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Vol. 59, No. 3 ● November 2004
THE REV. FRAN Darlington blesses the rabbit owned by parishioner Derek at the Blessing of theAnimals service held last month. In all, 23 dogs – everything from a wee poodle to a big blackNewfoundland – one cat, one bird, two hamsters, one gerbil, one rabbit and a gecko named Zippywere blessed in two services at St. Mary’s, Hamilton.
Photo by Diana Hutton
Niagara votesBudget meetings identify youth,local outreach & children’s programsas top priorities in dioceseBy ARCHDEACON MARION VINCETT
With the four regional budget meetings, held Sept. 20-24 aroundthe diocese and the participation of more than 400 people, the
“Making it Happen” phase of New Niagara is well under way.Of course, many of the creative initiatives which came out of our
New Niagara listening phase are being implemented around Niagara.Up until now, these have been the ones which did not require diocesanfunding.
We continue to listen and learn as we asked participants to rankitems, totalling almost $1-million of the diocesan budget, in order ofpriority for the health and life of the diocesan family.
Their rankings will be crucial in assisting the budget committee toprepare a full line budget for Synod to debate in November.
Their rankings are also consistent with the vision which emergedfrom our parishes in the earlier stages of New Niagara.
What did we learn?People really care how their diocesan mission and ministry monies
are spent. They want the diocese to continue to offer quality programs for
youth, children, stewardship and financial development, outreach sup-port and leadership training, both of clergy and laity.
There is strong support around the diocese for the Canterbury Hillscamp program. There is, however, some confusion about the continuingneed for the diocese to offer capital support funding for the facilitiessince Canterbury Hills is now run by a separately incorporated body.
There was enough support for at least one of the New Niagara ini-tiatives which required funding that it is likely to be included in thisyear’s budget. This was the one which requested an additional half-timestaff position to facilitate and co-ordinate regional youth programmingamong other things.
Areas which had less support from the meetings included additionalfunding for General Synod, The Niagara Anglican and another NewNiagara initiative, an Internet resource research staff person.
There was amazing consistency between the regions in both the top
By DONNA ELLIS
I had a wonderful opportu-nity Oct. 3 to join approxi-mately 60 people from the
diocese to learn about 17th Centu-ry First Nations history at KanataNative Traditional Village.
Aaron Bell, assistant managerand lead guide, told “the story ofcreation,” which is one of 500unique to each nation.
We learned about the signifi-cance of the drum and how oursociety has misrepresented its beatin the Westerns we watched onTV.
Chris, one of the GonrahDesgohwah White Pine dancerswho was dressed in magnificentauthentic regalia, told storiesthrough dance of preparing landfor crops and going into battle.
Our group sampled ThreeSisters Soup, buns and strawberryjuice before going out to explorethe village where the longhousestood.
After entering the stockadethrough a creation maze designedto protect against both wind and
enemies, we wandered throughthe longhouse as our guide sharedfacts and stories about its historyand use.
Children climbed the stockaderamparts as Aaron identified thevarious tools and artifacts withinthe stockade.
Interpretive CentreWe returned to the Interpretive
Centre to create images out of redclay, which according to the SkyWoman story, is what the creatormade the First Nations peoplefrom thousands of years ago.
Lastly, we went back outside toplay a bit of lacrosse and doubleball, two popular First Nationsgames. We finished the day with around dance in which everyonewas invited to join, rememberingthat every footstep in the danceheals the earth.
Throughout the afternoon, Iwas struck by the importance FirstNations peoples place on theirchildren.
It made me realize how impor-tant it is to pass down the storiesof life, faith and spirituality tothem. Every story they tell
embraces values, sacred tradi-tions, and is spiritually rich.
The use of drums to mimic theheartbeat brings another dimen-sion to each story.
Elders are highly respected fortheir wisdom and do much of the
teaching and story telling. Native people are acutely
aware of their effect on the envi-ronment as it was repeated timeand again that what they did to theearth today would be to prepare itfor their children’s children’s chil-
dren. They see themselves at thebottom of the food chain becausethey are dependent on the earthand wildlife for their survival.Hence their prayers are mostlythankful in nature.
Proud of their historyThese Iroquoian descendants
are proud of their history andclearly enjoyed sharing it. Howblessed we are to have theseopportunities to learn about theFirst Nations people.
The Diocese of Niagara is com-mitted to creating educational pro-grams to help parishioners con-nect to our Native brothers andsisters. To see pictures of All MyRelations…the Journey Continues2004, please go to www.zip-squeal.com and click on All thePictures in the main menu.
Upcoming New Agape eventsinclude an overnight immersionexperience at Kanata Village and awomen’s retreat. For more infor-mation, contact Christyn Perkons,(905) 527-1316 ext. 460.
Donna Ellis is a member ofChrist Church, Woodburn.
The journey to Kanata Native VillageSee NEW NIAGARA / page 2
WILLIAM STEERS AND his mother, Judy, smudge with sweetgrass smoke, a ritual cleansing.
By ARCHDEACON ROBERT LECKEY
How would you describe your parish as a per-son? Would you describe it as an eccentric
old aunt, a rebellious teen, or a bawling baby?The 12 parishes of Undermount gathered at St.
Peter’s, Hamilton, Oct. 29, to share the present storyof their parish with its joys and sorrows, strugglesand accomplishments, hopes and fears, blessings anddemons.
Most parishes had images of some remarkable
females. Sybil, of the 16 multiple personalities, wasjoined by Lady Bracknell, Hyacinth, a heavily per-fumed old lady who wears funny clothes, and mid-dle-aged stodgy dowager trying to be open-mindedbut who truly likes things as they once were. Anaging Marilyn Bell, struggling in the water, wasmentioned along with the handy country cousin whobakes a mean pie. Sarah and Elizabeth, who gavebirth in their old age, were images of hope and newlife. A confused teenager, seeking to know the future,was joined by Wile E. Coyote, endlessly escaping
death and never giving up. It was quite a cast of characters.The turnout was excellent. Every parish
had both clergy and lay members present.This is both a recognition of the uncertainfuture that faces many of the Undermountchurches and a determination to worktogether to face that future.
Undermount parishes explore future
See UNDERMOUNT / page 2
Bishop s Itinerary.. .....12Bishop s Company........9Deadlines.................... 4Editorial........................4
Getting to Know You.. .8People In News......... 12Viewpoints....................5
NNoovveemmbbeerr 22000044
2 NIAGARA ANGLICAN November 2004
Niagara Children’s Ministry
BISHOP JOHN SPONG'S FAREWELL LECTURES
Sunday, November 7Dublin Street United Church
68 Suffolk Street WestGuelph
3 p.m. – 1st Century Liturgy: The Original Shaper of Christology
7 p.m. – 21st Century Liturgy: The Bankruptcy of Traditional Christology
Tickets: $15 per lecture or $25 for both lectures if purchasedby October 31. They are available at Dublin Street UnitedChurch or by calling (519) 821-0610.
Sponsored by:The Guelph Seminar, and Ecumenical Campus
Ministry, University of Guelph.For a study group on Bishop Spong's thoughts, contact MonicaMoore at (519) 824-4177 or [email protected]
10 priorities and the bottom three. You can see for yourself the actual
results of the balloting in each region in theattached table.
The financial advisory committee, thebudget committee and the New NiagaraTeam thank all who attended the meetingsand contributed their ballots, their questionsand their constructive comments.
We were very happy with the energy andcommitment we saw and experienced. Wehope those who came to the meetings nowhave a better understanding of the workbeing done with some of their DMM funds.
Evaluation toolAn evaluation tool has been posted on
the diocesan web site at www.niagara.angli-can.ca to give us your feedback on theexperience, both positive and negative. Thisis the first time we have tried to offer suchan interactive process at our diocesan budg-et meetings and we need to hear your com-ments.
In addition, two Episcopal task forcesare being created to address budget itemscurrently labeled Long Term Expenditures.These include parish viability and diocesanmission and maintenance. We intend to askfor help in conducting an audit of other
large pieces of expenditure which make upour synod budget.
A big thank you goes to the parishes that
hosted the meetings in September: StSimon’s, Oakville, St Mark’s, Orangeville,The Church of the Resurrection, Hamilton
and St. Columba’s, St. Catharines. Yourhospitality and generosity were muchappreciated.
