2013/04/01

INTEGRITY MEETING ** NEW DATE ** Thursday April 11, 7:30pm, St. George's Anglican Church.


INTEGRITY
Meeting: THURSDAY, April 11, 7:30 pm. St. George’s Anglican Church, 624 Ave. I South. Group for the GLBTT community and friends. Includes Eucharist open to all, followed by GLBTT reflections and a social/refreshment hour. Guest Priest is Rev. Shawn Sanford Beck. All are welcome! For Info Contact: Tom & Rose Rogers 373-5165, See our Web site: www.integritysaskatoon.blogspot.com You can sign up to receive Email notices when new information is added to the site.

2013/03/07

INTEGRITY MEETING ** NEW DATE ** Thursday March 14, 7:30pm, St. George's Anglican Church.


TO INTEGRITY/SASKATOON CONTACTS: Email addresses have been blocked to maintain their privacy. If you do not wish to receive notices from Integrity, just REPLY stating your wish. Visit our WEB site at www.integritysaskatoon.blogspot.com You can sign up to receive automatic Emails from the web site when new material is added.
INTEGRITY Meeting: THURSDAY, March 14, 7:30 pm. St. George’s Anglican Church, 624 Ave. I South. Group for the GLBTT community and friends. Includes Eucharist open to all, followed by GLBTT reflections and a social/refreshment hour. Rev. Shawn Sanford Beck presiding. All are welcome! For Info Contact: Tom & Rose Rogers 373-5165, See our Web site: www.integritysaskatoon.blogspot.com You can sign up to receive Email notices when new information is added to the site.

Tom Rogers, Secretary
Integrity/Saskatoon

2013/01/09

MEETING NOTICE, JANUARY 9, 2012


INTEGRITY GATHERING: TONIGHT Wednesday, January 9, 2013, 7:30 pm. St. George’s Anglican Church, 624 Ave. I South, for the GLBTT community and friends. Includes Eucharist open to all, followed by GLBTT reflections and a social/refreshment hour. All are welcome! For Info Contact: Tom & Rose Rogers 373-5165, See our Web site: www.integritysaskatoon.blogspot.com You can sign up to receive Email notices when new information is added to the site.

2012/10/29

Anglican Journal: Edmonton votes to allow same-sex blessings

Anglican Journal: Edmonton votes to allow same-sex blessings


Edmonton votes to allow same-sex blessings

BY LEIGH ANNE WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER
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Clergy in the diocese of Edmonton will meet in November to decide what prayers and liturgy to use for same-sex blessings. Photo: zimmytws








The diocese of Edmonton has passed a motion that will allow clergy to bless civilly married same-gender couples on a case-by-case basis.
Clergy will ask for the bishop’s permission to offer the blessing, says Dean Neil Gordon, who introduced the motion at the diocesan synod Oct. 12 to 13. This differs from decisions in dioceses such as New Westminster and Toronto where designated parishes have been granted permission to offer the blessings carte blanche.
Although 70 per cent voted in favour of the motion, a second resolution instructed clergy to work together to 


determine just how the blessings will be performed. “We have to work out how we are going to do this in a way that builds up and retains unity,” says Gordon, who is rector of All Saints’ Cathedral in Edmonton and dean of the diocese. Clergy plan to meet in mid-November to and report back before General Synod 2013 in Ottawa next July.
Until now, the diocese has offered same-gender couples the chance to celebrate their marriages with a family eucharist service, as set out in guidelines developed by the House of Bishops. There has been no formal acknowledgement of the marriage in the service, however

2012/08/27

INTEGRITY BBQ AT GARY AND MORGANS, AUGUST 26, 2012

Integrity BBQ at Gary and Morganz's, August 26, 2012

More photos of the Integrity/Saskatoon BBQ at Gary & Morgans, August 26, 2012, can be seen at the general Integrity/Saskatoon WEB Album site on Picasa at https://picasaweb.google.com/100147934314577520800/IntegritySaskatoon?authuser=0&feat=directlink

You can sign up to receive automatic Emails from the web site when new material is added. See 'Follow by Email' at top left.

