Parables of the Kingdom
by Anne Barton
photo by frank simons
BISHOP MICHAEL INGHAM—guest speaker at St. Saviour's Anglican Church in Penticton, September 27.
The Rt. Rev. Michael Ingham, Bishop of New Westminster, was a guest at St. Saviour's Anglican Church in Penticton on the weekend of September 27-28. On Saturday he presented a course on "Parables of the Kingdom." He discussed several well-know parables, giving us new insights on their possible meanings. He showed both scholarship and wit in bringing the parables to life for us.
Jesus was familiar with the mystical religions of the East, where stories with multiple ambiguous meanings are used. Where an explanation of the parable is included, this is not a quote from Jesus, but is the writer's interpretation.
Bishop Michael gave several interpretations of the parable of the sower. The one that seemed of most interest in our small group discussions was that the seed falling on rocky ground, on shallow soil, among weeds and on rich soil could represent different times in an individual's life.
In the parable of the unjust judge, he described the conditions under which widows and divorced women lived in Jesus' time. It did not sound much different from the conditions under which many such women live today. He said that in the patriarchal society of Jesus' day, the only way women could make their needs known was to nag!
Bishop Michael is known for his interest in inter-faith dialogue, and he pointed out that the two most well-know parables, The Good Samaritan and The Prodigal Son, have inter-faith aspects. The first is about an inter-faith action and the second is Jesus' re-telling of an ancient Buddhist story.
He contrasted the idea of the greatest good for the greatest number of people with that of Jesus' moral teaching on the greatest good for the ones most in need.
On Sunday, Bishop Michael celebrated and preached at St. Saviour's. His very moving sermon was on the parable of the mustard seed. Mustard was considered ritually unclean in the Jewish world of the day. By comparing the mustard seed, which would grow into an enormous bush, to the kingdom of God, Jesus is saying that God cannot be bounded by human rules and God's kingdom is infinitely greater than anything humans can do.
Throughout the two days he talked about God's absolute love for us, and our need to totally offer ourselves to God, sins and all. Only through God can we achieve perfection.
Too Good to Miss, New PWRDF Resources
by Heather Karabelas
By now all of our PWRDF parish representatives and parishes should have received the new PWRDF 2008 annual resources. The materials are very usable and will help us all to support the work of the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund in our faith communities.
Make sure that you read the pamphlet about the available materials and tips for using them. Then decide on the best ways to use them in your parish.
If you are a PWRDF parish representative you will want to order a copy of "The vital link" — a tool kit that will help you be the best PWRDF ambassador ever.
A new youth handbook (justgeneration.ca/resource) gives a wonderful overview of the history, the organization of the PWRDF and how youth can get involved in their parish, diocese and at the national level. The handbook offers pitfalls and great ideas on how our young people can "pray, act and give for justice."
The regional profiles that describe the work in the regions of Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Indigenous Peoples Development Program give us some insight into the amazing work that PWRDF partners are doing around the world. The profiles help us to understand where our donations are being used.
You will also want to make sure that you have a good number of the 50th Anniversary Family Calendars. One way to use them is to hand them out to families at your Christmas Services. It is a great resource that will involve children and their parents in the work of the PWRDF. All of these resources can be ordered by calling toll free 1-866-308-7973 or by emailing pwrdf.org.
If you would like help with educational events or fundraising initiatives within your parish please contact The Rev. Heather Karabelas (PWRDF Diocesan Representative) Karabelas@telus.net.
Any thoughts on how our diocese might celebrate the PWRDF 50th Anniversary would also be welcomed. We can begin the celebration by sharing our parish PWRDF initiatives through The Highway.
What better way to answer God's call than through participation in the work of the PWRDF.
Food for the Cupboard
photo by nora nitz
BIRTHDAY GIVING—10 year-old Morgan Sabo only wanted food for her birthday to give to the St. Saviour's, Nelson, Food Cupboard..
