1
ANGLICAN LIFE
NEWSPAPER OF THE THREE ANGLICAN DIOCESES IN
NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR
A Section of the Anglican Journal
Ordination In Western Diocese
Record number ordained deacons for Newfoundland & Labrador
Article by
Cynthia Haines-Turner
One by one they came
forwardJane Allen, John
Billard, Effie Organ, Faye Coffin,
Francis Elgar, Wilhelmena
Green, Phyllis Joy, Kay Osmond,
Ida Patey, Marie Smith, Brenda
Strickland, Nathaniel Larkin,
and Mario Melendezand
knelt before Archbishop Percy
Coffin. One by one, he laid
At the ordination in the Diocese of Western Newfoundland with Archbishop Percy Coffin
hands on them and said Send
down your Holy Spirit upon
your servant Jane, John, Effie,
Faye, Francis, Wilhelmena,
Phyllis, Kay, Ida, Marie, Brenda,
Nat, and Mario whom we now
consecrate in your name to the
office and work of a deacon
in the Church. Despite the
large congregation assembled
and in sharp contrast to the
hustle and excitement in the
Hall downstairs before the
service, there was a solemnity
in the Cathedral each time
the Archbishop spoke those
words. It was a poignant
moment never to be forgotten.
Thirteen deacons ordained
at one timeno one can
remember there being this
many ordained at the one time
in the history of the Church in
Newfoundland and Labrador! In
his remarks, Archbishop Coffin
brought greetings from the
Primate, Archbishop Fred Hiltz,
and quoted him as speaking
of this flood of deacons in
Western Newfoundland.
Having so many ordinands
created a strong sense of
community, of taking this step
together, leading one of them
to remark on the great feeling
of support that came from
being part of such a group.
When asked how they
were feeling before the
service, their responses
were varied but similar:
excited, overwhelmed,
apprehensive, terrified, my
knees are rubber! spiritual.
All seemed very much attuned
to the enormity of this step.
Many spoke of their family and
particularly their parentsone
said her father had always
hoped he would live long
enough to see this and was so
pleased to be there; the families
of some would have loved to be
there, but for health reasons
were not (although they were
there in spirit). Some family
anglican life Newfoundland&Labrador
members were part of the so
great a cloud of witnesses
that we read of in Hebrews.
Two of those ordained,
Nathanial Larkin and Mario
Melendez, were ordained to the
transitional diaconate, and will
be ordained priests in the near
future; the others were ordained
to the permanent diaconate,
and will be part of the College
of Deacons of Western NL.
What does this mean for those
ordained; what will change
when they return to their
respective parishes? What will
it mean for our Diocese? Said
Nath Larkin, I feel like a huge
door has opened up and I have the call of God on their livesa
yet to see what is on the other call they had sensed for as
side. Mario would be picking up long as they can remember.
the keys for his new parish the
next day. Those being ordained
to the permanent diaconate
spoke of various forms of
ministryvisiting, assisting with
setting the communion table,
childrens ministry, and more.
In his sermon, Bishop Coadjutor-
elect, John Meade, spoke
directly to the ordinands as he
outlined some of the ministries
they would fulfil in their
parishes, saying Deacons-to-
be: God has placed a special
call to ordained ministry in
your hearts. Today you are
answering that call. While
that was certainly the case,
the majority of those being
ordained have spent a lifetime
in faithful service in their Church.
For most, with the exception of
some additional duties, little will
change. In many ways, these
ordinations were an affirmation
of their ministry, recognizing
that which was. They had been
serving in a deacons role for
many years, and were now
responding in a formal way to
mature adults, fully developed
within and without, fully alive
like Christ. (From The Message
For their part, one parish
priest spoke of the positive
excitement around the day
that was contagious and
welcome in a world where we
deal with so much sadness.
Jokingly, she said that she was
going to sit back and let the
new, very capable deacons
in her parish, go to work.
For the Diocese, the newly
appointed Canon to the
September, 2017
Diaconate, the Revd Canon
Duncan Granter, also believes
it is an exciting step in that we
are reclaiming the diaconate.
Excitement seemed to
be the word on everyones lips,
and justifiably so. In Ephesians
4, as found in The Message, we
read [God] handed out gifts of
apostle, prophet, evangelist,
and pastor-teacher to train
Christs followers in skilled
servant work, working within
Christs body, the church, until
were all moving rhythmically
and easily with each other,
efficient and graceful in
response to Gods Son, fully
by Eugene Peterson).
That work of the Holy
Spirit is what we witnessed at
the Cathedral of St. John the
Evangelist in Corner Brook on
June 18th, and it is what many of
us have witnessed throughout
the lives and ministry of those
ordained on that day. What
could be more exciting than
that?
2 SEPTEMBER 2017

All About John Meade

New Bishop-Elect of Western Diocese
ANGLICAN LIFE in Newfoundland and Labrador is
the newspaper of the Anglican Church of Canada in tells us a bit about himself
the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. A co-
operative effort of the three Dioceses in Newfoundland a ministry I began before ministry with Archbishop
and Labrador, it is publishes ten issues each year with I was old enough to drive, Pe r c y, o u r o r d a i n e d
an independent editorial policy. the Church was at the core Diocesan Ministry Team,
of who I was. Immediately and the countless dedicated
Anglican Life is a section of the Anglican Journal following Diocesan Synod and faithful disciples that
1989, hosted by our parish, I comprise our Diocese. The
Editor: knew that God had placed the 21st century Anglican Church
Mrs. Emily F. Rowe call of ordained ministry upon in Western Newfoundland
3 Carpasian Rd. my heart. After High School truly is all encompassing. We
St. Johns, NL graduation, I completed a have our challenges, such
A1C 3T9 Bachelor of Arts (English and as out-migration, an aging
Email: anglicanlifeNL@gmail.com Religious Studies) at Memorial demographic, and dwindling
University. It was during financial resources. However,
Advertising Rates and other information may be this time that I had my first the openness of our faithful
obtained from: experience of parish ministry to new models of Shared
Bishop Donald Young serving as Catechist in the
Archdeacon John Meade Ministry, the institution of
34 Fraser Road, Gander, NL, A1V 2E8 Parish of White Bay in the
Bishop-Elect the College of Deacons,
Phone: (709) 256-7701 summer of 1994. In 1995 I
Western Newfoundland and locally-raised and
Email: jointcommittee@nfld.net enrolled at Queens College trained priests are all signs
Greetings to my Anglican and graduated with a Master that Gods hand is at work
Paid Subscription Rates: brothers and sisters in of Divinity in 1998. Ordained in Western Newfoundland.
Newfoundland and Labrador: $15.00 Newfoundland and Labrador. Deacon on The Feast of St. Thus, I look forward with
Outside the province: $20.00 At the suggestion of our Editor, Barnabas, I was appointed to excitement and enthusiasm
International: $25.00 I will use this first article the Parish of Cow Head where as we work collectively and
as a means of introduction. I served until November 2001. collaboratively to build up the
New subscriptions, cancellations, & changes of address Born September 4, 1972, I It was there that I met and Kingdom of God in this parcel
should be sent to: was raised in Channel-Port later married my beloved Kelly of His vineyard. Every good
Circulation aux Basques, a member of of Sallys Cove. We moved on wish and blessing.
The Anglican Journal (attn. Bev Murphy) the Parish of Grand Bay, the to serve at the Cathedral in
80 Hayden Street, Toronto, ON, M4Y 3G2 youngest of four from a very Gander until January 2005. Archdeacon John Meade was
(416) 924-9192 (O) (416) 925-8811 (fax) loving, faithful and close- Then, we returned to Deer elected the fifth Bishop of
Email: circulation@national.anglican.ca knit family. Family, and all Lake where we ministered Western Newfoundland at
that it entails, is who and until August, 2012. After a their diocesan Synod, held
Each parish is responsible for maintaining its own what I am all about! A cradle brief stint at the Parish of St. June 3-4, 2017. He succeeds
subscription list: please notify your parish office of Anglican, I cannot recall a Mary the Virgin, Corner Brook,
any changes. Changes sent to parish offices may take Archbishop Percy Coffin who
time when the Church was I joined the Synod Office as has served as Bishop Of
months to take effect. Send your updated information not a significant part of my Executive Archdeacon and
to Circulation at the Anglican Journal (above) or to Western Newfoundland since
life. Whether as a member Assistant to the Bishop in 2003. Archbishop Coffin will
Don Young at 34 Fraser Road, Gander NL A1V 2E8. of the Junior Choir, a Server June 2013. Since then, I have
or a Licensed Lay Reader, thoroughly enjoyed sharing retire later this year.
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Circulation: 19,000

Front row: Grace Combdon, Carol Anstey, Gloria Robinson, Florence Morgan, Olive Patey, Martha
Beson. Back row: Phyllis Woolfrey, Margaret Rose Coffin, Patricia Hammond, Edna Carter,
Daphne Blackwood. Missing from photo are: Nancy Jackson, Judy Oldford, and Breta Hunter.

