KOOTENAY CONTACT
-March 16, 2022-
March 19- Feast of St Joseph
Saint Joseph with the Infant Jesus by Guido Reni, c 1635
Saint Joseph with the Infant Jesus by Guido Reni, c 1635
O God, who from the family of your servant David raised up Joseph to be the guardian of your incarnate Son and the husband of his virgin mother: Give us grace to imitate his uprightness of life and his obedience to your commands; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Bishop's Letter
March 16, 2022
Dear People of the Diocese of Kootenay,
Peace to you in the name of Christ.
I have been pondering the words to the Psalm that was in our lectionary text last Sunday, Psalm 27. It is a favourite of mine; I can hear my mom's oft played record with Mahalia Jackson’s contralto belting out:
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom then shall I fear?
the Lord is the strength of my life;
of whom then shall I be afraid?
The psalm then goes on to list an escalation of fearful things;
evildoers coming upon us, surrounded by armies, war rising up, all things which feel very real right now, with the affirmation that even if all these worst things happen, yet will I put my trust in God. Even if my father and mother abandon me (the psalmist reaches for the most unheard of and horrifying thing imaginable), even then, yet God will sustain me.
This psalm, with all of its images of God as refuge for us, is worth memorizing, or writing out and posting on your bathroom mirror. In the very midst of trouble, God shelters us, hides us, is a secure rock, and makes our path level. What is your image of God as safety? In this time of fear, it is good to remind ourselves of these concrete images of where our real security lies.
I am also intrigued by the ways the psalmist becomes aware of God’s sheltering presence; by singing and making music, by beholding beauty, by offering joyful praise and gladness, by being in the sanctuary. I wonder how these things are part of your spiritual life. I wonder if belting out a hymn of praise might be a Lenten practice for you in this time of fear! How might you make “beholding the Beauty of God” a spiritual discipline?
Blessings as you continue your journey through Lent. Remember that as we seek God, God is seeking us!
Yours in Christ,
+Lynne
Updates following Council of General Synod (CoGS):
Greetings from Rev. Rita Harrison
Dear People of the Diocese of Kootenay,
I am excited to be returning to the diocese, this time as Executive Officer. I have always believed that we love people by administering well. As I settle into Kootenay, I look forward to reflecting theologically with leaders in the diocese about the needs of their communities and our shared institutions, participating in teams that will come to decisions about our direction, and implementing the practicalities of our vision. Part of my vocation is to love people by doing this work carefully and well.
One of my teachers has said that the more noble an institution’s purpose, the more fragile its container. I am convinced that the work of the Executive Officer of this diocese is to help maintain the strengths of this particular container through which we participate in God's gathering of all things into Christ, while never allowing the container itself to become our defining purpose.
Since I was last among you, I worked for 3 years in the Diocese of Huron, primarily doing interim and transitional work with congregations. I then spent two years in Saskatoon as Director of Operations for Lutheran Theological Seminary. Most recently, I have been working with Great Plains College in Martensville, SK, as a student adviser in an Adult Basic Education program. I have discovered that priestly ministry can take many forms!
My husband Bill, our son Charles, and I look forward to our move to Kelowna in mid-April. We are eager to reconnect with friends and colleagues, to thaw out in milder winters, and to taste the wonderful fruits of the earth that define the Okanagan! Our elder son, Richard, will join us from time to time as his life permits. Bill will continue in his role as President of Lutheran Theological Seminary, splitting his time among Saskatoon, Kelowna, and travelling throughout western Canada.
Blessings and peace,
Rita Harrison
Diocesan News
Bishop Lynne joined the team at St.George's West Kelowna for the Strides to End Homelessness fundraiser on March 5th.
New Website kootenayanglican.ca
There is a handy search bar that will help you locate the materials you're looking for. We have a new section here for sermons + lections we will continue to add to. Special events are here. All parishes in the Diocese are listed here. Newsletters will be posted here.The HighWay is posted here. If you have suggestions for additional info/events to add to the website email admin@kootenay.info.
