Advent IV:

Angels among us...

The fourth Sunday of Advent recalls the annunciation of Christ's birth, the visitation of the Angel Gabriel to Mary, so the fourth candle on the Advent Wreath may be known as the Angel Candle.

Since Victorian times, we have come to envision angels as sweet and cherubic.  Wrong!  The Angels of Scripture are powerful beings.  When those 'shepherds in the fields abiding, watching o'er their flocks by night' saw them, they quite rightly were scared silly!  Imagine a host of other-worldly beings in the skies above you, creatures who had the power to

1. Execute Divine judgment (Isaiah 37:36 or Daniel 4: 13-17);
2. Aid us when we are in deep trouble (Daniel 6 or Acts 12); and
3. Bring messages from God (Luke 1: 8-20 or 31-33.

In fact, the word 'angel' -- from the Greek -- means "messenger of God" -- and so the fourth candle reminds us of this as the angels bring Good News to Mary, to those shepherds...and to us today:

An Inspiration

From CBC: Jane Van Zyll Langhout,
who knit 1,000 hats for charity this year

for our wee Woolly Theology group at St. Cyprian's...CLICK HERE.

Now if only we could have more hands on deck, and shelters willing to take in hand-made things...

Th'Eternal Ruler of the Ceaseless Round...

Image courtesy of fisheaters.com

...has brought us back to Advent's Ember Days again.  

 In several Christian traditions -- including the Anglican, the Advent Ember Days are observed in the week between the Third and Fourth Sundays of Advent.  "Ember" in this case doesn't refer to the coals of a dying fire.  Rather, it stems from the Anglo-Saxon word ymbren, meaning a circuit or revolution (ymb = around; ryne = a course, as in running).  In a nutshell, the Ember Days, which occur four times in the church year, are a Christian honouring of the meteorological seasons.  (Think Vivaldi, aka The Red Priest.)

The Advent Ember Days are intended as a reflection of Winter, a season of hope -- because despite the cold and snow, we await the arrival of the One Born in Bethlehem, whose Resurrection fills us with hope.  They are also a celebration of the Annunciation -- the appearance of the Angel Gabriel to Mary to inform her that God had chosen her to be the mother of the Christ -- and the Visitation, Mary's subsequent visit to her cousin Elizabeth, pregnant with the child who would grow up to be known as John the Baptizer.  

Between the Third and Fourth Sundays in Advent (or sometimes the week prior -- shortly after the Feast of St. Lucia (aka St. Lucy)), there are three designated Ember Days for fasting and reflection: Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.  Wednesday and Friday are traditional fast days in the Church; why Saturday was added is a bit complicated, so I invite you to read about it HERE, and perhaps fast and reflect as we move ever closer to Christmas.

Eternal Ruler of the ceaseless round

Of circling planets singing on their way;

Guide of the nations from the night profound

Into the glory of the perfect day;

Rule in our hearts, that we may ever be

Guided and strengthened and upheld by thee.*

*Hymn: "Eternal Ruler of the Ceaseless Round", v. 1 - John Chadwick, 1864,

Living Sacramentally II

 This is the second excerpt in a series written by Pastor Lee about her spiritual work with the icon "Mary the Intercessor".  What can we learn from Lee's learning?

Mary the Intercessor

My first prayer time alone with Mary the Intercessor felt a bit awkward. Praying with an icon is a new experience for me, and with many new experiences it takes time to settle in, to feel comfortable, and to accept new ways of doing things. I think Mary has much to teach me about intercessory prayer and I want to listen well to her lessons.

For my first prayer time I just studied the icon – searching out details, looking for things I might have missed in glancing at her from afar, waiting to see if my eyes were drawn anywhere in particular.

My eyes were drawn to Mary’s eyes, which to me are gazing softly (like gazing off into space, or that “daydreaming” look) rather than staring intently. She is neither looking upwards toward heaven nor out at us. To whom or what are they pointing; to whom or what are they drawing our attention?

I might have thought that if she was praying intently, her eyes might be closed. This has been my usual practice in prayer; time to try something new!

Opening my eyes has been a tremendous blessing. It is easier to stay awake and focused on prayer when sitting relaxed and quietly with open eyes.

