Newsletter: October 16th, 2008

"For the Bible tells me so..."

The Centre for Lay Education invites you to attend one of the five screenings of this award winning documentary by Daniel Karslake, produced by First Run Features .

For years, our Anglican Church has asked us to listen to the voice of gay and lesbian people.  This 90 minute documentary gives an intimate portrait of the lives of some well-known and not so well known gay and lesbian people.  We also hear the voices of their parents and family who have to come to terms (or not) with their sons and daughters. 

We listening to them as they struggle to reconcile their faith with their son or daughter whom tradition and the bible seem to condemn.  What do I do when my son comes out?  Do I love them but try to change them?  Do I accept them as they are?  How do I read those troublesome parts of the Bible which appear to condemn my child?

"Offering healing, clarity and understanding to anyone caught in the crosshairs of scripture and sexual identity, this landmark film boldly takes on a loaded topic and examines it both intellectually and emotionally; the result may well leave you blinking away a few tears."  (Seattle Times).

St. Barnabas, St. Lambert, 95 Lorne Ave.
Wednesday, Oct. 15th, 7pm

Christ Church, Beaurepaire, 455 Church St.
Friday, Oct. 17th, 7 pm

Christ Church Cathedral (St. Anselm’s Chapel) 1444 Union Ave
Tuesday, Oct. 21st, 7 pm

Grace Church, Sutton, 52 Principale sud
Thursday, Nov. 6th, 7 pm

St. Andrew and St. Mark, 865 Lakeshore, Dorval
Thursday, Nov. 13th, 1 pm

* All screenings are free.  The poster is available here in pdf
The Study Guide is also in pdf.  (77 pages)
 

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Diocese of Montreal News:

Diocesan Synod: October 24th, 25th
The Convening Circular is online here.   Check out the agenda and motions.

Ordination
On Sunday, November 9th at 4 pm in St George’s Anglican Church, Place du Canada, Bishop Barry Clarke intends to ordain Mr Robert Bergner B.A., B.Th., M.Div., Dip.Mus.,
to the transitional diaconate.

We will be celebrating the Feast of Martin, Bishop of Tours. Please pray for the candidate, and please be present at this liturgy if at all possible.
Diocesan clergy are invited to attend and robe - liturgical colour will be red.
The preacher is The Revd Linda Borden Taylor.
 

Fundraising Dinner
On November 25, 2008 there is a Diocesan fundraising dinner hosted by our Bishop Barry Clarke. The guest speaker will be the Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada who will speak on the five marks of mission. Only 125 tickets are available from the Synod office at a cost of $200 ($150 donation receipt to be provided).
Location: University Club of Montreal (2047 Mansfield –corner of President Kennedy). Cocktails 6:00 p.m. and dinner at 7:00 p.m. Monies raised will aid in continuing ministry in the Diocese. This promises to be a lovely evening. Please plan to join us.
Call Synod Office at 514-843-6577.

Safety Policy Workshops
at Fulford Hall, 1444 Union Avenue, Montreal. Information: Jessica Bickford
Choose a workshop date convenient for you:
Saturday, November 8th, from 9:30 am to 12 noon
Thursday, November 13th from 1:30 pm to 4 pm
Tuesday, November 18th, from 7 pm to 9:30 pm.

What is safety - What is our  diocesan policy - Activities with children and youth - What is misconduct - Resources - and more.

For Lay leaders, clergy, youth workers, wardens, pastoral visitors, and all those involved in ministry in the name of the church.

Diocesan Book Room Closing Sale

October 6 - 11    10% discount on all items
October 14 - 18  20% discount on all items
October 20 - 25  30% discount on all items
October 27 - 31  40% discount on remaining items

The Diocesan Book Room will close for all time on Friday afternoon, October 31!

 

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MDTC Tuesday Evening Course - * Course is now full *
 

 

Mission Shaped
INTRO

Six weeks to rediscover mission
and re-imagine the church

MDTC Tuesday Evening Course
October 14th to November 18th, 2008
at Montreal Diocesan Theological College
3475 University, Montreal, Quebec.  H3A-2A8
                                            Registration  $60

New world, new church? Our world and our lives have changed radically in the last twenty years, but has the church adapted to this change? Do we need a changing church for a changing world? Are new forms of church really possible?  If so, how can they be developed?

