KOOTENAY CONTACT
-November 23, 2022-
November 27 - First Sunday of Advent
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Bishop's Letter
November 23, 2022
Dear People of the Diocese of Kootenay,
This week is the ultimate liminal time in the Church Calendar, as we have just celebrated the Reign of Christ, our hope for the culmination of God’s kingdom at the end of time, and now we are in-between, waiting to start a new Church Year with Advent this coming Sunday.
As I prepare to lead the Advent Retreat at Sorrento beginning tomorrow, I have been immersing myself again in one of the key characters of Advent, Mary, the mother of Jesus. She says Yes to a risky future of bearing Christ into the world. “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word”. Mary is the ideal disciple, a mentor for each of us as followers of Jesus, all of us who have said Yes to God in our baptism. We say Yes to bearing Christ into the world, each uniquely in our own lives. As she embraces this call from God, she immerses herself in the stories of God’s past faithfulness. “God’s mercy is on those who revere God from generation to generation”. She expresses her hope for the future, rising out of God’s saving work in the past. That is part of our spiritual work of Advent, immersing ourselves in God’s saving work before Christ and in Christ, to renew our hope for the present and future.
We keep ourselves alert for God’s faithful presence with us now. I invite you to enter into the fullness of Advent readings and rituals of expanding Hope.
May this season renew your awareness of the magnificent Love of God, which dwells in the midst of the messiness of humanity.
Blessings of Peace and Light,
+Lynne
Hope is the presentiment that the imagination is more real, and reality less real, than we had thought. It is the sensation that the last word does not belong to the brutality of facts with their oppression and repression. It is the suspicion that reality is far more complex than realism would have us believe, that the frontiers of the possible are not determined by the limits of the present, and that miraculously and surprisingly, life is readying the creative event that will open the way to freedom and resurrection.
(Rubem Alves, Brazilian Theologian and Philosopher and one of the founders of Liberation Theology)
Ask not. Doubt not. You have, my heart, already chosen the joy of Advent. As a force against your own uncertainty, bravely tell yourself, “It is the Advent of the great God”. Say this with faith and love, and then both the past of your life, which has become holy, and your life’s eternal, boundless future will draw together in the now of this world. For then, into the heart comes the One who is Advent, the boundless future who is already in the process of coming, the Lord, who has already come into the time of flesh to redeem it.
(Karl Rahner)
Prayer for Advent:
God, with unhurried gentleness you draw near to us, bidding us lift our eyes to the infinite stars and open them to the ordinary wonders, numerous as snowflakes, all about us. Yet we see the waning sun, the snow upon the ground, the dazzle of holiday display, each other’s weary faces, and we know that we have seen this all before. We cannot claim a breathless anticipation of the birth of Christ. From the prophet’s good news to the shepherd’s joyful witness, we have heard it all before. The season is familiar and holds no surprises for us. God, your power and love are ancient, yet ever new. Help us to see afresh the love borne into the world at each moment. Then with glad hearts may we welcome your Christ, before whom even the desert blooms and rejoices. Amen
(Diane Karay from: All the Seasons of Mercy)
Diocesan News
Mr. Paul Glen
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Mr. Paul Glen on Saturday, November 19, 2022 due to complications following cancer treatments. Paul was a long-time member of Diocesan Council and a warden and licensed lay minister (LLM) at St.Barbara's Okanagan Falls. Please keep his wife Kim and their family, along with all those connected to him in the Diocese and beyond. An obituary and funeral details will follow at a later date.
The Reverend Isaac Graham
The Rev. Canon Isaac Graham passed away peacefully on the evening of Thursday, November 17, 2022 with his family gathered around him. He was most recently an Honourary Assistant at St. George's West Kelowna. Please keep his family, friends, and parish community in prayer. An obituary and funeral details will follow at a later date.
The Reverend George Pell (Obituary)
George died suddenly on the evening of Wednesday, November 2nd. He was at home with his beloved wife of 24 years, Catherine.
George hadn’t called Grand Forks home for long but, as with most places he lived, he has left a deep and lasting impression on the people he met and the community. A vibrant, active and friendly person, he was known to many through choir, theatre, golf, community activities and through the Anglican Church.
