tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-131142962011-12-14T22:11:43.604-05:00My spiritual and practical journey to becoming an ordained Anglican priest in Canada.humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.comBlogger411100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-52547655447070496352008-07-15T17:13:00.002-04:002008-07-15T17:15:51.494-04:00

The only theology worth doing is that which inspires and transforms lives, that which empowers us to participate in creating, liberating, and blessing the world. This is a basic tenet of feminist liberation theology and it is also Anglicanism at its best.Carter Heyward

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-9408195200610190342008-07-12T11:01:00.003-04:002008-07-12T11:07:21.806-04:00

Given the somewhat heated environment the Anglican Church finds itself these days (both at home and in the wider world), I' thought I would post this prayer:Great God of all, who has created us all alike in your image and called us equally to your service: we ask that all who seek to serve you in the ministry of your church may be free to do so to the fullest extent of their calling.We pray for

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-31665744663743881662008-05-15T20:46:00.002-04:002008-05-15T21:51:50.518-04:00

I am quite pleased to announce that I won an award at this week's Trinity Convocation. I am the 2008 winner of the Canon Charles Frederick Pashler Prize for Moral Theology. Charles Pashler was quite a fellow. He was an Englishman who, when a student at Trinity College, signed up with the CEF and fought in the Great War (a particular interest of mine), where he was severely injured at

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-70910409838017882032008-05-10T18:49:00.003-04:002008-05-10T19:01:35.850-04:00

I'm done another one, paper for school, that is. I've only got a few left to tidy up long overdue course extensions...This on revolves around Richard Hooker, his Lawes, extempore prayer and the Book of Common Prayer. I will not bore you with the details, but understanding the development of the Puritans within the Church of England is a good place to start!The just of the essay is that by using

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-14628314140000887662008-05-09T18:36:00.006-04:002008-05-09T19:06:07.389-04:00

Getting in touch with creation is essential for your health, physical, mental and spiritual. A great reason to get out in the woods this spring is to hunt for the tasty morel! Think of the fellowship you'll have hunting for them, and then sharing them sautéed on toast rounds. Mmmmmm.I have include a short prayer for the Morel Hunter:Almighty and Abundant God,We praise you for the variety and

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-85256690543833205712008-05-07T13:11:00.004-04:002008-05-07T13:21:06.511-04:00

I cant believe it's been almost a year since I've written anything!! It has obviously been a busy year.I did not post much during my internship as that was demanding time wise, and last fall I become co-head of my class at Trinity College, the seminary I attend, and that kept me very busy!I am looking to start posting regularly again, with my thoughts, reflections and experiences....and I'm as

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-28771173861112568652007-06-15T12:46:00.000-04:002007-06-15T12:47:28.545-04:00

"Jesus did not say, ‘I, if I be lifted up, will draw some. Jesus said, I, if I be lifted up, will draw all. All, all, all. All black, white, yellow, rich, poor, clever, not-so-clever, beautiful, not-so-beautiful. It’s one of the most radical things. All, all, all belong: gay, lesbian, so-called straight, all.All are meant to be held in this incredible embrace that will not let us go."Bishop

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-1169511486429243522007-01-22T19:13:00.000-05:002007-02-09T00:51:49.926-05:00

I've begun my full-time internship at Grace Anglican Church in Brantford, Ontario. Probably the reason I haven't been posting as much. I have to complete a number of reflection journal entries as part of my placement, so expect more to follow soon! I am currently working on finishing up my internship learning covenant. It is an agreement between myself and my supervisor, the rector of Grace, Dave

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-1165285301841606212006-12-04T21:19:00.000-05:002006-12-21T07:56:04.166-05:00

I've been assigned an advisor by the Diocese of Huron, which is great! Advisors to applicants are there to help you with the procedural things, like obtaining reference letters, and other kinds of paper work. Classes are winding down and I'm preparing to enter into my full-time internship at Grace Anglican in Brantford.

