Dec - Diocese of Fredericton

DECEMBER 2007
THE NEW BRUNSWICK ANGLICAN
DECEMBER 2007
A SECTION OF THE ANGLICAN JOURNAL
SERVING THE DIOCESE OF FREDERICTON
Bishop’s Dinner a gala
celebration of youth
JOYOUS MOTHERHOOD
BY ANA WATTS
ESTATE OF CECIL YOUNGFOX
Joyous Motherhood by Cecil Youngfox is the delightful work chosen by PWRDF to grace its cards and
celebrate and share the joy of Christmas 2007. The New Brunswick Anglican wishes you the love, joy and
peace of Christmas too.
Finance committee stymied
by unresolved synod motion
BY ANA WATTS
The Diocesan Shared Ministry
Budget for 2008 is $1,671,191, up
a modest $6,000 over this year’s
budget. Diocesan Council
approved the document at a
meeting in Fredericton on Nov.
7, but not without protracted
discussion and dire warnings. A
narrative budget in the January
2008 edition of the New
Brunswick Anglican will give
the budget document context.
“Our budget for the next few
years is severely curtailed by a
motion made at our last synod,”
said finance committee and
Diocesan Council member
Archdeacon Stuart Allan of
Saint John. “If we can’t ask
parishes for help, it will make it
very difficult for us to help
parishes when they need it.
There will be some severe
consequences.”
Diocesan finance committee
chair and Council member
Gerald McConaghy of Rothesay
ag reed.
“We
need
to
communicate the 2008 Diocesan
Shared Ministry Budget to the
parishes through face-to-face
meetings because we need to
listen as much as we need to
talk. One-way communication
through the newspaper and E
News is not sufficient. We need
to talk about the budget for 2008
and we have to evaluate the
services the diocese now
provides to the parishes. We
have to start that now, because
in the 2010 budget we may have
to curtail some of those services.
We need to know which ones to
cut back and how to do so. We
need dialogue, even if we don’t
like what we hear.”
Canon Fred Scott, diocesan
See Budget on page 4
River Valley parish signs construction contract
Anglicans in the Parish of the
Nerepis and St. John want just
one thing for Christmas: a
concrete footing course on
which they will construct their
Church of the Resurrection in
the new year. If the weather
cooperates, they will have it. At
11:30 on Tuesday morning, Nov.
13, parish and diocesan officials
signed a $1.8 million contract
with John Flood & Sons to being
/ 1
construction of their longawaited worship centre on River
Valley Drive in Grand BayWestfield.
New Brunswick Anglicans
celebrated the renewed success
of
Camps
Medley
and
Brookwood and raised nearly
$9,000 in support of the Camps
Faith for a Lifetime Capital
Campaign at the Bishop’s
Dinner in Fredericton on Nov. 9.
More than 120 people attended
the $120/plate gala event at the
Delta Fredericton and received
the added blessing of a stirring
address from the Rev. Dr.
Stephen
Andrews.
The
president and vice-chancellor of
Thorneloe
University
in
Sudbury, Ontario, prolocutor of
General Synod and a member of
the Primate’s Theological
Commission titled his talk
”Until Christ Is Formed In You
– Nurturing our children in the
Christian Faith.” As the father
of two teenage daughters, he
spoke eloquently about the
prayers, hopes and dreams
parents have for their children.
“If we give them everything,
indulge them and encourage
them, will they g row up
prejudiced? Arrogant?” he
asked. “What is important is
how our children know and
understand their relationship
with Jesus Christ.”
Our churches are full of
children, he said. There are
stained glass windows from the
early
20 th
c e n t u r y
through to
the 1950s that
d e p i c t
children. But
where are the
children
now? Will the church exist
tomorrow? Archbishop of
Canterbury George Carey
maintained the church is always
one generation from extinction,
but the question about children
is not “why are the children not
in church?” It is more
fundamental. The question is,
“Why are children important.”
“The magic of childhood is a
modern concept,” said Dr.
Andrews. For most of time,
children were little more than
farm machinery. They were
important because they took on
the name of the family, took on
the land, and were a pension
plan for their parents.
In Mark 10, however, people
brought young children to Jesus
and the disciples rebuked them.
But Jesus welcomed them and
showed that children are
significant and important in
themselves. “They are fully
human in the image of God and
deserve
recognition
and
respect.”
Dr. Andrews went on,
however, to focus on the initial
See Graduation, page 2
New Year’s
Day Levee
Please join us at the
11 a.m. New Year’s Day service
at Christ Church Cathedral,
immediately followed by our annual
Levee
at Cathedral Memorial Hall
on Church Street in Fredericton.
Or join us at the Levee any time between 12:30 and 2 p.m.
We hope to see you on January 1 and wish you every
blessing this Christmas and in the year to come.
Bishop Claude and Sharon Miller
Please see Bare Bones on page 2
Get the news first at http://anglican.nb.ca
While you’re there, subscribe to our diocesan weekly E News letter.
Click on the E News button under What’s New, scroll to the bottom and click on the E News Information Page
2 /
DECEMBER 2007
THE NEW BRUNSWICK ANGLICAN
PARISH NEWS
Nerepis & St. John building community of faith
Bare bones: Continued from page 1
The contract covers phase
one of the 13,200 square-foot
building and includes finishing
of about 7,100 square feet of the
interior ––the bare-bone
essentials of a worship space,
rooms for Sunday school and
other programs, washrooms,
some office space, and a
roughed-in kitchen. “It will take
another $300,000 to finish the
entire facility inside,” says the
Ven. Vicars Hodge, rector of the
parish. But in this first phase we
will get finished what we need
most urgently. We will finish it
all in time.”
Original
construction
estimates put the cost of the
complete facility at about $1.8
million, which the parish raised
through individual pledges,
g rants and loan-guarantees.
Bids called earlier this year
came in at $2.8 million, not
including furniture and fixtures.
Architect Doug Kochel literally
went back to the drawing board
to make the building more
affordable. The second round of
tenders came in at $2.1 million.
The parish divided the
construction into two phases
and reduced the interior
finishing in phase one to meet
its budget.
While the first phase will not
meet every need, it represents a
tremendous improvement over
the rented school space where
the parish has worshipped for
the past few years. Each week
brought a new round of lugging
and carrying to prepare the
theatre for worship and the
cafeteria for children’s ministry.
Sunday school superintendent
Marie Hamilton says “It will be
a joy to be in our own place –
where we can put up our art –
and not have to drag these toteboxes in and out each week.”
“Now we are preparing for
the next set of challenges – the
actual construction process and
ongoing financial challenges,”
says Archdeacon Hodge. “It has
been a long row to hoe but there
is new life and enthusiasm since
the amalgamation of our former
struggling parishes. We are
excited to be moving forward,
not just with the obvious need
for a building, but also with the
building of a community of faith
for tomorrow. Together.”
The
beginning
of
construction brings a lengthy
period of planning and
preparation to a close. Following
lengthy
and
prayerful
consultation, the parishes of
Ketepec, Grand Bay, Westfield
and Greenwich amalgamated in
2003. Stained glass and sacred
items were removed from seven
church buildings, which were
deconsecrated and sold. The
new parish in the lower St. John
River valley began to worship in
the River Valley Middle School,
Grand Bay. Some services also
continued at St. Paul’s chapel-ofease in Oak Point.
“The decision to amalgamate
was painful,” says Archdeacon
Hodge. “The people of this
Constsruction of the Church of the Resurrection was assured by a contract signed on Nov. 13. Parish and diocesan
officials gathered to witness the long-awaited event. Signing the documents are Tim Flood of John Flood & Sons ,
general contractor and the Ven. Vicars Hodge, priest and rector of the Parish of the Nerepis and St. John.
Behind them are Doug Kochel, architect; Elizabeth Chisolm, church warden; Bishp Claude Miller, who worked
with the four original parishes on the road to amalgamation; Andrew Logan, chair of the building committee and
church warden; and the Ven. Geoffrey Hall, executive assistant to the bishop and former rector of two of the
founding parishes.
parish came to grips with the
reality of a changed rural
environment
and
the
understanding that their
previous church buildings had
outlived their purpose. Given
the current prospects and need
to secure g rowth, they
courageously made some
difficult but necessary decisions
to ensure a future for the
Anglican Church in this area.”
Impromptu graduation ceremony staged at Bishop’s Dinner
Graduation: Continued from page 1.
part of the title of his talk – “Until
Christ is Formed in You.”
