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Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds–how health related outreach helps religious communities

September 17, 2021 · by anglicanlifenl

This article, by Claire Donnan, will appear in the October print issue of Anglican Life.

As the saying goes, “Give a man a carrot, and he’ll eat for a day. Teach him how to grow a carrot, and he’ll eat for life. Teach a man how to be well, and he’ll help everyone eat.” Okay, maybe that’s not quite it, but that’s what the Anglican Cathedral’s Wellness program and community garden seek to accomplish—the education and feeding of the greater community through outreach programs and a public garden. Today I sat down with two organizers of the group, Brenda Halley (a social worker) and Patricia Waddleton (a dietician), as well as two other members, Steven Butler and Chris Kelsey. We discussed the purpose and activities of the Wellness group and community garden, and I got to see how people can get involved.

*The greenhouse that sits just below the Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Baptist*

“We came together about seven or eight years ago…I sort of came up with an idea that, on Fridays, we would get a group of people together and we would start hiking,” says Halley of the group’s origins almost a decade ago. “As we started chatting, and Patricia came on board, we sort of came with, ‘you know, let’s start talking about wellness…how we [can] get more well every day.’” The program’s focus began to shift, thanks to a survey of members that expressed interest in gardening and healthy cooking. It was from there that Waddleton, a dietician with Eastern Health, came in. “We started out with six garden beds; it went on to another 8…and this year we have this beautiful greenhouse, so it has evolved over the past three years,” says Waddleton, gesturing at the beautiful open greenhouse on the cathedral green space, surrounded by seven-foot sunflowers. This shift in the group’s focus couldn’t have come at a better time, says Waddleton. “We noticed over the past couple years, especially between Snowmaggedon and now COVID, how it’s important to have our own food source,” she says. Demonstrating how it’s possible to grow your own produce here in Newfoundland is a first essential step in sharing this information.

Participant input has also added a new element to the group: cooking! Chris Kelsey has encouraged and shown the group how to make salads with the home grown produce. “We had mixed greens mostly, some cucumber and yellow tomato, and some zucchini,” explains Kelsey. All fresh produce, grown mere feet from the cathedral. One thing that’s particularly interesting about this garden? It’s neither locked, nor exclusive to the program! “Food security is important, but everybody should have access to fresh, tasty vegetables, and oftentimes people do not, and that’s just unacceptable, I think,” says Halley. Thus, anyone can follow the greenhouse sign’s instructions: Take what you need and leave the rest.

Wellness program responsibilities can often be fairly regular, with weekly or even daily tasks. “The group gets together usually on Friday afternoons; daily [responsibilities are] taking care of the plants, a bit of weeding, and watering everyday,” says Kelsey. He and Butler are at the community garden every day taking care of these tasks. Besides this, the group provides activities like yoga, mindfulness, walking the labyrinth, snowshoeing, and more!

Finally, I’m sure you’re curious about the community garden’s fare. Well, it varies! Lettuce, eggplant, broccoli, carrot, potato, corn, squash, green onion, kale, garlic, spinach, cucumbers, zucchini, strawberries, snow peas, tomatoes, nasturtiums (edible flowers), and more! I was lucky enough to get to try a nasturtium, green pepper, and tomato, and they were all absolutely delicious! Rest assured that if you visit the community garden, you’ll leave well fed!

As you can see, this is an incredible program and initiative that the cathedral has supported. I’m sure it will continue to grow as it has in recent years, and will continue to do an incredible job of educating and offering opportunities to the people of Newfoundland. These outreach services are an incredible way of helping the community, and are so much fun!

Claire Donnan is a parishioner at the Cathedral, and has just started univeristy in the fall of 2021, working towards a Bachelor of Digital Journalism degree.

