Thy Kingdom Come – 30 May – 09 June

Posted on May 23, 2019June 14, 2019

This something we can do "together!"

Get the mobile app. Download on Google Play or the Apple App Store.

At Christ Church Cathedral, there are several opportunities to become involved. A Guide to 10 Days of Prayer is available to help you focus.

Join in by:

1. Coming to worship on the evening of the Ascension of the Lord, Thursday, 30 May at 7:30 p.m. as we celebrate the festival and a kick off of Thy Kingdom Come.

2. Using the prayer resource in your own daily prayers. If you don't have an established discipline of daily prayer, why not take this opportunity to pray intentionally for the 10 days of Thy Kingdom Come?

3. Joining us as we pray in community Monday to Friday at, one or both of, the daily offices at the Cathedral, 8:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. Leaders will specifically be praying with a focus on the goals of Thy Kingdom Come.

4. Joining the Dean of Fredericton in a prayer walk on Wednesday, 05 June, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. around downtown Fredericton praying for our City that Jesus will become known. We'll stop briefly at several locations including the NB Legislature, Isaac's Way, and City Hall

5. Singing the "Thy Kingdom Come" theme song in worship at 11:45 a.m. on June 2nd

After the very first Ascension Day the disciples gathered with Mary, constantly devoting themselves to prayer while they waited for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Like them, our reliance on the gift of the Holy Spirit is total – on our own we can do nothing.

Through the centuries Christians have gathered at that time to pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit. ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ picks up this tradition. Over the past three years more and more worshipping communities have dedicated the days between Ascension and Pentecost to pray ‘Come Holy Spirit’.

The prayer is that the Spirit would inspire and equip us to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with our friends and families, our communities and networks. It has been amazing how many varied ways there have been in which people from every tradition have taken up this challenge. The effects have been remarkable.

that the Spirit would inspire and equip us to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with our friends and families, our communities and networks

It is our prayer that those who have not yet heard the Good News of Jesus Christ and his love for the world will hear it for themselves, and respond and follow him. Specifically, we again invite each and every Christian across the country to pray that God’s Spirit might work in the lives of 5 friends who have not responded with their ‘Yes’ to God’s call.

Whether you have joined in "Thy Kingdom Come" before or not, you're invite you to take part this year – along with churches from over 65 different denominations in 114 countries around the world!

GMH

Thy Kingdom Come – a guide for 10 days of prayer

Posted on May 23, 2019June 4, 2019

PRAYING FOR "YOUR 5" DURING THY KINGDOM COME

Thy Kingdom Come encourages every Christian to pray for 5 individuals so that they would know God's love for them in Christ

ASCENSION DAY Jesus
Pray for your 5 friends to encounter Jesus in all his grace, challenge and love, that they might say with St. Paul, ‘For me, to live is Christ.’

FRIDAY AFTER ASCENSION Praise
Pray for your 5 to be awake to all that they have already received from God in their lives, and all that he offers them in Christ, that they might praise him.

SATURDAY AFTER ASCENSION Thanks
Pray for your 5 to recognise the goodness of God in their lives, that they would turn to God in gratitude and trust.

SUNDAY AFTER ASCENSION Sorry
Pray for your 5 to be led by the Holy Spirit to understand the cost of God’s love for them in Christ, that this great sacrifice would lead them to repentance.

MONDAY Offer
Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring an understanding of life in all its fullness that will be theirs as your 5 put everything they have at the disposal of God.

TUESDAY Pray for
Pray for the Holy Spirit to work in the lives of your 5 now, as you pray for specific things that you know they face.

WEDNESDAY Help
Pray for your 5 that they would know that they never have to face anything alone, but that in their need they would call on God for help.

THURSDAY Adore
For the eyes of your 5 to be opened to all that Jesus offers them and that they would turn their faces to him and enjoy the warmth of his love.

FRIDAY Celebrate
Pray for yourself and those others the Lord sends to help show your 5 their route home to God, that they would know the loving father running to greet them.

SATURDAY Silence
Pray for the Holy Spirit to put on your heart the desires of heaven for your 5.

THE DAY OF PENTECOST Thy Kingdom Come
Pray ‘Come Holy Spirit’ for your 5 friends, that they may joyfully enter the Kingdom of God and find themselves used by God to pray and act ‘Thy Kingdom Come.'

