Category Archives: St. Hilda's

St. Hilda's says goodbye to a building

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Today was our last Sunday worshipping in the building that has been known as “St. Hilda’s” for the last 53 years. A negotiated settlement with the Diocese of Niagara will result in the building being turned over to the diocese on June 1st. It was an emotional morning; there were many eyes that were not entirely dry – except for the men, of course. Here are some photos (view them all here):

Gathering:

 

The new building is that way:

People – the real “St. Hilda’s” – leave for the last time after we have sung “When the music fades, all is stripped away, and I simply come”. Notice the stunningly beautiful guitar to the right:

The new place – which is air conditioned and has much better toilets:

Two eminent artists eating. Shot with the magical 50mmL at f1.2:

Another at f1.2. Father Jack (St. Hilda’s previous rector) with my daughter:

The inevitable cake:

On losing a church building

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The Diocese of Niagara and the three ANiC churches that left the diocese have come to an agreement where the buildings will be handed over to the diocese on June 1st. The agreement has not yet been signed; I will have more to say about it when it is.

Nevertheless, for all intents and purposes, the final disposition of the buildings has been settled and that, along with a few things that happened recently, has caused me to ruminate on what I think about the situation. Of course, how one feels about what happens is what is in vogue, so when someone made an enquiry of me on Saturday, the invitation was to elucidate how I felt, not what I thought.

It goes without saying that feelings are entirely subjective: that’s why, in an age that likes to pretend that objective reality is, at best, irrelevant and at worst non-existent, feelings are so popular. Feelings do have an existence of their own though, so how do I feel about losing the building that has been my church home for the last 34 years?

Shortly after I joined the church, I was confirmed by Bishop Kent Clark – or was it Clark Kent – whose halitosis left a lasting impression on my first communion. I was there when the mortgage was paid off, experienced charismatic renewal in the early 80’s, saw healing miracles, saw my children confirmed, my grandchildren baptised and many hundreds of people blessed by being part of a loving community. The reality of this cannot be taken away; just the place where it happened. I believe that my dominant feeling on May 27th, our last Sunday in the building, will be what it is now: sadness at losing the place where most of the significant events of my Christian life have occurred.

Some in the church believe that there is a degree of anger in the congregation at what has happened; I’m not so sure I agree, but I do agree that it would be unproductive if it were present. In the interests of expunging any latent hostility against the church hierarchy, one person suggested that individuals might like to send a letter to Bishop Michael Bird expressing personal forgiveness to him. I briefly considered this but decided that, on seeing my signature, the bishop might succumb to a fit of apoplexy or spend sleepless nights worrying that I was setting an obscure trap for him. So I thought better of it.

Another suggestion was that, as a congregation we leave a note “blessing” those who will be using the building in the future. I think (back to thinking) that this is a less than stellar plan. If we believe that the Diocese of Niagara is actively working against the gospel – and I certainly think it is – the last thing we should be doing is giving assent to their activities by blessing them. Perhaps a note to the effect that we are praying that the diocesan hierarchy will come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ might be more honest and productive.

It goes without saying that I think that, by all that is sensible, moral and intuitive, the congregations are the rightful owners of the buildings, not the diocese. The law didn’t agree but, in the final analysis, your heart is where your treasure is: my treasure is in my community – and ultimately in Christ Jesus; the diocese’s treasure is where moth and rust doth corrupt. That’s not such a bad deal.

The last St. Hilda’s Garage Sale Giveaway

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Every year St. Hilda’s Anglican Church, ANiC has a garage sale where all the items are free. It is an outreach to the community to illustrate the love, grace and salvation of God which is offered to us free through Jesus Christ.

This year was a little different because it was our last Garage Sale Giveaway before we have to relinquish our building to the Diocese of Niagara. This was a week of “last times”, since Friday was also the last Freebie Friday, a St. Hilda’s outreach to a local high school which will cease when we move.

This year, in addition to handing out our usual card, the following was distributed:

We are moving!

Years ago when I was ministering at my first church in Quebec I walked over to my office and noticed a “For Sale” sign placed on the lawn of the church. A local prankster thought it would be a good joke. In our newsletter I used that situation as a eye catching title: CHURCH FOR SALE! I then spoke about ministry etc. I never would have thought that years later I would be facing the real thing.

After 53 years on Rebecca Street we are losing our beloved St. Hilda’s Church building.

