The Challenge to Be Community

The Challenge to Be Community
When I was a young priest serving in the Diocese
of Rochester, New York, I would occasionally go
to the Abbey of the Genesee for a day or even a
week-long retreat. Being at the Abbey was an
incredibly peaceful, renewing experience. The
chanting of the monks at Morning and Evening
Prayer was uplifting, and I would often imagine
how marvelous it would be to live in such a
community.
I mentioned my fascination with monastery
living to one of the monks. He smiled at me and
said, “You have no idea how challenging it is to
live in community. We monks are on top of each
other 24/7. There is no place to hide or escape.
We eat together, work together, pray together
and our rooms are next to each other. Like any
group of people, we are different – different
tastes,
preferences,
personality
types,
backgrounds and even theologies. And yet, the
challenge of the abbey is that we have to get
along with each other. We have to witness our
communion in Christ. That’s what makes living in
community such a challenge.”
What that monk said about monastic living is
true of every church, especially one like St.
James. We have all sorts of people in our parish
with different personality types, experiences,
backgrounds, and perspectives on a whole range
of issues. We are multigenerational and even
multicultural, which increasingly reflects the
pluralism of Canadian culture. We don’t think
alike on every issue, nor are our preferences and
tastes the same in what we like and dislike. Some
of us have strong opinions about what we should
be doing as a church, or where we should be
allocating our resources. While this makes for a
healthy, vibrant community, it also presents
us with the challenge of forging a common
purpose, living out a common mission, and
having common values to guide our life
together.
Of course, our unity is in Jesus. It was Bishop
Michael Marshall who said that the church is
a group of people who have nothing in
common, except Jesus Christ in whom they
have all things in common. He is right. I
presume you are in this church, because
somewhere along the way, Jesus has
somehow touched your life. Jesus has taken
hold of you, grasped you, inspired you, and
prodded you to be his follower. Yes, Jesus
brings us together, holds us together, and
keeps us together.
It’s no secret that the fabric of our
community has been frayed in the last
several months. Relationships have been
ruptured; antagonisms have been
intensified, and suspicion and mistrust have
been magnified. We need to renew our unity
as brothers and sisters in Christ, because St.
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James is a church with a big heart and a wide
embrace for all, where everyone has a place at
the table. In this church there are no outcasts,
just precious children of God, all loved by Jesus.
never read the four gospels but they do see a
fifth one – which is us. So the question is:
Will people outside the church see in us
Christ’s love?
My good friend Dennis Maynard has written
three superb books on church conflict that I
commend to you. In one of his books, Dennis
offers a model “Code of Conduct” designed for
a parish council. However, the nine points can
easily be adapted as a parish code of conduct for
members.
If you haven’t read Malcolm Gladwell’s book
David and Goliath, you should. In it he tells the
story of the French town of Le Chambon-surLignon, which became a safe haven for Jews
in Nazi-occupied France during World War II.
Led by Pastor Andre Trocme, the residents of
Le Chambon-sur-Lignon saved between 3,000
and 3,500 Jews (in addition to others seeking
refuge) from 1940 until the end of the war,
bringing them into the community and hiding
them from French and Nazi officials. By any
measure, their actions were courageous and
inspiring. They were an example of the power
of community – residents coming together in
common purpose with a common mission
that saved the lives of many innocent people.
1. We respect each other’s opinions and agree
to disagree with civility.
2. We contribute constructively to the
discussion of issues at hand.
3. We strive to keep an open mind and are
willing to learn and try something new.
4. We support the decisions of the Wardens
and Parish Council, even when a particular
decision is not in line with our own thinking.
5. We support and encourage the clergy.
6. We strive for transparency, but do respect
confidentiality when appropriate.
7. We exhibit ethical behaviour.
8. We discourage the grapevine, also known as
triangulation.
9. We strive to set a good example in
spirituality, stewardship, attendance and
participation.
I commend this code to you. Nothing in it
prevents healthy, vibrant debate and discussion
on issues, but such is always done in a
respectful, civil manner where we give each
other the benefit of the doubt, even when we
disagree. My experience as a priest is that most
church members mean well, even when their
actions do not turn out well. Therefore,
forgiveness, compassion and mutual
understanding are always at the heart of the
Christian life.
