September 2011
The Ox
St. Luke’s
Anglican Church
St. Luke’s believes that God has a
special purpose for everyone’s life.
Our prayer is that…
God will touch your life and bless you.
2951 – 26th Avenue SE.,
Calgary, Alberta, T2B 2P2.
Office: (403) 273-2686
Fax: (403) 207-1655
Email:
Who at St. Luke’s
RectorRev. Haydn Schofield
Hon. AssistantRev. David Asher
Rector’s WardenPaul Keen
People’s WardenKen Logan
TreasurerPaul Keen
Vestry
David Bull
Jan Duiven
Jennifer Hoffman
Robin Jeffries
Linda Saunders
Web masterJennifer Hoffman
Synod Delegates
Jerry Muckle
Ken Logan
Karl Jipp (alternate)
Dinka Congregation
Priest in chargeRev. Lino Keror
EldersTabitha A. AyuelPeter D. Amos
Dabora A. DauDabora Y. Macut
Atenasio MagaiPaul M. Ture
Isaac T. GarangJohn M. Chuol
Lith AkauSamuel Kuol
William ParmenaBiar A. ChauKueg Ayai John Ngeng-Deng
Rebecca A. WeiAbraham M. Gol
From the Rector,
Much is written about the end of summer and the re-gathering of folks after various trips and breaks. There is the ‘Back to School’ crowd with their baskets of supplies and wondering what act of nature has caused their child to grow 2 sizes in two months so that nothing from last year fits. There is the ‘Back to Work’ bunch, mentally filing the holiday memories and getting ready for the next phase of life in the workforce. And then there are those for whom this means a change in activity – from outdoor to indoor pursuits!
No matter what, or where, there is change in the air; new things and the reinvigoration of old things. I’m not surprised that more and more people seem to see this time of year as more of a ‘new year’ than January 1st when the days are short, energy is low and the weather hardly helps one’s enthusiasm.
This summer has been a season of growth in a couple of areas for us. What was ‘Essentials’ will now be known as ‘Mere Anglicans’ in order to move beyond our denomination in order to be able to engage other Anglicans in our area. There are meetings, a retreat and a conference planned for the fall, please note that every one of these events is open to all congregational members and we would encourage you to attend if you can.
We have also been looking at ‘Back to Church Sunday’ which is an initiative where we make a concerted effort to invite someone to church. This year it is set for September 25th. There are articles on both these topics later in The Ox and there will be plenty of advertising in the next few weeks. Please pray for these initiatives and get involved if you can!
We may see our year in different phases but we know that our God doesn’t come and go, or wax and wane, but never leaves us – no matter what our circumstances – “… his compassions never fail. They are new every morning: great is your faithfulness” (Lam. 3:22,23). I hope that as we reconvene after our summer’s activities you will feel refreshed after the break; I pray that God’s abiding presence will be evident to all as we continue our journey with Him.
God bless you,
Haydn
From
Essentials
to
Mere Anglicans
At our board meeting of the Calgary Chapter of Anglican Essentials in July there was some discussion about our present affiliation with the national body of Anglican Essentials and the use of the name ‘Essentials’.
The main points that guided our deliberations were:
•The present affiliation within the Anglican Church of Canada effectively excludes other Anglicans who hold similar beliefs of faith and tradition. As the new name suggests (to those familiar with C.S. Lewis) we want to be able to focus on what is important to us as Anglicans, our heritage of conservative theology and our rich tradition. We also want to able to build a fellowship of like minded Anglicans that can meet together on a regular basis in celebration of what we hold in common.
•The name and history of Essentials has certain baggage associated with it that has put off some people over the years. After the early years of Essentials and the Montréal Declaration there were some difficult times with the eventual split into the Federation (which opted to remain with the ACoC) and the Network (which left and became a separate entity). This led to a certain polarization which some clergy and congregations decided to avoid and remain outside. It appears that the very name Essentials is a good enough reason to avoid anything connected with it.
This idea of fellowship across denominational lines is not a new thing; we are seeing more and more leaders and congregations transcending denominational lines, fellowshipping and worshipping together where once there was a strict separation. What we share in the Gospel is more important than old suspicions and prejudices and there are more and more informal groups of believers setting aside denominational labels to pray worship and support one another. After generations of fracture and hostility perhaps Christ’s church is beginning to heal through the celebration of the Gospel.
Rather than affiliate ourselves to any particular group or movement, it has been suggested that we seek to build a fellowship of all Anglicans in Southern Alberta and then see how God will lead us to work with others on a wider stage. It is not to foster separation but seek growth and to avoid the strictures that might come with previous affiliations.
