felix hominum

Harry Robinson, rest in peace & rise in glory

The Rev. Dr. Harry S.D. Robinson, the foremost Canadian Anglican Evangelical parish priest of his generation, died of a sudden heart attack yesterday near his home on Mayne Island, British Columbia.  He was 84.

via Tony Burton's blog.

half speed creative worship retreat - june 12-17

 

Take a look - the event & the format seem interesting.

Time: June 12, 2011 at 6pm to June 17, 2010 at 2pm
Location: King's Fold Retreat & Renewal Centre, Alberta

Organized By: Jim Robertson

Event Description:

1/2 Speed is a five day spiritual retreat where we will dwell in community at the juncture of corporate worship, meditation, devotional exercises, theology and philosophy. This will occur through a carefully crafted blend of daily rhythm, stimulating teaching and time. Time for conversations, rest, renewal, spiritual exercises, conversation and personal creativity.

The goal is to create a space where worship artisans, curators and leaders; teachers, pastors and theologians can facilitate one another's deep spiritual encounters, and so be renewed and inspired in their worship ministries.

Our numbers will be small (twenty to thirty); lines between faculty and attendee's blurred; and the programming will be relaxed, participatory and interactive. We will worship, eat, pray and learn together through a pilgrimage-themed narrative week as we seek encounter with the Living God.

The faculty is a blend of contemporary worship curators, worship leaders, spiritual directors, theologians and philosophers, including: Mark Pierson (a twenty year + pioneer/veteran of alt. worship, guerrilla worship, worship curation), Chad Sundin (music); Jim Robertson (alt. worship, new liturgies, rituals, devotional exercises & contemplation), Dr. David Williams (philosophy & theology), Dr. Myron Penner (philosophy & theology) and Dr. Oz Lorentzen (philosophy, theology & spiritual direction).

1/2 Speed will be hosted by King's Fold Retreat and Renewal Centre, located an hour from Calgary, Alberta on the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies. In addition to the mountain views and river valley, the 160 acre facility has two outdoor prayer walks, a labyrinth, two chapels, and a staff dedicated to hospitality and facilitating one's retreat experience. Additional devotional exercises will be added to King's Fold for the retreat.

Cost is $875 Canadian, and includes all meals (superb!) and accommodations. Rides from Calgary International airport can be arranged.

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Interface Worship / Epiphany: Revelation!

Interface Worship at St. Paul's Anglican Church, 10127-145 St., Edmonton will celebrate the season of Epiphany with an alternative worship service called “Revelation”, Saturday, January 15, 2011 at 7:00 pm.

This service will include poetry by Mark Polet, prophetic painting by Lori Youngman, music led by Kathleen Pate, prayer station devotional exercise, meditative time, open art tables, the Bread of Life liturgical sculpture, a Black Water Reflecting Pool, and the extensive use of original symbols, rituals, and imagery. The Eucharistic liturgy allows worshippers to embody the themes in a unique sacramental ritual of enduring quality and significance.

facebook event page

 

Food & Conversation with Brian McLaren & John Franke

Food and Conversation with McLaren and Franke: Join authors Brian McLaren and John Franke for an evening of good food and great conversation on October 1st from 6:30-8:30 pm at Rutherford House, U of A Campus. Tickets are $200, which includes a $100 tax receipt and an autographed book. For tickets call 780 439 7344, or email.

 

For those of you who may not be attending this event, you are in luck!! There is an alternative.  Beers and fries with Joseph Walker on October 1st from 6:30-closing at Dewey's on the U of A campus.  Beer is $3.75, jugs for under $11, which includes pouring one for me from each pitcher ordered.  I'll be sitting just to the right of the pool tables.  I will also be available to sign your books for you.

Our wedding anniversary, the 4 kids gone to Grandma's...

finally, looking forward to a good night's sleep.

John Franke & Brian McLaren: mission, future, hope

for more info or to register, look here.

halfSpeed - creative worship retreat

halfSpeed creative worship retreat, June 13 – 18 2010

Take a look - the event & the format seem interesting.

