OCTOBER 2008

RUPERT’S LAND NewsPUBLISHED BY THE DIOCESE OF RUPERT’S LAND – A SECTION OF THE ANGLICAN JOURNAL

6WebsiteDiocese spruces up its communications

6Same-sex blessingsResolution sent to Diocesan Synod

8Vacation Bible SchoolSudanese children attend St. Matthew’s summer program

SEE PAGE 4

3From the BishopOur part must fit into a larger whole

GET READY FOR DIOCESAN SYNOD – NOVEMBER 6 - 8

A house founded on rock

Holy Trinity

Restoration

1947 peace

window renovated

SEE PAGE 8

St. Stephen’s goes paddling

Canoe trip on

Winnipeg’s rivers

Everyone then

who hears these

words of mine and

acts on them will be

like a wise man who

built his house on

rock. The rain fell, the

floods came, and the

winds blew and beat

on that house, but it

did not fall, because

it had been founded

on rock.

- Matthew 7:24-25

Making in happen From left to right: Gary Bennet; Ray Anderson Assistant Chairman; Darcy Purvis, Fryatt & Purvis Law Firm; Albert Botherel, site Superintendent; Jim McFedders; Don McKinnon Chairman; Leslie Ferguson; Shirley Woycheshen People’s Warden; Lorraine West Rector’s Warden; Chris Daly , MMP Architect; Archdeacon Godfrey Mawejje; Alice Inniss

Photo: Lorraine West

Sod-turning at St. Clement

2 Rupert’s Land News SOctober 2008BUILDERS

August 26 was a day of celebration as Bish-op Donald Phillips,

Archdeacon Godfrey Mawe-jje, and Rev Ken Pawluk gathered with the committee members and their guests to officially turn the sod for Mapleton Lane, a 55-Plus life lease apartment building. After four years of diligent work by the committee, the building is under construc-tion on the church property adjacent to St Clement Ma-pleton in St Andrews. With a breezy and warm sunny afternoon, the cer-emony opened with greet-ings from Don McKinnon, chair of the Mapleton Lane Housing Corporation. Don thanked everyone for com-ing, and welcomed the resi-dents to the site of their new home. Wayne Boch, Councillor

for the RM of St Andrews, brought greetings and pre-sented Archdeacon Mawejje with a certificate of appre-ciation for the project. He acknowledged the fact that this was the first 55-Plus housing to be made available in the Rural Municipality of St Andrews. He cited the words from the movie Field of Dreams: “build it and they will come”, which applied so appropriately. Bishop Donald then greeted the more than 60 people in attendance, and congratulated the committee for the foresight of St Clem-ent Church and the mission work that it will provide to the community with the proj-ect. With the construction trailers on site, the roads built and the machinery working, it was evident that a true step of faith was taking place.

It was then time to turn the sod, and the eager new residents were provided a hard hat and a shovel. With a blessing of the land and the project by Bishop Don-ald, the sod was officially turned. The committee then took their turns with the shovels. After four years of planning, their time had come. The committee is comprised of seven parishioners namely Don McKinnon, Ray Ander-son, Gary Bennet, Lorraine West, Shirley Woycheshen, Alice Inniss, Leslie Ferguson and Archdeacon Mawejje. Everyone in attendance signed a guest book that will

Shovels in the ground at Mapleton LaneBy LORRAINE WEST

ColumbariumBurial Niches

Arrange your ash burial nowCall 783-8208

Planned for St James Cemetery(South side of Portage Avenue

Opposite Polo Park)

RUPERT’S LAND NEWS NOVEMBER DEADLINE

Deadline for the November edition of the Rupert’s Land News is

October 1, 2008

Send your material to Terence Moore, Editorrlnews@rupertsland.ca

1-204-992-4205

be part of the journal that will be kept on the progress of the building. The building should be ready for occu-pancy in 12 to 14 months. The afternoon continued with a celebration of wine and cheese and warm fellow-ship at the site. It was a great day. Mapleton Lane will be 49 suites, from 1,050 to 1,400 sq ft. in a five-story design –a lower floor of heated indoor parking and four upper floors of suites. It boasts geother-mal heating and cooling, in-side parking with a car wash bay. Suite features include four-season solariums, in suite laundry rooms and all

appliances. Also located in the building will be a large multi purpose room with a kitchen and a rental suite for visitors. Several members of the parish have already purchased units and will be moving in when the build-ing is ready. There are still suites available to purchase. MMP Architects designed the project. E.K. Construc-tion is building it.

If you would like further information please contact Leslie Ferguson at 204-785-9359.

Left to right: Christopher Daly, principal of MMP Architects, Ven Godfrey Mawejji and Rt Rev Donald Phillips at the St. Clement’s Mapleton construction site office with an artist’s conception of the apartment building, now under construction.

An invitation to Anglicans ...Come and join us, and uphold us in prayer.

All members of the Diocese are invited to the Opening Service of the 108th Session of Synod. The service will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the Cathedral Church of St. John, 135 Anderson Avenue, on Thursday, November 6.

Anglicans are also invited to attend the Friday evening sitting on November 7 at North Kildonan Mennonite Brethren Church (1315 Gateway Rd) when our Bishop will speak about his experiences at the Lambeth Confer-ence and show a DVD. The Rt. Rev. Jim Njegovan, Bishop of Brandon, and local Lutheran Bishop, the Rt. Reverend Elaine Sauer will also address the gathering. The evening will conclude with a Eucharist.

