I am now into my third year of retirement from parish ministry. While casting around, wondering what to do now, I read a blog and then consulted with a colleague, Maylanne Maybee, and Partnership as Mission: Essays in Memory of Ellie Johnson (Eugene, OR, Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2023) was born.
This uniquely Canadian volume of essays tells stories of Eleanor “Ellie” Johnson, missiologist and director of partnerships at the Anglican Church of Canada from 1994 to 2008. More than that, this book tells of God’s mission, and how the Anglican Church of Canada participated in that mission with our ecumenical partners.
Ray Fletcher, priest, had this to say about Partnership in Mission: “This book needs to have the widest possible readership — required reading for every bishop and clergy person in parish ministry. It suggests a total transformation within the Anglican Church of Canada with other ecumenical partners as to how we move forward in a world which, every day, is more stressed and in many ways broken.”
Through personal memories, tributes and detailed historical storytelling, friends, family and colleagues describe their own rich experience working with Ellie. Others raise questions about the face and context of mission today. There is so much to appreciate about this deeply spiritual person, whose legacy lives on, as we draw on her legacy to find resilience and strength for today’s demanding ecojustice journey.
With thanks to Christine Conkin, incumbent at St George, Cadboro Bay, and to the entire parish, I am thrilled to join with my co-editor, Maylanne Maybee, and other local presenters to launch the book. The launch event, entitled From Colonialism to Creation Care: Ninety minutes for justice, will also aim to create a forum for conversation around mission today.
We will also be joined by Philip Wadham, who will present a personal perspective on partnership around his visits to Cuba and to northern Argentina. Logan McMenamie will speak to his book chapter concerning healing, justice and reconciliation. Maylanne Maybee will address liturgy, mission and the climate crisis through her work with the Associated Parishes for Liturgy and Mission. Finally, I will share discoveries around new language, suitable for mission in a time of climate crisis.
After a short break, presenters will be joined by Bishop Anna for a period of comment, questions and answers. Books will be available for purchase and signing by the editors. The event will be moderated by Christine Conkin.
I hope you can join us, and please, spread the word.
From Colonialism to Creation Care: Ninety minutes for justice
When: Wednesday, April 24, 2024, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Where: St George the Martyr, 3909 St. George’s Lane, Victoria, BC V8N 4E3
Contact: (tel) 250-472-2090 (email) [email protected]
Accessibility: St George is an accessible facility