“When we close away our inner
child, we shut out Jesus. We come
to Jesus in child-like humility –– as
Jesus humbled himself even unto
death. A display of weakness and
vulnerability reveals a child-like
glory.”
Dr. Andrews also participated
in an impromptu graduation
ceremony, complete with “Pomp
and Circumstance” played on
the piano. Master Corporal Kent
Greer of the Canadian Armed
Forces and a layreader at Christ
Church (Parish) Church in
Fredericton, is preparing for
ordination. His first step was to
earn a Bachelor of Arts degree
in Religious Education from
Laurentian University, which is
federated with Thorneloe
University. He completed the
course on-line and received his
diploma in the mail last spring.
Dr. Andrews re-presented it to
him at the bishop’s dinner.
Liz
Harding,
recently
appointed year-round director
of Camp Medley, spoke briefly
about the camp’s successful
summer, with a focus on the
spiritual growth of camp staff.
The Diocesan ACW and the
Parish of Shediac are among the
Camp Campaign’s major
suppor ters and took the
opportunity to present their
annual contributions honouring
their original pledges at the
dinner. The cheques were for
$12,000 and $5,000 respectively.
http://anglican.nb.ca
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE DIOCESE OF FREDERICTON
A SECTION OF THE ANGLICAN JOURNAL
The Rt. Rev. Claude Miller
DEADLINE
for copy and photo
submissions to the
New Brunswick
Anglican is the first
working day of the
month previous to
publication.
Kent Greer, left, accepts his Laurentian University BA in Religious
Education from Dr. Stephen Andrews, president and vice-chancellor of
Thorneloe University which is federated with Laurentian.
Ana Watts
Bishop and Publisher
Editor
Published 10 times per year. Price of subscription $10.00
Please send news and photo submissions to
Ana Watts, 773 Glengarry Place, Fredericton, NB E3B 5Z8
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ON M4Y 3G2
Printed & mailed by Signal Star Publishing, Goderich, Ontario
DECEMBER 2007
THE NEW BRUNSWICK ANGLICAN
/ 3
THE BISHOP’S PAGE
Advent reminds us Christ will come again
Therefore, my beloved brethren,
be steadfast, immovable,
always abounding in
the work of the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:58
S
aint Paul’s
admonishment to the
early church in Corinth
reminds me of the Boy Scout
motto: “Be Prepared.” Being
prepared or in a state of
readiness for all that is being
predicted by minds greater
than mine could occupy every
waking moment. Yet again,
what about life’s less
predictable surprises?
News broadcasts and
weather channels are in the
business of predictions and
warnings. Being put on notice
that if we are “not prepared”
our lives could be placed in
danger and property loss or
damage could be our lot. In the
aftermath of tropical storm
Noel, one person confessed
that he was prepared and was
grateful for the pre-storm
warnings. Another admitted
that although he had taken the
warnings to heart and felt
prepared and secure, there was
no way of knowing that a large
tree would come crashing
through the roof of his house.
Predicted, prepared and yet
surprised.
God, through the prophets
of old, put Israel on notice
that, with certainty, a Divine
action would take place. John
the Baptist announces this
Divine action: “This was he of
whom I said ‘He who comes
after me has surpassed me
because he was before me.’”
Even after notice given, the
world was not in a state of
APPOINTMENTS
The Rev. Eric Caldwell was
appointed to ministry and
pastoral oversight as interim
priest-in-pharge in the Parish of
McAdam on Dec. 1.
The Rev. Valerie Hunt and the
Rev. Kar man Hunt were
appointed priests-in-charge of
the Parish of Gagetown and the
Parish of Cambridge and
Waterborough on Dec. 1. This
unique and creative two-year
appointment addresses ministry
needs in parishes where
customary appointments of one
full-time priest and rector to
each parish is impractical or
impossible.
The Rev. Canon Howard
Anningson was appointed to the
Board of Governors of the Atlantic
School of Theology on Oct. 24.
PRIEST-IN-CHARGE
On Nov. 6 the Rev. Terence Chandra was installed as priest-in-charge
of the Parish of Andover at a service of Holy Eucharist at Trinity
Church in Perth-Andover. Guest preacher was Canon Jon Lownds of
the Parish of St. Margaret’s in Fredericton where Terence worshipped
before he entered seminary. The Ven. Walter Williams of Woodstock,
with whom Terence served as assistant curate, was celebrant.
readiness. The priests and the
Levites were unprepared “but
among you stands one you do
not know.” They were
surprised, even shocked, at
John’s testimony: “I am not the
Christ.”
Like the early church in
Corinth, we share in a future
that may be predictable at a
certain level, yet at the same
time our lives –– to a greater or
lesser degree –– are
unprepared in light of life’s
certain surprises. The message
of the Advent season is a call
to spiritual preparedness for
the predicted surprise of the
coming of God’s presence into
a broken and fallen world. We
profess that our Lord and
Savior has come and will come
again to judge the living and
the dead. The historic fact of
Jesus’ birth is celebrated at
Christmas. But it should also
remind us that this is not a
one-time Divine action. Christ
will come again! Advent is the
yearly reminder of that fact.
In the Advent season we are
reminded by John the Baptist
that our readiness begins with
repentance. A turning away
from old habits of behavior
PRINCIPAL
ENGAGEMENTS
that draw us away from God
and his plan for our lives. With
repentance we begin a journey
of renewal –– to travel in
acceptance of the promise of
God, and away from the reality
of broken human promises. We
journey to a sure and certain
hope of everlasting life in
Christ. As believers we may or
may not have taken the
warnings seriously because we
are caught up in the inertia of
every day living. Individually
and corporately as the Church,
we see little time to consider a
turn-around leading to change
and reconciliation.
May you engage the blessing
of Advent with a prayerful will
to seek the divine surprise of
Christ in your life this day and
forever.
A
blessed
Advent
Christmastide,
and
Dec. 16
4 p.m.
Christ Church Cathedral
Dec. 22
7 p.m.
Parish of Saint John
Dec. 24
11 p.m.
Christ Church Cathedral
Dec. 25
11 a.m.
Christ Church Cathedral
Jan. 1
11 a.m
Christ Church Cathedral
12:30 - 2 p.m.
Levee
Jan. 3
Bishop’s Counsel
Jan. 9-10
AST
Jan. 17-18
Consecration
Diocese of Quebec
* Denotes Confirmation
Claude Miller is bishop of
Fredericton
Bishop’s Levee moves to a new time
With gleaming silver, cheerful
flowers, dainty sweets and china
teacups filled with a steaming
blend of cranberry juice and
apple cider –– the Bishop’s New
Year’s Day levee is an elegant
and festive occasion.
For generations it has been a
mid-to-late afternoon event in
order that the bishop could
attend the other levees in the
city, and the hosts of the other
levees could attend the bishop’s.
In recent years, however, the
number of levees in the city has
dwindled and the LieutenantGovernor’s Levee moved to an
afternoon time-slot. For that
reason, Bishop Claude Miller and
his wife Sharon have re-scheduled
the Bishop’s Levee to 12:30 p.m.,
immediately following the 11 a.m.
New Year’s Day service in Christ
Church Cathedral.
“We really hope people will
join us at the service in the
Cathedral and go immediately
after it to Cathedral Memorial
Hall,” says Mrs. Miller. “We have
added sandwiches to the menu
to make it appropriate for the
lunch-hour and will serve
squares as well.”
Cathedral Memorial Hall is
close-by, but not connected to,
Christ Church Cathedral on
Church Street in Fredericton.
The incumbent bishop’s wife
is hostess for the event and is as
involved in the preparations as
she cares to be, but Doris
Norman of the Cathedral ACW
coordinates the event. She has
been doing it for so long it all
runs like clockwork, unless she
does something silly, like lock
her keys in her running car
outside the cathedral hall
during clean-up. Not that she
does that often, but when she did
it recently it was Bishop Miller
who came to her rescue.
“I really enjoy coordinating
the levee,” says Mrs. Norman. “I
think it is a good time for the
bishop to welcome and greet his
people and others, everyone is
welcome. The character of the
event has changed a lot over the
past 20 years, though. There was
a time when there were about
half a dozen levees in the city,
then it went down to three –– the
Garrison Club, the LieutenantGovernor’s and ours. The Bishop’s
Levee was always the last and we
welcomed the military, RCMP,
politicians and the LieutenantGovernor, and it was always a
delight to see many Anglicans
come from out of town.”
