Beginning with early August, the ministry team of Vacation Bible School (VBS) invited the children of the parish to explore beaches and coves of Upper Island Cove and Bryant’s Cove to first search for Jesus, move to develop an understanding of God’s love and appreciation for their uniqueness, and to  finally, be invited to rest in the safety of God’s protection throughout the stillness and storms of life. Each lesson was brought to life through art, story and song, and in the context of the fellowship of children. One inspiring feature of this VBS program was a centring prayer the children learned throughout the duration of the program, which is now used during Sunday School to empower them to be in stillness and connect to God’s presence and love within themselves.

September brought much vitality to the parish and the relationships it shares within its communities. Firstly, on September 15th, St. Peter’s Church in Upper Island Cove was filled with people in attendance to support The Rev’d Aubrey Young in his ordination to the sacred priesthood. Bishop Sam Rose, clergy from all over St. John’s/Metro/Conception Bay North, vestry members across the parish, many parishioners from St. Andrews, St. John the Evangelist, St. Peter’s were in attendance. Representatives from The C.L.B. on Regimental, Battalion and Company levels were present to support Rev’d Aubrey, who grew up through the ranks of The C.L.B., starting off as a youth member, and going on to become the Commanding Officer of #4547 Upper Island Cove Co. He currently “Fights the Good Fight” as the Chaplain of Trinity Conception Battalion. Additional ministry of music was provided by St. Peter’s Church choir and the A.C.A.A. Band. It was a joyous and moving evening with a sermon from Canon John Courage, former minister at and friend of St. Peter’s Church. The service was followed by a reception and fellowship, supported by the vestry team of St. Peter’s Church and many helpful parishioners, called to serve by offering their helping hands of support.

On September 22nd, the very evening Rev’d Noseworthy held her inspiring Sunday morning church service with her message of the transformative power of Living Faith through a wiliness to serve, she herself was served in-kind by virtue of her induction service to St. Peter’s Church. Once again, Bishop Sam was in attendance, delivering a powerful message in his sermon about the unity of Christ in the context of inclusivity and diversity, and by committing to be of service for all. St. Peter’s Church was filled again with vestry members across the parish, and representatives from the C.L.B. on a personal, company level were there to proudly support Rev’d Shirley who gives her unwavering support to this youth organization. Music ministry was once more provided in part by St. Peter’s Church Choir and the A.C.A.A. Band. Standing out as a most special part of this service, however, was music ministry provided by Rev’d Shirley herself, accompanied by her family.
Clergy and congregation remained deeply moved by this moving performance, making meaningful, this celebration of the many gifts Rev’d Shirley willingly gives in service to the parish of Upper Island Cove. Following this service a reception followed, supported by vestry members and many supportive parishioners to celebrate this new ministry—and Rev’d Shirley’s birthday, what a blessing!

Just one week later, the aptly named “Annual Goods Services and Talents” (GST) parish fundraiser came to an exciting, and successful, end. In its second year, the fundraiser, facilitated by a special committee in the parish, raises money for the church via an online auction of goods and services donated to the parish by local individuals and businesses.
The other piece of the fundraiser includes a dinner theatre, and is held at the Upper Island Cove Community Centre. This year’s dinner theatre was a hot turkey supper and variety show performed by a large crew of community volunteers who willingly served goods, services, and as was most evident on this evening, incredible talents. A comedic play—rife with unique idioms and dialects from Upper Island Cove and area—written, directed and performed by community volunteers was delivered in several acts; each act was followed by a musical intermission from a second large crew of talented community musicians. One remarkable feature of the evening, besides the evident countless hours of hard work that went into this event, was the large-scale teamwork behind it. Dozens of people volunteered from youth to elderly and all ages inbetween, to set up, act, sing, play an instrument, make or serve a supper. A large audience of 250 people was heard laughing and cheering throughout the evening together. A parish and its communities celebrated such a herculean effort together. At the end of the evening, people from the audience got up and cleaned up together. A willingness to serve, support each other and grow in relationship together through fellowship is what scripture translated into daily life looks like. Many people that night were people who you might see in St. Peter’s or St. Andrew’s on a Sunday morning, and yet, some you would not. But from a spiritual point of view, some might say we were all there in church that evening as a community, all in service together, all held together in the unity and love of Christ.

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-Emily F. Rowe
Editor, Anglican Life

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Who takes home the big prize? And who just goes home?

I watched a TV show once where game shows were presented as a scale model of war. You slam your hand down on the button, hoping you get there before the other guy… but neither side can ever be certain what the outcome will be. I quote:

“Every war ever fought right there in front of you. Because it’s always the same. When you fire that first shot, no matter how right you feel, you have no idea who’s going to die. You don’t know whose children are going to scream and burn. How many hearts will be broken! How many lives shattered! How much blood will spill until everybody does what they’re always going to have to do from the very beginning—sit down and talk!” – Doctor Who

And he was right.

I watch or read the news every day, and every day it’s the same. War and conflict throughout the world. Real people deciding that the lives of other real people are worth risking, or outright sacrificing, for some political goal. And people die. And no one can be certain who, or how many, or when it will stop.

It’s just cruelty. Cruelty borne of fear—of cowardice.

So often we rate a nation’s strength by how much military might it possesses. The country with the most bombs and the most guns is always the strongest. They pride themselves on it. But I just feel pity for that kind of thinking. Because, to me, weapons do not show strength. They show weakness. They say to the world, “I am not strong enough to fix real problems with real solutions. I am not strong enough to lift myself out of a history of violence. I am not strong enough to live in love and peace with those around me. I am weak. And I will attack, so that I never have to learn strength.”

