Church Chat June 2018 - All Saints' Waterlooallsaintswaterloo.ca/.../2018/06/Church-Chat-June-2018.pdf · 2018-06-18 · All Saints’ Anglican Church Volume 20 Issue 2 June 2018

All Saints’ Anglican Church Volume 20 Issue 2 June 2018

CHURCH CHAT Our attendance for the Alpha marriage course has been a long time in the making. For a number of years, since before it was last offered at All Saints’, we had talked about taking this course. We had signed up and started the course many years ago, however, ‘life' got in the way and we did not continue past week one or two.

As soon as Pastor Marty decided to run the course in April, we were both on board to participate. What is interesting to note, that after week one, ‘life’ again seemed to put obstacles in our way. Often, issues came up each week that easily

could have derailed our attendance. We are thankful we did not get sidetracked or derailed. Attending the marriage course has truly been a blessing and one of the highlights of our almost 33 years of marriage.

The seven-week course was focused on individual couple time. It was nice to arrive and enjoy great refreshments and dessert. The individual tables for each couple allowed for private conversation, and the tablecloths and candle tea lights were a nice touch!

allsaintswaterloo.ca 519-884-6600 [email protected]

Alpha Marriage x 2

Book Club Notes

I Love You

Truth and Reconciliation

Summer Sabbath

Development Update

Youth Ministry

Evangelism Moment

Monica Place

CoGs

Wool Gatherers

Crossword

Sponsorsthemarriagecourses.ca

Seven sessions to help couples strengthen their relationship

Navigate life together

mailto:[email protected]

http://allsaintswaterloo.ca


From week one, we both felt the course content hit an important cord for us. The video time was a great lead-in for the exercises we completed in our manuals, including an exercise that helped us better understand our own individual needs, the needs of our partner, and how we can best meet those needs for one another. At home, we set time aside during the week to complete the ‘homework’ exercises provided in our manuals. These exercises provided a structure for continuing our conversation and discussion which we found very valuable. We both agree that total openness and honesty were critical throughout this process.

After close to 33 years married, we both had some significant ‘ah-ha’ moments, already in week one!

Week two was focused on communication, understanding how to listen to one another, what barriers prevent good communication between the two of us, and identifying any bad habits related to communication. For us, we were able to identify that so many times we experience ‘unspoken questions’, that impact open and effective communication in our own marriage, along with the emotions that can be triggered, both positive and negative. Again, our ‘homework’ time was so important and allowed us to expand and discuss in more detail what we had learned during the session. We were able to clearly identify areas where we were doing a good job communicating and areas we have struggled with throughout our marriage. Again, more ‘ah-ha’ moments were experienced by both of us during week two!

The following weeks provided us with the opportunity to look and discuss topics such as conflict resolution, resolving any unresolved hurts, how our upbringing has shaped who we are, the importance of romance and sexual intimacy and how to express and show appreciation to one another. We made a list of the things we appreciate about one another and shared it together which was so helpful. With our very busy lives, sometimes it’s easy to take one another for granted. We now consciously take moments during the day to show appreciation toward each other and the course helped us find new ways to do that. A key focus in the course was setting aside ‘marriage time’ weekly that is planned, either by one of us, or together. For us, dedicated time alone was a challenge given a very busy home life, along with three adult children living at home. Finding time just for ourselves, to invest in our marriage, hasn’t always been that easy. The course helped to reinforce how important ‘marriage time’ is, and the need to make this a ‘planned priority’. It’s been great to plan time together, doing things like going for walks, seeing a show, dinner ‘date nights’, board games (Ron is much more competitive than I am!), time enjoying a glass of wine and our backyard fireplace.

We’ve decided that one of the most important ‘planned’ together times for us is spending devotional time together on a regular basis. Individually, we were both dedicated to reading our devotions and having prayer time. However, sharing devotional and prayer time together has opened up more


A key focus in the course was setting aside ‘marriage time’ weekly that is

planned, either by one of us, or together.




discussion and understanding of our shared faith in Jesus Christ. Again, another great ‘ah ha’ moment for us.

