Coming Up Quickly:  The Rock-A-Thon to address homelessness – ongoing until Jan.13th! Warm clothing accessories and money will be given to St. Vincent Place and our local foodbanks.  If you can help by knitting/buying warm items (hats, mitts, scarves, socks) or sending a donation (cheques to The Parish of St. Joseph & St. George, Box 61, Richards Landing, ON, P0R 1J0; with “Rock-A-Thon” in the memo line) that’s be awesome! You can also drop items/donations off at the Synod Office if you’re in the area and I’ll pick them up. We’re doing this to support the National Youth Project called “Welcome…Home” which is ongoing until the next CLAY gathering in 2020.

And a reminder, also to address the issue of homelessness…The Coldest Night walk to raise money and awareness to address homelessness is on Saturday, February 23rd. Please consider putting together a team and let’s see what Algoma Deanery can do together! If you’re not in or near Sault Ste Marie and there isn’t a walk in your community, you could arrange an evening of collecting donations while passing out hot apple cider/hot chocolate/whatever in your church building or other suitable location.  You would then give the money to your local foodbank or shelter.  Just let me know how much you collect so that I can publish an article for our deanery. Our communities need to know that we are living the gospel.

Sunday, January 20th is the World Religion Day Celebration, Central United Church (160 Spring, St. SSM); beginning at 2pm.

For Your Devotions:

Thursday, January 10th is the commemoration of William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury, who died in 1645.   Laud, religious advisor to Charles I, was both brilliant and austere. He wasn’t well liked – even by those who agreed with him, but much of the way our church looks and functions is thanks to Laud’s innovations and adherence to the regulations of the church. For example, it was Laud who introduced altar rails. Why? you may ask. Because the local dogs were wandering into the church and, well, um, you know. Also, clerics were using the Holy Table as a desk when it wasn’t in use for Holy Eucharist. Love him or hate him, Laud truly loved God and the Church.  He was eventually beheaded during the Civil War…his persecution of the Puritans came back to bite him. For more:  https://www.britannica.com/biography/William-Laud

Friday, January 11th is the Holy Day of The Holy Innocents. You may have celebrated this already on December 28th since this is the alternate date. Regardless, here is the low-down once again…This is the remembrance of the innocent children slaughtered in Bethlehem on the order of King Herod the Great in his attempt to kill Jesus. This feast most likely originally shared the day of The Epiphany but eventually was designated its own day of observance.  It was a day of fasting and mourning. In fact, in medieval England, children were reminded of the solemnity of the day by being whipped in bed.  What a way to start your day!  For more info:  https://www.britannica.com/topic/Feast-of-the-Holy-Innocents

Saturday, January 12th is the commemoration of Marguerite Bourgeoys, Educator in New France, who died in 1700.  It is also the commemoration of John Horden, Bishop of Moosonee, a missionary who died in 1893. Marguerite is a nun who sailed to Canada and is best known for two things – she opened schools for girls (French, Canadian, and Indigenous) and she refused to cloister her “sisters” (the young ladies helping her). This caused quite a kerfluffel – the bishop at the time would not allow them to take vows – but Marguerite pointed out that the Virgin Mary had remained secular. To read more:   http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_19821031_bourgeoys_en.html

John Horden and his fiancée volunteered for the Church Missionary Society in England. In 1851, John received a letter from the Society appointing him as school master at Moose Factory, Ontario, with the stipulation that he be married (It was quite convenient then that he already had a fiancée).  John learned several Indigenous languages and, for 40 years, preached and taught in the area in and around Moose Factory, building five Anglican Churches to help in his efforts. In December of 1872, he became the first Anglican Bishop of Moosonee. To read more:   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Horden

 

Sunday, January 13th is the Holy Day of The Baptism of the Lord and marks the end of the time called “Christmastide”. This event was originally celebrated on the same day as the Epiphany. In fact, in the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches, Jesus’ baptism remains the integral part of their celebration on January 6th called the Great Feast of the Theophany. Why is it such a big deal? This feast reveals the Holy Trinity to the world…God the Father spoke from Heaven about the Son, the Son was baptized by Saint John the Forerunner, and the Holy Spirit descended upon the Son in the form of a dove. And, Jesus’ baptism holds great significance for us as his disciples. The following is a Roman Catholic commentary that provides an interesting point of view:  https://catholicmoraltheology.com/the-baptism-of-the-lord/

I think that’s it…Have a wonderful week!