The seniors enjoyed the fellowship, and several ACW ladies did readings while our ACW president, Margaret Oake, led us with songs.

A great night was had by all!

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Prophecy accounts for about one fourth of the Bible. About half of all Bible prophecies have already been fulfilled. In the first messianic prophecy, God said He would defeat Satan through the offspring of the woman (Genesis 3:15). God gave a promise of a deliverer to come to save humankind. Genesis 3:15 is often called the protoevangelium (literally, “first Gospel”), because it is the Bible’s first prediction of a Saviour. 

The first messianic prophecy was announced soon after the fall of humans (Genesis 3:1-6). Adam’s wife sinned against God as a result of Satan’s clever arguments. She was convinced that the tree of the knowledge of good and evil would make one wise. She wanted both herself and Adam to enjoy that blessing. So that is why she gave the fruit to her husband. Adam also sinned against God because he disobeyed God’s command not to eat the fruit from the forbidden tree (Genesis 2:16-17).

Genesis 3:15a speaks of “enmity”, which means “hatred.” Satan succeeded in seducing Adam and his wife away from God. But he failed to win their allegiance for himself, for God announces here that he is putting enmity between Satan and the woman (Genesis 3:15a). Mutual hatred will exist between Satan and the woman.

God also establishes an enmity between Satan’s offspring and the woman’s (Genesis 3:15b). Since Satan does not have offspring, Genesis 3:15b probably refers to an enmity between the ungodly descendants of the woman, and the godly descendants of the woman. The conflict that began between Satan and the woman continues up to the time of Jesus and beyond.

Satan will strike Jesus’ heel (Genesis 3:15d). This part of the first messianic prophecy was fulfilled. On the cross, Satan bruised Jesus’ heel, causing his death. Though bruised, the damage done to Jesus was not final, for Jesus came back from the dead on the third day, breaking the power of death. 

Jesus will crush Satan’s head (Genesis 3:15c). This part of the first messianic prophecy was fulfilled. Jesus defeated Satan on the cross. Satan’s power over humans was broken by Jesus. Satan has been defeated. Although Satan continues to fight on, his fate has been sealed (Revelation 20:10). Until that time, there remains enmity between Satan and all followers of Jesus. The Church has been empowered by Jesus to continue to battle until Satan is fully defeated.

From the first messianic prophecy (Genesis 3:15) we know that God always had the plan of salvation in mind and informed us of his plan as soon as sin entered the world. God’s mercy endures from generation to generation. Jesus took our curse (Galatians 3:13). He became a curse so that we might be set free to live to God through Him. That is Good News for all believers.

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The rising price of lettuce had nothing to do with my attempt at vegetable gardening. Instead, it was the stories of women gardeners in African contexts receiving PWRDF support that challenged me to think about how even apartment dwellers could practice sustainable gardening.

The first gardener to come to mind was Josephine Kizza. She had started St. Jude’s, an organic farming project, after she lost her teaching job and all of her possessions during the civil war in Uganda (1985-87). Although internally displaced persons like Josephine can often get staples (such as flour, rice, sugar, and tea) from aid agencies, they know that in order to have a tasty, healthy diet, they need to plant vegetables like greens, onions, and tomatoes.

The solution sounds simple enough: get seeds and access to land, then plant a garden. But, it’s more complicated than that. Josephine says that African women do 60-80% of the agricultural work, but that their traditional foodways also harm the environment. That is, rural African women cut down trees to provide fuel for cooking, and also to make charcoal to provide some cash income. Moreover, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many urban folks returned to rural areas, so cooking for more people led to even greater deforestation.

Consequently, agricultural educators like Josephine started placing an emphasis on agro-forestry, specifically, on planting trees. But even that had its problems, because men assumed that they owned the land and were the primary decision makers. For example, after a farmer named Amelia planted almost an acre of trees and made ridges to prevent erosion on her property, her husband came home from his job in the city and cut down most of the trees. However, after Josephine and Amelia discussed the rationale for Amelia’s farming methods with Amelia’s husband — who had had other plans for “his” fields — he understood and eventually became the strongest supporter of her new farming methods.

Similarly, Laliya Atondo, a Congolese woman living in a refugee camp in Tanzania, faced her husband’s criticisms when she joined a Church World Service (CWS) project supported by PWRDF. However, after Laliya bought some clothes – including a shirt for her husband – with the money she earned from selling vegetables, he became supportive of her gardening efforts. Laliya was initially afraid to become a lead farmer because she thought leadership was for men, but the training she received through CWS helped her develop the skills and confidence to teach other women about sustainable vegetable growing, integrated pest management, seed selection and storage, nutrition, and gender equity.

 A few lettuce plants on my balcony will not reduce global warming nor feed the world’s hungry, but they will continue to remind me to support the Primate’s World Relief Development Fund as it enables the gardening efforts of women like Josephine, Amelia, and Laliya.

