The forward looking Diocese of New Westminster has, in its ceaseless pursuit of relevance, passed a synod motion to “repudiate and renounce” a papal bull issued in 1452. The Doctrine of Discovery was a papal justification for colonising newly discovered non-Christian lands.

The diocese, having writhed with guilt for centuries over occupying native – sorry, Indigenous People’s – land, has made the odd decision to compound the problem by occupying churches in St. John’s Shaughnessy, St. Matthews Abbotsford and St. Matthias and St. Luke’s Vancouver. In fairness to the diocese, though, a further motion to call a special synod to figure out how best to colonise the parishes was defeated.

500 years ago Christians displaced pagans and took what belonged to them. Today pagans displace Christians and take what belongs to them.

The youth coordinator for the Diocese of New Westminster ponders the question of when the “shift from childhood to adulthood takes place” and laments the attempts of “the wiser generations” to “wipe out self expression in our young people”. This all relates to the teen who wore the Jesus tee-shirt, but it raises some more interesting general points.

The question of when children become adults is an existential one: children become adults when they cease behaving as children. For the pampered offspring of western decadence, this may never occur: look at Justin Trudeau. For an impoverished Ugandan family that must struggle merely to survive, it probably occurs around the age of ten.

Bemoaning the suppression of young people’s self-expression, is an odd complaint against a society where anyone, including the youngest of young people, can say just about anything and publish it on the Internet – so long as it doesn’t offend Muslims. Perhaps what the supposedly stifled Mr Colvin means is that no-one listens to what young people have to say. The answer is simple: say something interesting and people will listen. Moaning about a lack of suitable jobs and the evils of consumerism is so predictably trite it doesn’t even elevate itself to the level of dull.

From here:

I’m glad that Colin McComb’s letter [Dress codes a good way to start, anglicanjournal.com, May 10] gets beyond the T-shirt discussion because it exposes a much deeper, more dangerous mindset. The author writes: “The classroom should first and foremost be a place of learning: not a forum in which to exercise one’s freedom of expression. Children need to learn how to think before they learn how to bellow out whatever it is they’re thinking.”

Welcome to the history of childhood for the past century or so. An environment which has been built on the foundation that ‘we, the adults know things and you, the children, do not. Our job is to fill you with information and prepare you for the world when it’s your time.’

Except, when is it a young person’s time? When they leave school? These days, there are practically no entry level jobs in any industry for someone with a high school diploma. And while a college graduate might be lucky enough to get one the rapidly diminishing entry level jobs, as Colin McComb says, the modern Canadian workplace is no place for self expression. And so the children once again are, figuratively, being told that they are not yet really adults.

Perhaps the shift from childhood to adulthood takes place when a person buys a house or starts a family? But wait: Buying a house generally doesn’t happen without some support and subsidy from family. More waiting for adulthood. And in the meantime, young people become consumers.

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 27^th, 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.

I wrote this song to commemorate our last – and first – Sunday:

Apparently, the point of this is to demonstrate “the innovative use of robotics technology” and “to raise the argument as to what will be manifested in the minds of people who communicate with SHIRI.”

Another giant leap forward towards perfecting the Turing test.

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:

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 27^th 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.

So what does social justice in a Christian context really look like?

Like this:

Thirty years ago, a wealthy Toronto doctor had a revelation: Money, he decided, was his to give away, not to keep.

It was a drastic change in attitude for Dr. Andrew Simone, a Harvard-educated skin care specialist, who was bringing home $100,000 a year in 1975.

“We didn’t have a clue what we were supposed to do,” recalled the now 66-year-old doctor who founded the Canadian Food for Children (CFFC) charity to help feed the world’s hungry.

Before taking on the monumental, Dr. Simone and his wife, Joan, started with the obvious.

They donated their savings and life insurance, worth more than $150,000, to charities like the Salvation Army and Oxfam. They stopped shopping for clothes and sold their fancy cars, furniture and electronics. They welcomed foster children into their home. They told their own kids that life would be simpler from then on, that they would be well cared for, but if they wanted extras they would have to work for them.

“We felt this call to be servants,” said Dr. Simone in a recent interview at the Mississauga warehouse where CFFC donations are stored. He wore a used Toronto Transit Commission jacket that a friend gave him, accessorized with a button that read: “Jesus is the reason for the season.”

Indeed, it is the Simones’ deep Catholic faith that bolsters their spirit and assures them they have found their path.

The Ontario Provincial Police in northwestern Ontario have laid more charges against a former Anglican priest and boy scout leader for alleged sexual offences.

Ralph Rowe, 72, will appear in court in Kenora, Ont., later this month. He’s charged with five counts of sexual assault and two counts of indecent assault.

The charges relate to incidents that occurred between 1973 and 1986 in the First Nations communities of Fort Severn, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Wunnumin Lake and Kingfisher Lake.

The fact that this character was an Anglican priest is appalling – but not surprising.

John Bothwell, when he was bishop of Niagara, as part of the ACPO initiation – more of a hazing, really – used to show gay pornographic movies to the postulants to introduce them to the real world as he saw it. I reckon they were from his own private collection; my wife tells me I shouldn’t say that. Too late.

Those who were not shocked into throwing in the towel and finding employment in a sane institution were subsequently consecrated as priests.

So it is not surprising that an organisation that uses a process designed to screen out those averse to homosexual practice attracts many who enjoy indulging in homosexual practice.  Including with little boys.