JUNE 2011 THE NEW BRUNSWICK ANGLICAN / 1 A SECTION OF THE ANGLICAN JOURNAL JUNE 2011 SERVING THE DIOCESE OF FREDERICTON T H E W I N N E R S A N D S T I L L C H A M P I O N S ! Narrative Budget a sacred story BY ANA WATTS in our parishes has declined, we have become more and more Narrative is at the heart of aware of stewardship, but the storytelling, and stories are at need for stewardship is not new. the heart of our history, faith There may have been many more and lives. Little wonder Peter people in the pews in the 1950s, Misiaszek and others of his ilk but the decline in offerings is not insist a narrative budget accom- proportional to the decline in pany the parish line-item budget people. Today’s Anglicans want —it translates the figures into to be in church, they are passion- the story of mission and minis- ate about ministry and need to be try. The Director of Stewardship assured of the resources neces- Development for the Diocese of sary to support their ministry. Toronto brought that and many Stewardship is not about fund- other stewardship messages to raising, it’s individuals living out the Diocese of Fredericton in late Christian discipleship and giving April as leader of the Essential through the church to support Parish Stewardship Workshop ministry.” 2011 at Christ Church Cathedral Peter’s duties in the Diocese Memorial Hall. of Toronto include responsibility In The Narrative Budget: for parish stewardship educa- A workbook for writing your tion, annual giving, legacies of parish’s sacred story that he faith, the Bishop’s Company of developed and presented to par- Toronto, and oversight of the In six of the past seven years (including this one) the Bishop McAllister School soccer team has ticipants of the conference, Peter Anglican Diocese of Toronto won the district championship. It is no mean feat for the small school in Uganda our missionary wrote: “As parishes we come Foundation. He is also the archi- priest Paul Jefferies ‘adopted’ 12 years ago. Every second year he comes ‘home’ to this diocese together each week to celebrate tect of the largest ever fundrais- the Good News of the Gospel of and tells the most amazing stories of growth and success — the school’s, the students’, but ing effort in the history of the Jesus Christ. This transforma- not his own. Girls, computers, science labs, music, a junior school, dormitories, classrooms, Anglican Church of Canada. tive story has touched the lives Only 32 New Brunswick An- championships … they’re all new to the school, thanks to his leadership and the generosity of the of countless people over two mil- glicans registered for this valu- many New Brunswick Anglicans who support the school and sponsor students, many of whom lennia. It is a story that speaks of able conference. While that may are AIDS orphans. As he travels this diocese he shows his slides with great pride, thanks the profound generosity and it chal- have been a disappointment to school’s supporters and speaks with such passion and excitement about what God is doing in that lenges us to live our own lives the organizers, those who at- small corner of the world that the money flows. The only thing he doesn’t talk about is himself, in response to God’s abundance. tended the conference were not about the source of his stipend, which is also the generosity of New Brunswick Anglicans. So the A narrative budget shows the disappointed at all. They were school is thriving, the students are thriving, but his stipend account is running on empty. If you purposes and goals of the con- delighted with the insight they want to support the Rev. Paul Jeffries and his work, please send your clearly marked donation to gregation and focuses attention developed and the solid skills and the Diocese of Fredericton, 115 Church St., Fredericton, E3B 4C8. And if you want to see some on mission and ministry.” information they learned during more exciting Bishop McAllister School photos, turn to page 8. During the lunch break he the day. told this reporter: “Stewardship “For me it was a blessing to conferences like these give guid- be able to attend the conference, ance to parish leadership on how a way to continue learning on to introduce and sustain stew- my faith journey,” says Jocelyn Celebrating the spirit of the north ardship programs, to ensure the Green of the Parish of Tobique. parish has the time, talent and “It was very interesting to look treasure resources necessary to at stewardship in an entirely and the generosity of the ACW sustain its vibrant ministry. different light and I am hope- “As the demographics of our by Ana Watts had good experiences in residen- the North as she highlighted its country have changed and the Continued tial schools, but that many more strengths