benedictus benedicat

How cool is the Prayer Book?

I confess that I didn’t really know what I was getting into when I agreed to be a speaker at the Cranmer Conference in North Bay this past weekend.  But I honestly couldn’t resist the earnest enthusiasm of Kayla Krasnor and Will Stennett in making the request.  Advertised as an event featuring ‘serious discussion and lots of traditional Anglican Book of Common Prayer services with glorious music, splendid food, and captivating speakers’ this Cranmer Conference replicated similar conferences held in different parts of Canada since 2006.  While in my case it would be hyperbole to describe the speakers as ‘captivating’, the gathering did feature excellent discussion, delicious food and moving worship.  And what made it most interesting was the fact that the conference participants were all young people – those between 19 and 29.  And there were twenty-five.

The theme of the conference was ‘How Firm a Foundation: the Bible and the Prayer Book’.  I delivered three talks, the first treating what the Reformers meant when they referred to the Bible as ‘God’s Word written’ (Article XX).  This was followed by a session on ‘The Bible in the Prayer Book’, where we saw just how permeated the Prayer Book is with Scriptural quotes and allusions.  And then I spoke about ‘The Bible and the Prayer Book’ where we examined Scripture’s place in the lectionary as a curriculum in the school of discipleship.  The discussion demonstrated just how important Scripture and liturgy are to the conference goers and confirmed for me why worship leaders need to take biblical preaching and liturgical presidency seriously.  Jay Koyle provided an excellent example of the former when he spoke at the final banquet on the significance of words.

One of the most moving parts of the weekend was actually using the BCP for services of Evensong, Morning Prayer, Compline, and, at the main service at St John’s Church, Confirmation and Holy Communion.  Our use of plainsong in reciting the Psalter was especially effective.  The discipline of fitting the words to simple musical lines in ancient modes had a way of making us pay closer attention to the thoughts of the psalmist.  The conference included an extremely fine lecture on the history and use of the psalter by our guest organist, Aaron James.  Aaron is a doctoral student at Eastman in Rochester, NY, and won this year’s National Organ Playing Competition in Hamilton.  Aaron was our organist on Sunday when it was my privilege to confirm conference organizer, Kayla Krasnor.  Kayla became a Christian while studying music in London, Ontario.  It was announced at the service that she will be the new interim choir director at St John’s.

When word got around about the conference, a group of over-29s wanted to get in on the action.  So a lunch was organised at St Brice’s Church on Saturday that brought out over forty people from a number of the churches in the deanery.  Following a brief talk on the theology of the Prayer Book, folks asked questions about the future of liturgy in the Church.  They were pleased to hear that the Prayer Book appealed to some of today’s youth and expressed the hope that there might be a resurgence of interest in the BCP.

The organizers tell me that the Cranmer Conference was a great success, with an attendance beyond what they had dared to imagine.  This confirms my impression that the BCP continues to inspire a younger generation, even as we approach the 350^th anniversary of its publication.  But I am not surprised.  The BCP has been called the Bible arranged for daily prayer.  Its language transcends the prosaic, echoing the honesty and insight of generations of saints from the earliest period of the Church’s history who have struggled to follow Jesus Christ, and who have found grace in his word and sacrament.

Muskoka Meanderings

Friday I headed back to Muskoka.  Where in most places congregations thin out in the summer, in Muskoka parish life is busier.  I arrived in Rosseau just in time to enjoy a gourmet meal prepared by The Rev. Peter Simmons.  Peter had auctioned off a dinner in the Rectory as a fundraiser and kindly allowed me to crash the party.  Cedar planked salmon, roast vegetables and carrot cake were on the menu and provided the perfect accompaniment to a delightful evening.

Saturday morning Peter and I paid a visit to Muskoka Woods, a Christian youth resort in Rosseau.  There we were shown around by Ellen Duffield, a parishioner at The Redeemer  and the main visionary behind the resort’s new project they call the Leadership Studio.  With a team of management experts, the Leadership Studio facilitates a programme of experiential learning that fosters both creativity and humility.  We tiptoed around groups of teens who were asking questions about the need for change in the world and how they might act as agents of change.

