A SECTION OF THE ANGLICAN JOURNAL MARCH 2011 SERVING THE DIOCESE OF KOOTENAY

n 2011 St. Andrew’sAnglican Parish is cele-brating the centennialof the building of the

original church and the cre-ation of an Anglican congrega-tion in Okanagan Mission. OnFebruary 6 parishioners andfriends, many with long con-nections to St. Andrew’s,gathered in the original build-ing with Archbishop JohnPrivett to give thanks for thepeople who had the vision tobuild it and for those who hadlooked after the cemetery overthe years. The congregationthen processed from the origi-nal building to the presentchurch where prayers ofthanksgiving were offered forthose who had been baptisedin the parish over 100 years,for the clergy and lay leadersof the parish, for those whohad been married there, forthe musicians who have addedso much to the liturgy and forthe outreach work of theparish.

The Archbishop presidedat the celebration of theEucharist and preached ahomily in which he reminded

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the parish to give thanks forthose who had come beforethem in the parish and to lookforward to those who wouldfollow. He asked what theChurch of the future wouldlook like and reminded thecongregation that just as thefounders of St. Andrew’s couldnot have imagined what theChurch of 2011 would belike, the congregation of 2011cannot imagine what the StAndrew’s of 2111 will be like.The present parish, he said,functions as the salt for theearth in God’s world.

After the service everyonewas invited to a reception inthe hall and to view a displayof photographs depicting thework of the parish from theearliest days.

St. Andrew’s at 100BY KENNETH PHILLIPS

St. Andrew’s has alwaysbeen heavily involved in out-reach projects on global,national and local levels, andhas had a particular concernfor the homeless in our com-munity. It has sponsored arefugee family from Vietnam,and has worked with“Habitat for Humanity” and“Inn from the Cold”; it con-tinues to offer bursaries tostudents attending theOkanagan campus of UBC.In recent years St. Andrew’shas been known to some peo-ple as the “chili church”because of its reputation formaking chili and serving it tothe clients at the KelownaDrop In Centre. After theCentre closed, the parishexpanded this ministry toother groups and has devel-

100 ANNIVERSARY — Incumbent, The Rev. Dr. Catherine Dafoe Hall (left), Archbishop John Privett, and Deacon, The Rev. ChristineRoss at St. Andrew’s, Okanagan Mission.

oped two new projects toassist people in need. DuringAdvent the parish prepared“welcome bags” with basicnecessities for people who aretrying to leave life on thestreet and are in a transitionalbed or a treatment pro-gramme. Since Christmas theparish has begun to gathermaterial for “start-up kits” forthose moving into an inde-pendent living situation. Thekits, which will contain thebasic necessities for bedroom,bathroom and kitchen, willassist clients of “NewOpportunities for Women”and the “Canadian MentalHealth Association.”

The day was an opportu-nity to reflect on history andto consider the future. Forty-seven residents donated

money for the original build-ing project, and funds werealso received from friends inEngland. The original budgetfor the church was $1,500;however, the final estimatefrom the architect came inover budget at $1,640. In theend the cost rose to $2020, aconsiderable sum of money atthe time. The first service washeld on 19 February 1911attended by about 100 peopleand the parish has maintaineda continuous presence in theOkanagan Mission since then.Today it consists of over 100households with TheReverend Canon CatherineHall as priest and TheReverend Christine Ross asdeacon.

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photos gwen chapman

P 8 Historic Decision P5 Burns Night

3. To encourage the develop-ment of small groups dedi-cated to study, prayer anddeepening spirituality.

In March we will add apage to our diocesan websitewhich will provide more infor-mation on workshops andworkshop leaders for congre-gations, information aboutspiritual direction and thenames of spiritual directorsthat can be contacted.

The Canadian theologian,Gregory Baum, once describedprayer, as “the silent readinessto be addressed.” Often in thesilence of our hearts we sensea longing for something more,a desire to draw closer to God,or a question that seems tolinger in the back of ourminds. That “niggle” is oftenthe beginning of a call to us— a readiness to be open toGod’s desire to be in closer

MARCH 2011PAGE 2 THE HIGHWAY

The HighWay is published under the authority of the Bishop of Kootenay and the Synod of theDiocese of Kootenay. Opinions expressed in The HighWay are not necessarily those of the Editor orthe Publisher.

THE

HIGHWAY

EDITOR

Jonn LavinnderSt. Saviour’s Pro-Cathedral723 Ward Street,Nelson, B.C.V1L 1T3Phone: (250) 352-5711thehighway@shaw.ca

Submissions & Deadlines: All articles, advertising and correspondence submitted to The HighWayis subject to editing for length, clarity, timeliness, appropriateness and style in accordance with theCanadian Press. Letters should be limited to 250 words, columns and articles no more than 600words. Please include with all submissions your name, e-mail address and parish, as well as the nameof the photographer, if applicable. Deadline for submissions is the ffiirrsstt ooff tthhee mmoonntthh pprriioorr ttoo ppuubblliiccaa-ttiioonn unless otherwise indicated.

Advertising Policy: The acceptance of advertisement does not imply endorsement by the diocese orany of its principals. Advertisers and advertising agencies assume liability for all content, including text, representations and illustrations, and also assume responsibility for any claims and costs arisingthere from. Display advertising for commercial parties is available in accordance with our ethics and advertising policy.

Advertising material and inquiries should be addressed to the Editor. Payment is to be made inadvance to the Diocese of Kootenay.

Advertising is to be pre-paid to:The Diocese of Kootenay1876 Richter StreetKelowna, B.C.V1Y 2M9Phone: (250) 762-3306Fax: (250) 762-4150

Printed and mailed by printed & mailed by Bowes Publishing, London ON.A section of the Anglican Journal.

