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Bees help priest make connections
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York-Credit Valley holds town hall
Long drought over for baseball team
TheAnglican the newspaper of the diocese of toronto
a section of the anglican journal
www.toronto.anglican.ca
NOVEMber 2017
I am enormously grateful to God By Archbishop Colin Johnson
O
n Sept. 21, I informed the members of Diocesan Council that, after many months of prayerful discernment, I am asking diocesan Synod to concur with my request for the election of a coadjutor bishop for the diocese in the middle of next year. I will step down from my role as the Metropolitan of Ontario at the next Provincial Synod in October 2018 and concurrently as Bishop of Moosonee. More importantly for our diocese, I plan to retire as Bishop of Toronto at the end of December 2018. The Bishop of Ottawa, who is the next senior bishop of the province, is now in receipt of my letter of resignation. A coadjutor bishop is elected by Synod to assist the diocesan bishop prior to his retirement and to succeed the diocesan bishop immediately upon the diocesan’s retirement. I have now served the Diocese of Toronto for over 40 years of ordained ministry. It has been one of the greatest privileges of my life, and it has not been an easy or quick decision to bring it to a conclusion. By the time I retire, I will have passed my 66th birthday and have served as bishop for over 15 years, with an additional 12 years in the Bishop’s Office as the executive assistant and archdeacon to my esteemed mentor and predecessor, Archbishop Terence Finlay. In each of the three parishes I served before that, I learned more and more from the
Archbishop Colin and Ellen Johnson at the opening of an exhibit of books and manuscripts from the Reformation on Oct. 4 at the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library at the University of Toronto. Archbishop Johnson will be retiring as Bishop of Toronto at the end of December 2018. Photo by Michael Hudson
people of God how to be a faithful pastor and priest. There is so much that I am thankful to God for in this great diocese:
the tremendous richness of our diversity, the remarkably gifted clergy and strong faithfulness of our laity, the breadth of
the resources we have been given, and the new opportunities we are afforded to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Over the past decade and a half, we have done some remarkable things: developed a growing team of high-capacity diocesan volunteers to work as coaches and facilitators with parishes; completed a very successful Our Faith-Our Hope: Re-imagine Church campaign to resource our ministry; intentionally focused on being missional as a diocese; increased our commitment to intercultural ministry; and renewed our witness to social justice both in our advocacy work and our direct compassionate service. There have been many challenges that we have faced together, including declining numbers and closing churches. But we have also named and faced our challenges squarely in the context of our Christian faith. We have a new strategic plan, aptly named Growing in Christ, to direct us in the next few years. I am enormously grateful to God for the privilege of serving and leading this diocese, and especially for the opportunity to work and minister with such gifted and generous people as you. I am not retired yet! There is still much to do, and I look forward to continuing to work faithfully over the next year to reach our goals. May I ask for your prayers for our diocese, and especially for Ellen and me, as we prepare for this transition. May God bless and keep you in his love.
Cupboard connects church, homeless By Diana Swift
NEW ADVENTURE
Othman and Khadija Barghoud and their children, a Syrian refugee family who came to Canada with the help of St. John, Bowmanville, ride the bus to a pow wow at Curve Lake First Nation near Peterborough. The trip was organized by St. Saviour, Orono as part of its reconciliation efforts with Indigenous peoples. For story, see Page 9. Photo by the Rev. Augusto Nunez
In a new twist on a neighbourhood service that usually provides food for the mind, an updated version is providing food for the body. The Little Deacon’s Cupboard at St. Peter, Erindale has repurposed the free book exchange depot to get much-needed food into the hands of people in need – in a discreet and confidential way. It has also become a joint communication project between the middle-class parish and homeless people living in a nearby park. This past June, parishioners of St. Peter’s, located in an idyllic Mississauga neighbourhood along
GOING ON A DIG – SEE PAGE 12
the Credit River, set up an outdoor pantry stocked with non-perishable food and beverage items. “Take what you need. Give what you can” urges the slogan on the cupboard’s signboard. The 24/7 al fresco foodbank is the brainchild of the church’s incumbent, the Rev. Canon Jennifer Reid, who modelled it on similar initiatives at churches in the southern United States. “People in the neighbourhood can take food as they need it without coming in to our regular Wednesday morning food bank, the Deacon’s Cupboard,” she explains. “It preserves their Continued on Page 2
2 TheAnglican
news
November 2017
Anonymous author pens note of gratitude
You’re invited on a journey
Continued from Page 1
privacy and anonymity. I’ve never seen anyone taking food, but I sometimes see people putting food in.” The cupboard was built at the bottom of the church’s hill by the St. Peter’s Phantoms, a group of handy volunteers who quietly repair things written on a fix-it list, explains parishioner John Bros. The cupboard’s design and building was coordinated by Doug Duncan, a retired banker with a gift for carpentry, and its sign was painted by Peter Pook, a parishioner and local artist. The cupboard soon morphed beyond its practical purpose into a dialogue between St. Peter’s and homeless people living in wooded enclaves of nearby Erindale Park and Sawmill Valley Trail. This exchange was sparked by a handwritten note of gratitude penned by a mysterious cupboard user known only as “J.” J, who always ends his notes with “and I pray for this help to be there for all of us brothers and sisters always,” started a process of communication through parishioner
St. Peter’s outdoor cupboard has led to communications between the church and people living in nearby parks. Photo by Michael Hudson
and former churchwarden Allison Gray, who left a small notebook for listing needed items. “Later another spokesperson named Diana joined the conversation, reminding us that there are also homeless women living in the parks,” says Ms. Gray. Thanks to J’s and Diana’s notes left in the cupboard, the parish has expanded provisions to include fresh water, toiletries, socks, un-
St. JOHN’S CEMETERY
Because each life is important enough to remember …
anglican@bellnet.ca anglican@bellnet.ca
All Are iNvited.
Diana Swift is a freelance writer.
Saturday, Nov. 25th, 2017 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
St. Paul’s on-the-Hill Anglican Church
FOR INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE CHURCH: 3907 HIGHWAY 9 CALEDON ON L7K 0G7 519-941-1950
FAX: FAX:519-941-5817 519-941-5817
882 Kingston Rd., Pickering
Christmas Bake sale & lunCh room
Anglican Parish of St. JOHN’S CHURCH, East Orangeville
Located in spectacular Hockley Valley with pioneer graves dating from 1812, St. JOHN’S CEMETERY offers attractively priced burial options in a peaceful, unspoiled, and historical place of rest.
these ideas with them yet because we don’t want to scare them off,” says Ms. Gray. “There’s just so much energy emerging around what we can do to help,” says Canon Reid. “It’s really snowballing – all starting with that first communication from J.” Although she has never seen any homeless people in the park, she’s thinking of asking Parks and Recreation employees to take her to meet some of them. “I wonder if that might lead to a larger conversation about social justice and help me make the congregation understand why these people are having to live in the park.” At the least, Mr. Duncan hopes the cupboard’s success will inspire other churches to follow suit, especially with winter on the way. “The project has given everyone so much joy,” he says.
derwear for both genders, cutlery, and can openers. “And we’ve just added a few hooks on the posts so people can hang blankets, hats, scarves, and mitts,” says Mr. Bros. Now enthusiasm is mushrooming beyond the cupboard itself, with parishioners discussing the possibility converting a janitor’s closet into a shower room for their homeless neighbours and installing a washer and dryer for the homeless people. “We haven’t broached
(North side of Kingston Rd between Whites and Liverpool)
www.stjohnshwy9caledon.ca www.stjohnsorangeville.ca
YOUR ANGLICAN CEMETERIES & CREMATORIUMS IN THE G.T.A. (NON-DENOMINATIONAL, NON-PROFIT)
Mary G. Griffith
This Lent, Archbishop Colin Johnson invites you to unite with him and your fellow Christians in a journey of prayer through the words of St. John the Evangelist. Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John, created by the Society of St. John the Evangelist (SSJE) and Virginia Theological Seminary, is a springboard and a framework to immerse yourself in scripture over six weeks. In a short daily video, an SSJE Brother will comment on a verse from St. John, share facets of his own relationship with Jesus and suggest possibilities for further reflection. At the start of each week, participants are prompted to pray for a particular grace; at the end of each week, an inviting question helps them translate that grace into daily life. Copies of the prayer journal will be available for $2 each at the Resources Booth at the upcoming diocesan Synod, held on Nov. 24-25. In private devotions, study groups and online, participants can focus on the words of John, renew their acquaintance with the crucified and risen Messiah, and deepen their understanding of God’s redeeming love for humanity. Be part of something bigger this Lent: join Archbishop Johnson and the rest of the diocese in Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John. For more information, visit www.meetingjesusinjohn.org.
