by Catherine Dafoe Hall
The Faithful Church
"What difference has your church made in this community since it was founded?"
In another parish I served we invited a learned man to lead us in a time of reflection and he posed this hard question.
This isn't something we are accustomed to think about and the people were silent for a long time. Then the responses began to come, slowly at first, and then with more confidence. They thought about the ways they had served those in need both in local outreach and in the world, through PWRDF and other outreach. They considered the families that had brought their children to be baptized, their marriages to be celebrated and their dead to be buried. They remembered times when the parish had stood up for some important issue in the life of the community. And finally they thought about the consequences of a hundred or more years of praying for the leaders and people of the community. They began to be aware how important they were in their community — whether the community knew it or not.
Faithfulness has a consequence. Jesus was faithful to his calling, faithful even as he was led to his Cross. God called our beloved church into being and God has sustained us for all the years of our existence, collectively and in our parishes, and God calls us to faithfulness. Many are afraid for the future of the church. The church belongs to God and the future belongs to God too. When we allow our fear to clutch at us it makes it hard to remember that we are God's and that God can be trusted to look after the church.
It isn't all up to us.
Kootenay Deacons Shine at National Conference
The Association of Anglican Deacons in Canada met in Vancouver in August and all of the active deacons in Kootenay were present. Deacons attended from across Canada with guests from the Episcopal Church in the USA and United Church and Lutheran representatives.
Deacon Heather Karabelas was conference coordinator. The Rev. Chris Ross, vice-president of the Association, was part of the planning committee.
The keynote address, given by the Rev. Dr. Richard Leggett, outlined the history of the diaconate in Canada and the variety of challenges that have faced deacons. It is clear that deacons have made great strides in many areas of Canada and that there have been many achievements in recent years including the founding of this Canadian association.
There were a variety of workshops that provided continuing education opportunities for deacons. Topics included clergy self-care and "The Green Deacon," a way to support diaconal leadership in environmental concerns. Kootenay deacons benefited greatly from the opportunity to network with deacons from across the country, and to hear from peers in other denominations and in the United States.
On Sunday morning at Christ Church Cathedral the Dean welcomed the participating deacons to vest and join the procession. Archdeacon John Struthers, Director of Deacons for the Diocese of New Westminster and president of the association, was the preacher at the service. As the procession made its way down the aisle at the end of the service the Cathedral congregation burst into spontaneous applause; wonderful recognition from a congregation well served by its deacons over many years.
Annual Anglican Appeal
The 15th annual fundraising appeal of the Anglican Journal is also an appeal for The HighWay. Proceeds from our diocese are split evenly between The HighWay and the Anglican Journal, our publishing partner. Your generosity ensures the viability of these publications and also means that we can continue to send the Anglican Journal and The HighWay to you each month to keep you connected with the wider church: in your diocese, in Canada and abroad. Please send your contribution in the envelope provided or donate on-line www.anglicanjournal.com (click the Donate Now button).
Thank you to all of you who have contributed to the Anglican appeal, now and in the past. Without your generosity Anglican newspapers could not have continued. The HighWay also thanks you.
