Dawn of a New Day

But a FIASCO!

2007-02-05T16:36:00.000-04:00

I love film, especially those that I pre-judge and think will be REALLY dumb and then I watch it and I am really...surprised. I like being surprised. Jennifer Aniston, for example...Rachel from friends, very pop culture and faddish right? Well, every time I am forced to see one of her movies I am surprised.

Another actress who often surprises me is Kirsten Dunst. Its just that every time she smiles I see her as a young crazy vampire girl.

Anyways, my latest surprise...Elizabethtown

I've tried summing up the plot and it is pointless because it sounds very lame and schmultzy. But I think it would make a great church film study. Deals wonderfully with death and mourning and family and journeying and, my favourite although not the primary theme of the film, failure.

The film begins with Drew (Orlando Bloom), the main character having majorly majorly MAJORLY screwed up to the tune of $927 million. Nothing criminal, just a deploringly shameful error. As you are watching the consequences unfold, groaning with sympathy for poor Drew, he narrates this gem on failure.

"Failure is simply the non-presence of success. Any fool can accomplish failure. But a FIASCO! A fiasco is a disaster of mythic proportions. A fiasco is a folktale, told to others people to make other people feel more alive because it didn't happen to them."

Remember that the next time you fail in mythic proportions. Because, as he continues,

"No true fiasco ever began as a quest for mere adequacy"

I could actually take some pleasure out of that kind of fiasco. It's an accomplishment, non?

Brrrrrrrrrrrr........

2007-01-31T12:35:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone,

Sorry, it has been a while. We are now, finally, in a deep freeze here in Antigonish. I know we all love warmth and sunshine, but I need winter. I need winter to appreciate the summer. And when I don't get a proper winter north of 42, I wonder how anyone can doubt climate change.

Part of the reason I haven't been adding much here is because there has been little that I could or would add. Obviously, a lot of my work is confidential and most of what I can share is on my church's blog (abch.blogspot.com). You can find my sermons and other happenings there. Other than that, the big challenge has been settling into a routine with dog, partner, family, parish and new town.

And what routine? Well, it is starting to form. I have joined the St. FX chorale and we had our concert on December 5. I am really enjoying being part of an accomplished choir again. I love the challenge of reading music by ear. Our next concert is in April with some beautiful music from the black gospel and celtic traditions with the theme of peace. The best part of chorale singing is knowing that no matter how much you screw up or your voice just stops at the final high G of the final movement of John Rutter's Gloria (yep, it happened, kinda like getting within 2 ft. of the top of a climb, kinda anti-climactic), you are still part of making a beautiful sound.

I am also blessed to be in a town with an active L'Arche community (thanks Corrinne!). If you have never been to a L'Arche community, I would highly recommend visiting one or at least reading the writings of Jean Vanier about community (speaking of, I found that book you gave me for my ordination the other day, Corrinne. I will look at it next. Promise.) I had a great meatloaf dinner with my friends at Covenant House and got my pants beat off at Skip-Bo by Margie!

The ordination was glorious and I love priestly ministry. The hard stuff is really hard and the good stuff is really great. Being able to offer the eucharist to people from so many walks of life makes any frustrations from the week all better.

That's enough for now. I think of you all often. Next time you are on your way to Cape Breton stop in for a pee break. D+

Another Invitation

2006-11-04T21:01:00.000-04:00

I know I know it is shameful that I have gone this long! Parish life is challenging and fulfilling and VERY VERY BUSY! But I am loving it. I can't believe that in...um...how many sleeps? Marc would know... 25! 25 sleeps and I will be ordained as a priest.

But before I get to that, I have three churches. St. Mary the Virgin in Bayfield is a small wooden church overlooking the water with acoustics comparable to Indian River! Holy Trinity in Country Harbour is also small and wooden and in the woods in the interior of Nova Scotia in Guysborough County. It is on a beautiful drive that always soothes my soul. St. Paul the Apostle is the "town church" with a diverse congregation and some wonderful talent. You can keep up on our happenings by weekly visiting the parish blog.

Some of you attended my ordination to the diaconate, for which I am extremely grateful. This ordination will make me a priest, able to celebrate at the Eucharist among other sacraments to which I feel called to fulfil the ministry God has called me to. Do you get the called bit?

So, here is the official invitation--there's another one, so keep reading:

By the Grace of God and with the consent of the people
The Right Reverend Frederick Hiltz and
the Right Reverend Susan Moxley,
by Divine Permission,
Bishops of the Diocese of Nova Scotia and
Prince Edward Island
will ordain

Beverly Dawn Dickieson

to the Sacred Order of Priests
in Christ's One Holy Catholic
and Apostolic Church.

Wednesday, the twenty-ninth of May, the eve of St. Andrew,
in the year of our Lord
two thousand six
at seven thirty in the evening,
Cathedral Church of All Saints
1340 Tower Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Your faithful prayers are required and
your gracious presence is requested.

You are also invited to join me at the chapel of Atlantic School of Theology on Thursday, November 30 at 8:15 am for my first Eucharist.

Blessings, Rev. Dawn

Everybody meet Rannie

2006-08-25T11:35:00.000-03:00

Hi everybody,

I am smarter than my human thinks. I can hack into Dawn's blog! I have been in Antigonish since Tuesday and I am doing a great job of training Dawn. I was sad to leave my rescuer Zonda and my brother Rollie at Celtic Pets in Port Hawksbury, but I am beginning to find things I enjoy.

I LOVE going for walks around the neighbourhood and even found a little cocker spaniel friend named Lola. Woof!! I'm really not so fond of getting in the car. I gave Dawn a great run at the Motherhouse last night when she tried to get me back in. I live up to my name. Through the hayfields and ditches. Neither of us were too happy when we got home. But now we are good and I like to keep her company in her study.

Speaking of, she really needs to get back in here and write her sermons!

