Fifty years of loving service by all those who worshipped here.
Sharing of the gifts you gave us, reaching out in loving care.
Young and old receive your blessings through kind deeds and offerings.
Lead us forward, now by giving strength and faith unwavering.
(A Hymn to The Church of St. Stephen)
Last year, we announced the need for someone to fill the vacant role of Coordinator of our
Hospitality Committee. Violet Lewis was approached by one of the wardens to fill the position.
Violet was quite sure that that was not the role to which she felt called to serve. Generally the
conversation ends there and the search goes on. Not in this case! Violet went on to suggest that
there was a role in which she would be more comfortable, that of being the Kitchen Coordinator,
ensuring that the kitchen is supplied and is ready for Coffee Hour and such social events apart
from Sundays. Up until that point, as far as I was aware, there was no such ministry. Violet
recognized that need, she knew that she was comfortable in such a role and offered herself. Thank
you, Violet, for such faithful witness and service, thus far, in this particular ministry!
That story, in itself, convinced me that this year’s theme for our Vestry meeting would be
“Called to Serve”. Then as if God were saying “that’s good”, God gave me more reason to work
with that theme.
I recently heard a sermon in which the preacher asked his hearers two questions, “do you
preach? Why don’t you preach?” The impression being conveyed to me, at least, was that
preaching was what every member of the church is called to do, that one should not be satisfied
until one mounts the pulpit and begins to “pour forth”. I was reminded of the words of St. Francis
of Assisi, “proclaim the gospel, use words when necessary”.
Then the “trinity” was complete. I was sitting in the barber’s chair when I heard another patron
saying, with a strong Jamaican accent,“good job, pastor!” I looked around and sitting behind was a
young man who went on to say,“I saw you in the paper”. I remembered there was a recent article in
“The Share”, one of our community’s papers, about our youth program accompanied by my picture.
He went on to say “many people believe that all the church does is to meet and pray, but it’s good
to see that you are walking the talk”. This is what it is all about. SERVICE
Let me first identify some aspects of service and ministry in which we engaged during the past year and then I will seek to put it in context as we look to the future.
NEW IN THE SERVICE
I was pleased to appoint and welcome four new members to the Advisory Board, Shalon Jeffers and
Emmerson Jordan, Zina Allder and Khalesha Linton (Youth Representatives). I was equally pleased to
welcome the new Deputy Warden, Courtney Bolden, who was elected at a special vestry meeting. It
was not too hard to persuade him to join the team. He has served as if he was serving from “back
in the day”. Shalon faithfully served as the Board’s secretary. Thank you Courtney, the new
members and the entire Board and Wardens’ team and treasurer for a year of faithful service.
CELEBRATING SERVICE
ARLENE AUGUST
During the month of May, Arlene August, our organist, celebrated 45 years in music. On May 28th,
what was to be our annual Revival Concert was indeed a “surprise concert” to honour her contribution
to the life and worship of the church over these many years. Several artistes and choirs with whom
she has worked over the years were a part of this celebration. A DVD of the concert was produced
to keep a record of the event. Copies are still available.
In October, with a heavy heart, I announced the resignation of Arlene as our organist. For some
time, she has been under her doctor’s care and, on his advice, she has tendered her resignation
which took effect at the end of 2006. This is a great disappointment for us, but if we care for
Arlene, we can understand and accept her decision. May God continue to keep her in God’s peace as
we uphold her in our prayers.
KHALESHA LINTON
The Rector’s Award is given to the youth who demonstrates a deep commitment to the service
of God and the Church. The winner was Khalesha Linton. She has contributed much to the ministry
among our youth and children and was rewarded by being recognized in this way. She is presently
enrolled at the University of Western Ontario.
CELEBRATING OUR SERVICE IN LITURGY & WORSHIP
REVIVAL 2K6
We celebrated Revival 2K6 at the end of May. This year’s theme was “Keeping Jesus In The Mix”.
Our preacher was The Pastor Alvin Nicholson, Senior Pastor of Agape Ministries.
FELLOWSHIP SUNDAY
July 23rd was “Fellowship Sunday”. As has been our practice over the year, the eucharist was
celebrated in the parking lot. This was followed by our family Bar-B-Q and a time of fellowship,
coordinated by Katherine and Ricardo Walters. The day culminated with the dedication of the
refurbished Balsom Room which was supported by the television show Divine Restoration. The
recording was telecast on Vision TV on Wednesday, December 6.