2012/08/24

INTEGRITY SASKATOON BBQ - JULY 22, 2012

Barb & Lynne Clay hosted the BBQ at their camp site in Saskatoon
See more photos of the BBQ by clicking on the following link showing the Integrity Saskatoon photo album. You might have to copy and paste it into the search engine or URL line.

2012/06/15


JIM KOMAR RECEIVES ACC COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Albert Community Centre hosted the Queen Community on Friday, June 9 for the Avenue Community Centre's Community Appreciation Awards. People who made outstanding contributions to the Queer Community were honoured. Along with a cash bar sumptuous snacks musical entertainment were provided. Integrity's JIM KOMAR was given a standing ovation s he received an award for community service.  See the citation after the following photos..

2011/12/19

Jim Komar selling Royal Albert Bone China from England

The following are in excellent condition in padded containers which are included. Take them all for $220.00 or call Tom at 373-5165 for individual items. 

1. Royal Albert, Bone China, England: 25th AnniversaryTea Service (4 teacups and saucers, sugar bowl, creamer, 1 tray and 2 servicing dishes) 2 containers
2. - Royal Albert, Bone China, England, Teacup and Saucer, "Forget Me Not" 
- Royal Albert, Bone China, England, Teacup and Saucer
- Royal Albert, Bone China, England, Teacup and Saucer, Flower of the Month Series, December
- Royal Albert, Bone China, England, Teacup and Saucer, Poinsettia
3. - Royal Albert, Bone China, England, Teacup and Saucer, Nell Gwynne Series, "Lambeth"
- Royal Albert, Bone China, England, Teacup and Saucer, Cangratulations 50 Anniversary
- Royal Albert, Bone China, England, Teacup and Saucer, Friendship Series of 12, Wild Rose
- Royal Albert, Bone China, England, Teacup and Saucer, Happy Birthday
- Royal Albert, Bone China, England, Saucer, Flower of the month series, Christmas Rose
- Royal Albert, Bone China, England, Teacup, Blossom Time Series, Lilac
- Royal Albert, Bone China, England, Teacup, Brigadoon
- Royal Albert, Bone China, England, Teacup, Lavender Rose
4. - Royal Albert, Bone China, England, Coffee Mug, Flower of the Month series, Sweet Pea
- Royal Albert, Bone China, England, Coffee Mug, White Dogwood
- Royal Albert, Bone China, England, Coffee Mug, Flower of the Month series, Michaelmas Daisy
- - Royal Albert, Bone China, England, Coffee Mug, Flower of the Month series, Lilly of the Valley

2011/11/10

John Irwin died, November 10, 2011

Jim Komar & John Irwin, June 6, 2011
We are sad to announce that John Irwin, spouse of Jim Komar, died November 10, 2011 in his sleep. John was being treated for throat cancer but, despite complications, seemed to be slowly improving. He was at home at the time of his death. Our sympathy to Jim.  Funeral arrangements are still being made and will be announced in the Star Phoenix soon. John will be cremated privately.  A memorial service will be held in the near future at St. George's Anglican Parish in Saskatoon.  Jim and John have been active supporters of LGBTQ rights through their participation in many activities and justice issues during their time in Saskatoon.

Jim Komar and John Irwin celebrated 48 years together and 5 years of marriage during Saskatoon's Pride Week Festival on June 6, 2011. (see posting earlier in this blog)


May John rest in peace. 

2011/11/02

A MEDITATION ON BROTHER JESUS - by James Komar, Oct. 30, 2011

 .

