A SECTION OF THE ANGLICAN JOURNAL FEBRUARY 2011 SERVING THE DIOCESE OF KOOTENAY

t. Andrew’s, Trail,made an appeal forregular donors to theirfood bank. Unable to

keep up with the demand onthe food bank, the Rev. NeilElliot made an appeal throughthe Trail Times for sponsors toregularly commit to donating$10 per month, which is thecost of a bag of food.

Due to the downturn inthe economy, client numbershave doubled from around 45to 90 people since last year.

Neil said, “I’m sure we’regetting a number of peoplewho are the working poor.They’re doing the best theycan for their families, but onminimum wage, it is reallytough to make ends meet.”

Volunteers at the foodbank shop for specials at localgrocery stores and try to pro-

Svide food that is healthy,nutritious and at a reasonableprice.

Typically, the food bankputs together a $10 bag offood that includes non-perish-ables such as a carton of applejuice, tin of vegetables, a cou-ple of boxes of pasta, a tin offruit, pork and beans, two tinsof fish and a can of soup.

Perishable items are addedwhen available or funds allow,such as a bag of potatoes orcarrots, oranges, eggs or evenmilk; and sometimes there arespecial treats like salsa. Someof what is distributed is direct-ly donated through thechurch. Church members givecanned gifts in their offeringsto the church.

The food bank is open onthe second Tuesday of eachmonth. Volunteers try tomake the experience for their

Food bank seeks helping hands

BY JONN LAVINNDER

SHARING — At St. Andrew’s, Okanagan, Mission, church hall.See Welcome Bags P. 5

clients more than just receiv-ing a bag of food.

Neil said, “We have cof-fee and goodies, so they canstop for a while, warm upand visit. Our team of peoplecome from both the churchand the wider communityand we make sure every clientfeels cared for.”

He also said that it isimportant for his church,spiritually, to share by volun-teering.

“We don’t push religionor make people jumpthrough hoops just to getfood.”

Due to the increase inclients it is hoped they willhave at least 40 donors will-ing to commit to a monthlydonation of $10 a month.Prospective donors or volun-teers can contact the churchat 250-231-0124.

VOLUNTEERS — St. Andrew’s, Trail, food bank volunteers give more than just a bag of food.

❑

P 4 & 5 Advent and Epiphany parties around the diocese

photo ian chapman photo neil elliot

churches throughout theworld and its successors - the“Revised Standard Version”and the “New RevisedStandard Version” are still thenormative versions for publicworship. The King JamesVersion has been the choice ofmany individual Christiansand parts of it are still read innursing homes and at hospitalbeds to bring comfort andcourage and spiritual strength.“The Lord is my shepherd; Ishall not want. He maketh meto lie down in green pastures:he leadeth me beside the stillwaters. He restoreth mysoul…Yea, though I walkthrough the valley of the shad-ow of death, I will fear no evil:for thou art with me; thou rodand thy staff they comfortme…” These are words thathave become a spiritual bridgeto the very heart of God andthey can speak as powerfullytoday as when they were firstprinted.

The 400th Anniversary ofthe King James Bible is an

FEBRUARY 2011PAGE 2 THE HIGHWAY

The HighWay is published under the authority of the Bishop of Kootenay and the Synod of theDiocese of Kootenay. Opinions expressed in The HighWay are not necessarily those of the Editor orthe Publisher.

THE

HIGHWAY

EDITOR

Jonn LavinnderSt. Saviour’s Pro-Cathedral723 Ward Street,Nelson, B.C.V1L 1T3Phone: (250) 352-5711thehighway@shaw.ca

Submissions & Deadlines: All articles, advertising and correspondence submitted to The HighWayis subject to editing for length, clarity, timeliness, appropriateness and style in accordance with theCanadian Press. Letters should be limited to 250 words, columns and articles no more than 600words. Please include with all submissions your name, e-mail address and parish, as well as the nameof the photographer, if applicable. Deadline for submissions is the ffiirrsstt ooff tthhee mmoonntthh pprriioorr ttoo ppuubblliiccaa-ttiioonn unless otherwise indicated.

Advertising Policy: The acceptance of advertisement does not imply endorsement by the diocese orany of its principals. Advertisers and advertising agencies assume liability for all content, including text, representations and illustrations, and also assume responsibility for any claims and costs arisingthere from. Display advertising for commercial parties is available in accordance with our ethics and advertising policy.

Advertising material and inquiries should be addressed to the Editor. Payment is to be made inadvance to the Diocese of Kootenay.

Advertising is to be pre-paid to:The Diocese of Kootenay1876 Richter StreetKelowna, B.C.V1Y 2M9Phone: (250) 762-3306Fax: (250) 762-4150

Printed and mailed by printed & mailed by Bowes Publishing, London ON.A section of the Anglican Journal.

