Feasting and Fasting
Parish of All Saints — Vernon
photos by peter davison
FEASTING — Richard and Charles Harrison enjoying pancakes and sausages at All Saints, Vernon Shrove Tuesday pancake supper.
FASTING — A potluck lunch with water as the beverage of choice to promote awareness for the global need for potable water, and to raise funds for drilling wells in developing countries.
Farewell to Ted Celiz
by Peter Davison
Parish of St. John the Divine, Salmon Arm-Sicamous
Ted and Liz Celiz were bid a fond farewell by parishioners of Salmon Arm-Sicamous. After twelve years in the parish, Ted is moving on, not to a well-deserved retirement, but as interim pastoral associate in the parish of St. Mary's, Kerrisdale, Vancouver. Tributes came, not only from parishioners, but ecumenical partners, and other regional clergy, who noted Ted's contribution to mutual clergy support in the area. The farewell took place in the St. John's, Salmon Arm parish hall, which was filled to capacity for the occasion. Ted and Liz received a number of gifts from parishioners, as well as a farewell purse. There was also a toast with Glayva. In addition to good food and fellowship, the evening was a humorous and warm tribute to Ted and Liz's many gifts. All wished them Godspeed as they begin this new phase in their life.
Herbert O'Driscoll at the Cathedral in Kelowna
by Peter Davison
HERBERT O'DRISCOLL — Signing autographs for parishioners at the Cathedral in Kelowna.
Friday and Saturday, February 22 and 23, Canon Herbert O'Driscoll held a congregation of listeners spellbound as he led a mission entitled "Early Christians of the 21st Century". Drawing parallels between the 4th and 5th centuries and the 21st, he noted how both were times of cataclysmic change. Like St. Augustine in the 4th century we are inhabitants of two cities— the City of God and the City of Humanity, and it was the frequent recitation of this prayer of St. Augustine that helped us find a common thread through our reflections on life then and life today.
"O Thou who art the Light of the minds that know Thee, the Joy of the hearts that love Thee, the strength of the wills that serve Thee: Help us so to know Thee that we may truly love Thee, so to love Thee that we may fully serve Thee, whom to serve is perfect freedom, Jesus Christ our Lord."
"Herbie", as he is known affectionately around the world, began by referring to four recent books: 'The Meaning of the 21st Century' by James Martin; 'The Ethical Imagination' by Margaret Somerville; 'The Up Side of Down' by Thomas Homer-Dixon; and 'Powerful Times' by Eamon Kelly. All present us with current issues, an unflinching look at reality, an attitude of hope (not optimism), and a clear call to act. In a world of complex interlocking systems we are bound to experience systemic breakdowns; but partial breakdown provides us with an opportunity to find creative solutions. An attitude of denial, on the other hand, can lead to total catastrophe. One of our tasks is to find common ground on which, in a global society, all of us can stand together, while allowing for other spaces where we are free to live and act as individuals or specific religious and cultural groups. In facing this challenge, the Bible offers us insights into the possibility of a universal ethic coupled with plenty of room for diversity. Even though the way we celebrate Christian community has changed significantly in the last fifty years, the eucharistic acclamation, "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again" is the template for us of memory, lived experience, and hope.
But like Christ we are tempted to gain power by "giving people what they want" (stones into bread), impress people with spectacle (leap from the temple pinnacle), or take the short cut of domination ("I will give you all the kingdoms of this world"). Underlying all this was the subtle temptation to doubt - "If you are the Son of God...".
For us in an individualistic culture, we are tempted to forget whose people we are and our need of community - not to go it alone. The great stories of faith have always been about journey and a quest; but the journeys have always involved a hero with companions, and a quest for something lost or yet to be discovered. For us on our quest, remembering the past, and living by hope but always in the present, Jesus has bequeathed to us five gifts: (1) a shared story, (2) water, (3) bread, (4) wine, and (5) one another - and with all this a promise: "If you do all these things, you will find my Spirit among you."
