Author Archives: Kelli Stewart

On Prayer

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“Prayer is often regarded, even by genuinely religious people, as chiefly a means to various ends; it is a way of getting things done. That is true, so far as it goes, but, like so many half-truths, it is in practice as misleading as a complete falsehood. Prayer which is mainly occupied with a result to be obtained is comparatively powerless to obtain results. The real significance of prayer lies in the fact that it is the effort and attitude of the soul which makes possible the unity of the human spirit with God; it is therefore itself the supreme aim of human existence.

The proper relation in thought between prayer and conduct is not that conduct is supremely important and prayer may help it, but that prayer is supremely important and conduct tests it.
If the prayer is real, the conduct inevitably follows.

The proper relation in thought between prayer and conduct is not that conduct is supremely important and prayer may help it, but that prayer is supremely important and conduct tests it. If the prayer is real, the conduct inevitably follows. Indeed, in many cases the very reality of prayer will shorten the time allotted to prayer, so strong will be the impulse of love to act for the well-being of others. But let any man who finds it thus with him take heed. The life with God is the supreme concern, and the source of all power to serve. It is only the man who loves God with all his being who will be able to love his neighbour as himself.”

William Temple (1881-1944) followed in his father’s footsteps, right into Lambeth Palace.  His father, Frederick Temple( 1821-1902), was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1896-1902. William Temple served as the 98th Archbishop of Canterbury from 1942 to his death in 1944 at the age of 61. He is best remembered for his strong sense of social justice and his benevolent respect for the beliefs of others, which had its roots in his theological understanding that Christ is the author of all that is good in all beliefs. This piece on prayer is from his book ‘Christus Veritas’.

 

Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Event

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The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada would be delighted if you could join us – in person or via webcast – for an important event on August 14, 2012, 7:30 to 9:30pm (ET), Harbourfront Centre’s WesJet Stage, 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto, Ontario, CANADA.

The evening will feature a keynote address by TRC Chair Justice Murray Sinclair, drummers and dancers from the Aboriginal and Black communities and an Authors’ Dialogue moderated by veteran broadcast journalist, Shelagh Rogers. The program gets underway at 7:30pm at the WestJet Stage.

American civil rights champion The Reverend Jesse Jackson was scheduled to attend but withdrew for personal reasons.

This event will be webcast live and can be viewed at trc.ca beginning at 7:30pm (ET).
Please click here for more information.

From Dreaming to Planning

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Parish Visioning Day

Saturday, October 13
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

At its June meeting Vestry set the date for the Parish Visioning Day and it will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 13. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend this important day in the life of the Cathedral. It is important to hear from as many members of the congregation as possible as we set the course for the Cathedral over the next few years.

Pa_l’s Prayer…

Sat_rday, October 13, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Yo_ are needed.
Yo_ are invited.
Witho_t yo_,
We are not f_lly complete.
Mark yo_r calendar.
Be here for s_re to fill in the blanks.

Amen.

Feast for friends

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On Saturday, September 22, the Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre (formerly the United Church Jessie Saulteaux Taining Centre) will be hosting a gathering of indigenous and non-indigenous friends, featuring a sunrise ceremony, sharing circles at the sacred fire, workshops on treaties and the Indian Act, teachings about traditional First Nations ways and values, games and crafts, and, of course, a feast.

There’s no set registration fee – it’s a “give as you can” plan, but registrations are required because the Centre can only accommodate 110 people, and the deadline for registration is September 7, 2012. Buses have been arranged for transport on Saturday morning, but you can also go out on Friday evening and camp overnight. More information about the event and registration forms are available in the Narthex.

Ministry Opportunities

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Would you like to help out in the Church?

Do you feel called to serve as a Communion administrant, a sides person, a reader? Would you be willing to teach in our Sunday School, bake goodies for our after worship coffee hour, or serve on the Pastoral Care team?

There are any number of ministries in which your gifts could be used in the work of the church, and training is provided in all areas of ministry at the Cathedral. If you would like to be part of any of the ministries at St. John, let us know, and we’ll make sure you get the training and the opportunity!