Come join delegates from every parish in our diocese to celebrate our common life, our work, witness and ministry.

Please pray for the Synod as it meets Thursday through Saturday.

St John’s College142ND Annual Convocation

HonouringDoctor of Canon Law (honoris causa) Recipient

Dr. Edward (Ted) Chamberlin (speaker)Doctor of Divinity (honoris causa) Recipient

Rev. Phyllis KeeperHonorary Fellowship Recipient

Dr. Judith FlynnFellows’ Recognition Award Recipient

Dr. Mary KinnearDiploma in Applied Theology Graduates

Rev. Chad McCharles, Ms Cassandra McCormack and Ms Debbie McCuaig

Advanced Certificate in Priestly Ministry GraduateMrs. Valerie Sayers

2008 U of M Graduates and

Award WinnersSunday November 2, 2008 at 3:00 pmin the Chapel of St John the Evangelist

St John’s College, 92 Dysart Road

Rupert’s Land News 3October 20081 FROM THE BISHOP

Using the whole to define our part

In the best of classical apprenticeship training, perhaps as a butcher, or

a tailor, the apprentice be-gins their training at the end of the line – working with the whole, finished product. After they have a good un-derstanding and appreciation for what excellence in the end result looks like, they are moved back up the line to learn the various tasks and procedures that are necessary to produce a fine product. In addition to developing the skills needed to perform their particular task of production, this approach does two things in helping to mature the ap-prentice into a competent member of the team. They gain a first-hand appreciation for the contribution of all of the other members of the team and, in terms of their own work, they develop a keen grasp of what contrib-utes to, and what detracts from, overall excellence in the product. I believe that this is some-thing of what happened for me, and I hope eventu-ally for all of us, through participating in the Lam-beth Conference this past summer – a kind of 19-day “immersion experience” in the world-wide Anglican Church. Before this experi-ence, much of our rhetoric about the Anglican Church seemed to come from one of two perspectives – what I/we think as Canadian Anglicans, and what everyone else in the Anglican Communion thinks, but viewed from the perspective of what supports our position, or what seems

to be antagonistic to our posi-tion. This amounts to trying to define the whole in terms of our part. We might assess poverty and development issues in other parts of the Communion on the basis of what we think about these is-sues as Canadians. We might look at same-sex issues in oth-er parts of the world based on our experience of gay and lesbian relationships in our own Church. Or we might evaluate different approaches to a proposed Anglican Cov-enant (for the Communion) from the perspective of our needs, hopes and fears as the Anglican Church of Canada. There is nothing inherently evil about doing this – it is simply a less mature and less complete approach. At the Lambeth Confer-ence each of us was chal-lenged to listen to others’ wisdom and experience in its own right – not simply from the perspective of whether it supports or negates what w e t h i n k . We h e a r d accounts of what relieves a n d w h a t sharpens the sting of pov-erty in many deve lop in g countries, and not f i l tered through the lens of our own country’s foreign policy. Bishops from other parts of the world shared their thinking and ex-perience on same-sex issues in their own context – not the context in which we have formulated our ideas. And people offered their insights into what would make an effective Anglican Covenant that would support our min-istry and mission around the world, and we received it as their independent ideas – not biased by what our particular concerns might be. We had the privilege of experiencing something of the “whole”. And since we were not merely observers,

but were also contributing our ideas and context into the mix, we were able to understand ourselves better – from an external as well as an internal perspective. Other than enlarging our horizons as a Church, why is this experience so profound, so important? It is because there is only One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. And there is only One God whose revelation of God’s self and God’s purposes may be perceived in different, contextually-appro-priate ways, but ultimately, must call us into unity, into a whole. This is the will of the Risen Christ working through the Holy Spirit. (see John 17) Even when we’re being used in a prophetic way to transform the Church, our part must fit into this larger whole. Then how do we work at defining ourselves and the ministry and mission

God calls us to, in terms of the whole? First of all, we need to be in constant a n d d i r e c t dialogue with other parts of the Anglican Communion about what God seems to be calling us to be and do; and we need to be equally eager to receive that same sharing from others.

And this entails direct com-munication, not interpreta-tions that we might receive through secular media. And we need to learn to trust more – trust that God is do-ing something good in and through us, AND that God is doing something good in and through the other parts of our Church. Then, our uniqueness, our diversity will not threaten the unity and wholeness of God’s Church but will, indeed, enhance, deepen and enrich our un-derstanding of God, each other and ourselves.

A new academic year has begun at St John’s College with

our induction weekend. We are pleased to welcome new and returning students to the Diploma in Applied Theology. This year, Mr. Bryan Rivers and Mr. Ste-ven Scribner will resume studies in their second year of the Diploma and Ms. Sharon Dyck, Mr. Ross Nazirullah and Mr. David Stewart will begin the first year of the Diploma. We wish them joy and fulfil-ment in their studies. The Diploma in Ap-plied Theology and Ad-vanced Certificate are ac-credited programs of study in the Diocese of Rupert’s Land and offer accessible theological education at de-gree level for persons desir-ing to deepen their existing ministries. Effectiveness in ministry is a cornerstone of our work, built upon the call to ministry inherent in the Gospel and brought

to light in baptism. In this regard the intellectual dis-ciplines we learn in the study of Bible and theology represent a foundational contribution for the various ministries students under-take during their program and after they graduate. College Convocation takes place on the first Sun-day of November. This is always a very special occasion following a lot of work and commitment by the students. We are always happy to meet with prospective students and parishes to discuss their learning goals and the de-tails of our programs. We encourage parishes to see themselves as partners in theological study—why not consider ways you can sup-port theological students in your parish?

