Diocesan Outreach
The Diocese of Saskatoon ACW
Welcome to our webpage from the Diocesan ACW chairperson Elaine Hrycenko
Angels Amongst Us
The retreat will be held on Friday, Sept. 27, 2013 to Sunday, Sept. 29, 2013.
The retreat will be held at Manitou Springs Resourt and Mineral Spa.
For full retreat information and the retreat registration form, please click here.
Painting by Edward Burne-Jones 1833-1898
The spring conference this year is entitled, "Called to Serve" Sharing Everywhere the Resurrected and Visible Energy of Christ. The conference and Annual Meeting will be held April 12 & 13, 2013 at Christ Church Anglican on the corner of Ave E and 28th St. West, Saskatoon.
To see registration and information forms for the conference chick on the headings below.
2013 Spring Conference Brochure
Photo courtesy of Marion Pope
The Anglican Church Women’s Saskatoon Deanery Meeting was held on Saturday, September 22, 2012 at Holy Trinity Church, 3572 33rd St. West, Saskatoon. The Holy Trinity women provided a light breakfast, hot lunch and afternoon snack. Diocesan Anglican Women’s President, Elaine Hrycenko, spoke on the “New Thank Offering” – a gift from the heart, no membership fees, what we have, with your help, done in the past, are presently doing and would like to do in the future. Holy Eucharist with Incumbent, Rev. Dave Tyler and the Bishop, The Rt. Revd. David M. Irving. Bishop David Irving gave an update on his many activities this past year. The highlight of the day was the power point and narrative given by Joan Irving on the Diocesan Outreach (Baja) Project – building 2 houses in Mexico
Women discover that the Ancient-Future Faith IS the Anglican Faith!
2012 Diocesan ACW Board
Back row, l to r: Kathy Chase, Alvena Oryszczyn, Betty Ann Horbay, Bev Otsuka, Betty Lloyd, Merce Montgomery, Eva Shabits, Bonnie Milman
Front row, l to r: Joan Irving, Elaine Hrycenko, Barb Forsyth, Marion Pope, Nancy Yee, Jacqueline Plante. Missing: Saskatoon Deanery Rep. Elaine Ogilvy. There was no representative declared for the Western Deanery.
How long is our Diocese? Long enough that six women from the Endeavour and Lloydminster areas had to leave home by 3:00 a.m. to attend the 2012 Women’s Spring Conference and Annual General Meeting at St. John’s Cathedral, Saskatoon on April 14, 2012! In my mind, that’s well before the rooster crows! Special commendations to these dedicated women!!
To help develop the Conference theme, “The Ancient-Future Faith”, the elements of fasting, prayer and worship used by early Christians, were threaded into the day’s agenda. Sixty-eight Conference participants were served a wonderful breakfast by the women (and men) of St. John’s at 8:30 a.m., then moved into a day of modified fasting. Morning and noon prayer replicated ancient regular prayer times, and the closing Eucharist was stylized in the ancient Celtic tradition.
Co-President Marion G. Pope, with the assistance of Vice-President Nancy Yee, chaired the Conference as Co-President Elaine Hrycenko was recovering from back surgery. Patroness Joan Irving, also recuperating from recent surgery, joined us briefly later in the day, with our Patron, Bishop David. Nancy Young was our music leader, Lauren Jardine led everyone in stretches at coffee time, and Jacqueline Plante orchestrated an excellent series of displays.
What is an ‘Ancient-Future Faith’? Marion quoted: “an ancient-future faith is a faith that is carried on the winds of God’s love from the beginning of time into eternity”. Ancient scripture testified to God’s love in action amongst early Christians, pointed to Christ’s coming into the world, and points to things that have yet to happen -- things about the Church, the world, and eternity.
Nancy Yee gave a very thought provoking talk on the theme saying that “the Ancient-Future Faith is the Anglican Faith. … If worship is at the core of what it means to be Christian, then Anglicans have got it right.… Anglicans trace their historical roots to the early church, early Christians and to the apostles. Anglicans have sustained their catholic theology, worship and are therefore ready to receive those seeking a worship tradition that is catholic, rich, and theologically sound”.
She said we can only move ahead into an uncertain future by listening to the Holy Spirit, and living, praying and serving “on the Leading Edge of the Present” while maintaining our unique Anglican style of faith. … In the words of Paul, “Now is the time of God's favour, now is the day of salvation’.