Thanks to Pastor Marty for coordinating, facilitating and guiding us through the Alpha Marriage video course. Thanks to Val, our great hostess, for always making sure we had wonderful refreshments to enjoy, and thanks to all those that helped with set up of the individual couple tables, with tablecloths and tea light candles. It was a wonderful experience and one we know we will benefit from for many more years to come!

Submitted by Jane Bender

“Welcome to date night.”Pastor Marty’s first words in the Alpha Marriage course were not what we expected! When Marty suggested that Bogdan and I attend Alpha Marriage as our marriage prep, it seemed like a great way to get two birds with one stone. The Alpha course had been glowingly recommended to me by my mother, and with our wedding on the horizon (this August!), we were curious to see what the church had to offer.

Walking in that first Tuesday, the sanctuary had been transformed. The area where we usually see the children on Sunday had been cleared and set up with candlelit tables-for-two, complete with candies and heart-shaped sequins scattered around each tea light. The effort put in by Marty and our hostess Val was felt in a big way. Many thanks to them for going the extra mile!

The content covered in Alpha Marriage would be familiar to anyone who’s worked on their relationship, but for us the benefit came in the context it provided for valuable conversations. Everyone knows how important it is to listen and communicate respectfully, but how often do you talk with your partner about the importance of doing so? We all lead busy lives. With the mad rush of doing what is asked of us, we can forget to do what is needed of ourselves. In committing to this course, we had that external reminder to do what is needed for ourselves and each other.

The course guided us to re-instigate conversations we had had when first building our relationship, and work through the changes. It provided a safe space to recognize and confront both the strengths and weaknesses in our relationship. We learned and were reminded of things about each other, our relationship, and our own selves.

For us, much value came in weeks 3 and 4. By this point, we were settled into the rhythm of Alpha Marriage (creatures of habit, all course-goers had found their preferred tables), and the course brought


In committing to this course, we had that external reminder

to do what is needed for ourselves and each other.




up the subjects of Resolving Conflict and the Power of Forgiveness. As simple as it can seem, those reminders to tell your partner “I forgive you,” rather than verbally assuring him or her that you have moved on, can make a world of difference.

Another theme underlined within the course was that of appreciation. Both of us took time quietly to consider, not only am I expressing my appreciation, but do I feel appreciated? While you can trust that your partner appreciates you, unquestioningly knowing this in your mind, to get that tangible cue of appreciation turns a good day into a great day, and takes the edge off the stress of planning a wedding or renovating a house (we tested those last two out for you.)

Having been together for nine years, Bogdan and I were certainly among the youngest couples taking the course. Looking around the room, we felt inspired and encouraged by the couples around us. Couples leading by example, whether they realized it or not, simply by their willingness to put the work in for their relationship. It was humbling to see. More than once, I remember driving home feeling thankful to be part of such a heartfelt community here at All Saints’.

Week in and week out, Alpha Marriage remained a reflective and rewarding experience. Between the functional relationship tips and the fellowship over homemade nibbles, I have never been so happy for the reminder that marriage is not happily ever after. Rather, it’s summarized well in a line from one of our favourite shows: “Nothing in this world worth having comes easy.” (Scrubs, 29 March 2005)

Submitted by Lishni Salgado

Book Club Notes

We are now seven strong. We continue to meet the last Monday of the month. Our June gathering will be the last until September. For our discussion this month we are reading “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah, this book was published in 2015 and is currently being made into a movie.

It tells the story of two sisters in France during WWII and their struggle to survive and resist the German occupation of France.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAeuChXAMKk




We have chosen the books up to the end of the year. The following will be the titles we are reading: • “Light Between Oceans” by M.L.

