On Tuesday, August 6th 2019, during a parish service, Deacon Wilhelmena Green was ordained by Bishop John Organ at St. Matthew’s Church in Rocky Harbour. Rev’d Green will now serve as rector of the Parish of Bonne Bay North.
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Reflections From Canterbury
The Rev’d James Spencer talks about his trip tp England for a clergy conference—the full story with photographs will be in the upcoming October issue of Anglican Life.
“Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” – Luke 24:18
“Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem?”
As I look through my notebook, filled with the doodles and the occasional jotted point from my two weeks at the Conference for New Clergy and Seminarians at Canterbury Cathedral earlier this summer, I find this portion of scripture written almost on its own on one of the first pages. I remember writing it there. And I remember the deep sense of introspective dread and loneliness that I felt as I wrote it.
I had come to Canterbury, the home of Anglicanism, to learn, experience, and grow with others from all over the world, who like me were just starting out in their life of ordained ministry. Most had come from various parts of Africa, but there was representation in our group from nearly every continent. The conference was an intense period of worship, Bible study, and education on a wide variety of subjects, given to us by a number of instructors and church leaders, all with the awe-inspiring backdrop of Canterbury Cathedral and its surrounding locales and history.
One of the things we were told during the Conference was this: “There is no Anglican Church. There is the Anglican Communion of Churches.” And I realized that yes, maybe I am a stranger in Jerusalem. But I am not the only one. I am part of a communion, where everyone can find a place, and where every gift, every personality, is welcomed.
Pride Parade 2019
Parishes from the Anglican Church of Canada were well represented at the Pride Parade in St. John’s on July 14th with congregations from Mount Pearl and St. John’s taking part. Members of the clergy and members of the congregations marched in the parade, and were met with lots of love and acceptance.
Letter from Bishop Peddle
Letter from Bishop Peddle from General Synod 2019
July 12, 2019
My Dear People,
I write to you from the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada in Vancouver, British Columbia. Minutes ago, the Synod failed to pass a motion on the Marriage Canon recognizing different understandings of Christian Marriage in the Anglican Church of Canada. That motion provided, I believe, a gracious way forward for all the members of our church on the matter of Marriage Equality, respecting the diversity of opinion that continues among us. I voted in favour of the motion and I am disappointed that it did not pass. The pain among our delegates here tonight is immense.
As you know, I have called a special Diocesan Synod for September 27th and 28th of this year to discuss Marriage Equality in our Diocese. The theme of that Synod is inspired by the words of St. Paul in his First Letter to the Corinthians: “…and the Greatest of these is Love…” My intention last year in calling a special Synod was for the members of the Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador to reflect upon the decision of the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada (whatever that decision would be) and respond in a way appropriate for us as Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. I have been firm since the last General Synod in 2016 that I would respect the authority of that Synod and not move ahead on this matter until General Synod met again in 2019. I have also been clear that I would not act outside of the authority of the Diocesan Synod of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador. That is why we will meet in September.
A major development in the Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador since 2018, when I called for our own special Synod this September, is that a growing number of parishes have written me asking permission to move forward with Marriage Equality. Since 2018, nine of our 38 parishes have asked for permission to offer Christian Marriage to all who request the blessing of God upon their relationship. While there may continue to be a debate over this matter in some parts of our church, the debate is now over for many. A number of dioceses across Canada have already granted requests for same-sex marriage “for compelling pastoral reasons” with the blessing of their bishop. At the conclusion of our forthcoming Synod in September, following that consultation with our Diocesan leadership, I will respond directly to the parishes that have asked me for a decision.
I ask your prayers for the Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador as it prepares to meet in September to take counsel for its future as a community of faith.
With my every blessing,
+Geoffrey
Ordinations From This Spring
The ordination of the Rev’d John Sparkes took place in the new parish of Trinity/Port Rexton on March 22 (Diocese of Central Newfoundland):
May 15th – Terry Loader was ordained a deacon at St. Paul’s Church in Summerside, in the parish of Meadows (Diocese of Western Newfoundland):
June 26th, at St. Martin’s Cathedral in Gander, The Rt. Rev’d John Watton ordained Mr. Charlie Cox and Mr. Eli Cross to the order of deacon (Diocese of Central Newfoundland):
Quilt Show in Norris Point
The full article, by Maureen Blanchard, will appear in the September print issue of Anglican Life.
