Front Cover Easter 2012 - St. Theodore · 2014-11-27 · Now the green blade rises, from the buried grain Wheat, that in dark earth, many days has lain. Love comes again, that to

Now the green blade rises, from the buried grain

Wheat, that in dark earth, many days has lain.

Love comes again, that to the death has been.

Love is come again, like wheat, arising green.

EASTER 2012

St. Theodore of Canterbury Anglican Church 111 Cactus Avenue North York, Ontario M2R 2V1

Telephone: 416-222-2461 Facsimile: Please call ahead E-mail: [email protected] Website: sttheodore.ca

What’s Inside

Easter Feature 3

The Camino 5

Bible Study 7

Poems and Prayers 8

We Are Not Alone 11

Plus

Priest’s Report

Children’s Corner

Warden’s Wand

Calendar

| Canterbury Tales Page 2

St. Theodore of Canterbury Anglican Church www.sttheodore.ca

Father Ian’s Report

Someone reminded me that my time as interim priest-in-charge at St. Theodore’s comes to an end in one month’s time, at the end of April. It seems as if I have just arrived. At first, I doubted that in the short time of being here, I would enjoy many new friendships. I expected that my presence was to maintain the status quo. It was not my intention to shake up time-honoured traditions and customs, even when I think my ways are better. I would try and keep my head under the radar, and stay out of trouble. I would do my best to fill the transition from your former priest to your new priest and help the parish prepare for his/her arrival.

I was wrong on all accounts. My intentions for retirement were to travel and have wonderful adventures. Little did I know that my eight months at St. Ted’s would be an adventure, as well as an adventure of travel. Many years ago, I boasted that if I ever had to travel to my work by way of the Don Valley Parkway, the Gardiner Expressway or the 401 Highway, I would quit. Now I am a regular commuter on the Don Valley. So thanks folks, you have given me a gift. I no longer suffer road rage on the 404/Don Valley. I just take it as it comes. However, this wasn’t the kind of travel I had in mind for retirement!

And . . . what an adventure! St. Theodore’s, despite some appearances is not a quiet little place. The support and care you show for each other has inspired me from the beginning. The faithful who come every week have all the appearances of a loving and caring family.

However, we at St. Ted’s have some major obstacles to overcome: specifically the need for more members and more money to do ministry in our community. Our deficit continues to grow faster than our attendance. To those who attend church occasionally, you need to know that you are missed. I hope that Easter will be the time when you resolve to

come back to church. Though many of us are hopeful for our future, our survival must consist of more than good intentions and saying we will go to church if we have the time. God has been good to us, and our attendance at church is a response to God’s goodness. When we think that we have little to offer, or that we would not be missed, we are so very wrong. Our future depends on all our members, and your continued financial and practical support.

As this will be my last newsletter submission, may I say that I have been blessed to be with you for these last seven months. I am blessed that so many of you have warmly welcomed me as part of the family. And, I pray that God will continue to bless you all with the prosperity of God’s spirit, and that you will be showered with blessings. I pray that you will continue to make this place a living and vital presence of Jesus Christ in the local and wider community.

Holy Week Services

Wed. 4 7:30 Eucharist, Way of Cross Thu. 5 8pm Eucharist, foot washing, Tennebrae Fri. 6 10:30 Stations of the Cross Good Friday Liturgy Sat. 7 8pm Easter Vigil, rekindling Light first Eucharist of Easter with St. Patrick’s Sun. 8 Sunday of the Resurrection Easter Sunday 8am BCP Holy Communion 10:30 Sung Eucharist/school



Traditions Bread is such a potent symbol in the Bible and to Christians of every calling. From the wafer of communion where we re-enact the giving and receiving of bread at The Last Supper, to the spoken words of Our Lord we can see the simple baked mixture of flour and water as a faith and life sustaining element. Bread, in European culture is called, “The staff of life”. Flours may be of different grains; rice, manioc, rye, cornmeal. Leavenings may differ; yeast, fermented grain, soda, or be absent as in flatbreads, but around the earth every culture has its bread. It is no wonder that bread in its many forms has become a symbol of life and faith. It is quietly there at Easter among the more powerful symbols associated with the season. EASTER BREAD

