on the diocese’s YouTube at Provincial Synod. channel, www.youtube.com/tor - dio135. PHOTOS BY MICHAEL HUDSON Clergy (in alphabetical order) • The Rev. Canon Matthias Der, St. Christopher, Richmond Hill • The Ven. Peter Fenty, St. Hugh and St. Edmund, Mississauga • The Rev. Christopher (Kit) Greaves, St. John, Bowmanville • The Rev. Canon Ann Smith, retired
Substitutes, in the following order: • The Rev. Mark Kinghan, St. Mary, Richmond Hill • The Rev. Warren Leibovitch, St. Paul, Lindsay • The Rev. Matthew McMillan, Parish of Churchill and Cookstown • The Rev. David Giffen, Church of the Transfiguration, Toronto
Laity (in alphabetical order) Motions on sexuality approved • Mr. Christian Harvey, St. John the Evangelist, Peterborough • Mr. Kennedy Marshall, Epiphany and St. Mark, Parkdale • Mrs. Marion Saunders, St. George (Clarke), Newcastle BY MARITES N. SISON Synod also approved a motion said. There are currently five • Ms. Laura Walton-Clouston, Christ Church, Bolton requesting the Canadian House of parishes that have received for - SYNOD approved two motions on Bishops to “withdraw the Febru - mal permission from Archbishop Substitutes, in the following order: human sexuality, none of which ary 1979 statement on human sex - Johnson to offer same-gender • Ms. Marion Thompson, St. Peter, Oshawa changes its current guidelines uality which prevents the ordina - blessings: St. John, West Toronto; • Mr. John Brewin, St. Simon the Apostle, Toronto limiting same-gender blessings to tion of persons in committed Christ Church, Bolton; Holy Trin - • Ms. Marilyn Csihas, St. George, Pickering Village (Ajax) about 10 parishes with permis - same-gender relationships.” ity, Guildwood; Holy Trinity, Trin - sion from Archbishop Johnson. Archbishop Johnson described ity Square; and All Saints, Peter - Youth member Synod approved—by a narrow the motion to send a memorial as borough. • Ms. Jenny Salisbury, St. Clement, Eglinton, was appointed youth vote of 257 in favour, 229 op - “an expression of opinion, in this The guidelines were issued in member. posed—a motion to send a memo - case, clearly, quite a divided opin - 2009 after Synod decided that the rial to General Synod asking that ion” on same-gender blessings. A issue of same-gender blessings The bishops of the diocese are ex-officio members of General Synod the marriage canon be amended memorial “doesn’t have any effect was better addressed with a pas - and Provincial Synod. Canon Robert Falby, the diocese’s chancellor, is “to allow marriage of all persons other than, in a sense, a straw toral response than a legislative an ex-officio member of Provincial Synod. The bishops are: legally qualified to marry each vote and so there’s no legislative decision. • The Most Rev. Colin Johnson, Diocesan Bishop other.” The church’s law govern - component,” he said. • The Rt. Rev. George Elliott, Area Bishop of York-Simcoe ing marriage, Canon 21, defines “It actually means no change,” From the Anglican Journal’s web - • The Rt. Rev. Philip Poole, Area Bishop of York-Credit Valley marriage as a union between a to the pastoral guidelines which site, www.anglicanjournal.ca. • The Rt. Rev. Linda Nicholls, Area Bishop of Trent-Durham man and a woman. he issued in November 2010, he • The Rt. Rev. Patrick Yu, Area Bishop of York-Scarborough What is a Synod? Amendment on audits approved
THE most common way of involv - od, which meets every other SYNOD approved the following with the permission of the san Council in accordance ing the laity in the governance of year. It is at these Synods that motion: It was moved by Chancel - Bishop, to have a review en - with provincial legislation. the church, has been Synods. A the most critical decisions con - lor Robert Falby and seconded by gagement or notice to reader The accountant conducting Synod is a gathering of lay and cerning the church’s life are Vice Chancellor Clare Burns that instead of an audit in respect the review engagement or clerical members who constitute made. Synod is responsible for Canon 14, section 14(4) be amend - of the parish’s financial year notice to reader shall make a the governing body of the church. decisions in most areas of church ed as follows: if the parish has annual rev - report to the vestry on the At the annual vestry meeting, life, except those which are the • Notwithstanding subsection enue in that financial year of churchwardens’ accounts the congregation elects lay mem - bishops’ prerogative. (1), the vestry may pass an less than $100,000 or an presented to the vestry at the bers to attend the diocesan Syn - extraordinary resolution, amount as declared by Dioce - annual meeting. January 2012 S Y N O D The Anglican 9 Have courage to help Earth: speaker
initiatives.” Christians Mr. Scharper showed images of the three most polluted places in the world: Kabwe in Zambia, Haiti, need to and the Yamuna River in India. “What we are realizing is that the environmental crisis runs along ‘speak truth the same fault lines as social, eco - nomic, political, racial and gender to power’ oppression,” he said. “It cannot be separated and parced out from so - cio-economic inequalities.” BY HENRIETA PAUKOV In this respect, Christian churches have an important con - CHRISTIANS must have the cour- tribution to make, he said. “We age to challenge the powerful and are gifted because of years of so - question the reigning worldview cial analysis, of people who have if further devastation of the Earth looked at racial injustice, gender is to be prevented, said Synod’s inequality, social stratification, keynote speaker to 660 clergy and and analyzed it through the lens lay members of Synod in his ad - of their faith and courage. And dress. that social analysis is now being “I think we, as people of faith, brought to bear on our environ - are being called to be part of a cre - mental movement, and this is a ation chain of courage,” said Dr. great, rich contribution that we as Stephen Scharper, an associate people of faith can make at this professor with the Centre for the particular time.” Environment and the Department Mr. Scharper used the words of of Anthropology at the University Catholic eco-theologian Thomas of Toronto. “To speak, when nec - Berry to challenge his audience to essary, truth to power. To utter a action: “What is happening in our word of care, concern and caution In his keynote address to Synod, Dr. Stephen Scharper quotes from his book The Green Bible , which seeks out time is not just another historical for creation, which God declared the word of God for the planet. PHOTO BY MICHAEL HUDSON transition or simply another cul - good long before we, unfeathered tural change. The devastation of bipeds, ever made the scene and tion, said Mr. Scharper. In her 1962 geous woman who challenged a species we destroy live within one the planet that we are bringing stood on our hind legs to look up book, Silent Spring , Ms. Carson reigning worldview.” He pointed square kilometre, and when they about is negating some hundreds at the stars.” argued that pesticides such as out that she was “part of a much are gone, they haven’t even been of millions, even billions, of years Mr. Scharper was speaking at DDT were causing serious envi - larger chain of courage,” includ - recorded.” He said he finds it of past development of life on the 154th regular session of Syn - ronmental problems, including ing her publishers, Houghton Mif - painful to see young, idealistic Earth. This is the most momentous od, which began on Nov. 25 and harm to crops, animals, birds and flin, and a number of media out - Canadians at international meet - period of change, a change unpar - centred around the theme of Cel - humans. Ms. Carson’s worldview, lets who publicized her work de - ings, such as the 2009 United Na - alleled in the 4.5 billion years of ebrating this Fragile Earth: Grow - which was one of reverence for spite threats of legal action from tions Climate Change Conference Earth history. All indications sug - ing Communities of Hope and life and the interdependence of all the chemical industry. Ms. Car - in Copenhagen, because they are gest that we are in a sense, a cho - Compassion. He is the co-editor of living things, was opposed to that son’s work provided the impetus confronting a government that sen group, a chosen generation. The Natural City: Re-Envisioning of her many critics, which saw hu - for an eventual nationwide ban on has become deaf to their voices. “We did not ask to be here at the Built Environment, and his mans in control of nature. DDT and other pesticides in the “At Copenhagen, every single day, this time. Some of the prophets, teaching and research focus on “Rachel Carson dared to chal - United States. Canada won Fossil of the Day when asked to undertake certain environmental ethics, environ - lenge a worldview that was in full In our days, the need to act is Award,” he said, “At the end of the missions, said: ‘Don’t choose me; mental world views, religious steam after World War II, where urgent, Mr. Scharper showed. “We Copenhagen Summit, Canada was that’s too much for me.’ God says: ethics and ecology. the chemical companies had are forcing into extinction, accord - awarded Fossil of the Year award, ‘You are going anyway.’ We are American conservationist Ra- worked closely with governments ing to David Orr of Oberlin Col - given by 400 non-governmental not asked whether we wish to live chel Carson was an example of to promote their products and in - lege, between 40 and 120 species organizations to the country that at this particular time; we are the kind of courage that is neces - crease productivity,” said Mr. per year, and we are not sure of is most obstructive in coming to here, the inescapable is before sary to stop ecological destruc - Scharper. “Here we see a coura - the exact amount, because some an agreement on climate change us.” Synod approves priorities, financial plans
BY STUART MANN its corporate structures to better support Here are some of the budget highlights sexual misconduct training workshops. parishes; and giving to others who are not for 2012 and 2013: • Stewardship Development will be SYNOD has approved the diocese’s priori - funded by the diocese’s operating budget. • Episcopal area budgets have been in - seeking to hire a Planned Giving Con - ties and financial plans for 2012 and 2013, in - To fund this work, Synod has approved creased to support the diocese’s com - sultant in 2013 who can assist in edu - cluding its budgets for those two years and balanced budgets of $8,066,813 in 2012 and mitment to resource parishes and local cating and helping those who wish to the parish assessment rate for 2012. $8,267,519 in 2013. To meet the revenue leadership and initiatives. leave a legacy to the diocese. That po - The diocese will continue to build and needs for 2012, Synod has approved an as - • Congregational Development contin - sition is expected to be co-funded by equip communities of hope and compassion sessment rate for parishes of 24.39 per cent. ues to support important programs for the national church. that offer welcome, worship, teaching, pas - There will be a financial Synod in 2012 to parishes, and new staff, who were • The diocese will continue to place ad - toral care and social justice. It will do this approve the assessment rate for 2013. added in 2010 and 2011, will continue to vertisements in major daily newspa - by developing strong, competent leader - The 2012 assessment rate, combined with plant new Christian communities and pers at Christmas and Easter, inviting ship; planting new churches and support - allowances for appeals and input variances, initiate fresh expressions of church. people to church. ing innovative ways to live and proclaim the will produce a total of $5,731,993. The re - • The diocese is supporting the coaching • Resources will assist with diversity ini - Gospel; developing a “cutting edge” com - mainder of the income will come from in - of clergy and parishes to shape them - tiatives. munications plan to reach out to seekers, terest on the diocese’s capital investments, selves for mission to reach out to those Diocesan Council will implement and re - newcomers and long-time parishioners; endowment funds, and FaithWorks funding outside the church. port back to Synod on the financial plan, adapting existing church buildings for ef - that supports diocesan ministries such as • In order to create safe and healthy and take corrective measures from time to fective ministry and mission; reconfiguring All Saints, Sherbourne Street. churches, the diocese continues to hold time as best serves the needs of the diocese. TO PLACE AN AD IN THE ANGLICAN, call Carol at 905.833.6200 x25 or email [email protected] 10 The Anglican S Y N O D January 2012 This diocese is about joining in God’s mission to the world