Mrs. Norman consults with
the bishop’s wife on several
occasions before the levee. “It is
she who decides what kind of
food will be served, chooses the
colour scheme and the flowers.”
A stunning silver candelabra
with a centre space for flowers,
artistically arranged by Rae
Kimm, graces the intersection
of four long tables placed in a
cross shape. On the tables are
silver trays brimming with
anything from cookies and small
cakes to cheese and crackers and
fruit. At the end of each table is
a silver service presided over by
someone chosen by the bishop’s
wife to pour. Tea and coffee are
served as well as the hot
cranberry/apple cider drink.
The original definition of a
levee was a gathering of men
and a monarch shortly after
rising. According to Archbishop
Harold Nutter, the custom
began in France in the time of
Louis IV when his nobles
appeared
on
Christmas
morning. They would get him up
out of bed and dress him for a
big
party.
The
custom
eventually spread to England
and throughout Europe.
Along the way, other
members of the nobility,
including bishops, began to host
levees at Christmas and at the
New Year, “but the bishop’s
levees were different, they didn’t
have to be rousted out of bed,”
says Archbishop Nutter. The
early levees were also restricted
to men.
“When I was dean in 1960,
Bishop O’Neil held a levee in his
house, it was of necessity very
small, but it included both men
and women, which was a break
from tradition. The lieutenantgovernor’s levee was largely
male and took place at the
university at 10 in the morning.
As bishop I hosted a levee in the
house at one time, but it was a
shambles, the crowd was just too
large, so we moved it to the
cathedral hall, where it has
remained since. Both Bishop
O’Neil and I had our levees in
the afternoon to avoid conflict
with the lieutenant-governor’s
levee in the morning. I think the
time of the lieutenantgovernor’s changed when Old
Government House was restored
and the could be held there.”
4 /
DECEMBER 2007
THE NEW BRUNSWICK ANGLICAN
CHRISTMAS
More Baah, less Humbug
Living Christmas gifts from Ten Thousand Villages
S
ick of socks? Bored with
bubble bath? For some
people, choosing gifts can
be quite an ordeal. That’s why
Ten Thousand offers the
Living Gift Festival at this
time of year, with a unique
collection of gifts (including
livestock) to help give
something little to someone
who has a lot and a lot to
someone who hasn’t got much
at all.
When you buy a Living Gift,
you help Mennonite Central
Committee –– Ten Thousand
Villages’ parent organization –
– to carry out important relief
and development work around
the world. Your friends, family
and colleagues receive a
detailed description of the
present you chose for them,
while the actual gifts go to
those in developing countries
who need them most. For an
additional $1, a beautiful, fair
trade card and ornament can
be purchased to complete your
gift.
“Unique presents are hard
to find. At Ten Thousand
Villages, we’re offering
creative gifts that help reduce
poverty at the same time. Each
one makes a real difference,
whether you spend $33 or $330,”
says Bev Hiebert, National
Sales Director of Ten
Thousand Villages Canada.
This year, the Living Gift
Festival will offer five special
projects, including specific
items like trees as well as
lasting services such as farmer
training or classroom support.
Prices range from $23 for trees
to $330 for a barnyard full of
animals.
More than $950,000 was
raised across the country last
year. We are proud to be one of
the only stores around that can
offer an alternative to shoppers
who want to give gifts with
meaning. Every product we
sell, including the Living Gifts,
helps to empower and bring
peace to disadvantaged people
in poor countries. As far as
gifts go, you can’t get much
better than that.
Individual or groups
interested in purchasing a
Living Gift are encouraged to
visit Ten Thousand Villages/
Anglican House, 116 Princess
Street, Saint John. Living Gifts
and other wonderful fair trade
products can also be purchased
on-line by visiting http://
www.TenThousandVillages.ca
Ten Thousand Villages is a
non-profit, fair trade
organization that provides
vital, fair income to people in
the developing world by
marketing their handicrafts
and telling their stories in
North America.
Story provided by Ten
Thousand Villages.
Budget formula in limbo until 2009
Continued from page 1
Saint John Seafarers’ Mission
Christmas ‘Away From Home’ Program
During the holiday season, the Saint John Seafarers’ Mission provides gifts to the
seafarers who are visiting our port. These seafarers are far from home during a time when
other people are enjoying their family and friends. We could not provide these gifts
without the generosity and help from others. If you are interested in supporting this
project, please call Bev Sullivan at 635-1731 or e-mail Bev at: [email protected]
Below are some suggestions for the boxes:
Toiletries:
Razors, shampoo, aftershave, soap, tooth brushes, toothpaste, Qtips, hand cream,
comb, anti-perspirant, lip balm, etc.
Candy:
Hard Candy or Gum
Warm Clothing:
Toques, gloves, scarves, socks
Misc:
Post cards, writing paper, DVD Movies, small note pads, paperback (softcover)
books, playing cards
Saint John Souvenirs:
Pins, pens, mugs, etc.
Everything is appreciated !
No item is considered too small !
Other Options:
1) If you would like to be involved with our Christmas ‘Away From Home’ Program but
the ‘shoebox’ approach is not for you or if you live at a distance from Saint John and
shipping is expensive, another option would be to donate money, earmarked specifically
for our Christmas program. Financial contributions are always welcome and receipts will
be issued.
2) The seafarers welcome (used) winter jackets, Reader’s Digests, National Geographic
magazines, Christmas Music cds.
Saint John Seafarers’ Mission
In cooperation with:
treasurer, said the finance committee made “optimistic
assumptions” as they prepared the 2008 budget. “We are relying on
parishes giving the budget their full support. Since what we can
ask for is frozen, it is essential that the parishes respond to the
level they have in past years.”
A disag reement over new formulas to calculate parish
contributions to the diocesan budget at synod in June left the
finance committee unable to ask parishes for contributions above
the amount requested for the 2007 budget in both the 2008 and 2009
budgets. A task force has been appointed to deal with the necessary
actions directed by synod in 2007 for report and presentation to the
synod in 2009.
Several other members of Council offered their views on the
topic.
“With inflation alone running at about two per cent per year, by
the time we reach 2010 our expenses will be close to 10 per cent
more than they are today,” said the Rev. Doug Painter of Wicklow,
Wilmot, Peel and Aberdeen.
The Rev. Capt. David Edwards of Stone Church in Saint John
said: “I don’t understand the issues. Where are the shortfalls going
to come?”
Canon Scott said there were long-term budget issues that need
to be addressed, but the short-term need was to get the budget
approved and get the information in the hands of the parishes so
they can prepare their own budget.
In the fall of 2006, at the urging of several parishes, the diocesan
finance committee recommended that Diocesan Council strike a
task force to develop a new process to determine each parish’s fair
share of the diocesan-shared ministry. The new formula called for
a donation of $65 for every identifiable giver and a 12 per cent
portion of the parish’s operating income as the bases for the entire
parish share.
That formula was presented at Archdeaconry Greater Chapter
meetings before diocesan synod and was amended to request $52
per identifiable giver. The 12 per cent of operating income remained
the same. Notice of a motion to institute the amended formula was
published in the synod journal. When the motion came to the floor
of synod, an amendment dubbed “the 10 per cent solution” based
on a Carolina model called for significantly reduced contributions
from parishes to suppor t a significantly reduced synod
administration was passed. It called for elimination of the amount
for each identifiable giver and proposed a flat rate of 13.6 per cent
of parish income in 2008 and 12.2 per cent of parish income in 2009.
Projected figures for this model showed the 2011 fair share
contribution for each parish as 9.9 per cent, or virtually 10 per cent
of the parish income. Currently the rate varies dramatically from
parish to parish but averages about 17 per cent.
Bishop Claude Miller said he appreciated the work of the
diocesan task force who brought forward the original motion, and
was equally impressed with the amendment. He was, however,
uncomfortable with both, and asked that the motion be referred to
Diocesan Council or Synod.
A motion from Canon Charles Ferris, diocesan chancellor, called
for the issue to be referred to Diocesan Council and stipulated that
the mover (the Rev. Chris VanBuskirk) and seconder (Jacqueline
Straight) of the amendment be invited to participate in the review
process. Mr. VanBuskirk and Ms. Straight insisted any new or
amended formula be presented to synod as a whole, not Diocesan
Council, which represents the Synod between synod meetings. The
next scheduled diocesan synod is June 2009.
