A Journey to Brasil

New winds ...

2010-10-31T21:48:00.002-04:00

While I was in Brasil last summer, the television, the radio, the newspapers, the bus stops and dinner tables were filled with talk about the upcoming presidential election. As some of you may know, I have been involved in politics in the past and take an active interest in the political world.

Today, the people of Brasil, elected Dilma Rousseff as their president - this is the first woman to be elected to the highest political office in Brasil. She and her Workers' Party will govern the people of Brasil for the next 4 years. She takes office on January 1st, following in the footsteps of the previous leader of the Workers' Party (and current President) Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who retires from office after two consecutive terms.

As Brasil continues to play an active role on the international stage in politics, culture, sports and the environment, I suspect that we will hear more about this government. I pray that the Lord may grant the new government of Brasil wisdom to discern the direction in which to take this amazing country and people. May they follow the words of the prophet Micah and govern in such a way that they do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God!

Celebrating New Ministry

2010-10-26T17:50:00.001-04:00

In 1997 I travelled to the Diocese of Southwest Brasil to meet with partners who the Diocese of Montreal had in the Anglican Episcopal Church of Brasil. It was there, in the Diocese of Southwest Brasil that I believe to have begun to hear my calling to ordained ministry. So, I have always had a very special place in my heart for the people and the Church in the Diocese of Southwest Brasil.

Next year, Bishop Jubal Neves, who was the Bishop at the time I made my first visit to the Diocese of Southwest Brasil, will retire and the Diocese has elected a new bishop to succeed him.

Back in November of 2009, the staff of National Office, of the Anglican Church of Canada, approached the General Secretary of the Anglican Episcopal Church of Brasil, the Rev. Canon Francisco de Assis Silva, and asked him if they would be able to host and supervise a theological intern during the summer of 2010. Francisco was excited and delighted to accept a Canadian seminarian to do an internship within the Brasilian Church. That seminarian was me, as you no doubt guessed. So began a series of emails and discussions about what I might do during the summer of 2010 and where in Brasil I might be stationed.

Francisco was very helpful and encouraging both before and during my internship - he even put me to good use translating from Portuguese to English for some of the Episcopal Church delegates to their General Synod back in June. He stationed me in the Diocese of the Amazon at the Cathedral in Belem, which was where he himself started off as a priest and was rector of what was then the parish of Santa Maria (later became the Cathedral of Santa Maria when the Diocese of the Amazon was officially created in 2006). He organized and set up my internship with Bishop Saulo Barros. He continues to give me encouragement and we endeavour to maintain those bonds of friendship that we cultivated over the many months before, during and after my internship.

Yesterday, October 25th, Francisco was elected as Bishop Coadjutor, who will eventually succeed the Rt. Rev. Jubal Neves as the Diocesan Bishop when he retires in 2011. It is a wonderful thing to be able to know people and to witness to their ministry and work in the church. I pray that God may continue to bless the diocese of Southwest Brasil and that Francisco will be supported in his new ministry by the people of the diocese. May the Holy Spirit fortify him with the gifts of courage, wisdom, understanding, counsel, knowledge, piety and the wonder and awe of the Lord, so that he may lead the diocese with renewed conviction!

Giving Thanks

2010-10-11T14:32:00.001-04:00

Every year we (seminarians) are placed in a parish in order to gain experience and insight into practicing ministry. It could be thought of as an internship.

Some of you may already know that I am doing my final placement at the Church of St. James the Apostle in downtown Montreal. Part of our duties include preaching and, last Sunday I had the privilege of preaching my first sermon since I've been back from Brasil at St. James the Apostle. A parish that I am humbled to return to in this my In-Ministry Year.

Today, Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving - an opportunity to gather with friends and family to give thanks for the many things we have received over the last year.

The Gospel reading for yesterday was the story of Jesus and the ten lepers - all of whom were healed, but only one of them returned (the Samaritan) to give thanks. Here is a snippet from my sermon and the gist of my message on this thanksgiving weekend:

"God knows that we’re thankful and God doesn’t need our thanksgivings for God’s personal growth and well-being. But our giving voice to our thankfulness gives us the opportunity to grow spiritually, to realize the greater cosmos that we are a part of, that we are God’s children and to recognize those beauties and gifts that exist in our lives. Saying thank you gives us balance, and restores us to wholeness – it balances our spiritual life and helps us to understand our lives in the presence of our Master."

And so, in the spirit of continued thanks, I will spend this weekend giving thanks for the people I encountered this past summer in Brasil, the relationships I cultivated, the opportunities I was given, the experiences I had and the ministry that was received and given in my internship in the Diocese of the Amazon.

I am also thankful for the opportunity to visit the land of the Holy One, to study at St. George's College in Jerusalem, to have been blessed with several encounters with various people, both visitors and natives to the Holy Land, and I am thankful for the new insights, fresh ways of reading and experiencing the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Finding my way

2010-09-28T13:10:00.006-04:00

Well ... I'm now fully into the swing of things back home and deeply immersed in my final year of studies at the Montreal Diocesan Theological College. It's been over a month now since my last blog entry. You haven't heard much from me because I haven't had as much time as I've wanted to be able to put my reflections into writing - once school started up any free time I had quickly disappeared.

I am preparing to meet up with the other two interns (Will & Kerri) and with our Anglican Clergy Sabbatical Intern (Andrew) and our United Church of Canada theological student intern (Crystal) in a few weeks in Toronto. There we will have a more formal space in which to reflect on our experiences together and to share our stories.

Back home ... again

2010-08-23T08:40:00.006-04:00

Well, after 3 amazing months in Brasil working in the Diocese of the Amazon and 3 intense weeks in Jerusalem and other parts of Israel & Palestine, I'm back in Montreal, resting before classes start up again at the seminary. We have our orientation session next Tuesday, August 31.

A lot happened this summer, and I've had a lot to process. As I'm back home now, I find myself a bit as if I was in the desert - with all this information and experiences and a bit lost trying to figure out how to put it all together - and even worse, how to relay it to friends, family and the church!

But, I suppose with due time I will be able to make some sense of it all and I pray that it may be another blessing to the ministry that lies ahead.

Coming Home

2010-08-21T09:55:00.001-04:00

Ben Gurion International Airport just outside Tel Aviv.

As you read this I will be in the air on my 12 hour journey back to Canada. I took advantage of a lay over in Toronto to visit with my parents overnight and I'll be back in Montreal on Sunday.

The departures lounge at Ben Gurion International Airport.

The baggage carousel at Ben Gurion International Airport.

These are the seats in first class which Air Canada makes all of its ''Economy-Class'' passengers walk by on the way to their seats.

Shabbat in Tel Aviv

2010-08-20T21:37:00.001-04:00

I decided to spend my final day in Israel on the beach. So, this morning I wandered down to the beach and spent the morning and early afternoon in the more familiar cool waters of the mediterranean. I remember when I first ran into the waters of the Atlantic in Brasil and expected it to be cool - but instead it was warm water. The Tel Aviv mediterranean waters were just what one needed when dealing with 43 degrees celsius!

I leave you with some pictures from the rest of my day as I wandered around Tel Aviv!

Jaffa

2010-08-19T23:06:00.000-04:00

The city of Jaffa - once the port city on the mediterranean for Jerusalem.

Today I decided to walk to Jaffa (or Joppa) which is on the edge of Tel Aviv. I'm staying in North Tel Aviv and the walk was a bit of a challenge in the 43 degree celcius heat wave.

Jaffa is the city where Tabitha, was raised from the dead by Peter (Acts 9:36-43).

The Shuk Ha-Carmel on the road to Jaffa.

On the way to Jaffa I walked through the Shuk Ha-Carmel (or the Carmel Market). Unlike the souk in Jerusalem, this shuk had items with clear price tags and minimal haggling.

Jaffa - a mixture of Israeli and Arabic cultures.

I spent most of the day walking and got a feel for the layout of the city, but I have to admit that it was a bit too hot and humid for my taste.

Entering Jaffa.

One observation I made was the lack of English being spoken and the lack of English on signs. In Jerusalem most signs were in Hebrew, Arabic and English - but here everything is in Hebrew. I found myself doing a lot of pointing at items - most people do, however, speak English. It is the first place this summer where I've felt a bit lost with the lack of language skills.

Leaving Jerusalem

2010-08-18T19:39:00.000-04:00

Some of the St. George's students, (l-r): Dustin, me, Harriet, Borden & Keith.

Last night we gathered outside in the Cathedral close for a end-of-class barbecue. After an evening of entertainment (talent show style) we enjoyed a delicious meal over a glass of wine and the company of new friends who we have gotten to know just a bit over these last two weeks.

Singing grace before our barbecue dinner in the Cathedral Close.

Joanne, sampling the delicious barbecue dinner our last night in Jerusalem.

Today, before I left Jerusalem I got together with Kerri and did a portion of Ramparts Walk, which takes you around the Old City, on the wall, and gives you a bird's eye view of Jerusalem. It was a great opportunity to see the city one last time before I left for Tel Aviv.

Overlooking the Kidron Valley from Ramparts Walk.

Kerri on Ramparts Walk. These walls once served to defend attacks on Jerusalem. Today, they allow us to see beautiful and breathtaking views of both the Old City of Jerusalem inside the Walls and the surrounding Jerusalem.

As I type this up from Tel Aviv, I already miss the very distinct feel of being in Jerusalem. Tel Aviv appears to be a bustling cosmopolitan city which is a bit more homogeneous than Jerusalem. More on Tel Aviv in the days to come!

Ramparts Walk along the Old Jerusalem Wall.

The Road to Emmaus

2010-08-17T14:21:00.003-04:00

Today was the final day of the Palestine of Jesus course. We completed the course with a walk to Emmaus ... well actually, they drove us to an old road that would have led to Emmaus and let us walk a portion of the road which is in ruins and is at its foundation level.

It was a fitting end to the course as we all begin to prepare to go our separate ways back home and to wherever our own roads to Emmaus might lead us. Spending these last two weeks in Jerusalem and Galilee has been a great opportunity to put images to the many places we have studied throughout my life at home, in church and most recently in seminary. It was interesting on the walk back to the bus, I found myself walking the road alone for a stretch, and I stopped for a moment as I heard gun-fire. It was most probably a training session for the military near by, but it reminded me of the conflict of this land. It also reminded me how confused and possibly scared the disciples would have been as they journeyed around Jerusalem and Palestine those days after the Lord's crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection. What joy, what fear, what strength and what weakness must have been felt.

The simple 30 minute walk along a historical road to Emmaus helped me begin the process of reintegration after a summer of learning, a summer of exploring and a summer of sharing the Good News!

I will be leaving for a few days to Tel Aviv before I head home on Saturday with Kerri.

Pilgrim, how you journey
On the road you chose
To find out why the winds die
And where the stories go.

All days come from one day
That much you must know,
You cannot change what's over
But only where you go.

Resurrection

2010-08-16T12:22:00.000-04:00

The Church of the Resurrection.

Today we completed our steps through Holy week with a visit to the Church of the Resurrection or the Church of the Holy Sepulchre as it is more commonly known in the West.

The Via Dolorosa has been a place of pilgrimage devotion for centuries.

We began our morning with a 6AM walk to Herod's Gate where we began the day's devotions on the Via Dolorosa with the Stations of the Cross. It was a morning of deep thought, great reflection, prayer, song and tears as we followed a cross and remembered that Good Friday that Jesus carried his own cross to Golgotha and was crucified.

The steps that lead to Golgotha.

Of course, the Church of the Resurrection is also known for the empty tomb and our walk to the cross would not be complete without the celebration of the empty tomb and our Lord's defeat of death itself!

The ladder outside the Church of the Resurrection.

For those of you who have never been to the Church of the Resurrection, it is an interesting place as it is a shared holy space between six denominations: Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, and Ethiopian Orthodox. It is always sad to see division in the Christian Church, and it is evident here at the place where Jesus was crucified, buried and rose from the dead. A ladder outside the church, which was placed there by one of the denominations in 1852, remains there to this day because of terretorial disagreement over the space in the Church of the Resurrection, and stands as a testament of the divisions in this land.

But as the sun streamed into the Church and in the silence of the space (even though there were a few hundred people in the church), I was able to forget all the centuries of division and find for a brief moment the solace of that glorious morning when the women discovered the empty tomb.

'Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.' Luke 24:5

Feast of the Assumption

2010-08-15T19:58:00.000-04:00

The baroque painting of Ruben's Assumption of Mary.

Today is the feast of the Assumption of Mary. According to the belief of some Christians the Assumption of Mary was the bodily taking up of Mary into Heaven at the end of her life.

The Roman Catholic Church of the Dormition on Mount Zion.

The Church of the Tomb of Mary.

Yesterday we visited the tomb of Mary on the Mount of Olives near the Garden of Gethsemane. Eastern Orthodox Christians believe that Mary died and was buried here in the Kidron Valley, on the foothills of the Mount of Olives, near the Church of All Nations and Gethsemane garden, originally just outside Jerusalem.

The interior of the Church of the Tomb of Mary. The sarcophagus tomb is just behind the altar.

The Mount of Olives

2010-08-14T23:47:00.004-04:00

The Palestine of Jesus course is quickly coming to an end. As we approach the final days of the course we reflect on the final days of our Lord here in the Holy Land.

The Palm Sunday Church at Bethphage.

We began our day today at the Mount of Olives visiting the Palm Sunday Church at Bethphage. Here, every Palm Sunday, hundreds of Christians gather to commemorate Jesus' "triumphal" entry into Jerusalem.

The tombs on the Mount of Olives. Jewish tradition believes that when the Messiah comes, he will come from the East, over the Mount of Olives and into the City of Jerusalem, and those who are there will be raised again.

We then walked down the Mount of Olives and stopped at the Church of Dominus Flevit (The Lord Wept). We spent some time here in prayer and reflection. As you may recall, I've posted a few photos of views of Jerusalem - before Jesus entered the city he would have been able to see the grandeur of the Holy City from the Mount of Olives, and we're told that he wept. So too we are moved to tears when we recall the pain and suffering of our Lord on those last days and so to we are shaken by the conflict, the pain and the suffering that exists in this region.

The Church of Dominus Flevit, in the shape of a tear.

"And when he saw the city he wept over it." (Luke 19:41)

The entrance to the Garden of Gethsemane

We continued our walk down the Mount of Olives and stopped in the Garden of Gethsemane (what's left of it). Here they have erected the Church of all Nations to commeorate the night where Jesus prayed in the garden after the supper with his disciples. As we entered the church, you can't help but feel the somber mood as the church is dark and the purple stained glass windows colour the space around you.

Olive trees in the Garden of Gethsemane.

After lunch at the Luthern Hospice we walked to the Syrian Orthodox Church of St. Mark which is claimed to be the parents' home of the disciple Mark. The Syrian Orthodox Church also claims that this is the site of the Last Supper. Regardless of the exact details we are to believe that the last supper took place somewhere on Mount Zion and it is in this region where we walked and prayed that our Lord feasted with his friends and disciples.

The Syrian Orthodox Church of St. Mark.

Finally, we ended the day with a visit to the Church of St. Peter in Galicantu (or of the cock crow). Here it is claimed that Jesus was tried by Caiaphas after his arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. The view over the Holy City is, again, breathtaking, and we can only imagine what it would have been like for Peter, afraid and alone and watching his Master taken away as the cock crowed and he was brought to tears recalling the words of his friend, "before the cock crows today, you will deny three times that you know me."