For more information, follow this link:
https://pwrdf.org/climate-change-and-gender/

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On 1 February 2023, Bishop Watton gathered all rectors and associate clergy at Martin’s Cathedral in Gander. The meeting began at 11:00am with the Holy Eucharist. Together they spent the day reviewing foundational principles of leadership and team building, and how to incorporate them into our commitment of serving Jesus in our time. Bishop John spoke of the intricacies, complexities, and potential of relationships within parishes. The teaching and reflection were infused with conversations around mission, sustainability, and of the responsibility of those in Holy Orders to be outward signs of commitment, collegiality, shared ministry, leadership, humility, and hope for one another and for the whole Church. 

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As I relax after dismantling the Christmas tree, with the iPad on my lap recreating the last few, rewarding, but hectic months at St. John the Evangelist, my thoughts, somehow parallel that expression.

With the fear of COVID-19 subsiding, we have further broadened our parameters this fall and Christmas with regards to reviving certain activities and reaching out akin to pre-pandemic times.

While wearing a mask is no longer mandatory, we have chosen their retention in church while singing, receiving communion, or leaving the building—a three year habit isn’t broken overnight.

Our ACW group met on September 13th, 2022, after a five-month hiatus, fresh to participate in our outreach to former members who are now living in various retirement homes.

At subsequent bi-weekly meetings up to December 6th, the focus was in large part to work in unison with the fundraising committee in preparing a lasagna dinner on October 1st, a flea market on October 22nd, a fall fair on November 12th, and the twelfth anniversary of our traditional Holly Tea on December 10th.

On November 8th, each member of our team donated items of warm clothing which were subsequently delivered to the Gathering Place.

I’d have to say, though, that the highlight of our Christmas preparation at church occurred on Friday, December 16th. It was on that day that six of us (Sharon, Maud, Betty, Louise, Shirley, and Stephanie) joyfully put together 26 baskets of Christmas goodies. We each took separate routes and enjoyed a very pleasant afternoon visiting and having a lovely chat with some gracious ladies and gentlemen at the various homes, who were so very appreciative of our gesture. It certainly compensated for our effort in its preparation.

At this juncture, I must digress momentarily. In my February article for Anglican Life, I spoke very highly of the five guest priests who accommodated us in our time of need before we welcomed Rev’d Jotie into our lives.

Well what I inadvertently omitted from the announcement was that Rev’d Greg Mercer is still very much a part of our church family.

With his special gift of music, he has graced us with the opportunity to participate in a special ukulele class which he is directing in our church, and is growing exponentially—much appreciated.

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Psalm 100

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Thank you to St. Mark’s Church for hosting this event and for providing a mid-morning snack along with delicious soups and desserts for lunch. And let us not forget the projectile coffee!

This was a day filled with love as old friendships were renewed and new friendships were formed. Our very own Mary and Elizabeth (photo included), who are long-time friends, were delighted to spend this time together. The Holy Spirit is moving in this place, calling us together as community, sharing God’s love for each other as we grow in faith and service. All of those in attendance felt blessed. We are looking forward to future events as we discover new ways of working together in this mission area.

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I have been fortunate in that I haven’t suffered many panic attacks, when I’d feel the tightness in my chest that could have been mistaken for a heart attack, but the less-severe visits from the ‘anxiety fairy’ are bad enough. My heart races, my guts knot up, my breathing gets fast and shallow, and my mind races. My anxiety comes in waves, and the waves do pass, but I spent a lot of time trying to prevent those waves, rather than riding them out.

One strategy that I tried to use was anticipating my anxiety triggers. I thought that if I could imagine every possible scenario, I wouldn’t have to struggle with what to do if things started to get stressful: I’d already have a plan! I used to spend a lot of time trying to anticipate anything and everything that could go wrong, and how I would react to the situation.

The problem with this as a coping mechanism is that I was always trying to anticipate dangers and stresses. Instead of the shortness of breath and sweaty palms of working through a stressful situation that was actually happening, I would obsess over all the things that could happen. I prepared myself for conflicts that never happened, and got locked into anxious spirals even when there was no reason to get anxious.

When trying to anticipate the negative situations that were out of my control didn’t work, I tried to double down on controlling the things that were. It led to perfectionism. I started refusing help, because I thought no one could do things as well as me. I didn’t want to give up control, because situations that were outside my control could trigger such strong anxiety. But again, this approach simply left me worrying about the future instead of living in the present.

What I finally had to learn was to trust myself. Instead of thinking, ‘The sky is falling again,’ I started to think, ‘Oh right. This is anxiety,’ and letting it pass. I was able to remember that my past experiences and abilities had gotten me through similar situations in the past, and that I’d be okay now. I don’t always get it right. Sometimes I can still get caught in a spiral. But when I can trust myself, it’s far healthier.