Brother Jesus
A PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY


        Brother Jesus, Beloved Son of God and our stumbling humanity, we love you and need you, all of us: whatever our gender, whatever the gender of those we love.  We have not seen you or touched you; but we have heard you.  We cannot explain you or define you; but we know you.  You come to us in the mystery of divine love, the Word of God made flesh, our human flesh.  And in our hearts we know you are one with the Eternal One; for you lead us to the waters of eternal hope and give meaning to our lives.  You  affirm the unity and diversity of God’s holy creation in each of us, whatever our gender, whatever the gender of those we love.
        No more shall we despair or disbelieve! No more shall we hide in closets dark with the dogma and canons of hatred and condemnation.  You are with us, Good Shepherd!  Your rod and staff comfort us; and we follow you in love, not fear, into the light.  Your Gospel sustains us like manna in the deserts of life.  It opens our hearts to the love of God and neighbour, and transforms us.  We are born anew, brave and free, children of God with a place at the table and a portion of the blessing for all!
         Through faith in you, Brother Jesus, we are saved.  In you we are delivered from the hells of fear and self-destruction into the everlasting arms and peace of God.  Through your life, your death, and your resurrection, we can love God;  for you teach us that God is love and that we are loved by God, though at times life seems heartless and unjust, a nightmare of abandonment to an Arctic of indifference, our own night in the Garden of Gethsemane.
        In your father’s house are many mansions.  And you have prepared a place for us where we are loved and embraced in life, in death, and in life beyond death, that where you are we may be also.  Help us to live your Gospel; to build bridges and not barriers.  Help us to be your church again, your family of brothers and sisters, your communion of friends and saints, however we understand you or each other.  For our theologies are but Towers of Babel without your Gospel, the Gospel of Love!      
        As it was in the early church, when Jew and Gentile accepted each other and became one in you. so may it be today for all of us, whatever our gender, whatever the gender of those we love.  May we be one in you, Brother Jesus, for the sake of your Gospel, that the kingdom may come, now and forever.  Amen.


 Jim Komar,  Saskatoon
30 October 2011

Coexistence policy By James Komar, The StarPhoenix October 31, 2011


Coexistence policy


By James Komar, The StarPhoenix October 31, 2011
Re: Christians ignored (SP, Oct. 24). As a committed Christian, I understand Joe Campbell's concerns, but disagree with his conclusions.
Not all committed Christians think alike; nor do the committed adherents of other faiths.
In Canada, Christians vote Conservative, Green, Liberal, and NDP, etc., the same as those committed to other faiths. To coexist, we uphold the separation of church and state. Thus personal religious conscience cannot justify doing something to our neighbour that we would not wish done to us, no matter what is our faith.
Verbal condemnation of something that offends our religious conscience is one thing. But verbal condemnation all too often incites physical violence and deprivation of civil liberties against the condemned, as in Hitler's Germany against Jews or, until recently, in Canada against gays and other sexual-minority citizens. And when the condemned fight for their democratic rights, anarchy and civil war can follow.
I disagree with Campbell's viewpoint as much as he probably does with mine. In our disagreement, let us remember what Jesus said: "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone." All of our faiths teach tolerance and love. Do any of them, even ours, have a monopoly on truth?
James Komar Saskatoon

2011/07/17

GOOD NEWS FROM ELCIC

From: Janice and Shawn Sanford Beck
Sent: Friday, July 15, 2011 9:10 PM

Subject: good news from the ELCIC

Hi folks!
Can somebody forward this to the Integrity list ... there was definitely good news tonight!!! The Lutherans (ELCIC) are having their national meeting here in Saskatoon, and they just voted, with a reasonably wide margin, to allow their pastors to preside at and/or bless the marriages of gay and lesbian couples. Rather than stop at "blessings", they went whole hog straight to marriages.
Tomorrow, they will have a related vote on the ordination of open and partnered LGBTT people.
This is a huge step, my friends! I don't know what effect it will have on us Anglicans, via the realities of full communion, but it is certainly a good indication that we are all moving in the right direction ... thanks be to God!
Peace,
Shawn

Rev. Shawn Sanford Beck
Ecumenical Companions of Sophia

http://ecosophian.wordpress.com/about/

God is Love, and Her Body is all Creation.
She is a Tree of Life, who gathers Her children in Love.

