The Anglican, June 2016

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Course teaches Christian basics

Refugee family’s prayers answered

German student stays at convent

TheAnglican THE NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF TORONTO

A SECTION OF THE ANGLICAN JOURNAL

www.toronto.anglican.ca

JUNE 2016

Laneway named after bishop Signs celebrate local history BY MARTHA HOLMEN A small piece of Toronto has a familiar new name. A laneway in the St. Clair West and Bathurst area is now officially known as Bishop Arthur Brown Lane, thanks to the initiative of several local Anglicans. Evelyn and Robert Longworth, long-time members of St. Michael and All Angels, Toronto, first heard about the project from Didi Erb, the wife of the late Rev. Canon John Erb, a former incumbent. “She said she was part of a group getting various lanes named in Toronto,” says Mrs. Longworth. “She suggested Bishop Brown, and I thought that was perfect.” Bishop Arthur Brown was the incumbent at St. Michael’s from 1963 to 1981, when he was consecrated suffragan bishop of Toronto. “We were the first couple he married there, 51 years ago,” says Mrs. Longworth. Mr. Longworth was also one of Bishop Brown’s churchwardens in the 1970s. After hearing about the project, the Longworths learned that city councillor Joe Mihevc was asking Ward 21 residents to submit names that capture the spirit of the ward. “He encouraged people to submit names from various times and places in the community,” says Mrs. Longworth. Ten lanes in Ward 21 are being named in 2016, with another 10 to follow next year. The project is intended both to commemorate local history and to help first responders and city services navigate the streets. As part of their submission, the Longworths sent letters to everyone whose home backs onto the lane, which starts on Wychwood Avenue just opposite St. Michael’s and continues west almost to Christie Street. “I must have printed about 50 or 60 letters. Nobody complained,” says Mrs. Longworth. In fact, she received several letters of support from neighbours. “One was from a woman who said

City Councillor Joe Mihevc (kneeling) joins local Anglicans and friends after the dedication of Bishop Arthur Brown Lane near St. Michael and All Angels, Toronto. Standing behind Councillor Mihevc is the Ven. Duncan Abraham, a former dean of St. James Cathedral who took part in the ceremony. At right is the late Bishop Arthur Brown. PHOTOS BY MICHAEL

Volunteers needed for General Synod

HUDSON

she didn’t go to the church, but she knew how involved he had been in the community,” she says. Bishop Brown, his wife Norma and their three daughters lived in the rectory next door to St. Michael’s and were active members of the neighbourhood. “He wasn’t just a minister at the church; he got involved more than someone who just showed up on Sunday morning. I think it was because he had children in the community,” says Mrs. Longworth. Perhaps his most lasting legacy in the area is the St. Michael and All Angels Day Care Centre, founded in 1976 and still flourishing today. “The daycare was founded because there was nothing available for kids over two years old at that time,” says Mr. Longworth. “There was a private daycare in the church, but once the kids turned two and a half, they all had to go to different

places.” After he left St. Michael’s, Bishop Brown continued to provide advice and financial support to the daycare until his death in 2011. One of his daughters, Carrie Brown, was the centre’s longestserving supervisor. The Longworths also want to recognize Bishop Brown’s advocacy around race relations and multiculturalism, something he is still known for across the diocese. “He was very active in promoting the West Indian community, and he had a strong sense of the of the civil rights movement in the States,” says Mr. Longworth. Bishop Brown invited many dignitaries to St. Michael’s over the years, welcoming guests such as Premier Bill Davis and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. That welcome was also extended to newcomers from around the world, whom he invited to take on leadership roles in the church.

“He appointed our first black warden and one of the first female wardens probably in the diocese,” says Mr. Longworth. “St. Michael’s became a socially active church largely because of him.” A ceremony to celebrate the new name took place on April 29, with remarks, songs and an official unveiling of the sign. Joanne Brown, Bishop Brown’s daughter, the Very Rev. Duncan Abraham, dean emeritus of St. James Cathedral, and Councillor Mihevc attended.

CHURCH CHEERS RUNNERS – SEE PAGE 12

VOLUNTEERS are still needed to help at General Synod, being held July 7-12 in Richmond Hill. Possible tasks include greeting delegates, providing on-site hospitality, and staffing the registration and information desks. Volunteers will be reimbursed for travel to and from the hotel, receive meals on site, have access to a volunteer lounge and receive the opportunity to observe some of the sessions of General Synod. “I have attended many General Synods and have made many friends who I still keep in touch with,” says Margaret Shawyer, a volunteer. “If you can spare the time, it is a very worthwhile experience.” If you’re interested, complete the application form on the diocese’s website, www.toronto.anglican.ca, and return it to Cynthia Majewski at cynthia_majewski@hotmail.com or fax to Pamela Boisvert at 416-363-7678.

2 TheAnglican

NEWS

June 2016

Public engages with premier at church Faith groups lauded for building up society BY RYAN WESTON

MORE than 125 people gathered in the sanctuary of St. John, York Mills on May 9 to take part in a question and answer session on social justice and public policy with Premier Kathleen Wynne. Presented by the FaithWorks and Outreach Committee at St. John’s, along with Voices for a Just Society, a north Toronto ecu-

menical social justice network, the evening offered a unique opportunity for parishioners and members of the wider community to engage directly with the premier on a number of key issues facing her government. The Rev. Canon Drew MacDonald, incumbent of St. John’s, opened the gathering with a prayer and moderated the discussion throughout the evening. “The

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Premier Kathleen Wynne speaks at St. John, York Mills during a question and answer session. PHOTO BY MICHAEL HUDSON

reason for this event is that we are celebrating our 200th anniversary here at St. John’s,� he said, adding that this was just one in a series of events to commemorate the long history of the parish. Premier Wynne began her remarks by reflecting on a passage from St. Paul’s epistle to the Thessalonians (5:11): “Wherefore comfort yourselves together and edify one another, even as also ye do.� “‘Edify’ is one of the Apostle Paul’s favourite words and metaphorical concepts, and translated to the modern context it means to build up,� she told the audience. “I started with this because, when I talk about the plan we put in place in Ontario, it is about building Ontario up. It is about building us up. Now that can mean bridges and hospitals, but it can also be taken metaphorically, that our plan is about building each other up. Because in a very basic sense, that’s what I think that we are here to do, and what all the faiths of the world ask of us.�

Ms. Wynne also highlighted the important role of faith communities in advocating for policy changes around social justice issues. “I think that there are many, many ways in which government has to work with communities,� she said. “Where social justice and poverty alleviation are concerned, the individual and nongovernment institutions, including faith groups, play critical roles. “We have a responsibility to lead, a responsibility to be always finding ways to build a province that takes care of its most vulnerable and helps everyone to live with dignity and the independence that they deserve. And that work is not done,� she continued. “That’s why you’re here to push me, and I so appreciate that. It’s very important.� Following the premier’s remarks, the floor was opened for questions, which covered a diverse range of issues from social assistance reform to medically assisted death, and from seniors’

housing needs to funding for autism therapies. The premier’s visit was not without some controversy. A small group gathered at the entrance to the church property with signs and leaflets challenging the Ontario government’s policy of ending the funding of Intensive Behavioural Intervention therapy for children with autism once they reach the age of five. Inside the sanctuary, representatives from Put Food in the Budget, a grassroots organization working to end poverty, presented the premier with a survey, held up a banner during her presentation, and then walked out in protest at the beginning of the question and answer session, encouraging others to join them. Scott McDougall, a parishioner at St. John’s and one of the organizers of the premier’s visit, was still satisfied with the event and emphasized the importance of engaging with political representaContinued on Page 3