Editorial AssistantMicahel Lavinnder

e are about toenter the seasonof Lent which isthat early spring

time of 40 days which leads upto Easter. Ash Wednesdaybegins the season on March 9this year. In antiquity it wasoften the season for baptismalpreparation and instructionand in later centuries came tobe associated with a moreintense time of attending toour spiritual lives — study,prayer, and acts of charity.

It is also the season whichthis year will see the beginningof the work of a newly formedSpiritual DevelopmentCommittee for the Diocese.In conversations over several

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Mugford (Nelson), NancyScott (Sorrento), and BrianSmith (Salmon Arm) havebeen engaged in a lively con-versation about Spiritualdevelopment in Kootenay.Each of them has brought aconviction about the centralimportance of Christian spiri-tual practice to our lives offaith and a commitment totheir own faith journeys.They are both pilgrims andguides. I have been privilegedto be part of the discussions.They have identified the fol-lowing goals:

1. To promote and coordinateresources to support spiri-tual development in con-gregations and individuals.

2. To uphold the importanceof spiritual direction and todevelop a list of recom-mended spiritual directorsand retreat leaders.

Website: www.anglicanhighway.com

years I have heard people saythings such as:

“Do you know where I couldlearn more about Christianprayer?”

“Where can I find a spiritualdirector?”

“What is the differencebetween prayer and medita-tion?”

“I think I would like to take aretreat, but I am not sure Iknow where to begin.”

The new committee forthe Diocese brings togetherpeople with experience in anda passion for the Christianspiritual life, who are willingto give leadership for develop-ing such opportunities forpeople in our diocese. JaneBourcet (Vernon), Marcella

Privacy Protection: Photographs and articles submitted to The HighWay for publication requiresthat authors and photographers have received permission from parents or guardians of all minors(under 18) that have their names or whereabouts published in The HighWay.

relationship with us. That canbe the start of a great adven-ture in what one author hascalled the “outer regions ofinner space!” It can be thedrawing into a more consciousand vital experience of theOne who seeks to call usfriends.

In my view, Lent is theperfect time to listen to theinner voice that seeks to drawus more deeply into the life ofprayer, and thus to the heartof God. I commend the workof the Spiritual DevelopmentCommittee to you and inviteyou to check their page on ourdiocesan website at:http://www.kootenay.angli-can.ca

Faithfully,+John

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ishop Coleman gotaround the diocese inhis classy, littleMercedes. On one

occasion he picked up a coupleof hitchhikers in Creston andheaded for the ferry atKootenay Bay. This route, asmany of you know, is a roadwith many curves and bends.The bishop was not remiss inputting the heel to the steel.His passengers apparentlybecame somewhat agitatedwith the speed, the road, andthe bishop’s driving. It isreported that when the vehiclecame to a stop at the ferrylanding, the hitchhikers boltedfrom the car, fell to their kneesand kissed the ground.

The bishop’s powers ofconcentration were great. Hewas seated at the counter of arestaurant one day doing somewriting. After some time had

passed he felt a tap on hisshoulder. It was a fellow dinerwho said to him, “I don'tknow what else you’re doing,but you have just eaten two ofmy dinner rolls.”

From time to time thebishop would travel to St.John’s Cathedral that standssentinel on the south hill ofthe city of Spokane. He wasreturning from one of thosetrips, and when he reached theborder, he discovered that itwas one of those days whencloser inspection of luggagewas being required. When theborder guard opened the valisecontaining the Episcopal robesand regalia, he looked up atthe bishop and said, “Oh,you’re an Elk!” Apparentlythat group had been having agathering across the bordertoo.

The bishop loved to go tothe hot springs at Ainsworth.He was relaxing in the hotpool one day in the companyof a number of people whowere totally unaware of hisvocation. One very largeDukhobor lady was apparentlyquite taken with him and hismanner of speaking. Shereached over and patted himon the head and said, “You’re asmart, little fellow.”

One phrase of the bishopthat continues to be a part ofour family’s conversation is hisappraisal of B.C. topographyafter living in Eastern Canada.“Out here, at times, one has togo north to get south.”

You too, may have yourown favourite BishopColeman story. I submit theseto rekindle your memories ofthe fine, Episcopal gentle-man.

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ARCHBISHOP’S PAGE

Longing for God

BY ARCHBISHOP JOHN E. PRIVETT

In My View

The Vicar of Kokanee remembers

+ William:Kootenay

BY JIM HEARNE

Dear friends,

1961-1965

MARCH 2011 THE HIGHWAY PAGE 3COLUMNS

hile all Christiandenominations inCanada today aresubject to the

precedents of (English) CommonLaw, both the Roman Catholicand Anglican churches are addi-tionally governed by an entirelydifferent legal system, namely;Ecclesiastical or Canon Law. Thehistorical reasons for this are richand long-standing. Canon Lawfor the Anglican Church ofCanada has evolved from thepractices and traditions inheritedfrom our particular colonialexpression of the Church ofEngland with its position as theEstablished church in England,and its complex relationships withthe British Parliament and theEnglish Monarchy.

Ecclesiastical Courts in theAnglican Church of Canada arerarely convened and usually dealwith complex questions of canonlaw and serious issues of churchdiscipline for both clergy andlaity. The fundamental units arethe Diocesan Courts. EachEcclesiastical Province has aCourt of Appeal, and there is aSupreme Court of Appeal for theACC. The latter two are usuallyconcerned only with the disci-pline of Bishops.

Chancellors lead diocesancourts called Consistory Courts inEngland. In the ACC chancellorsare laypersons and must be calledto the Bar. They are usually veryexperienced and all are dedicatedand faithful members of theirparishes and dioceses. Of coursethere is much more to the role ofchancellor than presiding over adiocesan court. Rather it is one ofleadership at Diocesan, Provincial,and General Synods, in guidingCanons and ConstitutionCommittees, and in offering legal

BY RANDALL FAIREY

Commentary

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bus ad campaign,begun several yearsago by atheists inBritain—There’s

Probably No God. Now StopWorrying and Enjoy Your Life— is apparently now slated tocome to Kelowna. Oddlyenough, it may be because ofthis atheist campaign that peo-ple have actually been talkingabout a divinity that properlybelongs in the 21st century.

