Participants heard about the faith journeys of three Palestinian Christians from three generations: Eleanor, whose grandfather established St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church in the Holy Land in the early 19th century; Lina, whose aunt, a Palestinian Christian Al Jazeera journalist, had been killed May 11, 2022; and, Sara, who was raised in Jerusalem and became the first woman ordained as a Lutheran pastor.

As they related their faith journeys, each woman shared what it means to be a Palestinian Christian. Eleanor related how her Arabic teacher encouraged her as an 11-year-old to run errands for humanitarian work. This became the foundation for a lifetime of humanitarian and development work for all people, regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender, status or need. Lina spoke of her Aunt Shireen’s commitment to telling the stories of both Muslims and Christians and also to campaigning for all to have access to their holy sites. Sara talked of her grandparents growing up in Jaffa alongside Christians, Muslims and Jews before the establishment of the Israeli state in 1948. All three were affected by the loss of their homeland in 1948, yet persisted in showing love and offering hope to all.

As he began his reflection, Bishop John Organ stated that the Jerusalem cross he was wearing has a dove on it, as Palestinian Christians, and Anglican Palestinians/Israeli Arab Anglicans in particular, value and ensure they gather in Jerusalem on Pentecost, as Arabs are listed as being present at the First Pentecost (Acts 2:11)

Having spent three years as the Bishop’s Chaplain in Jerusalem (2012-2015), Bishop John reminded listeners how complex the situation in the Holy Land is when he said, “If you spend one week in the Holy Land, you can write a book. If you spend a month in the Holy Land, you can write an article. If you stay longer, you learn to be silent.”

To shed light on this situation, Bishop John used the analogy of two sons, loved equally by their parents, at odds with each other, yet trying to live together in the same house. Gradually, one side takes more of the house and outsiders support one side or the other. And when some give up on peace, and resort to violence, everyone on their side is labelled a terrorist. Yet others, like the three Palestinian Christian women whose stories were told, continue to work for peace for all.

The prayer that opened this gathering asks God to walk with us as we journey through the land where you lived and taught, to open our eyes to see the present suffering of the inhabitants of this land, and, to grant us the strength and courage to act and pray with all who suffer around the world. May we live that prayer.

The post World Day of Prayer in Corner Brook appeared first on Anglican Life.

Donations from family, friends, and parishioners helped the group collect a total of $1675 to bring beds and furniture to people in need.

Youth participants represented three parishes in the Mount Pearl / St John’s area: the Parish of the Good Shepherd, the Parish of the Ascension, and the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.

In preparation for the event, youth participated in a reality check activity during a regular youth group meeting, in which they attempted to budget for a month using a range of incomes. This helped raise awareness of the importance of reaching out to struggling neighbours—loving our neighbours as ourselves.

During the “Heads Without Beds” event, some slept on the floor in the hall at the Good Shepherd, some slept on the floor in their own homes, and some spent the night in another facility outside of their homes. All left with an increased appreciation of the privileges they have been blessed with!

The post Anglican Youth Helping Others appeared first on Anglican Life.

The post Heads Without Beds 2024—Home Again Furniture Bank appeared first on Anglican Life.

Archdeacon Charlene Taylor has known about and supported Home Again Furniture Bank since its inception thanks to her lifelong work with the Anglican Church. As an Archdeacon and former parish priest, her time is spent serving the community, giving support to her parishioners, and guiding people in their faith journey. Through this work she has seen first-hand why Home Again is essential for those in our communities.

“Through my parish work I often see different levels of furniture poverty. People have a roof over their head but they don’t truly have a home. Without the necessary furniture to fill it, a table to sit and have a meal around, or a bed to dream in, it’s just four walls. Home Again changes that.” said Charlene.

In Charlene’s work with the Anglican Church she has focused much of her time on improving the well-being of community members and breaking the cycle of poverty. She is aware that too often people don’t associate those who are already in stable housing as being impoverished, but one glance at a nearly empty apartment or home and Charlene can attest to just how wrong those assumptions can be.

“The Anglican Church is one of the largest referral agents for Home Again, as all of our local parishes are a safe haven for those who are experiencing furniture poverty or need help. Though we see people in some of their hardest moments, we also get to see the amazing impact of receiving furniture and the transformation it has.” said Charlene.

Home Again’s furniture recipients often share just how life-changing furniture can be in not only giving them the comfort and dignity they deserve, but also the impact it has on their physical, mental and emotional health.

“When I was living without furniture I wasn’t passionate about anything anymore, I looked around and said ‘This is the state I am going to be in forever.’ Now I am out working, I am volunteering, I exercise much more, I have animals.” said one furniture recipient.

