Notices for Week of 31 December 2023
Notices: Holy Family, 31 December 2023
Good day dear friends,
As we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family on the last day of 2023, it will also be my last day as the rector of the Parish of the Resurrection.
This Sunday we will be reflecting on the Love that is inherent in a healthy family that is always changing, evolving in deep and meaningful ways – including the family in the school of Love at the Resurrection.
My heart is full of gratitude as I reflect on the many ways that we have been lovingly present to each other in the changes, losses and sufferings of our lives over these past 25 years. And my heart is also full of gratitude as I reflect on how we have been lovingly present to each other in the positive evolving, transformative and inclusive community that we have become. Nothing in all of creation remains the same. The community of the Resurrection and each of us individually will continue to evolve and deepen spiritually until all that remains is Christ – Who is All in All.
Let us pray for and support Rev’d Linda as she nurtures this community of faith during this transitional time. Let us pray that the right priest will apply and be selected for this school of Love. And be lovingly present and supportive to one another in your commitment to the shared Life in Christ.
Don’t forget me when I’m gone! (Glass Tiger)
Love
Father Gerald+
Sunday, December 31, 11am will be my last liturgy as the rector of the parish. Valerie and I will be providing wine and finger food after the liturgy, as we bring this chapter of my ministry to a close, with thanksgiving, transitioning into the newness of what the Spirit is inviting next for all of us.
The Sacrament of Confirmation classes will begin on Sunday, January 14. Register with Carole Saunders at (709) 680-0455 or carole.saunders1964@gmail.com.
When making an eTransfer to the parish at finance@anglicanresurrection.com, please put in the memo note what the donation is for.
Ministry Schedule:
Breakfast and Bible Study: Sundays at 9:00am.
The Holy Eucharist is celebrated on Sundays at 11am.
Children’s Church: Sunday’s at 11am.
Community Lunch: Sunday’s at noon.
Alcoholics Anonymous: Sundays at 8pm on Zoom.
Men’s Fellowship: Every 2nd Monday at 7:30pm.
Bereavement Support Group, 3rd Tuesday of each month at 12:30pm in the Emmaus Cafe.
Resurrection Yoga: Wednesday’s at 9:30am.
Alternative Spiritual Community (Group Meditation): Wednesdays at 11am.
Scones and Tea: Wednesday’s from 10:30 to 1pm.
Poetry: Wednesday’s at noon.
The Way of Love: Wednesday’s at 1pm.
Alcoholics Anonymous: Thursdays at 8pm.
Breakfast the 3rd Saturday of each month from 8am to 11am.
Wednesday Ministry:
Resurrection Yoga at 9:30
Scones and Tea from 10am to 1pm
Group Meditation at 11
Poetry at noon
The Way of Love at 1pm
The Sunday Liturgy is live streamed in real time on our Parish YouTube Channel at 11am on Sunday mornings (and can be watched anytime after that on YouTube). It can also be picked up on our parish Facebook anytime after 12 noon on Sundays.
For those joining us on-line, we invite you to use this prayer for Spiritual Communion:
Lord Jesus, I believe that you are truly present in the Holy Sacrament. However, since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, I beseech you to come spiritually into my heart. I unite myself with you, and embrace you with all the affections of my soul. Let me never be separated from you. Let me live and die in your love. Amen.
Please use eTransfers to finance@anglicanresurrection.com to continue to support our ministry. You can also contact our treasurer Calvin Adams to set up automatic deposit. Or simply mail your offerings to Box 142 South River, A0A 3W0.
“Come and see” (John 1:39). Remember to pray about and encourage your family and friends to share in our community of faith.
Anyone wanting a home visit, to discuss the life of prayer & spiritual living, or any other pastoral need, please take the initiative and contact Rev’d Linda.
Deacon Gladys is pastorally responsible for those who are sick and shut in. Please let her know (gladysharvey13@gmail.com 683-2266) if you know of anyone sick or shut in.
Deacon Janet Pardy is pastorally responsible for anyone in the Carbonear Hospital. Please let her know if a parishioner needs a hospital visit (jpardy45@gmail.com, 786-0931).
The duty to keep Sunday holy, especially by sharing in the Eucharist and by relaxing in a spirit of Christian joy and fraternity, is easily understood. Sunday is a day which is at the very heart of the Christian life. Do not be afraid to give your time to Christ! Time given to Christ is never time lost, but is rather time gained, so that our relationships and indeed our whole life may become more profoundly human.
The Christian Practice of Daily Prayer
As a Christian, in addition to the priority of the Sunday Liturgy, daily prayer, in some form, really should be part of our spiritual practice. Prayer, which takes many forms, is simply our approach to God. A daily prayer practice is about making room for the Divine in our awareness. A daily prayer practice is about consciously connecting with Christ. A daily prayer practice is about the practice of being in Love.
A good time for daily prayer is at the beginning of the day, but you can find the time that works best for you. Some components to consider including in our daily prayer:
- Bible or spiritual reading;
- A time of noticing what the Spirit may be teaching or inviting from the reading;
- A time of silence in God’s loving Presence;
- Intercessions for those in need and the world.
There are also resources that we can use to assist our prayer, like the Book of Alternative Services and other types of prayer books, and other prayer resources like Day by Day. A resource that I like to begin my day with is Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditations that you can sign up for at cac.org.
Of course, prayer is not just limited to when we sit with our prayer books and bibles. Prayer is everything that consciously connects us to God. Intentionally being in nature can be a form of prayer. Intentionally being with people you love is a form of prayer. Intentionally serving others is a form of prayer. And the list goes on and on. If our intention is to connect in Love, then it is a form of prayer.
If you have any questions about your daily prayer life, or would like to be supported in any way, please contact myself or any of the various leaders in the parish.