The Church of St. Peter in Galicantu.

So the scene is set for our prayer and reflection on Monday morning as we prepare to walk the Via Dolorosa.

Shabbat Shalom

2010-08-13T15:25:00.000-04:00

A 'to-scale' model of the Second Temple and the City of Jerusalem as it would have looked during the Second Temple period at the Israeli Museum.

Today was a day off from our course and I took advantage of the time off to get some cultural experiences in the cool airconditioned spaces of the Israeli Museum.

The pavillion at the Israeli Museum that houses the Dead Sea Scrolls.

It was great to have such a diversity of exhibits - from the Dead Sea Scrolls, to archeological exhibitions, to modern art, judaica and even an outdoor 'to-scale' model of Jerusalem.

Adi Nes' photo, in the contemporary art section of the Israeli Museum, plays on Di Vinci's Last Supper using Israeli soldiers.

Today was the first Friday of Ramadan and it was also Shabbat and as I walked around the Old City moving from the Armenian Quarter to the Christian Quarter and then the Muslim Quarter I was able to see hundreds of Muslims on their way to prayer on the Temple Mount and Al Aqsa mosque, Christians praying the Stations of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa and then in the evening, I again went to the Western Wall to experience Shabbat at the Western Wall. There, Jewish men, women and children prayed, sang and danced and there were hundreds and hundreds of them crowding the Western Wall plaza! It was quite the experience of cultures and religions today and it was an amazing experience to be right in the midst of all of these communities!

The Western Wall during Shabbat.
Please note that the photo is not my image as photography is not permited at the Western Wall during Shabbat.

A ministry of healing

2010-08-12T16:00:00.000-04:00

Al Aqsa Mosque - the second most important muslim site.

Me in front of the Dome of the Rock.

Today we spent most of our day on the Temple Mount. We visited the sites of Al-Haram Ash-Sharif and Al Aqsa Mosque. These sites, so important to the Muslim community are impressive and awe-inspiring. They are considered the place where the Holy resides and all three religious communities; Jewish, Christian and Muslim have had sanctuaries on these grounds. As Ramadan began yesterday, security is increased and as the sun begins to set, many Muslims will come to pray at these sites. We also visited the Western, or Wailing Wall. This is all that is left from the Second Temple after the Romans destroyed the Temple in 70CE. I have to admit that this was my fourth visit to the Wall since I arrived last week. It is a special place! Today, I actually went up to the Wall and into the prayer area and I caught myself lost in the moment.

The Temple Mount.

Me at the Western Wall.

Me at ruins of the Second Temple excavation site.

We also visited the site of the Pool of Bethesda, one of the sites of Jesus’ healing ministry. There, Jesus healed the invalid man who had been ill for thirty-eight years. From Galilee, to the Temple Mount, to the Pool of Bethesda, Jesus travelled the land teaching and healing. Today we were able to see some of the archaeological excavations of these sites and begin to imagine what the Jerusalem of Jesus was like.

Me, on the steps that would have led to the Second Temple. These are the original steps that would have led to the gate to the Temple Mount.

The excavation site at the the Pool of Bethesda.

Transfiguration

2010-08-11T22:42:00.001-04:00

The Church of the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor.

Just the other day we celebrated the feast of the Transfiguration and today we ascended Mount Tabor where Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and where they saw Moses and Elijah with Jesus transfigured. This pilgrimage has certainly helped me to understand and appreciate the distances between places. Some places are very close but others are a challenge to get to – climbing Mount Tabor is a feat and I can imagine, and appreciate, that Peter and James and John must have been tired when they arrived at the top of the mountain. We’ve had the opportunity to celebrate the Eucharist, pray, reflect and meditate at many of the sites that we have visited. Here, at the top of Mount Tabor we celebrated the Eucharist and reflected on the transfiguration of the ministry of Jesus and the suffering that was to come.

The city of Jericho.

We left Mount Tabor and travelled back South, towards Jerusalem, and stopped in Jericho – a common stop for people who were travelling to or from Galilee and Jerusalem. It was here that the people of Israel surrounded the ‘city’ and with loud shouts and the blowing of the trumpets the walls of the city crumbled.

The Orthodox Monastery on the Mount of Temptation where Jesus was tempted in the desert.

Finally today, we stopped again in the Judean desert where Jesus was tempted. It is a sight to marvel. This has been my first exposure to desert and as you look out into the wilderness you can’t help but be overcome by the immensity, the heat, the light, and the loneliness. So many accounts took place in the desert – Jesus spent 40 days and 40 nights in the desert after his baptism, Mary and Joseph crossed the desert fleeing from Herod, the people of Israel wandered the desert. It would have been common for Jesus to have crossed the desert with his disciples on the way to Jerusalem – and for miles and miles, all you would see is sand and more sand.

Me in the Judean desert.

A camel ride might be an easier way to get around in the Judean desert ... if you don't have a car!

The Galilean Ministry

2010-08-10T21:18:00.004-04:00

Me in the amphitheatre at Caesarea Maritima.

Yesterday we left Jerusalem and headed towards Galilee where Jesus spent much of his time, both growing up and ministering.

This is the view that Paul would have had when he was imprisoned in Caesarea Maritima.

We visited Caesarea Maritima, built up by Hared as an escape, his palace looked out onto the Mediterranean. This was also used by Pontius Pilate and was where Paul was imprisoned at one point while waiting to be sent to Rome. The ruins of what were the prison cells are still there and Paul would have had a magnificent view as he wrote.

The Roman Catholic Church of the Annunciation.

We visited Nazareth, Jesus’ hometown and went to the Basilica of the Annunciation and the Church of St. Gabriel where, depending on your affiliation with the Eastern or Western Church, the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary.

The Orthodox Church of the Angel Gabriel - claims that Gabriel appeared to Mary at the well.

We stayed at Pilgerhaus, a German Catholic retreat house on the Sea of Galilee. With the heat and the high humidity it was nice to be able to return each night to Pilgerhaus and swim in the Sea of Galilee.

Me, swimming in the Sea of Galilee.

The Church of the Beatitudes.

The view of the Sea of Galilee from the Mount of Beatitudes.

We went up Mount Beatitudes where Jesus preached his Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes and then went to the Church of St. Peter’s Primacy where Jesus asked Peter three times, ‘Peter, do you love me?’ ‘Feed my sheep.’ It was there, in the Sea of Galilee (which is fed by the River Jordan) that we had the opportunity to renew our baptismal promises. I have to admit that it is a powerful experience to be standing in the Sea of Galilee (or the River Jordan) and to be asked those many questions we hear so often at a baptismal service – ‘Will you proclaim by word and example the good news of God in Christ? Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbour as yourself? Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being? – I will, with God’s help! It has a different feel to it and you’re swept away in the moment!

Lunch at the Sea of Galilee - fresh fish, known as St. Peter's fish.

Renewing our baptismal vows in the Sea of Galilee.

The Church of St. Peter's Primacy

Finally, we wrapped up another day with a visit to Capernaum, visited the site of Peter’s house and the excavations of the synagogue and town. We took a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and spend a half hour floating on the Sea, the wind blowing and whistling, the waves crashing and the sun shining. As we sat in the silence of the moment, you could imagine the feelings of the disciples as they sat in the boat fearing the storm or seeing the Lord walk across the waters. This was two days of visits that gave us a feel for the land, helping us to understand distances and bringing many of the accounts of Jesus’ ministry to life for me.

Archeological excavations of Peter's House in Capernaum.

The remains of the Synagogue in Capernaum.

A boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.

Lest we forget

2010-08-09T10:09:00.000-04:00

Interior of St. George's Cathedral, Jerusalem.

Sunday morning I began my day celebrating the Lord's Day at the Arabic speaking Eucharist at St. George's Cathedral. It's always interesting to hear the celebration of the Eucharist in a language that is unfamiliar to you, but to be able to recognize exactly what point in the service you are at. It is especially meaningful to be celebrate the Eucharist in the Holy Land and to hear the Word being read about the sites you have just visited, the places vivid in your mind. It was here in Jerusalem that Jesus came to celebrate the passover. It was here that he had his last supper and it was here that he was betrayed and killed.

The entrance to Yad Vashem.

After the Eucharist we were give the afternoon off and a number of us went to Yad Vashem, the Israeli Holocaust Museum. It was a powerful experience and emotionally draining. It's one thing to understand this part of our history from Western history textbooks, and another to understand it through the eyes of the Jewish peoples.

Hall of Names at Yad Vashem, Jerusalem.

We returned home to St. George's College to reflect on our experience and then went for a walk in the Old City. It's always an experience to enter the Gates of the Old City and to experience the souk and life within the walls of Jerusalem.

Entrance Gates to Yad Vashem, Jerusalem.

After dinner we welcomed a Rabbi from the Hebrew University here in Jerusalem who spoke to us and gave us one perspective on the situation here in Jerusalem and in Israel. What a full day it was with so much to think about, reflect on and pray.

Entering the Old City through Herod's Gate.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, and security within your towers.’ - Psalm 122:6-7

Angels we have heard on high ...

2010-08-08T15:44:00.007-04:00

The Church of the Visitation, where Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth.

That's right, you guessed it ... I spent yesterday touring Bethlehem and the surrounding region. As you know, Bethlehem is under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority and Israel has built a separation wall between the two regions. So, yes, we had to pass through a security check-point leaving Israeli territority and returning. More about this experience in a future blog.

The well at the Church of the Visitation.

We began our day by visiting the Church of the Visitation. This would have been the location of Zechariah's home where Mary went to visit her cousin Elizabeth to tell her that she was with child. As we climbed the hillside of Ein Kerem to reach the church, I realized the great distances that Mary would have travelled, with child, to visit Elizabeth - and with the heat and sun, how difficult this must have been for her.

The interior of the Church of John the Baptist.

Our next visit was to the Church of St. John the Baptist. This is the location of the birth of John the Baptist. Here, we descended into a cave below the church where the event is said to have occured.

The altar at the site where it is believed John the Baptist was born.

We had the opportunity to pray and reflect on these two events.

"When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb."

The entrance to the shepherds' fields where the angels announced the birth of Christ.

We then went to the site where the sheperds were tending their flock by night and a throng of heavenly hosts appeared to them and announced to them (ritually unclean, lower class citizens) that their saviour had been born.

The altar in the chapel at Sheperds' Fields was a Canadian gift.

Lunch at the Shepherds' Tent Restaurant - myself and Don, a priest from the Anglican Church of Australia.

After lunch at the Shepherd's Tent Restaurant we made our way to Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity - such familiar places we have all seen on Christmas Eve on the news and during the broadcast of the Christmas Eve Mass. The current basilica was rebuilt in its present form in 565CE by the Emperor Justinian I. We descended into the grotto where tradition says the baby Jesus was born.

The interior of the Church of the Nativity.

Entering the Church of the Nativity requires you to bend down and pass through this small door, placed there to prevent soldiers on horseback from entering the site after the Samaritan revolt of 529CE - it is the oldest continuously operating church having been rebuilt in 565CE.

A steep descent into the grotto under the Church of the Nativity.

Praying in the grotto at the Church of the Nativity.

Manger Square outside of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

The Church of the Nativity is shared by the Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox and Armenian Apostolic Churches. It is the oldest continuously operating church.

The 14-pointed silve star under the altar in the Grotto of the Church of the Nativity is the place where it is believed Jesus was born.

Desert Journeys

2010-08-07T10:58:00.004-04:00

Taking the cable car up to the mountain-top of Masada.

Views from Masada.

The Judean desert is extremely close to the Jerusalem ... well, actually Jerusalem is in the Judean desert ... but what I meant to say is that it doesn't take too long before you've left the confines of Jerusalem and find yourself in the desert.

A scribe working in Masada.

More views of the Judean desert from the mountain-tops of Masada.

We started our day off with a trip to Masada. Masada is the place where Herod the Great built a fortified palace where he could escape to if he felt threatened. The site has some breathtaking views and is beautiful ... it's also 1300 ft above sea level, very hot and dry. Its bird-eye views of the surrounding area were perfect to see who might be approaching, and allowed Herod the pleasure of being safe from an easy attack as it was a very difficult place to reach. By 66CE the fortress was being used by the Zealots seeking protection from the Romans in the Jewish-Roman war. In 73CE when the Romans finally attacked and breached the walls of the fortress, the Zealots set all the buildings but the food storerooms ablaze and committed mass suicide rather than face certain capture, defeat, slavery or execution by their enemies.

Me, at the base of the caves in Qumran.

We then went off to Qumran to visit the caves of Qumran where the Jewish sect of the Essenes once lived. In the late 1940's a shepherd boy searching for one of his lost sheep discovered clay jars in one of the caves that contained the Dead Sea scrolls. You may have had the opportunity to have visited the Dead Sea Scrolls when they were on tour last year at the Royal Ontario Museum or a few years ago when they were at the Pointe-à-Callière museum in Montreal.

The caves of Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.

Finally, our day ended with a trip down to the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth at 1385 ft below sea-level. It also has a 33.7% salt content and allows you to float. Nothing, of course, lives in the Dead Sea - hence its name. I took the opportunity to take a mud bath and make use of the high content of minerals in the Dead Sea before I floated - I unfortunately did not remember to bring my book with me to read - but it is an easy thing to do - float and read and most relaxing!

Me, overlooking the Dead Sea and the Mountains of Moab in Jordan.

A nice mud bath before a float in the Dead Sea.

After spending a few hours in the heat and sun of the Judean desert, I can't imagine how our Lord spent 40 days and 40 nights in the desert, or how the Holy Family crossed the desert to get to Egypt or even how our Lord regularly travelled through the desert to get from one place to another ... it was definitely not an easy treck.

Exploring the Jewish Quarter

2010-08-05T09:35:00.005-04:00

The Old City of Jerusalem is divided into four quarters: the Jewish Quarter, the Muslim Quarter, the Armenian Quarter and the Christian Quarter. Today I spent the day exploring the Jewish Quarter.

Me at the Western Wall.

I was first struck by the level of security entering the Jewish Quarter - partly because we entered the foot of Al Wad street just by the tunnel to the Wailing Wall. The Jewish Quarter is very different than the other quarters. We entered the Old City via the Damscus gate and wandered along Al Wad street on the divide between the Christian and Muslim Quarters until we arrived at the Jewish Quarter. The Souk (or bazzar) is exactly what you might imagine a Middle Eastern market to be - crowded, noisy and filled with all sorts of aromas!

The Souk in the Jewish Quarter.

However, once you cross over to the Jewish Quarter, you have clean modern buildings, the shops mainly resemble something that you might see along a quanit New York street - boutique like and the apartment buildings are well maintained (mostly new buildings).

I leave you some pictures of todays exploration of the Jewish Quarter.
Mosaics in the Jewish Quarter.

The Zion Gate - Notice the bullet holes left from the 1967 war between Jordan and Israel.

Celebrations in the Jewish Quarter after a Bar Mitzvah.

Celebrations in the Jewish Quarter after a Bar Mitzvah.

From one valley to another

2010-08-04T09:55:00.001-04:00

The last 30 hours have been packed with a crash course introduction to Jerusalem. I wandered off on my own yesterday and set off walking around the outside wall of the Old City.

