COLLECT for the REIGN of CHRIST

Destitute king, one with the hungry, the naked, and the scorned: may our faith be proved not in dogma and piety but in serving you in the last and the least; through Jesus Christ, the stranger’s Lord. Amen

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Alternative Collect for the Reign of Christ
(from online worship resources anglican.ca Prayers for an Inclusive Church 2009)

Dear People of God in the Diocese of Kootenay,

At the end of the Christian Liturgical Season we celebrate the Reign of Christ, both looking longingly into the unknown future to Christ's promised reign at the end of time, and looking for the signs of that reign in our current here and now. What we believe about that end time does need to affect how we live in this moment. For example, every eucharist is a foretaste of the banquet in God’s kingdom, when all are welcome. If we understand that welcome, the generous hospitality of Christ’s table, that God invites the poor and disenfranchised, the marginalized and the stranger, we then must seek to enact that hospitality now. I see how you do that in many ways around the Diocese, welcoming refugees, taking soup to someone in a care home, opening food cupboards, planting gardens to share produce. Neighbourliness enacted. 

This past Monday was a Day of Remembrance for Trans people who have been victims of violence and fear. Andrew Stephens-Rennie wrote an excellent article about this for his column in the Castlegar paper. I encourage you to read it; it is printed in this issue of Kootenay Contact, below. This past summer at General Synod the Anglican Church approved a liturgy for name change for Trans people, (Pastoral-Liturgies-for-Gender-Transition-and-Affirmation-07.23.pdf)

This liturgy is a way of signaling our support and inclusion of Trans people in our church. Our recognition that all are valued and respected, all are made in the image of God. The image of the Body of Christ always pushes us to recognize the value of those who differ from us. I spoke at General Synod of my own need for this liturgy of the name change as my youngest is a Trans person who will soon be using this
liturgy to change their name. I tell you this so you know that Trans people are here in the Church. When I spoke about this at synod I had many people speak to me afterwards to say this was a truth in their own family too.

When you think about all gathered at the table in God’s kingdom at the end of time, please ponder how this image needs to be made real in who we welcome in our communities now.

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I invite parish leaders to look ahead beyond Advent and Christmas to the third week of January. That is the week of prayer for Christian Unity. How could you mark that week sharing something with an ecumenical neighbor? 

Resources here:.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.weekofprayer.ca/&ved=2ahUKEwjJztaPydiCAxUkGDQIHYfECsoQFnoECCwQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3MP3sJMHXcBUGQzcUh10y3

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I have had an exciting week meeting with a Kootenay team with representatives of other dioceses from B.C. Yukon, our “Ecclesiastical Province” to make concrete plans for sharing resources and stream-lining structures. It was a creative and uplifting meeting, of which you will hear more, as we better live out our mission to God’s world together. We imagined the Church in 2041, imagined a flourishing lay person in that church. I wonder what that brings to your imagination! We said that part of “flourishing” as a disciple meant a sense of holiness, God’s presence, permeating every aspect of life. I pray that blessing for each of you in your everyday service to God.

Blessings,
Yours in Christ,
+Lynne

Okanagan Anglican Camp

Okanagan Anglican Camp, (OAC) devastated and almost totally destroyed in August, plans to reopen for summer camping programmes in the Summer of 2024! Plans for programme, meals, and accommodation, are underway.

In September Diocesan Council appointed a Steering Committee to work with Camp Director Ian Dixon to rebuild and restore this much loved and highly valued facility and ministry of the Diocese of Kootenay. Demolition and removal of destroyed parts of the Camp is underway, as is the removal of trees deemed to be dangerous. As this takes place plans to open the Camp were presented to Diocesan Council in early November, with possible Council amendments to the Plan, and approvals of it, scheduled for a Special Meeting of Diocesan Council on November 28th. The Plan calls for the inclusion of modular buildings for Crafts and for accommodations are being presented to the Council, and the Camp Board is working with Ian in programme planning, and questions about staffing. One longtime camper and alumnus of OAC has said, “This is fantastic! Looking to Summer 2024 is more than I could have asked or imagined!”

Indeed it is “fantastic!” But, Archbishop McNaughton has indicated her belief that what is one of the most exciting and productive ministries of the Diocese cannot be allowed to lose momentum. While it is true that the development of a long term redevelopment plan is required (and is being worked on now,) that plans are already in place to move forward with Camp in 2024, and with the Camp’s restoration, is a truly Phoenix event!

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Tuesday, December 5, 2023 4:00-6:00 pm at Cathedral Church of St. Michael & All Angels, Kelowna Knowledge Sharing Event, featuring Dr. Alanaise Ferguson, Dr. Evan Habkirk, and Diocesan Archivist Kathryn Lockhart. As part of the TRC's Calls to Action, the students of UBCO INDG 440 and 203 will introduce some of their initial historical research into the (dis)connections that have existed between the church and the Indigenous Residential Schools in and beyond the region.

Nov 19-22           Provincial Summit
Nov 23                Clericus Zoom

The Land of the Holy One is engulfed in brutal conflict.

Below, please find:
1. Statements and Resolutions from our last General Synod, July 2023, which call us to action.

1. https://www.anglicanlutheran.ca/statements/statement-on-the-war-in-the-holy-land/

3.https://assembly.anglicanlutheran.ca/wp-content/uploads/A160-%E2%80%93-CARRIED-Assembly-2023-Resolution-on-Peace-and-Justice-in-Palestine-and-Israel-amended.pdf

Each year’s focus will include a series of learning modules written by staff and others, that can be completed in about 60 to 90 minutes, either as an individual or as a group. The learning modules will be available HERE

Step 1. Read the Safe Church Program Introduction

Step 2. Refer to the Role Risk Assessment Guide to determine if you need training and/or a criminal record check for your staff or volunteer role

Step 3. Refer to the Safe Church Modules document to determine the specific training modules you require for your staff or volunteer role

Step 4. Contact admin@kootenay.info to get your training account(s) set up and guidance on how to apply for a criminal record or vulnerable sector check

Program overview and guides HERE

Parishes and ministries in the Diocese of Kootenay continue to navigate the technological changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Each parish has different needs they are responding to, which is why our Diocesan community of communities has designated a fund to assist parishes in obtaining the necessary technological tools to accomplish these goals. 

Find out more at the following link: 

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