One of the ways we deepen joy in our lives is by the practice of gratitude. The worries and pains of daily life can easily pull us into a continuous state of discouragement or depression. When we stop and consciously look for moments of grace and goodness, our perspective is shifted like the turning of a prism when suddenly a rainbow of colour and joy can be seen. Some may call this “looking for the silver lining.”
Even in the darkest of circumstances there is joy. In the movie Life Is Beautiful the father of a family in a Nazi concentration camp finds ways to give his young son glimpses of humour and love, and builds memories to cherish. In good times, gratitude builds an even larger reservoir of joy and hope when we acknowledge even the smallest gifts.
I am in the last days of my ministry as primate and of active ordained ministry after nearly 39 years since my ordination as a deacon. These days are filled with opportunities to reflect with gratitude on the people and places I’ve come to know and the ministries in which I have been privileged to share. I’m thankful for the many wonderful parishioners and colleagues who taught me about living God’s love, and for the parishes and dioceses that seek to live into the gospel. I also give thanks for the painful times of conflict and struggle that called for forgiveness, change and renewal; they have strengthened my faith.
Little did I know, when I was called to ordained ministry, that it would weave together my love of music and teaching with opportunities to share in the lives of people and communities across Canada and around the world. It brought me into ministry with teams of skilled laity, deacons, priests and bishops, reminding me that we need one another for the work of the gospel.
As I look over my last five years as primate, it strikes me that it would be easy to be discouraged by the significant challenges the church has faced—from the pandemic to financial concerns, from conflicts in the church and the world to misconduct by individuals. These challenges have been, and continue to be, painful for us. However, I am far more aware of, and deeply grateful for, the resilience of our church!
Thank you to each of the bishops of our church who offer dedicated leadership to each diocese, Sacred Circle and the Anglican Military Ordinariate.
Thank you to the clergy and lay people across Canada who live our baptismal vows from coast to coast to coast—loving God and loving their neighbour as each context needs!
Thank you to the strong, skilled team at Church House and all the laity who serve our church on committees and councils.
Thank you to the national Indigenous archbishop, Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples and Sacred Circle, who walk with us in self-determination and mutual interdependence and continually teach me new ways to live in faith.
My heart is filled to overflowing with gratitude for our beloved church, faithful and resilient, as I now return to the pews. There I will pray for all who will exercise leadership in the coming years and for the work and ministry of God’s people for the sake of the gospel in the Anglican Church of Canada.
Thanks be to God!