2011/06/28

Affirm United Conference - Edmonton August 4-7, 2011

From: "Terry Kaasa" <terryrae@telus.net>
Sent: Monday, June 27, 2011 1:10 PM
Subject: Affirm United Invitation

Hello!

On behalf of the planning committee of the Affirm United Conference 2011 I am extending an invitation to members of 'Integrity' to attend our national conference. The conference is being hosted in Edmonton,
Alberta, August 4-7, 2011. We are excited about the conference with its theme "Making It Better".

I have attached a registration form and an extended time table that outlines the plenaries and the workshops that will be offered.

It would be wonderful to have a delegate/ delegates from your organization to share with and learn from.

Please feel free to forward the attached information to anyone you think may be interested.

Thank-you for your support,

Terry Kaasa, Co- Chair
AU Conference 2011

2011/06/20

Saskatoon Pride Week Festival, June 5-12, 2011

Integrity Saskatoon at the Pride Parade
They came in all shapes, dress, and colours, the over 2500 people who attended the Saskatoon Pride Parade, the largest ever, June 11.  A large section of the parade consisted of Integrity Saskatoon and Saskatoon religious groups including the Anglican, United, and Unitarian churches. The parade is a statement of thousands to the public and church groups in support of the 7-10% of the population of Canada who deserve to be honoured and respected as are all citizens of this great country, those who sexuality and sexual expression is diverse, such as the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, and Two Spirited people of Canada. The parade is a place where people of sexual diversity can feel free to express themselves and where others can join in affirming this freedom.

Saskatoon Affirming Ministries (SAM) members of the United Church
During the week another statement was made by two men who have been together for 48 years, 5 of them married, thanks to Canadian laws which show respect and equality for homosexuals. A small celebration of the commitment and love of two men for each other and to Christ, Jim Komar and John Irwin, was held at St. Georges's Anglican church on June 6.







Jim Komar and John Irwin celebrating 48 years together,
5 married, with Rose and Tom Rogers



































Sunday June 12, Saskatoon Affirming Ministries of the United Church held a service in celebration of Sexual Diversity at Civic Square in front of City Hall.  The service was led by David Kim Craig, and including a short presentation  by former NDP Premier of Saskatchewan, Lorne Calvert, in celebration of sexual diversity.

74 photos of the Pride Parade, Jim Komar and John Irwin, and the Service in Celebration of Sexual Diversity may be seen by clicking on the following web page address:  https://picasaweb.google.com/rogerstr1990/2011060512SaskatoonPrideWeekFestival


SAM service in celebration of sexual diversity
Lorne Calvert speaking, and Service coordinator, David Kim-Graigg
David Kim-Craigg presented the following:


A Christian Manifesto:
We, the Church, once broken by patriarchy and homophobia have listened to our own stories and the stories of others.  These stories bear witness with total authenticity and often in the face of violent opposition that God has created us with a diversity of sexualities.  With sincerity and humility we have identified ourselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, two-spirited, inter-sexed, queer, questioning and straight.  We have proclaimed that these diverse sexualities are good.  We, the Church, now accept this witness as true, hearing within the stories of those of us and others who are sexual minorities both the marks of the crucified Jesus and the glory of the risen Christ.  From this we have reached the following conclusions:
a.     God has, from the beginning, created a diversity of sexualities.
b.    By the grace of Christ all people of every sexual identity are accepted and loved unconditionally.
c.     The Holy Spirit has from the beginning invited sexual minorities to be a special and integral part of the Church.
The inclusion of sexual minorities in the life of the Church has meant wholeness and justice for the people of God.  Their exclusion has meant brokenness and injustice for the Church and for the world.  In the name or the risen and living Christ, who desires that all should experience life in abundance, we therefore call on all churches everywhere who condemn and exclude sexual minorities to recognize their error, to repent, to receive the full Gospel of Jesus Christ and to accept the Holy Spirit’s invitation to a new life.
Amen.