Budget Item $ Value
Youth $101,228 1 1 1 1University Chaplaincies $ 45,968 12 5 7 11New Niagara - 20 hrs Regional Youth Ministry $ 29,140 14 12 3 12Outreach within the diocese $ 56,945 2 4 2 3Outreach outside the diocese $ 22,470 9 15 11 10Children's Ministry $ 46,887 4 6 3 2 Canterbury Hills Camp $ 95,000 5 8 4 8Canterbury Hills Capital Support $ 65,000 13 9 14 15Nurturing Congregational Growth $ 24,177 10 13 8 9New Niagara - Internet Resource $ 25,000 18 18 18 18Research Staff (half-time)Clergy Development & Education $ 71,772 8 3 5 4 Parish Leadership and Support $ 60,689 6 7 6 5 Clergy Leadership Support $ 58,488 6 2 10 6New Niagara - Human Resources/ $ 41,378 15 10 15 13 Leadership DevelopmentNiagara Anglican newspaper $ 32,000 16 16 16 16 Stewardship/Financial Development $ 55,120 3 11 9 17Current General Synod $100,000 11 14 12 13General Synod Increase $ 50,000 17 17 17 17Total $981,262
Encouraging stories of min-istry and mission were told.Certainly most parishes describedthemselves in terms of peoplesomewhat past their prime, butthere were signs of life, signs ofhope, signs of caring ministry.
For most there are storm cloudssomewhere on the horizon.
“Our fear is closure whenendowments run out.” “Our strug-gle is the building.” “Our fear isnot balancing the budget.” “Our
building is a challenge in term ofmaintenance.” “Our concern ispossibly closing.” “Concern isbudget.” “Money and buildings,we spent $21,000 on the furnace.”
Changes must come. Thelongest journey begins with thefirst step. All the parishes ofUndermount took a good first steptogether that evening. The jour-ney continues.
The Undermount regionincludes parishes west of Hwy.403 to Winona, in Hamilton.
New Niagara enters ‘making it happen’ phaseContinued from page 1
Undermount parishesexplore their futureContinued from page 1
A VOTER GOES with thetrend of ranking the NiagaraAnglican a low priority at oneof regional budget meetings.This man, at Church of theResurrection, Hamilton, takesa moment to ponder his priori-ties. More than 400 NiagaraAnglicans attended the budgetmeetings.
Photo by Diana Hutton
Oakvilleranking
Orangevilleranking
Hamiltonranking
St. Catharinesranking
Join us for
A Children and Youth Ministry Networking Gathering
A Nurturing, Networking and Nourishing Event!
Sunday, November 28, 2004 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.St. Christopher’s Church, 662 Guelph Line, Burlington
An Invitation to All!especially for volunteers and layworkers in children and youth ministry
Enjoy the Spa sessionsFood for the Soul; Therapeutic Touch; Spiritual Scrapbooking; Embodied
Living; Labyrinth Walk and Soulful Scents; Meditative Prayer
Pre-register by November 14 – and save!
If choosing
Spiritual
Scrapbooking,
please bring
personal icturesTake time to
Network and browse theresource table
Relax and EnjoyDinner and guest speaker
The Reverend Paul Charbonneau
$10 per person in advance$15 at the door
Don’t be disappointed – Space is Limited
For information or to register:
Dawn Alexander-WigginsChildren’s Ministry Consultant(905) 527-1316 ext. [email protected]
Joyce WiltonYouth Ministry Consultant(905) 527-1316 ext. [email protected]
Christyn PerkonsYouth Ministry Consultant(905) 527-1316 ext. [email protected]
3November 2004 NIAGARA ANGLICAN
St. Stephen-on-the-MountHamilton, presents
WinterwonderlandSaturday, November 20, 2004
10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
FeaturingCrafts For Everyone
LuncheonBakery
PreservesRaffle: Quilt, Multi giftsTabitha-Cambodia crafts
Used Book TableSt. Stephen-on-the-Mount is located at 625 Concession Street,
next to Henderson Hospital, Hamilton.
From humbleUnion Church to welcomingfaith communityBy SUE LOWER
The year was 1818 when agroup of people took a leap
of faith, along with their rectorThe Reverend Ralph Leeming, tostart building a parsonage andchurch where St. John’s inAncaster now stands.
George Rousseaux had donatedthe land and, with the help ofmany willing hands, a UnionChurch was built in 1824.
It was the only church in town,and so Anglicans and Presby-terians worshiped side by side.
As the largest settlement in thearea at the time, Ancaster was abustling town of many merchants.It was only a few years earlier thatGeorge Hamilton had laid out hisfarm in town lots thatwere to be the futurecity bearing his name.
A recognizable land-mark to many inAncaster, the currentSt. John’s structure hadits cornerstone laid in1868 replacing theoriginal buildingdestroyed by fire.
Now, it’s a far cryfrom the day The Rev.Leeming brought hisvision of St. John’sAncaster to life in1818.
Since then, weadded the parish hall on Halson in1951 – home of many community-based programs – including theAncaster Food Drive – and, withthe tremendous growth in theAncaster area, we too had to takethat leap of faith to expand inorder to support the needs of ourcommunity.
We started with a dream tobuild onto the existing church.
We wanted to retain the land-mark image seen on Wilson Street.
We ventured forth with a mottoto keep our journey in sync withour values – “Honour the Past,Celebrate the Present, Embracethe Future”.
It has been much work. But
three years later, the folks at St.John’s can now say, “Our dreamsare coming to life, come be a partof that dream.”
Our building is almost ready –over 13,000 square feet of spaceon Ancaster’s main street, Wilson
Street. We now have space
for those who want tocome – who have yetto come.
We have created anew logo that reflectsour hopes for thisphase of our churchlife – an open door. Wewant people to knowour doors are open.
The newly-expand-ed St. John’s was offi-cially opened on Oct.10, with a dedicationand consecration fol-lowing a Thanksgiving
Eucharist with Bishop RalphSpence and various special guests.
A Community Open Housewas also held on Oct. 10. Peopleventured in to get to know us. Wehave many people just like youjoining our parish family.
Check us out on the web atwww.ancasteranglican.org andcome in and meet us face to face.
We love our music and thinkyou will too – come in and takesome time in your life to reflect,think, celebrate and break breadwith us.
We’re warm and friendly, buthere is what some of our parish-ioners and newcomers are saying:
“I like the sermons from Father
David, they are relevant to me andmy life right now.”
“It’s important for my childrento grow up with strong values, thiscommunity gives them that foun-dation.”
Marcie Mitchell, her husbandTim, and their three young chil-dren, make the trip from Oakvilleevery week.
Marcie teaches high school andis saddened by those young peoplewho don’t know the love and sup-port they could have from a
church community. “I can see the difference teach-
ing Christian values instills in mychildren. They really learn fromdoing things like sending CarePackages to Third World coun-tries. It’s not easy getting up earlyon Sunday and packing three kidsoff to church, but this is important.They are important.
“They love the activities at St.John’s and I find the people verywarm and friendly. Each Sundayis a special time for me to sit and
think about my life and the week-ly lessons in the service. It allowsme to look at the bigger picture.”
We know we are making a dif-ference to each other at St. John’s.Come and find out for yourself.
Who was it that once said toyou “come with me”? Do youthank God for them?
Say “come with me” and helpthe world hear the voice of the onewho said: “Come to me, all youthat labour and are heavy laden,and I will give you rest.”
St. John’s, Ancaster, growing since 1818
THE ANNUALANCASTER food drive is organized each year at St. John’s Ancaster.
AN OPEN DOORwelcomes all
CONSTRUCTION OF THE newly-expanded St. John’s, Ancaster, required a lot of work and commitment over three years.
Editorial4 NIAGARA ANGLICAN November 2004
Editor/Advertising:Diana Hutton(905) 573-0962
Mailing Address:Cathedral Place
252 James Street NorthHamilton, Ontario, Canada
L8R 2L3
Diocesan Website:www.niagara.anglican.ca
The official, independently
edited publication of the
Anglican Diocese of Niagara.
Published 10 times a year (no
issue in July or August) in
Hamilton, Ontario. Printed by
Signal Star Publishing, Goderich,
a division of Bowes Publishers
Limited.
Please note: some of the
editorial material sent to the
Niagara Anglican may appear on
the diocesan web site as well.
Advertising PolicyThe Niagara Anglican reserves
the right to decline any
advertisement. Publication of an
advertisement does not imply
endorsement by the diocese or
any of its principals. Advertisers
and advertising agencies
assume liability for all contents,
including text, representations
and illustrations, and also
assume responsibility for any
claims and costs arising
therefrom.
Subscriptions$15 per year
New subscriptions, cancellations,
changes of address (please
attach label) should be sent to:
Circulation DepartmentAnglican Journal600 Jarvis Street
Toronto, Ontario M4Y 2J6(416) 924-9199 x 241
Circulation16,175
Deadlines forSubmissions:Dec. 2004: Nov. 3
The Bishop s Publishing Advisory
Board includes:
Pam Claridge
John Janisse
The Rev. Canon Charles Stirling
Carol Summers
The Rev. Kristine Swire
Letters to the Editor PolicyThe Niagara Anglican welcomessubmissions from readers asLetters to the Editor. This forumis available to everyone. All sub-missions must include a name,telephone number, e-mailaddress or physical address ofthe author for verification purpos-es. The newspaper reserves theright to edit submissions.