Editorial AssistantMicahel Lavinnder

his year, 2011, marksthe 400thAnniversary of thepublication of the

King James Bible. It is unques-tionably the most influentialversion of the Bible in theworld. Prior to the publicationof the King James or“Authorized Version” as it isformally called, there were sev-eral English translations of theBible. William Tyndale com-pleted the first English transla-tion of the New Testament in1534 and Miles Coverdalepublished a complete Englishtranslation of the Bible in1535 basing much of his workon Luther’s German transla-tion and Tyndale’s translations.In 1537 “Matthew’s Bible” waspublished in English and so

T

refinements, it was officiallypublished in 1611.

It is difficult to overesti-mate the impact of this eventfor the church and for theentire English speaking world.It became the Bible of mis-sionaries, explorers and settlersin new lands. It became asource for the teaching andlearning of the English lan-guage and turns of phrase andquotations have found theirway into our best literature,our finest music and oureveryday language. When youhear people say things like, “Abird in the hand is worth twoin the bush,” “All things mustpass,” “Bite the dust,” “By theskin of your teeth,” “Sourgrapes,” “Pearls before swine”or “The powers that be,” theyare speaking words from theKing James Bible. Our writ-ing, our speech, and our worldhave been shaped by thisBook.

And so has our faith. TheBible in the AuthorizedVersion has been read in

Website: www.anglicanhighway.com

was the “Great Bible.” It wasthe translations of the psalmsfrom the “Great Bible” whichhave found their way into theBook of Common Prayer andare familiar to so many. In1537 the “Geneva Bible” waspublished and it was likely thisversion that had the greatestinfluence on Shakespeare andother 16th Century writers.Thirty years later in1568 “TheBishop’s Bible” was producedand this edition became thestandard for the EnglishChurch until the publicationof the “Authorized Version” in1611.

It was soon after KingJames I ascended the thronethat he called a conferencetogether at Hampton Court in1604. There a decision wasmade to develop a new trans-lation of the Bible based onthe original languages and theavailability of new manu-scripts. In a remarkable under-taking, the work was begun in1607 and the first draft com-pleted in 1609. After further

Privacy Protection: Photographs and articles submitted to The HighWay for publication requiresthat authors and photographers have received permission from parents or guardians of all minors(under 18) that have their names or whereabouts published in The HighWay.

opportunity for each of us toconsider the place of the Biblein our own lives and at leastone of the parishes in theDiocese is organizing a specialevent to read the King JamesBible in their church. TheBible still is the primary docu-ment for our understanding ofthe life of Jesus and it offers usa clear spiritual connection tothe ever present life of theRisen Christ. Through itspages faith is nourished,enriched and strengthened. AsLuther wrote, “The Bible isthe cradle for Christ.” In myview, in this 400th anniversaryyear of the King James Bible awonderful opportunity awaitsus all to celebrate the legacy ofthe Authorized Version and todiscover anew the spiritualgifts that are to be found in itspages and in the many mod-ern translations that are itschildren.

Faithfully,+John ❑

et me ask a ques-tion: is God to befound in yourchurch’s Annual

General Meeting?Some people are tempted

to think that the “business ofthe church” is somehow sepa-rate from the rest of it.Budgets and spreadsheets andbusiness decisions just don’tseem to be as “spiritual” asworship or Christian educa-tion or fellowship.

Sometimes, I feel that waymyself. I’d much rather bepreparing a sermon than work-ing on a budget where thenumbers swim in long hazycolumns in front of my eyes.(In fact, I’d rather be doingalmost anything at all otherthan budgets.)

Surely God is present inthis too. Budgets and businessdecisions in the church are

loaded with implications forfaithful ministry. This min-istry belongs to God, and weparticipate in it, using all theabundant blessings given us.It’s easy to say “We care aboutyoung people in this church,”but if that’s not reflected inthe budget, it’s only words. It’scomforting to claim “We careabout God’s peace and justicein the world,” but if ourbudgets don’t show it, I won-der about our commitment toit.

It has almost become acliché to say “Show me yourchequebook, and I’ll tell youwhere your commitmentsare.” It is nevertheless true,both for individuals and forthe church. Show me yourchurch’s budget, and I’ll tellyou what’s important.

In this vein, a narrativebudget is a very helpful way oftelling the story of ministry. Ithelps us tell the story of theministry in which our parishis involved. It tells the story ofhow we are living out God’s

gospel purposes in our lives asindividuals and as a communi-ty of faith. We are participat-ing in what John DominicCrossan calls “God’s GreatCleanup Project in theWorld.”

Jesus had something to sayabout God’s presence inAGM’s: “For where your treas-ure is, there your heart will bealso.”

Like Jacob awakeningfrom his dream (Genesis28:16), may our AGM’sremind us again that, evenwhen we may not know it,God is in this place.