Which presented another problem: what are you supposed to look at? There are many distractions when your eyes are open. Again, Mary to the rescue! Holding the icon, I let my eyes comfortably rest at a natural angle on a spot on the icon. The icon became like white noise – I was aware of it but not, and it enabled me to blot out any distractions. Although my eyes were gazing outward, I was looking inward; perhaps this is what Mary is doing.

Mary’s eyes are looking downward; this could be natural, since she is bent slightly forward. However, maybe she is communicating more to me than simply posture in prayer. Maybe she is reminding me to keep the downtrodden and lowly in my prayers. And/or maybe she is reminding me that humility is a significant quality to have as an intercessor.

My open eyes became an outward sign that my body, mind and soul were opening to hearing God speaking to me.

So, note to self: pray with your eyes open!

NOTE: Part I may be viewed HERE.

Advent III

Rejoice!  

Gaudete Sunday is coming!   

The incipit for the Gregorian chant introit from which Gaudete Sunday gets its name.

This name for the Third Sunday in Advent in the Roman Catholic, Lutheran and Anglican worship traditions is reported to be a counterpart to Laetare Sunday in Lent -- a bit of a break in the sombre season, an opportunity to rejoice in the anticipation of the Lord's coming (in Lent, the break is an opportunity to rejoice in the anticipation of Easter and the Resurrection).

How fitting then that our annual Service of Lessons and Carols will be celebrated this Sunday -- with special readings and hymns of both reflection and joyous anticipation.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God....You showed favour to your land, O Lord; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.*

*Philippians 4:4-6; Psalm 85:1

Advent II

John the Baptizer: "Prepare ye the way of the LORD!"

A Month of Living Sacramentally

On Advent 1, Lee spoke about taking time as we prepare for Christmas, to examine our lives widely, discerning how much of what we do, think and say in the wider world shows that we are a sacramental people -- that we have been 'set apart' in and for the Lord's service.  She spoke of feeling called to learn more about intercessory prayer as part of her intention to live in this way, and describes her experience of this new call on her life:

While I was on a clergy silent retreat at Sanctum in Caroline in November 2012, I ventured into the conference room to read and enjoy a hot cup of tea. I found a place to sit, and started looking at my surroundings before settling in. My eyes rested on an icon above the door to a study, and at that moment my heart skipped a beat and I was smitten.

Rev. David Krause, a former spiritual director and mentor in my discernment for ordination, (and icon writer) once told me that you do not pick the icon; the icon picks you. Now I understand what he meant. This icon had picked me.

At the time I was reading the Revelations of Julian of Norwich, in particular this phrase “We can, with His grace and His help, remain in spiritual contemplation”. It fit with another phrase I heard, although don’t know the author: “You become that which you habitually contemplate.”

So, the icon had chosen me and I was being called to contemplate it. After some searching, I found out that it is called “Mary the Intercessor”.

So for the next little while – months, years? – I am going to contemplate Mary the Intercessor to learn all that she wishes to teach me. And I invite you to journey with me. I will blog some of the things I am learning; maybe they will be helpful to you in your own prayer life. God bless!

Mary the Intercessor

Advent I

How silently,

how silently

the wondrous gift is given.

I would be silent now,

Lord,

and expectant...

that I may receive

the gift I need,

so I may become

the gift others need.

A prayer for Advent

written by Ted Loder

Guerillas of Grace: Prayers for the Battle

Innisfree Press Inc., 1984

St. Andrew the Apostle

St. Andrew the Apostle - Iconographer: Yoan from Gabrovo

Today's his day!  Bless him; he was Peter's brother...and his name, Andrew, comes from the Greek Andreas, apparently popular in the Hellenized Middle East of the time.*  It was Andrew who recognized Jesus as Messiah, introduced Him to Peter, and with Philip, told Jesus about the Greeks seeking Him.  He is believed to have facilitated the "Feeding of the Five Thousand" by bringing to Jesus the little boy and his lunch of bread and fish (Gospel of John 6:8).

