From The Bishop - Diocese Of Yukon

page 6Northern Lights: Winter 2005Northern Lights: Winter 2005Where Are They Now?The Rev. Dr. Ellen BruceRev Ellen continues to be a strong leaderand active member of her community. Sheattends services regularly and often leadsthe community in prayer. Her wonderfulsense of humor and outlook on life werevery evident in her joking and teasing ofBishop Terry during his recent visit to OldCrow.She is very concerned about changingattitudes towards family and marriage andprays for the young people of hercommunity. Reverend Ellen continues tolive on her own even though she is overninety years of age. She travels whenpossible to visit family in Aklavik andparts of Yukon.Old Crow HappeningsDeacon Effie LinklaterThe Reverend Effie Linklater served thecommunity of Old Crow from 1981 untilher death November 24th, 2000. She wasordained Deacon January 15th 1989.In honor of her many years of faithfulservice to her church of St. Luke's OldCrow, family members and friends made abeautiful beaded hanging in her memory.Confirmation at St. Luke's in Old CrowBishop Terry traveled to Old Crow inSeptember to confirm two young peoplein the faith. The service was in bothEnglish and Takudh the Gwich'enlanguage still used in worship in manyparts of Yukon.The Native Language and Culture classof the Chief Zzeh Gittlit school madebeadwork altar pieces and frontals for theservice.7Here and There in the DioceseTimes of change presents challenges andopportunities. Please keep us in your prayersas we seek to be God's witnesse in ourcommunity.Bishop Terry and his wife, Blanche were inFort Nelson September 24/25. Everyoneenjoyed the times of fellowship and worshiptogether.Edith JosieRetired lay minister, CBC reporter andauthor of "Here are the News" lives inOld Crow and still enjoys attendingcommunity events and church. Knownas Old Crow's oldest student she still takescourses in a variety of subjects and sharesher stories of family and friends and oftimes past with all who come to visit her.Edith still writes her column "Here arethe News" for the Official Website of theVuntut Gwitch'en First Nation which is atwww.oldcrow.ca.pageFort Nelson:This year has seen many changeshappening in St. Mary Magdalene's,Fort Nelson. After a long period ofdiscussion and a series of sewer andother problems,the congregationdecided to dispose of the churchproperty. The church wasdeconsecrated in a service led byArchdeacon Sean Murphy. It isexpected that the building will berelocated to the Fort Nelson museumproperty and maintained as an historicexhibit.We are presently meeting in the FortNelson Lamplighters' hall, where ourworship continues to celebrate the goodnews of what God has done for us. Thecommunity seems to have had a largeturnover of people this year. TheReverend Fred Carson and his familyleft Fort Nelson at the end of July.Severalotherfamilieshave alsoleft thecommunity.T h eReverendDawnMcDonalds expectedto arrivemid-NovembeMemorial Benches Placed in StringerPark, WhitehorseOn Sunday, June 19th 2005, memorialbenches were placed in Stringer Park next tothe Cathedral in Whitehorse. One bench isin memory of Nora Garside, Mabel Johnson(Teslin) and Charlotte Williams and onebench in memory of Desmond Carroll,former Dean and rector of Christ ChurchCathedral, Whitehorse.The photograph below shows the Rev. DavidPritchard with the Carroll family.