Jim and John - 48 years together

Jim Komar and John Irwin celebrated their 48 years together and 5 years of marriage during Saskatoon's Pride Week Festival on June 6, 2011.

Jim Komar and John Irwin, June 6, 2011

Jim Komar, John Irwin, Rose and Tom Rogers celebrating 48 years together
at Saskatoon, St. Georges Anglican Parish

2011/04/23

INTEGRITY AT WAY OF THE CROSS WALK - SASKATOON - APRIL 22, 2011

.
For the first time in history of the Way of the Cross Walk in Saskatoon, Integrity and Affirm United were invited to take part.  Joined by may other groups who suffer because of societal and religious persecution, Dwight B. Austen, Michele Rowe, Barb Clay, Christopher and Shawn Sanford Beck, described the discrimination, bullying, suffering, and abuse of LGBTT people, the Rainbow People. They prayed that the compassion of Jesus for all who suffer, and his acceptance of ALL ALL ALL, would once again reign in Canadian culture.

Click on the following link for more photos in the "Integrity and Related Photo Album": https://picasaweb.google.com/rogerstr1990/IntegrityRelatedPhotoAlbum#

Shawn Sanford Beck and Integrity members carrying the cross
Youth presenting

Dwight B. Austen presenting







Barb Clay presenting
About 500 too part in the walk

2011/04/06

WIDEN THE EMBRACE CONFERENCE - LONDON, ON., OCT. 21-23, 2011


To see the conference web page click on the above title or enter the following in your browser:  www.widentheembrace.com

This fourth conference of the Canadian Centre for Progressive Christianity will celebrate the ever-widening embrace of Progressive Christianity.
Widen the Embrace is a conference for anyone who has questions about how Progressive Christianity is embodied in the world today. At this conference you will hear from visionaries who are stretching boundaries and who represent the broad scope of progressive thinking.
You will have the opportunity to:
• engage in presentations from progressive movement leaders
• share in insightful workshops
• enjoy the freedom of expressing yourselves openly and honestly
• extend your spiritual journeys far beyond religious dogma
• meet and connect with others who are eagerly seeking fresh ways
to speak about and celebrate core values.
Registering for the conference is easy. Use the Registration tab above and the associated registration form, indicate your conference preferences, and pay by PayPal or by surface mail. Be sure to register early as space is limited.
We are always happy to respond to you. Use the Contact Us tab above.
The Canadian Centre for Progressive Christianity is a leader in questioning religious dogma, concepts, and practices. This conference draws together many exceptional voices and creative thinkers, providing many opportunities for deep discussion and lively debate in a safe, yet rigorous venue.
CCPC Logo
The conference will be a wonderful opportunity for people inside and outside the church to engage in rich conversation about core values. Those isolated in smaller communities with few available choices, or in conservative congregations will find the leadership and gathered community supportive and inspirational. Individuals outside traditional Christianity who yearn for community will find opportunities to engage in those larger conversations that too often don’t take place in church or social gatherings.
This event will feature open discussion, joyous learning, and examples of what Christianity could be as a living force in the community.
This Conference will be video recorded for future public educational videos.



2011/01/10

Marriage officials can't refuse gays: Sask. court

Marriage officials can't refuse gays: Sask. court

Last Updated: Monday, January 10, 2011
4:51 PM CST Comments596Recommend205.

CBC News

Saskatchewan's highest court has ruled that marriage commissioners who are public servants cannot refuse to marry same-sex couples.

The decision by the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal rejects two proposals from the provincial government that would allow some or all marriage commissioners to refuse to perform a service involving gay or lesbian partners if it offended their religious beliefs.

The government proposed that marriage commissioners who were employed before the law changed in 2004 could refuse to perform the services. It also proposed a second option where all marriage commissioners could refuse.

But the court noted that marriage commissioners are appointed by the government to perform non-religious ceremonies and are the only option for some same-sex couples seeking to tie the knot.

P.O.V.:

Do you believe public servants should be able to refuse to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies on religious grounds? Take our survey.