 

An inspiring and encouraging course, ideal for individuals, leadership teams, small groups,
mission shaped intro looks at fresh expressions of church through a mix of teaching,
reflection and story.

 

The evenings combine presentations, group activity, film and music clips, worship and prayer.

Session 1: October 14th
Rediscovering Mission and What That Means for the Church.

Session 2: October 21st
Changing World, Changing Church

Session 3: October 28th
Re-imagining Church and Community

Session 4: November 4th
Re-imagining Church and Worship

Session 5: November 11th
Re-imagining Church - Leadership and Discipleship

Session 6: November 18th
Where do we go from here?
 

Presenters: Nick Brotherwood, pastor to emerge, a community of 18-35 year olds.
Tim Smart, director of Lay Education and pastor at Grace Church, Sutton.

Brochure and registration is available here.

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More COURSES  &  EVENTS in 2008:

Week to End Poverty - October 12th to 19th
Information and resources for worship available through Kairos Canada.

Other dates to consider in your prayers and worship:
November 16-23rd  Restorative Justice Week.
December 6th      National Day of Action on Violence Against Women
December 10th    International Human Rights Day
January 18-15th  Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
March 21st       International Day for the Elimination of Racism
April 22nd         Earth Day
May 26th          National Day for Healing and Reconciliation
June 21st         National Aboriginal Day of Prayer

Forgiveness as A Way of Life
Lectures at the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul, 3415 Redpath (corner Sherbrooke & Bishop)  with the Rev. Dr. Gregory Jones of Duke University

Friday, October 17th at 7 pm        Practicing Forgiveness: Living Opportunities
Saturday, October 18th at 10 am  Loving Enemies: Confronting Challenges
Sunday, October 19th at 11 am    Dr. Jones preaches at the Sunday Service
  (Free-will offering at all events.)

 

"Reflections on post-Lambeth Unity: Tearing and 'Taring' the Church."
The Rev Dr Stephen Andrews' will be visiting the Diocese of Montreal on Friday, October 17th at 7:30 pm at St. George's, Place du Canada.  Stephen is the president of Thorneloe University and was very recently elected Bishop to the Diocese of Algoma. He is also Prolocutor of General Synod.

The title of his talk, to take place at St George's, Place du Canada, is "Reflections on post-Lambeth Unity: Tearing and 'Taring' the Church." to which all are invited.  Looking back at the last thirty years of controversy over sexual ethics, Dr Andrews asks what cohesive forces remain in the Anglican Church of Canada and appeals for 'mutual generosity'.
 

Mission Sunday - October 19th, 2008
Theme is 'Celebrating the African Church'.
Our new Diocesan Companion Diocese is Masasi, in Tanzania,
(and this site also) where the Rev. Mark Rogers is leading a delegation from Montreal during the month of September.  Please find here three bulletin inserts for this year's Mission Sunday celebration.

BAS Eucharist
BCP (1962) Eucharist
BCP Morning Prayer
 

As last year please feel free to change & adapt the material as best meets your local context. The hymn choices, in particular, are suggestions.

 

Fresh Start
is a diocesan-led program for clergy in new cures and for lay leaders in the congregations where they serve.  Visit the web site to find the updated schedule.

Fresh Start is designed to:

- assist with the transition issues inherent in any new ministry;
- sharpen the skills of lay leaders and clergy for congregational development;
- strengthen relationships needed for ministry among the clergy of a diocese;
- deepen the trust and interconnectedness between clergy and the lay leaders of   congregations and the bishop and bishop's staff.

Fresh Start seeks to strengthen the relationships among Anglican clergy, congregations, and dioceses during critical periods of transition in clergy leadership of the congregation.
 

Living in the Presence
This fall Christ Church in Beaurepaire is offering a new and innovative (for us) program in contemplative prayer, to be facilitated by the Rev. Cedric Cobb, recently retired as Incumbent at St. George’s, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue.