page 8Northern Lights: Winter 2005Northern Lights: Winter 2005page 9The Venerable Dr. Sean MurphyChurch of the Northern Apostles, WhitehorseI was born in 1955 in Victoria, B.C. I grewup in that city in a large family as thesecond of five children. Memories of mychildhood are basically good, and ourhousehold was filled with much love andmany positive experiences. Our familymoved to Africa for two years, 1964-1966,where my father taught in teacher-trainingcolleges in Gwello, Rhodesia (nowZimbabwe), and Accra, Ghana. Livingunder apartheid in Rhodesia, and seeingthe injustice of the system in this countryas well as in South Africa where we visited,left an indelible impression on me.Leaving Africa to return to Victoria in1966, my parents Stan and Barbara Maewere separated and later divorced. I andmy siblings lived with my mother, whosubsequently re-married in 1970, to NeilNorton. My mother did an amazing jobraising us, even going back to school forher teaching degree and then teaching fora number of years. She means a great dealto me and I owe her a lot. My Fatherremained in my life and gave me much; Iand my brothers and sisters saw him fromtime to time; more so after he moved toVictoria in the late 1960's. He died in 1971.I am certainly very grateful to both of myparents for the love and strong foundationfor life that they have given me, and forthe support and contribution that Neil hasmade to our family over the years.My father was not a believer though mymother was and still is, and she took us tochurch in Victoria in my early years. I wasbaptized in 1964 at the age of nine in St.John's Anglican Church in Victoria. Insome ways my spiritual journey beganaround that time or a little before, but I donot recall a genuine commitment to Christpreceding my baptism. It wasn't until sometime later that I began to live out the truemeaning of my baptism.I graduated from high school in 1973 andenrolled that year in The University ofVictoria. Not as dedicated in my studiesas I should have been, I decided to taketwo years off in the middle of my degree,to work in Victoria and to travel to Europefor four months, to Israel for three (whereI worked on a Kibbutz in the Jordan Valley)and to eastern Canada and the UnitedStates for one month. The break was goodfor me and I returned home to completemy Bachelor of Arts degree in politicalscience and history from UVIC in 1980.The fall of 1978 found me in a deeppersonal crisis while attending UVIC,asking questions and struggling withmany things in my life. It was during thistime that God graciously made Himselfvery real to me through variousexperiences that I had. I made acommitment to Jesus Christ as mypersonal Lord and Savior at twenty-three.The testimony and ministry of a belovedgreat aunt, Gladys, was instrumental inmy coming to faith. I still vividly recallthose early days after my conversion, thedeep sense of God's forgiveness that Iexperienced and how I knew my guilt hadbeen washed away. Just walking outside,I was so much more aware of the worldaround me and nature seemed so new andfresh and alive. My values and interestschanged. God gave me power to resistand overcome in areas of my life thatneeded to be dealt with. I was a newperson in Christ and knew it, and I was sothankful! I still am. I started to attendservices at Christ Church Cathedral inVictoria and to read Christian literature. C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity was aparticular help to me during that time.I began a Masters program in PoliticalScience at the University of BritishColumbia in 1980. A career as a lawyer orperhaps in the Canadian foreign servicehad seemed attractive to me, but sincebecoming a Christian my life had turnedupside down and my mind and heart werebeing drawn in another direction. God hadother plans for me! I prayed earnestlyand specifically about whether tocomplete my program or withdraw andprepare to enter seminary as soon aspossible. God answered quickly and verypowerfully. Rising very early the nextmorning to prepare for a seminar, I openeda book to pages that suddenly seemeddevoid of content and completely emptyto me. I thanked God and closed the book.I promptly informed my faculty advisor thatI was withdrawing from the program, thatI believed in God and felt that I was beingcalled to be an Anglican priest!For the rest of that year I worked at UBCPhysical Plant and then entered TheVancouver School of Theology in the fallof 1981. Life at VST was not without itsstruggles, yet God was good to me. Ilearned a lot in the life of the school, in mystudies there and in a few courses I tookat Regent College. I participated in theparish family of Christ Church Cathedral,Vancouver, and later attended St. John'sShaughnessy. My sense of call toordained ministry grew and deepened. Iwas confirmed in 1982 and then acceptedas a postulant for ordination in theAnglican Church of Canada in 1984.In my final year of seminary, Bishop RonFerris invited me to consider a ministryposting in the Diocese of Yukon. Afterseeking counsel and much prayer, I sensedContinued on page 14