Our members collected items from Holy Trinity congregation and delivered them on May
2nd, 2017 to the gift shop at the Central Newfoundland Hospital in Grand Falls-Windsor.

anglican life Newfoundland&Labrador

SEPTEMBER 2017 3

New Windows in
Grand Bay
Submitted with photographs
by Effie Organ

Two new stained glass Congregation. The second one

windows were installed in our
church at Grand Bay. The first
one depicts The Parable of
the Prodigal Son, and was
donated in loving memory of
deceased members of St. Pauls
depicts The Ascension of our
Lord, and it was donated in
loving memory of the Kettle,
Walters & Osmond families by
their family members.

End of Year Party

Cannings Cove Sunday School
Celebrates another fantastic year
Submitted with photographs
by Lisa Chatman

Here are some pictures

from our wonderful Sunday
School closing party. Our
church is St. John the Divine
Anglican Church, Cannings
Cove. Our end-of-the-year
party was held at the local
community playground, and
this is how we like to end
off every year: good old
fashioned fun!

anglican life Newfoundland&Labrador

4 SEPTEMBER 2017
ANGLICAN EAST NL Hosts Multi-Faith
ConferenceFaith In The Public Square
Article and photographs by
Emily F. Rowe
Diocese responds
to Bishops request
to Synod
On Saturday, June 3rd,
the Diocese of Eastern
Newfoundland and Labrador
hosted a conference called
Faith in the Public Square
at the Church of St. Mary the
Virgin, St. Johns. Participants
were gathered together to
hear presentations about how
our faith has an impact on
our daily lives, and we were
then given the chance to ask
questions to a special panel,
which was made up of people
from different faith traditions.
The special speakers at
the conference were Sister
Elizabeth Davis, former CEO of
Eastern Health and Member of
the Order of Canada, and the
Right Honourable Adrienne
Clarkson, 26th Governor
General of Canada. Bishop
Geoff Peddle moderated the
event, and also spoke to the
assembled crowd.
Bishop Peddles opening
remarks explained that the
gathering was the response
to his request to Synod in April
of 2016, a Synod which was
titled The Church Has Left the
Building, at which ways were
explored for Anglicans to move
beyond their own buildings
and congregations, and being
to put our faith to work in the
public square. He challenged
us to define what we mean by
terms such as religion and
faith, and reminded us that
all talk of religion in Canada
Participants gathering at St. Marys for Faith in the Public Square
must also be a conversation
about diversity and inclusion.
If religion is defined as an
encounter with the Holy,
we must realise that this is
recognized differently by those
from different faith traditions.
Bishop Peddle also spoke
of the important role that
people of faith play in their
Bishop Peddle
communities by acting as
volunteers. We contribute
millions of hours to many
varied volunteer positions.
And it is also important to
remember that people of faith
continue to have an impact on
the social and political views
of Canadians. Bishop Peddle
concluded with quotations
from many faith traditions that
echoed our familiar Golden
Rule, demonstrating that we
all share more in common in
many deep ways.
anglican life Newfoundland&Labrador
Sister Elizabeth of our own faith, whatever that to clean drinking water, the
Davis Explains
may settle out to be. Working breakdown of society, and
global inequality. Sister spoke
Integral Ecology
together and learning from
each other has made our faiths of her recent visit to Peru
stronger, fuller, and richer. following the tragic flooding
Sister Elizabeth Davis Sister Elizabeth also spoke and mudslides, and stressed
began by explaining that until about Pope Franciss phrase, that climate change is a reality,
the last quarter of the 20th Integral Ecology. This means and that it is imperative that we
century, it would have been connecting care of the natural change things for the better in
impossible to separate faith world with justice for the our world. Global warming has
from the public square. The poorest and most vulnerable a great impact on the poor of
two ideas were completely people. This means an our world, and as Pope Francis
and totally intertwined. Even examination of our lives as says, The cry of the poor and
as it was claimed that there people of faith, including the cry of the Earth are one.
was a separation of Church things such as pollution and Following lunch, Bishop
and State, the two were still waste, climate change, access Geoff presented the video,
almost entirely
inseparable.
Today, however,
people have lost
confidence in
the leadership
that is provided
by faith leaders,
and there is a
great separation
between the
public and
religion.
H o w e v e r,
the outcome
of this is that
to be a person
of faith is now
an option, and
not a given. It
i s no l on ger
expected by
either custom or
culture that you
will go to church
every Sunday.
The lack of
being tied to
the religion of
your birth has
allowed many
of us to explore
other faith
traditions, and
this has often
led to a greater
understanding
Sister Elizabeth Davis
SEPTEMBER 2017 5

Above is the new, updated logo for Eastern Diocese, now to be used for
bulletins, websites, etc. It is available in different colours and formats, and
can be obtained by contacting Synod Office.

Diocese launches
new look
now available on YouTube
Welcome to Anglican East
NLOpening Doors. This
video says that, At Anglican
East NL, we open our doors
to those looking for a spiritual
home. However, we are more
than a destination. We seek to
be known by the quality of our
love and to share the richness
of our life with the entire
world. We are a community
where you can celebrate
life and find companions for
your journey. The generous
welcome and supportive care
offered by our parishes and
people are freely given to all
in need, everywhere we go.
At this time, a new, updated
crest for the Diocese was also
introduced.
The final speaker of the
day was The Right Honourable The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson

Andrienne our obsession with the fabric Clarksons talk, a panel

Clarkson calls us
to be Missionaries
in our own
communities
Adrienne Clarkson. She began
be telling those assembled of
her great love for the province
of Newfoundland. She loves
the barren land, and felt very
pleased to once again have a
chance to be here.
Madame Clarkson spoke of
the need for faith communities
to be missionaries to ourselves
nowto our own communities,
and not just to foreign
countries. Missionaries came
to Hong Kong and converted
her family to the Anglican
Church, so that she is now a
fifth generation Anglican even
Above is the new, logo for Opening Doors. Again, this is available in though she herself was born in
different colours and formats from Synod Office. Hong Kong. Today, this is not
the case, and our missionary
efforts must also focus on
our local communities
on the public square.
Madame Clarkson said that
of the church must change,
and we must recapture the
excitement of early Christians
who believed that Light had
truly come into the world,
and that this news had to be
shared. The Church is us,
as individual human beings,
giving out witness, not our
buildings.
Madame Clarkson also
made a point of saying that
she has never doubted the
existence of God, saying with
a smile, There must be more
to life than this. She has also
never doubted the existence
of an afterlife, and that we will
be part of something together
againthat is what being a
part of the Godhead means
to her. Madame Clarkson
spoke of the African word
ubuntu, which means the
universal bond of sharing
between all humanity, so that a
person is a person because of
other persons. We share more
things than we do not.
Following Madame
was assembled to answer
questions from the participants
at the conference. The panel
included Madame Clarkson;
Sister Elizabeth Davis; Nancy
Bennett (Board Member of the
Jewish Community Havura of
Newfoundland and Labrador);
Dr. Muhammad Nazir (Director
of the Religious Social Action
Coalition of Newfoundland
and Labrador); and the Revd
Canon David Burrows (Society
and Justice, Anglican Diocese
of Eastern Newfoundland and
Labrador).
The Conference was well
received by all who attended it,
and we were all left with many
important issues for further
contemplation, discussion,
and growth.

Panel discussion with (left to right) Nancy Bennett, Muhammad Nazir, The Revd Canon David Burrows, Sister
Elizabeth Davis, The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson

anglican life Newfoundland&Labrador

6 SEPTEMBER 2017

All Saints Corner Brook

New Vestry and Tea Party
Photographs and captions
by Yvette Targett

The induction of the vestry of All Saints Anglican Church in Corner Brook was held on April 30th. All Saints Anglican Parish in Corner Brook held a Tea
The above photograph includes: Jocelyn Meade, Linda King, Ann Marie Turpin, Tracey King, Linda Party on April 29th with approximately 50 women in
Buckle, Lana Bannister, Jason Spurrell, Tom Goulding, Harry Balsom, Jason Ledrew, the Revd attendance, including our invited guests from Humber
Tanya White, and Shirley Noseworthy. United Church.
There were lots of laughs and fellowship, and a great
time was had by all!

Go where life takes you, but plan ahead.
As a free spirit, you rarely look back. But you
should look ahead - especially to protect your
loved ones when youre no longer there.
All it takes is a little preplanning.
Hope Bear Visits St. Peters
Article and Photograph
by The Revd Christine Lynch

Decide now on the funeral options and funding

arrangements that best meet your needs. Youll
Hope Bear, from the
lessen the burden for those who are left behind.
Anglican Foundation of
Canada, visited St. Peters
To learn more, call the number below. Well send Church during Lent, 2017. Each
you a free Wishes and Memories Planning Guide. night, the bear would travel
Well also provide you with a no-obligation from house to house with his
consultation. travel bag which contained
information explaining the
So make your plans, today. work of AFC. The children
Then follow your path wherever it leads.
brought toonies to Sunday
School which they donated
to the Kids Helping Kids
fund. This money will help
children across Canada by
funding breakfast programs,
homework clubs, choir/
summer camps, and hospice
care.
I n M a y, e a c h f a m i l y
received AFCs new book,
Childrens Prayers with Hope
Bear.The children were happy
to spend time with Hope Bear
and to help other children in
Canada.

