|
|
From the People's Warden
Biggie number 4
by Adrian Peetoom
When I compare the church of my teenage years with church today, I'm amazed. So many changes. On the one hand, Christendom has faded away, and regular Sunday church attendance has become the choice of no more than 15% of Canadians, 5% of the 15-25 age group. On the other, those who do attend church seem to do so with decidedly more personal conviction, or so it seems to me.
Within that overall pattern of change I remember three specific major public battles fought both outside and inside church walls. Those battles have shaken both trust in church hierarchy and devotion to church routines. While godly individuals were often found storming barricades, church institutions most often manned them. Perhaps unavoidably so, for churches (and schools) are by nature conservative institutions. As an educational publisher (for more than 3 decades) I encountered many "brilliant ideas" that in a few years proved flawed, and fortunately were never widely implemented because school systems moved too slowly for quick acceptance. (Unfortunately, that same moving slowly also prevented some really good ideas from taking root.)
Here are the three major battles fought during the last 5 decades or so.
- Equality for women
- Racism
- Sexuality
In all these three areas tremendous changes have been wrought, with only pockets of resistance remaining.
- Women have made enormous strides in finding equal opportunities for life and career. It will not be long before Anglican priests in England will also have opportunities to become bishops.
- Racism is no longer defended, even though still practiced in more subtle ways.
- The area of sexuality has broken wide open. My Dutch Calvinist parents never talked about, or even demonstrated in words and body language, that they treasured their sexuality as gifts from God. With Augustine in their bones, sex was too close to sin, and to be confined to the marriage bed and then behind closed doors. Better not to talk about it either. But these days Anglican priests sanctify marriages of folks who have lived together for many years already. Also, the latest edition of theAnglican Journal (Jan 8/14) contains this: "Archbishop Fred Hiltz, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, today announced the appointment of the members of a commission that will carry out a broad consultation about changing the marriage canon (church law) to allow same-sex marriage."
And here is my prediction for the next major battle: bio-technical and end of life issues. Given the steady increase in life expectancy, the tremendous advances in medical technologies, and the increasing prevalence of chronic ailments (diabetes, obesity, heart ailments, various cancers, Parkinson's. etc .) and its resulting suffering pain and indignities, this topic will increasingly come to command media attention and personal discussions. I'm talking not just euthanasia and assisted suicide, but also senior and nursing home care, as well as genetically pre-determined children.
The topic of elder care will become especially acute for the generation of my children, all six within reach of age 50 (just above or below). I've noticed a steady drip of newspaper and magazine articles already. A number of books on the topic have also appeared, notably the Massey Lectures given by Margaret Somerville ("The Ethical Imagination: Journeys of the Human Spirit." Toronto: House of Anansi Press, 2006).
However, I want to draw a relevant novel to your attention: "My Sister's Keeper" by Jodi Picoult. (New York: Washington Square Press, 2004). A set of parents discover that their only daughter is suffering from a devastating form of leukemia. A suitable donor (of blood and bone marrow) is hard to find, so the parents decide to try for one more child, one with the most advantageous genetical composition. But when that child, a daughter, 13, and already donor of much blood and bone marrow, is asked to donate a kidney to her sister, she balks, hires a lawyer, and takes on her parents.
That's the plot in a nutshell. But it's not the plot, but the author's probing of relationships in the light of medical technologies and end-of-life issues that make this novel a wonderful avenue for reflection. Notice the title's biblical allusion. The author doesn't provide ready-made answers, but invites us to see ourselves through the lives of these characters and struggle with serious issues that may well become our very own at some point.
And perhaps we as parish should find some time to consider these issues together!
|
Archives: Bishops of Edmonton
|
Honorific & Name
|
Dates
|
1st
|
The Rt Rev H. A. Gray
|
1914 - 1931
|
2nd
|
The Rt Rev A. E. Burget
|
1932 - 1940
|
3rd
|
The Most Rev Walter Barfoot
|
1941 - 1954
|
4th
|
The Most Rev Howard H. Clark
|
1954 - 1961
|
5th
|
The Rt Rev W. Gerald Burch
|
1962 - 1976
|
6th
|
The Rt Rev J. A. Langstone
|
1976 - 1979
|
7th
|
The Rt Rev E. Kent Clarke
|
1980 - 1987
|
8th
|
The Rt Rev Ken L. Genge
|
1988 - 1996
|
9th
|
The Rt Rev Victoria Matthews
|
1997 - 2007
|
10th
|
The Rt Rev Dr Jane Alexander
|
2008 - Present
|
Ron Fishburne
Archives Committee
|
Announcing the 2013/2014 Holy Trinity Concert Series
All concerts at 2 PM unless otherwise specified.
