BACTalk - AUGUST, 2003

CONFERENCE 2003 REPORT

BAC Conference with Evangelical Lutherans a great success!

On April 25- 27, the Diocesan BAC held its annual conference in the Deanery of the Saugeens at Owen Sound and Meaford. This year the conference was hosted by the Georgian Bay Conference of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. Almost 150 Anglicans and Lutherans from as far away as Windsor, Leamington, London and Waterloo gathered together. The topic for the conference was"JOURNEYING TOGETHER" and reflected on the year that has passed since the memorable Synod in Waterloo where the document of Co-Communion was signed.

The conference was officially opened by Bishop Bruce Howe welcoming all to St. Thomas’, Owen Sound. He likened our journey to riding a tandem bike with Jesus where He needs to be in the front guiding us. On Saturday at Christ Church, Meaford, the Rev’d Canon Alyson Barnett-Cowan, Director of Faith, Worship & Ministry for the Anglican Church of Canada and The Rev’d Susan Johnson, Vice-President of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada, took us through the history leading to co-communion - a journey over 20 years. They asked the delegates to share what has been happening in their respective communities and challenged them to come up with solutions for challenges that are sure to appear.

In the afternoon the delegates were given a presentation of the history and significance of the War Memorial Windows installed in Christ Church by Harold Appleyard, then rector of Christ Church and chaplain for the local regiment, following the return from World War 11. After that each group held their regular annual meeting. At our, the BAC pledged to continue its regular support to Huron church Camp, Huron College - in the from of a scholarship - and St. Monica House.

The afternoon Eucharist was held at the Lutheran Church of our Savior in Owen Sound. Rev’d Susan Johnson gave the homily using the theme, One Heart and Soul. At the service the officers were installed by the Diocesan Chaplain, Rev’d Denis Cluley, and members of the BAC who had died since our last conference were remembered. The evening banquet was held at Division Street United Church at which Rev’d Dr. Jawn Kolohon, rector of the Parish of the Bruce Peninsula, and Captain Bob Bouchard, chaplain at the Land Forces Training Area and former pastor in Wiarton. Bishop Bob Bennett, who attended the conference all day, reminded us in conclusion that "we only just begun"!

The conference concluded with corporate communion, breakfast and wrap up at St. George’s Owen Sound on Sunday morning. Next year, the conference will be hosted in the Lambton Deanery at Sarnia on April 23-25, 2004. The conference speaker will be Canon Harold Percy and the theme will be "Good News People". Please join us.

 

CHAPLAINS REPORT

QUO VADIS?

Years ago, about the same time as books such as The Big Fisherman, The Robe, Dear and Glorious Physician, and The Silver Chalice were popular, there was a movie about Simon Peter called Quo Vadis? (where are you going?). It seems to me this is a question every Christian needs to ask himself/herself from time to time as we travel on our journey through this life to the next. It also seems reasonable to me that we should not be satisfied with a simple and obvious answer such as "To the Kingdom" or "To be with Jesus in Heaven," but rather that we should face up to some corresponding questions which naturally follow from the original.

Some of these might be: How do you plan to get there? Is there something in your life that needs to be changed in order to make that goal more easily achievable? How big a part does your Lord, the Holy Spirit, your fellow Christians, your community of faith, play in your progress toward your goal? How receptive are you to those who want to help you, even when you think you don't need any help? How good are you at helping others along the way, or is that not part of your plan? The list goes on and on.

This sort of exercise can be helpful if we allow it to be so, and not just for individuals, but also for congregations and organizations. One of the tags it is given these days is "Visioning," and it would appear that the time is ripe for the B.A.C. to get involved in such a practice.

Another diocesan conference is now behind us. What was once an annual conference for the men of the diocese, sponsored by the Brotherhood of Anglican Churchmen, has, in recent years, evolved into an annual conference for men, women and youth. This year, we went a step further and the conference was co-hosted by the Georgian Bay Conference of the Evangelical Lutheran Church In Canada, sharing in program, worship and meals and separating for business meetings. First Vice-President Mike Chambers' announcement at the B. A. C. Annual General Meeting, therefore, was most timely; he is working with Bishop Bennett to select a facilitator and a date so that your Diocesan Council and others can get together and do some 'visioning.'

