The Christmas season was a busy one at St. James’ despite the COVID-19 restrictions. A new Christmas banner was dedicated in memory of Larry Wight by Glenn and Audrey. A new Anglican church flag was dedicated in memory of longtime church member Lee Hussey by Amy and family. Our annual Jesse Tree contributions were well supported again this year, and all items along with food bank items, were delivered to The Open Door in Corner Brook. During Advent services, our young parishioners, Rebecca and Reece Brake, took part in the lighting of the Advent wreath.

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It was actually quite a lot of fun, except for one thing: being completely unaware of what was actually around me. All I could see was the game, and nothing else. That was fine, until I reached for something in the virtual game and my hand slamed into my very real coffee table, which I had forgotten was just a few feet in front of me. That hurt.

That’s really the human condition in our age of advanced technology, online interactions, and social media. Much of what we experience is filtered through a screen of digital separation. Our senses are veiled by blue-light saturated simulacra in an effort to pile more information, interaction, and involvement into the short space of our daily lives. And then sometimes we bump into reality.

The question I end up asking is: “Is this necessarily less valuable than a living more or less unplugged from all the technological aspects of modern life?”

And I don’t really know. Certainly there is potential for life in the digital world to be shallow, unfulfilling, and trite. But is it not also possible to glean a satisfying measure of truth and humanity from using these products of our own ingenuity? Do the feelings evoked from text-based communication or pixel-formed images have less value because of the media through which they are shared? If so, then what of the books I read or the art on my walls? Are the prayers I pray cheapened by being recorded and streamed on YouTube?

I would think not. But then where is the line drawn? What defines “real”? Is an hour spent having coffee with one friend more or less real than two hours talking with another friend over the internet? Is the fun I had playing in virtual reality more or less real than the pain of whacking my hand off the coffee table?

Some would suggest it’s about balance: equal attention to both the digital and the physical. But then what about those who have no digital life, or those who spend most of their time online? Is there a lack of fulfillment in one or the other? Is one living less of a life? Can anyone reasonably stand in judgement of such a thing?

It’s a matter that is on my mind a lot lately. With COVID running rampant again, and my being forced to retreat more and more into electronic interaction with the world (as many of us are having to do), I puzzle over how what I do now compares to what I did before all this mess. 

And I don’t have an answer, though I often feel like I should.

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No, of course they don’t. No one in a position of church leadership really thinks that. We all recognize that online will always be a shadow of the community that is built when people come together in person to pray together, to sing together, to break bread together, and equip one another for life as Christians in the world. But sometimes we also have to recognize that while online is not as good as in person, it’s a whole lot better than letting churches become COVID hotspots.

More than that, it doesn’t take a COVID outbreak to make online worship an important connection for an aging congregation. I have heard from many people who have trouble getting up and ready for in person church in the morning because of medications or other morning routines. Others were hesitant to come before the pandemic because they were self-conscious about possibly needing to slip out to the bathroom during the service. Or despite their best intentions, they just weren’t feeling well enough to leave home when Sunday morning came around. Or they woke up to a load of snow, or felt unsafe on a slippery driveway. It may not be as good as ‘the real thing’, but as long as there are reasons not to attend church in person, online options will always be welcome and necessary.

Online worship is not all sitting back and watching, though. Now more than ever, we have powerful tools to invite others. Before 2020, we understood that churches grow when their members invite family and friends to join them for worship or social gatherings. In the early days of the pandemic, online services were widely shared. Now that the novelty has worn off, they are much more likely to be ignored. Not sharing a link, and trusting that someone else will do it instead, is just the same as never inviting anyone to worship before the pandemic, but assuming that someone else would.

If online worship “just doesn’t feel the same”, perhaps we should be asking ourselves if we are preparing ourselves to worship online with the same attention we would use to worship in person. Have we examined our consciences to help identify the flaws and failures we need to let go of in order to live the life God is calling us to? Have we settled on the specific prayers and intentions that we need to offer as part of our own worship? Are we coming with specific thanksgivings to offer? These are all essential ways to prepare for worship. If all we do on Sunday is “show up” without any preparation, it doesn’t matter whether we’re worshiping in person or online. It will always feel a bit flat, because we’re not really worshiping, only watching others do it.

Most of the problems of online worship are nothing new. They’re the same old problems that the Church faced in person. The good news is that we already see the solution: it’s not a question of what we get out of worship, but what we put into it.

The post “It’s Not The Same!” appeared first on Anglican Life.

Labyrith

A Hymn For Quietmas

No one told the starlings,
soaked and shivering
from the December drizzle,
that they weren’t allowed to gather.

