Anglicans ReCreate

By Sally Scales

"We are an extension of the environment we live in." The Rt. Rev. Mark MacDonald

photo sally scales

SINGING — Bishop Mark MacDonald was not only an entertaining speaker, on Saturday evening at Selkirk College in Castlegar he entertained the 100 or so participants in song.

 

 

“In my travels across Canada I visit many musty basements with a 1954 picture of the queen,” Rt. Rev. Mark MacDonald told the 100 Anglicans who gathered at Selkirk College in Castlegar. He was the keynote speaker at a Festival of Faith held August 14-17, 2008, titled “God’s Re-Creation.”

In January 2007, Bishop Mark assumed the position as the Anglican Church of Canada’s first national indigenous bishop after serving about 10 years as bishop of the U.S. Episcopal Diocese of Alaska. His roots are in the northwest United States where he has had a long and varied ministry as a Navajo. Most of his ministry was on the streets of Portland.

His two presentations and Sunday sermon at the festival were sprinkled with stories of his experiences and his blessings were given in a native language.

He spoke about the great faith and great courage that the church has taken to have a bishop who works with the indigenous peoples and the great challenge that exists between cultures. He speaks and listens to people, speaks to them of the church, and speaks for Mother Earth because natives have a living relationship with the land. “We are an extension of the environment we live in.” He expressed concern about the future of Canada’s lakes and rivers. Water is sacred, he said, and it cannot be sold.

He is making a recommendation to rearrange two dioceses in Manitoba, not only for the benefit of the natives but the non-natives as well.

WEEKEND WORKSHOPS

Workshops given at the festival were Spirituality of Recreation by Rev. Canon Neil Elliott; The Emerging Church by Rev Yme Woensdregt and Rev. Canon Doug Hodgkinson; The Environment and the Family by Cathy Haig and Julia Roberts; and How to be the Best PWRDF Ambassador Ever! Lori Woensdregt and Alida Privett provided activities for children. Lesley Killough and Mark Mealing led guided hikes in the Castlegar area.

Rev. Simon Shenstone led unique and varied worship services using themes. Friday was the Feast Day of St. Mary, and Saturday was the Holy Women of the Old Testament. One worship service had a Celtic theme and Simon was dressed appropriately.

A PRAYER OVER TOBACCO

Marilyn James, a member of the Sinixt Nation, welcomed all the participants at the festival. Marilyn left application forms and invited people to join the society as a show of support. She presented two books for the two bishops about the Sinixt people of long ago, titled “The Geography of Memory” by Eileen Delehanty Pearkes.

Before she left she lifted a red cloth in the palm of her hand, opened it to expose tobacco, and as a non-existent person, according to the government, gave a welcoming ceremony in her native language.

AMAZING GRACE SUNG WITH GUSTO

Anglican congregations across Canada have been invited to sing Amazing Grace on Sun., Nov. 23, 2008. They can video the group singing, and send it to the church’s Web site at www2.anglican.ca/amazinggrace.

Before Sunday’s worship in the main lounge of Selkirk College, Amazing Grace was sung and videotaped. Everyone at the Festival of Faith summer gathering, plus all the parishioners from Castlegar who came for the service sang the hymn with gusto.

FEEDBACK ON THE FESTIVAL

Karen Pidcock of Kaslo said Simon's worship leadership was a breath of fresh air. (Rev. Simon Shinstone)

Lori Woensdregt of Cranbrook wrote: “I loved the variety of worship styles. Each one gave me a different spiritual gift. One gave me jubilance, while another gave me a sense of inner peace, and still another left me in deep reflection. Each one renewed my spirit.”

Elsie Killough, 87, of Castlegar, attended with her daughter Emily Turgeon of Salmon Arm. She enjoyed every minute, especially the fellowship of old friends.

Gerry Dzuris of Salmo said, “Thank you Bishop John for having the goodness to hold a diocesan festival in the Kootenays and overseeing its smooth running, and thank you to the organizers for the very fine event.”

IN CONCLUSION...

For some, “God’s ReCreation” was a pilgrimage, a weekend to spend with other Anglicans in learning, fellowship and worship. It was an opportunity to see the participating clergy in person, having seen their pictures in The HighWay. And it was a weekend to experience Kootenay hospitality, the superb Selkirk College campus, and to gain a few pounds on the delicious meals prepared by the kitchen staff.