FUNERAL HOMES Corner Brook Deer Lake

Preplanning Stephenville Crossing
Crematorium Port aux Basques Burgeo
Chapel
Port au Choix Lanse au Loup
Monuments
Flowers Happy Valley - Goose Bay
634-0077 1-888-868-6800
During your most difficult times... we are here to serve you. 6102663

anglican life Newfoundland&Labrador

SEPTEMBER 2017
A Journey
Through Grief
Part 1
The Revd Jeff Blackwood
Columnist
This past year I have
gotten a lot of positive
feedback on my first time as
a columnist for Anglican Life.
It has really meant a lot. I went
through a dry spell of writing
and it feels great to be back
at what I considered a nice
easy hobby.
However, this year my
column may take a bit of
a depressing tone, as this
begins the chronicle of a
journey through the most
painful moment of my life.
April 20th is the day that
Victoria and I went through
the pain of miscarriage, and
the agony of that plays in my
mind every day.
We w e r e s o e xc i t e d
to learn that, at the end
of February, we would be
starting the next chapter
in our lives. We knew that
there would be possibilities
for anything to happen so
early on in pregnancy. But as
humans, denial is our greatest
defence. We shrugged off
that possibility, choosing
instead to look towards a
bright future: paint swatches,
registries on Amazon and the
such. November was going to
be an amazing month.
Then the first ultrasound.
Then the bad news.
The . . . hopelessness.
I will never forget the
day of that first ultrasound.
When the doctor told us
what was happening. That
afternoon, we tried to function
as normal. But I was angry.
Furious, rather. Going to find
someone to pray with us was
a suggestion, but I wanted
to be angry. I needed to be
angry.
Ever feel like the worlds
cruelest joke had been played
on you? Thats where I was.
Sitting on a snow-covered
picnic table, attempting to
enjoy ice cream, I got angry
7
with God for the first time. I
could not comprehend why
this would happen. Why so
much joy could turn into so
much sadness. And strangely,
I found myself verbalizing that
anger.
It was a moment that
showed me two things. One,
that God really is capable of
taking our anger in stride when
we really need to let it out;
and two, I knew that I would
never be able to understand
why this happened. Back Row: Ann Marie Turpin (1st year certificate), Archbishop Stewart Payne, retired (EFM mentor), Sharon
Grief is a strange thing. White (Western Diocese EFM Coordinator), Walter Wicks (2nd year certificate), Lillian Strowbridge (1st
We all experience it, though year certificate), Tom Goulding (2nd year certificate)
for most of us it is when a Front Row: Elaine Schulstad (4th year certificate and graduate), Judy Parsons (1st year certificate), and
loved one we had years upon Phyllis Joy (2nd year certificate).
years with passes away.
Students Receive
We lost a loved one
without ever knowing who
they could truly be to us.
Certificates in EFM
The reassurance of John
14 has played in my mind a lot
these last couple of months.
Programme
The assurance of a place
where pain doesnt exist,
where there is only peace
and harmony. Trying to feel
that full assurance here on Submitted with photograph
earth while it feels like the by Elaine Schulstad
carpet has been pulled out
from underneath you is pretty The attached picture is of guided by their mentor, in
difficult. (USA). EFM provides people
the certificate presentation on this case Archbishop Stewart with a chance to discover
This year, I will attempt May 28th, 2017, for participants Payne, which makes it much
to share my journey through how to respond to the call to
in the Education for Ministry more than a traditional Bible Christian service and to carry
the process with you all. (EFM)program. This ceremony study. The mentor serves as
The highs, the lows, and the out the ministry to which they
took place at St. John The both a guide and a participant. have been called.
discoveries of faith that help Evangelist Cathedral in Corner All participants have weekly
come to terms with one of the Brook. assignments to study at home,
dark realities of life: loss. written with files from May,
The EFM Programme is and they then come together 2015 Anglican Life
a four-part study programme to discuss any questions that
covering the Old Testament, they may have, and to share
the New Testament, and the any insights in a seminar
history of the Church. Studies format session.
in this programme give a EFM had its beginning
broad understanding of the in 1975 at the School of
history, theology, liturgies, Theology, University of the
and other parts of our Anglican South, Swanee, in Tennessee
Church. The students are
anglican life Newfoundland&Labrador
8 SEPTEMBER 2017
A Dose of Reality
Article by
The Very Revd William Bellamy
On May 18th, Bishop Geoff
Peddle gathered together a
group of representatives from
the parishes of the North East
Avalon in order to consider
the future of the buildings
and the ministries in the area.
The meeting was held at the
Parish of St. Mary the Virgin
in St. Johns, and the meeting
was opened with the following
address, given by The Very
Revd William Bellamy, who
was then the priest in charge
of St. Marys.
It is a matter of pride (which
is a kinder way of saying a
matter of vanity), that when
we report to headquarters
our attendance figures some
of us are tempted (and yield)
to inflate the numbers, adding
perhaps those who we are
sure would certainly be
with us but were prevented by
illness or some family matters,
or were out of town that day
or, if we are given particular
days in the year for which
Photo: Emily F. Rowe
the attendance figures are
required, we put on some
special event designed to
draw a few more people than
might normally attend that day!
Why is this? I think clergy may
do it because if our numbers
are declining we may feel
what is often a false sense of
personal failure: our sermons
are not inspiring enough to
keep people coming for more;
our programs are not meeting
the needs of the people; our
liturgies are not sufficient
in putting people in contact
with God; our personalities
are not charismatic enough
to attract and keep people in
deep relationships. And so, to
avoid holding ourselves up for
judgement by our peers, we
magnify our statistics a little
to make it appear that our
congregation is as strong as
ever! If we arent growing, at
least we are holding our own!
But in fact, arent most of us
finding our congregations are
really getting smaller?
The most
significant change
has been in
the society, the
people, in which
the Church lives.
Now, some of these
factors may indeed be true!
Sermons, programs, liturgies,
personalities: nothing is
perfect! Speaking for myself
I know there is much room for
improvement! But the truth
is, it has always been this
way. There has never been a
time when all of these factors
were outstandingly good
throughout the Church! The
most significant change has
been in the society, the people,
The Very Revd William Bellamy
in which the Church lives.
Most of our memory of
the Churchs past, either
personal or anecdotal, is of
the 1950s and 1960s. This
was a time of great prosperity
and expansion for the Church,
as well as for most areas of
life in North America. Worship
services were well attended:
full churches were a common
phenomenon. New housing
developments were sprouting
all over and the need for new
and bigger churches was
strong.
But we cannot live in our
memories. And our culture
has changed. Sociologists can
help us understand the hows
and whys of the changes that
have occurred, and we need to
listen to them and learn from
them. But the fact is we live in
a far more pluralistic society
in which, even among our
traditional membership base,
peoples sense of the need of,
and respect for, the Church is
much weaker than it was in
the 1950s and 1960s. And this
is particularly true of young
adults! It has now been said
many times in U.S. circles that
the last Episcopalian has
already been born. Whether
that is true or not, that view
could be expressed of many
parts of the Church in Canada,
too.
anglican life Newfoundland&Labrador
This presents us with
e n o r m o u s a n d e xc i t i n g
challenges!
The first is that our mission
field is now at our doorstep,
not in what was once called
deepest, darkest Africa.
We have people living in the
very shadow of our church
buildings who have no idea of
what happens inside them
and no idea of, or interest in,
why those buildings are there,
or what attracts us to them.
If the longest journey begins
with the first step, then surely,
Go into all the world begins
next door!
Another challenge is
meeting the reality that we
have far more space than we
require for our present and
foreseeable needs: for some of
us a half-filled church would be
seen as a wonderful turnout!
Many of these spaces are
beautiful, and vitally important
to the people who make
regular use of themand even
to many who rarely attend. In
addition to regular worship and
fellowship activities, things
happen in these spaces which
affect the lives of individuals
and families on the deepest
spiritual level: their marriages,
the baptism of their children,
the burial of their loved ones
even their first apprehension of
their faith. These associations
confer special status on these
spaces. And because this is
so, these spaces have to be
maintained. Heating, lighting,
insuring, repairing, beautifying
them, have created great
demandsin time, money and
energyon the resources of
the Church: resources supplied
by fewer and fewer active (and
aging) members; resources
that are not available for that
first challenge of presenting
the Gospel to the people in
our mission field. And the risen
Christ directs the Church to go
to them, not wait for them to
come to us!
We must
reduce the
amount of
space we have
to maintain,
and increase the
resources we need
for our mission
field.
We need church buildings.
We need spaces in which the
Church gathers for worship,
for Christian education, for
fellowship, to celebrate
the breadth of Christian
experience. We need spaces
for holy action. But we do not
need all we have! And theres
the rub! We must reduce the
amount of space we have to
maintain, and increase the
resources we need for our
mission field. But how do we
go about it? Many church
buildings can be converted to
other uses, sacred or secular.
Congregations may agree to
merge together: in our diocese
we have seen this in South
River and Hearts Delight.
Denominations may agree to
share space while maintaining
their separate identities
as the Anglican and United
Churches have done happily
in Labrador City for almost
fifty years
But the NIMBY factor is
alive and well: not in my back
yard! Yes, church buildings
must be closed or put to other
uses: congregations need
to come togetherbut not
my church building: we are
not going to close; not my
congregation: we arent going
anywhere! Do we forget that
it is not my church building but
Gods church building? Have
we lost sight of the fact that
my congregation is but a small
part of the Body of Christ? We
have been chosen as Gods
people in order to proclaim
Gods mighty acts (1 Peter
2:9)not to operate museums!
In the reality of our life in
Christ here and now we have
the opportunity of recasting
how we respond to the call of
Jesus to proclaim His Gospel
of salvation. We can honestly
resolve to disencumber
ourselves from surplus space,
and work together in ministry
and mission. We can get back
to basic evangelism, retaining
only the space we need for
the essentials of worship,
education and fellowship, and
engage in proclaiming the
Gospel to our neighbours. It
may be hard and painful: but
is that not the way of Christ?
I believe this is the first
time a number of Christian
congregations have gathered
together in this area to
discuss these matters, and
I commend Bishop Peddle
for this initiative. And yet,
it is already late in the day!
We must go quickly beyond
generalities and platitudes
and begin the difficult process
of moving forward realistically
and practically in this new
world in which we now live.
We cannot make decisions
tonight, but it is time to begin
to clarify where we must go
in obedience to our Lords
commission, and what we
need to do, together, to move
towards it.
SEPTEMBER 2017 9