Over a hundred crowded on the wires
in my backyard
unaware of alert levels and the
importance of social distancing.
Still they were there
all in their best frocks.

In the New Year we’ll be able to gather once more, coo and cluck and fluff out our feathers.
It has been stormy to be apart
but until the sky clears  and all
is deemed safe
let’s stay inside
and leave gatherings for the birds.

E.B. Reid.   December 27, 2021

The post From The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, St. John’s: Advent and Christmas 2021 appeared first on Anglican Life.

At the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, the hospital system was closed for a period of time to family members and visitors. Clergy who worked in the Health Science Centre were asked to assist in other hospitals and care homes in the city. Only two chaplains were ministering for a long period of time at the Health Sciences Centre: Father Francis Roche, the Roman Catholic chaplain, and me as the Anglican chaplain. My responsibility, at the time, was to visit all faith community patients on the fifth floor and the HVICU. Most of these patients were waiting for heart surgery so I was able to minister to them from the time they entered the hospital to the time they returned home. Father Roche was responsible for the fourth floor, ICU and CCU, as well as the emergency department. We were permitted on another floor if a patient needed the sacrament of anointing or was dying. The response from all patients was very positive because they were only seeing the chaplain or nurse throughout the day. As time progressed, the Salvation Army chaplain, Major Barbara Pearce, came back to assist us in this ministry. Later, all chaplains returned to their normal workplace until another surge in COVID-19 cases occurred and the hospitals were closed down again and we reverted to the previous arrangement for two chaplains. In the meantime, the Rev’d David Pilling, the second Anglican Chaplain in the health care system, was posted full-time at Pleasant View Towers. At times, I would visit St. Clare’s and the Miller Centre on behalf of Rev’d David. The policy for this time was that we couldn’t go into an acute care and then visit a long-term care home. Because I was already working in an acute care facility I was permitted to visit other acute care facilities. Rev’d David was ministering in a long-term care facility and had to stay there for the duration. 

The reason that the Salvation Army chaplains were not at the hospital during lockdowns was so that they could work from home, and then be available to replace us should either Fr. Francis or myself fall ill. 

A year later in March 2021, due to financial stresses in the diocese we lost our weekend chaplain, Canon Iliffe Sheppard. We thank Canon Sheppard for the wonderful ministry he shared with the staff, patients, and other chaplains in the health care system. Even today, patients ask about him and remark how they appreciated his ministry with them. We wish Canon Sheppard all the best as he continues to be faithful to his calling and ministry. We are sorry that we have lost a person who was committed and faithful to his special ministry of chaplaincy. Since, Canon Sheppard’s departure as our weekend chaplain, Rev’d David and I had to reorganize our schedules to ensure one of us is always available on call for the weekends. In so doing, we agreed to taking only a two week vacation period at a time. 

Sadly, and as a result of the pandemic, our Eucharistic Assistants have not been able to fulfill their ministry on Sunday mornings. They were faithful in distributing the reserved sacrament of the Holy Eucharist to the patients who wanted their communion. It has been almost two years since this ministry has been put on hold and there is no sign of any changes in the near future. Rev’d David and I want to thank our Eucharistic Assistants for their ministry with us as we look forward to the day when they are able to return. 

As we move forward, there are still a lot of uncertainties around this pandemic and how our diocese can support this ministry to the sick and dying. The diocese has agreed with the chaplains that one priest alone cannot do justice to ministering to those in the hospital setting. 

We are very thankful to Bishop Sam that he has asked the Finance Committee to go back and find a way to have the two chaplains continue their ministry as chaplains to health care institutions. We realize we will have to find new money as a diocese for this ministry to continue for this is a very important ministry we fund as a diocese. 

It is, therefore, important that when one is admitted to a hospital, either in the Admissions Office or the Emergency Department, that when asked if you would like to receive pastoral care and see an Anglican chaplain during your stay that you respond ‘Yes’ to this question. In so doing, you will be automatically placed on the list for the Anglican chaplain to visit. Presently, based on our survey of the situation, we are seeing about 50 percent of Anglicans coming into the hospital. 

As an example, recently, I saw a man who was at the Health Sciences for five weeks and was not put on the list until he stopped me to ask what I did in the hospital. He told me he was an Anglican. Following our chat he then asked to be put on the chaplain’s list for visitation. So, if you happen to be admitted to hospital, and would like to receive a chaplain’s visit, please ask your nurse to contact the chaplain, or respond ‘Yes’ to the question you are asked during the admission process. 