I'm looking forward to meeting you. I love people. I would like to come to PEI with Dawn next week, but I'm not so sure about that car ride. As Dawn says, we'll have to see.

love, Rannie

Sermon for July 30, 2006 Focus text: John 6:1-15

2006-07-30T11:05:00.000-03:00

Instead of publishing my sermons on this really skinny blog, I am using Google's webpages. I don't have a "homepage" per se, but I can at least publish larger sections of text. As of August 6, you can find links to my sermons on my church's blog.

Sermon for Proper 17

Blessings,

Sermon for Year B Proper 16: 2 Samuel 1-14a; Mark 6:30-44, 53-56

2006-07-24T10:35:00.000-03:00

There is an old saying, “Man plans, God laughs”. Sometimes it is said with the bitterness of regret. I planned a great future, and now I am destitute. God is laughing at me. The intent, though, is more like what we see in the exchange between Nathan, David, and YHWH today. We continue to follow the beginning days of David as king of Israel, settled in Jerusalem. The lesson David learns has something to teach us, as a parish, about visioning as we are in the process of making many plans for the efficient running of our ministries.

Last week we heard of the lengths to which David would go to express his devotion to God. His devotion has not yet diminished. He has perceived an irony-- he as King is living in a house of cedar, a rare and expensive material, while God is living in a tent. David seeks out his prophet and advisor, Nathan, and suggests the time has come to build a temple for the Ark of the Covenant. Nathan’s first response, “Sure. Makes a lot of sense to me. Go for it.”

Then the idea sits for a while, and Nathan seeks out the will of YHWH, only to discover it is very different from what he and David thought made so much good sense. YHWH has absolutely no interest in being confined by walls thank you very much. The prophesy makes it very clear that this tent has served YHWH well. “YHWH responds with a kind of a celestial shrug,” Ralph Milton writes. “’Who needs it?’ God asks. ‘I’ve been living out of a suitcase since day one. So thanks, but no thanks.’” Without a house, YHWH has managed to lead Israel out of Egypt, led them to Canaan, anointed David as King and has now placed David on a throne in his beautiful palace.

The difference between the thinking of Nathan and David, and the reasoning of YHWH is, I think, vision. I can just see them, rarin’ to go, its time to build us a temple. But YHWH’s way has a longer vision. In fact, it is predicted here that it is not David’s task at all to build this temple, but the task of his son. Nathan and David take a moment to consider all that is before them. YHWH’s vision is greater than theirs. Only God is capable of seeing our best laid plans in the context of a greater history and future.

These past few weeks have been a great source of learning for me. Yes, I have learned about life in the area, living in a house, how to put 9,000 km on a 3 month old car. But my most important learning has come through conversations with several parishioners, including meetings with wardens and church councils. I’ve heard stories of resilience and resourcefulness, people caring for one another, and going the extra mile so we can continue to minister in this community. And I have greatly appreciated the honesty with which people have shared their experiences, because if we can’t be honest with one another, then we are in big trouble.

I received a book from Neal Mitchell as a gift called, “How to Hit the Ground Running.” In it he writes about the importance of discovering a church’s genesis story. He writes, “God implants a divine purpose in the corporate soul of each congregation…God has given each congregation a distinct purpose, a unique DNA of which Anglican identity and ethos are only one part.” We are part of a much greater story, and if we are to truly flourish, that means finding our place in that story. One thing I have discovered here is a true openness and creativity. I have been told of some of the unique solutions to problems that have occurred in the past. And there has been a theme in what I have heard. These solutions worked because the end was not simply to raise money, but to provide a ministry. For example, the new to you store in Country Harbour, I am told, was the brain child of Edie Porter. Her wish was to offer a service to her rural community that is far from many retail stores, and particularly to members of her community struggling to make ends meet. This store has become a central part of the community, meeting many needs. It has also become a vital form of financial support for Holy Trinity.

We are all keenly aware of this church’s place in the wider community. I have heard of and witnessed personally the support we receive from people who do not worship with us on Sundays. This can be a source of frustration, but it is also a sign that each of our churches is a vital part of the communities in which we worship. We may not have much, like a house of cedar, but we are capable of many things, as our history tells us. What has served us well is seeking out opportunities, even unusual ones, and being open to continuing work of the Holy Spirit.

There is another lesson for us today in our gospel reading. The lesson today is not in the feeding or the healing, but where the feeding and healing begin. “The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, ‘Come away to a deserted place, all by yourselves, and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves.” The miracles of Jesus’ ministry are interspersed with these moments when Jesus would walk away and take some rest. This is important to their physical and spiritual well-being. There is a great deal of work to be done to keep our churches open, and we could work at oil barrels and liturgies and schedules and meetings until we collapse. But we can not collapse, and that is why we must, as a spiritual community, intersperse our worship and ministering life with rest and opportunity to simply sit in God’s presence.

So, here is a piece of summer homework, from Ralph Milton. "Find a nice spot. A back porch will do. Some place quiet and in the shade. Find a comfortable chair. Get a good supply of cold stuff to drink – something sweet and bubbly that isn’t really good for you. Take a book – any book – to put on your lap as a prop.

Then spend a whole day there sitting and thinking about nothing. Especially don’t think about anything connected with the church or religion. The God who didn’t need David’s temple doesn’t need us to be fussing about the church all the time.

If we sit quietly without thinking, God will find ways to slither into our psyches and fill our hearts (not our brains!) with 'a peace that passes understanding.'"

This is where our ministry begins, not in the meeting house, but sitting at God’s feet, seeking God’s will, placing ourselves in the story of God’s people, and meeting the needs of those who God places before us.

Let the visuals begin-Convocation

2006-07-20T11:33:00.000-03:00

I think we will go chronologically. Thanks Mom, Aunt Roma and Fred for being my photographers. This is my favourite from convocation. Dr. Susan Slater is hooding me while I receive my degree from the school's president, the Rev. Canon Dr. Eric Beresford.