Such a step requires courage, and it requires faith. Quo vadis, B. A. C.? And it's not simply a question of "Where are you going?" There are also the accompanying questions. Who are we? What do we want to be? What are our goals, and how will we attempt to achieve those goals? How far out of whack are our constitution and by-laws, and to what extent are we prepared to change or modify them to accommodate our new identity, if that should be required?

Fifteen years ago, we circulated a questionnaire to the clergy of the diocese requesting information on men's groups in parishes and also the clergy's attitude toward men's groups in those parishes where none existed. One response from a parish priest was that he wanted no sexist groups in his parish. When membership drops off, members get older, the young are not attracted, we can improve numbers by going to couples' clubs. That would certainly cater to that particular priest's preference, but it doesn't really solve the problem for the Brotherhood of Anglican Churchmen in the Diocese of Huron, does it? We are still left with the basic question and those that go hand-in-hand with it.

Quo vadis?

 

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Dear Fellow Members of the Brotherhood,

Recently I had the opportunity to attend our annual Conference in my home Deanery of the Saugeens. These are always a great time to renew our old acquaintances and old friendships. It is a time to think back on our past: both personally, and our history as an organization in the Diocese of Huron. The conference this year saw a change from conferences in the past. Our church continues to change and adapt to this new millennium, and the conference focused on one important area of our continued journey as Christians. For the first time, the Brotherhood and the Evangelical Lutheran Church decided to co- host the event. As part of this, we spent time learning each other's stories. But more important, we were also forced to look forward from that weekend. It was only the first step in our journey together.

Recently, I started re-reading the Bible "cover to cover". It's been twenty years since I first did this. What has struck me this time is how the theme of the journey continues to weave its way throughout ... and I'm only just finishing Exodus! As I traveled with Abraham, I think I have a better sense of the breadth of his faith than I did the first time I read it. In my youth, I just thought "Well, of course he went! Why wouldn't he?" I've been on enough of life's journeys to realize that they can be rather scary affairs, and there is the very real temptation to look out the front door, decide against the whole thing, and stay home.

The B.A.C. is changing. The world I live in is very different from the world I was born into forty years ago. I can either resent progress and change, or accept it and embrace it. There are things that I wish would never have changed, but they have. There are even more things I have seen changed that should have changed long before they did! We are journeying together, and it is a journey. Like Abraham, we won't be going back to Ur. But, with God's eternal guidance, we will reach a better future.

In this Easter season, let us remember Christ's journey. He has risen!

Jake Bates.
Conference 20 03 "Journeying Together"
Georgian Bay and London Conferences

April 26, 2003

 

FROM THE EDITOR

The Brotherhood of Anglican Churchmen in the Diocese of Huron have established a scholarship in the amount of $1,000.00 for the Old Testament Studies at Huron College. Mr. Alan Caldwell, 2nd Vice President was on hand for the award. There were two recipients this year; Rev. Deacon Sue Paulton and Ms. Anne Jaikaran. Any Chapter or individual wishing to donate to the Scholarship fund can do so by sending cheques to the Treasurer, Brotherhood of Anglican Churchmen, 2272 Hall Ave. Windsor, Ont. N8W 2L7, or contact me by e-mail at l.paul.white@sympatico.ca 

We all heard about the flooding in Badger, Newfoundland this past winter. The town was flooded and later with dropping temperatures the water froze causing more damage. The Conference held in Owen Sound and Meaford along with our friends from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada in a joint service gave the offering to the flood victims in Badger. A sum of $561.10 was forwarded to Reverent Randy Lockyer Grand falls Newfoundland to be forwarded to the Diocese Office. Anyone wishing to forward donations can do so by contacting Reverend Randy Locker by e-mail at holytringf@warp.nfld.net 

 

The section below is the part of the discussion given to us at Conference 2003 in Meaford. It is given by The Rev. Susan C. Johnson of The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada.

Pastor Susan

When I write a sermon, or listen to a sermon, I always ask myself the same question. "So what?" If I can’t answer it, I know I have a little more work I need to do.

The question I want to ask now is the same question, so what? What difference has full communion made to our lives? And if it hasn’t, why not? And what could we do to have it make a difference?

Let’s start by talking about the things you have done already as a result of full communion.