Time: June 13, 2010 at 6pm to June 18, 2010 at 2pm
Location: King's Fold Retreat & Renewal Centre, Alberta

Organized By: Jim Robertson

Event Description:
1/2 Speed is a five day spiritual retreat where we will dwell in community at the juncture of corporate worship, meditation, devotional exercises, theology and philosophy. This will occur through a carefully crafted blend of daily rhythm, stimulating teaching and time. Time for conversations, rest, renewal, spiritual exercises, conversation and personal creativity.

The goal is to create a space where worship artisans, curators and leaders; teachers, pastors and theologians can facilitate one another's deep spiritual encounters, and so be renewed and inspired in their worship ministries.

Our numbers will be small (twenty to thirty); lines between faculty and attendee's blurred; and the programming will be relaxed, participatory and interactive. We will worship, eat, pray and learn together through a pilgrimage-themed narrative week as we seek encounter with the Living God.

The faculty is a blend of contemporary worship curators, worship leaders, spiritual directors, theologians and philosophers, including: Mark Pierson (a twenty year + pioneer/veteran of alt. worship, guerrilla worship, worship curation), Richard Webb (worship leadership, post-modern ministry, liturgy, music), Chad Sundin (music); Jim Robertson (alt. worship, new liturgies, rituals, devotional exercises & contemplation), Jodi Penner (music), Dr. David Williams (philosophy & theology), Dr. Myron Penner (philosophy & theology) and Dr. Oz Lorentzen (philosophy, theology & spiritual direction).

1/2 Speed will be hosted by King's Fold Retreat and Renewal Centre, located an hour from Calgary, Alberta on the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies. In addition to the mountain views and river valley, the 160 acre facility has two outdoor prayer walks, a labyrinth, two chapels, and a staff dedicated to hospitality and facilitating one's retreat experience. Additional devotional exercises will be added to King's Fold for the retreat.

Cost is $875 Canadian, and includes all meals (superb!) and accommodations. Rides from Calgary International airport can be arranged.

For further information: www.halfspeed.org,

Neighourhoods, God, & stuff

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YaXbkD1sgs

Event Focus: "The Word became flesh and moved into the neighbourhood." (John 1:14 - The Message) As followers of Jesus, we are called into neighbourhoods. Forge Canada is seeking to inspire and to equip a movement of God's people to participate in neighbourhood transformation. Come and be a part of this day with folks from across the city who are seeking to be obedient to God and participate with God in kingdom activities in their neighbourhoods. Michael Frost, author, speaker, teacher from Australia, will lead a team of people who will inspire us to a new vision of the people of God living out their faith in the context of their neighbourhood.

Register/ more info here from Forge.

Holy Land Pilgrimage 2010 - In the Footsteps of St Paul & the Early Church

Here are the basics of the blurb for our next holy land pilgrimage.  Feel free to email me if you have any questions.

Monday, April 19 – Saturday, May 1, 2010

Churches carved into the rock…ancient cities where the Gospel was first proclaimed…the birthplace of the Creeds of the Church…Roman and Byzantine ruins…Greek islands…sandy beaches…one of the friendliest and most interesting cultures in Asia…

All this and more can be found on our pilgrimage to modern-day Turkey, ancient Asia Minor, and the Greek island of Patmos. Turkey was the site of much of Saint Paul’s work of evangelism, the home of Early Church theologians, and the site of the earliest ecumenical councils of the Church. Patmos was the home to St John the Divine, author of the last book of the New Testament, and the place where his Revelation was written. Both are tremendous places of pilgrimage for Christians today.

 If you have ever wondered about the ancient world, about the life and times of Saint Paul, about the meaning and message of the Book of Revelation, or even about Christian theology in general, then this pilgrimage is for you! We will be following in the footsteps of the great Apostle, exploring the cities where he preached, taught and wrote, and visiting the land that in many ways gave rise to our modern church. In Western Turkey and on the Greek island of Patmos, we will explore the challenges of early Christian life in the ancient world, and the context which gave rise to some of the great Christian writings. We will visit, among other places, Ephesus, Colossae, Pergamum, Laodicea, Antioch of Psidia, Patmos, Nicea and, of course, Byzantium.