5 eggs 1/4 cup white sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1 package yeast 3 cups all-purpose flour 2/3 cup milk 2 tablespoons butter

2 eggs, room temperature 1/2 cup mixed candied fruit 1/3 cup chopped blanched almonds 1/2 teaspoon anise seed 2 tablespoons melted shortening 1 cup confectioners' sugar 1 tablespoon whole milk 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 tbs. sprinkles 1. Color the 5 raw eggs with egg dye. In a large mixing bowl, blend the white sugar, salt, yeast with 1 cup of the flour. 2. In a saucepan, combine 2/3 cup milk and butter, heating slowly until warm. Pour into the dry ingredients and beat very well. 3. Add beaten eggs and 1/2 cup flour to a thick batter. Beat vigorously for 2 min. Stir in enough flour to make a ball of dough that draws away from the sides of the bowl.

3. Turn out onto a floured board and knead 10 min. working in flour as needed. Place the dough in a greased bowl. Cover tightly and put in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour. 4. Combine the fruit, nuts, and anise seed. 5. Punch down the dough and knead in the fruit mixture. Divide the dough in half. 6. Carefully roll each piece into a 24-inch rope. Loosely twist the two ropes together and form a ring on a greased baking sheet. Pinch the ends together. Brush with melted shortening. Push eggs down carefully as far as possible into dough. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour. 7. Bake in a preheated 350 F (175 C) oven for 35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. 8. Once the bread is cool, drizzle icing on top and decorate with colored sprinkles.

EASTER TREE

The Easter Tree has long been a tradition in our home. The miracle of bare branches bursting into leaf and blossom, coupled with the beauty of painted eggs is a living symbol of the resurrection. Ours are a happy collection of the traditional blown Ukrainian jewels, the early efforts of

my children, store purchased plastic eggs, and gifts from friends. Each year a few succumb and each year we add a few more. To make an Easter Tree you will need:

• Living, but still winter bare branches from a flowering shrub such as forsythia. (This year it might be difficult to find something that has not yet burst into leaf).

• A wide mouthed vase or jug • Small stones to weight the jug • Florist’s oasis foam • Painted eggs and ribbon



Materials: Blown white eggs, a pin head writing tool, equal amounts of paraffin wax and beeswax, a wax warmer (candle heated container), egg dyes prepared according to instructions in containers large enough to submerge eggs, cheesecloth. Creating the Design: Melt the wax. Working quickly, dip the pinhead into the melted wax and touch it to the egg to create your design. To make a teardrop or line shape, draw the pinhead along the surface of the egg. To make a dot, touch the pin to the egg. These three shapes make all the designs below. Adding Colour: One to three colours are usually used for each egg. Always progress from lightest to darkest colour. Apply design in wax. Turn gently in the solution (10 min). When the egg is dry add additional wax designs repeating the process with darker dye. After the final dye bath remove the wax. Hold the egg, a small section at a time close to but not over the candle flame. Blot melting wax with cheesecloth. Continue until all the wax is removed. Eggs may be preserved with varnish. Frequently Used Symbols and their Meaning

Ladders prosperity, or prayer.

Pine Needles health, stamina, eternal youth.

Crosses Christ, or the Four Corners of the World.

Wheat wishes for good health and a good harvest.

The Sun and Stars life, fortune, growth.

Deer, Horses, and/or Rams wealth and prosperity.

Fish Christianity

Curls defense or protection.

Roses love, caring.

Poppies beloved Ukrainian art motif, symbolizing joy and beauty.

Triangles trinities, eg.: air, fire, & water; the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit; heaven, earth, & hell.

The Saw fire, life-giving heat (symbolizing loyalty and wisdom).

Birds fulfillment of wishes, and fertility. The bird is always shown at rest, never flying.

Nets Christ's reference to becoming "fishers of people".

