E • C R • B theConnector Newfoundland & Labrador Conference East & West Districts November 2016, Volume 25, No. 6

In this ■ Trail of the Caribou ■ Campbellton PC ■ Trinity UCW ■ Stella's Circle issue: ■ Daphne Lush ■ 30th Anniversary of Apology ■ Explorer Project ■ Bookstore

The Trail of the Newfoundland Caribou

Rev. Faith March-MacCuish, Newfoundland and Labrador Conference Executive Secretary, led a church group on a spiritual pilgrimage to France and Belgium on the Trail of the Caribou from June 25 to July 4, 2016. The purpose of the journey was to visit all of the places that the Newfoundland Regiment served in the First World War. Each site has a Caribou monument and one of the Caribou is located in St. John's. The spiritual pilgrimage included people of the denominations that had young people serve in the Methodist Guards, the Anglican Church Lads' Brigade, the Catholic Cadet Corps and the Presbyterian-sponsored Highlanders.

By rev. Scott Parsons

he information advertising the trip to The battle at Beaumont Hamel 100 years ago is a France and Belgium on the Trail of the defining event in the history and people of Newfound- “TCaribou immediately appealed to me. land and Labrador. I often wondered what it was like for those who were involved. What was it like: to be there in the trench- es; to leave the safety and supports of home; to venture to an unknown land that would have felt like a world away. →

Participants from the United Church, Presbyte- rian, Anglican and Catholic Churches gathered at the Caribou site in Masnieres; one of the five European sites of the Newfoundland Caribou where Newfound- land Regiment soldiers served.

November 2016.indd 1 10/7/2016 12:58:13 PM the Rev. Faith March- MacCuish, Newfound- land and Labrador Connector Conference Executive Publisher: Secretary, and Arch- Newfoundland and bishop Martin Currie Labrador Conference of the Roman Catho- 320 Elizabeth Avenue lic Archdiocese of St. John’s, NL, A1B 1T9 St. John's with the Newfoundland wreath laid at the Beaumont Editor: Alison Piercey Hamel site. 709-754-0392 [email protected]

Connector Editorial Board: Rev. Marilyn Rees, Chair My knowledge of World War I more like a construction site de- history was rudimentary. For me void of vegetation. Deadline for next issue: this trip became a field school of Our guide Glen translated raw November 15, 2016 sorts. cold numbers so often quoted I experienced the history of the about war into information that Newfoundland Regiment through was easier to comprehend. Glen the battle sites, memorials, muse- told us a soldier died for every Moderator's ums, cemeteries and our knowl- two metres of land covered during V i s i t edgeable guide. the war. He put a face on the war We were a group of 38; each by telling personal stories of indi- viduals. October 12-18, one with our own connections, 2 0 1 7 passions and interests determining Glen’s son Jeremy and our bus our participation in this journey. driver Pete added to our experi- We marked the 100th anniversary ence as well. Pete not only got us

Save the Date the Save The Right Rev. Jordan of the Battle of Beaumont Hamel to and from the many sites we vis- nd Cantwell, 42 Mod- standing on that same ground ited, he drove the winding road- erator of The United where my forebearers met devas- ways to find a cemetery where a Church of Canada, tation. We visited the sites of the relative of someone on our tour five Caribou that commemorate was buried so that we might pay will be visiting the the most significant contributions respects. Newfoundland and made by the Royal Newfoundland Jeremy walked the fields near Labrador Conference Regiment. the Commonwealth War Graves At each Caribou site (Beau- Commission Cemeteries often mont Hamel, Monchy-le-Preux, finding pieces of shrapnel. At one Pastoral Charges and Courtrai, Masnieres and Gueude- such cemetery he found an undet- Outreach Ministries are court), we offered a prayer of onated First World War bomb that invited to make requests remembrance and thanksgiving someone moved from a farmer’s then sang the Ode to Newfound- field to a visible place against the to host a visit by the land. The words “where once they cemetery wall to await its removal Moderator. stood we stand” frequently caught by the bomb disposal unit. It was in my throat preventing the sound another tangible reminder that the from emerging. Those words took cost of war is not limited to a gen- on a more powerful meaning as I eration. Please email your request: stood on those well groomed sites We were able to tour the Cana- [email protected] remembering the scene a century dian National Vimy Memorial; to before when it would have looked →