Stedman • “Feeding my Mother” by Jan Arden

and • “All We Leave Behind” by Carol Off

We try to read a variety of genres so there is something for everyone. If any of the above sound interesting, feel free to join us for fun and fellowship, it’s a great way to get to know people.

“With freedom, books, flowers, and the moon, who could not be happy” Oscar Wilde

Submitted by Joyce Harry.

I Love you i love you “i love you” has been, yelled and screamed and cried and dreamed and laughed and shared and whispered and dared far too many times

it’s been, muttered in tense silence and yelled across a street and said against lips and thrown across sheets





it’s been, held in clenched fists and yet tossed away so freely and thrown between lovers and friends and it’s lost its meaning lately

because what good are those three simple words when they’re used so much, abused and mistreated and thrown away in such a manner that says that they’re worth no more than a card or a lie, something bought from a store they’ve been used to the point where when they’re really meant, no real words portray the feeling that you’re trying to have sent

we’re “at a loss of words” so often it seems, that when there is love we don’t know what it means

and we’re left, yelling and screaming and crying and dreaming and laughing and sharing and whispering and daring and loving and feeling so wholly and truly and there just are no words that say i love you.

Submitted by Sarah Murphy





A Day on the Journey to Truth and Reconciliation

As a follow up to the Lenten Series, on Saturday May 5th, 4 of us from All Saints travelled with people from a variety of local Lutheran churches plus a few from St. Columba to visit Six Nations in Brantford.

After a cross country drive over the back roads, the bus pulled into the long driveway at the Mohawk Institute Indian Residential School. Here we took a moment to imagine what this might have been like for indigenous people arriving at the school.

We were met next door at the Woodland Cultural Centre by Reverend Rosalyn Elm, (priest in charge at the Parish of Six Nations and chaplain of the Mohawk Chapel) who spoke at one of the sessions during Lent. She guided our tour through the museum, providing a history of indigenous people in Southwestern Ontario as we viewed the many artifacts, photographs, documents and dioramas representing their story.

Our next stop was just up the road at the Mohawk Chapel, which has been moved to its present location overlooking the Grand River. A young woman, Charity, interpreted the beautiful stained glass windows for us, helping to deepen our learning and understanding.

Then the bus took us through Oshweken to St. Peter’s Anglican Church where we enjoyed a lunch served by 3 lovely native women. Preparation of the meal presented a challenge to them, as when they arrived at the church that morning, the power was out - luckily it was restored in time!

Our guest speaker following the meal was Geronimo, a survivor of the residential school where he lived from age 5 to 16. He shared many memories from the heart, giving us a glimpse of life in a place dedicated to assimilation - the eradication of indigenous language and culture. For me, most striking was

his testimony to living the most important, formative years of his life in a setting devoid of love.

From a personal perspective, this trip was a vital step on the journey to truth and reconciliation. It was important to be there to see, hear, feel and learn first hand about this terrible part of our Canadian story, to offer sincere apology, and also to show our indigenous brothers and sisters that they are loved.

Hopefully the opportunity to visit Six Nations will arise again - I encourage you to make the journey!

Submitted by Nancy Carlisle-Weaver


For me, most striking was his testimony to living the most important, formative years of his life in a setting

devoid of love.




Summer Sabbath

As we come to the end of another church year and summer's long days are greeting us with warm sunsets, my mind has begun to drift to Sabbath time. Summer holidays will draw us away from All Saints' for a short time as we visit friends, family and take a well-deserved break in our busy lives.

It is my prayer that this time of Sabbath will be rejuvenating for each and every one of you. I pray you will find rest and make time for God in your summer breaks. It is not just enough to rest and take a break from our many activities, but we must also reconnect and spend time with God in quiet and contemplative ways: a long walk on the beach or in the woods, watching the sun set on God's creation or simply some time with the scriptures as we sip our coffee or tea in the early morning.