Ribbons everlasting life, and water.



My Camino by Fr. Ian Three years ago – I made a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Northwest Spain. Tradition holds that place to be the burial site of St. James the apostle. Following the death and resurrection of Jesus, the apostle James (brother of John), set out to bring the Gospel to the pagan people of Spain, where he was miraculously buried after his beheading by Herod in Judea. St. James’ grave was discovered some 800 years after his burial. Spain’s victory over the moors was attributed to this discovery. Some reported that St. James appeared in the battles between the Christians and the Moors and was seen on his great horse sweeping across the battlefield. He was known as Santiago Metamoros (St. James the Moor slayer). The magnificent cathedral has a rather graphic statue of Santiago sitting on his horse surrounded by soldiers whom he had decapitated. Santiago de Commpostela (Saint James in the field of stars) rapidly attracted pilgrims from all around the known world. I began my journey from a beautiful French village of St. Jean Pied de Port in the foothills of the Pyrenees at dawn, on the Feast of Corpus Christi . A gothic arch marks the beginning of the Camino. I set out in the early morning light to cross the Pyrenees Mountains (about 30 km) with rain falling and thunder rumbling in the distance. The first part of the road was paved. The road rose steeply through spectacular countryside. Right at the beginning, I met two women at the gothic arch. They stopped me and asked if they could walk with me. Though it was my intention to walk alone, I was also open to the Holy Spirit leading me to new experiences, and I chose to see God at work in my life along the way. So I thought, “there may be a purpose in meeting these women.” But after 6 km, we separated. I continued on, thinking about the stories of ancient pilgrims. Some of those accounts recorded pilgrims being met along the way by spiritual guides. Other accounts spoke of pilgrims meeting strangers who turned out to be the devil. A few kilometres west of the city of Pamplona, the camino ascends a great mountain. Near the summit there is a well. Legend tells of a pilgrim close to death from thirst. He met a stranger who offered him water if he cursed Jesus Christ. The pilgrim chose to die rather than denounce his faith. The

stranger disappeared and Santiago appeared offering him cold fresh water in a scallop shell, which became the symbol of the camino. At that place, I wondered if I would meet the devil or Santiago. After a week of walking, I had met very few Christian pilgrims. Most were hikers on vacation in Spain. In the first days I met up with two Norwegian women, an angry Irishman, and a gentle German whose marriage was in crisis. We travelled together for several days helping each other over the difficult mountain trails, sharing our food and tending to each other’s blisters. When we reached the city of Burgos, my newfound friends all left for home. I set off from Burgos – finally by myself, and very much missing my new friends, but being alone gave me much time to think and pray fingering my Anglican rosary beads. The repetitiveness of my prayers became wonderfully comforting.

After several hours of walking I stopped in a small village looking for a shady place to rest. Under the porch of a chapel I met Carlos from Madrid. We greeted each other with the customary “Buen Camino”. He spoke absolutely no English, and though I had been learning Spanish, it was of little help, and communication was difficult. We started walking together. He asked me why I was making the Camino. “I am on a spiritual journey. I am a Christian. And you?” I am here for the exercise, and it will also be a great opportunity to meet women. We continued walking together for the next 4 weeks. Carlos claims no faith. But there was something about him that intrigued me. He had a wonderful zest for life with a very large personality. A few days later, we met Claudio a young paediatrician from Brazil walking the Camino to discern the direction of his life. Claudio is a devout Christian – a very gentle spiritual man. We spoke for many hours about our faith and our own life journey. Soon, we became labelled “the Three Amigos” by other pilgrims. I pondered why these two people had come into my life – was God bringing us together for a reason? I reflected on the many people in my life who have touched it with their love, friendship and support who have aided me on my own life journey – my family, my friends and my community of church friends.