The Good Shepherd, in the community of Norris Point, held a quilt display on May 18th, 2019, as a fundraiser for the church. The quilt display and luncheon were open to the public. We held the display in our church building, though no items in the church were for sale. We did have a donation box for a freewill donation if a person felt like donating. There were over 80 quilts on display, and we also included a section on heritage quilts, featuring quilts from our ancestors who had been members of this congregation.
General Synod—What Can Those of Us At Home Do?
The 42nd General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada is only a bit more than two weeks away. Most Canadian Anglicans don’t get to go to General Synod, but we can still be active and participate. How? It may seem obvious, but we can keep the delegates and those who are attending in our prayers. There are some big decisions to be made, and there is sure to be conflict. No matter what happens, some people will leave General Synod feeling discouraged. As our soon-to-retire Primate, Archbishop Fred Hiltz, said when he visited St. John’s for Queen’s College Convocation, “There is nothing evil about conflict—it’s how we deal with it.” We must not question the sincerity which people bring with their convictions just because they are different from our own. We need to listen to everybody. We need to pray for everybody. We are all in this together.
Our our Book of Common Prayer says it best:
Most gracious God, we humbly beseech thee for thy holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth; in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it Is in error, direct it; where any thing is amiss, reform it; where it is right, strengthen and confirm it; where it is in want, furnish it; where it is divided and rent asunder, make it whole again; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
If you want more information about General Synod, there is a website for that:
https://gs2019.anglican.ca
I highly recommend a look through the resolutions, a look at the biographies for the candidates for the next Primate, and in particular a look at the lections and liturgical suggestions for Sunday July 14th (found here: https://gs2019.anglican.ca/suggestions/)
Finally, here are a few prayers for General Synod that you may find helpful.
God of our ancestors, God of our future,
who was and is and is to come,
you have named us in baptism,
and called us into friendship with you and one another. In this General Synod,
give all participants grace to listen well,
to speak with respect,
to deliberate with wisdom,
and to honour this gathering of your beloved Church;
through Jesus Christ, before whose name we bow in adoration and praise, now and for ever. Amen.
Almighty God, giver of all good gifts, look on your Church with grace, and guide the minds of those who shall choose a Primate for our beloved Church, that we may receive a faithful servant who will care for your people and support us in our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Guide, we beseech thee, Almighty God, by the light of thy Holy Spirit, the counsels of the Bishops, Clergy, and Laity at this time assembled in General Synod; that thy Church may dwell in peace, and fulfil all the mind of him who loved it and gave himself for it, thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Confirmation at St. Michael’s, Deer Lake
The full article, written by Canon Paulette Bugden, will appear in the September print issue of Anglican Life
On May 9th 2019, the Rt. Rev’d John Organ was a St. Michael and All Angels to preside at worship where twelve young people re-affirmed their baptismal vows. The church building was alive for this service of confirmation. Bishop John was very personable with the young people, taking time to connect with each one. After the service of confirmation, the confirmands and their families, along with Bishop John and his wife Irene, were served a wonderful meal and cake at the church hall in honor of their work and dedication.
Over 40 years of dedicated service to St. Boniface Church, Ramea
All together, Norman Kendall and Jim Bowles have given over 90 years of their time and 
their talents to the Church in Ramea. To show their appreciation to these two gentlemen for their dedicated and committed service to the church as bell ringers, sidepersons, counters, and general handy men, the congregation presented both of them with a certificate and a painting. Even though now “retired,” both still lend a helping hand when it is needed.
Jim Bowles presented with certificate and gift by the Rev’d Elsie Rose for over 40 years of dedicated service to St. Boniface Church, Ramea.
submitted with photograph by The Rev’d Elsie Rose
St. Peter’s Upper Gullies—knitting dolls for children in need
The full article about this project, by Mable White, will appear in the September print issue of Anglican Life.
St. Peter’s with the leadership of Mabel White became a member of ICROSS Canada in 2010. This wonderful organization’s aim is to gather and ship by our Peace Keepers life saving medical supplies, as well as Izzy Dolls to orphanages, and children suffering from HIV or living in deplorable conditions. Our church family and friends have been donating wool and knitting Boomer Caps and Izzy Dolls since that time.
The dolls are Blessed after they are knitted and picked up by John Metcalfe (a retired Peace Keeper) and Judy Snook from Clarenville. They box them up and send them to the Head Office of the Peace Keepers in British Columbia. The boxes are then boarded on the ships with the Peace Keepers going to the third world countries. Finally they are distributed to the underprivileged children.
