Archdeaconry of Avalon Inspires Other Faith Communities in their Support of Home Again Furniture Bank
This story will appear in the April print issue of Anglican Life, written by Maureen Lymburner. Photos provided by Home Again Furniture Bank.
Last April, members of the Archdeaconry of Avalon chose to give up the comfort of their beds to share an evening on the floor of the Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. Their sacrifice demonstrated compassion for those who live without basic furnishings each day and night, and has inspired members of other faith communities to participate in Home Again Furniture Bank’s Heads Without Beds campaign.
Sleeping at the Anglican Cathedral last year
Heads Without Beds aims to raise awareness, and funds, to end furniture poverty on the northeast Avalon. In seeking sponsors to sleep without a bed for one night, participants are helping to ensure that others will not have to suffer that same discomfort and indignity.
Leaders and laity of multiple faith communities have elected to join together and sleep without a bed on April 17th. Multi-faith participation in Heads Without Beds exemplifies the underlying commonalities of differing religious expressions. Each religious tradition abides by a variation of the Golden Rule to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Matthew 7:12), as seen in the many selfless acts of service and care for society’s most vulnerable.
Participation in the St. John’s and Area Council of Churches, the Religious Social Action Coalition NL, and now in the Heads Without Beds campaign, demonstrates an active commitment by local faith communities to find ways to thrive together, work toward common goals, and advocate for vulnerable populations in a combined community of care.
Home Again Furniture Bank’s initiative Heads Without Beds is a great way to continue the deepening of multi-faith dialogue and action, for the betterment of community.
About Home Again Furniture Bank
Home Again is a nonprofit organization that aims to end regional furniture poverty. To do this, Home Again collects donations of gently-used furniture to redistribute, for free, to those referred by partner agencies and organizations. Each week our volunteers deliver beds, blankets, pillows, sofas and more to individuals and families who had been living without.
As partners of Home Again, each Anglican parish in the region can refer parishioners and others in their communities who find themselves without basic furnishings.
Past furniture recipients have shared “I can have a seat in my own house now because I have a table and chairs and cups to serve coffee. I also have a bed now so I don’t have to sleep on the floor anymore.” Another recipient said, “The mattress allows me to sleep better. The dresser helped me organize my clothes. The lamp allows my son to sleep with the light on.”
Less than 4.5 years old, Home Again has furnished more than 1300 households. And there is an ever-growing list of more than 150 households waiting for the furniture they need to turn their house into a home.
Delivering a matrtess to a family who needs it.
You Can Help
You can help ensure that others have a bed to sleep in by supporting Heads Without Beds. Ask questions and learn more about the work of Home Again Furniture Bank. Sponsor a Heads Without Beds participant by making a tax-deductible financial contribution. Participating churches will have specially marked envelopes. Some participants will use sponsor donation sheets. Or donations can be made online at: https://bit.ly/2k2FX4n
For more information:
Maureen Lymburner
(709) 325-0072
maureenlymburner@homeagainfb.com
GPS 2020—A Chance For Youth To Learn About Incorporating God into Their Everyday Lives
Article by Sarah Hedderson
Being able to form new relationships with fellow youth in the church is a great opportunity for the young people of Newfoundland and Labrador. Over the past 6 years youth between the ages of 12 and 19 have had wonderful experiences learning about God, their faith, and how to incorporate them into their everyday lives through the GPS conference. GPS (God’s Positioning System) is an annual conference held around the province focusing on vocation, self discovery, and building relationships with fellow youth.
In previous years, participants have had the opportunity to hear from many remarkable keynote speakers including Scott Evans, Bill Cliff, Mark Dunwoody, Sheilagh McGlynn and Jenny Salisbury, and this year’s keynote speaker will be Steve Greene, as well as participate in other activities such as outreach projects for local charities, wellness activities, arts and crafts, and games. This year the conference will once again be held at the Lavrock camp and conference centre from May 1st to the 3rd. This retreat venue offers great accommodations and an enjoyable outdoor environment exceptional for fun and recreation. During the weekends events participants will take part in fun games to get to know one another, participate in outreach projects, explore the idea of vocation and so much more.
