St. Giles Anglican Church, Estevan

Click here to edit subtitle


Update May 30, 2019 Ascension Day!
 
Acts 1:1-11/ Luke 24.44-53  are two of the readings for the Ascension of the Lord 

“The mystery of this feast is the paradox whereby in one sense Christ ‘leaves’ us and is taken away into Heaven ,but in another sense,  he is given to us and to the world in a new and more universal way. His humanity is taken into heaven, so our humanity belongs there too, and is in a sense already there with him… In the ascension Christ’s glory is at once revealed and concealed, and so is ours.”  

 Sometimes Ascension Day is translated (moved) to the following Sunday.  I elected not to this year and to celebrate Easter 7 instead.  As it turns out I won’t actually be there this Sunday and Rev. Deacon Barb will be doing Morning Prayer at 8: and 10: am.
I saw my Doctor last Wednesday morning and he prescribed continued voice rest, a course of Prednisone and referred me to a specialist in Regina.  Prayers for healing and patience are appreciated!! 

Tomorrow is the funeral for Desiree Weinrauch.  Desiree is the daughter and daughter in law of parishioners, and related to many others at St Giles. We will be officiating at Trinity.  I will write the sermon but TBA who will preach it. Our condolences to all the family.

Lobster Supper Friday!  I must remember to get my lemons delivered to the church! So many thanks to all who contribute to this undertaking, donating, cooking, cleaning, waiting on, clean up, kitchen, selling tickets and all the other things that go into this fund-raiser.   

† one of these means I really want you to pay attention!   

† so, what I would like you to do is to have a look at Thy Kingdom Come.  I am going to forward an email that I receive so you can get yourself started.  You subscribe to the email and it comes each day in your mailbox.  The website link is      https://www.thykingdomcome.global/   Also info on St Giles Facebook page and on our website.  www.estevananglican.com     It is important. Sign up.  You pray for 5 people to come to Christ. –You pray, and you become part of a worldwide non-denominational community of prayer.  You don’t have to go anywhere – do it in bed, in your lazy boy with a cup of coffee or a in lawn chair with a beer – wherever, however - just please do it.  
 
Sunday School - Last email I mentioned something we were working on for kids attending church Sunday mornings when the Sunday school is on pause for summer. I gave Wendy Godfrey a mission – pizza boxes! and to fill them with things that small people would like to play/craft/read while in church.  Can’t wait to see what Wendy brings!   When you bring your children/grandchildren make sure you ask for one when you arrive. 

Also:  children and church – keep your eyes open for VBS at St Giles with Cross Talk, announcements. 
 
I’ll end now with a poem from my favorite poet, Malcolm Guite on this Ascension Day. 

 Ascension
We saw his light break through the cloud of glory 
Whilst we were rooted still in time and place 
As earth became a part of Heaven’s story 
And heaven opened to his human face. 
We saw him go and yet we were not parted 
He took us with him to the heart of things 
The heart that broke for all the broken-hearted 
Is whole and Heaven-centered now, and sings, 
Sings in the strength that rises out of weakness, 
Sings through the clouds that veil him from our sight, 
Whilst we ourselves become his clouds of witness 
And sing the waning darkness into light, 
His light in us, and ours in him concealed, 
Which all creation waits to see revealed .
 
Giving thanks for His Grace and You,   
Wilma+

May 24, 2019
One thing I never expected to say was, ‘Thank you God for the rain.’ I love the sun, the light and the warmth but it is time for rain, we need it, the animals need it and the earth definitely needs it.
 
As you know I’ve been on voice rest. Every day is a different day in how I feel about that,- sometimes every hour! I’ve been through - stressed/ grateful/ listening/ frustrated/ yay time to read/ grrr I want to go for coffee and have a conversation with someone/ wish I could just answer the phone and not have the caller wonder “what on earth?!?” /yay no pressure – just rest/ yay my flowers are planted.  Yes, all of that. 
 
So grateful for technology! I have been having some pastoral conversations by text and occasionally by email, and this is great for some folks. I have been using my phone apps for Bible and Bible study for quite awhile now.  There are a lot of Bible apps available but not all are good – in fact some are awful!!
 
Last week I was having a conversation with someone via text and they sent me a quote that they had gotten that morning from the Bible app that they used – they were so upset and sad.  The thing is that how we hear/read scripture is somewhat dependent on what the translation is, what version of Bible is used.  They had used the Easy English Version because it was easy to read and understand.
 
Question for you: Does it matter what version of the Bible you read as long as you are reading the Bible? Answer: YES it does.  And here is why.  
 
