Dear Readers,
I have announced my retirement as Anglican Bishop of Saskatoon, effective February 28, 2010, but I am not retiring from COUNTRY GUIDE.
I plan to continue writing Reflections each month.
Incidentally, my first COUNTRY GUIDE column was published in the fall of 1994. This issue marks my 15th anniversary with the magazine.
My association with COUNTRY GUIDE gives me pleasure and satisfaction, and the privilege of working with fine editors. I particularly enjoy meeting some of you as I travel. I am glad to hear from others by regular mail or e-mail.
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This autumn I have been taking part in Harvest Festival services in small churches in central Saskatchewan. It is not hard for me to sing the hymns or say the prayers at Thanksgiving services.
I have much to be thankful for, including the privilege of sharing ideas and experiences with you each month.
Rod Andrews
“OK, we are ready to start the auction…” The auctioneer concludes his preamble with a commercial for the lunch wagon. “Make sure you try Debbie’s apple pie!”
Small items sell first. Democrats and buggies will sell later. At noon I head for the food trailer. Balancing my cheeseburger and pop, I find space on the corner of a table. A conversation about breeding horses is marked by banter and jocularity. While we are downing our pie, a late arrival joins us.
“Where have you been, Jack? The sale is half over.”
“I have been to church,” the newcomer replies. Good-natured teasing follows. “You are a day early. This is Saturday. Church day is tomorrow.” Jack is not phased. “I am Seventh Day Adventist. Today is the Sabbath.” I hope for a deeper discussion, but people drift back to the auction ring.
A few weeks later, I reflect that the people at a school reunion in Trochu, Alta., are essentially the same as when they were nine or 10 years old. They just look older. Shel Bercovich was one of my playmates in elementary school. His father Max operated a general store. Mr. Bercovich sold good products at reasonable prices, and extended credit when customers were short of cash.
Most people in Trochu attended church on Sundays. I asked my mother why the Bercovich family did not go to church. She explained, “They are Jewish.” When I asked what Jews believe, I was told they worship God on Saturday. I remember thinking “Good idea. Even an hour of religion would beat doing homework on Saturday morning, and all day Sunday would be free for play.”
Shel and I recalled childhood experiences and shared where life has led us. He had a career as a school teacher in Calgary. Shel described his research into communities of Jewish farmers who came to Alberta from Russia and Eastern Europe in the early 1900s. Shel’s grandfather helped build a combined school, community centre and synagogue near Sibbald in east-central Alberta in 1913. The building functioned as a house of worship, study and community. Shel’s father had his bar mitzvah there.
When the families dispersed in the 1920s because of drought, the building was moved to Hanna, Alta. It was a two-bedroom home for 75 years. When the previous identity of the building was discovered, Shel and a group of interested people purchased and moved it to Heritage Park in Calgary, where it adds to a collection of buildings depicting early Alberta history. It has been rededicated as a synagogue.
Who is right? When is the true Sabbath? There is truth on both sides of the argument. The Sabbath day referred to in the Ten Commandments is the seventh day. This is Saturday by our calendars. Early Christians celebrated on the first day of the week in honour of the resurrection. Sunday became their Sabbath.
We seem to have lost the value of a day to rest, and to pray if we choose. Sunday shopping and entertainment divert our time and energy. A day of rest makes sense from a human, physical point of view. We need rhythm in our lives. One day in seven has religious significance. It is also a sensible way to add value to our lives.
Suggested Scripture: Exodus 20:1-17, Matthew 28:1-10
Bishop Rod Andrews is with the Anglican Diocese in Saskatoon