Lavrock camp and conference centre
Youth aged 12 and up are invited to join us for the conference in May. GPS is a great way for youth to build new friendships through faith and expand their beliefs in a different environment outside of a normal Sunday morning service. The conference is always lots of fun and there are many different activities to do, friends to make and different ways to explore your faith.
This year we are very excited to have Steve Greene as our keynote speaker. Rev’d Steve Greene is currently assistant curate to the rector for South Huron Regional Ministries. Greene has had prior experience working with youth in a conference setting as he has led faith driven workshops such as a slam poetry workshop at the CLAY (Canadian Lutheran Anglican Youth) gathering, as well as being the keynote speaker of the 2018 CLAY event, which some members of the GPS team were lucky to attend. Rev’d Steve Greene is a talented and engaging speaker; we’ve heard many of Steves talks, and can say first hand that they’re an amazing experience to be a part of which none of you will want to miss at this upcoming GPS.
For more information on this event or to register please visit our Facebook page Anglican Youth ENL, or email us at anglicanyouth.enl@gmail.com . The deadline to register is April 16th, 2020. We hope to see you there!
Exploring Sustainability and Misional Thinking—Diocese of Central Newfoundland
The full story and photographs will appear in the April issue of Anglican Life, article and photographs by Bishop John Watton and Archdeacon Terry Caines.
Our Bishop has a long history of visiting successful people and asking them, “How did you make it work?” with a view to bringing innovative practices to ministry.
On February 6th, 2020, Bishop John Watton and Archdeacon Terry Caines from the Diocese of Central Newfoundland travelled the Diocese of Ottawa, because they had heard that they were doing exciting things. They have engaged a concept of “Area Ministry.” So off they went to visit the “Parish of the Valley.”
“Area Ministry” comes into being after several parishes or congregations have discerned a willingness to work together in a new way. It is no doubt occasioned by shifting resources and demographics, but the main reason for exploring the idea of becoming an “Area Parish” is to be more effective in mission. By sharing human and practical resources of several congregations in a new way, it is possible to become a parish that benefits from the leadership of a team of clergy, and is stronger, sustainable, and more capable of having a greater impact in the wider community. In an area parish, congregations and their team of clergy work as partners in ministry and mission. There is one overall incumbent, and a number of associate incumbents.
“Becoming and being” an area parish is an exploration in faith. Apart from some key administrative requirements, the clergy and people of area parishes are encouraged to discover what works best for them, and for their ministry and mission in their communities. The greatest challenge was community-building, but they see it happening! New relationships needed to be established among different congregations, and with the communities they serve.
Saint Matthias
Today, February 24th, we remember the Apostle Saint Matthias in our church calendar.
Saint Matthias is not in the Gospels as one of Jesus’ Apostles, but in the book of Acts, it is mentioned that he had been with Jesus since the time of his baptism in the Jordan River. He stayed with Jesus until the time of his Ascension into heaven. In the days that followed the Ascension of Christ, Saint Peter got the disciples together to hold an election to replace Judsas Iscariot, since his place among the twelve was now vaccant. There were two people suggested: Joseph (called Barsabas) and Matthias. After the vote, Matthias was declared the winner, and was then numbered among the twelve Apostles.
Greek tradition says that Saint Matthias ministered to the people of Cappadocia and the coasts of the Caspian sea, and another tradition says that he was stoned at Jerusalem by the locals, and then was beheaded. Still another tradition says that he died of old age in Jerusalem.