REVEREND FUN
There is an awkward adjustment period whenevangelists first get to heaven.
The people spokeWhen diocesan synod meets in a few weeks, the process
of building a New Niagara will have come full circle.It was nearly a year ago, at the opening Eucharist of Synod
2003, that Bishop Ralph Spence announced the largest consulta-tion process ever undertaken would commence immediately inthe Diocese of Niagara. Most everything, he said, was up forreview.
In less than a year, a team of dedicated volunteers have deliv-ered to the diocesan budget committee a template for the futureof the diocese. From this template, a vision for a New Niagarawill be forged.
In September, four regional budget meetings were held acrossthe diocese to give people the chance to vote on their priorities.More than 400 people attended and cast their votes. The numberof people who attended the meetings, alone, was impressive,perhaps offering some indication of the passion behind theprocess.
To be sure, at least for New Niagara Team members, it was agruelling process. In all 73 faith communities participated, rep-resenting the voices of thousands of Anglicans across the dio-cese. This truly was a process of the people.
And the people spoke. In remarkably consistent patterns, theyvoted to strengthen youth and children’s programming, outreachwithin the diocese and to provide increased clergy leadership andsupport.
Nourishing the spiritual growth of our next generation is amotherhood issue. There should be no debate about that.
Outreach within the diocese (and outside–though that rankedconsiderably lower) is what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is allabout. One woman was heard to say, “Isn’t that why we’re herein the first place?” She chuckled and added, “It would be a sadday when the Church forgets about people in need.” Indeed.
Providing clergy with leadership and support is another bread-and-butter issue. How can we hope to strengthen our faith com-munities if our clergy are unprepared or unable to lead the way?
The faithful who attended the regional budget meetings, con-sistently voted to strengthen those areas that are staples in ourlives as Anglicans. Or they should be.
Anticipation and hopeAdvent is marked by a spirit of anticipation, of preparation,
of longing. There is a yearning for protection from theevils of the world – the crisis in Iraq, terrorism, and those closerto home like street crime, drugs, violence and abuse. And Adventis our light.
We can take that light and hope and apply it to our brokenworld, our strained relationships, our broken selves in hopes ofhealing.
Advent is hope and the promise of justice in a world shapedby desperation and injustice.
But as the pages of our calendars begin to fill up with the req-uisite celebrations of the season, we can easily lose sight of theimportance of this time of preparation.
Advent is that special time in the Christian calendar that asksus to take pause from the frantic pace of life to connect more inti-mately with God.
It is only through quiet introspection and prayer that we cannurture our connection with God. He is always ready. It is wewho need to “find the time”.
This Advent season, quiet reflection and prayer will pave theway for the celebration of the birth of Christ. Unless we havetaken the time to contemplate the enormity of the birth of Christ,how can we truly celebrate Christmas?
Christ’s birth had a profound impact on the world. He pavedthe way to God for a people in fear and oppression. What aremarkable sacrifice. How humbled are we by this enormousexpression of love?
May the Advent Season provide us with the quiet and prayer-ful moments we need to face life – its difficulties, challenges,joys and sorrow. Advent begins November 28.
A reflection on process“What evolves from (the New Niagara) process...is a list of
statements that can provide the diocese with guidingprinciples for future endeavours, ministry emphases and spendingwithin the diocese.” - Robert Morrow, Niagara Anglican, Oct. 2004.
Exactly! But how? So many of the ‘positive core statements’ are fea-tures that we like to believe we do, but we are not consistent.
For instance, ‘We are a passionate community of faith ... growinginto the future.’ Are we? Then why do I read Archdeacon (Marion)Vincett’s article about closing churches, with its implication that parish-ioners are more concerned with maintaining dilapidated church build-ings rather than performing Christian service in the communities inwhich those church buildings are located? As the editorial states: “TheChurch that needs to be saved has little to do with buildings and moreto do with vital and caring communities.”
‘Our faith communities attract, invite and warmly welcome ofthose who are searching for spiritual meaning and a relationshipwith God.’ We like to think so, but we kid ourselves if we think that isalways the case. How can we make it really true? In our parish coffeehour, I see newcomers standing on their own because regulars are toobusy chatting with their friends.
As Canon Michael Patterson observes: “we...need to respond andmeet people where they are...to offer new ways for people to experiencethe living presence of God” in us.
‘As a community, we devote leadership and resources to dis-cerning relevant Christian education for all ages.’ Do we? In myexperience, when Christian education is suggested to most parishionersthey fail to attend unless it is conducted during regular service time.Those who do attend are a handful of committed people.
I am convinced the reason we do not attract teenagers is because theyare teeming with questions about spirituality – about God – but thosesame questions may challenge the faith of those who wish to instructthem. Our Church is divided between Essentials and John Spong (orTom Harpur).
To boldly go – ‘we find creative and exciting ways to express andexplore our faith.’ I may seem cynical but most people find comfort ina faith that is not subject to constant challenges. The seminars held atNiagara-on-the-Lake during the past summers have been challengingand worthy of support, but how many of those in the pews wish to havetheir faith challenged in such a manner?
In my own parish, a small group has studied Marcus Borg’s thoughts,but the size of the group indicated how many are prepared to find cre-ative and exciting ways to express and explore our faith.
‘Valuing Anglican Expressions’: Indeed, we do hold in tension apreference for earlier and evolving expressions of Anglicanism andwe’ve got to face up to it. What is God calling us to do?
I have a feeling that those who live in the past will die in the past.We call ourselves Anglicans, but how many of us are willing to discussthe dichotomy that threatens our unity?
Dare I ask if God is asking us to go our own separate ways? To quoteCanon Patterson again: “we must adapt to this volatile environment.”
As a parting thought, the word ‘evangelism’ is misleading in ourvolatile environment. It has me thinking of standing on a street cornerproclaiming, “Are you saved?”
As an educator, I know the best way to teach is by example. Shouldnot Canon Patterson be director of Christian service?
If the unconvinced saw us living as Jesus taught, we would be effec-tive evangelists.
Ghandi is said to have stated that he would have been a Christianhad he seen Christians behaving as Jesus taught.
Susan Huxford-Westall, O.N.Hamilton
Letter to the Editor
5NIAGARA ANGLICAN November 2004
Viewpoints
Most churches I’ve visited in the Diocese of Niagara have acoffee hour after the main worship service on Sunday
morning. (Churches with two main services often have coffee inbetween.) Some small country churches are exceptions.
The coffee hour is a wonderful occasion for fellowship and anexcellent opportunity to extend hospitality to visitors.
Coffee hours were rare before 1960 and practically unheard ofbefore 1925. They were aninnovation of somethingcalled the Parish Communionmovement.
The argument was that inthe primitive church (as wesee in I Cor. 11:17ff.) theEucharist wasn’t simply a ritewith a wafer and a sip of
wine, but a fellowship meal. So the coffee hour was promoted as away of restoring real food and social interaction to the Anglicanexperience of the Eucharist.
In other words, it was an essential part of the liturgy. St. Paul, Westdale
Visiting St. Paul, Westdale, one Sunday recently, I was mightilyimpressed with the table that was laid out in the basement after theservice. There were baked goods, cheeses, fruits, vegetables, anddips, better than you find at some restaurant buffets.
I mentioned my reaction to a parishioner. “Yes,” he said, “that’s one of the reasons my family comes here.”He hastily explained that they weren’t gluttons looking for cheap
good eats. But he had discovered from hard experience elsewherethat his family wanted more from church than decent worship andpreaching; it wanted good healthy community.
“When we moved to Hamilton, we visited several churches,” herecounted, “and when we saw how much work the people of St.Paul’s put into its coffee hour, we knew that this was a place thatreally took fellowship seriously.”
Welcoming visitorsWhen I visit a new church, I like to talk to people afterwards.
Unfortunately, I’ve found that many churches overlook welcomingvisitors to the coffee hour.
That’s why I was impressed with Christ Church, Bronte. As Ishook hands with the rector after the service, he recognized me as avisitor, and not only invited me to coffee, but summoned a wardento show me the way and introduce me to people. I said to myself,“This is a place where I’d like to return.”
Among the churches I’ve visited where laypeople sitting near mein the service took the initiative to show me to coffee and introduceme around are St. George, Georgetown, and St. George, Lowville.Maybe that’s one reason their numbers are strong and their energyis positive!
Clergy as hostsAt most churches I’ve found that the clergy spend little time at
the coffee hour, or even none at all. In my view, they might as wellskip out on the Eucharist.