page 10Northern Lights: Winter 2005St. Mary with St. Mark's, Mayo, Gets a New, Yet Old LookRev,. Susan TitteringtonSt. Mary with St. Mark's Anglican Churchin Mayo was blessedthis past summerwhen a group ofyoung people andadults came to ourcommunity for oneweek in August on amission. Themission group wasamazing. Twentynine youth and adults came into our smallcommunity of just over 400 people withseveral hundred pounds of materials, foodand supplies as well as musical equipment.They came to update our church buildingand to minister to our youth.The task of updating and painting ourbuilding became known as ExtremeMakeover Church Edition after thepopular home makeover TV show. Thebuilding was scraped and painted, minorrepairs were made and various signs ofwear and tear on our 83 year old buildingwere removed. Returning the church to itsoriginal colors of white with green trim wasno small feat. The mission group workedfull days and sometimes well into theevening and we estimate that with each ofthem working a full day they gave us over1,000 hours of labor.The full impact of the mission was not justnew paint but a real sense of renewal ofour ministry here in Mayo. The buildingis very meaningful to all members of thecommunity, even those who do not attendregularly. Christmas Eve can see 75 peopleat the midnight candlelight service. Thechurch sits on the riverbank and is the firstbuilding seen when one comes into thevillage by boat. The church is a symbol ofpagellNorthern Lights: Winter 2005Telegraph Creek's Summer MinistryJosh Wiltonthe living Gospel in the community andnow with the new look,the church is an evenlarger presence in thelandscape of thevillage.Youth RetreatAfter a week of hardwork the mission teamhelped us to conducta Youth Retreat that saw young peoplefrom Old Crow, Dawson City and Mayogather in the local school over theweekend of 26th to the 28th of August. ACommunity Praise and Worship Servicesaw 95 people in total attend Sundayservices in the school gym.The theme of the retreat was "SecondChances" or "Do Overs". God gives ussecond chances and opportunities to dothings over again through Hisforgiveness. The study for the retreat wasbased on the Book of Jonah which themission group acted out to bring theteachings to life. Crafts to illustrate theteachings further included makingstepping stones that will be used by St.Mary with St. Mark for a Memorial gardento be started next year. By smashing platesand making something new or givingsecond chances to the materials byimbedding the chips in cement, the brokenparts came together to make somethingthat is new, strong and very useable.The group played games and completedother crafts. There was also a specialworkshop on music as part of worshipwhere some retreat participants wrote anew song just for the retreat. The songcontinued on page 15I remembercoloring apicture of ab o ykneeling athis bed inprayer. Hishair wasgreen -- thechildrenlaughed atme and Iw a sdelightedby theirlaughter.We laughed together, played together,sang together, and learned about theLord Jesus together. All in all, not a badway to spend a few hours out of the day.We had an order to the day. First wewould gather in the church building,singing together and gathering in a circleto open up in prayer. We would thenhead over to the craft shack and thechildren would indulge the leaders as wetried to explain a section of Scripture.Since not many of us are gifted at sittingand listening, least of all children, we'dreinforce the teaching with coloring andcrafts. Finally, it was time for snacks andfinishing up with some games and prayer.I know I'll remember the joyful expressionof Marylee showing off her coloringproject, and of Keagan's prayers. Thereat St. Aiden's it was a safe place; a placefor joy, friendship, a place for the love ofChrist.I'm not sure any of the children willremember those lessons -- maybe they'llsurprise me -- but I'm sure they'll remembera place of warmth, acceptance, and love.With those memories, I pray they'll alsoremember the purpose of our gathering-Jesus -- who was both the content of thelessons and source of our care for them.And hopefully they'll remember not aJesus with a purple beard from theircoloring projects, but Jesus the RisenChrist who bends low to hear their prayersand listen to their songs of praise.Josh Wilton and his wife, Kate were ministering inTelegraph Creek during the summer and the week longVacation Bible School was part of their work there duringthat time. They attend St. John's Church, Shaunghessy inVancouver. Editor