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TheAnglican 3

NEWS

June 2016

New course teaches the basics Laity can lead it in churches BY STUART MANN

THE Rev. Canon Judy Paulsen was on a flight to the Maritimes when the idea came to her. For some time, she had been troubled by the lack of basic Christian knowledge among some of her students at Wycliffe College, an Anglican seminary in Toronto. “There were students coming into the college, offering themselves for leadership in the church, who were really missing what I think are basic catechetic pieces,� she says. “They may have had a very spotty understanding of scripture or may not have known anything about the spiritual disciplines.� A former parish priest, Canon Paulsen had observed this in some of her parishioners as well. Although they attended church regularly, they had a very limited understanding of the Christian story – one of the main reasons why they didn’t try to share it with others. “There’s more people today who don’t have any church background,� she says. “For those who do, they often feel guilty that they don’t know the Bible better or they think everybody knows it better than they do. In church, we often throw words and phrases around that are Greek to people.� On the flight, she started to think about creating a simple course that would teach the basics of Christianity to lay people. It would be designed so that those who took the course could later teach it to others. Back in Toronto, she shared her idea with some colleagues and was encouraged to act on it. On behalf of Wycliffe College’s Institute of Evangelism, where she is the director, Canon Paulsen applied for, and received, a $25,000 grant from the diocese’s Our Faith-Our Hope campaign to get the course off the ground. “The diocese was really generous in giving us the money to pay for its development,� she says. The course, called Christian Foundations, will be held at

Rebecca Hanson-Symes of Christ Memorial, Oshawa plans to take the Christian Foundations course. With her is the Rev. Stephanie Douglas-Bowman, incumbent. PHOTO BY MICHAEL HUDSON Wycliffe College on nine Saturdays in 2016 and 2017. At the end, there will be a commissioning service in the college’s chapel. The course will give participants a basic introduction to the Old Testament, the Gospels, the Book of Acts and the Epistles, the creeds and canon of scripture, church history, Christian disciplines and vocation and service. They will explore these subjects through a series of questions, including: How can I know God? What is the story of Israel? Who is Jesus? How did the church get started? What do Christians believe? Why are there so many sorts of Christians? How can I grow in my faith? What is my part in the Kingdom of God? Although anyone can take the course, Canon Paulsen hopes that churches will send people who will want to teach it to others when they return to their parishes. “The material is at a basic enough level that if somebody has a heart to see people learn more about the faith, that’s really all they need to facilitate it back home,� she says. Several churches have already

expressed interest in the course. The Rev. Stephanie Douglas-Bowman, the incumbent of Christ Memorial Church in Oshawa, hopes to send two people. “What I like about Christian Foundations is that it’s equipping lay people to lead,� she says. With a congregation of about 150, her time and energy are limited. Lay people who can teach the Christian basics in adult confirmation classes and other programs means more ministry can happen in the church, she says. “What I like is that I can send them on this course, they will receive all the training they need, and then they can come and teach in the parish. My hope is to have lay catechists in this teaching role in the church.� She adds, “There’s only so much bandwidth a cleric has, and so you look for courses like this. I don’t think we have to reinvent the wheel every time. If there’s a good group like Wycliffe who has put together this program, I’m really happy to use it.� Canon Paulsen says that churches that already have people who can teach the faith and do not

Church plans to invite other party leaders Continued from Page 2

tives. “We have to reach out, not only to the premier but to opposition leaders, and let them have an opportunity to hear from grassroots people who are involved in social policy issues and can present alternatives to some of the problems they are facing,� he said.

“I was very pleased with the questions. We had good, thoughtful people,� he continued. “The main thing is to try to get straight answers, and to try to get politicians thinking out of the box. The premier would like to be the social justice premier. Show me. As somebody said, it’s time to walk

the walk. They need to make structural changes and not take an incremental approach.� St. John, York Mills plans to hold similar events with New Democratic Party leader Andrea Horwath and Progressive Conservative leader Patrick Brown in the coming months.

need to attend the course can simply use the course’s workbook. The workbook, which costs $30, is attractively designed and includes maps, photographs, prayers, short

narratives, interactive exercises and commentary that links scripture to contemporary issues. “If churches want to just order the workbook and take it and lead it, that’s great,� she says. For people or parish groups that want to take the course but can’t make the trip to Wycliffe College, there will be an option to participate in the classes via WebEx, an online conferencing service. The course material was written by Canon Paulsen, her husband Pat Paulsen, who is an experienced teacher of the Bible and church history, and the Rev. Canon Susan Bell, the diocese’s canon missioner and the chaplain of Havergal College, an independent girls school in Toronto. They will be teaching the course as well. For those attending the course in person at Wycliffe College, the cost is $500, which includes the workbook and lunches. Canon Paulsen says it’s a worthwhile investment for churches. “Our hope is that it’s not just about information – it’s about transforming the people taking the course,� she says. “Our goal is that they feel confident telling the story.� For more information about Christian Foundations, visit www.wycliffecollege.ca/christianfoundations.

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4 TheAnglican

COMMENT

June 2016

The roles of a bishop “

W

hich is your church?” It is a question I’m asked in almost every parish I visit, and my answer is almost always a surprise to the questioner: “This one – and all 200-plus other churches in the diocese!” When a new incumbent is appointed, a service of institution takes place in the chapel at the Diocesan Centre. “Receive this charge which is mine and thine,” are the traditional words by which the diocesan bishop commissions or institutes a priest into the spiritual responsibilities of the parish. The bishop has the spiritual care of all the churches in the diocese, usually exercised through the ministry of the parish priests, unless the bishop is present. That is just one of the roles of a bishop. Bishop Linda Nicholls was elected as bishop coadjutor of the Diocese of Huron. That means she will automatically succeed Bishop Bennett as Bishop of Huron when he retires on Nov. 1. Bishop Philip Poole and Bishop Patrick Yu have announced their decisions to retire on Sept. 30 and in January respectively. Diocesan Council authorized the election of bishops suffragan to be held on Sept. 17, with the ordination and consecration set for Jan. 7, 2017. From the parish hall meetings I held across the diocese in April and May, I solicited opinions about whether we continue to want and need four area bishops to serve with me as diocesan bishop in Toronto. By the time you read this, the decision will have been made about whether two or three people will be elected in September. As usual, we will not be electing a bishop or three for an identified area but a suffragan (assistant) bishop with ministry in the whole diocese, and assigned to a particular episcopal area after the election. You can read on the diocese’s website about the process of nomination and election, but it’s important to know what a bishop is supposed to be and do. The Rite of Ordination sets out a number of responsibilities: apostolic proclamation; pastoral care; oversight; governance; and linkage and representation. Bishops “are one with the apostles in pro-

ARCHBISHOP’S DIARY BY ARCHBISHOP COLIN JOHNSON claiming Christ’s resurrection” as the good news for every age (BAS, p. 636). The bishop’s first and primary task is not, as is often supposed, the pastoral care of clergy or parishes but rather teaching, preaching and interpreting the Christian faith both in parishes and in the wider community. This is especially critical in a society where our faith is misunderstood, maligned or ignored. So a bishop has to be an effective communicator. More crucially, a bishop has to be a person of deep faith in Jesus Christ. This is the content of the communication. He or she must be able to live that faith authentically, understand the nuances of the tradition, and articulate it winsomely. As pastor (the reason a bishop carries the crozier, the shepherd’s staff), much of the bishop’s work is by delegation. The bishop’s pastoral task is one of discernment of the leadership gifts of others, so that across a large array of different places, the church can be built up through a strong sacramental life, the ministry of word, the visiting of the sick, the catechesis of both seekers and the baptized, and the administration that parishes require to function well. The bishop must be a leader, a mentor and a team player because each area bishop will be working with more than 100 exceptionally well-trained, competent priests and deacons, and hundreds of dedicated and gifted lay leaders. This is not the usual training for most priests. The bishop is by definition an “overseer,” which is the meaning of the adjective “episcopal.” He or she frames the missional strategy for the area in consultation with the other leaders and in coordination with the mission of the diocese. The bishop has the “overview” of the needs and the opportunities in the whole area, and provides the necessary unity and discipline (think focus and discipleship, rather than punishment) to listen to God’s call and marshal the resources of the area and diocese to respond to God’s call to service. The people chosen in the election will be