The coffee hour is equally a part of the weekly gathering of thepeople of God. If the sanctuary needs someone to preside, so doesthe parish hall.
I know from my own experience as a priest, though, what hap-pens to the clergy after the Sunday morning service. People descendon them to make appointments, to consult about things, to requireurgent pastoral care that they’ve been thinking about all week, todrag them into committee meetings, and to load them with immedi-ate administrative tasks.
But clergy who want to build the congregational community andget to know visitors and newcomers had better reschedule all that toa later time and head to the coffee hour instead.
In my experience, the most successful coffee hours are the oneswhere people experience the rector as a gracious host and hos-pitable presence. I think, for example, of St. Mary, Hamilton, whereI found the rector to be just that. She attended to people in a com-fortable way that wasn’t at all fussy. She introduced visitors and gotup-to-date with the regulars. She got the group’s attention for a fewwords of thanks, some friendly remarks and some timely announce-ments.
A parish leader who exercises that kind of ministry week afterweek does a lot to further the divine alchemy by which God turns adisparate group of strangers and pilgrims into a relatively harmo-nious community centred on Christ.
At St. Mary, I thought of I Peter 2:10, “Once you were not a peo-ple, but now you are God’s people.” Those who have learned andinwardly digested that verse know what God makes possiblethrough the lowly coffee hour.
Lowly coffee hourmakes a difference
TheItinerant
Churchgoer– The Rev.
Dr. Alan L. Hayes
“She rises while it is still night, and sets meat beforeher household….” Proverbs 31:15
The bird feeder hangs from the centre of aclothesline over a rock garden, about seven
feet from our kitchen window. The birds that visit it daily
throughout the year are a constantsource of fascination – and amuse-ment. Their antics are almostenough to make one look forwardto spending a few minutes washingdishes or preparing a meal.
Over the summer I’ve seen twogenerations of ‘Elbejays’ (theBirder’s technical term for “littlebrown jobs” – those varieties of sparrows and finch-es that look so similar) grow into independent matu-rity. Larger species, like cardinals, mature moreslowly – but the colour change in feathers , especial-ly in the males, make the process seem to be hap-pening more quickly.
But in all species, there comes a point at which theyoungsters are in fact larger than their parents, whohave worn themselves thin finding food for theirhungry offspring.
But one young male cardinal seemed to be push-ing the feeding thing just a little too far. We hadwatched as his plumage filled in, and as his flyingimproved, and as he learned to first pick up spilledseed from the ground, and then to land on the feederitself.
In fact he had become quite competent by the timehis plumage had finally filled in with the recogniza-ble bright red, complete with crest on the head. Andhe had clearly grown much larger than his mother.
But whenever his mother appeared on the scene,he quickly perched on the clothesline, opened wide
his beak, fluttered his wings like a young flightlesschick, and chirped to be fed. And to my complete dis-gust, she fell for it and fed him every time.Apparently the bonds of the parent-child relation-ship, so helpful in the early stages, can become com-pletely dysfunctional in maturity, in birds as well as
in people. Both species seem tohave trouble with the process ofgrowing up and becoming a health-ily independent adult.
Over thousands of years, the dys-function persists. Overprotectiveparents driven by a need to be need-ed inhibiting maturity or encourag-ing immaturity in their offspring, tothe detriment of both; and youth
manipulating adults into providing what, with a littleeffort, they could easily do for themselves.
On a subtler level it leads to controlling authori-tarian leaders, whose followers find it easier to dowhat they’re told rather than work it, or think it,through for themselves. And it cultivates that manip-ulative behaviour that is associated with the view thatthe world owes us a living, and if something goeswrong, it’s always somebody else’s fault.
Such dysfunction can also be found in religiouscommunities, as we see being played out daily on ourTV screens and in our newspapers.
There is example after example of rigid control-ling behaviour that binds both leader and followerinto a fixed pattern, of dependence and reaction. Thevery sort of demeaning role imprisonment that Jesuswas encouraging us to break away from.
“I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. I havecome to set a man against his father, a daughteragainst her mother…..” Matthew 10:34b-35aas
Toward a healthy maturity
Signs & Wonders
– The Rev. CanonWilliam C.
As we absorb the daily news, it appears oursociety is becoming more and more uncivil,
angry and fractious. For example, incivility was evi-dent during our national election.
What has traditionally been‘genteel mud wrestling’ – politi-cians throwing mud at each other -frequently became a blood sport.Some of our candidates attackedtheir rivals with nasty, personalremarks.
Not to be outdone by govern-ment, the private sector practicesincivility. In many of our union-management dis-putes, invective is the preferred means to communi-cate with one another. Elsewhere, customers are rudeto shopkeepers and shopkeepers to customers.
Is society becoming more uncivil? Or, does thedaily news only make us more aware of what arereally timeless features of human nature?
My sense from reading Scripture is human naturedoes not change over time. Many Scripture storiesillustrate this. Some – especially the stories of Jesus– go one step further with practical lessons and GoodNews. What Jesus teaches helps us deal with our andother people’s natures in positive, constructive ways.
St. Luke’s Gospel (chapter 12: 13-21) has a vividaccount about incivility and Jesus’ response. At onelevel, it impresses on us how destructive incivility is,and that human nature has not changed. At a deeperlevel, the story shows how Jesus dealt with incivility,and gives us a template for our responses.
Jesus was in his workplace, preaching and healingthe sick. As he ministered, Jesus met two brothersarguing over their inheritance. Luke does not give usthe brothers’ dialogue, but I suspect it went some-thing like this: “What’s mine is mine; what’s yours isours; at least half of what’s ours should be mine.”The brothers asked Jesus to arbitrate. He declined,instead giving them a three-fold lesson.
The first thing Jesus did was listen. His responseteaches us that listening to someone dump his or herbucket is often all that is needed to help resolve a
problem. Some situations only need to be ventilated. Jesus’ second response was not to engage. He
declined to be drawn into the brothers’ argument,perhaps to respect the principle of triangulation. In
triangluation, A is arguing with B.Along comes C. A and B ask for C’shelp. Before long, A and B are madat C; C wonders what happened; Aand B’s dispute remains unresolved.In other words, everybody loses.Jesus would surely have knownabout triangulation.
Jesus’ third response was to givethe brothers a higher principle. He recognized greedwas driving and dividing the brothers. So, he toldthem a story about the futility of greed. A landownerhad so much wealth stored up for the future, hewould never be able to enjoy it. God came to himunexpectedly and said, “Tonight, you will die. Allthis wealth you have – whose will it be?”
Jesus’ story challenged the brothers to considerwhat really matters in life.
To make wealth one’s priority, and allow it to jea-pordize family relationships, doesn’t make sense.Who gets what was not the brothers’ real issue; greedwas. Greed was driving them with incivility andbreaking their relationship.
Luke does not tell us how the brothers respondedto Jesus. Perhaps, what Jesus said ended the dispute.If it did not, there was probably nothing more Jesuswould have done. Jesus respects people’s freedom ofchoice. Ultimately, we all have to decide our priori-ties and behaviours. Jesus wants our decisions to bemeaningful by teaching us about consequences.
Is society becoming more uncivil? Scripture, his-tory and personal experience teach us that humannature does not change. Fractious behaviour and inci-vility are constants in nature and history.
The Good News is that neither history nor humannature need be the last word in our lives. Jesus hasgiven us lessons to help us as we live and work. Mayhis response to the two feuding brothers help us aswe encounter incivility, wherever we are.
Seeking the higher ground
Christ in the
workplace– Canon
David Browning
By DIANA HUTTONEditor
There is vibrant growth inthe life of the Diocese of
Niagara, says Bishop RalphSpence.
In the past few months, thebishop has attended the consecra-tions of at least four additions tochurch buildings across the dio-cese, giving cause for celebration.
“It’s wonderful to see,” he said.And while other additions/ren-
ovations are in the fundraisingstage, Bishop Ralph has alreadyattended the official opening ofadditions at St. John’s, PortDalhousie; St. James, Fergus, St.Matthew on-the-Plains,Burlington, St. John, Cheapside,and most recently on theThanksgiving weekend, St.John’s, Ancaster.
St. Luke’s, Burlington, is also
in the final stages of fundraisingfor renovations to the parish halland work at Christ ChurchCathedral, Hamilton, is ongoing.
“There are lots of places in theprocess of expansion and that’spretty exciting,” Bishop Ralphsaid.
Such vitality contrasts sharplywith the pain of parish closures, hesaid, but “we move forward withthe help of the Spirit.”
New NiagaraBishop Ralph said he was
delighted with the turnout for theregional budget meetings. Morethan 400 people attended the fourmeetings held in Oakville,Orangeville, St. Catharines andHamilton.
