DIOCESAN POST Celebrating the Diocese of British Columbia A Section of the ANGLICAN JOURNAL FEBRUARY 2018 Faith in Action Photo by John Ducker Bishop Logan thanks Canon Flett and presents him with a gift A Morning With Victor Flett, Aboriginal Veteran By Faith Magwood After 36 years, when he returned their culture and revitalization that racism is being replaced by to civilian life, he sought to of their languages. reconciliation, but there is still On December 2, St. Peter and apply his training in the navy a great deal of work to be done. St. Paul’s, Esquimalt, hosted to jobs in Dockyard or at the He gives great credit to Anglican an Aboriginal Neighbours’ ammunition depot. Again, he Primates Ted Scott and Michael In thanking Victor for his presentation by Victor Flett attributes his rejections to racism. Peers for their courage and presentation, Bishop Logan entitled From Racism to Eventually he found a job with leadership in speaking out for McMenamie invited Victor’s Reconciliation. Flett, who the Commissionaires where he First Nations and is encouraged son, Victor Jr. (Buddy), to now lives in Sooke, is of Cree worked for over 20 years. by the 94 Calls to Action of stand with them at the front. descent from the Peguis First the Truth and Reconciliation Then he delighted all present by Nation in Manitoba. Quietly, There were two significant Commission. He mentioned, bestowing upon Victor the status and with great dignity, Flett told journeys that had great meaning especially, the call to repudiate of Lay Canon of the Diocese. his story of growing up on his for Victor. The first was a the Doctrine of Discovery. He There were cheers, hoots and grandfather’s land in Manitoba, return to Korea for ceremonies believes it is the root of the hollers of applause. joining the Navy, and his of acknowledgement of the racism that has followed in the civilian life after his discharge. Canadian contribution—Flett last 400 years. Faith Magwood is the former The audience listened intently. served in Korea on the destroyer Chair of Aboriginal Neighbours HMCS Crusader. The second Returning to the story of his and is the current bell ringer at Flett’s mother died when he was participation in the 100th family, Victor told of being Christ Church Cathedral. was three years old, so he and anniversary ceremonies at the called to his second oldest his older siblings were brought Vimy Memorial. To complement John Ducker brother’s bedside when he was up by his grandmother whose Victor’s story, John Ducker, dying. His brother thanked him husband had fought and died at People’s Warden at St. Peter for coming, and Victor thanked Photo by Vimy Ridge in the First World and St. Paul’s, presented an Canon Victor Flett him for teaching him to pray. War. The grandmother was very exceptionally moving photo strong in her Christian faith and essay on Canadians returning actively trying to build bridges When asked what he was praying delegated Victor’s second oldest to Vimy. between the people in the pews for now, Victor emphatically brother to teach him to pray. and his First Nations brothers said “Justice.” In a land as rich YEAR OF and sisters. In recent years, Victor remained firmly grounded as Canada, where most of us lead RECONCILIATION Flett told of his experience in the faith his grandmother had he has seen the Royal British comfortable lives, it is a disgrace of racism at school and in the taught him. Attending three Columbia Museum and the that so many First Nations navy. He said he learned early Sacred Circles meant a lot to University of Victoria reach out people live in poverty and under to be ashamed of his aboriginal him. In Aboriginal Neighbours to First Nations with initiatives boil water advisories. He said heritage to avoid confrontation. he found friends who were to increase acknowledgement of he is encouraged to see signs Renewed Hearts, Renewed Spirits, Renewed People 2 . DIOCESAN POST . FEBRUARY 2018 Light Up the Darkness house and shot him down. Two of the Epiphany, we listen to the days later he walked out on the call for us to make manifest the stage and sang. Somebody asked Christ in our midst—how will him why. He said the people who we reflect the light that we have Bishop’s Calendar were trying to make this world come to know in the Christ? How, worse are not taking a day off. by our words and actions, will February How can I? people know we are followers of this Jesus? How will they see the 13 Educational Trusts Board Light up the darkness.” light reflected in our lives? Diocesan Post 15 Finance Committee Photo: Candlemas is my favourite At the end of the movie I Am 17 Nimpkish Regional Gathering, festival of