ST. BARNABAS' ANGLICAN CHURCH
12301 Colin St., Pierrefonds QC
EDITORIAL STAFF
Suiru Tunteng e-mail: stunteng@netscape.net
Peter Davies e-mail: peterdaviesc@aol.co
Published four times per year.
Easter
St. Barnabas Day
Thanksgiving
Christmas
INDEX
Page 1 Front Cover
Page 2 Index
Page 3 Editorial
Page 4 Rector's Message
Page 7 God said NO
Page 8 A.W.A.R.E.
Page 9 Humour
Page 10 Last Judgement
Page 11 Family Life
Page 12 Fall Fair
Page 13 Calendar
Page 14 Humour
Page 15 Church signs
Page 16 Letters to God
EDITORIAL
"All things work together for good for those that love the Lord"
The world that we live in is constantly changing and with this change comes the uncertainty of
what lies ahead. This Thanksgiving gives us a chance to embrace these changes and thank God
for our faith in Him.
The change in the seasons from summer to autumn to winter presents its challenges because the
weather can be very unpredictable. There will be heat waves, strong winds, heavy rains, snow
storms and varying temperatures. We must all take the necessary precautions so that we are
prepared for whatever nature has in store for us.
Next month, our American neighbors vote on whether to keep the Republicans in power or bring
in the Democrats. Whoever wins will control how the rest of the world evolves. Will the fighting
in Iraq continue? Will stability come to the Middle East? These are questions that only the next
four years can answer.
Closer to home, Canadians will be voting for their own new government in a few days. Will we
still have the same government that we have now and if so, will it be a majority or a minority? If
the present government is defeated, who will take over and what will it mean for us? On October
14th, the political party who we vote for will determine the path that Canada will take.
Here at St. Barnabas, as we approach our 50th year as a congregation, we have been through
many changes. From our beginnings in Roxboro to our present location in Pierrefonds, every
challenge and obstacle and obstacle we have faced, we have pulled through them together. For
every member of our congregation that has moved on, another member has filled the void.
In our Thanksgiving prayers, let us ask god for the strength to handle all the changes in our lives
no matter how big or small they are. We should thank God that these changes can allow us to
grow and begin again. Whatever lies "around the bend" with these changes, let them make us
stronger individuals.
Suiru Tunteng
Editor
Confirmation notes - Fr. Alan
"Confirmation is the rite in which we express a mature commitment to Christ, and receive
strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop." (Episcopal
Church, USA, BCP 1979, p. 860)
From time to time the question arises as to what Confirmation means and when it is best to be
confirmed. This is not a new question. In fact, it has been a matter of discussion and debate for
centuries.
Confirmation emerged as a separate rite of initiation in the Western Church when the Church
grew to the point that in became impractical for the bishop to be present at every celebration of
baptism. Before that, the final step in baptism was chrismation, or the anointing of the newly
baptized person by the bishop with chrism, a holy oil. As the Church grew it became impossible
for the bishop to be present at every celebration of baptism and so a solution was needed to
provide for the chrismation. In the East, the Orthodox Churches, the solution was for the priest to
do the chrismation, which remains the practice to this day. In the West, a new rite of
Confirmation was developed, in which the newly baptized would be presented to the bishop at
some convenient time to receive the anointing. Over time, participation in Confirmation became
more and more rare.
One solution to the problem of people not bothering with Confirmation was developed in
England in the Middle Ages, when it was decreed that no-one could receive communion without
first being confirmed. At the time it was assumed that most people would be confirmed by the
age of three. The solution didn't work, and most people still neglected to be confirmed.
At the time of the Reformation, the idea of doing some basic instruction in the faith was
developed, and this instruction was tied to Confirmation. Obviously three-year-olds were not
quite ready for such instruction, and so the age of Confirmation began to rise. Although parish
priests were diligent in giving this instruction, and most people received it, actual Confirmation
remained rare until the nineteenth century, when the old rule about needing to be confirmed in
order to receive communion was dusted off and enforced.