September 2021 Issue

August 28, 2021 · by anglicanlifenl

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The First Time I Met Father Taylor

August 16, 2021 · by anglicanlifenl

This will appear in print in the September issue of Anglican Life

In the late 1980s, my wife was a patient at the Health Science Center in St John’s. A day or two after her surgery, the door to her room opened, and an old priest sauntered in. He asked, “Hutchings, Hutchings, Cow Head, Northern Peninsula?” I said, “Close. St. Paul’s Inlet, just next door.” “I was hoping it might be,” he smiled. “I am Reverend Taylor. My first parish was Cow Head.”

“Yes,” I said, “ I remember you being mentioned many times over the years.”

“I had a wonderful ministry there,” he said. “Wonderful people. They treated me well. It was a challenging parish, as we had to walk in those days, or hitch a ride on a horse during winter, or a boat during summer.

“For sure,” I said. “I remember as a boy when the first vehicle came to St. Paul’s. The road was constructed to Western Brook about three miles from St. Paul’s and they managed to get the truck across the brook and the man managed to drive it down around the sea shore. Once he got the truck to St. Paul’s, he had it made. An oil drilling

company had built a road through the community in as far as Gully Cove where they drilled an oil well.”

He nodded his head and smiled. “You remember uncle Norm Blake?”

“I sure do, and his wife, Aunt Mary.”

“I always stayed with them on my rounds to St. Paul’s. I remember a funny incident once:

I was on my way to Sally’s Cove, and walked into St Paul’s in the morning. I got there just before noon. I went to Uncle Norm’s and knocked on the door. Uncle Norm opened the door.”

“ Good morning, Father Taylor. Where you goin’ this cold mornin’?”

“I am on my way to Sally’s Cove.”

“Well, come on in and have dinner (lunch) with us, and I’ll harness the horse and take you up after dinner.”

“That would be great,” I said. So we had dinner, and afterwards Uncle Norm went out and harnessed the horse and hooked him up to the sleigh. When he was ready, he sat on the sleigh up front to drive the horse, and I jumped on the back, and we set off up across St. Paul’s Marsh. On the trail to Sally’s Cove, there were mostly marshes with a small droke of woods separating them. When we entered the woods where it was lund from the wind, so Uncle Norm slowed the horse to a walk. I would jump off and run behind the hose to warm up. Everything went well until we got to Duck Pond woods. Before I got back on the sleigh, the horse took off and left me behind. Uncle Norm did not look behind so he had no idea I wasn’t on the sleigh. On the other side of Gull Marsh, just before Sally’s Cove, Uncle Norm met Joe Jill walking from Sally’s Cove down to Broom Point. Uncle Norm stopped to have a chat, as was custom in those days.

“Good Morn, Joe,” said Uncle Norm. “Where are you going this cold day?”

“I am going down to Broom Point, Uncle Norm, to do a little work on my fishing shack, Where are you on your way to?”

“I am taking Father Taylor to Sally’s Cove.”

“Where is Father Taylor?” asked Joe.

Uncle Norm glanced around and said, “Oh my Lord, I have lost Father Taylor!” “He wheeled the horse around and came galloping back looking for me. I was walking casually along, following the trail. I knew he would be back once he discovered I wasn’t on the sleigh.

Maureen and I had a hearty laugh at the story, and admired a wonderful old priest I had heard mentioned admiringly during my years growing up in St. Paul’s Inlet.

Submitted by
The Rev’d Isaac Hutchings

Confirmation Class Makes Wishes Come True

July 13, 2021 · by anglicanlifenl

This story by Audrey Park will appear in the September issue of Anglican Life.

The 2021 confirmation class of St. James’, Gillams, (of the Parish of Meadows) made a presentation of $637 to the Make a Wish Foundation during the evening prayer service on July 11th. The donation was the result of their stewardship project, using their time, talent, and treasures to help others. The nine candidates chose the charity, and they raised the funds by making and selling a variety of items. Two representatives of the Foundation were on hand to accept the donation and were very appreciative. We are all very proud of our candidates.