(word count 360)

L

❑

God in a time ofAGM's

ARCHBISHOP’S PAGE

Words For Life

BY ARCHBISHOP JOHN E. PRIVETT

In My View

BY YME WOENSDREGT

TThhiiss ccoolluummnn hhaass bbeeeenn wwrriitttteennwwiitthh tthhee iinntteennttiioonn tthhaatt iitt mmaayy bbeerreepprriinntteedd iinn llooccaall nneewwssppaappeerrss.. ffoorrtthheeiirr rreelliiggiioonn ppaaggee.. YYmmee wwiillll bbeewwrriittiinngg aa sshhoorrtt aarrttiiccllee eeaacchhmmoonntthh eexxpprreessssllyy wwiitthh tthhiiss ppuurrppoosseeiinn mmiinndd.. YYoouu aarree ffrreeee ttoo rreepprroo-dduuccee tthhee aarrttiiccllee wwiitthhoouutt pprriioorraapppprroovvaall.. DDrroopp uuss aa lliinnee aannyywwaayy..

TThhee EEddiittoorr

FEBRUARY 2011 THE HIGHWAY PAGE 3COLUMNS

s a diocesan ExecutiveOfficer I am constant-ly involved in propertyissues. Sadly, little pro-

vokes more controversy in ourfaith life than the way we dealwith our church properties. InJewish biblical times there was acomplex Talmudic concept ofhekdesh referring particularly toproperty consecrated to the tem-ple authorities. Hekdesh alsoreminds us of the idea that allproperty, particularly that conse-crated to use in our faith lives,belongs to God (bi-reshutGavoha). The idea that churchproperty belonged to anyoneother than God was quite incon-ceivable. Sadly, man has come toforget and misuse this concept so

much so that in Yiddish Hebrew,hekdesh evolved to mean “a bigmess.” And indeed in manyinstances it is!

In the Anglican Church ofCanada parish properties andholdings are invariably vested inthe various Synods of the diocesesin which they exist. For centuriesin Anglicanism this wasn’t so dif-ficult an idea; and we recognizedthat cathedrals and churches andtheir lands belonged to the largerChurch, or the monarch, or gov-ernment in Established churches;and generations of parishionersmaintained and developed thesefor the greater Glory of God.There was never really a struggleas to who “owned” the properties;the ecclesiastical version of “peace,order, and good government”meant the Bishops and their(Diocesan) Synods determinedtheir ultimate use and disposition.

This was challenged after theReformation by the rise of demo-cratic secularism, but particularlyin Christianity by the rise of con-gregationalism. Anglicans are

BY RANDALL FAIREY

Commentary

A

ome things have a wayof never leaving youeven when you wishthey would. Like one

particular recorded messagefrom my childhood thatseemed to rewind and play eachtime my relatives would gettogether for family gatherings.

Perhaps it wasn’t every fam-ily gathering that I heard thesewords, but it sure seemed likeit. I’d arrive for a meal andsocial time with aunts, unclesand cousins; enormousamounts of food would bepiled on my plate and everyonewould encourage me to “Eat!Eat! There’s plenty to goround.” Then, in what felt likenot even a minute later, thesame people would happily ask,“So, how’s the diet? Have youlost any weight lately?” Talkabout a mixed message. To thisday, it sits uncomfortably onmy hips and thighs.

I love everything aboutfood. Cooking it, eating it,the tastes, the textures, thegathering of people around atable, and the new kitchengadget I ask for and receiveevery Christmas. Food is cen-tral to all that I do. Feedingpeople is what I do best. Fallcanning produces winter gifts.The essence of presiding atthe Eucharist is, for me, theact of feeding those whohunger. Yet, at the end of theday, I am forever looking in amirror and wondering if I’velost any weight lately. I seemdestined to live forever hatingone of the things I love themost. I guess you might saythat the recorded messagefrom my childhood has alwayshad the capacity to eat awayat me.

While the post-Christmas,“oh gosh! I don’t know how Iate so much,” blues couldhave inspired this latest foodand diet dilemma, it wasinstead a glance forward inthe calendar, not backward,that has provoked these mus-

S

COGS wheels

Eating my way to heaven

RANDALL FAIREY IS A DELEGATE

TO THE COUNCIL OF GENERAL

SYNOD AND EXECUTIVE OFFICER

OF THE DIOCESE OF KOOTENAY

“episcopally led and synodicallygoverned” so the idea that indi-vidual congregations could solelydecide the use of church buildingsand properties has until recentlybeen totally foreign.

This has not been helped bythe parallel rise in civil ownershipof one’s home, and Freehold Titleto defined real estate. The majori-ty of Canadians long to own theirown homes and legally hold Titleto the land on which they sit.From ordinary Canadians we electmembers to parish councils.These well-intentioned folks areput into office without any train-ing in Anglican polity and organi-zation, and often with back-grounds from other church andcivil experiences. Not surprisinglythese councils get into problemswhen they sometimes fail toappreciate that they are onlyempowered to make decisions onbehalf of the Bishop and underthe authority of Synods and theirCanons (church laws). It is hardfor individuals and the councils

on which they serve to recognizethere is not the freedom that theywould have with their civil prop-erties. Moreover councils fail torealize that they are administeringa parish property in trust not onlyfor the Bishop and the Synod,but also to honour the legacies ofpast generations of Anglicans.Notwithstanding, new buildingsand contributions of funds by thepresent generation, past genera-tions left resources includingproperty, as a future trust; theyindeed might strongly disagreewith a new parish decision ordirection if they were alive to doso. Such legacies cannot beignored and devalued.

