Reflections of a Canadian Churchman

 Postlude Well my friends, it is time to draw our little narrative to a close as there a but a few loose ends to weave together. I shall attempt to finish the task as best as I am able.  Yes, the Bishop did resign his office, and Tony, the ever knowledgable diocesan historian was quite right, it was the shortest episcopate in diocesan history, but it was far from the most inconsequential. Bishop Perkins would forever be the bishop who would be remembered for authorizing same-sex marriage in the diocese, and certainly remembered with fondness and admiration by the LGBTQ community, and many others, for his courage and bravery in doing so.  Yet, for all the accolades and laurels placed upon him for this act of courage, he was loathed by the smaller conservative contingent, and is it not true that the voice of the angry minority so often drowns out that of the contended majority?   The Diocese remained in the turmoil he created for some time and it fell upon the n...

 Chapter Eighteen: A Vestry Victory It was mid-March and still quite cold. Tony and Maddie walked out of the diocesan centre, where Tony worked in the Archives and they took up a brisk pace as they headed to their favourite restaurant.  The cold was no match for Maddie’s excitement, though, as she related the events of last Sunday’s Vestry meeting to Tony.  She told him that all the usual business had come off without a hitch, but that as the time grew closer for the election of officers, you could feel the tension mount amongst the parishioners in attendance. Maddie, herself, felt her own anxiety begin to grow and to reach the same uncomfortable level it had reached when the ballots were being counted back when she had championed Archdeacon Fulman’s candidacy for bishop.  She had done what she could then, and she had done what she could now, and she could only hope that her efforts would yield more successful results now than they had done then.  Judy had campa...

  Chapter Seventeen: Methuselah Visits the Bishop In the quiet early morning hours, after he said his prayers, the Bishop would often sit quietly with his coffee and talk to Mary. Of course, she didn't really answer back, but in his imagination he would spin out whole conversations with her, and these conversations brought him great solace and comfort, especially when he felt alone, as he did now.  The decision he had made, and the way he had gone about it had isolated him.  Canon Suzanne Sharpe had resigned...well, taken early retirement...in protest. Archdeacon Robbie Ready was giving him the cold shoulder and refusing to help him sort through the situation as if to silently say, "You made this mess, Bishop, you fix it."  Even his dear friend Chancellor Trehewey, although supportive in her duties was hurt that he had not consulted her before sending out his memorandum just over a month ago.  And what had happened in the Diocese in the mean time?  Well, it...

 Chapter Sixteen: Judy Licks Her Wounds Tony was smiling as Maddie told him the story over lunch.  "I'm not under any illusions, Tony, that she still won't come out swinging but I was so proud of Reg. He really shut her down. He was filled with such self-confidence when he described the whole thing...but what was even more amazing was that I would have thought that he would have needed to blow off some steam, but instead...well, it was just amazing the peace he experienced and the compassion he felt for her." "He's actually a really kind man," Tony said, "Sometimes kind people need to be affirmed that kindness is actually a strength, not a weakness." "Yes, it was amazing to see Reg recognize this. I think for the first time in his life, perhaps, he realized that he is strong, and that strength isn't just the property of the bullies." "True strength is not something that bullies have at all, Maddie.  It's true, some...

 We interrupt our ongoing serial, "The Bishop", for a brand-new Mr. Perkins story! Grace: A Mr. Perkins Story Daniel F. Graves   One of the duties that falls to a cleric such as our old friend, Mr. William Perkins, is pastoral counselling. It not quite like psychotherapy. It’s not an ongoing deep exploration of a person’s inner world and into what makes them tick and act the way they do. Although it might involve some psychotherapeutic methodology, it is more about listening to someone who is having a difficult time; listening, walking with them, and helping them to find a sense of their worth, their value in the sight of God, and unburden themselves of the troubles or mistakes that hold them back. Pastoral counselling holds out the hope of healing and wholeness.           One of the individuals who sought out Mr. Perkins in his pastoral capacity at Christ Church, Hampton’s Corners was a parishioner named Grace Goodham. Whe...

 Chapter Fifteen: A Decision is Made Our dear Bishop had made a decision. Late on Saturday night he had distributed by email a pastoral letter to the clergy and people of the Diocese informing them that he intended to proceed, one month hence, with the authorizing of a rite for same-sex marriage, and to allow all clerics whose conscience permitted to perform such marriages.  He did add the proviso that any cleric whose conscience did not permit would not be required to perform those marriages but ought to direct interested couples to clerics who would. The Bishop had consulted widely on what he would do. He had taken advice from his main counsellors, from Robbie Ready, Suzanne Sharpe, Chancellor Trehewey, and many others.  He had received submissions pro and con from many concerned groups and parties.  There were pleadings, warnings, and offers of prayers and support.  No matter what he decided, there would be unhappy people.  The Synod has approved of sa...