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a worthwhile A N G L I C A N
investment?
An appeal from your editor of
15 years asking for your support
in 2013.
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Damazing
I O C E S E month
O F H U for
R O N C H U Rafp
C H huron
NEWS
southern trinity
Special services, blessing the
animals including a horse and
then off to Haiti to help those in
need in so many ways.
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transforming power
of prayer
A successful conference which
dealt with subject like...
One Word Prayers
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JAN
U A R Y of
2013
anglican
diocese
huron
Huron Church News is a section
of the Anglican Journal
January 2013
Huron Church News
A Story of Renewal
Small but mighty Chesley parish keeps church
alive with move to storefront ministry
“Our mission is spilling out onto the street and our idea of
downtown ministry is unfolding!”
Rev. Carrie Irwin
Ordination:
Renewing Life in Huron
A
plucky priest and her
determined parishioners
are filled with renewed
hope and energy with their
recent move from an historic
Bruce County church steeped
in tradition to a small storefront
with big dreams for helping their
community.
Built in 1869 and considered
one of the Diocese of Huron’s
most beautiful churches, Holy
Trinity Anglican Church, Chesley
was showing increasing signs of
wear and decay, and the small
but dedicated congregation was
discouraged by their financial
burden.
Holy Trinity Church, Chesley
Ordination into the life of Huron on the feast day of St. Andrew the Apostle, November 30, 2012 at the Cathedral
Church of St. Paul, London. After the service the ordinands assemble at the high altar with their bishops and the
Dean of Huron: Rishi Sativihari; Andrew Wilson; Robert Clifford; Paul Poolton; Bishop of Norfolk, Terry Dance;
Robert F. Bennett Bishop of Huron; Dean Kevin Dixon, rector of St. Paul’s Cathedral; Sharla Ciupak; Michael
DeKay; Elise Chambers and Patsy Allison.
Holy Trinity Church, on the main street in Chesley to the left above with new
cut stone facade
As Bishop Terry Dance, the
Anglican Diocese of Huron’s
Suffragan Bishop, bluntly stated:
“the building was killing them.”
“What is really in our hearts
as a parish is to do mission – to
reach out to our community, and
not concentrate all our efforts
on repairing and maintaining
the building,” explains longtime parishioner and current
treasurer Joan Saunders.
Talk of change had been
growing within the congregation
for five years. With the arrival
last December of Reverend
Carrie Irwin (affectionately
known as “Reverend Bubbles”
by her congregation), and with
guidance from Diocesan coaches,
a renewed dream came sharply
into focus – to sell their aging
church and make a new home
for Holy Trinity in a storefront on
the main street of Chesley, where
the congregation could embrace
innovative outreach mission and
ministry to meet the needs of
their community.
complimentary hot chocolate
at a streetside booth hosted by
Holy Trinity volunteers. New
Holy Trinity outreach programs
are quickly beginning to bloom,
including a Saturday morning
Children’s Program, a Teen
group, a Seniors Drop-in Centre,
and a mid-week theological
study debuting with a discussion
of the popular British sitcom,
The Vicar of Dibley.
The Deconsecration Service
for Holy Trinity’s original church
building at 27 Fourth Street,
Chesley was held on Monday,
December 3, with Bishop Robert
Bennett and Bishop Terry Dance
officiating. While there were
many memories and some tears,
this farewell service was one
of celebration of past ministry
at that location, and shared
excitement as the congregation
turns their sights to Holy
Trinity’s renewed mission and
ministry for Chesley in their new
storefront church.
“This is a story of hope
and encouragement for all
Christians,” says Diocesan
Bishop Bob Bennett. “We are
living in a tsunami of change
when what we did yesterday has
little resonance for tomorrow.
The community of Holy Trinity
has chosen new life and are
beginning an exciting re-birth
into God’s purpose for them. I
have never been as proud of Holy
Trinity as right in this moment!”
Bishop Terry Dance with Rev.
Carrie Irwin who has precipitated
change in the past year.
On Sunday, November 25,
Carrie led the first service in their
new modest quarters at 90 First
Street, Chesley. “We expected
eight people, and we got 18.
We know it will grow,” Carrie
beams. “There was a wonderful
spirit of community. The coffee
pot was on before service, and
everyone lingered after. This has
not happened for months!”
Spectators at Chesley’s Santa
Claus Parade were delighted by
Advent candles, the altar and a Holy Trinity view of downtown
What it’s all about. Community.
Page 2
ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF HURON CHURCH NEWS
JANUARY 2013
Year End Musings
As I sit at my desk in early
December trying to write
an article for early January,
confusing enough at the best
of times, I find myself still
caught up in the afterglow of
two liturgical experiences from
the last week... two experiences
that touched my heart in
unexpected ways.
The first of these was the
ordinat ion of eig ht ne w
de acons for t he church.
On 29th of November, our
grand Cathedral was filled to
overflowing as we gathered
to give the Church’s “Amen”
to eight individuals who had
recognized and responded to
God’s call to ordained ministry.
It was exciting! It was thrilling!
It was a privilege to be a part of
that sacred moment! Obviously
it was an exciting moment for
those who were being ordained
a s D e a c on s . T h at n i g ht
represented the culmination
of all of their hopes, dreams and
efforts. It was also an exciting
moment for the church. It was
a moment of faith, a moment
of commitment and a moment
of profound hope for the
future. The energy throughout
the building was palpable.
The loving support for those
committing their lives to the
service of God and the church
was fabulous. The passion and
unbridled joy of the ordinands
was profoundly moving. In the
midst of it all, our new deacons
were reminded of their call to
serve all people, particularly
the poor, the weak, the sick and
the lonely. They were exhorted
to ground their service to the
marginalized in their study
and proclamation of God’s
Word. While this exhortation
was directed to the soon to be
deacons, for those with ears to
hear, those words ought to have
been a reminder of the mission
of the church and all those who
claim to follow Jesus. It was
certainly a powerful reminder
to me of why I was ordained
in the first place. For that I am
grateful.
