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By Lloyd Mackey
THERE ARE Anglican churches in British Columbia which,
in most respects, would resemble those that have separated from the
Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) and aligned with the theologically
conservative Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC). The major difference is
that these churches are still in the mainstream Anglican body.
One such is St. Philip’s, a parish in Oak Bay
which has had a long-standing and well-earned reputation within its
communion, for both evangelical and charismatic emphases.
Christopher Page, rector for the congregation of 250
for the past 20 years, is firm that the church will remain part of the ACC.
While it is, perhaps, less obviously charismatic than it was in its earlier
years, it retains the energy engendered by that part of the Christian
spectrum.
He said he believes his parishioners, for the most
part, are happy with the parish’s spiritual vigour, fellowship
“and allegiance to scripture, in the Old and New Testament, to be the
Word of God.” It is that allegiance, he pointed out, to which every
Anglican minister pledges at ordination.
“On Easter Sunday, around 240 attended our 9 am
family service. At 54, I was one of oldest. There was energy and vitality.
There were balloons and an Easter egg hunt. And there was the presence of
God and Light.”
There is a pattern of young family attendance at St.
Philip’s, especially at 9 am, Page said.
He is aware that in two churches in the Victoria area,
large parts of the congregations have moved into the ANiC. That is the body
which has placed itself under the authority of more conservative Anglican
bishops in the southern hemisphere, mainly on sexuality and scriptural
authority issues.
Page said he has not been involved in discussions
regarding those parishes, one way or another, except as they occur when
Anglican clergy in Victoria meet to fellowship or explore diocesan
business.
He knows the remaining members of St. Matthias, a
congregation in the Fairfield district, just outside Oak Bay, were invited
to a joint service of support by the historic parish of St. Mary the
Virgin, located near Oak Bay Village.
He noted that the interim priest at St. Matthias,
Robert Arril, was a colleague with him at Little Trinity in Toronto, whose
rector had been legendary evangelical, Harry Robinson.
In speaking of the willingness of St. Philip’s to
stay within the ACC fold, Page pointed out that the permission for clergy
in certain parishes in Vancouver to grant same-sex blessings is not an
issue in Victoria.
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Vancouver parishes are part of the Diocese of New
Westminster, which covers the Lower Mainland. Victoria is part of the
Diocese of British Columbia which takes in Vancouver Island and the Gulf
Islands.
And Page explained that the urban communities served by
Anglicans on the mainland are much more diverse, creating pressures for
change that do not exist on the Island.
And he maintained, as well, that the place of scripture
is not an issue in his setting, although he recognizes that it has been in
other Victoria area parishes.
Page referred, though, to “my deepening
appreciation for the complexity of scripture and its use as the powerful
word of God. I have respect for people that might apply it differently, and
[maintain] that there is more than one way to apply it.”
He continued: “It is my heartfelt conviction that
no one has ever been forced out of Anglican Church in Canada. True, some
have felt forced out.” And responding to a question about how
same-sex Anglican couples might feel when they are denied blessing
services, he allowed that the church is “getting hit from both ends
of spectrum.
Regarding those leaving the ACC, he said “the
Anglican church is being impoverished of diversity. If the world needs
anything, it is that people can transcend their differences. The church
used to be that place. Now it is fracturing into smaller interest
groups.”
But Page looks forward to more encouraging days. He
said he believes the present Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, is
giving outstanding, biblical and thoughtful leadership in a difficult
situation. That will lead, in time, to greater understanding, he hopes.
May 2009
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