Even from early childhood in St. Thomas, Ontario, George knew he would be a Minister. Following his dream, he studied History at Carleton University and then earned a Master’s of Divinity from Huron College. He was ordained in 1975 in the Diocese of Huron in the Anglican Church of Canada.
His life in ministry would take him across Canada. To Port Alberni, Ucluelet/Tofino, Slave Lake, Redcliff, Coaldale, Calgary, Halifax, rural Nova Scotia, Quebec and Ontario. George lived a full spiritual life and was a Companion of the Northumbria Community & a member of Cursillo. He was deeply present for communities during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and believed in building a new relationship with Indigenous people. George felt his Ecumenical parish work was especially important and he knew that his relationship with the United Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada were complementary with his family history with the Anglican Church. He was dedicated to supporting people to question, discover and seek their own path in relationship to God.
A large part of his ministry and life was music. A multi-instrumentalist, and a member of multiple choirs and theatre productions over his life, George will be remembered for his contributions to the arts in community and in church.
A lover of animals and nature, many friends will remember his generous morning walk photos and his love for the myriad of animal friends in his lifetime. He was a committed volunteer with numerous food banks, housing shelters, as Padre to the local Legion and support to seniors clubs. Always active, he was a multi sport player in his younger years, an avid walker, swimmer and cyclist in his later. A die-hard Blue Jays fan who was always happy to talk NHL stats with anyone who wanted to chat.
George is survived by his wife Catherine, their adoring grandchildren; Rebecca, Hugo, Benjamin, Fionn, and Stanley. His children; Sue (Mike), Tim (Krista) and their mum Cathie. Stepchildren; Jeff (Jessica), Emily (James) and Laura (Matt), brother in-law Owen and Mother in-law Frances. Sisters Jan, Joyce (Jack) & Virginia and many nieces and nephews.
George affected people deeply with his open, vital, kind presence and funny, steady, thoughtful mind. He will be missed dearly. With family and friends worldwide, a celebration of life will be planned for the Spring so people can travel safely and gather.
Deep gratitude to Rev. Austin Spry, neighbour Barry, the Grand Forks Paramedics, staff at Boundary District Hospital Emergency, friends and neighbours for their support.
Family condolences can be mailed to:
P.O. Box 321, Grand Forks, BC V0H 1H0
In lieu of flowers, please do something kind and practical for someone.
Donations can be sent to:
Holy Trinity Anglican Church,
P.0. Box 776, Grand Forks, BC V0H 1H0
And/Or
The Primate’s world relief fund for indigenous programs in Canada
The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth
Artist: Jesus Mafa
November 24-27, 2022
"Mary, More than a Maybe!"
Advent Retreat with Bishop Lynne
Bishop Lynne + music minister Rev. Juanita L. Austin will lead an advent retreat at Sorrento Centre.
For further information or to register, click HERE.
November 30, 2022 (7:00pm)
You're invited to the Collation of the Rev. Rita Harrison as Archdeacon at the Cathedral Church of St. Michael and All Angels, Kelowna.
The service will also be live-streamed on the Cathedral's YouTube page HERE
November edition of The HighWay (Download PDF)
- Special Synod 2022 by John Lavender
- Framing the Future by Andrew Stephens-Rennie
- Storied Listening by David Tiessen
- Reshaped for Service by Richard Simpson
- Taking Time to BREATHE by Jane Bourcet
- Tenderness, Compassion & Justice by Yme Woensdregt
- Equipping the Saints for Ministry from College Emmanuel & St Chad
- Readings Year for November Sunday services
Calendar of Events
Upcoming Schedule Highlights
____________________________________________________________
November 24 General Clericus
November 24-27 "Mary, More than a Maybe" Retreat at Sorrento Centre
November 19 Education for Ministry (EfM) meeting
November 30 Ordinal Task Force, Collation of the Rev. Rita Harrison as Archdeacon
December 1 Provincial House of Bishops
December 6 National ACPO, Provincial Executive Committee, Diocesan Council
December 8 Praying with PWRDF, Camp OAC meeting
December 11 Service at All Saints Vernon
December 15 BARDS
December 18 Christ Church Falkland
December 24- January 2 Synod Office Closed
January 1, 2023 Preach and Preside at the Kelowna Cathedral (11am)
Bishop's Upcoming Preaching Schedule
Dec 11, 2022- All Saints Vernon
Dec 18, 2022- Christ Church Falkland
Jan 1, 2023- Kelowna Cathedral
(11am: live-streamed HERE)
Clergy & Staff Birthdays-
November & December
Happy birthday to Rev. Garry Schmidt (Nov.5), Archivist Kathryn Lockhart (Nov.6), Rev. Jane Bourcet (Nov.14), Dean David Tiessen (Nov. 16), Rev. Helen Hall (Nov. 22), Rev. Canon Andrea Brennan (Nov.26), Rev. Marcus Germaine (Dec.8) and Rev. Dr. Mark Mealing (Dec.11).
