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It's Sunday night 4 March; Bishop Don leaves Ottawa at 6:45 tomorrow morning, driven to the airport by his gracious host Desiree Stedman who he stayed with these last few night, and I would like to offer a few thoughts and opinions about his recent second visit to Ottawa. Firstly, the clergy lunch, Friday at Summerhays Grill, was attended by a group of 12 clergy and postulants. He gave us a comprehensive report on the state of the Anglican world ten days after the Primates' Meeting in Dar es Salaam. He entertained questions on all aspects. An audio recording was made, and Bishop Don has a copy to take with him. This recording makes an excellent briefing for clergy. The Friday evening Gathering at St. Alban's was wonderful - particularly since we really didn't know if George Sinclair would get back in time from the ANiC clergy conference in Cedar Springs, Washinton. He did. The organ + the band were both excellent and complimentary. At least one member of the congregation was a walk-in. People stayed afterwards to discuss and ask more questions - an importand part. There was good spirit. The AEO wardens breakfast on Saturday morning had 22 breakfasters who were clearly appreciative - not least for the excellent food. Again Bishop Don pitched his message to these key lay leaders. Personal interviews were done with five individuals who had taken up the offer. Some are considering ordination - and unable to get it in the Diocese at present. I believe this was a very valuable part of the schedule, particularly to them, but probably also to DH. I also had plenty of 1-on-1 with him which was a joy. The lay leaders lunch (first three photos) was deliciously cooked by Karen Bergenstein, attracted about 26, and again was much appreciated. DH manages to look at things from a different slant with each audience making this not repetitative at all. The ANiO pot luck dinner at George's and Louise's was our first ever social event and a huge success and morale builder. It was grand that everyone came and the Sinclair's made us all so welcome. |
DH saved some of his best and most emotive stories for the large congregation at St. George's at the 10:30 service. This followed an intimate and close-up-and-personal 8:30 service (streamed below). At both, a lot of planning had been done to make sure that DH's presence was not just as a sermon giver, but integrated into the complete services. The big service was truly a spirit-filled event for all fortunate enough to be there and they won't forget it. There was at least one observer from another denomination - my friend Rev. Fred Milnes (United) - encouraging us strongly. After the services, DH was entertained to lunch by St George's leadership. In the evening DH again preached, at St. Alban's, before returning to Desiree's home for a few hours sleep. |
The pictures below show Bishop Don at St. George's Church, Metcalfe St., downtown Ottawa, where he preached both at the 8:30 and the 10:30 am services. |
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Bishop Don Harvey is a passionate dynamo, travelling Canada-wide and abroad with his message of hope for our Anglican church. Having just read The Iliad, I visualize him as a latter day Achilles, though his Troy is countering the influences of the trendy modern world in the battle for truth for the soul of this nation. His Hector is out there too, and visits Ottawa in a couple of days to address those who would abandon certain of our beliefs to give the GLBT community the pleasure of full acceptance in society including the identical rites of union and marriage. I will go and see what he has to say. Each of them believes he is fully justified in the eyes of God. Supporters of equal rights also believe themselves justified. I heard all of Bishop Don's addresses except the Friday evening, and the subject of same-sex blessing was hardly prominent. More consuming for the conservative community is the wider question of Biblical authority generally and the many areas where belief in supernatural elements of our very creeds are denied. Paul warned us that "they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths" (2 Tim 4:4.) Four audio CD recordings exist of Bishop Don's talks + the Q & A during his visit: The clergy lunch, the Gathering at St. Albans, the lay leaders lunch, and the sermons at St. George's. If you would like one or more on CD or cassette, a donation of $5 per disk to the Anglican Gathering of Ottawa will secure; e-mail Tony Copple.
Anglican Essentials Ottawa |