I would also encourage each parishioner, if they have not done so already, to also sign up to Pre-Authorize Givings. During the summer months while many are away, the bills, unfortunately, do not take a summer break. To meet our budget and maintain good cash flow requires us to give yes, but also to give steadily each month. That is the reason I chose to sign up immediately to Pre-Authorized Givings. So that, while I am away on my own vacation enjoying the birth of Carolyn’s and I’s second child, I know that I continue to help and enable ministry at All Saints’.

Take time to claim your strength; this is a gift from God.

Take time to have fun; it is God’s way of teaching you your strengths.

Take time to grow yourself; only you, with God’s help, can grow you.

Take time to trust yourself; God trusts you.

Take time to be self-reliant; it is better than being dependent.

Take time to share with others; they will bless you and you will bless them.

Take time to have hope; you are a child of God.





Lord God, We put ourselves into Your hands, and pray that You will bless us and our families during the wonderful months of summer. May we all help make our homes a place of relaxation, joy, love, peace and safety. May we be generous and considerate, not thinking only about ourselves, but helping others enjoy the blessings of summertime. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

Rev Pastor Marty Levesque

Development update

The development process is not a quick process. There are many details that need to be attended to and many I’s dotted and T’s crossed. Having said that, the process is moving along slightly slower than anticipated but still well within the scheduled timelines.

Our zoning application has been submitted to the City of Waterloo and is now making its way through the planning department. This is the final piece of the puzzle for the re-development of the All Saints’ campus. Once completed, the final plans for the new building will be drawn up and the deal will officially close.

It is difficult to say how long this process will take, but I am optimistic that over the summer it will be finalized and construction could begin this fall on the new facility. The development Committee is ever so thankful for the continued support of the wardens, parish council and the parish as a whole as we enter into the final year of our RENEW capital campaign. Without your assistance, this dream would never have been possible.

Submitted by: Development Committee





A Dash of S.A.L.T.

Youth Group

With our trip to CLAY just around the corner, the youth group is busy preparing. Our fundraising for the year has been completed and our trip has been paid for. We will be going from August 13th to 20th. This includes two days travel to Thunder Bay and two days travel home. The pilgrimage will include bible studies and a debrief of CLAY. We are all getting very excited and eager to go! The youth group has also been learning about the 5 major religions of the world (Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, and Judaism). To wrap up youth group we will be playing World Religion Jeopardy and hopefully doing an escape room together. In August, before we head off to CLAY, we will be meeting as a large group for a fun night of games and BBQ. At this time the youth and I would let to thank everyone for their continuous help and support towards our group and trip to CLAY. THANK YOU!

Sunday School

With summer just around the corner, Sunday school will soon be wrapping up. Our last Sunday will be June 24th. Over the year, we have purchased a new Sunday school curriculum, which has worked well but needs to be tailored a bit more in the future to work for our young children. It has been a pleasure working with the many Sunday school volunteers, parents, and children of All Saints. Sunday school teachers, your dedication and ability to adapt to the lessons and children present every Sunday has amazed and inspired me. Thank you so much for all of your hard work and time given to the Sunday school program and children.

Submitted by Tory Poole, Youth Pastor





Evangelism Moment

It is true that people’s attitudes inevitably shape the culture of a church. This is especially true about people’s attitudes toward evangelism. How Christians feel about evangelism will inevitably shape their understanding of the mission of the Church. It will affect how their church spends money and

time. It will affect the events they hold, the programs they run and the resources they buy. It will affect what they talk about and how they use their building. It will affect the relationships they build in their neighbourhood. Churches in which evangelism and disciple-making are central will structure and conduct themselves very differently than churches focused elsewhere.

Churches are typically made up of people with a variety of attitudes toward

sharing their faith.

Often these attitudes have been formed by unexamined assumptions, images and experiences. And many of these are not positive. When they hear the word ‘evangelism’ many people first think of discredited televangelists, strangers handing out tracts, street preachers, or the ring of a doorbell interrupting their dinner.