bishops suffragan of the diocese, with responsibility for the well-being of the whole of the diocese, as well as particular accountability for one region. The area bishops use their own gifts both within their area as well as across the wider church, and are called by ordination to participate in the governance of the whole church. While appointed for a period of time to one area, they can and do work beyond those boundaries and can be (and have been) moved to a different area. Each also takes on special ministry assignments based on their skills and passions. So it is important to think of candidates who could provide ministry in more than one area and complement the gifts of the other members of the College of Bishops. A bishop is a link person. The Archbishop of Canterbury remarked that the bishop’s role is to interpret the “strangeness of one community to the strangeness of the next community” so that they may be drawn together and mutually enrich each other and join in extending the Kindgom. Bishops link one parish to another, represent the diocese to the wider church and the wider church to the diocese. The bishop becomes the personal face of the church, and specifically the Anglican Church, to those they meet. And, of course, they do all the other ordinary tasks that bishops do: appoint and supervise clergy, baptize and confirm, license lay ministry, preside at worship, meet with senior parish leaders, work on committees, develop ecumenical, civic and interfaith networks, support parish growth and work to resolve conflicts. It is an encompassing task, hugely challenging and joyously fulfilling by God’s grace. It is not a promotion or a job. It is, above all, a vocation – the offering of oneself for service in response to God’s call, discerned by the community of faith. An episcopal election is not a political leadership convention but a prayerful gathering of the clergy and laity representing the church in the diocese to discern whom God has chosen to be the next bishop in the church. Pray for those who will test their call to this vocation, and for us as a diocesan family, as we affirm that call and receive this new ministry.

O

BISHOP’S OPINION BY BISHOP PETER FENTY er to be minimized or regarded as of less significance than those of the deacons, priests and bishops. We all share in the royal priesthood of all believers, but we are equally called to be ambassadors for Christ. There has been a significant growth of lay volunteers in our diocese, which is making a difference in how we exercise ministry. The good news is that many parishes are being supported by volunteers in a variety of ways in how they carry out their ministries. However, we need more volunteers to assist because of the increasing demand for programming support. I encourage persons who may be contemplating other ways they may be involved in the life of our diocese to make a call to the Diocesan Centre and explore how they may volunteer in sharing their gifts and skills. The many support programs in the diocese that are led by volunteers helping parishes reflect a significant shift in the way things are done. Parishes are encouraged to seek the resources available to support them.

The Anglican is published under the authority of the Bishop of Toronto and the Incorporated Synod of the Diocese of Toronto. Opinions expressed in The Anglican are not necessarily those of the editor or the publisher. Canon Stuart Mann: Editor Address all editorial material to: The Anglican 135 Adelaide Street East Toronto, Ontario M5C 1L8 Tel: (416) 363-6021, ext. 247 Toll free: 1- 800 - 668 - 8932 Fax: (416) 363 -7678 E-mail: editor@toronto.anglican.ca Circulation: For all circulation inquiries, including address changes, new subscriptions and cancellations, call the Circulation Department at (416) 924-9199, ext. 259/245, or email circulation@national.anglican.ca. You can also make changes online: visit www.anglicanjournal.com and click Subscription Centre. Annie Fenn: Advertising Address all advertising material to: Fenn Company Inc. P.O. Box 1060 King City, Ontario L7B 1B1 Tel: 905-833-6200, ext. 22 Toll free: 1- 800 - 209- 4810 Fax: (905) 833- 2116 E-mail: anglican@churchadvertising.ca

The Anglican Church In the Anglican Communion: A global community of 70 million Anglicans in 64,000 congregations in 164 countries. Archbishop of Canterbury: The Most Rev. and Rt. Hon. Justin Welby, Lambeth Palace, London, England SE1 7JU. In Canada: A community of about 600,000 members in 30 dioceses, stretching from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland and north to the Arctic Ocean. Primate: The Most Rev. Fred Hiltz, Church House, 80 Hayden St. Toronto, ON M4Y 3G2

Gift of the Spirit empowers us all ne of the joys of my ministry is having the privilege of being in a different parish each week. I enjoy the opportunity to visit with clergy and people in their parishes, to worship with them and learn of all that is happening in their lives. My visits have taught me much about the faithfulness of clergy and people, and their dedication to living out their baptismal ministries in many and varying ways. I have also come to appreciate that in some parishes with limited resources, both human and financial, creative efforts are made to sustain their ministries. This does not mean that they are not wrestling with the troubling question of viability and the vision required to plan for the future. I am pleased with the enormous amount of time spent by faithful lay persons carrying out God’s mission in their parishes and communities. At the centre of parish life is the prayerful effort made daily by individuals to do what they believe is their baptismal ministry, in the witnessing of their faith. The importance of the order of laity is nev-

TheAnglican

They may do so when going through a selection process to call a new incumbent. Parishes that are serious about their own development and how healthy they are may seek to be engaged in the Natural Church Development program, whose purpose is to assess the strengths and weaknesses of their parish, so that they may work towards becoming healthier. Parishes that experience conflict are assisted with intervention strategies, led in most cases by lay volunteers in addressing their challenges. In some cases, parishes that have found themselves in difficulty with non-compliance or management issues are placed under administration, not as punishment but as an opportunity to regroup, become compliant and, more importantly, to carry on the good work and ministry that these parishes have been doing. The bishops are exceedingly grateful for the wonderful ministries carried out daily by clergy and people of our diocese. We are proud of our diocese and the faithfulness of many who do so much to “serve Christ’s mission through compassionate service, intelligent faith, and godly worship.” I believe that the work done by so many is because of a Continued on Page 10

In the Diocese of Toronto: A community of 254 congregations in 210 parishes covering 26,000 square kilometers. Of the nearly 5 million people who live within the diocesan boundaries, 376,000 claim to be affiliated with the Anglican Church, with about 80,000 people identified on the parish rolls. The diocese is home to many ethnic and languagebased congregations, including African, Caribbean, Chinese, Filipino, French, Hispanic, Japanese, and Tamil. The City of Toronto has the largest population of aboriginal peoples in the country. The Archbishop of Toronto: The Most Rev. Colin Johnson York-Credit Valley: The Rt. Rev. Philip Poole Trent-Durham: The Rt. Rev. Linda Nicholls York-Scarborough: The Rt. Rev. Patrick Yu York-Simcoe: The Rt. Rev. Peter Fenty The Diocese of Toronto: 135 Adelaide St. E., Toronto, Ont., M5C 1L8 1-800-668-8932/416-363-6021 Web site: http://www.toronto.anglican.ca

NEWS

June 2016

TheAnglican 5

Big day for newly ordained deacons

Dean Andrew Asbil gives the sermon.

Newly ordained deacons stand with Archbishop Colin Johnson, bishops and clergy outside St. James Cathedral on May 1. From left are the Rev. Jeffrey Nowers, the Rev. Colin Bowler, the Rev. Ken McClure, the Rev. Don Beyers, the Rev. Jeff Potter, the Rev. Tyler Wigg-Stevenson, the Rev. Monique Taylor, the Rev. Richard Webb, the Rev. Joan Wilson and the Rev. Leigh Kern. PHOTOS BY MICHAEL HUDSON

The Rev. Don Beyers stands with family.

Amy Jiang and the Rev. Tyler Wigg-Stevenson take a selfie.

The Rev. Leigh Kern hugs her best friend, Noah Kate Zavitz, while her father, the Rev. Stephen Kern, offers congratulations.

