Hi there,

Some of you may have noticed that part of my weekly blog has been picked up by diocesan social media. It’s available on the Diocese of Algoma Facebook and website on Wednesdays and will be sent out in a newsletter on Thursdays. Given that, it didn’t seem to make sense that I would send you the same information on the Monday following (4-5 days after other people had read the information). So, I’m shifting the weekly email to Thursday mornings (and hopefully I’ll remember this switch  and adjust my schedule accordingly). The emails will be “for the week of” Sunday rather than the Monday like I’ve been doing. 

Okay, so here’s your first Thursday email for the week of Sunday, September 28:

Happening Now:

Pies for Sale from Christ Church, SSM: Christ Church ACW ladies are gearing up to baking apple pies. Orders for pies will be taken up to Sunday, September 28th. Cost for the pies are–large is $16.00 and small is $8.00. Pies will be ready for pick up Oct. 8 and 9th. Those ordering pies will be called when their pies are ready for pick up.  Contact Bonnie 705-779-2858 or lyons.bonnie@gmail.com OR Laura 705-254-2477 or lau_ave88@hotmail.com.

Coming Soon:

Next Saturday, October 4, 11am at Holy Trinity, SSM: Blessings of the Animals (My first one and I’m looking forward to it!)

In the Rest of October:

Saturday, October 18, 9:30am: The Guild of St. Joseph breakfast at Holy Trinity, SSM. Ladies are welcome to enjoy the hearty breakfast and discussions this month.

Also on Saturday, October 18, 10:30am: Deanery Council (location still to be determined) for all incumbents, wardens, treasurers, synod delegates, and the deanery warden of lay readers (I think that’s everyone…). 

Saturday, October 25 at St. Luke’s Cathedral, SSM (times still to be determined): Pastoral Visitation Workshop. We had so much fun at the last workshop that we’re having another one! If this is a ministry to which you feel called, please mark the date on your calendar and stay tuned for more information. This is part one of two, by the way. The next Pastoral Visitation Workshop is scheduled for November 15 so you might as well circle that date on your calendar too. 

A Liturgical Note For You:

Perhaps you’re one of the many who is fascinated by the idea of angels. Our liturgies do contain references to such beings. For example, “Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the holy people” (Preface for the Lord’s Day on p.218 of the BAS). We hear about seraphim and cherubim as well. Since we acknowledge an archangel on Monday, Sept.29, and St. Francis (Oct.4) had a vision of a crucified seraph, let’s talk a little bit about angels…

Are there different kinds of angels? Yes, there are. The prefix “arch” comes from a Greek word that means “chief, leader”.  In the Bible, only one angel – Michael – is actually called an archangel. He leads “his angels” in the fight against the dragon, “the deceiver of the whole world” to throw this dragon out of heaven (Rev.12:7-9). Michael seems to be referred to by another angel – “one in human form” – in the book of Daniel. This angel calls Michael a prince (Dan.10:13, 21). 

The word angel means “messenger”.  They are, of course, bringing us messages from God. The most famous of these messages is likely Gabriel’s message to Mary that she would be the mother of the Saviour of the World (Luke 1:26-38). There were certainly other messages though: to Zechariah about John’s birth (Luke 1:11), to Joseph about fleeing from Herod (Matt.2:13), and to the shepherds in the field near Bethlehem to announce the news of Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:8-14). There are more in the Old Testament as well. 

Cherubim: These angels are often spoken of as “guards”. It is cherubim who are stationed outside the Garden of Eden to keep humans from getting in. The singular of cherubim is cherub – certainly not the cute little chubby angels with bows and arrows that we see on Valentine’s Day. Ezekiel 10 describes cherubs as having four faces and four wings.

Seraphim: These angels seem to function primarily as worshippers of God and proclaimers of God’s greatness and holiness.  They are described as having six wings (Is.6:2). In Isaiah 6:6, one seraph touches Isaiah’s mouth with a live coal to cleanse him from sin and guilt and to enable him to hear and proclaim the word of God. 

All angels are created by God. They are “heavenly” beings often spoken of as having wings but also appearing many times throughout Scripture in human form. “Heavenly” refers to them being in the presence of God in a way that we are not yet capable of being. They are able to exist in the heavenly realm and in the worldly realm, passing freely between the two. One day, the heavenly realm and the rest of God’s creation will be wholly united (thy kingdom come on earth as in heaven) and we’ll see God clearly as well, “when the complete comes” as Paul says (1 Cor.13:10:12). 

For Your Devotions:

Monday, September 29th is the Holy Day of St. Michael and All Angels (Michaelmas). When this day falls on a Sunday, 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 the lambskin 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/  

Tuesday, September 30th is the memorial of Jerome, Teacher of the Faith, who died in 420. Jerome is known as one of the most learned of all of the Latin Church Fathers. You may have heard of his Latin translation of the bible which is called the Vulgate. Jerome was born into a wealthy Christian family and was well-educated. He tried his hand at being a hermit for a couple of years then agreed to be ordained – as long as no priestly functions were forced on him…hmm.    He spent many years travelling and learning from various greats (like Gregory of Nazianzus) then ended up in Rome as secretary to Pope Damasus I.  However, his fiery preaching – reprimanding Roman clergy, lax monks, and hypocritical virgins – created such controversy that he left for the Holy Land. He spent the remainder of his life living in a monastery he’d formed in Bethlehem.  To read more:  https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Jerome 

Saturday, October 4th is the memorial of Francis of Assisi, a friar who died in 1226. Francis gave up a life of luxury (you must read about him throwing money out a window and standing naked in front of his astonished father and Bishop) to found the Franciscan Order as well as The Poor Clares for women. To think of Francis only as an animal lover is to do him a serious injustice. His goal in life was to become like Christ by conforming completely in mind and heart to the teachings of Jesus (and remember, this is what Paul tells us that all of us must do [Philippians 2:4-5]). After experiencing a vision of a crucified seraph, witnesses say Francis was marked by the five wounds of the crucified Christ. Apparently, this was the first recorded case of stigmata. To read about this and the other fascinating details of his life, please go here:  https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Francis-of-Assisi

In the joy of Christ,

Susan