What a contrast with the afternoon, however.  I rendezvoused with the Revs Tom Cunningham and Barbara Graham at Fenbrook Institution in Gravenhurst.  Fenbrook is a federal medium security correctional facility accommodating some 450 male offenders.  An Anglican service is held there once a month, and Barbara suggested that I accompany them and bring a message.  I used to visit the Saskatchewan Penitentiary regularly when we lived in Prince Albert and found Fenbrook much less oppressive in appearance.  The institution was built in 1998 and the ranges were scattered about the property in what look like independent buildings, whereas Sask Pen is an old Victorian structure that resembles what you might see in an old prison movie.  Barbara has been leading worship services and Bible studies at Fenbrook since it opened.  Her diaconal ministry there is enhanced by the fact that the facility has a high Inuit population (ten of the fourteen that attended our service were from the North), and she and her husband spent many years serving the Anglican Church in the Diocese of the Arctic.  The inmates’ respect and affection for her was evident, and her ministry there has been recently recognised by an award from Correctional Service Canada.

But prisons are prisons.  They breed boredom and desolation.  One fellow I spoke with said that he was not doing well there, that he could feel himself deteriorate, in spite of the efforts he was making to retain his sanity and be engaged in the life of the chapel community.  He doubted that he would ever be released from prison, thanks to Harper’s ‘tough on crime’ legislation, and even if he were released, he said that he had nowhere to go, since his family had abandoned him.  I suggested that God always has a purpose for us, wherever we are (trying to drive home one of the points of my sermon on Romans 12.2).  But he struggles with a deep sense of shame and believes that he is not worthy to be used by God.  His despair elicited my compassion, and I will pray for him.  My visit furnished a reminder that God’s children languish as much in prisons they make for themselves as they do in the prisons made for them by others. 

Saturday night I stayed at a bed and breakfast in Bracebridge called ‘The Monastery’.  Its appointments and comforts rival a luxury hotel, and the hosts were most welcoming and generous.  But I confess that the reason I chose to stay there is because I was curious to see what had become of the ‘House on the Hill’, the former retreat centre established by the Society of St John the Evangelist (the Cowley Fathers) in 1927.  When the Fathers departed in the early 1980s, the property was divided and the buildings converted into single-family dwellings.  I stayed in the former Retreat House (now B&B), which stands between the former Chapel and Refectory.  I was glad to see that the buildings are in good nick and that the owners of ‘The Monastery’ were intent on honouring the legacy of the place.  But it was also a melancholy experience.  As I walked between the crosses marking the graves of many of the humble and pious brothers buried next door, I gave thanks for their faithful dedication to God’s work in the diocese.

Sunday morning I was pleased to participate in the morning services at St Thomas’, Bracebridge.  After the first service, I had a bit of breakfast with the three adult women who had been preparing for confirmation, and one more who was reaffirming her faith.  It was most heart-warming and encouraging to hear their testimonies.  Their Rector, Kelly Baetz, beamed at them like a proud mother hen, and yet I know that she also sees herself as a fellow traveller on the path of discipleship.  This is one of the reasons why she is such an effective Priest.  The sermon treated the theme of discerning God’s will (Rom 12.2), and, in reflecting on the story of the Cowley Fathers, I mused that God’s will can bring us to some interesting places.  One of those being confirmed, Bev Van Der Jagt, will be moving to Sudbury in October and will take up a role as Part-time Pastoral Assistant at St John’s, Copper Cliff, and Christ Church, Lively.

