PAGE 2 PAGE 5 PAGE 6 Black Anglicans Bishop lights up Who’s on your form organization annual dinner Christmas card list? TheTHE NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF TORONTO AnglicanA SECTION OF THE ANGLICAN JOURNAL www.toronto.anglican.ca DECEMBER 2019 christmas message BY BISHOP PETER FENTY Time to give thanks begin this article with a word of profound thanks to Al- mighty God for the healing I Ihave been experiencing since my surgery in June. My family and I are most grateful to all of you who offered prayerful, loving and moral support to us. In a pastoral letter to the cler- gy and people of York-Simcoe, I wrote that my recent illness was a life-altering experience for me. When we face such challenges in our lives, we tend to view life in a very different light than before. I am learning to pay very close attention to the signs and FIRST LIGHT signals that I receive from my Youth at St. Joseph of Nazareth, Bramalea, practice lighting the Advent wreath. A candle will be lit each week during Advent, followed by the lighting of the middle body. I encourage others to do candle on Christmas Eve. Advent starts on Dec. 1. PHOTO BY MICHAEL HUDSON the same. Paul reminds us that our bodies are “temples of the Lord.” Christ. “For God so loved the work, and by being Christ-like. Sometimes we receive gifts world that he gave his only Son, God has come among us in from family, friends, neighbours so that everyone who believes order that we might have life THE BISHOP’S LEVEE 2020 and even strangers. Those gifts in him may not perish but may in all its fullness. He chose to at the Cathedral Church of St. James may vary in quantity and quality, have eternal life” (John 3:16). come among us, our Emmanuel, but they are given, in most cases, This gift of salvation comes to all to share in our humanity. God with a degree of care and gen- of us out of unconditional love, has come among us in Christ, in erosity. It is important how we not for a few, but for the world, order to reconcile the world to receive such gifts, which often for all who would receive it. In himself. God has come among us are given selflessly and with a John’s gospel we also read, “but in Christ, in order that we may genuine desire to be thoughtful to all who received him, he gave become reconciled to each other. and kind. We are reminded of power to become the children of Christ dwells among us to share the “widow’s mite” in the gospel God… born of the will of God” in our joys and our sorrows, our story, in which she gave of her (John 1:12 ff). ups and downs in life, and that Please join Bishop Andrew Asbil and the College of Bishops all, and although a small gift, God’s will is that we receive we may know that we are all to offer best wishes and prayers for the New Year. it was sacrificial and out of the the gift of salvation in the person loved by God. little that she had. The giving of of Jesus Christ, the Way, the Every day is a God-given January 1, 2020 everything, the sacrifice made, is Truth and the Life. In receiving opportunity to be reconciled Said Eucharist at 12:30 p.m. probably of more value than the Christ and following in His Way, with God and each other. It is an giving of much out of abundance. His Truth and His Life, we are opportunity to tell loved ones, Receiving Line and Reception from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. We may thank the giver by given power to love uncondition- friends, co-workers and the with the ringing of the Bells of Old York words, cards, emails, letters or a ally as he loves, to forgive as he many with whom we share our Festive Music at 3:00 p.m. telephone call. It really is just as forgives, and to be compassion- lives, that they are loved, appre- important what we do with the ate as he is compassionate. ciated and valued by us. Let us Choral Evensong at 3:30 p.m. gift, the value we attach to it and We may claim and own this not regret missing the chance to with presentations of The Order of the Diocese of Toronto the appreciation we have for the wonderful gift of salvation in the share with those whom God has generosity of the giver. name of Jesus Christ by living placed in our lives, our heartfelt King & Church Streets, Toronto At this time in our Christian that salvation daily in our lives, thanks and gratitude for all they All are welcome. liturgical calendar, we celebrate work and witness, daily loving are and have shared, and all that the greatest of all gifts: the gift of others for their sake, going the they mean to us. Nursery care provided. salvation in the person of Jesus extra mile to make something Continued on Page 4 2020 ACTS OF RESISTANCE & HOPE – SEE PAGE 