The passage is John 3.18 King James Version - 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
 
New Revised Standard Version: Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
 
Easy English Version: God will not punish anyone who believes in his Son.  But some people refuse to believe who his one and only Son is.  God has already decided that he must punish people like that.
 
Sometimes someone is going through a difficult time and looking for answers in scripture, for something that speaks to them and their situation.  Maybe they are even wondering what will happen to their loved one who will not believe in God, in Jesus, or the Holy Spirit and they read John 3.18 because it comes right after that beloved verse John 3.16 so they read the Easy English Version  and they see “God has already decided that he must punish people like that”  What do you think they are feeling now?!   Where is the hope in that? Where is the loving God? Why would you want to follow a Jesus who tells you that God has already decided that your loved one will be punished?  Comfort? – I don’t think so!
 
Now it must be admitted, condemnation and judgment are a bit hard to hear as well, but it is there.  There is a lot in the Bible that is already hard enough to contemplate without someone adding in what is not there.  Do I
suggest that reading the Easy English Version should never happen under any circumstance? No.  But read it and know it is a paraphrase not an approved translation. And know what an approved version says first.
 
The Anglican Church of Canada, and the canons of the Diocese of Qu’Appelle have a list of Approved Versions of the Bible.  “New Revised Standard Version Revised English Bible King James (Authorized Version) 1611 Revised Standard Version 1952 (and its revision as Common Bible) New American Bible 1970 Today's English Version (Good News) 1976 New International Version 1978 New Jerusalem 1985” These are the versions that are to be read in church on Sundays, in other liturgies and used for study.  If other versions or paraphrases are used in study or preaching, that must be acknowledged. The following link will give you more information. https://www.anglican.ca/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/List-of-Bible-Versions-Approved-by-the-House-ofBishops-for-use-in-Public-Worship-in-the-Anglican-Church-of-Canada.pdf

 
So, does it matter which version you read when you read the Bible?  Yes.  We all have our favorites and I hope that you will be discerning and careful which you choose because while scripture can bring us so much, how it is translated has much to do with how we receive it.   


And of course, the original Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek are the best versions and unless you want to take a languages course there are some websites that can help with that.  


How do you choose a Bible translation?  Use the above list to begin.  Remember that just going for something that is ‘easy to read’ is not the best answer.   


This coming week I will be making a list of apps, websites, blogs, writers, podcasts and books, that I can recommend, and sending it out next email. If you have one that you recommend let me know. 


Got questions about this?  I would love to hear them!  Questions are one of my favorite things!
Grateful for His Grace and you!  See you Sunday!          


Wilma+ 


Coming Up 
† Funeral for Colleen Elberg tomorrow at 2:30  

† Sunday – Baptism of Marshall Louttit-Schad and Eucharist at 10: Clergy team Archdeacon Wilma, Rev. Brian and Rev. Deacon Barb.   8:am service has been cancelled – please pass this on to others who attend this service  

† Lobster Supper on the 31st – I’m told there are some tickets still available 

† Sunday School is on ‘pause’ for the summer, but we are working on something new for children who will be at St Giles on Sunday mornings.

May 18, 2019

Happy May long-weekend!


Saturday morning is pretty quiet around our house – and I can really hear the wind blow this morning. Rev. Brian is busily writing a sermon for tomorrow to fill in for me. Rina the wee poodle is sleeping – although who knew such a little thing could snore so loud?!


Last Sunday my voice was troublesome but as I had suffered with laryngitis about 20 years ago for about 3-day periods, I wasn’t overly worried about it. Still it stayed with me until I decided to see the Doctor on Thursday. He says 2 weeks voice rest – no preaching, meetings or presentations. Not what I wanted to hear!! I have things to say!! As the Rev. Jason said to me, its pretty much a priest’s nightmare. Archdeacon Catherine thinks the Holy Spirit may have things to say to me during this time, and I’m really, really open to that!


I will be working from home; putting together some things for a study, reading some things I should have read awhile ago, praying, riding my bike (downstairs on trainer until it warms up!) and doing some planning. I know myself well enough to know if I go to the office and someone stops by, I will be talking.


I am really wanting to go out and do more work on the yard and do some planting. I’m excited to get some things started – I’m yearning for colour. But weather. Seems God is still in charge of weather.


God is in charge of a lot of my life it seems – and yours too.