While I was doing my rounds I received an e-mail from the Rev. GailMarie Henderson informing me that a service of Evensong was being held at St John’s, Ravenscliffe, with Canon George Sutherland officiating, the Rev. Don Clark preaching and Mr Ross Brock and choir leading the music.  The church was full and the service was beautifully led.  But I was captivated by Father Don’s sermon.  He spoke of joy, distinguishing it from mere happiness and what the world offers in the way of contentment.  As he drew illustrations from his own life it struck me that we should have a diocesan policy that those who had been ordained fewer than fifty years should not be allowed to preach on the subject.  Father Don will celebrate his sixtieth anniversary next year.

Another weekend of celebration

Fawna and I were honoured to be asked to participate in the wedding of Rachel Laurenti and Cameron Adams in Whitefish Falls on Saturday.  Rachel was a modern languages student at Laurentian who lived in the Thorneloe Residence and then, during her final year in L’École des sciences de l’éducation, in our basement suite in Sudbury.  She was dating Cameron throughout that time and, although he never actually lived at either place, we saw him all the time.

Rachel is a bright and vivacious young woman, with a deep faith and infectious curiosity.  Cameron is a kind, handsome, gentle and affable young man.  The two of them, however, are adventurous souls.  After graduation they took positions in the school system in the northern town of La Ronge, Saskatchewan.  Rachel taught, while Cameron organised community sports and recreation activities for the youth.  Fawna and I know La Ronge, having lived in northern SK before moving to Sudbury.  With a population of about 3,000, La Ronge is very cold in the winter and, typical of remote prairie communities, it struggles with high unemployment and problems arising from addiction.  With a median age more than ten years younger than the Canadian average, the sort of work Cameron and Rachel undertook was of real benefit to the community.

We were a little anxious about Saturday’s weather.  An outdoor wedding had been planned and the early forecasts spoke ominously of rain.  But we needn’t have worried.  The afternoon was bright and hot, and the vista of Lake Huron's North Channel in the background competed in beauty with the quaintest church.  It was also great to get caught up with a dozen or so Thornelovians who came from far and wide to support the happy couple.

But the clouds could not contain themselves on Sunday!  All of the Manitoulin Island churches came together for their first joint service, which was held in a pavilion in Kagawong.  On our drive in a light rain began to fall.  And I began to doubt.  ‘This is Manitoulin Island,’ I thought, ‘where everyone is on holiday.  They’re going to take a look outside and decide to stay put.’  I might have been Peter in our Gospel reading (Mt 14.22-33).  But they came.  And they came.  They packed the pavilion, and another twenty crowded under the cook tent set just yonder.  I heard someone say that we had 130 altogether – from Gore Bay and Kagawong and Little Current and Manitowaning and Mindemoya and Silverwater.  We had folks from southern Ontario and Ohio, someone from Thunder Bay, and even a couple from the Sault(!).  The Eucharist was beautifully arranged and prepared by Jay Koyle beforehand, and then capably implemented by The Rev's Paul Walmsley, Bain Peever and our musician, Dorothy Anstice.

And then the Bishop began to preach.  And what began as a light patter of rain on the tin roof became a steady drone.  The homily turned into a shouting match, and by the time of the prayer at the end, I had to cup my hands to holler my petition to the heavens.  There was a look of both amazement and delight in the congregation as we worshiped together, deafened by the pummelling of the rain, but conscious of God’s Spirit in this spectacular moment when the natural and supernatural met.  ‘Let’s do this again next year!’ was the refrain as we enjoyed the after-service barbecue.

Another great weekend.

I suddenly discovered this weekend another reason why episcopal ministry can be so rewarding.  It has been my privilege to attend a number of ceremonies celebrating the anniversary of different parishes in the diocese.  This past weekend, I was able to attend the 110^th anniversary of St Stephen’s, Vankoughnet, and the 125^th anniversary of Christ Church, Ilfracombe.  I have greatly enjoyed meeting the faithful parishioners who have roots in this part of Ontario that go back to the earliest years of the diocese.  I have also been inspired by the stories of Christian dedication and missionary zeal that brought these communities into being, and the work of the present parish incumbents whose service is both creative and devoted.  But do you know what I find the most thrilling part of my visits?  It is identifying and expounding upon the reasons why the church was established to begin with.  It seems as though every set of readings from the lectionary takes us to an essential feature of the Good News and, thus, to the impetus for the church’s expansion. 

