Quote for the Day

The only theology worth doing is that which inspires and transforms lives, that which empowers us to participate in creating, liberating, and blessing the world. This is a basic tenet of feminist liberation theology and it is also Anglicanism at its best.

Carter Heyward

Prayer for Patience and Dialogue

Given the somewhat heated environment the Anglican Church finds itself these days (both at home and in the wider world), I' thought I would post this prayer:

Great God of all, who has created us all alike in your image and called us equally to your service: we ask that all who seek to serve you in the ministry of your church may be free to do so to the fullest extent of their calling.
We pray for those who struggle to bring light and freedom into your church by prising open closed doors and shuttered minds, dismantling barriers and overturning old prejudices. Give them strength to continue their work with courage, tenacity and an unquenchable sense of purpose and justice.
We pray for those who have been wounded on the way, asking you to restore their hope and dignity and continue to lead them in your service.
We pray for the members of Synod and Parliament with the power to make decisions, that they may be open to your will and resolute in carrying it out.
Especially we pray for those who restrict the freedom of others through their own ignorance, fear, greed or arrogant certainty. Soften their hearts and widen their understanding, so that they may see that allowing others to play a full part in building your kingdom does not threaten or diminish their own contribution.
Hear our prayers, O God, which we make with all the women who have witnessed and worked for you through the ages, and in whose glorious tradition we stand, through your son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.

The prayer was written by Rev Dr Margaret Joachim of the London WATCH committee.

And the Award Goes To....

I am quite pleased to announce that I won an award at this week's Trinity Convocation. I am the 2008 winner of the Canon Charles Frederick Pashler Prize for Moral Theology. Charles Pashler was quite a fellow. He was an Englishman who, when a student at Trinity College, signed up with the CEF and fought in the Great War (a particular interest of mine), where he was severely injured at Passchendaele. You can see his Attestation papers here and here.

After the war he returned to Trinity and became a priest in the Diocese, where he went to St. Bartholomew's parish, and stayed for an incredible 39 years!

St Bartholomew’s thrived and prospered during the Great Depression under Fr. Pashler: social outreach, education and evangelism continued. There were: a Boys’ Club, a Red Cross organization, a breakfast club, Bible camps, choir camps, a vacation school for poor children, and an active ministry of social work. All this continued during and after the Second World War. Many people were deeply touched by Fr.Pashler’s life and ministry.

Pashler was captivated by the Oxford Movement, with its dual emphasis on solemn, reverential liturgical worship, and on the “social Passion”. High Church worship, emphasizing as it did the transcendent glory of God and the beauty of holiness, had a powerful appeal to working class poor in east Toronto, as it had during the previous century in east London. St. Bartholomew's is still a very High Church parish due to Pashler's devotion and ministry there.

I am very proud to receive this award given by such an accomplished man and priest.

Another Paper Done

I'm done another one, paper for school, that is. I've only got a few left to tidy up long overdue course extensions...

This on revolves around Richard Hooker, his Lawes, extempore prayer and the Book of Common Prayer. I will not bore you with the details, but understanding the development of the Puritans within the Church of England is a good place to start!

The just of the essay is that by using the formal prayers of the Prayer Book, set form prayer, that the community improves itself as it can trust the written prayer seeks their good, as opposed to private prayer which can lead to selfish ends. the logic applies to any kind of group liturgy, so that careful planning and execution creates an edifying experience for all present, without the worry of its ends being high-jacked by one or two people.

A Walk About

Getting in touch with creation is essential for your health, physical, mental and spiritual. A great reason to get out in the woods this spring is to hunt for the tasty morel! Think of the fellowship you'll have hunting for them, and then sharing them sautéed on toast rounds. Mmmmmm.

I have include a short prayer for the Morel Hunter:

Almighty and Abundant God,
We praise you for the variety and delight of your creation
It is through Your hand all the wonders of the forest came to be
It is through Your will the tiny miracle sprouts forth each spring
It is through Your love the flavour of the fungi's flesh pleases so many
We ask for your aid for the hunter's eye that they might find the morel
and through the searching, find our faith in You refreshed.
and that in finding, find Your love
as demonstrated through your Son, Jesus of Nazareth.
Amen.

Holy Moly!!

I cant believe it's been almost a year since I've written anything!! It has obviously been a busy year.

I did not post much during my internship as that was demanding time wise, and last fall I become co-head of my class at Trinity College, the seminary I attend, and that kept me very busy!

I am looking to start posting regularly again, with my thoughts, reflections and experiences.

...and I'm as much a disturber of the peace as I've always been...

So, for those of you that think Churchland is the private preserve of the recently retired, I'm giving you fair warning that there it's going to be a bumpy ride!

I've also been looking at assembling vestments, slowly, and would like to share my recent purchase with you a cope I found on eBay. There is not the need for black as much as there has been, but I just couldn't resist the style this one had!

Words of Wisdom

"Jesus did not say, ‘I, if I be lifted up, will draw some. Jesus said, I, if I be lifted up, will draw all. All, all, all. All black, white, yellow, rich, poor, clever, not-so-clever, beautiful, not-so-beautiful. It’s one of the most radical things. All, all, all belong: gay, lesbian, so-called straight, all.
All are meant to be held in this incredible embrace that will not let us go."

Bishop Desmond Tutu