“Edward Moroney has, for over fifty years, been most influential in church music as organist, composer, teacher and advisor in hymnology to many clerics,” says the citation for the award. “As well as being a much-respected accompanist in Canada, he has made a significant contribution in ecumenical circles. He has been recognized by both the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches for services to church music. He continues to support his colleagues both locally and abroad.”

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Margaret Banks, an administrative assistant at the Synod Office for more than 35 years, died in April at the age of 91 in Port Hope.

Ms. Banks started at the Synod Office in 1958 and worked in various departments before becoming the secretary to the Bishop of Toronto in 1972, a position she held until her retirement in 1996. In that position, she served under Archbishop Lewis Garnsworthy and Archbishop Terence Finlay.

In her retirement announcement in 1996, Archbishop Finlay described her as trustworthy and conscientious. “She has been a source of wisdom and knowledge within the diocesan family,” he wrote. After retiring, Ms. Banks settled in Grafton.

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A fidget mat, also known as a fidget quilt or busy blanket, is a lap-sized blanket or mat designed to provide sensory and tactile stimulation for individuals with restless hands, particularly those with Alzheimer’s and dementia. The mat features a variety of textures, colours and objects to engage the user and promote relaxation and focus.

At a youth group night, the young people cut out letters that could be sewn onto the mats. Some ladies assembled base mats and constructed fidget attachments at home. Many people donated fabrics and items, enabling the assemblers to make more mats than they originally thought possible.

“We hope they will be enjoyed by those who receive them,” said the group’s spokesperson. “We are so grateful for the time, resources and talent that were so freely given to make this project possible.”

Anglican Life

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The window was designed and built in England in 1880 and installed in the church that same year, says the Rev. Steven Scribner, incumbent. He says the window is irreplaceable.

Located at the back of the church, the window consists of seven panels, each 15 feet high. The window depicts the life of Jesus. The panels include scenes from the annunciation of the Virgin Mary, the last supper, and the burial and resurrection. The window also features other people in the Bible.

“We have probably one of the last local stained-glass experts in our midst in New Brunswick, and he’s willing to come and work with us on cleaning the stained glass and affecting any necessary repairs to it,” says Mr. Scribner.

In addition to restoring the window, the church plans to make other improvements to the church. All the work is expected to cost $350,000. Around 15 per cent of the total had been raised so far. Mr. Scribner says all the funds will be raised in various ways before beginning the project, so the restoration costs won’t dip into the church’s accounts.

CTV News

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“The chaplain is a unique and vital part of our police family,” said Chief Darcy Fleury in a statement. “They are a source of calm, a trusted confidant, and a steady presence in times of both personal and professional crisis.”

Archdeacon Kraft has been the archdeacon of the diocese’s Thunder Bay-North Shore Deanery since 2011 and served as the priest at St. Paul, Thunder Bay from 2005 to 2023. She has long been a pastoral presence in the policing community, leading the annual National Police and Peace Officers Memorial Day service in Thunder Bay for many years. She has ministered to the police service since 2020.

As chaplain, Archdeacon Kraft provides spiritual guidance in a non-denominational setting, offering support after critical incidents, checking in with members or sharing inspiring messages. She holds multiple degrees, including an MBA from the University of Toronto and an honorary doctorate of sacred theology from Thorneloe University in Sudbury.

“Deborah has long been a faithful and compassionate leader in the Diocese of Algoma,” said Archbishop Anne Germond, diocesan bishop. “She will bring her deep pastoral gifts to this ministry, offering care, encouragement and hope to the police service and their families. We pray for God’s blessing on her and all those she will serve in this important role.”

The Diocese of Algoma

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The annual event was opened by Athabasca Bishop David Greenwood on April 13 and ran continuously until April 17 with people reading from the Bible over the Zoom video platform for 100 hours. First-time and returning marathoners from High Prairie and other parts of Alberta and Canada, Ethiopia, South Sudan, the Philippines and Washington, D.C. read in a variety of languages in addition to English, including Shona, Dinka, Tagalog and others.

Participants included acting and retired primates, metropolitans and bishops of the Anglican Church of Canada, the Edmonton and Athabasca diocesan bishops, the bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church Synod of Alberta and the Territories, lay and clergy members of the United Methodist, Baptist and other churches. After finishing their one-hour reading session, participants received a thank-you email. Many responded, saying just how much they enjoyed themselves. One person said she had wanted to take part in 2024, but her sister had just died. This year, she took comfort in her time reading the scripture. The Bible Reading Marathon began many years ago at St. Mark, in High Prairie, Alta.

The Messenger

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International Pipe Organ Day was held on April 26, and the Victoria Centre of the Royal Canadian College of Organists set itself an ambitious challenge: to become the pipe organ capital of Canada. To achieve this title, it needed to record the most people playing an organ in a two-hour window. The record was set last year, when 131 people played across nine sites in Windsor and Essex County, Ont.

Seven churches in Victoria participated in the city’s bid to capture the title, including the Anglican churches of St. Peter and St. Paul’s, St. Luke’s and Christ Church Cathedral. All three churches hosted open houses to allow visitors to learn more about each church’s organ and to have a go at playing them. The cathedral also hosted two evening tours, led by the cathedral’s assistant director of music, Mark McDonald. The tours were sold out.

According to the centre’s newsletter, visitors of all ages participated in the event, including local residents, visitors from the U.S., an exchange student from Turkey and retired organists. “Many of them left with smiles on their faces and excitement about the organ,” reported the newsletter.

The result was that Victoria successfully claimed the title. There were 275 people playing the organ between 1-3 p.m. on April 26, an increase of 144 from the previous record.

FaithTides

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