This article represents an edited version of chapter four in Donald Stoesz’, Magic of Fiction in Illuminating Transformation (Victoria: Friesen’s Press, 2019), pp. 63-77. Saint Francis’ life, imprisonment, conversion, and discipleship have something to teach us about ministry. After becoming a knight in battle, Francis ended up in prison, came
What do prison writers have to teach us about the intimate love of God? Maybe, everything. March’s issue on Prison Writers features theological musings on a few notable individuals whose experiences in prison have profoundly shaped their understanding of the Christian faith. In his opening meditation, Lutheran chaplain Donald Stoesz
Like most churches, most post-secondary institutions (like the university I teach at) suddenly shifted to online formats when we entered the pandemic. Nearly a year later, it seems that online teaching and preaching will not be changing soon. We are all coming to grips with the real possibility that the
It is timely that I am writing about children and knowing, while also finishing up the final preparations for the upcoming Children’s Programming Learning Circle at the Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre. Lately, I’ve been thinking about Indigenous children and young people. My life and work are invested in my own healing,
Long-time member of St. Peter’s, Betty Currie, remembers the first time she met Donna Joy. It was in the fall of 1988 when she was first introduced as the student minister at her parish. Young and energetic, full of new ideas, she was, in Currie’s words, “a breath of fresh air.” The Reverend Canon Donna Joy will be
February’s issue of RLN is a love letter to learning. We’ve gathered perspectives on Wisdom & Youth, and what it means to be a “life-long learner.” Jane Barter, in her tribute to the rector at St. Peter’s, reflects on the wisdom and life of the Reverend Canon Donna Joy; Susie McPherson Derendy offers a
I am wondering these days about what a radical Anglican Church looks like. The 21st century has had many hard lessons for us about the meaning of being a Christian, and the nature of truly unconditional love. In every change movement, there has to be a moment when critical mass
St. Matthew’s Maryland Community Ministry, a part of 1JustCity, builds community in partnership with individuals and families in the West End of Winnipeg. Every day we welcome people who are hurting and who are often hurting alone. We serve people experiencing homelessness or unsuitable housing, people with mental health issues
Deb Buxton is the Peoples’ Warden at St. George’s Anglican Church, Transcona, where she has served as a volunteer for many years. With a career background in change management, Deb has recently been appointed as one of five transition coaches in the Diocese of Rupert’s Land. This Transition Team is
It is no secret that the global pandemic has transformed the Church in a myriad of ways. Pastoral care is now offered by phone call or Facetime, worship by podcast or Zoom, and after decades or more of saying that the church is not the building, we are now really
2020 has seen the Church through a year of pain, growth, and transformation. As the Anglican Communion enters a new calendar year, we’re reflecting on transitions—those behind us and those yet to come. Heather McCance, our own Diocesan Ministry Developer, shares insight from her work with parishes in Rupert’s Land;
Earlier this year I wrote a reflection for this publication on the evergreens on my family’s farm and what they might mean for remembering the land through land acknowledgement statements. This summer, I bought a new house hundreds of kilometres away from that farm here in the City, and as
“This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.” Isaiah 30:15 “What to be, what not to be, that is the question.” In adapting the famous
Periodically, as I look up from answering emails to find the morning has vanished or as I finish yet another Zoom meeting, I wonder, “How did I get so busy when I’m supposed to be retired?” It seems as though it’s either feast or famine – days of busyness followed
“If you don’t exit this lockdown with rock hard abs, the world’s best sourdough bread, and a bestselling novel, what is wrong with you?” A popular meme on social media. “Now that everyone has all this extra time we should schedule lots of extra meetings and really knuckle down on
This December, as we celebrate a more solitary season of Advent, we’re making a case for rest. Rachel Twigg Boyce kicks off the issue with an expression of her love for Advent, in all its countercultural splendor, and ultimately makes a plea for peace and compassion over obsessive productivity. Mary
Rivers Peace comes in the generosity of water. —Mary Oliver, “Swimming with Otter” Peace like a river, says the song, like a river that curls through prairie grasses and cuts through valley slopes to meet a new beginning at the ocean’s mouth, like a river, cool refuge,
A quick survey of the Anglican Church calendar in For All the Saints (revised) reveals that of the 136 non-biblical commemorations listed, 18 of them are specifically Canadian. Of these, four acknowledge Indigenous contributions to the Anglican Church of Canada: Henry Budd (Cree), Mollie Brant (Mohawk), Robert McDonald (Anishinaabe/Metis), and Simon
In this month’s issue, former RLN editor Jude Claude writes a community catechesis reflecting on Karl Barth’s understanding of the “pistis Christou” debate – the theological distinction between “faith of Christ” and “faith in Christ” – as it relates to the recent protest by self-immolation of US serviceman Aaron Bushnell.
Cass Smith’s article “When Faithful Leadershership is Not Effective Leadership” explores common pitfalls leaders fall into when working within unjust systems. She also discusses how the expectations people hold of those in leadership sometimes contribute to their burnout, calling for us to have a more gracious and human understanding of those in leadership.
For the Lenten season, Paul Dyck reviews two films, Zone of Interest and Perfect Days, each of which attends to the mundanity of ordinary life while troubling us with how the everyday is often unsettlingly close to the extremes of human monstrosity.
This month’s parish profile interviews the Rev. Wilson Akinwale and Deb Buxton from St. George’s Anglican (Transcona) discussing the parish’s rich history, its evangelical/contemporary approach to worship, and community engagement including their recent Black history service.
To close out the issue, a directory of Holy Week services is offered as a guide for the Easter Season.
I hope you enjoy this month’s articles.
Read and download the March issue here.
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