 Lent - A Time to PrepareLast year St. Andrews in Kugluktuk celebrated their 80th year as a parish.For months they prepared. They had to raise funds, They invited not one but four bishops, all of who came (a first for that community). They prepare feasts, services, gifts and even invited the media. It was a lot of hard work but it paid off. The celebration was great. As one of the bishops we were royally treated. All had a great time and God was praised and honoured above all.
Lent is a time to prepare for the biggest celebration of the year. The Death and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. To prepare we look into our own lives with God's help to see the undesirable qualities that have become, often unknowingly, part of our lives. Then when we see them, we repent (stop the action and make amends) and ask God for forgiveness. Then because we know that God is merciful we accept his forgiveness and carry on with our lives. This is a process we go through, repeatedly through out the time of Lent so that we come to Good Friday and Easter with a heart that desires to serve and worship God. It's 40 days of personal preparation so that we can truely celebrate and participate in the biggest party of the year.
May we open our lives to the meciful Saviour who stands before us, his family, with open arms saying "Let me come in and be part of your life. I love you.")
Have a blessed and life changing Lent!!
Bishop Larry
WELCOME
Welcome to the website of the Right Rev'd Larry Robertson DD, the Suffragan Bishop of the Diocese of the Arctic, supervising the Episcopal Region of Mackenzie and Kitikmeot.
Here you will find material for your prayers, stories of mission in the Arctic, and a weekly Calendar for the Bishop's activities. Included are connections to the websites of a number of the parishes in his Episcopal Region, complete with Contacts, Service Times, History, and Photos.
Enjoy the stories, the photos, and the hard work of the parishes for Christ. Remember to pray for them all, and for me, Larry Robertson, a Suffragan Bishop of the Arctic.
February in the Keewatin
After 3 previous attempts to visit the parishes of Arviat, Baker Lake and Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, I finally made it in February. I arrived in Arviat on a cold clear day to a quick meal and to the year old church for Confirmation Service. 14 were confirmed. As I looked at this crowded church filled with people of all ages I was struck that the leadership of this parish comes from 2 elderly deacons, the Rev. Joe Mannik and the Rev. Mike Gibbons. These two have worked hard to build a new church building and then to fill the church with people praising God. At this service there were also 2 Lay Leaders licensed. The next day we had a vestry meeting where the 2 deacons both recognized the need for someone fresh so they might step down and retire.
In Baker Lake I was met by the Deacon in Charge, the Rev. Joedee Joedee. This man was A lay Leader when I was in Baker as a minister. It shows how God nurtures us and helps us grow into the calling he has for us. At the service in the evening there were 2 confirmed and the following day the were 5 licensed as Diocesan Lay Leaders and 1 as a Parish Lay Leader. This parish has always had many lay leaders as there is a full schedule of services. (2 Sunday Services, Sunday School, 2 mid week services, 2 – 3 bible studies and regular visits to the sick and aged.) The Lay Leaders are the ones who lead most of these services and meeting often helped by the ladies of the Argnait Ikayuktiukatauyun (ladies group). One of the services were lead by the members of the Youth Group who are lead by Lay Leader Bill Martee. This
group has a music ministry that gives praise to God. This parish is eagerly waiting for the new minister (Rev. Lucy Nester) to arrive.
From Baker I went to Rankin Inlet. The Minister in Charge (Rev. Paul Williams) was in Winnipeg accompanying his wife Nowyah who was having medical tests done. Our prayers go with her. I was met by the associate priest Rev. Mike Sholdice who was with me for the weekend. We have a Holy Communion Service with the people. This is a parish where there is much potential for growth.
The Keewatin is a Deanery were there is much excitement for God. The people are desirous to serve Jesus and it is always a pleasure to go there.
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Copyright 2007 - Diocese of the Arctic
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