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St. James’ James’ St. Cemetery & & Crematorium Crematorium Cemetery
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TheAnglican 3
news
November 2017
Beekeeping good for her soul Hobby keeps priest connected, grounded By Martha Holmen
In the village of Schomberg, an Anglican priest has found unusual common ground to help her connect with her neighbours: bees. The Rev. Sheilagh Ashworth, incumbent of Christ Church, Kettleby and St. Mary Magdalene, Schomberg, has been a beekeeper for about five years. “I’ve always had a deep love for nature. I’d been in parish ministry for about 20 years at that point, and I realized I hadn’t been doing much to take care of the earth,” she says. She’d also heard about colony collapse disorder, in which worker bees disappear from a hive. “I’d always wanted to farm, and I thought, that’s something I could learn and actually feel like I was doing something.” She says new conversations and relationships with her neighbours have been an unexpected benefit of her pastime. “When I tell people I’m a priest, they often don’t know what to say, but everyone has something to say to a beekeeper. They’re curious,” she says. “It’s a farming neighbourhood here, so it’s a really good connection for
people.” When people stop at her Happy Honey stand at the end of her driveway, conversations often turn to religion. “We joke that people come for honey and stay for Jesus,” she says. “It’s put me in touch with a lot more people than I ever would have met.” Ms. Ashworth has quickly become an enthusiastic advocate for bees and for humans’ role in caring for them. “They tell us about the direction we’ve been driving the world in. I like that people take an interest in them, because it’s showing us what we need to do to get back on track,” she says. While no single cause has been identified, experts believe pesticides, climate change and loss of habitat all contribute to colony collapse. She says beekeeping can be quite physically demanding. “In the springtime, you go in and you see how they overwintered, if they need to be split,” she says. “When they procreate, they swarm. What we try to do as a beekeeper is prevent the swarming and give them enough space so they can pull in honey and get ready for the winter.” In the summer, she also has
The Rev. Sheilagh Ashworth with her beehives near St. Mary Magdalene, Schomberg. At right, her Happy Honey stand. Photos by Michael Hudson to protect the hives against bears, racoons and skunks, all of which like to eat bees. But amidst the hard work of beekeeping, Ms. Ashworth says she’s seen a benefit to her spiritual health. “Everything about bees Continued on Page 11
NOVEmbER AT ST. JAMES CATHEDRAL PhoTo by MiChAEL hudSon
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
& CHRISTIAN WITNESS IN AN ANXIOUS AGE WITH THE REV’D TYLER WIGG STEVENSON
WEDNESDAY, NOVEmbER 8
6:00Pm
6:30Pm
7:00Pm
(Cathedral)
(Cathedral Centre)
(Cathedral Centre)
service
light supper
leCture
What are we to think, feel, and do in our anxious age? This evening will supply a brief primer on the history and current state of nuclear weapons, deterrence, and disarmament. The Rev’d Tyler Wigg-Stevenson is the Assistant Pastor at Little Trinity Anglican Church and the author of several books, including the multiple-award-winning The World Is Not Ours To Save.
“ON RECONCILIATION” with bISHOP mARK mACDONALD
THE mEANING OF THE WREATH
“Truth & Reconciliation” Lecture Series
An Advent Lecture Series with five Bishops
tuesday, november 14
Four wednesdays in advent
Join the Cathedral this lecture with the national Indigenous Anglican Bishop beginning with a service in the Cathedral at 6:00pm, light supper in the Cathedral Centre at 6:30pm and lecture at 7:00pm.
Each evening will begin with a service in the Cathedral at 6:00pm, light supper in the Cathedral Centre at 6:30pm and lecture at 7:00pm. Check the Cathedral website for details.
WHEN CHRISTmAS IS A DIFFICULT TImE A Service of Prayer & Reflection saturday, december 12 | 6:00pm Christmas is a difficult time for many of us, especially those grieving the loss of a loved one. The Cathedral offers a service of prayer and reflection to help us prepare for the holiday in faith and hope, despite our losses.
L e a r n m o r e a b o u t L i t u r g i e s , L e c t u r e s , e x h i b i t s a n d m o r e > s t j a m e s c at h e d r a l . c a
TheAnglican 44 TheAnglican
comment COMMENT
Our Faith-OurPastoral Hope isStatement changing lives
I
This is a pastoral came across statement a pastoral letgoals to meet capital needs and didfor not agree to theparish provisional arrangements ARCHBISHOP’Sdiary DIARY archbishop’s on theter commitment to diverse from the Bishop of spectacularly well. Taking that account, same-sex marriages. Theirs is an into authentic, BY ARCHBISHOP COLIN JOHNSON theological positions in the and Toronto to the clergy at least $50conviction million in that new bears fundssignificant has been sustainable By Archbishop Colin Johnson Diocese of proposing Toronto, written laity a significontributed to ministry in theadiocese and beand historic weight. It remains coherent bycant Archbishop Colin Johnson ple from 48 communities together. The feedfundraising effort. In it he yond in theand lastbiblical seven position years, over our our regular theological within and endorsed by the bishops including sexual morals, are back hasthose been governing astounding. It makes a differproposed a graduated schedofferingstradition. and FaithWorks contributions. Anglican suffragan of Toronto: the Rt.a not straightforwardly, ence in peoples’ lives.consistently or unaniule of offerings to achieve We are a different diocese because of that. As bishops we endorse unequivocally the Rev. Peter Fenty, mously into importantfor and not-so-imThe divided Anglican Chaplaincy the Canadian principle substantial goalthe andRt. anRev. indiYes, the money helpedofusToronto fund new minthat thehas Diocese must Riscylla Shaw, the Rt. Rev. Kevin Robertson, portant. It will undoubtedly take abishop very long adapt old buildings, engage in new Forces elected its first full-time to pro- honour vidual appeal to each church family in the istries, and safeguard the diversity repreand the Rt. Jenny of Andison. time come to consensus and may do so. mission, support vulnerable people in videtoepiscopal care for regular andnot reserve diocese byRev. a member their parish “to sented in its parishes and clergy, including In the Diocese of Toronto, weand have Christ’s name. than that, though, it has chaplains and their families, to formally military knock at every one’s door and rouse the inthose holding toMore an historic understanding and informally discussed issuesItofonly sexuality buildmarriage, relationships people, personnel across the country. became ofhelped habitants to devote a small portion of what Christian so asbetween to maintain thealthe earliest expressions of an Anglifor nearly because 50 years.of When our General Synod upon them to promote so an initial endowment of lowed people personalpossible, stories, idenpossible God rom has bestowed highest degreeto ofshare communion and way of living out the Christian faith, in$500,000 2007 received the St. Michael Report, it greatcan a work.” from OFOH. tified and trained new leaders, builttoup confitogether participate in the mission make there hascame been from diversity. diversity adopted a resolution commitThat letter JohnThat Strachan, the Another $500,000 that grantsame-sex from OFOH to the dence, and assisted people to known articulate and the crucified and risen Christ in the historically taken forms, ments haveWorld significant doctrinal implications first has Bishop of Toronto, in many January 1854!from Primate’s Relief and Development share We their faith. world. are personally committed to contension, conflict and violence, to coexistence, but not(PWRDF) at the levelsupports of core doctrine, is, The Our Faith-Our Hope: Re-imagine Fund new workthat in materI have been changed conversations by the experience. tinuing the face-to-face thatI indifference, and eventual synthesis. Whatsomething needing to in bethe held by all as aworld matChurch campaign began with an idea I first nal and child health developing am foster more confident speaking clearly about will this. Thisin diversity will continue ever the witness of the past, however, the of midwifery salvation. A second in motion was passed and my commitment it. I have disproposed to Synod a decade ago. As it gradu- ter and services remote northern tomy befaith reflected in the selection,to ordination Diocese of shape, Toronto committed to reflecting affirming that this is not a Ours communion-breakcovered a new capacity to give ally took weisdetermined that it would communities in Canada. is the largest and appointment of clergy, and generously. in the lay I our diversity in a way that avoids the the ing issue. Obviously, thishas lastever motion expresshave met the most amazing Anglicans, heard be own a cooperative program shared between single gift any diocese given to and clerical membership of committees and conflictual examples with we are, esPWRDF a hope, in notitsa 50+ prescription, since mattersofof their stories been moved their faithdiocese and parishes thatwhich responded toalas, the year history. Because councils of theand diocese. It will by also include too familiar. of God’s many gifts to us to enconscience cannot be legislated grants, or coerced. that fulness. I have in the creativity generosity matching federal government the honoring of rejoiced clergy conscience in theand We believe that there been positive the St. Michael Report to open the Safe gage God’s mission. Wehave identified the goals of I take gift created a value of over $2.5 million. boldness ofand vision of people and parishes celebration blessing of marriage. forms of difference thatParishes, have allowed the the possibility a newly expanded understandStrengthening Local Building deliveriesofand proper health care are now (and yes, to be honest, occasionally We have seen that there is diversitydisapwithin Church flourish in many places andOur with ing of marriage but,of asyour a corollary, I believe Churchtofor Tomorrow, Revitalizing Inavailable because generosity. pointed that by aare few). I think our church in a parishes generally opposed to is samemany people, not only within Anglicanism, it implicitly Christian heritance and Giving to Others. Parishesaffirms aroundthe thecontinuing diocese have been different place because Ouris Faith-Our sex commitments, just asof there in parishes but The elsewhere. It isNorth this aspect of our heritage authenticity and legitimacy thosework who hold to re-imagine Canadian has many clergy and made physically accessible,ofyouth is be- that Hope. have begun areWe generally in favour. There is achurch. rich that have valued in this aswork a ing traditional of marriage and I am of profoundly towith you and the lay we catechists in charge ofdiocese, parishesand who funded, understanding leaders are being trained, piobreadth life in ourgrateful parishes, parishionbishops diocese, it isare a value we in wish the faithfulness of the and practice many like you who have prayerful made and are withoutofathis stipend. Many isolated comneering ministries intheology new contexts have been ers whopeople are theologically astute, tomunities affirm strongly and preservepastoral faithfully. that support making a difference our worldlegitimately because of that face traumatic issues planed and it. an amazing array of creative proj- and deeply committedin Christians Unlike in some periods andthe places of AngliIn fact, norm for the Church your faith in Jesus Christ. And am in especialincluding, unfortunately, accumulated ects havethe been undertaken locallycontinues because of holding differing convictions. WeI are very canism, at least unity does not imply toOur be the marriage of couples ofbecause oppositeofsex. dealing withour multiple suicides. The Faith-Our Hope – not just the different ly grateful to the lay leaders clergy pain of here places and have beenand formed in in uniformity all things. The Anglican Churchnow of Canada is currently Diocese ofinToronto made a grant of $500,000 financial resources available, but also our diverse diocesecontexts, who tooktheologically, the initiative spirituand rose very My pastoral decision as Archbishop to a inbecause a discernment process to include the marfrom Our Faith-Our Hope (OFOH) to fund of a