DURING DAILY PRAYER

Prayers may include these intentions and concerns:

• God’s royal priesthood, that it may be empowered by the Spirit
• Those who wait on God, that they may find renewal
• All people, that they may acknowledge the kingdom of the ascended Christ
• The earth, for productivity and for fruitful harvests
• All who are struggling with broken relationships
• Our City and Community, that all will seek Jesus and find him
• Our church family, that all make the connections between faith and life

Almighty God,
your ascended Son has sent us into the world
to preach the good news of your kingdom:
inspire us with your Spirit
and fill our hearts with the fire of your love,
that all who hear your Word
may be drawn to you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

O King enthroned on high,
Comforter and Spirit of truth,
you that are in all places and fill all things,
the treasury of blessings and the giver of life,
come and dwell with us,
cleanse us from every stain and save our souls,
O gracious one.
Being made one by the power of the Spirit,
as our Saviour taught us, so we pray.

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

READINGS ON DISCIPLESHIP AND EVANGELISM

And now the Lord says, who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, and that Israel might be gathered to him, for I am honoured in the sight of the Lord, and my God has become my strength – he says, ‘It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.’ Isaiah 49.5-6

Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices, together they sing for joy; for in plain sight they see the return of the Lord to Zion. Break forth together into singing, you ruins of Jerusalem; for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. Isaiah 52.8-9

Many nations shall come and say: ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between many peoples, and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. Micah 4.2-3

‘While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.’ Acts 17.30-31

From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! 2 Corinthians 5.16-17

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. Ephesians 2.19-21

Jesus said, ‘You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.’ Matthew 5.13-16

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ Matthew 28.16-end

Download or view in PDF format

Visit the Thy Kingdom Come website
for more resources and more

DAILY SHORT READINGS

FRIDAY AFTER ASCENSION
As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to human beings, but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honour because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. Hebrews 2.8b-10
SATURDAY AFTER ASCENSION
I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8.38,39
SUNDAY AFTER ASCENSION
On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, “Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.”’ Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive. John 7.37-39a
MONDAY
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Isaiah 40.28,29
TUESDAY
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12.4-7
WEDNESDAY
I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female slaves, in those days, I will pour out my spirit. Joel 2.28,29
THURSDAY
Jesus said, ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’ Luke 11.9-13
FRIDAY
In Christ every one of God’s promises is a ‘Yes.’ For this reason it is through him that we say the ‘Amen’, to the glory of God. But it is God who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us, by putting his seal on us and giving us his Spirit in our hearts as a first instalment. 2 Corinthians 1.20-22
SATURDAY
The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3.17,18

DAILY OFFICE READINGS

to be used with Morning and Evening Prayer

Thursday (30 May) Ascension of the Lord
Morning Psalm 8, 47; Ezekiel 1:1–14, 24–28b; Hebrews 2:5–18
Evening Psalm 24, 96; Daniel 7:9–14; Matthew 28:16–20

Friday (31 May) Visit of Mary to Elizabeth
Morning Psalm 72; 1 Samuel 1:1–20; Hebrews 3:1–6
Evening Psalm 146, 147; Zechariah 2:10–13; John 3:25–30

Saturday (01 June) Justin Martyr
Morning Psalm 87, 90; Ezekiel 3:4–17; Hebrews 5:7–14
Evening Psalm 136; Numbers 11:16–17, 24–29; Luke 9:37–50

Sunday (02 June) Seventh Sunday of Easter - Jerusalem Sunday
Morning Psalm 66, 67; Ezekiel 3:16–27; Ephesians 2:1–10
Evening Psalm 19, 46; Exodus 3:1–12; Matthew 10:24–33, 40–42

Monday (03 June) Martyrs of Uganda
Morning Psalm 89:1–18; Ezekiel 4:1–17; Hebrews 6:1–12
Evening Psalm 89:19–52; Joshua 1:1–9; Luke 9:51–62

Tuesday (04 June) John XXIII, Bishop
Morning Psalm 97, 99, [100]; Ezekiel 7:10–15, 23b–27; Hebrews 6:13–20
Evening Psalm 94, [95]; 1 Samuel 16:1–13a; Luke 10:1–17

Wednesday (05 June) Bonifice, Archbishop
Morning Psalm 101, 109:1–4 (5–30; Ezekiel 11:14–25; Hebrews 7:1–17
Evening Psalm 119:121–144; Isaiah 4:2–6; Luke 10:17–24

Thursday (06 June) William Broughton, Bishop, Australia
Morning Psalm 105:1–22; Ezekiel 18:1–4, 19–32; Hebrews 7:18–28
Evening Psalm 105:23–45; Zechariah 4:1–14; Luke 10:25–37