Please consider joining us for a pilgrimage in the footsteps of Saint Paul next spring. The trip will be led by the Rev. Sally French and the Rev. Joe Walker.  We will be journeying across Turkey, from Cappadocia to Ephesus, the Mediterranean Coast, the Greek island of Patmos, and Istanbul.

Itinerary:

Monday, April 19, 2010: Depart North America for Turkey.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010: Arrive Turkey. Air and bus transfers to Goreme, the main site in the region of Cappadocia. Relax, dinner and overnight in our hotel.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010: We will begin our pilgrimage in Cappadocia, the heart of the early church, and a site of spectacular ruins and history. Today we will visit the open-air archaeological park to see the ancient churches carved into the rock, to examine the ancient fresco paintings, and to discuss and learn about the development of Christian theology, including the creeds of the Church.

Thursday, April 22, 2010: Our tour of the Cappadocia region continues with a visit to one of the great underground cities of the region, a place of refuge for early Christians fleeing persecution. Then, we drive on to modern-day Konya, home of the ‘whirling dervishes’. We will visit their centre and the local museum. We will end the day in the town of Yalvac, ancient Antioch of Psidia.

Friday, April 23, 2010: Today, we begin by touring the ruins of ancient Antioch of Psidia, where Saint Paul began to spread the Gospel to the wider world (Acts 13). From there, we continue on to the ancient spa town of Heliopolis, modern-day Pammukale, and a UNESCO world heritage site. On the way, we will stop and visit ancient Colossae and Laodicea, famous from the Letter to the Colossians and the Book of Revelation. We will have free time today to visit the spa and Turkish baths and pools at our hotel.

Saturday, April 24, 2010: Our tour of some of the “seven churches” of the Book of Revelation (Rev 3) takes us to the ruins of Sardis, including some spectacular Roman buildings, a temple dedicated to Artemis, an ancient Synagogue and a Byzantine church. We will continue on towards the Mediterranean coast and spend the night in the modern-day resort town of Kusadasi, close to the ancient city of Ephesus.

Sunday, April 25, 2010: Visit Ephesus, one of the greatest ruins of the ancient Roman world, and a significant site for Saint Paul. In addition to an extensive tour of the ancient city, we will also be visiting the Basilica of Saint John and the ruins of the Temple of Artemis of the Ephesians, one of the ‘seven wonders of the ancient world’.

Monday, April 26, 2010: Today we travel to the Greek island of Patmos by private boat from Kusadasi, Turkey. There, we will visit the Monastery of Saint John and the Cave of the Apocalypse where the revelations to John took place (Rev 1:9-10). We will also enjoy lunch and free time in the Greek harbor town of Skala.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010: From Ephesus, we will continue northward to Bergama, ancient Pergamum. There, we will see the Acropolis, the Askelepion (Temple of Healing), and other ancient temples. Following our visit, we will drive on to Bursa, Turkey’s fourth largest city, known for its parks and silk production.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010: After a morning tour of Bursa, we continue on to Iznik, formerly Nicaea, site of the first ecumenical council of the Church in 325, and the place where the Nicene Creed began to be written. There, we will visit the site of the ancient palace complex (where the Council of Nicaea was held) and the ruins of the Cathedral of Holy Wisdom. From Iznik, we journey to Istanbul. We will enter the city along the Bosphorus, with a boat cruise past the city’s many minarets.

Thursday, April 29, 2010: Tour Istanbul: Our day begins with a walking tour of the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, and the famous Hagia Sophia, followed by an afternoon visit to the Chora Church. We will finish our day with some free time in the Istanbul, a trip to the Spice Market and Grand Bazaar, and a relaxing evening to enjoy the city. Dinner today is on your own.

Friday, April 30, 2010: Free day in Istanbul. Walk through the ancient streets, visit the Topkapi palace or other sites, shop and relax. In the evening, we will gather together for a final celebratory meal, a traditional Turkish feast. Lunch today is on your own.

Saturday, May 1, 2010: Departure. Travel from Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport to North America on our return home.

