Lent in the Age of COVID-19

Yep.

A Note from Our Snowbirds...

I received this earlier this evening and have permission to share it with you...

Hi... 

I was on St. Cyprians website last night and noticed your prayer request for Roy and I.  We just wanted to thank you so..... much for your care and concern and to let you and our faith family know that we arrived home on Friday from the US. and doing well.  We are under mandatory isolation for 14 days so communication is by phone or computer only! 

Our family came Thursday and left us plenty of food also our neighbors so I think we will be good for awhile.  We do appreciate the offer of grocery shopping that we have received and feel blessed to have such a caring church family!

Thank you again and we wish everyone good health during this challenging time due to this extreme pandemic.

Many blessings and hugs from Roy and Carol.

We are thankful they are back and safe...and hope that during this time at home they will remain well.  Thanks be to God. 

An Interview -- and a Prayer

It's not unusual these days to find some parts of our dear church that are well-versed in things technological and others...well, others that are either scrambling to become moreso quickly, and still others that will have a great deal of work to do to connect online.

That said, technology use is a two-way street: there are those who seek to reach out by using technology, but they won't be effective unless there are those on the receiving end!

One of the parishes in Canada that has quite a sophisticated technological outreach -- in part due to the composition of its congregation and its overall approach to ministry and mission -- is St. Benedict's Table in Winnipeg, MB.

I have shared samplings from this parish before -- it's produced an almost-weekly podcast for several years now, and singer-songwriter Steve Bell (often shown in this space) is a parishioner. 

During this challenging time -- a global health crisis that has propelled all of us regardless of nation, political stripe, race, or faith practice into a place of uncertainty -- using our technology to enhance and provide the blessing of inter-personal connection across space and time is more important than ever.

St. Ben's is one of the parishes in the Anglican Church of Canada that has found itself able to answer this call, and it has created a special series of podcasts entitled, "For a Time Like This".  

One of these podcasts is an interview that Rev. Jamie Howison conducted with our Primate, Archbishop Linda Nicholls.

I invite you to pour a cuppa and take a bit of time to listen to their discussion, and to absorb her words of wisdom and encouragement.  You can hear the podcast by clicking HERE...but I also encourage you to explore the other offerings in this special series.

For additional resources to manage at this time, you might also check out the digital resources provided by the Anglican Church of Canada's website HERE.

May your evening be blessed.

Reflection for a Pandemic: On Joy and Delight

I'm a fan of On Being with host Krista Tippett. The subject of this week's newsletter from On Being Studios is "Practicing Delight". In the lead article, the writer shared that one family had seen a TV spot about another who'd put up their Xmas lights again to lift the spirits of their neighbours -- so that family tried it too.

It's too early to tell if it works, but today's dawned cloudy and foggy...so I put mine on too. Their colours made me smile.

This week's featured On Being Podcast is also about delight -- an interview with writer and community gardener, Ross Gay. You can listen to it here: https://onbeing.org/programs/ross-gay-tending-joy-and-practicing-delight/

For Your Information

This morning, Rev Robert Sears shared via e-mail a document that summarizes what is available from the Federal and Alberta Governments re: relief during this time.

I cannot share the pdf link directly, but the following is a link to the source. Scroll down and click on "Links: Employee Assistance and Financial Supports". From the menu, select "AUMA's Guide for Municipal Leaders...COVID-19" (the first item on the menu), and you will be able to see and download this informative document.

