“Oh my gosh, I would do it again in a heartbeat,” she said. “I absolutely loved it. The people were very, very welcoming and friendly—far more accepting of the church than I expected.”

Mistissini, a community of about 3,000 to 4,000 people, surprised her in many ways. “I went with all my preconceived notions because of residential schools,” she admitted. “I presumed I’d only wear my clergy shirt on Sundays and be in plainclothes the rest of the time. But they wanted me to wear it everywhere. They were so excited to have a priest there—a visible symbol of their faith.”

That visibility opened doors. “Because I had the clergy shirt on, people wanted to talk to me. Strangers who had nothing to do with the church wanted to talk to me about God.”

Nancy was struck by the community’s strength and foresight. “Because of the 1975 James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA), there’s no food bank in Mistissini—because they don’t need one. They’ve looked after their people so well.” She was impressed by their housing model: “You rent your house from the band council, and after 20 years—if you’ve taken care of it—those payments go toward your mortgage. You now own your house. Just smart stuff.”

She also saw a deep commitment to healing. “There’s a little community of tiny houses where people can go when they’re detoxing from alcohol or drug addiction. It’s a place to get a fresh start. I was so impressed.”

The church in Mistissini hadn’t had a regular priest in nearly seven years. “Their lay readers take the services. They’ve done the work to ensure that they continue to have Sunday services. Before I left, I blessed some extra bread and wine for them to use for communion to be administered by the lay readers from the reserved sacrament.”

She also served in a neighboring parish, two and a half hours away, where she led a funeral and baptisms. “The funeral was a two-day event. You do prayers with the family and the rest of the community the night before at the church, while people are still wandering around, visiting the casket, telling stories. There’s music, snacks, Gatorade, corn chips, desserts. It’s more than just liturgy—there’s a whole rhythm to how the evening unfolds. The following day  is the full funeral service.”

With no hotel in town, she and her dog Farley were billeted with a local couple. “I don’t think they were crazy about my dog coming in,” she laughed. “Dogs are treated differently in the north. A dog is not supposed to be in the house—especially not in the bedroom!”

She also had to adjust to ‘Indian time,’ a term the community uses themselves. “The service was set to start at 10:00. Each week I would be asked to wait. At 10:10, I said, ‘It’s time to start, right Helen?’ She said, ‘No, not yet.’ At 10:20, she said, ‘OK, you can start now.’” But she came to appreciate the slower pace. “They sang each hymn very slowly, very prayerfully, almost like they were praying and savouring each syllable of each word. When I began to see that and honour that, I could better appreciate it. Why would you rush that?”

Each service included hymns and scripture in both Cree and English. “They are reclaiming their language and their culture. It is beautiful to see how they are working both their language and their traditions in with living their faith as Anglicans.”

On her final Sunday, Nancy shared how paddling in her kayak was a form of prayer. “When I’m out on the water, it’s just you and God and the wind and the waves. They agreed that God is in the middle of all that—the rocks, the land, the water. That’s core to their faith and their experience of God.”

Would she return? “Absolutely. A month was the perfect amount of time. I was missing my kids and my parish, but I would go again if my bishop and parish were open to it.”

She encourages other clergy to prayerfully consider a placement in the Diocese of Moosonee. “You need to go with an open mind. Things are very different from the way we do church. Your job is to embrace them, love them, and walk with them.”

The post A Month in Mistissini: a Journey of Faith and Reconciliation appeared first on Dialogue.

Sacred Beginnings brings together Indigenous youth to learn about their culture, traditions, storytelling, and drumming. It provides a space for young people to connect, share experiences, and build a supportive community. “It was incredibly significant for them to come out of their isolated communities and into a setting where they have other young people of their age groups,” said Archbishop Harper.

The funding covered transportation, accommodations, food, and activities, enabling youth from remote areas to attend. The camp offers a reprieve from daily challenges, fostering a sense of belonging and hope. “This was a lifeline for them,” said Archbishop Harper, “participants even expressed difficulty in returning home after experiencing the supportive environment of Sacred Beginnings.”