I'm back online with pictures to share

2006-07-17T19:40:00.000-03:00

Hi everybody. I'm back! And I have pictures. I'll post one or two every day or two or seven. You will notice I have already posted my past three sermons.

Yes, I am now the Rev. Dawn Dickieson with the collar and the beautiful stoles handmade by Mom and Bev Roach to prove it. It was a glorious night. I still get goosebumps.

Since most of the pictures were taken by other people, I am still waiting to receive copies. But they will be up soon.

Blessings,

Sermon for Year B Proper 15: 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19; Mark 6:14-29

2006-07-16T19:34:00.000-03:00

Year B
Proper 15; Pentecost 6
MP: St. Mary the Virgin, St. Paul the Apostle EP: Holy Trinity
July 16, 2006
Focus text: 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19; Mark 6:14-29

I believe it was our former Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, who said, “Why is it that when people jump up and down and dance at a football match, it is called joy and excitement, and when we dance and clap in church, we are accused of emotionalism?” We Anglicans are usually the first to make fun of ourselves, “the frozen chosen”—or is that Presbyterian? There is an old story of a woman who attended a Church of England service and was most pleased with the sermon. She would declare, Amen! in response to the preacher. She would raise her hands in song. The usher approached her and quietly asked her to refrain from such antics. “But don’t you have the Holy Spirit?” she asked. “Not in the Church of England we don’t,” the usher replied.
The truth is our tradition is made up of some interesting characters. Although the English Church is only four hundred years younger than Christianity itself, our identity was formed initially by a king who decapitated two of his wives, his son who died at a very young age, one daughter who had us all burned at the stake, including Thomas Cranmer, and another who amazed everyone by bringing high church and low church together.
In our readings today, we encounter two more of these wild and wooly characters. The first is King David, the lineage of our Saviour, who was capable of enormous miraculous victories and such shameful mistakes. So often, history leaves out the embarrassing and human bits. Not the Hebrew testaments. Here we have David, dancing in his underwear, essentially, slaughtering an ox and a “fatted” ox at every sixth step. He is dancing in ecstasy, before the Ark of the Covenant (the very presence of God) much to the chagrin of his wife, Michal. Later on, a few verses down, David replies to Michal: I will make myself yet more contemptible than this, and I will be abased in my own eyes…” For David, his dancing is an act of “pious self-humiliation” before the Lord. It reminds me of a scene from the film “A Knight’s Tale”. Will, posing as a knight, declares to the woman he loves, “I will win this tournament for you”. Her maid goes to Will in private. “My lady has many men who will win for her. If you truly love her, you will lose this tournament.” What follows in the film is a few excruciating minutes of Will being thrown from his horse and beaten by lances. Eventually, it becomes too much to bear, and the maid returns to Will, “If you love her, you will stop this! Please. Fight.” Will’s love requested an extra ordinary act to declare his love. Every analogy can only go so far. Our God is not nearly as fickle as this young woman. But David was compelled to go beyond himself to declare his devotion to God.
We also hear the tragic end of the life of John the Baptist, that man clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, eating locusts and wild honey, baptizing people in the River Jordan, declaring, “Repent, prepare the way of the Lord”. Another one of those characters who seems to resist being slotted in the pew. John died for speaking a truth in a court where it was outlawed. Herod had taken for a wife the wife of his brother, Philip-a sin in the holy laws-most holy laws in our world, no matter what religion. Herod placed himself above not only the Jewish law, but any known law or custom of the time. And Herodias disgraced her husband, by leaving him to be with Herod in his court. All of the courtiers kept their opinions to whispers at the palace walls, but not John the Baptist. John was born to declare the truth, even if it was to lose his life. And in such a dishonourable way, to have his life bargained for the cost of a dance.
This is what faith in God meant to such as these. That our appearance is nothing to sharing the truth, glory, compassion and love of God. It goes against today’s motto: If it feels right, do it. David and John the Baptist challenge us that, if it makes us squirm, don’t be too quick to dismiss it.
It is not easy to be a Christian in North America today. And we are becoming painfully aware that is not easy being a North American in the Anglican Communion today. It is enough, sometimes, to make one just let whatever happen happen, just let it be over. But the faith of our fathers and mothers is not one that sits back.
There have been several reflections written over the past two weeks on the state of our Communion. I hope to share more of these texts in a sermon in the coming weeks. But for now, I want to conclude with some words by the Archbishop of Cape Town, Njongonkulu Ndungane.

What does it mean to be Anglican? (he writes) What is it about Anglicanism that has led so many to conclude that it provides the most productive spiritual soil for living out the Christian faith? What is it that we have, which we dare not lose?
(To understand this), we must better engage with Anglican Tradition. We need a fresh understanding of tradition not as dry forensic

history, but as holy remembering of God's abiding with his people, through the centuries. We must own our history - the living and life-giving history of God at work among us - in order to find our place of participation within the unfolding narrative of God's redeeming acts in and through his church.

To know the joy of David, the conviction of John, and the love of God, we must begin to answer these questions. Why are we here? Why is it so critical that we stay together? Why does the world need Anglicanism? We are followers of a God who gave up everything, walked on human feet, spoke more truthfully, loved more fully…and knew more shame, than many of us ever will…and delights in us at every moment.
Let us move forward into our world with delight,
knowing that we are part of the great divine dance of life.
May the blessing of God, the dancer and the dance,
Move with us and within us this day and always. Amen

Lost in the land outside of cyberspace

2006-07-13T10:35:00.000-03:00

Hi everyone,

I am safely and soundly moved into Antigonish. I do love it here. All has gone well so far.

Unfortunately, I do not have internet at the house yet, so my access is rather sporadic. I hope to have all that rectified next week. Once I am connected, you can look forward to pictures of the ordination, graduation, my churches and my new house, along with copies of my sermons.