5 2 TheAnglican NEWS December 2019 Black Anglicans form new group Organization focuses on advocacy and networking BY WILLIAM MCCULLOUGH cans Coordinating Committee is the annual February celebration A new organization, Black An- of Black heritage, now in its 25th glicans of Canada (Bl.A.C.), has year. The Black heritage service been formed following two years gathers Anglicans and members of contemplation, collaboration of other communities to St. Paul, and prayer to encourage a focus Bloor Street during Black History on the needs and the vocational Month to learn, reflect and, most and spiritual direction of Black importantly, worshipfully celebrate Anglicans. our rich history. Youth leaders gather for a photo at the youth leaders summit. Members of the Black community In 2017, Black clergy and lay lead- in the Diocese of Toronto have ers in the Diocese of Toronto came been attending Anglican churches together to respond to needs in the and participating in their work Caribbean following hurricanes Youth leaders gather to share ideas and witness for generations. Since and tropical storms that devastated the first Black member entered many communities. The group the doors of an Anglican Church organized a service and raised YOUTH leaders from around York- youth ministry.” engage youth in the life of the par- centuries ago, the community has funds needed for rebuilding. Such Credit Valley gathered at St. John, An important part of the sum- ish and stressed the importance of been striving for full inclusion, vision and outreach galvanized the Dixie on Oct. 5 for the second an- mits is sharing resources, she says. relationship-building and meet- including as participants in the group, providing an opportunity nual youth leaders summit. About Many churches offer some funds to ing youth where they are. Jenni leadership and decision-making to discuss progress made so far in 35 people turned out, building on their youth leaders for continuing King-Feheley from Parkdale West of the Church, while remaining fuller participation and representa- momentum from last year’s sum- education, books and conferences. Toronto offered reflections on how committed to active involvement tion within the Church. There was mit, and some curious leaders from Ms. McIntosh brought several of to authentically listen and respond in Church life. a sentiment in these discussions outside York-Credit Valley attended her favourite resources, including to the needs of one’s community Our Church exists in a time when that more work was needed, and as well. her top two recommendations: and how to create new ways to secular public discourse offers a Black Anglicans of Canada (Bl.A.C.) Alexandra McIntosh, the youth Faith Formation in a Secular Age give young people experiences of commitment to cultural sensitiv- was formed. ministry coordinator for the area, by Andrew Root, and Rebooted God. Lastly, Bridget Poole from the ity, inclusion, reconciliation and This new organization builds offers these events as a chance to by Tim Gough. “These are two Mississauga Deanery, who wasn’t postcolonial thought. The Church is on previous work by serving the empower and equip youth leaders short, affordable texts that would able to attend in person, offered an active participant and contribu- needs of Black members of the to be confident agents of change in strengthen any youth worker’s practical tips on how to involve par- tor to this discourse. Its work on Anglican Church as they continue their ministry contexts. “Youth min- ministry,” she adds. ents in youth ministry and create reconciliation with our Indigenous their Christian journeys, and by istry is so often separated from the The summit heard presentations intergenerational programming. siblings is one example. enabling opportunities at all levels life of the parish, relegated to the from youth leaders engaged in Bishop Jenny Andison also at- Over the years, Black Anglicans within the Church. Bl.A.C. will focus basement and under-resourced,” innovative programming in each tended, giving attendees a chance have discussed formally and infor- on deepening an understanding she says. “There are also few op- deanery. Sarah Layman from the to ask questions about how to walk mally their participation in Church of historical and current issues portunities for youth leaders to North Peel Deanery discussed what alongside youth as they personally life. The community’s yearnings be- Black Anglicans continue to face. network and learn from each other it was like to lead youth minis- and corporately deal with the diffi- came especially focused following It will work to respond effectively in the same ways clergy can.