Hello,
It’s quite late in the evening here and I’ve just come back from a candlelight prayer walk through Canterbury Cathedral in the dark. This prayer walk was just for the people in the course so we were able to visit one very special place normally closed to the public. It was quite an experience.
Anyway, coming up:
Valentine’s Day Dinner, Feb.14 at Holy Trinity, SSM, just $12 for a pork dinner with all the fixings plus dessert and coffee/tea. Call 705-254-1692 for more information and tickets.
Valentine’s Bake Sale and Tea: Saturday, Feb.15 at Emmaus. Please see the attached poster for more information.
In March:
Saturday, March 1st: Lenten Retreat at Holy Trinity, SSM, 9:30am – noon. We’ll talk a little about Lent and spend time doing some Scripture study and self-reflection.
Saturday, March 1st is also the chili dinner at Emmaus. Please see the attached poster for more information.
Saturday, March 8 at the Trinity Centre is the Guild of St. Joseph’s breakfast, 9:30am.
Since we’re approaching the time of re-covenanting Lay Readers, here is some information to refresh your minds:
Who are Lay Readers anyway?: Lay Readers do some of the same activities during worship as other Anglicans in the congregation, such as reading lessons or leading the Prayers of the People; and Lay Readers also do some of the same activities as clergy, such as leading certain worship services. Likewise with activities in the community such as (clergy and non-clergy) pastoral visiting, but Lay Readers are different. It is the limitations placed on their ministry that distinguishes Lay Readers from clergy. What distinguishes them from other non-clergy? Lay Readers primarily function as leaders during worship services, and in community activities, under the direction of their incumbent unless the parish doesn’t have one. It is the regularity of their service which distinguishes Lay Readers from other Anglicans – Lay Readers are one of the baptized and all baptized members of the body of Christ are able to do what Lay Readers do (with some instruction and guidance). Technically, everyone sitting in the pews can come to worship in their white baptismal garment but that isn’t likely to happen. 🙂 Lay Readers agree to be set apart, to a certain degree, from the other people in the pews through their willingness to be consistently responsible for certain elements of the worship services and other aspects of our baptismal ministries (depending on what individual Lay Readers feel comfortable doing). And so, Lay Readers sign on the dotted line, so to speak. Why is this a covenanted ministry? There is a level of responsibility, commitment, and training required from all Lay Readers. Just because every baptized member of Christ’s body can lead a service of Morning Prayer, for example, it doesn’t mean they should…without training and preparation. Covenanting provides consistency across the diocese for the role and training of Lay Readers and increases accountability for their ministry.
Why ministers robe: Both lay and ordained ministers always robe during the service. Each person with a role in the liturgy has a symbolic role and therefore, has symbolic attire. Generally speaking, we begin with the white baptismal garment and then other layers of clothing and/or “accessories” are added depending on the role. The attire identifies each person as a baptized member of Christ’s body – representing all of the baptized during the liturgy. But also, the specific attire let’s everyone know what each person is supposed to be doing during the liturgy.
Well, enough said on that for now.
For Your Devotions:
Monday, February 3rd is the commemoration of Anskar, Missionary Bishop in Sweden, died 865. The Swedish church calls Anskar its apostle – he built hospitals and did many other charitable works. In fact, Anskar convinced the leaders in the north country to give up their profitable slave trade business, telling them it was contrary to Christianity. (Too bad that particular message hadn’t been more widespread!) When a “heathen king” burned Anskar’s church, monastery, library, and everything he owned, Anskar befriended him and, with Job as his example, he rebuilt without complaint. To read more: http://satucket.com/lectionary/Anskar.htm
Wednesday, February 5th is the memorial of The Martyrs of Japan in 1597. First Jesuits and then Franciscans made their way to Japan and baptized about 300 000 people. Unfortunately, rivalries between the missionaries (really) and political intrigue (go figure) led to the persecution of these new Christians. Here is what happened: “The first victims were six Franciscan friars and twenty of their converts, who were executed at Nagasaki on 5 February 1597. (They were tied to crosses, the crosses were raised to an upright position, and they were then quickly stabbed to death by a soldier with a javelin.)” The power of the gospel led to something amazing…250 years later, when Japan was reopened to the West, it was discovered that Christianity had gone underground and had survived. To read more: http://satucket.com/lectionary/Japan_martyrs.htm
In the hope of Christ,
Susan
Deanery of Algoma 