Justice advocate to receive top award BY STUART MANN

JENNIFER Henry says Canada is having a “kairos moment” for Indigenous rights. “It’s a moment when I think the country is starting to understand the need to address the colonial legacy and to begin to put in place justice actions that are going to bring about reconciliation.” It’s a moment that Ms. Henry, the executive director of KAIROS and a member of Holy Trinity, Trinity Square, has worked hard

for over the past 23 years. She is being given the Anglican Award of Merit, the national church’s highest honour for lay people, in recognition of Jennifer Henry her efforts. Growing up in the Anglican Church and being involved in youth ministry, Ms. Henry met

people who had a “fire in the belly” for social justice. Inspired by their passion, she has dedicated her life to making the world a better place. “I feel very strongly that our faith compels us into action for justice in the world, that we collaborate with God in bringing about hopeful transformation,” she says. “That’s my passion, that’s my vocation and it is my privilege that I’m able to also make it my job.” KAIROS is a non-profit agency

that brings together 11 churches and religious organizations in a collective commitment to ecological justice and human rights. It has a staff of about 18, with an office in Toronto and another in Ottawa. It does research and policy development, education and advocacy. Its priorities are Indigenous rights, climate justice, migrant justice and working with partners around the world on human rights and gender justice. Ms. Henry says its top priority is Indigenous rights, in particular

the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. It is currently rolling out a campaign directed at every provincial legislature and territorial government about Call to Action #62, which calls for mandatory curriculum in every school that focuses on treaties, the history of residential schools and the contributions of First Nations, Metis and Inuit people to Canada. In March, church leaders, including Primate Fred Hiltz Continued on Page 7

6 TheAnglican

NEWS

June 2016

Family’s prayers answered

Churches open doors to public

Refugees baptized, join church

Four Anglican churches in Toronto are taking part in Doors Open, the annual opportunity to explore the city’s architectural heritage. St. James Cathedral, St. Anne, St. Augustine of Canterbury and St. John, York Mills will be open May 28-29. A number of mosques, synagogues and temples will also be open. For times, visit the City of Toronto’s website, www.toronto.ca.

BY STUART MANN ON a Wednesday evening in late April, Bachir and Mahfouze Brimo and their four young daughters sat down to a dinner of lasanga and salad in a comfortable home in north Toronto. Joining them were their hosts, Heather Gilley and Peter Singer, and their translator, Rula Haman. A few months earlier, this scene would have been unimaginable to the Brimos. Members of the one of the most persecuted groups in the Middle East, they were living in Lebanon, trying to make ends meet like millions of other refugees from Syria. Their situation was precarious. Mr. Brimo’s job in a shoe factory and a monthly allowance from the United Nations office didn’t cover the cost of rent, food and other necessities. They had applied to the UN to come to Canada but were told that their chances were remote. They considered making the risky trip to Europe via Turkey and the Mediterranean Sea but did not have enough money to pay the smugglers. To make matters more difficult and dangerous, they were members of the Yazidi community, a religious minority that has been targeted for extermination by ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Neither Muslim nor Christian, the Yazidis have often lived on the margins of society, with few rights. While living in Lebanon, Mr. and Mrs. Brimo started going to All Saints Anglican Church in Beirut. They had a lifelong affinity with Christianity and were attracted by the kindness of the priest and congregation. “Every time I went to church, I heard the people speaking about love and helping each other and

BRIEFLY

Wycliffe chooses new principal

The Brimo family sits on a couch in the home of Peter Singer and Heather Gilley, standing behind them. Standing at right is Rula Haman, their translator. PHOTO BY STUART MANN giving without an expectation of return,” says Mr. Brimo through Ms. Haman, the translator. He attended church twice a week while Mrs. Brimo went four times a week. They wanted to be baptized and become Christians, as did many other Yazidis and even some Muslim refugees, they say. But the hard times got worse. Unable to meet the rent, they moved out of the city, away from the church. They started to accumulate debt to buy food. Mr. Brimo began to break down from the strain. One day after work, wracked by a severe headache and backache, he sat down alone and spoke to Jesus. “I’ll do anything you want, just please help my wife and daughters,” he said. The next day, he received a telephone call at work. It was the UN office calling, asking if he would

change a LIFE

YOU CAN

STORY

like to take his family to Canada. “I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “When I hung up, I prayed and thanked God.” The family landed in Canada on April 7. “We are so lucky to be here – so lucky and grateful,” says Mrs. Brimo, overcome with emotion. “I asked Jesus every day to help and protect us. It’s only because of him that help came to change our lives.” On May 15, the feast of Pentecost, their dream of being baptized came true. Mr. and Mrs. Brimo and their four daughters were baptized at St. Clement, Eglinton, the church that sponsored them and where they have become members. The Brimos, who lived with Ms. Gilley and Mr. Singer when they arrived, have found an apartment nearby, and their daughters are enrolled in school. Mr. and Mrs. Brimo, who speak Kurdish and

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Arabic, are taking English classes. Ms. Gilley says providing a home for the family was a fulfilling experience. “To be honest, I was a bit nervous beforehand, because there was so much unknown. But it’s love in action, and if you have a lot of love and willingness to go outside your comfort zone, things usually work out. I believe that God looks after me and I follow Jesus and we’ve been taught to welcome the weary traveller. I feel very grateful for the opportunity to do this for this family.” She says it’s been a positive experience for the parish as well. “It’s been great to see people from different walks of life working through all the challenges together. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s wonderful to see a community wrap its arms around this family.”

PLEASE RECYCLE

The Anglican Give it to a friend.

Bishop Stephen Andrews of the Diocese of Algoma has been named the new principal of Wycliffe College. He will take up his new post on Aug. 1. Bishop Andrews, who has served as bishop of Algoma since 2009, is a Wycliffe alumnus, having received his MDiv there in 1984. He was ordained in Nova Scotia in 1986 and served as assistant curate at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Halifax, until 1990. He then completed a PhD at Cambridge University’s Faculty of Divinity in 1995. He succeeds the Rt. Rev. George Sumner, who resigned last year to be become the bishop of Diocese of Dallas.

Sailors race for Mission to Seafarers A group of sailboat skippers in the Toronto area is holding a race in support of Mission to Seafarers Southern Ontario’s efforts at ports on Lake Ontario. The race will take place on June 25 (International Seafarers’ Day) at 11 a.m. in Toronto Harbour, open to any Anglican skipper on the lake. “This is about friendly competition, old-fashioned fellowship and, of course, bragging rights,” says Canon Dave Robinson, one of the organizers. The format will be a pursuit race, with each boat assigned a start time based in its PHRF-LO (non-flying sail) rating, so all boats should finish at about the same time. The course starts in Toronto Harbour off Queen City Yacht Club, goes out the eastern gap and around one or more of the fixed navigational buoys, and comes back in the gap to finish off at Queen City Yacht Club for refreshments. An awards ceremony and fundraising dinner will follow at the Mission to Seafarers, 8 Unwin Ave., Toronto. The entry fee is a minimum donation of $75 per boat to Mission to Seafarers. To register or for more information, contact Canon Robinson at drobinson@toronto.anglican.ca.

Cancer support group welcomes new members St. Paul, Bloor Street is offering a confidential support group for those who have cancer, as well as their loved ones. The sessions will be guided by a film series that leads viewers through the holy land and the inspiration of the 23rd psalm. The sessions will begin on June 2.