March 2nd
Da Camera Singers present:Choro et Organo
Date: Sunday, March 2, 2014 - 3:00 pm
Location:Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 10037-84 Ave.
Tickets: Advance Ticket: $18/adult or $13/student or senior.
Door Ticket: $20/adult or $15/student or senior.
Tickets are available at the church office or through Eventbrite.
Featuring the Missa Brevis of Zoltan Kodaly and the Requiem of Maurice Durufle. With Catherine Daniels, Mezzo-Soprano, Michael Kurschat, baritone, and Jeremy Spurgeon on the restored organ of Holy Trinity Anglican Church. This concert is in conjunction with the Holy Trinity Concert Series.
May 18th (in conjunction with the Edmonton Recital Society)
ESO AllStars: Allene Hackleman, French horn and Sarah Ho, piano
|
Trinity Players
Come join the Trinity Players next session and see what it feels like to be in the spotlight. In honor of the 100 anniversary of WW1 we will be taking on wartime songs, everything from Andrew's sisters to songs from the trenches.
- Rehearsals will be Wednesdays from 7-9pm, Holy Trinity Upper Hall
- Cost $150- Ages 17 and up
- Start Date- Feb 12th
- Show Date- Friday May 16th
- Director- Morgan Kunitz
- Musical Direction- Darlene Kunitz
For more info and to enroll email Morgan Kunitz (no later than Feb. 10th).
|
Organ Restoration and Expansion Project
Great News!
We have completed Phase I of the Organ Restoration and Expansion Project, and are now ready to proceed with the fundraising for Phase II.
Donations---large and small---should be marked "organ fund" and can be put in the collection plate or sent to the office. We sincerely thank everyone for your continuing generosity.
|
For the Love of the World: A Fundraiser for the Victims of Typhoon Haiyan
Come and enjoy a taste of international cuisine and entertainment. Cash bar! Door prizes! 100% of proceeds to support disaster relief.
Monday, February 10th, 2014, 6:30 pm @ Naanolicious Restaurant, 10331-82 Ave, Edmonton.
Tickets: $70, available at Naanolicious (780-705-5570), Holy Trinity Anglican Church (780-433-5530), Trinity Lutheran Church (780-433-1604).
|
2013 Tax Receipts
2013 tax receipts are ready for pick up at the back of the church. Please take only your own or family's receipt. If you do not find your receipt there, please contact Janette in the church office.
|
WINTERFEST & SILENT AUCTION:
A Trinity Lutheran/Holy Trinity Anglican Youth Fundraiser
DATE: February 15, 2014, Doors open 6:30, Event runs 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm.
LOCATION: Trinity Lutheran Church - Luther Centre
FEATURING: Games Show Night, Dessert, & Silent Auction
COST AT THE DOOR*: $5.00 per Individual, $10.00 per Family
*(Volunteers' entry is free)
This event will raise funds toward the CLAY (Canadian Lutheran and Anglican Youth) National Gathering, to be held this August. This event should appeal to the whole family, with plenty of opportunity for bidding on Silent Auction goods, noshing on Sweet Delectables, laughing along with Game Show participants, and merrymaking with all! Come along, and help to raise funds for the Youth, while enjoying each others' company.
Silent Auction Item Request: Please assist the youth by providing an item for the February 15th Winterfest Silent Auction. We are looking for: - gifts you have received and will not use - unused items that you have at home (eg. potential gifts you never did give) - a donation from a business that you are well acquainted with - ask yourself, is this something someone would buy? If not, please do not send Help us sell the item, if you can provide some details like: - your name or donors (for our reference and to say thank you) - approximate value of item - why should someone purchase it (funny comments are encouraged) Items can be dropped off at the Trinity Lutheran church office or with Karen Goldstone by February 9th. Thanks for helping out our Youth.
|
Lenten Opportunities
Beginning on February 20th, join us at the Elephant & Castle (10314 Whyte Ave.) at 7:00pm for a Pub Talk on Meditative Prayer.