A Visit To The
Land of Smiles
and Gentle People

Famine Relief Kevin Smith

Concert Held
Columnist

As I write this, we have

just returned from a visit to
Article and photographs Thailand and are making a
by Mona Edwards valiant effort to get over the
jet lag associated with a 30+
The parish of Pasadena/ hymns. We then had the hymns hour return trip with very little
Cormack held a special played by various musicians sleep. That being said, it was
event called an Ecumenical from our communities, as the a wonderful trip and we were
Musicfest on April 24th, and congregation joined in the able to learn much about that
it was titled Then Sings My singing. A free will offering was beautiful country where the Large statue of the Buddha, which is 45 meters tall (Phuket, Thailand)
Soul. This event included donated to PWRDF, and it will temperature is always warm Photo: Kevin Smith

sharing the history and the
origin of some classic Anglican
Helping clients
achieve their goals.
Taking the time to understand
your unique needs.
BMO Wealth Management is the brand name for a business group consisting of Bank of Montreal and certain of its affiliates, including BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., in providing wealth management
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BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of Montreal. If you are already a client of BMO Nesbitt Burns, please contact your Investment Advisor for more information.
Member - Canadian Investor Protection Fund and Member of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada
go towards the famine relief and the cuisine warmer.
effort in Africa. The population of Thailand
is 67 million, and they live on While there, we visited
a number of the 1400 islands a number of tourist sites
which make up the country. including an elephant
Many of them were affected sanctuary, a Buddhist village
by the 2004 Tsunami which built on stilts over the ocean,
was caused by an earthquake and wandered around the
in the Indian Ocean. This huge old town markets of Phuket
tidal wave (15 - 30 meters and Patong. Food stalls were
high) lashed the country everywhere and seemed to
with devastating results. be open all hours of the day
Afterwards, the statistics were and night. Wherever we went
alarming: 4812 dead, 8757 , we were met with smiles
injuries, and 4499 missing. and simple courtesies. We
were constantly met with the
traditional Thai greeting as
the The Wai which is an
exquisite and traditional way
to greet and show respect. This
consists of a slight bow, with
the hands pressed together in
a prayer like fashion. I noticed
a similiar practice in nearby
Korea.
The dominant religion
of the country is Buddhism
(90%)the worlds fourth
largest religion with over
500 million followers. Its
goal is a state of lasting,
unconditional happiness
known as enlightenment. They
believe that our inner world
of thoughts and feelings is in
a state of constant changing.
The more we realize how
everything is impermanent
and dependent on many
conditions, the healthier a
perspective we can keep on
our lives, our relationships,
possessions and values
focusing on what truly matters.
(Elements of good stewardship
practices!)
The Harnum Group Tel: 709-724-7327 Everywhere we went,
Cabot Place, Suite 390 Toll Free: 1-800-776-0077 there were altars and statues
rick.harnum@nbpcd.com
100 New Gower Street of Buddha commemorating
St. Johns, NL A1C 6K3 david.harnum@nbpcd.com
www.bmo.com/nesbittburns
their religion but none greater
that the Big Buddha near
Phuket. This 45 meter high
marble structure sits atop
of a mountain and can be
seen by many in the southern
part of the island. There one
can look out over the vast
panorama of oceans, forests
and communities. In the midst
of all this, there is a serenity,
humility, and a feeling of inner
peace.
Are there any similarities
between Buddhism and
Christianity? Some scholars
say yes but that discussion is
for someone far more versed
in world religions than I am.
However, I did note one web
site quoting the Buddhist monk
Thich Nhat Hanh saying, When
you are a truly happy Christian,
you are also a Buddhist. And
vice versa. Perhaps thats
enough for now.
I arrived back late at night
after a grueling three flights,
sat down, put up my feet and
tried to decompress. I opened
my windows and as I did so,
I heard the plantive cries of
the foghorn at Fort Amherst.
Peace and serenity enveloped
me. I felt truly blessed to have
experienced Thailand but even
more blessed to be back home
again.
Kevin Smith is a gift planning
consultant for the Anglican
Church of Canada.
He can be contacted at
709 739-5667
or by email:
kevinsmith709@gmail.com

anglican life Newfoundland&Labrador

10 SEPTEMBER 2017

Rokon Rapport
Central Diocese identifies projects to help companion diocese
Article and map by
The Revd Shaun OConnor

Last fall in Gander, Bishop

John Watton of Central Diocese
signed a Companion Diocese
covenant with Bishop Francis
Loyo of the Diocese of Rokon,
South Sudan, Africa. This is a
five-year, two-way relationship
of prayer and support. South
Sudan, the worlds newest
country, has a population of
12.7 million and is presently
affected by civil war, drought,
and famine.
This spring, our newly
formed Companion Diocese
Committee, with the approval
of our Bishop, identified and
began two projects that were
feasible at this time to help the
people of Rokon:

Hannah Loyos
Education:
H a n n a h Lo y o i s t h e
23-year-old daughter of Bishop
Francis who currently lives in
exile in neighbouring Uganda.
This year, she completed
a Bachelors Degree in
Public Health, a profession
desperately needed in her
country, and has applied to take
a two-year Masters Degree in
Public Health at Memorial
University in Newfoundland.
She is putting her training to
use in the refugee camps for
her people.

Sanitary Napkins:
H a n n a h s d r e a m i s
to create self-sustaining
enterprises in her villages that
employ women to make and
distribute reusable sanitary
napkins so that girls and
women can complete their
education, be healthy, and help
their nation to grow. Recently,
3,600 fabric pads were cut
out and sent to Hannah along
with scissors, thread and
snaps. An earlier shipment
of materials, including a
Photo by Eliza Swyers
In this picture, taken in Kampala, Uganda, Hannah Loyo walks with Sandra Durdle of the parish of Bonavista. Hannah lives in exile in
Kampala while the civil war is goingon in South Sudan. Sandra Durdle was visiting as a part of a missions team to the community of
Watoto in Uganda.
sewing machine, resulted in different from ours right now,
a significant increase in girls the people of Rokon want
attending school. Ultimately, to support us in our life and
Hannah would like to use local ministry too. They are praying
renewable materials. for us and are open to other
ministries such as sending
Prayer & Support: clergy to us for a period of
In South Sudan, 5 million time.
people, or about half the Our companion
population, do not know where relationship will help us to
their next meal is coming from. think more about our mission
as a church in this world. We
Photo by Eliza Swyers