Contact: The Rev. Dr. John Stafford, Dean of Theology at 474–8543; j_stafford@umanitoba.ca

New academic year begins at St John’s College

The Right Reverend Donald Phillips,Bishop of Rupert’s Land,

invites members of the Diocese of Rupert’s Land to the

Annual Bishop’s DinnerTuesday, October 21, 2008

The Delta Winnipeg350 St. Mary’s Avenue

6:00 p.m. Reception7:00 p.m. Dinner

�

Guest Speaker: Dr. Eleanor Johnson,Former Director of Partnerships,

Anglican Church of Canada�

Complete and mail the form belowor for more information callAnglican Centre at992-4200 or 1-866-693-4418

Tickets $120 per person with acharitable receipt for $80Or $200 per couplewith a charitable receipt for $120

Special pricing for full time students. Call to inquire 992-4200�

The Annual Bishop’s Dinner is a fund-raising dinner which provides a source of discretionaryfunds for the Bishop of Rupert’s Land. This is a very important resource to enable the Bishop torespond to situations of urgent or pastoral concern, unknown/ unbudgeted needs or requests forfunds for which no other sources are available.

Name:

Address:

Postal Code:

I / We will attend the Annual Bishop’s Dinner

Amount enclosed $($120 per person or $200 per couple )I would like a rideI can provide a ride�

THE ANNUAL BISHOP’S DINNER

�

I / We will attend the Annual Bishop’s Dinner

Amount enclosed $I would like a rideI can provide a rideI / We cannot attend but wish to make a donationof $

��

Please return this card

with your cheque payable

to the Diocese of

Rupert’s Land to 935

Nesbitt Bay,

Winnipeg, MB R3T

1W6

By JOHN STAFFORD

Even when we’re being

used in a pro-phetic way to transform the Church, our part must fit into this larg-

er whole.

The Right Reverend DONALD PHILLIPS

Bishop of Rupert’s Land

4 Rupert’s Land News SOctober 2008PARISH LIFE

St. Stephen’s Anglican Church undertook two out-of-building

experiences in August. They hosted a two-day canoe trip on the LaSalle River for in-ner city kids ages 9-12. Later they held a vacation Bible school at a North End sen-iors’ residence and aboriginal resource centre. The canoe trip project was funded by Rupert’s Land’s Shared Ministry In-vestment Fund. Project coor-dinator, the Rev. Diane Guil-ford, organized it primarily for Aboriginal children. Part of her requirement was that there be an Aboriginal Elder to do some teaching and lead the group in some of the Aboriginal traditions. Carrie Sinclair was the Elder who shared her culture in such a beautiful and quiet way.

St. Stephen takes the Church out of the BuildingBy DIANE GUILFORD

Diane was thrilled with the response she received at the Aboriginal Visioning for the North End (Selkirk Av-enue) from Carrie and other women, and this is where almost all the participants came from and some leaders. Mick Manfield was a huge help as he organized the ca-noes and created lots of fun – with safety – as we paddled the LaSalle. We kept the number of participants at 10 this year. There were four junior lead-ers (14 & 15), and seven adult leaders. We put in our canoes at LaBarriere Park, canoed to St. Norbert Arts Centre by the Ruins, slept in tents on the riverbank, and then canoed to the Red River and back to the centre the next day. It was an awesome trip with a great time had by all.

We pray this is the first event of an annual series. Most of these kids, along with their siblings planned to attend the Vacation Bible Camp which St. Stephen’s hosted at Kikenan Centre in the North End. This is a Sen-ior Residence and houses the office of Aboriginal Senior Resource Centre. Elders who are residents and others came to do dream catchers with the campers and make bannock. Thanks to Helen Manfield, our Diocesan Youth Coordi-nator, for providing the VBS program. Both these events have created great fun and learn-ing as leaders from the North End have shared hosting these events with members of St. Stephen’s Anglican Church.

Six Weeks to Wholeness “Are You Searching For God’s Blessings?”

Based on Matthew 5: 3-12, The Beatitudes, New Living Translation

At Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Corner of Donald and Graham

Sept. 23rd, 2008 “God Blesses Those Who Realize the Need for Him” Speaker: Pastor Dan Krebs, Evangel Chapel Sept. 30th, 2008 “God Blesses Those Who Mourn”Speaker: Rev. Dr. Brett Cane, St. Aidan’s Anglican Church Oct. 7th, 2008 “God Blesses Those Who Hunger & Thirst for Justice”Speaker: Dr. David Neale, William and Catherine Booth College

Oct. 14th, 2008 “God Blesses the Merciful”Speaker: Pastor Mary Reimer, Faith Works Mennonite

Oct. 21st, 2008 “God Blesses Those Whose Hearts are Pure”Speaker: Rev. Merv Lanctot, Holy Trinity Anglican Church

Oct. 28th, 2008 “God Blesses Those Who are Persecuted Because They Live for Him”Speaker: Pastor Elton DaSilva, Christian Family Center

Begins at 12:15 each Tuesday. Followed by prayers, Laying-On-Of-Hands

and a light lunch.

