Canon John Speers Death Notice

taken from the Globeandmail.com on March 31st 2012

SPEERS, The Reverend Canon John Edward

Peacefully at Hospice Simcoe, Barrie, Canon John E. Speers passed away Thursday, March 29, 2012, in his 96th year. Born September 29, 1916, in Aneroid, Saskatchewan, son of the late Harry Speers and Florence McLauchlin. Predeceased by his beloved wife of 57 years, Gwyneth (Smith), in 2008 and their dear son Kevin in 1962. Loving father of Shelagh Speers of Cold Spring, NY, Maureen Doherty of Rankin Inlet, and Michael Speers of Barrie. Dear father-in-law of Gregory Gunder and Bryon Doherty, and loving Papa to Sean, Brendan and Liam Doherty and Laura Gunder. Beloved brother of Dorothy Pearson, Millie Rowlinson, and George Speers and his wife Ethelwyn. Dearly loved by his nieces, nephews and cousins. Predeceased by his brother Clarence (Curly) in 1944. A prairie boy, John graduated from Moose Jaw Central Collegiate and taught school in Lloydminster, SK, before coming east to attend the University of Toronto, graduating from Victoria College in 1945 with an Honours BA and Gold Medal in English. As a grad student he lectured in English at U of T and United College, Winnipeg, where he was also Dean of Men. In 1950 John was called to the Anglican ministry and left academia for the church, graduating from Trinity College with four prizes in theology. Ordained May 3, 1953, John embraced parish ministry and served with Gwyn at St. James, Sutton and St. George's, Sibbald Point; Trinity, Aurora; St. Stephen-in- the-Fields, Toronto; and Trinity, Barrie. After retirement in 1985 John assisted at St. Giles and St. Margaret's, Barrie, and taught numerous workshops, most notably on Celtic Spirituality. Apart from holidays, John preached steadily from age 18 to 95, and led ten parish missions. For many years he was Speaker at Camp Koinonia, tour host with Gwyn on pilgrimages to Israel and the Bible lands, the Oberammergau Passion Play and Great Britain, and Prophet-in- Residence at Willowbank, Bermuda. A lifelong avid gardener, John was known for the beauty of his award- winning rectory gardens and for his monthly horticultural column. A natural musician, John played piano until his final weeks. He was a poet, genealogist, and author, publishing his last book, Florrie, in 2011. In his own words, he ''never wasted much time''. He was a member of the World McLauchlin Society, a Life Member of the Barrie Garden Club, a member of the Irish Club of Barrie, and an Oblate member of the SSJE. A gifted preacher, compelling teacher, compassionate pastor and devoted friend, John touched the lives of thousands in his lifetime. Resting at the Steckley-Gooderham Funeral Home, 30 Worsley Street, Barrie. Visitation Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral Service at Trinity Anglican Church, 24 Collier Street, Barrie, on Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. Donations may be made in John's memory to Hospice Simcoe or the Leprosy Mission International. Condolences may be forwarded through www.steckleygooderham.com

Canon John Speaking at Trinity Church, Barrie 

April 1st 2012

In our church year, we have finally arrived at Palm Sunday - the day of celebration when we greet Jesus as King and Messiah. It is also the first day of Holy Week which takes us down into the depth of darkness and guides us through to the great light and height of Easter. The Day of Resurrection. Christmas is wonderful and full of the joy of birth and new beginnings. Easter is the culmination of that life as we enter into the fulfillment of Jesus’ resurrection.

At this point, it is necessary that we consider how we are going to spend Holy Week and make it truly blessed. I am suggesting that you take the BAS (green book), turn to page 296 and read the rubric there as a starter. Perhaps you would find it helpful to use some of the prayers that follow for the week. You may feel you would like to do something creative to enrich your life or that of someone else. If there are children in your life include them in a teaching or worshipping experience. How about using the Advent Wreath at the evening meal during the week, as it is, or expand it by adding extra candles.  Pray that the Holy Spirit will give you creative and enriching ideas.

Try to attend the evening service on Maundy Thursday. The ceremonies of washing feet and stripping the altar are dramatic and moving. It is a time where children might be allowed to stay up late. The next day will be a holiday from school as it is Good Friday, the most solemn of all the days in the year, when we remember Jesus’ supreme love which gave him the strength to die for us. Holy Saturday should be a happy day; weather permitting a drive in the country, picnic, visit to a loved one or a shut in. Helping to get ready for the next day’s celebration and of course for children, colouring Easter eggs. They are a symbol of the Holy Sepulchre or the tomb. I seem to remember sharing with you, last year about an Easter dance, common in Orthodox churches in earlier times.

The dancers held aloft a hardboiled egg in their hands. They concluded the dance shouting “Christ is Risen” and cracked open their eggs against someone else’s to symbolize the opening of the tomb. Let us join in that Orthodox Church custom of greeting one another with “Christ is Risen” to which the reply is “He is Risen Indeed”. Let us embrace his love and accept his great gift of forgiveness. Let us be a Resurrection people, a living people.

