JANUARY 2014 THE NEW BRUNSWICK ANGLICAN / 1 A SECTION OF THE ANGLICAN JOURNAL janUARY 2014 SERVING THE DIOCESE OF FREDERICTON Council adopts new approach to shared ministry budget support BY ANA WATTS chair of the finance committee, At its first meeting last week, the and committee members Martha new Diocesan Council adopted a Jo Hoyt and Geoffrey Hall, for new approach to parish support developing what they believe is of the shared ministry budget a fair, equitable, transparent and offered by diocesan treasurer simple approach. Irene Adams and the diocesan “Our overall ask is just over finance committee. Parishes are $1.4 million this year, signifi- being advised of their portion of cantly reduced from last year’s the budget as calculated accord- of $1.5M, said Ms. Adams. “It ing to a new three-tier plan and assumes all parishes will pay it will go into effect on Jan. 1. 100 per cent of the requested The contribution level decreased contribution. The new three- for 51 parishes, and another six tier system makes that possible, parishes’ contributions were except perhaps for the 11 larger increased within $1,000 of their parishes with their significantly current amount. The increased increased shares. We have con- contributions of 20 per cent or sidered the phasing-in process more asked of 11 parishes will in our planning. We have also be phased in over the next one included contingencies for “ex- to four years. tenuating circumstances.” Members of Council re- Because all parishes had sub- sponded to Ms. Adams presenta- mitted their up-to-date financial tion of the new approach with information to the diocese by Adoration of the Magi, Fra Angelico, 1400 - 1455 a standing ovation. She in turn November, Ms. Adams was able gave the credit to Gil Carter, See Average, page 2 Contributions to Foundation for Life down significantly: Innovative, creative ministry funding in jeopardy You could say Foundation for gifts for first-time visitors to tor. Visitation is fundamental. Life is the soup and sandwich, the parish. They are offered the Vacation Bible School, kids or even the milk and cookies choice of two “brown paper church, a monthly family ser- of outreach. Of course it’s also bags for the soul”— the Soup vice, after school program and Messy Church, Godly Play, & Sandwich and the Milk & Alpha parenting teen courses Alpha Parenting, and a whole lot Cookies. Each bag contains the reach deep into the commu- of projectors. Its mandate is to fixings for each choice, along nity. And now Messy Church, encourage the church to “under- with a ringed laminated infor- a Fresh Expression of church take innovative, risk-taking proj- mation piece identifying the that involves families sharing ects that will lead to spiritual, various ministries of the church. music, teaching and a meal — numerical and financial growth Children are given a dedicated and Godly Play, an experiential for the making of disciples.” welcome kit including Christian church school curriculum that It is also in trouble. based toys, a pencil, note pad, helps children become more The 2013 response to the fund, and information about the SALT fully aware of the mystery of which asks $25 per person each Reef Sunday school program. It’s God’s presence in their lives — fall, was very poor, just over a professionally produced and are part of the mix. $4,000, compared to about effective outreach tool. There are more stories of $15,000 last year and $20,000 in Over the past few years the creative endeavours supported Foundation For Life its inaugural year. Parish of Cambridge and Water- by Foundation for Life but they Last year, with the help of the borough laid a firm foundation may be a dying breed. Please 118 Church St. fund, the Parish of the Nerepis of family support with funding donate today on-line at anglican. Fredericton, NB E3B 4C8 and St. John developed welcome for a family ministry coordina- nb.ca or by mail addressed to —> Cheques to Diocese of Fredericton with Foundation for Life memo 2 / THE NEW BRUNSWICK ANGLICAN JANUARY 2014 d i o c e s a n n e w s Latest Hockin book a deeper, more intimate experience Bishop Bill Hockin has long than they get in their own parish Growth during a recent interim faith. He has decided to walk on written for people on the edge, church, so this book goes deeper ministry in a Toronto parish. the road less traveled.” people who want to “get in” into biblical text. It is for a differ- He offered an evening Bible Faith in God is a process that to faith and the church. His ent audience,” says the retired