NEWS

June 2016

TheAnglican 7

Student lives alongside sisters German woman takes break from studies BY MARTHA HOLMEN THE Sisterhood of St. John the Divine has found an enthusiastic advocate for its new Companions program. Katja Nack, a 23-yearold university student from Germany, arrived at St. John’s Convent in March for a three-month internship as an Alongsider. “I study English and Protestant religion to become a teacher. We have to go abroad for at least 12 weeks to finish our Bachelor in English,� she says. “I was not ready to give up one subject just for the other one. I started to think, where can I connect both of them? Finally I ended up with the thought, what about asking a convent if I could stay?� After a quick Google search, Ms. Nack emailed Sister Constance Joanna Gefvert, coordinator of both the Alongsiders and the Companions program. “I talked to Connie a lot on Skype, and we were writing emails back and forth,� she says. “Sometimes sisters would drop by her office while we were Skyping. It seemed like everyone was interested.� Starting in September, the sisters will welcome up to 10 women age 22 to 40 to live at the convent, where they will experience the Benedictine life of prayer, study, recreation and service to others. Ms. Nack says she thinks the program will be a great experience for young women. “It’s a time to step back, to look at the

Katja Nack stands beside the labyrinth at St. John’s Convent. She says her three-month stay has helped her recharge. PHOTO BY MICHAEL HUDSON whole picture you’ve created and see if it’s really what you want. To have some silence to think about yourself. To experience places where you can go and help,� she says. In particular, she sees the yearlong program as a valuable opportunity for students like her to recharge. “When you’ve just lost some pieces of yourself between the books and the exams and homework, you can find yourself here again,� she says. “It’s like a very safe bubble you can enter.� Ms. Nack admits she found it difficult to adjust to the slower

pace of life at first, but she soon learned to appreciate the time for silence and prayer. “I look after myself more often, to calm down more, to not hurry, to not rush too much,� she says. “In all the silence, I began to think a lot about myself and about home.� She also understands young women’s fears about how their friends and family will react if they decide to become Companions. While Ms. Nack was confident in her decision to join the convent, her friends were skeptical at first. “They said I’m crazy. Everyone was expecting that I

Moment for change, says advocate Continued from Page 5

and National Indigenous Bishop Mark MacDonald, committed to implementing Call to Action #48, which calls on churches and faith groups to “adopt and comply with the principles, norms and standards� of the UN Declaration of the Rights on Indigenous Peoples as a framework for reconciliation. “We have this moment now, and the churches are coming together to support this moment,� says Ms. Henry. “It’s a very important time because if we don’t make changes in this moment, we’re going to lose some of the momentum that has been gained.� In addition to its advocacy efforts at the federal and provincial levels, KAIROS works hard to provide education, advocacy and resources at the grassroots level, she says. One of its most popular and powerful resources is the KAIROS Blanket Exercise, used by churches and other groups across the country to learn about the historic and contemporary

relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada. Mass Blanket Exercises are planned at provincial and territorial capitals across Canada around June 2, the one-year anniversary of the TRC’s release of its Calls to Action. “We’ve worked very hard with our communities across the country to increase an understanding of Indigenous rights and to develop relationships with Indigenous communities,� she says. “Now what we have is an incredibly strong network of people, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, who are working to see the rights that we have long sought be realized.� She says the Anglican Church is critical to that effort. “In Anglican churches across the country, people participate in ecumenical social action, lifting up the kinds of resources that KAIROS has to offer and engaging with people of other churches in action in their communities. The Anglican Church is vitally involved at that

level, but it’s also engaged in the board of KAIROS and in the ecumenical circles that support KAIROS, so that when we need to draw upon the high levels of the church for their engagement, they respond.� She says it is a privilege to work at KAIROS at this moment in history, but is quick to give credit to others across the country. “The energy comes from the people who we work with across the country, people who are working really passionately, who really believe there can be a better world, and are putting their faith into action in that way. Those are the people who give hope and keep you inspired.� As for receiving the Anglican Award of Merit, she is honoured to be recognized by her peers in this way. “The real delight comes from the fact that the folks who put my name forward were my colleagues. I feel very grateful for that, and it’s an honour to have the nomination come from them,� she says.

would come back like a nun, and some of my friends were afraid that I won’t come back at all,� she

says. Sister Debra Johnston, Ms. Nack’s mentor during her stay, isn’t surprised. “It’s kind of standard, when you say you’re going to join a convent. This is very counter-cultural,� she says. For women who aren’t sure whether they should join the Companions program, Ms. Nack recommends they try staying in the convent’s Guest House or speaking with the sisters and Alongsiders. “Make sure that you are ready to live with you and your faith,� she says. “When you’re struggling, it’s fine. You don’t have to be sure. But you have to be sure that you want to work on your faith and want to think about your faith.� As her internship comes to an end, Ms. Nack says what she will miss most is her shared life with the sisters. “I really feel like part of this, and I really enjoy being with all of them,� she says. “Each of these women here is wondrous in herself. I will miss all of them very much.� The deadline for applications to the Companions program is June 15. For more information, visit the Companions website www.ssjdcompanions.org or contact Sr. Constance Joanna, the Companions coordinator, at companions@ssjd.ca or 416-226-2201, ext. 316.

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8 TheAnglican

NEWS

June 2016

Youth team heading to the Yukon Teens will learn from local Indigenous community BY THE REV. MEGAN JULL

ALMOST every day, our news sources draw our attention to the tragic circumstances and abject poverty of so many of our Indigenous brothers and sisters. The news is overwhelming, even paralyzing. How can we help? Where do we find hope? We can look to our young people. On April 10, 10 teens and their parents piled into the boardroom at the Church of the Redeemer, Toronto to meet with Bishop Larry Robertson of the Diocese of Yukon. With rapt attention, they listened to his stories about ministry in Canada’s north: stories of Gospel and gold rush, isolation and inspiration, heartbreak and hope; and about a whole different way of being church and engaging with our Indigenous brothers and sisters.

Over the last year, our youth group has done intentional work to learn about Indigenous history and culture, particularly the impact of residential schools in Canada. This summer, these young people will travel north to the Yukon and work in the communities of Mayo and Dawson City. They will lead a Vacation Bible Camp, meet with Indigenous elders, immerse themselves in local celebrations and worship, and help complete a number of service tasks for the community – even chopping wood for winter! The Truth and Reconciliation Commission insists that youth engagement is central to reconciliation. The purpose of this service trip is to learn from the local Indigenous community. The tribes of the Yukon River Valley have successfully resolved their land claim and are self-governing. We

Bishop Larry Robertson of the Diocese of Yukon talks to young people about ministry in Canada’s far north. He was speaking at the Church of the Redeemer, Bloor Street. plan to observe this model of healthier relationships between church, Indigenous communities and non-Indigenous communities. We hope this opportunity will inspire and inform our young people as we continue with the challenge of healing, reconciliation and right relationships closer to home. Bishop Robertson’s visit was the parish kick-off for this project. After meeting with the teens, he joined our worship services and spoke to both congregations

FAREWELL Bishop Linda Nicholls is presented with a canoe paddle from parishioners of Church of the Ascension, Port Perry at her farewell celebration at St. Thomas, Brooklin on April 23. She also received a paddle from St. John the Evangelist, Peterborough and an Inuit sculpture and flowers from the people of TrentDurham, presented by Heather Burton. Bishop Nicholls, the former bishop of Trent-Durham, is now the coadjutor bishop in the Diocese of Huron. PHOTOS BY MICHAEL HUDSON

about his work in the north. He drew our attention to this fact: “Church of the Redeemer has three paid clergy on staff. The entire Diocese of Yukon has three paid clergy on staff.” The work of the church in the north relies primarily on volunteers, non-stipendiary ministry and support from churches in the south. This is an ambitious trip, but it is also one that will form our young people as Christian disciples. We hope to inspire them to become agents of hope, healing

and reconciliation with our Indigenous brothers and sisters. Please hold these young people in your prayers as they continue to prepare and plan for travel to the Yukon at the end of June. The Rev. Megan Jull is the associate priest at Church of the Redeemer, Bloor Street. Donations to the Yukon youth trip should be sent to Church of the Redeemer, 162 Bloor St. W., Toronto, ON M5S 1M4. A tax receipt will be issued.