All of our parishes are asked to

contribute to the PWRDF South
Sudan Famine Relief.
Though their
ci rcum stances are very
encourage all parishes to pray
for our brothers and sisters
in the Diocese of Rokon and
contribute to their relief and
development. Hannah Loyo, daughter of Bishop Francis

anglican life Newfoundland&Labrador

SEPTEMBER 2017
Parish of Happy Valley-Goose Bay Holds
Fellowship Meals
Submitted by
The Revd Derek Thomas
The fellowship meal has
been part of church life from
its very beginning. Doubtless
it derives from Jesus himself
whose three-year-long ministry
begins with a wedding supper
and concludes with the Last
Supper, shared with his closest
followers.
At St. Andrews Church
in Happy Valley-Goose Bay,
we rejoice to continue this
tradition. Three such meals
took place recently.
O n Tu e s d a y o f H o l y
Week (Passover in 2017), our
congregation members and
friends gathered for its fourth
Passover Seder Meal. The
Seder is the Passover feast
which commemorates the
freeing of the Jewish people
in Egypt. All the traditional
ingredients of the Passover
Seder were part of our feast:
roast lamb, unleavened bread,
green herbs, bitter herbs, and
Haroset (a mixture of apples,
Confirmation in St. Philips
Article and photograph by
Carol Bartlett
On May 7th, six young
members of The Parish of St.
Philips reaffirmed their faith in
Christ through Confirmation.
It was a beautiful service,
led by Bishop Peddle,
followed by a potluck lunch.
Congratulations to our newly
Confirmed.
nuts, cinnamon and wine which
represents the mortar the
Israelite slaves used in Egypt).
As with previous Seder meals,
our own parishioners were
joined by friends from other
churches in the Lake Melville
Ministerial Association.
On Saturday, April 29,
the last day of National
Above: Revd Nellie and Todd Russell
Below: Wavey Reid, Kay Woodward, Sherry Newman, and Revd Jean Shears
who served the Seder Meal.
anglican life Newfoundland&Labrador
Volunteer Week, a Volunteer
Appreciation Supper took
place at St. Andrews. Some 13
million Canadians are involved
in various aspects of volunteer
work, and a large percentage
of these are church volunteers.
Approximately 85 of St.
Andrews volunteers were
treated to hot turkey and all
Above: Amber Ernst and Hilda Simms (youngest and oldest in the parish)
Photo by The Revd Nellie Thomas
the trimmings, and this was
served by members of the Girl
Guides and their leaders who
meet in the church hall. The
meal was prepared by Max and
Shirley Winsor, two volunteers
for whom we will have to show
our appreciation later.
The Volunteer
Appreciation Supper included
a musical time with Richard
Dyson and Simeon Asivak of
the Flummies, ably assisted by
vocalist Richard Neville. Some
of the audience even got up
and danced.
On Friday, May 12, The
churchwardens and Revd
Photo by Flora Purchase
Nellie Thomas hosted and
served a luncheon for the
seniors of the parish.
Entertainment was provided
by Revd Nellie and Sterling
11
Photo by The Revd Nellie Thomas
Curl. Approximately 30 seniors
attended and appreciated this
time of fellowship.
For these and other
fellowship meals the recent
gift of a Bunn Coffee Maker
will certainly come in handy.
The Coffee Maker is the gift
of Nunatukavut and was
presented by President Todd
Russell. Many parishioners
at St. Andrews are members
of the Nunatukavut Nation.
In acknowledging the gift in
church, Revd Nellie spoke of
the donation of a Coffee Bun
Maker! Her husband, Rev.
Derek, pointed out that she
meant to say coffee Maker
instead of bun maker. But
with all the fellowship meals,
perhaps a bun maker wouldnt
go astray either.
12
Hello Againor
Goodbye?
Ronald Clarke
Columnist
Way, way back, in the early
70s I think, I was asked to
write something for the then
Newfoundland Churchman.
The request was made by
a good personal friend, the
Revd David Genge. The ok
was given by the then editor.
So reluctantly, very nervously,
I became a columnist, albeit,
without such considerations as
clerical degrees.
I did, however, have one
Celebration of New
Ministry In Hearts Content
Article and photographs
by Wendy Hunter
Parishioners from the
Parish of Hearts Content
(St. Mary the Virgin, Hearts
Content, St. Augustines,
New Perlican, and St. Lukes,
Winterton) filled St. Marys
Hall on June 21st to enjoy a
pot luck supper. This gathering
was held both to welcome
the Revd Gloria Wendover
to our Parish and to thank
the Revd Verna Chislett for
serving as Deacon in charge
Above: musical entertainment
On the right: The Revd Verna Chislett (left), and the Revd Gloria
Wendover (right)
very big essentialthe Grace
of God, and the sincere desire
to do his will, wherever that
might lead me.
And so it wentfor about
47 or more years.
Now, at 88, I should be
ready to retire. But should I
do so?
During all those years
I have received many
encouraging responses to my
articles. So, obviously, I must
have made some godly
impressions on some.
I guess if I have helped
at least these people get the
message of God, and even
if I made one impression per
article, ten articles per year,
thats well worth the effort. My
inspiration, I am so thankful for,
has come from Godentirely
so.
Each time I sit down to
write, I begin with a prayer for
Gods helpthat never fails.
Sometimes the material comes
quickly and easily. Often I
have to struggle. After all, God
or our Parish for three months.
Following the meal, Joan Smith
presented Revd Verna with a
bouquet and card from the
congregation of St. Marys.
Both Revd Gloria and Revd
Verna expressed their thanks
for the celebration. We were
then treated to traditional
music performed by Bob
Balsom on accordion, and
John Warren and Snowdon
Norris on guitars, with all three
anglican life Newfoundland&Labrador
doesnt always intend to make
hard things easy. He intends us
to live and learn.
At my age now, the impulse
for many, many people is to
retire, thank God for all the
blessings, and take it easy.
Sounds good. But what if I
live several years, maintaining
my ability, with Gods help of
course, should I be wasting
my God given abilities for a
long time?
Should I continue to
impress people? Even one at
a time?
May God give me the
chance to touch everybody
I can, in every way I can, as
long as I can!
And may he inspire
everybody else to do the same!
So, see you all next month!
God Bless you all.
men taking turns with vocals.
Much to everyones delight,
both Revd Gloria and Revd
Verna showed their prowess
on the dance floor. If this
SEPTEMBER 2017
Mothers
Day In
Port Aux
Basques
Article by Lisa Brown
Photograph by
Patricia Collier
The girl cutting the cake
is Holly Graham
On May 14th, the Godly Play children of St. James Church,
Port Aux Basques, held their Mothers Day Program/Closing for
the year. Afterward, the children went to the Memorial Hall for
lunch and refreshments.
Keep Up To Date
With Anglican
Life
https://www.facebook.
com/anglicanlife/
gathering is anything to judge
from, we can look forward to a
very lively and exciting ministry
with Revd Gloria.
Show your
school
spirit!
Know a student whos going to
college?
Send them with a loving prayer and
a Hope Bear dressed in a scarf of
their college colours.
Perfect for graduation too!
www.anglicanfoundation.org
SEPTEMBER 2017
Suicide
Let God be the judge
The Revd Michael Li
Columnist
September 10 is World
Suicide Prevention Day. Over
a million people around the
world kill themselves each
year. Studies show that
about two-thirds of suicides
had suffered from clinical
depression or had had a
history of chronic mental
i l l n e s s ( A l b e r t Y. H s u s
Grieving a Suicide, 2002, p.
80). On April 5, 2013, Matthew
Warren, who was 27 and the
youngest son of Saddleback
Church pastor Rick Warren,
committed suicide. Matthew
struggled from birth with
mental illness. Most suicides
are undertaken as a way to
escape the unbearable pain
of depression. Some suicides
are the result of a nihilistic
worldview. If life has no
meaning, then suicide is a
possible option.
Some prominent
Christians have suicidal
thinkingfor example John
Donne, the 17th century
Anglican priest; William
Cowper, the 18th century
hy mn odist; and Francis
Schaeffer (1912-1984), an
American evangelical
C h r i s t i a n t h e o l o g i a n .
According to his son, Dr.
Schaeffer had frequent bouts
with depression.
Some people have called
Jesus death a suicide since
13
A Celebration 90 Years in
The Making
Article and photographs by
Jesus knew His actions would
Lisa Brown
lead to His own death. But
Jesus did not go to the cross
because He had a death On June 12th, St. James
wish. He did not suffer from Church in Port aux Basques
depression or mental illness. celebrated its 90th anniversary.
Rather, He took a death that The evening began with a
was meant for others. His fellowship hour, followed by a
action was more like a soldier cold plate supper with dessert,
who falls on a grenade to and ended with a service of the
save his company.Is suicide Holy Eucharist. Approximately
the unforgivable sin? Do one hundred people attended
suicides automatically go to the supper and the church
hell? We do not know all the service, including invited
answers. Some things are clergy from Port aux Basques,
beyond human knowledge. At surrounding areas, and
my first funeral of a suicide in clergy from out of town. It
my second parish, friends of was a wonderful evening of
the daughter of the deceased remembrance and celebration
told her that her mother was of this special milestone.
in hell. That was no way to
comfort the grief-stricken.
It is up to God to decide on
the fate of a suicides soul.
God can forgive even the
worst sinner. Jesus died
for all of our sins, including
suicide. Samson committed
suicide (Judges 16:28-31). It
is interesting to note thathis Left to right: Mrs. Martha Hann, Emily Edwards, and Mrs. Mabel LeMoine
death did not exclude him cut the special anniversary cake
from the list of the faithful in
Hebrews 11.
I was more prepared
when I conducted my second
funeral of a suicide in my
fourth parish. In my sermon
I said: Some of us have
lost our battles to cancer.
Others have lost their battles
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anglican life Newfoundland&Labrador
14 SEPTEMBER 2017

