Page 4 June 1981 Cassiar Courier

sha of Cass

siar

by Rev’d Canon Allan Rogers

e-
Turning the sod, 7 August, 1955: Bill Corran, the Rev'd Allan Rogers, Ken Scrimger, Fred Murray (mine manager)
Photo courtesy Jack Berry

( Allan Rogers was the first ‘resident’ minister in Cassiar,
living here for six weeks in the summer of 1955. He was
very young in ministry when he came to Cassiar, having
graduated from college in 1952. His first appointment was
the curacy at St. Peter’s Merivale, in the city of Ottawa. )

/t was during this time that | had begun to attend a
supper meeting with a few other young people (in a group
called The Fellowship of the West). We numbered from
six to ten males who met at Christ Church Cathedral for
supper, hosted by the late Mrs. McColl, a faithful old soul
who hurt badly as she told us she could no longer sub-
sidize the meal, and therefore had to raise the price to fif-
ty cents. Somehow we began to provide a few bucks that
we offered for the field work of the Fellowship of the
West. i ;

Then we began to think of sending out a man of our
own. One of the first was yours truly, who offered his hol-
iday month if expenses could be met. We heard of a need
at Cassiar; a very keen lay person there wanted the Dio-
cese of Caledonia to provide a beginning of an ecumenical
ministry there, and the Diocese of Ottawa offered at least
a start! A six-week introductory ministry would be a be-
ginning.

Somehow the vision for the project caught, and at
one memorable meeting in St Matthew’s Church, | made
my first impromptu and urgent appeal after many others
had set the scene. Later Bishop Reed told me that he
watched me catch the people’s imagination for the sup-
port of a modern-day missionary journey.

Gifts of money came in, sufficient to pay the return
air fare. | was commissioned by the Bishop at Christ
Church Cathedral on June 24, St John the Baptist Day,
and | left with the timely words of the collect singing in
my ears: ‘constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice,
and patiently suffer’. | was about thirty at the time, and
at least as mature as a fifteen year old!

The airplane flight was a frightening first, but easily
done, even in the DC3 at the tail end of the journey. At
Fort St John. | was‘met by Archdeacon Kirksey, who Iat-

er lost his life in a tragic car accident. It seems to me he

had travelled at some length just to meet and brief me
somewhat about Cassiar. | was much pleased to meet this
godly man, a saint of the church. Who was to know he
‘would give his life in a road accident? '
Touching down at Watson Lake was the first intim-
ation of the area, though there was yet a hundred mile
journey in to Cassiar. The limousine that carried import-
ant officials to and from Cassiar was not there that day .

since they were expecting me only the next day. The ques-

tion arose: would they have me wait for the limousine to
come out for me, or should | be let go in with the com-
pany bus that picked up mail, parts and equipment, and
new hands for the mine. Somewhat against their better
judgement, | was allowed to go in by company bus — a
Jeep-like vehicle that held 10 or 12 passengers. There was
plenty of room.

Alas, | did an unpardonable thing! On the way in to
Cassiar, we stopped. My warning signals came on and said
‘don’t do it’; but | did not heed. | picked some of the wild
flowers along the road that grew just to the glory of God.
About a month later, my room-mate hesitantly asked me,
‘Did you really pick some wild flowers on your way here

that day?’ At least with the miners on the bus, | had'seal- .

ed my doom! (The image that some men need to. bolster
theirego!) ne

The company bus: ‘roared. fate cen ie japon i us
at the dining hall-post office-general store-what’ have’ you.
A gangling. youth saw me, seemed to make a mental note-
‘That, | think, is what you call a clergyman’—and off he
went for confirmation of his estimate. Someone passing
by, and one whose honesty / will treasure more than his
discretion, said, ‘He can get right on that bus and go back
out again. We don’t need him;. and we don’t want him

round here!’ ;

1 was pointed towards the staff building, but was in-
tercepted by a friendly man, Bill, who took some of the
baggage and brought me to his home. Later, | was taken
to the staff quarters and a temporary room was assigned.
There was a man in the other single bed, lying in his pyj-
amas, and reading a pocket novel. A whiskey bottle stood
empty on the stand. | sensed that he somewhat grudgingly
accepted my presence. The novel was The Naked Angel:
and soon he got up, took another look at me, guzzled a
huge bromo-seltzer and went to bed. He was up ‘and gone
in the morning, and in the office he laid it right on the
line. ‘You get that SOB out of my room today or you
don’t have an accountant tomorrow — and that’s final!”

