Category Archives: Worship

Thomas Gonder in Concert August 3rd

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Saturday 3 August 2019
7.30pm

Marche Nuptiale - J. Thomas D. Gonder
Mouvement - Jean Berveiller
Toccata and Fugue "Dorian" - J. S. Bach
Fugue pour St. Sulpice - David Briggs
Marche Episcopale - David Briggs
Prelude in e - Gerald Bales
Scherzetto - Joseph Jongen
Acclamations Carolingiennes - Jean Langlais
Ezpata Dantza - Naji Hakim

J. Thomas D. Gonder, born in Cayuga, Ontario in 1971, exhibited musical gifts at an extremely early age. He spent most of his life in London, Ontario, his family having relocated there in 1981. Immediately becoming involved in the musical life of St. Paul's Cathedral, he spent many years there as a chorister, Organ Scholar, Assistant Organist, and Organist and Master of the Choristers. Thomas quickly rose to the forefront of the Canadian Organ scene as one of its brightest young performers shortly after his public debut at the age of 15 under the tutelage of D. Mervyn Games. His teachers, mentors and greatest influences also include David Palmer, Ian Sadler, William McArton, Catherine Crozier, Simon Preston, Gerald Bales, Naji Hakim and David Briggs.

Thomas Gonder

J. THOMAS D. GONDER

Thomas has developed a wide-ranging career as organist, accompanist, church musician, singer and composer. Naji Hakim (Paris, France) has described him as "a deeply feeling and emotional player," Simon Preston (Great Britain), "an amazing talent," and the esteemed Canadian musician Gerald Bales, OC, (1919 - 2002) proclaimed him the foremost interpreter of his organ works. Thomas has earned himself a reputation as an exciting, virtuoso performer of distinction in command of a vast repertoire, most notably with the French Romantic and Post-Romantic repertoire, having twice performed the complete Organ Symphonies of Louis Vierne. Thomas is internationally recognized as a leading interpreter of the organ works of Naji Hakim of Paris, France, the most prolific composer of organ music in the world today. Thomas has premiered much of Mr. Hakim’s work in Canada. In 1995 he gave the Canadian Premiere of 'Vexilla Regis Prodeunt' at the Jack Singer Concert Hall, Calgary, Alberta. 1997 saw the World Premiere of Gerald Bales' 'Impromptu-Toccata' at the closing concert of the Royal Canadian College of Organists National Convention. Thomas has also had numerous works composed for him and recent years have seen two world premieres of works by Parisian composer, Nicolas Chevereau and "Elegie Canadienne" by David Briggs.

Thomas is extremely active - and immersed in - all facets of the music scene in Toronto and is also in his sixth year as Organist, Music Director and Artist in Residence at St. Matthew's Anglican Church, Islington.

When I listen to your playing I say to myself "Here is an artist who understands the very spirit of my music!

~ Naji Hakim, 19 September 2013

St. Matthew's Anglican Church, Islington
Thomas Gonder on Facebook

Music Monthly – August 2019

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4 August - Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

10.00: Choral Eucharist (BAS)
Addington Service - Shephard
Psalm 107:1-9, 43
Ave verum corpus - Elgar
7, 116, 375, 497, 576
Extemporisation - Gonder
Organist: Thomas Gonder

11 August - Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

10.00: Choral Eucharist (BCP)
Missa l’hora passa - Viadana
Psalm 50:1-8, 23-24
Lead me, Lord - S.S. Wesley
379, 337, 486, 49, 467
Fanfare - Rawsthorne
Organist: Peter Waterhouse

18 August - Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

10.00: Choral Eucharist (BAS)
Call to remembrance, O Lord - Farrant
Wood in C minor
Psalm 51:1-10
Almighty and everlasting God - Gibbons
274, 278, 1, 76, 546
Prelude & Fugue in D BWV 532 - Bach

25 August - Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

10.00: Choral Eucharist (BCP)
God is gone up with a merry noise - Croft
Batten’s Short Service
Psalm 71:1-6
View me, Lord - Lloyd
92(93), 328, 434, 78, 383
The War March of the Priests - Mendelssohn

