THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF ST. NICHOLAS, BIRCH CLIFF
SUMMER, 2011
NICK’S NEWS
Music, soccer
are Carmineʼs
big passions
The way Carmine Lappano sees it,
when your vocation is your vacation,
things are working out pretty well in
your life.
“Even if it didn’t work out with
professional soccer,” Carmine says
with a laugh.
It did, however, work out with
music and that, in turn, has worked out
quite nicely for us here at St. Nick’s.
Starting Sept. 1, Carmine will replace
the dynamic duo of Bill Goodfellow and
Joan Waters-Garner as our esteemed
music director. And while following in
those shoes might be considered a
daunting task, Carmine is up for the
job. He already juggles the
Father Kevinʼs message: responsibilities of being a Grade 3-4
teacher at William G. Miller Public
Tending our garden School, a father to five-year-old
Joseph and three-year-old Samuel
Dear friends, and their gardens – lots of and, until he joins us in September,
One of the joys of rain and, more recently, the music director at Guildwood
summer is spending time in plenty of sunshine. The Presbyterian.
the garden. I enjoy other seeds and seedlings that
“But the beauty of it is, especially
people’s gardens very much, were planted weeks ago have
with church, is that it doesn’t feel like
though I confess my own is a now exploded into life. Many
work to me,” Carmine says. “Not that
bit of a jungle! of us have been busy
my day job isn’t rewarding, but it can
While this summer got planting, fertilizing,
be very difficult at times.
off to a slow start, it now watering, pruning and
seems ideal for gardeners Continued on page 2
Continued on page 2
PAGE 1

THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF ST. NICHOLAS, BIRCH CLIFF
SUMMER, 2011
Continued from page 1 have to do with “passionate
spirituality” and “needs- Continued from page 1
repotting, and this is all
essential if we want a nice oriented evangelism”, we need “But playing in church and
garden. to spend more time and energy. leading choirs and creating
Passionate spirituality is music for a congregation is what
Our job is to provide the
concerned with our knowledge I love.”
right environment, but
ultimately only God can give and understanding of the Bible, Raised as a Roman Catholic
the growth. our commitment to prayer, and and trained as a pianist, he has
our ability to proclaim our been a music director in
The same is true of the
faith. Needs-oriented Presbyterian and United
Church. Our task as Christians
evangelism is about sharing our churches. But it was a stint in
is to plant seeds and nurture
faith with others, including the tenor section of the men’s
them. In our parish, we tend
those who have no idea what and boys’ choir at St. James
the community of faith by
we believe or why we believe it. Cathedral from 2002 to 2005
caring for it and giving it the
A group of people from our that the graduate of the faculty
best conditions to thrive. One
of music at the University of
of the ways we have done that parish has been working closely
with our NCD coach, Bill Toronto was first exposed to
is through a process called
Benson, to help us tend our Anglicanism.
“Natural Church
Development” (NCD). garden more effectively. We “I completely fell in love
are striving to bring greater with the Anglican church and
As its name suggests, this
health to the weaker areas of the Anglican tradition,
resource helps churches to
our parish life, while continuing especially with the music part of
develop in natural and organic
to affirm and support the it,” Carmine says.
ways. Our recent NCD survey
many, many things that are He met his wife, Michelle,
suggests that our parish
strong and healthy. through music and says she’s a
garden is very healthy,
especially in the areas of We hope to undertake our “fantastic singer.” And how do
“loving relationships” and “gift- next NCD survey next winter, you like this for intertwined?
based ministry”. to see if we’ve been able to Michelle is a vocal teacher at a
create new conditions for God west end high school and music
This affirms what many of
to bring about even more director at Holy Redeemer
us already know: that members
growth. Catholic Church in Pickering.
of our community care deeply
for one another, and that the The other NCD team Carmine loves the soccer
ministries we undertake are members are Joan Wilson, pitch, but feels most at home
closely connected with the Andrew Reeves and Freda when he’s behind a keyboard.
gifts that God has given us. Gearing. If you have questions “I haven’t had too many
These parts of the garden are or suggestions, please speak Sunday mornings off,” Carmine
lush and healthy, and our task with us. says. “But I would be there
is to keep nurturing them. Have a great summer. See anyway. There’s nothing I love
Other parts of the garden you in church! more than being in a church
are less healthy. In the - The Reverend Kevin making music.”
corners of the garden that Robertson
PAGE 2

THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF ST. NICHOLAS, BIRCH CLIFF
SUMMER, 2011
Wardens’ Report
Dear Parishioner
These last few months
have certainly been busy
for your Wardens and
members of Executive and
Parish Council.
We are appreciative of
your prayers and support
over these past months. At
the time of this newsletter,
we are nearing the end of
the waterproofing of the
foundation walls on the east
side of the church. This has
been an extensive project,
and will result in greater
insulation in the church
basement as well as the able to undertake major pleasure to have her in our
opportunity to landscape capital projects, and hire midst. If you haven't
the south and east side of additional staff. already done so, please
the church. introduce yourself to
We have also renovated
Thank you for your the church office to better Alison. Alison is with us for
patience and understanding utilize our existing space. the next two years on a
as various pathways and This project, while modest part time basis and we look
entrances to the church in cost, has made a major forward to having her with
have been unavailable change in the office space. us.
during this project. A new office was created The Churchwardens
Through the Our Faith- for clergy, and new flooring, thank our ministry leaders
Our Hope Campaign, St. paint and furniture make and all Parishioners for the
Nick's has raised 138 for a very pleasant space. time, talent and treasure
percent of our goal. Thank If you haven't checked each of you devote to our
you for your support of this out the results of this Parish life. Wishing you and
incredible initiative, and to renovation, please feel free your families a pleasant,
the leaders in our parish of to do so. restful and blessed
this campaign. This summer...
We welcomed the Rev.
campaign, and our own The Churchwardens -
Dr. Alison Falby as our
capital campaign has put us Doug Goss, Sonia Halloran,
Assistant Curate early in
in a position where we are Anne Moir and Brian Todd.
May, and it has been a
PAGE 3

THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF ST. NICHOLAS, BIRCH CLIFF
SUMMER, 2011
20 QUESTIONS WITH...
...our new Assistant Curate, The Reverend Dr. Alison Falby
Are you a part of the Trinity College mafia Margaret Visser’s The Rituals of Dinner.
here at St. Nick’s? What inspires you?
Trinity College, yes; mafia . . . ? Many things: Nature; children’s delight
Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where and truthfulness; and anyone who recognizes
are you from originally? Where did you go that we inhabit a broken world and yet lives
to school? What’s your family background? with hope and love.
I grew up in Toronto and went to What’s your idea of a perfect evening?
University of Toronto Schools (UTS) on Bloor Dinner with good friends and family.
Street. My family
Do you think the
background is Western
Leafs will make
European mongrel.
the playoffs next
Tell us about the season? (Hint:
journey you’ve taken. Answer no.)
What led you to pursue
We live in hope.
the Anglican
priesthood? If you could
I grew up in the have dinner with
Anglican church and was any three people
drawn to the idea of in history, dead
ordained ministry from a or alive, who
young age. I delayed would they be
pursuing ordained and why?
ministry for many Jesus, for obvious
reasons: it seemed really uncool; I wasn’t sure reasons; Desmond Tutu, because I’m inspired
my faith and sense of call were strong by his faith and commitment to social justice;
enough; and I wanted to try out the academic and Tina Fey, because I think she’s hilarious.
life.
What is your guilty pleasure?
But I didn’t find academic life as fulfilling The New York Times Sunday Crossword.
as I’d hoped, I grew in my faith and sense of
What are your pet peeves?
call, and I got over the uncoolness factor.
Um, people who say “let there be light"
So you’re a doctor, eh? It hurts when I
every time any light switch is flipped on?
try to stick my leg around the back of my
head. What should I do? So you’re the chaplain at Havergal. What
do you enjoy most about that work?
Try yoga. Or is that what you’re doing?
What book are you reading at the moment? Watching the girls grow spiritually.
PAGE 4

THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF ST. NICHOLAS, BIRCH CLIFF
SUMMER, 2011
What would you be doing with
your life if you weren’t an
Anglican priest?
I would certainly still be
doing some kind of ministry:
teaching in a Divinity school,
probably!
How do you like your new
office?
Love it.
What kind of music do you
have on your iPod?
An eclectic mix: blues, folk,
classical, rock, jazz…
What aspect of your ministry
do you most enjoy?
Seeing people see God. * To our ministry team, musical directors, choir,
servers, chalice bearers, sacristans, sidespeople,
What aspect do you find
greeters, readers, intercessors, altar guild members,
most challenging?
for making our worship services so meaningful.
Making time for myself to
pray. * To Reg McRae and George Sczepanski for their work
What is your all-time and results in the renovation of the church office.
favourite motion picture and * To all those involved in the ongoing maintenance and
why? care of all of our property.
“Dr. Zhivago,” because I
love the book and the movie * To Arlene McGuire and Marcia Parum for hosting the
brings it to life beautifully. Annual St. Nick's plant sale again this year, raising
over $2,000 for the Nikibasika Learning and
Has Father Kevin regaled you
Development Project in Uganda and Faithworks.
yet on what a fine golfer he
is? * To Brian and Betsy Jones for organizing the Annual
No, but I can talk his ear Golf Tournament and hosting the BBQ afterward.
off about what a fine rummy
* To all those who continue to support and participate in
player I am.
Coffee Hour, thank you for your ongoing efforts.
What do you hope to gain out
of your experience at St. * And finally, to Bill Goodfellow and Joan Waters-
Nick’s? Garner, for their musical leadership, inspiration and
To learn how to be the kind hard work in their ministry as musical directors. No
of priest that can nurture a amount of thanks can show our gratitude for the job
wonderful congregation like St. you have done. Thanks and enjoy your retirements.
Nick’s!
PAGE 5

THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF ST. NICHOLAS, BIRCH CLIFF
SUMMER, 2011
Reverend Charles Etienne Luce
First Rector of St. Nicholas Church
By Dennis Newman businessman (railway who offered the use of his
Born on May 16, 1881 in equipment), Presbyterian, and stable. The first service was
Gloucester, England, Charles YMCA enthusiast, and they held on his lawn on June 25 of
Luce was the eldest son that year.
(and one of 13 children) Following the
of Alice C. Luce (Stubbs) frame building’s
and John James Luce, renovation, St
the evangelical vicar of Nicholas’ Church was
St Nicholas’ Church, dedicated by the
Westgate Street. bishop of Toronto on
After attending Aug. 9. Expanded in
(1896-99) a well-known 1914, but burned in
evangelical public school, 1916, the church was
Dean Close School in rebuilt that year on
Cheltenham, Charles its present site, at
spent “some years in Manderley Drive and
business.” He immigrated Kingston Road.
to Canada, subsequently During his time in
settled in Toronto, and Scarborough, St.
in 1906 entered Nicholas’ congregation
University College at the had grown rapidly, and
University of Toronto, took up residence at on 10 Oct. 1922, with
from which he graduated in Scarborough Junction. In 1913 some 335 families, it became a
classics (BA) in 1911. Luce received his diploma in separate parish.
Ordained deacon on June theology from Wycliffe, and Charles E. Luce died
2, 1912, Luce was officially was made a priest that year on unexpectedly on Sept. 21, 1927
appointed incumbent of June 8. in Providence, Rhode Island, on
Scarborough Junction (Church At the beginning of his his way to Toronto for the
of the Epiphany) and Agincourt charge, Luce had also been 50th anniversary of Wycliffe.
(St Timothy’s Mission Hall) taking steps to set up a church Following a service in its
three days later. Thus in the emerging, semi-rural chapel, he was buried in
established, on Sept. 23 in village of Birch Cliff, east of Toronto’s Mount Pleasant
Eglinton village, North Toronto, Toronto on Kingston Road. On Cemetery.
he married Helen Emma, June 12, 1912 he called a His wife – they had no
daughter of John J. Gartshore, meeting at the home of children – stayed in Toronto
a prominent Toronto businessman George F. Davis, and lived until 1967.
PAGE 6