St. Paul’s Journal
Lent Easter 2011
Steve Watts, also fairly new to our parish, about his
experience of peace and conflict workshops in
Northern Ireland.
I pray that in these last weeks of Lent, this issue of
St. Paul’s Journal may help us all to enjoy the ‘giving
up’ and ‘taking on’ that exemplified the life of the
incarnate Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world.
‘Giving Up’ and ‘Taking On’ Paul Friesen
I ’m sure you’ve heard, now and then, two ideas
about Lent. The first is that Lent is a season in
which to give up one or more of God’s gifts in
order to focus our attention more clearly on the
giver of all gifts, God the Holy Trinity. This can be
Letter to the Editor:
Dear Editor,
As Chair of the St. Paul’s 2010 Committee, I wish to
well done, for instance, by giving up lunch on comment on the article in the Advent-Christmas
certain days to spend that time in prayer. The edition of the Journal, on the ‘Provenance of Our
second idea is that Lent is a season in which to add Queen Anne Communion Plate’, as this subject is
something that is holy and good to one’s life; very relevant to the 2010 Celebration held last year
perhaps, for example, by giving away money, food by the Diocese of Nova Scotia and PEI, and
or time to someone who might need it, after one has Annapolis Royal, for the 300th Anniversary of the
one saved it by giving up lunch. As you can see the first service using the Book of Common Prayer in
two ideas can fit together very well! I’m sure the Canada.
people of this parish have seen or will soon see
these two complementary Lenten ‘observances’ When the 2010 Celebration preparations first began
work together in various ways this Lent - in our in 2008/9, there was a flurry of emails and letters to
worship services, in our ‘Journey to the Cross’ St. Paul’s from the Rector at Annapolis Royal,
event, in our ‘30 Hour Famine’, in our Apostle’s requesting the ‘return’ of the Queen Anne Silver
Creed study group, in our PrayerWeb gatherings, in that had been removed to the care of St. Paul’s
the PWRDF daily devotion programme and in other when the Garrison at Annapolis Royal fell into
ways. disuse.
Among the articles in this issue of St. Paul’s Journal Not unnaturally, we at St. Paul’s felt that the request
are two that show how these ideas fit together. One was unreasonable, and that their facts were
is the article on the life of one of our much loved incorrect. However, as we were unable to refute
life-long St. Paul’s parishioners, Dot Kelly, by their claim completely (despite over 200 years of
Kathleen Higney, a regular ‘Wednesday worshipper’ using the silver at St. Paul’s, or so we thought),
and volunteer at our outreach lunch, who has been Tinker McKay decided that we needed to know
with us the past few years. The other is an article by once and for all ‘whose silver it really was’.
St. Paul’s Journal Page 2
I was aware of her efforts to establish the facts, and owners who provide goods and services? I believe
of the many hours of work done by Laurie Harris in that we, for the most part, understand the important
England, searching through endless documents, to work that these people do and are grateful for their
reach the truth. However the full details did not contributions. But I wonder how many of us know
emerge until Tinker wrote the excellent article in the the stories of people who quietly volunteer
last Journal. Now we know ‘whose silver it is’, and countless hours of hard work over decades of their
the ownership and origins of the silver we use on lives to make our City healthy and vibrant? When
special occasions are now irrefutably established. thinking about volunteers, how many of us would
May we continue to enjoy their beauty and their know about a woman who for many years has
contribution to our worship. faithfully and skilfully worked and ministered across
I wish to congratulate Tinker both for her huge from City Hall at historic St. Paul’s Anglican
efforts to seek out the true facts, and for her very Church?
succinct and interesting article on her findings. The lady I am referring to is Dot - Dorothy
Fiona Day Winnifred Kelly - who has recently celebrated her
92nd birthday. I have been privileged to interview
her on several occasions starting with a dessert and
tea date at Smitty’s on Spring Garden Road on a hot
Angel in Halifax and lovely day last summer. My understanding of
the history of Halifax and St. Paul’s Church has
R emember the children’s television program
Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood? I have excerpts
from that show stored in my brain from
years ago when my children watched it and learned
about the importance of order, good manners, and
grown so much because of the time I have spent
with Dot.
Childhood
Though her story is fascinating, you cannot imagine
knowing the people in your neighbourhood. Fred how difficult it was for Dot to talk about herself.
Rogers, according to Wikipedia, was a symbol of Because her mother encouraged Dot to show
compassion, patience and morality who taught humility by not drawing attention to her own
children to be kind to others. He used music, drama accomplishments, she had grown accustomed to
and the characters he invented to teach and always giving the credit to others. A role model even
entertain. If Mr. Rogers were alive today I imagine Matt Whitman could learn from, Dot could be
he would still be asking: “Who are the people in called Halifax’s Mother of Reverse Networking!
your neighbourhood ... the people that you meet, Born in Halifax on January 19, 1919, she was the
when you’re walking down the street?” Being middle child in a family of five. The Kelly children
familiar with people in our communities and the were named Jean, Douglas, Dot, Thomas, and Roy.
work they perform is an important part of the social Dot was christened at the age of two months and
capital we need to be successful. The stories of our her name was added to the St. Paul’s Cradle Roll.
neighbours inform, strengthen, entertain, and
A few years later at the age of five, Dot was
inspire us to use our own talents for the good of the
promoted to the Kindergarten Class at Sunday
community.
School. It was held at 3:00 p.m. every Sunday in the
Take downtown Halifax for example. Who comes Men’s Parlour of St. Paul’s Parish Hall on Argyle
to mind when you think of that “neighbourhood?” Street (where the Canada Trust Building is now
Is it Mayor Peter Kelly and the HRM Council in situated). One of her teachers was Mrs. Armitage.