DECEMBER 2007
THE NEW BRUNSWICK ANGLICAN
C O M P A N I O N D IO C E S E
We welcome Ghana and the Diocese of Ho
The country and
the diocese strive
to attain a
prosperous and
faithful future
BY KEITH OSBORNE
L
ocated on the Atlantic
shore of West Africa,
facing south towards
the equator, the
nation of Ghana won its
independence from colonial
rule in 1957. Through a series
of violent overthrows of
government, the nation has
struggled valiantly for its
liberty and unique identity
within the African family.
Finally in 1992 under a new
president, the people of Ghana
attained relatively stable
governance and have had a
multi-party system for the past
16 years. They can now claim
one of the most stable and
prosperous societies in West
Africa and could possibly be
regarded as a model of
development for the rest of the
sub-Saharan areas of the
continent.
Spreading east to west along
a beautiful shoreline, the
sandy beaches give way
further inland to vast
savannah or grasslands, to be
inundated further north by
dense tropical rainforests and
rolling hills. This is a land rich
in wildlife and natural
resources, with a proud people
who have expended much toil
in developing their homeland
as a major player and producer
on the African scene. The
massive Akosombo Dam on
Lake Volta produces their
power and the lake, along with
connected waterways, covers
around 45 per cent of the land
mass of the country. This vital
water supply, in a dry and arid
climate, is a crucial source of
irrigation for agriculture, and
in many ways the “lifeblood”
of the people. The Diocese of
Ho stretches from north to
south along the expanse of this
watercourse, bordering on the
nation of Togo to the east,
encompassing many villages
and several cities in its scope.
As Ghana seeks its place in
the world market, it is faced
with the challenge of suspicion
on the part of foreign
investors. Rumours of possible
threats to the stability of the
government, questionable
policies, agendas and contracts
from past administrations and
suspect electoral processes all
tend to deter investors from
freely placing their stake in the
nation as a safe place to do
business. Ghana is, however, a
nation rich in natural
resources –– cocoa, gold,
timber, tuna, bauxite and
aluminum. There may be cause
for greater optimism in the
near future, offshore oil rigs
are planned for 2008, a course
is being laid for closer trading
relations with China, and a
transfer of political power is in
store for 2009.
T
he church strives for the
future as the state does
in Ghana. In September
of 1997 a strategic plan was
formed to create the new
Diocese of Ho out of the larger
Koforidua-Ho Diocese. This
move would make possible
more effective administration,
a more focused mission
orientation and service to their
people. At their Synod in 2001,
a transitional team was struck
to draw up a program for the
smooth split of two political
regions into two autonomous
units. March 22, 2003 saw the
birth of Ho and on August 17
Archdeacon Matthias
Medadues-Badohu was
consecrated as the first bishop.
We need to uphold this newfound friend of ours in prayer
as he and his diocese face a
daunting challenge, both
financially and in terms of
resources with which to carry
on their ministry to a growing
church. They began with a
heart for mission to spread the
Gospel to places as yet
unattained by the year 2010.
Their diocese consists of
two archdeaconries, two
deaneries, five parishes, three
sub-parishes, six out-stations
and three other congregations.
The Rev. Anthony Kwaw
contacted Bishop Matthias for
us and obtained the following
description of the diocese’s
composition:
“A sub-parish is a daughter
church of a main parish, being
prepared for its full parochial
status. It is given a number of
years of semi-autonomy,
within which to prepare. A
priest may be stationed there
to chair meetings, direct affairs
and help advise on all the
necessary things that are
needed for a full autonomy.
Yes, a sub-parish, to some
extent, functions like a parish.
However, it still remains in the
mother parish, which makes
all the major decisions, and
reports to the Diocese. The
vicar of the mother parish is
the “in charge”, and the priest
stationed there is the Curate,
taking orders from the mother
parish.
“Outstations are churches
with quite a large number of
people within a parish, or a
sub-parish. They do not have
church wardens, except elders
who liaise with the parish or
sub-parish for any decisions. A
catechist, or a reader is
stationed there for the daily
worship with the people. The
vicar or the curate visits them
regularly as arranged with the
people who mainly are rural
Bishop Matthias visited the Diocese of Fredericton and attended
Diocesan Synod last June. In the photo above he signs the
Companion Diocese Covenant during the opening of synod
service as Bishop Claude Miller and Dean Keith Joyce look on.
In the photo on the right he addresses synod at the meetings held
at the Aitken Centre on the University of New Brunswick
Fredericton campus.
Let us as a diocese join in earnest
prayer for Ghana and our
Companion Diocese of Ho as they
struggle with their challenges.
folks whose ways of doing
things need supervision.
“A congregation is a sizeable
group of people within a
parish who may worship in a
home or a convenient place
rather than in the parish
church. This happens to
encourage people who cannot
walk long distances to be at
worship regularly. Catechists
or readers are often assigned
duties to cater for these people
in the absence of a priest. They
don’t hold any meetings of
their own. If there is an issue
they want their voices to be
heard on, they can make this
known through their member
of the Parish Consultative
Council. If they have one or
more petitions made to the
PCC, they normally go through
the priest.”
L
et us as a diocese join in
earnest prayer for
Ghana and our
Companion Diocese as they
struggle with their challenges.
May our Lord’s grace lead us
all in building the Kingdom
wherever we may be planted.
As our two bishops work
together, both of our dioceses
will proceed in terms of
forming a meaningful
relationship of prayer and
encouragement for the next
five years.
The Rev. Capt. Keith Osborne is
chair of the Diocesan Council
Mission and Outreach Team, a
member of the Companion
Diocese Committee and the
Rector of the Parish of
Pennfield.
/ 5
6 /
DECEMBER 2007
THE NEW BRUNSWICK ANGLICAN
PARISH NEWS
HEALING SERVICE IN MCADAM
C O N F I R M A T I O N A T S T. P E T E R S
MARGARET LAKING
BETTY ADAMS
Bishop Claude Miller confirmed 4 candidates at St.Peter’s Parish Church in Fredericton on
Sunday, Oct. 2 at the 11a.m. service. They are left to right in the front row Benjamin James
Henry Hebb, Chelsa Mae Hyslop, Rachel Elizabeth Greechan, and Catherine Elizabeth Craig.
Behind them are Bishop Miller and the Rev.Dr.Ross Hebb,rector A reception was held in the
church hall following the service.
Of the blessing, and the blessings of animals
K
oda, my golden retriever puppy, turned
nine-weeks-old on Oct. 28, the day the Rev.
Paul Donison blessed him during the
morning service at St. George’s, McAdam. He used
the Blessing of Home Animals service from the Book
of Occasional Celebrations. As the guidelines for the
service suggested, he involved the children,
including his youngest daughter Emma (in his
arms). They were invited to introduce themselves
individually and to pet Koda.
I believe Heaven includes our pets. For me it
cannot be otherwise. In her book All God’s Creatures:
The Blessing of Animal Companions, Debra
Farrington says we are just as likely to encounter
This fall St. George’s in McAdam was host for an ecumenical healing service
arranged by churches in the McAdam, Harvey and Vanceboro, Maine areas. The
first one in the fall of 2001 was specifically for cancer patients, survivors, their
spouses, families and caregivers. The service has, however, evolved to meet the
wider range of needs in the communities. The Rev. Kay Clowater (left) of St.
Andrews United Church in Harvey offered an emotional reflection on her faith
battle around the death of her newborn child. A time of fellowship with a buffet
luncheon was held in the church hall after the service. Above, left to right are Ms.
Clowater; the Rev. Ellen Beairsto, St. Paul’s United Church, McAdam; the Rev.
Bonnie Wynn, Knox Presbyterian Church, Harvey; and the Rev. Paul Donison,
St. George’s Anglican Church, McAdam
BY MARGARET LAKING
God’s presence in an animal as in a person, so
we entrust our pets into God’s hands when they
pass away. I believe Skye, the golden retriever I
loved and who loved me for more than nine
years, waits for me in Heaven. He was the only
dog I’d ever had in my life, he even saved my
life once. He died in August and I miss him more
than I could ever have imagined. Koda (a Sioux
word that means friend) is a gift from my
husband Jim. He is not a replacement for Skye,
but his unconditional love and friendship fills
his special space in my heart. I am blessed by
his presence, and he was blessed in our church.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
MCADAM CRÉCHE COMPLETE
PHOTO AND CAPTION BY MARGARET LAKING
The life size crèche outside St. George’s Anglican church in McAdam was completed for
Christmas 2006. The project was inspired by a trip the Rev. Wendy Amos-Binks (then
rector) and a couple of parishioners made in 2002. Work started in 2003 and
that Christmas Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, two shepherds and three sheep plus the stable
were displayed on the knoll just outside the church. In 2004 the three kings, angel, star,
donkey and camel were added. There wasn’t any work done on the project in 2005 and in
2006 the cow, four sheep (including a black one) and a drummer boy were added. The
floodlights in the evening make the crèche a majestic scene.
