Saturday, December 22, 2018

Advent IV: Love



What greater love is there in humanity, than the love of a parent for a child -- expressed in the willingness to let that Child be who that Child must be?

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
That your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered
Will soon deliver you?

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will calm a storm with His hand?
Did you know
That your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little baby
You've kissed the face of God?

Mary, did you know?
The blind will see
The deaf will hear
And the dead will live again!
The lame will leap
The dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb!


Mary, did you know
That your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know
That your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding
Is the Great I Am?




Sunday, December 16, 2018

Advent III: Rejoice!



We await the Incarnation with joyful anticipation as this Sunday we celebrate
 with a service of Lessons and Carols.


With joy, this Sunday we celebrate our blessings as part of the family of God in Christ.


"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, 'Rejoice!''
-- Philippians 4:4




Monday, December 10, 2018

Advent II: A Prayer for Peace

The Candle of Peace joins the Candle of Hope



Deep peace of the running wave to you.
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the infinite peace to you.

-- Celtic Blessing


Wishing you peace...



Saturday, December 8, 2018

Carrying the Light: News About Lay Ministry & Mission

The Anglican Diocese of Calgary has been examining Lay Ministry and what it means to and for and throughout the Diocese.

As a result of this process, a new "school" is being launched: the Calgary School of Mission & Ministry (CSMM) -- a school without a fixed address, that will offer new opportunities for Lay Ministry education and practice.

To learn more about this new endeavour, all interested parties are invited to read the first Newsletter put out by the CSMM.  This is a pdf file available for download.  To access it via the Diocesan website, click HERE.

Sunday, December 2, 2018

Lean in Toward the Light



Today is the First Sunday in Advent -- the first season of the liturgical year, a season set aside to prepare for the coming of the Christ -- the Annointed One of God -- into the world, surprising us all by arriving as a tiny, newborn child with all the needs, wants and vulnerabilities associated with infancy.

This year, the beginning of Advent coincides with the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah (Chanukah), which commences at sun-down this evening.  Also known as the Festival of Lights, this eight-day observance commemorates a miracle in the Temple in Jerusalem ca. 165 B.C.E., when the Jews under the leadership of Judas Maccabeus took back control of the land of Judah after it had been captured by their then-enemies, the Syrians.

The Temple had been ransacked and the oil for the lamp of Perpetual Light had been defiled.  However, there was a small amount of pure oil remaining -- enough for one day.  When it was lit, a miracle occurred -- for it kept burning for eight days until the supply of pure, fresh oil could be replenished.

The Hebrew word 'Chanukah' (or Hanukkah) is translated as 'dedication'.

At this dark time in our calendar year -- when days grow short and nights, long -- and at a time when it seems our quest for a world filled with peace, kindness, unity and joy is up against equally dark forces of animosity, cruelty, disunity and cynicism, it seems fitting that these two seasons -- Advent and Hanukkah -- should dove-tail.

Christians are called to Prepare the Way of the LORD by re-dedicating themselves spiritually with periods of fasting, prayer, and special contemplation through services of Lessons and Carols -- reflecting not only on the First Coming of Christ, but also on the hope for Christ's Second Coming -- the adventis (Latin) or parousia (Greek), and on the reality of a 'Third' Coming of Christ, which is that He comes to us daily in our hearts.

We light Advent candles each Sunday to mark different aspects of our lives in Christ: hope, peace, joy and love.  Each lighting is accompanied by a special time of prayer.

Just as the Jews cleaned the beloved Temple to banish all marks of idolatrous worship, and returned the Menorah -- the lamp to carry the Perpetual Light -- to its pride of place therein, and just as the miracle of light was wrought, renewing God's presence in their most holy place of worship, so must we take time in the next few weeks to 'clean the temple of our hearts', to rekindle the light of faith, and then go forth into the world with God in Christ's messages of hope, peace, joy and love.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God whose name was John.  He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.  He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.
-- John 1: 5-9 (NIV) 

Let's lean in toward that light...


Monday, November 12, 2018

An Act of Remembrance

At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the guns fell silent, and the War to End All Wars was over.