Someone said that church unity is the greatest
witness to Christ’s love in the world. There are
many people in the London region that will
I wonder if we at St. James might take a
lesson from the residents of Le Chambon-surLignon, and come together as the Body of
Christ to lighten the world with the good
news of God’s love. Our mission as a church is
as important as any in the world today –
transforming lives in Jesus and reconciling
the world to God. So let’s come together and
get on with our mission.
Your Friend and Rector,
The Rev. Dr. Gary Nicolosi
Note: The three books by the Rev. Dr. Dennis
Maynard that I referenced in this article are:
1. When Sheep Attack
2. Preventing a Sheep Attack
3. Healing for Pastors and People
Following a Sheep Attack
All three books are published by Dionysius
Publications and can be purchased on
Amazon.ca or Chapters.ca. Dennis’ books are
also on Kindle.
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Congratulations to Jack Sizeland
At the London Deanery Council meeting held on February 18th at Huron College, Jack Sizeland was
elected youth delegate to Diocesan Synod. He and Emily Sandor of St. John the Evangelist, London
will represent the London Deanery. Noah Nethery of St. Stephen’s Memorial, London was elected
as an alternate delegate.
We at St. James are very proud of Jack for his leadership in the deanery and diocese as well as his
involvement in our parish in a number of ministries, including singing in our choir. He is a young
man of strong faith, a real love of the Church and a desire to serve others. He will make an
outstanding youth synod delegate from our deanery and we wish him every blessing as he
continued to serve God and the Church.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Our New Liturgical Team
You may be aware that there are some new and familiar faces now assisting at our Sunday worship
services. The Rev. Brian McKay, our assisting priest, is now celebrating and assisting at the Eucharist
on a regular basis. Brian is now retired and was last rector of St. Andrew’s Memorial Church on
Wellington Street. Margaret Cox is our new lay reader at the 10:30 Eucharist. Margaret has
extensive experience in liturgy and comes to us from the Anglican Church in South Africa. Barbara
Robinson is our lay assistant at the 8:30 Eucharist and assists in distributing communion. Thanks to
all three of them for sharing their gifts and helping the parish to worship God in the beauty of
holiness.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Clay Scholarships Available
Thanks to a very generous grant from Lutheran Social Services of London, Anglican teens in London
(who have finished Grade 8 or 14 years old by August 2014) are now eligible for a $500.00
scholarship to attend the Lutheran Anglican Youth Conference in Kamloops, British Columbia this
summer.
In addition to the scholarship, St. James through the Rector’s Discretionary Fund will make available
an additional $385 (the cost of registration) for each student who attends from our parish.
Moreover, if any students have financial difficulty in attending, they can speak with the Rector and
additional funds will be made available. We want to make it possible for every teen in the parish
that wants to attend the conference to be able to go.
The Youth Committee of the Diocese estimates that the total cost of CLAY and the Pilgrimage to be
$1650.00. Scholarship aid and parish assistance would be $885.00, leaving $765 to be covered by the
youth and their families.
The deadline for the Pilgrimage portion of CLAY is February 28, and the deadline for CLAY
registration is March 31, 2014. However, in order to receive a scholarship, youth must have their
applications in by March 17th. Here is the chance to travel and explore Canada and grow in your
faith in a safe and fun environment. Registration forms are available from the parish office or by
contacting dohyouthcommittee@gmail.com. Information on CLAY can be found at
www.claygathering.ca. For more information, contact with Laura Manias at l_manias@hotmail.com
or speak with Dr. Nicolosi.
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A Blast from the Past - An article from September 1983
Relationship Trumps Vindication
While there are incredible blessings that
surround us, we have so much to be grateful
for, and there are many sources of joy, I am
deeply troubled that many in our towns,
neighborhoods, and cities appear to be more
concerned with being right than with
relationships themselves. This is not only
distressing to me, but frankly the sign of a
shared, deep brokenness.
in mind, which I believe need a central place
on our refrigerators and more importantly in
our hearts. Here is what Jake outlines:
As I think about Jesus’ life, it seems to me that
what frustrated and angered him the most was
when he ran into a person or group of people
who were more concerned about being right
than with relationships. Jesus’ actions and
words as described in the Gospels, compel us to
ask some challenging questions.