The most recent gathering was held in Manitoba, with local teachers and bands supporting the event. The plan is to rotate the location to different areas across the country, allowing youth to experience various local traditions. “We try to keep it central, but we’re also going to diversify it by sending it out to different areas within the country,” said Archbishop Harper.

Sacred Beginnings is held every two years, alternating with Sacred Circles gatherings. The next event is scheduled for 2026, with invitations extended to Indigenous communities and dioceses nationwide. “Our goal is to outgrow ourselves so that we have to do it more often.”

Archbishop Harper expressed how every future contribution from our diocese will be fully employed to better and support Indigenous youth across the land. “Indigenous youth need to see that they have a place within the church structure, a voice, a vote, and an image of themselves.”

Archbishop Harper’s goal is to continue building and supporting youth through Indigenous ministries. “We hope every diocese will start to build on this relationship and contribute.”

When asked about the churches ongoing journey in Healing and Reconciliation, Archbishop Harper said that it begins with engaging in meaningful conversations and viewing issues through others’ perspectives. “Reconciliation is about building a level of understanding and a relationship of healing,” he said.

He reflected on how churches play a crucial role in this process. “Their involvement and engagement are vital. It only happens with an open heart, an open mind, and a willingness to learn” he said.

The hope is that all churches will recognize the importance of working together. “First and foremost as a church, and secondly as a nation, as Canadians” he said. “Reconciliation involves all levels of society, with the church leading the way. It is a lot of work and may not be completed in my generation, but it is a collective effort for a better future.”

The post Archbishop Chris Harper: Sacred Beginnings, Reconciliation and the Diocese of Ontario appeared first on Dialogue.

Sharon sees prison ministry volunteering as a powerful way to make a positive impact on the lives of incarcerated individuals. At local Institutions in the Kingston area, volunteers play a crucial role in providing support and services to inmates, helping them find hope and purpose during their time in prison.

Sharon notes that one of the key aspects of prison ministry is the involvement of volunteers in chapel services. The Dean of St. George’s Cathedral, The Very Reverend Doug Michael has offered services to celebrate the Eucharist offering spiritual guidance and support to the inmates. These services provide a sense of community and belonging, which is essential for the emotional and spiritual well-being of the prisoners.

Doug’s wife Vanessa is also engaged in various activities beyond the chapel services they hold. Vanessa runs a book club at Millhaven Institution, which meets once a month. This book club offers inmates an opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions and develop their reading and critical thinking skills. Additionally, Vanessa and other volunteers participate in the chapel group at Collins Bay, which meets on the third Sunday of every month.

Attracting volunteers to prison ministry can be challenging due to preconceived notions and personal experiences that may deter individuals from getting involved. However, those who do volunteer often find it to be a rewarding experience. Volunteers do not need to be clergy; laypersons are welcome and encouraged to participate. The range of volunteer activities is broad, including leading Bible study groups, teaching art, hosting book clubs, and even teaching inmates how to play musical instruments.

Before becoming a volunteer, individuals must go through a security clearance process, which includes background checks and fingerprinting. This process can take upwards of two to three months. Once approved, volunteers undergo training provided by the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) and additional training from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kingston. This training ensures that volunteers are well-prepared and aware of the boundaries and restrictions within the prison environment.

Technology restrictions are in place to maintain security and privacy within the prison. For example, volunteers are not allowed to bring cell phones, cameras, or devices like Apple Watches that can record or take pictures.

Sharon herself is very involved at Collins Bay where many volunteers come from the Catholic tradition. But there is a desire to see more Anglicans and individuals from other denominations participate.

She stresses that volunteers are always needed and appreciated—these interactions provide inmates with a sense of normalcy and connection to the outside world, which is crucial for their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

Prison ministry volunteering is a vital and rewarding service that offers hope and support to incarcerated individuals. By getting involved, volunteers can make a significant impact on the lives of inmates, helping them find purpose and prepare for a successful reintegration into society.