In the second half of the twentieth century a great deal of thought was put into the practice and meaning of baptism. The upshot of this thought was the introduction of permission for unconfirmed children (and adults) to receive communion. Now baptism was understood as full initiation into the Church, including the right to receive communion. So what of confirmation?
Confirmation remains a prerequisite for ordination, and for holding certain lay offices such as
Lay Reader and Synod delegate, but for most Anglicans it is no longer a requirement to live out
their faith. So does it have a purpose?
As the quote from the American prayer book puts it, Confirmation is an opportunity to make a
mature, public commitment to the Christian faith as expressed and lived out in the Anglican
Church. Rather than seeing it as a prerequisite to certain participation in the Christian faith, such
as receiving communion, it is best to understand Confirmation as taking on a serious and mature
commitment to live out the faith and to be an active member of the Church. As the Church of
England puts it:
"confirmation marks the point in the Christian journey at which the participation in the life of
God's people inaugurated at baptism is confirmed by the bishop by the laying on of hands, and in
which those who have been baptized affirm for themselves the faith into which they have been
baptised and their intention to live a life of responsible and committed discipleship." (C of E.
http://www.cofe.anglican.org/lifeevents/baptismconfirm/sectionc.html)
It follows, then, that the instruction before Confirmation is more than just basic information
about the Christian faith, but rather is an opportunity to deepen the understanding of the faith in
order to be prepared to take on and adult commitment to the faith in a meaningful way. But if
Confirmation is about making an adult commitment, then what is the appropriate age to be
confirmed? The same Church of England document suggests that:
"Anyone may be confirmed who has been baptized, who is old enough to answer responsibly for
themselves, and who has received appropriate preparation. In the Church of England it has been
traditional for people to be confirmed in their early teens, but there is no set age for
confirmation. In many dioceses, however, the diocesan bishop has set a minimum age for
Confirmation." (ibid.)
Thus, there is no longer any particular rush to be confirmed, but rather the primary concern is
whether the candidate is ready and willing to take on a mature, adult, lifelong commitment to
living out the faith in a meaningful way. Where in the sixteenth century the primary concern was
whether the candidate was old enough to understand the instruction, now the concern is whether
the candidate is mature enough to make an adult commitment.
Child development experts suggest that the early and mid teens are times of significant change in
a person's life, often accompanied with much turmoil. This is generally understood to be an
inappropriate time to encourage people to take on an adult commitment of any sort, and we don't
in fact treat people at that age as adults. Thus, for example, we no longer permit young teens to
get married; we don't permit them to drive a car until the age of sixteen; they can't sign a contract
or drink or vote until eighteen; and they are not held fully responsible for criminal acts before
eighteen.
It is unhelpful to see Confirmation as a rite of passage, or of graduation from Christian instruction (or from the Church!) Rather, if it is to have a meaningful future in the life of the Church, we would do best to treat Confirmation as a public, mature, adult affirmation of a meaningful commitment to living the faith in the Anglican Church. While there is no fixed age for this to happen, the primary concern should be whether the candidate is truly ready for such a step, whether at 16 or 60. Obviously a key question is whether the candidate freely consents to enter into this deeper level of commitment to the faith. In other words, does the initiative to be confirmed come from the candidate or from the candidate's parents?
Confirmation instruction is offered in St Barnabas as needed whenever there are enough people
who are prepared to commit seriously to the instruction programme to warrant holding a class. In
general we try to work with neighbouring parishes where possible to ensure a critical mass of
candidates, and to share the responsibility for instruction among several clergy.
If you think you are ready to explore making a mature, adult commitment to the Christian faith as
it is lived out in the Anglican Church, and you are prepared to make a serious commitment to the
instruction process, then you should contact the parish priest, Fr Alan, for more details.
GOD SAID, NO.
I asked God to take away my habit.
It is not for me to take away, but for you to give up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, NO.
His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.
I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.
Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it is not granted, it is learned.
I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, NO.
I give you blessings; happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, NO.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, NO.
You must grow on your own, but I will prime you to make you fruitful.