reinvigoration of imagination to itscripturally, so graciously. ally, experientially. The diversity make provision to permit marriage riage of same-sex couples. Until that decirequest from the Councilthe of the North of and and commitment. Thediocesan campaign is now officially concluded, of our community is a precious same-sex conditions is sionWe hashave been finalized,in and as an interim Anglicancouples Councilinofprescribed Indigenous Peoples to succeeded remarkable ways. butchallenging the allocations mission gift, as itcontinue might be.and It isthe vital to set within a broader discernment pastoral response, as Bishop of Toronto share is still our hold regional circlesprocess where of clergy and lay While not every parish participated, thewith vast maintain God invites this us as to it enriches, not on diminishes, within thecould Anglican the canonical and responsibility the doorsteps. my first paragraph this leaders comeCommunion together forand mutual majority authority did – and achieved more thanfor many our commonAs witness to the faith in noted, a variety whole Church. Thisand is complex, multi-faceted care and oversight notThough the firstsuch financial campaign, learning, support refreshment. So far, 276 pastoral had thought possible. Someofofthis the diocese, parishes ofwas ways. witness is rootednor in will and unsettling. All churches dealing with I did have permitted small of priests, it be theinterpretations last – the workand of the Church is not have participated from half are a dozen dioceses. not formallyajoin thenumber OFOH project bediffering understanding these matters, some as we are, The Dio- licensed to the cure of souls in amidst community, us continue onwards in faith and in Grants ranged frommore $500 publicly to $100,000. cause they were already in the of subofover. HolyLet Scripture and the tradition, these some butfor it isinstance, a discussion that peois added to of their are cese internally, of the Arctic, brought tostantial presidefunding in theirefforts. parish Others at the marriage hope. now within the contemporary spectrum global. The Roman Catholic Church and the a same-sex couple in certain limited circumof Anglicanism. They need to be engaged if Orthodox Churches, with whom we share stances. Both priest and congregation must we are to learn and grow together in fuller the historic episcopate, although we are not concur that this ministry will be offered. maturity in Christ. in communion with each other, and most of No one will be obligated to act against their All of us need to extend to each the most the Provinces of the Anglican Communion, conscience. Neither parishes nor individual generous Christian charity that Jesus our remain unchanged in their teaching of the clergy will be required to celebrate marRedeemer calls us to exercise as we, tohistoric Christian understanding of marriages contrary to their convictions. gether, seek to discern and live out God’s riage as a sacramental covenant between one broad inviting smile, andUnfortunately, engaging with this persons on the street corNot all welcome this new development: will. has not always been BISHOP’S OPINION woman and one man. Some churches, firmother handshake and nercase, or drop-in ascondone he was with some because it goes too far, some because it the and wecentre cannot suchpersons lack including Lutheran churches and “welcome” Old Catholic the word public office. is not enough. ofserving charity.inThe Gospel and our baptismal BY BISHOP PETER FENTY churches with whom weare share com- we thefull memories One ofcall the us challenges he faced waswith the We recognize there are theological and covenant to love one another munion and a number of Provinces of the have when Angela and I first Church’s on human sexuality. While quicklydifferences got to the purpose of our meeting cultural across our diocese and and the love of position Christ and treat each other with Anglican Communion, have adopted changesof met Terence Finlay, Bishop in officerespect he upheld doctrine and askedparishes if I was willing tostrained be considered asthe a within that are by both dignity, andthe forbearance. Wediscipline need to to include couples of the same Thereof Toronto, in thesex. summer the Church. On leaving he officiated candidate for executive assistant and limits and permission represented in blessing beoftender with one another,office, recognizing each are also divergent views about how people vacant other 1997. I was beginning my minin a same-gender forredeemed which he had archdeacon. The position become same-sex relationships andhad more specifically as a beloved marriage, child of God by and institutions can andof should respond his diocesan bishop, who when Archdeacon Colin Johnson was elected our istry as the incumbent St. Joseph of in to be disciplined marriage. Saviour Jesusby Christ, each one bearing aNazareth, period of change when the parameters of was once of hisGod, archdeacon, assistant suffragan bishop. I was surprised when he Bramalea. I wish to reiterate – and this is unanimously the image each oneexecutive the desire of those changes have not fully agreed. and suffragan met withbyme before the –clergy conference When we entered hisbeen office, there was aThe affirmed thejust area bishops that there is God’s heart andbishop. will. In receiving the admonihistory ofand Anglicanism as well as of the by wider tion, he told his successor office that exthatwill year offered me the position.place warmth genuineness experienced both and beand a continued and honoured Written on the feast of St.inMichael andheAll Church that matters of the faith, pectedSept. nothing It aspects was a privilege and life distinct honour todo of us inhas ourshown first meeting with Bishop Finlay. in all of diocesan for those who Angels, 29, less 2017.from him and that he was exercising his episcopal ministry responsibly. serve as his executive assistant and archdeaHe was very interested in g etting to know us and our young family. We shared the stories I believe that Archbishop Terence was leadcon. I got to know Terry even better and infestation the parish Bishopmuch Nicholls ledhim.bee of our Christian journeys and familydemonstration. life. It ing was the diocese in the direction of being more learned from I witnessed thein depth School of ministry discovered in parish mid-July, longthehave groupa of 40ofAnglicans from the was a pleasure to engage with him and welcoming to those who were vulnerable, his faith and his concern for every in when to voiceless take sabbatical parishioner Frances Gotobed parking Church House, . He showed time compassion, particuand in the minority. sense of the pastoral care and support he of-lot at Huron marginalized, the diocese - Thedifference Kootenayin School opened the church a a KELOWNA London’s larly forto the marginalized and minorities in to discover He made very significant the fered clergy and their families. I hadwhere no ideathey prayed, of Ministry will take sabbatical number of honeybees flying about City Hall. About 20 members the Church and in of the wider community. life of the Diocese of Toronto. It isa not surpristhat six years later I would be working closely yeartoso thatand theread ministry commitinside. also found of the anti-IslamicArchbishop group arrived at was Finlay very She disciplined in a number ing, therefore, hear the very comwith him as his executive assistant and tee can evaluate what hasshared been dead bees throughout church. noon and werehis met by the work. Hecounterworked long hours and paid at- the plimentary reflections that many have Archdeacon of York. direc-a Due to the docuhoneybee’s status demonstrators. Thosetoinvolved in tention detail, thoroughly reading aboutas their accomplished, experiences of explore him. He new exercised I got to know Terry, as he was affectionatetions for the school engagelife, in an important, part ministry the carried I became a member of thecounter-rally Posments, letters signs, or any material needed yet for threatened, servant throughout hisand ordained ly calle d, whenprotest Anglicans discussion with dioceses of thethat world’s ecosystem, and St. Matlistened and sang tulancy Committee and a regional dean. He to speeches meetings. It was1960s also evident he cared for thatawe give thanks to other God for his exagainst rally the future of local training thew’s parishioners theI wasabout protest insongs.deeply The counter-protest gave wise counsel and offered good insight for the wider Church and appreciated stressed ample. privileged and honoured to have LONDON - Clergy and laity from in western importance of saving the bees while endedHis with a the march, led by drumto challenging matters facing the Church. had the opportunity toCanada. know him as my bishimportance of ecumenical r elationships. the Diocese of Huron, The school’s curriculum was themTerry from the op, parish. mers, around nearby Park. Iremoving One Victoria of the qualities admired about was a calming voiceled andbyaBishop non-anxious presmentor and friend. The Church has been Linda joined 500episcopal counter- leadership designed for who have With time this for in mind, Huron Churchwas News his willingness to make people.Ms. Gotobed ence.Nicholls, He offered strong blessed to have had him as those a faithful bishop. protesters on Aug. 26,pastorally in response been called to ministry as of locally sought help from He made himself available to clergy and her laityson, Darren, in the diocese, both and morally. He He will be missed and leaves a legacy extowas an aanti-Islamic rally ledand by the trained deacons priests, and who is aIbeekeeper. able to leadership, who needed to meet with him. was often He wasemplary model of deep faith prayerful humility,and compassion and Parish solves Patriots of Canada Against the Is- concerned included other lay locate the hive and determine the faith. asked to join him in meetings with others, thoughtfulness, and was genuinely profound We arecourses gratefulfor to his family bee lamization thebeing West, of a group that and ministries and topics of interest point of entry into church. the clergy laityproblem and it was evident that bees’ he always listened in- thefor about the of wellhaving shared him with the Church and EDMONTONtently. - The Terry rural was parish says it opposes “the Islamization Christians. The We school In early August, heand uncovered thethemfor under his episcopal leadership.of a pastor, mentor, friend assure of adult our prayerful support. give of St. Matthew’s in Viking, Alta., the In West.” was modelled onback a vision of aCre“disbeehive between the exterior and inthe spring of 2003 I received a call from confidante. Archbishop Terence Finlay to his has found a wayAnother to solve aquality botherThe collective Anglican responseme to seminary,” no physicalwe buildteriorin walls thehis church’s narthex, the samewith graciousness exthe Archbishop’s office inviting meet I admired himofwas ator God with bee problem whileHe saving the with was within a day’s noings except localin congregations andpeople relocated thestabees to a new hive. of in all perienced him. May for he rest peace and withorganized him. I thought I was going to besome invited humility. engaged hive of He these essential insects. Theas comfortable tice as on word spreadcommittee of the counterThe Messenger tions of life. He was talking rise with Christ in glory. to sit another of the diocese. Continued on Page 5
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Serving Archbishop Finlay was a privilege
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canada briefs
June2017 2017 November
TheAnglican 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 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. Jenny Andison Trent-Durham: The Rt. Rev. Riscylla Shaw York-Scarborough: The Rt. Rev. Kevin Robertson 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
TheAnglican 5
comment
November 2017
Reclaiming disciple-making W