We are grateful to the bishop and the archdeacon for their support for this ministry. I know personally how important this ministry is to patients and family members from the number of Thank You cards I receive from all over Newfoundland and Labrador. More important still is the friendship that we develop with people, and the great privilege in the opportunity to minister to them in their time of sickness. 

Rev’d David and I want to thank the other faith community chaplains for their fun, fellowship, and cooperation in sharing our ministries together. We hope 2022 will be a good year for all of us as we work together as a team who minister to the sick and dying. 

Finally, I wish to thank Rev’d David for his continuous support and the wonderful ministry we share as chaplains. 

As I prepare this article for Anglican Life it looks like the COVID-19 pandemic is again on the upsurge due to the spread of the omicron variant of the virus. Once again, we see the health care system rapidly responding with changes around visitations to hospitals, long-term care, and acute care facilities. Before long, the chaplains may need to revert to ministry as provided in the early days of the pandemic. If this should occur, we have been given the assurance that we will be provided the time and resources to do our work. I ask your prayers for all chaplains as we continue to minister as best we can to the sick and dying at all times and especially in these more challenging times. 

Happy New Year to all readers of Anglican Life. 

Rev’d Canon Edward Keeping
Coordinating Anglican Hospital Chaplain, Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador 

The post Anglican Chaplaincy And The Pandemic appeared first on Anglican Life.

Many know the history of this “asylum,” but I will summarize Bishop Geoff’s words. The dreaded disease cholera arrived in St. John’s caused primarily by poor sanitation, unsafe water, and food contamination. Up to 500 people died leaving many children without parents. Bishop Edward Feild offered the new Queen’s College as a temporary hospital and went on to suggest that a house at the rear of the Cathedral rectory be an asylum housing eight children ranging in age of four to 12 years. That facility opened on Ash Wednesday, February 21 in 1855. Over the next 114 years, it nurtured hundreds of boys and girls. 

Testimonials of how the children were treated were all very positive. They appreciated the playground area, the library, and the food generally. The CLB was an important part of their lives, and the Church played a significant role in the lives of the young people. Such was the case of one young man whose father drowned, and his mother placed him (and his three siblings) in the care of the orphanage. He lived there for 10 years and commented in his testimonial, “I am forever grateful for her (his mother) having done this. I have no answers for what would have happened if she had not made that decision.”

However, in 1969 the orphanage closed and a decision was made to sell the properties and invest the proceeds, so that  the annual interest could be used to support Anglican young people in this province. Thus the Anglican Charitable Foundation For Children (ACFC) came to be in 1974. The current chairperson of the Board of the Foundation, Canon John Courage, said that “ACFC’s mandate is to provide assistance to our tri-diocesan families, which we have done through clothing, camping, education bursaries, medical, and fire, and other emergencies. All done through the local parish priest or designate and is always worthy of more support in prayer and financial assistance.” 

Canon John wrote in his report that over the “45 year history of the ACFC, records show that over 39,172 children and young people have been assisted. The legacy of Bishop Feild lives on. Canon John writes that “Little could Bishop Edward Feild ever think that his desire to establish a method of helping those in the greatest need would continue for 165 years. His legacy lives on.”

The Foundation has been helped over the years by donations, and a worthy cause such as this one certainly deserves our support. Please contact me if you are interested in leaving a bequest for the ministry of ACFC.

The post A Legacy of Bishop Feild appeared first on Anglican Life.

The Parish of Fortune-Lamaline would like to sincerely thank their lay ministers and eucharistic assistants as they serve in their individual churches of All Saints’ in Fortune, and St. Mary the Virgin in Lamaline. We deeply appreciate their calling to serve Christ and his church on Sundays and throughout the week. We need them, we rely upon them, and we thank them for their faithfulness, diligence, and service. May God bless all of you.

The post A Big Thank You appeared first on Anglican Life.

When Jesus is questioned by the lawyer asking “Who is my neighbour?” He replies with the parable of the Good Samaritan, concluding with “… go and do likewise.” We are truly blessed that PWRDF has made it so easy for us to “go and do likewise.” 

While PWRDF was initially founded to facilitate rapid response to emergencies and disasters, it quickly became engaged in caring for refugees. The need is greater than ever, and according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, there are 84 million forcibly displaced people in the world today. This includes refugees, internally displaced people and asylum-seekers. 

In Canada, PWRDF works with the Canadian Network of Anglican Sponsorship Agreement-Holders to co-ordinate and facilitate refugee sponsorship to Canada. PWRDF also works with many partners globally to care for those living in Refugee Camps. Refugee Camps used to be temporary shelters but have become home for many. Today, millions of people have lived in the confines of a refugee camp for over 10 years. Many have fled violence, with just what they could carry, and walked for days to get to safety. 