https://auma.ca/covid19

Maintaining Balance

Source: Brooke Anderson, BehaviorFlip

via Facebook

A Letter from Rev Robert to our Parish

Most of you on e-mail will have received this some time yesterday.  I am sharing it here for parishioners who may be unable to access e-mail and for others who follow our parish weblog -- for his words of enouragement and comfort, and for information that is useful for remaining connected during this prolonged period of isolation and separation.  May it bless your day. [Dear Parishioners] Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ. We are a community defined by worship, fellowship, education, proclamation, and service. The new health guidelines throw a wrench into the works, so we need to be creative. I hope to remain in touch with you by email and phone, as we look for ways of being church without being at church. With that in mind, I would welcome your thoughts on what you think will work for us. This email newsletter is one such idea. I would like to inform you of some of the operational changes we are facing. The Commissary has informed us that, regrettably, "all public worship in the Diocese of Calgary is suspended until further notice" and "church buildings must remain closed to the general public." The rationale for this extreme measure is health and safety. A consequence of this is that we will not be having Easter Week services in the same way we have traditionally. Some diocesan events have also been postponed and some future events may be. Michael Harvey's visit to the diocese in April has been postponed. For those of you who have seen Michael before, you might be interested in his new workshop, "Invitation to Heal": https://gohealth.org.uk/resources/the-denis-duncan-lecture-2019-the-invitation-to-heal-lecture-and-panel-discussion/ I found his talk intriguing. I look forward to seeing Michael when he comes to the diocese. Both the Clergy Conference (in May) and our Synod (in June) might be postponed, but the decision will be taken closer to the dates. We will see how events unfold. "Social distancing" is really a misnomer. It should be "physical distancing" because we require to continue social connectedness. Quarantine, self-isolation, and physical distancing demand that we focus on our social connection, solidarity, and mutual support. We need to reach out to our family, friends, and community. It may be just a phone call, a text, or an email, but it will be appreciated. For some, it might also mean a card or a written letter. The more technologically practiced amongst us might be using Skype, FaceTime, Zoom, Discord... there are many video conferencing applications. I would like to encourage you to look at what our synod office and other parishes are providing for online worship and advice. At these web sites you can see some of what other congregations in the diocese are doing. Maybe we can adapt or adopt something others are doing. Diocesan Web Site: https://www.calgary.anglican.ca Diocese FaceBook Page: https://www.facebook.com/calgary.anglican/ Parish streaming, videos, audio: https://www.calgary.anglican.ca/pages/53 In response to some of your questions, Brian and I think the best way to continue to give is by mail. Maybe consider a single monthly donation and pop it in the mail. The church mailing address is:      5005 C & E Trail,      Lacombe, Alberta      T4L 1N5     Lacombe, Alberta     T4L 1N5 Some may want to consider signing up for pre-authorized deposits. Please talk to Brian if you are interested in trying that. See the financial forms page for the Pre Authorized Donation Form. https://www.calgary.anglican.ca/resources/documents/pages/financial-information How we can best continue as a faith community at this time? What are our needs and what are the needs of those around us? Please feel free to call, email, or text me. I will be reaching out too. Yours in Christ, Rev. Robert 587 679-6879 (work cell phone)revrobert@oldsnet.ca revrobert@shaw.ca www.stcyprian.ca

A Pandemic Reflection : In All Things, Rejoice and Give Thanks

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.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  -- Paul, the Apostle -- from his letter to the Phillipians, Ch. 4, v. 4-7 (NIV)

As I've been following the news about the COVID-19 pandemic -- provincially, federally, within the Diocese of Calgary and abroad -- I've been thinking about our Doxology.  You know, the prayer of praise and thanksgiving that we sing at the presentation of the Offering in a Sunday service.  It's an ear worm for me now, because of this video of choristers, demonstrating how it's the perfect 20-second piece to sing while one washes one's hands to prevent the spread of that highly contageous virus.

It seemed to me that this was part of a longer hymn, or that I'd sung something like it as a hymn, but I couldn't put my finger on it.  Digging around the internet, though, I found the answer.

I was partly right: there is a hymn out there.  It's lyrics don't include those from what we refer to as The Doxology -- but it's sung to the same tune, known as Old Hundredth.  Written circa 1551 and attributed to Louis Bourgeois, the tune was originally used with the text from Psalm 134, take from  the translation of the Psalms for the second edition of the Genevan Psalter.  