So | was moved in with Tony; a hunch-backed fellow,

. an office employee who had to give up his former room-

mate to make room for me. A few days later | discovered

that Tony slept with his Bible hidden under his pillow so

nobody would find it and make fun of him. Each evening.
he read from it, and perhaps a more devout person you:
would not find; but it was carefully hidden from the

world, as were his communications with me. They teased:
him about me, poor lad.

Cassiar was a beautiful mountain village, picturesque
beyond description. Some fifty homes and buildings, all
pan-abode, were in place; and those who carried in soil ev-
en had flowers. The senior staff had these homes for their
wives and families, while unmarried staff quarters housed
the single staff. The miners’ quarters were at a little dis-
tance, and definitely out of bounds. 4

Church was held in the assembly hall, where there
‘were a couple of pool tables and a ping-pong table. One
Sunday morning | remember one caper when a horse with
a bell on it was paraded about to provide for a church bell.
It seems funnier now than it did then. We had fairly good
attendance at church services, it being one of the few
things to do on Sunday mornings, though attendance may
never have risen much above fifty in number.

| MASSES: Sunday 11:00 a.m. & 7:30 p.m.
SSS

! recall that on one of his days fe “the chap in the
stores, Charlie, arranged with me “to walk” ‘out to visit a
family six miles into. the bush. The man was a sourdough,
married to a Presbyterian minister’s daughter, and their
family was then 14 — 15 year old girls and two boys,
9 - 10 years. Their establishment was beside a mountain

- stream, and all the buildings were there for a purpose — 2
cookhouse, an eating house, a wash house, a sleep house, a
smoke house, a play house, a schoolhouse, etc. The lady
had set times each day when she taught her family. She
was a wonderful sort of woman who had known much’
gentler days but would not trade them for her abundant
life in the bush. The younger daughter, then about 14,
drew rather well. She did me a scene on beaverboard. It
chanced that about ten years later |.met the same shy,
lovely girl, who was then attending the Banff School of
Fine Arts, and had her studio in Calgary. V/e were delight-
ed to see each other again.

The Company manager, Mr. Bill Corran, was always
my right-hand man, and a very enthusiastic churchman.
While | was there, Bill wanted to have the sod-turning for
All Saints Anglican Community Church, Cassiar. A wire
was sent off to the Archdeacon, whom | had met, point-
ing out the good work | had*begun, and emphasizing the
need for the sod-turning so that Priest and House of God
could become a top priority among Diocesan needs. Per-
mission. was granted, and a blessing given to our turning
the sod. It was a historic moment when we gathered for
that purpose. Perhaps at almost the same time a call: was
sent out from Caledonia to the church ‘in England speak-
ing of a need for a Pastor for a remote mining row in
northern British Columbia.

The six-week Cassiar experience in 1955 was a great
growth experience for me. By and large, Cassiar found it
to be the same. | learned later that the Rev’d. Douglas
Hambidge would be coming out ‘from the heart of Lon-
don’ to make his ministry among the people of Cassiar. |
wondered what the culture shock would be, both for him
and for Cassiar.

1 left to return to Ottawa, happy for the summer's
experience, glad to have been with the good people of
Cassiar,. and pleased to know that they-would have a
Priest of God. to follow. up a ministry begun. The new ap-
pointee would have. some fine people. to support. him, and
to’ work with him towards building the family of God in
Cassiar.

It is now 25 years later, and it is joyful to know that
the past quarter-century provides the ground of faith on
which the present congregation will continue to offer a
place, a pastor and a people to worship God, and to work
out together their day by day salvation.

(Canon Rogers is now Chaplain to the Aging in the Dio-
cese of Ottawa.)

All Saints Anglican
Community Church

SUMMER SCHEDULE: June — August 1987

Sunday 8:30 p.m. Evening Worship

Gur Lady of Lourdes
Mission

SUMMER SCHEDULE: June — August 1981

‘Twenty-Fitth
Anniversary

A’ congregational family supper and the celebration: of
Holy Baptism were the major features of the observance
of the 25th anniversary of the dedication of. All Saints
Anglican Community Church, Cassiar.

The dinner was held in the Curling Club lounge on the
night of Saturday, April 25th. Seventy-five people enjoy-
ed the delicious feast prepared by the ladies of the parish,

. under the co-ordination of Betty Cartwright. It was also

the first opportunity for most of the members to meet the
Rt Rev‘d Ronald Ferris, the.new Bishop of Yukon, who
was a special guest for the weekend. Another special guest,

_ the Rt Rev’d John Frame, Bishop of Yukon for 13 years

until the fall of 1980 and now Dean of Victoria, made a
short speech reminiscing about the church and its incum-
bents, all of whom he has known.