Over the years, in addition to addressing the need for emergency, lifesaving food, water, shelter and medical supplies, PWRDF, in keeping with its goal of “sustainable” programming, has assisted with education and training of those in refugee camps, both for children and adults. We have facilitated programs for literacy, life-skills, health education, nutrition advice, HIV and AIDS prevention, addictions care, farming, environmental management, job-skills training, business training, and other programs designed to prepare refugees for life outside of the refugee camps. 

Supporting refugees is an authentic way to “love thy neighbour.”

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat,
I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,
I was a stranger and you invited me in,
I needed clothes and you clothed me,
I was sick and you looked after me,
I was in prison and you came to visit me.
Matthew 25: 35-36

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I fully acknowledge and appreciate that we are very fortunate at our house, that both adults have continued to be employed and in such a way that we could keep our children and families safe and follow all the public health measures. But that is not to say it has been easy: it certainly has not. Many things have fallen by the wayside, and regrettably our connection to the church and its ministry is among them.

Prior to all of this pandemic mess, 2019 me was committed to getting us to church on the weekend whenever possible, contributing not just our regular offerings but supporting all the outreach ministries, and taking in whatever events took place. Now I have to admit that when my Facebook notification comes up saying my church is live (i.e. the online service is starting), I usually just swipe it away. It’s not that I don’t like to watch, or enjoy the online service—it is what it is in the times we are living in—but I don’t feel the connection to it all.

To be completely fair, I probably can’t blame the pandemic entirely. Finding connection has always been a challenge. It was easier earlier in life, when I was participating in and/or leading Sunday school and Confirmation, working with the church in various ways, and starting this column. My other half and I went to church regularly, sat on committees, and sang in the choir.

But once the children came along, hoo boy. Time? Who has that? Where does it go? At this point in life we sign up for e-giving to make sure we hit one of the three T’s (time, talent, and treasure), and call it a day. I don’t feel like I have an ounce of anything left to give otherwise. Work, raising kids, keeping the house, and don’t forget hockey for one kid and drums for the other. Maybe I’ll have time when they move out.

I do miss being involved more tangibly. I feel disconnected from the work of the church when I can’t be in it. But I suppose this season will pass and there will be more time when the kids get older and not so dependent on us to attend to all their needs. Likely the pandemic just intensified what would have happened anyway with a young family and so many commitments. I have always felt that it is natural that young families are more absent from church life because it is so hard to balance all the priorities. I guess I hoped it wouldn’t happen to us, but why wouldn’t it really? I think we could all have a little more compassion and understanding for what it takes to be involved in any way, and celebrate whatever it looks like. Maybe that can be our goal for 2022?

The post Struggling For The Connection appeared first on Anglican Life.

If Candlemas day be fair and bright, Winter will have another flight. 

If Candlemas day be shower and rain, Winter is gone and will not come again.

Once again, we have journeyed from the scene at the manger where the greatest of kings was born in the poorest of places. We have seen the “great light;” the “desire of nations.” We have witnessed Magi making the long trek to pay him homage and presenting their gifts to recognize his role of prophet, priest and king. Forty days after his birth we celebrate the great and wonderful images of The Presentation (better known as Candlemas), as recorded in St. Luke’s Gospel of the infant Jesus making the first of many trips to the Holy City. We see the aged Anna and Simeon being given the promises of God that salvation would be seen in their lifetime. It is no mistake living in the northern hemisphere that such days as Christmas, Epiphany and now Candlemas—the light of the sun is getting brighter—so too is the light of the Son. As the light of the sun gets brighter for us as we journey through these days of winter, we approach the light of spring. As we approach spring we approach the “Spring for Christians”—Easter—knowing that in Easter we are given the promises that were made in the fact that God is with us. As the light brightens, we can say that not only God is with us, we can acclaim God is for us. 

We need such a reminder that not only God is with us but also that God is for us. I am certain that as these words are going to be in print, that there are those who during this time, for whatever reason, may feel that God is not with us and the God is not for us. Whether is be the grief surrounding the loss of a loved one or the grief surrounding the pandemic as we approach the 2 year mark of this event. For whatever reason, remember that the darkest moment is the moment before the light appears. We all face such a thing as the “dark night of the soul.” In facing such darkness, know and be assured that the light is coming, the sunlight is coming but; so too is the SONlight as well. 

I hope that a shower and rain on Candlemas Day will mean that the darkness of winter is gone and will not come again, and that we can do what Jesus tells us to do: “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16, NRSV) After all, it is getting brighter. 

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