BISHOP’S COMPANY DINNER

June 2016

TheAnglican 9

Be courageous, says bishop Dinner raises $90,000 BY STUART MANN MARK MacDonald, the national Indigenous bishop, says Anglicans will need faith, vision and courage to achieve the kind of future they want to have, both in their relations with First Nations people and for the church as a whole. Bishop MacDonald was the keynote speaker at the 55th annual Bishop’s Company Dinner, held on April 21 in downtown Toronto. The event raised $90,000 to help clergy and their families in need and to provide scholarships for theological students. “We are being called to a time of faith, vision and courage like nothing you or I have ever seen in our lives,” said Bishop MacDonald, speaking to about 330 guests. He said Anglicans need to have a faith that gives life to a vision. “We have to believe that God is doing something in this world – that God is not just something to believe in to make us feel better, but that the Gospel of Jesus Christ speaks of a living Word that is active, militant and present in the world.” That vision includes “seeing things where no one sees them,” he said. He gave examples of how people of deep faith had taken the Gospel to remote and even hostile communities or had recruited unlikely candidates for ministry. He told the story of the Rev. Robert McDonald, a missionary in the Far North who spent nearly four decades working with the Gwich’in people, one of the most independent First Nations communities in North America. “He went to that situation and saw something wonderful,” he said. “He believed that he had something that was so great and so wonderful that he would change all of the negative dynamics and make it into something great. He had the faith and the vision to be able to see what no one else could see.” He spoke about how the Rev. Walter Hannon, who was in charge of a mission at Fort Yukon in Alaska, recruited a former trapper and chief to ordained ministry. The Rev. Chief David Salmon became one of the most influential priests in Alaska and a hero to his people. “I think we are at a position where it is absolutely necessary for us to develop that kind of vision – to believe that God has something in store for Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area, that God wants to call people to know and love the Spirit, to understand and hear the Good News,” he said. “These people probably will not all look like us

Bishop Peter Fenty, the area bishop of York-Simcoe, greets Dr. Wilson and Margaret Loo before dinner. At top right, the Wayne Gretzky sweater is a popular item in the evening’s silent auction. PHOTOS BY MICHAEL HUDSON

or act like us. But we have to have the faith that will animate the vision to see people who we cannot see today.” He spoke about the high rates of suicide among young people in First Nations communities and of the courage they need to transform their lives. He said Anglicans need to be equally courageous if they want the church to do more than merely survive. “You folks are going to have to be more courageous than anything you’ve ever seen,” he said. “If we’re going to look beyond just merely surviving, we have to have the faith and the vision, but most importantly, we have to have the courage to try and to fail sometimes. This is the kind of courage that is necessary for us to turn around the situation we’re in, to grab the opportunity that is before us. We need to grasp this moment and live into it with all of our hearts.” He said the Diocese of Toronto is capable of doing great things. “You’ve got so much here and I hope, I beg you, to see the possibilities, to see what could happen, if we developed the courage to say, ‘I see what you need, and I’m going to make myself responsible for it.’ A group like this could change not just Toronto but the world. And I don’t think God is going to allow us to ask of each other anything less.” After his speech, Bishop MacDonald received a standing ovation. Among those attending the dinner were the bishops of the diocese, Archbishop Thomas Collins of the Archdiocese of Toronto, and the Rev. Dr. Karen Hamilton and the Rev. Canon Alyson Barnett-Cowan of the Canadian Council of Churches. As in previous years, scholarship recipients were announced at the dinner. Roshni Jayawarde-

Bishop Mark MacDonald gives the keynote address, telling Anglicans they will have to be ‘more courageous than anything they’ve ever seen.’ At right, Nadia Smid, John Smid, Ruthia Pak Regis, the Rev. Mark Regis, Sean Davidson and Mandy Davidson enjoy the reception at Holy Trinity, Trinity Square before the dinner. na and Philip Stonhouse received the Terence and Alice Jean Finlay Bursary, which is given to two students, one each from Trinity and Wycliffe colleges, who are engaged in studies that celebrate and enhance the understanding of the diversity of the church. Carol Anne King was awarded the Kirubai Scholarship, given to a Trinity College divinity student who is specializing in liturgy and

worship. Ken Johnstone and Joan Wilson received the William Kay Bursary, which aids students who are engaged in theological education that will lead to ordination.

Jonathan Lofft and Amanda MacInnes-Hackney received the George & Eileen Carey Bursary, awarded to Anglicans pursuing post-graduate theological studies.

Visit our website at www.toronto.anglican.ca

10 TheAnglican

LOOKING AHEAD

June 2016

To submit items for Looking Ahead, email editor@toronto.anglican.ca. The Anglican will not be published in July and August. The deadline for the September issue is Aug. 2. Parishes can also promote their events on the diocese’s website Calendar at www.toronto.anglican.ca.

Music & Worship MAY 27-29 – “First Annual Toronto Bach Festival,” presented and performed by musicians in Four Centuries of Bach, St. Barnabas, 361 Danforth Ave., Toronto. 8 p.m. on May 27 and 2 p.m. on May 28 and 29. Location for the May 28 concert is the Oratory of St. Philip Neri, 1372 King St. W., Toronto. JUNE 3 - Organist Sarah Svendson, 3 p.m., St. Paul, Bloor Street, 227 Bloor St. E., Toronto. Admission free. JUNE 3 – “Broadway on Yonge,” a night of song and dance presented by The Yorkminstrels Show Choir, 7:30 p.m., St. George on Yonge, 5350 Yonge St. Tickets $15 for adults, $10 for children. Call 905-881-1465. JUNE 8, 22 - Noon-hour organ recitals at All Saints, Kingsway, 2850 Bloor St. W., Toronto JUNE 12, 26 - While St. Philip, Etobicoke is closed for renovations, the Jazz Vespers series will be held at All Saints, Kingsway, 2850 Bloor St. W., Toronto, June 12 at 4 p.m. and June 26 at 4 p.m. JULY 28 - Patronal Festival for St. Olave’s and celebration of new ministry for the Rev. Robert Mitchell. Service at 6 p.m., dinner at 7:30 p.m. on the lawn, weather permitting. St. Olave’s is located at Bloor and Windermere streets, Toronto. AUG. 7 - The Celestial Voices of Barbados, 4 p.m., St. Jude, Bramalea North, 1000 Central Park Dr., Brampton. Tickets are $20 per person. Call 905-791-2660.

Rummage Sales & Fairs JUNE 12 - Church of the Ascension’s community festival, 12-3 p.m. Food, fun for kids, music, Scottish dancers, gift shop and more. The church is located at 33

ANNIVERSARY The Rev. Ian LaFleur, priest-in-charge, and parishioners of St. Cuthbert, Leaside wave during the church’s 125th anniversary celebrations, which will culminate with a homecoming weekend Oct. 1-2. Former parishioners should email stcuthberts@bellnet.ca to be added to the invitation list. For more information about festivities, visit www.stcuthbertsleaside.com. PHOTO BY SPENCER WISSELL Overland Dr., Toronto.

