We’re fast coming up on the fourth Sunday of Lent, often called “Mothering Sunday” in Anglican churches. This title is taken from the Epistle that was traditionally read on the fourth Sunday of Lent from the Book of Common Prayer lectionary, which is written in the Epistle to the Galations. Part of it reads, “But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.”
In the secular world, it became a day for honouring mothers, and for giving them gifts, and is thus still “Mother’s Day” in many countries.
As a special treat, many churches continue the tradition of making a simnel cake for Mothering Sunday, 
which is blessed at the main Sunday service, and then distributed afterwards. The cake dates back to medieval times, and is decorated with marzipan balls, usually twelve to represent the twelve apostles (or the eleven apostles, minus Judas, and the twelfth for Jesus). For this reason, the Sunday is also sometimes called “Refreshment Sunday.”
Archive For March, 2019
Godly Play Conference is Coming to St. John’s in June
An article by Kathy Peddle from the April issue of Anglican Life: an important message to all Godly Play people of Newfoundland and Labrador:
In 2009 Godly Play arrived on the shores of Newfoundland, and in a place rich in stories, wondering and church affiliation it was a natural fit. Godly Play will once again arrive on our shores—this time in the form of the North American Godly Play Conference. 
We are excited and honoured to be hosting this year’s conference and to welcome guests and fellow Godly Play enthusiasts from around the globe. We look forward to welcoming people from Canada, the US, the UK, Europe, and South Africa. It will be a time for all participants to deepen their understanding of the art and practice of Godly Play in the natural beauty of Newfoundland.
The theme of this year’s conference, called “Come from Away—Come to Play” is to be held at the Sheraton Hotel in historic downtown St. John’s from June 20-22. It is inspired by the name of the hit musical “Come from Away” which was inspired by a traditional Newfoundland expression for those not from the island, and also portrays our hospitality. It also references the importance of play in Godly Play’s faith formation of children.
Participants will have the opportunity to share in worship, seminars, addresses, and storytelling while experiencing our genuine hospitality. There will also be opportunities to see more of St. John’s, the oldest city in North America, located just a few miles from the most eastern point of North America, Cape Spear.
Featured speakers for the conference include Dr. Elaine Champagne from the University of Laval who will explore Children’s Spiritual Journeys; the Rev’d Canon Dr. Andrew Sheldon (Godly Play Advocate for International Development), who will address our readiness as Godly Play practitioners from emotional, theological, pedagogical and spiritual perspectives; Dr. Rebecca Nye, a specialist in children’s spirituality, and the Rev’d Peter Privett, Chair of the Godly Play International Council, who will discuss their common interest and work in children’s spirituality and international training. In the spirit of play and learning there will be opportunities to hear familiar stories in unfamiliar languages (French, German, Spanish, and Afrikaans), to attend workshops and presentations on a multitude of topics including the use of Godly Play stories of God at Home, the theological significance of storytelling, using Godly Play in Vacation Bible Schools, Deepening Response Time…and so much more!
I wonder what part of this is about you?
The North American Godly Play Conference in 2019 will be a wonderful opportunity to experience firsthand all that is happening in Godly Play, to meet old friends and make new friends, and to share and learn together in our beautiful island home.
Are you ready?
To see the brochure and to register, go to Godly Play Canada: https://godlyplay.ca
Congratulations Clyde and Rowena Hapwood: many years serving God!
article by The Rev’d Fred Marshall—the full article will be in the April issue of Anglican Life!
On September 7th 1958 Clyde Hapgood began his ministry as a lay reader in the Parish of St. Andrew’s, Sunnyside. On January 27th, 2019 at St. Paul’s Church in Come By Chance the parish celebrated the Conversion of Saint Paul, their patron saint, with Bishop Geoff presiding. At this service Bishop Geoff presented Clyde with a certificate recognizing his 60 years of faithful and dedicated service.
Clyde continues faithfully and dutifully in answering his call as a lay reader. But that is not the end of the story. Clyde has a partner in ministry, his wife Rowena, who has been an organist for sixty-three years. Imagine, a couple with over 120 years of combined ministry.
40 Things To Give Up For Lent
These suggestions come to us from the Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in St. John’s. While we are already into Lent, it is still worth having a look at these to see what you can do during this season of preparation for Easter:
ARCIC (III) Walking Together on the Way: Learning to Be the Church Local, Regional, Universal
Submitted by The Rev’d Dr. Alex Faseruk
After centuries of living apart, the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church have been on a pilgrimage together since the historic visit of Archbishop Michael Ramsey to Pope Paul VI in March 1966. The establishment of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC), now in its third major phase of work, ARCIC (III), grew out of that visit as a tangible expression of the joint commitment to walk together the path of ecclesial conversion and renewal so that, as traditions, we might grow together into the fullness of communion in Christ and the Spirit.
St. Nicholas Anglican Parish, under the leadership of the Right Rev’d Cyrus Pitman, and Holy Trinity RC Parish, under the leadership of its Pastor, Father Paul Lundrigan, along with the Faculty of Theology, Queen’s College, Dr. Rick Singleton (Provost), the Rev’d Canon David Bell (Dean of Theology), Dr. Carmel Doyle and the Ven. Neil Kellett (the retired Chaplain) will offer a four-part series to help people become familiar with the Anglican and Roman efforts in promoting Christian unity.
Moderating the sessions will be the Rev’d Dr. Alex Faseruk, who comments, “When I was at Queen’s College and assisted at St. Nicholas, it was easy to see that the community of Torbay had a long and vibrant tradition of promoting interaction, understanding, and ecumenical efforts between Holy Trinity and St. Nicholas. We are hoping to build on these efforts to help spread the intended walking together far and wide beyond the parish boundaries.”
Christians of all denominations are invited to gather for these sessions that will help us better understand and appreciate their own roots, each other’s roots, and consider ways to work/walk together. The sessions will be:
Sunday, March 10 from 2:00 to 4:00 at Holy Trinity Church.
Sunday, March 31 from 2:00 to 4:00 at St. Nicholas Church.
Sunday, April 28 from 2:00 to 4:00 at Holy Trinity Church.
Sunday May 26 from 2:00 to 4:00 at St. Nicholas Church.
From the Parish of Forteau
Anglican Life just received lots of news from the Parish of Forteau, and it will all be in the upcoming April issue of the paper. Meanwhile, to whet you appetite, here is a story about the good work that this parish has done to help those who are in need during our coldest part of the year:
The ACW of St. John the Evangelist, and that Ladies of Capstan Island Labrador, proudly display their project of last fall. These are the knitted goods which were delivered to The Gathering Place in anticipation of the cold winter. A member of the ACW, Lily Fowler, delivered the items.
The donated items arriving at The Gathering Place