All Welcome

St. Paul’s Fort Garry5th annual BrushWorks

Date: Friday, Oct. 17 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. wine & cheese Saturday, Oct. 18 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. cafe Sunday, Oct. 19 12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. cafe

Place: St. Paul’s Fort Garry, 830 North Drive

Come and share the opportunity to view and purchase original art work by 34 Manitoba art-ists. Framed and unframed oils, watercolours, pastels, prints and art cards will be available.

There will also be raffles of art work and a cafe for you to enjoy while contemplating which art piece will be perfect for that special wall space...

...Be sure to tell your friends!

Rupert’s Land News 5October 20081 SACRAMENT

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������������������������������ All Hallow's Evecelebration

at All Saints' Anglican Church - Broadway and Osborne

Wednesday, October 29th at 7:00pm

Special Guest: Internationally renowned magician Brian Glow

learn the origin of Halloween: Jamie Howison clears up the mystery...

Pumpkin carving contest: Bring your carved pumpkin, prizes for most original!

GhosTly Goodies: Savoury munchies served up by the All Hallowed chefs...

Fun for all ages: Bring your kids, your grandkids, your teens, yourself...

NO CHARGE: But donations gratefully accepted...

All Saints’ Anglican Church and st. benedicts’ table invite you to

come and hooooooooowl at the

NANCY PHILLIPS

This past summer we immersed our-selves in the Gospel

of John as we journeyed through Lambeth. One of the early stories in John’s Gospel is the wedding feast in Cana of Galilee. It’s one of my favourite stories: the first of Jesus’ miracles. I think what I like best about this story is the sense of delight in the event. The miracle happened in the midst of a party and the miracle that Jesus performs speaks to me of God’s desire for us to experience grace and joy in those occasions where we celebrate the stuff of our continuing lives. Weddings are an opportunity for God’s grace to be revealed. This past summer we celebrated the marriage of our son, David, to his bride, Chantelle. It was, as the wedding at Cana was, an occasion infused with God’s grace. The wedding was celebrated in the midst of Tsimchian ancestral lands in a remote corner of British Columbia, surrounded by Chantelle’s parents, grand-parents, siblings and many aunties and uncles. The Phil-lips (Don’s family) and Rodg-ers (my family) travelled from far and wide by plane and car to celebrate the occasion. All arrived safely, the first of many experiences of God’s grace in the days that fol-lowed. One of the grooms-men experienced a delayed flight from Toronto, missed his connection in Vancouver, was thwarted by fog in Prince Rupert, re-routed through Terrace, but still arrived an hour and a half before the service began. Grace. Several days before the wedding, Chantelle received word that a childhood friend of hers, Eva Dawn, had died of AIDS. In the midst

of preparing for her happy celebration, she attended a funeral. In her grief, she recognized that the journey she embarked on allowed her life to unfold in a more positive direction. Grace. We had only a couple of days after arriving in Prince Rupert to make final prepa-rations. Gift boxes had to be filled with candy and tied with ribbon, the hall needed to be decorated, and the service rehearsed. A sound system had to be acquired for service music. Enough cars needed to be found to transport the wedding party and family to the church in Port Edward, the place where Chantelle’s family have worshipped for genera-tions. Chantelle’s godmother opened her hair salon an hour early to do the bridal party’s hair as Chantelle’s gift to them. Grace. And then the moment arrived. Don presides. At the beginning of the mar-riage liturgy, a single candle is lit on the altar to honour those who have gone before – the grandparents, rela-tives and Eva Dawn. Don begins with the opening exhortation: Marriage is a gift of God and a means of his grace… In his homily, he talks about Chantelle and David’s marriage being a symbol of grace to the community. David’s god-mother leads us in prayer: “May their lives together be a sacrament of your love in this broken world… so that unity may overcome estrangement, forgiveness heal guilt and joy overcome despair.” Don blesses them: “May David and Chantelle

Expect grace to infuse the moment

so live together that the strength of their love may enrich our common life and become a sign of your faithfulness.” After the ceremony, the bridal party stops for pictures at the Viewpoint between Port Edward and Prince Rupert. The wedding party’s dapper dress is juxtaposed against the stunningly beau-tiful backdrop of Porpoise Harbour and the rainforest-covered mountains beyond. At the reception, the Phillips and Rodgers families are warmly greeted by the hosts and we feel as welcome as if we are part of the fam-ily. We dance and laugh and talk and every little while we step out on the balcony at the reception hall to soak in the scenery of water and tree and mountain, and the sun

setting across the water in brilliant oranges and reds. Chantelle’s Auntie Rhon-da parties with us until the hall closes. She is hosting many of Chantelle’s family’s visiting guests – 22 in all crammed into her home! She tells me at midnight that she must be at work at 5 a.m. in the tuna factory! Auntie Rhonda understands grace: when there’s a good party, save the good wine until last. Soak up the joy. Share the love. Party until the end.