How can we cultivate churches full of people with a healthier view of evangelism?

Wouldn’t it be amazing if all the people that are a part of your church felt quietly confident about sharing their faith with their unchurched or de-churched friends, family, colleagues and neighbours?





How can we help Christians embrace their apostolic calling? These are great questions for leaders of churches across North America to consider.

I’d like to suggest that to grapple with these questions churches must take a ruthless inventory of their attitude toward sharing their faith. Is it terrifying? Is it simply a nice concept? Is it an important value (among a number of values)? Or is it at the core of who they are?

Begin with truth-telling

Honesty about present attitudes towards evangelism is the first step towards growing your ability to share the faith, both individually and as a community. Below is a numerical spectrum. What percentage of the members of your church do you think would define themselves in the following ways?

Where do you find yourself on this spectrum?

• “I want to believe in God but I’m not sure exactly what that looks like or entails.” • “I was taught that faith in God is a private matter. I don’t talk about my beliefs to anyone else.” • “I believe talking about faith is primarily the pastor/priest/preacher’s job.” • “I know the church is supposed to share the faith but I’m just not an evangelist!” • “I know we’re all supposed to share our faith but I don’t feel I know the basics well enough to do

that.” • “I’d like to be able to share my faith but I don’t know how to do that without offending people.” • “I’m beginning to feel comfortable talking about my faith with others in my church.” • “I feel confident sharing the story of my faith journey with people who ask about it.” • “I’m excited to share with people in my life about what my faith means to me.” • “I’ve now had the experience of sharing my faith with someone in my life.” • “I love building relationships with my non-Christian friends, neighbours and colleagues, and am

finding they are often curious to hear about why I am a person of Christian faith.” • “God seems to be opening up more and more opportunities for me to share about the Christian faith

with others, who often respond with curiosity and then take steps towards faith themselves.”

Why not invite your whole congregation into a conversation about their attitude toward evangelism?

Next, help people move along the spectrum

Preach, teach, study and pray for your congregation to move along this spectrum; growing in their love and ability to share Christ. If faith has become privatized, teach about the apostolic calling of the Church. Jesus said ‘As the Father sent me, so I am sending you.” If they have a professionalized view of evangelism, help them tell their own story of what their faith means to them. If they lack





confidence in the basic tenets of the faith, teach them an overview of the gospel message and ground them in the biblical story. If they lack a passion to share the gospel explore with them stories of how lives, families and communities are changed by people coming to know Jesus.

Raise the profile of evangelism

Churches that place evangelism and disciple-making at their centre are also communities in which stories of changed lives abound. Make time during your regular worship services to have someone share for a few minutes about a time when their faith made a real difference in their lives. When have people found God’s comfort, reassurance, direction, challenge or correction? Find ways throughout the life of your church (i.e. website, annual report, special events, blogs) to share these stories. Christians who cannot share with other Christians about how God has been at work are very unlikely to share that with non-Christians.

Finally, celebrate!

Everyone loves a good celebration so plan ahead for a celebration focused on evangelism and disciple-making. Celebrate stories of people coming to faith. Yes, it’s great to celebrate the harvest. Services of baptism are a natural time for this. But don’t forget to also celebrate stories of people growing in their ability to share their faith with others. Even stories of people planting the first seeds of faith can be a real encouragement to others.

In the history of North America there has never been a time of greater potential for sharing the Christian faith. But this will only happen if churches again place their apostolic calling at their very core.

Rev Dr Judy Paulsen, Published June 5, 2018 Wycliffe Institute for Evangelism institute.wycliffecollege.ca

Monica Place

What is the definition of Joy: Volunteering at Monica Place with beautiful little children and their young mothers.

I thought I would like to help out at Monica Place but didn’t realize how much I would gain by interacting with people there.

