Good day!

I’ve been outside trimming rose bushes but…being attacked by rose bushes would probably be a more accurate description of what was happening. I’m not sure I won the battle…

Anyway, here is what’s happening:

Stuff-a-Stocking: I hope your congregation is willing and able to spare some change or whatever they can in order to help out the Algoma Angels in their Christmas gift ministry this year. I’d be happy to collect the money from you after the last Sunday in August. 

Bread of Life Challenge. If you are participating, we have now collected jam and next Sunday we’ll be collecting the peanut butter.  Your congregation can choose which organization(s) to give the collection to. 

For information on the upcoming Lay Readers’ Conference, please check out the link here: https://www.dioceseofalgoma.com/2024/07/29/layreaders-conference-october-4-6-2024/  Remember, even though it says “Lay Readers”, anyone interested is welcome.

A Liturgical Note For You: 

Did you know that Sunday is the 8th day of the week? When Jesus was resurrected from the dead, his followers began to refer to Sunday as “the Lord’s Day” since, with his resurrection, Jesus was the first person to be bodily resurrected, in an imperishable body, and this signified for Jewish people the coming of the Day of the Lord. This day was to be the momentous arrival of God’s kingdom on earth as in heaven, all of God’s people would be resurrected with imperishable bodies, the fortunes of Israel would be restored, the exile would finally come to a complete end – God would be among the people and all of the people would know and follow God’s ways. Jesus’ followers quickly realized that “the Day of the Lord” had not come as they had expected – the golden age of God’s rule had not fully arrived but it had gotten started with Jesus. The rest was yet to come. Since, in Jewish thinking, the number “7” signified perfection, Jesus’ followers began referring to Sunday as “the 8th day” – a day when the golden age beyond imaginable perfection had indeed begun. 

The Holy Eucharist is the worship service in which we acknowledge and celebrate this 8th day perspective which is why the Eucharist is a worship service of joy and hope and thanksgiving. God’s kingdom has arrived! Although we are journeying toward the fullness of God’s kingdom on earth as in heaven, the final age is upon us. This is why fasting and kneeling for prayer on a Sunday were forbidden in the early Church as they were thought to be incompatible with its joyful character as a foretaste of the full arrival of the kingdom of God. As we stand, our body language says a lot – we stand in praise and thanksgiving and rejoicing but, importantly, we stand in solidarity. We are saying that, as we rejoice, we stand as one with each other and with God in God’s kingdom. We are renewing our baptismal oath when we promised our allegiance to God and God’s ways. 

As always, there is more to say but that’s enough for now. 

For Your Devotions:

Tuesday, August 6th is the Holy Day of the Transfiguration of the Lord.  Peter, James, and John were invited to accompany Jesus to the mountain top where they were astounded to see Christ’s glory revealed to them for a brief time. Something for you to think about: this amazing event occurs right after the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) record Jesus as telling them, “But truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God” (Lk.9:27; see also Matt.16:28; Mk.9:1). Have a look at p.230 here for more information:   For All the Saints PDF

Also on August 6^th: the Memorializing of the Apology.  Although we do not celebrate other memorials or commemorations on a Holy Day, it would be appropriate to acknowledge this day of the apology of our then Primate, Michael Peers, to the Indigenous Peoples of Canada on behalf of the Anglican Church of Canada. Here is a Collect you may wish to pray on this day:

Creator God, from you every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. You have grounded us in your covenant love, and empowered us by your Spirit to speak the truth in love, and to walk in your way towards justice and wholeness. Mercifully grant that your people, journeying together in partnership, may be strengthened and guided to help one another grow into the full stature of Christ, who is our light and our life.  Amen.

Wednesday, 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

Thursday, 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

Saturday, 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

In the joy of Christ,

Susan