“These new relationships that were fostered will be lifelong”

In the wee small hours of the night, well before the sun would rise on September 7, our plane careened along the runway at YVR destined first for Taipei and then transferring on to Manila. There were seven of us at that point:  Jean Kyle, Elizabeth Ferguson, the Reverend Philippa Segrave-Pride, the Reverend Helen Dunn, Archdeacon Douglas Fenton, Ruth Stephens and me (the Reverend Wilmer Toyoken would join us later in the Philippines). After about 14 hours in the air we were tired upon arrival in Manila.  But we were about to discover that there was very little “down-time” in our schedule!

From the airport we were brought to the compound which contains St. Luke’s Hospital, St. Andrew’s Seminary (and had a tour of St. Andrew’s Chapel) and the National Church Office for the Episcopal Church in the Philippines (ECP). We had a chance to hear from Attorney Floyd Lawler (the ECP Chancellor and a lecturer in the seminary) who gave us a description of the vitality of Anglican Church in the country and particularly in the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Philippines (EDNP) our partner diocese. We heard about the number of churches they are building and the growth in numbers despite the pandemic, an earthquake and a typhoon. It was amazing and inspiring to hear.  

The next day we eagerly travelled from Manila to Bontoc. The distance is about 400 kilometers, which is not an intimidating drive, in terms of distance for people in North America.  But it took about 12 hours. The road twisted and turned, rose in elevation, and then quickly dropped; there were slow moving vehicles, and areas of one-way traffic. It brought us from the lowlands to the mountains, the beautiful, lush mountains of EDNP.  

                                                 The Community of Ambagiw

Upon arrival we were brought to a restaurant to meet some clergy of EDNP and to share in a meal (despite stopping for food a few times along the way). We would soon discover that this, too, would be a common theme: incredible hospitality and welcome, often with food, singing and dancing.  

The next day we met with Bishop-Elect Benny Lang-akan and other staff of the EDNP Diocesan Office. We discussed the consecration liturgy and the itinerary for the next week or so. We had time to discover more about Bontoc, the culture of the area and the Mountain Province before we gathered (for more food!) at the bishop’s residence. Here we also met with our host families for that night who would take each of us to our partner parishes. Ruth and I went to the parish that is linked with St. Philip’s Dunbar:  St. Hippolytus of Rome, Ambagiw and St. Philip’s, Gueday.  We visited St. Augustine’s, Agawa (partnered with St Augustine’s, Marpole) but stayed the night in Ambagiw in preparation for Sunday morning worship.  

The other DofNW representatives visited many different parishes.  Jean went to St. Augustine of Canterbury, Gongon and St. Agnes of Rome Mission, Payag-eo.  Elizabeth to St. Francis of Assisi Mission, Cagubatan.  Helen attended St. Clement of Alexandria, Payeo and St. Mark the Evangelist, Banguitan.  Philippa to St. Matthias Mission, Mayag.  Wilmer to St. Michael and All Angels, Tadian.  Douglas was with St. Benedict of Nursia, Kin-iway and St. James School. All were asked to speak or to preach or to preside.

Our visit at St. Hippolytus of Rome was wonderful. It was a long drive along rough mountain roads to get there. At the end of the road, we had to walk for about 30 minutes to reach the village. People were incredibly welcoming and interested to know more about us and our diocese. The accommodation was simple but adequate. There are no hotels or airbnb options and so we stayed at the one bed health centre. In the morning we were offered an enormous breakfast and then we made ourselves ready for worship. I was preacher and presider for the Eucharist in a lovely, small, stone church. The pews were full, there were lots of children, youth, adults and seniors. The church was lively and alive.  Afterwards a sumptuous lunch was shared before we had to be on our way back to Bontoc.

                                                                       Two St. Hippolytus parishioners

On the Sunday evening, Ruth and I went with bishop-elect Benny and his family to St. Joseph’s Rest House in Sagada. It was a beautiful setting for the retreat prior to the consecration. Bishop Benny is married (to Bronwyn), has two adult children and a teen-age son. All seven of us were involved in the retreat which focused on the offices of the day and the Lord’s Prayer. We had excellent discussion, quiet time, gospel contemplation, rest, and prayer. It was a delight for me to get to know Bishop Benny and his family.

While we were on retreat, others in our group visited several sites in the diocese where churches are being built and new ministries are taking shape. 

