As seasons change, St. Columba welcomes a new priest

Diana Poitras provides updates on church events

By Manor Park Chronicle

Reverend Canon Baxter Park is a former military chaplain and was the chaplain to the Canadian ships during the first Gulf War and also served with the Canadian Armed Forces in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Photo: Doug Banks

Most people have a favourite season. Perhaps it is spring, when the earth comes alive after a long sleep with the beauty of tulips and daffodils, the scent of hyacinth and lilac, or the first robin’s song. Perhaps it is summer, with lazy, hazy days enjoying the warm weather, longer days and sunshine – with perhaps a swim at the Pond or in a pool.

My personal favourite is autumn, with the vibrant colours provided courtesy of God’s paintbrush and the cool evenings perfect for bonfires and sweaters.

If you are a snow sports enthusiast, then winter is a favourite season, with the opportunity to ski, snowboard, skate or just frolic in the snow, making snow angels and snow forts.

Former military chaplain

Seasons change, and so must we also. At St. Columba Anglican Church we have welcomed two priests since the retirement of the Reverend Karen Coxon in September. The Venerable Pamela Yarrow was with us for the four weeks following Karen’s retirement, and on October 22, we welcomed the Reverend Canon Baxter Park to St. Columba, where he will remain until the end of the year.

Born and raised in western Newfoundland, Baxter entered Holy Orders in 1984. He served for five years as a parish priest in his home province. Commander (Retired) Park then served as a military chaplain for nearly 24 years, spending most of that time with the navy, eventually becoming Canada’s senior navy chaplain. Baxter was the chaplain to the Canadian ships during the first Gulf War and also served with the army in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

He experienced a memorable posting to Masset in Haida Gwaii (formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands off the coast of B.C.). While there, he worked closely with the people of the Haida nation. The Yahgulanaas Raven Clan adopted him. He maintains a close relationship with friends there. Reverend Baxter has a keen interest in Indigenous reconciliation.

Baxter was the Canadian chaplain at the U.S. military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany during a period of time in Canada’s most recent war in Afghanistan. He coordinated and supported the visits of families from Canada to the critically wounded and dying service personnel.

With his extensive and rich history with the Canadian military, we are looking forward to commemorating Remembrance Sunday with Reverend Canon Baxter Park.

Advent and the Christmas season

The Anglican Church also has seasons according to the liturgical calendar. The new year begins with Advent — the four weeks leading up to Christmas. This is followed by Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter and then Pentecost.

Right now, we are in about the 20th Sunday after Pentecost and counting down the weeks until Advent. Some people mark Advent with calendars containing chocolate and open a new “door” each day from December 1 to December 24 or 25 (depending on the calendar).

At St. Columba, we will start Advent with a special service of Lessons and Carols on December 3 at 10 a.m. Cantors Mallory Williams, Keumnim Lim and Shawn Mattas will be singing. The Advent wreath and candles will be on display, and during each of the four weeks of Advent candles will be lit — representing hope, peace, joy and love.

Music Director and Organist Faye Grinberg Rice chooses and plays Advent carols (hymns) during the four weeks leading to Christmas. Although in November and December radio stations and stores bombard us with Christmas music (both religious and secular), Christmas carols and hymns in the church are reserved only for the Christmas season (not Advent).

New community garden boxes

A group of dedicated community gardeners got together during the past month to build a further six garden boxes, expanding the Manor Park Community Garden at St. Columba from 12 to 18 boxes.

Three of the boxes back onto the rear of the church (facing the parking lot) where there is always plenty of sun.

The gardeners are a supportive community-within-a-community; they constructed a shed and a compost system, and did a season-ending cleaning and tidying of the garden.

Holly and bake sale

The Altar Guild’s annual Holly Sale will be on Saturday, December 23 at 10 a.m. After a very disappointing crop of holly last year, we are hopeful that this year’s supply will be stellar. In combination with the Holly Sale, the parish will be holding its bake sale. Anyone wanting freshly baked items for Christmas Day need look no further than the John Stewart Hall at St. Columba on December 23.

No matter the season, there is always a warm welcome awaiting you at St. Columba.

Reverend Canon Baxter Park is a former military chaplain and was the chaplain to the Canadian ships during the first Gulf War and also served with the Canadian Armed Forces in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Photo: Doug Banks

Local community gardeners got together and expanded St. Columba’s food production capacity by building six additional community gardens, bringing the church’s total to 18. Photo: Eugenie Waters