illiam Temple – an Archbishop of Canterbury in the ’40s – once famously remarked that the Church is the only institution that exists primarily for the benefit of those who are not its members. Archbishop Temple’s words encourage the Church to make decisions, engage in activities and take up causes not with the objective of making those of us on the inside feel secure or good about ourselves, but instead in order to share the love of Christ with those from whom we expect nothing in return. To paraphrase my predecessor, Bishop Poole, God always wants us in the Church to be the ones with dirt under our fingernails. Archbishop Temple’s statement can also remind us that the Church is called to exist for the benefit of those who are not “yet” its members. Individual parishes are invited to be continually asking themselves which of their practices will contribute most effectively towards drawing others into the love of God, and to discern what other practices might be better modified or discarded. Archbishop Temple’s observation suggests a framework for making decisions about where to spend our time and resources – a frame-
bishop’s opinion By Bishop Jenny Andison work that prioritizes those currently outside our churches or those who are just starting to explore what Christian faith and community might look like for them. Just as the nurturing of an outward focus is an ongoing priority for parishes, many individual Christians innately understand the importance of sharing the good news of God in Christ with those who have not yet heard it, or who have only experienced it in limited ways. In many cases, the easiest and most natural sphere for this is our own immediate families and dearest friends. Some of us might remember benefiting, as children, from hearing God’s stories in the Bible read to us, praying with our parents or helping to plan or participate in acts of service to others, and are now imagining how to translate those memories into our own present contexts. I have found, during my years of ministry, that one of the most important questions individual Christians can ask is how to create an environment in which they can encounter Jesus Christ, not just on their own, but together with their chil-
dren, partners and friends. For example, what are the best ways to create a home environment, or friend network, where we and those closest to us can engage with scripture, ask questions, explore, and pray together while trying to grow into committed followers of Jesus Christ? How can we create opportunities to live out our faith, with acts of service and compassion? Christians have for generations looked for ways to pass along their faith, heeding the words of Deuteronomy 6:5-7: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Take to heart these words that I give you today. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you’re at home or away, when you lie down or get up.” The shaping of others in the Christian faith is called discipleship, catechesis or – my personal favorite – the making of saints. Given that the Christian church is always one generation away from extinction, it is essential that our homes and parishes be effective disciple-making communities – places where the claims of Jesus Christ can be intelligently examined, tested and lived out. Discipleship is a gradual process, neither linear nor predictable, and lasting over the course of a lifetime. People
at all stages of their spiritual journeys need safe and non-judgmental communities where they can hear the Gospel and find other disciples who are willing to walk alongside them as they explore and grow. Forming someone in the faith of Christ can take many guises, some of which include one-to-one mentoring, learning through service in social justice ministries, small-group Bible studies, and structured programs such as Christian Foundations, Alpha, Road to Emmaus, the Pilgrim series and others. Our beloved Anglican Church has enormous potential to be the kind of body that creates and supports such communities, where intentional discipleship for all ages is made a top priority. I am sure that many of us are aware of creative and winsome ways that people in our diocese are already being shaped and transformed into disciples of Jesus Christ, but we have room for many more. C.S. Lewis wrote that “if the Church is not making disciples, then all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible, are a waste of time.” As Anglicans, I believe we can both reach into our rich past and learn from other traditions, as we reclaim the making of saints as being central to our life together and the continued, and exciting, revitalization of our Church.
parents – all who likely work outside the home. There is much less interchange among generations. Housing and geographic location of families change frequently. If television once competed with Evensong, we now have competition from an almost infinite offering of technology and entertainment. To respond to these changes, Mr. Westerhoff suggests moving from schooling to a faith community model. A congregation has a rich memory of its past, the role of authority, changing ways of life and recognition of diversity and multiple gifts. It can be a place to know people and be known, where three generations meet regularly – the older with memories of the past, the middle immersed in the present, the youngest already dreaming of the future. Any true community of faith looks outward and is interested in more than its own survival, asking what God is up to and how it might get involved. Such a community is rooted in worship rituals; helping people of all ages make sense of them is the primary task of religious education. Rituals help us develop a sense of continuity; they also address life crises when they happen. We need to understand their role in our culture here and now. We aren’t here to escape our
problems, but to create a world of shalom where head and heart unite. We learn by telling and hearing our common stories, making things and taking action. Community life means we can eliminate labels like teacher and pupil and do things like taking hikes, making things, having parties and playing games. The faith journey is both sequential and serendipitous, starting with an experience of being nurtured and affiliating with our denomination. Then as adolescents, we need to explore, experiment and question. Later we integrate the learnings of heart and mind and come to own our faith. We are all on a common journey where faith is a gift that can’t be taught – but in a community of faith, it might be caught. In times of public worship, we might think of our congregation as a family. Some other good times are hanging out, going places and learning together. Congregational life is really about life – births, deaths, celebrations, seasons, eating and drinking, growing up and growing old. Mr. Westerhoff’s book provides much food for thought.
Where faith might be caught By Norah Bolton
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all brings a new term of Sunday School to my parish. We use a lectionary-based curriculum and have a good cadre of dedicated men and women to teach the 44 children enrolled. But we aren’t reaching all the kids in our neighborhood. About 200 adults and children came joyfully to our fun fair in July. We will see many at our Halloween open house and some on Christmas Eve – but they don’t buy into Sunday School. We try hard with teacher training, meetings and better curricula. But there is always the underlying question: will our children have faith? John Westerhoff’s Will Our Children Have Faith, written in the 1970s and updated in 2012, continues to ask provocative questions, as well as providing some tentative answers. He has firm theological and educational credentials, and has served in a variety of denominational ministries. We often forget that in our Church’s long history, Sunday School is a relatively new thing, growing out of a need to provide basic literacy. As public educa-
briefly LOFT’s CEO to retire Terry McCullum, chief executive officer of LOFT Community Services (formerly Anglican Houses), is retiring on Dec. 31 after 35 years with the not-for-profit organization. He will be succeeded by Heather McDonald, LOFT’s director of adult and youth services. “The voice of those we serve has always inspired me and encour-
tion developed, the Church co-opted the model and soon we, too, had teachers, curricula, age-graded classes, dedicated classroom materials and supplies – and ultimately, paid professionals. We have rarely questioned this model. It’s not always a winner for the small parish or even a larger one with only six children. It has produced a fair amount of nostalgia, depression, guilt and sometimes burnt-out volunteers. Mr. Westerhoff’s book takes us back to the basics. Any form of education is influenced by history, society, culture and denomination. There is a difference between schooling – primarily concerned with learning-about and how-to – and education, which involves not just knowledge but also attitudes, values, behaviours and sensibilities. The parish Sunday School competes with the family, regular school, other recreational and learning programs, selflearning through books and an endless flow of media – not to mention peers. The parish church is no longer the neighborhood community centre. Schools abandoned daily prayers a long time ago. New social structures include divorced, living-together and blended families, in addition to single parents and interfaith
aged me to keep at it, to take risks to create new programs, to meet incredible needs, to innovate, to collaborate, and to cross service and bureaucratic boundaries”, says Mr. McCullum. “It has been an honour to be part of this journey with LOFT.” The agency serves more than 5,000 individuals a year through a variety of supportive housing and community support services for youth, adults and seniors in Toronto, York Region and Simcoe County. It promotes health recovery and independence for people
Norah Bolton is a member of St. Mary Magdalene, Toronto.
Canada Briefs Continued from Page 4
Terry McCullum with complex challenges including dementia, substance abuse issues, physical health challenges and homelessness.
where courses have been held. In this model, qualified instructors travel to where the students live. The support of hosting congregations has helped to keep costs to students at a minimum. In the seven years of the school’s operation, courses have been held in eight parishes in four of the five regions of the Diocese of Kootenay. There have been 16 instructors from across Canada
and 82 students have participated in courses. During the sabbatical year, the school will experiment with online course delivery. The school is also entering into discussions with 10 other dioceses across the country and may enter into a co-operative venture with other regions to provide Christian education beyond Kootenay. The High Way
6 TheAnglican
news
November 2017
FOR WATER
The Rev. Ian LaFleur of St. Cuthbert, Leaside and Bishop Riscylla Shaw of Trent-Durham (top left) take part in the Indigenous-led Great Lakes Water Walk along the Toronto waterfront on Sept. 24 to honour water. Following Anishinaabe ceremonial protocols, grandmothers and elders made water offerings, sang songs and petitioned for water to be clean and pure. Several Anglicans took part in the walk. Photo by Michael Hudson
Diocese gives $100,000 to healing fund By Stuart Mann
The Diocese of Toronto is giving $100,000 to help replenish the national church’s Anglican Healing Fund. The fund, which has provided grants to 300 projects and programs for Indigenous people across Canada, is seeking to raise $1 million through an appeal called Giving with Grace (formerly the Anglican Appeal). “I think it’s wonderful,” says Esther Wesley, program coordinator of the healing fund, speaking
Unwavering and
of the diocese’s gift. She says the focus of the fund in the coming years will be to teach traditional languages to young people. “Many kids have lost their identity because their parents were institutionalized in the residential schools. One of the best things we can do for them is to teach or try to recapture the language. The number of communities that have already picked up on this is amazing.” The gift comes from the diocese’s Ministry Allocation Fund, 10 per
SUPPORT
HOPE
cent of which is tithed to projects or ministries outside the diocesan budget. Previous grants have included $100,000 to the Diocese of Athabasca to help youth in Fort McMurray, $500,000 for refugee sponsorship matching grants, and $100,000 for a Habitat for Humanity build in Scarborough. The Anglican Church of Canada established the healing fund for Indigenous people more than 25 years ago, long before the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement was reached. The fund To help people with complex mental health challenges get back on their feet, recover dignity, leave homelessness behind, it only takes two things: unwavering support and hope.