page 12Northern Lights: Winter 2005New Altar Cloth and Stole For TeslinFrom the EditorAnother year has almost gone by. Muchhas happened both in the world and theChristian Church. Natural disasters seemto be a common occurrence in these days,that shock and disturb us. Sometimes wemay question why God would allow suchthings to happen. It is hard to see theseevents on our TV's and even harder forthe people they affect. Through all this,we need to hold on to the truth that God isin control, even when such disastershappen. "Thanks be to God who gives usthe victory through our Lord JesusChrist."We are in the season of Advent when wethink back to the coming of Jesus as ababy in Bethlehem and look forward toHis coming again as the King of kings andLord of lords.One day there will be no pain, sorrow,natural disasters, wars: Christ will reignas the King of all kings. In these turbulenttimes, let us hold on to that wonderfultruth.As 1 write this, my husband and I are inKugluktuk on the Arctic coast, having.come here to minister for two months.This is a community we served in oversixteen years ago when we were in theDiocese of the Arctic. It is a real joy tobe back and see the people again, whogave us a wonderful welcome.Thank you to all who write to usshowing your appreciation for thismagazine and the ministry taking placein the Diocesre of Yukon.May God bless and keep you in Hiswonderful love.My husband joins me in sending youour very best wishes for Christmas andthe year ahead.NA Joyful Celebration!The newly consecate d Bishop wwith hisbrother, George and father, ArchdeaconArthur Privettpage 13Northern Lights: Winter 2005On Saturday, September 18th, retiredYukon Archdeacon Arthur Privett hadthe joy of attending the consecration ofhis son, John, as Bishop of Kootenay,British Columbia. Bishop John grew upin the Yukon and was consecratedBishop by the Acting Metrpolitan,n Bishop Terry Buckle, so it was quite aYukon" occasion. His mother, Muriel wasunable to attend due to health reasons, buthis brother, George from Whitehorse was ableto attend with his father.On June 16th, 2005, the Rev. LesleyWheeler-Dame received from MissJessica Bakica a new altar cloth and stolefor St. Philip's Church in Teslin.The reversible cloth is of traditionalceremonial Thai fabric, is appliqued withcrosses; has two attendant white satinpanels and shows a steady gold and creamshimmer. On one panel Jessica has writtenher dedication: "In memory of mygrandfather Desmond Carroll and inhonour of my grandmother, MarionCarroll, who served the St. Philip'sparish . with love."Sheremembered her grandfather happilyas one who "always teased me.'Jessica had spent weeks with theassistance of an adult friendexperiencing the 'firsts' ofmeasuring, choosing layouts andcarefully cutting, before handlingthe expanse of cloth through thenarrow confines of a domesticsewing machine. This venture waslived moment to moment by Jessicawho fell in love alternately withmetal threads, the beautiful pearlheaded pins and the magical actionof an electric needle with the specialabandon of a seven year old gradetwo girl.Eighteen parishioners andinterested people attended the smallceremony including Elders MattThom, who rang the bell, PearlKeenan, Grace Dewhurst, FlorenceSmarch and Sam Johnston, two ofJessica's teachers, her father whomade a fast trip from Whitehorse, CollyneBunn and her handsome sons, theMartens family and others. Dr. RichardBurke, a long-term friend of the Carroll's,emotionally recited from Gray's "Eulogyin a Country Churchyard", a poem he andDesmond had recited together from acommon boyhood in Ireland.Jessica had helped vacumn the church,picked wildflowers for the tea and altar,had garnished the cake plates with flowersand held the door for guests beforepresenting the cloth which the Rev.Wheeler-Dame consecrated before awitnessing congregation and guests.Submitted to Northern Lights by SharronChatterton at the request of Marion Carroll.