Some people would think what a mistake these young women have made having a child so young and without a partner, but I watch the girls take care of their babies and the love they





have for them, I am certain they don’t think they are a mistake. If given the choice they may have waited a few more years but we don’t always have that choice.

Thank goodness for Monica Place where they have a chance to make a better life for themselves and their children by being able to get an education. They also learn life skills from the people that work at Monica Place and have so much love for these girls.

One young woman comes from Galt Cambridge everyday carrying her young child so she and her son can have a better life. She barely misses a day of school and comes no matter how bad the weather is outside. I have told her she is my hero and I am so proud of her.

Spending time with these young moms and their children brings much laughter, smiles and happiness into my life. I enjoy getting to know the mothers and sharing some of life’s experiences with them.

There are so many young mothers who have their own unique stories and I could go on forever but I am happy that I made the choice to volunteer where everyone is treated with encouragement and respect and given the chance to better their circumstances. I have found in my life I have always received much more than I give when I reach out to others.

Submitted by Dianne DeHaan

CoGS …WHAT!? CoGS is the acronym for the executive body of General Synod which meets twice yearly between meetings of General Synod which is held every three years. Now, I know that not everyone is interested enough to Google CoGS and review their goings on but I do partly because over the years I have known many of its members (the late Geoffrey Jackson was one) and partly because I’m just plain curious.

But why write about CoGS? As I read through the ‘Highlights’ for Friday, June 1, 2018, I could see a timeline to the church’s struggles and my own life and growth. And perhaps you’ll think about where you were in life’s journey while the church was undergoing these changes.

In his report to CoGS, Archbishop Fred Hiltz noted that five months ago he took the time to read the presidential address from every General Synod since its establishment in 1893! 1893 is just two short years before the birth of my Scottish grandfather, James Muir; only ten years


I have found in my life I have always received much more than I give

when I reach out to others.




after my English great-grandparents arrived in Canada settling initially in Pontypool, ON, and one year before the birth of my grandmother, Beatrice Cook.

The Primate pointed out the evolving attitudes toward the institution of General Synod over the years. At the inaugural session in 1893, Archbishop Robert Machray spoke about the need for strength and harmony, something we still need as the Church faces yet another controversial subject ~ more changes to the Marriage Canon.

In 1908 and 1911 (my father was born in 1909 and mother in 1916) Archbishop Samuel Matheson wrote that Anglicans had laid good foundations for a national church. The Finnish side of my family started arriving in 1927 (widowed grandmother and my father aged 18). The other children were brought to Canada as soon as funds could be saved to bring them; the girls in 1929 aged 17 and 9, and the youngest boy in 1931 then aged 13.

In 1931 Archbishop Clarendon Worrell called for a constitution that would more exactly outline the roles and responsibilities of General Synod. My parents married in 1937.

In 1943, one year after my birth, Archbishop Derwyn Owen argued that General Synod had proved itself and that whatever the controversial issues of the day, he viewed “with horror any signs of widening divisiveness among us at a time when the foundations of faith were crumbling in other areas of society”. (italics are mine). Don’t we sometimes feel that way too when we think of how outside our walls prayer is disappearing from public and educational institutions; when the right to bear arms is more important to some than the lives of children; when fanatics of all faiths resort to rhetoric sowing seeds of discourse and hatred and physical violence becomes more prevalent?

1955 - The Church of England in t he Domin ion o f Canada becomes The Anglican Church of Canada. I celebrate my thirteenth birthday and enter the four-year programme at Eastern High School of Commerce in Toronto. I meet Sallyanne Tidy who, together with her parents, introduces me to the Anglican Church.

1967 Canada’s Centennial and, the Anglican Church of Canada, recognizing civil divorce passes





legislation permitting the remarriage of divorced persons including admission to Holy Eucharist. Controversial, yes, but following due process the motion was passed as required by two sessions of General Synod – 1965 and 1967. Included in the Canon and still in force today is a ‘conscience clause’ which allows a cleric to decline to solemnize a marriage.