Friday (07 June) Feria
Morning Psalm 102; Ezekiel 34:17–31; Hebrews 8:1–13
Evening Psalm 107:1–32; Jeremiah 31:27–34; Luke 10:38–42

Saturday (08 June) Eve of Pentecost
Morning Psalm 107:33–43, 108:1–6(7–13); Ezekiel 43:1–12; Hebrews 9:1–14
Evening Psalm 33; Exodus 19:3–8a, 16–20; 1 Peter 2:4–10

Sunday (09 June) Pentecost
Morning Psalm 118; Isaiah 11:1–9; 1 Corinthians 2:1–13
Evening Psalm 145; Deuteronomy 16:9–12; John 14:21–29

The ministry of deacon: servant ministry of the whole church

Posted on May 22, 2019October 22, 2023

The Anglican Church officially recognizes three orders of ministry: bishop, priest and deacon. These “ordered” ministries each have their own function and character. Bishops are called to be the “overseer” in the diocese. Priests are called to “sacramental, preaching and teaching” ministries. Deacons are called to personify the servant church in the secular world.

Perhaps it goes without saying that deacons are not priests. Through the history of the Church, priests, have been ordained deacon (often recognized for a time as a “transitional deacon”) and most claim the responsibilities of that order in addition to the priestly role and function. A “vocational deacon” is not seeking further ordination, is not called to be a priest — it is a permanent ministry.

Many deacons are employed in (or retired from) a secular service-related profession or career, having that important connection enabling bridging the Church and the world. Because the deacon is often employed, their ministry in the church is non-stipendiary and limited to the time available. Expenses are usually determined on an individual basis, but generally include those directly resulting from ministry duties and allowances for continuing education.

The ministry of a (vocational) deacon is primarily a ministry of service. It exercises the ministry of Christ to those beyond church walls by serving as a catalyst, encourager, and guide for lay members engaged in outreach ministries. Deacons also assist bishops and priests in proclaiming the Gospel message and in the administration of the Sacraments.

Liturgically, elements of worship usually reserved for the deacon are: proclaiming the Gospel, prayer, preparing the eucharistic table and the Dismissal – all symbolic of the function to which they are called. In worship, deacons can be identified by their wearing a stole over the left shoulder.

By word and example, deacons are to make the redemptive love of Christ known in the places in which they live, work, and worship. By virtue of their call, they are prophetic leaders who challenge the Church to always look beyond itself. They are the living models that illuminate Christ as the model of servanthood.

Deacons are servant leaders who have a visibility to the needy and are intended to strengthen the servant ministry of the Anglican Church in the Diocese of Fredericton. Appointed by the Bishop, they operate under the supervision of the incumbent priest. Before an appointment is made, a covenant is created outlining the parameters of the ministry with the requirement that it be renewed regularly.

The ministry of deacon is carried out in five different, but interdependent ways:

• to model servant ministry in the workplace;
• to enable the servant ministry of the Church;
• to witness to the Gospel, articulating that this is a ministry of the whole Christian Church;
• to interpret to the Church the needs, hopes, and concerns of the local secular community; and
• to assist bishops and priests in the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church.

For more information:
See the Ordination of a Deacon, Book of Alternative Services, p. 652 or
The Diaconate: Anglican Church of Canada

It starts with a warm-up

Posted on May 20, 2019June 28, 2019

“Okay everybody. On your feet. Let's do a little warm-up, shall we?”

And with that, 45 self-professed I-can't-sing singers rise to their feet to follow Christ Church Cathedral's director of music, David Drinkell, as he has them shake out their hands, relax their necks, suck in their guts, and lower their shoulders. Then comes the vocalization exercises: humming and me, me, meing up and down the scales. “You should feel it between your eyes, just where your glasses sit, for those of you who wear glasses.” Apparently those sinus cavities you curse when you have a cold are what helps sound resonate when you sing; who knew?

With the exercises over, David has the Paper Baggers “rocking, rolling, riding, out a-long the bay,” on the “Morningtown Ride,” an easy song to warm up with and familiar to most everyone there. Then came the main event: “American Pie,” a song we all know and love and which turned out to be more difficult to sing than we'd thought. “Up you go!” shouts David over the sound of the grand piano, encouraging everyone to, again, suck in those guts and raise the eyebrows, both of them, to hit those high notes; amazingly, it does work. And no, we didn't sing the whole eight minutes and 36 seconds; maybe just as well. Thankfully, “Yesterday” proved an easier sing. “Well done; you sound quite good.”