I met others along that Camino path; Charo, and her friend Juan Francisco, Anna and her 8 year old son Johann, Fatima – a woman from Santiago who walked the Camino with her 12 year old daughter. There were many others. Some days I would walk alone, needing to be by myself in prayer. Other days we travelled together,a band of pilgrims. Like life at home, there were often tensions as well as laughter. Every one of us was travelling in the same direction all of us moving slowly towards our goal. Finally, we arrived at Santiago de Compostela. We stopped and rested by a large shrine called the Mountain of Joy. Hundreds of other pilgrims arrived, all headed towards the Cathedral of Santiago, the final destination for many. Others (myself included) would walk another 100 km to Finisterre, a small town on the Atlantic coast of Spain where we would search the sandy beach for a scallop shell symbol of our pilgrimage. We made our way through the busy streets of Santiago toward the Cathedral. I was overwhelmed with emotion. I had achieved my goal. I had reached my destination. Our group stood in front of the massive church – everyone of us speechless. Some immediately went into the cathedral. I couldn’t. I didn’t want this to end. I wanted to stay there forever. So, I sat for a couple of hours in the large plaza watching other pilgrims arrive. Later, at the pilgrims Welcome Centre we received our pilgrimage certificates. In every place we stopped to sleep and rest along the way stamps were added to our pilgrims’ passports. I would have liked to begin the whole Camino again. But it would never be the same. Though my journey was very personal, I held dear the people I had journeyed with, knowing that I would not likely see some of them again. Later, we all went into the Cathedral for the Pilgrims’ Mass. The cathedral was filled with thousands of worshippers. Backpacks and walking sticks were to be seen all around the cathedral. In the intercessions at the mass, the names of the countries we represented were read aloud. I shuddered when I hear the priest say “Canada.” After mass our little band began to disperse, some preparing to make their way home, a few continuing on our Camino to the coast, walking through the spectacular forests and lush countryside of Galatia to the shores of Finisterre. What did I learn from the experience? I continue to have spiritual insights stemming from that time. I remembered the days of discouragement, the obstacles, the many mountains, the summer heat, the rain. I will forever hold dear the spectacular scenery along the way; birds singing, fields of poppies, mountains in the background, quaint villages full of friendly and helpful people, amazing food, beautiful churches, and so very much more.

But I also remembered the people with whom I shared my journey. Each of us returning to our old lives and routines – picking up our lives where we left them, and returning to the people we love and work with. Would the excitement, the emotion, the peace, the laughter, the struggles we shared all stay with me? I could only hope so. How would my life be different? I thought of our ancestors in faith who sought and found God in their journeys. I thought of the members of my Church who had been praying for me all along my journey. I thought of my family, my pets and my life at home, and came to appreciate ever more the gift of their love and support for me. But I also came to realize the object of this and any spiritual journey. Simply put, God has put us on this earth to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we live. In the time I had to pray and think, I began to think about the priorities in my life. The Camino forced me to slow down, the big decisions being how far I should walk and what was I to eat. I felt stress free. It was liberating. I reflected on my life at home and how I have so much more than I could ever want or need. If I could live happily and comfortably for two months living out of only a backpack, do I really need so much stuff? I believe that I encountered God along the way in the awesome beauty of the place, in the quiet peace of walking through quiet villages, or shaded paths. I believe I encountered God in the lives of the people I walked with and met along the way. One day, while Carlos, Claudio and I were making the trek along a section called the Meseta (table land) the vast flat plain as far as one could see, we met a young man sitting on the side of the road. He had removed his hiking boots, and was bandaging his feet. “Buen Camino” we greeted each other. I asked, “Are you ok. Do you need any help?” “Thank you for asking, but I am ok.” We continued on. Several days later, a man approached me, “Do you remember me?” “No.” I replied. “I am the man who was sitting on the side of the road bandaging my feet along the Meseta.” “Ah, yes, I remember you now,” I said. “I just wanted to say thank you,” he said. “For what?” I asked. “Just for stopping to see if I was ok. Others passed by while I was sitting there. No one except you stopped to say hello to me. I appreciated your concern and kindness.” That little moment made my whole Camino. Not the deep thinking that had consumed me many days, just a simple act. Yes, I encountered the Holy in the simplest of ways. And as Robert Frost ended his poem “The Road Not Taken,” “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and sorry I could not travel both, I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference.



