BY ARCHBISHOP LINDA NICHOLLS

The Anglican Church of Canada is committed to the work of healing to address the harmful legacy and intergenerational effects of the Indian Residential School system. Through our participation in these schools, Indigenous peoples in Canada experienced horrific trauma, pain and hurt. The Anglican Healing Fund is in the forefront of our response to support healing.

Established in 1992, this fund has supported more than 600 projects focused on supporting local, community-led healing. Here are just a few of the projects made possible through the Fund:

• youth suicide prevention through cultural music programming
• men’s-focused ceremonial gatherings with spiritual and cultural teachings
• summer language and cultural immersion camps for Indigenous youth and adults
• the development of multimedia resources to foster understanding and learning between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities

In 2022, the Anglican Healing Fund will continue to address the concerns of former residential school students, their offspring, families and communities in rural and urban settings, with a focus on land-based healing.

All are invited to share in the continuation of this important work by donating to the Anglican Healing Fund, through Giving With Grace.

In this, the sixth and final episode of Dignify, Catherine Pate, in word and song, considers how our dignity is a gift given by our creator.

About the speaker

Catherine, a lifelong Anglican and co-founder of st benedict's table in Winnipeg, MB is the director of communications for the diocese of Islands and Inlets and now calls Victoria home.

You are lovingly invited to attend an online study of the film Doctrine of Discovery: Stolen Lands, Strong Hearts. Sponsored by St. George’s Anglican Church, Cadboro Bay in Victoria, BC, this event is open to all members of the public.

In light of the mass graves of children at Canadian residential schools, this is an opportunity to learn what you can do to be part of the solution and the healing for us all that needs to happen.

Doctrine of Discovery is a documentary about decisions made by settlers over the past five centuries that continue to profoundly – and negatively – impact Indigenous people. Many of 2015 Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action refer to this film, which gives insight into the racist foundations of some Canadian property laws and other laws still in existence today. We offer this study program in the spirit of hope and peace, to help us all learn and change and be part of a new, better relationship with Indigenous people. Educating ourselves is the first step toward reconciliation. During the four evenings of discussion, we will honour the seven traditional teachings of love, truth, honesty, bravery, wisdom, humility and respect.

Details about the program are as follows:

When: Four consecutive Wednesdays, August 11, August 18, August 25 and September 1, 2021. If you cannot attend all four evenings, you are welcome to join us whenever you can.

Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Where: In your own home. Watch the 67-minute documentary on YouTube or Vimeo whenever it suits you. Then join us on Zoom on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. for discussions about the film and its study guide.

Program format:

1. Watch the entire 67-minute video at your own convenience (watch it at this link).
2. Register for the study group (register for Zoom link here) and read the assigned sections of the 12-section study guide (available for download below), as given to you by a facilitator after you have registered.

Section 1: Opening

Section 2: Out of the Ether

Section 3: Not an Empty Land

Section 4: The Indian Problem

Section 5: Legacy of Pain Section

Section 6: Legal Fiction 

Section 7: The Métis Nation

Section 8: Trying to Stand 

Section 9: The Good Mind 

Section 10: Repudiation

Section  11: Spiritual Arrogance

Section 12: We are Seeds

3. Join us on Zoom for a discussion about one or two chapters of the study guide each Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. on the link provided by the St. George's Church Office. A pdf version of the study guide can be found at the bottom of the page. 

Cost: Free.

To register: register for Zoom link here.

For more information, please go to www.anglican.ca/primate/tfc/drj/doctrineofdiscovery/

PDF study guide available for download below.

BY GENERAL SYNOD COMMUNICATIONS ON AUGUST 4, 2021

The Ven. Alan T. Perry, General Secretary of General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada, shared the following welcome message with General Synod staff today:

On behalf of the Primate, I am pleased to announce that Mr. Rayner Fernandes has been appointed as Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada. Rayner will be starting September 1, 2021.

Rayner joins the General Synod with senior-level financial experience, having worked at: St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Guelph, St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto; and, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto. His responsibilities cover a broad portfolio including finance, accounting, payroll, materials management, budgeting, planning and audits.

His role in facilitating the implementation of financial and strategic plans has helped support the Health Centre’s ongoing mission of providing compassionate and patient-centred care; while his focus on revenue generation, budget monitoring and cost containment strategies, has ensured the Health Centre’s strong financial position and favourable year-end operating surpluses.

Rayner brings a collaborative and thorough approach to his work that aligns with the needs of General Synod and our stakeholders.

 

This announcement follows the earlier update that current CFO & Treasurer of General Synod, Ms. Hanna Goschy, retires this summer.

We have a few parishioners who need some help with getting to church. They are unable to drive and do not currently have alternative options for transportation. There is one immediate need for the 8:30 service. If you are able and willing to offer a ride to another parishioner, please let Caroline know by emailing admin@colwoodanglican.ca. We appreciate your help!

Regular in-person 8:30 and 10 am Sunday services have resumed, and there is no longer a need to confirm your seat in advance! All are welcome.

Although many restrictions have been lifted, we ask that you continue to wear your mask when inside the building. Please also note the additional guidelines we are following:

1. Continued availability and use of hand sanitizer and wipes

2. Greeters only at distance

3. Outdoor services when and where possible

4. Distancing except with family groups or established bubbles

5. Sharing of the peace through smiling and nodding

6. Communion in one kind

7. Hymns outdoors or when masked and distanced indoors. Singing must be approached with caution as it is a high-risk activity. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7808728/)

8. Outdoor socialization without food or beverage and with distancing (no indoor socializing)

We are so pleased to welcome everyone back. Virtual services will continue to be made available as well.