The following is the Bishop’s Charge de - that we’ve been given new life in Christ, livered to Synod by Archbishop Colin and we are bound together by the Holy Johnson at the beginning of the 154th Spirit; that we are linked by word and Regular Session of Synod on Nov. 25. sacrament, nourished for mission in the world. And we discovered we need each et me begin my charge by painting other and we are bound to each other, a couple of pictures for you. Some and that in spite of differences, we can be Lof you have seen these pictures be - together. fore, but I want to repaint them for And then we were together, because you. Last February, I was preaching at a the local parish nurse took us to visit a parish in Harare, Zimbabwe. It was an ex - slum area and one of the places we visit - citing place to be. It was full of life and ed was a little hovel, with less space than energy, there was music and dancing and this dais, and in that hovel there was a singing, the word of God was proclaimed man lying on a bed, dying of AIDS. The 19 and the sacraments faithfully adminis - bishops crowded into the tiny space and tered. It was an amazing gathering of a one of the bishops took his hand and thousand people. The only issue was that prayed in Swahili with the man. I felt aw - they were in a tent. There were more ful. I felt that I had invaded a dying man’s people there than here, and they were in last vestige of dignity. I stood there and I a tent and spilling out beyond it, because could hardly stop from weeping and feel - their parish church had been locked. ing like a voyeur. I went out and I talked A renegade archbishop, Nolbert to the parish nurse and I expressed my Kunonga, who has been denounced and feelings about how I had invaded his deposed by the Church of the Province of space. She said: “You are wrong. You Central Africa, refuses to give up power, have brought him dignity, because the and with the support of President Mu - church has come to see him, the church gabe and his forces, he continues to exer - from all over the world, represented by cise power and exclude all the clergy and you bishops, has come to this man’s all the people from their church, claiming house, to his sick bed, to pray with him. them as his. I was called to preach to that He no longer is a non-person in the com - people as a member of the Anglican Com - munity, he has status and dignity, be - munion, the wider church. I spoke, link - cause the church showed up.” It’s an act ing what was happening there with what of hope and compassion. Who is my is happening throughout the world, and I neighbhour? told them, “You people here, you face per - secution and suffering, but you are not Touched something real alone. You are part of a world-wide com - For the past 40 days, very clearly at St. munion and we know about what is hap - James Cathedral and the diocesan of - pening here and we are holding you in fices, we have had new neighbours in our prayer.” There was stunned silence and park. New neighbours with a very diffuse then they broke out in ululations because message. It was hard to know what they they had thought that they were alone. were representing when you saw a march And then I had to proclaim the Gospel. It that said: “Free Tibet,” “Marijuana will was a Gospel that I would not have cho - win the world,” “Down with capitalism” sen, except that it was the lectionary and “We’re the 99 per cent.” Gospel reading for the day, used across But they touched something real and the whole church. It was from Matthew 5: deep in the psyche of our world today, an “When your enemy strikes you on the anxiety and a disenfranchisement and a cheek, turn the other cheek.” sense of huge loss. But what they also touched was really an active hope—that Breaking the cycle the world as it is, is not the world as it It was not the Gospel I would have chosen should be. One of the slogans that I saw at that morning. But it comes immediately one of the tents really struck me. It said: after the Beatitudes and is a sort of com - “As you look around the world, does it mentary on the Beatitudes. It’s not a feel right?” Well, no, it doesn’t feel right. I Gospel, as I said to them, that talks about think raising the issue was important, and passive lying down in the face of oppres - ultimately decisions were made that the sion. It’s not about passively receiving centre of focus had moved from the ideas continued violence. It is about the active and issues to who occupies which territo - breaking of the cycle of violence, so no ry, which was not the point. But I am more do you continue on this deathly spi - proud of our Cathedral and of our Dean, ral. the Vicar, the associate priest and the lay It’s about turning to the Beatitudes as a people of the Cathedral church, who new way of life, a different world, a differ - reached out into that community, to their ent way of seeing things, a different way neighbours, who brought people together, Archbishop Colin Johnson addresses Synod: ‘It is God’s harvest, and we need to pray about it, we need to work hard at it, we need to invest in it.’ PHOTO BY MICHAEL HUDSON of living. It’s an expression of hope, a talked with the police and with the occu - hope that the world as it is, is not the way piers, who talked with the local business the world will be, because God is active community and kept conversations going, and direct service regarding poverty, learn, and to discern the thread of God’s and present in the world, and he’s mak - who brought together concerns for the homelessness, breaking cycles of vio - mission to reconcile and restore his cre - ing all things new. vulnerable who came into the camp and lence, about proclaiming hope that the ation, to see the larger context. A couple of weeks later, I was in Dar es protected their concerns. world as we know it today is not the fin - Salaam. It’s a fascinating place, steaming They began to proclaim the Gospel and ished world, is not the end of the world, Environment not incidental hot, just near Zanzibar, that wonderful, teach something about the faith to a not God’s ultimate plan, but that God has Part of that larger context is the environ - mystic, exotic place, and also the place of group of people who had never had faith. a new plan for us and that we are called ment in which we find ourselves. Our en - slaves. In Dar es Salaam was a gathering These people came to the campsite and to join business, government, civil socie - vironment is not incidental, it’s not a of 19 bishops, mostly from Canada and they asked if they could use the space ty, ordinary people, in building a commu - side-bar. Our environment is the very East Africa, where we were talking about and were told yes, but leave some space nity of hope and compassion. place that God’s saving work is done. We the things that separate us, and yet we for people to get into the Cathedral and That’s what this diocese is about, build - have a long tradition in Anglicanism— found that in spite of all the differences somebody said: “Something happens here ing communities of hope and compassion, theological, liturgical, emotional and that we have—differences of culture, dif - on Sunday?” And they discovered some - joining in God’s mission to the world, practical—about dealing with the world ferences of Scriptural interpretations, dif - thing did—four times a day, every day, joining in that mission to reconcile and around us, with the creation. We are an ferences of theological understanding— the bells of the Cathedral summon people heal God’s wonderful and beloved, but incarnational people, shaped largely by a there is something that binds us together to worship. And the Cathedral was open. wounded and broken world. We come to - Benedictine spirituality, where place is that is even deeper than that: that we’ve What we need to do now is to help con - gether at Synod, a meeting place, not just very important. We have much to learn been baptized into the life of Jesus Christ; tinue our long-standing work of advocacy to talk but to pray, to listen, to work, to from our aboriginal brothers and sisters January 2012 S Y N O D The Anglican 11 This diocese is about joining in God’s mission to the world
that. It is not an add-on, but an essential pertise and value they give us. aspect of our missional emphasis in this I want to thank the incredible clergy diocese. It may well be a point of connec - and laypeople of this diocese, who make tion with people who are passionately this church what it is. Jesus uses your concerned about our world but as yet do hands, your feet, your mouths, your ears, not know the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Even your eyes, to be his in the world, and you as they are responding, God’s spirit is al - make a difference. I want to thank our ready active in their own lives. Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, and Regis - trar, for keeping us legal. But more than Missional focus is what we’re about that, for giving us wisdom to deal with is - Missional focus, that is what we are sues that would hamstring us if we didn’t about. We talked about moving towards a pay attention. mixed-economy church, a healthy inherit - I wear an episcopal ring. Inside that ed church alongside new church plants ring I had carved the motto that I chose and fresh expressions, new ways of doing when I became bishop of this diocese: Pro things. It’s about sharing the Gospel. It’s Ecclesia Dei—on behalf of the church of about building communities of hope and God, in favour of, working for the church compassion where all people, not just of God. That’s my motto, that’s what I do, those who inhabit our church buildings, that’s what gets me up every morning. will have a place. Both are vitally impor - I was consecrated on the feast of St. tant. Both/and, not either/or. Barnabas and I take Barnabas as a model We have examples of this all around for myself, not that I live up to Barnabas the diocese and you will see some of them many days. But if you remember, Barn - highlighted in that video. It’s risky and abas starts off by assisting the poor and exciting, but it takes work. Not all ven - the vulnerable, freely. He is generous. tures are going to be rewarded with the Barnabas also identifies newcomers and success that we wish for, but the seed new leadership and brings them into the needs to be scattered. Some will grow, community and advocates on their be - some will thrive, and some will die, but half. He goes out on mission to others the harvest will be overwhelming. It is and brings the newcomer along and al - God’s harvest, and we need to pray about lows the newcomer actually to take over it, we need to work hard about it, we need and become more important than he is. to invest in it. He is an encourager of the faith; he And that’s what we are doing with the gets into fights but reconciles, and it is all Our Faith-Our Hope campaign. It’s mis - done for the honour and glory of God and sionally directed. Everything we are do - the building up of the church. It seems to ing in this diocese at this point is mis - me that my role is to be an encourager sionally directed—decisions we are mak - and a bearer of faith, a bearer of hope, a ing, the strategies we are trying to en - bearer of compassion. Building communi - gage in, the way we are evaluating what ties of hope and compassion is my vision we are doing. Our Faith-Our Hope is de - for the diocese. To be an Advent people. signed to invest in the mission of the To hold up a vision of Jesus Christ who church, in leadership development, in can make all things new. new church planting, in communications This summer I was privileged to be in which go beyond the quill pens that I in - the Holy Land for the very first time, and herited. It’s about retrofitting our her - I got one Sunday morning to preside at a itage buildings for mission, about recon - Eucharist on the Mount of Transfigura - figuring ministries for effective mission tion. You know how Jesus went up the and service in their neighbourhoods. Mount of Transfiguration with three of We have already heard that $30 million his disciples, and was transfigured, and of our $50 million goal has been achieved. the disciples saw a glimpse of the glory of It’s not money put in the bank for a rainy God. day, but to invest in ministry and mission. We spend a lot of time trying to figure Go fishing in deep waters; take the keys things out —figuring out what’s going on, to the car and put a little gas in it and go figuring out how we are going to do somewhere. That’s what we are doing things, figuring out who Jesus is, figuring with our budget, too. The operating budg - out what our role as church is, figuring et has been developed to focus on mis - out what we are going to do next, figuring sion, provision of staffing for church out how we are going to get the resources planting, for missional leadership devel - for it —but transfiguring is actually be - opment, for training of leaders, for a com - yond that. Transfiguring means beyond munication strategy that reaches out to figuring. If parishes catch a glimpse of the world. the glory of God, they move beyond figur - Did you hear what Synod is about? Mis - ing. They catch a glimpse of the big pic - Archbishop Colin Johnson addresses Synod: ‘It is God’s harvest, and we need to pray about it, we need to work hard at it, we need to invest in it.’ PHOTO BY MICHAEL HUDSON sion. God’s mission. God’s mission that’s ture. They catch a glimpse of what God is going on whether we want it to go on or calling us to. They catch a glimpse of not; God’s mission in which God is invit - God’s mission for the world. They catch a about place, the land. For Anglicans, the This is not just about recycling or com - ing us as active participants. glimpse of God’s purposes. And every - three great feasts are Christmas, Easter posting, although that might be a good I want to close with thanksgiving and thing else falls into place. and Pentecost, but it seems to me that start for some people. Most of us need to some personal notes. I want to thank On the Mount of Transfiguration, the they are Christmas, Easter and Harvest, learn to live simply, so that others can Ellen, my wife, who happens to be here; disciples heard the voice of God. “This is at least looking at the numbers. simply live. The Occupy movement’s slo - she puts up with me and keeps me sane my beloved Son. Follow him. Listen to The opening chapter of scripture talks gan, I think, might be more useful: “A few and tells me to stop once in a while. She him.” And that’s what we are trying to about God’s creation of a universe that he might be guilty, but all of us are responsi - also tells me to go once in a while. I want do. Listen to him. Follow him. Be his disci - named good. We received our first com - ble.” And so we spend time at this Synod to thank the College of Bishops. I want to ples. mission to be stewards of that creation. considering our environment, our place thank (Archdeacon) Peter Fenty and The Lutherans have a wonderful The last book of the Bible is the story of in it, our responsibility, how it is part of (Canon) Elizabeth Hardy for their work. I prayer at their evensong: “Oh, God, you God’s recreation, his new creation, not God’s mission. want to thank Mary Conliffe and Jennifer have called your servants to ventures of simply a destruction of the world, but its In your packet, you received the five Brown who keep me ordered and sane, which we cannot see the ending, by paths fulfillment, its healing and its perfection. marks of mission that the Anglican Com - and the incredible staff we share in this as yet untrodden, through perils un - At the heart of the Gospel is John’s great munion has identified. Those marks diocese, who do work above and beyond known; give us faith to go out with good declaration that God so loved the world stretch our perception of what mission is, what you can imagine. They are treas - courage, not knowing where we go but that he sent his only begotten Son that the mission of the whole communion, of ured right across this whole church, only that your hand is leading us and the world through him might be saved— what God is up to in our neighbourhood, across this country, and across the world. your love supporting us, through Jesus the world, the cosmos, not just us. and care of the environment is part of You may have no idea of how much ex - Christ Our Lord.” 12 The Anglican C O M M E N T January 2012 A space for the Gospel opened up
BY THE REV. MAGGIE HELWIG equality. And in the muddy ground of the park they made a deep and honest at - he Occupy movement began as— tempt, for some short time, to live out that and, fundamentally, continues to vision, in all its complications. It was no Tbe—a protest against the growing more perfect than any other human thing. gap between rich and poor, the in - But it was a strange and sudden experi - creasingly appalling concentration of ment—whether the participants would wealth in the hands of a few at the ex - have used these words or not—in living a pense of many. It is a flawed movement, vision of the kingdom. It was an attempt confused in many ways, and better at to live as if we are all beloved, as if we all identifying problems than offering solu - belong within the tent, within the garden, tions. But over the lifespan of the Occupy within the kingdom of a vulnerable God Toronto camp, I saw the political dis - who comes to us in a needy human body. course shifting. I watched it become possi - In our diocese’s discussions about be - ble to talk more openly about structural ing a “missional church,” we have talked inequality, about fair taxation as a means a lot about finding out what the Holy Spir - towards the common good, and about the it is doing in the world, and how we can need to change our systems rather than join in. It seems to me that we have just just treat the symptoms. I watched a new been given one of our most interesting space open up in political debate, a space possible tests. For the Holy Spirit does not in which moral and ethical considerations move neatly and cleanly and clearly. The could once again be taken seriously; a work of the Holy Spirit in Toronto, I think, space, we might say, for the Gospel. sometimes looks exactly like a straggle of At the heart of Occupy Toronto was a tents in the shadow of a great church, like ragtag encampment beside St. James a group of cold wet kids gently talking Cathedral, set up with little or no plan as down a schizophrenic man who is disrupt - to what it might be or how long it might ing a meeting, like other kids ladling out last. Over time, it became a strange, as - Bishop Philip Poole, area bishop of York-Credit Valley, speaks to a group of people assem - hot soup to all and sundry, like scrawled sorted village, as the activists who first bled in the gazebo of St. James Park in downtown Toronto on Nov. 27 to witness against signs on bits of cardboard calling on us to set up tents were joined by large numbers the growing gap between rich and poor. The gathering included speakers, singing and live up to the demands of love. And the of homeless and marginalized people, ideas on how to continue the Occupy Toronto movement. PHOTO BY MICHAEL HUDSON support which the cathedral provided for who discovered that this was a place over a month, and the time that the cathe - where they could find warmth and food able to see them as worthwhile and pre - might become more attached to their own dral staff, and a few other clergy and lay and community, a place where they might cious. symbol than to their commitment to non - people spent talking to the Occupiers, was be treated with respect. I talked to people who wept when the violence. probably the most missional thing that I did not spend as much time in the Dean announced that the cathedral would As it turned out, I was wrong. When the the Anglican Church has managed to do park as I might have, and certainly not not prevent an eviction, but I also talked police began to circle the tent, a young in recent memory. nearly as much as the cathedral staff to some who said, “This church supported aboriginal man approached us. He had re - The camp is no longer in the park. But themselves. But in the limited time that I us for more than a month. We loved them. cently graduated from high school, was the movement has not ended, and we are was there, I watched young people learn - We’re never going to forget that.” intending to spend some time in the still challenged to respond. We are chal - ing how to create community from the On Wednesday morning, as the police armed forces and then go to law school, lenged to look more closely and more muddy ground up—trying to figure out eviction began, I arrived at the site in and had spent much of the last month in clearly at economic injustice, and to work how to run a sanitary kitchen, how to deal darkness and freezing rain, summoned by that tent. He asked us to help him to talk for something better. To ask how it is that with mental health and addiction issues, a 5 a.m. text message, hoping that I could to the police, to tell them that he could in this wealthy city, there could be so and how to be patient and careful in their be of some small help in keeping the situ - convince at least some to leave the tent many people for whom a chilly tent in a communications with each other. I ation peaceful. In fact, if I had a role at all, peacefully. Through his work, and the makeshift political camp was the best watched the “people's microphone,” it was simply to stand around in a clerical work of other core Occupiers, there was available housing option; and to change which seemed so strange at first, act as a collar and be a witness to a remarkable no violence; a handful of people were the system that created this. We are chal - means to make people calm down, focus, day, in which protesters, city workers and peacefully removed, given tickets for tres - lenged to work with the activists who are and listen to each other, to consider other police treated each other, for the most pass, and immediately released. continuing to meet, to protest, to push the opinions, as they literally heard the words part, with respect and care and even, A man and a woman, wrapped in a discussion forward. We are challenged to of others coming out of their own mouths. sometimes, gentleness. blanket, stood on a pathway in the park change ourselves and the world around I met spiritual longing and hunger, peo - I had been especially worried that there handing out flowers and holding a hand - us, to live out the values we profess on ple searching sometimes in odd places, would be violence at the sacred fire tent. written sign reading, “We Trust the Po - Sundays, to join in with this action of the but with a seriousness which some of our Although the aboriginal elders involved lice.” In their offering of trust, they called Holy Spirit, to prove that we mean what churches would do well to attain. I met a with the camp had insisted that the origi - out trustworthiness. we say: that we can make space for each boy who said to me, “We’re all one body in nal sacred fire be moved away so that it In that camp, I believe, for all its flaws, other, and for the strange, confusing work Christ, you know.” I watched elders drum - wouldn’t be exposed to conflict, the tent people were changed. People marched be - of God. ming around the sacred fire, and a silent still held an open fire and a group of peo - cause they had a vision of a society which meditation walk around the park by can - ple for whom that fire had become sym - would not be about competition for scarce The Rev. Maggie Helwig is the assistant dlelight. I talked to scared and lonely chil - bolically important. I was afraid that the resources, not about the accumulation of curate at St. Timothy, North Toronto, and dren who wanted only to know that the police might not understand this impor - wealth and power at the expense of the chair of the diocese’s Social Justice and church might welcome them, might be tance, and also afraid that the protesters vulnerable, but about compassion and Advocacy Committee.