The second event, oddly
enough, was the deconsecration of Holy Trinity
Church in Chesley. Bishop
Bob and I traveled north to
close a building which meant
a great deal to each of us.
For both of us, the Parish of
Chesley, Paisley and Tara was
our first experience of being
Rector’s. The people of that
parish welcomed us, nurtured
us, love us and allowed us to
stretch our wings. Both of us
had children baptized at the
font in the church building we
were about to close. Our drive
was filled with stories and
memories of people who have
touched our lives and shaped
our ministries. The thought of
deconsecrating that beautiful
building was sad indeed. As
it turned out, however, the
evening took quite a different
turn. While it is true we closed
the building, the people of Holy
Trinity are far from finished.
They have grasped the reality
that it makes no sense to
struggle to recover that history
which is irretrievably lost.
They are now pouring their
energy into being church in a
new and creative way as they
have established a storefront
ministry on Main Street. While
it remains to be seen how this
will unfold, they have shown
the courage and faith to follow
God’s call to revision what
it means to be church at this
time at that place. There is
an excitement and optimism
about doing something
beautiful for God, living out
their mission and risking a
journey into an uncertain and
unpredictable future. They are
not quitting, they are reshaping
for the challenges of today and
re-energizing for whatever
tomorrow demands. Wow!
The One whose birth in time
we celebrate each year has
not left us alone. Christ goes
before us, leading us, inspiring
us and empowering us for the
ministry he has entrusted to
us. As we move towards annual
Vestry meetings and planning
for the future, may we all have
the passion for serving God
and the Church so evident in
our new deacons and may we
all have the courage to follow
Jesus wherever he leads by the
+ Terry
Bishop of Norfolk
A HUNDRED
THOUSAND
WELCOMES!
influence our perception by the
wider community?” While that
may seem like an innocent and
simple question, the answer is
much more complex.
The first area to touch on is
that of media. The mainstream
media seem to have little
i nt e r e s t i n c hu rc h l a n d ,
unless there is a scandal or
contraversy; which always
brings media attention. The
reality, like it or not, is that the
media today seems to see the
Anglican Church only through
the eyes of the debate on
same sex marriage/blessings.
A quick example. I talked
with a reporter for at least ten
minutes before he interviewed
the Presiding Bishop of the
Episcopal Church. He seemed
to want to know what might
be interesting and I gave him
several areas of enquiry. When
the interview began, every
question was about same sex
blessings. (As an aside I can
be all but 100 per cent certain
that there isn’t a main stream
reporter any where capable of
understanding the difference
between a Blessing and a
Marriage – trust me I have
tried to explain it to them.)
In days gone by, especially in
the print media, there were
reporters who were specifically
assigned to the religious beat.
That fact that very few such
specialized journalists exist
today gives much definition
to the waning place of the
spiritual in our society.
The next area surrounds the
Come be part of another
summer filled to the brim
with faith, fun and friends!
Register online www.
huronchurchcamp@gmail.
com starting
January 15, 2013.
new and growing at light speed
world of social media. From
blogs to facebook, to twitter
and back again, this is a world
in which religion is a front and
centre player. It is also a world
that is marked by personal
opinion and conjecture and
a wide spread tendency to
take sides rather than seek out
facts. While there is no doubt
that social media must be a
significant part of our future,
it can be a minefield of difficult
navigation.
And now, the other side of
the question. What prevents us
from reaching out to the wider
community is a more effective
way. The simple word might be
evangelism and there is little
doubt that we are not front
runners in sharing our faith.
But in today’s mixed up world
of media and communications
in which much is bellowed, but
not nearly as much is taken to
heart, we find ourselves in the
difficult space of not, by our
nature, being able to speak
with one voice. By it’s very
nature, the Anglican Diocese of
Huron is made up of a myriad
of parts. We are traditional and
contemporary; liturgical and
free form; high church and low;
BCP and BAS; we worship in
majestic buildings of the 19th
century and modern structures
of recent years; we have organs,
guitars, drums, strings, horns
and any number of musical
instruments; we have one priest
in many churches and many
priests in one church; we are for
Published by
The Diocese of Huron,
Anglican Church of Canada
Editor: David Parson
Publisher
The Right Reverend
Robert F. Bennett,
Bishop of Huron
Diocese of Huron
Synod Offices:
190 Queens Avenue
London, Ontario N6A 6H7
Ph: 519-434-6893
Fx: 519-673-4151
www.diohuron.org
HCN Board of Trustees
Editorial and Advertising Office
David Parson, Editor
33 - 30 Ann Street
St. Marys, Ontario N4X 1C8
Ph: 519-284-4276
Fx: 519-284-4178
Email:
huronchurchnews@rogers.com
Via The Media
In quiet
whispers as
they flit pass
each other in
the halls; the
near silent
inquir y, “Are
you going?”
Lightning quick glances up
and down the vacant expanse
revealing no one else in ear
shot, allows for the response,
“yesssssss!” It happens only
once a year, in a room off the
beaten track, with stealth and
secrecy, only the chosen few
are admitted. It is (dramatic yet
somber drum roll) the Bishop’s
forum!!
Okay, so that was a little
overly mellow dramatic, but I
needed to get your attention.
Each year at the Diocesan
Clergy Conference, we are given
an opportunity to engage our
Bishops in discussion around
issues that are important to us.
In late November, in Niagara
Falls, such a gathering produced
some questions, comments and
ideas around the public and/
or media perception of the
Church. Naturally, these are
discussions that hit close to my
heart and, without unmasking
the deep dark secrets of the
“Forum”; I can address some
of the things said in hopes of
widening the discussion.
In the interest of brevity, I’ll
not restate the questions that
gave impetus to the discussion,
but rather pick up on the overall
theme. What was asked, in a
heartfelt manner, is “How we
Huron
Church
News
and against a variety of issues
and the list goes on.