Blessings,

Sermon for Year B Proper 14 Mark 6:1-13

2006-07-09T19:28:00.000-03:00

Year B
Proper 14; Pentecost 5
MP: St. Mary the Virgin, St. Paul the Apostle EP: Holy Trinity
July 9, 2006
Focus text: Mark 6:1-13

If I were to ask you, “What is your identity?”, how would you answer? Some of us would begin with where we come from-I'm from Cape Breton, my family are Scots, or French, or “I'm a townie from the Nish”--I'd be grateful for someone to explain that one to me! For a time after I moved to Charlottetown, I was Fred Dickieson's little sister, or Carol's daughter. Or I am a mother or a father. Many of us would begin with what we do-I'm a doctor, I'm a farmer. I was looking through the parishioner information sheets many of you filled out at one time, and one woman declared her occupation as house queen!

Yes, today we do live in a world where people are over-occupied with their work. In spite of ever increasing technology which is supposed to make our lives easier, we as Canadians actually, on average, devote more time to our occupations than ever. Even moreso, then, what we choose as our occupations says a great deal about who we are. Many fishers, for example, will have inherited the occupation from their parents. This says something about values, about how one regards oneself in relationship with family. Those who work from the land and sea will very often have a particular perspective on creation—and not just the weather, either. My own personal heroes are entrepreneurs (because I could never keep track of everything). Being an entrepreneur speaks to a particular set of gifts and values that person holds closely.

In today's gospel reading, there is one little verse that tells us a great deal about Jesus' identity. “Is not this the carpenter?” Don't you just love going home?! You go away, you get in with a new set of friends, absolutely clean slate. You can recreate yourself, leave all your dorky childhood behind. Then you come home, and no matter how old you are, you are still little Johnny Fraser and “Remember that time you lost your pants in the hay thrasher?” Last week we saw Jesus at his most powerful, his most appreciated, and his most merciful. He has been called on by the leader of the synagogue to heal his daughter. Jesus heals a woman simply by having her touch the hem of his cloak. He is surrounded by people who witness firsthand this amazing Jesus. He is so powerful, he can declare without even seeing the girl--”Don't worry, she's not dead, just asleep”.

Then he goes home. And he proclaims the same good news he has proclaimed everywhere. And what does he get? “Isn't that the carpenter?” They are astounded, Mark tells us, at the wisdom he has attained in his travels. Imagine a carpenter from Nazareth getting all that learning. But instead of rejoicing in his accomplishments and tending closely to his words, they are preoccupied with his humble beginnings. He's a carpenter. Then they are scandalized. Is it jealousy? Is it bitterness? Who knows but we do know two things-Jesus' brother and mother remain faithful to him, and Jesus is, himself, stunned... and hurt at their lack of faith in him. These people who should know him best. But they know him for what he was, and refuse to see that as the foundation for what he was to become.

Jesus never denied where he came from, but it is interesting that in our tradition, these humble beginnings have been known to be swept under the rug. As we understand the gospel tradition, Mark's gospel was the first written, then Matthew and Luke, then John. The later the gospel was written, the more clearly defined is Jesus' identity as God, to the most glorious and mysterious descriptions of Jesus as “the Word” in John's gospel. Here in Mark's gospel, the question is, “Isn't that the carpenter?” By the time this episode appears in Matthew's gospel, the question becomes, “Is not this the carpenter's son?” (Matt 13:55) erasing the years Jesus himself would have spent at the workbench. By the time the episode appears in John, Jesus is simply, “the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know?” (John 6:42). Why is it so difficult to comprehend that the Creator of the universe could also be a carpenter?

In spite of the reaction of his hometown, Jesus never denies from where he came. In fact, it becomes the source for many of his most famous sayings. The following is from Max Lucado's Next Door Savior...
pp. 95-96
...

God created us as we are, to be where we are, at this time and at this place. Perhaps there were moments, at his father's workbench, when Jesus daydreamed and anticipated the day he would heal the daughters of rulers. He also knew that every strike of his hammer brought him closer to the cross.

As we spend our day, doing our work, visiting our parents, taking care
of our children, tending our flowers, let us appreciate the extraordinary presence of God in the ordinary, always aware that God is here, open to the possibility that these simple moments are preparing us for a moment in God's glory. AMEN.

Sermon for Year B Proper 13: 2 Corinthians 8:7-15

2006-07-02T19:33:00.000-03:00

Here is my first sermon preached in Antigonish, Bayfield and Country Harbour. Enjoy!

Year B
Proper 13
MP: St. Mary the Virgin, St. Paul the Apostle EP: Holy Trinity
Focus text: 2 Corinthians 8:7-15

For those of you who are married, how many of you remember the sermon the priest gave at your wedding? Do you remember the address given at your graduation? Or perhaps a graduation you attended? Here's the real test. How many of you will remember my sermon when you leave this morning/evening? =)

One of the most profound encounters I have had was at a graduation ceremony, and it wasn't even my own. About 8 years ago, I attended the convocation of UPEI. The speaker was a Canadian diplomat, just returned from a turn in Africa. His emotions were clearly still raw-angry and confused. He avoided any language to those dear graduates of roads less travelled, and spoke very frankly of the world they were committing themselves to, a war-torn world full of inequality, disease and poverty. My friends were completely disgusted. “What a downer”. I was spell-bound. That freshly homebound diplomat was Stephen Lewis, now one of the most powerful prophets of our time, opening the eyes of the world to the devastation HIV/AIDS is causing in Africa.

Paul's two letters to the Corinthians are a very meaningful parallel to our own Anglican church in these times. The Corinthian church struggles with her priorities, is confused about who to follow, comes close to schism more than once, and lives in tension with a market driven world. Sound familiar?

Today, Paul is telling the Corinthians how the Christians in Macedonia, who have little, have been very generous to help the poverty ridden Christians in Jerusalem. He asks the Corinthians to consider their own resources and to show the same commitment to the furthering of God's kingdom as the Macedonians have. Although the Corinthians are capable of giving a great deal, Paul wants to witness their desire to give and minister, not just what they can give monetarily. He asks them to finish that which they start, to keep to the commitments they have made.