Expect grace to infuse the moment. It was a good party. It was a good experience of God’s grace. It was a good beginning for this young couple as they start a cov-enanted life together, and live out their lives as a symbol of God’s sacrament of love to our broken world. May they so live together that the strength of their love may enrich our common life and become a sign of God’s faithfulness.

6 Rupert’s Land News SOctober 2008DIOCESE

Why have you designed a new website for the diocese?

It’s a response to a general request for better communi-cations. There is something called the Way Forward that was adopted at Diocesan Synod in 2006. It’s a set of strategic objectives for the diocese. It names the building up of community within the Diocese as one of its major goals. As a principal means of doing that it lists “new and improved ways of strength-ening communications”. There was also a clear message coming through various reports over the past few years that there is a need to increase understanding of the diocese and the many ways in which it provides service. I certainly hope that we will be able to communicate with one another better and that the new website will help that effort. Other dioceses have told me that their web-sites have become communi-cations hubs for the whole of their diocese. It would be nice if we are able to build the website up over time so that everyone will know where to go for information and will be able to have what they need at their finger tips. Already the new website is many times the size of the previous one. I expect it will continue to grow. We want to make sure that important documents and current infor-mation are made available. We felt it was important that each aspect of the Diocese — committees, programs, di-rections etc. — have a space to show itself off. Some peo-ple might be surprised to see how much is going on within our diocese.

The new website has a distinctive look. What did you have in mind when you set about designing it?

When you first browse the site you’ll see what’s called a

New Website for Diocese

splash page that invites you into the site. The stained glass on this page is from a window in St. Matthew’s Maryland. It seemed appropriate because it contains a very nice dioc-esan crest. There is a banner that runs across every page of the website. Up in the corner you’ll see a diocesan crest in the corner. If you click on this crest from anywhere within the site you’ll be returned to the home page. Running across the top of the page is some more stained glass. This is taken from another of the windows at St. Matthew’s. The colours and the foliage seemed to set off the overall colour scheme nicely. There’s a particular inspi-ration underlying the colours of the pages. I’ve always had a fondness for wild flowers. Last summer I was driv-ing along a prairie highway admiring the flowers in the ditch. The colours were strik-ing. I took some photos to see if I could capture the colours for the website. Unfortu-nately, website browsers work with very limited palettes so I was forced to do away with the subtle hues I was able to lift off the photographs. But I hope the result suggests the colours of Manitoba to peo-ple and gives them a sense of warmth and vitality.

How is the new web-site organized?

I hope people will be able to find their way around it easily. The menuing system should explain itself. There are sections for the diocese, for finding information on parishes, for each of the com-mittees and ministries within the diocese. There is a section called Diocesan Commu-nity that will list upcoming events and provide an archive of past issues of the Rupert’s Land News. People will also be able to download canons or other documents. If people want to go back to certain pages on a regular basis they might want to bookmark them. For instance, I’m hoping

the Upcoming Events and Opportunities page will get a lot of repeat traffic. When people go back to a site more than once they’re more likely to roam around and discover new things.

How do you envision the new website be-ing used?

There are a few main audi-ences for the website. First, there’s the wider public. We need to present ourselves to the world in a way that makes sense to outsiders and that represents the history and aspirations of the Anglican Church in this region with some integrity. Then there are individuals who want information about the Dio-cese or its parishes. Someone might be looking for a church to attend on a Sunday or how to access the archives of the Diocese. The parishes need to have themselves portrayed to the world in a way that meets their needs. They also want to be able to have ready access to various kinds of in-formation. Committees, pro-grams and mission projects can use the website to share information about their work with the wider Diocese. They might also be able to use the website as a reference point for their own group’s work – retrieving documents, min-utes and the like. The general membership of the diocese can, I hope, find out more about what is happening within the diocese. We have a great deal to learn from each other. I’m also hoping that par-ishes will be able to highlight good things that are hap-pening in their midst – for the benefit of other par-ishes. I mean the big things that are making a difference to people’s lives, the good news about how their par-ish is finding ways to serve their communities. There are many exciting things out there that we should be sharing with each other. We’ll need to work at building this aspect of the website up as time goes by.

What is it like to put together a website?

The design part is a lot of fun. It feels genuinely crea-tive. However, that’s probably the smallest part of assem-bling a big website. First I had to teach myself how to work with the software – website development software, graph-ics programs, Photoshop etc. They all take time to master. Once a person is rolling with the actual putting together of pages, there is an endless amount of detail work. Over time it will be a challenge for the diocese to ensure that the website is kept up to date. It’s important that the information be current. We’re a small organization in terms of staff and we will need to find ways to stay on top of the information flow. We’re going to need to rely on parishes, committees and organizations to supply us with the materials we need on a regular basis. A website is really only as good as the information it contains.

What’s in store for the website in the coming months and years?

One of the big issues is whether everyone is going to have good access to the website. It’s a big site and makes considerable use of graphics and downloadable files. I understand that the large service providers are expecting that they will have high speed coverage for all of southern Manitoba within the coming months. In the meantime we might need to make extra provision for out-lying areas. Our hope is that no one will be left behind. Within our office at the Diocese and at Executive we are thinking about new ways to organize our work so that we are making the best use of electronic communications. This will be something we’ll be giving attention to over the coming months and we’ll need to be in conversation with parishes about these issues.

