The calendar is a recurring Christmas gift I’ve been finding in my stocking for the past several years.

Here at St. John the Evangelist, Topsail, our rector, Canon Jotie Noel, also makes sure that we celebrate each red-letter day on the Church’s calendar.

The day that I am writing this article, Sunday, February 1st, as our congregation gathered together in our place of worship, we were happy to be welcomed to and participate in the annual Christingle service—symbolizing God’s gift to us as the Light of the World, and as an aftermath to the winding down of Advent. Christingle serves as a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.

At the foot of the altar this morning, with three of our younger members of the congregation participating, Canon Jotie once again used the analogy of an orange as a motif to demonstrate the best gift of all.

Each child displayed an orange, which represented the concept of a circle—round like the world. A candle at the top represented God’s Light. A ribbon around the orange represented the love of God that goes around the world. Toothpicks are a symbol of love pointing in all directions.

The demonstration was greatly enhanced by the involvement of the three children as they joyfully assisted Canon Jotie while he explained the biblical meaning of the multiple components displayed on the table.

After an uplifting service, the Anglican Church Women of our parish invited everyone downstairs to participate in fellowship and food.

A rewarding day was had by all.

The Lord is my light
And my salvation
Whom shall I fear
– Psalm 27

The post The Christingle Service appeared first on Anglican Life.

I have seen, and worked alongside, and worshipped with many priests since my beginning here in 1957. Each one empowered their own special gifts that I’m sure enhanced and developed our church’s faith immensely. I have joyfully said many hellos, and reluctantly uttered as many goodbyes.

But today, I will concentrate on the present, with my thoughts and feelings confined to our current priest: Canon Jotie Noel. Canon Jotie will be retiring this year, not just from our parish but also from thirty-seven years of ordained ministry.

During a recent Sunday morning sermon, Canon Jotie addressed the congregation announcing his plans. His delivery was a recap or celebration of those years: not just his time with us, but also in recognition of the other parishes who were also blessed by the gift he had portrayed, beginning in Labrador. It was very emotional and difficult for those present to maintain composure while listening to the depth of Canon Jotie’s sincerity that he espoused.

Canon Jotie was and is special. No matter how serious the discourse, he always managed to inject some humour, which enhanced and made the delivery more interesting, often implying that God had a sense of humour. To quote from the wisdom of the late Canon George Earle: “For church life to be lived at its richest, humour must not be confined to the secular, but must permeate the Spiritual.”

Canon Jotie encouraged freedom of speech: to be a listener, not just a deliverer. This meant that any topic or problem could be discussed without prejudice. Canon Jotie will be deeply missed and leaves very big shoes to fill. As his departure marks the culmination of one journey, we wish him and his wife Pauline many happy retirement years on the trip they are now about to embark upon. When one door shuts, another opens.

He who heeds the word wisely will find good,
And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.
– Proverbs 16:20

The post Celebrating 37 Years of Ordained Ministry appeared first on Anglican Life.

We organized dinner shows and invited special guests who had been affiliated over the years. Even the then Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada joined the group on one special occasion in recognition of its significance.

At the end of the year, and as a grand finale, under our organizer Shirley Glynn we decided, as a part of the Christmas activities, to host a tea party “befitting a king.” After all, despite the commercialization of Christmas in the secular world, Advent is still all about the greatest king that ever lived.

As a gesture of good will and fellowship, we decided to extend invitations outside our own parish family.

Now we never aspired for it to continue for sixteen consecutive years, but because of the enthusiasm and positive response of that outreach, something was created that would last. As a result, the festivity known as the “Holly Tea” was born, and reborn each year ever since.

HOLLY TEA

H. is for Holly Tea, an event celebrated each year,
O. Is you good friends our entertainment to share,
L. Stands for laughter we’re so glad you all came,
L. Again for longevity, sixteen years to proclaim.
Y. Each year is special, with the tradition secure.

T. Is together as we greet you at the door.
E. As Each year approaches enquiries start coming through
A. It’s always an event we look forward to do—for a chat and a mug up, with fellowship too.

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE

H. Is for Holly Tea, some like Earl Grey the best,
O. Canon Jotie says his Old English Breakfast outshines all the rest.
L. Is for lemon, an extra flavour to squeeze,
L. Again, strong or weak, whatever you please.
Y. You’re free to dunk a raisin bun in your tea. It’s bound to taste better, I’m sure you’ll agree.

T. Stands for Tetley, that’s been served here today.
E. Most everyone sticks to the old brands anyway,
A. As long as you stir some sugar and milk, I’m sure you’ll enjoy every mouthful you drink.

Happy are the people Whose God is the law. Psalm 144: 15

The post Our Traditional Holly Tea appeared first on Anglican Life.