LOFT offers the Unwavering Support. You provide the Hope.
Please include LOFT in your Will. For more information, or to receive a free estate planning brochure, contact Jane Corbett at 416-979-1994 x 227 or jcorbett@loftcs.org. LOFT Community Services 15 Toronto Street, 9th Floor Toronto, ON M5C 2E3 www.loftcs.org
supports local, community-led healing projects. As a response to the ongoing legacy of the residential school system, grants are made to encourage and initiate programs that help heal, educate and recover language and culture. Some 45 projects have been funded in the Diocese of Toronto. In 2003, the Diocese of Toronto and its parishioners contributed about 20 per cent or $5 million to the Anglican commitment of the residential schools settlement. Most of that came from the Ministry
HANDEL MESSIAH
DIRECTED BY IVARS TAURINS
Allocation Fund, which receives the proceeds of the sales of church properties. A portion was returned to the diocese a couple of years ago as a result of an amended agreement with the government and churches. The diocese chose to establish the Robert Falby Fund for Indigenous Ministry. (Canon Robert Falby was one of the chief negotiators of the settlement.) It is held in the Anglican Diocese of Toronto Foundation and is being used to fund a portion of the diocese’s Indigenous ministry.
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TheAnglican 7
news
November 2017
Large turnout for town hall Bishop listens to hopes, concerns in York-Credit Valley By Stuart Mann
More than 100 people – twice the number hoped – attended Bishop Jenny Andison’s first town hall meeting in York-Credit Valley to hear people’s hopes, concerns and ideas for the future of the episcopal area, located in the southwest corner of the diocese. Held at St. John the Baptist, Dixie in Mississauga on Sept. 19, the event included passionate discussions, insightful comments, stirring remarks by Bishop Andison, and lots of opportunities for people to get to know each other. “It’s my first time at something like this and I really enjoyed meeting everyone from the different churches,” said Grace Karram Stephenson, a member of St. Martin in-the-Fields, Toronto. “I’m a young parent trying to figure out how to raise my kids and how to get to church on Sunday, so to meet people with different priorities is really helpful.” Her comments were echoed by others. “I thought it was a great forum for networking between clergy and laypeople,” said the Rev. Julie Meaken, incumbent of Holy Family, Heart Lake, in Brampton. “It was a really good opportunity to hear other people’s thoughts and ideas about who we are as Church in York-Credit Valley and what we’re being called to in terms of ministry. I felt it was very open and honest, and I really appreciated Bishop Jenny telling us how she would use what was shared to pray for this area and how she was open to listening to our concerns and our hopes.” Participants were seated at tables with people from other parishes. Over the course of the evening, they were asked to answer four questions: Where do you most clearly see God’s transformative action today in the world and your neighbourhood? What place or situation in our world or neighbourhoods do you think needs to be transformed by God’s love and mercy? What is the most exciting thing about doing ministry in York-Credit Valley? What are the two aspects of ministry in York-Credit Valley that require increased attention and resources? Participants shared their answers with each other and with
other table groups. Some groups were asked to report back to the entire gathering. There was a lot of common ground. Areas of interest included children’s and youth ministry, Christian formation and discipleship, sharing the gospel in word and action, and providing financial support for churches with good ideas for ministry. Bishop Andison said she will read every answer and pray about them. She said she was energized by the responses. “There’s a lot of hope. I didn’t hear resistance to change. I didn’t hear doom and gloom. I heard a clear-eyed realism about where we’re at and some of the changes we need to make. “People are not apathetic,” she added. “They love their churches, they love God, they love their neighbourhood, and they’re trying to figure out how to connect all those up. They want to see a vision and be involved in it. They want to build a culture of trust and collaboration.” Halfway through the evening, Bishop Andison shared some of her observations about YorkCredit Valley, where she has been the area bishop for the past nine months. Among her observations are that many parishes are well connected to their neighbourhoods and are asking what God is calling them to do. She said many churches are open to thoughtful, discerning change for the sake of the gospel. She spoke about the generational shift taking place and the need to raise up the next generation of lay leaders. She spoke about her passion for catechesis and “the making of saints.” In her closing remarks, she provided hope and encouragement for her area. “I believe that God gives us everything we need to do God’s work at this time and in this place. I believe we have everything we need to follow where God is leading in York-Credit Valley. We will need to realign some of our resources, we will need to refocus a number of our priorities, and we will need to let go of some things that are no longer building the kingdom. We may not always like or be able to anticipate where God is leading,
Clockwise from top: Grace Karram Stephenson of St. Martin in-theFields, Toronto, listens during small group discussions; André Lyn of St. Joseph of Nazareth, Bramalea, shares ideas with other groups; Bishop Jenny Andison gives some of her observations about York-Credit Valley. Photos by Michael Hudson
but I can promise you that it will be good. It will be good because our gracious God either gives what we ask for in prayer, or our gracious God will give us what we would have asked for if we knew everything that God knows. So it will be good. Our trust and hope for the future is not in ourselves, it’s not in me or area council or Synod – it’s in the character of our God, who is gracious and loving, and will only give us what we would have prayed for if we had the mind of Christ.” A report on the meeting will be made available to participants from Bishop Andison’s office. Another town hall is planned for January to discuss next steps.
The Diocese is on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
WORLD LEPROSY
DAY 2018
TO END LEPROSY... Going to the Ends of the Earth in Jesus’ Name There’s still time to register your church! Please contact Lynda at wld@effecthope.org www.worldleprosyday.ca
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8 TheAnglican
parish news
November 2017
all for outreach
St. John, York Mills held a fundraising event on Sept. 10 in support of its outreach activities. A car wash, barbecue and silent auction were among the events. The silent auction included buying the opportunity to throw a pie at St. John’s clergy and two visiting bishops – Bishop Kevin Robertson and Bishop Patrick White. From left, winning bidder Kim Anderson gets ready to throw a pie at Bishop Robertson, then decides to turn it on herself instead. Bishop White (far right) had no such luck. He received a full pie from Jim Parish, one of the churchwardens. Photos by Martin Block
Clockwise from above: parishioners and friends enjoy dinner at the Balmy Beach Club; opera singers and parishioners Marcelle Boisjoli and Michael Barrett perform; Mike Downie talks about Chanie Wenjack. Photos by Michael Hudson
St. Aidan’s celebrates life in the Beach By Lori Ann Comeau
IN ENGLAND
The choir of All Saints, Peterborough pose for a picture in York Minster Cathedral in England in July. The choir, joined by the Peterborough Singers and the Kawartha Lake Singers, enjoyed a week as the visiting choir at the historic cathedral. The combined choir was directed by Syd Birrell, the director of the Peterborough Singers and organist and choir director at All Saints. The choir sang at Evensong on six occasions, as well as at the Holy Eucharist and Matins on Sunday. ‘We had a wonderful time and were very well received by the cathedral staff and the public,’ said Mr. Birrell. Photo courtesy of All Saints, Peterborough
Throughout the Beach’s history – from forest to farmlands, from resort to city neighbourhoods – St. Aidan, Toronto has served the lakeside community in the city’s east end for 125 years. It continues to make a difference to those who walk through its doors for worship or outreach programs. Local and acclaimed artists in word and music came together on the evening of Sept. 28 to celebrate the community’s people and service to others. The event was hosted by St. Aidan’s and held at the nearby Balmy Beach Club. “St Aidan’s has been rooted in the Beach for many years, and the evening was a great celebration of
community – the community of faith connecting with the community of the Beach. Together, we’re working to make a difference,” says the Rev. Lucy Reid, incumbent. Award-winning filmmaker Mike Downie shared the story of Chanie Wenjak, a 12-year-old Ojibwe boy who died while fleeing a residential school in 1966. Mr. Downie’s work encourages people to walk the path of reconciliation with Indigenous people in Canada. Crime novelist Peter Robinson, known for his Inspector Banks mystery series, along with authors Catherine Dunphy and Lisa de Nikolits, provided inspiration and laughter during the evening. St. Aidan’s ministries were showcased, and there were musical performances by St. Aidan’s Regrets
band and opera singer parishioners Michael Barrett and Marcelle Boisjoli. St. Aidan’s service to the Beach has been as constant as the canoes and swimmers. “The parish serves community lunches, hosts Out of the Cold, offers programming for young families and supports St. Stephen in-the-Fields’ Sunday breakfasts,” says Deacon Michael Van Dusen. The church’s programs include partnering to support a refugee family from Syria, educating about truth and reconciliation with First Nations peoples, and leading youth service and learning trips to Nicaragua. Lori Ann Comeau is a member of St. Aidan’s.
