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02 FEBRUARY
REFLECTION:
DID YOU KNOW?
Happy Candlemas!
Today we commemorate the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. This ritual
took place after childbirth (40 days for a boy, 60 for a girl) where the mother
was ‘purified’ (or re-welcomed into the worshipping community). This provided
an opportunity for families to introduce their child with the wider worshipping
community, and give thanks to God for the health of both child and mother. In
an age of high infant and maternal mortality, this was truly something to be
thankful for!)
It is also the festival of Candlemas. At the mid-point between the darkness of
winter solstice and the light of spring equinox, families would bring put their
candles in home windows or carry them to church; as during the worship service
(the Candle Mass) the priest would bless all the candles that the church would
use during the year.
The pre-Christian festival of light (on the same day) was also used to predict
the weather - a tradition not unlike our dependence on Groundhogs (though, I
suspect, equally unreliable!)
May the light of Christ brighten your home this Candlemas and through the year!
PRAYERS:
Gracious Lord, as we pray for your church, we pray to align our lives to
your mission. We ask your blessings on our leaders, Primate Linda and
Archbishop Ron. We offer thanksgivings to all who are generous with their time,
prayer, resources, and kindness. May we shine your light to the world around
us.
Lord, in your mercy; Hear
our prayer
We pray for the Queen and all in authority: for those
experiencing unrest in the UK and the US. That all who bear the mantle of
authority may govern with justice and peace, for the benefit of all.
Lord, in your mercy; Hear
our prayer
We pray for your world: for places of conflict, and
places of peace; for species facing extinction, and those in abundance; for all
who experience fear, and for those who live in hope. Empower us through your
presence to break through all divisions, and work to bring your light to the
darkness.
Lord, in your mercy;
Hear our prayer
As we engage with the community around us, we ask that
we may see your face in those we meet. Pour your grace on all who work, travel,
and live here. Strengthen us to speak against all evil and to work for
goodness.
Lord, in your mercy;
Hear our prayer
Bring your comfort to those who are sick in mind,
body, or spirit. Give your peace to
those who grieve and mourn, those who are lonely and desolate. Strengthen those
whose struggles we see, and those who keep their challenges a secret. Help us
to use the gifts you have given us, to surround your people with love.
Lord, in your mercy; Hear
our prayer
Quiet our minds, Lord, and open our hearts: may we
wake each day with a spirit of gratitude. May we go into the world eager to
serve you, and one another. Inspire us to find new ways to care for one
another, that all we do may present your will.
Lord, in your mercy;
Hear our prayer
09 FEBRUARY
REFLECTION:
DID YOU KNOW?
Corona Virus and the Common Cup
As long as we have understood germs, people have questioned the safety of the
Common Cup. Medical studies show the risk of infection is NOT
statistically significant, as demonstrated by clergy: we Anglicans have been
performing ablutions (emptying the chalice) for centuries without increased
infection rates.
Our ages-old practices help: fortified wine, metal chalices, and the careful
wiping/turning with purificator serve to reduce germiness.
That aside, there are some things to remember:
* Anglicans believe in the full presence of
Christ in both elements: if you wish to partake in only bread or only wine, you
are still receiving the full Jesus.
* Intinction (dipping) transmits more germs
than sharing the cup (our hands are germier than our lips); hence it is
STRONGLY discouraged.
* If you know you are ill, or if you are
fearful of becoming ill, please pass on the wine.
* Clergy hands and the chalice are both
washed regularly, with soap and hot water.
Some alternatives:
* Acknowledge the chalice without receiving wine
– say amen, touch the base of the cup with hand or wafer.
* Ask to receive the communion elements
privately.
At all times, your safety and comfort
comes first. As the body of Christ, at the altar we receive the presence of
Christ in our hearts, “by faith with thanksgiving”.
PRAYERS:
Loving God, we
pray for the church: the beautiful assembly of your people. We hold before you
our Primate Linda, our Archbishop Ron, and all who serve in positions of
leadership. We ask that your Holy Spirit will guide us into action, that we may
live out the mission your Son has laid for us. May we, the church, find ways to
love you with our whole hearts, and to love our neighbours as ourselves.
