Bruce Patterson, deputy chief herald of Canada, shows the diocese of Brandon’s coat of arms. Photo: Chloé Johnson
February 2020’s Anglican Journal, which includes a focus on art and the church, is now available online.
Inside, you’ll find a report on an exhibition of artworks created over the years from students at Indian residential and day schools. We also take a look back at the rich tradition of Anglican heraldry, as well as some new developments in that field. And we bring you news on the growing attraction among the general public of historic Anglican church buildings in both England and Canada.
The issue also features reflections on the role of art in Christian life. We interview English priest-poet Malcolm Guite, who speaks to us about the transformative power of words in liturgy as well as poetry. Guest columnist Wayne Holst, familiar to many readers of anglicanjournal.com, writes about the power of classical music to connect us to the divine. In her monthly column, Archbishop Linda Nicholls, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, gives thanks to God for the role the arts have played in worship through the ages. And in an online exclusive, Peter Elliott takes a trip to Gander, N.L, by way of Broadway—exploring how Come from Away takes audiences from despair to hope of resurrection.
There’s more to this issue than art, however. We also keep you up to date on some aspects of the church’s ongoing journey of reconciliation with Canada’s Indigenous peoples. National Indigenous Archbishop Mark MacDonald writes in his column of the need to find “sustainable and equitable” financial support in the church for Indigenous ministry. And we talk to some Canadian Anglican leaders about the significance of a ceremony last fall honouring children who died in the Indian Residential School system.
You’ll also find news on some other recent developments in your church: the engaging of former primate Archbishop Fred Hiltz as assisting bishop for the diocese of Moosonee this year, and the announcement of Archdeacon Michael Thompson’s retirement, this June 30, after nearly a decade of service as general secretary of the national church. And as usual, you can look forward to reading letters from readers like you—this month, on issues from Israel-Palestine to Father Christmas.
Read this issue’s articles on anglicanjournal.com or download the PDF version of the full issue here.
Next month’s issue: Lent.