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-1163466082674002702006-11-13T19:58:00.000-05:002006-11-13T20:01:22.690-05:00

O God, the author of peaceand lover of concord,to know you is eternal life,to serve you is perfect freedom.Defend us your servantsfrom all assaults of our enemies;touch their hearts and minds with your eternal lovethat we may trust in your defence,knowing the love and blessings you provide for all people,and not fear the power of any adversaries;as we reveal 'the other' to be a weapon of evilas

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-1163389432878956222006-11-12T22:42:00.000-05:002006-11-12T22:44:13.906-05:00

What 20th Century Theorist are you? You are Julia Kristeva! You were a student of Roland Barthes, and came up with such important notions as intertextuality and abjection. You are a semiotician, psychoanalyst, scholar of literature, and dozens more things. You are not dead.Take this quiz!

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-1163366275933585722006-11-12T16:12:00.000-05:002006-11-12T16:17:55.946-05:00

O God, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil,greed and envy, status and pollutionand make us children of God and heirs of eternal life,respecting the needs of the earth and each other:grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure;choosing actions which promote peace and love,speaking out against injustice and

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-1163282085813886722006-11-11T16:52:00.000-05:002007-01-17T03:22:29.250-05:00

Today's collect relates to the Saint for November 11, St. Martin of Tours and to Rememberance Day here in Canada. Lord God of hosts, who clothed your servant Martin the soldierWith the spirit of sacrifice, and set him as a bishop in your Church to be a defender of the faith:Give us grace to follow in his holy steps, that at the last we may be found clothed with righteousness in the dwellings of

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-1163281963407761122006-11-11T16:49:00.000-05:002006-11-11T16:56:07.443-05:00

After my responses from my first article on prayer I've decided to add a feature, hopefully ever day. Each day can have a special prayer called a Collect, which basically collects up the thoughts of the day and sums them up in a short, pithy prayer. Sometimes they relate to the Saint of the day (if there is one) and sometimes a current event, or even secular holiday. Please feel free to use any

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-1162344908649450332006-10-31T20:34:00.000-05:002006-11-02T16:02:54.543-05:00

Prayer – An Ancient Way To Mental FitnessThere are a few human behaviours that are spread across the world and across cultures and across time. Maybe more than a few. I’m sure there are some exceptions ,but for the most part humans that have been living in groups since there have been humans have participated in these activities, like games, sports, and gossip. One that all our cultures have

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-1161653338940549472006-10-23T20:29:00.000-04:002006-10-23T21:28:59.106-04:00

Don't get me wrong, I love the old hymns. There is nothing like a the full on pipe organ experience on a Sunday night, or evening. But just because I experience God in that mean does not mean it is the only musical event that God can be experienced in a liturgical sense. It also does not mean that everyone with experience God in that kind of music. For that reason it is important, no, crucial,

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-1161391127752591342006-10-20T20:14:00.000-04:002006-10-31T15:21:54.180-05:00

Well, I have been absent from posting lately, something I'm going to remedy! I've been busy in the process and have not taken time to document it! I am preparing to meet with the bishops of the Diocese as part of my introduction to the people who will be deciding whether I am fit for ordination. There is a day long series of events in London for me to attend next Saturday. This is a less formal

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-1159802336751200442006-10-02T11:02:00.000-04:002006-10-02T11:18:56.893-04:00

To become ordained in the Anglican Church in Canada you must do two main things. The first is to enroll in a theological school to earn a Masters of Divinity degree. The other is to be taken on by a diocese, a regional division or area where a bishop has authority. I'm in the process of both. I've applied to the Diocese of Huron and will be attending a bishop's conference for postulants later

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-1159063496614139892006-09-23T21:55:00.000-04:002006-09-23T22:04:56.616-04:00

I was lucky enough to be noticed by a book dealer and was given a copy of Brian McLaren’s new book, The Secret Message of Jesus, to review here. I have taken my time with the book, because it is a wonderful read. I’m thinking the title and marketing might have been influenced by all The Da Vinci Code hype though…This book provides a number of points to jump off into discussion, something I thin

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-1155845575921117582006-08-17T16:10:00.000-04:002006-09-24T03:32:50.013-04:00

By popular demand, well three comments anyway, here's how the preaching went. The first sermon was okay, the second was better and the third better yet. When I say better I mean that I was more comforatable doing them, and the congregation responded better. What I really noticed was that I felt more comfortable preaching with less notes. My first sermon I had typed up, and was trying to be

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-1151903674457338572006-07-03T01:01:00.000-04:002006-08-16T11:02:39.140-04:00