For your time of quiet reflection and preparation, here are the readings we will share this Sunday in our worship services:

Psalm 130

Ephesians 4:25 – 5:2

John 6:35, 41-51

The annual Amazing Journey Day Camp will be happening this year August 9th to August 13th.  This small group program will be held from 9 am to noon outdoors at St. George's, Cadboro Bay.  The program is for children who have completed Grades 1 to 5. 

Registration is now open for this year's Amazing Journey Camp. You can register online at this link.

The registration form is also available below to download as a Word document or pdf. If you wish to type in the document, first save the Word document to your computer and then type in it. Once completed, print the registration form and sign it. Completed registration forms (with registration fees) can be returned to:
St. Luke Cedar Hill Anglican Church: 3821 Cedar Hill Cross Road, Victoria, BC V8P 2M6
Lutheran Church of the Cross: 3787 Cedar Hill Road, Victoria, BC V8P 3Z4
St. George’s Anglican Church: 3909 St. George’s Lane, Victoria, BC V8N 4E3

Please make cheques payable to Lutheran Church of the Cross and write “Amazing Journey” on the memo line. Completed registration forms can also be scanned and e-mailed to amazing4kids17@gmail.com.

If you wish to pay by e-transfer, please contact Lutheran Church of the Cross at lutheranchurchofthecross@shaw.ca or call 250-477-6222.

Early Bird Registration Fees are $30 - 1st child, $25.00 - 2nd child, $20.00 - 3rd and additional child.

Early Bird Registration Deadline is Wednesday, June 30th.

Part-Time Youth Leadership Opportunities

1. Tolmie Region Youth (TRY) Group are looking for 2 dynamic leaders for our high school youth group for students in grades 9 - 12 September through December 2021.  Share companionship, develop relationships, play games, participate in activities, break bread.  Hired by the Diocese of British Columbia, leaders work 10 hours every 2 weeks.  This past year, meetings were on Sunday evenings at 7 pm biweekly. 
2. St. George's middle school youth group, Wider Area Anglican Youth (WAAYV) group is also looking for 2 leaders.  The contracts will be from September 2021 through June 2022 for 4 hours per week per leader.   In the past, this group met weekly on Wednesdays from 6 - 8 pm.  Leaders must be able to foster an environment that is safe, and be good listeners.  Flexibility to follow individual likes and interests for the group to "choose their own adventure" is required.  This group participated in service projects, such as making food for the Out of the Rain shelter, making cards for local seniors, and doing a beach clean up.  

Salary ranges from $16+ based on experience level. Check out the groups on our website at https://www.stgeorgecadborobay.ca/ministries/youth-ministry.  

If you're interested in applying for one of these positions, please email your resume  to admin@stgeorgecadborobay.ca by Tuesday, August 17, 2021

St John the Baptist Anglican Church in Cobble Hill (South Cowichan) is looking for a Parish Administrator.

Responsibilities include managing the office, administrative support to the cemetery committee and producing the weekly worship leaflet and newsletter. The administrator is often the first contact people have with St John’s and will need to have a welcoming presence.

Start date: immediate
Part-time hours: 20 per week
Job Type: Part-time, Permanent
Salary: $18.00-$20.00 per hour

For a full job description, please email incumbent@stjohnscobblehill.ca.

Youth Group Leader
3-4 hours per week, $18 per hour, September 2021 through June 2022

The youth group leader supports the Community Life Minister in providing weekly programming for the children and youth of St Barnabas Anglican Church. Duties would mainly include organizing and running a bi-weekly Junior Youth Group for ages 10-12 (approx. grades 5-7) and a Youth Group for ages 12-16 (approx. grade 7-10).  

St Barnabas is an Anglo-Catholic congregation focused on Jesus Christ, seeking to show forth God's love both inside and outside our community. We hope you are someone with that same focus and love, with a desire to share it with children and youth in a caring and patient way (that doesn't exclude or cut off the questioners and the doubters), and firmly grounded enough in your own faith to share and speak about it with ease.  

Requirements: experience working with this age group, preferably in a church or Christian camp setting; a willingness to work with the Community Life Minister; energy and initiative to plan and play age appropriate games and activities; ability to check in and work with parents; good communication skills with 10- to 16-year-olds and the ability to make them feel safe and supported; and a desire to help youth with outreach projects (e.g., soup kitchen).  

Please send a cover letter, resume and references by August 16 to:  
Heidi Teel, Community Life Minister
heidi.w.teel@gmail.com

Imagine this...an amazing eight months at the beautiful Shuswap region of British Columbia rent-free (room and board provided), living and working on the 24-acre main campus and nearby natural farm of the Sorrento Centre.

The Sorrento Centre's Winter Young Adult Leadership Development (WYLD) program was launched in September of 2020 and we have opened registration for September 2021. Don’t wait too long! Contact cheryl@sorrentocentre.ca or 250.675.2421 for more information or visit sorrentocentre.ca/wyld

WYLD is a 21st century update on a long and successful history of work with young adults at the Sorrento Centre that stretches back to 1965. WYLD is supported by generous funding from the Anglican Church of Canada and the Diocese of New Westminster.

WYLD participants:

• earn a half-time salary while working on site and in the community on good projects
• engage with other young people as well as thought and practice leaders
• challenge each other
• take on social justice issues as catalysts for change in the world

You will make a difference in your own life and in the lives of those around you. You will nourish your body, mind and spirit. You will make life-long friends and live alongside other young adults in a challenging study program. You will work on our campus and in the community, earn a pay cheque and enhance your resume.

The parish office is open on Tuesday mornings from 10 AM to Noon to receive offerings brought to the church. You can also mail your offerings if that is preferable.

Another option is to switch to pre-authorized remittances. To arrange for this, please contact Barb Gossman at 250-478-4747 or email her at barb.gossman@gmail.com.

Your support is much appreciated.