In the late nineties, Iremember a five-part CBCradio program about why peo-ple were no longer participantmembers of a faith community.The opening episode for thisseries was an interview with anAnglican priest. Just prior tothat interview, the stationplayed classic church bells asthe announcer said: “If youwere in church yesterday, youprobably heard bells like these.”I was so dismayed by the com-ment that I actually phoned the

talkback number to say that Iwas an Anglican priest, that Ihad been in church the daybefore not once but threetimes, and that I had neverheard traditional bells like theones that the station hadplayed. I went on to suggestthat perhaps one of the stum-bling blocks for faith commu-nities was the media’s insis-tence on presenting an anti-quated picture of both thechurch and God: priests whoare often doddery old menwith nary a brain in theirhead; marriage ceremoniesthat continue to pronouncetwo people “man” and wifeand, of course, those majesticold-fashioned church bells.Few church people todaywould describe their faithcommunity in such an anti-quated fashion. Yet becausethe media continues to dothis, the public face of religionand God remains unchanged;that’s, until this latest ad cam-paign.

Perhaps the best responseto these advertisements came

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COGS wheels

Which God is it?

RANDALL FAIREY IS A DELEGATE

TO THE COUNCIL OF GENERAL

SYNOD AND EXECUTIVE OFFICER

OF THE DIOCESE OF KOOTENAY

advice for parishes and individualsinteracting with Civil CanadianLaw. They give wise counsel andensure that Canons are appliedconsistently and that the Clergyand Laity are in compliance withboth civil and ecclesiastical law.

It is very common to appointVice-chancellors and in larger dio-ceses Registrars (they “register” or“clerk” the courts and Synods),both of whom are lawyers in goodprofessional standing and agree-able to serve God in His Church.The Diocese of Kootenay hasbeen richly blessed by the hardwork and talents of its Chancellor,Percy Tinker, Q.C. and Vice-Chancellor and Registrar, GeordHolland. They are a constantsource of guidance and support tome as Executive Officer, to ourArchbishop, and indeed across thediocese.

At the Ecclesiastical Provincelevel in Canada we have beenrichly endowed by dedicatedchancellors. Presently they areDouglas MacAdams, QC (B.C &

Yukon), David Phillip Jones(Rupert’s Land -retiring; nowChancellor of General Synod),Canon Christopher Riggs, QC(Ontario), and Mr. Charles Ferris(Canada). Retiring as Chancellorof General Synod is the Hon.Ronald Stevenson of NewBrunswick. Ann Bourke ofOttawa now succeeds retiringVice-Chancellor, the Hon. BrianBurrows of Edmonton. We arealso very fortunate that theProlocutor (understand “chair-man”) of General Synod is askilled lawyer, Canon RobertFalby of Toronto. Without thesededicated individuals, and manymore, the order and harmony inour Church would be greatlyjeopardized. Having worked withmany of these persons one canonly wonder at their wisdom,dedication to the Gospel of ourLord, and love of our Canadianchurch.

One of my great concerns isto understand how we will beable to recruit future Chancellors,

Vice-Chancellors and Registrars.In any one diocese and indeed atthe national level these individu-als are valuable human resources.Often they work in relative isola-tion. One of my great Canadianchurch friend and colleague TheVen. Harry Huskins, DeputyProlocutor and Executive Officerof the Province of Ontario, him-self an international authority onCanon Law, is hoping for anEcclesiastical Law Society inCanada for mutual support, edu-cation, and academic expression.As our current generation ofchancellors and registrars age orgrow tired, each of us in our dio-ceses need to be looking for andencouraging talented lawyers tooffer themselves for appointmentas legal officers. They are essen-tial and we are always in greatneed of their wisdom and service.

BY NISSA BASBAUM

from the United Church. Tothe atheist rhetoric, thisdenomination responded:“There’s Probably a God. NowStop Worrying and Enjoy YourLife.”

When I heard the newsabout the original ad, I could-n’t help but wonder if theatheists’ description of believ-ers was, in fact, a fair assess-ment. Do we worry ourselvesto death? Does our faith teachus that to believe in Godmeans we can’t enjoy life hereand now? Have those of uswho do believe in God beentaught to be afraid of havingtoo many good feelings? Tosome extent, I thought, per-haps these are not unreason-able assumptions. Bad religioncertainly has a way of leavingus with a picture of a Godwhose sole aim seems only tobe to punish us for sinfulbehaviour.

The history of Judeo-Christianity, which has formedwestern societies, is not a pret-ty one. It is a history thatpreys upon human beings by

emphasizing our sinfulnessand encouraging an image of amale father figure with a wag-ging finger that has the powerto condemn us all to hell.Buck up, stop enjoying your-self, don’t do anything thatmight be misconstrued as fun,make sure you follow all therules... if you do all of thesethings, as well as beat yourchest when you fail, thenmaybe you’ll end up in heav-en. No wonder the atheist adtells us that the only way tostop worrying and enjoy life isto accept that there’s probablyno God. I tend to agree withthem. There probably isn’t aGod, at least not the one thathas for so long been describedto us by the leaders of manyinstitutional faith communi-ties; the one that unfortunatelycontinues to be portrayed tothe general public throughadvertising, the media andmany television evangelists.

Where, instead, is the Goddescribed by the humanity ofJesus: the one who eats anddrinks in public with tax col-

lectors and sinners, unworriedabout hanging around withthe right people; the one whobegs us to be who we arebecause he tells us we are thelight of the world; the onewho shows his emotions,doesn’t always follow the rulesand gets into trouble for nottowing the line? This Godprobably does exist and,because this God probablyexists, we are able to stop wor-rying and enjoy life.