This is just a short update. I've been helping out with the Sunday liturgies at my home parish of Saint Michael and All Angels in Toronto. It's a beautiful little parish the must have the largerst collection of Yvonne Williams stained glass in the world. Her work has been honoured on a Canadian postage stamp and is found in churches around Canada. I must be doing something right because I've been

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-1149819377729592672006-06-08T21:49:00.000-04:002006-07-03T01:01:03.156-04:00

As part of my clerical education all of the students help run the chapel during the week. As such we take turns performing the various roles, and it was my turn to be the Homilist in January, which is fancy church talk for the person who gives the sermon.It's usual in the Anglican tradition to give some kind of meditation or exhortation based on the readings for that day. The sermon occurs in the

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-1149776655500414022006-06-08T10:18:00.000-04:002006-06-08T10:24:15.500-04:00

Yeesh! I had to undergo shoulder surgery, specifically a Bankart Repair, with the result that I had to suspend my schooling until the fall term. All of my instructors were very decent about the entire matter, giving me until the end of August to complete my course work. I am also going to be giving my first sermons in public, as I am filling in for the incumbant at my church three Sundays in July

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-1139353142563565012006-02-07T17:56:00.000-05:002006-02-07T18:03:24.380-05:00

Here is an email I received recently that I thought I should share:Please call attention to the new National Religious Campaign Against Torture.  We're asking people to endorse our statement and, if possible, to contribute financially to the campaign.www.nrcat.orgIt grew out of the recent Princeton conference I organized on "Theology, International Law, and Torture."  PBS wrote about the

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-1137213487861968882006-01-13T23:22:00.000-05:002006-01-13T23:41:36.776-05:00

My juxtaposition of anarchism with a Christian priest may at first seem strange. In North American society we have taken the fear of death to such an extreme we support a culture of denial, which glosses over each of our mortalities. It is as if death is something that happens to other people and if it should try and interfere with us, well, we’re off to Wal-Mart for the sale! We center our focus

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-1128925051610396352005-10-10T02:13:00.000-04:002005-10-10T02:17:31.616-04:00

Whew! So, I’ve been going to class and getting into the swing of being a student again. My experiences keep confirming that this is the path for me. The material covered in class and the discussions with other divinity students afterwards feel natural and exciting for me. Who would have thought that of me? Just finished my first paper for a history course and I’m starting my second, which is for

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-1124250747516288032005-08-16T23:50:00.000-04:002006-04-11T04:48:55.550-04:00

So, I’ve received my course calendar and have picked all my courses for this fall and winter. I am only taking the minimum for full-time status, 4 courses per term, to make sure I can handle everything. It has been quite a while since I’ve dealt with so many deadlines. I’ve managed to arrange all my classes to be on Wednesdays and Thursdays to capitalize on my time on campus. This should help me

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-1119775851113868622005-06-26T04:50:00.000-04:002005-06-26T04:50:51.116-04:00

I have often had the feeling as I am in the midst of doing something that I am in a movie. My eyes see what the camera sees and everything in my vision takes on a heightened dramatic, or comedic, feeling and intensity. The arrangement of the background, the sounds, the lighting, they all combine in the same powerful fashion as in a film: a cinematic moment.In the past I have considered this to be

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-1118801798402794002005-06-14T22:10:00.000-04:002005-06-14T22:16:38.406-04:00

I was twigged to an important point in my awareness of my faith, and the distance I had made with it, by a footnote in Brian McLaren’s book. He cites a term that he got from Irshad Manji’s book “The Trouble with Islam” by Random House, a book I had read last year. The book is written by an openly gay Muslim woman as a critique of the current state of the Muslim religion. Most interesting is that

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-1118780368117871312005-06-14T16:06:00.000-04:002005-07-26T18:51:25.803-04:00

I have been very fortunate to have a friend in Lance Dixon, an Anglican minister who has been invaluable in my discernment process. That’s the fancy term for the journey to become a priest. He leads a new group that is designing a new congregation/service at Trinity Church in Streetsville, Ontario called Evolution.I have had many discussions with Lance and he has suggested some excellent reading

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-1118267243119817912005-06-07T19:14:00.000-04:002005-07-13T01:46:13.676-04:00

It seems I cannot do anything without thinking deeply about it, at least examining underlying assumptions and testing them against my beliefs. I have the very practical problem of raising money so I can attend school this fall, so I am searching out bursaries and grant information. While I am doing this I am keenly aware of being a person with his hand out. I am looking for other people to give

