Good day,

Happenings:

Exciting News! This Thursday, Sept.26, 4pm at the cathedral: The Archbishop of York (Stephen Cottrell) will be preaching! He is currently doing a cross-Canada tour and we are very fortunate to have him join us. See you there. (This is the closing Eucharist of the Provincial Synod but everyone is welcome to the cathedral for this worship service). 

The Lay Readers’ Conference (not just for Lay Readers!) is quickly approaching. Please head to the diocesan website for information on how to register. It has been confirmed that the sessions will be offered via Zoom for those unable to travel. I’ll pass along more information when I get it.

Provincial Synod is this week at the Delta Hotel in the Sault. Here is a prayer you can say for us as we gather:  Great Spirit, ancient of days yet ever new, you are the bringer of new life; the disturber of old paths. You bear our sorrows, fuel our joy, and inspire us by your promises. Be with us in ‘Baawaating,’ The Place of the Rapids, as we take counsel together for the mission of your church in our Province. Be our centre as we stand at the crossroads with eagerness and hope. Guide us along the good way. Strengthen our resolve to embrace without fear the birth pangs of the new age, and give us courage to persevere in speaking your word of life that overcomes death. We ask this in the power and name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A big heads up: Advent Bible Studies will be via Zoom beginning on Wednesday, November 20, 7-8pm.  An Advent Retreat will be held on Saturday, November 23, 9am-noon at the Trinity Centre.

A Liturgical Note For You:

Well, the green of this current season – the Sundays after Pentecost – will be interrupted by a Sunday of white altar coverings, hangings, and vestments. This Sunday is the Holy Day of St. Michael and All Angels. Why is white the liturgical colour? White is the symbol of the heavenly realm and God’s divine light. This is the color of cleanliness, holiness and simplicity. On icons and frescoes, saints and righteous people are usually depicted clothed in white as righteous ones – people who were good, honest, and lived by “the Truth.” In the same manner, white was used in the swaddling bands of babies, the shrouds of the dead and the robes of angels. Only righteous souls were depicted as wearing white. For these reasons, white is the colour used for baptismal robes. Among other significances, we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ at our baptism. White is also the colour used at funerals, connecting this to our baptism and the victory we gained in Christ through the baptismal mystery.

For Your Devotions:

Wednesday, September 25th is the commemoration of Sergius, Abbot of Holy Trinity, Moscow, and Spiritual Teacher, who died in 1392. At a young age, Sergius and his brother decided to become hermits living in the Russian forest. However, in a time when Christians in Russia were disheartened and confused, news of their wisdom, gentleness, compassion, and spirituality spread and they soon had a monastery forming around them. Sergius was instrumental in the eventual formation of an independent Russia. To find out more:   http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/251.html

Thursday, September 26th is the commemoration of Lancelot Andrewes, Bishop of Winchester, who died in 1626 (I love his name – it reminds me of Sir Lancelot of Arthurian legend). Andrewes is one of the greatest Anglican scholars – he knew 15 languages and contributed greatly to the King James Version of the Bible.  You can read more here:  http://prayer.forwardmovement.org/the_calendar_response.php?id=400926

Sunday, September 29th is the Holy Day of St. Michael and All Angels (Michaelmas). This year, this day falls on a Sunday and it is one of the very few days that actually takes precedence over the weekly feast of the Lord – our Sunday celebration of the Paschal Mystery. Michaelmas is also known as “Goose Day” since a well fattened goose was eaten to protect against financial disaster for the coming year. Scottish people cooked St. Michael’s Bannock (a large scone cake) on a lambskin (thank goodness my mum left out that part of the tradition). Scottish people also had the tradition of allowing you to steal your neighbour’s horse on the Eve of Michaelmas, ride it all the next day, and then return it. Those Scots! 🙂 Blackberries had to be picked before “Old Michaelmas Day” because you couldn’t eat them after that – it has to do with Lucifer having a bit of a temper…To find out more:  https://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/Michaelmas/  

In the joy of Christ,

Susan