We know it better as the hymn, "All People that On Earth Do Dwell" -- with text written by William Kethe (or Keithe), one of the editors involved in translating the psalms for the Psalter, and set -- yes -- to that familiar tune, Old Hundredth.  The title of the tune is, in fact, taken from the text for Kethe's hymn, which is adapted from Psalm 100 in his translation for the Genevan Psalter.

Thomas Ken, an English cleric, poet and hymnist came along much later.  His legacy to us is the text for The Doxology -- again, set to that familiar tune.  (Note: The Doxology is not the only one ever written.  Simply put, a doxology is 'a short hymn of praise to God', often appended to the end of canticles, psalms and hymns; in the Jewish tradition, a similar sort of response was appended to the end of each section of the Kaddish.)

The lovely thing about these hymns of praise, all using that one tune, is that each and every one is a hymn that exhorts worshippers to give thanks with joy, because we are always to remember that God is our Creator and Preserver; that God is with us always; that God is faithful; and that God's love endures forever -- so God is worthy of our thanks and praise, whatever our current circumstances.

The toughest challenge we face is believing those truths in times like these.  We need to resist the temptation to comfort each other by quoting Scripture passages that, when taken out of context, amount to hollow platitudes that aren't comforting at all.   It's not a 'given' that because we are Christian, we ought always to be "happy".

But while acknowledging the challenges of our circumstances, we are called in these times to shepherd each other in love, compassion and practical service when and wherever possible.  We are to come to God in prayer, casting our cares on the One who created us and cares so very much for us. (see 1 Peter for his counsel to those enduring all manner of difficulty and suffering).

And so...I leave you with three texts and one tune.  I invite you to take up the ear worm as you wash your hands (over and over and over again!) -- and may your day be blessed.

Original lyrics, based on Psalm 134 from the Genevan Psalter:

You faithful servants of the Lord,

sing out his praise with one accord,

while serving him with all your might

and keeping vigil through the night.

Unto his house lift up your hand

and to the Lord your praises send.

May God who made the earth and sky

bestow his blessings from on high.

All People That on Earth Do Dwell - Lyrics by William Kethe (d.  1594)

Hymn #349 - Common Praise, 1998*

All people that on earth do dwell,

sing to the LORD with cheerful voice.

Serve him with joy, his praises tell,

come now before him and rejoice!

Know that the LOD is God indeed;
he formed us all without our aid.
We are the flock he surely feed,
the sheep who by his hand were made.

O enter then his gates with joy,
within his courts his praise proclaim! 
Let thankful songs your tongues employ.
O bless and magnify his name!

Because the LORD our God is good,
his mercy is forever sure.
His faithfulness at all times stood
and shall from age to age endure.

*A question for you: where else do we use these words, this Psalm?
Hint: it's during the Morning Prayer Service (BAS)


The Doxology - Lyrics by Thomas Ken, ca 1674

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him all creatures here below.

Praise Him above, ye Heavenly Host.

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost

       

From the Service to Celebrate the 60TH Anniversary of The Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II -- Westminster Abbey, Tuesday 4th June 2013

Reflection for a Pandemic: From the Harvard Business Review

That Discomfort You’re Feeling Is Grief

by 
• Scott Berinato
• 
  
• From the article, an interview with David Kessler:
• 
  

HBR: People are feeling any number of things right now. Is it right to call some of what they’re feeling grief?

Kessler: Yes, and we’re feeling a number of different griefs. We feel the world has changed, and it has. We know this is temporary, but it doesn’t feel that way, and we realize things will be different. Just as going to the airport is forever different from how it was before 9/11, things will change and this is the point at which they changed. The loss of normalcy; the fear of economic toll; the loss of connection. This is hitting us and we’re grieving. Collectively. We are not used to this kind of collective grief in the air.

For the full text of this article, offered for free online from the Harvard Business Review,

CLICK HERE

A Prayer Request, Please....

I've been concerned for our friends Carol and Roy. I've made inquiries and learned from another parishioner that they've remained in Hemmett (sp?) California until this morning (March 24).