City Hall? Is it Premier Darrell Dexter and our The oldest Sunday school in the Dominion, it was
elected MLAs in Province House? Maybe it is the established in 1783. Helen Eisner and Alice Strong
business experts who meet in the World Trade and Smeltzer were in her class and Miss King was also a
Convention Centre to discuss economic teacher. Thomas W. Savary was the Rector
development? Do you think of downtown business
St. Paul’s Journal Page 3
throughout her childhood. Dot loved these classes followed the productions of the GA Girl Guides
so much she cried when it was time to leave. Group. The girls also performed puppet shows
which introduced the nursing care part of the
Even as a young child Dot expressed herself in the
performing arts. She was a “wee wee” in the earliest program. One was a medical puppet show complete
play she can remember and recalls that they wore with big cardboard box hospital, furniture
constructed from match boxes, and patients and
costumes consisting of white slips covered with pink
nurses made from decorated wooden spoons. It was
petals and hats decorated with more pink petals and
presented as a parish gathering in the Parish Hall.
green stems. Resembling flowers and behaving their
The event was enhanced by the lovely music of a
best – I imagine that they were well loved by the
violin, piano and cello ensemble.
audience!
At the age of sixteen, Dot was confirmed and then
Dot advanced to Junior Sunday School the
joined the Anglican Young People’s Association.
following year and Miss Edith Smith was her new
Their motto was “Worship, Edification,
teacher. Her class was one of several that were held
Fellowship.” The activities and duties of the AYPA
in the auditorium of the church hall. The desks from
were generally useful and always fun. They were
a number of different classes were arranged in
asked to assist in decorating the church for the
squares around the room; each class consisting of
Seasons. Dot also remembers collecting donations
about eight students. They studied the Catechism,
of fruits and vegetables from parishioners at
the Creed, and learned the stories about the life of
Jesus and his friends. Each week four to five Thanksgiving. Not surprisingly, part of Dot’s
hundred children with closed eyes and bowed heads service in the AYPA was expressed in the
recited the closing prayer in unison. performing arts. One of their plays, which Dot
directed, was entered in a competition at All Saint
Dot’s next promotion was to Junior Bible Class held Cathedral and it won honourable mention. Marion
in the Gallery in the Church Hall where they had Conrad was the leading lady in the winning
separate classes for boys and girls. Dot performed in production.
nine or ten plays during her time in Junior Sunday
School. In the Babes in the Wood production, Dot A few years later Dot entertained the people of St.
sang from a cardboard nest as a member of a robin Paul’s with her performance in Improper Henry Proper
or Runaway Bride. In this play an emotional Dot,
family. They were adorable, dressed in brown and
laughing when she was supposed to be crying, runs
red crepe paper topped with little brown hats
off the stage shouting: “I never want to see you as
decorated with beaks extending from their
long as I live!” The bewildered young Malcolm
foreheads.
Mitchell, who is playing a farmer and her boyfriend
Teen Years in the play, forgets his lines and shouts back to Dot:
When she was a little older Dot joined several young “What comes next?” Who knows how that play
people’s groups at St. Paul’s including the Girl’s ended but it sure sounds like they were having fun!
Auxiliary Guides and the Anglican Young People’s In another play Dot remembers that Lawrence
Association. The GA Guides was a group devoted Dellapinna, playing Dot’s chauffeur, carries her
to learning Christian virtues and supporting overseas through a window frame while complaining that:
hospital missions. Dot was in charge of developing “She’s as heavy as lead!” That comment must have
the devotional component for the group. Using the brought laughter from the audience since Dot was
Girl’s Auxiliary study book of the Anglican Church, (and still is) such a slim, trim lady! In those days,
young ladies from Baptist, United Church, admission to church productions was 35 cents and
Presbyterian, and Salvation Army backgrounds met little bags of fudge sold for five cents each.
to study, learn practical skills, play games, and go on Following AYPA (for young people 18-25) Dot
camping trips. During this time, Dot invested her joined the group Chi Rho which was formed by the
time, energy and talent in the various plays which Rev’d Harry Hilchey. She received permission to
St. Paul’s Journal Page 4
join at 16 and remained an active member till she attended to the distressed patient she told the Dot
was 26, though the Rector wanted her to stay on and the other young women to: “Go straight home
longer to assist his daughter who was the new and hose with lots of water any sailor who knocks
president of the group. They had a Bible Study and on your doors.” Dot wondered what good it would
a work and fellowship program. They assisted in do to splash the sailors with water. Being young and
sorting and wrapping gifts during the Christmas curious, Dot and another girl, instead of going home
season for families who requested it. She and and locking their doors, headed straight down to
Dorice Clarkson were responsible for purchasing Barrington Street to see for themselves what was
suitable Christmas gifts for the girls. She also acted taking place. They could hear shouts and the sound
as Secretary when the official secretary was absent. of glass breaking. The girls found things in a general
Also around this same time Dot joined the Chancel state of confusion with sailors staggering down the
Guild in answer to the invitation of Canon Hilchey. street drinking stolen alcoholic beverages and
She is still an active member today. Another vandalizing as they went. There were mattresses
important opportunity for service was presented to and mannequins from stores on the street. A sailor
Dot in the form of an invitation from a later rector, approached the young women and offered Dot the
Dr. Peter Mason, asking her to become a member fur coat he was wearing. Another sailor, displaying
of the Board of St. Paul’s Home for Girls. his arms and fingers which were covered with
Although Dot was very busy at St. Paul’s she looted watches, bracelets and rings, invited the
young ladies to choose something they liked. They
somehow found time to be a member of several
were also surprised by the sight of a civilian man
other interesting groups including: The Royal
hurrying by, his arms piled high with boxes
Commonwealth Society, The Royal St. George’s
containing shoes he had taken from a nearby shop.