PWRDF News
Helping Canadian Foodgrains Bank
Article by Sheila Boutcher
PWRDF Representative, Diocese of Central Newfoundland

The Vision of the Primates
World Relief and Development
Fund (PWRDF) is, a truly just,
healthy and peaceful world.
One of the means chosen to
work toward that vision is to
address poverty through food
security.
PWRDF always works with
partners. There are many
reasons for this approach,
including:
It is very cost-effective,
thus ensuring maximum benefit
for every dollar donated;
partners are already on
the ground in target areas,
thus able to deliver aid or
programming quickly and
efficiently;
Partners have a wealth of
expertise in various fields, thus
limiting the expertise PWRDF
needs to keep in-house; and,
Working with partners
ensures solutions are suited
to the local environment,
traditions and beliefs.
One partner that PWRDF
frequently works with, that has
similar goals and values, is the
Canadian Foodgrains Bank
(CFGB). Like PWRDF, CFGB
works with local partners in the
developing world and project
funds are also matched by the
Government of Canada.
In 1976, amid growing
world food emergencies, the
Mennonite Central Committee
created a pilot project to
allow Canadian grain farmers
to share their harvests with
those less fortunate around
the world. In 1983, the project
was re-organized, opened to
other church agencies, and
re-established as the Canadian
Foodgrains Bank. Its goal is,
a world without hunger. The
Anglican Church of Canada,
through PWRDF, is a member of
the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.
CFGB was formed in time to
make a significant contribution
to fighting the Ethiopian famine
in 1984. In 2016-2017, through
CFGB programs, we have
helped over 900,000 people
in 35 countries.
South Sudanese gather around a food distribution project organized by ADRA
South Sudan, funded by PWRDF. (Photo: PWRDF)
It was through the Canadian
Foodgrains Bank, and another
partner, the Adventists Relief
and Development Agency
(ARDA), that PWRDF was able
to respond immediately to the
most recent request for famine
relief in East Africa by providing
$20,000 in food aid through a
food distribution program in
South Sudan.
It was late winter 2017 when
the appeal came. In a number
of African countries there was
great famine due to war and
drought. 20,000,000 people
were in danger of starvation!
PWRDF responded immediately
with an initial donation but also
made an appeal for donations
to the Famine Relief Fund. In
May the Government of Canada
announced it would match
1:1 funds raised by Canadian
NGOs. The matching program
would be retroactive to March
17, 2017 and continue to June
30, 2017. During that time
Canadian Anglicans donated
$379,000, which, when
matched, will mean $758,000
in life-saving food aid. Thank
you!
Working through our
partners, PWRDF has already
distributed $115,000 in South
Sudan and $60,000 each in
Kenya, Somalia and Nigeria.
Over the coming weeks and
months, our Humanitarian
Response Coordinator and
Development Team will
continue to work with partners
in applying community-based
approaches in areas of greatest
need.
The federal fund matching
period has ended, but PWRDF
is still accepting donations to its
Famine Relief Fund as the need
continues. We ask for your
continued prayer and support.
Thank you again for responding
to the call to feed the hungry!

VBS Success
Over Ten Years of VBS in Indian Bay
Article and photographs by
The Ven. Terry Caines

On Monday, June 26th,

the excitement was real as
the Parish of Indian Bay kicked
off over 10 years of hosting a
Vacation Bible School (VBS)
for the youth of the area. This
years theme was Maker Fun
Factory. The Parish budgets
$2000 a year just for this event
alone, not counting other
youth budgeting ministries.
Also, this ministry has over 30
volunteers! The VBS committee
meets for planning one month
before registration. This years
registration had 120 youth
sign up, ranging from ages
2 - 17, with some of the older
youth acting as support staff.
The VBS experience provides
the kids with an opportunity
to discover that they are
created by God and are built
for a purpose. Kids learn many
things: God made you; God
is for you; God will always
with you; God will always
loves you; and God made you
for a reason. The program
concluded with a parish church
service on Sunday, July 1st,
with the youth taking an active
role in worship!