in-charge. “Our big thrust is to have income of the richest 10 per cent is about have benefitted more from technological open doors on Yonge Street. Already nine times that of the poorest 10 per progress, says the report. OECD says its BRIEFLY people are coming in.” The new building, cent. The income gap has risen even in mission is to “promote policies that will which is of a contemporary design, con - traditionally egalitarian countries, such improve the economic and social well-be - tains the latest in technology and com - as Germany, Denmark and Sweden, it ing of people around the world.” Ribbon cutting opens munication and is energy efficient. says. St. George on Yonge “The social contract is starting to un - Popular Ash Wednesday Rich, poor gap growing, ravel in many countries,” says OECD The new St. George on Yonge (historical - Secretary-General Angel Gurría “This program back at cathedral ly known as St. George, Willowdale) says report study dispels the assumptions that the St. James Cathedral’s popular Ash opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony The gap between rich and poor in devel - benefits of economic growth will auto - Wednesday program for children and on Dec. 3. The new church has 44,000 oped countries has reached its highest matically trickle down to the disadvan - young people aged six to 14 will be held square feet , underground parking, and level in more than 30 years, and govern - taged and that greater inequality fosters this year on Feb. 22. This program is the sanctuary is an open space designed ments must act quickly to tackle in - greater social mobility. Without a com - open to youngsters across the diocese, to be flexible. “Our goal is to reach out to equality, according to a new report from prehensive strategy for inclusive but space is limited, so it is important to people and bring the Gospel into their OECD (Organisation for Economic Co- growth, inequality will continue to rise.” register early. For more information, lives in every way. This church is the operation and Development). The report, The main driver behind rising income contact Nancy Mallett at the cathedral, best possible church it could be to do titled “Divided We Stand: Why Inequali - gaps has been greater inequality in 416-364-7865, ext. 233, or e-mail that,” says the Rev. Steve Shaw, priest- ty Keeps Rising,” says that the average wages and salaries, as the highly skilled [email protected]. To advertise, call Carol McCormick 905.833.6200 X25 or email [email protected] January 2012 N E W S The Anglican 13 Lights stand for life, hope Rally against death penalty Women sign a petition against the death penalty at Cities for BY REBECCA WILLIAMS Life. Far right, piper Patrick Allen McDonald plays outside St. James Cathedral. At right, Alex ALEX Neve visited a jail in Bujum - Neve. PHOTOS BY MICHAEL HUDSON bura, the capital of Burundi, in January 2005 and witnessed terri - ble conditions. He saw adults, children and babies sharing cells, but what he remembers most is event at St. James Cathedral on meeting a man, one of more than Nov. 30. About 1,200 cities around 1,000, who was on death row. the world took part in the annual The 25-year-old was being tried event, organized by Amnesty In - for the murder of a local politician ternational. and businessman that he swears Cities for Life began in 2002, he did not commit. Although it marking the anniversary of the had been many years since capi - abolition of capital punishment in tal punishment was carried out in Tuscany, Italy, in 1786. This year’s the country, the man still worried. event also marked the 50th an - He felt like he was awaiting his niversary of Amnesty Interna - “Just because Canada is free of former mayor of Toronto, was ers are laid in order to guarantee death at any moment. tional, a global movement com - the death penalty, it doesn’t mean read out at the beginning of the a death sentence. Mr. Neve, who is the secretary- mitted to defending those who there aren’t Canadians that night, followed by an address After his keynote address, Mr. general of Amnesty International are denied justice or freedom. haven’t been executed since,” he from Arsham Parsi, the executive Neve called on participants to Canada, said that something the Canada abolished the death said. He spoke about Stanley director of the Iranian Railroad raise their glasses to toast free - man said had stuck with him. penalty in 1976 and the last execu - Faulder, the Canadian who was for Queer Refugees. He talked dom. Afterwards, everyone stood “‘Every night, my own death is tion was held in 1962. However, executed in Texas 10 years ago, about the persecution that openly on the steps of the illuminated my nightmare, and I do not James Lockyer, the director of the and Ronald Smith, a Canadian gay people face in Iran. He said cathedral in candlelight for the sleep’” he said. Association in Defence of the who is currently on death row in that when men or women who are annual group photo. “The light Mr. Neve was the keynote Wrongly Accused, said Canadi - Montana. charged with a crime are suspect - stands for life and for hope,” said speaker at the Cities for Life ans are still being put to death. A letter from David Miller, the ed of being gay, additional charg - Mr. Neve. The world’s first management guru
BY PATRICK Then the rest of Matthew well-run companies, employees Sharing power is hard. Many much he honoured the impor - GOSSAGE 23:12: “…and all who humble are doing the critical jobs and managers struggle to change tance of ordinary, faithful folk. themselves will be exalted.” And managers are increasingly facili - their roles from prime decision- And certainly the church that ake heed of Matthew 19:30: “But many who tators or coaches who need to maker to facilitator. the Reformation railed about the Gospel, are first will be last, and the last get out of the way and let power - Christ took a very modern, was about as hierarchical as any Tall you will be first.” ful employees do the business. collaborative approach to ensur - human organization could be. managers Then, thinking how important Modern approaches recom - ing that there was a strong team But today, in the Protestant who want to fol - our junior people are at my com - mend a profound shift in organi - behind him to carry on his teach - churches, the best leaders are low the latest management tech - pany (and all companies, I dare zational power that is evident in ings. In Mark and Matthew, we very much servants of their niques, and have happy, fulfilled say), I went to the Beatitudes the Gospel’s approach to who is learn that very early on he gave faithful flock, and power sharing employees and productive work - (Matthew 5:1-13): “Blessed are important and who isn’t. We are his disciples substantial authori - is a way of life in running their places. the poor in spirit (humble, de - called to move away from what ty. “Jesus went up on a moun - churches. The proven techniques of void of pride), for theirs is the we call in our company tainside and called to him those So, whatever authority you teamwork, empowerment, shar - kingdom of heaven.” “bossism” to power sharing, he wanted, and they came to have in your workplace, the next ing success, flat organizational At the upper end, proud, from “position” to knowledge, him. He appointed 12—designat - time you want to come down structures and respect for every - puffed up, arrogant managers from the boss taking all the cred - ing them apostles—that they hard on a junior employee for one’s ideas were clearly enunci - get little respect from their em - it to acknowledging all who took might be with him and that he not doing something exactly to ated in Christ’s teachings 2,000 ployees. St. Augustine said how part in a successful project. Em - might send them out to preach your liking, you don’t have to years ago. pride poisons working relation - ployees, like the disciples, should and to have authority to drive consult a management consult - This first struck me a few ships: “Pride brings anger and be considered partners; they out demons” (Mark 3). This is ant to know the right thing to do. weeks ago when the passage fea - the seeking of revenge, especial - should be empowered to make about as serious an example of Just follow Jesus Christ, the tured on the front of our parish ly when one is offended.” In - more strategic contributions. power sharing as I can imagine. world’s first management guru. bulletin stated, “The greatest deed. Empowerment means giving I have enough knowledge of among you will be your servant.” Now consider how modern power, not just to do things but the Gospels to admit that Jesus Patrick Gossage is chair of Exactly how the best managers management advice mirrors to participate in major decisions, was, from time to time, very Media Profile and a member of should behave, I thought. Christ’s teachings. Generally in to be listened to with respect. hard on his disciples, however All Saints, King City.
Watch the diocese’s videos at www.youtube.com/tordio135 14 The Anglican P A R I S H N E W S January 2012
Church rocks after regular services Sundays at St. James the Apostle, Sharon, offer something a little different in the way of worship. For the past year, the church has been holding a Rock ‘n’ Soul serv - ice that incorporates rock music played by professional musicians. It takes place at 11:30 a.m., after the regular morning services, and draws close to 30 worship - pers. “Basically, it gives us an oppor - tunity to attract new people and it gives people an alternative choice of worship,” says the Rev. Bill Welch, incumbent. “As well, the Musicians play at the Rock ‘n’ Soul service at St. James the Apostle, small church was reaching capac - Sharon. ity at the main services and the third service offers a way of ‘get - ting the pressure off.’” The service, which is casual and informal, uses Anglican litur - gy and incorporates the Eu - charist. However, few of the usual hymns are sung. The music tends to be contemporary Christian, ac - companied by five musicians playing the piano, bass guitar, two guitars and a drum. Mr. Welch’s homily is specially tai - lored and topical. Those attending the child- friendly service are a diverse crowd, he says. Several people come from outside the communi - ty and some new people have be - The St. John’s–St. Mark’s Children’s Hand Bell Choir performs under the come regular worshippers. direction of Randy Mills at St. John the Evangelist, Port Hope, on Oct. “We’re lucky to have the quality 30, as Bishop Linda Nicholls and the Rev. Stephen Vail, the incumbent, of musicians and the ability to do look on. this,” he says. “The musicians make their livelihood from play - ing. That’s made a big difference, that and the congregation’s open - ness to trying it.” Port Hope has new hand bell choir On Oct. 30, Port Hope’s two Angli - can churches—St. Mark, Port GRAND ENTRANCE Hope, and St. John the Evangelist, Port Hope—celebrated the debut Master painter and refinisher Ben Poernbacher scales the ladder in of the St. John’s–St. Mark’s Chil - front of the main entrance of Trinity, Barrie. Mr. Poernbacher was hired dren’s Hand Bell Choir. Under the by the church to refinish the door, as part of a larger renovation—made direction of Randy Mills, choir di - possible by a bequest from the will of late parishioner Verdi Wallwin— rector and organist at St. Mark’s that included replacing the steps and the handrail leading up to the and Trinity College School, and door and installing a new threshold. Writes parishioner Nancy Salter: with the loan of Trinity College ‘It is the hope of all parishioners that the new entrance signals a new School’s hand bells, the hand bell vision for Trinity.’ choir chimed the morning prel - ude to the 10:30 a.m. choral Eu - charist at St. John’s. Children from each parish have Faith leaders—(left to right) the Rev. Dr. Rachel Kessler, Rabbi Roy their own practice time once a Tanenbaum, the Rev. Canon Peter Walker and Imam Habeeb Alli—smile week with Mr. Mills. The perform - for the camera during the interfaith Taizé service organized by the ance at St. John’s was the first Neighbourhood Interfaith Group on Oct. 30 at Grace Church on-the-Hill. time the two groups were com - PHOTO BY ROBERT JONES bined. The idea for the combined hand bell choir was born when Rachel Kessler, assistant curate, bias and racism by showing re - Mr. Mills and the newly formed with responses from Rabbi Roy spect and appreciation for the re - St. Mark’s Ringers were invited Tanenbaum, founder of the Cana - ligious beliefs of others. The to perform at St. John’s annual dian Yeshiva & Rabbinical School group has held interfaith even - vacation Bible camp in July. at the University of Toronto song services in previous years; School of Theology, and Imam this was its first interfaith Taizé Habeeb Alli, Secretary of the service. Interfaith Taizé Canadian Council of Imams. service a first “After the service, we moved to Conference explores More than 100 Christians, Mus - the parish hall for a kosher and lims and Jews gathered for an in - halal reception and a wonderful, prayer for busy life terfaith Taizé service at Grace friendly mingling among people More than 70 people gathered at Church on-the-Hill in Toronto on of the Abrahamic faiths; people St. Luke, Peterborough, on Oct. Bishop Patrick Yu addresses participants at the Trent-Durham Area Oct. 30. Guests were greeted by who see how religion can be a fo - 29, for the Trent-Durham Area Prayer Conference on Oct. 29. members of the Neighbourhood cus for peace and goodwill,” Prayer Conference organized by Interfaith Group and guided into writes Bryan Beauchamp, chair the Trent-Durham Prayer Com - facilitates; he leads the hearer to you’re probably not; you might the dimly lit nave. Columns of of the Neighbourhood Interfaith mittee. Participants talked about the answer that works for their want to consider, though, candles flickered on the chancel Group and interfaith representa - their spiritual lives and listened life,” writes J. Douglas Woods, a whether it feels that way because steps as music embraced the wor - tive for Grace Church on-the-Hill. to the keynote speaker, Bishop member of the Trent-Durham you’re trying to do something shippers. The Neighbourhood Interfaith Patrick Yu, who addressed the Prayer Committee. “Judging by that doesn’t work for you, a bit The service was composed and Group consists of 16 Toronto theme of the conference, “I’m too the reaction in the room, it seems like trying to sprint in shoes that led by the Rev. Canon Peter Walk - churches, schools and syna - busy to pray.” that the answer to ‘I’m too busy to are three sizes too big.’” er, incumbent, and the Rev. Dr. gogues that are fighting bigotry, “Bishop Yu does not lecture, he pray’ might well be, ‘Actually, Continued on Page 15 January 2012 P A R I S H N E W S The Anglican 15
Continued from Page 14 Priest honoured for justice work The Rev. Hernan Astudillo, priest- in-charge of San Lorenzo-Dufferin Ave., was one of eight people hon - oured at the 12th annual César E. Chávez Black Eagle Awards, for his ongoing outreach to migrant agriculture workers in Ontario. The Awards, hosted by United Food and Commercial Workers Canada and the Agricultural Workers Alliance, honour long- time activists who have carried on the legacy of César Chávez, an American labour leader and civil rights activist who co-founded the National Farm Workers Associa - tion, which later became the Unit - QUIET MOMENT ed Farm Workers. Mr. Astudillo has supported St. Archbishop Fred Hiltz, Primate, and Chris Cooper, Bishop’s Chaplain, Paul, Beaverton’s ministry to mi - pause before a service on Nov. 6 to mark the beginning of Holy Trinity, grant agricultural workers, and Guildwood’s, 50th anniversary year. The parish is celebrating the an - he conducts a Spanish-language niversary with eight months of festivities; for details, visit www.trini - mass for workers every Sunday tyguildwood.homestead.com. LEADING THE WAY evening in the village of Virgil Members of Christ the King in Etobicoke walk around the parish bound - near Niagara on-the-Lake. “My aries on Oct. 30 to raise funds for the parish. ‘Beating the bounds is an future plan is to make contact old English church tradition to ensure the parish boundaries are main - with Anglican priests who would tained,’ says parishioner Ron Gray. ‘This year, we raised over $800, like to share their ministry in ar - which will go to the operating fund. Many little children—including a eas where brothers and sisters two-year-old and a one-year-old—took part in the walk and were spon - from Mexico work as agricultural sored in the fundraising.’ PHOTO BY RON GRAY labourers,” says Mr. Astudillo. “We would like to create a strong Hispanic ministry in order to en - rich the Diocese of Toronto. We are developing a pastoral plan from San Lorenzo, which will in - clude the participation of youth.” Church publishes third edition of history St. John, Whitby, has published a history of the church building and the parish, entitled What the Walls Have Seen and Heard dur - ing the Last 165 Years , following up on previous histories pub - lished in 1921 and 1946. The book contains nine pages of colour pho - tographs depicting the church’s IN GRATITUDE stained glass windows. It costs $20 plus mailing costs; to order a CENTENARIAN The Rev. Ryan Sim, associate priest at St. Paul, Bloor Street, and priest- copy, leave a message at 905-668- Mary Elizabeth Musgrave (née Jarvis), a life-long parishioner at Grace in-charge for the Diocese’s new church plant in Ajax, accepts a cheque 1822. Church on-the-Hill, Toronto, receives flowers from the Rev. Canon Peter for $500 from the Rev. Canon Dr. Duke Vipperman, incumbent of the Walker on Nov. 13, on the occasion of her 100th birthday. In 1912, Ms. Church of the Resurrection, on Nov. 20. The gift is intended to help with PLEASE RECYCLE THE ANGLICAN Musgrave was the first person baptized in the church’s new building at the new church plant in Ajax, in thanks for a similar gift from St. Paul’s Give it to a friend. Russell Hill Rd. and Lonsdale Rd. in 1912 that helped with the planting of the Church of the Resurrection. Aurora church begins new chapter
BY CATHY HILLARD historic chapel integrated into groups and a growing and active the design. youth ministry. Every week - WHAT started as a dream has be - The project cost more than $4 night, the building is 80 per cent come a reality. After paying million and doubled the capacity occupied by activities and min - down the mortgage on their of the church. But despite gener - istries. Every year, the kitchens decade-old church building, the ous donations and a grant from provide more than 5,000 hot people of Trinity, Aurora, cele - the diocese, there was always the meals to those in need. More brated its consecration by Bish - matter of a small mortgage—un - than 4,000 people are supported op George Elliott on Nov. 20. til recently, when a push by the financially, and $16,000 is raised About 20 years ago, it became people of Trinity to “burn the for benevolence through sales of evident that the physical growth mortgage” achieved its goal. used clothing. of the parish was pushing the “Now that the building is paid At the consecration service, limits of the historic church in for, we can claim it with confi - Bishop Elliott told the people of the heart of Aurora. And so the dence, permanently and exclu - Trinity: “You are ready to set sail dream was born, of a new wor - sively for holy purposes,” says into the next chapter that God ship space that would enable the Rev. Canon Dawn Davis, in - has for you, in the wonderful God’s work to continue to grow cumbent. “We can focus our ministry that has gone on in this and flourish in the town. stewardship on supporting our place for 165 years.” Overcoming many obstacles, ministries. A beautiful building The service was attended by the team of lay leaders, commit - with an empty spirit would be a Aurora Mayor Geoffrey Dawe tee members, architects and the great travesty, but we can cele - and Newmarket-Aurora MP Lois then incumbent, Bishop Philip brate what this building makes Brown and MPP Frank Klees. Poole, brought their vision to life possible.” From left, Mayor Geoff Dawe, the Rev. Canon Dawn Davis, Bishop George in 2001, creating an airy, acoustic, Trinity is a busy place, with 60 Cathy Hillard is a member of Elliott, MP Lois Brown and MPP Frank Klees enjoy the celebrations. PHOTO multi-functional space, with the small groups, nine musical Trinity, Aurora. BY DAVID HARRIS 16 The Anglican N E W S January 2012 From stable to ballroom Crèches from afar grace Toronto hotel
BY CAROLYN PURDEN Carthy was represented by a large pine nativity scene she had ABOUT 200 people attended the carved between 1949 and 1955. fifth annual convention of the Uniquely, there are two cribs, one American branch of Friends of showing Jesus with his eyes the Crèche, held at the Fairmont closed, which is displayed at Royal York Hotel in Toronto in Christmas, the other with his mid-November. Delegates came eyes open, which is displayed at from six provinces, the Yukon, 28 Epiphany. states, the Netherlands, Germany A more contemporary Canadi - and Spain. an crèche depicted large figures Inside the hotel’s cavernous in the entranceway and interior ballroom, dozens of crèches were room of a stone stable, complete on display. The figures ranged in with flagstone floor and flickering Sculptor Antonio Caruso works on size from miniature to nearly a lamps. The sculpted canvas fig - a crèche during the Friends of the metre high, and from a small fam - ures were clothed in colorful wo - Crèche convention in Toronto. At ily group to a diorama with more ven robes and some had human right, clergy, choristers and nativ - than 50 figures. The displays hair. ity scene characters recess out of came from around the world, in - There were historic crèches, St. James Cathedral after an ecu - cluding Vietnam, Russia, Mexico, such as a small round sculpture menical service. PHOTOS BY MICHAEL Spain, Egypt and Armenia. made of wax, covered by glass HUDSON The culture of many countries, and surrounded by a gold frame such as Kenya and Nigeria, was of scallop shells. Dating from the evident in the carvings of ethnic late 19th century, the nativity traditions. The convention also in - figures dressed in national cos - scene came from Germany. cluded the performance of me - tume. A small Amish nativity Canadian history was repre - dieval mystery plays. showed the wise men carrying sented by several crèches, includ - The planning of the convention gifts of pretzels, bread and corn— ing one that showed figures fell onto the shoulders of Nancy goods that the Amish produced. wrapped in seal-skin that had Mallett, the volunteer archivist The artistry ranged from prim - been used by the Sisters of St. and museum curator at St. James itive to contemporary. Créches Ann in their teaching in the Cathedral. She and her team of were made out of fungus, volcanic North. volunteers won high praise from sessions. “The presentations convention’s success. “We were ash, ebony, latex, plasticine, felt, Other crèches related to more convention delegates. were excellent and the presenters delighted at the turnout, the en - pine, wool, driftwood, cornhusks, recent history. A display entitled Alberto Hidalgo of Odessa, very knowledgeable,” she said. thusiasm of the people, the ques - pewter and salt. The Créche in Times of War Florida, said this was his fifth Her friend, Carole Giannascoli tions that were raised, and the The nuns of the Convent of showed the work of prisoners of convention, and each was unique. of Allentown, Pennsylvania, espe - level of discussion at the medieval Bethlehem in France were the war and refugees. “The thoroughness with which cially liked the ecumenical serv - mystery plays.” creators of a small crèche of In addition to the exhibition of the Canadian organizers imple - ice at St. James Cathedral, which With the general public attend - crushed marble that showed a crèches, the convention featured mented it was admirable—the opened the convention. “Every ing the opening service, the plays youthful Mary, lying full-length an extensive program of lectures references, sources, speakers and Christian religion was represent - and the exhibits, she adds, “many, and cuddling Jesus, while a sit - on subjects such as the crèche in choices for the program,” he said. ed,” she said. “It was a beautiful many more than 200 people par - ting Joseph looks benignly on. aboriginal communities, and Cana - Carol Mareguil of Marquette, way to start the convention.” ticipated in one way or another Canadian artist Doris Mc - dian immigrants and their crèche Michigan praised the program Ms. Mallett is thrilled at the with the conference.” Anglicans meet MPPs to discuss poverty Talks focus on minimum wage, housing, social assistance