Accommodations and Meals:

Your pilgrimage fees include all accommodations and most meals. The accommodations will all be 4 or 5 star, depending on availability. The only exception to this is in the town of Yalvac (Antioch of Psidia), where the best hotel in the region is 3-star.  All meals are included, except dinner on April 29 and lunch on April 30. This is to give you some flexibility with your free time, and to give you the option of getting to know Istanbul and to make your own decisions regarding what, where, and when you eat. On other days, we will be traveling together as a group during mealtimes. Most meals will be ‘buffet-style’, with plenty of choices and opportunities to test the local cuisine. We can accommodate almost all dietary restrictions, please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

Registration, Fees, and other information:

The total cost for the pilgrimage is $5350.00 Canadian. This includes all travel (flights, bus, boat, etc), accommodations, meals as described, all admissions and guiding costs. It does not include medical insurance, local tips, travel visas (required for both Turkey and Greece upon entry), drinks and personal expenses. For more details, please see the Registration form. It is possible to arrange for departures from other locations, please ask if you are interested in joining us.

We strive to provide you with both a first-class travel experience and a positive experience of Christian pilgrimage. Throughout our time together, there will be opportunities for worship, for prayer and reflection, and for spiritual direction. This is not a “package tour” – it is a spiritual journey with fellow Christians, following Saint Paul and those who went before us in the earliest days of the Church. We believe that seeing the lands of the bible is truly a life-changing experience and we are excited about the possibility of sharing them with you. Although your leaders are both Anglican clergy, we welcome people of all Christian backgrounds and we would be happy to answer any questions you might have.  We wish you every blessing as you discern and prepare for pilgrimage, and we look forward to journeying with you in the footsteps of Saint Paul.

 

An event the felix clan will be attending:

What:  Songs for Small and Tall- all ages music & singalong

Where:  St. Margaret’s Anglican Church: 12603 Ellerslie Road

When:  Friday, October 2nd at 7.30 pm.

Bryan Moyer Suderman is a musician in the Mennonite tradition; his music company is called ‘Small Tall Music’, because, as he says, he writes ‘worship songs for small and tall’ – for children and for adults (see his website at http://www.smalltallmusic.com/). Bryan has produced several CDs of songs for Vacation Bible School and Christian Education programs, as well as worship songs, a CD of songs about stewardship, and a new CD based on texts from the prophets. This concert is jointly sponsored between St. Margaret’s Anglican Church and Edmonton First Mennonite Church, and it will be an all-age event. Admission will be by donation at the door, with a suggested donation of $10 per person or $25 per family.

New Bishop for the Anglican Diocese of Athabasca

The Rev. Canon Fraser Lawton, Rector of St. Thomas' Church, Fort McMurray, was elected as Bishop of Athabasca yesterday. Pray for Fraser and the people of the Diocese of Athabasca as they minister together in northern Alberta.

h/t Tim Chesterton

I've met Fraser briefly a few times at clergy events,  & join my prayers with Tim's that he might be supported and led by the Holy Spirit as he takes on this new ministry.

St Tim's Open House & Fun Fair

We had a great time participating in the Laurier community league celebrations last Saturday, and this weekend it is St Tim's turn to host something for our neighbours.  So come out his weekend to the Fun Fair at 8420 - 145 St, just across from Laurier Park.

St Tim's Anglican Church is hosting a neighbourhood fun fair and open house on Saturday, September 19.  The events run from 3:30 to 7:15 pm.  Here are a few of the things happening:

• 3:30-4:00 pm - all ages games in the park
• 4:00-6:00 pm - giant Inflatable jumping zone
• 4:00-5:00 pm - petting zoo for kids & grown ups
• 4:00-6:00 pm - pub zone & East Coast music
• 4:30-6:00 pm - free subs & refreshments - dinner's on us
• 6:15-7:15 pm - variety musical cafe at the Courtyard

Everyone from the neighbourhood & beyond is welcome to attend.

Campus Ministry at the University of Alberta

Sue Oliver is host of The Worship Room,

St Tim's Vacation Bible Camp!! woo hoo!!