So as Executive Officer I reg-ularly experience puzzled reactionand open frustration when parish-es are instructed to make deci-sions in concert with the diocese,and are not able to acquire or dis-pose of property for uses decidedonly within a parish. Too oftenwe forget that the Bishop andDiocesan administration are part-

ners, and not bureaucratic oppo-sition — and all of us hold theseas gifts from God and for HisGlory.

And the ultimate expressionsof a failure to understand this arethe breakaway parishes inCanadian dioceses that unilater-ally declare their departure fromthe Anglican Church of Canadafor another jurisdiction such asthe Southern Cone or theVatican. Repeatedly, Canadiancivil courts have upheld theecclesiology of our church andthe rights of our Bishops ininsisting on obedience and right-ful property management. Butstubborn fellow Christians with asense of righteous entitlement,continue to appeal to the highestcivil courts of Canada and theUSA. This has been unnecessarilymessy and if we are not carefulwe will end up with a hekdesh —a big mess.

BY NISSA BASBAUM

ings; a glance forward to theFeast of the Transfiguration,celebrated in some churcheson the last Sunday beforeLent.

The word transfigure is aninteresting one, having withinit the notion of being alteredyet ultimately staying thesame. According to one dic-tionary definition, it means “tochange in outward form orappearance.” — Don’t I wish?A second definition says, “tochange so as to glorify orexalt.” Although different,there is actually somethingquite similar about these twomeanings. In neither case doesthe change turn a person intosomeone else.

If we think specifically ofthe story of Jesus’ transfigura-tion, the presence of Mosesand Elijah sends a powerfulmessage about how, eventhough “the appearance of hisface changed, and his clothesbecame dazzling white,” Jesuswas still the same person hehad always been. Moses andElijah are a testament to his

heritage, and our heritage is astrong part of who we are asindividuals.

I’ve probably spent muchof my life trying to be some-one else. Not surprisingly, thatsomeone else is a whole lotthinner than I am! It’s a littlescary for me to consider thepossibility that my conversionto Christianity was not unre-lated to this lifelong quest.Years later, however, I think Ihave finally come to realizeand accept that even convert-ing to another religion hasn’tchanged who I am. Instead, Iguess you might say it has“transfigured” me — kept methe same yet given me a pur-pose.

This, I think, is the mes-sage of the scriptural story ofthe transfiguration, whichends with the voice from thecloud saying, “This is my Son,my Chosen; listen to him!” Infact, this is the message of theentire gospel. The disciplesand Jesus walk back down themountain and, henceforth,their friend’s meaning begins

to crystallize; the things whichwill take place, the thingswhich will, in effect, demon-strate his purpose in life, noware strongly conveyed to themthrough his words andactions. Jesus does not becomesomeone else; Jesus becomesfully who he already is.

I know myself wellenough to realize that I willnever stop trying to accom-plish my family’s impossiblegoal of eating what I wantwhile at the same time some-how losing weight. I’m sureit’s destined forever to makeme just a little bit crazy. Butmaybe, just maybe, next tofeeding people, being a littlecrazy is what I do best, andmy own transfiguration isabout sharing this “dazzlingwhite” craziness with others inorder that together all of usmight, like Jesus, become fullywho we already are rather thantrying to become somethingthat we likely never were.

❑

❑

FEBRUARY 2011PAGE 4 THE HIGHWAY CHURCH LIFE

Parties around the dioceseCelebrations of the season from Advent to Epiphany

he Epiphany party at St.Saviour’s, Nelson, had thekids using the hand sign lan-guage for “We Three Kings”

as the carol was sung and the wise men,in costume, presented gifts to the babyJesus. A wise man press conference tookplace at the Bethlehem Hilton withthree reporters in attendance. This year,the winners of the gifts hidden in thecake were: Celia Thompson—thimble;Frances Tate— dime; and EdithPenner—ring.

Meanwhile at St. Mark’s in Kaslo,members and friends (29 in all includ-ing children), gathered in the cozy weehome of Dirk and Karen Pidcock fortheir annual Epiphany potluck celebra-tion. Dozens of candles were alight, as“We Three Kings” was sung to proces-sions of children with the “kings” tothree nativity scenes in tableau. Soloverses were sung at each scene andsinging continued around the harmoni-um: “As With Gladness” and “Brightestand Best” ...not to mention there wasplenty of good food to share, and to topit all, the famous Epiphany cake, withits deliciousness and hidden symbols(finder of ring will provide next year’scake. If you got the thimble you willmake something for the church, proba-bly with a needle and thread. The luckyperson who finds the dime has to investit and bring resulting income as a giftto church next year). Dirk Pidcockbrought the tradition of the Epiphanycake to Kootenay from his parish inOregon and it continues in Nelson andKaslo. Dirk said, “The Epiphany Caketradition was part of my childhood in

Eastern Oregon, though I suspect itsroots are English. So, when I have hadopportunity, I have introduced this tra-dition in the U.S. and in Canada.Hidden symbols in the cake, affirm thethemes of Epiphany...when hiddentruths become manifest.”