“The participation of so manywas important to the process,which we had never before tried.I’m very pleased so many madesure their voices were heard.”
Bishop’s CompanyWith the largest turnout in the
history of the event, the Bishop’sCompany dinner at the BurlingtonConvention Centre, was aresounding success, said BishopRalph.
Guest speaker, HazelMcCallion, mayor of Mississauga,“kept us spellbound” with herspeech, the bishop said.
“Hazel McCallion is such anincredible woman. She’s a realdynamo.”
Keeping the crowd entertainedwas a youth ensemble from St.Catharines, The Jazz Five.
“They were fabulous,” he said.St. Matthew’s House
In grand style, St. Matthew’sHouse, an outreach centre for thedisadvantaged in Hamilton andarea, celebrated its 40th anniver-sary on Sept. 30 at Liuna Station.
“It was fabulous,” BishopRalph said. “I must give a specialword of thanks to Canon WendyRoy (director) and her staff forwhat was a great evening.”
Although it’s difficult to imag-ine, St. Matthew’s House has beenin existence for 40 years, BishopRalph said.
Politicians, clergy and thosewho have used the services of St.Matthew’s House were all inattendance to mark the milestone.
“In 40 years, the folks there
have really plowed forward, attimes with endless difficulty, witha lot of grace.”
The celebration, which culmi-nated with a fireworks display atevening’s end, was “truly a won-derful event,” Bishop Ralph said.
Open HousesIt was “a happy time” for cler-
gy who attended the clergy openhouses at Flagstaff. One-hundredpeople attended each of two days.
“There have been a lot ofhappy occasions.”
6 NIAGARA ANGLICAN November 2004
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❅ A retreat designed to create opportunities for families toenrich faithful, nurturing relationships and homes. Thisyear’s theme is based on the book, “God’s Paintbrush” bySandy Eisenberg Sasso. There will be campfires, work-shops for adults, programs for children and youth, familycrafts, high ropes adventure, hearty meals, heated cabins,lively music, creative worship, llama walk, puppet showsand time to connect with loved ones in the beautiful land-scape of the Carolinian Forest. ❅
$100/person5 and under free$375 Family Rate
❅
For Registration & InformationContact Dawn Alexander-Wiggins
Consultant in Children’s Ministry at (905) 527-1316 ext. 440 or
[email protected] Deadline is January 28, 2005
❅
A Family Ministry Initiative from Niagara’s Children Ministry
ATTENTION,READERS
The Publisher’sAdvisory Board of the Niagara Anglican is con-ducting a survey about the Niagara Anglicannewspaper.
PAB is asking you to tell us how we can bet-ter serve you. What would you like to see?What do you eagerly read? What could you dowithout? To complete the survey, visitwww.niagara.anglican.ca.
Those without Internet access are encour-aged to visit their parish churches to have acopy of the survey printed out.
RECIPIENTS OF THE Order of Niagara pose for a photo with Bishop RalphSpence at Christ’s Church Cathedral, Hamilton. Services were held Sept. 19 and
26 to honour 76 recipients of the Order of Niagara. This photo was taken on Sept.26. The cathedral was filled with family, friends and well-wishers.
Niagara shows its vitality in many waysFrom expansions to celebrations, diocese is alive and growing
7November 2004 NIAGARA ANGLICAN
Reflections on apersonal theologyof giving
Part two of a three-part series by JimNewman, former chair of the Diocese ofNiagara’s Stewardship Committee. Thisseries is based on a talk given at Christ’sChurch Cathedral in April 2004.
In the previous issues of the NiagaraAnglican, I argued for a renewal of
year-round stewardship programs across theDiocese of Niagara. We really have nochoice. Many parishes are in serious finan-cial difficulty. Some may disagree, but Idon’t think it’s due to over spending,although there are always areas of potentialsavings.
It’s because of unrealistically low levelsof giving.
How we manage the love of GodBut we can remedy this. St.
Christopher’s Church in Burlington is anexample of a deliberate and ongoingprocess to educate people about steward-
ship action and atti-tude.
Their rector definesstewardship as “howwe manage the love ofGod.”
He’s clear aboutexpectations. Forexample, one isexpected to join theparish and make acommitment of timeand treasure from dayone.
NewcomersNewcomers are
encouraged to givetwo per cent initiallywith a minimum stan-dard of $1,000 perhousehold set by therector.
They believe there’s a direct linkbetween giving and worship attendance.
They put an emphasis on stewardship oftime – “tithe your time”.
Parishioners are regularly challenged toself-examination of how they give. They’vehad a narrative budget in place for 10 years.Over the past five years, the average annual
gift per giver hasincreased from $600 to$1,100.
It’s not all aboutmoney at St.Christopher’s. Theparish emphasizesthat all are on a jour-ney to become“mature Christians”.They present them-selves as a communi-ty whose task is tomodel faithfulness tothe world.
And it’s not youraverage parish. In thepast 10 years, it hasdoubled in size andbecome a dynamic,spiritually vibrant,
outward looking community of faith that isan example to parishes across the diocese.
Planned givingMore Anglicans endow the Salvation
Army in their wills than their own church,and that more Anglicans give to WorldVision than the Primates’ World Relief andDevelopment Fund. Why? It’s becausethese, and most other charities, have
become more aggressive about pursuingplanned gifts. They ask, and they ask in avariety of ways.
Anglicans are less likely to ask directly.But, thanks to Planned Giving representa-tives across the diocese, that’s changing.
We all know the importance of having awill, but not all of the ways that we caninclude our parishes and the diocese in ourwills.
BequestsThe most popular planned gift is a
bequest, but there are other means such astrusts, life insurance, and annuities.
Your planned giving representative canprovide details. My wife and I have a willand we’ve remembered Christ’s ChurchCathedral in our will. See how it works?
Jesus talked about money more than hetalked about prayer and heaven. Hebelieved that there was a direct connectionbetween our stewardship of money and ourspiritual growth.
As I continue to rethink my own theolo-gy of giving, I found some excellentthoughts in a little book called Giving –Unlocking the Heart of Good Stewardshipby Ortberg, Pederson and Poling. I’ll writeabout it in the next issue.
Year-round stewardship is necessary
By THE REVEREND DAVID HOWELLS
Living with a university chaplain, you get to hear all sorts of sto-ries of what is happening on campus: stories of students strug-
gling to become whole, stories of crazy professors, and stories of ordi-nary people just trying to find their way through life.
Working With Spirit is a book that comes out of that last group. Every Friday morning, The Reverend Canon Lucy Reid cycles off to
the University of Guelph campus at 7:30 a.m. to convene a group offaculty and staff who meet to make sense of their lives.
A university is another part of our world, and as the pressure to pro-duce more with less occurs in factories, it happens on campus as well.
Motivated, committed people start to fall apart, lose their sense ofpurpose and hope, and stop caring.
Working with Spirit is a book which comes out of 10 years of work-ing with real people trying to keep a sense of the Spirit of God in themidst of conflict, down-sizing, anxiety and stress in their work.
Working with Spirit is a practical book of thoughtful reflection, sto-ries about people and things that you can do.
It is a book for people who want the God they know on Sunday tobe woven throughout their lives during the week.
I recommend this book to you, not just because I live with theauthor. The book is available at the Anglican Book Centre, or throughChapters, Amazon.Com or Barnes and Noble.
The Rev. David Howells is rector of the Church of St. David and St.Patrick in Guelph, and is married to Canon Lucy Reid.
Working With Spiritbrings God into our liveseveryday of the week
CANON LUCY Reid and Fred Evers are the authors of WorkingWith Spirit. Canon Reid is ecumenical campus minister at theUniversity of Guelph. Mr. Evers, a member of St. Matthias inGuelph, is a sociology professor at the university.
Synod council has deferred adecision to allow Grace
Church, St. Catharines, to usemortgage financing for a clergystipend and renovations to thechurch building.
The decision will be deferreduntil the diocesan treasurerreceives information from theparish on construction estimates,repayment plans, fundraisingefforts and ministry plans.
Sale of propertyThe parish hall of All Saints,
Niagara Falls is back on the mar-ket. The Reverend Dr. SteveHopkins reported the sale did notclose.
In July, a purchaser requestedan extension due to financial diffi-culties. As of Sept. 3 the purchas-er had not secured funding. Theproperty is back on the market.
Executive Archdeacon MarionVincett reported the sale of St.James, Hamilton, has closed.
Following the final service ofSt. Martin’s, Niagara Falls, onSept. 8, the property was to havebeen listed for sale.
Archdeacon Vincett said thereis a party interested and there maybe the possibility of a private sale.
St. Stephen’s, Niagara Falls,has been sold for $221,000. Someparishioners have moved over toHoly Trinity.