St. Swithin’s Celebrates 71 Years—Seal Cove, White Bay

June 18, 2021 · by anglicanlifenl

These photographs will appear in the September print issue of Anglican Life and were submitted by The Rev’d George Critchell

*The Rev’d George Critchell and Mrs. Marion Eveleigh, organist at St. Swithin’s Church in Seal Cove since she was 12 years old (62 years ago)*

Left to right: Peter Robinson, Norma Robinson, Marion Eveleigh, Linda Pinksen, and Eric Robinson, pictured at a special service held for the 71st anniversary of the consecration of St. Swithin’s Church in Seal Cove, White Bay, on June 6th, 2021.The entire family is involved in every aspect of the church.

Blessings From St. Peter’s During The COVID-19 Pandemic

June 10, 2021 · by anglicanlifenl

This story is written by Colleen Reid, and will appear in the September print issue of Anglican Life.

The parishioners of St. Peter’s Anglican Church (Upper Gullies) blessed each other with their kind and caring actions during a very difficult year. When the World Health Organization declared a worldwide pandemic, the people of St. Peter’s supported each other in many heartwarming ways. With a lockdown in place and businesses closed, people were restricted to their homes—the churches of the province were closed as well. We were instructed by our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, to remain socially distant. With our leader, the Rev’d William Strong, and support from the office administrator, Jack Morgan, St. Peter’s parish was creative in the ways we could help each other get through this difficult time.

Early in the pandemic, for those who live close to the church, the chimes became a beacon of hope. They were played weekly during the week days and could be heard far and wide. Parishioners were notified of the day and time that the chimes would ring. People would often take their daily walk to coincide with the ringing of the chimes. It was pleasing to hear the sweet song of the chimes ringing through the air. Many people reported back to the church office that this was comforting to them, and so the chimes have been ringing, other than Sundays, since the pandemic began. The chimes were welcome sounds that lightened the hearts of all the lonely and troubled people during the lockdowns that occurred during the pandemic.

The parishioners of St. Peter’s were very thankful for the frontline workers in our community and surrounding area. One evening, some families came to the church parking lot in their cars, so as we were to remain socially distant, to make a noise in appreciation of these essential workers. The families blew the horns of their cars, the bell rang, and the chimes played. It was a noisy display of appreciation for all those working to keep us safe during the pandemic.

Those in need of food from our local food bank were not forgotten by our parishioners during COVID-19. The church food bank box was placed outside on our hall steps each week. A notice would go out to all telling which day the box would be outside so we could avail of the safe drop off of food items for the food bank.

During the summer months, when outside visiting was appropriate and long awaited, St. Peter’s hired a student to do some work with the seniors in our parish. Darcy Scott was kept busy doing outside visits to the many elderly who were lonely throughout the pandemic. He helped seniors with technology questions, gardening work, sang songs, and played guitar. Darcy was a bright light in the darkness that COVID-19 had cast upon many parishioners.

St. Peter’s shawl ministry continued to be active throughout the pandemic. Shawls were blessed and given to people in need. This was an especially important time to deliver shawls as people who lost loved ones and were grieving, were also heavily laden by the worldwide pandemic.

While the pandemic and lockdown kept us at home our rector held one or two services a week via Facebook Live. This was a platform that was popular on social media, and easily accessible for many parishioners. So, even though we could not worship in person, Rev’d Bill led us in worship, and we could join in or watch at a later time.

During the fall of 2020 our church was able to reopen in a modified manner. A group of Parishioners came together to plan how people could safely return to church. So, with the guidelines from our diocese, we proceeded to plan for less people, more space, masks, no singing and stricter cleaning measures. It was a different time, for sure. Things were looking different, but people wanted to go to church and the “Covid Church Team” made it happen safely. Parishioners registered in advance so contact tracing would be easy, if necessary. There was no denying that people were happy to return, we had just about full capacity for each Sunday service. Those numbers were reduced from normal attendance because of social distancing and restrictions put in place but, we had about 50 people participating in each service.