St Tim's Vacation Bible Camp (Aug 17-21, ages 3-11) registration and info is available to download:

St Tim's VBC (pdf)

St Tim VBC (MS Word)

vacation bible camp

Woo-hoo

"When in Rome"...  St Tim's vacation bible camps for kids:  ages 3-11
August 17-21.  Email st.tims{at]shawbiz.ca for details/registration

I'm looking forward to a little rhythm work

behind two guys who have been playing jazz for maybe longer than I've been alive.
Saturday June 6:  6-8pm at the St Tim's courtyard - 8420 145 St.  There will also be some wine & cheese...

ERC Inclusive Education Awards

Edmonton Regional Coalition:   Inclusive Education Awards

ERC recognizes teachers and educational teams each year who exemplify best practices in support of quality inclusive educational experiences for children with disabilities.  Nominations are received from any parent and endorsed by a member on staff, in the Edmonton area.  Awards may be presented at school assemblies, staff meetings, etc, and a copy of the award is forwarded to the district’s superintendent and trustee.

Award information and nomination forms can be downloaded from Gateway Association for Community Living’s website . On the home page, click on “ERC News” to access these documents. Please note that the deadline, May 11, 2009, is coming up quickly.

speakeasy - (minor 7 flat 5)

A few of us who actually enjoy playing jazz are planning to get together on a somewhat regular basis for evenings of semi-freestyle jazz and some readings, images, discussion, and beverages.  I'll get some times and places up when they are confirmed.

Sort of like a speakeasy, with Jesus...

Canadian Prayer Book Society AGM...

will be held at St Timothy's Anglican Church on Saturday, May 9, starting at 2 pm.

The meeting will begin with a talk by yours truly.  The title of my talk is "Thanksgiving After Childbirth:  Choosing Sarah in an Age of Options."  I expect that I will post the talk here at some point after the event.

Voices for Habitat for Humanity fundraiser - big thanks

A big thanks to everyone who helped out at the "Voices for Habitat" fundraising concert yesterday evening:  volunteers, donors, musicians, and Tim who did a lot of organizing.  I expect he might have some pics up soon, as I noticed him putting batteries into a camera at one point...

Although all the musicians were excellent, I have to say that the final set by Jeremy Spurgeon and Janet Smith brought the house down, or rather up to its feet, and a tear to this writer's eye at one point.

Over $4000 was raised for local Habitat for Humanity projects.  See you next year, same time, same place.

"Voices for Habitat" fundraiser

Voices for Habitat 2009 will take place at
St. Timothy's Anglican Church (corner of 145 St. and 84th Avenue in Edmonton)
on Sunday April 19th.
Doors will open at 6.00 p.m. for a Silent Auction along with a Café and Wine Bar.
The concert will begin at 7.00 p.m.
Tix $10
available at the door, or in advance:  Tix on the Square, Myhre's Music, Acoustic Music Shop

Tim Chesterton has a full list of details for the event at his blog

Writers needed: "Ministry Matters"

From the Anglican Church of Canada facebook group page. 

Writers needed!
Today at 3:22pm
Hello all,

MinistryMatters is a magazine that publishes articles, resources, and information to inspire and support Canadian Anglican leaders in their ministry. This award-winning publication is now moving online, and we’re looking for a few good columnists.

WHAT WE NEED:
-Online columnists would write one 500- to 750-word article each month for a six-month stint. Articles could address a range of topics interesting to Canadian Anglican leaders.

-If readers post comments in response to an article, columnists are expected to keep up with the discussion and throw their two cents in.

WHO WE NEED:
-Canadian Anglicans (especially, but not necessarily, in ordained ministry) who think interesting thoughts and write dazzling prose.

WHAT TO DO NEXT:
-Email a short statement of introduction, three column ideas, and two writing samples to Ali Symons at asymons[at]national.anglican.ca by May 1, 2009.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Editor, MinistryMatters

I know of at least a few local Anglican bloggers (lay & clergy) whose prose is sparkling, so I'm putting this out as a public service announcement.

I would try to submit a sample of my own stuff, but I are not a riter.

As promised (sort of), I'll begin by suggesting a few writers whose work would enhance our national Anglican publications.  First up, I'd like to see a regular column by the Crimson Rambler, whose command of English prose is rivalled by few.  You can actually take pleasure in reading the Rambler's stuff.  It's just that well written.

