Stewardship Meditation for May

Meditation for May      St. John 16:23-33

“Rogation” by the Very Rev’d. Kenneth Davis

In the Gospel for this day – a day of prayer for all the fruits of the earth and all labours of men and women – Jesus plainly instructs his disciples to “ask in my name”.   He is preparing those he loves for the days that will be filled with the pain and confusion of His death on the cross.   And he was preparing us for trials of our own.   Our Lord knows our needs He knows that there have been and will be times when we will be reluctant to ask for what we really need.  We all know that feeling when we need something from a neighbour, a friend or even a loved one.  It is hard to ask.   We almost need an invitation to bring up what is really on our mind.  So Jesus gives us that invitation, clearly and directly: “ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”  God the Father loves us and we believe in the Son He sent to give us life.  Now we know what He wants for us.  So, let’s trust him with our needs as a congregation and as a diocese of disciples.  He has given us the fruitful earth to steward and He has given us remarkable abilities to bring forth all kinds of produce – to meet our every need and to delight our hearts.  How will we use and share these gifts?

Loving Father, we would take you at your word.  Hear our prayers, offered in the Name of Jesus your Son, our Lord.  Help us to seek all the good things which you have promised to provide for your people.  Help us to trust in your promises.  And help us use the gifts and abilities you have given to produce a great harvest – of welcome and service and sacrificial sharing.  Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

STEWARDSHIP MEDITATION

Meditation for April St. John 10:1—16

The Good Shepherd by the Rev. Wilfred Sanderson

The Good Shepherd laid down his life for his sheep. He, The Sacrificial lamb, freely gave His life so that we may be free from the sin of this world. Through the power of the Holy Spirit which was promised to us, we are now able to deny ourselves so that we can obediently serve him as well as serve others. Through thankfulness we are committed to being stewards towards his church so that others may benefit from the greatest gift: His gift of love, faith, hope and forgiveness. Let us freely give as he has freely given unto us.

Lord, as you are the Shepherd of your people, open our minds and hearts to understand why you hold out your staff (arm) to draw us into your pen (church), that we may remember from generation to generation through faithful hearts and stewardship, that there is only one God, one faith and one baptism; one flock and one shepherd. Amen

Arborfield and Nipawin seek Priest to serve full time

POSITION AVAILABLE

The Parish of Arborfield and Nipawin

The Parish of Arborfield and Nipawin is a newly formed Parish in the Diocese of Saskatchewan comprised of two congregations in rural Saskatchewan.

The Bishop and Parish are seeking a priest to serve as full time incumbent for these two congregations and communities.  The Parish is seeking a faithful priest to serve with them who is interested in entering into the life of the two communities and who has strong leadership and interpersonal skills and an ability to work with youth and their families as well as with elderly and shut-ins.

St. John’s, Nipawin currently uses the Book of Common Prayer for almost all of its Sunday services.  Ascension, Arborfield alternates between the BCP and BAS.  The two churches and communities are fifty kilometres apart.  Both congregations have strong, committed and positive lay leadership. 

Parish profiles are available from the Synod Office (306-763-2455, synod@sasktel.net). Applications will be received for this position until April 23^rd, 2013. Clergy from outside the Diocese of Saskatchewan should consult their own bishop before applying.  Letters of application and resumes should be sent to:

The Rt. Rev. Michael Hawkins

1308 Fifth Avenue East

Prince Albert  SK  S6V 2H7

bishopmichael@sasktel.net

St. Patrick's, Hudson Bay seeks Priest to serve part time

PART TIME POSITION AVAILABLE

Saint Patrick’s, Hudson Bay Saskatchewan

The Bishop of Saskatchewan and people of St. Patrick’s, Hudson Bay are seeking a priest to serve part time (1/3) in Hudson Bay for a term of two to five years.  The congregation would provide housing and a ¼ Stipend.  St. Patrick’s, Hudson Bay is a small, committed and happy congregation with a real interest in our own spiritual growth and the growth of our congregation.  There are four licensed lay readers who assist the priest and take the service when the priest is not in attendance.  

 We are seeking a community minded individual to serve with us, someone who would be an active and visible participant and presence in the congregation and community. 

The incumbent would be housed in a modern, three bedroom Rectory which was built in 2003.  The mortgage was retired in 2012.  The Rectory has a full basement where there is office space for the priest, also accessible independent of the rest of the house by a side entrance.