Lawyers appointed to argue that the proposals were constitutional said that if anyone was refused a marriage service, it would be easy to find another commissioner who would perform the same service. The court of appeal wasn't persuaded by that argument, saying that both government proposals were "contrary to fundamental principles of equality in a democratic society" and must be rejected.

"Both of the possible amendments offend the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Either of them, if enacted, would violate the equality rights of gay and lesbian individuals," Justice Robert Richards said in the ruling, supported by justices John Klebuc, Ralph Ottenbreit, Gene Ann Smith and William Vancise.

Implications cited

Richards also expressed concern that if marriage commissioners were allowed to opt out of services, they might also do so because they object to interfaith marriages or interracial marriages.

While requiring marriage commissioners to perform same-sex services may curtail their religious rights somewhat, it's justified, Richards wrote.

"The Supreme Court has repeatedly confirmed that freedom of religion is not absolute and that, in appropriate cases, it is subject to limitation," he said. "This is clearly one of those situations where religious freedom must yield to the larger public interest."

In response to the decision, Saskatchewan Justice Minister Don Morgan said the government will consider the court's advice.

Given the "thoroughness" of the analysis, he won't be recommending an appeal, Morgan said in a news release.

The Opposition New Democrat's justice critic, Frank Quennell, had harsh words for the Saskatchewan Party. The government has been wasting the province's money on legislation it should have known was unconstitutional, Quennell said.

The case has its roots in a 2004 Supreme Court of Canada decision affirming the validity of same-sex marriages.

That decision and subsequent legal changes led some marriage commissioners in Saskatchewan to refuse to solemnize same-sex marriages, saying it was a violation of their personal religious beliefs.

One of those commissioners, Orville Nichols, had a human rights complaint filed against him by a same-sex couple. A tribunal under the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission upheld the complaint.

Among those praising Monday's decision was the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour, one of the interveners in the case.

"This is a very important decision," Donna Smith, a member of the SFL's solidarity and pride committee, said in a release. "An important precedent has now been set that will help to deter discrimination against same-sex couples that wish to marry."

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/saskatchewan/story/2011/01/10/sk-marriage-commissioners-1101.html#ixzz1AgB9kRBb

VIDEO 1: http://www.cbc.ca/video/player.html?category=News&zone=canada&site=cbc.news.ca&clipid=1734890340

VIDEO 2: http://www.cbc.ca/video/player.html?category=News&zone=canada&site=cbc.news.ca&clipid=1735394710

2010/12/17

Angie Tysseland - Founding Member of Integrity / Saskatoon - Died December 14, 2010

