St. James' Journey March 2019 - St. James' Anglican Church, Orillia - St. James' Anglican Church, Orillia
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St. James’ Anglican Church, Orillia Volume 14, Issue 2
St. James’ Journey March 2019
March 2019
Our Vision - A strong faith community, reflecting God's Love to those around us.
Our Mission - To serve and share Jesus Christ
Our Values - Faith, Compassion, Integrity, Respect
A Message from Canon John
Vestry, Moving Forward, and Grounded in the Marks of Christ’s Mission
Travelling home after Vestry, Lisa and I took the time to debrief! It was probably one of the longest
Vestry’s that I have chaired. I thought going in that the focus would be on the recommended reduc-
tion in expenses and the need to eliminate the deficit. While this did happen, Lisa and I agreed that
the real focus was something else. There were many insightful, passionate, and thoughtful com-
ments made about the long-term future of St. James’.
You talked about (paraphrased) the following:
“The need for blue sky thinking about our future.”
“The realization that currently we can no longer afford our space.”
“What other churches in the Diocese have been in our situation and what can we learn from them.”
“The need to keep making worship contemporary.”
“Programs may come to an end in one form but change to become something else.”
“We cannot lose sight of our youth and families – we must do more for them.”
These are just some of the comments that were made. For me, this Vestry was like a signpost. People were openly
acknowledging the socio-economic shift in secular society is away from our understanding of church. St. James’ is
no different from any other church in the Diocese. The difference will be how we plan for our future.
As we go forward this year, I remind you what I have set out in my Vestry Report:
What do I see as some changes to happen this year?
1. We will be focusing a lot on stewardship. Over the next two years we need to evaluate our revenue streams
such as offerings which have been flat and need to increase. We need to be more innovative on the revenue
side which may include more rental income and fundraising.
2. In year 2019 we will come to terms with ending certain ministries and activities, pruning others, and helping to
reinvigorate others. We will continue to discern as we move from a model of charity to social justice. We need to
be cognizant of our volunteer base and putting less demands on them.
3. Entering into a respectful dialogue with St. David’s and St. Athanasius about the state of churches in the com-
munity of Orillia.
4. We need to have more discussion about family and youth ministry.
5. We will continue to develop programming in Christian education and the Spiritual Centre.
6. Finally, worship is the central focus on the church – we come together on Sunday. We will continue to make
changes in our liturgy, music, speakers, and welcoming as more and more people come and see what we are
about.
I want to remind us that our discussions about our future and the emphasis of work to be done in 2019 needs a
framework or vision. That framework or vision is not complicated. It is based on the idea of Christ’s mission.
A word of caution should be said about Christ’s mission. It cannot be reduced only to the idea of doing outreach or
social justice. This is part of mission but the gospel of Christ calls each one of us into something much larger.
We need to allow ourselves to be defined by the five marks of mission as supported by the world-wide Anglican
Communion: To proclaim the good news of the kingdom.
To teach, baptize and nurture new believers.
To respond to human need by loving service.
To seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue
peace and reconciliation.
To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth.
Thus, everything that I have set out as goals for this coming year must come back to these five marks of mission.
We have a bright future ahead of us at St. James’. However, there is a lot of hard work to be done. I think we are up
for this task as we find that balance between looking outside our church walls but remaining true to the mission of
Christ. Yours in Christ, Canon John
This Newsletter has been sponsored by Wendy and Al Hutchings
St. James’ Journey - Volume 14, Issue 2 —March 2019 – page 2
Gem-U-Flection #8
Whirling flakes of snow are beating at my office window and the
branches of the trees are swaying with a cold wind as I decide to
hunker down and hit the keys. Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and my
neighbor who is suffering from cancer is receiving an elegant bouquet
of red roses delivered by a guy who is plowing through the heavy
snow toward their door. Hm...Love! But then… the Ides of March are
impending.
How do we cope with all the disquiet, drama and political mayhem
that is so pervasive in contrast to the present beauty of this winter
wonderland? Some have escaped to warmer climes and ignore the
news while playing golf on tender turf or swim in warm pools and con-
tinually shop. Others prefer to ignore the chaos and continue in a vein
of normality while staying put and grumping at family, irksome neigh-
bours or yelling at the dog.
What truly alleviates this malaise? How do we lift ourselves to a
greater sense of purpose and satisfaction? In Victor Frankl’s classic
“Mans’ Search for Meaning” he cites testimonies to the definite power
of the human spirit through suffering as a growing experience. He
endured the brutality of the concentration camps and mastered its
lessons for spiritual survival eventually gaining a world-wide reputa-
tion as a gifted and influential writer.