$15,000 grant for St. Luke’sSynod council approved an
application from St. Luke’s,Burlington to the AnglicanFoundation for a grant of $15,000.
The grant is to assist in theredevelopment of its parish hall.To date, the parish has raised$723,000, received pledges of$855,000, and bequests in theamount of $50,000, totalling$1,628,000. The goal for the proj-ect is $1,969,000.
The Anglican Foundation grantwill be used to furnish the parlor.
Applications to the AnglicanFoundation must be approved bythe diocesan bishop and synod
council. Each diocese may for-ward three applications per yearand there have been none in 2004from Niagara.
Policy for Disposition ofMoveable Memorials/Furnishings
The following was developedby the archdeacons and distrib-uted at the September synod coun-cil meeting. This policy is offeredas a guide.
The regional archdeacon, war-dens and the priest/cleric incharge, will take an inventory ofthe items in question. A list maythen be advertised on the diocesanweb site after the parish has beendisestablished and worship in thebuilding has ceased.
Requests for any items will bemade in writing to the regionalarchdeacon before a stated date, with
the understanding that the items inquestion may or may not be availabledepending upon the conditions of thesale of the property.
A submitted request shouldinclude the reason for the request.The regional archdeacon, in con-sultation with any or all of thewardens, priest/deacon involved,the diocesan archivist and thebishop makes the distribution.
The cost of the removal offixed items or damaged buildingfabric will be borne by the recipi-ent parish or individual.
A memorial to any parish, likeany gift, becomes the property ofthe recipient and no longer belongsto the donor. There is no guarantee,however, that it will remain in theparish to which it was given.Should it become necessary toremove a memorial gift from achurch building, wishes of thedonor family will be considered.
At press time, minutes from theOctober synod council were notavailable.
Decision deferred for St. Luke’sSynod Council
NewsSept. 2004 meeting
Authors! Authors! Clergy or lay authors are invited to submit reviews of their recentlypublished (2004) spiritual books
to appear in December’s issue of the Niagara Anglican. Senditems before November 30 to [email protected].
Authors! Authors! Clergy or lay authors are invited to submit reviews of their recentlypublished (2004) spiritual books
to appear in December’s issue of the Niagara Anglican. Senditems before November 30 to [email protected].
Cathedral Archivist,Diocese of Niagara
Katharine Greenfield, hon-ourary lay Canon of
Christ’s Church Cathedral, mod-estly claims, “I don’t think you’llfind anything very interestingabout me.”
She then enthusiasticallyexplains her work as the archivistfor our diocesan Cathedral, tooffer insights into the workings ofthe Cathedral community, and toshare wisdom accumulatedthrough many years as a faithfulAnglican.
“I collect papers and photo-graphs, anything to do with theCathedral – but I’m not really anarchivist,” she smiles. “I’m reallya librarian, so I arrange things …with a card index and file foldersin a cabinet.
“I want to be a repository forminutes, record books, etc. for anyorganization that goes out of busi-ness, or that are so old that the sec-retary no longer wants tokeep them.”
Rumour has itthat Katharine isp r i m a r i l yrespons ib lefor the mag-nitude ofaccumulatedh i s t o r i c a lartifacts atthe HamiltonP u b l i cLibrary, whereshe was head ofS p e c i a lCollections.
Katharine oftenresponds to letters inquiring aboutfamilies’ affiliation with theCathedral.
“If I don’t find it, I hand it overto John Rathbone, the diocesanarchivist. I don’t mind handing itover to him … he’s a very niceman.”
Katharine goes to the Cathedralevery morning, “but … I try towork three days a week; there’sstacks of stuff to be filed.
“Some (of it) comes fromnewspapers, but people have col-lected bulletins, calendars, andclippings. When they die, theirfamilies don’t want to throweverything away, so they ask if Iwant it. I always say ‘Sure!’ ”
Investigating archival material,
Katharine appreciates records keptby her great-grandfather, JohnGamble Geddes, who served theCathedral from 1835, becomingdean of Niagara at the formationof the diocese in 1875, remaininguntil his death in 1891.
“He wrote beautifully!”Katharine said. “Some clergyscrawl in the registers, but he wasalways neat. I was brought up tothink (him) a saint, but he wasn’t,just an ordinary man with greatdedication.”
Before becoming dean, Mr.Geddes operated a school on thesite.
“That’s why the (Cathedraloffices) are called ‘the school-house.’ He was a meticulous man;
some people thought heshould have been bish-
op… In 1839, thecongregation want-
ed him to retire,”but chose not to.
“He occu-pied the dean’sstall everySunday till hedied. I bet thevicar wasthrilled!”
Katharine hasalso examined
papers left byBishop Walter
Bagnall (1949-1973):“They’re fascinating, you
know.” Her friend’s parents remembered
him: “They were charmed thatBishop Bagnall would stop and talkto them at the farm market.”
Katharine’s keen observationand warm humour are evident asshe describes herself as “quite anadmirer of Bishop Bagnall. Hewas a kindly man, but pleasedwith himself, so pleased that youwere pleased for him.”
Asked about her most fascinat-ing find, Katharine explains hergreat interest in local history,especially in finding Sir AlanMcNab’s papers and discoveringhis part in the Cathedral.
She found minutes from a build-
ing committee meeting in the 1830s.Sir Alan was a member, “sell-
ing pews to finance the Cathedral.He had two really good pews withsocial status, then he was grantingpews in the balcony for servants.”
Katharine describes the “origi-nal Cathedral, with a spire andcolonnade, almost sitting on theroad. Judge Thomas’ house wasacross the street. The SundaySchool children would go (there),because the bay came right up tothe house and they could playthere – but they were learningBible verses!”
Katharine is well aware of thechallenges facing the Church atthe beginning of the 21st Century.“Jo Fricker was at the Cathedral(dean of Niagara 1973-1985)when the Book of AlternativeServices first came out. He gaveme a copy, and hoped I wouldaccept it. I’ve never argued aboutit, because we have to change.”
Change may bring struggleNonetheless, Katharine is
aware of the struggle change maybring: “It’s unfair of clergy to takefor granted that if you don’t acceptchange of some sort, you’re out ofthe picture. I think you can be (upto half) conservative! I’ve attend-
ed services all my life, my mindmay not be as keen as it once was,but I’ve studied a lot! But I lovethe Church, and I love theCathedral!”
She is very proud of what hap-pens there. “If you hang aroundthe place, you realize the workthat’s going on… we haven’t themoney or personnel to do it, butwe do it.
“We have an awful lot of (streetpeople) around, but I see hownicely they are handled.”
‘Churches doing best’“I really do think that our
churches are doing their best tofollow the teachings of Christ.”
Her smile brightens again. “The Cathedral used to have a
reputation for being cold, but notany more.”
The Cathedral now needs$250,000 for a new roof.
“I lay awake, and try to figureout what I’m going to do with the$1,000,000 I’m going to win – puta new roof on the Cathedral, andbuy a nice house!” she chuckles
Asked about the Church’s diffi-culty accepting money from lot-tery winnings, Katharine grins, “Ithink the dean would find a way
around that!” Katharine admits “I agree to
disagree with Peter (Wall, dean ofChrist’s Church Cathedral), but hewas so kind in the loss of Harry(Katharine’s beloved YorkshireTerrier) in the summer.”
Preceded by Henry, Harry issucceeded by Harriet, now findingher way into Katharine’s heart.
Family dwindling“I’ve always been single. My
family is dwindling (two brothersand a sister have died in the lastfew years) so a dog means a lot tome…
“Life has slowed down. If Ididn’t have the Cathedral and adog, I don’t know what I’d do.They’re my family!”
Katharine’s surviving brother,Bill, 90, lives in British Columbia,and continues to minister in athree-point parish there.
Born in Hamilton, Katharinewas baptized at the Cathedral, andhas lived in Hamilton all her life,for 52 years in the house whereshe was born, and 32 years in herhouse on the Hamilton Mountain.
Still an avid reader, Katharinedid leave Hamilton to go to TrinityCollege, Toronto, where she livedin St. Hilda’s residence, and sangin the choir. She has also travelledto Europe and across Canada, andcontinues to enjoy bus trips.
InvolvementInvolved in many organiza-
tions, Katharine chuckles as shedescribes going to meetings. Sheis now past president of the Headof the Lake Historical Society andof the Hamilton Association forAdvancement of Science,Literature and Art.
In 1997, Bishop Ralph Spenceappointed Katharine an honourarylay canon of the Cathedral: “Icouldn’t figure out why, but I wasthrilled!”
Katharine admits to a talent forpublic speaking “on Cathedral andHamilton history. I’m not bad, butI amuse them! You see, I look sodull and old, they’re surprisedwhen the fun comes out.”