My cousin, Nancy Jamsa from Toronto, and I take a freighter crossing the north Atlantic in November and surviving a Beaufort Scale 11 storm (just below hurricane force) and debarking in Germany en route to Finland and eventually England where we worked; Nancy for IBM and I as secretary to the Assistant Director of the Clothing Export Council of Great Britain. Fourteen months later we’ll be back in Canada.

In January 1969 I began working for the Diocese of Toronto, the same year the Anglican Church of Canada ended its relationship with the residential schools. This decision came about following the publication of sociologist Charles Hendry’s influential book Beyond Traplines: Does the Church Really Care? Towards an Assessment of the Work of the Anglican Church of Canada with Canada’s Native Peoples” which called for a new relationship between the church and Indigenous people based on solidarity, equality, and mutual respect. (I gave away my copy just two years ago!)

In 1976 the first ordinations of six women as priests, took place on the same day, 30 November, in four dioceses across Canada: Diocese of Cariboo –The Rev. Patricia Reed; Diocese of Huron –The Rev. Mary Mills; Diocese of New Westminster –The Rev. Elspeth Alley and The Rev. Virginia Briant and in the Diocese of Niagara –The Rev. Mary Lucas and The Rev. Beverley Shanley. I had worked with Bev in Toronto and I still wear the beautiful broach she gave me

Archbishop Edward Scott (Primate 1971 – 1986) had his own “I have a vision” speech outlining a church moving through the complexities of the world and sustaining individuals from all different backgrounds and walks of life. Archbishop Ted was more interested in social justice than ecclesiastical form. He spoke out on issues such as abortion, the death penalty and the ordination of women. He was an advocate for the recognition of same-sex relationships and. helped to focus global attention on the plight of black South Africans living under apartheid.

He was also a strong advocate for First Nations issues and led a delegation to Parliament in 1976 that opposed government policy on land claims and northern development.

While the Church moves slowly and thoughtfully, in recent years strides have been made towards self-determination under the leadership of National Indigenous Bishop Mark MacDonald. Since 1989 twelve Indigenous bishops have been elected; eight were First Nations, three Inuk, and one Métis (this isn’t a pat on the back, just a statement of fact). Of the twelve, six are now retired.





Living in downtown Toronto I attended St. Matthias Anglican Church, Bellwoods Avenue, a parish in the Anglo-Catholic tradition built in 1873.

In April 1992 I began working for the Diocese of Ontario. That year Archbishop Michael Peers (Primate 1986 – 2004) spoke of how General Synod had come together to form a structure that would strengthen national unity and form a common mission for dioceses.

It was also a milestone year for me… my 50th birthday. A delightful day made all the more special by the delivery of flowers sent by my cousin, Nancy. She had instructed the florist to tie them with a big black bow and include a card that congratulated me on reaching a half century! My co-workers couldn’t believe it when I broke out laughing…they expected me to be upset!

In 1993 the Indigenous Anglicans National Convention formally accepted Archbishop Michael Peers apology for the church’s role in the Residential School system, and in 1994, the adoption of the Covenant coincided with the first Sacred Circle gathering w h i c h f o c u s e d o n h e a l i n g , s e l f -determination, finding Indigenous voices and establishing a true partnership with the wider church.

1993 also saw the first woman elected bishop: Victoria Matthews. Her consecration as Suffragan Bishop in the Diocese of Toronto was held in February 1994.

On April 25, 1993, I was finally Confirmed as a member of the Anglican Church by Bishop Peter Mason.

In that 100 years, 1893 to 1993, the Anglican Church of Canada faced many issues and today there are issues still to be resolved. Clergy have been assured that regarding the proposed changes to the Marriage Canon the ‘conscience clause’ will remain. The marriage of same sex couples is certainly a contentious issue but so long as we continue to participate in the discussions, checking our egos at the door, share ideas, ask questions, draw others out, listen to understand the others point of view, disagree without being disagreeable, seeking common ground, and treating everything we hear as an opportunity to learn and grow, consensus can be reached.