Stephen Lewis shows such characteristics, giving of himself not out of convenience or well wishing. He has, as Frederick Buechner says, found where his deep gladness and the world's great hunger meet.

This morning is not the beginning for this parish. The coming of a new incumbent or rector does not mean the wiping of a slate—all things made new. I have come to Antigonish, Bayfield and Country Harbour as only one in a long line of priests, deacons, lay readers and many many ministers. Much has happened before my time here, and much will happen long after I am gone. As a Christian community, we have commitments. We have financial commitments to ourselves, the function of our diocese and our wider church. As a worshipping community we gather to praise God and reflect on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As Anglicans, we are committed to our communion in a very tumultuous time. Our Archbishop of Canterbury, our Primate and our own bishops have commended us to prayer, reflection and conversation. As a parish in the Diocese of NS and PEI, we are committed to a diocesan vision encompassing healthy congregations, organizational effectiveness, youth, Xn formation and stewardship. As part of a national church, we are committed to the work of the Primate's Fund. And, as a parish family, we are committed to one another, encouraging and upholding one another, caring for the sick in our midst, and working for restorative justice in our community.

The Corinthian church was often guilty of becoming consumed by its internal struggles ending up in a downward spiral of confusion. WE DO NOT EXIST UNTO OURSELVES. The teaching of all the prophets, the great commandment of Jesus has us looking outward, loving God and loving our neighbour. My task is to offer direction and leadership so this parish maintains these commitments. And I am grateful to walk in knowing that so much of this work has been continued even without full-time leadership for almost a year. That is a great testament to the strength, authenticity and reliance on Christ in this parish family. WE DO NOT EXIST UNTO OURSELVES. The Church that Jesus, Paul and all of our founders began was one that looked outward, a city on a hill, shining a light into all dark places.

As I have been preaching, I know you are beginning to paint a picture of me in your mind. Next week there will be a more complete narrative about me in the bulletin, but allow me to fill in a few gaps. I am an Islander, raised on PEI—I won't say the island, I know how dangerous that is around here! I grew up in a fishing village called Souris on the eastern end of the island. My mother, Carol, who is with us this morning, still lives in Souris and I have one older brother who is a chef in London, England. Before my degree at AST, I worked as an economic development officer with the PEI and federal governments, a youth minister, and spent four years working with an online resource for professional fundraisers. I am a rock climber—when I can find a climbing partner--and I hope you will see me riding around town more on a bicycle than in my car.

I am also a deacon, and I am going to indulge for a minute to speak about this. There is an unfortunate blip in our process that makes being a deacon look like an awkward transitional time when you are “not quite ordained” and “what's the good of you if we can't have the Eucharist?!” The ordaining of vocational deacons in our diocese has helped to educate all of us about the traditional role of deacon to the church. The ordained deacon's task is, as I see it, to be the bridge between what happens in here and what is going on out there, and it is a role I take very seriously. Some say deacons are the social justice people, and, as a rule, deacons are committed to social justice, but their task is to bring those needs to the church so the church can respond in its ministry. When I am ordained a priest, I will continue to be a deacon, building those bridges. The Eucharist will continue to be a central and regular part of our life together, even though we will not celebrate it every Sunday. These months of morning prayer are a good time for us each to reflect on the role the Eucharist plays in our relationship with Christ and how it brings us together as community. It can also be time for us to focus on another area that is critical to our worship together, and that is prayer, that morning prayer is a time for us to gather and spend time in reflection and laying our concerns, our blessings, our lives before God, knowing that God is waiting for us to spend a few quiet moments with him.

Finally, I want to express my gratitude to Rev. Glen Kent and Rev. Susan Best who have served as priests in charge over these past months. In particular, it is important that we acknowledge all those parishioners who have continued to serve as wardens, treasurers, parish and church councils, lay readers and musicians. I invite all those who served in some capacity over the past year to stand. Now, take a deep breath. Now let us all stand and show our appreciation (applaud). AMEN

INTRODUCTION TO THE READINGS

2006-06-18T22:46:00.000-03:00

Parables are a powerful teaching tool because they begin with those things with which we are familiar. Parables are not meant to be meticulously interpreted like a code, but to point us to where we should, in our every day lives, see God. This morning’s parable from Mark uses something as small as a seed and uses it to connect us with the enormity of God’s kingdom. As we look at all of our beautiful gardens in the coming weeks, let us be mindful that the kingdom of God is right before us. Rev. Dawn

A NOTE FROM OUR DEACON

2006-06-18T22:45:00.000-03:00

It is with great excitement–and a little sadness–to share that I have received a parish appointment from Bishop Fred Hiltz. Beginning July 1, I will be the incumbent for the parish of Antigonish and Bayfield with Country Harbour. It is a bustling parish, particularly with its links to St. Francis Xavier University. Part of my time will be as an ecumenical chaplain to the St. FX community. My last Sunday with you will be next Sunday, June 25.

This past week I visited with our friends in hospital, four parishioners in their homes and met with St. Margaret’s Property Committee. On Thursday I attended a meeting of Corrections Canada and the Halifax Chaplaincy to hear Professor Jennifer Llewellyn on "Faith Communities and Restorative Justice in Canada". Restorative Justice includes community based alternatives to incarceration and has long been a priority of our bishops and deacons. Blessings, Rev. DawN

I am happy to announce

2006-06-11T17:55:00.000-03:00

Beginning July 1, I will be the Incumbent of the Parish of Antigonish and Bayfield with Country Harbour.

It is a three point charge and includes a part-time chaplaincy position at St. Francis Xavier University. I have a HUGE rectory, so I am happy to "store" any furniture you have no space for! I am absolutely ecstatic! Mom is happy that I am only an hour off the ferry, and I am happy that I am a reasonable driving distance from Moncton.