Dull? Old? None of us canescape the passage of time, butKatharine Greenfield is wonder-fully young at heart, and far fromdull!
The history of our Cathedral isin deeply dedicated hands, and ourDiocese is greatly enrichedthrough her presence and work.
8 November 2004NIAGARA ANGLICAN
You know people. You know business.You know a lot of Anglican dollars go to businesses in your area who want to attract more customers.
Will you introduce us to your local market so advertising can find us.
The Niagara Anglican is looking for commissioned advertisingrepresentatives throughout the diocese. For more information,contact Canon Charles Stirling at (905) 383-1088.
We Need Ambassadors
ST. JAMES’ CHURCH(Dundas)
HOLIDAY HOUSETOUR 2004
Sat., Dec. 4, noon to 5 p.m.Cost is $15.00 For information, call St. James’ Anglican Church,Dundas at (905) 627-1424
Getting to Know You
– The Rev. FranDarlington
The rich, warm wisdom of Katharine Greenfield
CANON KATHARINE GREENFIELDCathedral archivist‘I
collect papers, photographs ...‘I want to be a respository forminutes, record
books...’
9November 2004 NIAGARA ANGLICAN
TThheeBBiisshhoopp’’ssCCoommppaannyy
If you would liketo become a memberof the Bishop’sCompany, please for-ward your name andaddress to KarenNowicki, Bishop’sCompany registrar, at905/527-1316 ext.380 or email [email protected]. BishopSpence will personal-ly invite you to becomea member . The annu-al membership fee is$200.
THE JAZZ FIVE, a youth ensemble from St. Catharines,kept everyone entertained.
BISHOP RALPH SPENCE withMississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion
Two-hundred and fifty people attended the2004 Bishop’s Company dinner held at theBurlington Convention Centre. MississaugaMayor Hazel McCallion, an Anglican, keptpeople spellbound with her speech.
By THE REVEREND DAVID LONG
New water regulationsissued by the provincial
government mean that ruralchurches not on municipal watersystems will have to decidewhether or not to continue draw-ing drinking water from their taps.
The new regulations requirechurches drawing drinking waterfrom cisterns, wells or ground
water sources to have an engineerdesign them a new system, installnew water treatment equipment,and undertake regular water test-ing.
Costs varyThe costs of this vary, but
could be as high as $20,000 in thefirst year. Churches going thisroute must comply beforeJune 1, 2005.
Archdeacon Harry Huskins,provincial executive officer, took
the lead to bring together otherdenominations seeking changes inthe requirements from theMinister of the Environment.
This has resulted in theissuance of a new ministry guide-line in August.
ExemptionsChanges will now enable our
churches to post signs that willexempt them indefinitely.Previously, signs brought only alimited delay in the requirements.
However, by posting signsadvising people not to drink thewater, the parish would be restrict-ed to preparing food only formembers and their personallyinvited guests and conductingbake sales.
This will severely restrict the
ability of those churches to rentout their halls or conduct moneymaking events.
It is essential all rural churchesnot on municipal water read theinformation found on the Ministryof the Environment’s web site atene.gov.on.ca/envision/gp.4427e.pdf, or by calling the ministry’stoll free number 1-800-565-4923.
Short-termYou may also choose to post
signs in the short-term whileawaiting possible cost reductionsin the future.
Discussions continue with theministry and the churches’ techni-cal experts, asking for furtherchanges that would significantlyreduce the high cost of engineer-ing studies, equipment, and testing
requirements while ensuring highsafety standards and enablingmore rural churches to continue tohave drinking water systems.
Third optionsAlong with a number of other
public interest groups, the church-es will also be asking for a thirdoption that will allow parishes,community halls, and other ruralpublic facilities to test their drink-ing water on a regular basis andcontinue to use their present sys-tems unless a problem appears.
Readers who are unable todownload the information fromthe ministry’s web site, can con-tact The Rev. David H. Long,director of Human Resources, atthe Diocesan Resource Centre,(905) 527-1316 ext. 330. E-mail
10 November 2004NIAGARA ANGLICAN
St. Philip’s,Burlingtonpresents the
BurlingtonWelshMale
ChorusNovember 6
8 p.m. at St. Christopher’sChurch, 662 Guelph
Line, Burlington
Tickets are $12 at thedoor and $10 in advance.To purchase tickets or formore information call St.
Philip’s Church at (905) 336-7212 or St. Christopher’s at (905) 634-1809.
Christmas MarketSaturday, November 6, 2004
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at
Grace Anglican Church157 Mill Street North, Waterdown
Featuring:◆ meat & fruit pies◆ bake table◆ trinkets and treasures◆ Children’s Corner◆ Penny Sale◆ Silent Auction ◆ and many more exciting items
For more information, call 905/690-2241
The Christ’s ChurchCathedral Shoppe
is now openDevotional books, gift items, cards, Christmas cards and
gifts and Anglican Book Centre publications.We look forward to seeing you when you visit your Cathedral.
(905) 527-1316252 James St. North, Hamilton
33 Princess St., Hamilton
905/529-2205 or 905/529-2983
Special rates forchurches & seniors,free custom tints,free parking
Holly Fairat St. James’ Dundas137 Melville Street
Dundas
Saturday, November 13, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Featuring for your freezer: soup and chili, Christmaspuddings and more. Also featuring a silent auction,
penny sale, bake table and lunch room.
For more information, call the church office at (905) 627-1424.
Rural churches could be impacted by new water regulations
Raising more than $2,000,parishioners at St. Mary’s,Hamilton, opened their hearts andwallets to support hurricane reliefefforts in Grenada and Cuba.
On Sept. 19, the parish wel-comed The Reverend CanonChristian Glasgow from the hurri-cane-torn island of Grenada.
Canon Glasgow was able to flyout of Grenada before the hurri-cane hit to participate in a meetingof the Partners in Mission (PIM)group of the Anglican Church ofCanada.
Rector in SauteursRector of St. Patrick’s parish in
Sauteurs, Canon Glasgow isappointed to represent the Dioceseof the Windward Islands at PIM.
Canon Glasgow gave a power-point presentation of many photo-graphs of Hurricane Ivan’s devas-tation.
The circling winds tore roofs
off many buildings, and damagedeven cement structures, includingchurches. The accompanying del-uge of rain caused even moredamage as it poured into rooflessbuildings.
One rectory was left with itswindow awnings intact, but theroof collapsed through two floorsinto the basement, just as thepriest and his family were seekingshelter there. If they had reachedtheir destination, they would havebeen killed.
Hillsides once blanketed withrich greenery now look as if abuzz saw attacked them.
The island’s spice trade in nut-meg and cinnamon is destroyed,and will take several years to re-establish. Breadfruit is a staple ofthe local diet, but those trees toowere snapped off just aboveground level and will not bearagain for 10 to 12 years.
The outlook is very grim forthe people of Grenada.
Like several Niagara parishes,St. Mary’s is twinned with aparish in Cuba, which was alsovictimized by Hurricane Ivan.
During worship, CanonGlasgow wore a stole sent to St.Mary’s rector by the parish ofSanta Maria Virgen in Itabo,Cuba.
Funds splitThe funds raised for hurricane
relief will be split between theirfriends in Grenada and Cuba.
Parishes considering assistingwith hurricane relief are invited tocontact the Reverend PhilipWadham at (416) 924-9199 ext.223.
Canon Glasgow’s sister, GloriaCharles, is also willing to bringhis presentation to any interestedchurch. Call St. Mary’s at (905)549-4335 for more information.
St. Mary’s, Hamilton, raises $2,000 for hurricane relief efforts
BOBBY AND MYRTLE LAMBE, from County Down,Northern Ireland, pose with St. Mary’s Rector The ReverendFran Darlington. The couple had flown from Ireland early inOctober to worship at St. Mary’s in honour of their 47th weddinganniversary. The couple was married in the church in 1957.While in Hamilton, they visited Archdeacon Clark, who officiat-ed at their wedding and is now St. Mary’s Rector Emeritus.
11November 2004 NIAGARA ANGLICAN
Make a difference this Christmas
– share yours with a family in need
Christmas is coming but it won’t be an easy timefor hundreds of families who will be register-ing with St. Matthew’s House Christmas
Adopt-a-family program in November. If you, yourfamily, parish or group are looking for a specialway to share your Christmas with a family expe-riencing hard times, St. Matthew’s Houseoffers you an opportunity to make a difference.
Last year St. Matthew's House helped3,873 family members and individuals. Basedon steadily increasing numbers of familieswho are suffering from the impact ofpoverty, unemployment, and financialhardships, we expect to help morethis Christmas. Too many of them are at risk of becoming homeless.