While we don’t know exctly what happened to Saint Matthias after his election, we remember him today as one of the Apostles of Jesus. A collect for today:
O ALMIGHTY God, who into the place of the traitor Judas didst choose thy faithful servant Matthias to be of the number of the twelve Apostles: Grant that thy Church, being alway preserved from false Apostles, may be ordered and guided by faithful and true pastors; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Combined Parishes on Mission Sunday, February 23, 2020
On Sunday, February 23rd, four parishes in St. John’s West/Mount Pearl came together to worship at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, with the clergy, choirs, servers, organists, readers, and other musicians all contributing to the celebration of the Eucharist. It is hoped that this will be the first of many such Eucharists, worshiping together.
The parishes who took part were: The Good Shepherd (Mount Pearl), The Parish of St. Michael and All Angels (St. John’s), The Church of the Ascension (Mount Pearl), and The Parish of St. Mary the Virgin (St. John’s).
The praise band from The Ascension played before the service began.
The start of the procession into the church
The first lesson (St. Michael’s)
The Psalm (The Ascension)
The second lesson (St. Peter on the Rock, Parish of St. Mary’s)
Archdeacon Charlene Taylor addresses the children
Sermon by Mission Dean Jonathan Rowe
The Rev’d David Burrows leads the Prayers of the People
All of the clergy at the altar, The Rev’d Lynn Courage celebrant
Choral scholars singing during the ablutions
Organists and choir directors from St. Mary’s (A. Ruby) and St. Micahel’s (S. Candow)
Valentine’s Day
An excerpt from the February 2018 editorial about Valentine by editor, Emily Rowe.
We have a lovely bright warm spot in the middle of the month with Valentine’s Day. As a kid, that meant making a “mailbox” in school from an old cereal box or something, and then the excitement of passing around Valentines to our friends, and getting them in return. As we get older, there is the romantic pressure of the day—the expected grand gesture or gift. But of course there must be more to the story of Valentine than the gifts, the fancy suppers, and even more than the funny little cards that we gave to our classmates.
Actually, there is very little that we know for certain about St. Valentine. We know that he existed in third century Rome, and that he was martyred for his faith and buried in a cemetery that is north of Rome. The name “Valentine” itself was popular at the time, and comes from the word valens, which means worthy, strong, or powerful. There are a dozen saintswho are venerated in the Roman calendar, and who share this name.
The most common version of the legend of this St. Valentine is that he was the Bishop of Terni, Narnia, and Amelia in central Italy. While under house arrest, a Roman judge questioned him on the legitimacy of Christianity and the faith in Jesus Christ. Valentine was challenged to restore the sight of the judge’s daughter through the power of prayer, and if he could do that, the judge would do whatever Valentine asked. So Valentine put his hands on the girl’s eyes, prayed, and her sight returned.
The judge asked what he should do in response to this miracle, and Valentine replied that all of the idols that were around the judge’s house should be destroyed, that the judge himself should fast for three days, and he should then be baptised a Christian. The judge agreed, and also freed all of the Christian slaves that were under his authority—he, his family, and all of the members of his household were baptised.
Valentine was later arrested again, and was sent to the emperor Claudius Gothicus himself. The emperor liked Valentine, but grew angry when Valentine tried to persuade him to be baptised too. Claudius insisted that Valentine should renounce his faith or else be beheaded. When Valentine refused this request, he was executed on February 14th, 269.
photo from http://www.unsplash.com by Laura Briedis
There are many other legends of Valentine, and many reasons given for his later association with romantic love, including theories about Valentine’s Day being an attempt to take over the pagan holiday of Lupercalia (celebrated mid-February in Roman times). Many of these legends were actually invented in 14th century England, notably by the poet Geoffrey Chaucer, and are now dismissed in serious academic circles. However, in the almost complete absence of any real stories of Valentine, there seems little harm in taking time in the middle of a cold and dreary month to think about loved ones, to celebrate important relationships in our lives, to cut out red cardboard hearts, and maybe even to eat a bit of chocolate. The saints are there to point us to the love of God, and in many ways, regardless of the truth behind his many legends, St. Valentine reminds us all to love, and that is fundamental to our lives as Christians.