In the case of St Stephen’s, Vankoughnet, we looked at the story of the Church’s first martyr.  I confess that it has been an emotional week with the lost of my friend and mentor, John Stott, and I had a bit of a hard time getting through the vision of Stephen’s vision of Jesus and the Bible’s simple statement that Stephen, at his stoning, ‘fell asleep’ (for after all, the difference between those who ‘die’ and those who ‘sleep’ is that those who sleep will awake; Acts 7.59, KJV).  But the passage reminded us that the Church would not exist today were it not for those whose faithful witness had required the sacrifice of their very lives.

 

Similarly, in our lectionary reading for this past Sunday, we meditated on the story of Jesus’ feeding of the multitudes.  One of the reasons this incident occurs in every one of the four Gospels is because it treats a universal human theme: hunger.  It is a theme that is particularly relevant in light of the famine in the horn of Africa.  But it is also a reminder that the Church exists because only Jesus can satisfy the deepest hungers of the human heart.  The story bids us to bring both our appetites and our meagre resources to him (Mt 14.18).

 

The weekend also furnished Fawna and me with the opportunity to visit a church we had never seen before: St Mary’s, Aspdin, which features a magnificent rood screen, a richly carved partition separating the nave from the choir.  Ever since the advent of the liturgical style where the priest faces the people during the Eucharist, congregations have experienced awkwardness about this bit of architecture which makes worshippers feel more remote from the Eucharistic action in the sanctuary.  But this medieval relic is actually meant to serve a devotional purpose.  The word ‘rood’ is taken from the Old English and means ‘cross’ (you can see the cross at its summit), and the screen reminds us that we can approach the altar of God’s grace only because of the crucifixion of God’s Son.

Our weekend also included a visit to St John’s, Ravenscliffe, where exciting things are happening on the church council as they work at their mission to the community (note to Jay Koyle: you must check these folks out).  And then, finally, we spent a day-and-a-half with the Youth Synod gathered at Camp Manitou.  Although I haven’t been in my episcopal position long, it has been long enough to note significant growth on the part of some of the synod members and leaders.  The activities included a ‘bear pit’ where the youth get to ask the bishop embarrassing and difficult questions.  I come away discouraged that I did not answer their questions very well (particularly around the vexing questions of sexual ethics), but I was encouraged by their answers to the question I posed to them: ‘Why are you a Christian?’  The deeply sincere, and sometimes emotional answers spanned the range of those who had struggled with the truth of Scripture’s witness to Christ to those who had experienced God’s grace and love in the support of other Christians at camp.  We return from our sojourn exhausted, but full of gratitude for the work of God’s Spirit in his Church.

A Final Tribute to John Stott (1921-2011)

‘The time of my departure has come.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.’ (II Tim. 4.4b-8) 

Yesterday the world lost an obedient servant of Christ.  John Stott, evangelist and author, pastor and statesman, died peacefully in a retirement home south of London, surrounded by loved ones and listening to Handel’s Messiah and a reading of II Timothy.  He had become quite infirm, having worn out his body through a rigorous and ascetic habit of life that included daily devotions at 5 a.m. and a punishing schedule of teaching, preaching, writing and international travel.  Having lost much of his sight and mobility over the last couple of years, in the last few months he was plagued by pain and spoke of ‘the imprisonment’ of his condition.  Now he has been liberated, having been saved for his Lord’s heavenly kingdom (II Tim. 4.18).