The following interview was conducted with the the Rev. Jack Risk, Coordinator of Mission Development. It took place in midsummer as he was preparing for the launch of a new diocesan website. The website can be viewed at www.rupertsland.ca.

THE October 25 pre-synod forum at St. John’s College will discuss financial matters and the same-sex question. The resolution on same-sex blessings reads as fol-lows:

RESOLVED THAT this Synod affirm:

1) That gay and lesbian persons in our society continue to receive full protection under the law with respect to the funda-mental principles of equity and justice, and that their civil unions be fully sup-ported by the Church.

2) That committed gay Christian relationships receive the maximum recognition, ministry, and support this Diocese can provide compatible with our desire to remain a part of the Anglican Com-munion.

3) That this diocese as-sure those members of the Church who struggle with homosexual desires and believe them to be wrong, or at least incom-patible with God’s original design, that they will not be marginalized within the life of the diocese nor their witness dismissed.

4) That we assure both our own national church and other churches within the Communion that in these as in other matters we wish only faithfully to hear the testimony of the apostles and prophets, to embrace the great and central doctrinal commit-ments of the past, and to obey Christ in seeking the common good.

5) And that this Synod request the Bishop, upon the passage by General Synod of an enabling doc-trinal resolution, to allow clergy, whose conscience permits, to bless the duly solemnized and regis-tered marriages between same-sex couples, where at least one party is bap-tized, in parish churches whose members have, by resolution, authorized such ceremonies to take place; and to authorize rites for such blessings.

Pre-SynodForumOctober 25

Rupert’s Land News 7October 20081 DIOCESE

Parishes�were�invited�to�participate�and�we�set�about�scheduling�events.�We�adopted�Jesus’�model�of�sending�the�facilitators�out�in�teams�of�two.�

By�summer,�41�parishes�had�taken�part�in�a�Have�Your�Say�Counted�process.�Response�forms�were�collected�from�347�participants.�The�accompanying�graph�compares�the�results�of�the�priority�setting�exercise�with�what�was�allotted�within�the�2008�budget�to�each�of�the�Five�Directions�of�the�Way�Forward.�There�are�significant�shifts�in�a�few�areas.�As�well,�comments�and�questions�about�the�process�were�collected�and�diocesan�committees�will�being�considering�how�best�to�respond�to�these.�

Everyone�has�been�clear�that�the�results�of�Have�Your�Say�Counted�do�not�reflect�anything�like�“hard�science.”�The�process�was�quite�informal,�the�manner�in�which�data�was�collected�was�quite�inexact,�and,�in�terms�of�the�total�population�of�the�diocese,�the�number�of�people�who�participated�was�modest.�Nevertheless,�the�Budget�Committee�of�the�diocese�has�been�working�since�August�to�respond�to�the�adjusted�percentages�—�not�an�easy�task�—�as�they�prepare�two�draft�budgets�for�2009�and�2010.��

The�larger�question�beyond�the�current�budget�setting�process�is�whether�we�have�begun�something�that�can�bring�us�together�around�a�common�sense�of�mission.�The�sort�of�process�we�tried�out�last�spring�might�be�expanded�and�made�more�comprehensive.�Way�Forward�Management�Council�has�already�begun�to�think�about�how�parishes�might�engage,�on�a�regular�and�recurring�basis,�in�visioning�and�planning�exercises�to�determine�what�their�missions�are�in�their�contexts.�On�the�basis�of�parish�plans�for�mission,�the�diocese�might�be�able�to�identify�key�areas�of�support�to�offer�the�parishes.�These�areas�might�then�help�inform�the�next�version�of�the�Way�Forward.�By�moving�together�in�modest�steps�we�should�be�able�to�look�forward�to�the�day�when�a�whole�diocese�can�take�part�in�putting�together�a�diocesan�budget,�one�that�furthers�God’s�mission�in�our�part�of�the�world.�

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What happens when parishioners are invited to help

shape the diocesan budget? In an article in last month’s Rupert’s Land News, part of the story was told of how three committees of the Dio-cese of Rupert’s Land got their heads together to design a process – Have Your Say Counted – that would make this sort of participation pos-sible. We were looking for a way of asking parishioners, not simply to give feedback on what had been spent, but to dream about how diocesan moneys ought to be spent. It was important to find a way for everyone to be speak-ing the same language. If we could all look at the budget from the point of view of a purpose that we shared, then agreement might not be so elusive. We asked ourselves, “Do people have a sense of participating in a collective mission?” and this led us to look hard at the Way For-ward. The Way Forward is the diocese’ strategic vi-sion for the next three-to-five years, a statement of what it is we are called to do together in responding to God’s mis-sion. As such, it ought to provide a framework around which money decisions could be made. Does the current budget, in fact, reflect the shared mission of the diocese? We examined every item in the 2008 budget, including staff time and administrative costs, to see which of the goals of the Way Forward it served. We devised a new kind of narrative budget (see the September issue), one that told some of the stories be-hind the 2008 budget as seen through the lens of the Way Forward.