anglican life Newfoundland&Labrador

SEPTEMBER 2017
The Revd Jonathan Rowe
Columnist
The Lectionary offers
us the opportunity to read
the Scriptures sequentially,
Sunday after Sunday, picking
up the story one week where
the last weeks lesson left off,
but it sometimes has to skip
bits to cover as much ground
as possible in a three-year
cycle. However, its important
for us to keep reading between
Sundays, between the lessons,
or we miss much of what
Scripture has to show us.
Through this series, weve
seen the rise of Saul, the
first king of Israel, and the
beginnings of his fall from
grace. The stage has been
set for two stories that we do
read in church on Sunday: the
anointing of David to be the
next king, and of his battle with
Goliath. But sandwiched in
between those two is a curious
little story that gets skipped
over in the series of readings,
in 1 Samuel 16.1423.
Because Saul has fallen
out of Gods favour, we are
told that the Spirit of the Lord
departed from him and an evil
spirit from the Lord tormented
him. We should tread carefully
here. In biblical times, mental
health problems were
often dismissed as having
an unclean spirit. Saul has
shown instability before, and
his behaviour will soon spiral
downward more erratically.
It is likely that Sauls mental
health left something to be
desired.
Those who suffer from
mental illnesses already
face enough stigma without
having their afflictions
attributed to evil spirits. How
much more dangerous is the
suggestion that mental illness
Deadlines and Submission Guidelines for Anglican Life
Deadlines:
October - 1 September
November - 1 October
December - 1 November
Between The
LessonsThe
Madness of Saul
Image: detail from David and Saul by Erst
Josephson from wikimedia.com
is a punishment from God!
The lesson of this story is not
that God will punish you with
mental illness if you disappoint
him. Today, we understand
so much more about mental
health, and professionals can
do so much more to help those
who suffer than in Sauls time.
In those days, people might
have recognized that there
was some method to the kings
madness, but they couldnt
explain it, so they gave it the
easiest explanation they could
that made sense.
In telling this story, the
ancient Israelites were also
working from the starting point
that God had rejected Saul as
king. One of the major themes
of the Book of Samuel will be
what a great king David was.
The stories were probably
collected and written down
in his time. This is not unlike
the way modern governments
tend to demonize the previous
administration. However,
in this case, the previous
administration might have
anglican life Newfoundland&Labrador
15
incidentally also had
the misfortune of
mental illness.
Ye t d e s p i t e
rejecting Saul as
ACW Celebration
king, God has
not completely
a ba ndon ed hi m.
Some of his courtiers
Fogo Island West and East
notice that music
often has a calming
Members recognized for
effect on the king,
and they arrange for
years of service
a musician to play
for him. When he
plays, the evil spirit
departs, and Saul is Article and photographs by
refreshed and made Lisa Snow
well.
I s i t a On Saturday June 3rd, Island East who had 20+ years
coincidence that ACW members from Fogo of service received certificates.
the musician they Island West and Fogo Island Everyone enjoyed a day of
find is a young man East attended the annual fellowship and a delicious
named David, who District branch meeting in meal.
Samuel has already Boyds Cove, NL. Ladies from
secretly anointed to Fogo Island west and Fogo
be the new king? Perhaps a
member of the royal court
knew of the secret anointing
and was looking for a political
opportunity to bring David into
prominence. Or perhaps this
is the way that God continued
to care for Saul, even while
rejecting him. In the coming
chapters, David will only
become a threat to Saul when
Saul becomes paranoid and
jealous. Is it possible that
Gods plan is not to replace
Saul by means of violence or
revolution, but through more
gentle means? Is it possible
that tragically, Saul will hasten
his own demise by not trusting
God?
Significantly, Davids first
acts will not be of violence,
but of service, even to the
bitter king who will shortly
turn against him. As the story
goes on, David will repeatedly
refuse to take up arms against
the king, even as he is being
portrayed as a better candidate
for kingship than Saul was.
But thats another story, for Joan Collins and Marie Snow (both 65 years + service to the
another time. ACW) with The Revd Ken Abbott
Photograph Submissions:
Very large, high resolution photographs
(minimum of 300 dpi). JPEG or TIFF format.
Please include the photographers name.
16
Diocesan Mens
Association
Holds Annual
Overnight
Retreat at
Lavrock Centre
Article and photograph by
Peter Stevenson
The Diocesan Anglican
Mens Association (DAMA) held
its annual Overnight Retreat
for Men at Lavrock on Friday
- Saturday, May 5 - 6, 2017.
The event is open to all men
of the Diocese, and this year
was attended by approximately
35 men from member clubs of
DAMA, although not all clubs
were represented. The first
weekend in May has been
set as the standing date for
this event as it allows for the
snowbirds to return from
southern areas in time for the
retreat.
Following registration and
opening devotions, members
were treated to a delicious
evening meal prepared by the
Lavrock kitchen staff. After
the meal we held evening
devotions which were followed
by an evening of fellowship.
There were several tables
of cards. Gord Penney and
Len Collins entertained us
with their music. They also
played for devotions on Friday
evening and Saturday morning.
Last year Gord was the only
one present with a guitar, and
he requested that others bring
their instruments. His
request was granted
when Len arrived
with his guitar and
sound system. More
entertainers would
be welcome to join in
the music next year.
It was a very relaxing
evening and men got
the chance to catch
up with some of the
other members they
had not seen since
the last DAMA event.
The Saturday
portion of the retreat
began with the
Eucharist, followed
by a delicious
breakfast. Our
first session of the
morning was with the Revd
Gail MacDonald who spoke
to us about her ministry to
Her Majestys Penitentiary
in St. Johns. Revd Gail told
us about the activities of the
ministry and shared some
personal experiences with us.
In appreciation for her time with
us and telling us of some of the
needs of the ministry, DAMA
made a financial contribution
to this ministry.
Our second session of
the morning was with Bishop
Geoff Peddle. DAMA is very
appreciative of the support
we get from our bishop and it
is always a pleasure to have
him with us. Both he and
Archdeacon Sam Rose were
with us for the retreat. Bishop
Geoff spoke to us about the
state of the diocese and the
issues facing the diocese as we
move forward in 2017.
In addition to Bishop Geoff,
Archdeacon Sam, and of course
our chaplain, the Revd Ed
Keeping, we had other clergy
join us on Saturday to hear
the presentations. We were
very glad to welcome them
and appreciate their coming
to this DAMA event. Our clergy
are always welcome at all our
events and we are only too
glad to have them with us.
Between the two sessions
we had a break and enjoyed
a cup of coffee and some
homemade muffins, warm
out of the oven. A delicious
soup and sandwich lunch, with
dessert of course, followed
the second session, and then
anglican life Newfoundland&Labrador
Godly Play in Denver
Newfoundlanders chosen to give talk at
international gathering
Submitted with photograph by
The Rt. Revd Dr. Geoffrey Peddle
Left to right: Bishop Geoff Peddle, Barbara Boone, The Revd Dr. Jerome Berryman, Donna Ronan, Kathy Peddle
Four members of
the Diocese of Eastern
Newfoundland and Labrador
attended the North American
Godly Play Conference in
Denver, Colorado from June
23-25. Donna Ronan, Barbara
Boone, Kathy Peddle and
Bishop Geoff joined about
150 other Godly Players and
we moved into our annual
general meeting and election
of officers.
The AGM began with the
presentation and adoption
of reports, and then the
executive for 2017-2018 was
elected. The results of the
election were Don Higgins,
president; Herb Dowden,
vice-president; Joe OQuinn,
secretary; Harvey Hiscock,
treasurer, and Peter Stevenson,
public relations officer. The
leaders from across Canada
and the United States in a
conference called, Drawing
the Circle Wider. The Diocese
was honoured that Donna and
Kathy were invited as Regional
Trainers for Godly Play Canada
to give a talk called, Godly Play
Large: Using Godly Play in
Worship Settings, to share the
presidents of member clubs
serve as directors on the DAMA
Executive.
While there was not a lot of
business other than the reports
and election of officers, DAMA
recommitted to its focus to
assist with the maintenance
at Lavrock. Member clubs will
continue to make a financial
contribution to work at Lavrock
and as funds become available,
items requiring attention will be
addressed as directed by the
SEPTEMBER 2017
very innovative and fresh ways
in which Godly Play is being
used in the Diocese of Eastern
Newfoundland and Labrador.
A highlight of the conference
was an evening with the Revd
Dr. Jerome Berryman, the
founder of Godly Play, as he
celebrated his 80th birthday.
Lavrock Board of Management.
The Retreat was enjoyed
by all in attendance. The 2018
event is booked for May 4 - 5,
2018. The men of all parishes
in the Diocese and their clergy
are welcome to attend this or
any other DAMA event. Mens
groups, or parishes wishing
to form a mens group, can
contact DAMA through any
members of the Executive or
Synod Office.
SEPTEMBER 2017
My Most Unforgetable Church Organist
Article by Neil Earle
That would be my mother
of course, Francis Catherine
Earle (1927-2017). She was
one of those thousands of the
quiet in the land who labour
faithfully at their post in the
kingdom. Mom was church
organist at St. James Anglican
in Carbonear for nearly forty
years and a multi-faceted
choir leader and trainer and
recruiter of musicians as well.
Her background as a
member of a devoted Methodist
family, and teacher at the old
United Church Academy down
the road, helped prepare her
for this. She was a member
of a musical family whose
three girlsJean, Emma and
herentertained the off-duty
soldiers during the war. Still in
her teens she was a sought-
after accompanist for weddings
and celebrations around the
town. Her marriage to George
W. Earleeventual town
mayor and councillorled her
into traditional Anglicanism.
What could one expect when
worshipping regularly at a
building 3 years older than the
nation of Canada?
Mom and much of
her generation were
unapologetically conventional
religious folksort of a Mere
Christianity set to music in
her case. As a young mother
she was soon shepherding
me and the neighbour boys
into Sunday School and the
Church Boys League. This was
New Banner for St. Georges
Submitted by
The Revd Gerald Giles
The ACW of Boyds Cove presented a new banner to St. Georges Church on St. Georges Day, April 23rd, 2017. The banner was made by Lorna Giles.
the late 1950s and early 1960s,
when Anglicanism was passing
through the theological shocks
of the Honest to God eclecticand evangelical (her
controversy, wherein the
Bishop of Woolich opened up
the 1960s by publicly doubting
the Virgin Birth and other
articles of the faith.
Not so at St. James
Anglican. My mother was not
even severely tempted by
what C.S. Lewis called the
theological fidget whereby
musical experimentation was
all. Under the mediating
leadership of the Reverend
William Gill, we were content
to process around the noble
old church some Sundays to
the tune of Stand Up, Stand
Up for Jesus, with my mother
on the organ. The story here
is that years later when I was
lecturing on the American
civil rights movement, I was
intrigued to discover that this
song was an abolitionist hymn
from about 1859. So whos
anglican life Newfoundland&Labrador
behind the times? included most notably my aunt
Moms tastes as singer Helen) when I catch the end of
and musician were broadly the 1942 movie Mrs. Miniver.
You know, the scene where the
Methodist roots showing!). She British congregation stands tall
had me sing It is No Secret singing O God Our Help in
from the hit parade at a church Ages Past amid the bombed
concert when I was about age out roof of the local church.
seven. This was a crossover Todays smart set (a phrase
hit issuing from the pen of a from the 1930s incidentally)
Billy Graham convert at his may chuckle at some of these
Los Angeles crusade. Impact? antique remembrances, but I
Later, when I counselled a teach church history and that
young addict in Toronto who includes the memorable 20th
had stolen 100 cars by age 16, century, our stormy times as
Winston Churchill called them.
And remember humour cuts
Photo of St. James Anglican Church, Carbonear, NL
both ways. Before we write
off St. James of the 1960s
as hopelessly stuck in the
past, heres a more up-to-
date reminiscence from about
2005. I phoned mom up one
commons.wikipedia.org
day to see how she was doing.
So whats going on in
church?
Oh, she said , with her
smile almost coming through
the telephone, today a
I wanted to print his conversion visiting minister used the
story. I suggested the title It is new hymn book and half the
No Secret What God can do! congregation walked out.
He was delighted. Where W h y, m o m , t h a t s
did you get that one? he terrible, I replied.
responded.
Where, indeed. No, most of them will be
The Mrs. Miniver back again next week, she
Generation: chuckled.
When my wife, Susan, And so it goes. Another
watches Turner Classic Movies blow for Mere Christianity. My
sometimes I am reminded mother, gentle but with a kindly
of mom and that generation intelligence, never missed
of choir members (which much. She stands in my mind
17
for those thousands of unsung
organists and church choirs
who try to straddle the divides
faithfully, doing their best for
that Big C church Diana
Butler Bass writes aboutthat
is to say, the Christian Church,
the Faith.
For countless millions of
people like my mother, music
has shaped their faith and their
spirituality. With these grand
old hymns, deep calls to deep
indeed.
Perverse and foolish, oft I
strayed,
but yet in love he sought me;
and on his shoulder gently laid,
and home, rejoicing brought
me.
For such faithful
dependable Christians their
works truly do follow them
(Revelation 14:13). Their
memory leaves behind a
warm encouraging glow and
give us left behind a stronger
grasp of the strength of the
indestructible church amid
the jangling reports that seem
to foretell nothing but trouble
ahead. My mom stood for
those unnamed thousands
behind the curtain who seem
to make it all work.
She would have liked the
phrase, The church is never
more united than when singing
its hymns.
Rest in peace, mom.
18
Anglican Foundation of Canada
60 Years of good work, and still going strong
Article by
Michelle Hauser
Photograph by
Judy Rois
It has been a year to
rejoice in wonderful deeds.
These are words embedded in
I Will Give Thanks to the Lord,
the choral anthem composed
in honour of the Anglican
Foundation of Canadas 60th
anniversary.
Birthday
D ear God, thank you for _____________ , Illustrations by Michele
who is celebrating her/his birthday.
We pray that you will bless her/him on
this special occasion and as she/he looks
forward to a new year ahead. Help her/him
to know how much you love and care for
her/him this day and always. Amen.
Childrens Prayers withTHope Bear
Sensitively written and beautifully illustrated in watercolour
by a Canadian artist, this book features prayers for all
liturgical seasons, holidays, and special events in a childs
life. Perfect gift for a baptism. $15 each. Order today!
www.anglicanfoundation.org
ACFC Holds
Annual Meeting
Submitted by
The Revd Canon John Courage
The Anglican Charitable
Foundation for Children is the
charity established following
the sale of our Orphanage
in 1971. Our purpose and
ministry is to provide clothing,
education, camping or medical
assistance to Anglican children
in each of the three Dioceses
within our guidelines. Each
Diocese has a Board of Trustees
from whom representatives
are elected to the Charity.
The Annual General Meeting
was held recently with reports
presented from the three
Trustee Committees, as well
The anthem is one of
many commemorative projects
developed in honour of this
milestone in the Foundations
history. Established in 1957
to ensure a generous flow
of funding for infrastructure
and ministry projects, the
Childrens
For baptism
O God, we give thanks for the life of _____________, who is
being welcomed into the community of faith through the
Prayers
waters of baptism. We pray that he/she will always know your
love and the companionship of family and friends. Amen.
with Hope Bear
Text by Judy Rois
Nidenoff
L oving God, we give thanks for the
8
Available
May 2017.
Pentecost
17
hank you, God, for your Holy Spirit on this day of
Pentecost. May your spirit of thankfulness, kindness,
and love be in our hearts today and all throughout this
season. Amen.
as from the treasurer and
chairperson followed by the
election of officers. Pictured
are: front Stephen Pinsent
(Treasurer), The Revd Canon
John Courage (Chairperson),
Kim Pope (Secretary), Dennis
Porter (Vice-Chair), second
row The Revd Robert Oldford,
Claudette Ingram, Archbishop
Percy Coffin, The Revd Linda
Budden, Beverly Smith, Gladys
Jackson, Patricia George,
Yvette Target and back row
The Ven. Terry Caines, Stan
Barnes, The Revd Eli Evans
and Allan Fudge. To read the
annual report please go to
your Diocesan webpage under
ACFC.
SEPTEMBER 2017
F o u n d a t i o n s l e g a c y o f parishes want to
grants and bursaries have invest in ministry
proved transformational in innovation through
the lives of thousands of the Foundation
individuals, parishes, and faith because it can be a
communities. powerful resource
Some of these stories pool that grows and
have been brought together in deepens alongside
a book: Imagine That: Dreams, a sense of collective
H o p e s , a n d Re a l i t i e s responsibility for
Celebrating 60 Years of ministry.
the Anglican Foundation of Whats next for
Canada. This book is filled the Foundation? To
with true stories of hope, continue inspiring
imagination, and innovation, generosity and
s a y s C a n o n J u d y Ro i s , creativity within
Executive Director of the healthy, vibrant faith
Easter
Foundation since 2011. communities from
resurrection of Jesus Christ and for the life
Indeed innovation was coast to coast to
that he brings to all people. Help us to see the
light that shines even when its really dark.
May that light help us to feel peaceful
the driving force behind (in) coastgeneration
finite: spiritual conversations after generation
and unafraid. Amen.
in cloth, the free exhibition anniversary year has been with the active engagement
at Christ Church Cathedral in the publication of Childrens of all Canadian Anglicans.
Vancouver, featuring a number Prayers with Hope Bear, an For more information or
of Indigenous and other textile illustrated book featuring to order copies of any of the
artists that coincided with prayers for seminal moments Foundation 60th anniversary
7
the Foundations official 60th in a childs life. resources please visit
Never at a loss to
anniversary launch on May 25 anglicanfoundation.org/60th
and drew more than 3,000 imagine more on behalf of or call 416-924-9199 ext. 244.
visitors. the Foundation, Canon Rois
Also part of this 60th envisions a future where more
Sucessful
Flea Market
in Foxtrap
Submitted with photographs
by Sandra Taylor
On Saturday July 8th,
from at 9:00 - 3:00, All Saints
Parishs Ways and Means
Committee held a Flea Market
in their parish hall. There
were 22 table rentals12
tables were operated by Ways
and Means. Also, we sold
hamburgers, moose burgers,
and hot dogs during the sale.
We were entertained by Chloe
Courage, a 6-year-old who set
up her lemonade stand, and
also provided some accordion
music for people who came
to the sale. Chloe is taking
lessons on her accordion
on a regular basis and we
Top photo: flea market goodies
wish her every success in
Above photo: Chloe giving us a tune and selling lemonade
her endeavours. Thank you
Chloe for your talent and time.
Our flea market was very
successful and we hope to
hold another one in the near
future.
anglican life Newfoundland&Labrador
SEPTEMBER 2017 19