After the Pentecost, it is recorded that Andrew travelled widely, preaching the Gospel -- possibly as far as Kiev!  He is a patron saint of Ukraine, Romania and Russia.*

It is believed he was martyred by crucifixion at the city of Patras in Achaea.  Centuries later (possibly the middle 900s), he became the patron saint of Scotland, when -- according to legend -- some of his relics were brought there from Constantinople by some sort of divine intervention, to the site of what is now the city of St. Andrew's.  The flag of Scotland is St. Andrew's Cross, reflecting the nature of the cross on which he was martyred*:

St. Andrew's Cross - Scotland's Flag

Almighty God,

who gave your apostle Andrew

grace to believe in his heart

and to confess with his lips that Jesus is Lord,

touch our lips and our hearts

that faith may burn within us,

and we may share in the witness of your Church

to the whole human family;

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

AMEN.

(Collect for St. Andrew's Day, Book of Alternative Services, p. 430)

|

*Online resource: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_the_Apostle

Deck the Halls!

It's time to decorate the church for Advent as we prepare for Christ's Birth!  

Can you help?

There will be a Decorating Bee at the church

on 

Saturday, November 30, 2013

1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

All Welcome!

Stir it Up!

Christ - painting in the Hagia Sophia

Tomorrow is the last Sunday before Advent in our liturgical calendar, known in the Anglican Church as The Reign of  Christ.  While the painting above is very old, this celebration is...not so much.  Apparently it was first celebrated by Roman Catholics under Pope Pius XI starting in 1925; they know it as "The Feast of Christ the King".  Originally, too, it was marked on the last Sunday of October -- the Sunday immediately before All Saints' Day.  In 1970 the date was moved to the last Sunday of Ordinary Time and was adopted by Anglicans, Lutherans and other Protestant liturgical denominations.

Another name for this last Sunday of the liturgical year is "Stir-up Sunday" -- a day when Anglicans in the UK or of British Ancestry make up their Christmas puddings.  It's not without it's liturgical connection, however, as the practice -- supposedly introduced by Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert -- was apparently inspired by the Collect for the Day in the Book of Common Prayer (1549):

 Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; 

that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of thee be plenteously rewarded; 

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 Amen.

STIR IT UP tomorrow morning

at our Service of Holy Eucharist

from the

Book of Alternative Services

10:00 a.m.

Coffee, tea and fellowship to follow.

And who knows?  Perhaps there'll be some Christmas pud!

Come Into the Quiet

...of an Evensong Service, using the liturgy of the Book of Common Prayer.

At this time of year, let candlelight, familiar words and music warm your heart and ease your way through snowy streets and into the weekend.

The next Evensong Service at St. Cyprian's (God willing) is Friday, November 22 at 4:00 p.m.

Readings:

• Psalm 107, part 2;
• Sirach (Also known as Ecclesiasticus in the Apocrypha) 22:6-22;
• Acts 20:1-16.

Do You Listen to Your Computer?

I do!

iPod Shuffle - Apple Canada

Now...I'm not referring to asking my PC for advice. Rather, I'm talking about pod-casts: broadcasts that you can listen to directly on your computer or download to a device such as an iPod and listen on-the-go.  I received my first iPod 'Shuffle' several years ago -- a gift from my children to enjoy while walking or jogging, which I do regularly for exercise.

And what a gift it's been!  I now enjoy a wide range of programs having to do with my hobbies and personal interests -- including things spiritual and theological.  In the past year I discovered Krista Tippett and her program, "On Being" -- and it's this program I commend to you for your listening pleasure.  Ms. Tippett is an articulate interviewer of a broad spectrum of people whose work, research and impact is far-reaching.

Programs I've enjoyed recently include her interviews with:

Seth Godin

Kevin Kling

Marie Howe

Sylvia Boorstein

Christian Wiman

Gordon Hempton

David Montgomery

Jean Vanier

Nadia Bolz-Weber

and

Keith Devlin

Click on the link -- any caption -- turn up your speakers, pour a cuppa, and be prepared to be transported, inspired, stretched, amused and entertained: perfect accompaniment to whatever you're doing on a snowy winter afternoon.

Lest We Forget

Sunday, November 10 - Holy Eucharist (BAS) 10:00 a.m.

Act of Remembrance

Monday, November 11 - Remembrance Day

Services at Lacombe Memorial Centre 

and 

Mirror & District Community Hall

10:45 a.m.

In the last days, 

the mountain of the LORD's temple

will be established

as chief among the mountains;

it will be raised above the hills,

and peoples will stream to it.

Many nations will come and say,

"Come, let us go up to the mountain 

of the LORD;

to the house of the God of Jacob.