The initial vision that we see is:
Society of Mere Anglicans
We are a group of lay and ordained Anglicans in Southern Alberta who desire to restore and maintain a representation for Anglican Orthodoxy by exalting the Lord of Christ with His Church.
As those who belong to both the Anglican Church of Canada and the Anglican Network in Canadawe intentionally desire to be an Anglican expression of true faith in Jesus.
The Society of Mere Anglicans will seek to facilitate this expression of true faith in Jesus through:
i)Monthly gatherings for mutually encouraging worship, study and prayer. This will happen on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at St. Peter’s Okotoks. These gatherings will run from 10 AM until 2 PM.
ii)The planning of conferences, both residential, and day-long events that will enable us to more fully articulate the reason for the hope that is within and learn to do this in a gentle, respectful and winsome way.
iii)Use our website as a tool to communicate our ideas with people in Southern Alberta and beyond.
We have set the following dates for our gatherings of clergy and laity at St. Peter’s Okotoks:
(3rd Wednesday of the month, 10am – 2pm)
Sept. 21st.
Oct. 19th
Nov. 16th
Dec. 21st
Also note the retreat at Entheos 9-11 November and the Conference 12th November at St. Luke’s; both events are open to all congregational members.
Cosmic Fingerprints
Entheos Retreat and ConferenceCenter
November 9-11th, 2011
(Open to Clergy and Laity)
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Science and the Bible
St. Luke’s
Saturday November 12th 2011
Speaker
Dr. Hugh Ross was captivated by physics and astronomy from the age of seven when he wanted to know why stars are hot. He went on to study physics and astronomy which eventually led him to postdoctoral studies with a focus on quasi-stellar objects – some of the most distant and ancientobjects in the universe. In addition he has studied world religions and holy books finding only one which proved scientifically and historically accurate: the Bible.
Hugh’s unshakable confidence that God’s revelations in Scripture and nature do not, will not and cannot contradict, became his unique message led him to found science-faith think tank Reasons to Believe [RTB]. He and his colleagues at RTB keep tabs on the frontiers of research to share with scientists and nonscientists alike the thrilling news of what’s being discovered and how it connects with biblical theology. In this realm he has written many books and travels the world challenging students, and faculty, churches and professional groups to consider what they believe and why. He presents apersuasive case for Christianity without applying pressure, always treating comments and questions with respect.
Dr. Ross lives in Southern California with his wife Kathy and two sons.
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Jonah and the fish
Jonah 1: 1 - 3: 10
I’m excited!
David Bull
I am excited! In fact I am pumped! The winds of change are blowing and St Luke’s will be the beneficiary of these changes. The feeling of change is in the air, and in time, God will let his true plan be revealed to us. Change is not always comfortable. At times it pushes us outside of our comfort zone causing moments of unease and stress. This is where conflict happens.
In the January 2011 edition of the magazine SEVEN, Kirk Giles (the President of Promise Keepers of Canada) wrote an article titled Conflict is good. He wrote “There is a sense by some that conflict is ‘unchristian.’ He went on to describe how this make relationships rather shallow and makes Christians appear weak.
We all bring spiritual gifts to the table, and this is where tension is created. There are those of us who create the dream. There are those of us who like to take the dream and plan it all out step by step. There are those who like to pour over balance sheets making sure that everything works out in dollars and cents. All of these processes are very important.
I have ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) Recently I attended a seminar on Adults with ADD by Rick Green (one of the stars of the Red Green show) who also has ADD. He is. He stressed the fact that us folks with ADD should embrace those who like to make sure all the dollars and cents add up. I am sure we all really appreciate this gift of God if we ever get audited by Revenue Canada.
As ideas are brought forward we should take this as an opportunity and ask, “Is this God speaking to us? Keeping in mind that we have all been conditioned to question the motives in our fellow man, instead what would happen if we approached this as an opportunity to reach our ultimate goal, the goal that God be glorified? This way we all grow in God’s love. In Mathew 20:28 it states, “for even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (NIV)
It is wonderful to help those in need around the world. However we have a battle going on just beyond our doors. In our own backyard there are those who are hurting, who are hungry. Not just for food but to hear the Word. We must be prepared for when we are called on.
We will be called to serve. Not just in our church but in the greater community. We will be called to minister to those in need. The book of Romans 10:8 states “In fact … The message is very close at hand it is on your lips and in your heart.” (NIV)
This is where we have to pray that we are open minded enough to see and to hear his plan for us.