No where is the preceding
more clearly laid out than
in our Media Policy for the
Diocese of Huron. All who
feel comfortable may speak
with and through the media
and express their ideas and
opinions. But only the Bishop of
Huron or someone designated
by the Bishop, may speak for
the Diocese. So we speak with
a variety of voices, but only
one “official” voice. And just
how is that one official voice
to encapsulate the plethora of
voices in the conversation?
This question of the wider
perception of the church
in society is an interesting
one; one with infinitely more
possibilities given the explosion
into the world of social media,
along side more traditional
forms. But one reality remains:
the wider perception won’t
change just because we say it
should! This is a discussion that
needs intentional participation
by everyone and braveness
to “put ourselves out there”
complete with our thoughts,
ideas, dreams and opinions.
Great can be the benefit from
a wide ranging and inclusive
conversation. Great also can
be the issues associated with
not having the conversation, or,
perhaps even more importantly,
not doing it well.
Rev. Keith Nethery,
Rector, St. Stephens Memorial,
London; Media Relations and
Communications Officer,
Diocese of Huron
Anglican Journal and the Huron
Church News are published
monthly except July
and August. Individual
suggested donation:
$15.00 per year in Canada.
$23.00 in U.S. and overseas.
The papers are printed on partially
recycled paper using
vegetable-based inks.
We welcome your
submissions.
All pictures, copy, stories,
articles for the
February 2013 issue
of the Huron Church News should
be in the
Editorial Office by
January 2, 2012
Submissions can be made
by mail, fax (519-284-4178)
or email to:
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with any inquiries.
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does not imply
endorsement by the
Huron Church News or
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Volume 63, Number 1
Page 3
ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF HURON CHURCH NEWS
JANUARY 2013
Wo r t h wh i l e I nve s t m e n t ?
I have been the editor of the Huron Church News
(HCN) since the January issue of 1998. That’s pretty
much all of the past fifteen years. In those early days
we ran the paper primarily with a balanced budget.
For the January issue in 1998 we printed and mailed
25,000 copies of the paper to as many households. We
had a readership of almost 75,000 people given that a
household has an average of about three people. So,
with 25,000 “subscribers” Huron Church News was
doing pretty well.
Since 1998, the number of Anglicans that HCN
reaches has drastically declined. This January (2013)
issue of HCN, we will only print 13,500 copies. That is
a drop of 11,500 households; a drop in readership of
almost 23,000.
So, our diocesan paper has experienced this big drop
in readership and also, in the level of financial support
for the HCN on a regular basis. This is obvious, for the
paper’s income has dramatically suffered with financial
support decreasing by almost 45%.
On the positive side, and all across Canada, Anglican
diocesan papers, including the HCN, now have a new
printing company and we have seen a significant rise in
the quality of the printing and of the newsprint itself.
We are blessed that our paper has some outstanding
writers who contribute to content regularly, along with
a wonderful group of volunteers who constantly provide
varied and colourful stories on the life of our diocese.
We are very fortunate that we always have more than
enough material for every issue.
Right now, the Huron Church News is the most
effective way of reaching the entire diocese... with what
is going on, news, information and messages from our
bishops. I’m asking you to carefully and prayerfully
consider the Huron Church News as a worthwhile
investment in your life in 2013. Please consider this
financial appeal. HCN needs your support right now.
At present, our paper is really the best way to
communicate with each other. And if only 15%, or 1,900
of you, gave $30 annually we would break even. I’m not
asking for a miracle here, just for some faithful support
of a very valuable resource in the life of the Diocese.
Yours very sincerely,
David Parson, editor
Huron Church News
Please consider
prayerfully a
sustaining gift
to the
Huron Church
News.
We are committed
to bringing you the
very best in
diocese news,
events, parish
activity and
interesting,
colourful stories
supplied by our
many and
talented volunteer
HCN reporters.
✄
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Page 4
Appointment
ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF HURON CHURCH NEWS
Pastoral Progressions
Rev. Robert Clifford
Rev. Robert Clifford The
Bishop appoints the Rev.
Robert Clifford to be Deacon
in Charge of Trinity, Aylmer;
Trinity, Port Burwell and St.
Luke’s, Vienna effective the
first of January.
Abandonment
The Bishop advised the
Rev. Robert Roe of the
abandonment of Robert’s
ministry with the Diocese
of Huron, The Anglican
Church of Canada. Robert
was previously the Associate
Priest at Trinity Anglican
Church, Sarnia.
Baby News
The Rev. Fay M. PattersonWillsie and Frank Willsie give
thanks to God and are happy
to announce the birth of their
first grandchildren - two baby
boys !! (Fay is a retired priest
providing interim ministry in
Lambton Deanery).
Rev. Carrie Irwin and
William Irwin are thankful
to announce the birth of
their first grandchild - a baby
boy!! Carrie is the Rector
at Christ Church, Tara; Holy
Trinity, Chesley; Church
of Ascension, Paisley; St.
John’s, Desboro; St. Paul’s,
Chatsworth; and, St. Phillip’s
Chapel of Ease, Walters’ Falls.
Rest in Peace
Chris Atkinson
Chris Atkinson (spouse
Barb) died on November
19, 2012. Chris is fondly
remembered for his
involvement in the Diocese
of Huron as a Lay Delegate
to Synod, Lay Co-Chair for
Brough Deanery, member of
Diocesan Council, member
of the Huron Church Camp
Advisory Board and tireless
volunteer for the Huron
Hunger Fund (PWRDF).
Rev. George Arnold
Ruskell
The Rev. George Arnold
Ruskell (spouse Sheila)
died on November 21, 2012
at the age of 93. Arnold
was born and raised in
Ireland and attended Trinity
College, Dublin, graduating
in 1941. He was deaconed
in 1942 in the Church of
(Cashell) Ireland. Upon his
arrival to Canada, Arnold
was appointed chaplain
at St. Stephen’s Mission,
Fort Chimo, Quebec in the
Diocese of the Arctic (1946);
Curate Assistant at Cathedral
Church of the Redeemer,
Diocese of Calgary (1952);
Curate Assistant, St. Thomas’
Church, Diocese of Toronto
(1952); and Chaplain at
Bishop Strachan School
(Toronto), before becoming
the rector of Christ Church,
Petrolia (Huron) in 1954.
