Clergy address synod priority … Transforming ministry
by Geoffrey Hall
Mainline Christian denominations of today all struggle with how the Church can and should live out the priority of the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. At least part of the answer has to do with what our 2009 Diocesan Synod (and others) are calling “transformational ministry.” How do Christians live in such a way as to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples? The Rev. Dr. Ed White, consultant with the Alban Institute was the keynote speaker at the 2009 Clergy Conference in August entitled “Transforming Ministry.”  Read the story.

Campus chaplain's office
George Porter, the UNB (Fredericton)/STU Anglican chaplain, finally has an office for the 2009-2010 year. The Campus Ministry Office will again be #2 Harrison House, go out the north side of the UNB Student Union and across the parking lot. George is on campus most Tuesdays from 9 a.m. on. Alternatively, he can be reached at 458-7009 (non-secure message service) or 459-1801 ext 4 (secure message service) or <portert at unb.ca> or <george.porter at anglican.nb.ca>.

Canadian Foodgrains Bank speaker
The Parish of Upham will host Milon, a representative of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) working on a project in Bangladesh will speak at St. Peter's in Upham on Tuesday, Oct. 6 from 7 until 9 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Refreshments will be served following his presentation and a free-will offering will be collected for the CFGB. For more information call the Rev. Marian Lucas-Jefferies at 506/832-7106.

Memories of Alyson Barnett-Cowan
On Oct. 26, staff at Church House in Toronto plan a “Congratulations, Thank you, Farewell and Godspeed” event for Alyson Barnett-Cowan as she moves from Director of Faith Worship and Ministry for the Anglican Church of Canada to Director of Unity Faith and Order for the Anglican Communion. A book of memories is also being compiled for her. If you have known and/or worked with Alyson, please e-mail letters, poetry, photos, prose or other snippets from the past to <eskully at national.anglican.ca) by Oct. 20 for inclusion in the book.

CE and Youth Leader Conference
The full brochure with registration details for this years Diocesan Christian Education and Youth Leader Conference on Oct. 24 at St. George's, Moncton, is now on-line.


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Recent decisions
• Directive 3.4 Administration of Holy Communion
A minor addition has been made (17 September 2009) to Directive 3.4 (Item 5) regarding the administrator administering by way of intinction. The dipped host should be placed, by the Administrator, on the hand or the tongue. Several clergy have expressed discomfort with placing the intincted host on the tongue of the communicant.
As stated in the directive, as circumstances change, modifications will be made as appropriate. Parishes wishing to do some proactive pandemic planning are encouraged to consider issues such as:
i. what happens when clergy are unable to be present with their congregations for worship? (sharing or trading of sacramental duties among the clergy, alternative leadership for worship)
ii. are there alternative forms of worship that can be used at an unexpected moment's notice and is leadership prepared?
iii. how do we communicate and minister to our members if they are isolated or at home (sacramental and pastoral ministry to those who need to be at home)

•  Moratorium on the Sale of Rectories
The Bishop asks that all clergy assure that parish corporations are made  aware of the current diocesan moratorium of the sale of clergy-occupied rectories. Several groups within the diocese (property, finance, human resources committees) have been asked to study and make recommendations regarding our current policy direction on this issue over the next several months. Parishes contemplating property transactions are encouraged, as usual, to be in conversation with their territorial archdeacon in accordance with Policy A-3 Sale, Purchase or Renovation of Parish Property

• Post-ordination Training - Practical Liturgy
A session of post-ordination training for those in the programme is scheduled for Tuesday, 06 October 2009 at Christ Church (Parish) Church, Fredericton.  The agenda will deal with various topics regarding how liturgy and worship is lived out in our communities of faith with special emphasis on Holy Baptism, Holy Eucharist and the Ministry of the Deacon. The event is open to any clergy in the diocese who might have interest in attending.  Please let the Bishop's Office know as soon as possible if you wish to attend.

Diocesan Stewardship Conference with Bishop Edward Salmon Oct. 16-17
Parish clergy and two lay representatives (one of whom should be a warden) from each parish are urged to attend. Register on-line.

The Bishop's 2009 Deanery Visitation Schedule
Kingston/Kennebecasis — September
Saint John/Chaleur — October

View An up-to-date list of Bishop's appointments and announcements.