So, the United Church’sresponse to these public adver-tisements hit the nail on thehead, didn’t it? Interestinglyenough, however, so do theoriginal ads themselves. TheGod with whom many of ushave grown up probably does-n’t exist, yet that doesn’t meanthat any God probably doesn’texist. It just means we have alot of rethinking to do aboutour images of the divine.

Praise God for the atheistswho have plunked thisrethinking into the public eye!

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MARCH 2011PAGE 4 THE HIGHWAY CHURCH LIFE

had a question kicking around inmy mind and heart. How is itthat in this world, where there isso much abundance, does any-

one go hungry? We went to Mexico with“Hero Holidays” and I saw people wholived in boxes and in houses made ofsticks working for the food industry andmaking $5 to $7 dollars-a-day and starv-ing. I know of people in my own com-munity and the Boundary Parish thatcan’t eat every day or eat Kraft dinnerand noodles for days on end becausetheir money just doesn’t stretch farenough. And it is worse in winter! I donot believe immunization is the realdefense against the flue, and I knowpoor diet is more likely the cause ofmost illness. When I recently found anill person who hadn’t eaten for sevendays and who has celiac disease com-pounded with Fiberomyalgia, and agrowth in her brain, I was horrified. Imet a woman, a bit older than myself,who has terminal cancer, choosingwhether she could buy medications orfood, and falling deeper between thecracks. Two separate women in oneweek, and I was not looking for this atall. It stirred me deeply. “Father,” Iprayed, “How can this be when we haveso much?” I could see the first miracle ofJesus making water into wine and laterfeeding 5000 with loaves and fish, therebeing so much left over that they packedoff bushel baskets of food, and everyonewas filled, and I started to see muchmore than enough being the norm inour scriptures. I prayed and I was dis-turbed. What can one do?

So I confided my concern for theneedy in Boundary. And not just theneedy, but folks who were just scrapingby, like sawmill workers who lost theirlivelihoods when the mill closed downand by now would have no more E.I.coming. I was wondering if everyone

who possibly could, would plant extrafood in their garden. And if folks couldshare advice and knowledge; and if peo-ple could care, would we have so manyin need? Is it possible to live like wecared in every part of what we do?When we shop or cook or whatever wedo, could we not do it with others inmind. Would fathers do things that theyshouldn’t because their little ones arefacing hunger at home? Would peopleresort to drink and drugs? Would we bethe “Grow Op” capital if people didn’thave such need? They said to me, “Showme one person in need right now andwe will meet it.” I sent them to the eld-erly woman with cancer. They called melater that day in tears of joy. In my viewthey had found “the Christ in need” andtheir hearts swelled, and they demandedwe talk. How could they have a neigh-bour living so close by them in suchneed and not realize this? “Oh,” I said,“do you really want to see what’s goingon in every home on every street? Isyour heart ready? Can you handle thechoice to actually see, not to narrowyour vision right now, and guard your-selves, just like most of us do, passivelyneglecting any responsibility, even likethose of us who profess to be different.”This is one woman in the sea. And Ithink, “See, so many, many more. Theyoung, the old …” Can you bear this inyour heart because this knowledge on itsown could drown you? The way peopleare suffering is, in my opinion, inexcus-able. It’s a crime and everyone has a partin it. Passive neglect goes on at everylevel of our society and Church is nodifferent. Our neighbours are in factthat close by. The determination andwillingness of two gals soon becameapparent and I felt I was no longer alonewith the weight of concern and that myprayers were heard and there was help tocarry the load, along with the burden on

IBY CATHY STRAUME

my heart. It was March and no onecould garden yet, and we had a lot ofquestions germinating and willingness,commitment, and I must add, a lot ofdrinking tea.

I write for our local paper so Iposed some of my questions and putsome names in the paper as contactsand my friends got talking and meetingand caring and sharing and the use ofsome land to garden came, as well asmany people growing extra rows. Andpeople brought food, and all kinds ofpeople got involved. Oh my gosh! it gotbigger and bigger. We worked andcanned and gave, and worked more anddried food and gathered and fed andgave workshops on all kinds of healthyfood alternatives. Different churchestook it on like it was their own, and itbecame ecumenical. Some wantedorganic and to grow within 100 mileradius. Others just wanted lots foreveryone, and we had so many faucetsof giving and receiving. I went on a diet!It helped me change my whole way ofeating and praying. “Lord,” I prayed, “Igot the parable of the loaves and fishes.I got it!”

So like so many other times, peoplestarted grumbling. They still grumble.Here are some of the quandaries. Whois truly worthy of food? Who is moredeserving? What about people who goto food banks? Should they be able todouble dip? Will people buy more drugsbecause they don’t have to buy so muchfood? At Christmas when differentchurches and groups give out food ham-pers, how will we tell who got somealready? Myself, I was worried that somewould be missed. How would we findall the needy that looked fine on theoutside? One of our local churches has afood bank and they have a concept ofonly giving one box per month. Thegovernment sponsored food bank wantsSIN numbers and no double dipping,and only one time a month. The box offood will feed a single man for threedays and a family might get a couple ofdays, and all this came back to me.Others worried that we would createdependent people that would be furthercrippled. I always figured that if some-thing belonged to everyone, then every-one would pitch in. Time wouldtell... and it did! ❑

Heart for the hungry

n the All Saints, Lent and EasterNewsletter, Peter Davisonannounced his move to Ontario.“As many of you know, Sabine and

I are getting ready to move to Ontarioto be closer to family. We will be able to

see more of our children and grandchil-dren, and, as our sons remind us, weare not getting any younger, so whenthe inevitable decay sets in, they wouldlike to have us closer at hand!”

“This also concludes a blessed andhappy relationship of seventeen yearswith the people of All Saints, theVernon area community, and theDiocese of Kootenay. It has been a richand blessed time for us, and we want tothank you for the many ways you havecontributed to our life. We shall missyou all more than we can say.”