He moved from Petrolia to
Christian Education
St. Paul’s Cathedral committee announces its 2013
winter programming.
St. Paul’s Cathedral has
released their schedule of
Christian education workshops
for the winter session. All
events are free, are being held at
St. Paul’s Cathedral in London,
and everyone is welcome. We
look forward to seeing you!
The fall events were a great
success with many interesting
t o pi c s a ro u n d A n g l i c a n
Traditions that helped us
know ourselves and deepen
our faith. Our “walk & talk”
series gave us the opportunity
to learn more about the history
of the Cathedral. Many of
us had questions about other
faiths so we had two wonderful
opportunities to visit a Sikh
Temple and a Greek Orthodox
Church.
These topics will continue
into the winter with more
sessions on Anglican Traditions
including (1) understanding the
roles of Deacon to Archbishop
to Primate, (2) finding a
place in our lives for Lent,
and (3) exploring how Holy
Baptism and Holy Eucharist
symbolically represent our
commitment to Jesus. We
will have the opportunity to
explore other world religions.
We’ll learn about the Cathedral
Bells. There will be an evening
about estate planning including
wills, powers of attorney, and
bequests. Other events may be
planned throughout January to
May including a Lenten study
series and a Lenten Noon Hour
speaker series.
For more information,
visit our website at: www.
stpaulscathedral.on.ca or
contact the Church at 519434-3225. Details will also be
published in the Huron Church
News regularly.
Returning Events
“Know Your Cathedral”
guided tours of St. Paul’s will
occur on the first Sunday of
each month at 11:30am. Please
meet the tour guide at the
pulpit doors.
Divorce Care is a friendly,
caring group of people who
w i l l wa l k a l ongs i d e you
through one of life’s most
difficult experiences. Find
help and healing for the hurt of
separation and divorce. These
seminars will be facilitated
by Barbara Bidner and John
Sproule and will be on Mondays
at 7:00pm from January 7 until
April 15, 2013 in the Guild
Room.
Do you enjoy knitting? Or
would you like to learn? Starting
January 19 until June 29,
Heather Clark will be leading
a group of knitters. The group
meets in the Assembly Room
from 10:00am to 12:00pm
every Saturday.
Windsor in 1956 and was
appointed rector of All Saints’,
Windsor by Bishop George
Luxton. Arnold became
a Canon of the Cathedral
Church of St. Paul, London
in 1958. In 1963, he was
transferred to the Diocese of
Westminster where he served
as Rector of St. John’s Church,
Shaughnessy, Vancouver, BC
before he retired in 1986. A
Memorial Eucharist took
place at St. George’s, Goderich
on Wednesday, November
28th.
Canon A. Gordon
Baker
The Rev. Canon A. Gordon
Baker (formerly Diocese of
Huron) died on November
8 at the age of 84. Canon
Baker was ordained in 1954
and was editor and general
manager of the Anglican
Journal’s predecessor,
Canadian Churchman, from
1958 to 1967. Canon Baker
was rector of Bishop Cronyn
Memorial, London from 1967
until 1978. From 1978 to
1980 he was principal of the
College of Emmanuel and St.
Chad, Saskatoon. Following
his time in Huron he was
canonically transferred to the
Diocese of Toronto. He served
at a number of parishes in
the Diocese of Toronto. From
1991 to 1997 he served as
Executive Director of the
Anglican Foundation. A
memorial service took place
at St. Peter, Erindale, Toronto
on Saturday November 17th.
JANUARY 2013
Queen Elizabeth II
Diamond Jubilee Medals Awarded to Rev. Canon William Cliff and
Dr. Trish Fulton
Huron University College celebrated its 149th birthday on
Founder’s Day on Friday, November 30th. During a surprise
ceremony, the institution also honoured two members of the
campus community. Principal Stephen McClatchie handed out
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals to Rev. Canon
William Cliff and Dr. Trish Fulton. The two were nominated on
behalf of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
(AUCC) for their contributions to post-secondary education in
this country.
“I am very excited to have this opportunity to honour two
very deserving members of the Huron community,” stated Dr.
McClatchie. “Both Bill and Trish have provided outstanding
service to Huron for many years and their talents have had a
huge, positive impact on the life of the college.” Re. Canon Cliff—known as Fr. Bill by Huron faculty, staff, and
students—has served as Rector of The Collegiate Chapel of St.
John the Evangelist, Huron University College since September
2002. As the Chaplain of Huron, Fr. Bill provides counsel and
support to students across the spectrum of faiths. As well as an
MA in Theology from UWO (2009), Fr. Bill is a pastor, musician,
and liturgist who has worked in the Diocese of Huron with
young people for his whole ministry.
The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals are
a new commemorative medal created to mark the 60th
anniversary Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the
Throne as Queen of Canada. The honour serves as a tangible
way to honour and recognize important contributions and
achievements by Canadians.
Dr. Stephen McClatchie, Dr. Trish Fulton and Rev. Canon William Cliff
November 2012
A Month to Remember
Heavy truck is unloaded in Haiti by
Jim Scott of Ground Effects with a load
of what looks like canned goods.
Rev. Gene Lotz, Kathy Harnadek, Jim Scott(Ground Effects, Windsor),
Esther Meerschaut and Heather Radigan after the Sunday service in
November, Parish of Southern Trinity, Harrow.
by Jane Buttery
During this past November,
we have had many experiences
in the Parish of Southern Trinity
(Harrow). Rev. Gene Lotz has
encouraged parishioners to
come to an Alpha course which
began in October; twenty four
people have come out every
Monday night and, on Saturday
November 24th for more time
together to hear how the Holy
Spirit can help us in life and
to re-commit ourselves in
faith. Each Sunday has been
special, starting on November
4th with the blessing of our
animals. As well as small
pets, we had larger dogs and
Murdo Mclean brought his
horse! On November 11th
John Woodbridge (of Harrow
United Church) piped in members
of the Legion at the beginning of
the service and the children came
up to add their poppies to the parish
wreath. The following Sunday we
had a visit from Vicky Labonte’s
Doweling Group, Baptist teenagers
who tell a Biblical story through
music and doweling actions; it was
very moving. One of their songs
was about the true tree, the cross
of Jesus.