LENTEN BIBLE STUDY “And it was Good” Throughout Lent Father Ian led a group of about twenty parishioners in a bible study reflecting on creation, our place in it, and our charge to care for it. The following concluding prayers give an idea of the riches those who attended reflected upon. Thanks to Fr. Ian, those who provided the meal before the study, those who served and to Vi whose poem (with additions) is printed on page 8 Week One: The Hope of Something New

Let us encourage our hearts in the hope of

God who once breathed the breath of life into

the human body. God’s ears are open to

prayers. The Creator of humankind is

watching; the Lord reigns from his high place,

seeing the souls of those who die. Turn your

ears to us: upon whom else can we call? Is it

not you alone, O God? Let us be branches of

your Son.

(Mary Alueel Garang, Episcopalian Christian of

the Diocese of Bor, Sudan)

Week Two: Our Place in Created Order

Holy God, Creator and Lover of all that is, we confess to

you that we have sinned. We have failed in our care for

the land and its creatures, we have been greedy,

destructive, and wasteful of the resources you entrusted

to us. Polluted air and water, eroded soil and salty

earth, birds and animals deprived of habitat, and

neighbours left hungry and thirsty by our selfishness: all

these cry out against us. We do not know how to restore

what we have damaged, and we repent in sorrow and

distress. Forgive us, we pray, and have mercy. Give us

grace to change our ways, to make amends, and to work

together for the healing of the world, through Jesus Christ

our Lord. Amen.

Week Three; Jesus the Centre and Heart

of all Creation

All-embracing God,

We thank you that your good news – that life conquers

death and faith overcomes fear – is for the whole creation,

and not for humankind alone.

We thank you that the universe itself –

Suffering now as if in the pangs of childbirth –

Waits with us, in eager expectation of

deliverance, And looks forward to a new

freedom From pain and frustration, Torture and

abuse. We thank you that your promise to

reconcile The whole cosmos to yourself Began

to be realised in the self-giving of Christ, Whose

cross stretches from earth to heaven, Gathering

up the wounds of the universe And offering

them as harbingers of the resurrection.

We thank you for the shining dream Of a new

heaven and a new earth, Where you will be

seen at last As undergirding, permeating and

transforming all things. In the light of that

vision, may we live together now With

hospitality and gentleness, longing and love.

(© Kate Compston, used by kind permission)

Week Four: Creation Blesses the Lord

A hymn from Australia

Where wide sky rolls down and touches

Red sand,

Where sun turns to gold the grass of the land,

Let spinifex, mulga and waterhole tell

Their joy in the One who made everything well.

Where rain-forest calm meets reef, tide and storm,

Where green things grow lush and oceans are warm,

Let every sea-creature and tropical bird

Exult in the light of the life-giving Word.

Where red gum and creek cross hillside and plain,

Where cool tree-ferns rise to welcome the rain,

Let bushland, farm, mountain-top, all of their days

Delight in the Spirit who formed them for praise.

Now, people of faith, come gather around

With songs to be shared, for blessings abound!

Australians, whatever your culture or race,

Come, lift up your hearts to the Giver of grace.

© Elizabeth J. Smith 1956-



Embrace Women who bear children wear a second skin beside the first, as sensible to feeling as an extra eye. Mothers know a double exposure- keep watch over their babes, every tiny hurt accounted for and borne again, every wince wept over. They say he submitted lamb-like, Embraced his mortal objective, Sustained by that mighty will unthinkable. Her suffering was perhaps private. But when they wrenched his arms apart And nailed him there and hoisted him, she might have thrown hers wide below To take upon herself what agony she could. Still streaming love like a broken beacon, he spoke. “Woman, here is your son.” And to the grief numb boy beside her, “Here is your mother”. If not for that, she might have died. From fingertip to bleeding fingertip, The world was wrapped. And then The light went out. This story does not end, although She may not have known this when She cradled his cold form once more And let him go. Mel Malton “Embrace” published in The Anglican April 2001

When You Pray

When you pray, be like the mountain in stillness, in silence;

thoughts rooted in eternity. Do nothing; just sit, just be;

and you will harvest the fruit of your prayer.

