On Saturday, June 9th, 2012, members of the Ordained Ministry Division met with nine priests of the diocese who are now, or have recently been, partly-stipended. This term may be new to you but it is a more accurate way than ‘part-time’ of speaking about priests who, while they may not receive a full stipend, often do a full week’s work. The conversation, which took place over a delicious lunch provided by Dorothy Mash (and sous chef John Mash), focused on three main questions:
1. What are the most significant challenges you face in your ministry? 2. Where do you find moments of joy in partly-stipended ministry?
3. How could the diocese better supply your ministry?
The answers were – of course – many and varied. Challenges ranged from setting boundaries to dealing with financial issues to a sense of isolation from the wider diocese. Joys often centred around the experience of being part of a caring community whose small size allowed close relationships to develop. There was appreciation of what diocesan authorities were already doing to enable ministries but also a sense that more could yet be done.
One interesting focus for future thinking was the reflection that partly-stipended ministry may become a much more prevalent part of ordained priesthood, and that this has consequences for how the whole community of the church performs its mission in the world.
Images: Top: left to right, Rev. Gail Newell, Christ Church, Hope, Rev. Dr. Adela Torchia, St David/St. Paul, Powell River, Rev. Clarence Li, OMD Chair, St. Hilda's, Sechelt. Below: Rev. Wendy Eyre-Gray, St. John Squamish, Rev John Firmston, St. Barnabas, New Westminster (formerly partly-stipendary at St. Mary's South Hill) and Rev Helen Tervo, Prison Chaplain.
PHOTOS; Ronald Harrison