The Council of the North is moving from having a mission shaped by structure to having a structure that is shaped by mission. The following stories will highlight how mission is being met by emerging creative missions.
Area Missions
In May of 2010 Bishop Lydia Mamakwa was consecrated as the first Area Mission bishop in the Anglican Church of Canada.
In 2003 the diocese of Keewatin decided that it was time to translate its canons (church bylaws) from English into Oji-Cree, which is the language spoken by the majority of the people living in northwestern Ontario (north of Sioux Lookout, ON). After the translation was complete clergy and elders looked them over. To their astonishment and the astonishment of the rest of the diocese the canons did not reflect the mission of the church in their home communities. A result of this was that a conversation, which was already under way continued and an Area Mission was born in Northern Ontario. In March of 2010, Lydia Mamakwa was elected bishop in a traditional manner by the communities in the region. In May of 2010 at a grand celebration in Kingfisher Lake, ON Bishop Lydia Mamakwa was consecrated the first bishop for the Area Mission. There are now conversations going on in northern Manitoba with the parishes that are both part of the dioceses of Brandon and Keewatin. There are also initial discussions happening in other dioceses in the Council of the North.
Suicide Prevention Project
Cynthia Patterson, coordinator of the Suicide Prevention Project in the Arctic in May, 2010 at the diocesan clergy conference.
Mandate: This project is supported by the ‘Amazing Grace Fund’ of the Council of the North. The fund was established in 2008 by an inspiring initiative which combined church wide singing of the beloved hymn with financial donations to the Council of the North. The suicide prevention project is rooted in a clear mandate of the Council of the North’s commitment to accountability:
•Identify and evaluate available resources including government, health authorities, social agencies, tribal councils, churches
• Develop and recommend terms of reference for diocesan resource teams
• Establish network of diocesan resource people and interested and committed individuals
• Organize major training event for diocesan resource leaders
• Act as consultant to bishops and diocesan resource teams
• Provide follow up support and training to diocesan resource teams ( which will be appointed by the diocesan bishops)
Suicide is an ongoing reality in all of Canada. Here is some starter information to begin thinking about this issue:
•Suicide rates in First Nations communities are twice the Canadian average.
•Suicide rates in Inuit communities are 11 times the Canadian average.
•Health professionals are referring to this situation as ‘pandemic’.
Work to date: In November of 2009, Cynthia Patterson of the diocese of Quebec was hired to act as staff for the project. She has been to the dioceses of the Arctic and Moosonee to meet with clergy and lay people who are working on this issue. Together they have been developing resources with the help of those already working in the field. Cynthia has also been working with parishes outside of the Council of the North on fundraising projects to further this work.
Cynthia Patterson can be reached by email. For more information download the brochure.
Christian Education
Parishes in the Council of the North are young. Many of the communities are at least 50% under the age of 18. Passing on the Christian faith is important to all. The second Mark of Mission states that as a church we are To teach, baptize and nurture new believers. In response to that the Council has developed a program of free, downloadable weekly Sunday School lessons on Virtual Church School.
Children in the Diocese of the Arctic enjoying craft time at a Vacation Bible School.
A number of dioceses in the Council of the North partner with On Eagles’ Wings to provide Vacation Bible Schools in the summer time in remote communities. Parishes also work together to put on their own Vacation Bible Schools. These have become quite effective in providing Christian Education in contained times and have encouraged people to begin thinking about and putting into place local Sunday Schools or other activities for children in their communities.
Look for more on this page in the near future.
