The Church...on Saba

Saba is a tiny island that belongs to the Netherlands; it's so tiny I've not been able to locate it exactly on a map of the Caribbean, but I assure you it's there!

On the above map, you can see the "Windward Islands" -- you know, that Anglican diocese for which we pray on a weekly basis.

The red circle on the above map, shows the location of Saba, which appears to be a bit north of the area known as the "Windward Isles".

Although now a Dutch settlement, it was once home to English settlers as well, and yes, they built a church:  Holy Trinity,established in 1878:

The history of the church on Saba is detailed HERE for anyone interested.  It is a rather convoluted story!

And the church exists today...diminished somewhat over time...as the historical account says...

The Church of England had 1500 members on Saba in 1874. However, with the establishment of the Roman Catholic Church on Saba in 1860 the numbers declined. In 1877 there were 1458 Anglicans on Saba out of a total population of 2072.The Anglican Church has lost its dominant position over the years since then, however the church still carries on and the remaining members of the church are as dedicated to their church as those who in 1763 got together to pay a salary to the Reverend Richard Davis, and may God continue to bless their work on Saba.

Why do I mention it here on our blog -- especially as it doesn't appear to be part of the Diocese of the Windward Isles?

Well...because I have a colleague who is an art quilter, and who has recently posted about her creating a commissioned picture of this old church, to be displayed therein.

She posts about her process HERE (you'll have to elect to have the page translated, as it's written in Dutch!)...and has kindly allowed me to share the photo of the finished work. 

The Anglican Church in Windwardside, Saba
(C) 2019 - Els Mommers, Saba textile artist

Perhaps when we pray for the Diocese of the Windward Isles, we could add..."and Saba"?

Blessings for the Second Sunday of Easter -- wherever you find yourself in the world!

Rosary Prayer for Holy Saturday

Continuing...with Praying with Beads...for portions of Christ's Passion, 

today for Holy Saturday...

Begin with the cross: The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.  Come, let us adore him.

Invitatory bead: Almighty God, whose most dear Son suffered pain and death before he entered into glory, grant that we, walking the way of the cross, may find the way of life and peace.

Cruciform beads: So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean cloth and laid it in his own new tomb. - Matthew 27: 59-60a.

"Weeks" beads: But as for me, I have trusted in you, O LORD. I have said, "You are my God." -- Psalm 31: 14.

Invitatory bead: The Lord's Prayer.

The Cross: May God grant us forgiveness of sins as we forgive others. AMEN.

Prayer Source: Praying With Beads; Daily Prayers for the Christian Year - Nan Lewis Doerr and Virginia Stem Owens, Wm. Eerdman Publishing, Michigan/Cambridge, U.K., 2007.

Rosary Prayer for Maundy Thursday

Today is Maundy Thursday, when Christians remember Jesus' Passover meal with his disciples, and ponder his Servant-hood, when he washed their feet.

An Anglican rosary and its components.
Photo credit: http://kingofpeace.org/prayerbeads.htm

Here at St. Cyprian's we have a small group that gathers on Monday mornings to pray the Anglican rosary.   In keeping with that practice, below is a set of prayers that can be made with the rosary as a meditation on the events of Maundy Thursday.

Begin with the Cross: The Lord is full of compassion and mercy; come, let us adore Him.

Invitatory Bead: Almighty Father, whose most dear Son, on the night before he died, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood; who suffered pain and death before he entered into glory, grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it the way of life and peace. 

Cruciform Beads: Do you know what I have done to you?...I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. (John 13:12b, 15)

"Weeks" Beads: So mortals ate the bread of angels; he provided for them food enough. (Psalm 78:25)

Invitatory Bead: The Lord's Prayer

The Cross: May God grant us forgiveness of sins as we forgive others. AMEN.

Prayer Source: Praying With Beads; Daily Prayers for the Christian Year - Nan Lewis Doerr and Virginia Stem Owens, Wm. Eerdman Publishing, Michigan/Cambridge, U.K., 2007.