Lord,
in your mercy; Hear our prayer.
We pray for the
Queen and her family, that they may honour you. We pray for our governments and
authorities; that they may honour your people through careful decisions and a
genuine desire for the benefit of all. In times and places of political unrest,
we ask for your calming presence to bring peace.
Lord,
in your mercy; Hear our prayer.
We pray for the
world, for all the mysteries of your creation. Help us to acknowledge the
delicate relationships between all species, to realise the privilege of being
stewards of your creation. May we be leaders in our community, as together we
work to sustain and protect the world for generations to come.
Lord,
in your mercy; Hear our prayer.
We pray for
ourselves: for our home of Lunenburg and surrounding communities, for the
cities and towns where our loved ones live, that they may be safe and
welcoming; that all may know they are friends and neighbours, embraced with the
peace of Christ and greeted with delight. May everyone know your welcome
through us.
Lord,
in your mercy; Hear our prayer.
We pray for
those in any need of mind, body, or spirit: holding before you in our hearts
those who are sick, suffering, grieving; those who are isolated and lonely;
those who are unemployed and underemployed; those who feel unloved
or unheard. We ask you to open our eyes to the needs of those around us, and to
stir within our hearts a compassionate response.
Lord,
in your mercy; Hear our prayer.
We bring you
these prayers, O God, knowing that you hear the words of our lips and the
whispers of our hearts. We ask you to answer these prayers, as may be best for
us, that we may glorify your name at all times.
Lord,
in your mercy; Hear our prayer. Amen.
16 FEBRUARY
REFLECTION:
DID YOU KNOW?
Colour-Coding the Church
The
rhythms and seasons of the church are easy to identify just by looking around:
the church was colour-coded before that was a thing! There is rich tradition
and meaning in the liturgical colours of the vestments (clergy stoles,
chasubles, etc.) and paraments (altar linens, hangings, decor).
BLUE: During Advent , a rich (Sarum) blue connotes the
anticipation of the season, as well as referencing royalty and the person of
Mary.
WHITE: A symbol of purity and celebration, white is
used at high festivals (i.e. Christmas and Easter), special occasions (i.e.
weddings and baptisms), and any time the resurrection is being highlighted
(i.e. funerals and some saints’ days).
VIOLET: The season of Lent bears the tradition colour of
penitence or mourning; a deep purple or Roman Violet mixes the hopeful blue
with the red of the saints.
RED: A dual purpose colour, red represents the blood
of the saints (and is therefore used on martyrs commemorations and during Holy
Week), it also represents Holy Fire and the Holy Spirit (and is used for
Pentecost and some ordinations).
GREEN: symbolising life, a verdant colour is used for
feria or Ordinary Time (meaning, any day that is not a festival). Green is
apparent after the feasts of Epiphany and Pentecost, and during the newer Anglican
September focus of “season of creation”.
Some traditions also include a rose
colour on days marked by scriptural “Rejoice”: Gaudete Sunday (3rd of Advent)
and Laetere Sunday (4th of Lent). Gold can replace white on the highest of
festivals (Christmas, Easter, baptisms, weddings).
PRAYERS:
We pray for the Church, the whole people
of God: for those we love, those we try to love, and those who try to love us.
Help us to welcome those who worship with us, to reach out to those seeking to
find a spiritual home, and to bring your love to those who find shared worship
overwhelming.
Lord, in your
mercy; Hear our prayer.
We pray for the communities of faith that we call
home. We ask your blessing on the leadership of our Primate Linda and
Archbishop Ron. We ask your Spirit to guide and direct the work of our Diocesan
Nominations Committee as they begin to articulate the process of an Episcopal
Search and Election, and for all who are discerning a call to the ministry of a
Bishop. We ask your healing powers to soothe communities in conflict and
distress. We ask your gifts to keep our focus at St. John’s uniquely upon you.
Lord, in your
mercy; Hear our prayer.