Yesterday I took Fred up to see the rectory and Bayfield church. It is a beautiful area and I am looking forward to spending the summer there.

Blessings!

Pentecost Sunday: A note from our deacon

2006-06-04T19:07:00.000-03:00

Greetings to you through the power of the Holy Spirit. Today is a glorious day as we celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and give thanks for the presence of the Spirit in our lives and in our community. Thank you for your good wishes on the event of my ordination. It was a truly wonderful night that I will always cherish. And congratulations and God's blessings on those who have made their first Holy Communion this morning and a special thank you to your parents and guardians that have supported you along the way. It has been an honour to journey with you to this point and you will continue in my prayers. Last week I enjoyed a beautiful Saturday morning at Dorothy Swift's house at the plant sale; offered one Home Communion; met with the Diocesan Campus Ministry sub-committee, regional council, and spent some time with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Youth Project in downtown Halifax. Blessings, Rev. Dawn

Day 3 as a Deacon

2006-06-03T19:15:00.000-03:00

Most difficult question I have been asked: Do you feel different? I really don't know. I am still so excited and slightly terrified that it is hard for me to know what is the same and what is different. I've worn my collar for various occasions every day since my ordination. I have decided that, until I am used to it, I will wear it. When I pop it in, I still feel like I am playing dress up, and that I am going to get caught by a real cleric, and then I'll be in BIG TROUBLE!

I guess the difference is the subtle difference in how others treat me. I wore my shirt tonight to St. George's Hot Meals, and it opened some very interesting conversations. I was on the door and had some wonderful conversations with those who came in out of the rain. I wonder if the way people react to the collar depends on the vibes sent out by the person wearing it. I think to see someone in a collar warmly welcome you in out of the rain is a small way to shed the baggage it often carries for people.

The ordination itself was glorious. Many thanks to everyone who made it such a perfect event for all of us. The Rev. Francis Drolet-Smith preached a wonderful sermon focussing on the stories of Mary, Elizabeth and Hannah, placing us into that story, and challenging us each to share our own song with the Church. It was a special joy for me to have my loved ones, none of whom are Anglican, all have a part in my service.

A real surprise and delight was being presented with the Bible presented to my great-grandfather, the Rev. Thomas West by Bishop Frederick Courtney in 1897 when he was ordained.

Where am I going? That, actually, is probably the question I get asked most. All I can say is I am very happy working in Fall River and Oakfield during this interim time, and I am very excited and looking forward to what the bishop has in store for me next. Blessings,

A note from our ordinand

2006-05-28T08:03:00.000-03:00

One of my responsibilities in St. Thomas and St. Margaret's is to put a note in the bulletin with some thoughts on my week and to introduce the readings. I would like to share this with you all. When I get my own computer set up I will post my past notes. Dawn

May 28
NOTE FROM OUR ORDINAND

“Do you believe that you are truly called by God and his Church to the life and work of a deacon?”
“I believe I am so called.”
The Examination, Ordination of a Deacon BAS p. 655

As the time for my ordination is approaching, life is getting very hectic and exciting. My older brother, who arrives on Sunday from England to present me to the Bishop, tells me he is proud to “give his little sister away”. We don’t really use that language any more, but it is a huge transition. On Friday I spent the day with my classmates for a quiet day with the Rev. Charles Bull at Seton Centre in Terrance Bay. This was a time of contemplation on our calling to the life of ordained clergy.

I give thanks for the ordination of 5 of my classmates into the United Church of Canada, taking place today at the meeting of Maritime Conference in Sackville, NB: Helene Burns, Gloria Churchill, Joan Griffin, Joan MacDonald and Debra Baker-White.

This week I worked on the parochial return. Many thanks to Helen and Gail for taking the time with me to work on this important item in our parish life. It is a blessing to work with such dedicated lay people. I visited three of our parishioners and spent Tuesday evening to do some visioning for outreach in the fall.

You are most welcome and warmly invited to my ordination on Wednesday night at the Cathedral Church of All Saints at 7:30. Blessings, Dawn

Introduction to the Readings

This gospel reading is all about security, a big issue in our society now. Walter Brueggemann talks about how our society is consumed by anxiety, how perhaps we ought to have a prayer of anxiety instead of a prayer of confession, and respond with an assurance of...what? protection? comfort? hope?

In the gospel reading, Jesus talks about guarding, protecting the disciples in the difficult time to come. This is very much our world about which he is talking, a world in which Jesus is no longer a physical presence and the cultural environment is dominated by the powers and principalities. He speaks about his disciples being guarded in this new world by their unity (verse 11), by Jesus' joy (verse 13), by being sanctified in the truth (verse 17), and by Jesus' example and leadership (verse 19). Psalm 1 may give some idea about what being "sanctified in the Word" involves! Jesus also commissions the disciples: we are sent as he was sent, into the world. How different is our security, and our calling, from the cultural norm!

In verse 23, it is our unity in particular which not only protects us, but is our principal asset in mission. Gathering: Lent/Easter/Pentecost 2006, United Church of Canada

Drum roll please....I am off to....

2006-05-02T10:07:00.000-03:00

I have a parish!

I am taking a summer placement for the time being, about which I am very pleased. Going to India, as life changing and incredible as that was, did not offer me very much parish experience. This gives me several weeks to spend with a supervisor to work on a few learning goals to better prepare me for parish life.

So, starting yesterday (I found out yesterday), I am now working in the Parish of Fall River with the Rev. Marian Conrad. I am very pleased and VERY excited!! This afternoon I go out to get oriented, and tonight is my first parish council meeting. I have never been so excited to attend a parish council meeting!

While I am in Fall River, arrangements are underway to find a permanent appointment for me. There are a few options, all of which I am very happy with. Stay tuned.

I am kind of homeless at the moment. My friend Sandra has very generously offered me her brand new house until she is able to move in. I actually get to live in it before she does. I hope to have more permanent arrangements soon. I do not have daily access to the internet, so the best way to contact me is through my cell phone. I will try to check email every couple of days.