Although three biographies have already been written about him, it will take many years to take the true measure of John’s impact in the world.  In 2005 Time magazine identified him as one of the world’s 100 most influential people, and his more than fifty books have been read by millions around the globe.  But the sheer range of people who are now feeling compelled to write testimonials and reflections about him is evidence that his influence was beyond what any of us can imagine.  Here we have a tribute from Billy Graham, while there we have a touching story of an individual who came to faith through his preaching.  Here is an account of John Stott taking a lead in high level ecumenical conversations, while there is the remembrance of the time he swam Arctic waters in an effort to help recover a drowned lad.  All afternoon I have been receiving telephone calls from friends wishing to express their sorrow and share their memories, and this too is one of his legacies in my life: he has drawn me into a network of relationships with people who, like me, have been challenged and inspired by him.

I have my own personal remembrances of John, of course, having served closely with him as his Study Assistant nearly thirty years ago.  My favourite picture of him is this one I took when we were on a bird watching holiday together in Portugal.  We had a few moments before our flight left Faro, so, not wanting to miss an opportunity of spotting one more specie, we struck out for the airport perimeter.  The grey flannel trousers and blue jacket, the posture and the intensity, the hushed ‘Look there!’ at a beautiful avian display, this is a memory of John that I shall never forget.

I have often been asked what is the most significant thing I learned from John when I was with him.  As I have moved through various stages in my Christian development, I have found my answer to this question changing.  Where once I tried to emulate his self-discipline and homiletic style, today I remember his loyalty, integrity and humility.  There was a moment in 1984 when he took issue with the Bishop of Durham, David Jenkins, over provocative statements the bishop had made about Jesus’ resurrection.  It is a mark of his respect and charity that John did not rush into print with a rebuttal, but rather sought a personal audience with Bishop Jenkins to make sure that he understood the bishop’s position and to give the bishop a chance to respond to his own concerns.  John’s sense of fairness and the fact that he did not savour argument, did, on occasion, put him at a disadvantage.  In a public debate with Bishop Spong he came off badly when Bishop Spong departed from the rules and left John unprepared to answer.  John rued the event, but not because he had been treated so poorly.  He was concerned that the audience had not been furnished with a sufficient defence of the truth as he saw it.

The last time I saw John was a year ago in January.  Our conversation was wide ranging.  He asked after Fawna and the girls.  He wanted to know what I was reading and writing about.  He asked about the diocese and various mutual friends.  He asked what I thought about N.T. Wright’s doctrine of justification (I don’t think he was fully persuaded that Tom Wright’s take on the atonement was sufficiently substitutionary!).  And he talked wistfully about the state of evangelicalism in Britain and North America.  The fragmentation and internal disputes were discouraging to him.  But his faith was strong, and, with a twinkle in the eye, he said that he was looking forward to ‘that day’.  Then he asked me to pray for him. 

In his commentary on II Timothy John wrote:

As the leaders of the former generation die, it is all the more urgent for those of the next generation to step forward bravely to take their place.  Timothy’s heart must have been profoundly moved by this exhortation from Paul the old warrior who had led him to Christ.  [. . .]  We cannot rest for ever on the leadership of the preceding generation.  The day comes when we must step into their shoes and ourselves take the lead.  That day had come for Timothy.  It comes to us all in time.

In my mind, John’s passing marks the end of an era when there were giants in our land.  I have long wondered where these leaders are that can fill his shoes, and I continue to pray that God would raise up people of John Stott’s calibre once again in the Church.  But I must also reckon with the fact that these shoes lie empty before me, unworthy as I am even to try them on.  And so I plead for grace and mercy to take the fight, the race and the faith forward in the name of Jesus.

John often said that at his funeral he wished to have Charles Wesley’s, ‘Jesus! the Name high over all’ sung.  As the hymn ends, so ended the earthly life of John Robert Walmsley Stott,

Happy, if with my latest breath
I may but gasp His Name,
Preach Him to all and cry in death,
“Behold, behold the Lamb!”

Congratulations to St Christopher's, McGregor Bay, celebrating 60 years

From the ‘Minutes of Meetings of St Christopher’s Church McGregor Bay’

July 4, 1951

[. . .]