TheAnglican 9
parish news
November 2017
Parish visits First Nation’s pow wow Small church makes big strides towards reconciliation By Murray MacAdam
When it comes to living out the call to reconciliation with First Nations, St. Saviour, Orono is a small parish that thinks big. The parish has carried out a range of activities to deepen its awareness of First Nations issues. It has launched a reading group in which parishioners read books by Indigenous writers or about Indigenous issues. It has also held a town hall meeting and a hosted a Blanket Exercise. The church advanced its commitment on Sept. 16 by chartering a bus to take parishioners and other local residents to a pow wow at the Curve Lake First Nation community near Peterborough. The trip developed after a group from St. Saviour’s met with a leader from the Curve Lake band council. Churchwarden Bill Tomlinson, who helped organize the trip, sees outreach efforts such as reconciliation with First Nations as essential. “We have to reach out to the com-
munity,” he says. “The days are over when people went to church, came home and you had done your duty. The church has a unique ability to deal with social issues, better than any other group.” As an example of community outreach, the busload to Curve Lake included Syrian refugees that local parishes helped to sponsor. There were also members of two other parishes, United Church members and non-Anglican residents from Orono. At Curve Lake, “we were treated to song and dance, stories and regalia,” says the Rev. Augusto Nunez, priest-in-charge of St. Saviour’s. “All of us were very happy to have experienced such an event.” Highlights of the day included a refugee family being welcomed to Canada by a native chief, and a prize given to a 12-year-old member of the delegation who joined in the dancing. Indigenous and political leaders told the gathering of the importance of learning from each other, noting the pow wow’s theme
Fatima Mohamed and her children, members of a Syrian refugee family sponsored by St. Saviour, Orono, are welcomed to Canada by two elders from Curve Lake First Nation. Photo by the Rev. Augusto Nunez of “Honouring Our Treaties.” Mr. Nunez says, “It’s about getting out there and being active for the Lord. It’s about building relationships, getting to know the people at Curve Lake. We want to be of assistance and convey to them that you’re not alone.” Adds Mr. Tomlinson, “We look at First Nations as educating us, and we in turn being supportive of
them. There are some real issues that First Nations people would like to resolve.” A major challenge, he says, is that some local residents seem hostile to First Nations people, a feeling he thinks can be softened when residents return from a pow wow and can speak about it to others as being a positive experience. Connections with the band will
continue after the pow wow, says Mr. Nunez. A town hall meeting in Orono is planned for the winter, following consultations with Curve Lake band members. The parish is also considering how it might support other, more remote First Nations communities. Murray MacAdam is a freelance writer.
Cookbook helps people living in poverty By Stuart Mann
HOUSING DONATION
The Parish of Minden, Kinmount and Maple Lake donates $4,000 to Places for People, a not-for-profit organization in Haliburton County that buys and renovates houses for low-income families and those at risk of homelessness. From left is Fay Martin, vice-president of Places for People; the Rev. Joan Cavanaugh-Clark, incumbent; John Rogers, president of Places for People and treasurer of St. Peter, Maple Lake; Deacon Martha Waind, manager of St. Paul, Minden’s thrift shop; and the Rev. Max Ward of the United Church and the treasurer of Places for People.
As part of an employment program at The Bridge, a centre for ex-prisoners in Brampton, staff were teaching cooking classes when they asked the men where they shopped for food. “At 7-Eleven” they said. The staff were shocked and troubled by the answer. The popular convenience store chain is known for its Slurpees and prepared foods. “For the three dollars you pay for a burrito, you could make three meals if you have a stove,” says Garry Glowacki, The Bridge’s executive director. After some brainstorming with a local community kitchen, they came up with the idea of a cookbook specifically for those living in poverty, to help them make their dollars go farther. Mr. Glowacki enlisted the support of Regeneration, an agency that serves the homeless in Peel Region, then received a $3,500 grant from the York-Credit Valley episcopal area. The result is Living Well on Less, a cooking and life-skills booklet that is full of simple and affordable recipes
for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and sweets. There are tips on how to shop for less, buying nutritious food and using coupons. It includes photos and comments from those who are struggling to get by. “We’re not going to cure poverty, but I’m hoping it will help people have more disposable income so they can do other things like buy their kids sneakers,” he says. He hopes the booklet will change the perception of those living in poverty. “We’re hoping to show the general public that poverty and homelessness is a human issue – not just statistics.” He also hopes the booklet will show those in need that other people care. “We wanted to give them something of importance,” he says. “I wanted people who will receive it to feel they’re getting a good gift. I wanted them to read it and say, ‘Hey, we can do things.’” About 2,000 copies of the free booklet will be printed and distributed to food banks, community kitchens and other outreach ministries in Peel Region. For more information about Living Well on Less, contact Mr. Glowacki at garryg@golden.net.
10 TheAnglican
looking ahead
November 2017
To submit items for Looking Ahead, email editor@toronto.anglican. ca. The deadline for the December issue is Nov. 1. Parishes can also promote their events on the diocese’s website Calendar at www. toronto.anglican.ca.
Music & Worship OCT. 29 & NOV. 26 - Rezonance Baroque Concert, 2-4 p.m., on Oct. 29; cello concert by Julia Kim, 2-3:30 p.m., Nov. 26. Both at St. Barnabas, 361 Danforth Ave., Toronto. NOV. 8 – DEC. 20 - Kingsway Organ Recital Series, 12:30-1:15 p.m., All Saints, Kingsway, 2850 Bloor St. W., Toronto. A freewill offering appreciated. Nov. 8: Michael Capon, director of music at St. George’s Cathedral, Kingston; Nov. 22: William O’Meara, former organist and music director at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, currently music director at St. Michael’s Cathedral, Toronto; Dec. 6: Hanné Becker, former student of John Tuttle at the University of Toronto, now studying organ in Basel, Switzerland; Dec. 20: Stefani Bedin, currently pursuing Master of Music in Organ Performance at the University of Toronto and organist at Bloor Street United Church. OCT. 29 - “Not Your Average Church Service,” 10:30 a.m., a modern worship service with guest musicians and children’s program, Holy Trinity, Guildwood, 85 Livingston Rd., Toronto. Guest speaker: Michael Coren, author, radio personality and columnist. NOV. 5 – All Souls’ Requiem featuring excerpts from Duruflé’s Requiem, 7 p.m at Church of the Redeemer, Bloor Street and Avenue Road. NOV. 5 - Choral Evensong for All Souls at 4 p.m., followed by Pumpkin Tea. At 5 p.m., a sequence of classical, contemporary and popular flute pieces suitable for the season, as Toronto’s City Flutes return to St. Olave, Bloor Street and Windermere Avenue, Toronto. NOV. 10 - Remembrance concert and reception featuring New Horizons Band of Toronto, 7:30 p.m., Holy Trinity, Guildwood, 85 Livingston St., Toronto. Donations accepted for The Tony Stacey Centre for Veterans’ Care. NOV. 12 - A Concert for Remembrance Day, 7:30 p.m., St. Paul, 59 Toronto St. S., Uxbridge. For tickets, call 866-808-2006. NOV. 26 - Christmas Classic, 7 p.m., St. Paul, 59 Toronto St. S., Uxbridge. Bach Christmas Oratorio with soloists and choir. Tickets $20. Call 866-808-2006. DEC. 5 - Advent Carol Service, 7 p.m., Church of the Redeemer, Bloor Street and Avenue Road, Toronto. Redeemer’s choir will be joined by the Cantabile Chamber Singers. DEC. 10 - Annual Advent carol service, 7:30 p.m., St. Martin in-theFields, 151 Glenlake Ave., Toronto. Presented by the church choir directed by Jack Hattey, with Thomas Fitches on organ, Paul Sandvidotti on trumpet and Nancy Nourse on flute. A freewill collection will be taken for a deserving charity in our neighbourhood. A reception follows.