On Sunday, November 25th,
Mr. Jim Scott gave a talk with
slides about conditions in Haiti
and the work that he started to do
after he went there following the
earthquake of 2010. Mr. Scott’s
company, Ground Effects, Windsor,
Page 5
ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF HURON CHURCH NEWS
JANUARY 2013
hard work living up to the message...
The final
strains of Auld
lang syne are
faded and what
is left is a pile
of confetti that
will clog the
vacuum and a
mess of wine glasses and dishes
to be faced in the kitchen.
All this of course with the
requisite headache, or if
you are a teetotaler like me,
groggy-eyed fumblings in the
kitchen to start the day. N e w
Years Day always breaks on
the consciousness in a way
that contrasts with the night
before. I always wonder at how
different New Years Eve is from
Christmas Eve. They are only
a week apart, but they have a
significantly different feel to
me. Christmas Eve always has
a bit of a hush to it. There is so
much less traffic and bustle by
the time the night has fallen.
Edwards
Glass
Company
Limited
Established 1920
•custom designed
memorial windows
• traditional - contemporary
• custom woodworking
• re leading & restoration
• storm glazing
Enquiries Invited
471 Newbold Street
London, Ontario N6E 1K4
(519) 649-7225
Proud supporters
of the
Arthritis Society
produces strong modular buildings
that can provide quick shelter.
Giving some to people in Haiti, he
discovered other needs and he has
been making four trips each year to
take goods to people personally. He
has started a chicken hatchery and
hired two teachers for the children
who have had no schooling for two
years. Our parish was glad to donate
some money for this work. Mr.
Scott has delivered appliances for
an orphanage, wheelchairs, bikes,
food, medicines, purification tablets
for water, clothing and the mats
St Andrew’s Community Group
has been making over the past
year. Making the mats out of milk
bags has become an ecumenical
effort with contributions from
various churches. Women from
our community and at St. James’
in Windsor have made over 90
bed mats, 24, 36 inch-square mats,
and school bags for children to use.
We are thrilled that Jim Scott can
take them directly to Jacmel, Haiti
where they are needed. He said his
business and his family has been
blessed since his involvement with
Haiti. His wonderful talk has helped
us realize how important this kind
of outreach is.
New Years Eve however lights
up - the streets are busy and
even in my little cul-de-sac
the neighbours and cabs come
and go all evening with revelers
noisily making their way to
the planned and unplanned
parties. The contrast between
the two feasts is even more
stark when you contrast the
“morning-after”. Christmas
morning is always busy but
filled with visits and laughter
and food and companionship.
Even those who might find
this a lonely time can lose
themselves in serving others - I
know of several parishes that do
Christmas dinners in the parish
hall so that people are not left
alone at the holiday season.
New Years morning on the
other hand is a different story.
There are some who gather
for a meal, but the silence of
the morning is more often the
silence of a long sleep born of
a late “night-before”. N e w
Years is the time to take stock
and assess where we are as a
people; not to mention what
God wants from us. It is the
time where we are actually
supposed to take the emotion,
compassion and love from
Christmas and put them into
action. This is how we learn
of what cartoon character
Charlie Brown called “the postChristmas let-down”. “Peace
on earth and good will to all”
is hard and stubborn work.
People are annoying no matter
how much good will you throw
at them, the requirements of
peace are likely to take more
out of us than we are generally
willing to give. This is why its
easier to grope into the kitchen
the morning after a New Years
Ever and long nap and then
read the paper, rather than
make a change in ourselves
or the world. Its hard work
living up to the message of
Christmas. Harder work than
many of us are willing to put
in. The Good news is that
Jesus does not shy away from
the hard work that his message
requires. The change of heart
that Christmas seeks of us is
the work of a whole year, or
even a lifetime. We are meant
to take the message from
the warmth of our dinners,
trees, lights and homes and
live it in the real world, not the
decorated one; the world with
dirty dishes and headaches and
cleaning to do. So....we might as
well get on with it.
Rev. Canon William G. Cliff
wcliff@uwo.ca Rector of the
Collegiate Chapel of St. John the
Evangelist 519-438-7224 x 294
BEWARE! I have a mustard seed
and am not afraid to use it!
Traditional Joinery
Carpentry &
Cabinet Making
Harold
Peters
59 Brixham Road
London, Ontario
N6K 1P7
642-4742
Coffee & Chat
A Grain of Salt
The Celtic
Way of
Evangelism
During the Epiphany season
congregations in the Diocese
are being invited to study some
of the concepts put forward
by George G. Hunter III in
his book “The Celtic Way of
Evangelism.” Clergy have
received a copy of the book as
well as some guidelines to help
introduce the conversation
to the congregations through
preaching and study groups.
The book is readily available
through normal bookstores
and it is hoped that many lay
people in the diocese will take
the opportunity to consider
the propositions set forth in
the book.
In t h e b o ok , Hu nt e r
notes how quickly the Irish
were Christianized in the
fifth century. On studying
the life and ways of Patrick
who led the mission to the
Irish, he discovers significant
differences in approach to
that of the Roman tradition
and he postulates that it is
those differences that allowed
Christianity to catch on so
quickly in Ireland. Hunter
goes on to suggest that we
could learn a lot from the
evangelization of Ireland about
how to share the gospel in our
current circumstance.
The book is rich with much
thought provoking material
that could not be adequately
shared an a short article but
here are a couple of teasers to
give you a taste of the good
things it holds out. Hunter
shares, in the first chapter the
difference between how tigers
and lions operate. Tigers are
much fiercer than lions but
when a group of tigers face a
group of lions the lions will
win. Why? Because the lions
work as a team whereas the
tigers work as individuals. He
take this a little further to look
at how we function as a church.