Lenten worship series

Shared Easter vigil

Discussion series on study book

Pulpit exchanges

Clergy study days/retreats

Women’s activities

Youth activities

Shared service projects (esp with challenge to start one new outreach ministry)

Rep on each other’s parish council

Shared social activities ie. picnic

Choir exchange

Choir festival

Supply during vacancy

Shared parishes

Including each other in our prayers every week

Shared faith days

"Pushing the envelope"

worship conference in 2004

Now let’s spend some time talking about the difficulties we face in trying to put flesh on our full communion relationship. What hinders us?

There are no or not enough Lutherans or Anglicans where we are

We haven’t been able to make contact

They don’t seem to be interested

We planned some things and no one came

We don’t line up in our boundaries

We’re not sure what we can and can’t do

We’ve got enough on our plates without worrying about full communion

We already do lots of things with the local United/Presbyterian/Mennonite church

And now let’s think about how we might address these things

There are no or not enough Lutherans or Anglicans where we are

Let’s face it, this is a problem. I guess we could try to do some mission work to try to even things out, but I wouldn’t wait til then! If you can’t have a parish to parish relationship how about doing things as an area? Even once or twice a year.

We haven’t been able to make contact

We all struggle with the black hole that is sometimes the pastor’s desk. Are there other ways of making contact? Can you use the bishop’s office? Can you network through people in the community? Don’t expect the clergy to do all the work. This is full communion between all of us!!

They don’t seem to be interested

Maybe it’s who you contacted. Maybe it is what you suggested. Maybe instead of "would you like to do this specific thing" you need to say "let’s get together and talk about what we might do". Again, don’t rely solely on clergy.

We planned some things and no one came

Try to get some feedback about why no one came. Perhaps start with something that you already know people will come to. Don’t give up! Try again!!

We don’t line up in our boundaries

The only place we line up is nationally. So it’s hard to do things on a synod/diocese level or conference/deanery level. But that doesn’t mean we can’t sometimes. Maybe we need to start thinking about what boundaries work best for full communion and not worry so much if they cross dioceses or conferences or deaneries.

We’re not sure what we can and can’t do

When in doubt ask – your bishop, or if you know someone on the joint commission. Or perhaps you just need to act and worry about forgiveness later!

We’ve got enough on our plates without worrying about full communion

We already do lots of things with the local United/Presbyterian/Mennonite church

We’re not asking you to give up everything else you are doing, or stop other relationships. However, is there a way that you can build some enthusiasm so that you can do even a small thing that will recognize this special relationship?

 

 

Having listened to today’s discussion, what new things might you be willing to try in your area? How might you go about doing them?

What kind of help do you need in order to put flesh on our full communion relationship. And from whom do you need this help?

 

A Prayer

Lord, thank you for this sink full of dirty dishes,
We had food to eat.

Thank you for the unmade bed,
It was very comfortable last night.

Thank you for this heap of soiled laundry,
We have good warm clothes.

Thank you for the bathroom complete with spattered mirror, soggy towels, grimy sink, and an assortment of clothes thrown at (not in) the clothes hamper,
It's still very convenient.

Thank you for the finger-smudged refrigerator,
It has served us faithfully for years. Inside are cool drinks and enough leftovers for another meal.

Thank you for this oven which must be cleaned today,
It has baked many goodies to perfection (or close to it).

Thank you for the leaves out there that need raking,
We enjoy the private yard.

Thank you for that slamming screen door,
the children are healthy and able to run and play.

Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting me today says that you have richly blessed this family.

I shall do them gratefully and cheerfully.

 

DEANERY REPORTS

 

ESSEX DEANERY

St. Mary’s (Walkerville)

An important date for the families of St. Mary’s, is May 25, 1903. The corner stone was laid for the building of this beautiful church. St. Mary’s is 100 years old, now this may not be a big deal for some churches who are much older than 100. But for the BAC it is important, The Brotherhood of Anglican Churchmen was born here at St. Mary’s and other churches in the Windsor area. On Sunday the 25th of May a time capsule was placed near the original corner stone of the church. In the capsule memorabilia from the day to day function of the church and the a record of the service as it was done 100 years ago. The Right Rev’d Jack Peck officiated and re dedicated the parish with the same words used 100 year ago. I had the pleasure on behalf of the BAC place items of the Bac in the time capsule. Canon John Riddle and Bishop Jack placed the corner stone on top of the time capsule not to be opened for the next 100 years.

Paul White
Treasurer Brotherhood of Anglican Churchmen
Diocese of Huron