Perhaps you have seen the 2019 calendar by the Mouth and Foot
Painting Artists with heart rendering pictures and memorable quotes.
(“You can’t blame gravity for falling in love”; Albert Einstein) What cre-
ativity and resilience against such physical and emotional challenges!
Or do you remember the TV series “Laugh In” that captivated and
mirrored our human desire for comic relief?
By honoring our own integrity and intuition through self-awareness
and service we can provide deeper meaning in our lives as we grow
beyond ourselves to a greater level of benevolence. From the
Sounds True online event “Waking up in the World” this past fall, I In This Issue…
listened to several inspirational presenters who are creating positive
change in our society. “To heal our hearts, cultivate courage and in- Message from Canon John
spire action” are worthy values to move us forward, then. Gem-u-flection #8
By Patricia Whitfield New Service Time
World Day of Prayer
St. Patrick’s Day
ST. JAMES’ ANGLICAN CHURCH
58 Peter St. North, Box 272, Orillia, Ontario Saving Jesus
L3V 6J6 325-2742 Give Us Today Our Daily Bread
office@stjamesorillia.com
http://www.stjamesorillia.com Ecumenical Lenten Services
Rector The Reverend Canon John Anderson Prepare Ye the Way Retreat
Editors: The Communications Committee Birthdays and Anniversaries
Compositor: Nancy Noakes-Morrison
Production: Phyllis Johnson For Your Information
Circulation: Mary Stains, The Wiest’s, Community Living People Worship Committee
Follow us on Twitter under #stjamesorillia
Follow us on facebook at St. James’ Anglican Church Orillia
Heritage Project
March Calendar
This Newsletter has been sponsored by Wendy and Al Hutchings
St. James’ Journey - Volume 14, Issue 2—March 2019 – page 3
Give Us Today
Our Daily Bread
Wednesday March 13
7 p.m.
Prayer is at the heart of our spiritual lives and our relationship
with a loving, liberating and life-giving God. When and how we
pray is important for a meaningful relationship with God. Join
Bishop Fenty as he guides us through an evening of study,
prayer and reflection.
Prepare Ye The Way Lent Retreat
Saturday March 30, 2019 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Facilitators: Canon Elizabeth (Liz) Morley, Wendy Passmore, Faye Oei
This day will offer participants an opportunity to prayerfully explore how we might want to
open our hearts and lives to new possibilities. What has been dead in me that needs to
come to life?
The day will include inspirational reflections, quiet time and small group sharing.
Suggested fee: $30.00 includes lunch
This Newsletter has been sponsored by Wendy and Al Hutchings
St. James’ Journey - Volume 14, Issue 2—March 2019 – page 4
Farewell to James’ Place
James’ Place was initiated about 15 years ago,
when the Rev. T. Bennett asked Len Johnson to
assist him in the disbursement of help to needy
petitioners. Over the years, together with the Pen-
nywise Shop, it became our flagship for hands-on
‘charity’, our proof to ourselves that Jesus’ call to
feed the hungry and clothe the naked (Matth. 25)
had not fallen on deaf ears, even if it cost us a
few dollars. Considering that the budget for
James’ Place never exceeded something like 5 %
of our total Parish budget, it was a relatively mod-
est investment in funds, but significant in a very
specific personal kind of engagement.
The facts are clear: In the face of budget deficits cuts have to be made, and it is certainly easier to recommend
drastic cuts the farther one is from having to look directly into the eyes, lives and deprivations of the truly disad-
vantaged. It is equally clear that a cut of $16,000 (or 80 %!) in the James’ Place budget of $20,000 is not merely a
cost-efficiency measure; it is a death sentence. Before trying to outline what will be lost, let’s look at possible rea-
sons for such a drastic recommendation, apart from the obvious financial advantage:
It has been said (and not always without reason) that some of our food vouchers had been abused, and that
some petitioners’ stories might not have been 100% truthful. But as the late Rev. Cam Russell used to say, peo-
ple sometimes have two stories: the ‘true’ story - and the one they need to survive. It is, however, our conviction
that abuse was not widespread, and that we exercised sound judgment to the best of our abilities.
What is being lost?
For most of us, personal contact with marginalised members of our community, and - thus - real insight into their
struggles, was an eye-opener. Our help might not have been great in financial terms, but it did alleviate temporary
suffering. It provided a note of encouragement to many and a beam of hope that there were hearts that cared,
and perhaps even a God somewhere who still loved them. It was our attempt, at St. James’, to heed the admoni-
tion of James 2:15-17 “Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If you say to them ‘Go, I wish
you well, keep warm and well fed’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?”