He will teach us His ways,

so that we may walk in his paths."

The law will go out from Zion,

the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

He will judge between many peoples

and will settle disputes for strong

nations far and wide.

They will beat their swords into 

ploughshares

and their spears into pruning hooks.

Nation will not take up sword against

nation,

nor will they train for war anymore.

- Micah 4:1-3 (NIV)

Thoughts After the Storm

A friend of the writer shared a link...

Sit back, sip something, ponder and give thanks...

Alleluia, Alleluia
Give thanks to the risen Lord
Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to His name

Jesus is Lord of all the earth
He is the King of creation

Spread the good news o'er all the earth
Jesus has died and has risen

We have been crucified with Christ
Now we shall live forever
God has proclaimed the just reward
Life for all men, alleluia!

Come let us praise the living God
Joyfully sing to our Saviour

Lyrics Copyright © 1973 Songs of the Sword of the Spirit Administered by: CopyCare P.O. Box 77, Hailsham BN27 3EF UK music@copycare.com.

It's Time!

Don't Forget!

If you plan to plow through the snow to church tomorrow...remember to "fall back" with your clocks so you'll be on time!

All Saints, All Souls

 Blessings for All Saints' Day!  

Don't forget that there is a special All Saints' Day Service of Holy Eucharist from the Book of Common Prayer - 4:00 p.m. this afternoon.  :-)

And tomorrow -- All Souls' Day -- more celebration with the good souls of the parish and environs at our Annual Fall Tea, Bazaar and Bake Sale.  Who knows?  You might even find some Soul Cakes...

To get you in the mood, here's a favourite recording of the folk carol (one version of many down through time) for All Souls' Day...and onward toward the turning of the year*...

Hey ho, nobody home, meat nor drink nor money have I none

Yet shall we be merry, Hey ho, nobody home.

Hey ho, nobody home, Meat nor drink nor money have I none

Yet shall we be merry, Hey ho, nobody home.

Hey Ho, nobody home. 

Soal, a soal, a soal cake, please good missus a soul cake.

An apple, a pear, a plum, a cherry, 

any good thing to make us all merry,

One for Peter, two for Paul, three for Him who made us all. 

God bless the master of this house, and the mistress also

And all the little children that round your table grow.

The cattle in your stable and the dog by your front door

And all that dwell within your gates 

we wish you ten times more. 

Soal, a soal, a soal cake, please good missus a soul cake.

An apple, a pear, a plum, a cherry, 

any good thing to make us all merry,

One for Peter, two for Paul, three for Him who made us all. 

Go down into the cellar and see what you can find

If the barrels are not empty we hope you will be kind

We hope you will be kind with your apple and PEAR'

For we'll come no more a 'soalin' till this time next year. 

Soal, a soal, a soal cake, please good missus a soul cake.

An apple, a pear, a plum, a cherry, 

any good thing to make us all merry,

One for Peter, two for Paul, three for Him who made us all. 

The streets are very dirty, my shoes are very thin.

I have a little pocket to put a penny in.

If you haven't got a penny, aN ha' penny will do.

If you haven't got a ha' penny then God bless you. 

Soal, a soal, a soal cake, please good missus a soul cake.

An apple, a pear, a plum, a cherry, 

any good thing to make us all merry,

One for Peter, two for Paul, three for Him who made us all. 

*note the different spelling of 'soul'...

For All the Saints

Forerunners of Christ with Saints and Martyrs
Tempera on wood, Fra Angelico, 15th Century

Before the observance of Hallowe'en entered North American popular culture in the early 1900s, steadily being incorporated into darker forms of observance, it was (and still is, in some quarters) an annual Christian celebration of All Hallows' Eve, or the evening before All Hallows' Day, known now to us as All Saints' Day or simply "All Saints".   The latter, and the day following -- All Souls' Day -- are the second and third day of the three day (triduum) known as Hallowmas, a time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs and dearly departed Christian believers (souls).

In observance of All Saints this year, our weekly Friday Evensong will be a celebration of Eucharist using the rite in the Book of Common Prayer.  Do join us in remembrance as we raise our voices in the old familiar hymn...

(Note: Please let the video load completely to avoid 'skips', and please forgive the short advertisement at the beginning.  The voices are the Choir of King's College, Cambridge.  Tune: Sine Nomine by Ralph Vaughan Williams.)

