| 20 January 2009 Quarter 1 Number 3 |
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Diocesan News | From the Bishop's Office | Readings and Intercession | Resources | Current
Calendar | PWRDF | Advance Notice of Events
Employment | Wider
Church News | General Synod
Resources | Stewardship Quotable
| Heavenly Humour
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National study finds diocese at 'crisis point'
Offers key recommendations and support for interventions
By Ana Watts
A brutal, honest assessment … tough but encouraging. That is how Archdeacon Geoffrey Hall, the bishop’s executive assistant and Secretary of Synod, described the planning study report of our diocese recently prepared by consultants from General Synod. He presented the report to Diocesan Council in Fredericton on Saturday, Jan. 17. The study found our diocesan family “mired in a complex set of problems.” It described the current situation as a “crisis point” and said “planned intervention was essential to the diocese’s sustainability.”
Read
the full story.
Diocesan Council News
The Planning Study Report and the Executive Summary of our diocese conducted by General Synod consultants, and the Report of the Task Force on Budget Support were received at the Jan. 17 meeting of Diocesan Council in Fredericton. The documents are linked from the Diocesan Council page on the Diocesan website.
Sharing Ministry Task Group
The September meeting of Diocesan Council identified the need for a co-ordination of diocesan initiatives from the 2007 Synod, delegating that task to the Executive Committee. At a December 2008 meeting, the Executive Committee established the Sharing Ministry Task Group. View the Roles and Responsibilities of the Group.
As Synod 2009 approaches, stay up to date on efforts toward planning and preparation by visiting the Synod 2009 web page.
The latest news from Uganda
The Rev. Canon Paul Jefferies, our missionary priest in Uganda, sends the latest news from Bishop McAllister College where he is principal.
Building Faith for a Lifetime
At Christmas several New Brunswick Anglicans remembered loved ones with a gift to the Building Faith for a Lifetime campaign. As the RRSP season comes upon us, we have another opportunity to honour loved ones with a gift of securities to the campaign. This type of gift is 100 per cent tax deductable, with no capital gains.
In December we received $7,100 in donations and throughout 2008 donors paid $29,818.19 on their pledges. We thank everyone for their donations and payments, especially the ACW, whose Diocesan and individual group support still dominates the campaign. We did receive several other very generous donations over Christmas and we rejoice in that as well.
As the Finance Committee develops a new vision and direction, the Camps Campaign stands at $687,332.29.
New pledge statements will be in the mail this week for those of you who made payments in December, along with any remaining income tax receipts for 2008.
Peter Irish
Campaign Chair - Retired
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The Bishop's 2009 Deanery Visitation Schedule (tentative)
Shediac — February
St. Andrews
— April
Fredericton/York — May
Fredericton/York — June
Kingston/Kennebecasis and Saint John — September
Ordinations
Debra Edmondson and Eleanor Dryden will be ordained to the Vocational Diaconate on Sunday, Feb. 1, at 4 p.m. at Christ Church Cathedral in Fredericton.
Transitional deacons Dick Black, Michael Caines, Kevin Cross and Jasmine Chandra will be ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, March 28 at 4 p.m. at Christ Church Cathedral in Fredericton.
View An up-to-date list of diocesan appointments
and announcements.
Temporal
Transactions
View an up-to-date list
of property
transactions within the diocese.
Open
incumbencies
| Parish |
Open |
Interim |
Status * |
| Andover |
Oct 2008 |
TBA |
I |
| Bright |
Dec 2007 |
J. Sharpe |
P |
| Denmark |
Jun 2008 |
TBA |
I |
| Fredericton Junction |
Jun 2006 |
G. Lemmon |
H |
| Musquash |
Sept 2007 |
R. Marsh |
H |
| Prince William, et al |
Jan 2009 |
TBA |
H |
| Quispamsis |
Jun 2008 |
S. Allan |
H |
| The Tobique |
Jun 2008 |
TBA |
I |
| Upper Kennebecasis |
May 2007 |
G. Akerley |
H |
| Victoria |
30 Sept 2009 |
TBA |
H |
* Appointment process status:
H - On hold
P - In parish profile preparation
E - Accepting expressions of interest
I - In the interview process
A - Awaiting appointment
Diocesan openings
The Nominating Committee currently invites nominations for the following diocesan positions:
See a current listing of Diocesan Roles, Elections and Appointments on the diocesan web site.
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| Readings
and Intercession |
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Pension office moving
The long anticipated move of the Pension Office Corp. of the Anglican Church of Canada from the national office at 80 Hayden Street to a new site one block away takes place this Saturday, Jan. 24. The new address is
Pension Office Corporation of the Anglican Church of Canada
625 Church Street, Suite 401
Toronto, Ont.
M4Y 2G1
The phone numbers (416) 960-2484, 1-800-265-1070, fax number (416) 968-7689 and web address remain the same.