March 25th 2012

Last week marked the 4th Anniversary of my entering this long term care facility, The IOOF Seniors’ Home. I was very aware of my nice room and all the loving care that surrounded me. Nonetheless, I could not help thinking of the quote “abandon hope all ye who enter here”. Abandoning hope did not mean any thought of some disaster but it did mean to me the end of looking forward to some new adventure or enterprise, a new challenge or fresh call from God. How wrong I was!

There were people all around, both residents and staff, reaching out for the real word of hope. There were other lesser challenges, some little jobs to do and offices to fill. One day a call on the phone -  my grandson with a message from Rev. Elizabeth – would  I be willing to write a little piece for the Happenings? Of course I would. So often that is the way, God calls us. In the course of every day happenings, he drops a request. We pick it up without any hesitation. We need the day- to- day discipline to carry out the task and trust that he will be there to support us by the power of his Holy Spirit. We will not trust in vain. He will be there for us. He will always have things for us to do. There is always joy and strength in doing his will. If we ever find ourselves under a little strain or heavy stress, we should ask ourselves a question. Are we trying to do this task on our own strength? Then we could say this prayer.

Almighty and ever living God increase in us your gift of faith that forsaking what lies behind and reaching to what is before, we may run the way of your commandments and win the crown of everlasting joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for now and forever.

Painting by
Canon Frances
which Hangings in IOOF

March 18th 2012

Last Sunday, the Old Testament reading was the famous 20th chapter of Exodus in which God gives to Moses, the Ten Commandments. You were no doubt taught in Sunday School that the first part was about our duty to God and the last about our duty to our neighbour. I am going to suggest that the fourth commandment is a special gift to us “remember the Sabbath Day and keep it Holy”. It is a day in which we are permitted to rest from our work and spend time with each other. It is tragic that in the past, many of us interpreted this in a very negative way. We made the Sabbath a burden and then rejected it all together. First of all, we should remember that our word holiday comes from holy-day. In it we are allowed to lay down the burden of our daily labour; seek out our God in worship and find him in each other as we worship together and play together. In medieval times, on Sunday afternoon after worship, people gathered together on the Village green to play. They practiced archery and other sports; they walked and visited with each other, especially young couples. At some time in the day, they had a family meal together. It seems that we have always been tempted to disobey the commandment. If you read in the book of Jeremiah 17:19, the people were continuing with their usual work and carrying heavy burdens in and out of the City gates on the Sabbath. God sends Jeremiah to denounce them.

Our loving Lord instituted the Sabbath that we may have a day of refreshment rest and re-creation. All of us need to examine our own lives and develop a plan which will enable us to worship with God, rest and recreate ourselves on the Sabbath. Have a Happy Holy Day

March 11th 2012

I remember Sister Jessie Mary from one of our Anglican Convents in England, telling me this story. A young girl of very humble circumstances was engaged to be married to an exceedingly brilliant young man. He had won scholarships which, when he had finished his studies, would move him into social circles far above those into which he and she had been born. In Canada, and in these more egalitarian times, it is hard for us to understand how very frightened she was that she would not measure up socially. She wanted to break off the engagement. He, bless him, loved her and would not hear of it. She turned to Sister Jessie Mary for advice. She told her that of course she must marry him. As for dealing with social niceties, the important thing was to always be considerate and think of others. That is the basis of all good manners. The couple were married and in the strength of their love for each other and their love and devotion to God, they were accepted in all circles.

Thinking of this anecdote made me wonder. When we rise to greet someone or shake hands with them, do we remember that this is a child of God, made in his image? Do we, whether they be royalty, or down and out, honour and respect them. Sometimes we are aware that the person we face has not opened themselves to God’s love and grace. We cannot honour the things they may condone or do. We can reach out to them with the saving love of Jesus in our hearts and be comfortable and confident in their presence. It is only our insecurity which makes us uncomfortable in the presence of someone whose life is different from our own. We are self conscious rather than God conscious. We must let him, by the power of his Holy Spirit be present with us in our all relationships.

Cat Painting (Early work)

March 4th 2012

In our spiritual journey, we are taught there comes a time when we must take a leap of faith. What do we mean by that? Many are those who think that it means we have to accept something that is not real. The opposite is true. When we have faith, we surrender ourselves to something or someone we believe to be true.


A small boy was stuck in a tree unable to climb higher, afraid to get down. Several strangers tried to help him to no avail. Then his father came along, lifted his strong loving arms and called out to him to jump. It took a matter a second’s hesitation and he threw himself into those arms he knew he could trust. That was a leap of faith.


Brothers James and John took a leap of faith when Jesus called them from their daily job as fishermen on the Lake of Galilee. They had no idea what lay ahead but they trusted him and were impelled to follow him. It is really only a small firm step they took that day. That is the way of faith. It begins in a small way but gradually develops for the rest of our lives. We find ourselves part of the great body of believers who nourish each other. Our life of faith is strengthened by the Ministry of Word and Sacrament. Some day we will grasp the heights, breadths and depths of the love of God. Let us endeavor now to keep on growing. It may not always be easy. Sometimes we will take short firm steps; sometimes, leaps and bounds. Faith in God the Father and his Son allows us to meet life with courage, generosity and optimism as the Holy Spirit empowers us. Faith in those loving arms which stretched out on the cross relieves us of the fear sin has bound around us. Let us go forth in faith

The Rev. Andrew Sandilands, Lenten Talk