February 20th will be led by Rev. Scott Sharman talking about Orthodox spiritual practices, and February 27th Camilla Witt from Trinity Lutheran will join us to talk about Body Prayer.
March 6th begins a series of Holden Evening Prayer with the spiritual practice. Tuesday evenings at 7:15pm at Holy Trinity or Wednesday evenings at 7:15pm at Trinity Lutheran Church.
Tentative: Rev. Allan Bonertz may be holding a study on the book "The Shack" following the Tuesday Holden Evening Prayer. Please let him know if you are interested in joining in this study.
|
Annual General Meeting
A reminder that the 2014 Annual General Meeting will take place in the Upper Hall on Sunday February 23, 2014 immediately following the 10:30 AM worship. Reports and the 2014 budget along with an agenda will be issued the week before the meeting. All reports should be submitted electronically to Janette by Tues. Feb. 11([email protected]). If you have led any ministry this past year, please turn in a report so that all may know of the good works that are taking place in our community.
|
Thank you!
Eve Cockle wishes to extend her sincere thanks to everyone who helped to make Derek's Life Celebration Service so meaningful. Thank you for all of the cards, prayers, memories shared, those who helped to prepare the special reception after the service, and any other ways you have shown your love and care. You are truly appreciated!
|
ICPM Lunch at the Bissell Centre
On March 2nd volunteers from Holy Trinity will be partnering with Inner City Pastoral Ministry to serve lunches to those in need at the Bissell Centre. You can help! Please see the sign up sheets in the Lower Hall to sign up to make or bring food items, or come and volunteer on the 2nd to serve the food. Many thanks for all of your help!
|
Marriage Preparation Course
Host couples needed: Our next marriage preparation classes are coming up on March 28-29 and Sept 26-27, 2014. We have decided only to do two weekends this year, but we are still getting inquiries, not only in our parish, but from others out of town. We are in need of a host couple/volunteers for each weekend course. Please contact either the church office (780-433-5530 [email protected]) or Bonnie Patterson-Payne (780-413-9168).
|
Welcome!
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
It is my pleasure to announce to you that Bishop Jane is appointing the Rev. Robin Walker as our second Honorary Assistant Priest. Fr. Robin (and his wife Joanne) have been singing in our choir since the end of last summer and some of you may have heard him preach on the Feast of the Epiphany. Fr. Robin comes to us from Brandon Manitoba where he recently retired as the Dean of the Cathedral. He also spent many a year in this Diocese previously as both an Archdeacon and as the Rector of St. Augustines in Parkland. He joins Fr. Allan Bonertz as part of our "dynamic duo" of non-stipendiary priests. If you haven't introduced yourself to him yet please do so.
On a similar note, Fr. Allan, who leads the healing prayer ministry on third Sundays, is also a member of our pastoral connections ministry. Anyone wishing to contact Fr. Allan for pastoral reasons is welcome to do so either in person or via email at [email protected].
Yours in Christ
Chris+
|
Upcoming Events & Services:
It's never to early to plan ahead, so get out your calendars and mark in these services and events:
- February 10: Philippines fundraiser dinner at Nannolicious.
- February 15: Trinity Lutheran and Holy Trinity Youth Fundraiser
- February 20: Lenten Pub Talk at Elephant and Castle begins.
- February 23: Annual General Meeting in the Upper Hall following the 10:30am service. Lunch provided.
- March 2: Lunch at the Bissell Centre
- March 2: Pulpit swap with Trinity Lutheran Church
- March 2: Concert Series 3pm
- March 4: Shrove Tuesday
- March 5: Ash Wednesday
- March 6: Holden Evening Prayer at HTAC begins.
- March 7: Holden Evening Prayer at Trinity Lutheran begins.
- March 28-29: Marriage Prep Course
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|