LITTLE CURRENT—Just days before Easter Sunday, Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Little Current hosted an ecumenical gathering to welcome the Assisting Bishop of Algoma, the Right Rev. Michael Oulton. Rev. Catherine Hazlitt, Pastor of Holy Trinity greeted everyone who entered the church hall. When all were gathered, she introduced her honoured guest, explaining that he’s the Assisting Bishop of Algoma, his assistance being requested by Archbishop Anne Germond, who became the acting Primate of Canada in September of 2024.
“Bishop Oulton is here to encourage us,” Rev. Hazlitt explained, “and he’s also taking a tour today of all five of the Anglican churches (on the Island). He’s doing some visits and some teaching.”
Rev. Hazlitt also introduced Archdeacon Glen Miller of Sudbury, whose job that day was to get Bishop Oulton to all those other Anglican Churches on time. Once she had introduced the Parish Deacon of Holy Trinity, Joyce Foster, and several other members of her parish, Rev. Hazlitt asked the bishop to say grace.
Before grace, Bishop Oulton told a bit about himself and how it came about that he is now Assisting Bishop of Algoma. He had been the Bishop of Ontario, which encompassed the North Shore of Lake Ontario – from Trenton to Cardinal, to Kempel just outside of Ottawa. “I could drive it in about four hours and not break the speed limit but Algoma,” he said with emphasis, “is a different kettle of fish.” When Archbishop Anne Germond called him, because she was taking on the job as acting Primate, it only took him a few seconds to say yes, he would become Assisting Bishop of Algoma.
Bishop Oulton thanked everyone for coming. He was happy to see there were people from other Anglican churches, but also the United Church and the Roman Catholic Church. “All coming together,” he said, “this is what it’s all about. One of my favourite sayings is from a pastor in the States, he says, ‘We find common ground by always reaching for higher ground.’” Then he mentioned it’s never good to get between Anglicans and their food, and promptly said grace.
The bishop, along with Archdeacon Miller, served the meal to all in attendance. Shepherds’ pie prepared by Prepped, with pies of all kinds for dessert left everyone well satisfied.
When the meal was finished, Rev. Hazlitt stood and addressed the group. She decided, she said, that she would put the bishop on the spot, with an “Ask him anything” segment before he had to dash off to his next destination. The first question,came quickly, though reluctantly, “I’ve decided to read the psalms, but I just don’t understand what I’m reading. Is it crazy to keep on reading them?” Bishop Oulton’s answer was an overwhelming endorsement of the psalms. “They speak of the beauty of our faith. I advise people sometimes, if you’re having difficulties, go out in the middle of your 40-acre field, find one of those good, wailing psalms and go out and read that psalm, it’s very therapeutic. Because you’re coming alongside people of faith who went through those difficulties and hardships, but they always end by saying, ‘but you O Lord, are the Lord and in you I trust.’ God wants to hear the innermost desires of our hearts.” Someone added how, even hearing the psalms read in the language they were written in they could understand what was being said.
It was a safe space in which those gathered could speak frankly. The bishop’s words were a comfort, and a balm to those who asked questions about difficult times. He did not give pat answers but spoke out of lived experience and strong faith. His humour was interjected throughout, keeping things lively. And all too soon, Bishop Oulton was dashing off to the next church on his agenda. Those leaving the hall after him, did indeed feel encouraged, just as Rev. Hazlitt had promised in her introduction that day.
by Margery Frisch