Divinity grad tackles same-sex issue

2006-05-02T09:53:00.000-03:00

Dawn Dickieson, who will be ordained later this year, graduated Saturday from the Atlantic School of Theology. (Eric Wynne / Staff)

Ummm, this wasn't the title I was expecting in the Sunday Herald on Sunday morning when I agreed to be interviewed for this piece for AST. Still, the article turned out very well. When I went to preach in Tangier later that morning, I received very positive comments and have received more from here, PEI, NB and even Ireland (no, not Marc, although he liked it too).

I was glad to do this for AST. They told me my research got us out of the Living section and on to page 3 of the front section, so yeah for AST!

By RICK CONRAD Staff Reporter
Yes, Dawn Dickieson believes that God created gay people.

Yes, she believes a gay relationship is just as valid and sacred as anyone else’s.

And yes, she is going to be an Anglican priest.

The 31-year-old, originally from the small town of Souris, P.E.I., will be officially ordained later this year. Today, she’s one of a couple of dozen freshly minted master of divinity graduates from the Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax.

Twenty-three students got their divinity degrees at ceremonies Saturday from the tiny south-end school. Another student was awarded a master of theological studies degree, while three others received their graduate certificates in theological studies and four others their adult education certificates in theological studies.

When Ms. Dickieson, rosy-cheeked with an easy laugh, gets assigned to her own church, she wants to make it a welcoming place for everyone, including gays, lesbians and their families.
"You need to know that wherever you go is going to be safe," says Ms. Dickieson, who is straight, but whose older brother came out when she was 16.

"And you’re not going to go to someone who’s going to say, ‘You need to exorcise this demon out of your child’ or ‘If you continue to support your child, we’re going to throw you out of the church.’ But people still want to deal with it on a spiritual level, because if God created (their) child this way (they) need to know what to do with that."

The topic was so important to her that she made it the focus of her graduate research project this year, including interviews with three couples, two moms and six teenagers about their family’s coming-out experiences.

"It feels like sometimes we’re talking a lot about people and not talking a lot to people. I just wanted to be able to make that contact with people who are gay, or whose families are gay, who are sitting in our pews every Sunday, just to say, ‘Let’s not forget that . . . there are same-sex couples who are very active in our congregations who love one another and who love us.’ "

It’s important to keep in mind that Ms. Dickieson is no zealot. She feels the Anglican Church of Canada has been "honestly grappling" with the issue of same-sex unions.

"There’s something comforting that we’re not just going to go with what the world tells us to do. On the other hand, we’re not just going to go with what tradition’s always told us to do. We’re going to look at them and try to bring them together and determine where God is calling us to be right now."

For Ms. Dickieson, God kept tugging her toward the pulpit. A former youth minister, she planned a career in economic development in her home province after earning her geography degree from Bishop’s University in Lennoxville, Que.

When that didn’t pan out, she came to Halifax for work and wanted to take a course at AST. They persuaded her to take the whole three-year degree.

"I needed a jolt to get going," she says, laughing.

That’s exactly what she got when she spent a three-month internship in India through the Anglican Church last summer, working on HIV and AIDS awareness and education with the Church of North India.

"It was life-changing in so many ways," she says of her time in Delhi, Calcutta and Maharashtra.
"And you come back quite angry for a time because you look at how much we have here. We just have no idea how much we have."

She spent most of her time in the cities but also travelled to rural villages with a mobile clinic, training the nursing students and doctors about the benefits of condoms. She helped lead workshops trying to break down some of the stereotypes about HIV-positive people.

Partly because of her experiences in India and through her research with gays, lesbians and their families, she says she has a much broader view of what the church should be.

"Community for me is not about parish barbecues anymore. It’s about how vital relationship is to our being. Part of the challenge to my ministry is about building bridges and building relationships with the gay and lesbian community, with communities outside of Canada or within our own communities.

"Because that’s what Christ did; he would dismiss the people of the synagogue to spend time with people on the margins."

(rconrad@herald.ca)

B. Dawn Dickieson, M.Div

2006-04-29T21:45:00.000-03:00

Yes, it actually happened, I have received my Masters of Divinity from Atlantic School of Theology! We were treated to the wisdom of Muriel Duckworth, an incredible Canadian Quaker who has been active in the peace movement for most of her 97 years! She shared a great deal of wisdom from her contemporaries, and also invigorated us with her energy and her passion for peace and justice.

My favourite was her opinion on the recent news that the HMCS Chicoutimi will not be back in operation until 2012. "If we don't need it for six years, we probably don't need it at all. Let's take that money and feed some people."

Many blessings and congratulations to my fellow classmates who received Masters of Divinity, Masters of Theological Studies and various certificates. I consider myself in very honourable company indeed, and I look forward to entering ministry with these wonderfully gracious, intelligent, and blessed colleagues.

Tabs, shells, and Father Tuck

2006-04-14T20:32:00.000-03:00

On the Friday that classes ended, I and two of my friends dashed to the Diocesan Bookroom to seek out clergy shirts. It is one of those things you feel you really don't have the right to do until you are ordained, but how else are you supposed to have your clergy shirt on at the reception?!

First of all, why are womens' shirts $25 more than mens' shirts? And why do the women's stock only fill two shelves while the men get a whole section? Message to manufacturers-we have been ordaining women for about 30 years now. It's time to update your catalogues!

And who would have thought that neck size was so important? No one who wears pullovers 90% of the time (yep, that would be me).

Then there is the question of tab or full collar? Shell or button down? I'm going with a shell-which is a very light polyester blouse that buttons in the back to which you attach a full collar. But I also got the black standard button down for those moments when only the traditional will do.

As we were trying to decide between styles and colours and such, an incredibly helpful lady named Lorraine told us, "By the way, for your ordination, you must wear black". This is one of those gnostic secrets that you learn as ordination looms on the horizon. Its about three steps below turning water into wine. Hmmm. Should I be sharing such secrets on my blog? Sure. I've never been a fan of the gnostics.