10TH ANNIVERSARY
The Wardens and Advisory Board, with family and friends, “conspired” with the congregation to
celebrate the tenth year of my incumbency on Sunday, September 10th. I was moved by the passion
and thought that went into the celebration. I can assure you that the gift which you gave to me
(the Black Berry) is being used every day. As I have said elsewhere, “as with every parish where
I have served, St. Stephen's has a special place in my heart. As I count, 10 of my 25 years of
ordained ministry have been spent here. Thanks to Bev, Ericka, Courtney, my family, the youth,
the children, the men, the women, for your ministry to me. It is my hope that when I pray,
standing before God's throne, that I am standing in the palms of your hands.”
BISHOP’S VISIT & CONFIRMATION
On Sunday, October 1, our Diocesan Bishop, Bishop Colin Johnson, made his first pastoral visit
to our parish. On that occasion, he administered the sacrament of Holy Confirmation to four bright
young members of our family. The candidates Aliecia Brissett, Heron Lewis, Andrea and Victoria
Mills. Not only was it a joy for us to have him in our midst, but he has expressed his gratitude
for the hospitality which he received and his joy at being able to share in the vibrancy and joy
of our worship.
CD LAUNCH
On the evening of Sunday, November 12 at a service of Evensong, with Greg Carpenter and Les Cinq,
we launched our choir’s first CD, “Seasons and Sacraments”. I tender my sincere thanks to Arlene
August, Lucy (my wife), the other members of the choir, and our friends of Voix Antillaises, who
joined them to augment the choir.
DEDICATION FESTIVAL
On Sunday, November 26 we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the dedication of our church. The
Church of St. Stephen was dedicated on November 28, 1956, three years after the first meeting of
the Sunday School. That meeting took place in the Crang Auditorium (now Sheridan Mall) on November
29, 1953. During our anniversary service members made a special offering (a rainbow offering) to
support our ministry.
SERVICE IN THE COMMUNITY AND THE WIDER CHURCH
I always take this opportunity to share with you a bit of the ministry I exercise, on your
behalf, in the community and wider church.
THEOLOGICAL STUDENTS
VERNAL SAVAGE
Vernal Savage, a student of Trinity College completed his internship program with us on Sunday,
April 30 in accordance with the requirements of his school, Trinity College. He came to us at
the beginning of the year. As part of his program, he led a study on “Healing in the Bible” on
the Wednesday nights in Lent. We are thankful for the ministry which he shared during his time
with us.
GREG CARPENTER
Greg Carpenter, postulant in the Diocese, came to us in October of 2005 to continue his preparation
for ordination. This period of preparation ended on July 2nd The Candidates’ Committee of the
Diocese determined that he should have another experience before ordination. Greg was a tremendous
asset to our parish. We are confident he will serve the church well in the future. He continues his
training at Christ Church, Deer Park.
HUMBER RIVER REGIONAL HOSPITAL
The Humber River Health Coalition or HRHC (formerly the Coalition to Save Our Hospital---Humber
River Regional Hospital/Finch site) was formed in the spring of 2006, following the announcement
by the Ontario Government that a new Humber River Regional “mega” Hospital would be built on a
single site, and that one of the existing three hospitals would become an ambulatory care facility.
There was no public consultation by either the hospital or the Ministry to date about what location
or outcome would serve the HRRH community best. It was felt that this non-transparent process was
not the best way to plan for health care, or to allocate public funds for a major new hospital. I
was invited to join this coalition.
Several members joined me as we protested the action of the hospital board at a street
demonstration during the spring and many more signed a petition to the Provincial government
requesting more consultation on the proposed relocation of the hospital.
As we continued our discussions, it became clear that we could not limit our work to the
single issue of “hospital location”. Such a single-issue approach limits us to the Finch site
geographically, neglecting the fact that HRRH has two other sites, and serves about 800,000 people
in the catchment.
The coalition continues to advocate for a transparent consultation process between the Humber
River Regional Hospital (HRRH) and the community that it serves, especially when major decisions
(such as the building of a new hospital and/or closing of existing ones) are made. We will also
be advocating the consideration of the community’s health profile and special needs
(e.g. demographics, infant mortality, ethnic diversity, mental health, etc) for the planning
of future health care facilities and services (including the location of the new “mega” hospital
and possible outreach programs).
AFRICAN-CANADIAN CHRISTIAN NETWORK
The role of Black clergy in the life of our city continues to be crucial part of our work. I am
part of the reorganised African-Canadian Christian Network. In partnership with the provincial
government and other social agencies and interested individuals, we continue to respond to the
issues and concerns affecting our city and particularly our young people.