“We want to begin a conversation about what our identity as Anglican women, as Christians and as ones who are sent from God to fulfill a mission on this earth. We want to begin thinking about a fresh way of expressing our faith so that the Anglican Church becomes this amazing place of transformation for us and for all who are called to follow Jesus.” We can do it ladies!
Rev. Paula Foster, in a time of meditation, silence and music, reflected on the ministries of Dorcas, Lydia, and Priscilla. She asked us to examine our own ministries, and find ways in the ‘busyness’ of our lives to center ourselves.
Baja – here we come! We are very excited that Edie Belesky of the Endeavour area will represent women of the Diocese on the Diocesan team going to Baja in June to build two new houses for destitute families. At least twelve of our afghans will also be going with them. Edie gave a brief explanation of where the Mission will happen and what she could expect upon arrival.
A new look at finances! A new document, “2012 Recommendations for Financing the work of Diocese of Saskatoon Anglican Church Women”, was adopted! Under the new recommendations, a new Thank Offering replaces the pledge system, and year-end tax receipts will be issued for accumulated offerings of $20 or more given throughout the year. Co-President Elaine Hrycenko circulated a mighty impressive pamphlet describing the work and liaisons of Anglican women in our Diocese, and invited everyone to get involved.
Meet the Hope Bear! The Anglican Foundation is selling Hope Bears to raise money for the “Kids Helping Kids Trust Fund” in support of children in the Anglican Church of Canada. At the 2011 National President’s Conference presidents were challenged to see who could come to the 2012 Conference with the most creatively dressed bear. So the challenge is on. If any of you can knit, crochet or sew an outfit for ‘our’ Bear, please contact Elaine. Also available is a children’s book called “The Happy Adventures of Hope Bear” featuring the Hope Bear’s travel across Canada visiting parishes and people supported by the Foundation.
Lay Volunteers in a Religious Community! Barb and Lynne Clay, who are Associate members of both the Community of St. John the Divine in the UK and the Sisterhood of St. John the Divine in Toronto, gave personal reflections surrounding their six-month stint in the ‘Alongsider’ program at the convent house of St. John the Divine in the UK. This is a program where they volunteer and live alongside the sisters in community.
Truth and Reconciliation! Mary Ann Assailly spoke on behalf of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission about a series of seven regional national events scheduled across Canada -- the fourth event will be held in Saskatoon at the Prairieland Park, June 21 – 24, 2012. Former students will share their stories and the ‘witnesses’ will be documented. Mary Ann explained the need for billets for both the anticipated 20,000 survivors and National church leaders.
“What is the Spirit saying to the Church?” The women broke into discussion groups to discuss what the Spirit is saying to them, and to vision a faith for the future which would increase, love, hope and faith within our churches and our Diocese.
What did we learn? Foremost, we were excited to learn that the Ancient Future Faith IS the Anglican Faith. Hearts full of the Spirit are transformative. There are many ways of ministering. Experience healing at the Truth and Reconciliation session in Saskatoon, June 21 – 24. Some microphone-projector combinations don’t make 'joyful' noises. Tight schedules sometimes mean agenda items have to be dropped. Lots of great things are happening amongst Anglican women!
The Closing Eucharist, led by Rev. Paula Foster, included symbols of the many ministries, gifts, hopes and fears offered by Anglican women in the Diocese and highlighted at the Conference. Jacqueline Plante commissioned Edie Belesky, our Baja Project representative, as well as members of the 2012 Board: President Elaine Hrycenko; Past President Marion Pope; Secretary Bev Otsuka; Treasurer Bonnie Milman; Public Relations Convenor Kathy Chase; Program Convenor Jacqueline Plante; Devotions Convenor Barb Forsyth; Life Members Convenor Betty Ann Horbay; Book of Remembrance Convenor Eva Shabits; Archivist Merce Montgomery; Eastern Deanery Rep. Alvena Oryszczyn; and Saskatoon Deanery Rep. Elaine Ogilvy. There was no representative declared for the Western Deanery.
The 2013 Women’s Spring Conference and Annual General Meeting will be hosted by members of Christ Church, Saskatoon, on Saturday, April 13, 2013. Sincere thanks were extended to Wilma Miller and women of Christ Church for this kind invitation.
Respectfully submitted by Marion G. Pope, Past President
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