Since our local clergy shirt distributor is a book store, not a fashion house, we shuffled down the hall towards the bathroom, trying to avoid the eyes of clergy who may recognize us playing dress-up.

At this point I should pause and tell you my dream about wearing my clergy shirt. In my dream, I am in this exact bathroom, removing my albe after the ordination, and the time comes to put the tab in the collar. I put it in, look in the mirror, and immediately throw up in the sink.

When I went out to check the fit and show my friends, one turned to me, "Put it in".
"What?"
"The tab. Put it in."
"Noooo. I'm not quite ready for that."
"You have to. I did. You have to, too." (If this is starting to sound like the bathroom at a high school dance, good, that means you are paying attention!)

So, I put it in, but didn't look. "Look in the mirror," my friends egged me on. "Not yet," I replied, talk to me some more". So they gave me their comments on the size, the cut. I talked about how I would have to shorten it so it looks less like a nightgown. After a few minutes, they would let me stall no longer.

I took a breath, and turned towards the mirror. I saw the shirt, the tab, began to see my hair, and immediately I turned away and ripped out the tab. "Nope! I'm not ready yet," I exclaimed, and we all burst into giggles of laughter. I took a peek to make sure that woman with the clergy shirt and the red hair was not still behind the mirror somewhere.

We each had our own experiences with that little white piece of plastic that afternoon. I felt a bit like cheating. Although day by day it is becoming a little more real, it is not that real, just yet. I must confess, I like that moment of a magic trick when the bunny disappears, and you have just witnessed something impossible. It is the moment just before you realize that there must be a reasonable explanation. I don't think this is supposed to be real, just yet.

Good Friday

2006-04-14T20:25:00.000-03:00

It has been quite a month. I have completed an enormous part of my life thus far, and am looking straight ahead at ordination. I have also completed my graduate work, and am looking forward to convocation. More on all this in the days to come, as I actually start to post some things to this blog.

This Easter weekend marks the end of my time at Christ Church Dartmouth. I knew the time was coming quickly to say goodbye, but I think I only started saying goodbye last night. During our Maundy Thursday service, as we prepared for the foot washing, I realised that this would be the last Maundy Thursday service I would attend as a lay person, and that next year the roles will be reversed, and I will be doing the washing. And to have a woman who has journeyed with me and, sometimes, in spite of me, for the better part of seven years, wash my feet was very powerful. I'll tell you later about the clergy shirts!

I will add more in the coming days. May you find the hope you seek in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessings,

Dawn

Why all the Ashes?

2006-03-01T08:22:00.000-04:00

Thought I would share. D.

ACNS 4120 | ACO | 28 FEBRUARY 2006

Why all the Ashes?

I was lucky enough to be in one of Professor Frederick Shriver's classes at General Seminary just before he retired. Father Shriver is not one to keep his opinions to himself and I especially recall his thoughts about ashes. "You know what I'd do if I were the rector of a church?" he asked our class. "You know what I'd do? I'll tell you what I'd do. At the end of the Ash Wednesday liturgy, I'd be at the back door with a big washrag. As people left the church, I'd wipe the ashes off their forehead and remind them of the words of our Lord, "Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them" (Matthew 6:1).

Father Shriver had no time for religious pretence or hollow religiosity. His sentiments are profoundly biblical, echoing the preaching of the prophets and the teaching of our Lord. Given this strong criticism of outward piety and given that at Saint Mary's we will offer ashes all day on March 1, we might well ask ourselves, "Why all the ashes?

Because ashes are a sign, they are a reminder, and ashes are an invitation.

Archaeologists tell us that the people of Israel were not alone in using ashes in rituals of purification. Ashes appear in Phoenician burial art and Arabic expressions. Ashes were a sign of grief, mourning, humiliation and penitence. When Job loses everything, he sits among the ashes. Cursed and overrun by enemies, the Psalmist "eats ashes like bread, and mingles tears with drink." Ashes are what are left after destruction. After chaos or catastrophe, ashes are what remain.

Ashes also remind us of a common origin. The second chapter of Genesis tells of how we were created from the dust of the ground. Though we may spend our lives trying to distinguish ourselves from others, running after success and trying to feel different from others, the dust and ashes remind us that we are all made of the same stuff. We are reminded not only of our beginning but also of our end. On the First Day of Lent, ashes are imposed with the words, Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return." Those words apply to us all.

While ashes may signify and remind, they also invite. They invite us to repentance. They invite us to turn again to God and to receive new life. Isaiah brings glad tidings to the people of Israel, "to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning." Ashes are not the end but are just the beginning. They begin a season that moves us through silence and longing into a season of joy and resurrection.

Sunday, February 26 is the Last Sunday after the Epiphany. The music will be celebrative and the mood joyous. The alleluias will echo for the next few days, until we reach the quiet of Ash Wednesday.

On that day, may the ashes we receive be a sign of our humility and our penitence. May they remind us of our individual sins and the complexity of corporate sin. But more than anything, may the ashes invite us into God's presence, into God's love and into God's gift of new life.

Article from: Angelus On Line Newsletter, St Mary the Virgin Episcopal Church, New York
by Father John Beddingfield

Editor\'s note: This church is located on 46th St in Manhattan just in Times Square, the church will have a minister on duty all day from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. Thousands will visit the church on that day. Have a good Lent. JMR

___________________________________________________________________
ACNSlist, published by Anglican Communion News Service, London, is distributed to more than 8,000 journalists and other readers around the world.

Magdalene Ester Siteman: Visit from an Ordinand

2006-02-26T16:35:00.000-04:00

Fr. Elliott and I exchange blogs from time to time. This is from my time up in Neil's Harbour last week.

Magdalene Ester Siteman: Visit from an Ordinand

Isn't she adorable? Yeah, yeah, the baby is cute too.

Blessings,