Coleys Point
Celebrates 120th
Anniversary
Article and photographs by
Doreen Russell

On February 10th, 2017, memory of two of our faithful

the ACW of St. John the
Evangelist Church, Coleys
Point celebrated their 120th
Anniversary. To commemorate
this milestone, a very
successful bake sale was held.
On Sunday, February 12th,
the ACW Ladies attended
Members of the ACW gathered for their Corporate Communion the 11:00 Church Service for
their Corporate Communion
and actively participated in
the service. At this service,
four sets of prayer books and
fourteen purificators (made by
members of the ACW) were
presented and dedicated in
ACW members. The ladies also
brought non-perishable food
items for the local food bank.
Shown in the church photo are
ACW members with the Revd
Kenute Francis and the Revd
Frank King.
Presently the ladies
are busy making a quilt
(Sonjas Window Pattern) as
a fundraiser for the church.
They meet on Wednesdays for
sewing, fellowship, prayers, a
meeting and (not to forget) a
good meal.

Team of sering women working on the quilt (quilt shown at right)

Bake sale

Recreating the Many Spring Activities

Article by Lousise Smith
Photograph by Sharon Smith

There is a saying that
From The Chorus Of Minds
Comes A Reflective Voice.
As I set under an umbrella
on the patio, with laptop in
hand, recreating the last few
hectic months at St. John
the Evangelist, my thoughts
somehow parallel that
expression.
It commenced on May
4th, when members of our
congregation, together with
Revd Jolene, attended the
Queens College convocation
in support of our parish Deacon,
the Revd Lisa Cox. Revd
Lisa received the Associate in
Theology for Discipleship and
Ministry degree, and she has
been a life long member of
St. John the Evangelistshe
made us very proud.
Three weeks later, after
months of Confirmation
preparation, eleven candidates
from our parish family received
the Laying on of Hands by the
Rt. Revd Dr. Geoffrey Peddle.
Instructors were Donald
Sparkes, Lori Mulrooney,
Lori Collins, and Ron Smith,
under the supervision of Revd service, a generous cart of pampered the ACW women by and thanksgiving; at the same
Jolene. A prayer partner non-perishable food items preparing and serving a most time, recharging our individual
was also assigned to each was collected and blessedfor delicious barbecued meal with batteries in preparation for our
candidate, and he/she them distribution to the CBS and all the trimmings. traditional busy fall.
along the journey to this very Paradise food banks. By the time this article In all labour there is profit
important spiritual milestone On June 14th, as a grand goes to print, andfor the next But idle chatter leads to
in their young lives. finale and after a very busy few months, our concentration poverty.
Subsequently, and within a spring, the men of the parish will focus primarily on worship Proverbs: 14:23
couple of days, the parish hall
was aglow with preparation
for our traditional spring flea
market fundraiser. It was well
attended and quite successful
due to the generosity and
participation of our church
family.
On May 31st, the Mens
Fellowship group hosted our
annual salmon dinner, while
the ACW ladies simultaneously
held a bake sale.
For the 10:30 service on
June 4th, Revd Jolene had
the church tastefully decorated
in red for the celebration of
Pentecost, while a play, The
Coming of the Holy Spirit, was
performed by members of the
congregation. Afterwards,
everyone proceeded
downstairs for a time of food Confirmation
and fellowship. During the
anglican life Newfoundland&Labrador
20 SEPTEMBER 2017

Passport For Peru

Over 30 Years of Vacation Bible School in Foxtrap
Submitted with photographs by
Sandra Taylor

Vacation Bible School was held during the week

of June 26th - June 30th, and closed on Sunday, July
2nd at the 10:00 church service. It was a week filled
with stories, music, games, crafts, videos, laughter
and tasty snacks loaded with fellowship and fun. It
was a week of learning about God and what he means
to our lives, and about Jesus and his promises of
everlasting life, and our connections with them and
to each other.
Vacation Bible School has been a part of All
Saints Parish, Foxtrap for over 30 years. We have
a dedicated and faithful group of leaders who look
forward each year to being a part of this fun-filled
week. This year we registered 98 children, ages 3
- 12 years, and also 50+ Junior Leaders and kitchen
helpers. A sincere thank you to Helen Watton, VBS
Co-ordinator, and a group of volunteers who gave
their talents and time to make VBS so successful
again this year.

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