Pastors’ Theology Seminar
A Continuing Education Opportunity
Atlantic School of Theology
Church leaders of all denominations are invited to take part in a seminar that will read & discuss the book A Generous Orthodoxy (2004) by Brian McLaren, AST’s Best Practices Institute speaker for September 2009. The Pastors’ Theology Seminar will meet on three Tuesdays (February 10, 17 & 24) 12:20 - 2 p.m. Lunch provided to seminar participants. The cost is $50 payable to Atlantic School of Theology. Please arrange to purchase your own copy of the book, or read the library’s copy. To register or for more information, please contact Rob Fennell <rfennell at astheology.ns.ca>.
Preaching Workshop
A preaching workshop for clergy with Bishop Bill Hockin will be held at St. Margaret's Church Fredericton, Feb. 4 at 10 a.m. He will focus on three Lenten readings following the Revised Common Lectionary. Lunch is provided. Register through the Rev. Canon Albert Snelgrove <albertsn at nb.sympatico.ca>.
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Jan. 22, 3 p.m. Human Resources committee, Synod Office board room.
Jan. 23. 1 p.m. Sharing Ministry task force.
Jan. 24, 9 a.m. Rural and/or Struggling Parishes task force, Christ Church (Parish) Church, Fredericton.
Jan. 25, 2-4 p.m. Saint John area Cursillo Ultreya, St. George's Church, 100 Watson Street, West Saint John. An afternoon of music, sharing, inspiration and encouragement — take a friend.
Jan. 27, 1 p.m. Communications Committee, Synod Office board room.
Visit the Diocesan Web Calendar of Events
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| Primates
World Relief and Development Fund |
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PWRDF partner Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) members have responded to the growing need for food in Zimbabwe and provided rations to sustain approximately 120,000 beneficiaries for 5 months, until the next harvest.It is estimated that Zimbabwe faces one of the most significant food crises in the world in coming months, due to recent drought, poor agricultural policies, a lack of agricultural inputs, and a rapidly declining economy. Further compounding the situation is the high prevalence of HIV and AIDS and a recent cholera outbreak.However, there is some positive news as the CFGB supports long-term food security projects in three districts of Zimbabwe. Farmers with small land holdings are learning the principles of a new farming system called Conservation Farming. As a result, some farmers have tripled their corn yields through timely planting, precision fertilizer and manure placement and covering the soil with mulch to reduce soil erosion and conserve moisture. In particular, moisture conservation has been key, given the increasing intensity and frequency of droughts in the region. The mulch layer for many farmers is the difference between no yield and food for 3 to 6 months to feed their families
Visit Diocesan PWRDF or PWRDF National
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Archdeaconry of Woodstock Greater Chapter Meeting -
Thursday evening, Feb. 19, 7 p.m. at St. John's Church and Parish Centre, Parish of Richmond. Further information from the Rev. Chris Hayes <chris.hayes at anglican.nb.ca>.
21 April 2009 Clergy Day
Visit the Diocesan Web Calendar of Events
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Does God bless America?
Documentary explores faith and politics
Anglican Journal
Jan. 16, 2009
“When did it become obligatory for (U.S.) presidents to end every speech with the words ‘God bless America?’” “Why do so many Americans believe that their country enjoys the Lord’s special favour?” Read the story.
Buy a building block, help build a cathedral
Anglican Journal
Jan. 13, 2009
All residents of Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and the Yukon are able to buy building blocks for the new St. Jude’s Anglican Cathedral at their local Royal Bank of Canada branch, effective Jan. 15. Read the story.
Pension Office to move Jan. 24
ACC General Synod Web news
Jan. 19, 2008 -- On Jan. 24, the Pension Office Corp. of the Anglican Church of Canada will move from the national office at 80 Hayden Street, Toronto, to a new site one block away. Originally the move was scheduled for Nov. 1, 2008. Read the story.
Meet the 2009 theological student interns
by Ali Symons
General Synod Web news
JAN. 15, 2008 -- The freshest crop of theological student international interns was in Toronto this week, preparing for overseas trips with a program run by the Canadian Churches' Forum for Global Ministries. The three students spent a day at the national office to learn about General Synod, and share their stories so far. Read the story.
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Planned Giving as Jubilee
"Every 50 years the people of Israel were commanded by the law to return land and other property to the original owners, to redistribute wealth so that the poor might have a share in the bounty of the Lord. Jubilee laws called on Isreal to restore an equitable distribution of land and property, and there is much evidence in the ancient world that this redistribution was reality, not fiction. Some scholars doubt whether the 50-year-cycle was actually practised in Israel. Evidence suggests that a seven-year Jubilee cycle was the norm. According to the biblical concept of Jubilee, God has a plan to provide equitably for all. The world, it is recognized, will continue to veer off into imbalance, but devoted Christians can take concrete action to proclaim and demonstrate the truth that the wole world, and all that is in it, is from God and owned by God, not by us.'"
by David Ponting
From Scarcity to Abundance: A complete Guide to Parish Stewardship
p 118.
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One evening the rector got a call from a lady who wanted a funeral and burial for her dog. The rector suggested she call the United Church across the street.
“I just have one more question,” said the woman. “How much should I pay their minister for doing the service? I was thinking somewhere between 800 and a thousand dollars. Would that be enough?”
“Oh,” said the rector, “why didn’t you tell me your dog was an Anglican?”
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