Workshops & Gatherings MAY 31 - A screening of the award-winning documentary “We Call Them Intruders,” a film about the impact of Canadian mining projects in Africa, followed by a panel discussion with experts from the financial, activist, humanitarian, church and academic worlds, to help find practical steps to address the eth-

ical issues raised in the film, 7 p.m., St. Mary Magdalene, 477 Manning Ave., Toronto. JUNE 11 - The Royal School of Church Music Canada will be holding its annual general meeting at St. Aidan, 70 Silver Birch Ave., Toronto, preceded by Morning Prayer (BCP) at 10 a.m. All are welcome. Contact Joy Horswill at jolibays@netrover.com. JUNE 12 - St. Olave’s marks the 90th birthday of the Queen with a celebration featuring drama, po-

Bishops are exceedingly grateful Continued from Page 4

healthy spirituality and commitment of members of our diocese to their baptismal covenant. While there are no expectations of any reward, the diocese confers on some of the faithful named by their parishes, and in other instances by the Bishop of Toronto, the Order of the Diocese of Toronto in recognition of their work and witness in their parishes and beyond. The recognition of these persons is in no way to minimize the value we place on the many who work faithfully for the love of God and church. We recently celebrated the feast of Pentecost, which is a reminder to us that God has and continues to pour out God’s spirit upon the church and the world. The gift of the Spirit is to enable believers in exercising their respective callings, and to

empower us all for the work of ministry and the building up of God’s reign on earth. It is because of this continuous outpouring of the Spirit on the church that all of us have been given opportunity to do wonderful and amazing things in the name of and for the sake of the Gospel. Pentecost encourages us to continue teaching, preaching, healing, caring for the poor, reaching out to the marginalized and standing up for justice for all. The Spirit poured out at Pentecost continues to be poured out upon the church today. We are experiencing new life being breathed into our diocese, where parishes are facing the challenges before them with courage and willingness to do things differently. In some parishes, congregations are making difficult

decisions to close and distribute their resources to new forms of ministry. In some places, congregations are choosing to repurpose their buildings, or their land, to help them reach out in new forms of ministry. Other parishes are reaching out into their neighbourhoods in responding to their needs. These are being done by faithful Anglicans across our diocese, and I encourage others to join in this journey of Christian faith and witness in whatever manner you are able. We are grateful for all that is done in the name of Jesus Christ in the life and work of our diocese. I encourage us to be open to the Spirit’s leading and not be afraid to ask, “What is the Spirit saying to the church today?” May we be open to hearing and responding to its prompting.

etry, music and songs, beginning with a Choral Eucharist at 4 p.m. St. Olave’s is located at Bloor and Windermere streets, Toronto. JUNE 18 - Yard sale, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., St. Barnabas, 361 Danforth Ave., Toronto. JUNE 18 - Lawn sale, St. Olave’s, Windermere and Bloor streets, Toronto. AUG. 22-26 - Christ Church, Deer Park’s Amazing Technicolour Bible Camp, an adventure-filled week with “Joseph,” his 11 broth-

ers and the Pharoah of Egypt. Kids will make their very own technicolour clothing, explore the sights, sounds and smells of the Egyptian marketplace and learn all about sibling rivalry. Daily from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with an option for extended full-day care. Camp costs $75 per child (+ $50 for extended care). Kids ages 4-12 are welcome. To register, email coordinator Hilary Keachie at hkeachie@christchurchdeerpark.org.

CANADA BRIEFS

who come to the outport community on Trinity Bay, in recent years it has become overgrown with alders and vegetation. While some of the other vestry members were hesitant about the idea, Trudi Martin, the church’s treasurer, agreed to join Ms. Matthews in speaking to a local man, Ronnie Peddle, who keeps goats and other animals. Mr. Peddle assured Ms. Matthews and Ms. Martin that his goats would eat the alders and other plants. However, he cautioned that a fence would be needed keep the goats in. Following vestry’s leadership, local Anglicans quickly raised $4,000 – twice as much as was needed – and put up a fence. “The goats have been chewing away since the fall of 2015, and it is amazing the difference already,” said Ms. Matthews and Ms. Martin. “Driving by now, one can see the various headstones from the road. We are excited to see the finished results.” Anglican Life

Goats help with cemetery maintenance ST. JOHN’S - St. Augustine’s Anglican Church in the small Newfoundland community of New Perlican found an innovative answer to the question of how it should maintain one of its cemeteries when it invited a neighbouring farmer to graze his goats on the land. The idea arose in 2014, when vestry member Eileen Matthews suggested that introducing goats to the plot of land might be an easy way to keep the cemetery clean and the graves accessible. The cemetery features many old headstones decorated in a detailed ornamental fashion, and while it often attracts visitors

June 2016

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PRAYER CYCLE FOR JUNE 1. The Postulancy Committee 2. St. Saviour, Toronto 3. St. Peter, Maple Lake 4. The Chapel of St. James, West Brock 5. Theological Colleges of the Anglican Church of Canada 6. Christ Church, Bobcaygeon 7. Christ Church, Coboconk 8. St. George, Haliburton 9. St. James, Fenelon Falls 10. St. James, Kinmount 11. St. John, Dunsford 12. Giving with Grace (formerly Anglican Appeal) 13. St. John, Rosedale 14. St. Luke, Burnt River 15. St. Margaret, Wilberforce 16. St. Paul, Beaverton 17. St. Paul, Lindsay 18. St. Paul, Minden 19. Victoria & Haliburton Deanery 20. AURA (Anglican United Refugee Alliance) 21. Toronto Urban Native Ministry 22. The Chapel of St. Thomas, Balsam Lake 23. Church of the Evangelists, New Tecumseth 24. Parish of Mulmur 25. St. Andrew, Alliston 26. Tecumseth Deanery

IN MOTION Appointments • The Rev. Marg Tandy, Honorary Assistant, St. John the Evangelist, Port Hope, April 17. • The Rev. Canon Bradley Lennon, Interim Priest-Director, All Saints, Sherbourne Street, April 18. • The Rev. Jason McKinney, Associate Priest, Epiphany and St. Mark, Parkdale, May 1. • The Rev. Monique Taylor, Assistant Curate, St. Andrew, Scarborough, June 1. • The Rev. Robert Mitchell, Incumbent, St. Olave, Swansea, July 1.

Vacant Incumbencies Clergy from outside the diocese with the permission of their bishop may apply through the Diocesan Executive Assistant, Mrs. Mary Conliffe. Trent Durham

FOR JULY 1. Archbishop Fred Hiltz and the Anglican Church of Canada 2. St. Peter, Churchill 3. Huronia Deanery 4. The Chapel of St. John, New Tecumseth 5. Trinity Church, Bradford 6. Threshhold Ministries (formerly The Church Army) 7. General Synod 8. General Synod 9. General Synod 10. General Synod 11. General Synod 12. General Synod 13. Clergy Programs of the Diocese (Momentum & Fresh Start) 14. Epiphany and St. Mark, Parkdale 15. St Mary and St Martha, Toronto 16. The Jeremiah Community, Toronto 17. Parkdale-Toronto West Deanery 18. The Church of Parroquia San Esteban 19. St. Anne, Toronto 20. St. Chad, Toronto 21. St. George-the-Martyr, Parkdale 22. St. Mary Magdalene, Toronto 23. St. John, West Toronto 24. The Doctrine and Worship Committee 25. St. Martin in-the-Fields, Toronto 26. St. Hilda, Fairbank 27. St. Matthias, Bellwoods 28. St. Michael and All Angels, Toronto

• Parish of Bobcaygeon, Dunsford & Burnt River • St. George Memorial, Oshawa York – Credit Valley • All Saints, Kingsway • Christ Church St. James, Toronto • St. John the Baptist (Dixie), Mississauga • St. Paul the Apostle, Rexdale York – Scarborough • St. Luke, Coxwell • Church of the Redeemer, Bloor Street York – Simcoe • St. James, Orillia • Trinity Church, Bradford

Conclusions • The Rev. Rylan Montgomery concluded his ministry at St. Simon-the-Apostle and San Lorenzo Ruiz, Toronto, on May 15. He has taken up an appoint-

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29. St. Olave, Swansea 30. St. Paul, Runnymede 31. The Social Justice and Advocacy Committee FOR AUGUST 1. Citizens for Public Justice 2. St. Thomas, Huron Street 3. St. Stephen in-the-Fields, Toronto 4. Christ Church, Bolton 5. Christ Church, Brampton 6. Founders and Benefactors of the Diocese of Toronto 7. North Peel Deanery 8. St. James the Apostle, Brampton 9. St. James, Caledon East 10. St. Joseph of Nazareth, Bramalea 11. St. Jude, Bramalea North 12. Trinity Church, Campbell’s Cross 13. Holy Family, Heart Lake (Brampton) 14. Nottawasaga Deanery 15. All Saints, Collingwood 16. Christ Church-St. Jude, Ivy 17. Christ Church, Batteau 18. Good Shepherd, Stayner 19. Prince of Peace, Wasaga Beach 20. Church of the Redeemer, Duntroon 21. The Bishop`s Company 22. St. George, Allandale 23. St. George, Utopia 24. St. Giles, Barrie 25. St. James, Lisle 26. St. John, Craighurst 27. St. Luke, Creemore 28. Camp Couchiching 29. St. Margaret, Barrie 30. St. Paul, Innisfil 31. St. Paul, Midhurst

ment as chaplain with the Canadian Armed Forces.