The Garden Tomb cut out of rock

My first stop was the Garden Tomb where claims that the area at the base of the rock cliff could possibly be Golgotha led to a renewed interest in other findings of earlier times on an ancient Jewish tomb. The Bible describes that Jesus was crucified outside the city of Jerusalem near a gate of the city along a major thoroughfare, that at the place where He was crucified there was a garden and in the garden a tomb. The tomb is described as being a tomb cut out of rock, belonging to a wealthy man by the name of Joseph of Arimathea. It had a weeping chamber, a burial chamber, it was sealed with a rolling stone, it had a traditionally low doorway through which the disciples were forced to stoop in order to look into (and enter) the tomb that morning. This site seemed to have all of these characteristics - but it is not the place which most of Christianity recognizes as the place of the crucifixion and burial - now known as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre or the Church of the Resurrection. Regardless, it was an opportunity to envision and experience what the site might have looked like.

Ruins of Herod's Palace

I then walked around the Wall towards the Jaffa Gate and to David's Citadel and what is considered the ruins of Herod's Palace. There were some beautiful views of the City there!

Interior of Christ Church, Jerusalem

From there I wandered into the Old City and found Christ Church Anglican - the first 'Protestant' church in Jerusalem. I then walked towards the Zion Gate, through the maze of shops towards Dormition Abbey - the place which is said to be where Mary 'fell asleep' - it's a Roman Catholic Church, but in an ecumenical effort with the Churches of the East, instead of dedicating the Church to the Assumption of Mary, the dedicated it to Mary's dormition.

Dormition Abbey at the top of Mount Zion to the right with the black domed roof

The crypt in Dormition Abbey

A statue of King David outside the 'Tomb of King David'

From there I also visited the supposed site of King David's tomb and the Upper Room where Jesus had his last supper with his disciples.

Me, in the 'Upper Room'

The Judean Desert

Today was our first day of classes and we received a general introduction to the idea of pilgrimage and to the City of Jeruslem. We had teh oppportunity to view the Old City and surrounding area from different areas. We stopped briefly to look at the Judean desert - which is remarkably close to where the Old City is - it would have been a short walk for Jesus when he withdrew from Jerusalem and into the desert for 40 days and 40 nights.

Me, at the outskirts of the Judean Desert

Finally, I have included some photos of the biblical valley of Ghenna or 'Hell' where child sacrifies and other forms of torment would have occured, and another photo of the Dome of the Rock, Al-Aqsa Mosque and the ruins of the steps leading up to the Second Temple and the Temple Mount.

The Valley of Ghenna, now a valley covered in green grass and trees.

There's been a lot to take in, in just a short period of time and my mind is swimming in history, geography and religion!

View of the Dome of the Rock, Al-Aqsa Mosque and the ruins of the steps leading up to the Second Temple and the Temple Mount

Mount of Olives

First day wandering

2010-08-03T01:53:00.005-04:00

The Damscus Gate - this was my first entry point into the Old City.

So, on my first day I had a wonderful reunion with Kerri, one of the three theological interns, who is doing her internship here in Israel. She brought me to teh Austrain Hospice to get a view of the Old City and to help get my bearings. It's kind of like living in a dream - I'm quite taken by being here!

The Dome of the Rock in the background.

The Dome of the Rock is quite astounding and the Western Wall is not as big as I had expected but still impressive!

Me, from the rooftop of the Austrian Hospice.

After wandering around the Old City and getting a feel for Jerusalem and more than 2000 years of history, Kerri and I had supper at the Jerusalem Hotel. Fresh hummus, lamb and marinated grilled vegetables and fresh lemonade with mint - oh, so good! It was a great opportunity to catch up with Kerri and to begin to share some of the stories and experiences of our internships!

The narrow streets of the Old City.

Here are a few pictures of my first day wandering around the Old City of Jerusalem inside the walls - the shop keepers are interesting and I loved the sounds and smells of wandering the narrow streets of the Old City!

Praying at the Western Wall.

Spices at a shop in the Old City.

Musicians at the Jerusalem Hotel - lively Middle-Eastern music ... quite the treat!

Kerri and I at supper at the restaurant of the Jerusalem Hotel.

Arrived

2010-08-02T09:29:00.005-04:00

Well, after a bit of a late departure and 10.5 hours flying from Toronto I arrived in Tel Aviv. I made my way through passport control and picked up my luggage. I then found a sherut (shared taxi) and after waiting for a few more passengers made my way from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

I have to admit that the first thing I noted as we drove down Highway 1 from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem was how dry things are here. Lots of rolling yellow land - after spending 3 months in the lush forests of the Amazon where everything grows easily (it's an easy place to have a green thumb) the dried vegetation seemed to strike me. But then I was distracted by the breathtaking valleys and as we approached Jerusalem, I was taken by the Temple Mount. I kind of imagined it a bit like a Disney Land for Christians and so my expectations are not very high, but there have already been a few moments in this brief time that I've been here where I've been in awe and my mind has raced through different bible verses.

I leave you with a few images of the College and its grounds. The College is, of course, open to everyone who might be interested in guided biblical study in the Holy Land.

Oh, and now I'm off for a walk with Kerri and then a bite to eat ... I can't wait ... it'll be nice to catch up with Kerri and to have a bit of an orientation with her!

Travelling the friendly skies

2010-08-01T07:11:00.001-04:00

Waiting to go through the security check this morning, I take advantage of some time and have a good old-fashioned bacon & egg sandwich at Tim Horton's

I'm off again ... This time I've spaced out my layovers a bit longer, purposely. I'm heading off to the Holy Land via Toronto and I'm taking the opportunity of being there a few hours to visit with my parents who are picking me up at the airport. I'll have the chance to have breakfast with them and then meet up with my Godparents for lunch before boarding the second leg of this trip to Israel.

As I mentioned many months ago, I was honoured to be given a full scholarship by the Society of St. John the Evangelist to do a course at St. George's College in Jerusalem. As some of you also may know, Kerri (one of the three theological interns) is also in Jerusalem doing her internship. So, I will have the opportunity to catch up with Kerri a bit.

The course, Palestine of Jesus, is offered at St. George's College which is a Continuing Education Center of the Anglican Communion. Here, clergy and laity study the Bible in the context of its own geography, visit places holy to Christianity, Judaism and Islam, reflect and worship as a pilgrim community and listen to living voices and contemporary issues. It is yet another amazing experience that I have been given and I am very thankful to the brothers of the Society of St. John the Evangelist and to the Montreal Diocesan Theological College for supporting my application.

Transitioning ...

2010-07-31T14:16:00.004-04:00

I've been home for a couple of days now and have taken the opportunity to rest and begin a breif transition back into everyday life ... although I've found it a bit difficult ... I find myself randomly speaking in Portuguese with people and don't realize it until I get the confused look on people's faces. I'm having difficulty believing that my time in Brasil is over and I'm finding myself missing the people I spent so much of my time with and wondering how they are doing!

I've washed and dried a number of loads of laundry and am now beginning to re-pack my clothes for my next journey. But before I leave on tomorrow, I have taken advantage of my three days back in Canada to visit with some friends and family. I had the opportunity to spend some time with one of my godsons, Gilbert, introducing him to the Brasilian passtime known as soccer. I've spent some quality time with my family at home and had the chance to see some friends for supper and even a bit of dancing! And, I also got my hair cut - the shorter it is the less I have to worry about it looking disheveled.

Filling a craving for sushi ... this is tonight's dinner!

Tomorrow I leave for Israel, but am flying through Toronto and will have the opportunity to spend some time with my parents before I leave. A few extra days would have been nice to readjust, but all is fine and I'm looking forward to my time in the Holy Land and having the opportunity to reflect a bit.

I hope you join me over the next few weeks as I travel through the Holy Land and then continue to read about my time in both Brasil and Israel as I begin to do some serious reflection on these past 3 amazing months!

Back home ...

2010-07-29T10:00:00.000-04:00

It's hard to believe that my internship in Brasil is over ... I spent so much time preparing for it and the three months just flew by ... I remember the first day that I arrived like it was yesterday!

I give thanks to God for this amazing experience and opportunity and thank God for a safe journey! I met so many wonderful people while I was in Brasil and have been changed by this journey, my experiences, and the people I met.

This blog isn't quite over as I have some reflecting to do - so feel free to come back and read some of the reflections and check out some more photos!

In the next few days, I will begin another journey as I prepare to leave for Jerusalem - follow along on that journey as well!

Heading Home

2010-07-28T07:16:00.005-04:00

The sun wasn't up yet (the sun only rises here between 6:30 and 7 AM and usually sets by 6PM) and my alarm clock went off at 5:30AM. I showered and dressed, had a light breakfast with the last few items I left in the fridge and then I finished my packing. By 7AM the taxi had arrived and I loaded into the cab (with one suitcase more than I originally left Canada with) and said goodbye one last time to some of the people at the Cathedral and left for the airport.

I'll only be back in Canada tomorrow (July 29th) but the journey back begins early (almost 24 hours to get back to Montreal with a couple of aircraft changes). I'm leaving Brasil with many memories, many experiences and with the hope of visiting again!

Please remember me in your prayers as I travel home over the next 24 hours and pray also for the people who I have encountered on this journey - a people who welcomed me into their homes and into their families and made me feel like one of them for the short time that I was here - for this experience I am thankful!

Saying Goodbye

2010-07-27T22:17:00.000-04:00

Saying goodbye is never easy, especially when you don't know when the next time you'll see people. It's not a matter of never seeing them again, because I'm certain that I'll be back. This was my third trip to Brasil ... Brasil being the place where I first felt my calling to ordained ministry, it has a special place in my heart!

My journey these past three months have confirmed my calling and reinvigorated my passion to share the Good News with the community and the people I live amongst in my own Church in Canada.

I began saying goodbye to people in June as I travelled to more remote areas of the diocese and knew that I wouldn't see them again before I left tomorrow. I've had the privelege of getting to know a lot of people while I have been here and I've come to have a certain affinity and affection for the people I have lived and worked amongst! They welcomed me into their homes and made me feel like part of their family and I have genuinely felt like I'm leaving behind a part of me. They have been patient with my Portuguese-Canadian accent, felt comfortable enough to make jokes about my being of Portuguese origin (Brasilian-Portuguese rivalry), showed me their ways, asked me to share our ways, taught me to be even more patient, shown me the meaning of hospitality and loved me like a son! I didn't cry - but my eyes get misty when I think about how this community and the people I have come across have been so kind and loving to me!

So, I was even more touched when they organized a going-away party for me (thank you Joseane)! Tonight, some of the parishioners and friends I have made from a few of the parishes came to say goodbye. Lourdes cooked up a storm of wonderful traditional dishes (some of which you have seen in my "culinary experience" entries) and they laid out a feast of good food, good music and good company in the traditional Brasilian style (thank you Lourdes)! Even Bishop Saulo sent me a message of greetings (he's been away and will only return after I've left)!

This has been an extraordinary experience for me and my ministry and formation has been enriched by the experiences I have had in the Diocese of the Amazon and by the people I have ministered to and been ministered by.

For this blessing I thank the Anglican Church of Canada (and it's benefactors) who made it possible and who have given many seminarians an opportunity to get to know the Anglican Church abroad in a hands-on approach which allowed me to learn how to minister to a wide range of remarakable situations but also to continue to learn how to be ministered to by the people you work with!

For this blessing I thank my family and friends who have supported me and encouraged me to live this opportunity and amazing experience and who have looked after the day-to-day things at home in my absence.

For this blessing I thank God, from whom all blessings come!

Culinary Experience 7 - Tacacá

2010-07-26T23:48:00.001-04:00

In this last edition of culinary experiences I share with you tacacá. I first had this dish in Gurupá. We were walking back to the house where we were staying (after an afternoon children's talk) when Vanilse suggested that we stop for a mid-afternoon snack. So we stopped at a table that was set up on the street (it was a family member of Vanilse's who was selling tacacá). And, with great care, the vendor scooped out the jambú, then ladled the tucupi and then counted out exactly six shrimp! An afternoon treat!

Tacacá being sold down at the Ver-o-Peso market in Belem by a local merchant.

Tacacá is a soup common to North Brazil, particularly the states of Acre, Amazonas and Pará (which is where I am), and is well loved and widely consumed. It is made with jambú (a native variety of paracress), and tucupi (a broth made with wild manioc), as well as dried shrimps and small yellow peppers. It must be served extremely hot in a cuia bowl.

It has the consistency and look like you are consuming egg whites, but it is rich in flavour and very good. The odd thing for me was consuming this soup with shrimp that still had its shell - the crispy crunch of the shrimp shell was a new experience for me, but it didn't detract from the burst of wonderful flavours of this dish!

On the shores of the Atlantic

2010-07-25T18:53:00.010-04:00

We stayed in Vila de Algodoal and every day we hiked to Praia da Princesa - about a 2.5km hike each way.

... and when it was filled, they drew it (the net) up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away. - Matt 13:48

Getting from the mainland to Algodoal via the putt-putt, me, Joseane and Lourdes.

I've been here for three months and I had not been to the beach one singe time. And, I thought I was going to leave Brasil and not see the beach, but Joseane invited me the other day to spend a couple of days with her and her family and friends in Algodoal - a small island jutting into the Atlantic ocean with a series of beaches.

Me at the top of a sand dune.

It is a beautiul island with beautiful white beaches. Over the years with the effects of global warming, ocean current changes and wind patterns, there have been a series of sand dunes which have been created. In the midst of the sand dunes is a lagoon of fresh water - it's like swimming in coca-cola (except without the sweet taste) - dark waters that make your skin look purple, you can't see the bottom of the lagoon but it is refreshingly cool!

The coca-cola like lagoon.

Nothing like a little coconut juice to quench one's thirst ... but you have to work for it!

The Atlantic ocean, on the other hand was salty - I'd forgotten how salty it was and warm. It occasionaly rained a bit while we were at the beach and it was cozy warm in the waters of the Atlantic - certainly not the Atlantic I'm used to!

An afternoon nap in the hammock ... the perfect way to rest before spending 24 hours in transit on Wednesday flying back to Montreal.

It was also the first time I had slept in a hammock ... they are comfortable! It seems that every house here in Belem and the Amazon region has these built in hooks that accomodate stretching out a hammock ... it is the way most people sleep here!

Isaiah and his son bringing in the fresh haul of fish caught that morning.

Separating the good fish from the jelly fish.

I also had the opportunity to go with some of the locals to bring in the catch, separate the good fish from the bad ones and haul lunch into town! I know I've said it before, but it's so rewarding to catch your own meal! Again a delicious selection of fresh fruit and lots of coconut juice to drink!

Having a snack to eat after a day at the beach ... a little faroffa, which is mandioca flour fried in butter with little bits of dried meat ... delicious!

Snack food at the beach (cleanded and cooked, of course).

If we as inhabitants learn to live from the land and tend the land that was given to us, we can justly make use of the gifts which God gave us in creation!

I leave you with a series of photos from the brief trip!

Getting to the beach requires you to cross a muddy section of the island - I'm sure it was great for my skin - which in the late afternoon and evening, when the tide is in, you have to cross by canoe.

Gave me an idea of what the river bank was like when the Red Sea was parted!

These are the canoes needed to cross the same area that we walked over in the morning ... a ride is about fifty cents a person.

Wildlife on the island.

No cars on the island leave the more environmentally friendly method of transportation.

A little rain cools things down and makes for some remarkable views!

Passing time at the beach flying a kite.