We live in a world and a culture where many foundational Christian beliefs are currently under attack. This is experienced even within the church itself. The main issue is the blurring and compromise of the good news of Jesus Christ and the elevation of the authority of church leadership over the authority of the Bible. As a consequence, many churches find themselves within a structure that compromises their conscience. This was our case. The result was after a long dispute with our former leadership we find ourselves homeless, but not church-less. We the people are His church.

We remain in communion with the greater part of the worldwide Anglican Church through the auspices of the Anglican Network in Canada. This being said, we will begin a new chapter of our church history when we start using the facility at the Knights of Columbus Rental Hall on Wallace Road near the intersection of Speers Road and Third Line. Our first celebration is on May 27th. And thereafter at 10:30 am on Sunday mornings.

We as a congregation will, with God’s help, continue to show the surpassing worth of Jesus Christ, continuing with all our ministries, preaching and teaching the Gospel and sharing the love of God in our community.

Pastor Paul Charbonneau

St. Hilda’s Church

Here are some photos; for all of them, go here:

Oakville Beaver advertises St. Hilda’s Garage Sale Giveaway

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But not quite as we had hoped. This is what the paper printed:

St. Hilda’s giving goods away free

For the sixth year, the congregation at St. Hilda’s Anglican Church is truly giving back to the community with its Garage Giveaway.

The sale is Saturday (May 12).

“This year’s Garage Giveaway is extra special because it will be our last at this location,” event co-ordinator Judy Watson stated in a press release. “After 53 years… we have been truly blessed to celebrate our worship, fellowship and community outreach here.”

The last service for St. Hilda’s congregation will take place Sunday, May 27.

Rain or shine, the garage sale will run from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Items such as clothes, books, toys, and furniture will be given free of charge to those in need.

While the church does make the sale known to local groups, such as Kerr Street Ministries, Food for Life and the Halton Multicultural Council, no one is turned away from the event.

Members of the congregation also have an opportunity to share conversation over coffee at the event and a prayer tent will also be made available.

And this is what was submitted to the paper. What has been omitted are references to icky things like God, his love and why we do it. Also notable for its absence is: “After 53 years we are being forced to leave our church home.” It must be a coincidence that the Diocese of Niagara pays to advertise in the Oakville Beaver.

ST. HILDA’S GARAGE GIVEAWAY 2012  MAY BE THE LAST

For the sixth consecutive year, the congregational family at St. Hilda’s Anglican Church is reaching out to give back to the community with its “GARAGE GIVEAWAY”.  This event has become an annual tradition, eagerly awaited by both the congregation and the people of Oakville.  Essentially a garage sale where EVERYTHING IS FREE, this year’s event will happen Saturday, May 12.

“The Lord calls us to freely give, and so we want to share His blessings and love in a tangible way with our community”, explains Pastor Paul Charbonneau.  “Members of our congregation are blessed in return by helping to meet the needs of those who come.  It is a time to share conversation over coffee and treats, pray with “shoppers” in the prayer tent and watch little ones while parents browse.  Others help to load cars and even deliver some larger items to people’s homes.”

While the church prays that those who have need will be led to this event, no one is turned away.  “We ask only that people enjoy and use the items they take away with them,” says event coordinator Judy Watson.  “This year’s Garage Giveaway is extra special because it will be our last at this location, perhaps our last for a long time.  After 53 years we are being forced to leave our church home.  We have been truly blessed to celebrate our worship, fellowship and community outreach here at 1258 Rebecca St. Our last service is May 27th and then we must vacate the premises.  We hope that the Lord will lead us to a new home where we can continue to offer the Garage Giveaway to the community”

Over the years, many in the community have begun to look forward to this annual event. “We get calls from people each spring, asking what the date will be,” says Pastor Paul. “Still others call to offer whatever help they can give. Last year’s article in the Oakville Beaver resulted in a number of people calling to offer items to give away.  Everything is greatly appreciated.”

Rain or shine, the members of St. Hilda’s will be ready to greet everyone on Saturday, May 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m… Everything, from clothes, to books, to toys, to furniture will be ready and waiting to be taken home for FREE by those who have need.

 

St. Hilda’s Garage Sale Giveaway 2011

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Every year St. Hilda’s Anglican Church, ANiC has a garage sale where all the items are free. It is an outreach to the community to illustrate the love, grace and salvation of God which is offered to us free through Jesus Add an ImageChrist. For all photos, go here:

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Anglican conservatives: will sinners still be welcome?