Society, and The Monarchist League of Canada.
The pounding of hammers boarding up windows
St. John Ambulance Brigade was heard continually in Halifax for several days
During the 1940’s, Douglas and Roy, Dot’s older after VE Day.
and youngest brothers, left with the army to serve in Dot was also on duty during the explosions at the
World War II. Roy was only seventeen and left high munitions depot in Dartmouth just a few weeks
school to go. They were stationed in England. Her later. She was at the Oxford Theatre with her
third brother Thomas was not accepted for overseas mother when suddenly the screen went black.
service because of a health issue. Knowing the Ushers came in and paged several people telling
sacrifice her brothers were making may have caused them to go home immediately. Dot and her mother
a conviction to grow in Dot urging her to do departed for home, too, wondering what was
something to help armed forces personnel in happening this time! Later, at 9:00 pm, an
Halifax. Dot applied to and was accepted in the St. ambulance pulled up to Dot’s house and she was
John’s Ambulance Brigade. told that she was needed for St. John Ambulance
Dot, along with several other young ladies and a duty that night. After picking up four more young
head nurse, was on duty in the First Aid Tent on the ladies they were dropped off at the Halifax
Garrison Grounds on VE Day. Their practical yet Armouries for First Aid duty. They spent the night
attractive uniforms consisted of grey dresses, white at the Armouries, serving and comforting residents
aprons and veils, and black stockings with black of Africville who were evacuated from their homes
oxford tied shoes. Dot remembers feeling alarmed and brought there because of the dangers of the
when a jeep carrying a teenaged boy and girl pulled explosions. Dot recalls that the families were upset
up to their tent. In those days men and women because they had to leave their homes so quickly
travelled in separate vehicles and so everyone and they wondered when they could return. She
stationed at the First Aid tent knew something was served tea and coffee, heated baby bottles, and tried
terribly wrong. The boy was holding a shoe horn to reassure everyone that all would turn out well.
over a gash on his hand. After the head nurse Then, at 4:00 a.m. the power and lights went out!
St. Paul’s Journal Page 5
Dot says that there wasn’t much they could do in based in Halifax. They include: Symphony Nova
the dark and their supervisor told the young St. John Scotia, The Saint Cecilia Concert Society, Scotia
Ambulance Brigade members to hide under the Festival of Music, Opera Nova Scotia, as well as
trucks in case there were more blasts to come. Dot concerts held at St. Paul’s, St. George’s, All Saints
decided against taking shelter under the trucks Cathedral, and St. Mathias.
believing the Armouries to be strong and well-
Travels
constructed enough to withstand the troubles of the
night. She was right. The residents of Africville and The first holiday Dot spent outside Nova Scotia was
the tired girls were allowed to return home later the in lovely Montreal. She and a friend travelled there
next day. by train. It was 1945 and they stayed at the Mount
Royal Hotel. One evening the young Nova Scotians
Music
were treated to a meal in the beautiful dining room
After World War II, Dot’s brothers, along with at the top of the hotel by their friends who were a
many other service personnel, came home from married couple. Dot and her friend were grateful to
Europe and life began to return to something a little the husband and his wife for bringing them because
more recognizable and predictable for the citizens young women were not permitted to enter the
of Halifax. Dot was then able to devote more time dining room without an escort! After the meal, the
to parish work and other activities. She joined the four of them visited three other places of
St. Paul’s choir in 1946. Miss Natalie Littler, entertainment and did not return to their hotel room
Organist and Choir Director, entered them in a until four in the morning! Dot was surprised to see
musical festival. Singing the anthem For God So other people in the hotel corridors at that time of
Loved the World, they placed first in the church choir day but her friend said that these people were
category. Around this time too, Dot was asked to probably just arriving to work the early shift.
join the Sunday school staff as a substitute teacher
New York City was another of Dot’s vacation
for the summer months while the regular teacher,
destinations. The first holiday spent there was in
Mrs. Roberta Clarke visited England. Playing hymns
1950. Some of the highlights of her NYC trips
and providing lively music to march the children in
included visiting the United Nations Headquarters,
and out of the gymnasium were among Dot’s duties.
going to the top of the Empire State Building, and
Because the Clarkes stayed on longer in England,
watching a Columbus Day Parade which lasted over
the temporary position lasted 25 years!
four hours! They also visited a Night Club for
dinner where Nat King Cole was performing, saw a
movie and a Louis Armstrong stage show, and
attended a stage show for The Sound of Music which
featured most of the movie cast! Dot was at the
hairdressers during one of her New York trips when
she heard the sad news that that President John F.
Kennedy had been assassinated. Dot says: “It was a
very upsetting time. We attended the memorial
service held at St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral the next
day.”
Dot’s first visit to Europe was in 1963 when she
visited her brother and his family in Germany. They
drove on the autobahn to France stopping at
Dot’s love of music went further than the Monaco and Nice. They also traveled on the very
development of her own talents. Because of interest, pretty but winding roads in mountainous Italy. She
enjoyment and her desire to support local talent, remembers going though a tunnel to Gotthard ski
Dot has been affiliated with many musical groups resort in Switzerland and recalls it being “pitch
St. Paul’s Journal Page 6
black”. In London, while watching the changing of One visiting day while waiting outside Northwood
the guard, a small blond head appeared in one of the Centre for her ride, she was surprised to see Rev’d
windows. The lady next to Dot said that the child John Newton ride by on his bicycle. “It was such a
was Prince Andrew! During another visit to London bitterly cold day”, explains Dot. Perhaps she was
in the 1980’s, this time with Peggy King also from thinking that it was not such a good day to be using
St. Paul’s, they ended up being seen on the London a bicycle for transportation! Many of the people on
Evening News which was filming the Emperor and Dot’s visiting list were parishioners she had known
Empress of Japan at the grand opening of their for years. Mr. and Mrs. Jack Carter were residents in
temple. both centres and were always so happy to see her.