We pray for those in authority: for our
queen and her family; for our prime minister, premier, and other elected
officials; for all those whose decisions affect the lives of others. May they
be calm and careful in their deliberations, and always defer to the greater
good.
Lord, in your
mercy; Hear our prayer.
We pray for those whose lives have been changed
by events we have read in the headlines: for the grieving families of
disasters, for those in uncertain political situations, for those who have
become displaced, for those who have experienced violence in their cities and
in their homes; and for those who work to bring about justice, unity, and
peace.
Lord, in your
mercy; Hear our prayer.
We pray for those who experience
sickness of mind, body, and Spirit; and for those who accompany them. We ask
for patience and compassion for all who struggle with invisible illnesses,
those whose energy is depleted, and those who await diagnoses. We ask your
healing comfort on their souls; as we offer thanksgivings for all the
caregivers and medical staff who work to ease the world's suffering.
Lord, in your
mercy; Hear our prayer.
We pray for our community: for those with deep roots
here, and those who have chosen to live here. We ask your blessing on all who
are here for work and leisure; for those in comfort and those in need; for the
outgoing and the shy, for the aged and the young.
Lord, in your
mercy; Hear our prayer.
We pray for ourselves, bringing before
you the needs of our lives and of those we love. Help us to find new ways to
offer service through our ministries, and to orient our lives to you through
grateful acts of generosity. May we always remember to be thankful for your
abundant graces so freely given.
Lord, in your
mercy; Hear our prayer.
We ask you to hear our prayers, and to
answer them as may be best for us. Grant us knowledge in your truth, and
comfort in your presence. Through Jesus Christ we pray.
Amen.
23 FEBRUARY
REFLECTION;
DID YOU KNOW? - ELECTING A BISHOP
With
Archbishop Ron’s retirement coming in July, the Diocese of Nova Scotia and
Prince Edward Island will elect a new coadjutor bishop this spring.
Diocesan
council has formed a 6-member search committee, who are responsible for:
creating a diocesan profile (to be approved by Diocesan Council); seeking and
vetting nominations (beginning 14 march); facilitating a process for getting to
know the candidates (written material, videos, etc.); and hosting the election
on 30 may.
Each
parish votes by way of the members of the sitting Synod (2019); for us this is
lay members Haigh Carthew, and Robert MacMillan; and all licensed clergy
(myself and Rev. Linda). Ballots are cast until one candidate reaches a
majority of both laity and clergy.
The
bishop-elect will then need approval of the ecclesiastical Province, after
which time a date can be set for their consecration. After the retirement of
Archbishop Ron, the Coadjutor Bishop becomes the Diocesan Bishop, and a worship
service (including their ‘seating’ in the Cathedral) will take place.
We
pray for Archbishop Ron, for members of the Search Committee, and for all
discerning a call to Episcopal Ministry!
PRAYERS:
Help us to see
your truth shining in and through the people we meet: in those who lead us in
government and in the church; those who encourage us as we live out our
ministry; those who inspire us into action for the betterment of our community.
Lord, in your
mercy, Hear our Prayer
Help us to see
the world with new eyes, inspiring us to be amazed at the wonders around us.
May we take action to preserve and protect the beauty of our natural
environment, keeping it safe for generations to come.
Lord, in your
mercy, Hear our Prayer
Help us to know
and love our local community, seeing and recognising the many layers of our
connectedness. As we delight in our rich history, may we embrace the
possibilities of our future, that this place may continue to be a home for
generations to come.
Lord, in your
mercy, Hear our Prayer
Help us to care
for those in any need of body, mind, or spirit; help us to be grateful for the
people and systems that care for our loved ones. As we advocate for the systems
that provide for our families and neighbours, help us to be thankful for our
health in you.
Lord, in your
mercy, Hear our Prayer
Help us to be
grateful; waking every day with renewed energy to embrace the positive in our
lives. As we celebrate the abundance of blessings in our lives, let us also be
a blessing to someone, today and every day.
Lord, in your
mercy, Hear our Prayer
We bring you
these prayers, loving God, asking that through them we may be changed, and see
your glory in all we do. In your name we pray; Amen.
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