BY MURRAY MACADAM Riley of St. Martin, Bay Ridges, come inequality to worsen? Do per hour. We constantly hear sto - and the responsibilities of socie - Pickering. “Our motivation is to we allow Ontario to turn into a ries such as these.” ty to all its members and espe - AS hard times take their toll, An - serve our Lord Jesus Christ by divisive, socially volatile The MPP meetings will focus cially the more vulnerable,” says glicans are urging MPPs of all keeping his commandment of province? Or do we step up the on three goals to improve life for the Rev. Maggie Helwig, chair of parties to take action on behalf of loving one another as Christ province’s poverty reduction low-income people: the diocese’s Social Justice and the more than one million citi - loves us. Speaking out on behalf plans?” • Raising the minimum wage Advocacy Committee. “These zens living in poverty. Meetings of those in desperate need is an “It is absolutely essential that from $10.25 per hour to $11. concerns have deep resonance are planned with 49 MPPs of all excellent way to show that love.” we tell our elected officials of the • Bringing in a housing bene - for Christians and all who be - parties across the diocese, focus - Mr. Riley and members of his need for affordable housing and fit to bridge the gap between lieve in a Gospel of justice and ing on specific proposals to ad - parish planned to meet their lo - the costs of not making this a pri - high rents and low incomes, compassion. It’s our duty as peo - vance the poverty reduction cal MPP on Dec. 14. ority,” says Helen Perry of St. a proposal backed by non- ple of faith to share these con - agenda that all parties agreed to The need for action is more ur - James, Orillia, who is active with profit housing providers, cerns with those who have been in 2008 when they approved the gent than ever. Nearly 400,000 the James Place outreach min - foodbanks and landlords. elected to represent us.” Poverty Reduction Act . The cam - Ontarians turn to foodbanks istry. “A young man came to us • Indexing social assistance The MPP meetings are being paign seeks to have an impact on each month, including many low- who’s trying to complete Grade rates to the rate of inflation. held throughout the winter, and the government’s 2012 budget, wage workers. Meanwhile, 150,000 12 and enter a skilled trades pro - Proposals for fair tax increases some of them are still being or - expected this spring. Archbishop households are on waiting list s, gram at Georgian College. But to raise the revenues required ganized. If you’d like to take part, Johnson will take part in the often for years, for decent, af - he’s homeless, and unless he for these measures will also be contact the diocese’s social jus - campaign. fordable housing. finds a decent place to live, his discussed. tice intern, Leah Watkiss, at “It is important to meet with A new report by the 25 in 5 dream of becoming a skilled “The Occupy movement has [email protected]. our local MPP now to form a Network for Poverty Reduction, worker will remain just a dream. opened up a new space for dis - working relationship and pres - a group that includes the Angli - A young mother is desperately cussion about social and eco - Murray MacAdam is the diocese’s ent the priorities that are crucial can Church, notes: “In Ontario trying to find an affordable nomic injustice, the need for fair Social Justice and Advocacy to reducing poverty,” says Scott we have a choice: Do we allow in - apartment on her salary of $15 taxation for the common good, consultant. January 2012 F E A T U R E The Anglican 17 Letters from Africa Gift helps new diocese build residence, centre
In 2010, the Diocese of Toronto country. In addition to a multi - gave a grant of $100,000 from the tude of church denominations Ministry Allocation Fund to the and a few mosques, the stores Diocese of Wiawso, Ghana, for and stalls that line the streets of - the construction of a new bish - ten bear names such as Ask God op’s residence and conference Welding Straightening and centre. The Diocese of Wiawso Nathaniel Jesus Barbering. Tax - was created in 2006 and its ies and trucks sport decals that Karen Poole and Bishop Abraham diocesan bishop, the Rt. Rev. say Clap for Jesus and Christ in Ackah stand in front of the Dio - Abraham Ackah, had been living You. Among my favorites said cese of Wiawso’s new Bishop’s in rented accommodations since simply, “Be nice.” Lodge and conference centre. At then. In October, 2011, Bishop Yesterday we visited the Dio - right, Bishop Philip Poole stands Philip Poole and his wife Karen cese of Wiawso’s Cathedral of at the dedication plaque with, travelled to the diocese to cele - the Ascension, the new Bishop’s from left, Father Benard Chin - brate the opening of the new resi - Lodge, and the church of St. An - buah, Bishop Ackah and one of the dence and conference centre. drew, located in a very poor com - engineers overseeing the project. While he was there, Bishop Poole munity called Bwinbase. The wrote these letters to Archbishop Bishop’s Lodge is still a work in Colin Johnson. progress and quite impressive. On the one hand these build - Bishop Abraham, accompanied ings could be seen as being over Dear +Colin, by a priest from the cathedral the top, but I have come to ap - WE have arrived in the Diocese and Father Ben, gave us a tour preciate the wisdom in both the of Wiawso. Our flights were around the two-storey building. size and grandeur. They stand as great and we were picked up at When completed, it will contain symbols of hope for the people the airport in Accra, Ghana’s not only a home for the bishop and mark a real effort to do of items on their heads. am told the chief has given per - capital, by Father Benard Chin - and his family but accommoda - something beautiful for God. As we approached the church, mission for a church hall to be buah. The bishop’s driver, tion for 16 to 20 people. In addi - This is a new diocese, and within we became aware that the priest built, and has designated the Ebenezer, drove us to the hotel tion to the guest rooms, there is five years they have a cathedral and congregations had walked land which may be used for that after dinner. At dinner, we met a conference centre, a lovely and bishop’s home near comple - some distance out to greet us. purpose. Bishop Abraham Ackah’s son, chapel, garages, a large kitchen, tion. They appear to be well built Karen and I were asked to climb The congregation was a di - daughter and daughter-in-law. sleeping quarters for the cook, and ought to stand for a long onto the back of a truck, which verse group. Lots of well-be - The weather turned that and a reception and dining area. time. The bishop will be able to we did, and with Father Ben at haved children danced for us. night, bringing torrential rains Probably 30 men and women host his clergy, who live great our side we moved forward with Karen was especially thrilled to and floods which resulted in the worked on the site today, some distances away and cannot af - trumpets and drums sounding see them offering their joyous deaths of at least 10 people in Ac - paid and some volunteers. The ford to stay in a hotel. It will be a and dancers all around us. Peo - celebratory dance. Some of them cra. As we left the city the fol - building will be dedicated Satur - place of prayer, catechesis, hos - ple ran toward our vehicle shout - were very skilled. At one point lowing morning for the drive to day, even though it is only pitality and church governance. ing greetings, smiling and wav - the women formed a kind of con - Wiawso, we saw significant de - halfway to completion. It will be a place which will em - ing at us. ga line dance. Another man who struction. The water had From the Bishop’s Lodge, you ploy a night watchman, day The driver took us as close as entered in a wheelchair is a breached many people’s homes can see the Cathedral of the As - watchman, cook and gardener, he could to the church before we leader of the church and attends and the unpaved side roads off cension perched on the top of a providing a bit of a boost to local dismounted and continued on diocesan and national church the main thoroughfares were of - hill. When we arrived at the employment and the local econo - foot. Some of the women were events. I spoke all too briefly ten impassable. During the 12- cathedral, we could see the Bish - my. The buildings stand as a tes - carrying shepherd’s crooks, with him. He was impressive, in - hour drive to Wiawso, Ebenezer op’s Lodge down below, standing tament to the vision of the bish - which they placed together to deed. played his favorite CD many on a substantial 10-acre piece of op and the faith of people in Je - form an arch under which we We find it difficult to describe times. It consisted of Romantic land that has been carved out of sus Christ. They are very grate - passed before entering the the emotions we experienced. On Era hymns, all the old standards, the forest. The Bishop’s Lodge ful to the Diocese of Toronto. church. the one hand it was a long tiring sung by a Salvation Army choir and the cathedral will be among The priest greeted us and told journey to get to the Diocese of from England! the most impressive buildings in Dear +Colin, us the history of the church un - Wiawso, but their greeting made This is indeed a religious the community. TODAY we went to church and to der the patronage of St. Luke. the journey worthwhile. We were a soccer tournament that the For years, the church has been reminded of the gift of hospitali - Diocese of Wiawso had organ - served sporadically by cate - ty that marks Christians. We ized. From our hotel, we went on chists. Recently, Bishop Abra - were reminded that these are a one-and-a-half hour drive ham appointed an archdeacon to our brothers and sisters, part of through the gorgeous Ghanaian visit the church two weekends a our worldwide Anglican family. countryside, with its lush forests month to offer the sacraments Theirs is not an easy life, but amid rolling hills. We passed and improve the quality of teach - their joy in the Lord serves as a scores of rural communities, ing. We sung some hymns and I remarkable example to us. They some containing about eight was invited to speak. I focused are so deeply grateful to God for buildings, others much larger. on Luke and encouraged them to everything they have. Father Ben Cocoa is the main product of the live into his example as a healer, always says how grateful he is to economy and sheets of it were evangelist, friend, storyteller God for everything he has. In our lying on the ground, drying in and disciple of Jesus. Western eyes they have so little, the hot sun. I was interested to gain some yet they appear happy. Their There were often walkers on insight into the relationship be - simple faith is a shining example the road. The men held long, tween the local chief and the to us. sharp knives designed to cut church. Bishop Abraham will not through the dense forest for co - allow a building to be built un - Bishop Philip Poole is the area coa pods. The women and some - less he approves the design, and bishop of York-Credit Valley in Children at an Anglican school in the Diocese of Wiawso. times children carried a variety the chief holds the same rights. I the Diocese of Toronto. 18 The Anglican L O O K I N G A H E A D January 2012