Temporal Transactions

Open incumbencies

* Appointment process status:
     H - On hold with interim or particular circumstances
     P - In parish profile preparation/meeting with Bishop pending
     E - Accepting expressions of interest
     I - In the interview process

Diocesan openings
The Nominating Committee currently invites nominations for the following diocesan positions:

• Human Resources Committee (two lay positions available)
  
• Investment (sub) Committee (one member)
  

Please forward nominations to Nominating Committee chair Julian Dickson <julian.dickson at anglican.nb.ca>.

See a current listing of Diocesan Roles, Elections and Appointments on the diocesan web site.

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RCL Lectionary (Year B)

Sunday, Oct. 4
EighteenthSunday after Pentecost (Proper 27) (Green)
Propers 384; Job 1:1, 2:1-10; Psalm 26; Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12; Mark 10:2-16; Preface of the Lord's Day.

Cycles of Prayer

Almighty God, give us reverence for all creation and respect for every person, that we may mirror your likeness in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Swansea & Brecn — Wales, the Very Rev. John Davies.

Visit these links:
Anglican Cycle of Prayer
Provincial Prayer Care
Diocesan Intercessions

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Camp seeks silver vessels
St. Andrew's Chapel at Camp Brookwood has pottery communion vessels that are no longer acceptable, according to the Primate's instructions following SARS and our own recently announced diocesan policies. If you have a silver chalice and patten available for Camp Brookwood, kindly contact the Rev. Douglas Painter <douglas.painter@anglican.nb.ca>.

Leadership in the small congregation
Apply now for the 2010 Summer Collegium (June 23 – July 1) project in support of small congregations at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia. Clergy (and their spouses or partners) from 25 small churches of all Christian denominations are invited to spend nine days at Virginia Seminary for encouragement, education, rest and renewal. All expenses, including travel, books, meals, lodging, child care at home and pulpit supply, are paid by a grant from the Lilly Endowment.

Advent workshop
AST and its Alumni Association present NO MINOR PROPHETS!, a cutting edge, ecumenical education workshop
to help prepare for Advent, on Nov. 19 & 20 at Church of St. Andrew and St. David, 164 Germain St., Saint John.

A dessert party celebrating what God is doing through students and faculty at UNB & STU
It all happens Oct. 3, 7-9 p.m. at Christ Church Cathedral Hall, 168 Church Street (parking is on the street), Fredericton. Please invite a friend and RSVP by Sept. 29 to Scott Dunham, IVCF Staffworker <dunhamsa at yahoo.ca>. An offering will be taken to support the ministry of IVCF on campus. Sponsored by the generosity of Christ Church Cathedral & the Fredericton-IVCF Support Council.

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Sept. 29, 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.  Clergy Day, Trinity Church, Sussex.

Sept. 29, 3:30 p.m.  Weekly university graduate students and faculty study group with Dr. Scott Dunham, Classics seminar room, room 217 Carleton Hall, UNB Fredericton Campus. It is not necessary to have the study book, The Meaning of Life: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford, 2008), by Terry Eagleton for this inaugural session.

Sept. 29, 4 p.m.  Diocesan Council, Trinity Church, Sussex.

Oct. 1 & 2, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. The Saint John Volunteer Centre Volunteer Recruitment Expo, Level 1, Brunswick Square Mall, Saint John. Volunteer opportunities with 35 different organizations.

Oct. 2, 1 - 1:30 p.m.  Stewardship Conference Planning teleconference.

Oct. 3, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.  Soulrush III: Thy Kingdom Come, for youth from 12 years old through grade 12, St. Andrews Church, Newcastle. Contact <rose.steeves at churcharmy.com> or <christopherketch at hotmail.com>.

Oct. 3, 7-9 p.m. A dessert party celebrating what God is doing through students and faculty at UNB & STU at Christ Church Cathedral Hall, 168 Church Street (parking is on the street), Fredericton. Please invite a friend
and RSVP by Sept. 29 to Scott Dunham, IVCF Staffworker <dunhamsa at yahoo.ca>. An offering will be taken to support the ministry of IVCF on campus. Sponsored by the generosity of Christ Church Cathedral & the Fredericton-IVCF Support Council.