James’ Place was our opportunity to hold our heads high in the company of churches and agencies that collabo-
rated with us in those small attempts at hands-on charity, our attempt to heed literally Jesus’ admonition to feed
the hungry and clothe the naked, and who will now have to soldier on without us. Of course, the words of Mat-
thew 25 can be respected in many ways, but one which required us to tangibly share our bread with others, had
particular significance.
by Peter Schuepp
Birthdays and Anniversaries
January:
Maggie Astrauskas, Shirley Bromley, Wendy Caston, Gertrude Greenwood,
Karen Hart, Jen Hill,
Vic Howarth, Jo Levasseur, Ellie MacPhail, Helen Perry, Debbie Woodman
February:
Ted Bromley, Sue Glowa, Mary Johnson, Melda Marson, Hugh Rowlinson
March:
Kate Allen, Betty Fawcett, Dave Freeman, Dean Jobin-Bevans, Sue Leslie,
Stefanie Montgomery, Jackie Schmidt, Kai Schmidt
Anniversaries:
Feb 15: Jen and Andrew Hill
This Newsletter has been sponsored by Wendy and Al HutchingsSt. James’ Journey - Volume 14, Issue 2—March 2019 – page 5 Are you ill? In the Hospital? Now in a nursing home? If you or someone you know from our congregation is ill, in the hospital or moved to a nursing home...Please let us know by calling the church office. We have no other way of knowing as the hospital and nursing homes are no longer permitted to give this information out due to the privacy act. Altar Flower Donations Just a reminder that during Lent March 10 - April 14, there are no flowers on the Altar. If you would like to contrib- ute for flowers in memory of loved ones for Easter Sunday please contact Kathy Parks or the Church office. Newsletter Sponsorship A valuable part of this monthly newsletter is the people who sponsor it each month. A donation of $100.00 will help with the costs of printing and then mailing out to those who cannot pick their newsletter up personally. To lessen this cost though, if you wish to receive your newsletter via e-mail you would receive it in colour and directly to your home. Just advise Phyllis in the office of your e-mail address and you can be added to the list. Also if your group has upcoming events or you want to let folks know about past events - please email to Nancy Noakes- Morrison at patmorrison@sympatico.ca Book Discussion Group Come and join us for a discussion of the book 'Sing a Worried Song' by William Deverell, Canadian author and creator of the TV series Street Legal. This legal thriller is the last in his Arthur Beacuhamp series and is guaran- teed to lift you out of the winter blahs. We will be meeting on Monday March 18th in the Solarium Room of the Leacock Retirement Lodge at 10 a.m. This Newsletter has been sponsored by Wendy and Al Hutchings
St. James’ Journey - Volume 14, Issue 2—March 2019 – page 6
Heritage Project
The Napoleon Connection
You may be aware that a number of local places were given Spanish
names by veterans of the Napoleonic Wars, but do you know which
church warden had met Napoleon?
In 1835, Captain John Humphrey Drinkwater settled in North Orillia Town-
ship. The following year, he and his son John H.S. Drinkwater both signed
the petition for a church or school to be built in the Town of Orillia. In
1841, the Anglican Church acquired the Indigenous meeting house on the
site of our church from Chief Yellowhead. John H. became one of the first
two wardens that year.
How did Captain Drinkwater meet Napoleon? In June, 1815, John was
serving as a British surgeon at the Battle of Waterloo. As part of the medi-
cal staff, he had a number of wounded Frenchmen in his care. After the
battle, Napoleon was allowed to visit these men and to thank the medical
staff. John H. gave him a snuff box. The snuff box remained in the family
for a number of years as a treasured heirloom.
A number of generations of the Drinkwater family have been members of
this church and you may find several memorials that record their names.
One of the more prominent ones is to Captain Thomas Hallen Drinkwater
(1847-1913) and can be found on the north wall of the church. Thomas
was the son of John H.S. Drinkwater who took over for his father as a
church warden in 1842.
by Fred Blair
Worship Committee
Each month we gather for a committee meeting with representatives from Prepara-
tion of Services, Choir, Sides-people, Greeters, Intercessors (Prayers of the People),
Readers, Altar Guild, and Audio Visual. All of these parts make up the planning for
our services. Most of these groups have weekly schedules for their teams, however
we are always very appreciative of any new members. The Sides-people are respon-
sible for handing out the bulletins, helping with the stair lift or elevator, or giving di-
rections to newcomers. They take up the offering and are responsible for the count.
