Around the dioceses, Jan 2017

Moosonee’s new school of ministry

On January 27, the diocese of Moosonee will launch its new school of ministry for local parish leaders who feel called to take on more formal roles in the church.

The diocese’s theological education task force, chaired by (ret.) Assisting Bishop Tom Corston, has been working to establish the school, following concerns about increasing vacancies in parish leadership, particularly among ordained clergy.

While the diocese will continue to encourage seminary-trained clergy from southern Canada to come north, the task force also concluded that many parishes already have leaders who could be raised up with some “in-house” training.

The school of ministry is a year-long program that will include four long weekends throughout the year. Each weekend will include lectures led by diocesan clergy who have seminary training on topics such as sacred theology, Scripture, church history, prayer, liturgy, preaching, evangelism and pastoral care.

The program will also include sessions on Indigenous teachings and priorities as well as a presentation on the church’s programs and policies.

Between weekend sessions, the participants will be required to work on a field placement project with the guidance of their local minister, and to serve actively in their own parish’s ministry.

At the end of the program, participants will be offered ordination. If they decide they want to be ordained, they will undergo an examination to evaluate their suitability before being presented to the archbishop as candidates for ordination.

Financing for the program, including travel and accommodation costs, will be provided by the diocese. Invitations have already been sent to every congregation in the diocese to encourage those interested in the school of ministry to apply.

-Northland

 

Butterflies in Masset a reminder of missing and murdered First Nations women

In fall 2016, two Anglican churches in Masset on Haida Gwaii sponsored “The Butterfly Exhibit,” an art installation honouring the women who have been murdered or gone missing along the Yellowhead Highway in recent decades.

The exhibit, originally organized by artist Christine Haubrick to be shown on National Aboriginal Day (June 21) in Prince Rupert, B.C., was brought to Masset through the efforts of the Anglican churches of St. John the Evangelist and St. Paul.

The exhibit featured 70 original painted panels, many of which were accompanied by short pieces of text about the issue of missing and murdered women, or reflecting on grief and loss. It was housed in the Delkatla Conservancy Museum.

Archdeacon Peter Hamel, who helped organize the installation, offered a prayer at the exhibit’s launch.

“We offer our hearts and our tears as the hurt of victims of abuse echoes within us,” he said. “We offer our anger: make it a passion for justice. We offer our skills: use our gifts to end violence…may love be our constant companion.”

Between 1969 and 2011, 13 women have been murdered and five have gone missing along the “Highway of Tears,” as the #16 Yellowhead Highway between Prince George and Prince Rupert is known. Many of them are First Nations, and many are teenagers.

To date, only one person has been charged in connection with these crimes, and found guilty of the death of one woman. These deaths are part of a much larger pattern of violence against Indigenous women and girls in Canada. In the past 30 years, more than 600 Indigenous women and girls have been killed or gone missing.

-The Caledonia Times

Bishop launches book on 125th anniversary of Lads’ Brigade in Newfoundland

On October 17, Bishop Geoff Peddle, of the diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador, launched, The Church Lads’ Brigade in Newfoundland: A People’s Story, at the Church Lads’ Brigade Armoury in St. John’s.

The book was written to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the Church Lads’ Brigade (CLB) in Newfoundland. The CLB is the oldest and largest Anglican youth organization in Canada. The CLB is known nationally for its regimental band.

At the launch, the crowd was welcomed by Col. Keith Anrs, governor and commandant of the CLB. Peddle and Gary Cranford, president of Flanker Press, the book’s publisher, both gave short addresses, and Peddle read from a section of the book.

Peddle also presented a copy to the Hon. Frank Fagan, lieutenant governor of Newfoundland and Labrador. Following the launch, Peddle signed copies of the book, and light refreshments were provided.

The launch followed the annual CLB anniversary parade at the Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.

-Anglican Life

Outreach project in New Brunswick teaches kids to cook

The kitchen and hall at St. Philip’s in Moncton are filled with the savoury smells of garlic, rosemary and chili powder as six Grade 8 students, wearing hairnets and gloves, set the table with bread, butter, cheese and water.

The budding cooks and their mentors say a blessing, and then enjoy the fruits of their labour-vegetarian chili, savoury crackers and banana ice cream.

This is all part of a joint project between St. Philip’s and Queen Elizabeth School, which is across the street, to help students learn to cook.

Peggy Gauvin, one of the volunteers who helps run the program, says the project is an investment with the potential for a lifetime of benefits for kids.

“The main purpose is to promote the use of nutritious foods in people’s lives so they can develop confidence in their skills and they can cook a meal” she said. “Food security is important-we’re hoping we can teach basic skills with simple, basic ingredients.”

The church and the school have a history of working together, and the program grew out of discussions between Janice Irvine Meek, a volunteer from St. Philip’s, and the school itself about how the church could be a supportive neighbour.

Meek said the school suggested a learn-to-cook program, and after Meek and Gauvin took a community food mentor course, the program “fell into place.”

The Rev. David Alston, a deacon at St. Philip’s, also volunteers at the program, and says he views it as part of the church’s outreach.

“A deacon’s role is to be outward-looking, so I’m looking outward with these fine cooks,” he said.

As for the students themselves, they said they enjoyed both the food and the community.

“It’s really fun, but what I like best is all the people. They’re really nice,” said Hannah, one of the Grade 8 students.

-The New Brunswick Anglican

Two languages, one act of worship

The combination of both the English and Sinhala languages added an extra dimension to a remarkable worship service on Thanksgiving Sunday at All Saints (Dain City) in Welland, Ont.

Over 65 visitors from the Sri Lankan-Canadian community attended, many from the Greater Toronto Area, and in addition to Anglicans, Roman Catholics and members of other Christian denominations, the guests included Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims.

“They all were friends and relatives of the baptismal party,” said the Rev. Nirmal Mendis, rector of All Saints.

The celebration, conducted by Mendis, included the baptism of Liara Rosey, the infant daughter of a young Sri Lankan family from Brampton.

Mendis has longstanding ties to Rosey’s family-he is the godfather of Rosey’s grandfather, and baptized her grandmother when he was still serving in Sri Lanka.

The gospel was chanted in Sinhala, and music director Dianne Williams and the choir made a special effort to learn and sing the responses to the gospel in Sinhala. They also learned the tune and words to the offertory hymn-“Ronata Wadina-written by the Rev. Marcelline Jayakody, a popular Sri Lankan Roman Catholic priest and songwriter.

Parts of the eucharistic prayer were also said in Sinhala.

“Our visitors were very pleased that they made a request to All Saints before they left,” said Mendis. “They wanted to know whether All Saints would consider hosting a Sinhala service for them at least twice a year.”

-Niagara Anglican