Primate Journeys in Kimberley
by Elisabeth Forsyth
photo elisabeth forsyth
DANCING IN THE AISLES — The Most Rev. Fred Hiltz sharing his "faith journey" at All Saints, Kimberley.
The weekend of June 20 to 22 was a very special time for parishioners and visitors to All Saints Anglican Church in Kimberley. The Most Reverend Fred Hiltz, 13th Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada was a guest of the parish for their Annual "Journey into Faith." Visitors came from Golden, Invermere, Fernie, Cranbrook, Victoria, Boswell, Nelson and other faith congregations in Kimberley joined All Saints members for a truly awesome weekend.
Archbishop Fred shared with us the strong faith and the despair and sorrow parishioners and others in the city of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia endured when their church (built in 1753) burned to the ground. He told of how local firefighters who knew the church well risked their lives to rescue some of the fixtures and the altar because they knew just where to look. St. John's has since been rebuilt and the rescued altar is now back in its rightful place. As always, food is necessary for any journey and we recognized the Sacrament of Holy Communion as the last meal Jesus shared with his disciples and His request that the offering of bread and wine be continued as we gathered together for worship. Throughout our lifetime there are those "soul friends" who have influenced and shared our journeys with us. Archbishop Fred took time to acknowledge and share stories about those who were his friends and role models both in the past and in the present and encouraged us to remember our own soul friends as we continue our "faith journeys." Following Saturday evening’s presentation, Archbishop Fred was presented with a very beautiful stole handmade by Fabric Artist Karen Brodie Archibald of St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Golden.
Jill Bell Retires as Diocesan Secretary
by Peter Davison
photo peter davison
FOR OLD TIMES SAKE — Former diocesan treasurer and lay canon Alex Chisholm toasts Jill.
On Friday, June 27 our diocese paid tribute to Jill Bell for her years of service to our Bishops, the whole diocese, and the national church. Jill's position was terminated this year because of a shortfall in apportionment payments to the diocese. For Bishop John Privett, Jill was the person who filled him in on the job to which he was elected some three years ago. For retired Archbishop David Crawley, she was the obvious choice from a plethora of qualified candidates when the position became open, and was, with Bonnie Bailey, the person who kept the diocesan operation going during his many absences as bishop, archbishop, chair of the residential schools task force, and acting primate. Former diocesan treasurer Alex Chisholm toasted her qualities of competence and hospitality as the first person many people encounter by phone, email or in person. Diocesan bookkeeper Bonnie Bailey lamented the departure of someone who had become a sister, noting that she and Jill probably saw more of each other than their spouses. Others also paid tribute to Jill's graciousness and hard work on behalf of us all. In a somewhat tearful, but consistently graceful response, Jill thanked, not only those present, but also the many people who had become friends via email, telephone and in person. She hoped that the current difficulties of the diocese would soon be overcome.
The whole event underlined at least two things. The first is how blessed we are by dedicated employees whose work, though seldom seen, is vital to the diocese and the wider church. The second is how important it is for all of us to be generous with our own gifts of time, talents and money if the work of the church is to be carried out effectively. It is up to all of us to ensure that this happens.
Parish of St. John's, Salmon Arm
Eat Local They Said and We Did!
by Jennifer Pring
photo norman denney
EAT LOCAL — Annette Rivers helped the Sunday school to prepare food produced locally.
Helped by their Sunday School Teacher and other parents, children of St. John's Church in Salmon Arm served a delicious luncheon for all the Parishioners on May 25 following our worship service.
Joan Clarke, a member of our church, and very involved in Kairos had spoken to the children about our environment and about eating food produced within a 100 Km radius of Salmon Arm. They, along with Sunday School teacher Annette Rivers, decided that they would prepare a meal and serve it to the congregation.
The children spent most of Saturday preparing the meal: spaghetti sauce (one with meat, one vegetarian), homemade gnocchi, Pita bread — made with local “spelt” flour, salad and for dessert, rhubarb crisp served with ice cream from D Dutchmen Dairy.
They excitedly and beautifully decorated the Church Hall, set the tables, and made coffee using beans from the Shuswap Coffee Company.