study that attracted a good begins with a personal decision most recent book, however, is bishop of this diocese. crowd, mostly of older and ac- to search for the spirit. Once different. I“ often meet commit- He recognized the need for a tive people in the parish. They we do it, that spirit doesn’t let ted and faithful Anglicans who book like Searching for a Deeper were long-time Anglicans with us go. It continues to give us want more, sometimes more Well — Strategies for Spiritual experience on vestry, who had something new. “Faith gives you served as wardens and in many a lens through which you see the other ways, and they wanted to world differently. You see deeper Retired Bishop Bill Hockin go deeper into their faith. into life, see the mystery and Bishop Bill begins the book awe. Faith is not comprehended L E T T E R T O with the Nicodemus story from through facts and reason, it John’s Gospel. Jesus tells Nico- is imagination that produces T H E demus that in order to get into meaning through allegory and E D I T O R God’s kingdom he “Must be stories.” Dear Editor, born not only by water, but by The book is written in three Many New Brunswickers, the Spirit.” Nicodemus doesn’t parts: Surprises from John’s Gos- and surely all Anglicans in understand at first, but then his pel, Surprises from the Parables the province, feel proud that life begins to change. of Jesus, and Thoughts from the Brig. Gen. John Fletcher has “Jesus says the way to see Book of Job. The chapters in the been named the new Chap- what God really wants for your first two sections have never lain General for all Canadian life is to see it as a rebirth of been published or spoken in this Armed Forces as reported the spirit,” Bishop Bill writes. diocese. The third section on Job in the December 2013 New “Notice he (Jesus) doesn’t say a was part of his Lenten series in Brunswick Anglican. rebirth of religion or giving the Fredericton last spring. “Religious faith matters,” rules and traditions a second Searching for a Deeper Well Fletcher emphasizes. So does chance. No, he speaks of a — Strategies for Spiritual Growth diversity. For Fletcher is the rebirth in a much deeper place. is available in Saint John at An- Canadian Armed Forces’ first This is not about getting a new glican House on Princess Street. openly gay chaplain general hymnbook or building a hall Phone orders are welcome. In as reported in the December to get young people back in the Fredericton it can be found at 2013 Anglican Journal. As church, it is deeper than that. It’s The Lighthouse Bookstore on Canada becomes more di- about what God is doing and al- Bishop Drive and Westminster verse, the chaplaincy reflects lowed to do rather than what we Books on King Street. The price and serves that diversity. do. It’s a deeper more intimate is $16.95. Our prayers and blessings experience of the divine spirit Bishop Bill writes as a labour for this fine New Brunswick and something that we cannot of love and those who help native Anglican! control … In spite of his history, him produce his books are all his beliefs, his age and reluc- volunteers as well. Any proceeds Eldon Hay tance to change, Nicodemus, from his books go to his founda- Sackville this man in midlife, has begun tion, which funds his Lenten and a journey, not of religion but of Advent speaking series’. DEADLINE for copy and photo submissions to the New Brunswick Average contribution level 13 per cent Anglican is the first working day of the month previous to publication. Continued from page 1 file complete parish returns on to use reliable figures to calcu- time, share information, and are lathe amount each parish needs willing to help one another for to contribute to the Shared Min- the good of all. Some parishes istry Budget in 2014. Parishes in this diocese already routinely with income up to $50,000 are contribute more than their share assessed at 10 per cent. Par- to the budget. It is that kind of ishes with up to $50,000 more grace and generosity that will www.anglican.nb.ca in income are assessed 15 per enable us to build a budget re- cent on the amount over the first serve and be sensitive to extenu- OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE DIOCESE OF FREDERICTON $50,000. Parishes with income ating circumstances.” A SECTION OF THE ANGLICAN JOURNAL over $100,000 pay an additional The Most Rev. Claude Miller Bishop and Publisher 20 per cent on the amount over At the Diocesan Synod in that level. The average contribu- November, Archbishop Claude Ana Watts Editor tion level is 13%.