“As both parish priest and parish-

ioner, I have been privileged to be partof a creative and caring communitywhich, at a time when the church inmany areas is struggling, has been notedfor its commitment and enthusiasm. “

“Chris was the first of four talentedcurates who served with me from 1994-2001. As my successor, he has offeredchallenging and creative leadership,which has been complemented by thearrival of Rita. But the clergy are noth-ing without a dedicated laity, and it isyou who form the backbone of thiscommunity and exercise your many dif-ferent gifts in ways that enrich the wider

community significantly. Thank you all,and God bless you.”

Peter will be missed by more thanAll Saints. I haven’t asked him yetwhether he will continue to write hiscolumn for The HighWay. I’m sure thathe will continue to inspire the peoplethat not only read his column, but alsothose who regularly use his sermonsposted faithfully on the website sermonoftheweek.byethost22.com.

As priest and communicator Peterhas enriched, and I’m sure will continueto enrich, the Anglican Church inCanada.

Peter Davison leaving British Columbia for Ontario

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BY JONN LAVINNDER

VOLUNTEERS — Planting crops to feed the hungry in the parish of Boundary.

photo cathy straume

MARCH 2011 PAGE 5 THE HIGHWAYCHURCH LIFE

urns Night was celebrated thisyear at St. John’s, Fruitvale andalso at All Saints, Vernon.

This is the third year thatSt. John’s has held a Burns NightSupper as one of its fundraisers for theparish. The Haggis was piped in withbard and dagger. Master of ceremonies,the Rev. Douglas Lewis sported a newpair of tartan “troosers” especially forthe occasion. The Rev. GarwoodRussell, brandishing a dagger, addressedthe Haggis and recited from the bardwith great passion. The Ven. Dirk andKaren Pidcock entertained with singingand penny whistle accompaniment.

The menu consisted of Scotchbroth, steak and kidney pie with gravy,washed down with wine and a weedram of scotch whiskey for toasting.Desserts were shortbread and trifle.

Kathleen Russell and Joyce Doddsled the group singing: “Daniel where’syour troosers” and the “Skye BoatSong” amongst others.

Welsh comedian Paul McCarronamused the revellers with his fear of airtravel. In addition, a token “Sassenach”commented on the proceedings from anEnglish viewpoint. And yours truly wonone of the two the door prizes — adesigner, cork screw. Thank you verymuch!

At All Saints, Vernon, some eightygathered in the parish hall for theirBurns Night. Bill and ElaineDunsmore, along with Pam and DavidHarris and others cooked the traditionalmeal. Lloyd Mitchell acted as cellarer.

Don McLeod piped in the Haggis,and Deb Parmenter addressed it withher usual gusto. The Selkirk Grace wassaid and toasts (with appropriatespeeches) were given.

Burns Night celebrationsBY JONN LAVINNDER

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❑ AND A’ THA’ AND A’ THA’ — Third Annual Burns Night celebrated at St. John’s, Fruitvale.

photos jonn lavinnder

n May Kootenay School of Ministrywill be running two courses guaran-teed to help your parish work better:“Parish Administration” and

“Equipping Others for Ministry.” Both willtake place in Trail, at the Parish of St.Andrew and St. George, May 20-23.

Parish AdministrationArchbishop John Privett will be teach-

ing all about the nuts and bolts of how achurch runs in Parish Administration. Thismeans covering the basics, like how to keepa Parish Register and fill out the ParishAnnual Reports — plus, discussing struc-

tures at all the various levels of the AnglicanChurch of Canada. Participants will godeeper, though, and investigate the toughstuff: how to work effectively with volun-teers and employees; how to call and lead anAnnual General Meeting; and how to man-age parish meetings of all kinds.

Parish Administration is a requiredcourse for all of those interested in becomingLocally Trained Priests — and a valuableexperience for those who are alreadyordained. This course is also excellent foranyone who has a leadership role — orexpects to have one — in a parish, small orlarge.

Equipping Others for MinistryHave you ever wondered about how to

get people doing things in your Parish?Then once you have them convinced to doall those things that need doing, have youwondered how to train them, support themand let them know how much their work isappreciated? The Kootenay School ofMinistry has a course for you: EquippingOthers for Ministry.

The Rev. Chris Ross will be teachingEquipping Others. It is a course forDiaconal Candidates and those interested inthe Diaconate, or for people interested inlearning ways to motivate people who are

working in various areas of Parish life. Thecourse will assist participants to form, edu-cate, and support the people of God for theministries to which they are called at bap-tism. There will be teaching about recruitingand motivating lay participation as well asfostering continuity in lay ministries. Timewill be spent on effective communicationskills, in implementation and evaluation ofprojects, recruiting and caring for volunteers,and in facilitating group process.

Details of both courses are on the dioce-san website: http:// www.kootenay.anglican.ca/kootenay-school-of-ministry. Come and learn!

Helping parishes work

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Kootenay School of Ministry in MayBY BILL HARRISON

COLUMNS MARCH 2011PAGE 6 THE HIGHWAY

BY DOUG HODGKINSON

Movie review

Big Night

blowing smoke about Prima?Alas, it culminates in a hugefight between the brothersover lies, disappointment andbetrayal.

In the morning after,there is an amazing five-minute scene shot from onecamera angle with no dia-logue. Segundo is cleaning upin the kitchen when Primowalks in. We expect recrimina-tions. Wordlessly, Secundofixes his brother a simple eggdish and silently serves him. It

his small independ-ent film should bewatched only if youhave immediate

access to good food. Popcorndoes not qualify. It is aboutFamily and Food. No wait…It’s about Food and Family.