St. Michael’s, Balfour, also had anEpiphany party, but with no specialcake. It took place at the BalfourCommunity Hall by invitation. Thosewho had served St. Michael’s in somecapacity were invited to this uniqueparty. A guest commented that itseemed more like a big family gathering.The main attraction of the evening wasthe fashion show.

T

WISE WOMAN — Delivering her gift to the baby Jesus, St. Saviour’s, Nelson,wise woman and warden, Kitty Wright turns up at the Bethlehem Hilton.

photo julia roberts

BY JONN LAVINNDERBecause 2010 was the 100th

anniversary of the Women’s Guild atSt. Michael & All Angels, the ladieswore an array of period dresses in hon-our of this occasion. There were attireand styles from every decade represent-ed by Gibson Girls, Flappers, and liber-ated women from the 30’s, cigaretteholders at the ready. Someoneremarked that one of the ladies lookedlike Jackie Kennedy; and how prettythe entire Women’s Guild were, espe-cially those who usually wore jeans ortrousers. “Too bad church people nolonger dress up when they attendchurch,” added another. Others remi-nisced about the days when women

wore dresses to church with accessories,such as patent-leather slippers, glovesand hats. “Every Easter, we would havea new bonnet, slippers and a dress —puffy with crinolines,” said MicahelLavinnder. The costumes that the ladiespulled out of their “tickle trunk” wasmarvellous to behold.

In addition to the fashion parade,the Rev Jim Hearne amused us all withhis stand-up comedy routine, and musi-cal entertainment was provided by Jonnand Michael Lavinnder, with JohnMackay on keyboard.

❑

photo john kemp

SOPHISTICATED LADIES — The “Fashionista”Women’s Guild of St. Michael & All Angels, Balfour, danced and sipped tea ever-so-politely.

ADVENT CRAFTERS — Matthew Bullen made his “ornament” with the help ofJune Mills at the St. Saviour’s, Nelson, Advent party.

photo susan barrett

FEBRUARY 2011 PAGE 5 THE HIGHWAYCHURCH LIFE

he Parish of St.Andrew’s, OkanaganMission, observedthe Feast of St.

Andrew, December 5, by pack-ing Welcome Bags for an out-reach project and singing SilentNight in support of the ArmedForces Chaplaincy.

About 50 parish membersof all ages gathered after churchto pack welcome bags. Thesebags contained basic toiletriesand simple comforts for peoplewho are leaving “life on thestreet” and entering either atreatment or transitional pro-gram. Each of the 125 clothshopping bags is hand made.The completed bags will go tothe Canadian Mental HealthAssociation, or NewOpportunities for Women, toprovide support for theirclients. The day continued witha pizza lunch and opportunityfor fun and fellowship.

Welcome BagsBY CATHERINE DEFOE HALL

T

❑ JOB WELL DONE — Parish members of all ages gathered after church to pack welcome bags.

KSM 2011 Schedule

May 20-23: Parish AdministrationSt. Andrew/St. George, Trail

May 20-23: Equipping for Ministry: A Diaconal CourseSt. Andrew/St. George, Trail

July 29-Aug 1: Foundational TheologyAll Saints, VernonInstructor: The Rev. Dr. Bill Harrison

Sept 2-5: LiturgySt. Saviour’s Pro-Cathedral, NelsonInstructors: Abp. John Privett and The Rev. Anne Privett

Sept. 2-5: Liturgy for DeaconsSt. Saviour’s Pro-Cathedral, Nelson

The fee for each 3-day course is $250. Course fees include billeting and food.Three courses will be available each year. After completing 9 courses success-fully, a Certificate for Ministry will be awarded. More information will beavailable in the next edition of The HighWay. Stay tuned...

MORE WISE GUY’S — St. Andrew’s Okanagan Mission welcomed three “Wise Men” at their Epiphany Parish Family Night held January 8.The Wise Men are Monty Tuck (left), Joanne Grindley and Andy Hunter.

Kootenay School of Ministry courses for 2011

photo wilf akerlund

COLUMNS FEBRUARY 2011PAGE 6 THE HIGHWAY

BY DOUG HODGKINSON

Movie review

Away from Her

not simplified byillness and in Fionaand Grant we see amarriage that is aseries of losses, ful-fillments and com-promises that arerewarding andpainful. Grant mustconfront his ownguilt, selfishnessand grief. By recog-nizing and tran-scending them hebecomes a morecompassionatehuman being; a tes-tament to the diffi-cult and contrary beauty oflove. Yes, even as Fiona slipsaway in what has become anall too common horror story.