Mrs. Florence Dauphinee, a long-time member of
Service and Memberships
St. Paul’s Sr. Women’s Auxiliary, looked forward to
In the early 1960’s, during the Anniversary Year of seeing Dot and other visitors from the parish. “She
the Women’s Auxiliary of the Anglican Church in had a wonderful sense of humour”, recalls Dot. The
Canada, St. Paul’s formed a new group known as the last time Dot saw her she was enjoying her
Jubilee Unit A.C.W. Dot became a member of the motorized wheelchair. Mrs. Edna Mussett was a
visiting committee (which was later coordinated by guest at Northwood Centre for a short while. She
the Rev’d Jonathan Eayrs). Some of the early was a valued member of the Ladies Guild for many
members were: Mrs. Mary Dwyer, Mrs. Reta Palmer, years.
Miss Laura Zwicker, and Misses Sarah and Mary
Campbell. They followed the longstanding At 92 years of age, Dot is still busy with church
committee of Mrs. Dal McDermaid, Mrs. Frithy work. She writes a column called “Friends of St.
Robinson and Mr. McDermaid’s niece, Mrs. Jill Paul’s” for St. Paul’s Journal which focuses on
Field Alexander. They were occasionally asked to sharing news from former parishioners. And Dot
provide entertainment for the annual parish supper. still contributes a significant number of hours each
month in the Chancel Guild. She has been a
On one occasion, when the supper was held at the
member for fifty years and remembers a time when
University of Kings College, the program consisted
there were about forty members in the guild and
of a Trendy Hat Show. Miss Marion Conrad was the
that they were only required to be on duty for a
entertaining commentator while the Rector, the
Rev’d Canon Philpotts, provided delightful service once or twice a year.
background piano accompaniment. On Wednesdays, you will find Dot at St. Paul’s in
the Vestry, before worshippers arrive, helping to
The members of the Jubilee Unit were resourceful
prepare everything for the Holy Eucharist which
in finding ways to support overseas missions. One
begins at 11:00 am. After the service, when
project involved sorting used postage stamps
donated by parishioners. The postage stamps were worshippers have gone on to other activities, Dot
forwarded to the Leprosy Mission where the remains at the church to lovingly care for and return
cherished symbols of the Faith to their places so
proceeds from sales greatly helped their work. Dot
that they will be ready for the next service. What a
still carries on this task for missions. Used eye
wonderful way for Dot to demonstrate her
glasses were also collected and sent to the Christian
Blind Mission. Another way the ladies supported dedication to God and the people of St. Paul’s
worthwhile causes was to collect and add up the Church!
totals on Sobeys’ receipts and then redeem them for Favourite Inspirational Piece and Advice for
necessary items. Young People
An important part of Dot’s work at St. Paul’s was Spending time with Dot Kelly has caused me to
visitation ministry. She made weekly deliveries of appreciate what a fine role model she is for those
the Sunday bulletin to shut-ins at Joseph Howe who wish to volunteer in the church and in the
Manor, Northwood Centre and to the homes of wider community. In addition to being a good
parishioners who were not able to attend services. example to others, she carries within her memory a
St. Paul’s Journal Page 7
significant amount of the history of Halifax and St. and present them on Easter Sunday.
Paul’s. Who could be more knowing or
We have entered another Lenten season after
understanding than Dot who has lived and worked
preparing to give up things which are mostly habits
in the heart of Halifax all her life? Now that I have
but which reflect our needs and wishes. We think of
introduced you to her, I hope that, if you don’t
the true meaning of Lent; why we fast and why we
know her, you will introduce yourself to her and ask
reach out to others who have special cares at this
her lots of questions.
time.
I requested a word of advice from Dot about
We look forward to our glorious Easter
volunteer work to share with young people. Her
Celebrations when St. Paul’s is so beautifully
answer was the following admonition which her
displayed with the abundant white flowers and floral
own life so faithfully illustrates: “Serve – try it and it
arrangements by our devoted Flower Convenor,
grows! You will receive so much more than you
Tinker McKay. Thank you Tinker!
give.” When I asked for a favourite inspirational
piece, she referred me to a hymn of the Anglican We were saddened by the death of Parnell (Karl)
Church, which was written by Rev’d John Keble in Perry. Parnell was a member of the former A.C.W.
1822 and is based on a book in the Old Testament, Jubilee Unit and a faithful member of St. Paul’s
Lamentations 3:22, 23. Here are the first two verses: Ladies Guild.
New every morning is the love St. Paul’s was involved in a small way with the
Our wakening and uprising prove; Canada Games held in Halifax through the serving
Through sleep and darkness safely brought, of hot drinks and hospitality.
Restored to life, and power and thought.