THE DIOCESE
I continue to serve the diocese as a member of the following committees and working groups
Diocesan Council (the “executive committee” of Synod): Diocesan Council, acts on behalf
of the Synod when Synod is not in session. It carries out some of its tasks and responsibilities
through Boards and Committees which it has created.
Chaplaincy Committee: The Chaplaincy Committee supports the diocesan Director of
Chaplaincies and about 30 chaplains, in a variety of capacities, within a wide range of facilities
across the diocese. We engage in a process of reviewing current standards of training for pastoral
visitors.
Agenda Committee (for Synod 2007): This is an elected body of Synod. I was coopted to
serve on this committee as it makes preparation for the 153rd regular session which will be held
from May 3-5 at Durham College, Oshawa.
Canon 10 Working Group: This group’s mandate is to review and propose revisions as
appropriate to Canon 10 as it pertains to the appointment/parish selection committee process for
incumbents and associate clergy.
Safe Communites: In response to the upsurge in gun violence that swept our city in 2005,
Bishop Johnson appointed Archdeacon Peter Fenty as commissary for safe communities for the Diocese.
I was invited with Marie Green, our Youth Minister, to serve in this working group to assist the
commissary in his efforts “to gather Anglicans who are already engaged in ministries in their
parishes and communities, so that they can coordinate resources” (Bishop Johnson)
THE PROVINCE - ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON POSTULANTS FOR ORDINATION
As part of our share with the wider church, I was invited to be an assessor for the Fall session
of the Advisory Committee on Postulants for Ordination (ACPO) of the Ecclesiastical Province of
Ontario. This committee is responsible for a national discernment process advisory to bishops.
ACPO evaluates all persons seeking acceptance as postulants for ordination to the priesthood in
the Anglican Church of Canada. It is one of the four arenas of the discernment process. The other
arenas are the parish, diocese and the theological college/training institution. I have been
invited again to the serve at the upcoming Spring session.
WHY DO WE ENGAGE IN THIS WORK?
Many government departments, social agencies, and individual persons are engaged in several
ways in helping others in the community. Without being judgmental, they do it for many reasons;
some for political expediency, some because it feels good to help, some because they think it is
a good thing, some out of guilt, some to have another bullet on their resume. We, as Christians,
do it for an entirely different reason.
“It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant,
and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to
be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (St. Matthew 20:26-28)
As followers of Christ, we seek to imitate him as we exercise our Christian ministry. This way
of life is sealed in the words of our Baptismal Covenant. At every celebration of Baptism or when
we renew our baptismal vows in the service of Confirmation or at the Easter Vigil, we are asked
“Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbour as yourself?” We respond
“I will, with God’s help.”
For me, a faithful Christian must, of necessity, be a faithful servant. There simply is no
alternative.
This Vestry provides for us another opportunity to renew our commitment to God, our church, and
our servant ministry. As a church, we have identified our ministry among the youth as our primary
outreach focus. By Divine Providence, two funding agencies (one governmental, the other a
non-governmental charitable organisation) and some individuals who support this thrust, have come
alongside us with actual dollars to do this “kingdom-work”. What then are we left to do?
God calls us, in Christ, to be like Moses (Exodus 4:10-17), not to pursue his own safety and
security, but to go back and challenge the Pharoahs that will hold our youth. God calls us, in
Christ, to dismiss our misguided feelings of inadequacy, as youthful Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:4-10)
and Mary felt (St. Luke 1:34), and to go boldly and obediently to the task. God not only calls,
God equips and God assures us of God’s abiding presence and support. In the words of our Lord
himself, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of
my family, you did it to me.” (St. Matthew 25:40)
CONCLUSION
This year has been a breakthrough year, in every sense of the word. The reports and financial statements bear testimony. Thanks be to God! I express my sincere thanks to all whose prayers and works contributed to a successful year.
- Fr. Collis Machoko
- The Wardens, Deputy Warden, Treasurer, and The Advisory Board
- The Parish Secretary
- Arlene August, the Choir, The Servers, Altar Guild, Greg Carpenter and the Sidespersons
- The Counters and Envelope Secretary
- The Youth Minister, our Youth, The Sunday School Leadership Team and the children
- The Custodian
- My supportive family
and
- All who share in our ministry
We are all called to serve. We all are endowed with our unique gifts. Some of us are yet to discover
the other gifts which are waiting to be released, all in the service of God. Let us ask God to
continue to reveal God’s will to us and continue to strengthen us in that service.
Your friend and priest,
Canon Stephen +