Our Parish held a simple Act of Remembrance ceremony within the folds of our Eucharist service on Sunday, November 11, 2018.

After the service, people were invited to come up to take a close look at the memorabilia on display at the front of the church, commemorating those from the Parish who gave their lives in service, and also relatives of various parishioners who served, and gave their lives in service.

Thanks to Nila R. for her photographs:

Full table display.
From left: photos and postcards from Sheila C's grandfather,
who married her grandmother during WWI.  His two brothers also
served.  Next, commendations, medals and a photo of Pat C's father,
who served in the Royal Air Force in WWII.  Centre; list of
parishioners who died in service, WWI. Right: actual WWI
jacket, medals and beret, and a replica of a WWI helmet.

Close-up of the uniform, with
thanks to Grant O and his son, who
collects militaria.

Photo of Mike C's father who served in the Royal
Canadian Air Force in WWII and was shot down and
lost over the English Channel a few months before Mike was
born (1943).  Photo of Margaret B's father who, in his late
thirties, signed up with the Black Watch of Canada (Royal
Highland Regiment) and was seconded to the British
Army of the Rhine to work in military government (1944 - 1946).
An incident in a Displaced Persons' Camp in the spring of 1946,
when he was Acting Colonel in charge, lead to injuries that
caused his death a few years later, just months before Margaret was born.
On the table: a journal and letters home from Mike's father
and letters home from Margaret's father.

Sunday, November 11, 2018

Poetry in Ordinary Time: Remembrance Day






'Silence' -- for Remembrance Sunday

November pierces with its bleak remembrance
Of all the bitterness and waste of war;
Our silence tries but fails to make a semblance
Of that lost peace they thought worth fighting for,
Our silence seethes instead with wraiths and whispers,
And all the restless rumour of new wars,
The shells are falling all around our vespers,
No moment is unscarred, there is no pause,
In every instant bloodied innocence
Falls to the weary earth ,and whilst we stand
Quiescence ends again in acquiescence,
And Abel’s blood still cries in every land.
One silence only might redeem that blood;
Only the silence of a dying God.



-- Malcolm Guite, Sounding the Seasons

To listen to the poet read this aloud, click HERE.

Friday, November 2, 2018

Fall Back!

Once again it's time to return from Daylight Savings Time to Standard Time.  


Remember to turn your clocks back 1 hour

on Saturday evening at bed-time!


Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Please Good Missus, a Soul Cake


All Hallows' Eve (aka Hallowe'en), All Saints Day and All Souls Day follow in quick succession at the end of October/beginning of November every year.

They're a chain of festivals that combine the religious and the secular, and -- of course -- in the fine tradition of most such celebrations, they include food (sometimes after fasting).


This year our parish Bazaar and Bake Sale will be held on the Saturday immediately following these three Feasts, and there'll be plenty of goodies to purchase for you and your family's enjoyment.  You might even find some Soul Cakes...

soul cake is a small round cake which is traditionally made for All Hallows' EveAll Saints' Day and All Souls' Day to commemorate the dead in the Christian tradition.
The cakes, often simply referred to as souls, are given out to soulers (mainly consisting of children and the poor) who go from door to door during the days of Allhallowtide singing and saying prayers "for the souls of the givers and their friends".
The practice in England dates to the medieval period, and was continued there until the 1930s, by both Protestant and Catholic Christians.  The practice of giving and eating soul cakes continues in some countries today, such as Portugal (where it is known as Pão-por-Deus), and in other countries, it is seen as the origin of the practice of trick-or-treating.
In Lancashire and in the North-east of England they are also known as Harcakes. In the United States, some churches, during Allhallowtide, have invited people to come receive sweets from them and have offered "pray for the souls of their friends, relatives or even pets" as they do so. 
Among Catholics and Lutherans, some parishioners have their soul cakes blessed by a priest before being distributed on the Eve of All Saints (Hallowe'en); in exchange, the children promise to pray for the souls of the deceased relatives of the giver during the month of November, which is a month dedicated especially to praying for the Holy Souls. Any leftover soul cakes are shared among the distributing family or given to the poor.
Source: Wikipedia.


They are before the throne of God, and he who sits upon the throne will shelter them with his presence.