Since Charlene experienced first-hand how Home Again was supporting our neighbours in need, it was a very simple decision for her to be a part of the Heads Without Beds fundraiser. So simple in fact she also participated in the original ‘Clergy on the Floor’ fundraiser, which was the catalyst for the expansion into the community edition of Heads Without Beds.

“I have fond memories of ‘Clergy on the Floor’ , the feeling of community as the local Anglican Clergy joined together to support one another and the mission of Home Again. We laughed, had fellowship and ended up raising over $5,000 for those who were living without furniture.” said Charlene.

Now Charlene continues to support Home Again by joining Heads Without Beds each year with her colleagues. This year, all of them slept at their office following the fun event night.

“We’re excited to gather as a whole team and support Heads Without Beds again. Even though we are giving up our bed for the night, we’ll make the most of it and have a great time. We even plan on making breakfast together in the morning.” said Charlene.

For Charlene, the opportunity to impact hundreds of lives by fundraising and simply sleeping without her bed for one night is something she is happy to do.

“Each year we have such wonderful supporters. We never set a team goal because we just hope for people to have generous hearts and to give what they can to support their neighbours. We’ve been successful in raising funds in the past and hope to continue that this year and beyond.” said Charlene.

The Anglican East NL team was in fact very successful at raising funds this year, with over $4,000 being raised and donated back to Home Again they were the top team fundraiser!

Though this fundraiser for Home Again Furniture Bank has now closed, they still need your support in order to continue delivering free furniture to those who need it most. Visit: homeagainfb.ca to see how you can get involved or become a sustaining monthly supporter by joining their community of Dreamers.

The post Home Again Furniture Bank: Spotlight on Archdeacon Charlene Taylor appeared first on Anglican Life.

Then after three days of battling through mountains of snow, Saturday looked hopeful to squeeze in the ACW Quiet Day. We received guests from nearby churches, and together enjoyed lunch and welcomed the reprieve. President Betty delivered an interesting presentation with the theme, “Shaped by love.”

On March 1st, our church hosted the annual World Day of Prayer service. The theme, “I beg you…bear with one another in love,” was written by a group of Ecumenical Christian Palestinian Women, whose country was represented this year.

On Sunday, March 19th, we again had the distinct privilege to welcome members of the CLB, Upper Gullies company, to our church service.
It was a special treat to witness young girls actively involved in the brigade as well. Canon Jotie displayed his special gifts as he approached conversation in a dual capacity by welcoming some familiarity on the physical merits of the battalion.

With the intermission of diversion in the church during Lent acknowledged, focus reverted to the midweek Lenten observance, each Wednesday, for five weeks. This was built around a series of prayers of restoration in Christ through the “Discipline of Reckless Prayer.”

Random House dictionary defines the word “reckless” as: “disregarding the consequences of danger, or being rash.” In my initial response to the approach, I didn’t feel that it was an accurate synonym for anything associated with prayer. But when once I grasped the concept of venturing outside the realm of automatic approved form of prayer, to search, hear, grasp, and especially concentrate on one’s own, even if just for the 40 days, it broadened my parameters in a positive and personal way.

1. Reckless prayer through daily devotion.
2. Reckless prayer through reading the Bible.
3. Reckless prayer through the Jesus prayer.
4. Reckless prayer through breathing.
5. Reckless prayer through silence.

A particularly Reckless thank you to Canon Jotie for creating a special and memorable Lenten Experience 2024.

“In whom we have boldness And access with confidence Through faith in him.” -Ephesians 3:12.

The post Our Journey Through Lent 2024 appeared first on Anglican Life.

The congregation of St. John the Divine Anglican Church in Port Saunders recognized Naomi Patey for her dedication as organist for over 50 years. In appreciation for being a long time dedicated organist, the church had a photo blanket made with pictures of Naomi at church functions and with her family. It was presented to her during a service in December 2022. Her talent with the organ, keyboard, and occasionally on guitar, were a given every Sunday. If she wasn’t there everyone asked, “Where is Naomi?”

She has been an integral part of the church, its services, and committees since a young woman. As well, she was often in demand to play at funerals throughout the parish. Unfortunately her fingers aren’t as agile as they once were, and Naomi started to find it difficult to play.

She surely is missed at the keyboard. Rev’d Smith fills in now playing her omnichord.

Today, Naomi is an active resident of the Northern Retirement Home in Port Saunders and still attends church when she can. The photo at the top of this page is of Naomi receiving her gift.