When you pray, be like the flower reaching up to the sun;

straight stemmed like a column.

Be open, ready to accept all things without fear

and you will not lack light on your way.

When you pray, be like the ocean

with stillness in its depths the waves ebbing and flowing.

Have calm in your heart, and evil thoughts

will flee of their own accord.

When you pray, remember the breath

that made us people living beings, from God it comes; to God it

returns. Blend the Word and prayer with the

flow of life and nothing will come between you

and the Giver of Life.

When you pray, be like the bird, endlessly singing before the Creator

its song rising like incense. Pray like the turtle dove

and you will never lose heart.

(c) St Seraphim of Sarov. Please hold the people of St. Seraphim of Sarov in your prayers. Please hold Father Nestor, in your prayers.

Canadian Benedicite

Give thanks to our God who is good: For the northern skies For the mountains of Vancouver, The plenteous snow of the arctic. For pine, poplar and maple trees. For the Great Lakes, and our great wonders; Niagara Falls, the Bay of Fundy, The Plains stretching to eternity. For the aboriginal and metis peoples And for all immigrants. For our many cultures blessing this land. Give thanks to our Lord who is good.

Vi Lambert March 25, 2012

| Canterbury Tales page 9


THE WARDENS’ WAND

I’m not new to this job, and I certainly can’t claim to be young any more, except at heart. You’d probably like to hear that I jumped at the opportunity to serve this parish again. The truth is, I was pushed. It happened like this.

Like you, I was present at announcement time after Sunday services, during which Fr. Ian prayed that someone would come forward as warden of this parish. Like you, I thought, “If God wants me to be a warden he will give me a sign.” Which reminds me of a great joke.

A Christian flood victim had made it to the roof of his inundated house. A log floated by and the Christian thought momentarily of jumping in and floating to safety on the log, but then he thought, ”God will save me, I just have to put my trust in him and wait.” Later on a canoe drifted by. As before he thought, ”God will save me, I just have to put my trust in him and wait”. Still later on a search and rescue helicopter came by. The Christian waved it away shouting, ”God will save me, I just have to put my trust in him and wait.” Eventually the water reached the roof, and the Christian drowned. As he stood before God he cried, ”Where were you God? I put my trust in you and you didn’t save me.” God replied, ”What do you mean? I sent you a log, a canoe and a helicopter!”

Which leads me to the rector’s office at St. Theodore’s on the Saturday morning before the vestry to elect new officers, in conversation with Fr. Ian. I was attempting to justify my response to his invitation to wardenship the previous Thursday. My heartfelt cry had been, ”I knew I would be asked!” Not a very encouraging reply. I thought Fr. Ian deserved a fuller explanation, and here it was, and there I am, giving him all the reasons why I would make a terrible warden at this time, all my character flaws, all my sins of omission. And then suddenly, out of the blue (and out of my mouth) comes, “I’ll be your warden.” It was a real “God moment”. Fr. Ian’s jaw fell open, my jaw fell open, but Fr. Ian recovered first. He leaned across the desk suggested we go pray about this, and led me into the church. Maureen and Olive were in the sanctuary preparing the altar for Sunday services. They joined us, and it was a done deal. I think God pushed me onto that log, or canoe or helicopter. But, dear friends at St. Theodore’s, I’m really going to need help swimming, or paddling or climbing. I honestly don’t want to be your last warden, and will