Music Monthly – July 2019

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7 July 2019 - Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

10.00: Choral Eucharist (BAS)
O come, ye servants of the Lord - Tye
Missa Secunda - Hassler
Psalm 30
Christ hath a garden - Drinkell
5, 586, 345, 385, 598
Toccata - Dubois

14 July 2019 - Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

10.00: Choral Eucharist (BCP)
Give almes of thy goods - Tye
Wood in the Phrygian Mode
Psalm 82
Lord, for thy tender mercy’s sake - Hilton
350, 439, 500, 557, 577
Dialogue sur les Grands Jeux - Guilain

21 July 2019 - Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

10.00: Choral Eucharist (BAS)
This is the day - Anon. 16th century
Missa Brevis XIII (Holy Cross) - Willan
Psalm 52
Jesus Christ, the Apple Tree - Poston
8, 386, 441, 511, 362
Tuba Tune - Cocker

28 July 2019 - Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

10.00: Choral Eucharist (BCP)
Let us worship and fall down - Willan
Sumsion in F
Psalm 85
Ave verum corpus - Byrd
204, 520, 455, 458, 239
Introduction and Passacaglia - Rheinberger

Season of Creation 2019

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Season of Creation

Are you concerned about the environment? Climate change? Caring for God’s good earth? You should be!

The Season of Creation is now recognized by Christians worldwide, highlighting our stewardship responsibility to protect God’s most precious gifts. The Five Marks of Mission of the Anglican Communion (#5) and the Anglican Church of Canada’s Baptismal Covenant, name this as central to who we are as disciples of Jesus Christ.

A global movement

During the Season of Creation, Christians around the world rejoice together. We’re called to honor the Creator by loving creation and each other. This year, we’re protecting the web of life in all its variety, because each species reveals the glory of the Creator.

Powerful local events

Local communities across the globe host events for the Season. Some pray, some do hands-on projects, some advocate. A dozen ideas are in the celebration guide.

An annual celebration

It begins on 01 September and ends on 04 October, the feast day of St. Francis. The suggested theme for 2019 is “the web of life.” One million species are threatened by the current lifestyle of human inhabitants of the earth. Solving this challenge serves the Creator of all.

 “Season of Creation” at anglican.ca
Season of Creation at greenchurches.ca

Our verger retires: after eighteen years of faithful service

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Hank Williams

Hank Williams dressed in a cassock, verger's (grey) chimere and verge

In June of 2001, I was approached by Dean Keith Joyce at Christ Church Cathedral to take over the post of verger. I have been in the job now for 18 years. Let me tell you a bit about it.

I chose Christ Church Cathedral as my spiritual home in 1979. In 1980, I became a member of the choir. For the next 21 years, that was my role in worship. It was a wonderful experience as it deepened, even more, my love of church music and the role it plays in worship.

The Dean said that due to my having been in the choir, I was familiar with what to do in procession, so he asked me if i’d like to take the job. I hesitated a bit as it required my operating the sound system, among other duties.

I had already accepted to train and supervise the summer tour guides the year before, after having retired from teaching, so I dove into the deep end of the pool and have never looked back.

It has been a job full of satisfaction and more than a few amusing incidents. The duty of the verger at the Cathedral has consisted of three main duties: setting up for all services, preceding the Dean in procession, and training and supervising the guides.

The bulk of the work is in the preparation of the building for services. These include eucharists, prayer services, weddings, funerals, and opening, closing and supervision of the space for concerts, and so on.

I chose the job as verger to be able to serve God through serving my fellow Christians

Over the years, tasks have been added, but usually by my own choice, as it is a joy to serve the members of the groups as well as the congregation in whatever way I can. I might also have been the first man on the altar guild!

Just what is the origin of the word “verger?” It comes from the word “verge,” from the Old French "verge" which derives from the latin "virga" or “twig.” The "verge" is a rod I carry in procession to protect the Dean from, God forbid, being killed by anyone (Anglicans love tradition!). I have yet to have to per-form that duty!

I believe the French word is "bedeau," a word similar to the Middle English “beadle,” which was a nightwatchman in mediaeval England.