DECEMBER 2007
THE NEW BRUNSWICK ANGLICAN
/ 7
PARISH NEWS
All Saints in Marysville appreciates the dedication of organist Wendy Parker
BY ANNE MCINNIS
T
his story begins in 1965, when a
teenager, Wendy Parker, began playing
the organ at All Saints Anglican
Church, in the Parish of Marysville &
Durham Bridge.
But let’s go back a few years to set the
stage, so to speak. Wendy began music
lessons at age 10, studying with Joan Harvey.
Wendy proved to have an aptitude for the
piano, and she and Joan spent many hours
exploring the keyboard and deciphering those
funny black marks on the page.
Then, in 1965, the organist at All Saints
married and moved away, and the wardens
and vestry searched diligently for a
replacement with no luck.
Finally the rector, the Rev. Harold Hazen at
the time, approached Wendy and asked her to
play. But Wendy was only 17 and was rather
apprehensive. Understandably so. This was a
tremendous undertaking for a teenager,
especially one with no training on the organ.
However, Wendy agreed to try, and has been
trying ever since.
Two years later, she married Paul Banks
and soon became a mother. Her life as a wife
and mother did nothing to hinder her musical
career. Wendy has seen several ministers
come and go and quickly learned to adjust to
their requirements and idiosyncrasies.
Somewhere along the way, she also became
choir director.
Wendy also sings. She has a beautiful rich
contralto voice and often sings solos at All
Saints as well as at weddings and funerals.
The present rector, the Rev. Canon John
Cathcart, sometimes arrives about five
minutes before the service and asks Wendy to
sing a particular selection. She does so
willingly and, since she finds it difficult to
sing and play at the same time, she often
sings a cappella. At other times, when she has
more notice, she uses a taped
accompaniment, or occasionally arranges to
be accompanied by her husband Paul on the
guitar.
But music is only one of the ways in which
Wendy pursues a Christian life. She is a
member of the Altar Guild, the Mothers’
Union and is also a layreader. In the past she
has served on vestry, taught Sunday school,
and served as a synod delegate on several
occasions. She also has been a member of the
ACW.
Wendy and Paul have two children and
four grandchildren whom they adore. Family
life is very important to them and they
maintain a close relationship. For most of
their married life Wendy was a homemaker,
but now that her children are adults with
their own families, she has accepted a
position at Sears where she undoubtedly
gives them the same dedication she has
displayed to our church throughout her life.
It is now 2007, 42 years since she decided to
play the organ. Wendy remains young and
vibrant and is looking forward to many more
years of service.
Anne McInnis is vestry clerk for the Parish of
Maryville and Durham Bridge.
Wendy Parker has served as organist at All Saints, Marysville, for 42 years. The
congregation appreciates her talent and her dedication. She is seen above with
the Rev. Canon John Cathcart, her rector.
LITURGICALLY HIP IN DUMFRIES
The Liturgically Hip –– the Rev. Bonnie LeBlanc, Kingston, and
the Revs. Bob LeBlanc and Marian Lucas-Jefferies of the
parishes of Upper Kennebecasis, Central Kings and Upham, led
an Evening of Worship and Praise at St. Clement’s Church in
Dumfries last fall. Lots of people from the area came out for the
service and had a great time. Following the service refreshments
were served and people were able to meet the band members. In
the photo on the right, the Rev. Canon Elaine Hamilton )left)
and Ms. LeBlanc enjoy the after-service refreshments.
8 /
DECEMBER 2007
THE NEW BRUNSWICK ANGLICAN
MISSION MINDED
Neither wind nor rain nor high
seas nor downed powerlines shall
stop the services at Salmon Beach
By Pat Drummond
O
A successful Order of St. Luke Mission was hosted by the Passamaquoddy Chapter at All Saints Church in St.
Andrews. Among those in attendance were: back row, left to right, the Rev. Dr. Peter Davids who was inducted as a
chaplain; Canon John Matheson, rector of the parish and a presenter; Archdeacon Larry Mitchell, North American
Director of the Order of St. Luke; and Michael Driscoll. In the front row are Judy Davids, Karen Hastings, Rita
O’Rourke who chaired the event, Sheila Hue and Theresa Malisweski. Karen, Theresa and Sheila were made full
members of the order.
Passamaquoddy OSL Chapter hosts
successful healing mission
BY RITA O’ROURKE
The Passamaquoddy Chapter of
the Order of St. Luke (OSL) held
a healing mission at All Saints
Church in St. Andrews on Oct.
12 and 13. Canon John
Matheson, rector of the parish,
hosted the mission.
Three experts in healing
ministries addressed us.
Archdeacon Larry Mitchell from
Saskatoon, Nor th American
director of OSL spoke on the
theme of the parish as a healing
community. Nancy Wiggins,
active in the Parish Nursing
community in New Brunswick
and nationally, shared her
insights into that ministry.
Canon Matheson offered
examples of healing in the
context of a traditional parish.
In the afternoon Michael
Smith, recently nominated for
two Covenant Awards by the
Gospel Music Association of
Canada, and his wife Jennifer
led us in worship with the
assistance of our long-time
organist Peter Mitchell.
At an induction service we
were truly blessed to have the
Rev. Dr. Peter Davids inducted as
a chaplain in the order. His wife
Judy and Michael Driscoll of St.
Stephen became full members.
We also welcomed new
associates Karen Hastings and
Theresa Malisweski of St.
Andrews and Sheila Hue from
Fredericton. People from
Woodstock,
Fredericton,
Rothesay, Saint John, St.
Stephen, St. Andrews and our
Regional Dean Keith Osborne
from Pennfield attended the
service and welcomed the new
associates.
A
service
of
Holy
Communion followed the
inducation service. Our mission
came to a close with a hot roast
beef dinner served to us at the
Roman Catholic church hall in
St. Andrews.
Since Archdeacon Mitchell
was invited to speak at the 11
a.m. service at All Saints on Oct
14, several of those who
attended the mission remained
in town for that service as well.
Many thanks go to the many
people who helped us prepare
for this successful mission. Col.
Richard and Carolyn Cheney,
friends of OSL, hosted
Archdeacon Mitchell and he was
dubbed a “favourite guest.”
Kathleen Morrison of Harvey
Studios in Fredericton was our
photographer for the day, and
the
members
of
our
Passamaquoddy OSL chapter
were generous with their time.
n Sunday morning, Nov. 4, Tropical Storm Noel
blew across New Brunswick and whipped up huge
waves along the Bay of Chaleur. Water along with
downed trees and power lines blocked the roads. For the
church at Salmon Beach no power meant no organ, no heat,
no lights, no water, no people –– therefore no service.
Right?
Wrong.
In the driving rain and 100 kilometre/hour winds, the
warden made his way to the rectory in his truck and
literally hauled me in to it. We traveled the 10 kilometres to
the church along back roads and trails to avoid the
obstacles on the highway.
One member of the congregation stopped on her way to
church to get coffee at the local gas bar. The place was
closing because it could no longer pump gas and the
attendant was about to dump an urn full of coffee. The
parishioner bought all the coffee, filled a large thermos
with it, and brought it to church.
Another parishioner brought a battery-powered
hurricane lamp, the better for me to read the sermon.
The people on coffee-hour lunch duty had lots of food
prepared and managed to get it and themselves to church
too.
In all, 27 faithful souls, including the Sunday school
superintendent and five little ones, braved the elements
and arrived at church.
The service that day was from the Book of Common
Prayer, which we all know by heart, so it didn’t really
matter that it was too dark to read the prayers.
The temperature dropped during the service, so the hot
coffee and food were most welcome when the time came.
Tropical Storm Noel couldn’t defeat the hardy
‘downshore’ Anglicans of Salmon Beach. While the wind
howled and the sea raged, we worshiped in a service to be
remembered.
The Rev. Patricia Drummond is rector of the Parish of
Bandon, which includes Salmon Beach.
GUILD SCHOLARSHIP
The Companion Spiritual Formation Team
will again sponsor a
Weekend at Villa Madonna, March 7 - 9.
The facilitator will be
Sister Caroline Dawson, IBVM.
of the Faculty of Haden Institute
(formation for people desiring to be spiritual directors)
and adjunct staff of
Mount Carmel Spiritual Centre, Niagara Falls.
