In For All The Saints, a publication from the Anglican Church of Canada giving us the readings and explanations for each feast day in our Church calendar, September 18th’s entry notes that we remember the “Founders, Benefactors and Missionaries of the Anglican Church of Canada.” It was on this day in 1893 that the first General Synod of the Church of England here in Canada held its closing service. The Canadian Church had transformed from three separate provinces under the Archbishop of Canterbury into an autonomous national Church, and was made a full member of the worldwide Anglican family—much to be grateful for at the time, and we are, of course, still grateful for our Anglican Church of Canada today.
The Gospel lesson that is appointed for this commemoration is John 4:32-38, a passage in which Jesus tells his disciples that his “food” is to do the will of God and finish his work, explaining that the spiritual harvest of people coming to faith is ready—both those who sow and those who reap will rejoice together in eternal life. Jesus emphasizes that they are entering into a harvest for which others have already laboured, which naturally fits well with the idea of an Anglican Church in Canada built on the work done in the Church since its beginnings (especially within our “mother,” the Church of England). The Church needs this “firm foundation,” to quote the familiar hymn. A strong root makes for a strong tree. But while roots anchor and nourish, for the plant to thrive a gardener needs to look beyond them to the whole plant. Neglecting leaves, stems, or flowers can lead to unseen diseases, pest infestations, or structural weaknesses that hinder growth and fruitfulness.
The Church, though strongly rooted in its foundations, must continually evolve to remain vibrant and relevant. While we aren’t called to follow every trend, which would be impossible, we cannot afford to be out of touch with a changing world. A lack of transparency and a history of intolerance have, to our shame, often led the Church to cover up its faults. Too often, those in authority have mistakenly believed that their actions were above question or correction.
Today, we need to be better than that. The wider world can see everything, and will no longer indulge the Church as it once did—nor should it! Discrimination, intolerance, and prejudice were never acceptable, and there can be no excuse for them. We are called instead to embody Christ’s love through justice, compassion, and integrity in all that we do.
As we mark September 18th we are called to honour our heritage while boldly moving forward, ensuring that we remain connected to a world that demands authenticity. We must be rooted, but also growing and changing. It’s only through acceptance, humility, and a willingness to change for the better that we can continue the spiritual harvest and fulfil God’s work in Canada today.