Reportedly they have a small "fridge" unit they are carrying with them, fully stocked, in the event they might not find shops or restaurants open to serve them as they drive north.

I have had no clear response on my query about where they expect to sleep, as this is a drive of several days. Those of you who know them well can figure out whether or not they will be able to take this drive in shifts.

They may be stopped at the border and tested...and told to stay put for up to a week while the tests are processed.   Certainly, if allowed to pass (delayed at the border or not) they will have to go IMMEDIATELY into 14-day isolation.  As is said in Monopoly: "Do NOT pass 'GO'' dp NOT collect $100!  GO HOME. STAY HOME. Call your family and/or your faith family/friends to purchase your groceries!"

I also don't have any info on who is able to greet them should they arrive home safely. They will NOT be able to a) buy groceries; b) pick up any pets from kennels; c) pick up mail that is not at their household residence -- unless they've so provisioned.

PLEASE contact them (if you are able) if you can help out once they land in Canada, or if you can help in any way. For those of us who are unable to help in a tangible way -- please keep them in your prayers.

"Glory to God, who is able to accomplish all that we could hope, ask or think..."

Meanwhile, be thankful you have friends and family who are willing and able to look out for you in love.

Thank you.

Music During Tough Times: From Steve Bell - Live from the Vault, Episode 1

Canada's own Steve Bell is recording mini concerts for us to enjoy at this challenging time.  This first one is now available on YouTube, so I share it with you here:

It's A BOY!

Angela and Patrick Douglas have had a baby boy -- wee brother to our blessed little Isla.   

She has shared photos on the FB page.  

You can see them HERE.  

Let's hold the Douglas family in our prayers for health and safety at this time.  💙💙💙💙

A Word About Donations

...from our Parish Treasurer re: donations to the church during this time of suspended services:

...regarding church donations, it has been decided that the regular church donations be mailed to the church (once a month would be good):

St Cyprian’s Anglican Church

5005 C&E Trail

Lacombe AB T4L 1N5

When mailing, put your donation in the numbered church envelope (ensuring that the donation will be credited to your “account") and then put that envelope in the envelope addressed to the church.

Have a great day,

Brian

The Parish still has to pay its bills...so if you are able and willing, please maintain your usual support. Thank you!

Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, 

not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

-- 2 Corinthians 9:7

"It's Friday -- but Sunday's Coming!"

I first heard those words from Tony Campolo -- preacher, author, ordained minister, orator and Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Eastern University, St. David's Pennsylvania -- decades ago...back when I fell into the evangelical Anglican parish in Calgary that was -- in the end -- a very mixed blessing for my family.

But...he had a point.  Right now, as we're winding down on this 4th Sunday in Lent; as we are drawing ever closer to Holy Week, which begins with Palm Sunday (April 5) and culminates with Maundy Thursday (April 9) and Good Friday (April 10)...and we don't know where we're going to be. 

This year, we may all be at home, searching online for a way to share the highest, holiest events of the Christian liturgical calendar...but not gathered together in one place.

We are in a very "Friday" place right now.  This is the substance of the Second Letter to the Clergy of the Anglican Diocese of Calgary, from the Very Rev. Leighton Lee, Commissary. 

Rev. Robert shared this text with me....to pass on to you all for your reflection and prayer. It includes the updated notification that rather than re-evaluating the position of community worship in the Diocese by March 31,"...all public worship in the Diocese of Calgary is suspended until further notice."

I urge you to read the full text, to make note of prayer requests for Archbishop Greg and his family, and for others in leadership -- in our Diocese, in our Province, in this country of Canada.

It may be Friday right now...but the good news is...Sunday's coming!

21 March 2020

My Dear Friends,

We are ending our first week of living in this strange wilderness. It has already proved to be a disorienting and stressful experience. Now we know that it is likely to last far longer than any of us could have ever imagined. Therefore I regret to tell you that all public worship in the Diocese of Calgary is suspended until further notice.