Poetry, Palms and Passion

Today marks Palm Sunday -- also known as Passion Sunday -- in the Christian Church.  This morning we read of Jesus' ride into Jerusalem, from the Gospel according to Luke.  Later, Grant in his homily read it again from the Gospel according to Matthew.

Here for your reflection is Mary Oliver, musing on that significant event as recorded in Matthew -- the only one of the gospels, as Grant told us, that refers to the animal ridden as a donkey...

The Poet Muses About the Donkey

On the outskirts of Jerusalem

the donkey waited.

Not especially brave, or filled with understanding,

he stood and waited.

How horses, turned out to the meadow,

     leap with delight!

How doves, released from their cages,

     clatter away, splashed with sunlight!

But the donkey, tied to a tree as usual, waited.

Then he let himself be led away.

Then he let the stranger mount.

Never had he seen such crowds!

And I wonder if he at all imagined what was to happen.

Still, he was what he had always been: small, dark, obedient.

I hope, finally, he felt brave.

I hope, finally, he loved the man who rode so lightly upon him,

as he lifted one dusty hoof and stepped, as he had to, forward.

                  -- Mary Oliver, Devotions: Selected Poems...Penguin Press, New York, 2017

Donkey or colt, Jesus entry into Jerusalem for the last time, at the Feast of the Passover, is labelled a "Triumphal Entry" in assorted current Biblical translations, for as it is recounted, the throngs of people ostensibly on their way to the Temple to mark the sacred release of the Israelite people from Egypt, cast their robes and tree (likely palm) branches before Him and chanting, 

Hosanna to the Son of David!

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!

Hosanna in the Highest!

...a portion of which we include in the Sanctus, sung each time we gather for the Eucharist.

For your listening...here is a particularly joyous version of that sacred hymn, arranged by Canadian singer-song-writer, Steve Bell, 

and performed with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra:

May your Holy Week be blessed.

See you next Sunday!

Coming in May -- Taize!

Taize Prayer

With Brother Emile - Thursday, May 30, 2019

Brother Emile from the Community of Taize will be in Calgary to lead a public Taize Prayer.  Everyone is welcome to attend this free event - whether you've loved Taize music for years, or have never experienced this style of worship before.  Taize is an ecumenical Christian religious community in Burgundy, France known all over the world for their beautiful music and contemplative style of prayer.  

AND

Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Calgary 

 Friday, May 31, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm

Learn more about the ecumenical Community of Taize in France.  Brought to you by the Anglican Fellowship of Prayer, please join us for this workshop. Taize is famous for its contemplative music and meditative style of worship, but they also do reconciliation work around the world, and have a deep-seated commitment to the poor.  This is an opportunity to learn more about Taize, lead Taize-style prayer (and sing in different languages), or consider possibly travelling to Taize one day.  

The day will be a mix of worship, song, practice, Bible study and informative sessions dotted with real-life stories from someone who has spent a lot of time at Taize.

Workshop leader is the Rev. Clara King, Incumbent of St. George Anglican Church in NE Calgary.  She first went to Taize almost by accident in 2005 at the age of 24.  Not knowing what she was walking into, the experience of the Taize community and singing with 8,000 people that week changed her life.  Since then, she has been to Taize 9 times, lived there as a Permanent for 4 months, and travelled with Taize to Nairobi, Kenya and the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.  

The workshop includes lunch.  A fee of $20 is asked to cover the cost.  Click here to register.

Moving into Holy Week

Holy Week Services 2019

Palm Sunday

April 14

BAS Holy Eucharist - Reserved Sacrament
and Liturgy of the Palms - 10:00 a.m.

Celebrant: Rev. Dr. Doreen Scott

Maundy Thursday

April 18

Service - 12:00 p.m. (noon)

Celebrant: Rev. Dr. Robert Sears

Good Friday

April 19

Service: 2:00 p.m.

Celebrant: Rev. Dr. Robert Sears

Easter Sunday

April 21

BAS Holy Eucharist - 10:00 a.m.

Celebrant: Rev. Dr. Robert Sears

All Welcome!