Let us start with a big Thank you, to readers and to Parish Council for your support of our efforts. Your feedback on our previous issue has inspired us to keep going. Welcome aboard our newest team members, the Rev Derek Dunwoody and Ann McLaren, who have made contributions, as have those of us veterans on the masthead, Sara Chu and Dorothy Chuhran, Duane Lecky, and myself. (As you can see, Aspire needs pictures - as well as articles by March 31, 2008 for the next issue.)
As we continue to focus on these three themes dear to SJD - Congregation, Community, and Communion (Anglican Communion) – you will notice that this issue takes us to the world around us. Our parish takes an active role in the immediate community with the Food Bank, the Out of the Rain shelter for young people, and now for the downtown homelessness issues. Our Rector, Harold, just served on the committee to tackle this disturbingly sad human issue, and we hope that immediate coordination of good hearted people and services and policy will bring about a kinder Kingdom of Heaven on earth. Our other Canon, Karen, is leading the change in our diocese, serving on what I call the Thick Binder Reading Club. Beryl Roundhill invites us to join her vicariously at Sorrento. And with Burma being in the news, Bishop Barry Jenks offers us a historical perspective of our companion diocese.
We are also following SJD parishioners overseas to Iona and further east. Gerry & Bruce Melville finally made it to Tanzania for their VIM work. We have a report on their work in the context of the Anglican Communion from Barbara Jenks.
Finally this issue of Aspire is being typeset from their side of the world. The Lord gave me the opportunity to work in the Persian Gulf. It is sad to leave my spiritual home behind. Still, what a blessing it is to maintain my ties to SJD via the internet (leaflet of the spirit of SJD with the Divine Brunch, 3-10-10) and Aspire. Distance-wise, I am not far from Bruce & Gerry. I am sharing some thoughts of the Church from the Arab world as well, inspired by Same-Sex Lunches in the Diocesan Post.
With the season of Advent, we are all preparing for God’s gifts - however far apart, we share in the same grace, Merry Christmas!
Shalom, Janice Seto for the Aspire Team