work toward solutions to our difficulties with God’s help and with your help. I would encourage you to read (or re-read if you were at that vestry meeting) the very concrete suggestions made by Carol Brunton and published on page 11 of this newsletter. These are the issues that will occupy us all in the months to come. Before you do that, here is Carol speaking about St. Theodore’s: “Sheltering, Nurturing, Giving. They were here at our inception, and they are still here. So how do you maintain a financial base when your gesture is to give? How do you nurture each person and each service group when numbers are dwindling? How do you shelter when the very building you occupy is itself in need of repair? The building needs repair and some TLC. I propose that we take the $9,000.00 received in December from “Our Faith Our Hope” and use it to do some much needed repairs. Bathrooms and Lower Hall: o Paint and repair the bathroom floors o Paint the Bathrooms o Paint the Lower Hall I am willing and I hope some of you are also to spend a couple of weekends doing this. My husband Gerry is already planning on getting some help and painting the bathrooms before Monks’ Cell. We could help out on the weekends by painting in the lower hall; maybe help repair the floor in the women’s washroom? What would be accomplished by this: o Everyone would feel better seeing that the space look fresh and clean. o Would make the space more attractive for new tenants and impress present tenants. o We would build a stronger sense of community working together on this o Encourage us to keep going. Even if we decide to disestablish and leave this building it won’t happen overnight and we cannot let the building go to ruins. It still is God’s house and we wouldn’t let our house look like this why would we be so complaisant to allow God’s?



CHILDREN’S CORNER

1. 2. 3

4. 5. 6.

7. 8. 9.

Here is the life of Jesus in pictures. Match the picture number to the sentence.

__ Jesus is born.

__ The magi visit the holy family.

__ Jesus is baptized by John.

__ Jesus calls the little children.

__ Jesus calms a storm.

__ Jesus enters Jerusalem.

__ Jesus is brought to Pontius Pilate.

__ Jesus is crucified.

__ Jesus is raised from the dead.

| Canterbury Tales page 11


We are not alone!! The following paper was presented by Carol Brunton at the Vestry meeting held on Sunday, March 18. It speaks to the difficulties the parish is in. Please read this carefully if you missed that vestry meeting. If St. Theodore’s were to close, there are two options, Disestablish or Amalgamation. Disestablish: * The Vestry of the parish must adopt the resolution by at least a two-thirds (2/3) majority of those present at the special vestry meeting. * The Bishop must concur with the decision. * The property and buildings are signed over to the Diocese. It will be up to the Diocese to decide if the property etc. will be sold or retained. * The Bishop must come and deconsecrate the building. * Memorials, those who gave them would have a choice of redirecting them to another parish, taking them back (at their own expense) or they may go with the building. Amalgamation: * Amalgamate with St. George or St. Patrick? * Process similar to disestablishment * This way Our Faith Our Hope income would go with us to our new congregation * Still would not get any funds from sale etc. * Could take some furnishings with us If St. Theodore’s stays open at this location then: We need to turn around the financial situation and get more people. This would take several years to accomplish; it won’t happen by the end of 2012. Possible solutions to the financials: * Re-negotiate existing licence agreements increasing rate * Find new tenants * Enter into a new relationship with St. Seraphim o Type of partnership? o We retain the building and property o They get shared access to building o Share expenses and maintenance costs We would have to restructure the sanctuary so some of their Icons could stay up * Make up a repayment plan for the Diocese * Embark on a Stewardship program Rent the rectory for approx. $1,700.00 a month However, terminating a lease is difficult. If we got a new priest s/he would need a housing allowance

o Housing allowances are based on the “fair rental value” for the area ($1,700/month) we would be able to keep the lease fees. We would have to go through the same process: Bishop’s ,Trust Committee and Diocesan approval. Sell the rectory: * We could sell the rectory for approx. $750,000.00 o Need: a vestry motion, Bishop’s,Trust Committee and Diocesan Council approval o We do NOT get to keep the money from the sale. It goes into the Trust Fund. o We receive the interest which would be approximately $30,000.00 annually; received quarterly. If we get a new Priest then we would have to pay him/her a housing allowance based on the above “fair rental value” of $1,700.00 which doesn’t leave much left over if anything. How do we “re-boot” St. Theodore’s? There are resources at the Diocese who are willing to come and help us. o Dave Robinson – congregational development o Natural Church Development – to help get this parish healthy o Peter Misiaszek – Stewardship development Other Possibilities: o Lobby to have St. Theodore’s designated as a strategic church * If St. Theodore’s closes then there would be no Anglican presence from Yonge Street over to Keele. There are no churches between St. Theodore and St. Stephen, Downsview on Jane St. Likewise in Thornhill there is a void from Holy Trinity, Thornhill to Christ Church, Woodbridge. * Our location, when one looks at the map, is against us. If we were further West and North we would be in the centre of the void. o Satellite ministry at York University? o A Priest-in-charge with missional vision Things we need to consider Is St. Theodore dead and should we close? o Should we amalgamate finding the right church? o St. Theodore still has life and should work towards rekindling God’s light being open to what the Holy Spirit is doing and having the courage to say yes.

