Episcopal News Service: Press Release # 2000-140

Holy Spirit Infuses Vigil 2000 in Diocese of Alaska

Episcopal News Service. September 14, 2000 [2000-140]

(ENS) The Holy Spirit had a great time at Vigil 2000 in Ft. Yukon, Alaska.

Over three intense days, the music and stories poured forth as the Diocese of Alaska, joined by friends from around North America, returned to its roots in an effort to forge a mission vision for a new millennium.

"We are coming together as a diocese to focus on the Gospel, to see what God is calling us to do as individuals, as communities of faith, as a diocese and as a national church," said Bishop Mark MacDonald in expressing his hopes for the vigil. He urged participants to come to Ft. Yukon, eight miles above the Arctic Circle and accessible only by boat or plane, with the expectation that "something sacred is coming."

The Hudson's Bay Company established a trading post on the Yukon River in 1847, and Anglicans began mission work shortly afterwards, working with the Gwich'in people of the area. The first bishop and first church was built in 1896, although the diocese recognizes 1861 as its birth year.

Over 300 people invaded the village September 1, instantly doubling its population, bringing with them their hopes and even a few fears. "What is joyful and liberating to some can be a bit frightening to others," MacDonald said. "The Episcopal Church provides a safe place for this to happen."

Common bonds

In an opening session, the diocese took a close look at itself, asking the different regions to tell their stories, interspersed with music. A participant from the Southeast underscored the size of the diocese, described by many as a "sub-continent," when he reported that he traveled over 1,100 miles to the vigil. Another said that Alaska was the northwestern-most diocese in the whole Anglican Communion.

Two bishops of neighboring dioceses in the Anglican Church in Canada participated in the vigil. Bishop Chris Williams of the Arctic and Bishop Terry Buckle of the Yukon described similarities in mission history and the partnership that has developed over the years with Alaska. "We have something very much in common -- and we should rejoice as we move ahead together," Buckle said.

Drawing on friendships enhanced at the 1998 Lambeth Conference of the world's Anglican bishops, MacDonald said that he and the Canadian bishops realized that "at a certain latitude it is all Anglican." Since they face similar issues of isolation, vast distances and traditional Native lifestyles, "it was easy to understand each other."

Faces of diversity

But the true diversity of the diocese was written on the faces of participants. The weathered faces of the Gwich'in from the Arctic Coast mixed with Anglos from Anchorage and Juneau. Many languages filled the air so that, at times, it resembled the biblical descriptions of Pentecost.

And the "testimonies" of the Natives from the Arctic were filled with spirit and a strong consciousness and respect for the past. In bold and moving stories they said they were believers because of support and prayers of their families. "Only with Jesus, thank you, Jesus," became a mantra. "Praise the Lord."

Some described times of great difficulty, including struggles with isolation and alcoholism. All the stories were spontaneous, direct and highly personal expressions of a deep personal faith. Someone remarked that, in Alaska, there isn't much time for artifice and superficiality.

Once the stories began to flow they were hard to stop, and MacDonald guided things with a gentle hand, nudging events and people but making room for the Spirit in an unpredictable atmosphere.

Woven into Eucharists that lasted three and four hours, participants called directly on the Spirit for the ordination of three deacons, the baptism of 10 children, and at the confirmation of five young people. MacDonald later admitted that "worship in Alaska is not for the weak of heart."

Through it all, the congregation embraced its elders, especially 91-year-old Hannah Solomon, matriarch of the diocese. In one of the vigil's most moving moments, she introduced her stepbrother Elliott Johnson who, she said, is 10 years older. "What beautiful memories come back on occasions like this," she said.

Concern for youth

Participants divided into small groups, invited by the bishop to explore their passions for Gospel ministry, to look at the needs and hurts of people "with Gospel eyes, the eyes of Jesus -- and to look at the blessings and gifts that God has given us."

Some mentioned the pressing issue of reconciliation between the dominant culture and the indigenous. That tension has been heightened by recent attempts to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to development, strongly opposed by the Gwich'in, whose traditional lives would be seriously altered. MacDonald joined former President Jimmy Carter at a news conference shortly before the vigil stating their objections to development in ANWR. The diocesan convention, held in conjunction with the vigil, decided not to deal with the issue, but MacDonald said earlier that his position has evoked angry responses, even though it is the official position of the Episcopal Church.

In small groups, participants also expressed a deep concern for the role of youth in the church, describing a great spiritual risk to its future if they are not welcomed. "Use them or lose them," warned one participant.

Betsy Boyd, children's ministry officer for the Episcopal Church, participated in special youth activities at the convention and the vigil. She said she was impressed with the way children and youth were incorporated and remarked, "This is how the church should be."

A group of youth provided the most spontaneous moment in the vigil when, in response to a particularly spirit-filled song, they formed a Conga line that swept many participants to their feet. "Some of us are not used to worshiping God and breaking a sweat at the same time," MacDonald said. "Is there anything more wonderful than to see our children dance to God?" At a closing session he told participants, "If you came with a youth, make sure you take one home, even if it's not the one you brought."

Life-changing experience

As participants began to board boats or planes out of the village, it was apparent that the vigil had made an impact in their lives. In an interview, MacDonald said that the responses were "very enthusiastic and overwhelming. Some describe it as a life-changing experience, one that is difficult to describe."

Another participant, who expressed a "huge hope for Alaska," said that it was clear that "we are not the mission field -- we are the missionaries."

Terry Parsons, stewardship officer for the Episcopal Church and part of a delegation from the national offices, told participants, "If the spirit I have felt here is real, Alaska won't be big enough to contain it. You have a wonderful mission spirit." Her colleague in Congregational Ministries, the Rev. Winston Ching, pointed to the "rich heritage" of the diocese, calling it "a tremendous legacy."

Shirley Gordon, widow of Bishop Bill Gordon, said that the diocese is dealing with some widely varying spiritualities but "there is still a strong sense of family in the diocese." She said that "the spirit" of her husband was present in Ft. Yukon. And she reminisced about accompanying her husband in covering the diocese by plane for 26 years, adding that the biggest change now is easier travel, alleviating some of the isolation.

The Rev. Hunter Silides, priest at St. Stephen's in Ft. Yukon, said that "my body may be exhausted but my spirit is elated." She said that the people of Ft. Yukon had shown "their true colors, that it is a tremendously welcoming place -- especially for the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit comes, the people open their doors."

The level of enthusiasm did not diminish at the end of the vigil, she reported, and people came to the church for several nights. "People feel uplifted by the event. It has been a real, beautiful, fresh experience that will have a long-term effect. We now have a blazing trail to follow."

"When history is written again people will remember this meeting for a long, long time," MacDonald said at the closing session. "As long as there is a diocese it will be remembered." And memories run deep in Alaska.