We’re older than our nation’s federation
Preceded two world wars that were fought and won.
Our church stands firm as a symbol
That care-taking was second to none.

Rev. Charles Palairet from a rich background in France,
Was the first priest we did embrace,
With a vision and foresight to plant roots in our midst,
A church building plan was soon put in place.

A dedicated group from right here in Topsail,
Shared ideas for what had to be done.
Like deciding on a suitable size that might fit,
Not just now but in years yet to come.

James. Harvey, a carpenter from the town of St. Johns
A skilled man at his trade it was said
He was engaged to do framework with the lumber that came
From a sawmill over in Riverhead.

It was on May 16 of the year that we speak,
That a foundation was subsequently laid.
By three local men who freely gave of their time,
They were Jim Hibbs, John Barnes and Matthew Slade.

Exactly one year from day to day,
After this project was debated,
Folks from Manuel’s to Topsail gathered to hear Bishop Field,
As both church and church yard were consecrated.

The date was June 1861,
That marked a universal rite of passage.
For the brave pioneers who blazed the trail,
Leaving their mark and a strong message

Rev. Charles Palairet was the catalyst,
Who moved all full speed ahead,
His mission went beyond their spiritual needs
Improving the quality of life as he led.

He was followed by Reverends Hutchinson and Colley,
They served in total, near 44 years.
In appreciation of the contribution they made,
The stained glass east window in their honour is shared.

In 1904, Rev. Temple found refuge in Topsail,
From his hardships in North Labrador.
But ill health intervened and cut his mission here short,
Limiting his capacity to serve anymore.

Rev. Netten’s, appointment just lasted six years,
During this assignment, his duties adjourned,
But he carried on faithfully right up to the end
Till his retirement was due and well earned.

Next came the arrival of a tall stalwart priest,
With aspirations to adorn was his view.
When Rev. Pitman was here, improvements were made with much care
And old accessories were replaced with brand new.

It was during this time, the women’s presence was felt
In the church where they took on the task.
To purchase an organ, a goal they achieved,
Through money raised by the teams sewing class.

Sir Edgar, a merchant from the homeland he came,
To St. John the Evangelist church, he was loyal.
But the best innovation he graced our church with,
Was when electric lighting replaced lamps of oil.

The late Becky Fowler deserves a bouquet,
For the funds she left in her will.
To build steps and a rail to enhance the old church,
They’ve endured and are functional still.

Rev. Butler was placed in 1934,
And served his term here till late 43.
He had the privilege to celebrate our 80th. Year,
But soon after, he died suddenly.

Rev. Clench was then summoned to take over the charge,
A most interesting priest, so they claim.
When his wife passed away, with his duties he stayed.
Then he married Miss Earle, his old flame.

When we had Rev. Goodland, a parsonage was built.
As a home for the priest, it was called.
But before his mission was done, he fell sick and succumbed,
Then Rev. Camp was then quickly installed.20

Rev. Camp was more senior than most of the rest,
And served fewest of years, per my search.
When he finished his reign, Rev. Bradbrook then came,
As the last priest to serve our old church.

The old church sustained us for a century or more,
Till lack of space became an issue each day,
So expansion was vital to accommodate all,
Hence, a new building was soon underway.

The new church was made ready in 1974,
And consecrated within that same year,
Rev. Bradbrook finished his mission here on our new sight,
Guiding parishioners through the transition with care.

Rev. Tibbo was next to arrive on the scene,
With a fresh vision that could quell any fears
Strong communication skills did lighten his load,
His incumbency lasted eight years.

Rev. Collett came from up west, Corner Brook,
With a persuasive tone to convey not subdue.
No need for loud speakers to hear in the back,
His voice just ricocheted off every pew.

Now for a huge change, there came a shift in the age,
Of the next priest that was put in our midst.
A lively 40 year old, Canon Hynes broke the old mould,
As clapping hands to brisk hymns was the gist.

During his time here in Topsail, a giant project was planned.
With stained glass windows, the nave to restore.
Engineered by our warden, Bob Dawe, at the time,
Dedicated to those gone before

Fr. John came on board with much prowess,
Conveying lessons in such simple style,
But his departure was abrupt and so sudden,
That Rev. Sandra filled in for a while

Then we had the honour to have Rev.Bellamy,
Who provided a restorative boost for one year.
An experience that will linger forever,
Along with his guidance in spiritual care.

He was assisted by Rev. Sheppard,
And together, we owe them so much.
Not to mention the privilege of meeting,
Both their wives, who were always in touch,

Rev. Parsons then graced our congregation,
With a crescendo voice, taken right from the top.
No trouble to hear, from the front to the rear.
During sermons, you could hear a pin drop.

It was 2016, we had our first female priest,
She did her internship with us here before.
Rev. Jolene was welcomed back into the fold.
As she guided us through the next four.