Last week I spoke at a funeral and one of the readings was from Ecclesiastes chapter 3 – you know the one – For  everything there is a season, a time for every matter under heaven... We often hear it at funerals, but it deserves a read through and some meditation on it when we are not mourning. When I was in seminary, I took a course, which we called Wisdom with Walter – the books of Wisdom; Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Job, and Wisdom of Solomon – taught by Dr. Walter Deller. I loved this course even though it was too short, too much material and gave me way too much to think about. Out of all of these books I found Ecclesiastes to be the most entertaining. It is ok to be entertained by the Bible from time to time as well as confounded, angered, soothed, educated, given

direction and given peace by it – amongst the many other things it does to us and for us.


Anyway, back to Ecclesiastes. I suggest that the next time you read your Bible (that would be today right?) – have a read through Ecclesiastes. It is interesting, a bit confusing and I hope it brings up some questions for you to ponder – I would love to hear them. What is it that you hear in Ecclesiastes that is meant for you?


God in charge. For me that means waiting and listening this next couple of weeks. Waiting for the weather so that I can plant things. Waiting to heal. Waiting for the Holy Spirit. Remembering again, that God’s time is a mystery. And as much as I would like to be in control of this – I’m not and God is.


Who is in charge of your life?


Proverbs 16.9 The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps.


Proverbs 19.21 The human mind may devise many plans, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established.


Until next week,


Giving thanks for His Grace and You,


Wilma+

May 5, 2019
Well I’m back from my short (but very, very full) holiday in BC. But so far, my voice is not – allergies are not my friend and I seem to have lost my voice, but it is partially back, and I have hope that it will be back by Saturday. So, I ask your prayers for restoration of my voice.

Voices are important when we are trying to communicate and especially to one who finds that her vocation is somewhat dependant upon it. However, there are other ways we can communicate; through our body language, texts, emails, and through other people . I know technology has been helpful for me this last week and I’m pretty sure that my husband is getting good at reading body
language and hand signals.

Now, sometimes we are silenced because of physical reasons, such as I was. But not all people are allowed to use their voices, some are stifled and shut out, some are unheard because no one will listen. Sometimes voices are muted because those who have economic, religious, or political power- silence them. People who are marginalized because of gender, age, ethnicity, will know this firsthand;
women, LGBTQ, children, the aged, the person of color, the refugee – all disregarded and not listened to in some circumstances.

As I was with my family last week, with 4 generations and 21 people in the room the decibels go up for sure. And as I found my voice leaving me, I realized that I was watching and listening far more. I  also observed that among us there were those who were louder, spoke more and those who were pretty quiet by nature. I love every one of them and the group as a whole.

Even though I am not able to spend as much time with them as I would like, I found that while I was there I could pick out certain voices; knew who was speaking – child and adult alike – louder or quieter – I could hear them and know who they were.

Have you ever felt that you were not being listened to or what you had to say was disregarded or ignored?

Who is your best listener? Do you have someone that you know will listen to you?

God knows our voice, knows us no matter how quietly we speak, or how loud we are. God knows that inner voice in us that is muted, shut down, shut out, ignored by others – God hears that voice and knows us. Even when one is forced to be silent God hears our every word. And what is more, God knows us even when we feel we can not speak – when it is just too difficult to speak to another
human being – God hears.

Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honour and power and might be to our God forever and
ever! Amen. – Revelation 7.12

See you Sunday,
Wilma+

If you want to talk, I’m available for coffee, visit, text, email, call - 306 897 0402



April 27, 2019
Happy Easter! Christ is Risen!  
…Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come…  Revelation 1.4
We are now up to celebrating the Second Sunday of Easter and have another 5 Sundays of Easter before Pentecost on June 9th.  This year my plan is to preach on the Acts of the Apostles readings rather than the Gospel.  The Anglican Church allows us to choose which lections of the day we want to preach on.  I’m quite drawn to Acts this year so we will see how it goes.  Come on Sunday for the first of the series!
We mark Ascension on the 30th of May and at that time we will begin “Thy Kingdom Come” – and there will be more on that sometime in May.
Have you noticed that we post the next Sunday’s readings in the bulletin? – so you can pre-read and have some thoughts, questions, opinions on what the sermon may be about.
Our Vestry meeting was held last Thursday evening.  I am so happy to be working with this vestry!  They are not just there for the business but are also doing a study from the book,  I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church.   Sometimes it is really nice to have everyone in agreement, but it isn’t always the best thing for the church.  We come together through consensus and while we don’t always see things the same way there is good, thoughtful discussion around issues.  The members of vestry also listen to the congregation and bring your views to the table at the meetings and they are heard and discussed.  So, if you have something to say, rest assured it comes to the table. 
One thing that came up at Vestry was the lack of interest that we are finding about the 100th Anniversary. I urge you to let your interest be known,  -volunteer a little time, come up with an idea, let the Committee know they aren’t on their own in this.  
I will be away on holiday – the week after Holy Week that I postponed – to go visit our family in BC.  The Rev. Deacon Barb will be taking the Sunday Services on May 5th. 
I also want to make you aware that we now have a website which is kept up to date – www.estevananglican.com  
AND!!!  We have enough to buy 3 Farms through PWRDF. Well done St Giles! And there is some left over to buy something else from the PWRDF catalogue.  Sunday School will be doing the choosing.
In the Risen Christ,   
 Wilma+