“A Real Valentine” service in Port aux Basques
The full story will appear in the April issue of Anglican Life; article and photographs by Lisa Brown.
At St. James’ Church in Port aux Basques on February 9th, the youth of our congregationheld a youth service. The theme of our service was “A Real Valentine”. The children passed out the bulletins and valentines to all the congregation, and they also picked up the collection, sang songs, and read. Kolby Musseau, one of our youth servers, played “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes. We had a puppet show with the help of Edwina Bateman and Barbara Hardy. After the service cupcakes were given out to the congregation. It was a wonderful morning of worship.
Ron and Melanie Clarke’s Column for February
It is with sincere apologies that I publish the column from Ron and Melanie Clarke here online that was supposed to be in the February issue of Anglican Life. It was accidentally left out when the paper was sent for publication. Please share this widely.
-Emily Rowe
Editor, Anglican Life
The Shortest Month
When I was a young boy growing up in Chance Cove, Trinity Bay, the month of February was long and dreary! It was the month with the most snow storms and the least amount of light, or so it seemed as a young boy. There wasn’t much to do in a small outport during a snow storm so time seemed to drag even more than it seemed possible! Entertaining a small child in those days was a difficult process considering there wasn’t any TV or computers, and even books were scarce! But some of my fondest memories of my grandfather are from those stormy days when as a child I was forced to be in the house.
My grandfather was a very religious man. He believed that everything was ordained by
God and we should live by His word. Grandfather had been a hard working fisherman all his life and in his old age, it was often times, him and me, together during the times when mom and dad were busy. I sat by his knee and listened to his stories about when he was young and growing up. He told me about his parents and his grandparents, all of which had passed on before my lifetime. He noted all the hard work and hard times people had in our small community and even as a small child I remember being amazed that so many people could live through such difficulties!
Most of all, in those long winters days and nights, grandfather told me stories from the Bible. Considering that February was always after Epiphany, most of the stories he told me were about the Bible readings from the Book of Common Prayer. He started with telling me about Jesus being brought to the Temple to be presented to God, forty days after he was born, and continue through the Gospel readings for the Sundays after Epiphany.
I remember all too well, the story about Jesus being at the wedding in Cana of Galilee. He told me Jesus saw that the wedding had run out of wine. I can still see my grandfather’s face when he told the story. “Do you know what Jesus did when the wine ran out, Ronald?”
“No, Grandfather. What did Jesus do?” I said.
“Jesus told the servants to get the water jugs and fill them with water, my son.”
“Water, Grandfather? Water isn’t wine! What good would water be to the wedding guests?” I asked.
“Well, Ronald, Jesus took that water and turned every last drop into wine for the wedding guests! Jesus didn’t want the wedding to be spoiled by people not having something good to drink with the feast. This was one of the first signs that Jesus showed Himself as the Son of God!”
“But how did He do that?” I asked.
“My son, God can do anything! With his Son, Jesus, they can do more than anything you can imagine! We have no idea about all the great and good things Our Lord and Saviour can do!”
I can still see in my mind’s eye, my grandfather’s face as he told me that story. His eyes sparkled and the smile went from ear to ear! I looked into his face and knew that what my grandfather was telling me was the absolute truth. I knew, even at that young age, that Jesus Christ and our Father were the Light of the World and if my grandfather believed in them, then I would too!
That memory, so many years ago, comes back to me now, as I sit looking out the window at the snow and wind and rain! My grandfather wasn’t a very schooled man—I’m not sure he went to school for more than a year—but his devotion and love for God is something I will never forget and I will always cherish!
In these dark days of winter, remember that Our Saviour is there with you. He is watching over and keeping us all safe and protected. Even in these days where it seems nothing can come from all the bad and dark weather, thoughts, happenings, in the world, remember- Jesus never leaves and as my grandfather believed and as do I, He can make water into wine and He can bring back the good when He sees you need it!
God Bless you all!