For more information on prison ministry volunteering, contact Deacon Sharon Dunlop at (613) 548-7254 or email sharon@stjameskingston.ca.

The post The Impact of Prison Ministry Volunteering appeared first on Dialogue.

On February 2 the parish recently celebrated their 17^th year of providing Sunday dinners in partnership with three other local churches: Wall Street United Church, First Presbyterian and Brockville Wesleyan Church. Parishioner John Groves, who is the chair of the outreach committee at Saint Lawrence Church, knows too well the challenges faced by many in the local community.

While there are free or low-cost food programs offered during the week in Brockville, John recognized that a gap existed on weekends. These four churches agreed to each take a Sunday in providing a free meal to the community. “I volunteered us for that because I thought that was where the need was greatest and I knew our parishioners would pitch in and help” says John.

Sure enough, parishioners stepped up with offering not only volunteer help but also financial support to the program. On this particular Sunday night 15 volunteers have shown up to prepare and serve the dinner.

Wishing to avoid the stigma of appearing as a ‘soup kitchen’ with people having to line up, John and his volunteers instead offer a sit-down meal where the clients are served by volunteers acting as waiters. “Some of them have had hardscrabble lives and have not been treated very well” says John. “We bring the food to them and its part of treating people with respect. That’s part of our philosophy.”

The need is growing and the volunteers now serve upwards of 200 meals on a given Sunday. Many of those who show up have mental health issues, physical disabilities, are homeless or are unemployed and trying to get their lives together again. Volunteer Rob Wright says, “We are seeing a lot more kids coming out now as well.”

Rob has been helping out with the Sunday Suppers for eight years now and explains that without a large volunteer group, none of this could happen. “It’s amazing the amount of time that’s required, people don’t realize, they only see the two-hour window where we are serving meals. There’s at least a dozen to fifteen people behind the scenes making it happen. We start very early in the morning just to get to this two-hour window” says Rob.

For Rob, the Suppers are a chance to not only help those less fortunate and give back to his community, but he also enjoys the social time the volunteers spend together preparing and serving the meals. “We are like a family” says Rob. “It makes you feel good by volunteering. It’s a lot of work but it has a lot of rewards.”

The Sunday Suppers are truly a labour of love for John and his volunteers. He wishes sometimes that the dinners could be held in the church because there is a stained glass window that depicts Jesus and Simon Peter when Jesus asks him: “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” John says “this window is our inspiration…it’s where we get our instructions, to feed Jesus’ lambs. I wish the need wasn’t there…but it’s there.”

The post Sunday Suppers celebrate 17th year appeared first on Dialogue.

As an organization, it is our mission to provide much-needed support to our clients in whichever way they need it. We are guided by our vision to improve the lives of our clients, whether that be through a warm meal, necessary articles of clothing, or providing space for hospitality and companionship. With our most popular program, Lunch by George, OSGK served over 24,000 meals to our under-served populations in Kingston in 2023 alone.

In times of great difficulty and uncertainty, certainly after the COVID-19 pandemic, our clients’ needs shift constantly and we as an organization are adapting to meet those needs in whichever ways we can. One example of this is the introduction of a nursing street van outside the doors of OSGK wherein clients can receive basic, free and necessary medical care that they might not otherwise have easy access to. Another example of OSGK’s continued outreach through the community of Kingston and the surrounding areas is with strong partnerships with other food-providing agencies, local restaurants and educational institutions like Queen’s University and St. Lawrence College. We are grateful for our community partners and volunteers alike who assist us in serving our clients over 300 days of the year.

Along with our significant partners at the United Way of KFL&A and St. George’s Cathedral, OSGK is able to continue to deliver outstanding care and compassion to everyone who passes through our doors.

To learn more about Outreach St. George’s Kingston, please visit our website: https://lunchbygeorge.ca/ or email us at osgklunchbygeorge@gmail.com.