Are we lions or tigers? In our
parochial culture my guess we
that we are tigers. In the second
chapter of the look he shares
a concept from Paul Hiebert
that talks about the “Excluded
Middle.” The concept separates
the issues of life into three
categories; the bottom, middle
and top levels. The bottom level
deals with those things that our
senses can directly apprehend
– how to make a living, find
food etc. The middle level deals
with the problems and anxieties
of life – will there be enough
money to pay the mortgage?
The pain of losing a loved one,
the struggles of adolescence.
The top level deals with the
ultimate issues of life – the
origins of life, the purpose of
life, eternity. Hunter then goes
on to share how the church
has assumed that people will
get the bottom level elsewhere,
ignored the middle level – the
level at which most people
operate and focused on the top
level – a level that tends to be
more intellectual and a place
where no arguments are won.
I could go on about the
multitude of concepts presented
in the book but hope, instead,
that I have teased you into
picking it up for yourself and
immersing yourself and your
fellow congregants in a great
conversation. It just might
change the face of the church…
Next month back to the
eight quality characteristics of
a healthy church…
The Ven. Richard J. Salt
Director for Mission and Ministry
Diocese of Huron
519-434-6893 (Synod Office)
At St. James’ Church St.
Marys, on winter Tuesday
mornings, we open the parish
hall doors and put on the coffee.
Our “Coffee & Chat” times are
very warm and welcoming.
Sessions to get to know each
other better, ease newcomers
into the parish and reach out
to the community. Some of
us are knitting lap blankets
for seniors... or prepare milk
bags for weaving into bed
mats for Haiti. Some of us just
come to chat. If you are in St.
Marys between 10 and 12 on a
Tuesday, drop in, we’ll be glad
to see you. All are welcome.
Canterbury College
Welcomes You
Accommodation • Student Residences
Short and Long Term Apartments
and Single Rooms
Canterbury Courses In:
• Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology
• Christian Studies
• ElderCollege Courses
University of Windsor
2500 University Ave. West
Windsor, Ontario
Canada N9B 3Y1
(519) 971-3646
www.uwindsor.ca/canterbury - canter@uwindsor.ca
Page 6
ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF HURON CHURCH NEWS
JANUARY 2013
Anglican Church Women
Anglican Church Women
Diocese of Huron
Proposed Budget for 2014
RECEIPTS Donations: Fairshare$27,500.00
Thankoffering$11,500.00
Interest from Invested Funds
$27,500.00
Misc Income$250.00
Total Receipts$66,750.00
DISBURSEMENTS
Diocese of Huron “Fairshare” $27,500.00
Diocesan Outreach: Huron Church Camp $5,000.00
Council Lay Training$2,250.00
St. Monica House$4,000.00
College Chapels:$3,750.00
Canterbury, Huron, Renison
($1,250 ea.)
Children’s Ministries$1,500.00
Social Action and Nurture:
Mission to Seafarers$400.00
Henry Budd Centre$400.00
Dr. Graham Homes$400.00
Special Requests$250.00
General Administration
Office Rent & Supplies
$3,700.00
Huron Church News$5,000.00
(Donation - ACW Page)
Annual Meeting Expenses
$1,600.00
Salary & Benefits $5,100.00
(part-time Secretary)
Council Expenses$4,500.00
(travel, meetings, etc.)
Audit$1,400.00
Total Disbursements
$66,750.00
Coaches’
Corner
by Shirley Sewell
Here we go!
Coaches’ Corner: When
reading my on-line newsletter
from “Simple Truths,” I came
across this introduction to
one of their books. “You know,
sometimes life just gets too
serious...too busy...and too
complicated. We don’t mean
for it to happen, but we wake
up one morning to discover the
fun has slipped away.
A few years ago a health
study determined there are 3
main reasons people can’t cope
in life:
1. They live in the past. 2. They have a low self-
esteem. 3. They can’t laugh at
themselves.
In fact, the study indicated
that we need approximately 12
laughs a day to stay healthy!
You know, sometimes life just
gets too serious...too busy...
and too complicated. We don’t
mean for it to happen, but
we wake up one morning to
discover the fun has slipped
away.
I heard a story not long ago
about a guy who sent flowers
to his friend who was opening
a new restaurant. When he
arrived at the grand opening,
he looked for his flowers. Well,
when he found them, he saw
that he had sent a white wreath
that said, “May you rest in
peace.” He panicked, of course,
and called the florist who said,
“Bob, I’m not worried about
you because as we speak, there’s
a guy being buried who got a
dozen roses that said, “Good
luck in your new location!”
Ah yes...life throws us curve
balls when we least expect it!
And sometimes, just to stay
sane, we need to sit back and
laugh!” How often do we begin
our “church meetings” whatever
form they may take, with time
for inclusion /community and
a good laugh? What a positive
way to start our discussions! As
a lay member of the coaching
team, I am going to be bold
and suggest a meeting format
that would include a time built
in for community building at
the beginning. Suppose each
meeting we planned had this
format:
ACW
In Memoriam
MEDWAY DEANERY
St. Anne’s Church - Byron
Kae Ellis
Muriel Greene
Jane Trestain
St. George’s Church - London
Alice Richings
Note: Alice was
ACW Past President In
1985 - 1988
St. John the
Evangelist London
125th Anniversary
by Yvonne Collier, St. John the Evangelist, London
2013 marks the 125th Anniversary of our church and
we are celebrating in many ways and with many and
varied activities over the year.
Kevin Bice has designed banners which will be
unfurled at New Year’s and will hang on either side of the
West Window, on Wellington St.
Each month, except in the summer, we are having a
special service with a past rector, associate, or student
participating. On January 13, our first guest speaker will
be a former rector and retired Archbishop of Ontario the Most Rev. Terry Finlay. We look forward to Terry and
A.J. being with us that weekend.
On February 10, The Rev. Canon Dr. Todd Townshend
and the Rev. Ann Jaickaran will speak and celebrate
respectively at the 10:30 service.