Oct. 4, 3:30 - 6 p.m. St. Ann's Parish Harvest Supper at the Newmarket Recreation Centre, 253 Route 3, Newmarket (between Long's Creek and Harvey). Roast beef dinner with all the trimmings $10 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under. Tickets at the door. Take-out available.

Oct. 5, 10 a.m. Companion Diocese Committee, Synod Office board room.

Oct. 5, 4 p.m.  Spiritual Formation Team, Synod Office board room.

Oct. 6, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.  Post Ordination Training, Christ Church (Parish) Church, Fredericton.

Oct. 6, 4:30 p.m.  Finance Committee, Synod Office board room.

Oct. 6, 7-9 p.m. Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) presentation by Milon, who works on a project in Bangladesh, at St. Peter’s. Upham. Refreshments. Free-will offering to be donated to CFGB. Information from the Rev. Marian Lucas-Jefferies at 506/832-7106.

Visit the Diocesan Web Calendar of Events

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Dancing Their Dreams

Voices of Hope Pew Bulletin Story

In a small rehearsal room in the barrio of Plataforma on the outskirts of Salvador de Bahia, Brazil, a group of young people are moving to the pounding beat of African drums. Full of energy and youthful enthusiasm — at first glance there is nothing extraordinary about this scene. But this is no ordinary dance class. The teacher is a professional dancer, who is also a member of the local Candomblé terreiro (territory), Xpé Axé Kafé Bokum, The Land Where Our Energy is Planted. Under her guidance, the young people are learning through dance, the traditional stories of their cultural and religious heritage. The dance workshops are the final segment of a three-month course in leadership training supported and coordinated by PWRDF partner, KOINONIA — Ecumenical Presence and Service.  Read the rest of the story.

To find out about PWRDF 50th anniversary events and photos, please check www.pwrdf50.org.

More PWRDF links

PWRDF blog

justgeneration.ca.

Diocesan PWRDF

PWRDF National

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Oct. 7, 9 a.m.  Shediac Deanery ACW annual meeting, St. Mary’s, Hillsborough.

Oct. 16-17, Stewardship Conference with Bishop Edward Salmon, Trinity Church, Sussex. Register on-line.

Oct. 16-18 Stand Up to Poverty. If your church is interested in joining this world-wide effort to raise awareness of the devastating issues of poverty and to pressure governments to hold their promises to the Millennium Development Goals, get the details and notify Rebeka Frazer-Chiasson at St. Thomas University <gzqrt at stu.ca> of your participation.

Oct. 17, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.  St. Luke's Day workshop on spirituality and mental health at St. Paul's Church, Rothesay. Brochure.

Oct. 17 Guild of St. Joseph annual meeting at St. Mary's, York (Fredericton North). This is an ideal opportunity to meet members from other guilds and share information on projects and programs.

Oct. 17, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.  First Annual Atlantic Regional Prison Ministry Volunteer Conference, Sackville United Church, 112 Main St., Sackville.

Oct. 18, 9 & 10:30 a.m.  Bishop Salmon preaches at St. Mary's (York) in Fredericton.

Oct. 18  St. Luke's Day at St. Paul's, Rothesay, focusing on spirituality and mental health.

Oct. 23, 4 - 6:30 p.m. Ham, beans and scallop supper with gingerbread for dessert at St. James, Lakwewood, 2000 Loch Lomond Rd. in Saint John. Adults $8, children $4, takeouts available. Contact Carol Stuart, 506/696-5737.

Oct. 24, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.  Christian Education and Youth Leader Conference, St. George's, Moncton. Elective workshops, a presentation on building relationships with young people. Advance registration $10 through <greerstackhouse at hotmail.com>

Oct. 29, 6 p.m.  Faith Forward, Round 4: The Holy Spirit in the Church, St. Mary's, York, Fredericton North. A weekly study session beginning with a light supper followed by teaching and discussion and ending with Compline, guaranteed to finish by 8 p.m.

Nov. 4, 7:15  In the dust of the Rabbi – Becoming a Disciple, a five-week study at Christ Church (Parish) Church. The evening begins with Holy Communion in the church each Wednesday at 7:15. Study follows in the hall. Series continues until Dec. 2.

