Good day,

Just a reminder regarding the upcoming annual Lay Reader/Church Leader Conference coming up at the end of September.  It’s free and will be offered via Zoom by the folks in the Thunder Bay-North Shore Deanery. You can get more info here:  https://www.dioceseofalgoma.com/2023/07/11/2023-lay-readers-church-leaders-conference-information-now-available/

Register simply by emailing Dr. Carol Knox:  carolknox3@gmail.com (Please provide Carol with your name, email address, parish, deanery, and role in the Church). 

A Liturgical Note for You:  I have mentioned a number of times that our liturgies are designed to be transformational. Given that we saw Jesus’ transfiguration on the mount yesterday (Sunday, August 6), this is a good time to mention this once again. In the Transfiguration, we saw a glimpse of the fullness of the kingdom of God that is coming, on earth as in heaven. When we gather together in worship, we are on that mountain, experiencing the glory of the fullness of God’s kingdom.  

The story of our salvation founds our liturgies and is woven throughout our liturgies, and in our worship space, through the use of word and symbol.  Why is this so transformational? Our story is one of hope – a hope that only God can provide because only God can create a new possibility out of the reality that now surrounds us.  According to Walter Brueggemann, in our story (both in Scripture and in worship) “we are presented with the overarching metaphor of biblical faith, namely, the kingdom of God, the rule of God. the ordering of life according to the purpose and will of God. This hoped-for kingdom when God’s will is fully visible will displace all the orderings and kingdoms of life that now claim our allegiance (Rev.11:15). The metaphor of the kingdom is a radical, revolutionary metaphor that stands in judgment over all the power arrangements presently available. The promised kingdom places all current arrangements in jeopardy. The coming of the new age and the new governance of God is at the heart of biblical faith” (p.11 of Hope Restored).

In our worship services, we dwell in the fullness of God’s kingdom and this changes us “from glory to glory”. We then bring this fullness into the world with us, revealing the glory of God’s kingdom to others by forming relationships and mending the brokenness. We live in God’s kingdom. As believers, we are to live as though the fullness of the kingdom were already present.  

For Your Devotions:

Monday, August 7th is the commemoration of the presbyter, John Mason Neale who died in 1866. Born in 1818, Neale lived in a time when Anglicans and Roman Catholics were still wary of each other. He was often the target of violence from those who considered him to be an “agent of the Vatican” sent to destroy the Anglican Church. He wrote some hymns I’m positive you’ll know – especially Good King Wenceslas. He died at the young age of 48. To find out what hastened his early demise and to learn more about him check out p.232:  For All the Saints PDF

Tuesday, August 8th is the memorial of Dominic, Priest and Friar, who died in 1221. Dominic was a Spanish aristocrat who was concerned with the violence used to combat heresy. He founded the Order of Preachers to combat heresy with sound theology and teaching rather than with violence. He gave up all his possessions and devoted his life to instructing others – especially those who had wandered from the church to practice strange non-Christian practices. The order became known as the Dominicans or “Black Friars” in England. To read more go to p.234:  For All the Saints PDF

Thursday, August 10th is the memorial of Laurence, Deacon and Martyr at Rome in 258. You really must read about this deacon of Rome. He was reportedly roasted alive (yes, ‘roasted’) after being very cunningly cheeky. Check it out: http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/223.html

Friday, August 11th is the memorial of Abbess Clare of Assisi who died in 1253. Clare founded the Second Order of Assisi known as the “Poor Clares” because she advocated for the rule of “perfect poverty”…even the community itself was forbidden to own property. Why was a woman from the 1200’s called the patron of television? Find out here:  https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Clare-of-Assisi  and then here:  http://taylormarshall.com/2011/08/why-is-st-clare-patron-saint-of.html

Saturday, August 12th is the commemoration of the Consecration of Charles Inglis, First Anglican Bishop in Canada, 1787. Charles was an Irishman who worked in Pennsylvania and then New York City after being ordained. How did he end up in Canada?  He supported the British during the American Revolution and so his church was burned and the property confiscated. He moved to Nova Scotia and was consecrated as bishop on this date in 1787 which marks the official beginning of the Anglican Church of Canada. If you’d like to learn more, check out p.240: http://c2892002f453b41e8581-48246336d122ce2b0bccb7a98e224e96.r74.cf2.rackcdn.com/ForAlltheSaints.pdf

In the hope of Christ,

Susan