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This article also appears in the National Post:

I am a member of St. Hilda’s Anglican Church, the parish that was recently featured in the National Post article, “Oakville Anglican parish home of profound revolution.”

St. Hilda’s separation from the Anglican Church of Canada was as much about the fact that the Church is drifting away from a coherent belief in Christian basics – such as the Resurrection, Christ’s atoning sacrifice, and the Virgin Birth – as it was about blessing same-sex unions. In spite of this, what always gets the attention is the same-sex blessing issue, with the attendant suspicion that parishes that oppose same-sex blessings are packed with not just the routine run-of-the-mill church hypocrites, but homophobic hypocrites. At the very least, surely no gay person would be welcome in such a place.

Is being a pristinely antiseptic church where only wholesome families and saintly, celibate, straight singles could fit in – a kind of Stepford Church – an accurate picture of a parish like St. Hilda’s?

I hope not, or I will have to leave. I believe that, as William Temple former Archbishop of Canterbury said, “The church exists mainly for those who are not its members.” All parishes should concentrate on attracting people who are not Christians or churchgoers. Whether or not they are shacked up with someone – of the opposite or same sex – is immaterial. The hope, though, would be that their perspective and lives gradually change as they become followers of Christ in his Church.

That is very different from courting gays who are already in the church – or non-gays, come to that. I would much rather attend a church with a high percentage of un-churched gays who are honestly seeking to live according to the Gospel than one with a high percentage of straight cradle-Anglicans who are not. And I don’t think that this would necessarily be unappealing to a gay or straight non-Christian. To say, “we believe in trying to live according to Biblical principles, even though we all may fail to varying degrees” has, I suspect, a more honest ring than the note of desperation in, “come to our church and do what you want”.

St. Hilda’s has always attracted more than its fair share of single mothers, misfits, waifs, strays and assorted eccentrics – especially artists; the more the merrier. Many have passed through gaining sustenance along the way and some have made it their home. Sometimes it is chaotic: the pious have likened it to a circus. But unwelcoming? Never.

The people who gathered around Jesus were not all respectable: he was a friend to prostitutes, beggars and outcasts – sinners of every kind – and his friendship changed them.

Even though the most conspicuous reason cited for parishes leaving the Anglican Church of Canada is opposition to the blessing of same sex-unions, there is no desire on the part of these parishes to become aloof from the lost and broken – gay or straight. The one place that should always welcome all, including society’s misfits, is the Christian Church.

The church dumping ground

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At St. Hilda’s we have had sofas, office chairs, beer bottles and other sundry detritus left in our church grounds – the overflow of an affluent town that seems to be under the impression that the local Anglican Church can remove not only your sin, but your garbage. Last Sunday was a first, though: someone had left a puppy tied to the railings. Being a dog person, I approached the puppy – which was quite fearful – said hello and scratched her ears. It was quite obvious that the unfortunate dog had been sprayed by a skunk, a calamity that would make the passing of the peace even more entertaining than usual.

The dog garnered a great deal of attention, was fed, watered, spoiled and fussed over; the humane society was not called, at least five families offered to adopt the animal and she ended up attaching herself to a couple who took her home.

The undeserving owner of the puppy – who, as far as I am concerned, can’t have her back – at least had the sense to leave her pet at an ANiC parish on the correct assumption that it was full of warm-hearted generous people who cannot not resist dogs; I shudder to think of what might have happened had the dog ended up at the ACoC Church of the Epiphany down the road – it could have ended up as a pagan dog.

You can’t advertise God’s love here

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St. Hilda’s Anglican Church in Oakville has a yearly garage sale; it’s not a normal garage sale, though, because no money is collected for the items. The message to the Oakville community is that, just as the items are free, so is God’s love for us and so is the gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.

There is a Yahoo Group called oakvillefreecycle where used articles are exchanged free of charge; we thought it would be a good idea to advertise St. Hilda’s free garage sale there. Here is the post as it was originally written (you have to join the group to see it):

Free Market
Join us for our “Free Market”

An expression of God’s free gift to us.

Many items , books, toys, clothes, household items all free!

St. Hilda’s ANIC Church
1258 Rebecca Street
Oakville On.
905-827-3711

Sat. May 15, 2010

9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.

The moderator of the group removed the line that I have in bold (it was not bold in the original post). No explanation, apology or reason; just commonplace secular illiberality.