Sunset on the beach.

Holding court

2010-07-24T17:19:00.000-04:00

It's a simple and no-fuss area. Between the Cathedral building and the offices is a covered space that acts as a reception area for those coming to see the Bishop or the Dean or to take care of some Catheral or Diocesan work. On the first Sunday of the month at 8AM, prior to the 9AM Eucharist the area is transformed into a breakfast buffet reception for the members of the cathedral to enjoy a little bit more time of fellowship and to build on friendships. When there are Diocesan activities, many times this area is transformed into a lecture hall or a dining hall with several tables.

But on most days if you came to the Cathedral or Diocesan offices you would see what you see in the photos. Two simple tables with some chairs around it, a thermos of coffee and something to nibble on (bread, cookies, cake). For the last three months this has been my home base. The Bishop's residence is above the Cathedral/Diocesan offices and this has been my home. On most afternoons, when I am around, I'll wander downstairs and sit down and have a coffee. The area soon becomes a meeting place and parishioners and locals will drop in. It has been my source for local information, sharing stories and getting to know people. As the title of this entry says it all, it sometimes feels like I am "holding court".

On some days when I wander downstairs there is nobody around, but if I sit and wait a few minutes there is bound to be someone who will show up and will want to chat. Some days there could be a dozen people hanging out chatting - in the middle of the day! I have really enjoyed having this resource because it has given me an insight into the every day lives of the people here. Our conversations have varied from politics, the church, religion in general, social-economic diversities, soccer, food, local-national news, geography, history or even just an afternoon of telling jokes. I must say, that being able to speak the language has definitely facilited breaking down barriers and being able to live with the people!

It's a great tool for fellowship, pastoral outreach and communication. My afternoon sessions over coffee have provided me with so much information with such a variety of people. It's also wonderful to see that the Cathedral and the Diocese provide this space to the church and community members as an opportunity for a break during the day, a place for fellowship and an opportunity to strengthen friendships!

A bit spoiled ...

2010-07-23T18:23:00.000-04:00

Myself, Marilia, Nazaré and Daniel the weekend we went to the igarapé.

I have to admit that I am very thankful for the generosity and kindness of Nazaré who has, without fail, gone out of her way to make me feel at home! Nazaré comes to the Bishop's house three times a week to help out with the cleaning, laundry and cooking. She is an Anglican from the community in Pratinha. Since the Bishop and his family have been away and since I'm the only one around the house, she has only been coming once a week - which is already a lot for me. I've found it akward having someone clean the house I'm in, but it's easy to get used to when it's not your house and the person doing the housekeeping is looking after someone else's house.

But Nazaré goes above and beyond the call of duty! I remember the first week I arrived and I was working on the computer and out of nowhere she arrived with a tapioca pastry she had just made and a coffee - for me! I guess she's taken pity on me, thinking that I'm all alone in this house and must be hungry because the one day a week she comes she cooks up a storm and leaves me a few tupperware containers full of food for the week - it's very kind of her and I'm very thankful - it's nice not to have to think about what you're going to eat for supper every once in a while!

As I was contemplating what my next blog entry was going to be on, I heard the blender in the kitchen and wondered what Nazaré was making. A few minutes later she popped into the office with freshly blended acerola juice (sort of like cherry juice). It's so sweet and so good!

She and her daughter also made a stole for me for my eventual ordination (God-willing and the Bishop consenting). She's been very kind to me and I am thankful for this blessing - I think that I've adjusted well being in a foreign land with people I don't know, but it's always comforting when you have someone who goes that extra mile to make sure you're feeling at home!

Bishop Saulo and his wife Ruth on her birthday in June.

And of course, Bishop Saulo and Ruth also went out of their way to make me feel at home - It was very nice to come home every day to a family and feel welcomed as one of the family!

For all the people who invited me to their homes for a meal or coffee and for all those who went out of their way to make my stay here a bit easier I am eternally thankful! Everyone I have met here in Brasil during this internship has been extremely welcoming and very friendly - you'd think they were trying to make me want to stay!

Thank you to you all!

Culinary Experience 6 - Cupuaçu

2010-07-22T17:07:00.002-04:00

Cupuaçu is a tropical rainforest tree related to cacao. Common throughout the Amazon basin, it is widely cultivated in the north of Brazil, with the largest production in Pará (where I have been living for the last 3 months).

Cupuaçu trees usually range from 5 to 15 meters (16 to 50 feet) in height, though some can reach 20 meters (65 feet). They have brown bark and the wood is commonly used for timber. Their leaves are pink-tinted and as they mature they change to green, and eventually they begin bearing fruit. Cupuaçu fruits are oblong, brown, and fuzzy, 20 cm long, 1–2 kg in weight, and covered with a thick hard skin.

The white pulp of the cupuaçu is uniquely fragrant but does not contain the caffeine found in cacao. It is frequently used in desserts, juices and sweets. I have enjoyed this fruit as a fruit on its own, in ice cream format and as a refreshing juice.

Sorvete (ice cream) de Cupuaçu found at the local grocery store.

Winding down

2010-07-21T20:30:00.000-04:00

The quiet and calm Praça da República during the week.

With just a week left before I leave, I must admit that things are beginning to slow down. Actually, the month of July has been rather slow as it's vacation month and parents take advantage of having their children off school to travel to the beaches or go camping or visit family/friends in neighbouring cities and states (children are on vacation in July and January).

The regular Sunday fair at the Praça da República.

So, on some days I've found myself exploring Belem a bit more. So I share with you a few photos from another side of town. The Praça da República during the week is a fairly relaxing area with plenty of park benches and shade from the canopy of trees. On Sundays, the Praça da República is a bustling fair with stands lining the square with everything from jewlery to clothing to crafts and CD/DVD's.

The Basilica of our Lady of Nazareth (Basilica Santuário de Nossa Senhora de Nazaré) is the central location of the October-November festivities that attract millions to Belem every year. It's colonial architecture is impressive and the interior of the building is rich in detail - a reflection of Portuguese architecture.

It's a beautiful city at the mouth of the Amazon that continues to grow. Most of the photos you have seen of Belem on my blog have been from the historical old part of Belem. But of course, every city has another side to it - sometimes more difficult to find when you're just a tourist, but when you've had the opportunity to live with the people for three months you can catch a glimpse of the other side.

Granted that these photos are not of downtown Belem but of some of the suburbs in Pratinha and Terre Firme - far from the investment in infrastructure that was put into the city center. Most of these suburbs are the result of land invasions which have produced these growing suburban villages that are technically still part of the City of Belem.

But the work of the church has no boundaries and it has been interesting to note that the places of worship of the Anglican Church in Brasil have reflected the neighbourhoods it finds itself. In some locations, our places of worship are not ornate stone structures with beautiful architecture, but are the product of the people's love and commitment - places of worship that reflect the reality of their day-to-day and look like the homes of the people who worship in them live in themselves - simple wooded structures.

By the shores ...

2010-07-20T21:26:00.013-04:00

The igarapé in Santa Izabel ... a little oasis for members of the Diocese of the Amazon.

Saturday morning some of us piled into the Diocesan volkswagen combie and went off to Santa Izabel to the igarapé. There we met up with other members of the Diocese and we enjoyed a day by the shores of the igarapé. The property is owned by James Sewnarine and his family (members of the Anglican Church). They have been very kind to allow the church to use the property whenever they need it. So, on a hot summer day in July, that's exactly what we did.

Banana trees (pictured in the forefront), cacao trees, pupunha trees, açaí trees, acerola trees, coffee trees and a plethora of other types of trees fill the space around the igarapé.

As you can see from the photos, the property is a little paradise, cool waters surrounded by beautiful trees of all sorts of species. Some of us climbed palm trees looking for açaí berries, hoping for a fresh cup of açaí juice. Others fished for lunch, played volleyball, hiked and swam.

On a hot day, nothing is more refreshing than a swim in cool fresh water!

It's not quite a Diocesan retreat property, but it certainly can feel like it! It was a great opportunity for fellowship and for me it was especially nice as my time here is drawing to a close to have the opportunity to spend some informal time with a lot of people that I have gotten to know over the last 3 months.

Fresh fish for lunch anyone?

Moisés picking açaí berries - not an easy task!

The afternoon concluded with an opportunity to give thanks as we celebrated the Eucharist. All things come to us from God, and to God we gave thanks!

Celebrating the Eucharist at the end of the day.

Celebrating the Eucharist outside in the open air means that an occasional ball being tossed around by Brenda won't be too inconveniencing!

Me, reading Luke's Gospel account of Jesus' visit with Mary and Martha.

The Rev. Marcos Souza preparing the elements.

Radical Hospitality in Icoaraci

2010-07-19T17:21:00.006-04:00

Santissima Trindade is a two-point parish, with other point being in suburb of Icoaraci, not that far from Conjunto Maguari. It is by the river and is a "beach town." At night the main street by the river is jam-packed with young people, music blaring and restaurants full of people enjoying the cool breeze, the warm weather and the "scene."

The Church of the Annunciation was the last of the churches in the Diocese of the Amazon that I had not yet visited. With today's visit I have been to visit every community in the Diocese of the Amazon.

July is vacation month in Brasil and most people travel or go away on weekends, so things are kind a bit slow these days - the same can be said for the congregations, as most people take advantage of the month of holidays to travel to the beaches, visit family in other regions or get away from the city. The Church of the Annunciation is a cute little church building with a small congregation - but attendance was thin today on this beautiful Sunday morning. Nonetheless, the small group of people that were faithful to the morning celebration were delightful, very welcoming and a lot of fun - I had a great morning with this community as we prayed, sang, and worshiped. After the service, they all piled into a few cars and they took me around to show me a bit of the town and to tell me a bit about the history of the church in Icoaraci.

Then we visited one of the parishioners and enjoyed brunch in their backyard. They served me acerola juice which is simialr to (but not exactly the same) cherries. The juice was freshly made from the acerolas that were picked from the tree in the backyard. They also had cacao trees, acai trees, mango trees, and a few other fruit trees that I wasn't completely familiar with. This land really is blessed with a richness to be able to produce. Imagine being able to have a variety of fresh fruits every morning from your own garden! Many people here can claim to be able to do this regularly!

The last congregation I visited was indeed very welcoming and left a great impression on me - radical hospitality - living their faith in their every day!

Another facet of Brasil

2010-07-18T19:25:00.004-04:00

The headquarters of the Assembly of God (the largest of the neo-Pentecostal Churches in Brasil) in Belem is an enormous building downtown.

A service at the popular Assembly of God.

Brazil is the sixth most populous country in the world after China, India, the United States, Indonesia and the Russian Federation. Its poulation is approximately 193 million, and is predominantly young: 62% of Brazilians are under 29 years of age.

A service at the popular Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus).

The interior of a Universal Church of the Kingdom of God.

The "Cathedral" of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus) is an enormous building that seats thousands.

According to the 2000 Brasilian census 73% of Brasilians consider themselves members of the Roman Catholic Church. The mainline Protestant Churches make up about 15% of the Brasilian population of which the Episcopal Anglican Church of Brasil is less than 1%.

The interior of an International Church of the Foursquare Gospel (Igreja Quadangular).

Although this property of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel (Igreja Quadangular) is fairly large, most of their churches are smaller and more modest buildings.

However, in recent decades there has been a growth of neo-Pentecostal Churches that are native to Brasil and are popping up everywhere. The Brasilian constitution of 1889 guarantees absolute freedom of religion and the number of churches that have grown out of that freedom is incredible. There are some Evangelical-Pentecostal churches, however, that were born here in Brasil and are flourishing in great numbers and size. In the 2000 Brasilian Census, the neo-pentecostal churches represented some 10% of the Brasilian population. Some of the large pentecostal churches that are native to Brasil include: Assembly of God (9.4 million), Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (2.5 million), International Church of the Foursquare Gospel (1.5 million), and God is Love Pentecostal Church (approx. 867 thousand).

The God is Love Pentecostal Church (Deus é Amor) is one of the smaller churches that exist in Brasil among the neo-Pentecostal churches that are Brasilian but they are situated everywhere in Brasil.

These large stadium like churches are filled to capacity on days of worship.

Bible Study

2010-07-17T11:24:00.002-04:00

The Rev. Raimundo Nonato Costa will be taking up the duties of rector at the parish of Santissima Trindade in Conjunto Maguari where I have been working these last few weeks. He begins his ministry there as of August 1st, but he has for the last couple of months been offering a bible study at the Parish for members of the Diocese.

So, on Wednesday evenings, a group of about 10-12 people have been gathering in Conjunto Maguari with Nonato to study scripture and to develop the spiritual practice of prayer and scriptural study. The hope is that this regular gathering of parishioners from various parishes of the Diocese will be equipped after four months of regular study to go back to their own parishes and to lead bible studies.

Since clergy are at a premium here in the Diocese of the Amazon, there is an emphasis on empowering the laity with the tools necessary to take up positions of leadership. Indeed, the Diocese is able to continue its presence and ministry because of a strong committment from dedicated laity to help clergy minister to Anglicans here in the Amazon.

Culinary Experience 5 - Tapioca

2010-07-16T17:03:00.004-04:00

Tapioca root.

Tapioca is a starch extracted from the root of the cassava plant. This species, native to the Amazon, is now cultivated worldwide and has many names, including cassava, bitter-cassava, manioc, "mandioca", "aipim", "macaxeira", "manioca", "boba", "yuca" (not to be confused with yucca), "Sagudana" (literally, Sagu drops)--with local variation of "Sabudana"--and "kappa".

A flat tapioca pastry. This pastry is made by heating the tapioca flour on its own - its amazing to see how it forms this pancake with no other addition to the flour. When the pancake is formed and still warm, locals tend to butter it!

Tapioca is a staple food in these regions and is used worldwide as a thickening agent, principally in foods. Tapioca is gluten free, and nearly protein free.

A thickening and sweetening addition to açaí.

I have enjoyed tapioca in many forms, including as an ice cream, pudding, a flat pastry and as an addition to açaí. Its flour fomat looks like (and as someone - who will remain nameless - described it to me as tasting like slightly sweetened) styrofoam.

Tapioca flour.

Sorvete de tapioca (ice cream).

Service of Healing

2010-07-15T21:21:00.003-04:00

Every Tuesday, the parish of Santissima Trindade has what they call the Family Service. I still haven't quite understood why they call it the family service since it's actually a healing service.

The congregation gathers together on Tuesdays to pray for healing, physical, spiritual, emotional, psychological, etc. There is a period of prayer, an opportunity to reflect on biblical readings of the day, hymns of praise and the service ends with the imposition of sacred oil and individual prayer.

It is a wonderful service of reflection and an opportunity to help heal body, mind and soul!

Visitations

2010-07-14T19:22:00.008-04:00

Mary visiting her cousin Elizabeth.

Part of my ministry in Conjunto Maguari includes pastoral visiting. After spending 3 months in Boston last summer as a Chaplain at the Massachusetts General Hospital doing my Clincial Pastoral Education Unit, pastoral visiting has taken on a new dimension. One of the things my supervisor noted was the enthusiasm I exhibited when I visited with Portuguese speaking patients at the hospital. For me, it's an exciting opportunity to be able to minister to people in the language of my parents. I loved hearing their stories about life back home and the move to North America (which they always shared with me enthusiastically when they discovered I'm of Portuguese origin). So, these past 2 and a half months have been very exciting - to be able to live in an Anglican community and minister in Portuguese! It's been like being at home with the extended family - and people here have generously welcomed me into their homes and shared their lives with me.

