Hello. It looks like it’s going to be another great day!
A Reminder…The Lay Readers’ Conference is quickly approaching. Please head here for more information: https://www.dioceseofalgoma.com/2024/08/22/layreaders-conference-october-4-6-2024-2/
Based on the registration form I found a few moments ago (below for you), it seems that this conference will also be offered online.
And now, a special note from Bonnie Lyons at Christ Church: Greetings everyone! Summer is almost gone and time to say farewell and welcome fall. We at Christ Church will be saying a “bittersweet” farewell to our dear friends Reverend Raymond and Judy Knight. We are sad to see them leave Christ Church and at the same time happy for them to be settling back home with family. Reverend Raymond is retiring from the ministry and moving to their new home in Manitoba at the end of October. Reverend Raymond’s last service at Christ Church will be Sunday, October 20th at 9:30 a.m. Following the service, we will have a time for fellowship (10:30-11:00) and a light lunch at 11:00 a.m. All are welcome to join us in bidding farewell to this amazing couple. Also we are collecting money for a gift and anyone wishing to give can do so by contacting Bonnie via e-mail lyons.bonnie@gmail.com or phone 705-779-2858 or Laura via e-mail lau_ave88@hotmail.com or phone 705-254-2477. We have a few events happening this fall as well: Friday, September 27th at 5:30 p.m. “Fish Fry Dinner”, by reservation/ticket (No takeouts) the cost is $25.00. Menu includes: Spinach dip with 2 types of bread and vegetables, Lemon chicken orzo soup, Deep fried whitefish, baked potato, coleslaw, lemons & tartar sauce, Warm butter tarts topped with ice cream for dessert. Contact Bonnie via e-mail lyons.bonnie@gmail.com or phone 705-779-2858 or Laura via e-mail lau_ave88@hotmail.com or phone 705-254-2477 for reservations or tickets. “Apple Pies” Large $15.00 and Small $7.50 will be available to purchase just before Thanksgiving (Oct. 9 or 10). Orders will be taken until Sunday, September 29. Contact Bonnie via e-mail lyons.bonnie@gmail.com or phone 705-779-2858 or Laura via e-mail lau_ave88@hotmail.com or phone 705-254-2477 to order. Information about “Turkey Pies” in November and “Christmas Dainties” in December will be available later. Thank you so much for supporting Christ Church. You are very appreciated.
Mark Your Calendars! Two things: I (Rev. Susan) will be leading a Zoom Bible Study each Wednesday at 7pm beginning Wednesday, November 20 and going until Wednesday, December 18. I’ll be leading an Advent Retreat at the Trinity Centre on Saturday, November 23, 9am – noon. See you there.
A Liturgical Note For You:
Ember Days Following Holy Cross Day (Sept.14): These Ember Days are always the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday of the Third Week of September (that’s this week). The English title for these days, “Ember,” is derived from their Latin name: Quatuor Temporum, meaning the “Four Times” or “Four Seasons.” How this came about is actually not certain – in the early church, there were only three Ember seasons. Ember Days, in recent memory, faded from importance and were de-emphasized liturgically and pastorally. Today, there is a resurgence acknowledging their marking of liturgical times and their pastoral significance. These four “times” are set apart for special prayer and fasting and, in particular, for the ordination of the clergy. However, these days are not just for clergy. They are an opportunity for the whole Church to engage in intentional prayer for ministries of the entire body of Christ – God’s mission embodied through our worship and work together, hastening the day when God’s kingdom is fully revealed on earth as in heaven. To that end, our prayers could also be for peace and the unity of the Church.
If you are having a worship service that is specifically acknowledging the Ember Day then your hangings and altar covering would be violet. If another calendar observance is on the same day – St. Matthew on Saturday, for example – and you are acknowledging that occasion, you would use the appropriate colour (St. Matthew would be red). But, on the Eve of a Sunday, the colour for Sunday – the weekly celebration of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ – overrules the other lesser observances. So, Evening Prayer on this coming Saturday would be green.
For Your Devotions:
Monday, September 16th is the memorial of Ninian, Bishop in Galloway, about 430. Ninian was born and died in Britain and was the first bishop of Galloway in Scotland. He is credited as being the first Christian missionary in Scotland and had widespread success converting the Celts, and likely also some Picts. This is a big deal because Ninian was going against the grain in actually caring to bring the Gospel to people outside of the Roman provinces. (Yes, prejudice was alive and well long before modern times). Ninian established his “see” in what became known as “White House,” now Whithorn, (because it was built of whitewashed stone – a huge departure from the usual wooden churches built by the Britons). In Latin, this place was called “Candida Casa” – still the official name of the Roman Catholic Diocese in Galloway. The monastery established here by Ninian was a thriving centre of Anglo-Saxon monasticism by the 6th century. To read more, check out p.280 http://c2892002f453b41e8581-48246336d122ce2b0bccb7a98e224e96.r74.cf2.rackcdn.com/ForAlltheSaints.pdf
Wednesday, September 18th is the memorial of the Founders, Benefactors, and Missionaries of the Anglican Church of Canada. It was on this day, back in 1893, that the first General Synod of the Church of England in the Dominion of Canada came to an end with a Service of Thanksgiving. The Church in Canada was now a united, autonomous church, member of the united family of Anglican Churches around the world. This would be an ideal day to remember those in our own parishes who were instrumental in building up the Body of Christ in our own little neck of the woods.
Thursday, September 19th is the commemoration of Theodore of Tarsus, Archbishop of Canterbury who died in 690. Theodore is best known for organizing the church in England and establishing a school in Canterbury. He was the surprise fill-in for the elected Archbishop who died before he could be consecrated. Theodore was actually a monk, not a priest, at the time, but he turned out to be great choice – he was energetic and enterprising, leaving behind a long list of accomplishments. Theodore lived to be 88 years old – quite the feat in those days. For more info: http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/250.html
Friday, September 20th is the commemoration of John Coleridge Patteson, Bishop of Melanesia martyred in 1871. His ‘companions’ who were martyred with him are also remembered today. In those days, many white Europeans believed they were superior to other cultures and were doing these cultures a favour by introducing European materials, skills, and attitudes. John believed the Melanesians could benefit from European advances but this was not out of a sense of superiority. He also believed he could learn a lot from the Melanesians and worked at building an indigenous ministry. His death was a sad case of mistaken identity. To find out what I mean (and to learn more about this dedicated missionary), go here: http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/55.html
Saturday, September 21st is the Holy Day of St. Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist. Matthew, generally thought to be a tax collector, was, in the opinion of many other Jews, one of Jesus’ questionable companions – tax collectors were seen as corrupt betrayers of the Jewish people working for the Romans. It is quite ironic then that Matthew’s Gospel is considered the most Jewish of the Gospels – he skillfully and deliberately made sure he portrayed Jesus as being faithful to his Jewish heritage. Being a tax collector earned him the designation of ‘patron saint of bankers’ in the Roman Catholic Church. Although his name is traditionally attached to one of the Gospels, many scholars don’t believe it likely that he actually was the author. Attributing authorship to a well-known individual to give authority to a piece of writing was quite a common thing to do at that time. It could very well be the case that Matthew’s oral stories and teachings were written down later by his followers. Tradition says Matthew died about 90 A.D but legends don’t agree on whether he died of old age or if he was martyred. For more info: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Matthew
In the joy of Christ,
Susan
Deanery of Algoma 