The Rector and members of the congregation
New mercies, each returning day, visited parishioners on Friday, February 11 at Ocean
Hover round us while we pray; View Nursing Home. Paul has been holding a
New perils past, new sins forgiven, service of Holy Communion there on the second
New thoughts of God, new hopes of heaven. Friday of every month. It is very much appreciated,
If I understand its message, this hymn encourages especially by Mary Dwyer, a resident of the Manor
people to take one day at a time, to appreciate their and a former devoted member of St. Paul’s. Services
blessings and to trust that God will take care of their are also held on the third Friday of the month at the
tomorrows. This is the kind of faith that frees a Berkeley Residence at Parkland Estates.
person like Dot to enjoy life and to serve her church Happy Birthday greetings go to Margaret
and community. Dot’s contributions to St. Paul’s Blandford’s cousin, Nell Chillingford, Hay-on-Wye,
Church and to Halifax are part of the heritage we Hereford, England.
enjoy. We are benefiting from her work and
commitment every day. I hope that all who read this We wish all a very wonderful Easter. God Bless!
will be inspired to follow Dot’s example of being a Dot Kelly
good neighbour. Halifax needs more angels.
Kathleen Higney
Observing Lent
Friends of St. Paul’s
A good many years ago I gave up radio for
Lent. This was more difficult than I’d
thought it would be; radio was my source of
A s children we always knew when Lent began
as we were given “flat” cardboard boxes
which, when opened, became a “tent” or
pyramid”. We were to save our pennies during Lent
good music and daytime entertainment in those days
when I was a stay-at-home mother. I did it and was
I glad when Lent was over! But I’d learned that I
have control over the radio; radio does not have
St. Paul’s Journal Page 8
control over me, nor do the newer technologies. safety. It is quite possible that you have no idea of
Perhaps best of all I gained appreciation of quiet, the significance of this body of records, the oldest in
“Be still and know that I am God.” Halifax, and quite possibly one of the most
More recently, I observed Lent by reading a chapter important Anglican Church Archives in Canada. (I
each day of the Gospel of Luke and then the Gospel say, possibly, because I’m not sure I can make this
of John. This was rewarding and helpful. The most claim unequivocally without verification, but it is
certainly one of the most important.)
memorable Lent was just a few years ago when I
decided to look for some new reason every day to Your Archives reflect the founding of Halifax, when
praise God. It seemed as if my eyes were opened Britain and her colonies were still using the Julian
then - new reasons appeared every day, not just one Calendar (created by Julius Caesar in 46 BC). The
but several. I praised God from the bottom of my change from the Julian to the Gregorian Calendar
heart throughout that Lent, with the helpful result (created by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582) which took
that now praise is a regular part of my personal place on September 2, 1752, is recorded in our First
prayers, whether I am dealing with difficulties and Register. What is not recorded is how Haligonians
loss or with happier events. felt about losing twelve days out of their lives, as the
I don’t know yet about this Lent. I do know I will calendar went from September 2 to September 14
savour quiet times, read Scripture and praise God overnight!
for the given and risen life of Jesus His beloved son, This is fascinating history. Many of the streets
our Saviour. I will be singing “Alleluia” through around Halifax are named after prominent citizens
Lent. who happened to be parishioners of St. Paul’s, or
Gretchen Gillis refer to the land owned by St. Paul’s Glebe - a huge
tract of land once owned by St. Paul’s as the parish
church of Halifax. Sadly none of those lands are
ours today!
Some facts about your Archives
You know that St. Paul’s Church Archives have
Over the years, articles about the St. Paul’s Archives records of Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials dating
have appeared in St. Paul’s Journal - what we are from June 21, 1749, Churchwardens’ and Vestry
doing, and what we have done. There have been records, and records of the vast outreach of St.
articles on the Hatchments, which the Archives Paul’s parishioners to the people of Halifax—on
Hatchment Committee (Tinker McKay and Don major occasions and events, or in the ordinary
Lordly) arranged to have brilliantly conserved by stresses of daily life. The list of all the
conservator John Thomson; several cri de coeur organizations and societies at St. Paul’s over the past
articles (mainly by Fiona Day) on the challenges of two and a half centuries is long and indicative of the
running your Archives; and there is always an needs of the people of Halifax. St. Paul’s has
Archives Committee report in the Annual Report, always reached beyond its own walls to provide
along with a report from Tinker on her ‘searches’, succour and comfort to those all around the city.
i.e., the requests she receives from people seeking The Archives hold those records, the records of the
information about their ancestors, or aspects of the life of this church from 1749 to today, the history of
life of St. Paul’s from previous eras. However, it is our people and our church.
possible that the parishioners of St. Paul’s know So…..the Archives are ‘up there’! Some members
little about the actual makeup of the Archives, its of the congregation have been up in the gallery,
size or importance. which is normally ‘off limits’. However, when an
The Archives are just ‘up there’ in the gallery, and Open House was held in the church, where
you hear the Archives Committee always agitating parishioners had an opportunity to talk to members
about their location, vulnerability, condition and of parish organizations and find out what they do,
the Archives Committee took part, and we were
St. Paul’s Journal Page 9
able to show and talk about some of the records we rules of arrangement. At this point the volumes of
have. Still, in spite of such special occasions, paper records have to be checked to see what ‘must
because of the vulnerability of archival records, the be kept’ and what is ‘excess’, (and already recorded
‘off limits’ signs remain up so that we can continue elsewhere in Annual Reports, Committee minutes,
to conserve these records and keep them for future etc.). The appraised ‘excess’ is later destroyed. If
generations. we did not do this throughout the archival world,
every space available would be taken up with filing
We keep talking about ‘the records’, and sometimes
write about their contents, but a recent flurry of cabinets, shelves and mountains of stuff!
emails regarding the physical size of the holdings of Although the records in the Gallery have mostly
your Archives might interest you. Not the emails been identified and described on our databases,
themselves, but their content might give you an idea much of the bulk has not yet been appraised, so no
of why we are always talking about the Archives, doubt there is quite a lot of extraneous paper that is
and always looking for volunteers with a few hours more clutter than record and will have to be
to spend and an interest in history. ‘appraised’ to see what we really must keep for the
record, and what needs to be discarded. Being a
About two years ago, we took part in a province-
wide survey of the archives of members of the Nova packrat is a poor occupation for an archivist!