Positions Available-
Application Deadlines Extended
Two Point Charge Incumbent (Kelowna/Peachland)
Half-Time Incumbent (East Kelowna)
Half-Time Incumbent (Peachland)
Calendar of Events
Upcoming Schedule Highlights
March 16- Ordinal Task Force, Provincial Executive Committee
March 17- BARDS, Territory Administration Meeting
March 24- General Clericus
March 27- Bishop to preach at St. Edward, Oliver
March 29- Spiritual Development Committee
April 2- Travel to Toronto
April 3- ACPO Bishop Meeting
April 5 to 8- National House of Bishops in Niagara Falls
March 20- Happy birthday to Bishop Lynne, who wears many hats (quite literally!) as our Bishop and Provincial Metropolitan and balances it all with humility, grace, and a touch of humour. I know the Diocesan staff can speak on behalf of many when we say we value the work she does and the way in which she does it. Blessings on your year ahead Bishop!
O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we pray, on your servant +Lynne as she begins another year. Grant that she may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen her trust in your goodness all the days of her life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Clergy/Staff Birthdays- March
We also want to wish a happy birthday to Rev. Austin Spry for March 25. Blessings on your birthday Rev. Austin!
Special Events- Within the Diocese
Clergy- if you would like to sign up for a week (4-5 days) as a camp chaplain, email admin@kootenay.info
Camp OAC
Summer Camp registration is now open for overnight and day camp. Click HERE for more information. Click HERE to register.
Camp OAC is looking for staff & volunteers to join this summer's Camp Team! For more information or to apply: https://www.campoac.com/jobs
Summer Programs at Sorrento Centre
Sorrento Centre is hosting a variety of camps and events for children, teens and adults. Click here for event info and registration.
LLM Training
March 19, 2022
March 19, 2022
Led by LLM Cathy Haig, this online training course will help participants to identify the spiritual care needs of those affected by dementia as well as prepare them to deliver that care.
To register or for more information please email Pam Harris:
pamharris_3006@hotmail.com
Sorrento Centre Workshop
May 1-4, 2022
"Developing Resilience and Restoring Self: Managing Stress in Clergical Work"
Financial support for clergy is available (email admin@kootenay.info to request)
Details & Registration: HERE
May 6, 2022- Retired Clergy & Spouse/Partner Gathering
Bishop Lynne is inviting all retired clergy and spouses/partners living in the South, Central & North Okanagan Regions of the Diocese to gather for Eucharist, lunch and conversation on Friday, May 6. The gathering will begin at 10:30am at the Cathedral Church of Saint Michael and All Angels in Kelowna. There is no charge for the event, but for catering purposes those who wish to attend are requested to RSVP to Michael Karabelas by Sunday, May 2 by phone (250-764-2718) or email karabelas@telus.net
Save the Date- May 18 + 19, 2022 at Sorrento Centre
We currently have 4 people registered, we will need more registrants to run the workshop. Please make us aware of your interest as soon as possible.
The Diocese of Kootenay has hired facilitators trained in ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) to lead a two day, in person workshop at Sorrento Centre. This workshop is open to everyone - both clergy and lay persons as well as those in another Diocese. The Diocese will cover facilitator's fee for all. Accommodation/meals/materials are at the cost of the participant. If clergy are in need of financial assistance, the Diocese can provide funding. Due to the serious nature of this training, Sorrento Centre will be closed to other events during the workshop and the training is not available online.
The below package contains the registration form and information on accommodations, meals and rates. Please return forms/arrange payment via admin@kootenay.info by April 15th, 2022. Visit Event Page
Lent 2022- Events & Resources
Lenten Online Book Study
March 8-April 12, 2022
This study is led by Andrew Stephens-Rennie, and will take place weekly on Tuesday evenings.
Details/Registration: HERE
Lenten Zoom- Study a Saint
Wednesdays at 10am MT (9am PT)
Wednesdays at 10am MT (9am PT)
Join the Fernie Shared Ministry for worship and learning about a Saint. The focus currently is on female Saints. A long standing mid-week tradition in Fernie, you are welcome to join them for Lent starting March 9 ( and carry on afterwards if you wish). Email Rev. Andrea Brennan for the zoom link: Barefootbellringer@gmail.com
St. Paul's Kamloops, Territory of the People Lenten Lectures:
News & Resources
Praying with our Partners in Mission- Daily Intercessions
Thank you to Rev. Helen Hall for her work on the prayer cycles!
The Highway- New Website
The HighWay has launched a new website making it easy to view and share articles and news online.
Last Laugh
Artist: The Rev. Jay Sidebotham. Copyright © Church Pension Group
If you are clergy, a warden or a parish treasurer and you have not been receiving communications related to these roles, please email admin@kootenay.info to advise of your role and which parish you are associated with so we can add you to our contact lists. Please ensure you check your junk email folder as well.