The Primate will speak on the actual Anniversary date,
November 3rd and Bishop John Spong, retired Bishop
of Newark, will be with us and speak on Wednesday
evening, September 25. His topic is “Revisioning
Christianity for the 21st Century.”
Tickets for Bishop Spong will go on sale early May and
are $20.
• Prepare for Inclusion- a
you-question or activity to
promote personal discussion
time
• Identify the Content
Objective to be achieved
during the meeting, and the
Social /Collaborative Skills to
be practised
• Identify the Strategies to
be used to conduct the meeting
(rather than sit and git!)
• Ask a Direct Content,
Collaborative and Personal
Reflection Question About
What Happened During the
Meeting
• Provide an Opportunity
for Appreciation ( Too often
we leave meetings and in the
parking lot put down what has
taken place. Why not leave on a
positive uplifting note?)
Even though we are human,
we are the church. I truly
believe God would be much
happier with us if we conducted
church business in a positive,
uplifting way. For example, as
your inclusion /community
building activity ask all present
to write a tweet (with no more
than 140 characters) about a
positive happening in their
day or a positive recent event
in the church family. Suddenly
you will find laughter floating
throughout the room and I bet
the outcomes of the following
business meeting will have a
positive, uplifting format. Good
meetings take time to plan but
they also reap many benefits.
In my role as a congregational
coach, I would be delighted to
discuss this meeting format
with you. My pockets are full of
community building ideas and
laughter inspiring strategies to
help conduct serious business
issues. The church needs to
move out of the past. We need
to strive for higher self esteem
and ...we need to a laugh more.
That’s what makes us healthy.
So why not give some new ideas
a chance?
Page 7
ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF HURON CHURCH NEWS
JANUARY 2013
The Bishop of Huron’s Prayer Conference 2012:
The Transformative Power of Prayer
by Rev. Andreas Thiel
happy to share
their personal
experiences, as well
as their questions
and observations.
This is exactly
what happened as
the small groups
convened. There was
a steady exchange
of information as
people contributed
some of their own
learnings regarding
praying aloud,
journaling, or
healing prayer. We
learned about one person’s
experience with keeping a
“gratitude journal” and heard
a suggestion of making a gift
of a blank journal to someone
who is facing life challenges.
Our diocese is blessed to
have so many people who are
interested both in learning
and sharing what they have
learned.
A day of fellowship, food,
worship and prayer ended
by extending are thanks to
Canon Anne Moore. She
was generous in sharing
her passion and humour
with us, giving us much to
think about, and much to be
thankful for!
Canon Anne Moore leads in an
exercise of “one word prayers”.
which many people associate
with praying aloud. Later,
Canon Moore would lead us
in an exercise of speaking
our “one word prayers.” It
was indeed comfortable,
and stress-free. Moore also
spoke about the practice of
prayerful journalling, as well
as the ministry of healing
prayer. These three forms of
transformative prayer were
explored later in the day,
as we broke into smaller
group discussions, led by
Matt Martin (AFP diocesan
executive) and Val Kenyon.
One of the interesting
aspects of these prayer
conferences is that those in
attendance are more than
42nd Annual R. T Orr Lecture
God, Money, and Death:
Church of the Ascension presents:
A Theological Reading of the Economy
Greece: In the Footsteps
of Paul the Apostle
Dr. William T. Cavanaugh
Senior Research Professor, Center for World
Catholicism and Intercultural Theology,
DePaul University, Chicago
featuring 3-night Greek islands and Turkey Cruise
Thursday, January 31, 7:00 p.m., Huron;
Public Lecture; Free Admission
September 18 to September 28, 2013
Hosted by Rev. Canon Dr. Donald H. Hull
Most people assume that the economy is a mundane reality, dealing
with the material world of things. Dr. Cavanaugh will argue that the
current economy is instead typified by the aspiration to transcend the
material world and to cheat death. He will examine the origins of the
current economic crisis from a theological point of view and argue that
money must be understood theologically, because money has largely
replaced God in Western societies.
More details:
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The Anglican Fellowship of
Prayer (AFP) Executive of the
Diocese of Huron is deeply
appreciative of the interest,
support and encouragement
of Bishop Bennett and
the Diocesan family in
Huron. The Rev. Val Kenyon
(Diocesan Representative)
points out the importance
of this reality as the AFP
strives to fulfill its very
basic mandate of providing
resources of all kinds to those
in Huron to support our
ongoing growth, development
and experience in prayer: It
is in fact dedication to the
ministry of prayer that drew
people from the four corners
of our diocese to attend the
annual Bishop’s Conference
on Prayer, so generously
hosted this year by the clergy
and people of St John the
Evangelist, London. And
so, on Saturday, November
3, we gathered as parish
representatives and guests
for this annual conference to
consider the Transformative
Power of Prayer.
We were so pleased that
the Dean of Huron, the
Very Rev. Kevin Dixon,
could bring greetings on
behalf of the bishop. Dixon
spoke about some of his
personal recollections of
transformative prayer, and
remarked that “sometimes the
experiences are so amazing
that we are reluctant to speak
about them.” And yet, this
year’s conference invited
people to go beyond their
reluctance, and to speak about
and reflect upon how various
types of prayer change us, as
we grow in our understanding
of our relationship with God.
The person who was
entrusted with the exercise
of leading us in conversation
was the Rev. Canon Anne
Moore. The group was put at
ease immediately as Moore
opened her keynote address
by informing us that she
was going to “love us with
her eyes.” As she scanned
the room, taking in all 85
participants, she set a tone
of gentleness and leisure,
and these were the qualities
that would prevail for the
remainder of the day. Moore
spoke eloquently about her
own life story, and was quick
to let us know that she was
“just a simple country pastor...
who has had wonderful
experiences with prayer.”
One of her more vivid
experiences, as a newlyenergized young Christian,
was the gift of praying aloud.