April 5, 2019

Friday again!  I really will try harder to get this out earlier! Not next week though - I will be at Diocesan Clergy Retreat so I may miss sending something.   I look forward to these annual retreats that the clergy of the Diocese of Qu'Appelle and the Diocese of Saskatoon have together.  There is the collegial aspect of course but there are times of silence, times of instruction, times when we worship together.and all of these give your clergy rest and renewal.  Retreat time is good for all of us - you too! ; a time of removing ourselves from the day to day business of life to be with our Lord.  Retreats can be any length, an hour or a month - I'll be happy with a few days for now.

The scheduling of the retreat is the week before Holy Week this year - good timing as we head into a busy time in the church year.  
I have to admit that I love Holy Week and Easter Sunday as much or more than Advent and Christmas.  Strange for some to believe that I prefer Easter over Christmas, but remember that it is a deeply spiritual time that I'm thinking about - NOT Easter Bunnies and chocolate vs Santa  and presents. 

Holy Week begins with Palm/Passion Sunday,                   April 14th 10:am
continues through the week to Maundy Thursday,            April 18th            with Trinity Lutheran, Archdeacon Wilma preaching  
Good Friday,                                                                     April 19th  11:am
Holy Saturday Vigil                                                            April 20th   7:30pm  with Hot Dog roast after service
into the Resurrection of the Lord on Easter Sunday.          April 21st                  sunrise service with St Paul United, Trinity Lutheran and Youth Group
                                                                                                           10: am    Holy Eucharist at St Giles
 
Each of those services has special significance as we move through the days with Jesus as he enters Jerusalem in welcome and celebration,  through to His crucifixion and then to Resurrection.  I hope that you will attend these services so that you may experience the fullness and spiritual depth of Holy Week. 

See you Sunday!

Wilma+


And here's some info about

Holy Week


A Preparation for the Resurrection

Holy Week, for members of the Christian faith, is the last week of the season of Lent before the
celebrations of Easter Sunday, running from Palm Sunday to Holy Saturday. It is a time to
commemorate, reflect upon, and reenact, specifically, the suffering and death of Jesus Christ, though
many liturgies expand that practice to include his entire ministry.


The Days of Holy Week
In Western Christianity, each day of Holy Week has its own significance and particular celebrations.
In general, believers are encouraged to follow the biblical passages corresponding to the days the
Week represents, beginning with Christ's entry into Jerusalem on a donkey (Palm Sunday), moving
through the Last Supper (Maundy Thursday) and the Crucifixion (Good Friday) to the Resurrection
of Easter.
Attention to the Bible highlights the contrast between the sadness and suffering of the beginning of
the week with the miraculous and joyous nature of its ending. That both sorts of emotions are
important to the Week's observance is evidenced in the Easter Triduum, the three days from Good
Friday to Easter, which are considered by many denominations to be the holiest days of the year.

Holy Week in Other Countries
Many countries have elaborate rituals and customs surrounding Holy Week, including Colombia,
Peru, and Spain, in particular. In the Philippines (a predominantly Roman Catholic nation), where the
observance is known as Semana Santa, many of the Week's days have special observances. At Palm
Sunday Mass, palaspas (palm leaves) are carried in procession to be blessed by a priest. After the
service, the leaves are taken home, where they are placed above doorways and windows to ward off
evils spirits.

Holy Monday is marked by the Pasaba, a marathon chant of Jesus' life, passion, and death, which
often lasts for days at a time. On Holy Thursday, the last Mass before Easter Sunday typically
includes a reenactment of the Washing of the Feet of the Apostles, as well as a procession of the
Blessed Sacrament before it is taken to the Altar of Repose.
Good Friday sees street processions in which self-flagellation and crucifixion as acts of penance are
not uncommon. Finally, on Easter morning, Salubong is practiced, a ceremony in which large statues
of Jesus and Mary are processed to a meeting, symbolizing the first meeting of Jesus and his mother

after the Resurrection.

For Christians the world over, Holy Week is a time heavy with the rituals of repentance and sadness

2
for the death of Christ. It is also, however, a preparation for the elation of the celebration of his
Resurrection.