Scotia Council of Archives, of which St. Paul’s We still have work to do, and we desperately need a
Church Archives is a member. At that time, the permanent home where the Archives are no longer
extent (size) of our holdings was the following: vulnerable to the fluctuations of humidity, dust, and
the ever present threat of something happening to
144 linear metres of Textual Material (paper
St. Paul’s.
documents)
1 linear metre of ‘Other’ textual material (bound Looking after Archives and delving into the history
Registers etc.) of both the city and the church are fascinating and
425 items of published material (books, Parish absorbing, so if you find yourselves with a few
Magazines etc.) hours to spend indulging your curiosity, come and
107 Maps and plans explore what interests you with the Archives
Approx. 1,317 Photographs, slides negatives, Committee!
etc. Fiona Day
5 Sound Recordings
4 Moving Images (Video, DVD etc)
102 Paintings, Drawings, Prints, etc.
39 Artifacts
Spring
13 Church Hangings (very fragile)
“First the howling wind awoke us,
3 Choir Hats and 1 Gown
Then the rain came down to soak us,
2,208 Glass Lantern Slides (We can’t find the
Then before our eyes could focus –
lantern although it was formerly at St. Paul’s)
38 Metal Engravings Crocus!”
This does not include a large number of boxes of Anon.
papers etc. waiting to be processed.
The advent of the computer, while projected as
being ‘paperless’, has, in fact, created mountains of
paperwork - all part of the everyday history of the
church. This has to be ‘Appraised’ as it moves
from the ‘Active’ and ‘Inactive’ files in the Records
Management Policy arrangement, to the archival
St. Paul’s Journal Page 10
To Belfast and Back: Hope for a Peaceful Future Rests in Today’s Youth
In October 2010, I received the good news! I had officially been accepted as a member of the Saint Mary’s
University Conflict Resolution Society, which works collaboratively with two key organizations: Peaceful Schools
International located in Nova Scotia, and Barnardo’s which is situated in the United Kingdom. As a result, I had
the opportunity to embark upon a twelve day journey to Belfast, Northern Ireland this past February to conduct
conflict resolution workshops in the schools with children between the ages of 8 and 16 years. As I continue to
work towards the completion of my M.A. in International Development Studies at Saint Mary’s University, my
experiences in Northern Ireland have added fuel to the burning desire that exists inside me to work with others
in all corners of the world.
Upon being selected to the Conflict Resolution Society, I met the other newly-selected members, with whom I
would be working very closely over the next five months in preparation for our trip to Belfast. In total, twelve
Saint Mary’s University students were chosen, and under the lead of the Saint Mary’s University Conflict
Resolution Advisor and her assistant, the twelve of us began to hone our skills in conflict resolution. We also
worked towards developing a greater understanding of the political landscape in Northern Ireland, one which is
mired by over 800 years of conflict. With twelve students being selected, we were broken into three groups of
four, and I was fortunate enough to have been asked to be one of the “group leaders.” Undoubtedly, I was
honoured, as I knew that being a group leader would allow me fully to immerse myself in all aspects of the
workshop material, as well as provide an opportunity to delve further into some of the issues that have plagued
St. Paul’s Journal Page 11
Northern Ireland. The workshops were focused on teaching children the concept of “empathy.” We would
explain that empathy is the idea of “putting yourself in someone else’s shoes.” Of course this prompted one of
the children in Belfast to remove his shoes, and offer them to me in exchange for mine. Well, much to his
surprise, I obliged, and the young boy returned to his seat wearing my shoes. About halfway through the
workshop, I noticed that my shoes had become a distraction to him, as he began removing them and offering his
classmates an opportunity to smell the oversized loafers. Needless to say, I decided it was time to swap our
shoes back! Other key ideas that we sought to present in our workshops through various activities were: how
conflict can rapidly escalate, how all people are unique, how the scars of conflict always remain, and how to
avoid the negative dimensions of conflict.
In the months leading up to our trip, we would frequently visit schools in the Halifax Regional Municipality
(HRM) to deliver our conflict resolution workshops. This was a great experience in itself for two reasons. First,
it provided us with an opportunity to become more familiar with the workshop material, as we were constantly
presenting it. Secondly, the HRM students benefited from the workshops being delivered to them as, like all of
us, they are exposed to potential situations of varying degrees of conflict in their daily lives. The workshops in
the HRM also allowed students to learn about the conditions that children of the same age are subjected to in an
entirely different part of the world. We were also involved in numerous fundraising activities in order to finance
our travels and, through this process, a greater bond began to emerge amongst the twelve of us.
During our preparatory period, a common question seemed to remain in my mind. How would it be possible
for university students from Canada, a country which possesses rather ideal conditions in relation to other
countries around the world, to deliver, effectively, the messages that we were aiming to deliver? These
workshops were for children who had grown up in an environment in which their family members maintained
views on the conflict that were fundamental to their identity, passed on to their children. My time spent in
Belfast would eventually provide an answer to this question.
In Northern Ireland, people either identify themselves as Unionists/Loyalists/Protestants, or
Nationalists/Republicans/Catholics, and while “The Troubles” officially ended in 1998 with the signing of the
Good Friday Agreement, tension still remains, and conflict still arises. This should not come as a surprise. After
800 years of struggle in Northern Ireland between the British and Irish, it is inevitable that the passing of a mere
thirteen years since the Good Friday Agreement would not obliterate such a deep history of conflict. However,
there is optimism for change, and its foundation must be formulated in the next generation of Northern Ireland
inhabitants, the children.