I have a deep respect for all who have served and do serve in our military. It is they who sacrifice and are sacrificed. And I pray that they are directed wisely by those in power, in defence and justice. I have never served, but I believe that the personal hope of any soldier, in any place, is that none are needed after them: that peace is final and complete.

But the wars continue. And people are still dying.

It’s not a game.

The only prize is peace.

And so very many never get to go home.

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It is not a list of committees or roles. It is a response to the call of God to love our neighbour as ourselves and to follow Jesus who came, “not to be served but to serve” (Mark 10:45). It is to live as disciples.
In those years in ministry, I have known people who have lived out that call—caring for someone who is sick; looking out for a neighbour who needs help; making that visit or phone call to someone who is lonely. They often do so quietly, not looking for credit or thanks or even affirmation, but as a response to that call to faithful discipleship, a call which is for everyone. In living out that call, there is no hierarchy.

Sadly, it seems at times, the reality is that in our churches, those of us who have chosen to live out that call through ordination are someway more engaged in “real” ministry. Which is a perspective that comes from the society around us rather than from what is modelled by scripture and by Jesus himself. It is also not helpful in developing community. Jesus surrounded himself with ordinary people: people from various cultural groups and with different backgrounds. He didn’t seek out only those who were from an elite class. He created a community of faithful witnesses to share the good news he proclaimed and gave us a model to follow, a model of a community where each person is valued.
In our communities, we live out our baptismal covenant as we strive to continue in the apostle’s teaching and fellowship, resist evil, proclaim by word and example the good news of God in Christ, seek and serve Christ in all person, strive for justice and peace, respect the dignity of every human being and safeguard the integrity of God’s creation. We do that together, both lay and ordained, no one more important that the other. “For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:9.

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The ceremony was a gathering of family, friends, and church members, all eager to witness this momentous occasion. The atmosphere was filled with joy and anticipation as the candidates prepared to take this important step in their spiritual journey.

During the sermon, Bishop Sam shared his deep emotional connection to the parish, reminiscing about his own journey of faith that began in this very community. He encouraged the candidates to embrace their roles as active members of the church and to live out their faith in their daily lives.

Following the confirmation, a reception was held in the church hall, where attendees celebrated the candidates’ achievements with refreshments and fellowship. The event highlighted the strong sense of community within the church, as members came together to support and uplift one another.

The church will continue to have a youth program every month to encourage the young people to be an active part of the church community, while they build great relationships and lifelong friendships.

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“Praying with PWRDF” is a one-hour monthly opportunity to gather online with others to become better informed and pray for the work of PWRDF. Each Zoom gathering features a land acknowledgement, prayers, scripture readings, music, reflections from PWRDF partners, volunteers, or clergy, with opportunity for discussion. These sessions are particularly valuable for learning about the issues we need to consider “as we journey towards a truly just, healthy, and peaceful world.”

Recent presentations include one in December 2023 by Dr. Rachel Mash of Cape Town, South Africa, the environmental coordinator of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, a movement known as Green Anglicans. One of Rachel’s concerns is about access to clean water, as its absence leads to high infant mortality rates and a higher incidence of water-borne diseases.

In her presentation, Rachel asks if high rates of child mortality will ever be a thing of the past; if inequality in life expectancy will always be based on income; if people everywhere will ever be able to build their own houses, plant their own gardens, and live in peace. She sees hope in events like Cop 28 as indigenous voices, people of faith, young climate activists, and principled business people gather to work for environmental and climate justice.

Another presenter, Robyn Sulkko, a member of the PWRDF Youth Council and People’s Warden in her parish in Ottawa, served as the reflector in September 2024. In May 2023, during a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, she and her fellow pilgrims renewed their baptismal covenant at the Jordan River in Palestine. Although it was a place of renewal for her, seeing young armed Israeli soldiers beside the river, led her to greater awareness of the strife and violence occurring there. She returned home with a greater resolve to facilitate discussion between indigenous and settler youth and their mentors.

A third recent reflector was Canon Tom Mugford, a licensed lay minister in the Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador, and a beneficiary of the Labrador Inuit claims agreement, who works with the Department of Education as Program Development Specialist for Indigenous Education. His presentation focused on what he had learned in several workshops on the importance of effective communication.

You can hear more about how people like Rachel, Robyn, and Tom are working for a just, healthy, and peaceful world on “Praying with PWRDF” Zoom sessions at 1 p.m. ET (2:30 pm NT) on the second Thursday of every month. The next two “Praying with PWRDF” worship sessions will be held November 7 and December 12. You can join these meetings by registering in advance at:  https://pwrdf.org/get-involved/pwrdf-at-home/

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Already, members of the three congregation have come together in a number of positive and meaningful endeavours.

In the spirit of shared ministry, the St. Alban’s ACW hosted a prayer brunch for the ladies of the three congregations on September 21st. The theme of the discussions for the day was “One Thing, Jesus.” Members of the group were challenged to declutter such things as their purses, closets, and ultimately their lives, and focus on the most important “One Thing,” Jesus.

The Worship, Education, and Mission committee, under the direction of chairperson Velma Stewart, prepared the devotions for the day.

ACW President Shirley Rose commented on the importance of coming together as we continue our new path of shared ministry. “It was a day to focus on celebrating together as we delivered a great message, wonderful fellowship, and of course delicious food,” she said.

In much the same vein, a shared worship service took place at All Saints’, Fortune, on  September 29th. The Rev’d Charlie Cox reported nearly 130 people gathered together to worship and share in the sacred mysteries of our faith, the Holy Eucharist. A time of food and fellowship followed the service.

Comments from worshipers like, “So nice to see the three churches worship God in unity,” “Great fellowship together,” “Fantastic to have that many people in attendance;” and “Such wonderful fellowship,” were made after the service.

“We look forward to more shared events in the future,” noted the rector.

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