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, NO.
I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.
I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as Jesus loves.
God said, Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.
A.W.A.R.E.
A.W.A.R.E stands for Anglican Women Alive, Renewed & Enriched.
It is an annual retreat weekend held each Fall where women from Anglican and other Parishes
come together for teaching, worship, singing, workshops, small group discussion, and a whole lot
of fun and good food in a relaxing atmosphere. This year it was held on Sept. 19-21 at the
CAMMAC Music camp near Brownsburg, Quebec. This year 2 women attended from St.
Barnabas - myself and Diana Brossard.
The AWARE statement is this:
PURPOSE: To help encourage and deepen the spiritual growth of Anglican women.
GOAL: To create an environment that gives opportunity to:
I. Experience a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
2. Learn about and experience the empowering of the Holy Spirit.
3. Be instructed and encouraged to grow in the faith.
4. Experience healing of the total person-body, soul, and Spirit.
5.Experience creative corporate worship.
6. Help discover gifts and encourage leadership amongst the laity.
7. Interact and share with women from other parishes.
8. Be refreshed and renewed.
(taken from the 19th Annual Montreal AWARE Weekend pamphlet)
Over the years many banners have been made by AWARE attendees to represent the themes of the various weekends. Each year the names of all Parishes in attendance are put in a hat and names are pulled to see which parish will look after which banner for the coming year. These banners are hung in the Churches and returned to the AWARE weekend a year later. This year St. Bamabas has the privilege of housing the banner entitled STANDING UP IN TOUGH TMES. It was made by Valerie-Taylor for the 1994 AWARE weekend.
We hope you will enjoy seeing it hanging in our Church for the next year.
Any women interested in learning more about AWARE can speak to me or check their website at
http://pages.videotron.ca/sherry
AWARE 2009 will be held on Sept. 18-20. 2009 and the speaker will be Vina Sweetman
Submitted by Wendy Pingree
Last Judgment
As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls
Before each of us, our life was laid out like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that was our life.
But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in eve day life. I saw hardships that I had endured, which were the largest holes of all.
I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole he and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the
bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.
My angel was sewing the ragged 'Pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.
Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise.
My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, fortune, and false accusations that took from me my world as I knew it. I had had to start over many times. I had often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I had spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I had endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath e judgmental gaze of those who had unfairly judged me,
And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.
I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light
An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others, who were staring at me with wide eyes.
Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with
warmth and love in His eyes. He said, 'Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles .
Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.'
May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through!
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ST. BARNABAS' ANGLICAN CHURCH CALENDAR 2008
October 18 Saturday 9 a.m. Maintenance Day. General clean-up of
The Church and grounds.
October 19 Sunday 12 noon Spaghetti Luncheon
October 20 Monday 7:30 p.m. Parish Council Meeting
October 24-25 Fri-Sat. Diocesan Synod at Fulford Hall
October 25 Saturday 9 a.m. Women's Breakfast
November 1 Saturday 7:30 p.m. All Soul's Service
November 2 Sunday 10:30 a.m. All Saints Day and Holy Baptism
November 5 Wednesday 7:30 p.m. Healing Service
November 9 Sunday 8 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. Remembrance Day Services
November 15 Saturday 9 a.m. Fall Fair
November 17 Monday 7:30 p.m. Parish Council Meeting
November 22 Saturday 9 a.m. Diocesan Stewardship Day- 4 p.m.
November 30 Sunday. First Sunday of Advent and White Gift Sunday
We are asked to bring gifts to go to needy children..
December 1 Monday 7:30 p.m. Board of Management Meeting
December 3 Wednesday 7:30 p.m. Healing Service
December 15 Monday 7:30 p.m. Parish Council Meeting
December 20 Saturday 9 a.m. Family Breakfast
December 21 Sunday 4 p.m. Carol Service
December 24 Wednesday 10 p.m. Christmas Eve Service
December 25 Thursday 11 a.m. Christmas Day Service
December 31 Wednesday 8:30 p.m. New Year's Eve Service