Your say adds upBy JACK RISK, COORDINATOR OF MISSION DEVELOPMENT

The essence of the proc-ess we were designing began to emerge when we realized that it was people’s hopes for mission that should guide decisions. Hopes for mission were how new directions and emphases could be intro-duced into the budget. We put together a process that would allow every person who participated to share sto-ries of their best experiences of mission. From their stories they would identify the sorts of things that are important to them with regard to God’s mission and that bring life to mission efforts. With this preparation they would then indicate what their priorities for mission were. We used the Five Directions of the Way Forward as the basis of this priority-setting exercise because several key sets of goals for the diocesan mis-sion are set out in them. The narrative budget and an up-date on Common Ministry and Mission (the process of arriving at a fair apportion-ment policy) rounded out the design. Our team of planners turned themselves into fa-cilitators and tried out the process at regional deanery meetings during March. We felt that meetings at the dean-ery level would give us a good sense of local perspectives. After six regional meetings we had made several changes to our process and were feeling that it was time to approach the parishes. Because of the large numbers we wanted to reach, we knew we would need help. Making a ninety-minute process available to every one of the seventy par-ishes of the diocese was going to take a lot more facilitators. We asked for volunteers and twenty lay and clergy persons

came forward to help with the project. These facilitators demonstrated real leadership and showed themselves to be a valuable resource. Three training sessions were held for them during March. Parishes were invited to participate and we set about scheduling events. We adopted Jesus’ model of sending the facilita-tors out in teams of two. By summer, 41 parishes had taken part in a Have Your Say Counted process. Response forms were col-lected from 347 participants. The accompanying graph compares the results of the priority-setting exercise with what was allotted within the 2008 budget to each of the Five Directions of the Way Forward. There are signifi-cant shifts in a few areas. As well, comments and ques-tions about the process were collected and diocesan com-mittees will begin consider-ing how best to respond to these. Everyone has been clear that the results of Have Your Say Counted do not reflect anything like “hard science.” The process was quite infor-mal, the manner in which data was collected was quite inexact, and, in terms of the total population of the dio-cese, the number of people

who participated was mod-est. Nevertheless, the Budget Committee of the diocese has been working since August to respond to the adjusted per-centages — not an easy task — as they prepare two draft budgets for 2009 and 2010. The larger question be-yond the current budget-setting process is whether we have begun something that can bring us together around a common sense of mission. The sort of process we tried out last spring might be expanded and made more comprehensive. Way For-ward Management Council has already begun to think about how parishes might engage, on a regular and recurring basis, in visioning and planning exercises to determine what their mis-sions are in their contexts. On the basis of parish plans for mission, the diocese might be able to identify key areas of support to offer the parishes. These areas might then help inform the next version of the Way Forward. By mov-ing together in modest steps we should be able to look forward to the day when a whole diocese can take part in putting together a diocesan budget, one that furthers God’s mission in our part of the world.

New Website for Diocese Old St Andrew’s Anglican ChurchSt Andrew’s MB__________________

Celebrating 160 years1849-2009August 1-3, 2009

Special servicesWorkshopsPresentationsEntertainmentMealsKids activitiesand much more

Registration fee: $60 per person for all three daysDaily and family rates also available

For registration package or for more information, call 338-7483 or 334-5700

St Michael and All Angels__________________

invites you to their second annual Cafe and Book Sale

Enjoy a leisurely afternoon of live music, coffee, and tasty goodies while brows-ing for very affordable, gently used books and magazines.

St Michael and All Angels Anglican Church Parish Hall300 Hugo Street1:00 to 5:00 pmOctober 4

St Aidan’s Seniors’ Fellowship__________________

Invite you to a SupperOctober 18 5:00 pmSt Aidan’s Church274 Campbell Street, WpgIn celebration of Seniors’ and elders’ month

Guest SpeakerMrs. Nancy PhillipsHealth ProfessionalWife of Rt Rev Don Phillips, Bishop of Rupert’s Land

Come and have a wonder-ful evening, great food, wonderful company, educa-tional displays.

Open to persons of all agesPrice $10Call 237-4516 for tickets

RUPERT’S LAND NEWSPublisher The Right Reverend Donald Phillips, Bishop of Rupert’s Land

Advisory Group The Reverend Sue Foley-Currie, The Venerable Norm Collier, Len Carlson, Lorraine West

Editor Terence Moore Layout and Design Gwendolyn Penner

Subscription $20 per year Printer Signal Star Publishing, Division of Bowes Publishing

Change of Address Notify your parish or write to Rupert’s Land News, c/o Anglican Journal, 80 Hayden St., Toronto, ON, M4Y 3G2 or email circulation@national.anglican.ca

November deadline The deadline for the November edition of the Rupert’s Land News is Oct 1, 2008

The Rupert’s Land News is published as a section of the Anglican Journal

Phone 1-204-992-4205 Fax 1-204-992-4219 Email rlnews@rupertsland.ca

ANGLICAN CENTREAddress 935 Nesbitt Bay, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3T 1W6Fax 1-204-992-4219 Website www.rupertsland.caAnglican Centre Toll Free 1-866-693-4418

Executive Assistant to the Bishop Susan Suppes 1-204-992-4212

Co-ordinator of Mission Development The Rev. Jack Risk 1-204-992-4202

Director of Finance Bernice Funk 1-204-992-4201

Office Administrative Assistant Cathy Mondor 1-204-992-4200

Diocesan Archives Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00 am to 4:00 pmPhone 1-204-992-4203 Fax 1-204-992-4219 Email archives@rupertsland.ca