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November 2016.indd 2 10/7/2016 12:58:13 PM visit the wealth Servicemen; and so many M e m o - other sites that impacted me and rial to I’m sure everyone else on the tour. th the 49 It was a time to remember ( W e s t events that happened long before R i d i n g ) I was born. This experience was Division more of a gateway to the past and Es- bringing deeper meaning than just sex Farm a remembering of facts. C e m - The war graves in France and Bel- It opened me up to the genera- gium are immaculately cared for. e t e r y Not one grave is neglected or in w h e r e tion who lived through that brutal disrepair. The Beaumont Hamel Lieuten- war. It helped me remember and Newfoundland Me- honour those whose lives and in- morial; one of the ant Colo- even in the hell of battle these indi- six Newfoundland nel John nocence were lost even if they re- viduals were never lost but known Caribou. McCrae turned home from the front. to and held in God’s eternal love p e n n e d When visiting cemeteries we al- and grace.” the famous poem “In Flanders ways encountered gravestones of Fields”; to attend one of the dai- unidentified soldiers bearing the ly Last Post Services at the Me- inscription “Known Unto God.” Rev. Scott Parsons is a United Church nin Gate in Ypres which lists the For me it offered some solace chaplain serving the Health Sciences names (engraved on the walls) of Centre, Her Majesty's Penitentiary and and beacon of hope to think that over 54,000 missing Common- the Janeway Hospital.

Campbellton Pastoral Charge Summer Sing and Dessert Night embers and guests of of remembrance and peace to hon- Earlier the Campbellton Pasto- our the past. this year Mral Charge gathered at Desserts were based on foods a service Faith United on September 1 for served during the World War 1 era. to com- the 3rd Annual Summer Sing and Everything from molasses tart, jel- memorate Dessert Night. ly and custard, gingerbread, trench the Battle This cake and much more was served. of Beaumont Hamel was held and y e a r ' s ringing of the bell took place on Many thanks to Patricia Hooper July 1. e v e n t and the senior choir for planning f e a - such an enjoyable evening of All three events were reminders t u r e d food, fellowship and song. of the need for peace in our world. hymns ~ Glenn Hooper

Two Locations: 328 Hamilton Ave. 73 Commonwealth Ave. St. John’s, NL, A1E 1J9 Mt. Pearl, NL, A1N 1W7 Proud to be working with the (709) 579-6007 (709) 364-1937 Newfoundland and Labrador Fax: (709) 579-3106 Conference for over 25 years E-mail: [email protected] www.barretts.ca w c c p a . c a

the Connector, November 2016 3

November 2016.indd 3 10/7/2016 12:58:16 PM Trinity UCW Stitching with Love

ats off to Trinity United That’s a lot of newborns need- Church Women with hats ing to be covered with love. H for these newborns! Each year the UCW at Trinity Last year in Newfoundland and United, Blaketown hold a knit-a- Labrador, there were over 4,400 thon to knit their hearts together babies born in our hospitals – with with those little newborns and pro- the majority of these births oc- vide baby bonnets for these new- curring at the Janeway Children's born infants. Many hand knit baby bonnets lov- ingly made by the United Church Health and Rehabilitation Centre. The knit-a-thon provides not Women from Trinity United, only a time to knit and reach out Blaketown for newborns. in love by giving back to the com- munity but also a time to connect nets have been donated to the and share laughter, fun and stories Janeway and Carbonear Hospi- among each other over a jiggs din- tals. And this year was no dif- ner prepared by the men of the ferent. What a wonderful way to congregation. It is quite an enjoy- reach out in love. able night of giving and sharing ~ Sandra Russell, Trinity UCW, together. Blaketown Traditional jiggs dinner en- Over the last few years, hun- joyed by all involved with the knit-a-thon. dreds and hundreds of baby bon-

Stella's Circle Receives the Better Business Bureau Torch Awards for Ethics

Stella's Circle has won the Better Business Bureau Torch Awards for Ethics in the large company category (51+ employees) for Atlantic Canada. “The Torch Awards for Ethics honours companies whose leaders demonstrate a high level of personal character and ensure that the organization’s practices meet the highest standards of ethics, and consequently generates trust. These companies generate a high level of trust among their employees, customers and their communities. The Torch Awards for Ethics also reward companies for ethical marketplace behavior and building trust with consumers.”