and challenges. number of people worshipping See Encourage on page 2 Fiona Brownlee brought the co- did not,” she said. “Many of my lour, life and spirit of the people colleagues have shared with me • Proclaim the Good News and churches of the Council of about the damage that was done of the Kingdom the North to ACW members in to them, and I must honour their Clergy are crucial in this, the this diocese when she spoke to trust in me by shining a light on first of the Five Marks of Mis- them at their annual meeting in those experiences and walking sion. The church in the north is Riverview. In return, the ACW with them on a journey toward highly indigenous and about half sent help to the Council of the healing and wholeness.” the clergy are First Nation, Inuit North in the form of a cheque Vision 2019, the Anglican and Métis. Few are paid, so most for $3,000. It made May 3 a rich Church of Canada’s strategic work 40 hours a week at a secular experience for everyone. plan has seven priorities. One job and another 10 to 40 hours a With passion and grace the of them is to walk with indig- week on pastoral care. “Clergy council’s communications officer enous peoples in the Council of in the north want to proclaim celebrated the vibrant cultures the North on a journey of heal- the good news of the kingdom and communities of the dioceses ing and wholeness. Adopted by but they can’t without burning and parishes that occupy 85 per General Synod in June 2010, it out,” said Ms. Brownlee. “This is cent of Canada’s land mass but invites the Holy Spirit to shape a justice issue and Bishop Mark enjoy only 15 per cent of the the life of our church in the MacDonald, national indigenous Canadian population. She took paths of discipleship and mission bishop of the Anglican Church ANA WattS special care when she talked and is based on the Five Marks of Canada, has got his teeth Among the participants at the parish stewardship workshop were about issues in the north around of Mission used widely around around it.” Jocelyn Green (second from left) of the Parish of Denmark, and the residential school legacy the Anglican Communion. Ms. because she knew there were for- Brownlee used those Five Marks Thomas Nisbitt of the Parish of Petitcodiac (right). They are seen mer residential schoolteachers as guideposts for her illustrated Continued here with the Rev. Dick Black of the organizing committee (left) and in her audience. “Some people journey through the Council of See Exploring on page 5 Peter Misiaszek, the workshop leader and presenter. 2 / THE NEW BRUNSWICK ANGLICAN JUNE 2011 P A R I S H N E W S Every member visitation — it’s not just about the information financially in order to rejuvenate “If we are not prepared to learn parish financial and stewardship our church. An Every Member and change and improve there is information. Visitation shares information little to gain from a parish visita- Each visitor will need a list of from the parish — worship ser- tion. “Those who are visited are families to visit, it is often a good vice times and options, opportu- made to feel they are part of the idea to let the visitors choose nities for spiritual growth and church and that their views are these families if it is possible. education, contact names for important. And the visitors have A list of six or seven families/ groups and organizations — all the satisfaction of doing God’s names is plenty in order to be while sharing fellowship. It is work in an effort to build up and able to complete the visitations also the quintessential oppor- strengthen the body of Christ, in a reasonable length of time, tunity to collect information. the church.” perhaps two to three weeks. Com- Committed parishioners are Workshop participants fol- missioning the visitors during a often grateful for the chance lowed Ms. Fairweather through worship service not only enables to share their experiences and the steps necessary to launch their efforts, it introduces them opinions as well as to offer sug- an every member visitation and to the congregation so parishio- gestions on how some things may they brainstormed actions and ners will be aware of the visita- be improved, or even to suggest methods appropriate in their tions and expect a call to set up new program or mission ideas. individual contexts. She told an appointment. ANA WattS Stan Donovan of the Parish of Ludlow and Blissfield talks about A sensitive visitor may even them a parish visitation requires Once the visitors have had the challenges of an every member visitation during a workshop on encourage those who do not careful planning starting two or some training, made their ap- the topic offered by the Diocesan Stewardship and Development attend to share their reasons.