The term "sacristan" is usually used by Roman Catholics and the Hebrew word "shamas" in Judaism in the synagogue.

I chose the job as verger, as mentioned, to be able to serve God through serving my fellow Christians. It has proven the best thing I could ever have done. The motto of the North American Vergers’ Guild, of which I am a member, is “service in worship and worship through service,” a perfect expression of what vergers do. I turned 70 in December and while 70 isn’t that old nowadays, I find the job is catching up with me physically. For that reason, I am retiring as of June 30, while it is a job I dearly love and hate leaving. I have asked for assistance but no one has yet to come forth, either for the job or to join any sort of guild which we could set up and which I would train.

I was once told by a licensed layreader that my job description sounds very much like what they do in parishes so it is possibly no wonder why there seems to be no other vergers in the diocese.

Our first Cathedral verger was Thomas Wandless (a somewhat curious name for one who carries a wand?) in the mid-1800s, and I hope not to be the last and, that the post will be carried on. I personally know that God indeed does hear prayer, so I will retire in the sure knowledge that the tradition of Cathedral verger will surely continue.

Hank Williams

A version of this article appeared in the New Brunswick Anglican, June 2019

Dean's note:

Hank has provided faithful service as our Verger. He will be difficult to replace. One of our challenges, is to determine the difference between what are "verger duties" and all of the other tasks Hank picked up to make things run smoothly. That "running smoothly," of course, is also a duty of the verger. Godspeed, Hank.

The verge is similar to the object in parish churches known as a "warden's wand." Many Cathedral verger duties (including maintaining order in worship) involves that for which churchwardens, in our diocese, are responsible. Christ Church Cathedral, by way of By-Law, does not utilize the office of rector or churchwarden, which may well contribute to the need for the office of Verger  GMH

Music Monthly – June 2019

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June 2 2019 - Sunday after the Ascension - Jerusalem Sunday

10.00: Choral Eucharist (BAS)
God is gone up - Croft
Missa Brevis III - Willan
Psalm 97
O pray for the peace of Jerusalem - Blow
247(206), 388(433), 497, 515
Exurgat Deus - Hurford

4.00: Choral Evensong (BCP)
Ayleward Responses
Psalms 19 and 46
Brewer in D
Lift up your heads, O ye gates - Mathias
6(Deo gratias), 22, 249
Sonata No. 1 (1st movement) - Mendelssohn

June 9 2019 - Pentecost - Whitsunday

10.00: Choral Eucharist (BCP)
Come, Holy Ghost, the Maker, come - Gibbons
Missa O Westron Wynde - Willan
Psalm 104:25-36
O Lord, give thy Holy Spirit - Tallis
263, 652, 654, 638, 649(454)
Toccata and Fugue in D minor Bwv 565 - Bach

June 16 2019 - Trinity Sunday - First Sunday after Pentecost

10.00: Choral Eucharist (BAS)
Oculi omnium - Wood
Missa l’hora passa - Viadana
Psalm 8
Locus iste - Bruckner
1, 505, 631, 61, 436
Introduction and Passacaglia in D minor - Reger

June 23 2019 - Second Sunday after Pentecost

10.30: Joint Choral Eucharist (BAS)
Wood in C minor
Psalm 42
As the Bridegroom to his chosen - Rutter
Hymns and Songs on Ordo

4.00: Ordination
Festive Eucharist - Rawsthorne
Psalm 84
Come, let’s rejoice - Amner
602, 447, 306, 48, 438
Carillon Sortie - Mulet

June 30 2019 - Third Sunday after Pentecost

10.00: Choral Matins (BCP)
Perspice Christicola - English c. 1310
Drinkell Responses
Venite
Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20
Stanford in B flat
8, 318, 484(167), 461
Sortie in E flat - Lefébure- Wéely

Thy Kingdom Come – 30 May – 09 June

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Thy Kingdom Come

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

 

Thy Kingdom Come – a guide for 10 days of prayer

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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

Thy Kingdom Come

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

Thy Kingdom Come

The ministry of deacon: servant ministry of the whole church

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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

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“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