Additional Events/Resources
Advent 2022
If you have resources, programming or virtual events to share with others in the Diocese, please send them to admin@kootenay.info
Wycliffe College - register for Advent meditations
(Above) Join Dr. Sylvia Keesmaat for a Bible Remixed Advent Course "The Secret Life of Hope: Reading the Beatitudes" on Monday evenings beginning November 28, via zoom. Are the Beatitudes a fantasy vision of an impossible world, or a glimpse into the radical world of God's new community? All welcome; pay what you can. Go to www.bibleremixed.ca for more information.
Winter and Spring 2023 WECAN Licentiate Courses
Praying with our Partners in Mission- Daily Intercessions
Thank you to Rev. Helen Hall for her work on the prayer cycles!
Dear Brothers & Sisters,
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”Mathew 25:40
The Slavic United Network is an immense supporter of the spirit of giving. Over the past 9 months, we have undertaken the task of helping refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine and settling them in the Okanagan (primarily Vernon, Kelowna, Lake Country). This initiative has led us to help 50 families - 170 people settle here in the Okanagan. It has been a blessings having been able to provide each family with accommodation, furniture, food, clothing, and even transportation thanks to the generosity of local churches, individuals and businesses.
Brothers & Sisters, we want to continue to do so.
With your help and generosity, we can continue to work towards helping those in need. Over the course of the next few months and up until the war ceases, we will be continuing helping these refugee families. Currently there are 40 people arriving soon and we are sure there will be more to follow.
On November 26-27 (Saturday-Sunday) from 9am until 4pm there will be a donation drive for specific items needed for helping these families and individuals settle locally in the Okanagan.
These items are as follows:
- Towels
- Twin, Queen size blankets (warm), pillows
- Kids socks, hats, gloves, snow pants, jackets, boots, winter clothing
- Adult gloves, jackets, hats, boots, winter clothing
- Thermal wear.
- Grocery gift cards.
Donation location:
Absolut Stone & Granite
470 Banks Rd, Kelowna, BC V1X 6A3
If you are not able to make it to this event, but would still like to donate, our donation location is open by appointment only. We welcome any questions; please contact us for more information. Please pass this information down to your congregation and to as many people as you can!
Invite blessings into your life by contributing to the Lord’s mission!
Sincerely,
Ben Dimitrov
250-878-1118 Kelowna Donation Overseer Ben Sr. Dimitrov
250-808-8027Kelowna Donation Overseer Ben Jr. Dimitrov (bendimitrov@gmail.com)
Safe Church Training
& Criminal Records Checks
Program overview and guides HERE
- Is your training current? You must renew it every 5 years as a staff member or volunteer
- Is your criminal record or vulnerable sector check current? You must renew it every 5 years as a staff member or volunteer
- Have you read the new Diocesan Sexual Misconduct Policy and signed off on it?
If you are unsure or need direction, email admin@kootenay.info
Sexual Misconduct Policy-
Now Available for
Electronic Signature
The sexual misconduct policy was revised and distributed in June. It has now been added to Praesidium so that all parish staff and volunteers can review it and sign off on it electronically. If you need help accessing Praesidium or you need an account set up, please email admin@kootenay.info
News
Last Laugh