Retired Archdeacon Greg Mercer was our redeemer,
Whenever there was one called away,
He was right on the spot to sustain us.
And he’d come as long as we need him to stay.

Our guest priests are enjoying a reprieve now,
As we embrace the permanency of Canon Jotie Noel,
His capacity to inject proper humour in sermons,
Is a special gift that is good for the soul.

His wife Pauline is an active participant,
With ACW, she plays a prime part,
Always ready to help with a project,
Whenever it’s ready to start.

Rev. Deacon Lisa, of course, is our home grown,
Always present through thick and through thin,
Forever steadfast to assist all our pastors,
Every Sunday, to usher us in.

There’s been 22 in all who have answered the call,
Each with their own special gifts stood the test.
With its ups and its downs, the church always rebounds,
That’s our St. John The Evangelist.

The post St. John the Evangelist, Topsail: 1860 – 2025 appeared first on Anglican Life.

Here in our province, prevailing activities are sometimes controlled by the diversity of weather. At St. John the Evangelist, activities and events, both spiritual and secular, are guided primarily by the church calendar.

Presently, we are into the season of autumn—the most magnificent time of the year before winter makes its debut. We are cognizant of this change when the leaves turn their hue from green to golden yellow and start falling off—hence the expression “fall”. The colourful and magical blanket covering lawns near and far all over the landscape is representative of this phenomenon, proving that October is indeed the fall season at its height.

As soon as everyone emerged and settled in after the summer break, our Church family adapted to activities relevant to this period.

On Tuesday, September 9, the ACW returned to their biweekly fellowship, food, and fundraising as part of outreach to the needy.

On Sunday, October 12th, the creative Altar Guild and Choir teams adorned the altar for thanksgiving with displays of fresh local fruit and vegetables and multiple decorations in thanksgiving of our abundance.

October is also popular for the recognition of All Hallows’—Hallowe’en. However religious connotations are often overlooked when it comes to Hallowe’en celebrations. The event is mostly perceived in a rather secular way by children’s display of pumpkins, ghosts, monster dress ups, and sweet treats.

However, it is not only about ghosts and goblins, but originated as a pagan religious celebration to welcome the harvest at the end of summer—similar to the harvest thanksgiving in our culture today.

Do you say there are still four months and come the harvest? Behold I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for the harvest.
-John 4: 35

The post Seeing the Beauty of God’s Work in the Season of Autumn appeared first on Anglican Life.

Most of us today might not have any knowledge of his prediction, but the expectation has become an overwhelming truism. This progression has allowed individuals to technically expand their horizons globally, but at the same time, it may divert attention from a lifetime of individual customary practices.

I’m not suggesting that this advanced branch of science has somewhat influenced a large number of our citizens to shift interest from regular church service attendance. Neither am I using the same hypothesis to claim that banning prayers from the school curriculum system has a similar negative effect on Christian worship amongst the younger generation.

Then, of course, modifications had to be considered in the church community when COVID-19 hit our environment. That’s when online church services were introduced. Some parishioners became so comfortable using that technique that it prevailed even when churches returned to regular in-house worship.

But the reality, for whatever reason, is obvious: today’s church attendance and support are largely dependent upon a more senior group of parishioners. In the meantime, many prominent and lifelong churches here in Newfoundland have been closed, forced to sell, or combine with others.

Here at St. John the Evangelist, Topsail, and at neighbouring churches, we have so far survived that fate—not solely from the collection plate, but through fundraising efforts such as takeout dinners, flea markets, fairs, and renting our facilities when available.

The situation is not just relevant to our local and community places of worship. The Anglican Journal magazine has been reporting publicly for some time of General Synod’s worries about the future of the churches. The latest Journal news is that the situation has reached emergency levels where they need to make cuts in the size of the church’s governing bodies.

To quote Archbishop Anne Germond, from September’s edition of the Anglican Journal: “We need to act now… transforming these structures is necessary to empower and support parishes in proclaiming and living the gospel.”

The post Structural Downsizing of Anglican Church Governance Bodies appeared first on Anglican Life.

After creating a harmonious cohesiveness, all looked forward to a short reprieve before the resumption of the fall activities. The weather was ideal—brilliant and hot. It was turning out to be an exceptionally favourable summer. But unfortunately, these attributes do not always enhance our comfort zone.

So in this journey through life, we sometimes meet with unforeseeable rough passages that often interfere with scheduled plans—as was characterized this summer while experiencing multiple forest fires here in our province of Newfoundland. Drastic destruction ravaged entire settlements. Family homes that were nurtured for a lifetime were now being sacrificed to the flaming inferno.

This experience was a stark reminder of the fragility of earthly possessions, and how quickly they can be snatched away. We have a tendency to get so involved in catching up with our daily obligations trying to balance in a busy and anxious environment that there is little or no time spared to balance with the path less followed.