There’s actually a lesson for the Church in that. Sometimes we need to anticipate the future. Sometimes we need to work to keep things under control. But one of the most important things we can learn is to trust that we’re going to be able to deal with challenges when they come. It’s also about learning to trust that God loves us and will continue to care for us.

Mental health struggles can seem overwhelming, but with help, they can be dealt with. One of the hardest parts is admitting that something isn’t right. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, you can get help by calling 811. More support and resources are available online at nl.bridgethegapp.ca.

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Clara Penny, born 1939 at English Harbour, Trinity Bay, experienced a similar path to music. She also took music lessons for a year when she was around 13-14 years old and played at her home church until she left home to go teaching. Her career brought her to Port Union and Catalina for five years where she played at Holy Martyr’s and St Peter’s churches respectively. An early memory she recalls is: “On New Year’s Day the Fishermen at English Harbour would parade and the open offering that day would be given the organist.” 

Both teachers would end up married and living at Catalina. Clara Penny married business manager, Harold Duffett. Doris Simms migrated with Melvin Freake, her new husband, as he was hired an engineer at the Catalina Fish Plant. Clara’s name somehow colloquially got change to “Penny” Duffett after they married, switching her maiden name with her first. 

Though both had been playing in differing churches for nearly 45 years it wasn’t until the 1990’s that they became a tandem team at St Peter’s, Catalina—an executive decision made by a new rector, the Rev’d Wayne Short. When I (Rev’d Eli) arrived, they were a mainstay for the music leadership and ran a very energetic choir that would only shut down in the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, eagerly bouncing back after the Covid-required recesses.

In March of 2022, while at home, Doris experienced a fall at aged 88 that left her with a broken hip and a fractured shoulder. This article was earlier planned as a tribute to my two whirlwind musicians, but it was delayed until we ascertained how Doris might fare from her injuries. Though her desire was strong, her body was too weakened to allow her to resume her biweekly vocation. Playing the double keyboard organ at St Peter’s requires one to literally climb aboard and keep one’s arms elevated throughout the performance. Hence my composition has morphed from a tribute to two fantastic musical leaders for more than 140 combined years of service in their musical ministries. It remains a tribute to their exploits, but also is a retirement wish to one. 

Penny continues to play weekly at her youthful age of 83, occasionally taking a breather. We wish Doris a much well-deserved retirement at 88, though if she had it her way, she’d still be tickling the ivories at church. 

Both would sum up their careers as “Loving every minute of it!” Worship in the Parish of Catalina has been greatly enhanced by their unselfish devotion of time and talent in praise to their Lord.

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Grandfader was a quiet man. He was as different from my dad as could be. He didn’t have any formal education and spent his life fishing and cutting wood. For a short period of time he worked at the naval yard in Placentia, but only during the building of the facility. He then went back to fishing and forestry work. He was tall—over six feet—and as strong as an ox! He had hands like baseball gloves which dwarfed my young hands, but when he held my hand I knew all was well. I would watch him splitting wood for the stove and in between chops, he would tell me stories. 

Most of Grandfader’s stories were about his life—the things he did while he was young and what was expected of him by his parents and the community. In those days everyone helped each other, he would tell me. If a man in the community was sick, all the men would go to the house to make sure wood was chopped, and that vegetables, fish, etc., were available for the family. The men would repair the house, paint, fix the fence, or whatever needed to be done that the man of the house couldn’t manage because of illness. 

The men of the community were also responsible in those days for the church and the school in the community. The men of the community built the church, providing the wood and labour for the build. Everyone chipped in to take care of the community property, and as the saying goes, many hands make light work! My Grandfader told me that they didn’t have meetings or schedules to accomplish this work, but that everyone came to church or had kids who went to school, so it was obvious what needed to be done. Grandfader said that a conversation would be had when everyone was going out in boat in the morning, and when the fishing day was finished, the men would meet to fix the school and the church. He said all the men in the community knew it was their responsibility as much as taking care of their own families. 

But…

That was then. Maybe life was simpler then. Maybe people were less busy then. Maybe our lives have become more complicated and we are all stretched to the limit! My Grandfader’s life experience isn’t the same as life in 2023, and yet when it comes to church, unlike schools which are now run by government, we are still running all the churches as if there is a huge community of people to support all the churches. Unfortunately, this is not true in 2023, but if we all came together like in my Grandfader’s time, supported one building, cared for the whole community in that church, how much could we accomplish together?

Our Lord and Saviour brought people together. He died so we might live and grow together, remembering his sacrifice for us so we would be assured of an eternal life in heaven. Let’s accept that times have changed and come together to be stronger as Anglicans doing God’s work!

God bless you all!

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