During COVID-19, our church saw the need to purchase technology equipment (a computer, monitors, and a camera) to better serve the people in our new pandemic world. The monitors helped with the service when people were there in person because the books had been removed from the church as we could not be sharing them. The camera and computer helped broadcast the service live on Facebook to those who were more comfortable watching from their homes. The purchase of this equipment has proven to be beneficial to us all. Parishioners are enjoying watching safely at home. Some of our most senior members have learned to use their home technology and remain safe from COVID-19 while taking part virtually in the church service. What a blessing!

The gestures of kindness that were evident throughout COVID-19 were a blessing to all of us. As with many acts of kindness, sometimes they are often unknown to us. I’m sure there were many more kind gestures and good news stories that I have not mentioned. But I do know that we as a parish witnessed many blessings and the weight of COVID-19 was a little lighter because of our care, kindness, and respect for one another. God Bless St. Peter’s.

“Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.” Princess Diana

June 2021 Issue

May 31, 2021 · by anglicanlifenl

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Quilts Donated to Long Term Care Home in Fogo

May 21, 2021 · by anglicanlifenl

This story, by the Rev’d Charlie Cox, will be in the June print issue of Anglican Life.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the ACW of the Church of the Holy Spirit, Fogo Island East parish, has been limited in their ways to reach out to the community.

A project that involved making homemade quilts for the residents of the Christina Cole Memorial Longterm Care Facility was suggested, and agreed on. Pictured here are the 11 quilts that were made, donated, and graciously appreciated and received by the staff of the Fogo Island Health Centre.

Anglicans Helping Families in The Gambia

May 3, 2021 · by anglicanlifenl

This article, by Woody King, will appear in print in the June issue of Anglican Life.

Despite the copious amount of distance from St David’s Anglican church in Pasadena, NL, to the Gambia, the smallest country in West Africa, there is a connection between the two.

A former Mayor of Pasadena, William (Bill) Pardy, made the transition to the Gambia some years ago and took up residency there. What he saw in the West African country was not appealing to him and he wondered to himself many times over, “What can I do to improve conditions for the children living in the area?”

The Gambia has no social assistance programs and families struggle to survive. This densely populated country has very limited resources, and they rely heavily on the tourism industry to meet their basic needs.

Seated front left are The Rev’d Dr. Amy E. Richter, and standing is her husband The Rev’d Dr. Joseph S. Pagano. Seated on the front at the right is Emmie Penney. Standing in the back are Colleen Harris, Joseph Hillier, and Carol Parsons.

Since the arrival of COVID-19, the tourism industry has collapsed. COVID-19, however, is not the greatest fear in the Gambia. The greatest fear is starvation.

Life in the Gambia is very fragile: child mortality is also high with many young people dying, and most of the elderly population having a relatively short life expectancy.

Bill Pardy has been using his own limited personal resources to help about 30 Gambian families with children, and is now spreading his story in hopes to build on what he has been doing.

Bill has kept in close contact with his work colleagues in Pasadena since leaving the area, and is quick to give an update on the progress that he’s been able to achieve.

One of Bill’s close contacts is Emmie Penney of Pasadena. Emmie is a business person who has a penchant for helping out others, especially when it involves children. When Emmie heard about Bill’s story, she too knew that she had to play a vital role in helping destitute Gambians.

She immediately devised her own plan and was confident that things would work in her favour. She knew who to call upon in times of urgency.

Emmie approached our Community Cares Online Auction Group. This is a group consists of a mom, dad, daughter, and best friend that are devout Anglicans and affiliated with St David’s Anglican church, and have been in the same bubble over the last year.

Emmie donated a plethora of inventory from her business to be auctioned off and the proceeds given to those needy children.

After the week-long auction concluded, the Community Cares Online Auction Group had received just over $3000 plus in donations. Thanks also go out to bidders, buyers, and people who contributed.

Thanks to the work of the Community Cares Online Auction Group, who normally do auctions to raise monies for different groups, charities, and people in need. They’re a selfless group who really cares about others, and get very little in return, other than the satisfaction of knowing that they are doing God’s work.

This is undoubtedly a great example of the Mark of Mission # 3: to respond to human need by loving service.

May 2021 Issue

April 29, 2021 · by anglicanlifenl

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