photo ken forsyth

DRUMMING — Lessons at the music school. The group is happily drumming, instructed by Hannah (Jane Erven) and Ruedi Schuler.

On Sunday, March 1, members of the Mission and Outreach Committee of All Saints in Kimberley presented a play about life in Zimbabwe, as part of a PWRDF awareness project. About 60 parishioners and guests attended and learned about the history and the presently devastating situation in Zimbabwe caused by political and economic ruin and medical catastrophe.

Parishioners were also informed that there were an estimated one million, four hundred orphans in 2008 and that there are insufficient orphanages available to house these children. For several years now, the Mission and Outreach Committee at All Saints has helped support an orphanage in Bulawayo that houses 84 orphans.

Attendees at the play were asked to imagine themselves in a mission station orphanage and grannies co-operative constructed to care for Zimbabwe orphans. Six scenes enjoyed by the audience depicted the fictitious grannies and volunteers (all with Bible inspired names) working and playing with the orphans; bringing them love, kindness and hope following their loss of family.

The six scenes were as follows: playing with preschool orphans, music school for orphans, nursing station for aids and other disease treatments, sewing and knitting circle — training a fundraising group, a garden and kitchen staffed by fundraising grannies and a counselling review with graduating orphans.

The play focused on a Canadian reporter and the Mission co-ordinator interviewing each major character to highlight the individual experiences in the mission.

Highlights of Diocesan Council Meeting
— March 2008

by The Rev. Heather Karabelus

Bishop's Report

Parishes:

Michael Stuchbery was welcomed as incumbent at St. Saviour's, Penticton and Laura Hermakin at St. John's, Salmon Arm welcomed Joe Ponic to part time interim ministry in St. Peter's, Revelstoke. Discussions with St. James, Lumby to move toward closure by the end of June.

Rick Paulin has been appointed to Summerland; discussion with Christ Church, Creston as to future clergy.

Search process at St. Mary's, Sorrento is almost complete, while the process is just beginning at the Cathedral.

Regions:

Discussion with Kokanee and Kootenay Boundary about reorganizing the regions with a view to creating one region in which stronger congregations will provide support to small ones; 2009 will be a transitional year.

Committees: Task Force on Ministry has completed its work, with significant recommendations for the Bishop, and one decision to be made at Synod to establish a Standing Committee on Ministry. The Bishop expressed immense gratitude to Alan Akehurst and the members of the Task Force.

Synod Planning Committee has done excellent work under the leadership of Michael Karabelas. Constitution and Canons Committee has met regularly and is proposing significant changes to the canons.

Other:

The Bishop has decided to undertake interim ministry at the Cathedral — two Sundays/month, one day/week with partial stipend being paid to the Diocese.

The Bishop is planning to attend Cursillo in Diocese of Olympia, exploring its potential future in Kootenay.

Ordination to diaconate of Nico Montalbetti on Ascension Day, May 21 at the Cathedral.

Archdeacon's Report

David Irving reported his activities in gift planning, indicating that the 2 primary areas of interest are in leaving a gift in the will, and a gift of life insurance.

Business Arising From the Minutes

Cathedral Site Development Update:

Percy Tinker reported that they have $750,590 pledged, with a total project cost of $1.4 million. They will tender to home building contractors. The working drawings are in hand, and they are hoping to break ground in the fall.

Owaissi Dreambuilders: Owaissi Dreambuilders is moving towards the development of a long-range plan for the camp. Anne Robinson reported progress on behalf of the Owaissi Dreambuilders Committee, and noted the newly developed Mission Statement: "The Owaissi Anglican Community meets the needs of all who seek God in a natural environment by nurturing Christian life."

New Business

Refugee Sponsorship:

Heather Karabelas highlighted her PWRDF report, and then provided a PowerPoint presentation on the work of sponsoring refugees. The Bishop welcomed the Rev. C. Rundell, the Diocesan Refugee Coordinator, who reported on current efforts within the Diocese to sponsor refugees as part of PWRDF's 50 Refugees Project.

A motion was carried that the Diocese of Kootenay apply to the Department of Citizenship and Immigration to become a Sponsorship Agreement Holder.

A motion was carried that the Diocese of Kootenay honours the Biblical call to welcome the stranger by giving refugees an opportunity to begin their lives anew; that the Diocese Facilitates the efforts of constituent groups to sponsor refugees in cooperation with the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada; and that the Diocese encourages groups and parishes of the Diocese to support the efforts of Diocesan constituent sponsorship groups to sponsor refugees.

A motion was carried that the Diocesan Council supports the refugee work going on in the Diocese, and specifically encourages parishes in the Diocese to support the refugee initiative by St. Mark's Church, Kaslo, and that the Diocesan Council encourages parishes in the Diocese to provide financial and other support to this sponsorship effort, as they are able.

A motion was passed that in sponsoring refugees, Diocesan Council recommends that all constituent groups receive approval from the Diocesan Refugee Coordinator and the Administration Committee prior to entering into any agreements.

Diocesan Gathering 2010: A motion was passed that we proceed to look at holding another Diocesan Gathering in 2010. Mexico Mission 2009:

A motion was passed that we support the planning of a Mexico Mission trip in 2009.