Safety Training Our Priority Inc. www.safetytrainingnl.ca James Pike, Owner/Operator

Tel: (709) 229-1918 P.O. Box 149 Cell: (709) 763-7867 105 Conception Bay Hwy. 99 Airport Road, P.O. Box 1776 [email protected] Holyrood, NL, A0A 2R0 St. John’s, Newfoundland, A1C 5P9 authorized distributor for Tel: (709) 722-1532 Fax: (709) 722-6612 www.steersinsurance.com

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November 2016.indd 4 10/7/2016 12:58:16 PM Pasadena-Howley Pastoral Charge What’s Happening? Thank you Daphne Lush for your dedication Council of n June 12, the congregation of Humber Valley United in Pas- Finance & Administration adena surprised organist and choir director Daphne (Verge) November 2, 2016 Lush with a certificate of appreciation. O February 22, 2017 We celebrated Daphne's 55 years since graduating from the Grace General Hospital School of Nursing and her many years of faithful West District Executive service leading music with her quiet, gentle and unassuming spirit. November 9, 2016 Her minister, Rev. Dr. Tony Newell, joked that he was in another kind of training at the same time that Daphne was in nurse training. January 18, 2017 Following the service, the entire congregation went outside under Conference Executive the beautiful silver birch trees and celebrated with a congregational barbeque. The people lingered for nearly two hours, not wanting the November 16, 2016 occasion to end. March 15, 2017 Daphne leads with her gentle spirit but also with her courage as East Executive a person living with cancer. November 30, 2016 She has taught us all so much more than new and challenging Women in Ministry hymns. Retreat Through all her medical chal- April 24-26, 2017 lenges, Daphne has often ob- served that the love and respect Conference she finds with the choir and con- Spring Meeting Rev. Dr. Tony Newell pres- ents Mrs. Daphne Lush with a gregation, has kept her determina- May 26-28, 2017 certificate of appreciation for tion strong during some very try- her music leadership. ing times. We salute you Daphne! Moderator's Visit Rev. Newell offered Daphne October 12-18, 2017 God’s blessing and quipped, “I hope you are our musical leader for the next 55 years!” Clergy Retreat “Oh my! I hope not,” said Daphne. Well done, thou good and October 11-13, 2017 faithful servant. ~ Doreen Wall, Observer Representative for the Fall Learning Event Pasadena-Howley Pastoral Charge October 13-15, 2017

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November 2016.indd 5 10/7/2016 12:58:17 PM From Apology Towards Reconciliation

30th Anniversary of the United Church Apology to First Nations Peoples

By rev. faith March-MacCuish, Conference Executive Secretary

n 1986, at the 31st Gen- E v e r y o n e eral Council in Sudbury, gathered at the “IOntario, Moderator Bob site of the Apol- Smith extended an apology on be- ogy Cairn. An- half of The United Church of Can- ishinabe Elder, ada to First Nations Peoples. Art Solomon, lit Thirty years later on August 20, the sacred fire 2016, I attended the 30th anniver- and did a teach- sary of the apology in which Bob ing about his Smith delivered that apology again peoples' jour- ney, their rela- in the same place. Rev. Faith March-MacCuish, Conference Executive tionship with Secretary, and those who travelled from our Con- One of the things that touches the creator, and ference, gather at the Apology Cairn, the site of the me again and again when hear- the teachings of first official Apology made by the UCC to First Na- ing the story of the apology was the Elders that tions Peoples in 1986, in Sudbury, Ontario. the courage and the strength of are being passed to the next gen- During the teaching, people the Elders to state how broken the eration. relationship was and to name that were invited to smudge. For my what was needed was an apology My daughters who travelled daughters and my mother, it was and not just an apology of words with me found the teachings of their first experience with smudg- but a lived apology. Elder Art particularly meaning- ing and we spent some time af- ful, especially when he spoke of terward talking about its meaning how our walking upon this earth and significance. needs to be done with respect and All Native Circle Conference integrity and about how important Leading Elder Nelson Hart closed it is to pass on the spiritual teach- the day with teachings and a ings and traditions to the next gen- prayer. The ceremony ended with eration as they will one day be the all people socializing at a barbeque teachers and the Elders. hosted by Huntington University. Elder Art spoke of the relation- Sunday morning all participants ship with the church and said that worshipped at St. Peter’s United he respects all paths to the creator Church in Sudbury where the ser- Participants replicated the walk and that we all need to celebrate of the General Council commis- vice centered around the honour- that which puts a person in a right sioners to the site where the ing of the Apology and how we First Nations Elders waited in relationship with the creator and are called to continue to live out their teepee beside a sacred fire with each other. in 1986. the Apology.”