Sales NOV. 4 - Christmas bazaar, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Christ Church, Scarborough
AT LAST
The St. Andrew’s Anglers hoist the Rev. Peter Trant Memorial Trophy after winning the annual Scarborough Anglican Youth Movement baseball tournament on Sept. 30. It was the first time in 20 years that a team from St. Andrew, Scarborough won the tourney. Seven teams from Anglican, Baptist and other denominations competed in this year’s event. Photos by Michael Hudson Village, 155 Markham Rd. Bake sale, knitwear, crafts and more. NOV. 4 - St. Matthew’s Poinsettia Bazaar, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 135 Wilson Rd. S., Oshawa. Knitting, baking and more. NOV. 4 - Christmas market, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., St. Barnabas, Chester, 361 Danforth Ave., Toronto. NOV. 4 - The Sugar Plum Christmas Bazaar, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Margaret in-the-Pines, 4130 Lawrence Ave. E., Scarborough. Baked goods, craft table, collectible table, Internet Café and lunch room, and more. Tables available for rent as well. Call 416-284-4121. NOV. 4 - St. Nicholas’ Christmas Bazaar, noon to 3 p.m., 1512 Kingston Rd. (just east of Warden Avenue). Crafts, baked goods and more. NOV. 4 - Bazaar, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., St. Mary & St. Martha, 1149 Weston Rd., Toronto. Baking and deli, gifts, crafts and more. NOV. 4 – Bazaar with raffle, bake table, café and more, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., St. Joseph of Nazareth, 290 Balmoral Dr., Brampton. Call 905793-8020. NOV. 4 - A Faire to Remember, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at St. Peter, Erindale, 1745 Dundas St. W., Mississauga. This bazaar will have a silent auction, baking, jewellery and more. Donations of non-perishable food for the Deacon’s Cupboard food bank are welcome. NOV. 4 - Annual Christmas bazaar, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., St. James the Apostle, 3 Cathedral Rd., Brampton. Featuring a lunch of homemade soups, sandwiches and dessert, a silent auction, an art sale and more. Call 905-451-7711. NOV. 4 - Annual Christmas Bazaar, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., silent auction, bake table, Christmas decoration, café and more, Holy Trinity, Guildwood, 85 Livingston Rd., Toronto. Santa Claus will be there for photos between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. NOV. 11 - St. Cuthbert’s Christmas Fair, 1399 Bayview Ave., Toronto
(south of Davisville Avenue), 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Artsy items, books, cheese, church calendars, crafts, lunch and raffle of a beautiful handsewn quilt. As it is Remembrance Day, a service will be held outside the St. Cuthbert’s Road entrance starting at 10:45 a.m. Please come early and join us. NOV. 18 – ACW of Grace Church’s Christmas Bazaar with antiques, knitting, baking, lunch and more, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Grace Church, 19 Parkway Ave., Markham. Call 905-294-3184. NOV. 18 – Holly Berry Bazaar with crafts, baking, lunch room, toys, books, DVDs, household goods, a visit from Santa Claus and more, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., St. Dunstan of Canterbury, 56 Lawson Rd., Scarborough. Accessible building. Call 416-283-1844. NOV. 18 – Christmas bazaar, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Church of the Holy Family, Kennedy Road, Heart Lake, Brampton. Crafts, bake table, lunch room and more. The church is located on the west side of Kennedy Road, north of Bovaird, south of Sandalwood. NOV. 18 - All Saints, Whitby’s annual Christmas Bazaar, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., gift ideas, silent auction, baked goods, crafts, tea toom and homemade lunch. At All Saints, 300 Dundas St. W., Whitby. NOV. 18 - Annual bazaar with bake table, craft tables, lunch room, Nearly New room and more, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Christ Church, Bolton, 22 Nancy St. NOV. 18 - Nutcracker Fair with silent auction, baked goods, crafts, morning barbecue, lunch and more, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., St. Martin in-theFields, 151 Glenlake Ave., Toronto. Call 416-767-7491. NOV. 18 - Christmas craft show and coffee house at St. Olave, Bloor Street and Windermere Avenue, Toronto, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Crafts, book fair with ACW, coffee house with festive treats and music.
NOV. 18 - Christmas bazaar, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., St. John the Baptist, 710 Dundas St. E. (just east of Cawthra Road), Mississauga. Vendors welcome. Call 416-709 9299. NOV. 25 – St. Timothy’s Christmas Kitchen, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the church, 100 Old Orchard Grove, north Toronto. Silent auction and more. NOV. 25 - Snowflake Bazaar, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., St. John, Bowmanville, featuring bake shop, jewelry, crafts and much more. Visit Martha’s Lunch Room between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. NOV. 25 - Festival of Christmas, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Holy Trinity, Thornhill, 140 Brook St., Thornhill. Baked goods, hand-crafted items and more. Luncheon from noon to 2 p.m. DEC. 2 – Holly Berry Fair with tea room, crafts, baking, quilt raffle, books, Christmas items, attic treasures and more, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., St. Luke, East York, 904 Coxwell Ave. Call 416-421-6878, ext. 21. DEC. 2 – Old-fashioned Christmas bazaar with lunch and tea room, festive handmade home décor, gift items, baking and mystery raffle, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Church of the Ascension, 266 North St., Port Perry.
Workshops & Gatherings OCT. 31 - Converge Youth Group’s Harvest Festival & Trick or Treat for Hope, 7 p.m., hot chocolate,
candy, games, prizes for best costume, and collecting canned goods, Holy Trinity, Guildwood, 85 Livingston Rd., Toronto. NOV. 1 - All Saints Communion at 6 p.m., followed by light supper at 6.30 p.m. From 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Rev. Canon Dr. David Neelands discusses the history and theology of the Reformation and Counter-Reformation, as we mark the 500th anniversary of the start of the Reformation. St. Olave, Bloor Street and Windermere Avenue, Toronto. DEC. 8-10, 15-17, 21-24 - The Christmas Story, a Toronto tradition since 1938, at Holy Trinity, 19 Trinity Square, Toronto. Professional musicians and a volunteer cast present this charming hour-long nativity pageant. Evening performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 8, 15, 16, 21, 22 and 23; matinees are at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 and 24. Suggested donation: $20 for adults, $5 for children. Visit www. thechristmasstory.ca to reserve or call 416-598-4521, ext. 301. DEC. 10 - Annual Community Carol Sing at St. Dunstan of Canterbury, 7:30 p.m., 56 Lawson Rd., Scarborough. This is a fun, seasonal event for all ages. There will be a free-will offering with all proceeds going to the Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities Food Bank. Refreshments following program. Call 416-283-1844.
November 2017
AnglicanClassifieds
11
to place an ad call 905.833.6200 ext. 22 or email anglican@churchadvertising.ca
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personal Jennifer Spencer is a member
of All Saints Anglican Church in Collingwood Ontario. She has been past president and secretary of the ACW, a member of the choir and a generous volunteer. Last year tragic news came and she was diagnosed with ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Friends mentioned that a funding website could possibly help individuals who come across unfortunate circumstances. We encourage you to look at the website www.gofundme.com/2bmk3xg to understand this devastating illness and offer your support.
in motion Appointments
• The Rev. Chris Horne, Interim Priest-in-Charge, St. Andrew, Scarborough, Sept. 15. • The Rev. Ted Bartlett, Interim Priest-in-Charge, Christ Memorial Church, Oshawa, Sept. 18. • The Rev. Bob Bettson, Interim Priest-in-Charge, St. Bede, Toronto, Sept. 30. • The Rev. Canon Dr. David Neelands, Priest-in-Charge, Parish of Roche’s Point, Oct. 1. • The Rev. Kenneth Roguszka, Interim Priest-in-Charge, Christ Church, Holland Landing, Oct. 1. • The Rev. Canon Cheryl Palmer, Incumbent, Christ Church, Deer Park, Toronto, Jan. 1, 2018.
Vacant Incumbencies
Clergy from outside the diocese with the permission of their bishop may apply through the Diocesan Executive Assistant, Mrs. Mary Conliffe. First Phase – Parish Selection Committee in Formation (not yet receiving names): • Parish of Churchill and Cookstown • St. Andrew, Scarborough • St. Augustine of Canterbury, Toronto • St. Bede, Toronto Second Phase – Parish Selection Committee (receiving names via
counselling
counselling
DAVID A.S. WRIGHT
Pastoral Counsellor Registered Psychotherapist
B.A. M.Div. Registered Psychotherapist
• Pastoral Counsellor • Individual / Couple Psychotherapy • Psychoanalysis • Supervision / Consultation 204 St. George Street Toronto, Ontario M5R 2N5 Tel. 416-960-6486
prayer cycle For november 1. All Saints, Whitby 2. Ascension, Port Perry 3. Christ Memorial Church, Oshawa 4. St. George Memorial, Oshawa 5. Oshawa Deanery 6. St. George, Pickering Village (Ajax) 7. St. John, Blackstock (Cartwright) 8. St. John, Whitby 9. St. Martin, Bay Ridges (Pickering) 10. St. Martin, Courtice 11. Military Chaplains 12. Members of the Synod of the Diocese of Toronto 13. St. Matthew, Oshawa 14. St. Paul on-the-Hill, Pickering 15. The Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor and Registrar of the Diocese of
Area Bishop): • Parish of Bobcaygeon, Dunsford & Burnt River (Trent-Durham) Third Phase – Parish Selection Committee Interviewing (no longer receiving names): • Christ Church, Bolton (YorkSimcoe)
Ordinations
• The Rev. Karen Isaacs was ordained a transitional deacon in the Diocese of Niagara, for the Diocese of Toronto, on Sept. 21 at Christ Church Cathedral, Hamilton.
Conclusions
• The Rev. Stephanie DouglasBowman has concluded her ministry at Christ Memorial Church, Oshawa. She will be taking up a new ministry appointment at Havergal College, Toronto beginning Oct. 30.
Deaths
• The Rev. Canon Byron Yates died on Sept. 24. Ordained deacon in 1969, he served as assistant curate at St. Peter, Cobourg, incumbent of the Parish of Belmont and at St. John, Bowmanville, regional dean of Durham and Northumberland, and as priest-in-charge of the Parish of Campbellford, Hastings and Roseneath. His funeral was held at St. John, Bowmanville on Sept. 29.
Susan E. Haig LL.B., M.Div.
110 Eglinton Ave. W., Suite 303D Toronto, ON M4R 1A3
416.605.3588 Toronto 16. Synod Planning and Agenda Committee 17. T he Synod of the Diocese of Toronto 18. The Synod of the Diocese of Toronto 19. Toronto East Deanery 20. St. Aidan, Toronto 21. St. Andrew, Japanese 22. St. Barnabas, Chester 23. St. Bede, Toronto 24. St. David, Donlands 25. St. John the Baptist, Norway 26. Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund 27. St. Luke, East York 28. St. Matthew, First Avenue 29. St. Monica, Toronto 30. St. Nicholas, Birch Cliff
• The Rev. Floyd Green died on Sept. 24. Ordained deacon in 1960 and priest in 1961, he came to the Diocese of Toronto from the Diocese of Huron in 1980. He served as chaplain of the Queen Street Mental Health Centre, director of pastoral care at St. Michael’s Hospital, priest-in-charge of St. Cuthbert, Leaside, and honorary assistant of St. James Cathedral and St. Augustine of Canterbury, Toronto during his retirement. His funeral was held at All Saints, King City on Oct. 13.
briefly Outreach conference coming up The diocese’s annual Outreach & Advocacy Conference will take place on Nov. 4 at St. John, York Mills, 19 Don Ridge Dr., Toronto. This year’s theme is “Being God’s People: Embracing Difference, Building Solidarity.” There will be a keynote address from Dr. Carl James of York University and workshops covering many key justice issues. The cost is $30, or $15 for students and those with low incomes. Lunch is included, and childcare is available upon request. Visit the diocese’s website, www.toronto.anglican.ca, to see workshop options and register.
