Stop…Be Still. Over the years, when we have found ourselves in times of great difficulty, we have been learning to stop leaning to our own understanding, to be still, and seek God’s advice, wisdom and direction.
On August the 7th, Rita and I were feeling relieved to be back in Yellowknife after a 22,000-kilometer round trip to Newfoundland: glad to be home and back in the office, we had not thought that 5 days later we would be ordered to evacuate.
Over the past years evacuation orders have been given in almost every province. Now, we like thousands of others, are heading into the mysterious unknown. With no idea of where we were going, when we get there or even return, we departed August 12th at 9:30 pm. At 3:30 am, after driving bumper to bumper for 6 hours we made it 100 kilometres to Edzo, NWT. We parked for the night and by 9:30 am we were on the road again. At 3:57 pm, after 6.5 hours of sporadic traffic we pulled into Fort Providence’s Big River gas stop.
It was here while in a significant gas line up we witnessed and were recipients of the kind generosity of the people of Fort Providence. This community must have been up all night because they were ready with sandwiches, water, and snacks. First a couple of people drove up to each car to give food and water. Others were doing the same as we pulled in for fuel. We were exhausted after another long tedious drive plus the sleepless night, so, with permission from owner we decided to park for the night in their back parking lot. While in the Big River restaurant we heard and were part of various conversations about where people were heading, when and would we return?
What next?.. was up in the air. When the order to evacuate came, we did not know how long it would take Nick our Diocesan youth coordinator and Scott a summer student to be evacuated by air so I decided we would evacuate together. We took two vehicles: our Dodge Journey and Truck/Camper so that we would have a fridge and stove.
On the way to Fort Providence, we drove past active fires as well as new growth from previous years fires. We were utterly astonished by the devastation from the fire storm that had occurred between Kakisa and Enterprise. Everything was fried! We pretty much encountered the same scenario as we looked over the scorched McNally escarpment.
At the NWT boarder the sign read “don’t stop, the bathrooms do not work, move on! “ Yet, upon arrival into Alberta the people were warm and welcoming just as they had been in Fort Providence. Signs appeared telling us that there was free fuel for NWT evacuees. Our friends Geoff and Rosalind Dixon who had evacuated a few days previous, sent news that we were welcome to stay at our mutual friend’s home just outside Manning; Susie and Joe Evyagotailak’s.
So, we along with some 20 plus other displaced ‘new friends’ who had already congregated there prior to our arrival gathered with the Evyagotailaks. Most have left by today [Wednesday] we remain, having exhausted our need to holiday any further. We are so thankful to Joe and Suzie for their kind hospitality to all of us.
We had a short layover at the registration center in High Level where the wonderful volunteers were most helpful with food, beverages, and relevant info for our specific needs. We encountered old friends as well as made many new acquaintances.
Upon arrival at the Evyagotailak’s, the atmosphere was like a family reunion. There was a well stocked BBQ on the go as well as refreshments and introductions to new friends. From this base we have found a church, a couple wonderful mechanics for our vehicle repair and we have made a few drives to Manning and down to Peace River to meet with other evacuees. We have sat with many, heard stories of loss, prayed, met siblings of old friends and last evening gathered with the evacuees of Peace River as they hosted a BBQ for us all.
Each evening at 7pm we gather around the radio to listen to CBC North and the authorities fire update. No one knows when we will return. We need rain, rain, rain, winds to calm and the call, “All clear!”
Now a few words about our diocese.
In the past 30 years, 53 experienced clergy a huge number of parish trainers have retired. I believe as your Diocesan Bishop, God put in my heart to replace the 53 who retired with 53 gospel-based educators/disciple makers who will strengthen families, encourage youth and help parishes mature into being an inter-dependent network of cooperators who will partner with Jesus and each other. To do this we need to be guided by God the Holy Spirit and not be deterred by the many obstacles and forces which oppose Jesus and His Church.
Our Archdeacon and staff are trying to keep on top of things. However, different fire burns within my mind/heart. As we are scattered; isolated from the team who work for our parish’s operations, a fiery question asks. “What are YOU (+David) going to do about the diocesan bank account being behind over two million dollars after years of paying the parish’s property taxes, fire/operational insurance, clergy stipends, reimbursed by some parishes but not most.” “It seems the people do not understand the diocese is a CO-OP and they need to support one another so what are YOU going to do about it?” Over the past 30 years over 53 clergy have retired. These are the ones who used to help parishes understand that we are a CO-OP.
Friends, “I need you, you need me.” A church and a diocese is not to be independent. The Bishop and his Diocesan team are dependent upon every community; every parish working together inter-dependently with the mindset, “I need you, you need me.”
The bishops and the diocesan office serve/work for you the parishes. Remember when we needed help from outside and from inside the diocese to rebuild our St Jude’s Cathedral? We need your help now as always. We need the same help to replace the 53……. and 53 others.
If every Anglican across the Diocese above all other givings, gave $20.00 extra to the Diocesan Bank account and every non-Anglican who looks to our Anglican clergy, lay leaders and church congregations to help them also gave $20.00 a week to our Diocesan Bank account, we would become financially healthy.
So that you know I am not asking for what I would not do myself. I want you to know for many years Rita and I have been giving $23.07 each week to the Diocese Bank account. So, I am not asking for what I am not willing and already doing. We also give 10% of our income to our parish/community church.
So, when this fire attacks my mind, this is what I do. I stop and I become still before God and put my trust in God that God will provide. It is a miracle that the Cathedral debt was paid off, that your fire insurance has been paid, that your property taxes have been paid, that your clergy stipend have been paid and that we have been able to hire over twenty new people. We have done this by trusting God each month, every month. But each parish needs to know God expects it to pay its fire insurance, property tax, clergy stipend and fair share along with the local, utility, maintenance, and operational costs.
I believe God, the Lord Jesus Christ wants us to walk in even greater faith and to build a diocese where only Jesus gets the credit for what is being done and accomplished and where Jesus is glorified. Rather that depend upon Governments I believe we-the-church should be helping governments to serve and care for the people.
Will you give time to pray for and to help financially prepare the way to replace the 53?
Yours by grace,
Bishop David W Parsons