the church year. It is Legend, Robert Neville, through St. John the Divine, Courtenay the feast of the purification of the his blood, discovers a cure that 22 Diocesan Council Bishop Logan Blessed Virgin Mary. The date is will save humanity and he dies February 2 and is the 40th day of in the process. At the end of the 24 Tolmie Regional Gathering Clergy Writes the Christmas-Epiphany season. movie another character who is Day, St. Mary the Virgin, Oak Bay In the movie I Am Legend, the There is no connection at all with also immune, named Anna, says main character, Robert Neville, Groundhog Day! It is the time these words: an army virologist played by Will when we bring our candles to the Smith, is immune to a disease that church to be blessed. It is a time “In 2009, a deadly virus burned has affected humanity because when we bring ourselves to be through our civilization, pushing of his blood type. He looks for a blessed, a time to live as a light humankind to the edge of cure for the disease, a disease that in the world. We are called to extinction. Dr. Robert Neville causes the population to live in light up the darkness and shine dedicated his life to the discovery NOTE: SUBMISSION DEADLINES the darkness during the day and light into the places where hope of a cure and the restoration of HAVE CHANGED TO THE 25TH OF roam the streets at night. As he is is needed. We do this by both our humanity. On September 9, 2012, going out again to face the world, words and our actions. at approximately 8:49 p.m., he THE MONTH (TWO MONTHS IN he plays music by Bob Marley as discovered that cure. And at 8:52, inspiration. We live as Christians to a rhythm he gave his life to defend it. We ADVANCE OF EACH ISSUE). of life. Our calendar which began are his legacy. This is his legend. He says, “He [Bob Marley] had on Advent Sunday is there for this idea, it was kind of a virologist us to adjust our lifestyle in Light up the darkness.” NEXT SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS idea, he believed he could cure accordance with God’s time racism and hate, literally cure it and God’s season. During this Go therefore and be a light on FEB 25TH (FOR THE MARCH ISSUE) by injecting music and love into season, we examine our lifestyle these islands and inlets. people’s lives. One day he was to see how we are living as lights scheduled to perform at a peace in the world. As we continue our concert and gunmen came to his journey through the season An Invitation to join DIOCESAN POST WELCOMES The Friends of Christ LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Church Cathedral Join with many others from Victoria and across Canada as a Friend of Christ Church Cathedral Support us in enhancing this glorious building and its surroundings Become part of a community that enjoys many shared activi- ties, including music events, excursions and social events LOOKING FOR MONTHLY Provide knowledge, skill and expertise to promote special projects Help to ensure the long tradition of worship and praise INTERCESSIONS? continues for future generations Download a membership brochure from our website www.christchurchcathedral.bc.ca bc.anglican.ca/resources Quadra@Rockland, Victoria BC V8V 3G8 A Cathedral for the City 250.383.2714 www.christchurchcathedral.bc.ca FOR DIOCESAN POST AD RATES VISIT US ONLINE bc.anglican.ca/the-diocesan-post Subscription Changes Submissions New Submission Deadlines Please advise your parish secretary News, letters and other articles are January issue - November 25 or send your subscriptions, change of welcome. Please limit articles to February issue - December 25 address or cancellation in writing to 500 words and letters to 200 words. March issue - January 25 Diocesan Post c/o Anglican Journal, Submissions must include name and April issue - February 25 80 Hayden Street, Toronto, ON, M4Y contact information of the author. May issue - March 25 Published by the Anglican Diocese of British Columbia ten times a year 3G2; or e-mail: circulation@national. Pictures must be a resolution of 300 June issue - April 25 from September to June as a section of the Anglican Journal. anglican.ca. Changes can also be made DPI and in sharp focus. Clearly and September issue - July 25 online: anglicanjournal.com and click accurately identify the name of all October issue - August 25 Editor: Terry Jones Proofreader: Phyllis Thompson Subscription Centre. subjects as well as the person who took November issue - September 25 Ad Manager: Angela Rush [email protected] the picture. December issue - October 25 Some costs associated with the production of the Anglican Journal and the Diocesan All material is subject to editing.