The Rev. Carlos Costa and myself visiting with Maria da Assunção, her husband Naudo and grandchild.

So, these past few weeks I have been visiting some of the parishioners in Conjunto Maguari and getting to know their stories and their families. Sometimes the visits are a happy occasion, as I visited one parishioner who is days away from delivering a child and we celebrated and prayed for the child that is about to enter their lives. Other days, my visits involved a more somber tone as I visited a family who recently had lost their father. And yet other days, the visits were just random drop-ins and I had the opportunity to learn more about the day to day lives of parishioners.

Public Transportation

2010-07-13T15:23:00.002-04:00

As I noted in my last blog, I have been working with the Parish of Santissima Trindade in the bairro of Conjunto Maguari since I returned from Gurupá. One of the differences in my internship since I have come back from Gurupá is my supervision. Bishop Saulo and his family have travelled to England for the month of July and the Rev. Fernando Ponçadilha and the Rev. Deacon Carlos Costa have been supervising me until the end of my stay here in Brasil.

While I was being supervised by the Bishop, I had the convenience of travelling with him by car to the various parishes and meetings that I attended. However, now that I am working with a suburban parish (and with clergy who do not have cars) I am travelling from the Cathedral (where I live) to the suburb of Conjunto Maguari by public transportation.

The bus fare costs $1.85 Reais in each direction(approximately $1.09CDN). On a Sunday morning when there is less traffic, the ride from the center of Belem to Conjunto Maguari will take about 50-60 minutes. When I travel there during the week, it can take up to two hours to get there. It takes a bit of planning in order to make it to events, meetings and services on time!

Travelling on the bus is in itself entertaining. If I can manage to remember which side the sun is striking the bus and find a seat on the opposite side, it can be a relatively pleasant ride (albeit bumpy and thrashing sometimes). You board the bus from the front, pass the bus driver and pay an employee the fare, who then allows you to go through the turnstyle. The bus driver will allow merchants to board the bus from the back so that they can sell their merchandise to passengers. It's interetsing to see what one will be offered on every ride: bottled water, and assortment of juices, an assortment of popsicles, ice creams, candy, gum, cookies (I'm waiting for the barbecued chicken or meat so that I don't have to cook when I get home, but I haven't seen any yet). Sunday, on my way to the parish, a librarian boarded and distributed books to people who held memberships - a fascinating way of promoting literacy!

Every time I board the bus is an adventure!

Santissima Trindade

2010-07-12T18:18:00.000-04:00

The Parish of Santissima Trindade is the local Anglican church in the bairro of Conjunto Maguari.

Since I've been back from Gurupá I've been working with the Parish of Santissima Trindade in the bairro of Conjunto Maguari. To date, all of the parishes I have been working with have been of the Anglo-Catholic and broad-church tradition. The Parish of Santissima Trindade is of the evangelical Anglican tradition - the rector of the parish, the Rev. Fernando Ponçadilha was originally a member of the Pentecostal church. This has been another growing experience for me as my exposure to the evangelical tradition of the church has been limited to a conservative Anglo-evangelical tradition in Montreal. It has provided me with an opportunity to grow in this rich Anglican diversity which has such a variety of styles and manners of liturgy, worship, song and praise.

It has been a pleasure working with the Rev. Fernando Ponçadilha who has just left on vacation for the remainder of the month and when he returns will be taking up a new posting as rector of the missionary point of the Ascension in Santa Izabel. For the remainder of the month I will be working with the Rev. Deacon Carlos Costa who will be the interim as the parish awaits the arrival of the Rev. Nonato Costa - their new rector as of August 1st.

The Rev. Fernando Ponçadilha (middle) seen here listening to concerns of a parishioner.

Misconceptions

2010-07-11T21:09:00.002-04:00

The City of Belem, Brasil at the mouth of the Amazon.

I know that I came to Brasil with my own misconceptions of what I would expect to see - after all, you say you're going to the Diocese of the Amazon and you already have images of lush forests everywhere, great big rivers with piranas and crocodiles and lots of coconuts. True, those all exist here, but Belem is far from that image - I did get a lot of that while I was travelling the Amazon and when I was in Gurupá, but Belem is a large city with nearly 2 million inhabitants, and the only lush forest with crocodiles and piranas exist in the Jardim Botânico Bosque Rodrigues Alves (which I visited the other day - an area in the city which has been preserved as it would have been had humans not invaded and created the city that currently exists).

Jardim Botânico Bosque Rodrigues Alves

Jardim Botânico Bosque Rodrigues Alves

So, I thougt I'd share with you a misconception that I've heard here several times - if several people have said it, it must be a common misconception. I was watching the news on a local television station and the reporter referred to a decision of the "North American government." My immediate thought was, "who do they mean?" But other people I have spoken to here have also brought up the "North American government" in there discussions and I've had to stop them and ask them which government they're referring to. When they speak of the "North American government" they mean the United States government. I've had to remind them (gently) that there exists at least 3 governments in North America (depending on how you count neighbouring island countries) and that the United States is merely one of at least three governements that make up North America - which also includes Canada, my own country!

All this to say that as we Canadians are used to living in the shadow of the United States, some South Americans and Europeans see Canadians as a mere extension of the United States.

Culinary Experience 4 - Açaí

2010-07-10T17:48:00.000-04:00

In this fourth edition of culinary experiences, I bring you a glimpse into açaí. When I was in Gurupá, this was a delicacy that I enjoyed every day in some format - either as a drink, an ice cream, in pulpy format with tapioca or with shrimp. In any event, this is a food item that the locals love and a staple in their diet.

The Xela Crozier or açaí is a species of palm tree cultivated for their fruit and superior hearts of palm and grows mainly in swamps and floodplains. Açaí palms are tall, slender palms growing to 15–30 meters, with leaves up to 3 meters long. Global demand for the fruit has expanded rapidly in recent years, and açaí is now cultivated for that purpose primarily. The closely-related species Euterpe edulis (jucara) is now predominantly used for hearts of palm.

The fruit, a small, round, black-purple drupe about 1-inch in circumference, similar in appearance but smaller than a grape and with less pulp, is produced in branched panicles of 500 to 900 fruits. Two crops of fruit are produced each year. The fruit has a single large seed. The ripe fruit is a deep purple color, or green, depending on the kind of açaí and its maturity. The seed makes up about 80% of the fruit.

The berries are harvested as food. In the Brazilian Amazon, açaí palm was described as the most important plant species because the fruit makes up a major component of the diet.

In the northern state of Pará, Brazil, where I have been for the last two and a half months, açaí pulp is traditionally served in gourds with tapioca and, depending on the local preference, can be consumed either salty or sweet (I have had to add a lot of sugar, personally). Açaí has become popular in southern Brazil where it is consumed cold, mostly mixed with granola. Açaí is also widely consumed in Brazil as an ice cream flavor or juice which is very delicious - but then again all ice cream is delicious. The juice has also been used in a flavored liqueur. Since the 1990s açaí juice and extracts are used globally in various juice blends, energy drinks, smoothies, sodas, and other beverages.

An interesting note: in May 2009, Bloomberg reported that the expanding popularity of açaí in the United States was "depriving Brazilian jungle dwellers of a protein-rich nutrient they’ve relied on for generations."

Refuge at the well ... (or the mall)

2010-07-09T17:17:00.000-04:00

Shopping Pátio Belém, a "small" shopping mall near the Cathedral.

So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" John 4:5-7

The food court at Shopping Pátio Belém.

This was the quote that kept on running through my mind as I wandered the crowded halls of the shopping mall around the corner from the Cathedral here in Belem. The heat the last few days has been draining with a high humidity index and little rain to cool things down. The apartment at the cathedral where I am staying only has one tap that dispenses water (normally cold). But with the relentless heat the water is even lukewarm. I've been feeling a bit drained of energy with this heat and intense sun, so I decided to go for a walk and spent a couple of hours in the airconditioned mall. And what is one to do but draw from the well of the local ice cream maker for comfort.

A variety of ice cream flavours at Cairu - a local ice cream chain. Flavours like chestnut, corn, cupuaçu, plum and guava.

Heat and humidity are a constant here and I guess people just get used to it - but I wondered about how the elderly and infirmed managed with these temperatures and this humidity - what respite do those who can't afford the luxury of airconditioning have?

Even our Lord Jesus needed to re-energize from the exhaustian and heat of a long journey - may we always be conscious of those who are in need and never be comfortable with just looking after ourselves.

Reflecting on my journey into the Amazon

2010-07-08T18:06:00.001-04:00

Two weeks living in the Amazon with a people who welcomed me with open arms and warm hearts. They shared with me their homes, their meals, their stories and their lives. It was a wonderful experience!

Living in the Amazon is a different way of living that I had never experienced before. Living in a home where the floor hovered a mere few centimeters away from the swampy waters below was different. Bathing outside, using an out-house and having limited water for the every-day things was different. Having to sleep under mosquito netting was different - but yet, every day I'd look out the window and have to do a double-take as I woke up and was greeted by the beautiful clear blue skies with the lush palm trees bristling in the wind, the exotic birds and the clean fresh air. It's a simple life, living off of the land and enjoying what nature has given us, and its incredibly rewarding and satisfying. It's a different experience to be able to eat the food which you (or your friends) have caught or picked. I tend to wonder at times where the food I eat back home has been, and how it has been treated, what chemicals have been used to keep it "fresh" - what exactly is it that I am putting into my body. But here, you pick fruit from the trees, you catch your own fish, the meat is from the cattle that have been raised by the community - the only thing that is "imported" is the drinking water (of all things)!

The people have warm hearts and are happy to have you with them and I truly enjoyed spending time with them and getting to know them! They welcomed me as a brother in Christ and their generosity was humbling, sharing with me whatever they had. It was interesting to experience our relationship grow. When I first arrived they would bring food to the table and leave me to eat alone with Mauro, saying that they weren't hungry (but would eat later). Towards the end of my time with them it was great to see the change - I wasn't this person from "out there" but was one of them and they would eat and drink with me at the table, share their stories, joke with me and make me feel like one of them!

I had the opportunity to experience the effects of industrialization in "God's garden" and it renewed in me the importance of being responsible for tending to creation. It reminded me that we have a lot of choices and sometimes the choices we make impact on communities far, far away from us - something we all know, but is sometimes easier to forget when we're not confronted by it. It's important as a Church that we take responsibility for that which Jesus proclaimed - the Kingdom of God and that involves living the Gospel - as long as we are comfortable where we are, we are missing the mark of our call to proclaim the Gospel. Mission requires us to be bothered and inconvenienced for the sake of those who are suffering injustice - to transform unjust structures that abuse God's creation - water, forests, land, rights of people. It's hits closer to home as well as Canadians we must also be bothered with the way our own lands, our own waters, our own peoples are being treated - for we too have been blessed with a portion of God's garden and it is our responsibility to tend to all that is in it!

"For what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8

Travelling back to the city

2010-07-07T18:06:00.001-04:00

The port in Gurupá is the life-line for the community as the port is where everything enters into the community. Food, coffee, drinks, clothes, building supplies and materials all are imported and arrive at the port. In the photos above you see a shipment that arrived the night before. While I was waiting for my boat to arrive to travel back to Belem, the locals arrived with their carts and picked up their orders. The shop keepers picked up the hunderds of pop bottles, the wine bottles, the coffee packages, the rice, etc. The hardware store owner arrived and picked up his shipment of dry-mix cement and ceramic tiles and the bakery owner came by and picked up his shipment of flour and ground coffee - an interesting detail, since the coffee probably originated in Gurupá, was dried there, but was probably shipped out to be roasted and ground.

The trip back from Gurupá to Belem was more or less the same experience travelling to Gurupá except that it only took us only 28 hours as we were travelling downstream and with the current. The picture above is the boat (Onze de Maio) arriving at the port. When people asked me about my travelling experience on the boat ride I told them that it was a relatively uneventful voyage and that the waters were fairly calm. They tell me I was lucky as there have been times where the waters are rough and the boat is lifted up and dropped quite violently - but thanfully I expereinced a very calm sailing experience. The only exciting thing that I witnessed was a thunder and lightning storm during the night.

You'll see in the photo above some children in a canoe. It is typical that during this voyage, as you approach small towns, these children row out to the boat and ask people to give them things, and indeed, some people throw bags of clothing or food out for them - it's a common experience here and people expect it, so they come prepared with bags of clothing and food which they toss out to them.

Another unusual experience I had, on the boat ride back to Belem, was hearing English being spoken. For the last two months all I have heard and spoken is Portuguese - to the point where I occasionally dream in Portuguese! But, there were a group of British, American and Australian tourists who were travelling from Manaus to Belem (a 6 day journey by boat). It felt strange speaking English again!

One of the passengers was an Australian doctor (in his early 30's) who struck up a conversation with me and asked me what I was doing in Brasil. When he found out I am a seminarian and am doing an intership here in Brasil, he was interested in speaking about religion and faith. I have to admit that the trip back to Belem seemed a lot shorter because I had the opportunity to chat quite a bit with the passengers. It ended up being a sincere pastoral conversation with this slightly disaffected Roman Catholic.

As the saying goes, the Spirit works in mysterious ways - and I hope that I was able to help him on his spiritual journey!

No barriers

2010-07-06T23:00:00.001-04:00

While I was in Gurupá, the FIFA World Cup began their matches and Brasil was still a leading contender to win the World Cup. Today we know differently, but the people of Brasil were excited about the opportunity.

In Gurupá, the World Cup and the Brasilian team were catalysts that unified the community and brought the community together to celebrate. For the two weeks that I was in Gurupá, the town decorated the streets, painted the asphalted streets with designs of the Brasilian flag, the World Cup mascots and slogans. During the game, the streets were deserted as everyone was at home, or with friends watching the games, and after the games they were on the streets celebrating with song and dance, food and drink. The smoke billowed from the numerous barbecues or churrasqueiras as they prepared barbecued meats to eat and celebrate Brasil's victory.

It was a festive time and everyone was happy - on game days there were no barriers between the people as everyone was proud to be a Brasilian - and that pride and generosity spilled onto the streets after the games.

The world will have a chance to witness that life and passion in 2014 when the World Cup will be hosted in several cities here in Brasil!

Curiosity ... interest ... faith ... A Growing Faith Community

2010-07-05T14:12:00.000-04:00

Some of the adults and youth in the community.

Some of the children in the community.

On Sunday morning Daniel, Vanilse, Joao Paulo, Mauro, Douglas, Juliane and I piled into a speedboat at 7AM and went over to Maria Ribeira for a celebration of the Eucharist with the people of Maria Ribeira.

The Eucharist was held under a mango tree in the yard of one of the members of the community who had invited us to worship with the community. The service was scheduled for 9AM and in traditional Brasilian style, the chickens and a dog were there at 9 with a hand full of people. We started the service shortly after 9, singing hymns. As the sound of music wafted through the windows of the locals, more and more people joined us at the Lord's table to listen to the Word being read, the Gospel being preached, the bread being broken and the peace being shared with prayer and songs of praise. By the time we got to the offertory, there were 62 women, men and children present under the mango tree, curious to see what was happening, interested in participating and faithfully engaging!

Daniel and a few of the children praying a prayer of blessing on the community.