A Thought for the Weekend...

George MacDonald
1824-1905

Work is not always required of a [person].  There is such a thing as sacred idleness, the cultivation of which is now fearfully neglected.

*From George MacDonald: An Anthology - 365 Readings - edited and with a preface by C.S. Lewis, Harper San Francisco, 2001 edition 

Have a great weekend!

It's That Time of Year...

Calgary Cursillo Weekends are fast approaching!  This year the Fall Men's Weekend runs from Thursday evening, October 31, through Sunday, November 3rd, and the Women's, from Thursday, November 7 through Sunday, November 10.

Though the list of participants for each weekend is small thus far, they will still need our prayers and support.  You can view the participants' list and sign up to participate in a Prayer Vigil for each weekend at these links:

• Men's Weekend - Fall 2013
• Women's Weekend - Fall 2013

Praying through for folks on these weekends blesses not only the participants, but the pray-er!

Oh -- and if you've never attended a Cursillo Weekend, there's still time to apply!!  Please let Pastor Lee know...so she can ensure you have a sponsor (or two) in the congregation.  In addition, she can help you apply to attend (including funding if needed)...or you can go online HERE to submit your application.

COOKIES! COOKIES!  COOKIES!

St. Cyprian's Annual Fall Tea, Bazaar and Bake Sale!

Saturday, November 2, 2013

2-4 p.m.

Hand-crafted Items and Baked Goods for Purchase

Tea and Goodies

AND

Our Famous Pick-and-Pack Your Own Box of Cookies!

Do You Like "Vintage" Movies?

You might check this out!

I'm thinking I might just have to go "Singin' in the Rain"....

Are You Engaged?

At Woolly Theology this afternoon we talked about 'engagement' -- engaging with God through reading Scripture and/or praying.  Pastor Lee commented that she liked the definition of 'engaged' coined by mechanical engineers:

"To interlock with: mesh; also: to cause (mechanical parts) to mesh <engage the clutch>*

*http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/engage



This writer's mind immediately came up with a picture of gears, inter-locking, but in such a way as to enable motion.  If one is engaged with God in prayer or lectio divina (a practice of meditative reading, usually using Scripture), the gears of one's spirit are lubricated by the living Word, and one's life  is able to flow more smoothly and joyfully, even in the face of trials.

On the other hand, if gears are neglected and unused for a period of time, rust and corrosion can set in, such that the gears begin to stick; eventually immobility occurs.  One's spiritual gears may be engaged with each other, but if not meshed with God one's life becomes fixed, stiff and unyielding. One cannot move forward, regardless of how hard one tries.

Are your spiritual gears engaged?

"All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

-- 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

Yet Another Thought...

Sir Francis Drake in Buckland Abbey
16th century, oil on canvas
by Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger

Disturb us, Lord, when

We are too well pleased with ourselves,

When our dreams have come true

Because we have dreamed too little,

When we arrived safely

Because we sailed too close to the shore.

Disturb us, Lord, when

With the abundance of things we possess

We have lost our thirst

For the waters of life;

Having fallen in love with life,

We have ceased to dream of eternity

And in our efforts to build a new earth,

We have allowed our vision

Of the new Heaven to dim.

Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,

To venture on wider seas

Where storms will show your mastery;

Where losing sight of land,

We shall find the stars.

We ask You to push back

The horizons of our hopes;

And to push into the future

In strength, courage, hope, and love.

[Attributed - Sir Francis Drake -1577]*

*And quoted on Facebook by "Christians Tired of Being Misrepresented"

Francis of Assisi

Many contemporary Anglicans remember Francis of Assisi in his connection to animals and nature.  In recent years, it has become popular for Anglican parishes to hold a special "Blessing of the Animals" service on the Sunday closest to his commemorative day, which is October 4 in our liturgical calendar.  Some parishes prefer to hold these services at other times in early October instead.


We aren't holding such a service at St. Cyprian's this year, but if you are so inclined, these parishes in the Diocese of Calgary will be doing so:

• St. Clement, Balzac - October 6, 10:00 a.m.
• St. Martin, Calgary jointly with the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer - Saturday, October 12, 11:00 a.m.