On Sunday morning two children were baptized at the
Anniversary Service. They are Tracey and Devon Walker,
the daughters of Derek and Judy Walker. Their grand-
mother, Mrs Peaker of Victoria, came up for this special
occasion. Bishop Ferris officiated at the baptism and
preached the sermon, while Bishop Frame conducted the

rest of the service.

The sod for the church was turned in August, 1955, and
the completed structure was dedicated by the Rt Rev’d
Horrace Watts, Bishop of Caledonia on Palm Sunday,
1956. A number of projects, in addition to the anniver-
sary weekend, are planned to mark the quarter-century.
Foremost of these is the installation of a stained glass win-
dow over the altar. Designs are being prepared by three
companies, and the final contract should be signed by the
end of June.The window may be in place by this fall or,
more likely, next spring.

A historical booklet is being prepared, and the ladies are
now selling commemorative coffee spoons, in addition to
the plates and mugs that have been available for some
time. :

All aie Church is at the corner of Elliot and. Malozem-

d off Streets, and was established t to ‘minister to the worship

and pastoral needs of the ‘Cassiar community, \ welcoming
Christians of all denominations to share in its fellowship.

BROWNIE NEWS

The Brownies have been kept fairly busy these last few
weeks. Helen Pain has been working with the girls on their
craft badges which they should have earned before the
close of the Brownie seasoni. The Brownies would like to
thank Mrs. Pain for spending so much time with them.

On 11th May the Brownies and Girl Guides held their
annual Cookie Sale. As usual the local residents support-
ed the girls and all the cookies were sold.

On Thursday 14th May, the Brownies and Guides were f
out once again delivering calendars and general informat-°

ion packages put out by the Town Council.

The girls are still working hard on their badges and several
have been earned recen tly. These are:-
SKIING —
Jessam Stewart
Ellen Artico
Janice Coran
SKATING
Chiera Borsato
Janice Coran
Nicole Deyo
Brandi Constable
Emma Crawford
Heather White
Ellen Artico
Jessam Stewart
Shannon Baerwald
Sherry Baerwald
WEAVING
Joanne Coran
NEIGHBOURS
Sian Jones
Sherry Baerwald
Shannon Baerwald
PET KEEPERS
Tara Komperdo
Sian Jones

YOny

sas 4

Ah
May i is Family Month in B.C. In Castian: Bamity Month start-
ed a little later while waiting for spring and will run into
June. Father Oscar Pauwels has been organising activities
relating to Family Month.

British Columbia Council For the Family, Parliament Build-
ings, Victoria have issued the following news feature on

POWER IN THE FAMILY

When families need help, where can they. turn?

In the past, many families could turn to grandparents,
other relatives or long-time family friends for advice, baby-
sitting, loans or simply friendship and support through a
difficult time.

“But today, we often meet families who feel they are
completely alone in struggling with problems,’ says the B.C

Council for the Family’s, Bea Hodgson of Summerland, pro-

vincial co-ordinator of Family Month.

May has been proclaimed ‘Family Month” in British
Columbia — a time for celebrating families.

This year the theme is FAMILY POWER FOR SOCIAL
CHANGE. ” We need to recognize that families do have
some powers, and should be able to influence those institut-
ions which affect and sometimes cause stress within famil-

"says Mrs Hodgson.

saCoramiunities and institutions must be more aware of
their responsibilities toward families, and families must be
more aware of their own strengths,’’ added Mrs Hodgson.

Cassiar Courier June 1981 Page 5

| ae FAMILY

MONTH

“Government agencies do their part in assisting low in-
come families financially, and through subsidizing such ser
vices as long-term care for the elderly and day-care. The
best way to help children is through their families, and we
need to keep reminding governments and institutions that
help through families is not only best, but generally less ex-
pensive.

“It is really up to the communities to- identify the
needs of families and to develop programmes which sup:-
port a positive approach to family life.’’ Mrs Hodgson stres-
sed,

And it is important that we evaluate the effects of soc-
ial policies and programmes on families by asking:

Does. it give a family more options, or less?
Does it put decision-making power into the
hands of families, or does it increase institut-
ional control?

Through encouraging family, community and agency
‘co-operation, family life will be both enriched and extend-
ed. By choosing “FAMILY POWER FOR SOCIAL
:‘CHANGE:” as the theme for Family Month, the B.C.
Council for the Family hopes to give a new perspective on’
‘family living in our Province.

“Really. families are a miracle to be encouraged, not a
problem to be solved, nor a situation to be endured, “’ Mrs.
Hodgson concluded.