Unfortunately, but sometimes it often takes a catastrophic event like this one in our lives to realize the importance of redirecting priorities so that prayer, worship, and thanksgiving to God always take precedence.

As I write this, the province has finally been blessed with long-awaited rain, providing some comfort to the many volunteers fighting relentlessly in their pursuit of quenching what has spread across our land.

In retrospect upon the weeks just passed,
They all persevered to work, to laugh, to pray.
And with God’s help gained strength to take,
Whatever came their way.

Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed Elijah is coming first, and will restore all things.”
-Matthew 17: 11

The post A Jolt To Realization appeared first on Anglican Life.

In harmony and fellowship with affiliated teams of the ACW, choir, altar guild, and the congregation at large, it’s been a busy time, but an exceptionally rewarding journey. The many spiritual and holy occasions listed in our Church calendar were all recognized and duly celebrated with worship, thanksgiving, food, and fellowship.

On the secular spectrum, such as the fall fair, the flea market, the Holly Tea, and take-out dinners, events were similarly celebrated, all relevant to the sustainability of our mission to the glory of God.

We are now winding down to make way for a brief diversion into a summer hiatus, which began with a closing dinner at Ye’s Wok on Topsail Road on May 12th, where our altar guild, ACW, choir, and Canon Jotie and Pauline all gathered for a relaxing time, sharing food and informal conversation.

As I write this, I have just witnessed an estimated 200 people file past the wrought-iron gate of the cemetery, emerging from the flower service. Rain threatened but held off, and made way for brilliant sunshine. Music echoed throughout, and speakers enabled the multitude to hear the service loud and clear. Canon Jotie delivered a message of encouragement and hope in his usual inspirational way.

Again this year, our Old Heritage Church was painstakingly prepared for the regular summer Eucharist service on July 20th. We look forward to greeting the many visitors, as well as the local residents, who join us in celebration of this annual summer worship.

Then, just like a fleeting moment, the fall season is catching up with us, and with it regular activities are prepared and will be embraced.

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. For man does not know his time.”

—Ecclesiastes 9:10, 12

The post Time and Tide Wait For No Man appeared first on Anglican Life.

Due to limited space at the time, a larger structure became necessary, and in 1974, the present building was constructed, consecrated, and opened for occupancy. As the years went by, I witnessed the arrival and departure of more than twenty priests—each leaving behind a legacy of unique and treasured memories.

Perhaps most significantly, I have observed various changes over the years, particularly in the past decade. These changes have not been so much in liturgy, but rather in communication. Social media has accelerated the way information is shared. Yet despite these advancements, we are witnessing a generational gap in church attendance—a trend not unique to our parish in Topsail, but evident across Canada. This shift has not gone unnoticed by our governing church body, which continues to reflect on the future of the Church—and the Church of the future.

We experienced a deep sense of disconnection during the COVID-19 pandemic—not only within our own congregation but also with neighbouring parishes—as online worship became the norm. It was during this period that the Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador highlighted the importance of sustainability within the Church, leading to the creation of the Creation Care and Stewardship initiative. The Rev’d Jotie Noel was appointed as a Canon of this new mission, alongside three colleagues.

The congregation was informed of this fresh vision to broaden our Christian ministry, and a recovery plan was set in motion. Subsequent issues of Creation Care and Stewardship have reported encouraging progress. It appears that a welcome transformation is on the horizon for the Church—yet this in no way diminishes the depth and meaning of my personal spiritual journey at St. John the Evangelist over the past sixty years.

“He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.” Acts 15: 41

The post The Church of the Future and the Future of the Church appeared first on Anglican Life.

Here at St. John the Evangelist, Topsail, fellowship is not confined to Sunday morning worship. Canon Jotie has offered a Bible study programme that is open to the whole congregation. Sessions are held every Thursday morning, starting at 10:30 a.m. and lasting for 1 to 1卦 hours. They include group discussions.

As I write this, Lent is stealthily creeping upon us. As in other parishes, Ash Wednesday is the starting point of worship during this holy season. It was marked by the ceremony of anointing with ashes.

We are now entering the second Wednesday of Lent. Parishioners will have an opportunity to join in fellowship as a prerequisite for the many commitments we endeavour to uphold during the forty days leading up to the celebration of Easter. As St. Paul said, “Practice and cultivate and meditate upon these duties.” (1 Timothy 4:15)

It is also a time to remember that charity is not just about giving to the food bank or providing physical help to the poor. Charity is about kindness, benevolence, generosity, empathy, and, above all, tolerance in judging others. As we embark on this holy journey, let us be ever mindful of Christ’s sacrificial death and illustrious rising from the dead.

“…that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death”
– Philippians 3:10

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