Our program, “LIVING IN THE PRESENCE: An Introduction to Christian Contemplative Life” will introduce you to spiritual exercises, meditations and other practices that you can easily do to become more present, enhance the quality of your life and get your minimum daily requirement of soul nurturance.

For more information open this pdf

 

Lay Readers - Diocese of Montreal
Saturday, November 1st, from 9 am to 2:30 pm.  Cost $10
The Rev. Alan T. Perry "The Church Calendar and the Revised Common Lectionary
At Montreal Diocesan Theological College, 3473 University, Montreal.
This Saturday workshop is open to all Lay Readers and any other interested persons.

Lay Readers - Study Day and Commissioning
on Saturday, November 15th, beginning at 9:30 am at St. John the Baptist, Pte Claire
Guest speaker: The Venerable Janet Griffith "Celebrating a Ministry of Transformation"
Bishop Barry Clarke presides at the Commissioning service at 4:00 pm with
the Rev. Tim Smart preaching.

Réseau Oécumenique du Québec
Annual Gathering on Wednesday, November 5th, at the Canadian Centre for Ecumenism
1819, boul. René-Lévesque ouest, (ground floor) Montréal, QC H3H 2P5. 514-937-9176.
Topic for discussion: The Emerging Church: What is it and Where is it happening?
With Nick Brotherwood and Tim Smart and invited guests from the Montreal area working in new church developments.

Symphony of Psalms - Wednesday, November 5th
The Choirs of Christ Church Cathedral celebrate the rich musical traditions and mutual influences of Jewish and Christian liturgical music in Symphony of Psalms on Wednesday, November 5th, at 8:00 p.m., Christ Church Cathedral,
635 St. Catherine Street West (McGill Metro).
Tickets: $20 adult; $15 students/seniors; $40 including reserved seating and wine and cheese reception. Information: (514) 843-6577.
 

CBC 2008 Massey Lectures
Payback: Debt and the Shadow Side of Wealth.  Lecturer: Margaret Atwood
Payback is not about practical debt management or high finance.
Rather, it is an investigation into the idea of debt as an ancient and central motif in religion, literature, and the structure of human societies.
Lectures given across Canada in October.  (October 20th in Montreal) And then broadcast on CBC Radio Ideas from November 10th to 14th.

Ecumenical/Bilingual OutMass
"Celebrating the Gifts of Gay and Lesbian People in our Churches and Communities."
Saturday, November 1st, at 3 pm at Grace Church in Sutton,
52 Principale sud, (Route 139).
The Rev. Canon Joyce Sanchez, guest preacher.
Everyone is welcome to participate.  For further information, please contact Tim Smart 

United Theological College - Continuing Education
Workshop with Ched Myers 
November 5 - 7, 2008   "Resisting Practices of Empire, Renewing Communities"
Over the past two decades, Ched Myers has worked with several peace and justice organizations and movements.  With Bartimaeus Cooperative Ministries, he focuses on building the capacity for biblical literacy, church renewal and faith-based witness for economic and political justice.  See pdf

PREACHING WORKSHOP WITH REV. DR. TIM OLSEN
November 7 - 9, 2008
"The Pig and the Elephant: Preaching in a Culture of Affluence"    See pdf

Le Comité solidarité-prière de l’ACAT * vous invite à
LA SOIRÉE DES VEILLEURS : Une heure de prière, de silence et d’intercession
(les premiers jeudis du mois)
DATE : Jeudi, le 6 novembre 2008
HEURE :19 h 15
ENDROIT : Église Notre-Dame-des-Neiges
5366, Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges

En lien avec la journée internationale des droits des enfants
Nous Prierons « Pour Les Enfants du Monde Entier »

Personne ressource : Me Catherine Gauvreau, chargée de programme au Bureau International des Droits des Enfants

*Action des Chrétiens pour l’Abolition de la Torture
Secrétariat ouvert les mardis, mercredis et jeudis avant-midi : 514-890-6169
 