Watch for further details in
upcoming issues of the NB Anglican and
on the Companion Spiritual Formation
web page <http://anglican.nb.ca/csf/>
Michael O’Hara, left, in his final year of an arts degree at St.
Thomas University, plans to enter seminary next year. He was
recently awarded the Guild of St. Joseph Canon Hubert
Drillon Award for post-secondary education. Presenting the
cheque is Bob Murphy, president of the St. John’s
Nashwaaksis chapter of the Guild.
DECEMBER 2007
THE NEW BRUNSWICK ANGLICAN
/ 9
MISSION MINDED
FREDERICTON/YORK ACW
BETTY ADAMS
The annual ACW Fredericton/York deanery meeting was held at St.
Mary’s, York on Oct. 11. Sharon Miller gave a wonderful
presentation on prayer and music by the Fredericton War Brides was
enjoyed by all. The new executive was installed by the Rev. Canon
William MacMullin. Left to right above are Florence Joy Clement,
president; Jenipher Schousboe, secretary-treasurer; Velma Kelly,
vice-president.
ACW National past pres
smitten by the north
By Heather Carr
Greetings from the Yukon, Archbishop Terry Buckle; from
Caledonia, Bishop Larry Robinson; and from the executive of the
National ACW Board. I recently had the pleasure of visiting ACWs
in the Diocese of Yukon and
Caledonia to learn of life in the
north. The first thing I learned
is that it can be very isolated,
depending on where you are.
You can drive for two to seven
hours to get to the next town and
not see anything but the beauty
of the mountains which
surround you on all sides.
I flew to Whitehorse and
began my journey there. I was
housed in the Old Log Rectory
which is the original rectory
built around 1898 and was also
at one time the home of Bishop
Stringer –– The Bishop Who Ate His Boots –– and his family. The
rectory is now used as a visitor’s home upstairs and offices
downstairs. The Old Log Church behind it is now a lovely museum
that tells much of the history of the early church life in the Yukon.
One of the main sources of income in this part of the north is tourism.
Last year the winter games were held in Whitehorse, the Yukon Quest
dog sled run is an annual event and the summer brings an enormous
number of tourists. Whitehorse has all the modern amenities such as
WalMart, Tim Horton’s and such, but is still fairly isolated.
From Whitehorse I travelled to several other communities
visiting ACWs. The one that was most amazing to me was Atlin,
BC. There is one road in and out of Atlin and that is from
Whitehorse, this is a small community with a very active ACW, they
have no minister at present but their Deacon Vera Kirkwood keeps
St. Martin’s Church active. Several of the ACWs in the Yukon run
thrift shops for their income, these shops are important to the
communities, prices are kept low and the shops are kept busy every
day. The largest shop is in Dawson City, a huge house set up similar
to a department store. Items are clean, in good repair and pleasantly
displayed for shoppers in all the stores. Atlin, Old Crow and Dawson
are three areas that run a shop.
There is very little outreach that can be done by the ACWs from
the north as monies earned are needed at home, but they work very
hard for their communities and each has various programs and
ideas for fundraising to keep church life active and interesting.
Heather Carr is past president of the National ACW. Her report
from the north will continue in the January edition of the New
Brunswick Anglican. In the photo above she is with Bishop Terry
Buckle’s wife Blanche.
Ashley Jones (right) of Belize is the first recipient of a scholarship instituted by members of Christ Church
Cathedral. The need was recognized by a mission team from the cathedral that worked in Belize last spring.
Scholarship established
for students in Belize
BY ANN DEVEAU
Thanks to the congregation of
Christ Church Cathedral in
Fredericton, a bright young
woman named Ashley Jones is
now attending St. Ignatius High
School in Santa Elena, Belize.
Some members of the
cathedral’s Belize Mission Team
met Ashley Jones (on the right
in the photo) last March when
she was in her final year at St.
Hilda’s School in Georgeville.
Despite her good marks and the
promise she showed, Ashley was
not expecting to go to high
school. Her family simply could
not afford the school fees — $750
(Can.) per year. This is the
situation for a g reat many
Belizean families.
After paying all of the
expenses related to the projects
under taken during the oneweek mission trip, the Belize
Mission Team had enough
money left to pay the school fees
for one young person who would
otherwise be denied an
education. They donated $750 to
the Anglican Diocese of Belize
who arranged for Ashley Jones
to receive the scholarship.
With the cong regation’s
generous help, it is hoped that
Ashley’s fees can be paid
annually until she graduates in
2011. At that time, the Belizean
diocese would be asked to
choose
another
bright,
deserving student and continue
a new tradition for the cathedral
— assisting young people to
obtain
an
all-important
education.
Ann Deveau is one of the
cathedral’s Belize Mission
Team members.
10 /
DECEMBER 2007
THE NEW BRUNSWICK ANGLICAN
COLUMNS
Have ya heard? There’s no one like Jesus
T
he theme for Manna
2007 was “Have ya
heard: there is no one
like Jesus”. The young people
and leaders who attended had
a great day playing, learning
and building relationships.
The day started with
worship led by Jessica Curwin.
The topics for the power hour
talks were aimed at examining
who is Jesus. We explored the
cool miracles performed by
him, the fact that he suffered
just as we do, that he cares
more about love than religion,
that Jesus is God, that Jesus is
a good foundation for our lives
and that Jesus died for us.
Jessica had some of the kids
try to fit themselves into her
book bag to explain the
overwhelming love God has for
us and that we should exhibit
that same love for others. Chris
Ketch dressed as Santa Claus
and had the room decorated for
Christmas to talk about God
sending his Son as a baby.
One of the crafts was to create
a cross by threading different
colored beads onto a number of
pins so that when they are put
together they form a cross. This
craft could be put onto a book bag
as a daily reminder that there is
no one like Jesus.
The games were based
around different countries;
each group of kids was given a
passport at the beginning of
the activity that listed the
names of the countries that
they would be visiting for each
of the games. These included
snowball fights with paper
balls and ice cream sandwiches
for snack in Antarctica.
The kids said that it was a
lot of fun being together and
that they enjoyed getting to
know others from around the
diocese. One adult leader told
us that the day had inspired
her to offer her help at her
church’s youth group because
she realized that some of the
most important aspects of
youth ministry are love, care
and building relationships.
The day would not have
been complete without our
power hour speakers, so our
thanks go out to all of them;
Jessica, Andrew Faulk, Justin
Upshall, Alyssa Hater, Jennifer
Whelly and Chris. Also the
event would not have been a
success without the hard work
of the planning and design
team; Lionel Hater, Emily
Jacobs, Emma Hawkins, Mark
Archibald, George Porter. I
helped too. A huge thank you
goes to Valerie Archibald for
chairing the committee, for all
her hard work and for keeping
us on track.
Liz Harding is diocesan director
of Christian education. Reach
her at (506) 459-1801 or
[email protected].
Something wonderful happens on Christmas Songs from Jars of Clay
E
very recording artist
has a collection of
Christmas tunes to offer,
so by the time you read this you
will have seen all kinds of
Christmas CDs displayed in all
kinds of stores. Christmas Songs,
the new disc by Jars of Clay, could
easily be seen as just another in
that display, but don’t be fooled.
From the first song to the last, this
collection is NOT your typical
Christmas music CD. This is NOT
the CD you’d stick in the stereo to
serve as background music at a
party –– it’s much too good for
that. In the realm of popular
music, this is now my new
favourite Christmas CD. Period.
Here’s why.
Too many Christmasthemed CDs simply have the
artist on them covering
standard hymns and songs,
with little else in the way of
innovation. The first cut on
Christmas Songs is an original
called “The Gift of St. Cecilia,”
whom some may know as the
patron Saint of Music. (We
celebrated her day on Nov. 22.)
The track is an instrumental,
and it calls to mind the awe
and wonder of Christmas.
Oddly enough, the absence of
words in this song helps to
focus attention on the texts of
the songs that come later.
The bulk of the disc is a
grand grouping of traditional
hymns and songs known and
enjoyed at this time of year.
Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful
Christmastime” is here, along
with music from the Peanuts
TV special “Merry Christmas,
Charlie Brown!” Two popular
settings of poems by Christina
Rosetti –– “Love Came Down at
Christmas” and “In the Bleak
Midwinter” –– are also found
on the disc. The band members
themselves wrote five of a total
of 14 songs.