Love stories abound inscripture; some of them crass(Leah and Jacob), somepoignant (Bathsheba andDavid) and some doomed(Gomer and Hosea). ForChristians, Paul’s statement in1 Corinthians 13 has become

iona and Grant are avery attractive coupleliving their dreamretirement in a book

lined home in the woods by apristine lake north of Toronto.He’s a retired academic. Theycross country ski and entertainfriends and are devoted to oneanother after 44 years of mar-riage which was occasionallytumultuous. It is a love withdeep scars and deeper roots.They live with an understand-ing that the airing of griev-ances is unnecessary andbesides, that was a long timeago, in another land. Granthas spent 20 years making itup to her.

However, it soon becomesclear that Fiona’s “clutch isslipping.” She gets lost, forgetssimple tasks and alarms friendsat the dinner table by herbehaviour. She knows that heknows that she knows she is

Fiona after all these years? Wenever know.

However, when Aubrey isdischarged to go home withhis wife Marian, Grant makesa plea to Marian to have himreadmitted so that Fiona(actually both of them) mightbe restored to a more cheerfulstate.

“Alzheimer movie” hasbecome a film genre thesedays, like “road movie” or“romantic comedy.” It may bethat for Boomers, Alzheimer’shas become the new cancer.After all, many people survivecancer but the slow declineinto dementia is more thanour generation can bear. Ifeven the beautiful and iconicJulie Christie can succumb,what hope for us?

But this is a love story andthe themes are relevant what-ever the age or the disease. Itis a story of intimacy thatcomes from endurance.Complicated relationships are

slipping into dementia and so,with steely will Fiona decidesthat she must go into an“assisted living facility.”

It seems a nice enoughplace but Madeleine, thedirector of Meadow Lakeexplains that they have a poli-cy of not allowing visitors forthe first 30 days so that the“guests’ can get adjusted totheir new environment, “settlein.” — It may be a clever liter-ary device but, really… whowould do this? — One of thenurses, Kirsty, opines that it isfor the convenience of thestaff.

When Grant returns after30 days he discovers thatFiona has struck up a devotedrelationship with Aubrey, amute, wheel chair bound fel-low “guest.” She dismissesGrant and when he tries tokeep contact with her says“My, you’re persistent aren’tyou?” Grant is devastated. —Is it a cunning “get even” by

the gold standard of proposi-tions rather than stories aboutlove. For Grant and Fionaand for most people enduringlife threatening illness in apartner, verse 7 captures anote of intimacy andendurance; Away From Her.

Love bears all things,believes all things, hopes allthings, endures all things.

Directed by Sarah Polley, Starring: Julie Christie (Fiona Anderson),Gordon Pinsent (Grant Anderson), Olympia Dukakis (Marian),Michael Murphy (Aubrey), Wendy Crewson (MadeleinMontpellier), Kristen Thomas (Kirsty), written by Sarah Polleybased on the novel “The Bear Came Over the Mountain” by AliceMonroe,110 minutes, 2006.

F

You wanted to know

BY PETER DAVISON

Is there a caseforChristianitytoday? Theatheists seemto be winning

When Paulproclaimed thegospel to theGentile world

he did so in a culture thatworshipped many gods, andwhere the Jewish diasporaaccused him of selling out thefaith of their forebears bywatering down the prescrip-tions of the Law.

Today we try to justify ourfaith in a world that in manyways is a mirror of the apos-tolic age. Our relatively mono-lithic Christian culture has

Q:A:

do “in the name of God” is infact, idolatrous.

The mystics and EasternOrthodox Christians havelong said that faith may bestbe described as what God isnot, rather than what God is.This is known as the apophat-ic tradition. It leads us firstinto saying, “God is not,” andthen “God is not, not…” Thewhole point is that, to befaithful Christians, we mustfirst practise an atheism muchmore radical than thatespoused by Dawkins,Hitchens and company. As themystics remind us, we arecalled to enter “the dark nightof the soul,” which entails theshedding of all our presumed“knowledge” before we canexperience “illumination” or“enlightenment,” and aware-

that their atheism is not radi-cal enough. Their attacks onchildish caricatures of God asexhibited by religious funda-mentalists are legitimate,because fundamentalismreduces the Holy to what wecan say about it. But atheistcritiques founder on theassumption that the believers’God is simply a larger versionof ourselves, as when we say,for example, “Supreme Being.”But the Abrahamic faiths(Judaism, Christianity andIslam) have always held thatwhat we call “GOD” is “whol-ly Other,” and beyond all ourability to know and name.Our desire to tame anddomesticate the Holy for ourown purposes is itself a formof atheism. We have to admitthat much of what we say and

given way to one that is plu-ralistic, secular, religiously illit-erate and in many ways hostileto belief. Our “cultured despis-ers” are largely ignorant andsuperficial. Paradoxically, thispresents us with an opportuni-ty to re-think what faithmeans, and how we can re-present it to a sceptical world.