Almighty God,
whose people are knit together in one holy Church,
the mystical body of your Son,
grant us grace to follow your blessed saints
in lives of faith and commitment, 
and to know the inexpressible joys you have prepared for those who love you.
We pray to you for those we love, but see no longer.
Grant them your peace,
let light perpetual shine upon them,
and in your loving wisdom and almighty power,
work in them the good purpose of your perfect will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God,
now and forever.
AMEN.*



*Collects for All Saints and All Souls, combined -- Book of Alternative Services, 1985.






A soul cake, a soul cake,
Please, good missus, a soul cake,
An apple, a pear, a plum or 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, a ha' penny will do.
If you haven't got a ha' penny then God bless you. 

A soul cake, a soul cake,
Please, good missus, a soul cake,
An apple, a pear, a plum or a cherry,
Any good thing to make us all merry.

Sunday, October 28, 2018

The Cookies are Coming!


Yes, it's that time of year again.

Do I mean Hallowe'en?  Nope.

Do I mean All Saints' Day? Nope.

Do I mean All Souls' Day?  Nope!


It's time for St. Cyprian's Annual Bake Sale and Bazaar -- featuring our famous Giant Table of Cookies!  Fill a box and put 'em in your freezer for up-coming holiday celebrations -- or take 'em home and enjoy them on the spot!



Saturday, November 3, 2018

2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

St. Cyprian's Parish Hall

All welcome!!

Please note: St. Cyprian's sells home-made cookies and other baked items at this event.  The parish does NOT guarantee these goods are free of nuts or gluten, so those with allergies, please be advised.  Thank you.

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

The Poppy Project: They're UP!

Just received these photos from Pippa Fitzgerald-Finch.  The poppies are UP and gloriously so!








A glorious display, a loving tribute...

Lest we forget.

Saturday, October 13, 2018

CTV News, Calgary...and the Poppy Project



The Cathedral Church of the Redeemer's Poppy Project was the subject of a lovely video clip on the news Friday evening, October 12.  You can watch the video clip HERE, or via the link shared on our Facebook Page.

The Cathedral will be covered in poppies from October 20 through November 12.  If you're in Calgary during that time, do take the opportunity to visit the site, reflect and remember.


In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

-- In Flanders Fields, Dr. John McCrae




Sunday, September 30, 2018

Cathedral Poppy Project on TV!

UP-DATED OCTOBER 5!  


Stay tuned for a CTV Calgary News clip sometime in the next 10 days.  



Poppies on the webbing (close up)
Photo courtesy Pippa Fitzgerald-Finch

I am advised that Global News Calgary's clip (about 2 minutes long) of the construction of the web of poppies a the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer will happen at 6:00 p.m. (or on the newscast that begins at that time), on Monday, October 1.

I don't know if this will be shown on a Red Deer channel, but I am hopeful it will be saved to YouTube for those of us who watch online.



Poppies in perspective
Judy Chartrand, Merilyn King and Dorothy Duker
Photo courtesy Pippa Fitzgerald-Finch

More poppies tied to the webbing!
Diana Patterson (L) and Pippa Fitzgerald-Finch (standing)
Photo courtesy Pippa Fitzgerald-Finch


Poetry in Ordinary Time: Michaelmas


Saint Michael; stained glass in the Pfarrkirche St. Martin in Linz am Rhein (Germany)
The legend says "Heil Michael du Gottes Streiter" (Heil Michael, you Warrior of God). 20th c.

September 29 marked the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels, also known as "Michaelmas".  It honours Archangels Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and (sometimes) Uriel.  In addition, this Festival is observed in the U.K. and Ireland as a 'time marker' -- one of the "quarter days" on the calendar, close to a solstice, that marked off when school terms began, servants were hired and leaseholds required rents paid.  This tradition developed in the Middle Ages, but is far less observed nowadays.