Q. Why do Christians walk in a single file line?
A. Because the path is narrow
Back to Church Sunday – September 25th 2011
In 2009 Back to Church Sunday mobilized around 6,000 churches across the world (4,650 in the UK) to invite their friends to church. As a result over 80,000 extra people attended church on Back to Church Sunday in the UK alone, with a long-term result of around 10,000 people added to the church in one day.
Back to Church Sunday began in the Church of England and now takes place in churches across denominations in countries around the world. Our partners include Churches Together in Scotland; the Church in Wales; United Reformed Church; MethodistChurch; the Baptist Union of Great Britain; ElimPentecostalChurches and the Salvation Army. BTCS now operates in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Argentina and continental Europe.
Back to Church Sunday attracts significant media attention as tens of thousands of Christians offer an invitation to their friends, and often the size of a church’s congregation is doubled in one day. When this is profiled in the media, personal invitation is encouraged and increased, and a small but significant proportion of people come to church under their own steam with no personal invitation at all.
Back to Church Sunday is now the largest single local-church invitational initiative in the world. It is based on the simplest and shortest step in evangelism – that we should invite someone we already know to something we love; invite our friend to our church. The initial focus was to invite ‘back’ those who used to attend, but we want to ensure that anyone who doesn’t currently attend can be guaranteed a specially warm welcome.
What church leaders have said:
•In 2008 a young woman came to BTCS. A year later she has helped us to set up a youth group, and is helping lead it. It just takes one new one – a whole load of difference can be made.
•I can’t understand why all churches aren’t involved; it’s such an easy mission opportunity not to be missed.
•77 people turned up of which about 50 were returning or new!
•I have not seen so many people at St James’ before.
•One elderly lady (aged 92!) brought by a church member was quite overcome with the experience of love and acceptance.
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It seems that there was a little old church out in the countryside, painted white and with a high steeple. One Sunday, the pastor noticed that his church needed painting. He checked out the Sunday ads and found a paint sale. The next day, he went into town and bought a gallon of white paint. He went back out to the church and began the job. He painted the first side and it was looking very good, but he noticed he had already used a half gallon. He didn't want to run back in town and being the creative person that he was, he found a gallon of thinner in the shed out back, and began to thin his paint. He finished the remaining three sides with that last half gallon of paint then stood back and admired his work. That night, it rained: it rained hard. The next morning when he stepped outside of the parsonage, he saw that the first side was looking great, but that the paint on the other three sides had washed away. The pastor looked up in skyin anguish and cried out, "What shall I do?" A voice came back from the heavens saying, "Repaint, and thin no more!"
What a difference a Greek particle me (may) makes!
by Howard Green
(Gleaned from ‘Anglicans for Renewal’ Vol. 26 No.2, Summer 2011)
In the twelfth chapter of his first letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul teaches some important truths about the charismata or gifts of the Spirit. In order to drive home an important point, he uses the analogy of the human body with its variety of parts, each has its own function or role to play, and each of which is equally important for the proper functioning of the body. He was responding to a problem in the Church at Corinth where some members were claiming to be superior to others because they exercised some spiritual gifts which others were not able to exercise.
At the end of the chapter he asks these very important questions. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
There has been a lot of harm done and a lot of pain caused during the past century because some enthusiastic Pentecostal Christians taught that if you don’t speak in tongues, or prophesy or interpret what others are saying in tongues, you are not a real Christian. So a multitude of Christians were defrocked and despised because they were considered beyond the pale.
The problem was caused because these Christians didn’t know any Greek and didn’t know that all of these questions, asked by Paul, began with the Greek word ME (may) which always implies a negative answer when it begins a question. So Paul was trying to point out that not all Christians are apostles, or prophets, or teachers. Not all Christians were given the gifts of working miracles or of healing. Not all Christians were given the gift of speaking in tongues or the gift of interpreting tongues. This is not to say that no Christians were given any of these gifts, including speaking in tongues, but not all Christians are expected to exercise all the gifts of the Spirit.
There have been many Christians who were hurt and left with guilt complexes because they were not able to speak in tongues or prophesy or see people healed as a result of their prayers.
The whole point that St. Paul is making in this chapter is that the Church is the Body of Christ. And just as the human body is made up of many, many parts, all of which are necessary for the proper functioning of the body, so God has given different members of the church the capacity or ability to exercise different spiritual gifts, all of which are necessary for the health and wholeness of the body of Christ. All are necessary and all are of equal value and importance so there is no room for jealousy or pride or dissension in the life of the Body of Christ.