After the service was over, the women, men, youth and children hung around chatting and wanting to get to know who the "gringo" was in their midst from "Canada." They were all very interested to hear about Canada and the Church and they were more than happy to talk to us about their own lives! The reiterated their desire to have an Anglican Chapel built in the community so that they could have a permanent place of worship for the community, and Daniel (the Anglican priest for the area) committed to work with them to realize a more permanent presence in the community.

It is a relatively new relationship that continues to grow ... a faith community that is blossoming. The Anglican Church is also working with them to help build a bakery so that they don't have to travel so far to get bread, and so that they can invest in their community. The other major project that the Church is working with the community to realize is a health centre where they can seek basic medical attention. Currently, if someone gets sick, they have to travel to Gurupá (for most people that's a 3-hour boat ride) and if the issue is serious and needs more attention they would have to go to Belem (a 32-hour boat ride from Gurupá).

The Anglican Church in Maria Ribeira is working to meet the social, economic and spiritual needs of the community and it was a wonderful opportunity for me to meet some of the Quilombo people and to share in their day-to-day lives (even if it was for just a short period of time).

Quilombolas in Pará

2010-07-04T18:38:00.004-04:00

Sr. Duca Castro, one of the leaders of the Quilomola community with me on the dock in Gurupá the morning I left Gurupá to return to Belem. He came down to the dock at 6:30AM to see me off.

Among the traditional peoples inhabiting the Brasilian rain forest, the quilombolas are the least acknowleded. This community was established by the black resistance to Brasilian slavery regime before its end in 1888.

Water ways connect the towns to eachother and are means of transportation.

In Pará, while escaping from the white landowner's rule, settling new land, and learning to extract from the forest their means of livelihood, the people built for themselves a new life in the quilombos, where they remained even after slavery was abolished.

Some of the women and children of the Quilombo community in Maria Ribeira with Mauro.

The Brasilian state recognized the contemporary Quilombolas 20 years ago, securing their right to ownership of their lands under the Constitution. However, only 5% of all the communities in the country have been granted deed of their estate and the great majority of Quilombola communities in Pará are still struggling to secure land ownership.

A natural swimming pool for the community being enjoyed by some of the children! A great way to cool down on those hot Amazonian summer days!

According to members of the community, assurance and sustainable development of the Quilombola territories are critical to them in order to overcome the socioeconomic inequalities affecting the population, which is also instrumental to biodiversity conservation. At a time when one of the world's major concerns involves global warming mitigation, rain forest preservation is seen as critical and necessary.

The lush vegetation surrounding the community.

In Brasil, deforestation accounts for 75% of carbon emmissions into the atmosphere. The community believes that securing terretorial rights to Quilombolas constitutes additional means of rain forest protection against deforestation and mismanagement, and thus contributing effectively to global warming reduction.

Village of Maria Ribeira

2010-07-03T15:56:00.001-04:00

Getting around by canoe is a common and easy mode of transportation for the locals.

Me, waiting by the dock for our boat to depart.

The other community which we visited was the community of Maria Ribeira, a 30 minute ride from Gurupá by speed boat and a three hour ride by the "putt-putt" (please excuse the lack of correct terminology for such boats - maybe someone who knows what these boats are properly called can leave the correction in a comment!).

The old schoolhouse, now a meeting hall.

The chapel, used predominantly by the Roman Catholic church for worship.

The community is made up of approximately 250 inhabitants in a remote region on the Gurupá river. It is here that the difficulties with over-fishing by commercial companies has been felt the most as the large companies have stolen a major staple of work and food for the people of Maria Ribeira.

Me, (and Mauro in the background) pushing off the dock with our guide and captain, Joao Paulo.

The new schoolhouse and radio station (next door in the same building).

The town was named after Maria Ribeira who was a slave that escaped her captors and found refuge in this region of the rain forest. The people of Maria Ribeira are descendants of Maria Ribeira and are members of the Quilombo tribe, native peoples of the region.

A classroom in the new schoolhouse. Classes are generally held in the morning.

Some of the local housing - I was always struck by the many satellite dishes.

The Anglican Church was introduced to the community when it was working with the fishermen in Gurupá. Because of the over-fishing of the commercial companies, there was limited fish to catch and the fish that they did catch would only last the day. The Anglican Church helped the community to purchase some deep freezers to freeze the fish and allow the community to keep their catch longer, helping compensate on days when the catch was small.

Housing in this area is built on stilts as the region will flood during the rainy season.

Cacao, crack the shell and you'll find the beans which are dried and later ground into a fine powder.

After having helped the community and not asking anything in return, the local leadership invited the Anglican Church to come to Maria Riberia and minister to the community. The people took an interest in the Church and the Anglican community has been growing!
Picking fruit from the trees. Every time I walked by a different tree the locals would ask me, "have you tried this fruit?" If I answered "no" they'd pick it and hand it to me to try! The area is blessed with an abundance of fruits!

Building a boat. I have to admit that when I saw this, I immediately thought, "I guess this is how Noah must have started."

Entering God's Garden. The village is situated in an absolutely beautiful archipelago.

The dock at entrance to Maria Ribeira. The second time I visited the tide was too low to come in by boat, so we had to dock futher away and treck through the forest. A challenge that arises during the Amazonian summer when rain is scarce.

Christian Education

2010-07-02T18:57:00.000-04:00

One of the local children, Benedito, during a Christian education session at the fisherman's association.

While we were in Gurupá we met every day in the evening or the early afternoon with either the children or adults for bible study and Christian education. It was interesting because it really showed the dedication of the people and their love for the church - most people worked in the morning, went to school in the afternoon and then came to a christian education session/bible study in the evening.

Mauro and I met each day with a different group and presented different materials - sometimes doctrinal, studying the Trinity and the sacraments, sometimes biblical, studying some of the Pauline letters, and other times in prayer and worship - evening prayer groups.

Mauro, working with the children during one of the sessions on the doctrine of God and the First Person of the Trinity.

I even attempted to introduce some of the principals of Christian education from Young Children and Worship by Jerome Berryman which I used in the Parish of St. Matthias (with some limitations because of lack of materials and resources) but the basic concepts of storytelling and teaching engaged the children and captured their attention!

A pastoral visit to Mr. Benedito's home and his family, back row l-r, Nazaré, myself, and Benedito; front row l-r, Claudia, Josué and Benedito Sr.

We also spent some time doing home visitations and spending time with the members of the Anglican community in their homes providing pastoral visits and pastoral support. We were always well received and they always wanted to know how things were, functioned and happened in Canada.

A celebration of faith

2010-07-01T11:57:00.003-04:00

Members of the mission point of St. Peter the Fisherman in Gurupá.

The Anglican community in Gurupá has been growing steadily in the last three years that the church has been present - in fact, when there are baptisms, they tend to be 10 - 30 people (children and adults) at a time. Unfortunately our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters have denied the sacraments to many people because they're not married, but living with a partner, or have had children outside of marriage (and refuse to baptise the children). With proper preparation and some pastoral care, the Anglican church has welcomed these people and their families, friends and neighbours into the Communion.

Myself, with Daniel, Sonia & her son, and Mauro.

As I noted in a previous post, the Rev. Daniel de Barros is the priest serving the community in Gurupá. He is a judge in Macapa and travels to Gurupá every 15-21 days to minister to community. That means that most of the time the community is without a priest. Vanilse is a lay reader in the parish and she normally brings the community together where they celebrate a service of the Word with distribution of the pre-sanctified elements. When we arrived, Vanilse, Mauro and I celebrated a service of the Word with distribution of the pre-sanctified elements as Daniel was not there. The Bishop had sent us up the Amazon river with pre-consecrated elements to be used at any services that we had while we were there where no priest was present. This is very common in remote areas where the community is largely lay-led and clergy are only able to make occasional visits.

Children at a Eucharist service (pre-sanctified).

Members of St. Peter the fisherman Mission in Gurupá at a Eucharist service (pre-sanctified).

On the first weekend we were there, we gathered on Sunday afternoon at the Fisherman's Association with about 30 other people to celebrate the Service of the Word. The second weekend, Daniel was with us and we gathered for a celebration of the Eucharist with about 50 people. It is interesting to note that these communities still place a lot of importance on the visit of the clergy person. It was a joyous occasion as we filled the air around the dock with the sounds of song and prayer.

Administering Communion at a Eucharist at the Fisherman's Association.

Town of Gurupá

2010-06-30T16:55:00.000-04:00

My time in the Amazon consisted largely of a visit to the town of Gurupá. It's a town with approximately 3000 inhabitants and the major industry of the town is fishing. The other major industry is civic service as the town hall employs many people.

Gurupá's Town Hall - the seat of power and the source of employment.

The buffalo farm by the port.

A woman spreading out cacao beans to dry - cacao is also something easily grown here and produced.

Down at the market, a fisherman sells his catch - fresh shrimp (in basket).

A fisherman, at the Fisherman's Association, mending his nets.

There is a high percentage of unemployment in Gurupá and I was surprised that most of the shops along the main road weren't open very often. The population is also relatively young and their are a lot of children!

A paved road along the commercial area of Gurupá.

Down by the square outside the Roman Catholic Church.

When we arrived, the town was preparing to celebrate the feast of St. Anthony, which is their patron saint. Everyone participates at some level, even if they aren't Roman Catholic, and the town square was full of people dancing, singing and celebrating at night!

A local merchant pressing the açai berries to make fresh juice - rich in iron! I never tried it on its own, but always added sugar (2-3 heaping tablespoons to a bowl) as I was told that it tastes like eating dirt if you don't add the sugar ... very delicious and very nutritious!

The Anglican presence in Gurupá is a mission point and the community is named after St. Peter the fisherman. They are served by a priest (Daniel) who lives in Macapá (about a 16 hour boat ride) and who travels every two weeks (or so) to Gurupá to minister to the community. They currently do not have a permanent place of worship, so they either use Vanilse's house or they use the fisherman's association by the docks to gather and worship.

They have begun to pave some of their roads, but the large part of the roads here are unpaved. Houses are predominantly simple wooden structures with one or two rooms and an out-house.

The walkway to Joao Paulo & Vanilse's home where I stayed while in Gurupá.

The house where I lived, with Joao Paul and Vanilse (a lay reader of the Diocese) and their family, was on stilts as the area also tends to flood when the tide comes in. Water was limited, showers were taken outdoors, and dinner was usually some sort of delicious fresh fish that was caught that day!

Joao Paulo, Vanilse and I - my hosts.

Vanilse & her son, Douglas, preparing the fish for dinner.

Joao Paulo cooking dinner on an open-fire: fresh fish.

Washing the dishes.

The out-house.

An easy way to cool down on a hot day with some fresh coconut milk - there's an abundance of coconuts in this garden.

When you're finished drinking the coconut milk, you chop off the rind (that's what Douglas is doing in this photo) and then scoop out the coconut for a treat!

Valeria & Tayna who lived in the house with me and their parents.

God's Garden

2010-06-29T17:33:00.003-04:00

For about two weeks I explored God's garden - a beautiful part of the planet that is blessed with natural resources - everything you plant here blossoms in no time!

The land is blessed with a variety of fresh fruit (many that I have no idea what they're called - in fact my first day there, the locals kept of handing me different fruits and telling me to "try this one"), a lot of vegetables and many fish.

The only problem in this garden which God has created is humanity's greed. The locals have suffered from the invasion of large industrial companies who have come to this area to harvest the trees and troll the fish. They have clear-cut sections of the area and devasted the land. It's so sad to see desert areas in this part of the world where you know there use to be lush forests of evergreens, palms and all sorts of other vegetation. The government is now beginning to limit their activity here, but it is still too slow and not enough.

This was an opportunity to witness the devastation of land, although we ourselves are guilty of the same - if you think about it, our cities and towns used to be beautiful forests and valleys and are now large concrete deserts/forests! But, we give thanks for the beauty that God has created and the gifts God has given us and pray that we may be responsible stewards of that which the Creator gave us!

An area that was clear-cut and the trees were being prepped to be shipped off. Below is a barge that was carrying more equipment for purposes of clear-cutting and deforestation. What exacerbates the problem is that the companies that clear the land of its natural vegetation don't re-plant trees in their place but leave these large expanses of barren land!

Travelling the Amazon

2010-06-28T22:55:00.001-04:00

As I noted previously, I spent two weeks travelling a region of the Amazon to the town of Gurupá and the village of Maria Ribeira.

For 32 hours Mauro (a seminarian of the Diocese of the Amazon) and I travelled upstream from Belém to Gurupá.

There is a lot of water out there and a lot of trees ... I leave you with a few photos of my trip along the Amazon to Gurupá.

The port in Gurupá.

The "putt-putt" is a common mode of transportation on the Amazon.

Breves, is the first port-of-call where our boat stopped. We dropped off some passengers, picked up a few more, unloaded some cargo and loaded some more and then we were off. The stop in Breves was about 17-hours into our trip.

A little traffic on the Amazon.

The sunset, my second night on the river. We left at 6PM on Wednesday, June 9th and arrived at 2AM on Friday the 11th.

A visit to the emergency room

2010-06-27T20:09:00.004-04:00

Well, now I sort of know what it's like for our American brothers and sisters who don't have medical care coverage. I woke up in the middle of the night a couple of days ago with a sharp pain in my left shoulder and arm. I didn't think much of it and got up the next morning with slight pain but went about my day. The next day it didn't get any better and last night I wasn't able to sleep at all because I was in such pain. So, this morning I went to the emergency room at 6:45AM to get it checked out.

I was impressed with how quickly they dealt with me as I was back home by 8:15AM, having had x-rays, a consultation, being medicated and visiting the pharmacist. Thankfully everything is within walking distance!

But, one of the first things they asked me was how was I going to pay for my visit. They asked me for a $600 Reais deposit - when I gave them my credit card, the woman informed me that they don't take credit but only take cheques and cash. Well, I'm not in the habit of carrying around $600 Reais, so I managed to convince her just to pay for the consultation and a bit more in case the doctor needed to do anything.

When all was said and done, they provided me with a detailed receipt and I was shocked to see the level of detail: cotton swabb, needle, alcohol, bandade, latex gloves, etc.; each item itemized with a price!

I was thankful for how quickly they were able to see me as I was expecting to wait in a waiting room for a while since it is Sunday morning - and I was very impressed with the quality of care - from the receptionist, to the doctor, to the nurse, to the radiologist - I was well taken care of!

I spent the rest of the day resting and now it's just a matter of allowing the body to heal!

World Cup Fever

2010-06-26T21:20:00.001-04:00

Hmmm ... who would have known that my Portuguese ancestory would sometimes be more of a negative trait than a positive trait on this journey. Well, if you put Brasil and Portugal playing against each other in a World Cup match I was bound to be on the losing side, regardless of the outcome. And that was my situation yesterday.

The Brasilians take their soccer seriously. The entire city of Belem stood quiet as the game played out ... no traffic, almost all the shops were closed and there was nobody on the streets ... everyone sat inside and watched their team (Brasil) face Portugal.

Since about the third week that I've been here, people have quite enjoyed telling me jokes about the Portuguese - I take it as a sign of affection that they are comfortable enough with me that we can laugh about the friendly rivalry between the Portuguese and the Brasilians. And, leading up to the game, I certainly got several (friendly) looks of disapproval when people asked me who I'd be cheering for - I, of course, never responded (but rather smiled and laughed nervously).