OPENING NIGHT
William Penn’s A Brief Account of the Rise and Progress of the People Called the Quakers, published in 1694, (top) is displayed at Flickering of the Flame: Print and the Reformation, an exhibit commemorating the 500th anniversary of the start of the Reformation. The exhibit, held at the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library at the University of Toronto until Dec. 20, includes books, manuscripts, pamphlets and engravings from the Reformation. About 120 people attended the official opening on Oct. 4. Photos by Michael Hudson
Priest happy keeping bees Continued from Page 3
is for healing and for good,” she says. “What I love about it is how reflective they are, how good they are for people to be around. As soon as you come to the apiary and you get comfortable, your blood pressure comes down, your heart rate slows down.” She also finds that beekeeping fits well with her role as a priest providing pastoral care. “There’s an old thing called telling the bees. Because they’re such a communal creature, you had to tell the bees what was going on in your life, whether there was a birth or a death, and if you didn’t tell the bees they would leave,” she says. “They do draw that out; being around them makes you want to be gentler and in greater harmony with nature, with yourself, with your family and the people you care for.” While Ms. Ashworth jokes that she’s promised to limit references to beekeeping in her sermons,
she says she find the queen bee a particularly suitable image. “She only spends a couple of days out in the sunlight, and then everything else she does looks like sunlight. She makes honey that looks like sunlight, she makes wax that looks like sunlight, the wax creates a flame that looks like sunlight,” she says. “It’s a great preaching point, that we have these encounters with God and we spend the rest of our lives trying to point to it, saying, ‘It’s like this.’” As she keeps sharing her experiences in her town and beyond, Ms. Ashworth says she hopes she can encourage people to support beekeeping and even think about becoming beekeepers themselves. “If people want to learn, I’m happy to teach them. There are seasons when it takes some time, but it’s very manageable,” she says. “It’s not lucrative, but it’s a good thing to do. It’s worth my time, it’s worth my effort for sure.”
12 TheAnglican
feature
November 2017
In the heart of ancient Jerusalem Priest realizes dream of going on dig in the Holy Land By the Rev. Canon Claire Wade
F
or two weeks in July, I was privileged to participate in something that has been on my bucket list for years – an archaeological dig in the Holy Land, preferably in Jerusalem. The opportunity came to dig on Mount Zion, Jerusalem, mentioned numerous times in the scriptures. For Jews and Christians in the last hundred years or so, biblical archaeology in the Holy Land and other biblical lands has played a major part in shedding light on our understanding of the Bible. (In my previous life, visiting and learning at such sites was very much part of the pilgrimage or study tours that I would organize for groups, but I never had the opportunity to dig.) The dig site itself is on the eastern slope of Mount Zion, near Zion Gate, on the south side of the city. It is just outside the current walls of Jerusalem, rebuilt by Ottoman sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in the 14th and 15th centuries. In the time of Jesus, the site was in the very heart of Jerusalem. Excavations began in 1997 and closed temporarily, resuming in 2007 under the purview of the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Charlotte. The program is directed by wellknown biblical archaeological scholars Dr. Shimon Gibson, professor of archaeology at UNC and a senior fellow at the Albright Institute of Archaeological Research in Jerusalem, Dr. James Tabor, professor of ancient Judaism and early Christianity at UNC, and Prof. Rafi Lewis of Haifa University in Israel. Our group of around 50 came from all over the world. We stayed at a quaint pilgrim’s hotel in the Christian Quarter of the Old City, near the New Gate – one of eight gates of the city. Our week of digging lasted Sunday through Thursday, from 6 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. We had Fridays and Saturdays off, so there was plenty of time to explore Jerusalem or take day trips to other places. Our day began at 5 a.m., arriving downstairs in the lounge of the hotel for a cup of instant coffee and a piece of cake (sometimes
The Rev. Canon Claire Wade, at right, and others work on the site that is near the excavated home of Caiaphas, the high priest involved in the trial of Jesus that led to his crucifixion. Photos courtesy of Canon Wade
chocolate). Armed with a trowel, kneeling pads, a hat, gloves, sunglasses and lots of water, we left the hotel at around 5:15 a.m. To get to the site, we had to walk to Zion Gate, over some slippery cobblestones, then descend a concrete stairway of some 70 steps. We would make our way through the narrow streets of Jerusalem that, by that time, were coming alive with two-way traffic and the odd rabbi on his way to prayer, whizzing by on his bike, robes flying in the breeze. I often made the 15-minute walk on my own – for me a coveted time of prayer. On arrival at the site, we made a human chain to convey all our picks, hoes, buckets and gufas (wicker baskets) from their storage place across a busy street to the site. The early-morning scenery from the site was spectacular: looking north and east, one could see the sun rising over the Mount of Olives, and, just adjacent to the site, the lights of the City of David. Dr. Gibson would give us a daily briefing of what the goals of the day were and, with his famous words “let’s get cracking,” off we went to our assigned locations to begin digging. For the first three hours, we slugged it out – picking, hoeing, sweeping and uncovering ancient treasures and special finds. They were identified by the archaeologists
Advent and Christmas at The Church of St Peter and St Simon-the-Apostle
Christmas Eve – Sunday December 24, 10pm A candlelit traditional Eucharist service featuring Christmas carols & choral music. Christmas Day – Monday December 25, 10:30am A joyful and reverent celebration of the Nativity. Every Sunday 8:30 Quiet Communion Service · 10:30 Choral Communion Service
The Rev. Canon Claire Wade is the incumbent of St. Thomas, Brooklin.
Celebrating our 27th Annual Christmas Concert
Home for the Holidays
Advent Lessons and Carols – Sunday December 3, 4pm Begin the Season of Advent with a service of readings and carols. A social gathering featuring fruit cake and sherry will follow the service. Nine Lessons and Carols – Sunday December 17, 4pm A beloved traditional selection of carols and readings by candlelight. A social gathering featuring mince tarts and mulled wine will follow.
on hand, then documented and sent off to be washed and catalogued. Breakfast was an interesting feature of the day. At around 9 a.m., volunteers were needed to climb up the 70 steps to pick up our breakfast, which a truck from the hotel delivered as close as it could get to the site. The well-deserved meal was an elaborate spread of cakes, jams, jellies, halva (a sesame seed and honey treat), breads with hummus, babba ganoush, cheeses, hard-boiled eggs and a tuna salad with black olives (which I loved) and more. There were cold juices as well as lots of hot
black tea and Arabic coffee to wash it all down. We gathered under the breakfast tent and sat on massive dusty stones to eat our meal. (No doubt, we also consumed some of the dust that was everywhere!) The site being excavated is an elaborate mansion that was in the heart of Jerusalem 2,000 years ago – the time of Jesus. It is located near the excavated home of Caiaphas, the high priest involved in the trial of Jesus that led to his crucifixion (John 18:13-28). It is believed that the wealthy, priestly ruling class of Jerusalem lived in this neighbourhood. “Caiaphas was the son-in-law of Annas, who had six sons who were high priests. He (Annas) ran the show for about 60 years, putting his sons in one after the other, and his son-in-law Caiaphas, along the way. So perhaps these are the homes of that extended priestly dynasty,” Dr. Tabor said. The mansion had its own cistern, a mikveh (a Jewish ritual bathing pool), a barrel-vaulted ceiling and a chamber with three bread ovens. A bathtub carved out of the bedrock with its ceiling intact was found – an extremely rare luxury that commoners of the time could not afford. “It’s clear from the finds that the people living here were wealthy, aristocrats or even priests,” said Dr. Gibson. One of the highlights of the day was the popsicle break. It came at around 11:30 a.m. Some local boys who did small chores around the dig distributed popsicles of various flavours. I have never looked so forward to seeing a popsicle! By this time, the sun was right overhead and streaming through the holes, here and there, in the worn tarp over us. One was hot and covered with Crusader and first-century dust from head to toe! And, did I tell you that there happened to be a heat wave in Jerusalem at the time? By the time our day ended at 1:30 p.m. and we formed another human chain to return all our tools to the shed (across the busy street, with each passing car blaring its horn), the temperature was hovering near 40C. For me, the only dreaded part of my day was climbing up those 70 concrete steps, walking over those slippery cobblestones, through Zion Gate, then making my way through the crowded streets of Jerusalem – mostly uphill – back to the hotel, in the heat and covered in ancient dust! Seriously, though, it was a very small price to pay for the invaluable learning experience and awesome blessing of digging on Mount Zion of the time of Jesus.
LOFT Community Services Monday, December 4, 2017 at 7:30pm St. James Cathedral, Toronto TICKET PRICES Regular - $40 1 ticket
To Order Tickets: Go Online to www.loftcs.org Mail or Call
Patron - $100 1 ticket plus tax receipt
LOFT Community Services 15 Toronto Street, 9th Floor Toronto, ON M5C 2E3 416-979-1994 ext. 233 atran@loftcs.org www.loftcs.org
Benefactor - $500 2 tickets, tax receipt, invitation to post-concert reception
All are welcome! The Church of St Peter and St Simon-the-Apostle 525 Bloor Street East / 40 Howard Street 416‐923‐8714 office@stsimons.ca ~ www.stsimons.ca Charlotte Moore, 2016
Thom Allison, 2016
St. James Cathedral
Molly Johnson, 2015
Countermeasure, 2016