The Anglican Church in 2093 will not, and should not, be the church it is today just as I am not the person I was in 1993. To not change is stagnation. The trick is to change in ways we can all live with!

Submitted by Twila Niemi

All Saints’ Wool Gatherers

All Saints Wool Gatherers first met on Saturday April 21 in the Bray Room to knit and crochet for Mission and Ministry. There are 21 signed up and each week since then we have had 9-11 show up to knit items for outreach. We also have coffee and chat and put the world to rights!

Although several names were suggested – Knit Pickers, Knit Wits, Stitching and Bitching, Yarners and Darners amongst others, on week 3 we voted to call ourselves All Saints Wool Gatherers. Wool Gathering is a very old saying dating at least back to the 1550s – “indulging in wandering fancies and purposeless thinking” from the literal meaning ”gathering fragments of wool torn from sheep by bushes, etc.” (www.dictionary.com)

So the name embraces several concepts:

• We are not just knitters as we welcome crocheters or other skilled workers - we have items (e.g. Twiddle Muffs for Alzheimer patients that need some sewing and would welcome people who would sew for us).

• Although so far we have only women signed up, we welcome men (and we challenge you to come and learn!).

• We will gather people from far and near into our fold – some to join us, others to receive our finished items. All are part of the community.

• We collect wool and other yarns, needles, buttons, bells and buckles for our finished products and indeed already have a half full cupboard in the Laurel Hall. If you have left over yarn from projects in your storage room, that is not paying for its keep, we can use it. If possible, the labels would be useful but all orphaned yarn is welcomed! We also need circular needles in particular if you have any gathering dust.

• We chat about anything and everything for 2 hours – indulging in our fancies.

• And finally - it helps to remind us we are His sheep and we recognise His voice – the voice that reminds us “When did we see you …………….. needing clothes and clothe you?” “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:38, 40




http://www.dictionary.com


Several people have come who have not knitted for many decades and help is always available. We are all learning new techniques: Casting on, Mobius cast-on, knitting on circular needles, mattress stitch to join pieces of knitting, joining yarn at the end/beginning of a skein, weaving in loose ends. And we are learning new terms – TINKing is undoing KNITting one stitch at a time, frogging is when you have made a mistake several rows down and must rip it, rip it, rip it!

We start each week with a knitters’ prayer:

May this shawl (hat / scarf / cowl / mitten / sock etc.) be for you a sign of God’s loving, healing presence. May it warm when you are weary. May it surround you with encouragement when you are discouraged. May it assure you of God’s care and comfort when you and your loved ones are troubled. May it remind you that you are always safe in the arms of Jesus, and that you are surrounded by the prayers of others. Amen

And we love these two Bible verses we found which seem to have been written for us:

Psalm 139:13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

Ephes 4:16 From Him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part.

And for those of you on FaceBook please like “All Saints Wool Gatherers” – even if you don’t do gather wool!

We invite the whole parish to join us. If you are unable to attend on Saturday mornings please join us in spirit by knitting at home. If you would like suggestions for needed items, to borrow from our supply of needles or to take advantage of our ever growing supply of yarn please ask me. As of the end of May we have so far completed or had donated 16 twiddle muffs - which will be donated to the Alzheimer Society - 3 prayer shawls, 2 hats, 2 scarves, 6 cowls, 2 preemie hats, 1 headband and a pair of mittens. We wait in anticipation for the Mission and Ministry team to suggest homes for them all.

Submitted by Rachel Prichard



https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+139:13&version=NIV

https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Ephesians/4/16



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Documents

Church Chat June 2018 - All Saints' Waterlooallsaintswaterloo.ca/.../2018/06/Church-Chat-June-2018.pdf · 2018-06-18 · All Saints’ Anglican Church Volume 20 Issue 2 June 2018