Throughout Belfast, there are many murals which depict various historical moments, significant political events,
and the contributions of influential individuals and/or groups. Specifically, the words on two of these murals
come to mind when thinking of the up-and-coming generation. In the Shankill Road area, a location in Belfast
that saw some of the highest degrees of conflict during The Troubles, a mural now stands with the slogan,
“Nothing about us, without us, is for us.” While the slogan is presented by residents of the Shankill to exhibit
their desire to be involved in collaborative efforts with decision makers and government officials at various
levels, its words are applicable to the delivery of our workshops. Specifically, our group from Saint Mary’s
University was in Belfast only for a short period of time, but most of the students we worked with will be there
for the rest of their lives. Therefore, by working directly with the children, we have in some sense empowered
them to be ambassadors of positive change, be it in the schoolyard with other students, at home with their
siblings, with their friends, or in the classroom with their classmates. In turn, it is hoped, these conflict resolving
characteristics will be something they carry with them throughout their lives, as they grow into the next
generation of decision makers. Essentially, we sought to address the “without us” component of the mural by
encouraging the children to continue to disseminate the benefits of our workshops long after our departure from
Belfast.
St. Paul’s Journal Page 12
The second mural that specifically stands out is located on the side of a building which is home to the
Republican political party, Sinn Féin. The mural is of Bobby Sands, who was elected as a member of the United
Kingdom Parliament during his imprisonment in 1981, while on a hunger strike that would eventually claim his
life, along with nine others. Part of the mural reads, “Our revenge will be the laughter of our children.” These
words are significant in meaning to Republicans, and my utilization of them should not be misunderstood as my
attempt to relate to their true meaning. This being said, I want to draw attention to the emphasis on children, as
the mural identifies that children are the way to the future. Obviously this is the case, as we all grow older, and
new generations continue to emerge. However, the focus on children exceeds the biological inevitability of time
passing and age increasing, and indicates that the roots of change are embedded in today’s youth. Hence, the
significance of delivering our workshops to children became increasingly evident to me, throughout the course
of my stay in Belfast.
There were a few moments in the Belfast schools that specifically stood out for me. At lunch time, while the
children played in the schoolyard, we would often join them for some games and activities. As one can imagine,
each child is an extremely talented football (or soccer, as we would say in North America) player. Whether I was
involved in a heated football match, or simply explaining to a group of children that sometimes the snowbanks
in Canada are taller than I am, I often found myself looking around in disbelief at what surrounded the
schoolyards. Unlike the schoolyards in Canada, which may be surrounded by small fences, trees, shrubs, or may
not have a clearly defined enclosure at all, the schoolyards in Belfast were surrounded by barbed wire. Day in
and day out, I would catch myself looking at the imposing fencing, and realized that the children do not think
twice about it.
Another moment of significance occurred during one of our workshops in which I asked the students to
describe some things that come to mind when they hear the word “conflict.” While conflict can result in many
positive occurrences such as collaborative efforts, compromise, and understanding, as expected the children
immediately responded with words that possess a negative connotation, such as fighting, war, bullying, and
shouting. During this discussion on the negative elements of conflict, one of the children said “religion,” and
this was soon followed by another child who responded by saying “Protestant vs. Catholic.” As I returned to
our hotel that evening, these responses remained in my mind. Was I surprised that “religion,” and in turn
“Protestant vs. Catholic” were mentioned when discussing the negative elements of conflict given Northern
Ireland’s history? No. But these responses, along with the images of barbed wire surrounding the schoolyards,
helped me quickly come to the realization that the children had done nothing themselves to warrant their
schoolyards being surrounded by barbed wire. Rather, they were born into a society in which this is the norm.
Further along these lines, another norm exists, which is the Protestant and Catholic distinctions that often
govern the way in which Northern Ireland society functions. One of the most glaring reminders of this is the
enormous peace walls which separate many Protestant and Catholic communities throughout Belfast. Children
have been born into this environment, in which these distinctions are the norm. This is significant, as it indicates
the impressionability of children who have been born into a situation to which they are still too young to have
contributed, but which remains a situation by which they are potentially defined.
It is along the lines of child impressionability that the messages in our workshops can bring hope. During our
stay, we visited St. Paul’s Primary School, a Catholic school, and on this day we had arranged to have students
from Harmony Primary School, a Protestant school, come join the students at St. Paul’s. Yes, an integrated day
in which we would bring Catholic and Protestant children together. As one can imagine, when we brought all
the students into the gymnasium to hold a group introduction, the Catholic students congregated together, while
the Protestant students did the same. The division looked a lot like the beginning of a primary school dance in
which the boys and girls each nervously stand on opposite sides of the gymnasium. As one would expect, we
divided the children up into groups with a fairly even number of Catholic and Protestant children in each group.
St. Paul’s Journal Page 13
We made three groups consisting of approximately 25 children. Each group was to be involved in three, one
hour workshop sessions.
As our day progressed, and the children cycled through the various workshops we had planned for them, an
interesting shift in behaviour began to emerge. The Catholic children became more comfortable working with
the Protestant children, and vice versa. Indeed, this shift was in large part induced by the activities that forced
the children to work collaboratively in pairs or small groups. At the end of the day, as the children all gathered
in the gymnasium for some final words before being dismissed for the afternoon, the degree of divide that
existed in the morning had greatly diminished, as the children were much more intertwined with one another,
despite their differing Christian denominational beliefs. This was significant, as it brought to the forefront a very
important, yet simple concept; children are children. Innately, children are dependent upon their elders for
direction and guidance, and are conditioned to maintain the beliefs of those to whom they look up. As a result,
Protestant and Catholic children in Northern Ireland possess a certain view towards one another.