Smith Stockley Ltd. Phone: 579-0073 264 LeMarchant Rd. Toll Free: 1-800-563-5544 84 LeMarchant Road, St. John’s P.O. Box 1387, Stn. C Fax: 579-1437 Piperstock Hill, Torbay St. John’s, NL, A1C 5N5 [email protected] P.O. Box 2117, St. John’s, NL A1C 5R6 www.smithstockley.nf.net PHONE 753-6845 offi[email protected]

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November 2016.indd 6 10/7/2016 12:58:18 PM My experience with the Explorer Project Chelsea Skanes

The Explorer Project is a recent initiative that invites young adults who have not yet discerned a call to ministry into partnership with a church in another Conference. Sparked by conversations about recruit- ment for future ministry leadership, Toronto Conference rolled out the program in 2015. Newfoundland and Labrador Conference joined in the project for summer 2016. Chelsea Skanes left her home in St. John's to join her host congregation in Barrie, Ontario.

was lucky enough to be for the congregation, attended To- chosen as an Explorer ronto Conference Annual Meeting “IProject participant. I and went to a presbytery meeting. ventures to see some of the many could have never guessed how in- I met people from the entire sights Ontario has to offer. credibly life changing this experi- presbytery and conference, and ence would be. I feel so grateful to now have two every person and experience has church families that hold pieces of Little did I know that spending taught me something new. my heart safe because I have built the summer in Barrie, Ontario at From the first day I arrived to so many beautiful relationships Burton Avenue United Church the day I left, I felt nothing but with people in the two provinces would be amazing for me men- love and support from the entire that it's almost overwhelming. I'm tally, physically, emotionally and Burton Avenue United Church excited to see how the friendships, spiritually. new and old, flour- So much hap- ish and develop as “I felt a lot of things during this experience that pened in three could only have been interjections by God. time goes on fol- short months. I had ” lowing this experi- my hand in almost ence. every aspect of a service; com- congregation, my host family, and I have no idea what my future munion, children's time, deliver- the entire presbytery. holds. However, I do know that I ing meditations, worship leader, I feel so grateful for every single have changed, and that I felt a lot choosing hymns, writing prayers. person that I interacted with dur- of things during this experience I feel so blessed to have had the ing this project, both from home that could only have been interjec- opportunity to experience so many and from Ontario. For every min- tions by God. parts of what happens on a Sunday ister that took the time to chat with in church. So for now, I’m just along for me about their experiences, for my the ride, with my eyes and ears I was able to attend and par- host and home committees, for my and heart and mind and soul a ticipate in a multitude of gather- host family welcoming me into little more open to the calls in my ings, meetings and events. Among their home and lives and giving daily life. And that’s honestly one many, many things, I got to par- me the opportunity to experience of the best changes that I could ticipate in the church's Strawberry so many neat things and for ev- have ever experienced from this Dinner, hosted a touton brunch ery person who invited me on ad- project.”

• 85 KENMOUNT ROAD • ST JOHN’S, NL • A1B 3N7 • Phone: (709) 726-6990 • Fax: (709) 726-4003 Toll Free 1.888.241.2647 • E-mail: [email protected] www.hickmanmotors.stjohns.gm.ca

the Connector, November 2016 7

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