The Pilaggi brothers,Primo and Segundo, are tryingto live the American Dream.They have opened an Italianrestaurant, Paradise, on theJersey Shore in the 50s. Primois a master chef with very highstandards. His food is art. (“Toeat good food is to be close toGod”). No spaghetti andmeatballs for him; no servingpasta and risotto together (twostarch). Secondo can alsocook and admires his brother’shigh values but he is the morepragmatic business managerwilling to compromise. Alas,their business is failing andSecundo looks with envy and

ning and preparation of afeast. Friends, family andlovers are all invited. Primoand Secundo risk all their sav-ings on this blow out eventthat will set them on the mapwhen Louis Prima shows upto save the restaurant.

In the course of the prepa-ration, Secundo lies to hisbrother about the finances andthe point of the meal andbetrays his girlfriend Phyllis(who has become a little tiredof waiting around for Secundoto pop the question) by sleep-ing with Pascal’s mistress,Gabriella. Nevertheless, themeal gets prepared and theguests gather to drink anddance in preparation for thearrival of the guest/saviour,Louis Prima.

Eventually they decidethat they can no longer waitand the feast begins, in fullanticipation that Prima willshow up during dinner. It’s agreat party but was Pascal just

curiosity across the street toPascal’s, an Italian restaurantrun by Pascal himself withgreat success. He serves stereo-typical Italian food, mostlyspaghetti and meatballs withlots of drinks and loud music.He gives customers what theywant, simple, uncomplicatedfood. (Does this sound a bitlike Liturgical Committeemeetings; the Purist and theEntrepreneur with thePragmatist?)

Pascal likes the brothersand wants to help them,though he is cordially despisedby Primo who thinks Pascalshould be jailed for “the rapeof cuisine!” Pascal suggests abig promotion to put Paradiseon the map and offers toarrange for Louis Prima,whom he purports to know, tocome to Secundo’s restaurantfor a meal. The rest of thestory, like the movies Babette’sFeast and Like Water ForChocolate involves the plan-

is communion and reconcilia-tion. (A meal by a lake shoreand the question “Peter, doyou love me?”)

Does it matter that LouisPrima doesn’t physically showup at the feast on the BigNight? A community gathers;the reputation of the restau-rant for good food is secured;love deepens; pain, disap-pointment and betrayal areovercome. How very like thefirst couple of chapters of TheBook of the Acts!

Directed by Stan Tucci, and Campbell Scott; written by Stan Tucciand his cousin, Joseph Tropiano; Starring Stan Tucci (SecondoPilaggi), Tony Shalhoub (Primo Pillagi), Minnie Driver (Phyllis),Isabella Rosselini (Gabriella), Allison Janney (Ann), Ian Holm(Pascal), 109 Minutes, 1996, R for language.

T

You wanted to know

BY PETER DAVISON

Why do westill read theBible?

The source ofthis question isthe recentTrinity Instituteseminar led by

Walter Brueggemann, and ourown Bill Harrison’s workshopon the great Anglican divine,Richard Hooker. Both eventsremind us that the Bible itselfdoes not encourage a literalfundamentalism. It is neither abook of rules (though law ispart of it), nor a proof text wecan use to justify our own pre-conceived ideas and prejudices.Nor can we understand theBible just by reading otherbooks about it. How we read itis, however, the critical ques-

Q:A:

efits and dangers of religiousbelief and practice? How dowe handle issues of power andpolitics? What is it that weshould live for, or even diefor?

For some people, theBible is a prescriptive book.They like to say, “The Biblesays, therefore…” However, inmuch of our experience, peo-ple who say this tend to bepretty selective in their read-ings. They pick passages thatsuit them, while ignoringthose that are inconvenient.They see religion and itssacred texts as if they werewritten, or at least dictated,directly by GOD. Such aviewpoint is very attractive forpeople who either don’t wantto think for themselves, orwho like to use the Bible totell other people what to do.Fundamentalism tends to

ing so important to them?When and where were theywriting, and for whom? Whatwas their purpose in setting allthis down?” Only after all thispreparatory work has beendone, can we ask, “What dothese words say to us today?”

The Bible is, after all, arecord of how ordinary menand women have wrestled intheir own times and placeswith their varied understand-ings of the ultimate reason andpurpose for their lives, and oftheir relationships to GODand one another. In so doing,they faced most of the ques-tions you and I face. DoesGOD exist? What is GODlike? What does it mean to be“GOD’s people?” How doesloving GOD affect my rela-tionships with other people -both “my own kind” and“strangers?” What are the ben-

tion.Preachers are obliged to

consider several “texts” inpreparing sermons. They are(1) the readings for the day;(2) the lives of the people towhom they are preaching; (3)events in the world around us;and (4) whatever happens tobe going on in the mind andthe life of the preacher. All ofthese “texts” have contexts.Before we can interpret bibli-cal texts for today, we have toask the five exegetical ques-tions: Who? What? When?Where? Why? Who are thecharacters in the text? Whatare they saying or doing?What were the time and placefor the action? Why were theysaying and doing what theydid? We also need to ask,“Who were the writers of thetext? What was going on intheir lives that made this writ-

breed a lot of passive-aggres-sive behaviour! But what hap-pens if we see the Bible asdescriptive — as the unfoldingstory of the human search formeaning, with all its triumphsand failures, its ability to seethings whole, but also its glar-ing inconsistencies? Surely ithas much to teach us in allthese things. In “reading theBible whole,” we find our-selves looking into a distantmirror of our own lives asindividuals and communities.We may find ourselvesinspired and encouraged onthe one hand, and disgustedand enraged on the other. Likethe preacher’s task, the pur-pose of the Bible is “to com-fort the afflicted and afflict thecomfortable.” In this way, mayit indeed be an ongoing sourceof revelation for all of us.

Why do we still read the Bible?

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MARCH 2011 THE HIGHWAY PAGE 7COLUMNS & CLASSIFIED

hat have type-writer key-boards andministry got in

common? Well just for once,the answer is not “Jesus.” Ihave a new New Year resolu-tion to learn to touch type.The resolution was inspired bysomething I read in the firstchapter of this book, one ofthe innovations that Rogersuses as illustrations of theprocesses involved in diffusinginnovations.