Of course, this is not something to be criticized in itself; it is merely a by-product of the historical conditions in
Northern Ireland. This being said, it is their high degree of innocence and impressionability that encourages
them to take up similar views to those of their elders. But what is not to be lost here, is the fact that this very
innocence and impressionability, if channelled appropriately, can become the vehicle for positive change. This
became evident as the Catholic and Protestant children increasingly interacted with one another throughout the
course of the day. I was able to observe the children as they came to the realization that they all had similar
interests, be it football, dance, swimming, or playing with their friends. It was a realization that, regardless of
their Catholic or Protestant makeup, they were alike, and consequently they could all see value in one another. If
even for a short moment in time, they began to see one another as children, and nothing more, nothing less.
This brings me back to the question I posed earlier, pertaining to the potential effectiveness of our workshops in
a country with a long-running history of conflict. Throughout the course of the trip, time and time again, the
question was slowly answered in fragments. Be it through the influential words on the murals in the Shankill and
on the side of the Sinn Féin building; be it through my observation of the barbed wire surrounding the
schoolyards which the children have been conditioned to accept as “normal;” be it through the word “conflict”
invoking a response of “Protestant vs. Catholic;” or be it through the social strides that were made during our
integrated day at St. Paul’s Primary School, I came to realize something. The effectiveness of our workshops lay
in the fact that we were working with children, who at their age, are still developing as persons, and inevitably
soak up their surroundings like a sponge. For a short while, the members of the Saint Mary’s University Conflict
Resolution Society were their surroundings. The way the children looked up to us, sought our attention, were
extremely enthused and receptive to our teachings, and ultimately bestowed celebrity status upon us (!) indicated
that their minds had been captured by the workshop material. Throughout the course of a workshop, one could
almost pinpoint the moment in which the light bulb went on in a child’s head, indicating that they not only
believed the workshop material, but that they themselves believed they could disseminate their new found
knowledge to others. It was through the daily excitement of the children’s realization (that they were in a
position to influence change positively) that my question was convincingly answered.
With conviction, I can say that my time spent in Northern Ireland was a life changing experience. Beyond our
work in the schools, there is a plethora of observations and ensuing realizations to which I have come.
Conversing with locals, attending organized meetings with ex Loyalist and Republican criminals, visiting the
murals and peace walls throughout Belfast, enjoying the tranquility of the Irish countryside, and seeing some of
the historic sites in the city of Derry, or Londonderry (depending on to whom you are talking)—these are all
events that have opened my eyes to not only the uniqueness of Northern Ireland, but the unlimited potential that
exists for positive change to flourish. May today’s youth thrive in their role as future leaders!
Steven Watts
St. Paul’s Journal Page 14
Rhythm of Prayer
“We all have to find our own rhythm of prayer. For
some of us, this will mean praying for hours at a
time, for others, for fifteen minutes here and there.
For all of us, it is being attentive to God’s presence
and will throughout the day…
If we do not pray, if we do not evaluate our
activities and find rest in the secret part of our heart, An Historic Church
it will be very hard to live. We will not be open to Serving the Living God
others, we will not be craftsmen of peace. We will since 1 7 4 9
live only from the stimuli of the present moment, Anglican Church of Canada
and we will lose sight of our priorities and of the Diocese of N.S & P.E.I.
essential…
Prayer is like a secret garden made up of silence and
rest and inwardness. But there are a thousand and ST . PAUL ’ S JOURNAL
one doors into this garden and we all have to find is published by
our own.” St. Paul’s Church, 1749 Argyle Street,
Halifax, NS B3J 3K4
Jean Vanier, Treasures of the Heart (London: Darton, (902) 429-2240
Longman & Todd Ltd, 1989). Fax 429-8230
Submitted by Gretchen Gillis office@stpaulshalifax.org
stpaulshalifax.org
Rector: Paul Friesen
Senior Warden: Derek Hounsell
Prayer (I) Deputy Warden: Ashley Stephenson
Prayer, the Church's banquet, Angel's age. Directors of Music:
God's breath in man returning to his birth, Andrew Killawee
The soul in paraphrase, heart in pilgrimage, Maggie Duinker
Children’s Program Director:
The Christian plummet sounding heaven and earth;
Search in process
Engine against th' Almighty, sinner's tower, Divinity Intern:
Reversed thunder, Christ-side-piercing spear, Barb Haché
The six days' world-transposing in an hour, Honorary Assistants:
A kind of tune, which all things hear and fear; Neale Bennet
Gordon Redden
Softness, and peace, and joy, and love, and bliss. Sue Walters
Exalted Manna, gladness of the best, Parish Administrator:
Heaven in ordinary, men well drest, Jan Skinner
The Milky Way, the bird of Paradise, Sexton:
Mitchell Nimeck
Church-bells beyond the stars heard, the
soul's blood, Submissions to St. Paul’s Journal are always welcome.
Why not submit a spiritual reflection, prayer, poem,
The land of spices, something understood.
or a book review? The deadline for the Pentecost issue
George Herbert (1593-1633) is May 23, 2011. In the Pentecost issue, we will be
Submitted by the Rector starting a new column: “Favourite Prayers” and look
forward to your submissions.
St. Paul’s Journal Page 15
Palm Sunday, April 17
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist & Palm Procession
Holy Wednesday, April 20
11:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Maundy Thursday, April 21
6:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist & Foot-washing
Good Friday, April 22
12:00 p.m. Liturgy of the Cross & Meditations
Holy Saturday, April 23
7:00 p.m. Vigil of the Resurrection
Easter Sunday, April 24
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
St. Paul’s Journal Page 16
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