8 Rupert’s Land News October 2008PARISH LIFE

Holy Trinity, Winnipeg

The peace window restored

After the conclusion of World War II, the congregation of

Holy Trinity Church erected a stained glass window high above the nave on the west wall. This window is dedi-cated to those who served in both world wars. When you look upon the artwork of this window, you will be momentarily puzzled. The design of the window draws its inspiration from the Nativity! In one of the major panels of the glass sits the Virgin holding the infant Jesus. What connection has such a scene with war? In the central panel (not seen in the photo to the right) is the fig-ure of an adult Christ dressed in royal regalia. On each of His sides are St George and St Michael, warrior saints. To aid our interpretation of these allegories, the artist of the window has painted into the design the words “Prince of Peace”. One of our baptismal vows is that we will fight evil.

Detail from Holy Trinity’s west window, the Peace Window, by Robert Meekle and Sons Studios, Toronto, 1947. St. Michael on the left, St. George on the right, Holy Family and shepherds in the two central panels.

By MAURICE MEARON

To take up arms is sometimes necessary in order to restore peace to our world and those who undertook such an action are worthy of our thanks for their sacrifice. This commit-ment must have been terrible for those who hold that Christ wants us to live in peace with our neighbours. However, how do you maintain peace-ful relations with those who lay waste to His earth out of their hatred for their neigh-bours? The right answer to such a question haunts us all. Peace was restored at the end of World War II, but only after a terrible ordeal. Would that outcome have occurred otherwise? So this window is in fact a powerful statement on our human condition as we endeavour to follow a religious life. Those who commis-sioned this window in 1947 share with us today the hope that our armed forces will be instruments to restore peace to our world, and will never be instruments of conquest.

It became evident recent-ly that the Peace Window was in danger of collapsing. An investigation by the parish’s Facilities Management Com-mittee determined that there were design flaws in both the support bars of the stained glass and the exterior glass panels which were supposed to protect the inner pictorial panels. Excessive heat build-up was causing the lead to soften. The glass panels were seen to be roundly bulging and coming loose from the lead. If a restoration project was not undertaken, then the memorial would fall into the nave. Such restoration projects are always costly. Neverthe-less, the congregation deter-mined that this memorial must be preserved. An appeal for funds was generously an-swered both by the congrega-tion and friends of the parish. Furthermore, it was found that Canada Veteran Affairs had a program “Canada Remembers” which would

provide financial assistance to private organizations who wanted to restore their war memorial. On August 28, the President of the Treasury Board, Vic Toews, visited the church to inspect the project and to announce that we would receive the $25,000

maximum grant under the program. During this cer-emony, Doreen Barrott and Annie Hebert, both veterans of World War II, expressed thanks that the Peace Window would be restored so that we will continue to be reminded of our debt to our veterans.

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We will play zany games, make cool crafts, sing fun

songs, listen to great stories about Jesus and make a jungle of friends.” So said Dr. Cathy Campbell, the rector of St. Matthew’s, Winnipeg prior to kick-starting the summer vacation bible school (VBS) season with Rainforest Ad-venture, a diocesan boys’ and girls’ day camp that ran from 9:30 – 4:00 for ten week-

St. Matthew’s Church, Winnipeg

A rainforest fortnightBy GORD JACKSON

“ days, from July 7 to July 18. The theme, Rainforest Adventure came from a program developed by the Lutheran Church and, at St. Matthew’s, was tied in with the Sunday afternoon Suda-nese congregation Emmanuel Mission. “I think the idea came out of a conversation between Helen Manfield (diocesan youth minister) and myself,” said Dr. Campbell. “And being tied-in with Em-

manuel Mission gave us a good opportunity to bridge cultural differences as we all find good ways to raise kids in the faith. Summer camps have always been a good time for that.” Added Justin Vincent, a young Winnipegger hired to help direct all six diocesan camps, “And it beats filling ink presses as a summer-break job.” Vincent, who is studying law in the United Kingdom but was home for the summer, came to the program with a background of having worked with inner-city kids through the Winnipeg School Board and the Winnipeg Police. “All of our activities revolve around trying to help kids be true to their lives’ potential, encouraging them with good values like sharing, giving, and growing your heart in love and praise. If they get these values at a young age,

it will help them to become well-rounded citizens.” And sharing and giving weren’t just platitudes to be passed on to the kids, but a re-ality entered into by a host of volunteers, diocesan supports (theme materials and $100 for gas and incidentals), St. George’s Crescentwood (with generous financial support to St. Matt’s) and Nyam Nyam Catering, a new south Suda-nese company that catered some of the camp food. With twenty girls for week one and twenty-two boys for week two, St. Matthew’s VBS attracted participants from southern Sudanese families

all over the city for such ac-tivities as Rainforest Rhythm, swing-vine science, green tree games, sky-high story-telling, fishing and rap from Chris-tian rappers Hot Dogg and Pip Skid. “Having this experience, incorporating our culture with the Sudanese culture has been terrific,” said Vincent. “But,” said Dr. Camp-bell, “it’s only the beginning as I hope the diocese will continue to support vacation bible school programs for our kids. “My tremendous thanks to all for the chance to get to know these kids!”