The captain and warden do a deposit each Sunday. The Altar Guild team is on duty
for two weeks and they set up for Sunday services on Saturday. Flowers are ar-
ranged and the communion set up. The candles with liquid paraffin wax are filled and
wicks kept working. The frontal "colours" are changed for the appropriate services.
Audio visual has a great team of three who have done a wonderful job allowing our
services to be recorded and heard by all. The lighting at Christmas was phenomenal.
The choir, under Director, Anna and Organist, Jeff have brought so much joy to our
services. The Greeters make all feel welcomed. The Servers include the crucifer,
torch bearers and those who assist at the altar. We have Duncan as our junior server
but all ages are welcomed. All are trained by Dr. Bob Duck.
If you feel that any of these areas might interest you, please chat with Joan Gardy for
more information.
By Joan Gardy
This Newsletter has been sponsored by Wendy and Al HutchingsSt. James’ Journey - Volume 14, Issue 2—March 2019 – page 7
Bishop Andrew’s Visit
Sunday Discussion Group
Annual Vestry
This Newsletter has been sponsored by Wendy and Al HutchingsSt. James’ Journey - Volume 14, Issue 2—March 2019– page 8
March
Friday March 1 Wednesday March 13 Monday March 25
2 p.m. World Day of Prayer 10 a.m. Bible Study 9 a.m. Crafts
Saturday March 2 11:15 am Holy Eucharist Tuesday March 26
7:30 p.m. Cellar Singers 12 noon Ecumenical Series 12:00 p.m. Centering Prayer
Sunday March 3 11:30 a.m. Loonie Lunch 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Food Bank & Fundscrip Sunday 1:15 p.m. Pennywise Shop 7 p.m. Saving Jesus Series
8 a.m. Holy Eucharist 2 p.m. Communication Mtg. Wednesday March 27
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist 7 p.m. Give Us Today Our Daily 10 a.m. Bible Study
12 noon Discussion Group Bread Study 11:15 am Holy Eucharist
Monday March 4 7 p.m. Meditation & Prayer 11:30 a.m. Loonie Lunch
9 a.m. Crafts Thursday March 14 12 noon Ecumenical Series
Tuesday Feb 5 1:15 p.m. Pennywise Shop 1:15 p.m. Pennywise Shop
Shrove Tuesday 2 p.m. Prayer Circle 7 p.m. Meditation & Prayer
Saturday March 16 Thursday March 28
12:00 p.m. Centering Prayer
5:30 p.m. St. Patrick’s Potluck 1:15 p.m. Pennywise Shop
1:15 p.m. Pennywise Shop
Sunday March 17 2 p.m. Prayer Circle
5:00 pm. Pancake Supper
8 a.m. Holy Eucharist Saturday March 30
Wednesday March 6
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist 9:30 a.m. Prepare Ye the Way
Ash Wednesday
12 noon Discussion Group of the Lord Retreat
10 a.m. Bible Study
Monday March 18 Sunday March 31
11:15 am Holy Eucharist
9 a.m. Craft 9 a.m. Men’s Prayer Breakfast
& Disposition of Ashes
7 p.m. Knitters 8 a.m. Holy Eucharist
11:30 a.m. Loonie Lunch
7 p.m. Ministry Council 10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
1:15 p.m. Pennywise Shop
Tuesday March 19 12 noon Discussion Group
7 p.m. Holy Eucharist &
12:00 p.m. Centering Prayer
Disposition of Ashes
1:15 p.m. Pennywise Shop
7 p.m. Meditation & Prayer
7 p.m. Saving Jesus Series
Thursday March 7
Wednesday March 20
10 a.m. Stewardship
Newsletter Deadline
1:15 p.m. Pennywise Shop
10 a.m. Bible Study
2 p.m. Prayer Circle
11:15 am Holy Eucharist
6 p.m. Worship Mtg.
11:30 a.m. Loonie Lunch
Sunday March 10
12 noon Ecumenical Series
8 a.m. Holy Eucharist
1:15 p.m. Pennywise Shop
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
7:00 p.m. Meditation & Prayer
12 noon Discussion Group
Thursday March 21
Monday March 11
9 a.m. Social Justice Mtg.
9 a.m. Crafts
1:15 p.m. Pennywise Shop
1 p.m. Euchre
2 p.m. Prayer Circle
Tuesday March 12
Sunday March 24
12:00 p.m. Centering Prayer
8 a.m. Holy Eucharist
1:15 p.m. Pennywise Shop
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
2 p.m. Pastoral Care
12 noon Discussion Group
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