We are not alone in this!!

| Canterbury Tales Page12


CALENDAR OF EVENTS APRIL Sun. 1 Passion/Palm Sunday 8am Holy Communion 10:30 Sung Eucharist palm procession/school Mon. 2 7:15 Sacred Dance Wed. 4 7:30 Eucharist, Way of Cross Thu. 5 8pm Eucharist, washing, strip altar ,Tennebrae Fri. 6 10:30 Neigbourhood Stations of the Cross/ Good Friday Liturgy Sat. 7 8pm Easter Vigil, rekindling Light first Eucharist of Easter With St. Patrick’s Sun. 8 Sunday of the Resurrection Easter Sunday 8am Holy Communion 10:30 Sung Eucharist/school Thu. 12 7:30 Choir Practice Fri. 13 4:30 Tunes Sun. 15 Easter 2 (Low Sunday) Polka Eucharist Blue Jeans Sunday 8am Holy Communion 10:30 Eucharist/school 12:00 Clean-up/set-up Monks’ Cell Wed. 18 Gown fitting, training 7:30 Advisory at church Thu. 19 ironing, table set-up Fri. 20 Monks’ Cell Sat. 21 Monks’ Cell Sun. 22 Easter 3 8am Holy Communion 10:30 Eucharist choir school

After Monks’ Cell sale Thu. 12 7:30 choir practice Fri. 13 4:30 Tunes Sun. 29 Easter 4 8:00 Holy Communion 10:30 Sung Eucharist /school MAY Thu. 3 7:00 Thorne Milll/choir practice Fri. 4 4:30 Tunes Sun. 6 Easter 5 8:00 Holy Communion 10:30 Sung Eucharist /school

Thu. 10 7:30 choir practice Fri. 11 4:30 Tunes Sun. 13 Easter 6 8:00 Holy Communion 10:30 Sung Eucharist/school Mon. 14 7:15 Sacred Dance Thu. 17 Ascension Day 7:30 Service/Choir practice Fri. 18 4:30 Tunes Sun. 20 Easter 7 Victoria Day Weekend 8:00 Holy Communion

10:30 Sung Eucharist/school Thu. 24 7:30 Choir practice Fri. 25 4:30 Tunes

Sun. 27 Day of Pentecost 8:00 Holy Communion

10:30 Sung Eucharist/school Thu. 31 7:30 Choir practice JUNE Fri. 1 4:30 Tunes

Sun. 3 Trinity Sunday 8:00 Holy Communion

10:30 Sung Eucharist/school Thu. 7 7:00 Thorn Mill/Choir practice Fri. 8 4:30 Tunes

Sun. 10 Pentecost 2 8:00 Holy Communion

10:30 Sung Eucharist/school Mon. 11 7:15 Sacred dance Thu. 14 7:30 Choir practice Fri. 15 4:30 Tunes

Sun. 17 Pentecost 3 8:00 Holy Communion 10:30 Sung Eucharist/school

Thu. 21 7:30 Choir practice Fri. 22 4:30 Tunes

Documents

Front Cover Easter 2012 - St. Theodore · 2014-11-27 · Now the green blade rises, from the buried grain Wheat, that in dark earth, many days has lain. Love comes again, that to