The post Outreach St. George’s Kingston continues to serve those most in need appeared first on Dialogue.

Just over a year and a half later in May of 2023, I began my career as communications officer for the diocese and along with that, the new editor and designer of a resurrected Dialogue—returning to print as a quarterly newspaper. My first issue was published September 2013.

While the last 11 years as editor and designer of Dialogue has proved rewarding, and the return of Dialogue offered many opportunities for Anglicans to connect with parishes and ministries across our diocese, the time for transition has again arrived.

With the Diocese of Ontario facing new budgetary financial pressures, and both a declining Dialogue subscriber base and decreasing roster of volunteer contributors, I met with Bishop Cliff and Synod Council in June and proposed that, as of 2025, Dialogue should stop printing—but will continue as an online newspaper to be hosted on the new AnglicanNews.ca website.

Over 10 years on, Francie’s words ring true again: “transition can be painful, it can also mean a bold journey forward into new ventures…”

This bold journey forward holds true for the Anglican Journal and the rest of the diocesan newspapers as well.

Launched in February of 2022, AnglicanNews.ca is a new online partnership between the Anglican Journal and all the diocesan newspapers. This central site allows Anglicans to connect not only with the Anglican Journal but also participating diocesan newspapers—including Dialogue. To quote Tali Folkins, the editor of the Anglican Journal on the new AnglicanNews.ca website: “This new central site will allow Anglicans across the country to connect with each other in a way that has never before been possible: with just a few taps or clicks of the mouse, you’ll be able to access an unprecedented amount of local, national and international news about the church, plus spiritual reflection, reviews and more.”

Other dioceses in Canada have already discontinued their print publications and are hosting their diocesan newspaper online on AnglicanNews.ca. The benefit to them being eliminating printing and distribution costs for their papers and having an online site already built and available for them to access. There is no cost for dioceses to host their publications on AnglicanNews.ca. All expenses are borne by the national office.

This is a universal time of transition for most print publications, daily newspapers and periodicals. Shrinking budgets, changing readership demographics and the reality of a society that increasingly consumes its content online has had dramatic impacts on how we read. Whether you are welcome to it or indifferent to it (or against it), change is inevitable. The church certainly knows this.

The final print issue of Dialogue will be the Winter 2024 issue (following this fall issue). Dialogue will launch on AnglicanNews.ca at some point this fall.

As the current editor (and maybe not the last), I thank you for your continued readership and support over these last 11 years. May you continue to enjoy our diocesan newspaper via its new online version in the years to come. I am confident it will prove to be a ‘bold journey forward into new ventures.’

The post Dialogue to stop printing in 2025, to join AnglicanNews.ca online appeared first on Dialogue.

The Parish of the St. Lawrence in Brockville has done just that by embarking on an ambitious series of innovative renovations to their church in order to meet the deadline for the 2025 Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). The standards of the AODA mandate that organizations ‘must remove and prevent barriers for people with disabilities.’

The parish has replaced doors, put windows in exterior doors, installed automatic openers in exterior doors, sensory plates at the tops and bottoms of stairs for people with sight issues and increased lighting in dark areas. They also constructed a driveway at the front of the church, allowing people to drive up right to the main door.

AFC provided a $15,000 grant towards the accessibility project. The Ven. Michael Read, incumbent, says he is grateful for the funding they received in 2023. “Saint Lawrence Church supports full and active ministry in our community including a weekly Happy Hearts Seniors Program,” says Read. With the people and the building working in tandem, Read says “Happy Hearts promotes holistic health for seniors which includes diabetic and wellness check-ups, low-impact exercise, memory strengthening exercises, and a light lunch.”

With the parish accessibility projects now completed, St. Lawrence is well situated to become a full community leader and partner for programs for seniors and those with disabilities. Says Michael, “The future of our parish depends on our having a fully accessible facility, for people of all abilities, but most especially for our older citizens.”

The post Saint Lawrence Parish meets accessibility standards with vital upgrades appeared first on Dialogue.