Beautiful gifts for St. John the Divine Church

Many beautiful items were recently given to the Anglican Church in Port Saunders. It was noticed that the church could use a tabernacle and new communion robes. After an inquiry from a family who wished to make a gift, and the need was identified by the rector, the gifts were purchased and generously given.

The niece of one of the church members who had recently passed away asked what his family could give to the church in his memory. She quickly went about asking her cousins to give a contributions to purchase the tabernacle. They eagerly collected enough funds to purchase a simple yet elegant piece that coincidentally matches the church’s décor. It’s been said, “Uncle Dave would love it.”

Rev’d Marie Smith saw the need for new communion vestments, and generously purchased a full set of colourful communion vestments, and an additional white set, out of funds she was given on the occasion of her ordination to the priesthood September 18th, 2021. They were dedicated for clergy use in the parish.

Both were presented on November 5th, 2023. The tabernacle was presented by the family members of David Pittman, who passed away in June of 2022.  Rev’d Marie presented the set of vestments for use in the Parish of Port Saunders.

The post News From Port Saunders appeared first on Anglican Life.

First, look to creation. Life does not appear out of nothing from non-life. The universe exists. Who created the universe? The universe had a beginning. God is revealed in nature. Nature is not God, but God is the Creator of nature and reveals himself through nature.

Psalm 19: 1 tells us: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Nature shows the greatness of God. The more we learn about the universe, the more we can see the work of God.

Romans 1: 20 also tells us that a basic understanding of God can be gained from the natural world. We call this general revelation. This points us to God as Creator. Have you considered the following: twenty-nine percent of earth’s surface is covered by land while seventy-one percent by water? If the percentages were reversed, we would burn up and die. The planet earth rotates at about 1,038 miles per hour. If we rotated at 100 miles per hour, our days and nights would be ten times longer. It would be impossible for humans to live like that.

Second, look into our own conscience. Humans have “moral awareness” or “moral consciousness.” The conscience reacts when one’s actions, thoughts, and words conform to, or are contrary to, a standard of right and wrong. Romans 2: 15 tells us: “since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.” In other words, our own hearts tell us there is a God whose law is written on our conscience, and we have broken that law and we know it.

Third, look to the Bible. God exists because the Bible tells us that God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1: 1). We can know God through the revelation he has given us in the Bible. God has told us many things about himself, about humans, and about the universe that he has made.

Jesus tells his disciples in the upper room that the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth (John 16: 13a). Because of the Spirit’s work through the disciples, we have his record: the New Testament. We should study the New Testament to know Jesus better. Jesus reveals who God is (Hebrews 1: 3a).

Jesus and his followers pointed us to the Jewish Scriptures as a reliable revelation of who God is. Modern followers of Jesus believe that Jesus fulfills the Old Testament (Matthew 5:17). The Bible (Old and New Testament) is about Jesus and he is its fulfillment in all ways.

Fourth, look to Jesus. In John 8: 19b Jesus said: “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” You would know who God is. Why? Because Jesus said in John 10: 30, “I and the Father are one.” It was a bold statement. The Father and Jesus are united in will and purpose.

Was Jesus telling the truth? We can know that Jesus was telling the truth by getting to know him. We can read the four accounts of his life and teachings called the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Jesus was with God in the beginning (John 1: 1). In Jesus we see what God is like.

How can we know God? Creation, conscience, the Bible, and Jesus all point us to God. God is a Spirit. He is in a different dimension. He is in a different realm of reality. It is not enough to know only the Creator. We must know God as our Lord and Saviour. Knowing God is only the beginning of the Christian life. It is a lifelong pursuit.

God is God; we are not God. We will never become God. Because God is infinite and we are finite, we can never arrive at a complete understanding of God. We will never know all things about God. The Christian life is a journey. It is one in which we continually seek to know God in deeper ways. We walk through life with God. We talk to God. We worship God. We listen to God speaking through the Bible. We should be growing in our knowledge of God through our entire lives. God lives among us and within us. Let us thank God for our special relationship with him!

For those who would like to know more about God, please read Professor Millard J. Erickson’s book called God the Father Almighty, Baker Books, 1998.

The post How Can We Know God? appeared first on Anglican Life.

The post A Wake-a-Thon for St. Paddy’s Day in Port aux Basques appeared first on Anglican Life.

As they planned for longer-term support in the region, the Diocese of Jerusalem wrote a proposal for a new six-month project, scheduled to run from February 1st, 2024, to July 31st, 2024. This project was designed in consultation with Anglican Alliance, a partnership of Anglican humanitarian and development agencies, including the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF).

