DIOCESAN REPRESENTATIVE'S REPORT
MAY 2003
This is our time of year to give thanks for the Ministry of Prayer in our Diocese and for the part which the Anglican Fellowship of Prayer plays in this.
Many people have a very active role in AFP and we wish to celebrate and thank them all.
We can begin with Rev Canon Tony Harwood-Jones and the Parish of St George Crescentwood, where AFP finds a home and meeting place.
Carol Throp and the many volunteers who spend time in the Resource Centre receiving Prayer requests, processing resource loans, and most importantly praying the Anglican Cycle of prayer, the Indigenous Peoples cycle of Prayer and the praying for the events on the Diocesan Calendar. Also thanks to Carol, there was a well supported training session in November for Office Volunteers and Parish Reps. If you want to check out our catalogue on-line it is found at www.autobahn.ca/~gilfred
Pat Philpott and all the Parish reps who receive and pray the prayer requests and keep their members informed of AFP events. Call 475-5942 to make your request. It is best to get permission from the person themselves if you are asking for individual prayer, and also indicate the prayer request and the length of time we should pray (e.g. 1 month or 3 months) which can of course be extended. Remember to leave your name and phone number too.
The steering committee, consisting of Pat Aris, Heather Birtles, Gil Frederick, Miriam Hutton, Margaret Jones, and Pat Philpott. They meet monthly through Sept to June and see to the smooth running of our organization and activities (see all the reports for details).
The team which meets regularly with Bishop Don and Nancy Phillips to pray with them for their personal needs and their ministry in the Diocese and wider church.
Pat Aris and the team which meets twice monthly to pray with Diocesan Clergy for their Parish or special ministry and for their personal needs. Pat is 'retiring' from this position at the end of June and we want her to know how much her quiet devotion, hard work and dedication, has been appreciated. Thanks are also due to Bishop Jim Allan who continues to support this Ministry and a warm welcome is extended to Jean Barry and Rev Bob English who are new to the team.
Dean Bob Osborne and his leadership in arranging Quiet Days at the Cathedral in Advent and Lent. This is done in co-operation with AFP and the Associates of the Sisters of St. John the Divine.
Beryl and Gil Frederick for organizing and presenting the “Power House of Prayer workshop” at St Chad's in February. This is a wonderful AFP teaching tool and is available to any Parish wanting to expand or hone their prayer life skills. Talk to Beryl at 888-2473.
Rev Aubrey Hemminger for leading our retreat at The Baie St Paul Sanctuary in Sept and Rev Ian and Angie Peterson for their hospitality there. This event is written up in the winter 2003 AFP newsletter.
Wendy Bain for distributing AFP Literature at special events. Much of this has been developed in the Toronto Diocese and is very practical for personal and parish use.
Our community is now involved in the production and distribution of the AFP National newsletter, since Wendy Bain is co-editor of this. All of you who are members will appreciate what a great job she is doing. Please sign up to join the fun at mailing time. Also feel welcome to make a written contribution to it. Talk to Wendy at Idea Marketing 477-5267.
We have had the opportunity to present the Nan Henderson Memorial - a gift of books on prayer, to two newly ordained Deacons.
As Diocesan Rep I have tried to attend as many Diocesan events as possible on your behalf. Most recently I attended the funeral of our former Archbishop of Rupert's Land. Walter Jones was as many of you know, very supportive of AFP in this Diocese.
In October I was able to go to Manresa Retreat Center in Pickering, Ontario for the second Diocesan Representatives Consultation. This was very helpful and inspiring and personally enjoyable. It was held prior to the Toronto Diocesan Prayer Conference which I also attended. Both events are described in detail in the winter 2003 AFP newsletter.
I thank you for the support I receive from so many of you as I try to do the work of DR in this wonderful ministry. Please remember me and all our volunteers in your prayers. I would also encourage you to renew or take out membership in the organization since it is entirely dependent on donations and revenue from membership. You will then receive news and information from both the Canadian and U.S. organizations.
“Lord Jesus, give to your church a renewed desire to pray, that together we may know your will, be filled with your love, and experience your grace and power for the healing of the world, to your glory. Amen”
Peace, Heather