The innovation is theDvorak keyboard layout. It’sunlikely you’ve heard of it, butyou should have. The standardkeyboard layout — known asQWERTY — was designedfor early typewriters and wasintended to stop the type-armssticking. QWERTY did thisby deliberately slowing thetypist down using badergonomics. The keys are

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deliberately placed awkwardly.This results in frustration andeven injury through repetitivestrain. The Dvorak keyboardlayout is designed with goodergonomics, to speed the typistup, and make the process oflearning easier. ProfessorDvorak did this design in1920, but the QWERTY key-board was already too popular.It would take too much effortto change typewriters and re-teach typists. So most peopletoday learn QWERTY — eventhough Dvorak is easily avail-able on any computer.

Rogers book is full of suchillustrations and examples. Heshows how innovations hap-pen and how they are commu-nicated, what the channels arefor that communication, andhow time and social groupsaffect the communication. Thebook is both long and, for oneof my ‘good books,’ expensive.

It is primarily intended for anacademic audience, but thewriting is not heavy and theexamples are frequent, so thisbook would be easy readingfor any motivated reader witha high school graduation, letalone a university degree.Rogers breaks the process ofdiffusion down into four ele-ments and describes each onecarefully. The four elementsare the innovation, communi-cation channels, time, and thesocial system.

So why should you careabout this piece of communi-cations theory? Because thechurch is in the business ofcommunication; specifically,we are constantly trying tocommunicate innovation. Wehave good news to proclaim,we aim to help peoplechange. As Jesus said,“Repent for the Kingdom ofGod has come near.” We

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Diffusion of Innovationsby E.M. Rogers

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In My Good Books

ent begins this month.It’s a 40-day-long sea-son of penitence andpreparation. The com-

mon practice is to give some-thing up for Lent. It’s become aseason of self-denial for many, intheory if not in practice.

It may be worth doing thatprecisely because it’s such a coun-tercultural thing to do. Our soci-ety doesn’t like to deny ourselvesanything. We have instant-every-thing. The level of credit carddebt is a terrible witness to that.We get what we want — rightnow.

Those who see Lent as a sea-son of self-denial will then denythemselves something that’s not

really good for us anyway:chocolate … or coffee ... orscotch … or fast food … orsomething else like that. Oneperson I know jokes that he’sgoing to give up going tochurch for Lent.

But how does giving upchocolate for 6 weeks strength-en our faith? Let me suggestanother way.

In the church in Romearound the year 215 CE, Lentwas a time to intensify prepara-tions for baptism. You’ve justgone through three years oflearning and formation as a fol-lower of Jesus. You’ve studiedthe gospel, you do whatChristians do by caring for thesick, the poor, the elderly.

At the end of this three-year process, you are told toget ready for baptism. Thereare daily examinations to seehow well you know thegospels; you will be expected toshow that you know what isinvolved in being Christian.Your sponsor will report onyour progress in becoming adisciple.

Then in the darkness ofthe Easter Vigil, you proclaimyour faith; you are anointedwith oil to remind you thatyou belong to Christ; you takeoff your old clothes; you arebaptized, and you put on anew white garment as a sign ofthe new life you are entering.For the first time in your life,you join with the congregation

in the prayers, the kiss of peaceand Communion.

If you’d already been bap-tized, Lent was a time to focuson your faith so that youmight renew your commit-ment to God.

Lent gives us time toreflect on how we live in theway of Jesus. It’s not just aboutgiving something up. It’s anopportunity for God to renewand transform our lives again.

Let me suggest thatinstead of giving somethingup, we add something forLent. A spiritual practice: fiveminutes a day to focus on yourfaith; taking time to helpsomeone; volunteering as aspiritual discipline; befriendinga lonely person; being more

hospitable; taking time forreflection or meditation, orprayer.

It will require some disci-pline to do this ... but walkingin the way of Jesus takes spiri-tual discipline.

WWhhaatt aarree yyoouu aaddddiinngg ffoorrLLeenntt??

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communicate in our worship, insermons, in outreach. Especiallywe need to communicate thenature of Anglicanism to thoseoutside the church. If we do notthen the church will die. Toooften our communication isinadequate or ill thoughtthrough. Rogers book gives usessential theory we need to getit right.

The church needs to knowabout early adopters and lateadopters, about opinion leadersand change agents, and a num-ber of Rogers other proven con-cepts. These are the basic con-cepts that marketing companiesuse to promote products to us.We need to use them as we pro-claim the gospel. So if you arein ministry, if your churchneeds to grow, or if you have amessage to proclaim — readthis book!

❑

L

What are you adding for Lent?

BY YME WOENSDREGT

TThhiiss ccoolluummnn hhaass bbeeeenn wwrriitttteennwwiitthh tthhee iinntteennttiioonn tthhaatt iitt mmaayy bbeerreepprriinntteedd iinn llooccaall nneewwssppaappeerrss.. ffoorrtthheeiirr rreelliiggiioonn ppaaggee.. YYmmee wwiillll bbeewwrriittiinngg aa sshhoorrtt aarrttiiccllee eeaacchhmmoonntthh eexxpprreessssllyy wwiitthh tthhiiss ppuurrppoosseeiinn mmiinndd.. YYoouu aarree ffrreeee ttoo rreepprroo-dduuccee tthhee aarrttiiccllee wwiitthhoouutt pprriioorraapppprroovvaall.. DDrroopp uuss aa lliinnee aannyywwaayy..

TThhee EEddiittoorr

THE HIGHWAY PAGE 8MARCH 2011 DIOCESE

Cathedral Building Project — St Michael's House

St. Michael and All Angels — our diocesan Cathedral — isnearing the end of a financial campaign to fund the con-struction of St. Michael’s House. To date, through gifts,pledges and bequests, the parish has raised over one milliondollars, definitely something to celebrate; yet additionalfunds are needed for the construction to be completed.