Nov. 6, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Parish of Prince William St. John's and Saint Luke's ACW annual Christmas coffee party and bazaar at St. John's Church, McNair Drive in Nackawic. The nave of the church will be decorated in A Holly and Ivy Christmas on the Bend theme. Home baking, preserves, hand crafts and "white elephants" for sale. Muffins, biscuits, jams, jellies and coffee cakes served at the coffee party.

Nov. 19-20 Advent workshop at the Church of St. Andrew and St. David, 164 Germain St., Saint John. Sponsored by AST and its Alumni Association, NO MINOR PROPHETS! is a cutting edge, ecumenical education workshop to help prepare for Advent.

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Job listings for the Canadian church.

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‘Child of the rectory’ becomes new metropolitan of BC/Yukon
by Marites N. Sison
Anglican Journal
Sept. 28, 2009
The diocesan bishop of Kootenay, John Privett, 53, is the new metropolitan (senior bishop) of the ecclesiastical province of British Columbia and Yukon. He was elected at the provincial synod Sept. 25, and installed at the closing Eucharist Sept. 27. Archbishop Privett becomes the 11th metropolitan of the youngest of four ecclesiastical provinces in the Anglican Church of Canada. Founded in 1914, the province includes the dioceses of British Columbia, Caledonia, New Westminster, Yukon, Kootenay and the Anglican Parishes of the Central Interior. Read the story.

Bartholomew I to open the Faith and Order Plenary Commission meeting
Sept. 28, 2009
World Council of Churches
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I will open the meeting of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission on Faith and Order, which will take place in Kolympari, Crete, Greece, from Oct. 7 to 14. At this plenary meeting, the 120 members of the commission, which is seen as Christianity's most representative theological forum, will address the question of Christian unity from new perspectives. Read the story.

Canadian Friends of Burma get thousands of signatures at U2 Concerts September 25, 2009

by Kevin Mcleod
Sept. 25

PWRDF

Ottawa - A team of dedicated volunteers comprised of exiled Burmese dissidents and their Canadian supporters obtained thousands of signatures over a two-day campaign blitz during U2’s recent Toronto stopover. The signatures are part of a postcard campaign Canadian Friends of Burma (CFOB) launched with the assistance of Rights and Democracy, The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF), and Canadian Labour Unions. Signed postcards will be sent to Prime Minister Stephen Harper urging Canada to continue to support the Burmese people with humanitarian aid and a binding UN Security Council resolution. Read the story.

Council of the North appoints suicide prevention co-ordinator
by Leigh Anne Williams
Anglican Journal
Sept. 24, 2009The Council of the North has appointed veteran activist and community organizer Cynthia Patterson as the co-ordinator of new suicide prevention programs. The appointment was announced at the council’s Sept. 18 to 20 meeting at the Anglican Sorrento Centre in Sorrento, B.C. Suicide rates are four to five times higher than the national average in northern communities. A total of $94,000 for much-needed suicide prevention programs was made possible by Anglicans responding generously to the Amazing Grace project. Read the story.

New bishop elected to 'can-do' diocese of Athabasca
Anglican Journal
Sept. 23, 2009
Canon Fraser Lawton, 41, rector of St. Thomas’ Anglican church in Fort McMurray, Alta., is the new bishop-elect of the diocese of Athabasca. “Northern Alberta is an exciting place where people have a can-do attitude,” said Bishop-elect Lawton in a telephone interview. Read the story.

Patron saint of flowers' relics to exhibit in England's York Minster
by Martin Revis
Ecumenical News International
Sept. 22, 2009

London: The relics of St Therese of Lisieux, whom Roman Catholics revere as the patron saint of flowers, are to be exhibited for veneration at an Anglican venue in the north of England at York Minster cathedral. The dean of York, the Rev. Keith James, said, "(St Therese) is a gift of God to us all, and this is a chance for Christians of different traditions to pray for unity, and renew our faith and love." Read the story.

Stewardship begins with hearing God's Word for us. Stewardship grows with our living these words in our action.

Sheila Campbell

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Can an atheist get insurance against acts of God?