page 14Northern Lights: Winter 2005Clergy Profile continued from page 9that God was indeed sending me North.Graduating from VST with a Master ofDivinity degree in May 1985, I wasordained a Deacon and appointed to St.Paul's, Dawson City to begin ministry inJuly, 1985. Ordination to the priesthoodfollowed in 1986.I served at St. Paul's until March, 1988 andthen moved to Fort Nelson as Rector ofSt. Mary Magdalene's for fourteen and ahalf years, until December 2002. I am verythankful for all that God did during my timein both parishes. In Fort Nelson Godblessed me with a fresh experience of theHoly Spirit and I learned as never beforethat the power of the Holy Spirit is trulyimperative for effective ministry.Presently I am privileged to serve asPresbyter-in Charge in the circle of mutualministry at The Church Of The NorthernApostles in Whitehorse (since Jan. 2003)and in a similar capacity in the parish of St.Christopher's, Haines Junction (since Oct.2004). My role as trainer-equipperoverseer is to help enable mutual ministrywhere the gifts of all God's people arevalued, and to encourage a disciple-makingmissional focus in these congregations.There are many gifts in these twoChurches and I look forward to all that Godwill do in the future. I also continue in myministry of Archdeacon of Liard, which Ihave done since 1995.Desiring to broaden my theologicaltraining and to grow in ministry, I began aDoctor of Ministry degree at FullerTheological Seminary in 1994 andcompleted it in 2003. These studies haveequipped me to better serve our Lord inmy remaining years of ministry. I want allGod has for me, and I want to serve Him asNorthern Lights: Winter 2005Front Cover Pictureeffectively as I can.The central passions of my ministry areto pray, read and study the Bible, and topreach. Please pray that I would spendthe time I need in these crucial areas,because when I do, God moves in myministry.The recent ministry of The Rev. CharlesAlexander and the Rev. John Briscall atour Diocesan Ministry Conference hashelped to remind me of the three basicthings that every congregation must do:(1) Attract people to our Lord JesusChrist; (2) Establish and nurture them intheir faith; and (3) Equip them to serve.Simple, yet as profound as that, but soeasy to be distracted from what we shouldbe about. Fulfilling these priorities webecome the disciple-making-GreatCommission Churches our Lord calls usto be. How well are we doing with thesepriorities? I know God is challenging mepersonally with that question now.It is exciting to be in a Diocese which ismaking intentional steps, under BishopBuckle's leadership, to grow in the circleministry of all God's people and to be aChurch of mission in this part of he world.It is good to be part of an orthodoxDiocese where the uniqueness of Jesusis proclaimed and the great truths of ourAnglican heritage are upheld. What ablessing in these turbulent times!The picture on the front cover of this issueis taken from the painting: "Spirit ofKluane" by Libby Dulac and used withpermission. We apologise for not beingable to print the picture in colour.Libby and her husband, Claude, live inHaines Junction and attend both theAnglican and Catholic Churches. Theinspiration for her paintings comes fromher faith and the beauty of the area inwhich she lives.Prints of this and other paintings by Libby,are available from Dulac Art Studio, HainesJunction, YT YOB 1LO.Tel/Fax: 867 634 2512Youth Ministry Team in Mayo continuedfrom page 10was one of the hymns sung at the Sundayservice.One very special gift that the mission groupfrom Edmonton shared with us was theirgift of praise music. We had a full worshipband set up with guitars and drums to playsome very uplifting and powerful music.Elder, the Reverend Deacon Percy Henry,from St. Paul's Anglican Church in DawsonCity, prayed for the youth and spoke ofthe importance of faith in making us allstronger; First Nation and European,together. He prayed for the group and forall youth. His wife Mabel also attended theretreat.Bishop Terry Buckle and his wife Blancheattended the retreat and Bishop Terry talkedabout the gifts of the mission group andtheir willingness to share of th

Memorial Benches Placed in Stringer Park, Whitehorse On Sunday, June 19th 2005, memorial benches were placed in Stringer Park next to the Cathedral in Whitehorse. One bench is in memory of Nora Garside, Mabel Johnson (Teslin) and Charlotte Williams and one bench in memory of Desmond Carro