It is now time to prepare ourselves and our parishioners for the fact that we won’t be publically celebrating the great solemnities of Holy Week and Easter Day. To even write such a thing is incredible, but this is where we find ourselves at this present moment. But let us remember that we are an Easter People; the victory of the cross and empty tomb are assured.

The good news is that Holy Week and Easter won’t go by unnoticed. There are many parishes around the Diocese who have plans to provide worship in a variety of formats. We will make sure everyone in the Diocese has access to these resources. And never forget that no matter how we mark the central mystery of our faith, God will praised, the Gospel will be preached, and the World will be healed.

I have been so touched by the stories I’ve heard of how we are all reaching out and supporting one another these days. From small, online prayer groups, to people helping out the elderly and vulnerable in our midst by going to the grocery store, to the small gestures of compassion that are so meaningful, we are putting our faith into action. We are witnessing to love of God in Christ by loving our neighbour as ourselves.

Please do not neglect yourselves at this time. Take time to read, to listen to music, to cook. Try not to brood over the news. Remember that we are not the first generation of Christians to live in anxious times. We now doing what a memorable inscription in a London church says many better Christians have done before us. Draw strength from that great cloud of witnesses and wait with longing and expectant hearts for the day when this will all be behind us, when we can again celebrate together the Eucharist. What a day that will be!

I ask your prayers especially for our Diocesan leadership, particularly Archbishop Kerr-Wilson (who returned from the United States on Monday and therefore is currently in isolation at home for two weeks), Archdeacon Gateman, and the Synod Office staff. They are all working diligently and faithfully to keep this ship of faith sailing even in turbulent waters. I am privileged to be able to serve alongside them.

O God our King, who by the resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ on the first day of the week, conquered sin, put death to flight, and gave to us the hope of everlasting life: Redeem all our days by this victory; forgive our sins, banish our fears, make us bold to praise you and do your will; and steel us to wait for the consummation of your kingdom on the last great Day; through the same, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Thank you again for the opportunity to serve you over the past three months. Thank you for your support. Thank you for your prayers.

 Faithfully yours,

The Very Rev’d Leighton Lee, Commissary*

*Emphasis (bold): mine.

Editor's Note: Should you wish a pdf copy of this letter to share with someone who is not on the internet, please advise me by e-mail and I will forward one to you.

 Yes...we are in a Friday time...but Sunday's coming!

May Pastor Compolo's vigourous faith envelope Rev. Lee's words...

and keep you in hope.  AMEN.

Poetry for a Lenten Saturday: Mary Oliver

A bit of a change of pace...sharing a wee reflection from Mary Oliver on this Saturday morning -- or any morning, for that matter -- during a time when, perhaps, all one is able or permitted to do, is to stare out the window...


Morning

Salt shining behind its glass cylinder
Milk in a blue bowl.  The yellow linoleum.
The cat stretching her black body from the pillow.
The way she makes her curvaceous response to the small, kind gesture.
Then laps the bowl clean.
Then wants to go out into the world
where she leaps lightly and for no apparent reason across the lawn,
then sits, perfectly still, in the grass.
I watch her a little while, thinking:
what more could I do with wild words?
I stand in the cold kitchen, bowing to her.
I stand in the cold kitchen, everything wonderful around me.

-- Mary Oliver, from New and Selected Poems, Beacon Press, Boston, 1992

Milk in a Blue Bowl
(C) 2020 - G.M.B.
(Click to enlarge)

A Prayer on a Wednesday Morning

A collect for Wednesday, from "Daily Family Prayer", written by the Right Rev. W. Walsham How, 20th Edition, London, ca. 1899:

O God, who knowest us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright; grant to us such strength and protection as may support us in all dangers, and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.

May your day be blessed.