ANGELENE GRACE TYSSELAND 1961 2010 Angelene Grace Tysseland passed peacefully from this life December 14th, 2010 at St. Paul's Hospital at the age of 49. Fondly remembering and celebrating her life are her children Liesl and Nicholas Nostbakken; her mother Ione Tysseland (Art Moen); brothers Sterling (Joyce) and Scott; sister Crystal Baschak (Darrell); dear friend and supporter Ross Nykiforuk; nieces and nephews Sacha Baschak, Sara Tysseland, Michael Baschak, and Trygve Tysseland (Nora); numerous aunts, uncles and cousins as well as a host of close friends. She now joins her father Alfred Tysseland. Angie was born in Camrose Alberta February 27th, 1961. As a carefree child she lived in four western provinces making good friends everywhere she went. She graduated from LCBI Outlook in 1979 and convocated from the U of S with distinction from the Department of Music in 1984. Her most recent accomplishment was earning a Masters Degree in Conducting in 2009. In 1984 Angie married Joel Nostbakken, father of her children. While juggling a busy musical career her children always came first. Angie's career started by singing and playing the piano in the church where her father was the minister. Later she taught piano lessons and accompanied various church and community groups. After earning her Music degree she supported herself and raised her children with her musical talents. Angie was music and choir director at several churches, spending the most time at St. James Anglican Church and the Refinery in Saskatoon. Angie performed and recorded with various local musicians making a significant contribution to the cultural life of Saskatoon. As well, she devoted time and talent to volunteering which earned her the Woman of Distinction Award in 1999. Angie's artistic career encompassed every aspect of music including composing, publishing, recording and directing. The deeply creative way she lived is aptly described in the following tribute by her friend Alan Kellogg: Above all, in her life and in her work, Angie Tysseland understood, embraced savoured the great and small paradoxes, the big-screen contrasts of the journey, the vicissitudes of the long not nearly long enough walk. The secular and the spiritual, the sacred and the profane, the exceptional and everyday, at home and faraway, parent and lover, bohemian and bourgeois, black bustiers and choir robes and way, way, far beyond, Angie drank deeply. She got it. She made art about it. She looked upstairs. To infinity. And downstairs. The flowers and the garbage. The angels and the bottom-feeders. And for so many, in so many different places, stations, callings, she carried us along with her in the crusade a force majeure not to be denied or trifled with, the ultimate passiveaggressive born-leader in pursuit of a noble goal of her own device. Inspiration. Perspiration this was someone who worked hard and demanded the same from those who joined in the cause. She reveled in victory a positive review, an admiring glance, a soldout house or a successful family outing. But she also (mostly) absorbed the commensurate body blows of public and private endeavour with good grace and the appropriate resigned, worldly-wise shrug as well. Witness the last months of her cruel affliction, endured with courage, practicality and humour. It is true that Angie's musical legacy imparts a degree of immortality to her time on this earth. There is also a premonition harboured among some of us that her splendid canon might find the broad reach it so deserves. But there is no denying that she will be profoundly missed, that this is a tragedy that cannot really be explained away. We grieve. We remember, laugh, weep. A good one a very good, unforgettable one who left this place infinitely better than she found it has fallen. We shall not forget. We will sing from her life's cantata, music from the spheres. Funeral Services will take place at 3rd Avenue United Church on Saturday December 18th 2010 with Prelude Music and Prayer beginning at 10:00 a.m. and the Memorial Service commencing at 11:00 a.m. For those so wishing memorial donations may be made to the Refinery for the Labyrinth Project. Condolences may be sent to mail@saskatoonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to SASKATOON FUNERAL HOME. 244-5577

2010/12/13

6th Anniversary of Integrity / Saskatoon


It was acceptance as usual with a twist on December 13, 2010 at St. James' Anglican Church in Saskatoon.  Rev. Shawn Sanford-Beck, Integrity / Saskatoon's originating priest, conducted the service along with the Bishop of Saskatoon, The Rt. Rev'd David Irving.  We celebrated the 6th anniversary of the first meeting of Integrity / Saskatoon, which took place at St. John's Cathedral in Saskatoon in December 2004. We enjoyed a service with GLBTT postive interpretations of the Bible readings, a Eucharist, Talking Circle, and social/refreshment time afterwards.


2010/12/03

ANGIE TYSSELAND THEATRE DEDICATION CELEBRATION


Dianne Mesh, Rector, conducting the dedication Eucharist
  
The Refinery Art & Spirit Centre with St. James' Anglican church dedicated and named their performance theatre The Angie Tysseland Theatre.  The celebration took place on Thursday, November 30, 2010 at the Centre.  Angie was Music Minister at St. James' for many years. As the celebration brochure noted, in that role she was "choir director, pianist, organizst, worship leader, teacher, composer and founding Artistic Director of the Refinery."

The service pamphlet makes it clear on the front page that 'welcome' is not a platitude but a refreshing action statement as follows:


"WHO IS WELCOME HERE? YOU ARE WELCOME HERE?



Janet Clarke presenting the Homily

 Whatever your gender, gender identity or sexual orientation;

Whatever your personal and private history;

Whatever your age, race, language, or country of origin;

Whatever your marital status or family type;

Whatever your education, income, or employment, wherever you live."


Angie's children Liesl and Nick Nostbakken
sharing stories of the Refinery


At the reception speaking to Angie from her hospital bed