         The Rt Rev. Bishop William Lockridge Wright of the Diocese of Algoma and assisting clergy conducted the service and seventy-nine (79) interested ladies and gentlemen attended.

         His Lordship named the church: ‘It is to be called St Christopher’s Church – the patron saint of travellers’ – and stated ‘while the church was being sponsored by the Church of England it would be non-denominational and permission would be granted the Church of Rome to hold services if so desired, providing these services do not conflict with those of the established church.’

[. . .]

August 5, 1951

[. . .] 

         Mr Bull explained the purpose of this meeting and expressed disappointment at the lack of response to the letters sent out.

         Father Stump conveyed the greetings of the Bishop of Algoma and reminded those present that Church started worship with twelve (12) men, and expressed his happiness at the number attending the meeting, and asked us to have faith in the future of the church.

[. . .]

At this particular service, sixty years later, the attendance was 132!

A Compressed Travel Diary

The summer season is here, which means more time on the asphalt (or what is left of it, especially in front of Bishophurst).  29 May involved a wonderful service in Blind River where a son was baptised before his father was confirmed.  This was followed by three days in Sudbury for the Annual Meeting of the Anglican Church Women.  Fawna and I enjoyed the fun and fellowship, as well as meeting Marion Saunders, National Anglican Church Women Past President.   
I especially appreciated Cindy Derrenbacker’s thoughtful Bible studies.  In her discussion of the sojourning of Sarai (Genesis 12), she described her journey to ‘a land fertile with the promises of God, but barren’.  What a great way of describing the sphere of our mission in the world.

This past weekend we had a ‘delightful’ time in Thunder Bay.  I put the word in quotes because my long-suffering wife has told me that the adjective is becoming overused.  I genuinely am delighted to be in the various churches I visit – this past weekend it included confirmations at St Michael & All Angels and St Stephen’s (pictured here).  But it is hard not to lapse into formulaic introductions.  I will need to work at that.  In the meantime, we greatly enjoyed (how’s that?) a deanery dinner at a fabulous restaurant.  Every parish in the deanery was represented among the fifty or so gathered there, and we experienced a strong sense of fellowship in the group.  Providing an excuse to hold such functions is a part of episcopal ministry I could get used to!

This coming weekend we are in the Diocese of Ontario for the consecration of Michael Oulton.  We are looking forward to reconnecting with old friends at the service in Kingston.

Live, from the 45th Synod of the Diocese of Algoma

Hi!  I am in the middle of a session on Dynamic Communications.  One of our facilitators, David Macdonald, has just plugged my blog.  Those of you who are new, welcome!

Here is a picture of David doing his thing!

We are fortunate to have such gifted individuals using their interests and expertise in the service of Christ's mission in our diocese.

Benedictus benedicat!

A weekend in Thunder Bay

Fawna and I have just returned from a good weekend in Thunder Bay.  On Friday evening we were pleased to attend the annual fundraising banquet for the Mission to Seafarers.  Then, on Saturday morning, I shared breakfast fellowship with the doughty band of men at St Thomas' Church known as The Brotherhood of St Andrew.  This ministry 'for the spread of Christ's Kingdom among men and boys' was new to me, and it was encouraging to hear how these men had borne testimony to their faith during the course of the past week.

The better part of Saturday was spent with members of the Thunder Bay Deanery where I was given the opportunity to do a bit of teaching on the background to the canon of the New Testament.  The news this past week of a purported archaeological find hailed as 'the major discovery of Christian history' gave me a great intro, as it illustrates both the abiding interest people have in the origins of the Christian faith, as well as the public's readiness to believe some of the most sensational claims.

A real highlight for us was the centenary celebration of the founding of St George's Church.  The festivities brought out more than 150, and we heard some very humourous, and some very touching stories from parishioners and former rectors Canon John Jordan, Henk Willems and Earl Burke. 