The musical style of Jars of
Clay –– modern rock with
strong folk and blues
influences -– fits the voice of
the lead singer Dan Hasteltine,
very well (or vice versa). The
traditional songs on this album
are performed in such a way
that, even though some of the
melodies are recognized, the
music calls attention to the
texts of the songs. This is hard
to do with such well-known
pieces. “O Little Town of
Bethlehem” and “Drummer
Boy” are two great examples of
these great musical settings.
Both use commonly known
tunes, yet listeners can find
themselves not knowing what
comes next. It’s acoustic hot
chocolate, comforting and
cuddly, but with an added kick!
The music of Christmas is
often a backdrop to the events
that take place at this time of
year. This CD does not allow
that to happen. If you are
planning to buy Christmas
music this year, consider this
disc. Listen to samples on
iTunes or Amazon. The
musicians in Jars of Clay are
gifted, and when they offer
such strong traditional music
of the Church and of the
Christmas season, wonderful
things happen. That’s exactly
what this CD is: something
wonderful happening.
The Rev. Chris Hayes is a
musician and the rector of the
Parish or Richmond.
We know God is happiness but for some, happiness is their god
T
he London School of
Economics led a global
research study on
happiness. In spite of our
creature comforts and
conveniences, those of us in
urban Europe and North
America fared very badly.
Residents of Bangladesh, one
of the poorest nations on the
planet, appear to be the
happiest, with those in India,
Ghana and the Dominican
Republic close behind. A
recent Canadian survey found
Newfoundlanders happiest,
with Maritimers close behind.
Those in wealthy developed
countries suffer “emotional
poverty” caused by consumerism
and the breakdown of family life.
We adapt to the demands of our
culture in order to acquire bigger
and better cars, houses, watches.
So why are the poor so happy?
Research psychologist
Martin Seligman developed a
happiness formula: H=S+C+V.
Our happiness (H) is
determined by our biological
set point (S) to the extent to
which it can be influenced by
our environment; plus certain
physical conditions (C); plus
voluntary activities (V). Our set
point (S) genetic inheritance
may be beyond our control, but
we can choose ahealthy lifestyle
and environment, employ
meditation, prayer, medication
and therapy.
We have control over some
external conditions (C) like our
marital status, where we live
and work, even our wealth to
some extent, but we can’t
control our age, gender, race
and disability. The physical
conditions absolutely
necessary for happiness,
however, are minimal –– safety,
food and water.
Our voluntary activities (V)
are those we choose. Whether
we are driving a car or skiing
down a mountain, if the
movement feels effortless we get
flash after flash of positive
feelings. If each note we sing is
in perfect tune, if each brush
stroke we make falls in exactly
the right place on the canvas
without conscious effort, we are
“in the zone,” aware of our
senses and fully engaged.
Seligman says the key to
happiness in our voluntary
activity is to operate from our
own strengths.If we choose
personal indulgence as
volunteer activity we might
briefly improve our mood, but
when we pursue activities that
strengthen relationships with
kindness and gratitude, we
find lasting good feelings of
accomplishment.
The strength and number of
our relationships is more
important to our happiness
than any other factor. Good
relationships make us happy.
At the end of his life,
Harold Maslow who gave us the
psychological hierarchy of
needs, said he should have
added yet another layer beyond
human self-actualization. At the
top should be transcendence.
There was a time when God
was happiness, but now for
many, happiness is their god.
They will be happy with the
gifts they find under the
Christmas tree, provided the
number and monetary value
suit them. We too will be happy
to find gifts under the tree, but
we know the gifts and graces
of simplicity in a manger ––
the worship of a babe come to
show us the way, the truth, and
the light –– are the most
valuable gifts of all. Have a
happy and blessed Christmas.
Joan Teed is a vocational
chaplain as well as a social
worker and counsellor in
private practice.
DECEMBER 2007
THE NEW BRUNSWICK ANGLICAN
Keep your eyes upon the
image of God in others
BY JIM IRVINE
Life is like a mountain
railroad, with an engineer
that’s brave; We must make the
run successful, from the cradle
to the grave; Watch the curves,
the fills, the tunnels; never
falter, never quail; Keep your
hand upon the throttle, and
your eye upon the rail.
Life’s Railway to Heaven
by Charles D. Tillman
M
y enthusiasm
eclipsed any
evangelist as I
assembled the track. In the
Yuletide glow of hot Noma
tree lights I knelt in obeisance
as I took the inventory of the
box containing my first
electric train. The tissue wrap
flew through the air as the
Lionel brand name came into
sight. The cardboard box
pictured the assembled unit
and the magical aura of
Christmas lights spurred my
imagination. Opened, I took
out the pieces of track: curved
units, straight units and a
railway crossing that allowed
a figure-eight to occupy a
place of honour on living
room floors throughout the
land! My pulse quickened and
beads of sweat accompanied
my wide-eyed appreciation of
such a wondrous and
imaginative present. I wiped
my brow with my flannel
housecoat sleeve as my Dad
took out the instructions and
knelt beside me. My eighth
Christmas found me absorbed
in a fantasy world of steam
engines and freight cars with
my imagination providing the
smells and sounds of a rail
yard.
The track assembled, the
electric controls were
carefully attached to
terminals on the track. The
electricity was fed to the
engine by the third rail, my
Dad told me. Under the engine
was a copper plate that picked
up the electricity and moved it
along the rails. The outside
rails guided the wheels of the
engine and the cars it hauled
past the curves, fills and
tunnels. Without the third rail
the engine remained lifeless
and the four cars stood still.
I was reminded of the third
rail many years later when I
traveled on the TTC Subway
in Toronto. A much larger
train, demanding considerably
more voltage, the principle
remained the same and the
caution was posted to stay
clear of the third rail. The
third rail in a train system is
the exposed electrical
conductor that carries high
voltage power. Stepping on the
high-voltage third rail usually
results in electrocution.
The phrase third rail is a
metaphor that reaches beyond
the Toronto subway system to
denote an idea that is so
“charged” and “untouchable”
that any churchman or public
official who dares to broach
the subject would invariably
suffer politically. The use of
the term serves to emphasize
the “shock” that results from
raising the controversial idea,
and the “political death” that
the unaware or provocative
politician would encounter as
a result.
The third rail I discovered
was both necessary and
dangerous at the same time.
Caution remains the order of
the day.
Isaiah Berlin helps
assemble the metaphorical
track for us. “To manipulate
men,” he writes, “to propel
them toward goals which you
– the social reformers – see,
but they may not, is to deny
their human essence, to treat
them as objects without wills
of their own, and therefore to
degrade them.” In the waning
days of the year we are
resolved to lay track as we
begin to travel into another
year prepared for us from the
beginning of creation. As we
travel along this ribbon of
steel we dare not deny others
their human essence – that we
respect the dignity of every
human being. Called to listen,
I am cautioned not to diminish
others for their lack of
understanding of me. And as
the track provides locomotion
in both directions, we all risk
being misunderstood and
mistaken.
We shouldn’t be surprised
that Jesus phrased it in his
own way. “Whoever finds his
life will lose it,” he said, “and
whoever loses his life for my
sake will find it.” The third
rail, it seems clear to me, is
lively and dangerous. But
without it, we remain
motionless and lifeless. We are
not to manipulate one another.
That is a dangerously high
voltage and is destructive,
detracting from the image of
God we are challenged to
search for – and find – in one
another. Ours is a mountain
railroad and our run carries us
beyond the Christmas living
room memories of our youth
into the days and years that
have been given to us. The
curves, fills and tunnels have
their own dangers and caution
us all. With confidence we
place our hand upon the
throttle and, adjusting the
speed, keep our eye upon the
rail.
INTERCESSIONS
DECEMBER
¶ 23: Pray for Yirol (Sudan) the
Rt. Rev. Benjamin Mangar
Mamur. Diocese of Ho, the Rt
Rev. Matthias MedaduesBadohu. Diocese of Yukon, Atlin
- St. Mar tin, Deacon Vera
Kirkwood and family, Dorothy
Odian licensed lay minister &
family, Archbishop Terry
Buckle, Blanche and family.
Claude, our Bishop, William,
George and Harold, retired
bishops, and their families.
¶ 24: Parish of Central Kings, the
Rev. Robert LeBlanc, the Rev.
Marian Lucas-Jefferies, priestsin-charge. Betty McNamara,
PWRDF co-ordinator.