Remembering Patrick, Missionary Bishop in Ireland

St. Patrick, as he's generally known, is a bit of an anomaly.  The Patron Saint of Ireland, he wasn't Irish.  He was a "Romano-British" Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland, and some parts of his life are the stuff of legend.  Lisa Bitel, Professor of History & Religion at the University of Southern California, writes, "The icon refers to one of Patrick’s legendary miracles in which he is said to have prayed to banish all snakes from Ireland. However, as a historian of medieval Ireland, I can assure you that the real St. Patrick, who lived and worked in the fifth century, never saw a snake or wore a shamrock."   (See her post, "10 Things to Know About the Real St. Patrick".)

Nonetheless, Patrick is revered and venerated in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Lutheran Churches, and in the Anglican Communion.

One of the writings credited to him is the beautiful hymn-prayer, "St. Patrick's Breastplate".  It is referred to as a lorica, which is a prayer for protection.  The term 'breastplate' is thought to refer to Paul's words in his letter to the church in Ephasus -- calling them to "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace." (Ephesians 6:14-15, NIV, emphasis mine.)

As our world faces swiftly evolving challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, today I invite you to remember Patrick, considering both the spoken word of his lorica -- CLICK HERE -- and a version in song by Canadian singer-songwriter, Steve Bell:

I bind to myself today
The strong virtue of the Invocation of the Trinity:
I believe the Trinity in the Unity
The Creator of the Universe.

I bind to myself today
The virtue of the Incarnation of Christ with His Baptism,
The virtue of His crucifixion with His burial,
The virtue of His Resurrection with His Ascension,
The virtue of His coming on the Judgement Day.

I bind to myself today
The virtue of the love of seraphim,
In the obedience of angels,
In the hope of resurrection unto reward,
In prayers of Patriarchs,
In predictions of Prophets,
In preaching of Apostles,
In faith of Confessors,
In purity of holy Virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I bind to myself today
The power of Heaven,
The light of the sun,
The brightness of the moon,
The splendour of fire,
The flashing of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of sea,
The stability of earth,
The compactness of rocks.

I bind to myself today
God's Power to guide me,
God's Might to uphold me,
God's Wisdom to teach me,
God's Eye to watch over me,
God's Ear to hear me,
God's Word to give me speech,
God's Hand to guide me,
God's Way to lie before me,
God's Shield to shelter me,
God's Host to secure me,
Against the snares of demons,
Against the seductions of vices,
Against the lusts of nature,
Against everyone who meditates injury to me,
Whether far or near,
Whether few or with many.

I invoke today all these virtues
Against every hostile merciless power
Which may assail my body and my soul,
Against the incantations of false prophets,
Against the black laws of heathenism,
Against the false laws of heresy,
Against the deceits of idolatry,
Against the spells of smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that binds the soul of man.

Christ, protect me today
Against every poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against death-wound,
That I may receive abundant reward.

Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ at my right, Christ at my left,
Christ in the fort,
Christ in the chariot seat,
Christ in the poop deck,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I bind to myself today
The strong virtue of an invocation of the Trinity,
I believe the Trinity in the Unity
The Creator of the Universe.

AMEN.*

*A Modern English translation from the Old Irish Text

Source: Wikipedia

Notice from Our Incumbent

NOTICE

Archbishop Greg has asked that all parishes in the Anglican Diocese of Calgary suspend services until the end of March.

There will be no worship services on March 15, March 22 or March 29.

We are suspending our church services simply as a preventative measure, to help minimize the chance of community transmission of the COVID-19 virus at this important stage.

The Archbishop is most concerned that we keep one another in prayer. We should keep in touch and reach out to one another, for fellowship and if in need.

Sincerely,

The Rev. Dr. Robert Sears

Reflection for a Time of Isolation: From Madeleine L'Engle

Some readers will know the late Madeleine L'Engle (1918 - 2007) from her very popular book, A Wrinkle in Time, and the subsequent books that followed in series.

I know and love her best from her four Crosswicks Journals, which are memoirs...but she has also inspired artists with Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art and captivated seekers of faith with her other thoughtful non-fiction.  Madeleine, an Episcopalian in faith practice, served as Writer in Residence at the Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City for many years.