The parish has its roots in a service held on 25 January 1911, in the home of a Mr and Mrs J. Edwards.  The service was conducted by the Rev. Mr C.W. Hedley.  The Rev. Mr Hedley appears to have been a kind of missionary cleric, keen on establishing churches in Port Arthur.  Five years earlier, he had employed a similar church planting strategy in the establishment of St Michael and All Angels.  Hedley held weekly services in people’s private homes when the average attendance was seventeen.  By October, a decision had been made to build a Mission Hall, and in January 1912, the Church of St George the Martyr was borne.  Hedley went on to become Chaplain of the 58th Battalion serving in France. Upon his return to Canada after the war, Canon Hedley founded the Church of the Transfiguration, Toronto (which began meeting in a tent), and a Scout troop.  He retired in 1936 and tragically died of smoke inhalation while fighting a bush fire near a cottage where a he was staying in 1938.  Meanwhile, St George’s continued to grow.  By 1957, the parish was self-supporting and simultaneously contributed $3,000 (that’s $24,000 in 2011 dollars) to the Archbishop Wright Church Extension Fund.

Yesterday morning, it was my privilege to confirm five keen and well-prepared candidates at St George's.  It is my prayer that the creative dedication and self-sacrifice that founded the parish will enable them to meet the challenges of the next 100 years.

Our visit then concluded with another confirmation service yesterday evening at St Thomas' Church.  It was a pleasure to interact with the four young confirmands there, and to get to know Doug and Lesley McClure, St Thomas' new Assistant.  We return to the Sault exhausted, but full of gratitude.

Thorneloe entering the Golden Years

Thorneloe marked the 50th anniversary of their provincial charter as a university yesterday at the Sudbury City Hall.  The atrium was full of dignitaries (pictured at right are Thorneloe Chancellor Barbara Bolton, President Robert Derrenbacker, and Laurentian University President, Dominic Giroux), media and well-wishers.  The proceedings were emceed by media personality, Dan Lessard, and featured brief addresses by Deputy Mayor Ron Dupuis, President Derrenbacker, yours truly, and faculty member Dr Bruce Ward.  The formal part of the gathering was concluded with a poem written and performed by Sudbury's Poet Laureate, Dr Roger Nash, a former faculty member and long-time Thorneloe friend.

Here is my modest contribution to the celebration:

On behalf of the Anglican Diocese of Algoma, I want to offer my congratulations to Thorneloe University, and in particular, to its Staff, Faculty and Board, on reaching this important milestone.  A founding partner in the Laurentian University federation, Thorneloe has grown from extremely modest beginnings to the interdisciplinary centre of teaching, learning and research in the humanities, the arts and theology that it is today.  It existence is due to the vision, sacrifice and industry of a group of Church and community leaders committed to bringing post-secondary education to this part of Northern Ontario.  Its success is due to the succeeding generations of talented and devoted supporters, teachers and administrators who refused to surrender to academic and economic challenges threatening its survival.  Here I want to pay particular credit to three significant benefactors who helped to shape the College, but who passed away during my tenure as President: Barney Cook; Frank Peake; and Betty Freelandt.  I am also confident that, under its present conscientious and entrepreneurial leadership, the institution will continue to fulfil its mandate as a centre of excellence in the liberal arts.

The ancient Greek philosopher, Socrates, said, ‘Anexetastos bios abiôtos’, ‘the unexamined life is not worth living.’  Higher education in the humanities, arts and theology is, in fact, central to our healthy future as a human community.  These areas of learning are not elective.  They are not simply outlets for the artistic temperament or opportunities for aesthetic enjoyment or personal enrichment.  Rather, they lead us along paths of self discovery, where we examine, debate and frame the values and world views that give our world meaning.  This is why we must resist the pragmatic forces that focus on the material utility of education.  Science and technology can teach us how to build weapons systems and hospitals, but they cannot answer the question of which is better.

I rejoice in the service that Thorneloe has offered both to the community and to the Church, and I wish them many more years of fruitful engagement in their pursuit of ‘the examined life that is worth living'.