Parish Profiles are available from the Synod office (306-763-2455 synod@sasktel.net). Applications will be received for this position until April 26^th, 2013. Clergy from outside the Diocese of Saskatchewan should consult their own bishop before applying.  Letters of application and resumes should be sent to:

The Rt. Rev. Michael Hawkins

1308 Fifth Avenue East

Prince Albert  SK  S6V 2H7

Fax – 306-764-5172

(bishopmichael@sasktel.net)

Stewardship Meditation

Meditation for March John 6.5-13

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

The Rev. Joanne Beacon

Passover is near. Our Lenten Prayer has its postures. First we are instructed to kneel. Here we are guided to look down into our hearts that they may be cleansed and made new. Following Jesus’ instruction, it is now time to look up! As we lift up our eyes, so will our hearts be lifted up and we too will see the crowds, not as overwhelming, but softly, tenderly, and compassionately. The tempter will taunt us to look away and so avoid the pain of so much need. Jesus is very practical. He is disinterested in Philip’s idea of buying a solution. Andrew’s suggestion of a boy’s lunch of 5 loaves and 2 fish seems ludicrous and yet, Jesus chooses this option, rich in symbol, to feed the multitude. Jesus asks his disciples to calm and settle the crowd, then He looks up and gives thanks, breaks the loaves and distributes what they have, wasting nothing, and so, everyone has more than enough.

Dear Heavenly Father we seek the courage of Jesus to look down in prayer into our hearts that you may clean and mend them.  Then, O Lord, fill us and renew us with such hope that we may be strengthened to obey your command and look up and see beyond ourselves. Thank you, dear Lord that you have called us to be partakers of your vision of abundance already prepared for us from before time and made manifest in the Holy Bread of your most Holy Communion. Amen

Stewardship Meditation

The Temptations of a Steward St. Matthew 4.1-11 (Lent I)

By: The Rt. Rev. Michael Hawkins, Bishop of Saskatchewan.

The first temptation that Jesus faced in the wilderness was to feed himself by turning stones into bread.  The temptation which we all face is to forget our real dependency upon God and to rely on our own power and ability and wealth. 

The devil tempts Jesus, “Feed thyself”, in the same way that Jesus will be tempted, “Heal thyself”, and “Save thyself”.  Jesus would provide miraculous bread in the wilderness, to feed others, and he would give himself for the healing and salvation of the world. 

Jesus shows us the way of a steward which is to trust in God and to use his gifts not for our selfish selves but in the generous service of others. 

Prayer

Lord, free us from self-reliance and self-service to follow you in lives of faith and generosity. Amen

Stewardship Vision for the Diocese of Saskatchewan

‘That every Anglican in this Diocese know the grace of God in Jesus Christ and that we might use God’s gifts of time, wealth and skill, to become better followers of Jesus - by how we live, how we care for one another, how we care for creation, how we worship God and how we build a strong and vibrant Church, so that others might come to know the grace of Jesus Christ also.’

The Reverend Patricia Martin ordained priest.

The Reverend Pat Martin was ordained priest at St. Christopher's Church, Christopher Lake on November 15th, 2012.  The Church was packed with memebrs of the congregation as well as summer parishioners who had returned for the service.  Many members of the local Roman Catholic Parish were in atendance along with their priest, the Rev. D.J. Vu.  There were four bishops in attendance, Bishops Morgan, Arthurson, Halkett and Hawkins. 

Chief and Priest dies

  

The Reverend Gerald Bear, Priest in Charge of St. Thomas', Shoal Lake, former Chief of Shoal Lake Cree Nation, Senator of both the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations and and the Prince Albert Grand Council and member of the Diocesan Council of Elders died on Tuesday.  He will be buried in Shoal Lake on Saturday.  Please keep his family and community in your prayers.

50th Anniversary of the BCP

For a cherished companion.  

Advent I 2011 marks the 50th Anniversary of the use of The Book of Common Prayer 1962 Canada.  Bishop Michael has written a piece to celebrate this occasion. 

50th Anniversary of

The Book of Common Prayer 1962

Advent Sunday 2012

Adapted from addresses delivered to All Souls’ Church, Oklahoma and the Annual General Meeting of the Prayer Book Society of Canada at Stanley Mission, Saskatchewan.

Click to read more ...