I really like Holy Week

The whole week is an extended re-telling of the story of redemption.  I feel for those folks who only show up for "church" at Christmas and Easter.  It's like they read the first and last page, and miss the whole story in between.  I suppose part of it is impatience to get to the end of the journey, without actually taking on the journey.  After all, though a journey can be enjoyable, it is also, well, work.

photo: Joe Walker (en route from Petra, Jordan to the Allenby crossing

Here's what we are doing at St Tim's (8420 145 St)

April 9:  Maundy Thursday service @ 7 pm
April 10:  Good Friday service @ 10 am
April 11:  Holy Saturday Great Vigil @ 7 pm
April 12:  Easter Services @ 8:30 & 10 am

Voices for Habitat for Humanity

Concert in support of Habitat for Humanity, featuring:

Martin Kerr
Jeremy Spurgeon
Jay Anthony Willis
Erin Faught & Adam Buttram
The Piatta Forma Choir
& much more

April 19
Cafe/wine bar & Silent Auction at 6
Concert at 7 pm
St Timothy's Anglican Church: 8420 145 St

Tix $10 from
Tix on the Square
Acoustic Music Shop
Myhre's Music
at the door

Proceeds in support of Habitat for Humanity Edmonton

speakeasy

is happening on March 29 at 7pm, 8420 - 145 St.  I'm not entirely certain what it will involve, but here are some of the things I expect:

some Charlie Parker transcribed for guitar, with piano & percussion.

some kind of crunchy stuff under your feet.

some sort of drink.

On Good Friday

I want to do an evening of acoustic blues.

Seriously.

Bruce Dunbar: Eye Candy: at the Common Sense Gallery

Bruce Dunbar: Eye Candy
Solo exhibition of work by long-time Edmonton artist Bruce Dunbar.
Opening Reception with Artist in Attendance
1-4pm, Saturday, February 21, 2009
Common Sense: 10546 - 115 Street, Edmonton Alberta Canada.

via North Edmonton Sculpture Workshop

Theolojazz tonight with Peter Rollins

at Dewey's, on the U of A campus.  The format will be back and forth between Peter and the Elphida Trio.  Starts at 8:30 pm.  If you are looking for parking, use the HUB mall parking lot.  Campus maps here.

My dinner with Peter Rollins

consisted of Thai food, but I think tomorrow someone is going to arrange for some home grown western Canadian bison (sorry to the vegetarians in the crowd).

Anyway, Peter arrived safe and sound and the temperature here in Edmonton was a balmy 5 degrees today.  There was a point at which I thought we might be in an Arctic cold front, with dips down to -30 or so.  But apparently the weather patterns pushed all the cold air masses away from us and over toward Saskatchewan and Manitoba.  To which I say: simply shows where divine favours lay...

I'm looking forward to things starting up tomorrow (schedule here).  There were 5 of us at dinner tonight:  Peter, Darrel Muth, Eric Ohlman, Jim Robertson & me (I thought putting a hyperlink to my own blog would be superfluous, instead, I just talked about myself for the rest of the sentence). 

Wide and varied conversation;  some covering of last minute details, some personal introductions, some discussion of the various ways in which we relate to God and one another, some talk of Jean Vanier's notion of "community of the heart".  With that in mind, I was reminded of what an odd placement of things.  Earlier in the day I'm looking at a text for teaching math to people with Down Syndrome, and later in the evening I'm thinking about the relationship between faith and postmodernity.  But it's all there in a previous post on Aquinas and Bonaventure (at least in embyo form).  Anyway, all this is to say that we need to examine and form our faith communities in ways which connect people to God and to one another which engages the whole person.  I'll say more about that when I know more about it.

And on a further note, while I've had the invitation to sit in with the Elphida trio for Friday evening's theolojazz, I've yet to decide. It's pretty tempting, though.  I recently adjusted the Seymour Duncan pickups on the archtop...

just confirmed Epsilon for an evening

and who or what is Epsilon?

Epsilon is a contemporary vocal ensemble consisting of five members with extensive backgrounds in jazz, classical, and choral music.

their website, their facebook

Sunday March 15th at 7PM, at our place: 8420 - 145 street
more details to follow