In the end, it seems like the cat got the better end of the deal having taken advantage of the quiet environment to take a nap because the game was rather non-eventful finishing 0-0 with an additional 5 minutes added to the game!

It turned out well ... nobody got upset because neither team won ... Brasil still ended up at the top of their Group (advancing to play Chilie on Monday) and Portugal ends up advancing and playing Spain on Tuesday.

Closing Eucharist

2010-06-23T19:17:00.005-04:00

St. Paul's Cathedral in São Paulo.

On the final day of Synod, three buses arrived at the retreat centre in the afternoon to pick up all the delegates (and their luggage) and take us to St. Paul's Cathedral. The Cathedral is large and has a very large congregation.

Interior of St. Paul's Cathedral in São Paulo.

Our closing Eucharist celebration was held at a separate time from the regularly scheduled services of the Cathedral. I was told that the avarage attendance of the morning service is 800 people and the evening service normally has 1000 people. That's right, I didn't put extra zeros on the end of the figures, eight hundred in the morning and a thousand in the evening. The Cathedral property itself is quite large with a parish hall under the cathedral and several buildings on the cathedral close. The preacher at the eucharist was the President of the House of Deputies of The Episcopal Church, USA. She preached on the role of the laity and the importance of the laity as members of the church - comprised of laity, clergy and bishops. That the church is not complete if the laity do not participate fully in the ministry of the church!

Bonnie Anderson (President of the House of Deputies - The Episcopal Church, USA) preached at the closing Eucharist of the XXXI General Synod of the IEAB with the assistance of translator, the Rev. Luiz Alberto.

Refreshments and snacks in the parish hall under the cathedral.

When the celebration of the Eucharist was completed, we returned to the Parish hall for refreshments and some snacks before we all boarded our respective buses and were taken to our airport of departure - in our case we returned to Belem from Guarulhos airport which was much less spectacular than Congonhas airport when we arrived (it was further away from the city and smaller). Having left São Paulo at 9:15pm we arrived in Belem at 12:45am. We had a bit of a delay at the airport when we arrived because the airline lost Bishop Saulo's luggage. By 2:30am I was back in my room in Belem ready for a good night's rest.

The Primate, the Most Rev. Mauricio Andrade welcoming everyone to the closing service of the 31st General Synod of the Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil.

The closing Eucharist was a wonderful celebration of the time that we had spent together as a church in its synod. There was some debate where some people were fustrated, there were times of great joy and celebration and there were times of reflection and sadness. But at the end of the day, the 31st General Synod of the Episcopal Anglican Church of Brasil celebrated 120 years of ministry as the IEAB, 200 years of ministry in Brasil and 25 years of the ordination of women in the IEAB and they have much to celebrate and rejoice as the church moves forward into the next chapter of its history seeking to live the Gospel as the people of God.

... it's not all business

2010-06-22T18:30:00.007-04:00

It wasn't all business ... there were several opportunities to celebrate and enjoy fellowship with delegates. There were times of singing and dancing, eating and drinking, laughing and getting to know one another as brothers and sisters in Christ coming from diverse regions and celebrating that diversity in the faith that brings us together.

I leave you with a few images of from the non-synodical business.

Every night, delegates met up at the coffee house for an evening of fellowship.

The Rev. Glenda McQueen, Global Partnerships Coordinator of The Episcopal Church and I after lunch in the cafeteria.

The anniversary cake - 120 years of ministry as the Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil.

The Rev. Flavio Irala and the Rev. Humberto Maiztegui playing the guitar and singing during breaks (they also led the musical portions of worship).

Raimundo, from the Diocese of the Amazon, playing the maracas at one of our worship services.

Members of Synod had many opportunities to sit down and chat over breakfast, lunch and dinner in the cafeteria.

Some of the members of the Diocese of the Amazon - during our breaks we had the opportunity to go on nature walks on the grounds. From 1-r: Raimundo, Ilene, Marillia, Claudinha and I.

Archbishop Maurice Andrade, Primate, and Bishop Robin Bird, Bishop of São Paulo welcoming people to a reception at St. Paul's Cathedral.

Delegates and guests mingle in the parish hall of St. Paul's Cathedral in São Paulo.

Other Issues

2010-06-21T17:03:00.004-04:00

There were also several other issues that were discussed and events that occured throughout the meeting of General Synod.

The Rev. Carmen Etel and I during a coffee break at General Synod in the garden.

On the final day of General Synod, the members of Synod were informed of a letter from the Archbishop of Canterbury to the Communion which was sent to the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church and the Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada which was a missive concerned the ordination of openly homosexual bishops and the blessing of same-sex unions. In his letter, the Archbishop of Canterbury said that those Anglican churches which breach the moratoria “formally, through their Synod or House of Bishops…should not be participants in the ecumenical dialogues in which the Communion is formally engaged. The General Synod of the IEAB unanimously requested the Primate and President of the House of Laity and Clergy to send a letter of affirmation and support to the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church and to the Anglican Church of Canada. The Primate also committed to send a pastoral response to the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Anglican Communion in the coming days.

Also of important discussion among delegates was the need to place environmental concerns at the top of the agenda for the coming term as our leadership in the stewardship of the earth is imperative.

The Youth Delegation making their presentation to General Synod.

The youth delegation also made a presentation to General Synod and requested dioceses to observe the 4th Sunday of every month as Youth Sunday. They invited the Bishops, clergy and lay leadership to allow the youth of their Dioceses to take an active role in organizing and leading worship on each of the 4th Sundays of the month.

The Rev. Carmen Etel officiating at the evening worship in thanksgiving and celebration of the 25th anniversary of the ordination of women in the IEAB.

One of the evening worship services was dedicated to giving thanks for the ministry of women in the church and the ordination of women in the IEAB. The Rev. Carmen Etel, the first women ordained in the IEAB led the worship along with the Anglican Church Women.

The Diocesan Representatives of the Anglican Church Women meeting during one of the sessions of General Synod.

The National Anglican Church Women met concurrently with the General Synod. Representatives from each of the nine dioceses and one missionary district met to discuss the work and ministry of Anglican Church Women in Brasil.

The National Commission on the Ministry of the Diaconate also met concurrently with General Synod and discussed strategies for providing more formation and training for vocational and transitional deacons in the IEAB.

Ecumenical Eucharist in thanksgiving of the 120th Anniversary of the IEAB.

On the last evening of General Synod, we held an ecumenical Eucharist service and had representatives from the Methodist Church, the Lutheran Church, the Presbyterian Church, the Roman Catholic Church and the Pentecostal Church present with us to celebrate our ministry and the IEAB's anniversary.

Some of the Youth Delegates to the IEAB.

Primatial Election

2010-06-20T17:03:00.004-04:00

Archbishop Mauricio Andrade after his re-election as Primate of the IEAB with his son Pedro and wife Sandra.

The episcopal term of the Primate is exactly one term between General Synod. The constitution of the IEAB requires that at every General Synod a Primate be elected. This can serve in a variety of ways: it can open up the opportunity for new leadership and a new direction, it can serve as a natural replacement for a retiring primate, and it can serve as a vote-of-confidence and affirmation of the ministry of the existing primate.

The floor was open for nominations of candidates for the office of primate and Archbishop Mauricio Andrade was nominated as a candidate for a second term. Upon some time waiting for additional candidates, a delegate stood and requested a unanimous vote of confidence for the current Primate and his relection for an additional term of office. The members of synod rose to applaud the Primate and congratulate him on a second term and to thank him for his ministry and dedication to the church.

The Primate and members of his diocese of Brasilia.

Unlike in Canada, the Primate of the Episcopal Anglican Church of Brasil is also a Diocesan Bishop and has responsibilities in his/her own diocese. In this particular case, Archbishop Andrade is not only the Primate of the IEAB, but he is also the Bishop of the Diocese of Brasilia which means that his time is shared between the work and ministry of the IEAB and the work and ministry of the Diocese of Brasilia. It is a strain on both entities as the primate must carefully balance the work and ministry of the IEAB with the needs of his own Diocese and the needs of his family. This requires that the Church have strong leadership amongst its clergy and laity so that the work and ministry of the diocese and the National Church can be shared.

The reality of the IEAB is very different than the situation that the Anglican Church of Canada - we still have a position of influence and authoirty in Canadian society, whereas most of the IEAB exists in a constant state of mission, a Church that preaches the Gospel message without any of the benefit that comes from having been part of the establishment. Those who are called to leadership in the IEAB are constantly facing institutional and societal challenges to building up the Kingdom of God, and they do it with humility and confidence that God will provide. It was a great honour to be able to chat and get to know some of the lay, clergy and episcopal leadership in the IEAB.

Constitution & Canons

2010-06-19T19:22:00.005-04:00

Bishop Filadélfo of the Diocese of Rio de Janeiro, presides over the session on Constitutional and Canonical changes as the Chair of the Committee on Canons.

I've already mentioned one of the issues that the General Synod dealt with in regards to revisions to its constitution and canons - mainly the motion for a tri-cameral system which would see the House of Laity and Clergy form two separate Houses in addition to the House of Bishops.

Other constitutional changes included a motion to change General Synod's meeting from every 3 years to every 4 years. Also, the plenary debated a motion to strike out the category of suffragan bishop from the constitution. The motion was eventually defeated. The final constitutional ammendment that was debated was a change to the retirement age of Bishops. A motion was debated to extend the retirement age from 68 to 70, however, after some passionate debate the motion went to a vote and was defeated.

Remember that all constitutional changes require that they be passed by two successive synods. Canonical changes only require a majority (50%+1) in order to take effect.

Delegates from the Anglican Diocese of Pelotas.

Canonical changes included the approval of the makeup of the National Theological Commission on Theology which had been episcopal and clergy heavy. The new makeup of the commission will include 2 bishops, 2 clergy, 2 laity and an additional representative each from students and faculty.

Delegates from the Anglican Diocese of São Paulo.

They also looked at the responsibility of clergy who take leave from their ministry to their Bishop, Diocese and Synod. The canon was changed so that a procedure is put in place for Bishops and Synods to take action regarding licensing and deposition of orders.

The last canonical change which was debated and passed regarded changes to parish "ownership" of properties. General Synod passed a motion that will require parishes to list parish properties in the name of the IEAB, so that in the event of a church deciding to leave the IEAB, the property is legally bound to the IEAB. This caused some extensive debate and room was made in the wording of the motion to allow for exceptions.

A view of the plenary floor and members of synod at the XXXI General Synod if the Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil.

Debate was cordial and respectful, the length of speeches though could have been restricted a bit to allow for more voice, but it was an exercise of allowing the Spirit to move as this church confronts some of the issues that it's facing.

Good stewardship - Financial Report

2010-06-18T18:42:00.004-04:00

Mr. Marcos Vilwock, Treasurer for the IEAB, presenting his financial report to General Synod.

Sometimes difficult decisions have to be made in order to come to terms with reality and sometimes creative ways and new partnerships have to be formed in order to make ends meet. I'm not talking about corporate sponsorship, but I am talking about responsible stewardship.

I was impressed with how the National Office is attacking its financial difficulties to make ends meet. Ar the last General Synod in 2006, the IEAB reported a $1.2 million reais debt. Four years of hard work to reduce costs and find alternative means of funding has brought the debt down to $386,000 reais in 2010.

Some of the savings and cost cutting came at the price of human resources, which is always a difficult decision to make. At the General Synod of 2006, the IEAB National Office had 10 full-time staff and in 2010 it now only has 4 full-time staff. The budgeted deficit for 2006 was $428,000 reais and the 2010 budget is down to a $280,000 reais deficit. A combination of cuts to staff and programs, along with some creative partnerships that have seen income through rental of properties, has allowed the IEAB to take hold of its financial household and find ways to control its spending and manage the resources it has based on the realities of the day.

Finances are always a delicate issue, especially in the church when we work with the gifts and hard labour of so many generous donors. It is encouraging when the church is able to manage those gifts responsibly so that the seeds it sows will one day bear fruit that won't be at the expense of the next generation.

Reports, Reports and more Reports

2010-06-17T18:01:00.004-04:00

The Most Rev. Mauricio Andrade, Primate, with Selma Rosa, President of the House of Clergy and Laity; Bonnie Anderson, President of the House of Deputies of the Episcopal Church USA and the Rev. Luiz Alberto, out-going President of the House of Clergy and Laity.

It is a slightly different way of doing business than I'm used to with our own Synods and General Synods, but I must admit, it guarantees that your audience hears what you have to say. At this General Synod, reports were distributed digitally via the National Church's website and General Synod was almost entirely paperless. However, to compensate for the lack of a hard copy of reports, each of the reports was read to the general plenary of Synod, which occupied a large chunk of time!

The Rev. Francisco de Assis, Secretary General, presenting his report to General Synod.

We heard reports from the Primate, the General Secretary, the President of the House of Clergy and Laity, the Treasurer and Committees.

The Rev. Luiz Alberto, out-going President of the House of Clergy and Laity, presenting his report to General Synod.

It certainly was an impressive way of realizing how much work is done between General Synods. The last General Synod of the IEAB was held in 2006. Archbishop Andrade was elected at the General Synod and since that time he has travelled the expanse of the country visiting the many communities of the IEAB (a challenging task that our own Archbishop Hiltz I'm sure is familiar with), he's travelled to Lambeth for the 2008 Lambeth Conference, he's been to long lists of conferences and meetings, ecumenical gatherings, inter-faith meetings and he's also been Bishop of his own Diocese Brasilia. The same can be said of the Secretary-General who has done a ton of travelling on behalf of the Church and has also managed the administration of the National Church from their office in Porto Alegre.

If nothing else, it was evident how much work was involved in the various roles of leadership and their dedication to carrying out the work of the Church in their leadership.

Prayers

2010-06-16T20:25:00.000-04:00

Please remember our brothers and sisters in the Diocese of Recife.

The waters in the Pernambuco region continue to rise and have claimed the lives of 45 people, left 180,000 homeless and 600 people have been reported missing.

House of Clergy & Laity

2010-06-16T19:00:00.003-04:00

Ilene Sewnarni, delegate from the Diocese of the Amazon; Selma Rosa, President of the IEAB House of Clergy and Laity, and myself at the closing Eucharist of the XXXI General Synod of the IEAB at St. Paul's Cathedral in São Paulo.

In the afternoon of the first day of General Synod, the two houses of Synod met separately: House of Clergy & Laity and the House of Bishops.

I sat in on the discussions and procedures of the House of Clergy and Laity. The first item that the House dealt with was the election of a new President of the House of Clergy and Laity. This was a historical moment in the IEAB as the House of Clergy and Laity elected a woman, Selma Rosa, as the president of the House. It was also significant because it was the first time that a lay person was elected.

The two major issues that the House of Clergy and Laity discussed after the election of the President were: 1. the creation of a tri-cameral system, and 2. the publication of the Book of Common Prayer.

1. There has been significant debate since the last General Synod met that there should be 3 houses; House of Laity, House of Clergy and House of Bishops. The emphasis on the separation of houses seemed to come from the clergy, arguing that this would give the laity a stronger voice. The motion was sent to the House of Bishops who later sent it to the Committee on Canons for study. Procedure requires that all Canonical Changes and changes to the constitution be studied first by the Committee on Canons and the Dioceses, then be presented to the following General Synod for debate and a vote, and in the event that the motion succeeds, it must come back to the following General Synod for a second vote before it is adopted and the constitution is changed. In this case, the committee on canons will study the question of a tri-cameral system, send their report to the Dioceses for study and debate, come to the General Synod of 2013 for debate and vote, and then return (in the case of an affirmative vote) to the 2016 General Synod for a final round of debate and vote before it takes effect. Should the proposal be adopted, the 2019 General Synod of the IEAB would open with a tri-cameral system.