One starting point mightbe to recall how the earlyChristians were accused ofatheism because they refusedto acknowledge the gods ofthe Roman Empire. Thisreminds us that our affirma-tions of faith are counterbal-anced by rejection of all thefalse gods we create in ourown image and likeness. So, ifwe are going to criticise the so-called “New Atheists,” wemust do so on the grounds

ness of our Oneness with “theOther”, and “the Other’s” one-ness with us.

The “scandal of theIncarnation” is that Godbecomes one of us. And thescandal of the cross is thedefeat and death of God at thehands of earthly power. But,as Easter people, we claim thatthe triumph of Caesar is inthe end illusory — that Lightis stronger than darkness, thatLove is stronger than death.However, to experience thiswe, too, have to reject themyriad false gods, which claimour loyalty and obedience.Because of this, the challengeof the so-called, but wronglynamed “new atheists” maywell be a blessing in disguise.

Is there a case for Christianity today? The atheists seem to be winning?

❑

❑

FEBRUARY 2011 THE HIGHWAY PAGE 7COLUMNS & CLASSIFIED

ou know the quoteright — “There arelies, damned lies andstatistics...” Well it

turns out that the bad use ofstatistics is a two way street.There are those who abuse sta-tistics and there are those whochoose to be ignorant of statis-tics. The aim of this book is tohelp you to change from beingan ignorant consumer of statis-tics to being a savvy consumer. This is not a heavyweight aca-demic text book, although theauthor has the credentials towrite that kind of stuff. Thisbook is for the average intelli-gent consumer of news,reports and advertisements.That’s all of us — the peoplethat media, politicians andactivist want to be on theirside when the lines are drawnin any debate. This is a bookabout where the numberscome from and what theymean. You don’t need math 12(or even math 10) to under-stand this book. You just needto know the differencebetween a thousand and a mil-lion.

BY NEIL ELLIOT

Y

Phone: 250-426-8117 Fax: 250-426-8127

EEmmaaiill:: mmaarryywwooooddrreettrreeaattss@@sshhaaww..ccaa WWeebbssiittee:: wwwwww..rreettrreeaattssoonnlliinnee..nneett//mmaarryywwoooodd

MARYWOOD RETREAT CENTRE

821 Westwood DriveCranbrook, BC V1C 6V1

Best’s approach is to lookat bad statistics and to showyou why they are bad. In look-ing at these he is going to hiton some holy cows. You maynot like the fact that some ofthese stats are bad, but youwill understand why they arebad. You will get to read wherestatistics come from (oftenfrom people’s imagination),how statistics are defined andmeasured, and why samplingis important. Best takes usthrough the many methods ofmangling the numbers to getmutant statistics. Sometimethe mutants are intentional,sometimes not, but anymutant stats are a problem.

The intention of this bookis not to make you cynical, butto make you informed, tomove you from naive to criti-cal. Best wants us to under-stand the difference betweengood statistics and bad statis-tics, and to know which arebeing presented at themoment. This is a hugely valu-able skill. Unfortunately itprobably means realizing that

much of what is presented tous is not as valuable are theadvocates would claim.

I have two comments onthe book, apart from the“holy cows” issue above.Firstly, Best makes anassumption, which is neverjustified, that most of the sta-tistics, which we are presentedcome from activists and apol-ogists of one position oranother. That surprised mecoming from a sociologistwho presumably creates anduses statistics as part of hiswork. There are, I believe,significant sources of statisticsthat are not activist sourced.But then he is the expert.Secondly, those who read lastmonths book review (“thesocial construction of reality”)may be as surprised as I wasto recognize that Best is asocial constructionist.Moreover his premise is thatstatistics are no more than areflection of a certain subjec-tive reality, and not the sourceof “realist” truth, which mostpeople would assume. Sorry if

DIRECTED PERSONAL RETREATS:May 26 - June 3 June 11 - 19

July 21 - 29 August 5 - 13

Directors: Nina Glinski CND & others

Damned Lies and Statisticsby Joel BestAmazon $16.97

In My Good Books

ow did it happenthat a scholarly pro-fessor of theologywho was both prin-

cipal and dean of Huron Collegeand, a teacher of theologues,leave the save confines of acade-mia in Ontario, and become abishop in the wilderness ofBritish of Kootenay? He hadmade a promise to a dyingfriend: Philip Beattie, the fourthbishop of Kootenay. He prom-ised his friend that he would lethis name stand for the bishop ofKootenay.

When Bishop Beattie died,an episcopal election soon fol-lowed. Two archdeacons werethe front runners. One wasFather “Pat” Patterson, rector ofSt. Andrew’s, Trail, and theother was the Very ReverendDesmond Catchpole, dean andrector of Kootenay’s cathedral,St. Michael & All Angels inKelowna.

The requirements of anepiscopal, electoral synod arethat the successful candidatewould pass both houses: that ofthe clergy and the laity. TheLaity was backing Archdeacon

Patterson and the clergy,Archdeacon Catchpole. Noone was moving — vote aftervote.