When we disagree about ideas, assume
the good will of those with whom you
disagree.
Is being right more important than the person
in front of me? Does an opinion count more
than the opportunity to know someone who
might be different than me? What happens to
love when opinions and being right are placed
at the pinnacle of importance? What happens
to our ability to become the presence of Jesus
in the life of another when opinions, anger, and
positions prevail in our psyches?
Seek the common good, not just your
own self-interest.
Ask what you can contribute in every
situation, not merely what you can get
out of it.
Refuse to indulge in contempt for those
with whom you disagree. Look actively
for the good in them.
Remember that right relationship is more
important than being right.
What a powerful list! Can you imagine if we
all learned to live by such principles and
ideas? But more importantly than imagining,
let’s encourage one another to live them.
Adapted from the Chapel Mountaineer
Newsletter, Snowmass, Colorado
Jake Owensby, the Bishop of Western
Louisiana, lists some things for all of us to keep
An Open Invitation
Did you know that all parishioners of St. James are welcome to
attend meetings of the Parish Council? The meetings are less than
two hours on most occasions. Parishioners are welcome to listen
and become informed of parish issues but may not speak, unless
asked for information, nor can they vote. Should a parishioner
wish to add a topic to the parish council agenda, a request may
be submitted at least a week in advance of the meeting to the
Rector. While there is no guarantee that the issue will make it
to the agenda, Council members will become aware of it for
future reference. Parish Council meets on third Wednesday of
the month from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. in the Board Room.
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2014 Wednesday Lenten Series
Programs begin after the 10:00 a.m. and 7:00
p.m. with the Holy Eucharist in the Westminster
Chapel. Both the morning and evening
programs will be in the Westminster Lounge.
The Caregivers Support Group will meet in the
Chapel.
March 12
10:30 a.m. – Heather Nicolosi
Heavenly Mindset: What is a Heavenly
Perspective?
Based on C. Peter Wagner’s book,
This Changes Everything
7:30 p.m. – Dr. Julius-Kei Kato
Professor of New Testament, Kings College
Jesus in the Garden before His death:
Mark and John’s very different stories.
April 9
10:30 a.m. – Heather Nicolosi
Heavenly Mindset: Strategies to Make It Happen
Based on the Doug Addison's book,
Spiritual Identity Theft Exposed
7:30 p.m. – Dr. Julius-Kei Kato
Professor of New Testament, Kings College
The “Messianic Secret” in Mark: Why?
April 16
10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. – Heather Nicolosi
The Pleasure of His Company: A Journey into
Intimate Friendship with God
Based on Dutch Sheet’s Devotional Book,
The Pleasure of His Company
March 19
10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.– Heather Nicolosi
The Process and Power of Forgiveness
Based on Dennis Maynard’s book, Forgive and
Get Your Life Back
March 26
10:00 a.m. – The Rev. Brian McKay celebrates
the Eucharist
10:30 a.m. – Open Discussion
7:30 p.m. – The Rev. Michael Dekay
Mike will celebrate the Eucharist at 7:00 p.m.
and then lead a discussion on how he
integrates his Christian faith in his work as a
public school teacher.
April 2
10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. – Heather Nicolosi
Coping and Overcoming the Trials of Life
Based on the book by Cathy Duplantis,
How to Behave in a Cave
Concert series to celebrate
our new Yamaha C7 Piano at
St James Westminster Church
115 Askin Street
--------------------------------------------------------
Choir of St. James
Westminster
and guests
Sunday, April 6, 2014, 2:30 pm
-----------------------------------------------------
All tickets $15.00 at the door.
office@stjameswest.ca
519-432-1915
Are you looking for a way to reach families who are not in our churches on Sundays? Messy Church
(MC) aims to create the opportunity for adults and children to enjoy expressing their creativity, to
gather together for a meal, to experience worship and to have fun within a church context.