Anne said that she was
fortunate in having had a
group of friends who felt this
to be a most natural way of
praying. We were assured
that we would all have the
opportunity of trying this
kind of prayer, and we would
learn how to eliminate or
lower some of the stress
www.huronuc.ca/orr
Huron University College
1349 Western Road, London
(519) 438-7224, ext. 289
srice@uwo.ca
Diocese of Moosonee to
become mission area
When Bishop Tom Corston
of the diocese of Moosonee
ret i re s, t he d i o c e s e w i l l
become a mission area of
the Ecclesiastical Province of
Ontario.
The decision of the diocese
was announced at the provincial
synod in October. Delegates
from Moosonee gave a heartfelt
presentation on their ministry
and on challenges such as
distance, the cost of living,
clergy isolation and low pay.
As they discerned the best way
forward, one elder summed up
the feeling in the diocese that
they wanted to stay together as
a family.
Canon VII, drawn up to make
the change, was unanimously
approved by the provincial synod.
From Algoma Anglican files
Page 8
ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF HURON CHURCH NEWS
JANUARY 2013
Continuing Education
for Lay People & Lay Certificate
and
A New Year and the excitement for RENEW is building!
Perhaps you have heard of RENEW. We are certainly hoping so, but our Diocese is
extraordinarily large, so it takes time to spread the word about important programs.
Not to worry – word is travelling and ideas are flowing and our Bishops are continuing
to make personal RENEW visits to meet with all of our parishes. In addition, RENEW is on
the agenda of each Diocesan Council meeting and at the last two Clergy Days, and - as
promised at last Synod - we have now launched our RENEW HURON website.
What is RENEW?
•
a five-year, diocesan-wide financial development program to support a
renewed vision and direction for our parishes and our Diocese of Huron.
•
an invitation for all of us to look beyond our day-to-day, year-to-year
challenges and to dream boldly of renewal and growth in our future mission and
ministry, as parishes and as a diocese.
•
an opportunity to put all of our financial resources in order so that we can go
forward with the real mission we have been given – the mission of being ‘sent out’
in the name of Jesus.
At Synod 2011, the concept of RENEW was first introduced, as part of the Strategic
Plan for the Diocese. RENEW created an immediate buzz of positive energy and
enthusiasm with clergy and lay leaders. Since then, we have been travelling the road
to becoming RENEW-ready. Bishops Bob and Terry have crisscrossed the Diocese
making more than 120 visits to parishes (with more ongoing) to hear firsthand
about our parishes’ challenges, hopes and dreams and to explore how we can work
together to turn dreams into reality and embrace the future with a renewed vision and
commitment to do God’s business in a rapidly changing world.
We thank the members of our diocesan Financial Development Committee for
their ongoing leadership as we set the stage for RENEW. Thanks, too, to Richard Salt,
our Diocesan Director for Mission & Ministry, and our volunteer fundraising consultants
Amanda Gellman and Lynda McGregor who have been guiding our individual
parishes to begin the important work of putting their own visions and plans in place.
for Clergy & Professionals
Faithful Baptismal Witness
in a Multi-faith Culture
Christians journey and try to bear witness to Jesus in a climate of
daily work, play and engagement with people from many faiths and
even of no faith. With that in mind, we will come together for a oneday, dynamic conversation about what “seeking and serving Christ in
all persons and loving neighbour as self” looks like in a pluralistic
culture.
Instructor: Canon Dr. Kevin George; Cost: $49
Date/Time: Saturday, February 9, 10 am-3 pm
Religions and Communities:
Exploring & Observing
Religion is everywhere, it appears, again becoming a very important
factor in all of society. This reappearance is marked by both radical
difference & the reclaiming/maintaining of tradition. Join this primer in
how we think, explore and observe the new religious situations in our
communities and how those observations have global connections.
Instructor: Dr. William Acres; Cost: $49
Date/Time: Saturday, March 2, 10 am-3 pm
Non-credit courses. No previous study required.
More Info & Registration
www.huronuc.ca/lay
Faculty of Theology, Huron University College
1349 Western Road, London, Ontario N6G 1H3
(519) 438-7224, ext. 289; srice@uwo.ca
The excitement for RENEW is building! The diocesan case statement is prepared,
laying out six key funding priorities or focal points. Practical tools and materials for our
parishes have been created. Clergy and lay leaders across our diocese are developing
their own RENEW parish teams to build their individual RENEW parish visions and
plans, and the official launch of RENEW is on the horizon – at May Synod 2013.
Is your parish RENEW-ready?
Have you written your parish vision and mission? Do you know how you will resource
your plan? We invite you to visit our RENEW website at www.renewhuron.ca - your
one-stop resource for information about becoming RENEW-ready. Learn more about
RENEW’s six funding priorities – Our Parish Vitality, Our Camp Life, Our Sacramental
Leadership, Our Enduring Legacy, Our Commitment to Youth, and Our Shared
Ministry - and how they will make a difference in the future of your parish and your
diocese. Watch for the latest RENEW news and events. Be inspired by firsthand
accounts of RENEW parish activity across our diocese. Discover the tools, templates
and best practices that will equip your parish to as it strives to achieve its full potential
in mission and ministry.
Online response forms will allow you to connect and share your own RENEW parish
stories, insights, and successes, get answers to your questions, and find out how to
support RENEW in your own church community and across the diocese. Fresh content
and new features will be added regularly.
Renewhuron.ca will be a lively hub for many voices – clergy, lay leaders, volunteers,
parishioners of all ages, community supporters, and more. Bishop Bob and Bishop Terry
will join the conversation with a regular blog post.
BEHOLD I MAKE
ALL THINGS NEW
revelation 21:5
A. Millard
George
FUNERAL HOME
60 Ridout Street South, London, Ontario N6C 3X1
Telephone 519-433-5184 or www.amgfh.com
Family Owned & Operated by Paul and David Mullen
Get involved! Get dreaming and planning! Get the latest RENEW news and
updates! Visit RenewHuron.ca today.
RENEW HURON 1.800.919.1115 x 228 renew@huron.anglican.ca
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Phone/Fax: (519) 432-9624