On Wednesday, January 23rd, members of the Diocesan Council and Bishop’s Friends gathered at St. John’s, Shaughnessy to meet both the incoming and outgoing Presidents of the Compass Rose Society and learn more about its role and mission within the Anglican Communion.
The incoming President, the Rev. Canon Dr. John L. Peters explained that the Compass Rose Society grew out of the realization that although the Archbishop of Canterbury travels the world and is the Archbishop for all the Anglican Communion, he did not have any financial resources to respond to the overwhelming need he witnessed in his travels. This fact became particularly salient during a visit to Sudan where a service of 5,000 Anglicans had to forego Eucharist because, as the local bishop said, “we have no bread; we have no wine”. Established under the auspices of the Anglican Consultative Council, the Society raises funds to “assist the ministry of the Secretariat and the Anglican Consultative Council as they respond to the growing needs of Provinces worldwide” .Bishop Michael Ingham introduced the evening’s guests to the outgoing President, the Right Reverend Philip Poole of Toronto and described him as having provided a “uniquely relaxed and Canadian style of leadership in an organization that could very easily become stiff and formal”. Guests were treated to several of Bishop Poole’s stories from his Mission Trips with the society – from walking the streets of AIDS-ridden Nigeria to a memorable ride through Amazonian tributaries in the local 40 horse-power “fast boat” to reach a remote Anglican community. Both speakers underlined the Compass Rose Society as an avenue through which the Anglican Communion is able to stay connected, get a feel for the international community, and to understand “who are our brothers and sisters” and what their needs are. More than just “handing out money”, the Society believes in “practicing the theology of presence”, and as such members of the Society who travel to sites of tension and extreme poverty are often able to intervene in the local political and social environment in a way that the local church leadership would not be able or allowed to without repercussions to their safety.
The Society has already been in contact with Archbishop of Canterbury Designate, Justin Welby, who expressed in a hand-written letter that he was looking forward to working with and building a strong relationship with the Compass Rose Society.
The Compass Rose Society has been active since 1997 with member organizations, dioceses and individuals in 10 countries. From providing AIDS medications and small loans to buying books and Kindle e-book readers for seminarians in developing countries, the Compass Rose Society has dispersed over 7 million dollars to those in need worldwide. For more information, please visit www.compassrosesociety.org
Images: Top and homepage, Bishop Philip Poole greets the guests. Middle right, Bishop Philip shares stories of his years as President of the Compass Rose Society. Lower left, Incoming Compass Rose Society President the Rev. Canon Dr. John L. Peters
PHOTOS: Wayne Chose