The boys in the back-room—the power brokers—began to look elsewhere andthat was to the man running adistant third: Bill Coleman. Hewas contacted and confessed,somewhat reluctantly, thatbecause of his promise to hisfriend, he was a serious candi-date. In spite of an impas-sioned appeal by ArchdeaconCatchpole between some of thevoters, in which the reverend

The Vicar of Kokanee remembers

The Fifth Bishop of Kootenay part 2

BY JIM HEARNE

gentleman confessed that Godhad asked him to remain incontention, movement beganto favour Coleman overCatchpole and Patterson. Aftera number of votes WilliamRobert Coleman became thefifth bishop of Kootenay.

His glorious consecrationtook place on the feast of theEpiphany, 1961, at ChristChurch Cathedral in Victoria.There were eleven bishops act-ing as co-consecrators fromCanada, the United States andthe West Indies. All this tookplace just over a year before

this poor scribbler came towestern Canada.

Archdeacon Catchpolebecame more and moreremoved and officious. PatPatterson went on to be deanof Saskatoon.

Great was the gain, as weshared five years of the schol-arly leadership of this quietgentleman. But there werelosses; namely his marriage,his health and dozens of theo-logues that thought we hadtaken away from them theirbeloved teacher.

❑

that sounded a bit academic,but hey it’s the nature of thereality we’re dealing with herefolks.

So let me give you a statis-tic to finish with. According to

research 100 percent of thosesurveyed found this book bothilluminating and life enhancing.Enjoy!

❑

H

NEIL ELLIOT is the Incumbent for the parish of St. Andrew’s & St.George, in Trail, and is the Regional Dean for West Kootenay.

THE HIGHWAY PAGE 8FEBRUARY 2011 SUNDAY SCHOOL

Cathedral Building Project — St Michael's House

St. Michael and All Angels — our diocesan Cathedral — isnearing the end of a financial campaign to fund the con-struction of St. Michael’s House. To date, through gifts,pledges and bequests, the parish has raised over one milliondollars, definitely something to celebrate; yet additionalfunds are needed for the construction to be completed.

Approval to proceed is in part dependent on financialcontributions to the project. Your support of our Cathedral,through immediate gift or timed pledge, will help to realizethis venture and to encourage a revitalized diocesan ministry.Please assist us in achieving this goal.

Here is my gift or pledge to help complete the construction of St.Michael’s House. (Tax receipts will be issued.)

I pledge $__________/ month for ______ months OREnclosed is my gift of $_________

My name:____________________Phone:____________

My address:____________________________________

_____________________________________________Please mail this, and make cheques payable to:St. Michael’s Cathedral,608 Sutherland Avenue,Kelowna, B.C. V1Y 5X1

St. Michael’s supports the Kootenay Forward Fund

Christ Church, Cranbrook, Sunday school helps third world countries

Sunday school helps out

EVERYONE COUNTS — But you can’t count sheep if you are out in the cold. TheSunday school children of Christ Church adopted the new homeless shelter thatwill be built in the new year, as their 2011 Advent Project.

CHRISTMAS GIFT — The Sunday school of Christ Church , Cranbrook, presenteda modern version of the nativity reflecting their fund raising efforts in support ofthe homeless shelter project .

photo sally passey photo sally passey

ach year for the pastseveral years theSunday School atChrist Church,

Cranbrook, celebrate Christmasin the true spirit of giving byleading the fund raising for acharitable endeavour. In succes-sive years they raised funds formosquito nets and school sup-plies for children in a variety ofdeveloping countries, for goatsfor African farming families andfor water filters to aid those inthird world countries.

This year’s fund raiser wastitled Everyone Counts and was

closer to home as they raisedfunds for the Homeless Shelterto be built in Cranbrook. Theybroke all previous fund raisingrecords with the astoundingsum of $8,140.67. These fundsare intended for the “soft costs”such as beds, mattresses andbedding.

On Sunday, January 8, thechildren presented Neil Cook,President of The Cranbrookand District Foundation withthe cheque. The Foundation,leading a coalition of commu-nity members, has been work-ing closely with The SalvationArmy who is donating the land

and will ultimately own andoperate the facility.

During Advent the SundaySchool Children even wroteand presented a modern versionof the nativity with Mary givingbirth to Jesus in a car that wasparked in a garage when therewas no room at any of the localHotels.

If the Spirit of Christmas isstill alive and well in your heartand you want to donate to thiscause contact the CommunityFoundation at 250-426-1119,or email cdcf@telus.net.

E

❑

BY MELBA HANSON

A LITTLE CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM — The Spirit of Christmas has not gone away. The SundaySchool of Christ Church Anglican brought gifts to the manger—presents to help the homeless, prov-ing “Everyone Counts.” The children then presented Neil Cook, President of the CommunityFoundation, with a cheque for over eight thousand dollars.