Another successful session of the Soul Friends Program has been completed. As always the participants had a wonderful time. They laughed, they learned and they enjoyed.
photo credit Rae Long
Soul Friends
Bud Forbes
BUD FORBES Rest in Peace
Faithful generous compassionate friend to many
February 20, 2019
With so many in the City of Kamloops, we at St. Paul’s are slowly and regretfully coming to terms with the sudden death of our dear friend, Bud Forbes. We offer our sincere condolences to his beloved wife Jo-Lynn, to daughters Barbara and Wendy and to all of Bud’s family. And speaking of “family” his relationships touched so many in other communities–the Kamloops Heritage Railway; Kamloops 4H; numerous sporting organizations including curling.
This premature death was so sudden and not in the natural order of things. In many cathedral conversations a hole now appears which Bud once filled–in ministry at Berwick On The Park Care Home; in Sunday worship leadership including the training and supervision of severs; in the Soul Friends programme; in the Cursillo community. Bud literally put his “hands in the dirt;” he fashioned outdoor crosses for the Easter Vigil; he joined Bishop Barbara at national urban ministry conferences and attended countless courses at the Sorrento Centre over the years.
Bud was deeply engaged with almost every aspect of downtown social ministry. Especially through the Out of the Cold overnight shelter ministry, Bud was omnipresent. Until a year ago Bud directed this challenging and life-giving restorative ministry. The street folks of Kamloops have special regard and affection for Bud and his team. He was not only their friend (he knew most by name when greeting visitors at the shelter door); he was their adopted and respected father.
As recently as last week, Bud appeared at the Cathedral almost daily, an exuberant, extroverted, compassionate presence, almost always with a smile and a desire to help. He really drew so little attention to himself but was genuinely concerned for others. He would often come to me with needs for others, some which I could aid, and in some cases not. For me he embodied the biblical parable of the sheep (irony noted) and the goats chronicled in the Gospel according to Matthew, chapter 25:40:
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Amidst all this activity, all this energy, all this passion for life and love, the foundation of it all was a profound Christian faith, deeply rooted in the stories and practice of Jesus, a devotion worthy of study and emulation. I realize I risk exaggerating the truth about Bud, but I think in this case, superlatives are justified. He loved God; he loved his family; he loved his Church; and he loved creating opportunities for love, in and with others.
I recall words from a poem by Prudentius (AD 348-413) which seem appropriate for a man who dug deep in the earth which fed him:
Take him, Earth, for cherishing, To thy tender breast receive him.
Rest in peace faithful Christian, you generous and faith-filled human being. We miss you; we will never forget you; we will take those things which you cherished and make them real in our community and world.
Dean Ken Gray
With permission from the Territory of the People website
2018 Annual Vestry Report
The first Iron Man competition was a success!
Seams were pressed, collars starched and fun was had at the “Iron Man” competition. It was a fierce battle where there could only be one winner.
In the end The retired Bishop Gordon Light steamed his way to victory beating Dean Ken Gray 16.5 to 13. Ken accepted defeat but vows that next year he will emerge victorious!
In this fun event close to $1000.00 was raised and will be dispersed to downtown ministries. Thank you to all who pledged and watched on Facebook Live! A special thank you to Bishop Barbara Andrews, our MC and Joan Lukow, Rev Isabel Healy-Morrow and Miriam Baskin our judges.
Enjoy these pictures from Kathie Gray and Rae Long
And this coverage from CFJC
https://cfjctoday.com/article/652466/kamloops-newest-ironman-smoothing-wrinkles-less-fortunate
Heather & Norris Berg
After twenty-three years of musical leadership ministry here at St. Paul’s Heather and Norris Berg have decided to retire. We will in due course celebrate their long and influential ministry. Their last Sunday leading music will be in late April. What a marvelous gift they have shared with us and for so long. Thanks be to God.
“Ironman” Challenge
Bishop Gordon Light and Dean Ken Gray each do the ironing in their respective households. So when they considered how best to raise funds for social justice ministries in Kamloops, the solution was clear: The IRONMAN CHALLENGE.
To our knowledge this is a first of the global Anglican Communion.
Bishop Barbara Andrews will emcee the event which will be adjudicated by four judges, all experienced or emerging ironers.
Each contestant will use his own board and iron. He will be will be asked to iron one of his own pair of pants, one of his own shirts and one item chosen by his opponent’s spouse.
We have arranged for FacebookLive presentation so folks can sponsor from anywhere in the world. Persons are invited to support the challenge by:
o Contributing by e-transfer to deanspc@shaw.ca USE PASSWORD ironman (all lowercase)
o Mailing a cheque to St. Paul’s Cathedral office, 360 Nicola Street, Kamloops BC V2C 2P5
o Attending in person and contributing before, during or after the challenge.
People can bring an item from home and have it ironed during the challenge. Attendees are invited to bring some muffins/squares for sharing (it is lunchtime after all). There will also be an ironing trivia challenge.
Please address questions or media enquiries to The Very Rev. Ken Gray deanspc@shaw.ca
Annual Christmas Tea
Once again Rae Long and her faithful team of volunteers put on an amazing Christmas Tea. The Cathedral is one of the few places that still does this in town and it is always enjoyed by all who attend.
The Altar Guild had goodies for sale and there were even door prizes! This year Rae and Jo-Lynn made soup for sale and it was a huge hit! People could buy 2 containers (2 cups a container) to keep in the freezer for a night they did not feel like cooking. Attendance is estimated at 125 people and everyone had a lovely time.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Seasons of the Altar
Please enjoy these pictures of the Altar in the various seasons and stages of the church
Remembrance Day Altar
All “Soles” Day Altar
Advent Altar
Friendship Friday
Friendship Friday… Nov 16th — Our guest speaker was Cassandra Schwarz, executive officer of the Kamloops E.Fry society.
She gave a very informative talk and told us about housing support, rent bank. And Lizzie’s closet which has suitable clothing available to be worn for job interviews.
In Solidarity
Kamloops Vigil with Jewish Community honouring victims of Tree of Life Synagogue
October 30, 2018; 6:30pm — Western Canadian Theatre Co.
(Read by Jane)
A STATEMENT ISSUED BY LUTHERAN PASTOR JANE GINGRICH ON BEHALF OF THE LUTHERAN, ANGLICAN AND UNITED CHURCH CONGREGATIONS
Tonight, I am giving voice to the solidarity expressed by the six local church congregations of LUA Kamloops: these are the Lutheran, United, and Anglican churches from around our city:
Hills of Peace Lutheran;
PLURA Hills United;
St. Paul’s Anglican;
Kamloops United;
St. George’s Anglican;
and Mt. Paul United
As local Christian leaders in the Lutheran, United, and Anglican churches, we stand in solidarity with our Jewish neighbors in Kamloops, with Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, and all people who have been shocked by the events of this weekend.
We mourn together, with you, the death of the eleven people who died at the hands of an anti-Semitic and anti-immigrant domestic terrorist.
As faith leaders in this community, we stand against overt forms of anti-Semitism, as well as more subtle and pervasive forms of hate of all kinds that creep into everyday life.
We commit ourselves to continuing to discern new ways forward together.
While we do not have all the answers, we continue to ask the questions:
How can we become instruments of peace? How do we work toward our mutual thriving?
We pray for continued blessing of the Lord upon our Jewish neighbors as we answer our calling to serve others, as it is written:
“You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:18)
Thank you.