Who to talk to about getting involved

Talk to the Dean about worship ministries, to Mavis Ford about after-worship coffee, Ron Craig about being a sides person, Bunny McCormick about the Pastoral Care team, Ian Stewart about Christian Education programs, Maureen Dolyniuk about Property Management, or to the Wardens (Roger Stagg and Peter Moodie) about any of the ministries to which you feel drawn.

Find you ministry

Not sure what kind of ministry you should get involved in?
Find out what ministry you might be best suited for,
take the Spiritual Gifts Inventory Test.

Memo to all those who assist in worship

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The August 12 to September 9 worship roster has gone out (if you don’t have e mail, ask Roger or Rene for your copy).

If you are unable to take part in worship on the day you have been scheduled to do so, please ask someone to take your place. If you don’t know who to ask, call the office at 204-586-8385 Ext.11, for contact information for those who share your particular ministry. Once you’ve made the arrangement, please let the office know who will be taking your place. Thank you.

Bible study groups

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On hold for the summer…

Friday morning Bible Study group

The Friday morning Bible Study group will not meet in August but will resume on Friday, Septmber 14 at 10:00 a.m.Every week, this group studies the scriptures for the forthcoming Sunday.

Thursday evening Bible Study

The Thursday evening Bible Study is also taking a break and will start again in September (watch this space for the date). The evening group meets once every two weeks, and studies a specific book of the Bible.

Participation in either or both of these groups is encouraged!

Summer Sabbath: A Spiritual Retreat for Adults

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Listen carefully
and incline the ears
of your heart.

August 11, 7pm – August 14, 1pm
St. Benedict’s Monastery
just north of the city

Time for a break from noisy demands, for resting and nurturing one’s spirit. Enjoy leisure to read, pray and rediscover your love for life and for God. Experience some spiritual practices such as praying with the imagination, embodied prayer, centering prayer, chant and more. Treat yourself to a spiritual vacation!
Led by Rachel Twigg Boyce and Kalyn Falk, both of whom are spiritual directors.

Cost including a private room is $350,
or $240 for commuters (inclusive exc. breakfast).
Registration is done by contacting the Monastery by clicking here.

Mary Elizabeth (Thornton) Lee

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Rest eternal grant to her, O Lord. And let light perpetual shine upon her.


If we live,
we live to the Lord,
and if we die,
we die to the Lord;
so then,
whether we live
or whether we die,
we are the Lord’s.
Romans 14:8

Surrounded by her three loving daughters, and one granddaughter, Mary Elizabeth (Thornton) Lee died last Sunday evening, 8 July, at home in Perth, Ontario around 8 p.m.; she was 73.

Mary was the widow of the late Rt. Rev. Patrick Lee, Bishop of Rupert’s Land, 1994 – 1999.

She was diagnosed with Ovarian cancer two years ago, but received a course of chemotherapy which enabled her to make a trip with her son-in-law, Rama, and grandchildren Baraka and Amanda, to Tanzania in the spring of 2011.
At some time in 2011 the cancer returned. She underwent further treatment but it was not successful.  Her daughters, even living at a distance, took turns traveling to Perth to care for her over these past several months.

Dean Bob and Janice Osborne, who moved to Stittsville, Ontario, not far from Perth, kept in contact with her and visited Mary regularly to help in whatever way possible.  Dean Bob preached at the memorial service held for Mary in Perth on Friday.

As was done for Bishop Patrick, Mary’s body will travel back to Winnipeg, and the funeral and burial will take place at St. John’s Cathedral. The funeral service and burial in Winnipeg will take place at at 1 p.m. at St. John’s Cathedral on Monday, 23 July.

We pray the gift of peace for Suzanne, Sandra, and Laura Anne, and their whole family as they mourn Mary’s death, and give thanks for her life.

Mary was a very special woman, and will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Now we are grateful that we can entrust her to God’s eternal love and mercy which sustained her all her life long, and in which she faced her death confidently, with faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

If you would like to share your memories or leave your condolences,
please continue to Mary’s obituary, to sign the guest book.