Thursday, March 28, 2019


Celebration time!   
Our website is up and going again - Yes I know its been the same for quite a number of years, but now Mike Sinclair's blog has been updated along with a lot of other things.  Thank you Wendy and Robert Godfrey!! 
We also have media presence on Facebook with a Group page which you can post in.  There is also the Facebook page which is where you can find information about what is going on at St Giles, Diocese of Qu'Appelle, and the Anglican Church of Canada. Like both for all the best and up to date info!

Celebration time!
We now have 2.68 farms bought for PWRDF!! We have 1.32 to go - or $620.40 to go until we meet our goal of 4 farms.  Can we do this by Easter?  Pretty sure we can -  Maybe bring your pocket change, coffee money for a day, cigarette money for a day, beverage of choice money for a day... and put it in the little barn at the back of the church.  

Celebration time! 
Congratulations to the Bruins! Also, so much thanks to all the volunteers from St Giles who have done all the regular games throughout the season.

Celebration time!
Getting on with spring, off with winter boots and even our winter coats some days.

Celebration to be continued on Sunday morning - both at 8:am and 10:am ....  the readings and sermon will have more to say.....

May each day be a celebration for you - and I would love to hear about them!

Wilma+

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday, March 22, 2019

Happy Friday!  For those of you who work a regular work week, you'll be winding down.  For some of us with not so normal work week/days/hours - on we go.

Sorry this is late this week!

I've had an amazingly good week. Not every week is like this but  I love ministry and sometimes there is just so much to be grateful for!  

Monday the vestry met for an emergency meeting about the leak in the roof of the rental house.  It was a good meeting, we acknowledged there was a problem, listed some options, and made a plan. We will immediately deal with the inside problems of replacing drywall and getting rid of the wet.  We will then go ahead with making a more concrete plan for the outside issues that creates the ice dam.  We are having two contractors have a look at the inside and when they have given estimates and vestry, in consultation with others, will decide which to go ahead with.  My personal thanks to Doug MacLeod for coming to assist.

Tues - rode my bike and  I may actually be enjoying it.  Can not wait for getting outside in the sun to ride it. 

Wednesday was a full day with a Ministerial meeting - what a great bunch of people to call colleagues.  We come from all different denominations but each has a sincere desire to serve God and God's people.  And mercifully, they all seem to have a sense of humour. 

I've had opportunites to have wonderful conversations; intended and intentional, as well as accidental encouters and spontaneous chats.  I have to admit that I really love these God given times to talk with people and get to know them better.
If you ever want to go for coffee or a walk or have a visit - please call, text, email or speak to me - I'd love to do that!  306-897-0402

Thursday the Committee for the 100th Anniversary met.  They have some wonderful plans for the celebration but the committee is only 7 people at the moment - that is not nearly enough to be able to do it all.  Bishop Rob is booked to come and some plans are underway but we reallly, really, need help.  There are many areas in which you might be of assistance - setting up tables, helping with entertainment or games, but to begin with we need names, adresses, phone numbers of people that you think might want to attend.  Melodye Pierson would love to hear from you if you think you can help with any of this.  

Vestry met at 7: It was the first meeting of the 2019 vestry.  It was a jam packed agenda but it was gone through thoroughly! There is so much intelligence, and wit, along with loving and pastoral hearts!  I went away so, so grateful,  The vestry will also be doing a book study on leadership at the beginning of each meeting.  It is one thing to ask someone to attend a business meeting but another to have them study as well.  I'm really looking forward to the study, and indeed the whole year.  

Pause and Pray continues on Wednesdays at St Giles 12: - 1: and 5: - 7:30pm.  Everyone is welcome to come and go and to stay as long as they like. 

Lenten Lunch was held at Trinity Lutheran and Pastor Lori preached on the question: Did Judas want Jesus to die?  

St Giles will again have a group at the Bruins game this evening.  Thank you to everyone who gives their time to do this fundraiser. 
Wishing the Bruins a good game!

Tomorrow we meet as Diocesan Council in Regina - asking your prayers for that meeting and safe travels for all who attend.

Something I'm curious about: How many of you know what "Living the Mission" is? Have you heard about it but don't know what it does?  

You can email me at stgiles@sasktel.net if you have something that you would like to contact me about.
  
Something to think about:  Where is it that you really get to touch the wonder, joy and miracle of life? What is it about that place, activity or experience that is so full of life? 

Psalm 16:11  [Psalmist  says to God] "You show me the path of life.  In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

So, that was the week for me. I pray that yours was at least as good if not better and if it wasn't that the next will be.


Wishing you Shalom,
Wilma+