Vol. II, Edition 1
Spring 2004
Spring 2004Who Are We? What Do We Do? How Do We Do It?
The Anglican Worship Resources Society is a nationally based group that has been incorporated as a charitable non-profit organization since 1898. Its purpose is to assist needy Anglican communities in Canada with financial support in the acquisition of resources for worship, and to provide Christian knowledge.
The organization has undergone two name changes since beginning as the Anglican Church Bible and Prayer Book Society, namely the Church Bible and Prayer Book Society and in it’s 100th year became the Anglican Worship Resources Society. In the 105 years of its existence, it has sent out many thousands of books and continues to help parishes by paying up to one half the cost of books required. The Society has assisted many less fortunate Anglican parishes across Canada to purchase hymn books, prayer books and Bibles in several languages.
The Society's membership is comprised of a Board of Directors drawn from members of the Anglican Church of Canada, both clerical and lay. They meet four times a year to receive and discuss applications for assistance.
Any Anglican congregation or group needing help to purchase resources for worship and Christian education may apply for assistance prior to purchase.
The work of the Society is entirely dependent upon and supported by voluntary contributions. These come from parishes, congregations, church organizations, dioceses, groups and individuals. The Society, a registered charity, issues receipts for income tax purposes for all donation amounts received. A very small amount of these funds is directed to administrative costs, as volunteers do the majority of the work.
The continuing work of the Society depends on your prayers, interest, financial support and personal recommendations to others. The Anglican Worship Resources Society has been an integral part of the Anglican Church for over one hundred and five years and prays that it may continue to do its work for a long time to come.
Happenings in 2003
The Board of Directors met in February, May, September and December 2003. During these meetings, the Society received and reviewed applications for assistance from only six parishes in six Dioceses: These were Brandon, Caledonia, Huron, Kootenay, Moosonee and Western Newfoundland.
In total these parishes received: 148 Common Praise hymn books50 Book of Alternative Services books 21 Voices United (United Church hymn book)In 2002, applications were received from twenty-two (22) parishes in twelve (12) Dioceses.
The December meeting began with the celebration of the Lord's Supper in the chapel at 600 Jarvis Street (the last opportunity to do so before the move), followed by the quarterly meeting and lunch.
Letters of thanks and appreciation for the work of the AWRS received from parishes were shared at this time. (see below)
Annual Meeting Anglican Worship Resources Society
February 2, 2004
The annual meeting of the Society took place Monday, February 2, 2004 at 600 Jarvis Street, Toronto.
The newly elected officers include: The Rev. Canon James Woolley (Chair), Gladys McClellan (Vice-chair), Brad Harvey (Treasurer), Betty Baker (Secretary), and Robbie Rhodes (Public Relations). Directors are: Gordon Baker, The Rev. Peter Bishop, Jane Cook, June Dyer, Shirley Fraser, The Ven. Thomas Greene, The Rev. Roy Shepherd (who resigned as Chair in December), and The Rev. Charles Storton, who is Director Emeritus.
The Ven. T. Arnold Wilkinson, a long-time member of AWRS and Director Emeritus from 1998 died in 2003 and was remembered for his dedication to the work of the Society.
Word from/to Those AWRS has Helped & Who Helped AWRS
“St. Luke's Anglican Parish in Hornepayne in the Diocese of Moosonee is a small congregation in a railway town which is in the midst of a demographic and economic shift as the population declines, reflecting the severe cutback in railway service and decline of other industry...In the mid 1990's...the decision was made to combine St. Luke's with the shared Anglican/United Church parish in Hearst, about 125 kilometres away."
"The Hornepayne parish has responded enthusiastically to this new ministry pattern. At this time, its resources are stretched...In discussing how the gift (from a former member) could be used, mention was made of how helpful the introduction of the new hymn book Common Praise might be in enhancing worship." ...Caleb J. Lawrence, Bishop of Moosonee.
AWRS approved a grant towards the purchase of 35 words only and 3 words and music Common Praise hymn books.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"We are a small but active parish situated in a small First Nation community out of northern Manitoba. We call our home 'Opaskawayak Cree Nation' and our parish 'Church of the Messiah'. On a yearly average, our parish receives 30 to 50 parishioners per Sunday. In all, 98% of 30 B.A.S. books that we currently have are beyond repair. In fact, our latest alternative for mending has not held up well (the fix-all, mend-all 'duct tape'). Our request includes the hope of obtaining 50 books, as this would ease the tri-sharing and shortage when our parish has an influx of services such as funerals, weddings, baptisms and special holidays."...Rev. Antione Lathlin, Priest in Charge.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To: A.C.W., Christ Church Cathedral, Whitehorse, YT..."Once again, on behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank you so much for the donation to the Anglican Worship Resources Society. ...In the past three yeas, we have assisted over 100 needy parishes from every Diocese in Canada, ...to purchase Hymn Books, Prayer Books and Bibles. They would not have been able to have new books in their present circumstances without the help of AWRS. ...We thank you again for your donation.
HOW Can You Become Involved?
The work of the Society is entirely supported by voluntary contributions from parishes, congregations, church organizations, dioceses, groups and individuals. “The Anglican Worship Resources Society is working from a decreasing resource base and is now depleting its reserve capital.” Please give prayerful consideration to how you may help the Society continue to assist our brothers and sisters to spread the word – of the Good News.
For more information contact us:
c/o St. Thomas a Becket Anglican Church, 3535 S. Common Crt., Mississsauga, Ont., L5L 2B3.
As of July 1, 2004, our new meeting address with be 80 Hayden Street, Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 3G2
