Hello,

Coming up…

This Wednesday, September 16, 7pm at Christ Church is the final Campfire Communion of the season.

Next movie night is Friday, September 18 (I originally said Sept.11 but we’re shifting it) at 6pm in the Trinity Centre. We’ll be watching “Jesus Christ Superstar”.

Next $5 monthly meal is Friday, October 2. We’ll be barbecuing sausages and hot dogs. 5pm take-out and 5:30pm eat-in. Please email me (susan.montague2@gmail.com) or phone 705-254-1692 to order.

“Doors Open Ontario” is Saturday, September 26, 10am – 4pm. Holy Trinity, SSM and Bishophurst are two of the places you can visit that day…

Don’t forget St. Luke’s fundraiser on Oct.1 at Icebreakers…Call for tickets and more info: 705-254-7144.

A Liturgical Note For You:   Embers…And a Fire to Put Out?

During the Third Week of September, following Holy Cross Day, we have three “Ember Days”. 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. 

This is what I was alluding to when I mentioned putting out fires. Dealing with conflict and division is often referred to as putting out a fire. There is much that can cause division in our churches – even how we deal with (or ignore) trouble can be a source of conflict. Our readings in the Gospel of Matthew have been addressing this issue over the past couple of Sundays. Jesus tells us our forgiveness must be boundless – just as God’s forgiveness is boundless. We must not judge others but rather, love and include others (treat them as “Gentiles and tax collectors” in the way that Jesus did), and keep trying for reconciliation – keep searching for the one lost sheep to bring him/her back into the fold. All of this is tough to accomplish – we are imperfect humans after all – but it is worth using these Ember Days to gather and to work towards peace and unity…The power of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine (or accomplish on our own)!

For Your Devotions:   

Monday, September 14th is the feast of Holy Cross Day. Back in 335, the Emperor Constantine was building structures in Jerusalem on sites associated with Jesus’ crucifixion and tomb. Apparently, Constantine’s mother, Helena, discovered what was believed to be Jesus’ cross. To find out more about the history of this day – and why dishes heavy on basil are cooked today – you can go here: http://www.holidayscalendar.com/event/holy-cross-day/

Wednesday, 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 at https://www.anglican.ca/wp-content/uploads/For-All-The-Saints.pdf

Friday, September 18^th 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 – a member of the united family of Anglican Churches around the world. This would be an ideal day to remember those in our parishes who were instrumental in building up the Body of Christ in our own little neck of the woods.

Saturday, September 19^th 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 a 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

In the joy of Christ,

Susan