Then it was time for a break and some socializing. Little knots of people developed around the room as friends, old and new, chatted away; a congenial group of people who love to sing, but who thought, or were told, they couldn't sing, along with a few who do sing in choirs, but who come to Paper Bag Singers so they can sing just for the fun of it.

We welcome people of all ages and singing talent.

And so the evening went, as have the four previous sing togethers: warm-up; sing two or three songs a number of times each; take a break; sing a few more songs, some new, some repeats; and wrap up with one more crack at a particular song. Interspersed though the evening are David's tips on how to sing particular passages as well as his wonderful stories garnered from his years of working with choirs and schools across Britain and his time in Newfoundland.

So join us, won't you. Only two more events this season: Monday, May 27th and Monday, June 10th. We welcome people of all ages and singing talent. We sing mostly the music we grew up with – all you flower children out there – and some we might not be so familiar with – always good to learn new things. Paper Bag Singers: it's all about having fun together. And oh yes, we did take a last crack at “American Pie” – we won.

Visit our Meetup page, view photos, and more.

For questions or more information: <paperbagsingers at gmail.com>.

Lynn Melanson

Bishop and Chapter News – May 2019

Posted on May 17, 2019May 23, 2019

Bishop and Chapter met on Monday, 13 May 2019 with eleven of a usual twelve members present. Minutes of the 18 March meeting were adopted. The Chapter read the Gospel for the coming Sunday (Easter 5 - John 13:31–35) and briefly discussed the mystery and miracle of resurrection.

Business Arising

• Committee work plans - a reminder and encouragement to Chapter committees to complete work plans for the coming year
•  Committee minutes - a reminder that minutes in digital format for 2018 need to be sent to the Cathedral office for filing
•  Housing First Project - no specific update was available. During the following week some movement and progress is noted and TBA
•  Annual Meeting - members debriefed regarding the 24 February meeting. Anecdotal comments from various sources were shared. L. Meehan will work towards devising a tool to solicit congregation feedback on specific questions to inform planning in the future

From the Dean

The Dean offered a usual report of actions on behalf of the Cathedral and Diocese. Some specific comments about the Conference of North American Deans. A web site post summarizes the event. Planning will need to proceed promptly if outside worship is to be part of the schedule leading up to summer. Michael Frost (Five Habits) will preach on 16 June An ordination is scheduled, 23 June 2019, 4:00 p.m.

Decision

The Chapter agreed to finalize the application to the Diocesan Property Committee and to list Odell House with the chosen realtor as soon as possible. It is recommended that the lawyer handling property migrations might handle details of the property sale

Reports

•  Treasurer - in the absence of the Treasurer, the financial statements to 30 April were received, noting the deficit for April of $11,627 and year to date $39,029
•  Worship - service of healing and wholeness on 11 May with increased attendance. A meeting will be called soon
•  Health and Pastoral Care - current programmes continue as usual and expected
•  Property - Odell House sale moving forward. Cathedral west door problem needs further investigation and repair. Breach in steeple roof needs to be investigated and repaired
•  Hospitality and Welcome - committee will begin to consider special events, including upcoming potential outdoor worship opportunties. Some response to request for worship welcomers but more are needed
•  Mission / Outreach - summer Monday morning outreach once per month. Belize Alumni Dinner 25 May. Awaiting further information on Housing First initiative
•  Administration and Finance - giving policy almost complete. Records management project coming to completion. Safe Church training is being reconsidered with the help of Ecclesiastical Insurance
•  Christian Formation - work plan submitted for the Chapter’s information. Recognition of the need for more advanced planning in order to facilitate good communication and optimal participation
•  Communications - meeting scheduled for the coming week. Will consider future worship and on-going items

Up-coming

02 June - 4 p.m. Choral Evensong
14-15 June - Deep Roots - Spiritual Development Gathering
23 June - potential outside worship and church picnic on the Green
08 September - potential outside worship and corn boil

Next meeting: 17 June

GMH

2019 Conference of North American Deans

Posted on May 9, 2019May 22, 2019

North American Cathedral Deans met in St. Petersburg, Florida 03-05 May 2019. Kelley and I were privileged to be present and are thankful for the support to the Dean of Fredericton to attend.

Most attendees stayed at a downtown hotel a couple of blocks from the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, the Cathedral of the Diocese of South West Florida. Dean Stephen Morris welcomed us warmly as did the entire congregation, providing many of the meals on site, choral evensong on the Thursday evening and Sunday worship on 05 May. Diocesan Bishop Dabney Smith was the preacher on Thursday evening and dinner was a gift of the Diocese at the St. Petersburg Yaght Club. A generous member of the Cathedral (and chair of the Cathedral stewardship committee) provided an open bar which accompanied dinner.