anist, producer, arranger and LOOKING AHEAD musical director for CBC’s Vinyl Café. Suggested donation $15/$10 in support of the St. Jamestown To submit items for Looking Reaching Out Through Music Ahead, email hpaukov@toron- Program. For more information, to.anglican.ca. The deadline for the call 416-923-8714 or visit February issue is January 1. www.stsimons.ca. Parishes can also promote their events on the diocese’s website Cal - Lectures endar, at www.toronto.anglican.ca. JAN. 8, 15, 22, 29, FEB. 5 – St. Worship Clement, Eglinton, 70 St. Clements Ave., Toronto, presents JAN. 6 – St. Olave, Swansea, in - its Forty Minute Forum series, vites all to its Epiphany Even - Sunday mornings from 10:10 to song at 6 p.m., followed by light 10:50 a.m. in the Canon Nicholson supper at 6:30 p.m. From 7 to 8 Hall. Five outstanding speakers p.m., writer Sue Careless will and topics are featured in the present on the topic “The 1662 winter series: Jan. 8, David Prayer Book: 350th Anniversary,” Staines of the University of Ot - examining the Prayer Book’s ori - tawa on “Appreciating Our Own gins and impact on the English Literature;” Jan. 15, Nora Young, language. Contributions appreci - CBC-Radio host of “Spark,” on ated. For more details, call 416- “Digital Bodies, Digital Citizens: 769-5686 or visit www.stolaves.ca. The Coming Age of the Data JAN. 8 – Solemn Evensong, Epi- Map;” Jan. 22, Nick Saul of The phany Carols, Procession and De - Stop Community Food Centre on votions at St. Thomas, Huron the topic “Food Fight: Challeng - Street, in Toronto, at 7 p.m. Music ing the Two-tiered Food System;” by Lloyd, Cornelius, Leighton, Jan. 29, former CBC-TV corre - Willan, Wishart, Vaughan, Wil- spondent Brian Stewart on the liams. Visit www.stthomas.on.ca. topic “Inside the Vortex: Media in A WEE DRAM JAN. 8, 22, FEB. 5 – Jazz Ves - Time of Crisis;” and concluding pers at Christ Church, Deer this series, on Feb. 5, Future of Evelyn Butler (left) with Brenda Park, 1570 Yonge St., at 4:30 p.m. Cities Global Fellow at Polytech - and Bruce Stewart, all of St. John, Scripture reading, prayers and a nic Institute of New York Univer - West Toronto, enjoy a glass of brief reflection. Jan. 8, Amanda sity, former Chair of the C40 Cli - scotch at a fundraising event held Tosoff Quartet; Jan. 22, Bernie mate Leadership Group and for - by the Rotary Club of Toronto Sun - Senensky Trio; Feb. 5, Gord mer Toronto Mayor David Miller rise on Nov. 30. The Rotary Club Sheard solo piano (Tribute to Eu - on “We Can Fight Climate will be donating $10,000 over bie Blake). Call 416-920-5211 or vis - Change Now and Create Jobs: three years to St. James Cathe - it www.christchurchdeerpark.org. Here’s How.” Books and CDs will dral’s Health and Foot Clinic. The JAN. 15, 29 – Jazz Vespers at St. be for sale when available. All evening included dinner, bagpipe Philip, Etobicoke, 25 St. Phillips events in this series are free, and music and instruction on the art Rd., at 4 p.m. Jan. 15, Gregory everyone is welcome. Call 416- of scotch tasting. At right, Gloria Hoskins; Jan. 29, Richard White - 483- 6664. Wiebe, the cathedral’s parish man Quartet. Call 416-247-5181. nurse, savours a wee dram. FEB. 2 – The Feast of the Purifica - Sales tion of Mary, according to the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, at JAN. 28 – Mid-winter Madness St. Thomas, Huron St., in Toron - White Elephant Sale at St. Luke, to, at 7 p.m. Period choral and in - East York, 904 Coxwell Ave., Music/Film sion, 33 Overland Dr., Don Mills. Watch “Safety Last” (70 minutes, strumental music. All welcome. Toronto, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets are $20, students $10. Call 1923) with live organ music by ac - Visit www.stthomas.on.ca. Household items, books, Christ - JAN. 14 – The Cornell University 416-443-9737. companist Bill O’Meara. Admis - FEB. 11 – St. Simon-the-Apostle, mas items, jewellery, toys, pre- Glee Club, with Scott Tucker, mu - JAN. 28 – The first of two evenings sion free; donations appreciated 525 Bloor St. E., Toronto, invites owned treasures, snack bar and sic director and conductor, pres - in the 9th annual Silent Film Se - for FaithWorks. Visit www.stjohn - everyone to Jazz Vespers at 7:30 more. Visit www.stluke.ca. ents a Conflict and Reconciliation ries at St. John, York Mills, 19 Don syorkmills.com or call 416-225- p.m., featuring John Sheard, pi - Concert at Church of the Ascen - Ridge Dr., Toronto, at 7:30 p.m. 6611. Sing to the Lord a new song
BY THE REV. new. It is tempting to attribute tell me about Skyping (video- are undeniably there; both are, I aging baby boom, ever diversify - HEATHER this fascination to a modern sen - phoning) with her grandchildren, hazard to say, a gift to us from ing musical styles, and on and on MCCANCE sibility that seeks constant and seeing her great-grandchild, God. One helps to ensure that we and on. The pace of this discon - progress and the newest, most on the other side of the globe. are safe from taking unnecessary tinuous change can be over - s Jan. 1 ar - improved thing we can find. Yet This same woman told me that and dangerous risks; the other whelming; its scope, even more rives, mil - the very existence of portions of she had spent much of her child - keeps us from stagnating and dy - so. We are time and again con - Alions of scripture like Psalm 96:1 lead me hood in a home without electrici - ing. fronted with circumstances that people to believe that, at some level, it ty. I have read several books and cause us to exclaim, as with a re - around the world commit them - was always thus. Psalm 96 is at Few of us are comfortable with articles that describe the current cent ad for a technological gizmo, selves to starting something new least 2,500 years old. The change. Even changes that are era in the Western world as one “This changes everything! in their lives: exercise more, stop psalmist is calling for a new song expected and predictable, such as of “discontinuous change,” that Again!” smoking, eat healthier, or read to be sung to God; apparently, for watching my daughter grow from is, change that is constant, com - God has planted in each of us a more. The arrival of a new year whatever reason, the old songs infancy into tweendom, bring a plex, multi-faceted and unpre - spark that gets excited when new inspires many of us to make a just weren’t good enough any - certain level of consternation: dictable. Continuous change is things happen. We are capable of fresh start, to take a blank slate more. how can that be happening so comparatively easy to predict greeting a new and unknown fu - and fill it with things we would Today’s world is often charac - quickly! Even changes that bring and plan for: a seed is planted in ture with excitement and energy, rather see instead of more of the terized as one in which change it - joy and are freely chosen, such as the ground, given adequate water not only with fear and consterna - same. self is the only constant. When I accepting a new job or getting and sunlight, and one can more tion. It is not simple, nor is it Our television universe is pop - ponder all the changes some of married, bring with them a cer - or less plan on the plant appear - easy. Yet as our world changes, ulated with makeover programs our senior citizens have wit - tain level of stress as we learn to ing. we continue to sing with God’s of all sorts, from people who get a nessed over the course of their adapt to our new circumstances. Our churches today are faced people through the millennia, new wardrobe and a haircut to lives, it amazes me that human It would take a gifted student with discontinuous change, seek - “Sing to the Lord a new song!” those who undergo plastic sur - beings are so incredibly adapt - of the human mind to understand ing how we respond faithfully to gery to make themselves more able. One elderly church mem - and explain this tension between increasing multiculturalism, The Rev. Heather McCance is the physically attractive. ber, with whom I spoke not long our resistance to change and our changing technologies, a cultural incumbent of St. Andrew, We are fascinated with the ago, was absolutely delighted to fascination with the new. Yet both shift away from institutions, the Scarborough. January 2012 A n g l i c a n C l a s s i f i e d s 19
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The word Probably they were of the tribe of “epiphany” means to “manifest” Medes from Persia. These as - PROFESSIONAL SERVICES or “show forth.” Traditionally, we trologers studied the stars to dis - %-0,/9-%.4 celebrate the arrival of the Magi cover what was happening in .523%29 #//2$).!4/2 to the home of the Christ-child. their world. As they were non-Se - 3T #UTHBERTS IS CURRENTLY SEEKING Notice, they did not come to the mitic, they represented the Gen - ' "%%&%(' %) & AN ENTHUSIASTIC AND DEDICATED *'& ' manger in a stable, as had the tile world, and it was to this PART TIME .URSERY #OORDINATOR TO shepherds in Luke’s Gospel. group of magicians that God re - DEVELOP PLAN AND IMPLEMENT A Matthew tells us that they ar - vealed the birth of his son TO ADVERTISE IN NURSERY PROGRAM FOR THE INFANTS AND rived at a home in Bethlehem and through a sign in the heavens. THE ANGLICAN TODDLERS OF OUR PARISH ! FULL POSITION it was here that they presented God used the medium of their DESCRIPTION CAN BE FOUND ON OUR Call Carol WEBSITE STCUTHBERTSLEASIDECOM their gifts and bowed down and day. What would He use today? worshiped this newborn king. Probably the internet! 905.833.6200 X25 0LEASE FORWARD YOUR RESUME AND &$' %&$'%$ (Matthew 2:1-12, which is the As these Magi arrived in Beth - or email COVER LETTER BY EMAIL TO $ !$ # &% &$' %&$'%$$' &$'!%$"' cmccormick@ REVJENNIFERSCHICK BELLNETCA Gospel reading for the Feast of lehem, they found the Christ- canadads.com OR BY FAX AT the Epiphany). This story is child and presented their gifts, found only in Matthew. which were also symbolic. Gold Magi is plural for magus or ma - was the gift for a king; frankin - gician. These folks were the as - cense was considered a gift for a PRAYER CYCLE 10. St. Ninian, Scarborough 20. Anglican United Refugee Alliance (Faith - trologers and fortune-tellers of priest; myrrh was for one who 11. St. Paul, L’Amoreaux Works) the ancient world, and for must die. Thus, with these three FOR FEBRUARY 12. Sisterhood of St. John the Divine 21. St. George, Hastings Matthew they represented the oc - gifts the Magi prophesied that Je - 1. Holy Trinity, Guildwood 13. St. Peter, Scarborough 23. Christ Church, Norwood cult. Thus, even the occult had sus was indeed our priest and 2. St. John the Divine, Scarborough 14. St. Timothy, Agincourt 24. Christ Church, Omemee come to worship the Christ-child. king, but, most importantly, he 3. St. Jude, Wexford 15. Companion Diocese of Grahamstown 25. St. Alban, Peterborough Notice also, Matthew begins and was the one who would die on be - 4. St. Margaret in-the-Pines, West Hill 16. Wilkinson Housing and Support Services 26. Peterborough Deanery ends his Gospel with the need to half of all people. 