CHRISTMAS DAY
Eternal God, in the stillness of
this night you sent your
almighty Word to pierce the
world’s darkness with the light
of salvation: Give to the Earth
the peace that we long for and
fill our hearts with the joy of
Heaven through our Saviour,
Jesus Christ. Amen
Parish of Chatham, the Rev.
Gordon Thompson.
¶ 26: Christ Church Cathedral,
the Very Rev. Keith Joyce, Isabel
Cutler parish nurse, the Ven
Geoffrey
Hall,
honorary
assistant. The Rev. Dr. David
Mercer, on leave.
¶ 27: Parish of Coldbrook & St.
Mary’s, the Rev. Gregory
McMullin.
¶ 28: Parish of Dalhousie, the
Rev. Arnold Godsoe, priest-incharge.
Michael
Caines,
Wycliffe.
¶ 29: Parishes of Denmark and
Grand Falls, the Rev. Ellen
Curtis.
¶ 30: Pray for Zonka Province of
Abuja, Nigeria the Rt. Rev. Duke
Akamisoko. Diocese of Ho, the
Rt. Rev. Matthias MedaduesBadohu. Diocese of Yukon,
clergy in secular employment
holding bishop’s license for
ministry, the Rev. Martin
Carroll, Deacon Niall Sheridan;
Archbishop Terry Buckle,
Blanche and family. Claude, our
Bishop, William, George and
Harold, retired bishops, and
their families.
¶ 31: Parish of Derby &
Blackville, the Rev. Douglas
Barrett. Archbishop Harold
Nutter, retired.
JANUARY
¶ 1: Parish of Dorchester &
Sackville, the Rev. Kevin
Stockall.
¶ 2: Parish of Douglas &
Nashwaaksis, the Rev. Canon
William MacMullin. The Rev.
Les Petrie, retired.
¶ 3: Parish of East Saint John,
the Rev. Canon Edward
Coleman, priest-in-charge.
¶ 4: Parish of Fredericton, the
Rev. Anthony Arza-Kwaw, the
Rev. Paul Ranson, assistant
curate, the Rev. Joyce Perry,
deacon. Jen Bourque, Montreal
Diocesan.
¶ 5: Parish of Fredericton
Junction (open incumbency).
THE EPIPHANY
O God, who revealed your only
Son to the Gentiles by the
leading of a star, mercifully
grant that we, who know you
now by faith, may after this life
enjoy the splendour of your
g racious Godhead, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Diocese of Ho, the Rt. Rev.
Matthias Medadues-Badohu.
Diocese of Yukon, Haines
Junction - St. Christopher’s,
Beaver Creek - St. Columba,
Alaska Highway mile 918-1202,
the Ven. Dr. Sean Murphy
(Whitehorse) & lay ministry
team, Archbishop Terry Buckle,
Blanche and family. Claude, our
Bishop, William, George and
Harold, retired bishops, and
their families.
¶ 7: Parish of Gagetown, the Rev.
Valerie Hunt & the Rev. Karman
Hunt, priests-in-charge.
¶ 8: Parish of Gondola Point, the
Rev. George Eves.
¶ 9: Parish of Grand Manan, the
Rev. Dana Dean. The Rev. David
Plumer, retired.
¶ 10: Parish of Hammond River,
the Rev. Peter Gillies.
¶ 11: Parish of Hampton, the Rev.
Leo Martin. Kevin Frankland,
Atlantic School of Theology.
¶ 12: Parish of Hardwicke, the
Rev. Richard Steeves, priest-incharge.
¶ 13: Pray for the Anglican
Church of Australia, the Most
Rev. Phillip John Aspinall,
Archbishop of Brisbane &
Primate of Australia. Diocese of
Ho, the Rt. Rev. Matthias
Medadues-Badohu. Diocese of
Yukon, Whitehorse - Church of
the Northern Apostles, the Ven.
Dr Sean Murphy (Archdeacon of
Liard) the Rev. Deacon Sarah
Usher, Len Usher & family,
Archbishop Terry Buckle,
Blanche and family. Claude, our
Bishop, William, George and
Harold, retired bishops, and
their families.
¶ 14: Parish of Kent, the Rev.
John Pearce, priest-in-charge.
The Rev. Dr. George Por ter,
Canon for youth and director of
youth ministry.
¶ 15: Parish of Kingston, the Rev.
Bonnie LeBlanc.
¶ 16: Parish of Lakewood (open
Incumbency). The Rev. Ronald
Rippin, retired.
¶ 17: Parish of Lancaster, the
Rev. Chris McMullen.
¶ 18: Parish of Ludlow &
Blissfield, the Rev. Andrew
Fraser. Michael Caines, Wycliffe.
¶ 19: Parish of McAdam, The
Rev. Eric Caldwell, interim
priest-in-charge,
The Diocesan Intercessions are
also available at
http://anglican.nb.ca.
Agape
a CD of Christian music dedicated to the memory of Pte. David Greenslade of Saint John
was recently released by One Five O.
Copyright © 2007
James T Irvine
Canon Jim Irvine makes his
home in Fredericton
/ 11
This Saint John High School music group is made up of young people representing many churches.
Get Agape now at
Anglican House, 116 Princess Street in Saint John.
Call 506/693-2295 or or e-mail [email protected].
12 /
MONTH 2007
2007
DECEMBER
THE NEW BRUNSWICK ANGLICAN
YOUTH
RHEMA WEEKEND
BIG-SNACK REUNION
Mallory Cunningham
and Andrew Phinney
were among nearly 40
people at the second
Rhema* weekend at
St Mark’s Church in
St George. Affiliated
with the diocesan
Teens Encounter
Christ community, it
focuses on moving
deeper in our
Christian spiritual
lives and is geared
toward TEC alimni and those older than the TEC guidelines.
*(‘Rhema’ is a transliteration from the Greek and describesthe
word of God as a living reality.)
I’m curious, George …
What do you mean by ‘dark night of the soul’?
I
Kurt Goddard (above) and Jessica Curwin arranged a semiformal dinner party at McGinnis Landing in
Fredericton. It was intended as a sort of reunion for former camp staff and friends and was well
attended by young people who had worked at Camp Medley, Camp Brookwood or both. Hopefully
there will be other such events during the ‘off season.’
SO LONG SAM
Cathedral Puppeteers recently traveled to the Parish
of New Bandon to share their ministry. While they
were there, Cody McKay (left) and the other
puppeteers said good bye to long-time fellow
puppeteer Sam Mayo (right) with a special puppet
show, song and tribute.
Sam graduated from UNB (Fredericton) last summer
and is now employed in the Minto area.
’ve been becoming a
disciple of Jesus for many
years now, and have
discovered there are seasons
in the spiritual life. The heart
of Christian life lies in
relationships, and in any
relationship our sense of
intimacy and passion is more
or less intense at different
times. Many people feel quite
guilty about times when God
appears absent, or at least far
away, but these kinds of flux
can be just a normal part of
being in relationship – even
with God.
Throughout history,
writers have described these
kinds of experiences as ‘the
absence (or silence) of God,’ a
‘desert time’ or a ‘cloud of
unknowing.’ Perhaps the
most common expression
came from the pen of 16th
century mystic John of the
Cross. He wrote of his
experience as a ‘dark night of
the soul.’
INTERGENERATIAL CELEBRATION
Whatever we call it, most
of us enter times when it
seems God has abandoned us
and gone far away. These dry
or dark times take various
forms and can be long or
short periods. They can
arrive suddenly, as when U2
sings about hitting an
iceberg in the middle of life,
or they can emerge slowly
over time.
It will not do to just say: ‘If
you feel far from God, guess
who moved?’ These
experiences don’t seem to
have anything to do with
secret or un-confessed sins.
Rather, these desolate times
appear to be related to the
challenge to fully trust God
as Job was challenged to
trust ‘even if you [God] slay
me.’ They are times of growth,
as when James wrote that the
trying of our faith produces
perseverance which in turn
leads to maturity, or when
Paul wrote about the burning
away of spiritual dross to yield
a life of great value.
Like many experiences in
growing up, these times
aren’t pleasant. They’re hard
times, and most of us would
rather not have to go through
them. As the young man in
The Ultimate Gift by Jim
Stovall learns life’s lessons
only by going through the
trials, those of us who want to
grow up spiritually will learn
much only in living through
these ‘dark night’ times.
The Rev. Dr. George Porter is diocesan
Canon for Youth and director of youth
action. Contact him at
[email protected]
The re-opening of renovated St Martin in the Woods at Shediac Cape was truly an intergenerational event, and young people were evident
in every part of the service and celebration.