“Training” is a key word for the Diocese of The Arctic. This is nothing new – in fact, the primary task of the first Arctic missionaries was to train Inuit and Gwich’in leaders to go from camp to camp spreading the Good News among their neighbours! For decades, much of the church looked to “traditional”, university- based seminary programs to train leaders; these have their place. However, in our Arctic context, we’ve gone back to a much more traditional way: what the Inuit call “pilmmaksarniq”, which translates roughly to “developing skills through watching, practicing, and doing”.

Building on the success of the formalized ATTS Deacons’ Training Program, we realize the importance of hands-on, in-person learning, making opportunities for those with experience (whether young or old) to share that experience with those who are eager to learn, regardless of age. While it might sound obvious, this represents a major shift back to the ways of our Arctic missionary forebears. Today, around the world, bishops come for confirmations, or to install a rector, or to open or close a building, but how often do they do that apostolic work of teaching, spending three days or a week one-on-one with the lay readers, equipping new treasurers to do the work of stewardship, or sitting with parents to teach them how to lead the family discipleship course for other parents in their community? This is Pilimmaksarniq! We are so thankful for a grant of $50,000 from the Anglican Foundation of Canada in order to greatly expand our capability to do in-person, in-community training this year!