Wednesday, September 14, Holy Cross Day was the day of the consecration. And what a day it was!  All the preparations that had been taking place for weeks all came together.  Hundreds of people arrived ready to walk in a 30-minute procession around the streets of Bontoc before entering the Cathedral. And the liturgy itself was rich and filled with the Holy Spirit. The music was lively and uplifting, the sermon engaging and forward looking, the consecration itself (and I participated as one of the consecrating bishops) was stirring and hope filled.  And then to receive the bread and wine, the body and blood of Christ, was inspirational and life changing. One particular highlight of the liturgy was during the offertory music when gifts from around the diocese were carried in: so many sheaves of rice, bananas, papayas, lemons, squash, limes, tomatoes, onions, a duck and too many other things to name. All were placed in enormous piles in front of the altar, while traditional music of gongs and dancing took place.  It was stirring.

Towards the end of the liturgy, I was able to officially thank the people of the diocese, Prime Bishop Brent Alawas, and Bishop Benny for the welcome and the generosity of spirit we experienced with so many people in EDNP.  As a gift from the Diocese of New Westminster, I presented Bishop Benny with a pectoral cross (made by an Indigenous artist in Vancouver, Alvin Adkins) to match my own pectoral cross.  

 The DoNW delegation in preparation for the consecration (Philippa and Ruth not visible in this photo)

After worship the party really began. There was dancing and singing and laughing and festivity that went on for hours, until well after the sun had set and stars were in their places. 

One might think that the trip could have concluded at that point, but oh no! The next day we all drove to Butbut (the church of St. Luke is partnered with St. John’s, Shaughnessy) for a confirmation service. The drive was along a very rough and arduous mountain road, and once again we relied heavily on the skills of the drivers. Not long after we arrived, Bishop Benny was given quick instruction on how to preside, members of the DoNW delegation joined in preaching the sermon and 14 young adults were confirmed in this lovely village.  And then another party began! More singing, dancing and playing of the gongs. Gifts were presented to us and our host families ensured that we were all comfortable for the night only to welcome us with a generous breakfast in the morning.  

We had to start thinking about returning to Bontoc (after visiting Prime Bishop Brent’s home for lunch) and prepare for the long trip to Manila and then flights back to Vancouver.  

This has been a quick description of the trip but there was so much more to it that is hard to describe. The people of the Philippines and EDNP and this beautiful country are now etched onto our hearts. The new relationships that were fostered will be lifelong. The love and kindness we received was overwhelming. The generosity of sharing so much of their lives and their limited resources was touching beyond measure. Their faith in a God of love and compassion was lived out in so many ways, in actions and kind acts. We could not quite put into words the depth of immense gratitude we all felt towards the people of EDNP for bringing us in, welcoming us so warmly and treating us as if we had always been part of the family. For it is true that we are all sisters and brothers in Christ, and we discovered these to be not mere words but transformative in our partnership diocese and as we look to the future.  

Please keep the Diocese of Northern Philippines and Bishop Benny Lang-akan in your prayers. We hope that a delegation will be coming to visit the Diocese of New Westminster one day soon.    

                                             Looking over the UNESCO World Heritage Site rice terraces of the Cordillera Region 

EDITORS NOTE: The seven people who accompanied Bishop Stephens have all agreed to visit parishes and share their experiences and their stories of the amazing ministries being done in EDNP. Why not be in touch with one or more of them and set up a visit to your parish?

Jean Kyle - jeankyle@shaw.ca 

Elizabeth Ferguson - eafergus@shaw.ca 

Ruth Stephens - ruthandjohn17@gmail.com 

The Rev. Helen Dunn - helen@stclementschurch.ca 

The Rev. Wilmer Toyoken - gumido_42507@yahoo.com 

The Rev. Philippa Pride - ppride@vancouver.anglican.ca 

The Ven. Douglas Fenton - dfenton@vancouver.anglican.ca 

Stay tuned for the December 2022 issue of Topic for more photos and coverage of this trip to EDNP

IMAGES

TOP SCROLL

• The DoNW delegation (left to right) Elizabeth Ferguson, Jean Kyle, Ruth, Bishop John, Douglas, Philippa, Helen (Wilmer is missing from the photo)
• Jean and Elizabeth at an orientation meeting with Padi Elvie Tulingan (left), graduate of the Diocesan School for Parish Development.
  
• The people of the parish of St. Hippolytus of Rome
• The retreat in preparation for the consecration of Bishop Benny
• Overlooking Bontoc
• The market in Bontoc
• The celebration after the consecration - Gong Dancing
• The bishops with their pectoral crosses designed and created by Alvin Adkins
• The Chico River
• Preparing to dance at Butbut