True to form, priest and poet Malcolm Guite has a poem for us to mark Michaelmas:


St. Michael and All Angels

Michaelmas gales assail the waning year,
And Michael's scale is true, his blade is bright.
He strips dead leaves, and leaves the living clear
To flourish in the touch and reach of light.
Archangel bring your balance, help me turn
Upon this turning world with you and dance
In the Great Dance.  Draw near, help me discern,
And trace the hidden grace in change and chance.
Angel of fire, love's fierce radiance,
Drive through the deep until the steep waves part;
Undo the dragon's sinuous influence
And pierce the clotted darkness in my heart.
Unchain the child you find there, break the spell
And overthrow the tyrannies of hell.

-- Malcolm Guite, Sounding the Seasons


Detail of an historiated initial 'T' (emporibus) with Michael the Archangel,
who holds the scales to weigh the souls at the Last Judgement and spears a dragon below his feet.
You can hear the poet read this poem aloud HERE



Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Poppy Project Update!


The 'tying on' of the poppies to the netting has begun. The next three dates for tying are Friday, September 28, Monday, October 1st and Friday, October 5th -- 10 a.m. - noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. each day.  Volunteers are welcome!

The work is done at the Cathedral in Calgary, located at 604 1st Street SE. The main door of the Church will not be open but the door on the north side of the Church in the alley will be unlocked whilst Pippa (co-ordinator of the project) is there. If she is on her own, she might keep it locked, in which case please phone her cell so that she can let you in. 403 462 2035.

AND!! Global News will be at the Cathedral on September 28 to film a short piece about the project. Stay tuned for dates and times of airing!

Sunday, September 23, 2018

From the Facebook Page

Photo credit: Catherine Cullen, CBC News


Today our Parish is praying in particular for the people of the Ottawa-Gatineau area in Eastern Canada, in the aftermath of a series of destructive tornadoes.
Our new incumbent, Dr. Robert Sears, and his family, lived in this area and only recently sold their home there and found a new home with us in Lacombe. It would come as no surprise if people with whom he and his family were acquainted were affected by the tornadoes.
May God bless and keep them safe now, meet their needs during this challenging time, and provide the proper resources for the restoration of their homes and lives.

Monday, September 3, 2018

It's Time for our Annual Fall Dinner!



All are welcome to our
Annual Fall Feast!

What a way to kick off the City of Lacombe's
Harvest Festival Weekend!

Date: Thursday, September 27, 2018
Time: 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Menu:  Roast beef with all the trimmings!
Our Fantastic Table of Pies!

Cost: $15.00 per person

For tickets, please call Thelma: 403-506-4955

Tickets are limited so act quickly!

We'd hate to miss you!

Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Poetry in Ordinary Time -- for the Saints of July

In the Anglican tradition, the liturgical calendar includes Holy Days -- special days of observance that, if they fall on a Sunday, have prayers associated with them which may be used in a Sunday service.  (For the curious, see the section beginning on page 388 of the Book of Alternative Services.)

July has three such days -- the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle (July 3), that of St. Mary Magdalene (July 22) and that of St. James the Apostle (July 25).

In his book, Sounding the Seasons -- which I've been using to follow the church year -- priest and poet Malcolm Guite has a poem for two of these figures: Thomas and Mary, which I share now for your mid-summer reflections...

(NOTE: To hear the poet read his work aloud, click the title of each poem.)


Santo Tomas
Diego Valazquez, Spain
ca. 1619 - 1620


St. Thomas the Apostle

'We do not know...how can we know the way?'
Courageous master of the awkward question,
You spoke the words the others dared not say
And cut through their evasion and abstraction.
O doubting Thomas, father of my faith,
You put your finger on the nub of things:
We cannot love some disembodied wraith,
But flesh and blood must be our king of kings.
Your teaching is to touch, embrace, anoint,
Feel after him and find him in the flesh.
Because he loved your awkward counterpoint,
The Word has heard and granted you your wish.
O place my hands with yours, help me divine
The wounded God whose wounds are healing mine.



Appearance of Jesus Christ
to Maria Magdalena
Alexander Andreyevich, 1835

St. Mary Magdalene

Men called you light so as to load you down,
And burden you with their own weight of sin,
A woman forced to cover and contain
Those seven devils sent by Everyman.
But one man set you free and took your part,
One man knew and loved you to the core,
The broken alabaster of your heart
Revealed to him alone a hidden door,
Into a garden where the fountain sealed,
Could flow at last for him in healing tears,
Till, in another garden, he revealed
The perfect love that cast out all your fears,
And quickened you with love's own sway and swing,
As light and lovely as the news you bring.






Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Worship in the Great Outdoors!

July 26 through 29, Lacombe celebrates Lacombe Days -- and included in this is the popular Pancake Breakfast and Worship in the Park.

Rev. Dr. Sears and his family hope to be in Alberta for this event, and look forward to meeting many of the congregation there that morning, so he can introduce us to his family.

Here are the details!





Location: ME Global Athletic Park at 5644 56 Avenue
(near the High School)
Time:  Breakfast: 8:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Worship: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Admission?  FREE!
All welcome!

Wanna meet St. Cy's folks?
Look for people in blue tee-shirts that say "St. Cyprian's"!


NOTE: Those who go for breakfast may get a seat in the bleachers around the "worship field".  If you sleep in and show up for the service only, be sure to bring your own lawn chairs!

Sunday, July 1, 2018

Poetry in Ordinary Time: Celebrating Baptism



Baptism

Love's hidden thread has drawn us to the font,
A wide womb floating on the breath of God,
Feathered with seraph wings, lit with the swift
Lightening of praise, with thunder over-spread,
And under-girded with an unheard song,
Calling through water, fire, darkness, pain,
Calling us to the life for which we long,
Yearning to bring us to our birth again.
Again the breath of God is on the waters
In whose reflecting face our candles shine,
Again he draws from death the sons and daughters
For whom he bid the elements combine.
As living stones around a font today,
Rejoice with those who roll the stone away.

-- Malcolm Guite


You can listen to the poet read his work aloud HERE.

Monday, June 25, 2018

Poetry in Ordinary Time: The Forerunner


John the Baptist in the Wilderness
Berner Nelkenmeister, 1495

Yesterday -- June 24 -- was the Feast Day of St. John, the Baptizer.  At this same time of year, we mark the longest day in the northern hemisphere and the shortest in the south: a Solstice.

Here's how British priest and poet, Malcolm Guite, reflects on this day:

St. John's Eve

Midsummer night, and bonfires on the hill
Burn for the man who makes way for the Light:
'He must increase and I diminish still,
Until his sun illuminates my night.'
So John the Baptist pioneers our path,
Unfolds the essence of the life of prayer,
Unlatches the last doorway into faith,
And makes one inner space an everywhere.
Least of the new and greatest of the old,
Orpheus on the threshold with his lyre,
He sets himself aside, and cries, 'Behold
The One who stands amongst you comes with fire!'
So keep his fires burning through this night,
Beacons and gateways for the child of light.

-- Malcolm Guite, Sounding the Seasons


**You can hear this read aloud by the poet HERE.

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Yard Sale Time!!



It's that time of year again!

Saturday, June 2, 2018

Set up: 8 a.m.

Sale: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

In addition to treasures galore,
there'll be 

Home Baking
&
Coffee

Buy to eat on the spot, or take goodies home!


Now....parishioners...

Did you sign up to help?
"Set up" had several helpers listed
as of May 27

BUT

Shifts and "Take Down" could use some folks!

Can't be there to help?

Bring your gently used sale items to the church
on Thursday and/or Friday.

Please price your items if you can!

See you on Saturday!

Saturday, May 26, 2018

Poetry and Music for the Trinity: Malcolm Guite and Steve Bell




Trinity Sunday

In the Beginning, not in time or space,
But in the quick before both space and time,
In Life, in Love, in co-inherent Grace,
In three in one and one in three, in rhyme,
In music, in the whole creation story,
In his own image, his imagination,
The Triune Poet makes for us his glory,
And makes us each the other's inspiration.
He calls us out of darkness, chaos, chance,
To improvise a music of our own,
To sing the chord that calls us to the dance,
Three notes resounding from a single tone,
To sing the End in whom we all begin'
Our God beyond, beside us, and within.

-- Malcolm Guite


Hear the poet read this aloud HERE.

And...you're invited to enjoy Steve Bell's rendition of The Lorica -- a celebration of the Trinity...