Approval to proceed is in part dependent on financialcontributions to the project. Your support of our Cathedral,through immediate gift or timed pledge, will help to realizethis venture and to encourage a revitalized diocesan ministry.Please assist us in achieving this goal.

Here is my gift or pledge to help complete the construction of St.Michael’s House. (Tax receipts will be issued.)

I pledge $__________/ month for ______ months OREnclosed is my gift of $_________

My name:____________________Phone:____________

My address:____________________________________

_____________________________________________Please mail this, and make cheques payable to:St. Michael’s Cathedral,608 Sutherland Avenue,Kelowna, B.C. V1Y 5X1St. Michael’s supports the Kootenay Forward Fund

DIOCESE OF KOOTENAY, DIOCESAN COUNCIL St. Andrew’s, Mission, Okanagan, Nov 26-27, 2010

Archbishop’s ReportOctober 12

The Archbishop’s Committee onMinistry. The Archbishop oversees thediscussion of Ministry of the Dioceseand the Kootenay School of Ministry.This committee meets every 6 weeks.

October 18-21 Clergy Conference at Sorrento Centre.The attendance was good but there wasdisappointment with the guest speaker.

October 30EFM 25th Anniversary. This was a won-derful celebration. This program focuseson long-term adult education.

November 21Camp Owaissi AGM. A new Board hasbeen elected and the full slate filled.Pam Wilson is the new Chair of theBoard. Blue/Green Architects will beworking on behalf of Camp Owaissi onpartnerships in the communities andpotential use of property. This work willbe done “pro-bono.” The Camp has nofinancial reserves and some bill pay-ments have been delayed.

The Archbishop extended thanks tothe Compensation Committee andRandall for their work on theCompensation Package. The Archbishopis very aware of the burden somechurches will be carrying. 8-10 Clergyface a high degree of personal stresswhich represents about 1/3 of the totalnumber of clergy in the diocese. 8parishes are in financial stress. Executive Officer’s ReportWork as Chair of the DiocesanCompensation Committee has beenintense. Meetings were held with allregions and considerable feed-back wasreceived and used to arrive at the finalproposal.

Equivalent housing values will bedetermined for those parishes whereclergy are provided with a rectory.

Cathedral Project Board is dealingwith slow pace in the development.This has allowed for a slower pace in theKootenay Diocesan Centre project (for-merly known as the Synod OfficeRelocation) but unlike the Cathedralthe project may move more quickly.The synod office is paying double rent(Cathedral and St. Aidan’s) and needsthe project to move quickly.

Administration Committee Report� St. Andrew’s, Willow Point — We

have an active listing and believe ouragent is working hard in a difficultand depressed market.

� Lot A Sutherland Ave. Kelowna—Interest has been next to none.

� St. Saviour’s Pro-Cathedral, Nelson— Jennifer Pring has been workingwith the parish and Regional Dean.Leadership from an Incumbent isneeded. Jennifer reports that there ismuch enthusiasm but has empha-sized that the wardens need to placea request to the Diocese for the saleof the Hall as it needs to beapproved by Admin and FinanceCommittee and Diocesan Council.

� St. James’, Armstrong — The newhall was opened on October 5th,2010.

� St. Michael’s Cathedral DevelopmentProject — There have been longdelays.

� Kootenay Office and Diocesan Centre— External drawings have not beenproduced as yet. A financial plan anda construction budget are anticipat-ed. Target is for late spring or earlysummer.

BY HEATHER KARABELAS

Diocesan Council Highlights

PWRDF REPORTOct 29-31, 2010 PWRDF Diocesanreps from the western dioceses met inCalgary. Regional reps were given a tourto Siksika First Nation, Alberta whichincluded a tour of Old SunCommunity College (former AnglicanResidential School). Presentations weregiven from other projects being sup-ported by PWRDF. Adele Finney is thenew National Director for PWRDF.Worship resources are now available freeof charge. There is also a newConfirmation resource which is gearedmore towards young people and theirconcerns with justice issues.COMPENSATION REPORTThere was much discussion... A motionwas passed stating that: “theCompensation Package as presented onNovember 26-27, 2010 be accepted aspresented.”

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t St. Saviour’s,Nelson, AVM onSunday, February 4,the congregation

passed a motion to sell theirMemorial Hall. The proceedswill be held in a Trust Fund bythe diocese to build a sustain-able congregation in Nelson. Itis the intention of the ChurchCommittee to restore thechurch building in a mannerthat will make it economicallyeasier to maintain. It was feltthat the Memorial Hall, eventhough currently self-support-ing, was taking too much ofthe congregation’s energy,which might best be directedtoward the mission of thechurch.

The cornerstone of theMemorial Hall was first laidwith Full Masonic Honours in1922 in honour of those wholost their lives while servingtheir country during WorldWar I. The hall has played amajor role, not only in the life

of the church, but also in thecommunity of Nelson.

The Nelson Daily Newsand some Vancouver newspa-pers wrote articles about St.Saviour’s Memorial Hall beingone of the best church halls inthe BC interior. It certainly wasbusy, with everything from asenior’s drop-in centre to scoutmeetings.

Renovations have also fre-quently taken place. The build-ing itself was expanded in 1945-46 adding staff offices, meetingrooms and a kitchen.

Constantly bringing the facilityup to current building stan-dards has required all electricalwiring and insulation to bereplaced. A new boiler wasinstalled in 2008.

The centennial projectundertaken by the church andcompleted in 2000 included afeasibility study for the hall. Itwas thought that the buildingcould be developed into anapartment complex.

The fate of the building isnow in the hands of thediocese.

Historic decisionSt. Saviour’s, Nelson, pass a motion to sell the parish hall

A

BY JONN LAVINNDER

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