Two presentations were part of the Friday and Saturday morning agenda. The Rev'd Canon Dr. Thomas Williams, St. Peter's resident Canon Theologian, presented the "Theory and Practice of the Seven Deadly Sins." "The Very Rev'd John Shepherd, interim director of the Anglican Centre in Rome and the Archbishop of Canterbury's Representative to the Holy See presented "Anglicanism, Roman Catholicism, and Christian Unity in the Early 21st Century."

A highlight was a guded tour of the Salvador Dali Museum which holds close to half of the works of the twentieth century artist. Saturday afternoon and evening provide free time to explore downtown St. Petersburg.

Sunday worship (video podcast) ended the Conference on 05 May. The congregation warmly welcomed conference participants hosting a special hospitality event following.

The Sacrament of Holy Unction

Posted on May 9, 2019October 9, 2019

Music Monthly – May 2019

Posted on April 28, 2019May 17, 2019

5 May - Third Sunday of Easter

10.00: Choral Eucharist (BAS)
Let us worship and fall down - Willan
Missa Secunda - Hassler
Psalm 30
Exsultate justi - Viadana
217, 432, 337, 61, 438
Dance Suite (1st movement) - Ridout

4.00: Choral Evensong (BCP)
Smith Responses
Psalms 114 and 115
Sumsion in G
Blessed be the God and Father - S.S. Wesley
23, 498, 215
Sarabande for the Morning of Easter - Howells

12 May - Fourth Sunday of Easter

10.00: Choral Eucharist (BCP)
Almighty God, which hast me brought - Ford
Missa O Westron Wynde - Willan
Psalm 23
Come, let’s rejoice - Amner
444, 364, 486, 555, 216
Praeludium in C - Böhm

19 May - Fifth Sunday of Easter

10.00: Choral Eucharist (BAS)
If ye love me - Tallis (CHECK)
Wood in C minor
Psalm 148
And I saw a new heaven - Bainton
8, 341, 109, 60, 300
Prelude & Fugue in modo dorico BWV 538 - Bach

26 May - Sixth Sunday of Easter

10.00: Choral Eucharist (BCP)
Jesu, the very thought of thee - Bairstow
Fredericton Missa Brevis - Murray
Psalm 67
I will not leave you comfortless - Titcomb
207, 385, 278, 596, 239
Toc-cat-a (Cat Suite) - Bédard

Thursday 30 May - Ascension Day

7.30pm: Choral Eucharist (BCP)
Batten’s Short Service
Psalm 47
O God, the King of glory - Purcell
245, 246(374), 486
Prelude on Hyfrydol - Vaughan Williams

2019 Easter Pastoral Letter

Posted on April 11, 2019April 22, 2019

View or download the PDF HERE

Lent 2019

Dear Friends in Christ,

Each year I add to the number describing the time since my birth, and it seems increasingly also the pronounced sincerity of my sigh of relief and prayers of thanksgiving that the long wait of winter is coming to an end. I look forward to summer each year and somehow even make unrealistic presumptions that winter is over for good. In any case, the long New Brunswick winter this year, now stretching into six months, shows signs of receding as days brighten and temperatures moderate one more time.

Seasonal rhythms, many would say, significantly enrich the experience of living where we do. The rhythms of the church seasons provide a similar spiritual experience as we, with the days of the calendar, walk through the life of our Lord each year. As we approach the end of another forty days of Lent, just over the horizon we see the first glimmer of light in the promises of Easter.

While that hope of resurrection, to which Jesus often alluded, is found in the shadows of the burial garden on Easter Day, there is another source of those hopeful beams. We most often think of the darkness of the hour of crucifixion the most intense of history. But the light that shines from the dark wood of the Cross is among the brightest. It is the reason, in the Christian tradition, that we are able to describe a terrible Friday as “Good.” The price paid on the Golgotha hill is what makes the suffering of life in the world worthwhile. Even though we struggle, like enduring the cold and windy days of winter, there is a brighter, warmer light in our future. Eternal life is evident, even in the Cross of Death. “I know that my redeemer lives!” said Job.

That’s the miracle expressed in the narratives of Holy Week and Easter. You’re invited once again to join in the walk toward Jerusalem and to hear both the shouts of Palm Sunday and the whispers of early Easter morn – the first suggestion that Jesus is alive, just as he has promised. Because he lives, we too will live, and continue even into eternity with him.