19th Annual Flame Conference
with Archbishop Terry O. Buckle.  A weekend of spiritual enrichment and refreshment and fellowship for Anglican men at the Manoir d'Youville.  For further information,
please contact Roger Spack at 514-684-4356

Fall Gathering: with Kidstuff
Saturday, November 8th, 9:30 am to 2 pm.
Lunch included. 
Fulford Hall, 1444 Union Avenue, Montreal.
For Christian Education Leaders and Teachers

Topic: What place do you think children have in the Church?   Speaker: The Rev'd Chris Belle.
For further information call 514-363-6712 or email  kidstuff@montreal.anglican.ca 

 

Diocese of Montreal - Stewardship Day
on Saturday, November 22nd, 2008 with the Rev. Canon Charles LaFond, Canon for Stewardship and Congregational Development in the Episcopal Church, USA. 

Charles LaFond, priest and monk in the SSJE (Society of Saint John the Evangelist), treats formation around stewardship as a combination of spiritual reflection, conversion of life and the provision of the latest tools being used in the church and non-profit sector to encourage increased giving.  Charles has consulted with more than 20 dioceses and 200 parishes and is currently developing curriculum for small-parish stewardship programs. He is an adjunct professor at Virginia Theological Seminary teaching a winter term in stewardship, fundraising, strategic planning and communications.

All clergy are requested to attend along with 1-3 laypeople from each parish.
Location: St. Barnabas Church in Pierrefonds.

World AIDS Day Mass
on Friday, November 28th at 6 pm.
at the Church of St. John the Evangelist (Metro Place des Arts)
Bishop Barry Clarke presiding and Dr. Christine Jamieson, chair of Department of Theology at Concordia University, preaching.
 
Reception to follow. Sponsored by the Montreal Unit of the PWRDF.

 

2009

Radical Abundance: A Theology of Sustainability
The 2009 Trinity Institute Lectures, January 21st to 23rd.  Web-casting.

"As we rethink how to grow, build, supply, consume, dispose, and recycle everything in our lives, we often fail at partnering with the marginalized and powerless, and thus adversely affect them. Building sustainable communities goes hand-in-hand with thoughtful building of infrastructures and physical spaces. Is there a theological basis for living abundantly while striving for justice and sustainability?"

"In 2009, Trinity Institute will explore sustainability through the lens of liberation theology, which views Jesus not only as redeemer but also liberator of the oppressed. It posits a vision of Christians working together toward social justice by considering all people as full partners in healing our planet and our communities, regardless of their social or economic status. Only in striving for sustainable relationships, rather than accumulating and consuming more for ourselves, can we discover true abundance."
 

A Pilgrimage the Holy Land - SOLD OUT -
Hosted by Bishop Barry Clarke - February 12 - 21, 2009
Come Celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Synod of the Diocese of Montreal
TOUR PRICE: $2,069 CAD per person sharing a twin room
Departure from Toronto/Montreal to Tel Aviv on Olympic Airlines via Athens.
 

The Misunderstood Jew: The Church and the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus
with guest speaker Amy-Jill Levine, Professor of NT at Vanderbilt University Divinity School in Nashville, TN.
April 17th and 18th, 2009 in Montreal. 
Further details will be posted at later date. 

"A self-described 'Yankee Jewish feminist who teaches in a predominantly Protestant divinity school in the buckle of the Bible Belt,' Levine combines historical-critical rigor, literary-critical sensitivity, and a frequent dash of humor with a commitment to eliminating anti-Jewish, sexist, and homophobic theologies."

See the book, The Misunderstood Jew at Amazon 

PWRDF Presents "The Three Cantors"
on Saturday, May 9th, at Christ Church Cathedral, Montreal.
(More information later on.)
 

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Some pretty Funny stuff...

Pastor at McCain Rally: A lesson in how not to pray...
on YouTube.

 

The Rev. Dr. Christian Troll
Doctrinal Warrior
Vicar Superior
St. Onuphrius,Ichabod Springs

"Behold a Man of Righteousness"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The State of the Anglican Communion