HAVE YOU GOT WHAT IT TAKES?

So you fancy being a regional tourist co-ordinator.....
How do you measure up?

Well first of all, you don’t have to be another Don
Ashley. Don had his own style and the job is amenable to
different interpretations. So if you don’t have a coonskin
hat, don’t worry.

However, the person who gets the job will have con-

' vinced the board of the Peace River- Alaska Highway Tour-

ist Association that he (or she) is personable, enjoys deal-
ing. with . people | and is not afraid to get. up and speak in
front ‘of-an ‘audience.

_ The person will also have to be imaginative and able
to “think up new ways to promote Region “H”, (the
northern third of British Columbia), as well as inject new
twists into established techniques.

In short, it’s a job for an intelligent extrovert and a
little ego doesn’t hurt either. (If you take pride in what
we have to offer in Region “H’" — you've got the little ego
bit.) i

There’s a few other things too. PRAHTA is run by a
board and the tourist co-ordinator has to be able to work .
with a committee. i

Also, it’s a big region; it encompasses Pouce Coupe,
Dawson Creek, Taylor, Chetwynd, Hudson’s Hope, Mac-
kenzie, Fort St. John, Wonowon, Pink Mountain, Fort
Nelson, Atlin and Cassiar and all Points en route: Its scen-
ic attractions Tange from. mountains, and glaciers, to the
province’s largest lake, Fort ‘Nelson’s _muskeg plains and
the prairie farmland of the Peace ‘country. A tourist co-
ordinator must be prepared to travel the entire region. AY
car is provided but we expect you to use it.

GUIDING NEWS

We are very happy to have been joined by a new
adult leader, Mrs. Maguire. She is working with us in or-
der to take over the Company next fall. Mrs. Maguire’s
sister is a Guide leader in Scotland so they should be
able to exchange lots of experiences about Guiding.

The Girl Guides have been quite busy around town
selling Girl Guide cookies with the Brownies. Thanks
very much to all the supportive cookie eaters in town! A
Joint Girl Guide/Brownie effort successfully ensured the 2
delivery of Town Council’s complimentary calendars to
Cassiar residents. A much appreciated donation was
made to us by Town Council for our services.

On Friday, May 22, the Guides were tested for the
cycling badges by the R.C.M.P. and in early June Mrs.
Karen Clark will be taking the girls on a nature walk for
their naturalist badge. We're also looking forward to the
Annual Wind-Up banquet in early June.

The_Forget-Me-Not Patrol entertained the rest of
the Guide Company, several Guide mothers and a grand-
mother at a Mother's Day Party on May 14. This was
part of their hostess badge requirements.

The job is simple enough in principle; to make the
north of British Columbia look good to potential visitors.
The hard bit is getting our story in front of them in an at-
tractive and convincing manner and this is where the qual-
ities of imagination, flair, personality and so on will be
dominant. Also required will be the ability to work on
one’s own initiative and to take a long term view of one’s
task. There will be times when progress seems slow and
unlike. working in a bakery where one can count one’s
production, there is no, ‘simple. measure to how well one is

’ performing.

All the same, it is an important task. Tourism is an
industry — a lot of people spend a lot of money on their
vacations and many northern residents depend upon it for
their livelihood, or at least a good part of it. As the indus-
try gets bigger here, it will also strengthen the north of
British Columbia. It’s a job worth doing.

It’s also a job with some exciting challenges. This is
pipeline country, and the coalfields of Tumbler Ridge are
also within our orbit. People will want to see these high
profile projects and how best to use them is the biggest
challenge of them all. :

So if you’re interested in this kind of work, call our

office to get more information. We'll be happy to talk to

you.

This series is sponsored by the Peace River — Alaska

Highway Tourist Association (P.R.A.H.T.A.) More inform- -

ation may be obtained by contacting PRAHTA, P.O. Box
6850, Fort St. John, B.C. V1J 4J3, Attention: Mansgingy
Director, Phone — 785-2544.

The following badges have been earned recently:

TOYMAKERS
Pam King
Kate Elhorn
Cheryi Maguire
SKIING |
Pam King
Kate Elhorn
Chery! Maguire
Celenka Krawczyk
SKATING BADGES
Pam King
Kate Elhorn
Chery! Maguire
COLLECTOR’S BADGE
Pam King
This will be the final news report on the First Cassiar
Guide Company before the summer holidays. As the
Guide Leader, | have enjoyed working and playing with
the girls very much. | wish them and their new leader a

: happy and safe holiday and good Guiding next year!

by J. Faust

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