Three ways you can sponsor a family:■■ Provide the food for Christmas dinner for a family of two to five people or for a larger family.■■ Or, provide new unwrapped toys for children or gifts for teenagers.■■ Or, sponsor a large or small family by supplying Christmas dinner as wellas one new gift for each child according to the size of family chosen. St. Matthew's House suggests gift certificates from A&P, The Barn, Fortino'sor No Frills to cover the cost of meat (for the size of family chosen.) Youcan also supply potatoes, vegetables and dessert.
As a suggested guideline, you should be able to sponsor a family of four for $125 - $150. If it is not feasible to provide food or gifts, you can helpsponsor a family by giving a donation to: St. Matthew’s House ChristmasProgram, c/o St. Matthew’s House, 414 Barton Street East, Hamilton, L8L 2Y3. Income tax receipts will be provided.
St. Matthew's House provides sponsors with first namesof family members, plus ages and sizes of children.Sponsors will bring the food and gifts to the Christmas pro-gram site located at: Wentworth Campus, Mohawk College,196 Wentworth St. North, Hamilton, on Dec. 13, 14 and15 for distribution to families.
Families registered at St. Matthew's House are eligiblefor assistance from only one agency, therebyavoiding duplication. Please call Debra House at St. Matthew's House, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 p.m. before Nov. 5 at (905) 523-5546 ifyou wish to sponsor a family or if you have ques-
tions. After Nov. 5, call Debra at the ChristmasProgram (905) 522-4584.
Thank you for remembering children andfamilies most in need at St. Matthew's House
this Christmas. We send our best wishes for every blessing at Christmas toyou and yours.
CANON WENDY ROY, executive director of St. Matthew’sHouse with Hamilton Centre MP David Christopherson at the40th anniversary celebration of St. Matthew’s House in Hamilton.The celebration was held Sept. 30 at Liuna Station.
A FIREWORKS DISPLAY, featuring a giant 40,capped off the evening.
MAGGIE PARKER-MILTON, St.Matthew’s House staff member andArlene Luke, former client and volunteer
MC DANA ROBBINSEditor-in-Chief
Hamilton Spectator
ST. CHRISTOPHER’S BURLINGTON Choir led by Mary JanePrice, director of music, sings show tunes.
BRIAN HAYMAN & Getting in the Groove brought a uniquejazz experience
Psalm 84 v1-7: ‘How dear tome is your dwelling, Lord ofHosts.’
‘My soul has a desire and long-ing for the courts of the Lord. Myheart and flesh rejoice in the livingGod. The sparrow has found her ahouse, and the swallow a nestwhere she may lay her young bythe side of your altars O Lord ofhosts, my King and my God.
‘Happy are they who dwell inyour house, they will always bepraising you.
‘Happy are the people whosestrength is in you, whose heart isset in the pilgrim’s way.
‘Those who go through thedesolate valley, will find it a placeof springs, for the early rains havecovered it with pools of water.
‘They will climb from height toheight, and the God of gods willreveal Himself in Zion.
‘Lord God of hosts, hear myprayer, hearken O God of Jacob’.
Dwelling places are promised
to all who walk in the way of theLord.
Comfort and safety, our Lord’sdefense is provided to all who turnto Him. Even the sparrows andswallows will be kept, the small-est defenseless birds of the air willbe found homes, shelter from thestorm. We shall be refreshed andnurtured on our journey as weseek as pilgrims of old.
He shields with his mightypower and guides with His Holyarm, and directs with His Holy lifegiving spirit.
He who promised us springs ofwater in a dry and thirsty land,gives renewal, cleansing, blessing,nurture. A spring will always befresh, available to irrigate the dryground for new life, new hope.
We shall go from strength tostrength and not grow weary, weshall praise our holy God andFather for all He has given, for allHe has done for us, His only sonour savior, His blessed HolySpirit, our comfort and help.
Lord God of all pilgrims, teachus to recognize your dwellingplace in love, generosity and sup-port with those with whom weshare our journey. Help us to wor-ship you in our response to all inneed, for all the world is your tem-ple and every human heart can bea place of your indwelling. Youfind us who seek you Lord of all,and we ask in Jesus’ name that thespring of life giving water is everavailable to us. Amen.
12 NIAGARA ANGLICAN November 2004
Congratulations to AnnetteGraydon, who was
appointed by the primate to attendthe U.N. Commission on theStatus of Women in March, 2005.Mrs. Graydon, a member of St.Alban’s Glen Williams, is thenational president of Mothers’ Union.Holmes at St. Luke’s
The Reverend Gerry Holmes will supply at St.Luke’s, Palermo, one day a week and Sunday. Thisarrangement began Oct. 12.Sympathy for Ward family
Sympathy is expressed to the Ward family on thedeath of The Reverend Canon Clifford Ward, hon-ourary assistant at St. Mark’s, Niagara-on-the-Lake,who died on Sept. 27. The funeral service was heldfrom St. Hilda’s, Toronto.
Anniversary wishes forthe Goodwins
Ron and Olive Goodwin, St.Alban’s, Glen Williams, celebrat-ed their 65th wedding anniversaryon Sept. 26.
Anniversary wishes for the PearsellsBelated anniversary wishes are sent to Robert and
Irene Pearsell, faithful members of St. Stephen on-the-Mount, Hamilton, who celebrated their 50thwedding anniversary on Sept. 25.Moffett ordained into diaconate
Nancy Moffett was ordained to the Diaconate(transitional) at St. John the Evangelist, Thorold, onOctober 28. She will continue to minister at St.John’s as assistant curate under the supervision ofThe Rev. Canon Dr. Cathie Crawford-Browning.
PPEEAARRLLSS OOFF SSOOUUTTHHEEAASSTT AASSIIAAFebruary 13 – March 03, 2005
A fascinating journey through Southeast Asia including Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore & Malaysia,topped off with a four-night stay in mysterious Bali.
The tour includes a Bangkok Rice Barge Cruise,a Mekong River Boat Ride, an Elephant Ride
and a Bamboo Raft Ride.
Deposits are fully refundable for any reason untilDecember 15. For a brochure of this exotic tour of
the Orient, please contact:Canon Gordon Kinkley. M.A., M. Div.
St. John’s Church, 80 Main St., St. Catharines L2N 3Z3
(905) 934-1020; [email protected]
Cycle of
Prayer
HAS MOVEDonto the Diocesan Web sitewww.niagara.anglican.ca
ResourcesSpirituality and Prayer
Churches are encouraged to copy it for use in their parish.
People In The News
– Alison D’Atri
Bishop’s ItineraryNovember 7, 10:30 a.m. – All Saints, Peterborough, guest preacherNovember 8 – Provincial House of BishopsNovember 9 – Provincial SynodNovember 11, evening – Synod Service, Christ’s Church CathedralNovember 12 and 13 – Diocesan Synod, Hamilton ConventionCentreNovember 14 – 4 p.m., Ridley College, St. Catharines, ConfirmationNovember 14, evening – Visit with St. Catharines clergyNovember 15 – St. Catharines, day with clergyNovember 16 – Lincoln clericus meetingNovember 17, 8:30 a.m. – Canterbury Hills, breakfast with churchsecretariesNovember 17, 1:30 p.m. – Cathedral Place, diocesan candidatescommitteeNovember 20, 8:30 a.m. – Breakfast with Cursillo participants atMount Mary, AncasterNovember 21, 10 a.m. – St. Paul’s , Glanford, parish visitNovember 25, 6 p.m. – Dinner with Divinity students, TorontoNovember 26, 1:30 p.m. – St. John’s Kilmarnock School, EvensongNovember 28, 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. – St. George’s, Guelph, parishvisitNovember 28, 3 p.m. – Christ’s Church Cathedral, Mohawk regionalconfirmationNovember 30, 5:30 p.m. – Cathedral Place, Bishop’s DiplomaCourse Graduation
THE WALK TO BETHLEHEMChristmas pageant will take placeDec. 3, 4, 5, 6 at Country HeritagePark, Milton. The production takesgroups of people through theChristmas story in an interactiveway. Last year, (pictured left) GraceChurch, with other Milton areachurches, participated in the secondannual event, produced by ChristianChurches Working Together. Thegroup comprises 18 area churches ofvarious denominations. Last yearThe Walk to Bethlehem broughtmore than 5,000 through the park.More than 100 volunteers fromGrace Church took part. In all, 600volunteers helped pull together theevent, which ran four nights. OtherAnglican churches involved includedSt. Stephen’s, Hornby, St. George’s,Lowville and St. John’s, Nassawaya.For more information on this year’spageant, call Grace Church at (905)878-2411.
Annette Graydon appointed to U.N.
Comfort, safety in the Lord’s dwelling placeAnglican Fellowship
of Prayer– Annette Harris