The schedule of Easter seasonal worship is included here. You’re encouraged to celebrate with us to the extent that you are able, and breath once again that sigh of relief that comes from knowing that our Lord lives!

Sincerely,

Geoffrey Hall (The Very Rev’d)
Dean of Fredericton
GMH

Holy Week and Easter 2019
Christ Church Cathedral, Fredericton NB

Monday - Thursday: 8:45 Morning Prayer and 4:45 Evening Prayer
The Holy Eucharist on 20 April is the first of Easter

Passion/Palm Sunday
(14 April 2019)

8:00 a.m. Liturgy of the Palms and Holy Eucharist
10:00 a.m. Liturgy of the Palms, Dramatic Passion and Holy Eucharist
11:45 a.m. Blessing of Palms and Come Worship Eucharist

Monday

5:15 p.m. Holy Eucharist

Tuesday

5:15 p.m. Holy Eucharist

Wednesday

10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
5:15 p.m. Holy Eucharist
7:30 p.m. Tenebrae - Liturgy of Shadows (Traditional)

Maundy Thursday

11:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Ministry Vows and Blessing of Oils
5:45 p.m. Maundy Thursday Shared Meal (Memorial Hall)
7:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist and Stripping of the Sanctuary

Good Friday

10:00 a.m. Celebration of the Lord's Passion

Easter Eve
(20 April 2019)

8:00 p.m. The Great Vigil of Easter, Renewal of Baptism and Eucharist

Easter Day
(21 April 2019)

8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
11:45 a.m. Come Worship Eucharist

Why we do what we do – Translating the Bible

Posted on April 10, 2019May 9, 2019

The Holy Bible is a compilation of various writings over many centuries, eventually agreed upon by the historical Christian Church to be included in the “canon of scripture.” The books included have been carefully curated and believed to be the holy word of God. WikipediA states that, as of October 2017, the full Bible has been translated into 670 languages, the New Testament into 1,521 languages and Bible portions or stories into 1,121 other languages.

Apart from what writings are and are not included in the canon is the matter of translation into modern English of texts originally written in various ancient languages including Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic, Latin and. variations of those depending on the time and location.

The issue of translation, as one might imagine, becomes significantly complicated. A translator (or translators) need to determine what rules are being followed in expressing ancient words in modern ways. Is the policy dynamic or formal? Is it a word for word translation or is an overall sense of meaning the goal? How do current understandings, cultural influences of time and place influence the task of understanding these texts impact how they are placed on the modern page?

A word that meant one thing in the Middle Ages can mean something quite different in the 21^st century.

Readers of biblical texts will often gain important perspective when returning to the original languages to decipher the literal “word” of God being uttered. This makes the study of the ancient languages an invaluable tool in the task of interpretation. But nuance of language, both ancient and modern, make this a time consuming endeavour. A word that meant one thing in the Middle Ages can mean something quite different in the 21^st century. All of these factors makes accurately translating and interpreting holy scripture challenging indeed. Often comparing one translation with others can help in gaining a wider understanding of a specific concept.

The Anglican Church tends to rely primarily on translations considered to exhibit a great degree of agreement among scholars, leaning more toward word for word translations than those depending on cultural idiom and nuance. Bishops of Anglican dioceses throughout the world authorize the scriptural translations to be used in public worship. In the Diocese of Fredericton, and generally in the Anglican Church of Canada, the preferred biblical translation is the New Revised Standard Version, but an entire list can be found as a Bishop’s Directive . (1. General Liturgy and Worship –> 1.4 Biblical Translations Recommended for Public Reading) The NRSV is a modern example and product several decades in the making with various versions having been produced during its development. It generally holds to a policy of literal translation while paying attention to current acceptable linguistic expression in terms of gender neutrality.

There have been many popular bible translations in recent decades. Some may remember the Good News Bible or Eugene Peterson’s The Message, each having been looked upon as Bibles “friendly to the ear.” Difficulties that present themselves with popular versions of biblical texts are often both theological and doctrinal. Do these versions of scripture agree with official doctrinal (teaching) positions of the Church and/or specific denominational expressions of that church body?

Read more about bible translations on WikipediA: Bible translations

GMH

Author Archive: Geoffrey Hall

Thy Kingdom Come – 30 May – 09 June

This something we can do "together!"

Thy Kingdom Come – a guide for 10 days of prayer

Download the Guide in PDF