At the Messy Fiesta you will have an opportunity to experience what Messy Church can offer your
church. The session will allow you to experience a Messy Church, to brainstorm around your own
Messy Church, to gather resources, and to explore the history of this innovative way of being church in
a changing world. You will take away knowledge, skills and materials to help you get started. For
participants who have already started a Messy Church, we will share ideas and network, facilitated by a
seasoned MC practitioner.
Location: St. Anne’s Anglican Church
Time: 10:30am – 3:30pm (doors open at 10:15)
Cost: $25.00 ($20.00 each for a team of 3 or more) includes lunch, crafts, & handouts
Presenters: The Rev. Nancy Rowe (MC Practitioner) and Sue & Andy Kalbfleisch
(MC Practitioners and Regional Coordinators)
Pastors Who Preach God’s Word Need a Good Word from God’s People
By Dave Branon of “Our Daily Bread” http://odb.org/2014/02/16/why-cause-grief/
Read: Hebrews 13:17-19 Obey those who rule over you, . . . for they watch out for your souls.
Bible in a Year: Leviticus 19-20; Matthew 27:51-66
Pastors make an easy target for criticism. Every week they are on display, carefully explaining God’s
Word, challenging us toward Christlike living. But sometimes we look to find things to criticize. It’s easy
to overlook all the good things a pastor does and focus on our personal opinions.
Like all of us, our pastors are not perfect. So I’m not saying that we should follow them blindly and never
confront error through the proper channels. But some words from the writer of Hebrews may help us
find the right way of thinking about our leaders who are presenting God’s truth and modeling servant
leadership. The writer says, “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they
keep watch over you as those who must give an account” (13:17 niv).
Think about that. Before God, our pastor is responsible for guiding us spiritually. We should want that
burden to be joyous, not grievous. The passage indicates that causing grief for the pastor “would be of
no benefit” (v.17 niv). We honor God and make things better for our church when we give honor to
those He has appointed as our leaders.
Our gracious Father, thank You for the person You led to our church as pastor. May we provide
encouragement and support, and may You protect our pastor from error in both word and actions.
Submitted by Bette Cunningham - St. James AFP Representative
Calendar Highlights
March 4- Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
5-7 p.m.
March 5 – Ash Wednesday
10 a.m. – The Ash Wednesday Liturgy and
Traditional Holy Communion from the BAS
with Hymns
7:00 – The Ash Wednesday Liturgy and
Traditional Choral Communion from the
BAS
Both services will be held in the church.
Wednesdays in Lent
10 a.m. Westminster Chapel Eucharist
10:30 a.m. – Lenten Study in the
Westminster Lounge
7:00 p.m. – Westminster Chapel Eucharist
7:30 p.m. – Lenten Study in the Chapel
March 23 – Parish Luncheon
April 6 – Choir Concert + Reception - 2:30pm
April 13 – Palm Sunday
BCP Communion with the Blessing of the
Palms at 8:30 a.m.
Articles of Religion class (Westminster
Lounge)
The Liturgy of the Palms, Procession and
Choral Communion
Wednesday, April 16
10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. - Holy
Communion in the Westminster Chapel
April 17 – Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday Liturgy with Foot
Washing, Eucharist and Stripping of the
Altar at 7:00 p.m.
April 18 – Good Friday
The Good Friday Liturgy at 11:00 a.m.
(No Eucharist)
April 19 – Easter Eve Baptism
April 20 – Easter Sunday
Traditional Choral Communion at 9 a.m.
Choir Breakfast at 10 a.m.
(No Rector’s Class)
Solemn Eucharist of Easter at 11:00 a.m.
May 4 - Last Articles of Religion Class for
the Spring term (Westminster Lounge at
9:30 a.m.)
May 11 – Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day Breakfast between
worship services
June 22 – Parish Picnic Sunday
June 29 – Canada Day Commemoration
July through August – 8:30 and 10:00 a.m.
summer worship schedule
July 9, 16, 23, 30 - Wednesday evening
Summer Garden Concerts
Saint James Westminster Church
115 Askin Street, London, ON, N6C 1E7
www.saintjameswestminster.ca
office@stjameswest.ca\
Ph: 519.432.1915