Retirement • The Rev. Canon Al Budzin has announced his retirement. His last Sunday at St. Philip, Etobicoke will be June 26.

Death • The Rev. Canon Walter Dyer died on April 15. Ordained deacon in 1954 and priest in 1955, he served as incumbent of St. Luke, Creemore, rector of St. George, Allandale and St. Margaret, West Hill, priest-incharge of St. Edward the Confessor, Toronto and incumbent of the Parish of Cavan-Manvers until his retirement in 1985. During his retirement, he served as honorary assistant of St. John the Evangelist, Peterborough. His funeral was held at St. John the Evangelist, Peterborough on April 19.

READING THE BIBLE BY THE REV. CANON DON BEATTY

Paul arrives in Rome – in chains A fter his third missionary journey around the Aegean Sea, Paul returned to Jerusalem to report to James and the other leaders and to present the collected offerings from the mission churches to help the mother church. Paul continued to face the accusation that he counselled Christian Jews away from the laws of Judaism. This was not true, but widely believed. (Gentile converts did not have to follow all of the laws of Judaism, but Christian Jews were expected to.) James suggested that Paul attend a Jewish purification rite to help dispel this accusation. Paul, with some others, went through the purification rite. As he entered the temple to offer his sacrifice, he was recognized by some visitors to the temple and they stirred up the crowd against him. They accused him of teaching against the Law, the temple and the Jews, and they attempted to put him to death. He was rescued by Roman soldiers. In Acts 22, Paul addressed the crowd in their native Aramaic. He gave them his credentials. He was born a Jew, he said, educated at the feet of Gamaliel, the greatest Jewish rabbi of the first century. He had persecuted the Christians until, on the Damascus Road, he met the risen Christ. He related to the crowd all the details of his conversion. He told them of his need to leave Jerusalem and take the Gospel message to the Gentiles. This had been his mission and role in life for the past few years. Finally, he appealed to being a Roman citizen, and the soldiers agreed to bring him before the Jewish Sanhedrin. At the Sanhedrin, he again defended himself by starting a debate between the two ruling bodies, the Pharisees and the Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection of the body. This debate became so heated that once again the Romans had to rescue Paul. Later that evening, he had a vision, telling him that he would indeed preach the Gospel in Rome. The soldiers moved Paul to Caesarea, the local centre of Roman authority. Felix was the governor but not a very good ruler. Kept in protective custody, Paul continued to proclaim the Christian faith to Felix and his wife for the next two years. In 59-60 CE, Felix was recalled to Rome, prob-

ably for his misrule. Not wanting to further alienate the Jews, he left Paul in prison. Felix’s successor was Festus. Festus, wanting Roman justice to prevail, brought a delegation from Jerusalem to try Paul once again. They did not succeed in their accusations, and Paul eventually appealed his case to Rome. He knew that in Jerusalem he would probably be sentenced to death, whereas in Rome he would undoubtedly win his case, which would give the Christians some standing as a religious organization. (At this time in history, Christians were seen as a sect of Judaism.) Thus Paul was to receive his long-time wish, to preach in Rome, albeit in chains. In Acts 27, he and a few friends and his soldier guards set off for Rome. It was quite an adventure, with storms and shipwreck. They were stranded for a time on the island of Malta. Here they considered Paul a god, as he was bitten by a viper and did not die. He also healed the father of the chief of the island and many others who came to him for laying-onof-hands and prayer. After three months on Malta, another ship arrived and took them the rest of the way to Rome. Here Paul appeared to be under house arrest. He had a certain amount of freedom, and the Christians in Rome came freely to visit him in prison. Paul was in prison in Rome for about two years, and Luke ends his account of Acts at this point. This was about 61 CE, and Paul wasn’t martyred until 67-68 CE. What happened in the intervening years? The epistles suggest that he revisited some of the churches in Asia and Europe. He possibly went to the island of Crete. Legend suggests that he went as far as Spain. Clement of Rome, writing in about 100 CE, seemed to confirm this. A lot could have happened to Paul in that six-year period. During his house arrest in Rome, Paul probably wrote the epistles to the Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians and Philemon and possibly 1 Timothy. We will discuss Paul’s possible visit to Spain and the authorship of the pastoral epistles, 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus, in our next column. The Rev. Canon Don Beatty is an honorary assistant at St. Luke, Dixie South, Mississauga.

12 TheAnglican

NEWS

June 2016

Church cheers on runners BY JILL MACRAE

WHAT does a church community do when a busy race route runs past the front door every year? For the parish of Christ Church, Deer Park (CCDP), the answer was clear: get out and cheer on the runners. On Sunday, May 8, some 27,000 participants stampeded down Yonge Street in the annual Sporting Life 10K run. Walkers, runners and joggers gave their best effort to raise funds to give children with cancer an opportunity to attend summer camp. As the racers made their way up the crest of the hill at Heath Street, they were greeted by an enthusiastic bunch of supporters in front of the church clapping, cheering and offering high-fives and shouts of encouragement. For the second year in a row, Barbara Johnston led the parish to organize and host the “Heath Street Cheer Station” to show support for the racers, the charity and the community. “As a Yonge Street church, it's part of our neighbourhood. And with all the runners, walkers, and Fitbit enthusiasts in our congregation, it’s a natural fit.” In addition to setting up the cheer station, CCDP was proud to enter a team of runners for the event. Among them were the Rev. Canon Kevin Robertson, incumbent, and Abdi Alkadri, the head of a family of Syrian refugees sponsored by CCDP who arrived in Toronto earlier this year. Mr. Alkadri’s wife and daughter were at the cheer station to join the parishioners and volunteers in cheering on the racers. Radio station 102.1 The Edge came out to set the beat for the morning, with a music tent, prizes and games, while members from CCDP added snacks, coffee and spirit. The cheer station was filled with members from the congregation, the choir and even the Sunday School. But one member of the cheer station was especially mem-

Members of Christ Church, Deer Park cheer on runners in the Sporting Life 10K Run as they pass the church on Yonge Street in Toronto on May 8. At right, the cheering group from Christ Church, including mascot Cee-Cee the Church Mouse. PHOTOS BY MICHAEL HUDSON

orable. Cee-Cee the church mouse made his appearance once again, dancing and cheering, offering hugs and hi-fives and posing for pictures with runners of all ages. Canon Robertson was able to get a first-hand appreciation of the impact of the cheering section in front of the church. His verdict was decisive: “We had the best cheer section between the start line and the finish line.” He noted the responses of the racers around him. “It was great to hear my fellow runners as we went by the church. They were both surprised and motivated by the enthusiastic encouragement and high-fives from the CCDP front lawn.” Canon Robertson himself demonstrated that Sunday morning community activities are not necessarily an alternative to church but can be an addition to it. He managed to finish the race and be back in time for the 10 a.m. service. Jill MacRae is a member of Christ Church, Deer Park.

FOR NATE Canadian Blood Services hold a bone marrow clinic at St. Peter, Erindale on May 8 for Nate, a young member of the church who has fanconi anemia and needs a bone marrow transplant. At left are Nate and his mother Jennifer Bland in front of roses that were given to people who came out to register. About 36 people between the ages of 17 and 35 provided a swab of the inside of their cheek and personal information to become a stem cell donor. Canadian Blood Services will determine if there is a match between Nate and a donor. PHOTOS BY GILLIAN FLOYD