Aside from his apparent ability to relate with birds and beasts alike, Francis is remembered for his founding of the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor, as well as the women's Order of St. Clare (in conjunction with Clare of Assisi, one of Francis' first followers), and for those not aspiring to Holy Orders, the Third Order of St. Francis.  There is even a Third Order of the Society of St. Francis for Anglicans and others who do not worship in the Roman Catholic tradition.  

Known also for his love of the Eucharist and as the originator of the tradition of the Christmas creche or Nativity Scene, Francis is not only the Patron Saint of Animals in the Roman Catholic tradition, but also one of only two Patron Saints of Italy (the other being Catherine of Sienna).

This writer, however, most fondly remembers him when she sings this musical adaptation of what we know as "The Prayer of St. Francis":

May you have a blessed day!

"Sa-weet!"

That's what young people often say when presented with something yummy...and it's what diners at tomorrow evening's Annual Fall Supper will say when they see the pies laid on for dessert.  Here are just a couple to whet your whistle:

Rhubarb Crumble Pie

Save room after the roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, carrots, pickle, buns 'n' butter... it's going to be a 'sa-weet' ending to a great meal!

When? Thursday, October 3, 2013

Serving starts at 5:30 p.m.

Where?  St. Cyprian's Parish Hall,

5005 C&E Trail, Lacombe

Cost: $12.50 per person

Tickets may still be available - or take your chances at the door!

Harvest Decoration

Just a reminder that our church will be open Saturday, September 28 from 1 - 4 p.m., so that those enjoying the Lacombe Culture and Harvest Festival can enjoy its history, drink in its tranquil beauty, and celebrate the Festival with visible reminders of God's blessings and bounty.

If you have some time to help decorate the sanctuary, please gather at the church at 10 a.m. that morning.  If you have garden goodies (veggie and/or floral) to donate to the decorations, please bring them with you.

Got Kids?

Or grand-kids?

Here are a couple of up-coming events (one will be ongoing) for all the family:

Like the cat, Fred is coming back!  He'll be performing 

WHEN?

Thursday, September 26th

at 6:30 p.m.

Where?

St. Andrew's United Church

5226 - 51 Avenue,

Lacombe

Tickets: $16 each at the church office, at the Flatiron Building or by calling 403-782-3148

Proceeds to the Caring for Children Fund, Lacombe

****************

Also at St. Andrew's.... Messy Church is coming!  The First Friday of each month, beginning October 4, 2013, you're invited to gather with other families -- children of all ages -- for a time of stories, creativity, hospitality and celebration (worship!), a new way to explore the Christian faith.

TIME: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

For more info or to RSVP, call Ross at 403-782-3148.

Psssssst....Uh-oh...they're already getting messy in the Anglican Diocese of Edmonton....

St. Cyprian's Day!

September 13 is the day we commemorate our Parish's Patron Saint, Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, martyred in 258 A.D.

According to history, he was well into middle age before he became a Christian, a thought this writer finds particularly comforting.  :-)

Prior to his conversion, he was an orator, a writer, a teacher of rhetoric and a 'pleader in the courts'.  I suppose that stood him in good stead when it came to writing sermons.  ;-)

Once he became a Christian he was fast-tracked into the role of deacon and then Bishop of Carthage (his home town).  Not long thereafter, persecution came to Carthage and many fell away from their faith.  Cyprian wasn't particularly sympathetic to the 'lapsi', as they were called.  His stern approach caused a schism in the church in Carthage which diminished over time, as he showed moderation in his leadership.

In 256 new persecutions broke out in Carthage under Emperor Valerian, and in September 258, Cyprian was imprisoned and shortly thereafter executed because he refused to sacrifice to pagan deities or to recant his confession as a follower of Jesus Christ.

We will celebrate St. Cyprian's life, work and death in a special Evensong Celebration of Holy Eucharist, using the Book of Common Prayer, Friday, September 13 at 4:00 p.m.

And a Third Thought...

Clare and Francis

"Keep a clear eye toward life's end.  Do not forget your purpose and destiny as God's Creature.  What you are in His sight is what you are and nothing more.  Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take nothing you have received...but only what you have given; a full heart enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage."  -- St. Francis of Assisi*

*Attributed to his Letters to Rulers of People; quoted by Fr. Tim's friend and Deaconess, Agnes, in Light From Heaven by Jan Karon, Penguin Books, 2005.