Bonnie Anderson, President of the House of Deputies of The Episcopal Church, USA and I.

2. The other issue which consumed some great amount of debate was the Book of Common Prayer. General Synod had previously requested that an official Brasilian Book of Common Prayer be produced, and the committee working on the BCP also looked at adding a version of the Bible to the same binding so that the BCP would have all the offices, catechism and bible in one volume. There was considerable opposition to such a production because it created an "authorized" version of the Bible to be used in churches of the IEAB - which translation would be used and would this limit biblical study? The committee sent it to print before receiving final approval, but never received approval. General Synod spent some time discussing what to do in this unfortunate circumstance. In the end, the general plenary decided to not continue the publication of the current edition of BCP & Bible, prohibit the sale of any further volumes that had been printed, prohibit the profit from any previous sales, and continue the work of producing an official BCP for the IEAB. I must admit it was a tense debate and a tender issue for some people who really got worked up over it!

Doing Business

2010-06-15T17:59:00.006-04:00

Delegates from the Anglican Diocese of Meridional.

Opening Plenary of General Synod began on Thursday, June 4th and most of the morning and afternoon dealt with the some of the bureaucracies of the synodical process. Verifcation of quorum was done by roll call - the secretaries of synod called out each member of synod to verify their presence - a task that can be easily done when there are only 120 members.

Synod convened during the week celebrating the Blessed Trinity. They celebrated the 200th anniversary of the presence of the Anglican Church in Brasil (first British chaplaincies arrived in 1810 to minister to the British who were working in Brasil), the 120th Anniversary of the Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil (IEAB) as an independant province and member of the Anglican Communion, and the 25th Anniversary of the ordination of women in the IEAB. There was much prayer and thanksgiving for the first pioneers and missionaries (Lucien Lee Kinsolving, James Watson Morris, the the work of the Virginia Seminary and the servant ministry of Marie Packard) who settled here and established an Anglican community for the people of Brasil.

The Primate reminded members of synod the importance of listening to what the "Spirit is saying to the Church" in its deliberations over the following days, following in St. Paul's words to be a prophetic community of transformation and not conforming to the norms of society. He reminded members that we have a responsibility to announce and live the values of the Kingdom - dignity, solidarity, justice and peace with particular attention to our work with the poor and the growing crisis of impoverishment with a growing polorization between rich and poor. He noted that in São Paulo itself (the city where we were meeting) statistics have shown that in the last 10 years the number of homeless people living on the streets of São Paulo has increased by 57%, representing more than 13 thousand people living on the streets of São Paulo.

Archbishop Andrade was clear in his statement to members of Synod that the seriousness of the problem lies in our own environment. The body of the people is wounded (violence and degredation) and mother earth is also seriously wounded - not only is the church calling of conversion, but science also is calling the inhabitants of the world to convert: either we change our attitudes and ways of living or we allow our planet to perish. He highlighted the radical opposition of the indigenous community of Kayapo to the proposed hydro-elctric construction on the Xingu river as examples of how we must defend our environment and our sacred creation.

Delegates from the Anglican Diocese of Sul-Ocidental. The bishop in this photo, far left, is Bishop Jubal Neves, who was the Bishop of the Diocese when I first visited his diocese in 1997 with a delegation of youth from the Diocese of Montreal. Bishop Jubal will retire next year - mandatory retirement of bishops in the IEAB is 68.

Mission is part of this creation, a call to reconciliation and transformation in the creative action of God in the form of love - and it is urgent for us to focus on a mission of transformation and sing a new song. In this journey together, we are called to welcome God's children and to serve in love. Our direction is clear: we must be a people of inclusivity, welcoming all of God's children because there exists no barriers in God's heart; we must have a profetic vision; and we must live transformation - and for this we must be redemptive and re-create.

These were some of the ideas expressed by the Primate, on behalf of the House of Bishops, to the XXXI General Synod of the IEAB. General Synod started with a challenge to consider our responsibility to the poor and marginalized, to creation and to structures of injustice.

Where in the world is ... Rob?

2010-06-14T22:14:00.001-04:00

If you've been following my blog daily, you're probably wondering where I disappeared to since I haven't been posting ... well, I've been visiting some rural communities in the Amazon - specifically the communities in Gurupa and Maria Ribeira.

Internet access there was next to non-existent ... I did manage to get access one day (which was my brother's birthday) with some pleading and grovelling and sent him a quick birthday message ... the owner of a cyber cafe which gives computer lessons had one computer that was connected to a dial-up and was very slow and he let me use his computer for a few minutes after I stopped by his shop on the third time and explained to him that I wanted to let my family know that I had a safe journey and had arrived at my destination ... which I did, along with a birthday greeting!

Before you hear about my adventures in the Amazon, I'll finish off my reporting on General Synod.

Thanks to all of you who sent me messages wondering if I was alright! Sorry that I wasn't able to keep the blog rolling! But here it goes again!

Opening of General Synod

2010-06-13T18:58:00.000-04:00

Opening Eucharist of the 31st General Synod of the IEAB.

The 31st General Synod of the Episcopal Anglican Church of Brasil commenced on Thursday, June 3rd with a celebration of the Eucharist. It was a joyous celebration as bishops, clergy and laity celebrated the beginning of this gathering.

Bringing greetings from the Canadian Anglican Church and the Primate, The Most Rev. Fred Hiltz.

I had the opportunity to address the plenary session of Synod and to bring greetings from Archbishop Hiltz and the members of our own Canadian General Synod which was meeting at the same time as the IEAB General Synod.

Myself and Secretary-General of the IEAB, The Rev. Canon Francisco da Silva.

Myself and the Primate of the IEAB, The Most Rev. Mauricio Andrade.

In addition to myself, there were representatives from The Episcopal Church, USA, the Church Pension Fund, Episcopal Relief and Development Fund and Episcopal News Service.

International guests to the IEAB General Synod, Back row: myself and The Rev. Mary Francis, Epiacopal News Service; Front Row: Robert Raddick, Episcopal Relief & Development; Bonnie Anderson, President of the House of Deputies, USA.

More small Groups

2010-06-12T18:55:00.002-04:00

After the panel discussion on obstacles to the marks of mission, the plenary broke into small groups to discuss the questions:

What church do we want to be?

What responsibilities do we want to take in the future?

After a few hours of discussion, each of the groups (which met by regions) gathered in plenary to make a brief presentation to the Primate.

Some of the responses included:

-A need to take seriously the formation of our laity and provide them the resources necessary to undertake their role as leadership in the church;
-Be a church which is involved and active in both the secular world and in the religious world;
-Involve children and youth in the work of the church and provide them the room to express themselves;
-Be a church steeped in mission and spirituality;
-Be a Brasilian Church that is active and visible.

The Primate commenting on the reports from the regional groups.

Marks of Mission

2010-06-11T17:54:00.000-04:00

Panel members, Bishop Jubal Neves, Diocese of Sul-Ocidental; Rev. Lucia dal Ponte Sirtoli, Diocese of Brasilia, Ms. Maristela Lelzow Silva, Diocese of Pilotas.

The final day of the Leadership Conference opened with a second panel discussion. The theme of the panel was Obstacles in the Marks of Mission.

Bishop Jubal Neves spoke of the Episcopal Anglican Church of Brasil being Anglican Church of Brasil and not in Brasil and our responsibility to be that church, our responsibility to care for creation - in all of the senses and to be a people that dreams! He reminded delegates that our Mission is God's Mission! We must live the Gospel in our context and work to transform unjust structures. The marks of mission require us to be bothered and inconvenienced for the sake of those who are suffering injustice. He also looked at how discipleship has been distorted, that some believe that those who maintain orthodoxy are saved and all others are damned. He quoted Tim Dearborn who once said, "It is not the church of God that has a mission, but rather the God of Mission that has a church." He challenged members saying that it is now up to the church, in their various dioceses, to dream how that vision of justice and the mission of God will manifest itself and to have the courage and imagination to realize it!

Rev. Lucia Sirtoli spoke about mission in its biblical context. She examined the role of Israel as God's people and told delegates that the Church needs to assume its role as the people of God - that we need to listen to God and be attentive to God's call to us. "I cam so that ALL may have life and have it abundantly." Christ continues to give life and we are called to participate in this work of mission and giving life. She asked delegates to reflect on what we, as disciples of Jesus, doing to carry out God's mission in the day-to-day realities of the world.

The final speaker, Ms. Maristela Silva spoke of her personal experience of mission. She spoke of her work with children in one of the favelas of her diocese. She went into the favela and brought together a group of children and youth and taught them music, provided them with musical instruments and gave them the freedom and opportunity to do something new and different. Someone said to her, "Aren't you concerned about them stealing the instruments?" And her reply was, "no, they value what those instruments mean to them and their community and they take great pride and care with the instruments." The musical ensemble that she formed now travels the region and country playing at different worship services and performing. Maristela used music to bring together these children who had very few options in their community and gave them the opportunity to dream and to believe that they can do what they put their mind to.

The panel urged the delegates to think of the church as more than just an institution that speaks about justice and to be a church that lives justice and the marks of mission!

Delegates to the leadership conference taking notes during the panel presentation.

Living the Beatitudes

2010-06-10T18:01:00.000-04:00

Clergy and laity gathered in the morning for prayer outside the grounds of the retreat house.

We started the following day in prayer. We gathered outside and sang and prayed and then began a procession through the grounds until we reached a grotto where there was a full sized crucifix. There we reflected on the beatitudes and we were asked to reflect on one of the beatitudes and make a personal commitment to living that one beatitude.

We began a walk, reflecting on the beatitudes.

At the foot of the cross we were asked to consider which beatitude spoke to us in the moment and to make a commitment to live our lives reflecting that beatitude.

The service was moving and was a good start for the work that was to be done in the coming days. As we stood on the mount and looked over to the body of water we were reminded in the stillness and quiteness of the moment those words which our Lord, Jesus preached:

View from the mount.

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.
Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

At the conclusion of the walk, we gathered in the basketball court outside the retreat house and presented our visual collages of the group work prepared the night before.

Small Group Discussions

2010-06-09T18:54:00.000-04:00

Small groups met for several hours to discuss the state of the church today.

After the panel discussion, delegates broke out into small groups to discuss the following 2 questions:

- After 120 years, what do we need to change and what do we need to do better?

- Are we satisfied with the church we are today?

The groups were asked to meet for an hour to discuss these questions and then to meet again after supper to complete their discussions and work. We were asked to prepare a visual presentation of our discussions that would be presented the following day.

Small group working on visual presentation.

Some of the responses to the questions were as follows:

-better facilitation of mission and outreach to communities
-find ways of ensuring that the church and mission have ways to survive (both human and financial resources)
-analyze the church in its context (the discussion around this subject looked at the church of the first missionaries and how that church was one which did not require members to contribute financially or with human resources since support came from outside Brasil - ie. UK and USA - this is not the reality that the IEAB currently exists)
-reform of administration
-reform of episcopate
-re-evaluation of responsibilities
-more visibility needed in the larger community
-re-examine theological formation for laity and clergy
-less talk, more action!

In response to the question, "Are we satisfied with the church we are today?" the response from my group (which I thought was brilliant) was "No, never!" If we find ourselves in a position one day where we are satisfied with who we are, we will stop growing, stop learning and stop striving to do better!

The visual presentation produced by my small group.

The IEAB Today

2010-06-08T18:53:00.000-04:00

Delegates from the Anglican Diocese of Curitiba in plenary session of the leadership conference.

The leadership conference began its formal work with a panel discussion on the theme of the Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil (IEAB) today. The panel consisted of The Most Rev. Mauricio Andrade, Primate of the IEAB; Ms. Mara Manzoni Luz, lay delegate from the Anglican Diocese of São Paulo; and, Mr. Anivaldo Padilha, lay leader of the Methodist Church in Brasil.

The Most Rev. Mauricio Andrade, Primate of the IEAB

Archbishop Andrade examined the history of the leadership conferences (the last one being in 2002). He reminded delegates of William Temple's statement that the church is the only community that exists for the sake of those who are not its members. He reminded delegates of Dom Helder Camara's words, when many dream the same dream, it is a reality. He then reminded delegates of the prophet Micha's words in 6:8, "what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness,and to walk humbly with your God?" He called on the leadership of the church when they are thinking about where the church should be moving in the future to think about our responsibility to be inclusive, our responsibility to seek the Kingdom and our resonsibility to be prophetic!

Ms. Mara Manzoni Luz, lay delegate from the Anglican Diocese of São Paulo

Ms. Mara Manzoni Luz spoke about the role of the laity in the church and reminded those gathered that the laity also had an economic, administrative and pastoral responibility in its leadership of the church. She challenged the laity to think about how they are using the gifts given to them by God, and how are they contributing to the life of the church in its activities both administrative and pastoral. She asked the leadership gathered to think seriously about how the laity are claiming their space in the church and what are we, as laity, doing to strengthen and share our spirituality.

Mr. Anivaldo Padilha, lay leader of the Methodist Church in Brasil

Finally, the third panel speaker, Mr. Anivaldo Padilha, looked at the place of the church in its ecclesiastical and ecumenial context. He examined the historical growth of the "protestant" churches, their growing visibility through new forms of media, our tolerance and intolerance of other religions and suggested that the growth of the churches is based on 2 models - one based on the reading of scripture in new ways, and the other on new forms of expression of spirituality. He suggested to delegates that in visioning the future of the church, leadership should consider signs of life in the continued fight for human rights and a better quality of life. He also urged delegates to continue to build relationships on the local and regional level in the ecumenical and interfaith spheres so that the church not be an institution that is inward looking, but is aware and alive in the context of the reality it lives in, working to dismantle prejudices and intolerances amongst peoples.

Delegates from the Anglican Diocese of Brasilia in plenary session of the leadership conference.

The delegates then had the opportunity to ask questions and comment on the panel presentations before they broke into small group discussions on the future of the church.

Leadership Conference

2010-06-07T21:41:00.001-04:00

The site of the retreat centre where the Leadership Conference and 31st General Synod was held in Embu Guaçu.

The Leadership conference of the Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil (IEAB) met for two days of panel discussions, small group discussions, prayer, celebration and visioning. The conference was held in the days just before the omeeting of their General Synod at a retreat centre outside of São Paulo in Embu Guaçu.

Members of General Synod began to arrive on Wednesday morning, June 2nd and gathered around the facilities to chat and get to know each other.

The idea behind the conference, which generally occurs before each meeting of their General Synod, is that the leadership (lay, clergy & bishops) can have some time prior to the synod to brainstorm, share ideas and experiences and to prepare a vision for the future of the church in their context which will result in presentations of motions and/or resolutions at the actual meeting of the General Synod.

Members of the leadership conference during opening worship of the conference.

And that is exactly what they did - they looked at the history of the IEAB since they last met and discussed the state of where the church is now and then did some visioning for the future. The next couple of blog entries will give you an idea of some of the discussions.

International guests were welcomed to the leadership conference on the first day of the gathering. Other international guests arrived during the course of the week.