5. Continuing Indaba Process (LOFT) 27. St. Barnabas, Peterborough proclaim the “good news” of Je - In the Orthodox Church, 6. St. Michael the Archangel 17. All Saints, Sherbourne St. (FaithWorks) 28. St. John, Ida sus to the Gentile world. (See the Epiphany is associated with the 7. St. Margaret Tamil Congregation 18. Etobicoke Group Residence (LOFT) 29. Church of the Apostles (Toronto) great commandment of Jesus in Baptism of Jesus, which marks 8. Nativity, Malvern 19. The Rt. Rev. Linda Nicholls, Area Bishop Matthew 28:19: “Go therefore and the beginning of Jesus’ earthly 9. St. Nicholas, Birch Cliff of Trent-Durham. make disciples of all nations.”) ministry. This service includes We know very little about the blessing of water for baptism. these Magi. We don’t even know This celebration was considered IN MOTION how many were in the group! The one of the principal festivals in First Phase - Parish Selection Third Phase - Parish Selection Bible does not give us this infor - the church year, together with Appointments Committee in Formation Committee Interviewing mation. The early Eastern Easter and Pentecost. • The Rev. Stephen Blackmore, (not yet receiving names): (not receiving names): Church suggested 12. Origen It was in the 4th century that Associate Priest, St. Matthew, • Campbellford, Hastings & • none (185-254 CE) set the number at the Western church, to which we Islington, Toronto, Sept. 22. Roseneath three, because of the three gifts belong, first celebrated this Feast • The Rev. Ryan Sim, Priest-in- • St. John, Whitby Ordination that they presented. Also, they of the Epiphany, but it lost the im - Charge, new Ajax church • Ascension, Port Perry • The Rev. Margaret Rodrigues were not kings. This title was giv - portance of the Baptism of Jesus. plant, Nov. 1. This appointment • St. Stephen, Downsview was ordained to the priesthood en to them by Tertullian (160 -225 In the Book of Common Prayer, is in addition to his current ap - • Incarnation at St. Philip, Etobicoke, on Dec. CE), probably because of the im - you will find the Baptism of Jesus pointment at St. Paul, Bloor • St. Nicholas, Birch Cliff 18. plied reference in Psalm 72 and relegated to a second service for Street, Toronto. • Trinity, Barrie Isaiah 60 that all kings will bow the Feast of the Epiphany. It was - • Lieutenant Commander the • St. John, West Toronto Conclusions down to him. n’t until 1955 in our Western Rev. David Greenwood, Hon - • St. Leonard • The Rev. Deborah Koscec has The Venerable Bede (673-735 church that the Baptism of Jesus orary Canon of the Military announced her retirement. Her CE), an English monk, described was assigned a Sunday celebra - Ordinariate, Nov. 13. Second Phase - Parish last Sunday at St. Barnabas, them as “wise men.” They do not, tion (the Sunday after Epiphany). • The Rev. Robert Sweet (Algo - Selection Committee Receiving Chester, Toronto, was Christ - however, appear to be very wise Francis of Assisi (1181-1226 CE) ma), Priest-in-Charge, St. Paul, Names (via Area Bishop): mas Day. in asking Herod, the King of the gave us the first crèche, putting Brighton, Nov. 25. • St. Thomas, Millbrook • The Rev. Renate Koke has an - Jews, where this new king was to together the two narratives of the (Trent-Durham) nounced her retirement. Her be born. Herod’s reputation as a Christ-child from Matthew and Vacant Incumbencies • St. Francis of Asissi, Meadow - last Sunday at St. Margaret, brutal and jealous leader was Luke. His crèche included both Clergy from outside the diocese vale West (York-Credit Valley) New Toronto, was Christmas well known in the ancient world. Magi and shepherds at a manger, with the permission of their bish - • St. Margaret in-the-Pines, Day. It was said that it was better to be setting the norm for future gener - op may apply through the Ven. West Hill Herod’s pig than his son. (This ations of crèches. Peter Fenty. was actually a play on the Greek Matthew tells us the Magi, like words for pig and son. It was well the shepherds in Luke, bowed known that Herod had murdered down and worshiped the Christ- three of his sons, his wife and child. This was their only possi - several others in his court. How - ble response to what had been re - &OR THE 3OCIAL *USTICE AND !DVOCACY PRAYER CYCLE ever, following the dietary laws of vealed to them. As we discover the Jews, he would not eat the once again the Christ-child in our SEE THE DIOCESES WEBSITE meat of a pig!) No, it was not very lives, may we also respond like astute of the Magi to ask Herod the Magi and shepherds of old, WWWTORONTOANGLICANCA where the new King of the Jews and worship him who is our Lord was to be born. This act led to the and our God. 20 The Anglican N E W S January 2012 Banners help artist heal Silk creations lift spirits
BY CAROLYN PURDEN cil or chalk mark on it will dam - age the silk.” LOOKING at the exuberant, flow - Silk painting involves merging ing silk banners hanging from the some 250 special dyes with soft, roof beams of St. James, Orillia, smooth strokes of the brush to be - it’s hard to believe that behind come an integral part of the fab - their creation lies a story of loss ric. Once the silk is painted, it is and loneliness. steamed, washed and sent to a The banners, which measure 45 tailor for hemming and making a inches wide by 14 feet long, were sleeve for the back of the fabric. created by Orillia artist Ralph Mr. Moore produced the ban - Moore. They are entitled Resur - ners as a memorial to his family rection and Creation. and in celebration of his own Mr. Moore is a textile designer faith. The artworks resemble by trade. Specializing in hand- stained glass windows. The Res - Kevin Neville gives the ‘Having a painted silks, he exhibited his urrection banner looks like a Blast with Children’s Ministry’ work at every craft show in On - flame, and there are representa - presentation. At right, partici - tario. But 30 years ago, as his ca - tions of angels and Jesus within pants browse the book table. PHO - reer was flourishing, circum - the colours. The Creation banner TOS BY MICHAEL HUDSON stances in his life forced him to carries the image of a lily. stop to look after his family. His The colours in his banners con - father was suffering from osteo - vey a message about Christian porosis, his mother was blind faith, he says. Gold represents the Children’s with macular degeneration, and kingship of Jesus, green is for he was needed at home. Then his growth, and the reds, browns and sister had a stroke, and Mr. Moore oranges convey the passion and ministry helped her with her three young compassion of Jesus. White en - children. compasses the spiritual nature of His father died in 2001 and his all people and the lines separat - conference mother in 2006, and his sister, ing the colours are inclusive of now paralyzed from the neck humanity. down, is in a nursing home. Look - The subdued tones of the Res - a first ing after his family and the house urrection banner, says Mr. Moore, meant that Mr. Moore became represent Jesus’ turmoil, and the more and more isolated and cut bright colours celebrate his new BY TANYA BALETA dren’s ministry has stayed too share information, she says. “It off from people. After his moth - life. Those bright hues continue long and too much in the base - was a great opportunity to meet er’s death, he says, he was floun - to explode in the Creation banner. BY mid-October, organizers of the ment, both literally and other people, and I quickly learned dering. He has made a third banner, en - first-ever Children’s Ministry metaphorically,” he says. “I think that we all struggle with the same “It’s very hard to accept the titled Joy. While he was making Conference wondered if the limit - we should repeat this and allow things.” fact you’re by yourself,” he says. the banners, Mr. Moore met ed response they had received more people to be involved.” The dialogue at the conference “It’s a very lonely life.” Cindy, and married her last De - made it worth carrying on. With Participants enjoyed four work - will continue online. The Centre Mr. Moore did a lot of praying cember. Mr. Moore describes the only 12 people registered, hopes shops and two plenary sessions, for Excellence in Christian Ed - during this time. His family had new banner, which is 16 feet long for a successful conference began with topics ranging from team ucation, which was created by strong generational ties to St. and incorporates 282 colours, as to dwindle. building to communicating with Ms. Keating to share children’s James’, so he eventually returned “two spirits coming together.” “I have to confess, I prayed a lot church leadership to make chil - ministry resources, has a blog at there and met the Rev. Terry Ben - The banners at the church are about this,” says Catherine Keat - dren’s ministry a priority. There thecece.blogspot.com. nett and the Rev. Carol Hardie. playing an important role in peo - ing, one of the organizers of the was a panel discussion on inte - Ms. Keating says she looks for - “They asked me to rekindle my ple’s lives. “I am getting a lot of conference and a deacon at St. grating children into the corpo - ward to next year’s conference. art,” he says. They commissioned positive feedback about these John, York Mills. “I just gave it rate worship of the church. “These are people who have our two banners for the church, with banners, and how they are heal - over to the Lord, knowing that if “The conference was brilliant,” precious children in front of the church paying for the materi - ing people and lifting the spirits God wanted it, it would succeed.” says Charlene Fiander, the Sun - them,” she says. “They really are al. Mr. Moore donated the rest. of those who have lost a loved As the event drew nearer, the day school coordinator at St. appreciated but we don’t always The banners each took 1,200 one,” Mr. Moore says. number of registered participants James, Orillia. “It affirmed that I tell them or show them. This was hours to create. Silk is the most He adds, “It would be quite an ballooned to 50. In the end, 65 peo - am where God wants me to be, good for them, especially to know difficult material on which to honour to do the Lord’s work of ple attended the conference at St. and that what I’m doing is helping the bishop was there supporting work because it is unforgiving, creating banners for other John, York Mills on Nov. 5. to grow our church and helping them.” Mr. Moore explains. “You can’t churches.” Churches that are in - Among the attendees was Bish - children learn.” put a mark on silk. You have to be terested in talking to Mr. Moore op Patrick Yu, who offered words The conference provided an un - Tanya Baleta is the Communi- able to do the design through about his work can reach him at of encouragement and attended precedented opportunity for chil - cations Coordinator at St. Paul, your head because putting a pen - [email protected]. some of the workshops. “Chil - dren’s ministers to network and Bloor Street. Inspiring videos on YouTube channel
A new video, The Road Trip , has couraging video might be just they are not currently reaching. If been produced that highlights what is needed to help your con - you would like to begin a ministry how nine diverse parishes around gregation think about future pos - that is going to serve those not the diocese are taking different sibilities,” says the Rev. Jenny being served by traditional forms approaches to trying to connect Andison, Bishop’s Officer for Mis - of church, then the Reach grants with people who are not being sion. are available as start-up funds. served by traditional forms of The video is available on the To find out more about how you church. diocese’s YouTube channel, www. apply for these grants, watch the If you are a lay leader or cleric, youtube.com/tordio135. Reach grants video on the dio - you may want to show this video Many of the parishes shown in cese’s YouTube channel. to your advisory board, on a Sun - the video were able to start their For more information on the day morning, to an outreach or new ministries thanks to the specific ministries that are pro - worship committee or at your funding of Reach grants. Reach filed, contact Ms. Andison at jan - next vestry meeting. “If a picture grants are one-time grants to en - [email protected]. Ralph Moore works on a banner. PHOTO BY JAMES PAUK is worth a 1,000 words, then an en - able parishes to reach people