Today for your consideration, I offer a short passage from Book I of her Genesis Trilogy: "And It Was Good" (Northstone Publishing 1997).  At this time, when we are being asked to make significant sacrifices in the way we relate to each other in person, and as a faith community, Madeleine reminds us...

We never pray alone.  Ever.  Even if there is no other human being around us who is willing or able to pray with us, we are in the company of angels and archangels.  We are surrounded by a glorious cloud of witnesses.  And, even when we feel most isolated, there are other human creatures, somewhere, who are praying with us...A quiet listening to the words of the Psalms, to the readings from both Old and New Testaments, to the great prayers of the collects and canticles, is often a prelude to the prayers which go beyond words, go deeper than words, leading us from reading to thinking to prayer.

The Psalm for Morning Prayer*

Monday, March 16, 2020:

Psalm 80

(p. 812, Book of Alternative Services)

Below, read aloud in the King James Version

(source: YouTube)

 *Source: Online Lectionary - Anglican Church of Canada

Live Stream Your Anglican Worship!

As congregations in the Anglican Church of Canada and across the Anglican Communion experience closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some parishes and dioceses are turning to technology to bridge the physical gaps between members of the church. -- From the Anglican Journal, dated March 14.

Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Quebec, is one of the congregations
affected by COVID-19-related liturgical suspensions.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Note these streams, which will be available in our time zone

from the

Diocese of Edmonton

Holy Trinity, Strathcona

10:30 a.m. Mountain time via Facebook Live

St. Augustine of Canterbury, Edmonton

10 a.m. Mountain time via Facebook Live

Prayers and homily

St. Augustine’s Parkland, Spruce Grove

10 a.m. Mountain time via Facebook Live

In addition, the Diocese of Edmonton has one parish that provides video and worship materials

available for use any time!

St. Margaret’s, Edmonton

Video and worship materials via website

The Rev. Tim Chesterton has even video-recorded his sermon for March 15!

***   ***   ***   ***   ***

THE COLLECT FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT

Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ gives the water of eternal life. 

May we always thirst for you, the spring of life and source of goodness; 

through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, 

now and for ever.

AMEN.

CANCELLED!!!

From the Diocese of Calgary late this afternoon:

"Effective immediately, all public services in the Diocese of Calgary, are suspended until March 31, 2020. This also means that all services for Sunday, March 15, are to be cancelled."

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

We are a praying people, but we were also given "not a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind." --  2 Timothy 1: 7 -- KJV).

We will do what is needed. We will pray. We will help those less fortunate. We will carry on in love -- with wisdom.

Psalm 23 -- interpreted by Bobby McFerrin

Good Morning! Welcome to St. Cyprian's!

From Dr. Fisman, of U of T's Dalla Lana School of Public Health, 

reported by the CBC: 

"...the coronavirus loves a crowd. Church groups, cruises, large medical conferences  — all have seeded outbreaks...." 

Tomorrow at church you'll be greeted with a smile and a verbal welcome -- and asked to pick up your own copy of the Order of Service. There will be an announcement about COVID-19 and recommended protocol -- including how the offering will be collected.

Some parisiohers have chosen to sit this Sunday out...and maybe future Sundays -- given age and/or underlying health concerns. That's okay. We love you and hold you in our hearts and prayers. Rev. Robert Sears will deal with Eucharist Services when that time comes (our next one is scheduled for March 22).

Meanwhile, stay safe, and remember that our neighbours will know we are Christian by our love -- for them as well as our faith community.  😊

For more from the quoted article (source: CBC news), 

recommended for Canadians, click HERE 

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For those who'd like an online version of Morning Prayer to practice at home (complete with music!), click HERE.  (This is from the Mission of St. Clare).  You'll be given options for Morning and Evening Prayer as well as other offices of prayer through the day, appropriate to the given day/date.

Let us go in peace to love and serve the LORD!