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-1117812402983521612005-06-03T11:22:00.000-04:002005-06-03T11:30:15.740-04:00

I arrived at the U of T campus early for my interview with the Dean, so I decided to stop in for a quick lunch. I wanted to have some Indian food, but to my great disappointment that restaurant was gone, replaced by a Middle Eastern grill. I like falafels, so I thought I’d give it a try. I ordered a chicken shwarma and looked for a place to sit down and feast. There were no empty tables, so I sat

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-1117671220310775482005-06-01T20:07:00.000-04:002005-06-01T20:13:40.313-04:00

I had my interview with Trinity College today. It was an informal discussion with the Dean and one of Trinity’s professors. We talked about why I want to become a priest, my past academic record and my strengths and weaknesses as applied to fulltime study and a pastoral vocation. I never completed my degree at the University of Waterloo, so I applied to be admitted as a non-degree student in the

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-1117435679511953892005-05-30T01:04:00.000-04:002005-07-26T19:03:13.723-04:00

I have been on a path for purpose most of my life. I don’t think I’m the only one on this journey, but I’m not going to assume everyone else is. I believe that each of us has, deep within us, that need for purpose. It seems to me that we do a lot of things to try and distract ourselves from that need. We fill our minds because our question of purpose is tied so closely to our own mortality and

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-1117420969637001382005-05-29T22:37:00.000-04:002005-05-29T22:42:49.640-04:00

I had a very encouraging experience yesterday. I was visiting my brother at work when one of his co-workers introduced himself. He explained that he had heard from my brother that I was in the process of becoming a priest. He wanted to know if it would be all right to ask me some questions he had about God. I was thrilled to talk with him about his questions. I let him know it was perfectly fine

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-1117310076649117972005-05-28T14:15:00.000-04:002005-05-30T02:57:00.263-04:00

It all came together in Florida. I was vacationing with my family, sitting on a small dock in a salt-water lagoon along the inter-coastal waterway on the Gulf of Mexico fishing with my 4-year-old daughter. It was the first time she had tried fishing and she wasn’t disappointed with all the action from the fish. In between baiting the hook and getting her line set I was looking into the clear

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-1117128208644233942005-05-26T13:07:00.000-04:002005-05-26T13:24:24.516-04:00

If I get accepted into Divinity School I will most likely start course work in this fall. In preparation for this my friend, who is a priest, gave me a book to read, “Under the Unpredictable Plant”, by Eugene Peterson. It was very helpful to get a real worldview of the life and challenges of being a parish pastor. One thing I have come away from the book with is that I must develop my own

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-1117059471741263792005-05-25T17:41:00.000-04:002005-05-26T01:47:50.060-04:00

I have to admit that I have many reservations about becoming a priest. With the strangle hold radical Christians, especially in the Southern United States, have over the Christian vocabulary and presence it is difficult to discuss important issues, like human sexuality, in the context of Christianity without getting weighed down by their absolutist and backward-thinking theology. While there are

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-1117000334300868622005-05-25T01:51:00.000-04:002005-05-25T01:53:43.493-04:00

I remember telling my Grandmother when I was 10 or so that I wanted to become a priest. She discouraged me at the time, which was probably a good thing. She was a very devout Anglican, yet I never remember her ever behaving in the self-righteous way too many religious people do. She led her life as an example with no preaching from an over-bearing moralist. She was the first personal influence in

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-1116866285804486032005-05-23T15:07:00.000-04:002005-11-08T08:35:40.286-05:00

Probably the weirdest thing you can say to someone in this era of very weird things is, "I want to become a priest." It seems easier to tell someone you're gay, or a recovering drug fiend with a fetish for shoes and aerosol cheese. Why would anyone in his or her right mind want to become a priest!?All I can do is tell you I do, and that it feels right. I’m 37, am married, have five children,

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13114296.post-1116867763414695352005-05-23T12:50:00.000-04:002005-05-23T13:02:43.416-04:00

I'm right in the middle of my application to get back into school. I never completed my BA at the University of Waterloo, so I have to enter the Master's program at Trinity College as a non-degree student. I've received word that Trinity has accepted my application and I am scheduled for an interview with the Dean and staff next month. I'm not anxious about it, maybe a little excited though.

humble servanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09987782870595412295noreply@blogger.com0