Photos from the Consecration of the Right Reverend Adam S. Halkett

http://www.skdiocese.com/photos/consecration-of-bishop-adam-halkett/

Statement from the Rupert's Land House of Bishops

The House of Bishops of the Province of Rupert's Land issued the following statement at its meeting at the end of September. "The House of Bishops of the Province of Rupert’s Land disassociates itself from the decision of the Bishop of Saskatoon to ordain a candidate living in a civilly recognized “same sex marriage” This decision was made without our consent or consultation and will cause division and confusion within our Province. We hold the Bishop, Clergy, and People of the Diocese of Saskatoon in our prayers and are committed to maintain the highest degree of communion possible."

Click to read more ...

By the Grace of God

 Adam Samson Halkett

 will be consecrated the

 Indigenous Bishop of Saskatchewan

 On

 Friday the Twelfth of October, Two Thousand and Twelve

 at four o’clock

 in the Senator Allen Bird Gymnasium,  

Prince Albert.

The Bishop, Synod and General Assembly

 of the Anglican Diocese of Saskatchewan

requests your prayers and presence.

MAMUWE ISI MIYWACHIMOWIN

Together in the Gospel

Marks of Mission Sunday School Resources

The Anglican Church of Canada has produced a new Sunday School curriculum. The materials are focused on the 5 Marks of Mission.

The resources are free, and the marerials are a year-long curriculum based on the Lectionary (in the Book of Alternative Services).

For more information, resources and teacher planning tools, visit the Compendium of the Church Mice website.

Bishop Elect Adam Halkett

The General Assembly of the Diocese of Saskatchewan elected the Venerable Adam Halkett, Archdeacon of Saskatchewan, as Diocesan Indigenous Bishop at their meeting on July 28th, 2012.  Archdeacon Halkett will be consecrated Bishop in the middle of October.

Photo Galery from the General Assembly

http://www.skdiocese.com/photos/general-assembly-2012/

Nominees for Diocesan Indigenous Bishop

The Council of Elders has nominated the Reverend Beryl Whitecap, the Reverend Canon Park Buck and the Venerable Adam Halkett to the General Assembly for election as Diocesan Indigenous Bishop.                 

The Reverend Beryl Whitecap

Canon Park Buck 

Archdeacon Adam Halkett

The Reverend Beryl Whitecap withdrew her name from nomination last week.  Please keep her and Park and Adam as well as the delegates to the General Assembly in your prayers.  Mamuwe isi Miywachimowin.

General Assembly

The General Assembly of the Diocese of Saskatchewan will hold its first meeting today and tomorrow in Prince Albert.  There will be a service of Holy Communion with the laying on of hands and anointing for helaing this evening at 7:00 p.m. in the Senator Allen Bird Memorial Gymn.  Registration for the General Assembly for the election of a Diocesan Indigenous Bishop and Indigenous Council begins tomorrow (Saturday July 28th) at 9:00 a.m. there will be a service of Holy Communion followed by the elction and a feast.  All are Welcome.

Youth, elders advise national Indigenous Ministries

In close-knit Indigenous communities, gatherings are often intergenerational—grandparents mix with new moms and dads while kids play underfoot. This sense of family is what Indigenous Ministries seeks to develop with new youth and elder councils, recently convened to guide the department. The two councils met in Vancouver, in May, and their work will continue to be intertwined.

Click here to read more.

Finding Anglicans While Travelling

When Pam Thomson went on vacation to Cuba last February, she wanted to find a local Anglican congregation. The beaches of Varadero were beautiful, sure, but it was Ash Wednesday and she wanted to worship in her tradition.

To read more, click here.

ACW News

The ACW Annual Meeting was held at St. Alban’s Cathedral on Saturday, April 28, 2012.  The speaker for the meeting was Terri Perril the National President from Newfoundland.  At the 11:00 am Eucharist Bishop Hawkins inducted the new Diocesan Executive for the ACW. 

President                              Violet Goodfellow
Vice President                       Kathleen Stewart
Treasurer                              Tracy Harper
Secretary                              Lydia McRury
Book of Remembrance          Tena Bannerman
Certificate of Recognition      Muriel Young
ACW Pins                              Carol Pryznyk
Stamps                                  Phyllis Hayward
Notes & News                        Lydia McRury

            The following weekend the Prince Albert Spring Deanery was held in Canwood with St. Martin’s, Briarlea, St. Luke’s, Mont Nebo and Christ Church, Canwood hosting the event.  The guest speaker was the Rev. Joanne Beacon, Chaplain of the ACW and Chaplain at the Saskatchewan Penitentiary.  Joanne gave an enlightening talk on her ministry at the Penitentiary.  $200 was collected for a donation to the College in Uganda.