According to former PWRDF Communications and Marketing Officer Jacqueline Tucci, “Eight agencies from five countries (Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA, and Canada), collaborated in support of this proposal. This relieves the Diocese of Jerusalem of needing to provide individual proposals and reports to each funding agency” at an already challenging time.

Key objectives of the project include support for:

• quality inpatient and outpatient health services at the Diocese of Jerusalem Health Institutions in the West Bank for the most vulnerable people directly affected

• quality education at the Diocese of Jerusalem Education Institutions in the West Bank, especially for children

• medical interventions (inpatient and outpatient) at the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital for the wounded and traumatized in Gaza

The Diocese of Jerusalem Institutions that will benefit from this project include:  Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza, Saint Luke’s Hospital in Nablus, and Penmen Clinic in Jenin (Zababdeh village). Also benefitting are students at Christian National Kindergarten in Nablus and Saint George’s School in East Jerusalem. This joint initiative will directly support 2,608 people, and benefit an additional 14,512 indirectly: 17,120 in total.

PWRDF’s Humanitarian Response Coordinator, Naba Gurung, says that whatever the cause of a disaster, the goal is always to save lives and to reduce suffering of the most vulnerable. That becomes complicated when there are warring factions, so aid agencies like PWRDF need to communicate with local partners as situations change, and be flexible and adaptable. Last week’s plan often doesn’t work this week. However, aid agencies may ultimately have to help broker peace, or at least, accommodation, before they can deliver aid. PWRDF has offices only in Toronto, so it is often the sacrifices and commitment of local partners that make a crucial difference.

How you can help: Please keep the people affected by the war in your prayers. You can donate to PWRDF’s Gaza and West Bank Emergency Appeal online (https://pwrdf.org/give-today/), by phone at 416-822-9083 (or leave a message toll-free at 1-866-308-7973 for PWRDF staff to call you), or by mail. Send your cheque to PWRDF, 80 Hayden Street, 3rd Floor, Toronto, ON, Canada, M4Y 3G2. Please indicate “Gaza” in the memo field.

The post Gaza and West Bank appeared first on Anglican Life.

The spread of monasticism, inspired by St. Antony of Egypt (c.251-356), had a strong impact on the Church. The monks were men who left their worldly routine to seek God in the silence and seclusion of the desert. Through thinking and reasoning, they were free to worship God directly. By the year 390, some fifty thousand monks would congregate to celebrate Easter. Monasticism with its practices of prayer, and ponderance in solitude with God, had popular appeal and a strong influence on the development of the Christian Church.

The efforts of reformers who objected to the doctrines, rituals, leadership, and ecclesiastical structure of the Church in Rome, especially Martin Luther’s publications in 1517, led to the creation of new national Protestant churches. And within these reforms there was to be a marked separation of the heavenly and earthly kingdoms, and a new hierarchy of authorities would commence with scripture, followed with conscience, reason, and tradition. And that henceforth, neither kings nor popes were to stipulate what people should or should not believe

The highest scriptural authority for Christians comes from the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments. The Bible is seen as evidence, witness, and testimony that represents our theological underpinnings, and down through the ages Christians have learned theology from the Bible, and from the traditions and experiences of the Church.

Tradition is a preserving power, and it aids us in formulating truths of the past that help us make decisions for the future. However, human interpretation is always on the march, and we are continually required to update our levels of thinking and appreciation as it pertains to the past. God—the Spirit of God—is constantly responding to our changing circumstances.

What is involved in believing, and how do religious beliefs relate to other parts of our life? In particular, what do we experience and feel, what do we do, and who are we? Honest answers to such questions require, amongst other things, activation of our humility, being humble, being candid, and being sincere. We know the importance of being able to listen to others, and often contemplative listening is a necessary ingredient to a fuller understanding. Sometimes it’s revealing too to listen to our own answers and examine their honesty.

Collectively as Christians, we make up a considerable mix—an overlapping of fundamentalists, conservatives, liberals, and so on. Faith includes goodwill, and ideally the pursuit of an acceptable balance between those Church organizations steeped in rigidity of practices, and those at the other end of the spectrum where freedom reigns. We are so quick and efficient in accenting our differences but not so much on celebrating the many practices we already have in common.

We ponder the pleasant thought, “Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all get along together?” It’s easier said than done, for sure! But we have a responsibility to be open, supportive, and embracive to people of other churches, and we should continue to stretch our own levels of tolerance and acceptance. “…all things are possible with God.”

The post Reasonable and Probable Grounds to Believe appeared first on Anglican Life.