Sunday, May 20, 2018

Poetry at Pentecost: Malcolm Guite




Pentecost

Today we feel the wind beneath our wings,
Today the hidden fountain flows and plays,
Today the church draws breath at last and sings,
As every flame becomes a tongue of praise.
This is the feast of Fire, Air and Water,
Poured out and breathed and kindled into Earth.
The Earth herself awakens to her maker,
Translated out of death and into birth.
The right words come today in their right order
And every word spells freedom and release.
Today the gospel crosses every border,
All tongues are loosened by the Prince of Peace.
Today the lost are found in his translation,
Whose mother-tongue is love, in every nation.

-- Malcolm Guite


You can hear the poet read this aloud HERE.



Monday, May 14, 2018

Sneak Peek...

Rev. Robert Sears is on his way!  He has graciously provided us with a photo, so we'll be able to recognize him...

And we wish him safe travels, as well as a smooth transition to his new home.



May the Lord bless Rev. Sears and keep him.
May the Lord make his face to shine upon him,
and be gracious to him.
May the Lord lift the light of his countenance to him
and give him peace.
AMEN.

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Poetry for The Ascension: Malcolm Guite


Thursday, May 10, is the Feast of the Ascension this year...and so we pause to reflect with a sonnet that is as much prayer and praise as poem.

Christi Himmelfahrt
-  Gebhard Fugel, c. 1893


Ascension Day

We saw his light break through the cloud of glory
Whilst we were rooted still in time and place,
As earth became a part of heaven's story
And heaven opened to his human face.
We saw him go and yet we were not parted,
He took us with him to the heart of things,
The heart that broke for all the broken-hearted
Is whole and heaven-centred now, and sings;
Sings in the strength that rises out of weakness,
Sings through the clouds that veil him from our sight,
Whilst we ourselves become his clouds of witness
And sing the waning darkness into light;
His light in us, and ours in him concealed,
Which all creation waits to see revealed.

-- Malcolm Guite, Sounding the Seasons

You can listen to the poet read this aloud HERE.

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

The Poppy Project



For those who have been participating and want to know more...you can read about the Diocese of Calgary's Poppy Project HERE.

For those who want to join the small group at St. Cyprian's that is knitting and/or crocheting poppies, please contact Margaret for a copy of the instructions and pattern(s).

Thanks for your support!

Sunday, April 22, 2018

The Good Shepherd

A reminder that the Good Shepherd cares for all the sheep...including those displaced by violence, or war; or those who arise out of poverty, injury, illness, age...and those who believe they are walled in by gender, heritage, wealth, fear, anger, insecurity, injustice, ignorance, prejudice...or any other obstruction.


Sunday, April 1, 2018

Poetry for Easter Day: Malcolm Guite




Easter Dawn

He blesses every love which weeps and grieves
And now he blesses hers who stood and wept
And would not be consoled, or leave her love's
Last touching place, but watched as low light crept
Up from the east.  A sound behind her stirs
A scatter of bright birdsong through the air.
She turns, but cannot focus through her tears,
Or recognize the Gardener standing there.
She hardly hears his gentle question, 'Why,
Why are you weeping?' or sees the play of light
That brightens as she chokes out her reply
'They took my love away, my day is night'
And then she hears her name, she hears Love say
The Word that turns her night, and ours, to Day.

-- Malcolm Guite, Sounding the Seasons

You can hear the poet read this aloud - just click HERE.


Thursday, March 29, 2018

Songs and Sonnets for Holy Week


For those unable to get to services for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday (see earlier post)...an offering from English priest and poet, Malcolm Guite, and Canadian singer-songwriter, Steve Bell, that carries us from Palm Sunday through Good Friday...the Vigil...and leaves us with a taste of Easter joy.





Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Local Holy Week Services




These services are available for those who wish to attend on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil, jointly held between St. Leonard's and St. Luke's, Red Deer:

March 29th - Maundy Thursday Service 
with Seder Supper at 5:30 pm
at St. Leonard's Anglican Church
4241 - 44th St., Red Deer
March 30th - Good Friday Service
at St. Luke's at 11:00 am
4929 - 54th St., Red Deer
March 31st - Easter Vigil 
at St. Leonard's Anglican Church at 8:00 pm.
4241 - 44th St., Red Deer