Truth, Reconciliation, Learning, Reflection, Prayer

 

The Diocese of Calgary will be honouring the newly established Federal Stat National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th.  

We are encouraged not simply to take time off but to use it as an opportunity to spend some time learning and reflecting on Truth and Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and considering the TRC calls to action.   

Below are links to related resources; commended by the Diocese:

• Reconciliation Toolkit from the National  Church - https://www.anglican.ca/tr/reconciliation-toolkit/;
• University of Alberta Course  on Indigenous Canada Indigenous Course Indigenous Canada Offered by University of Alberta. Indigenous Canada is a 12-lesson Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) from the Faculty of Native Studies that ... Enroll for free. www.coursera.org  ;
• Truth and Reconciliation Commission:
• Website and Background  
• Truth and Reconciliation
• CALLS to ACTION      
• UN declaration on rights of Indigenous People 
•  Background to the the Declaration

Additional resources:

Anglican Church of Canada -  Every Child Matters: Grace will Lead them Home - a video service of reflection and prayer, designed by a group of Indigenous Anglican Elders; including Archbishop Mark MacDonald, Bishop Sidney Black, the Rev Canon Laverne Jacobs, and Canon Donna G’yogwenace Bomberry.

Kairos Canada

•  A Reflection by Connor Sarazin  of Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn First Nation; and
• Scroll down the site's page to see contributions by other denominations and organizations including the Canadian Friends Service Committee (Quakers), the Christian Reformed Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), the Presbyterian Church in Canada, PWRDF, and the United Church of Canada.

A Prayer for Reconciliation and Healing*

Holy One, Creator of all that is, seen and unseen, of story and of song, of heartbeat and of tears of bodies, souls, voices and all relations: you are the God of all truth and the way of all reconciliation. Uphold with your love and compassion all who open their lives in the sacred sharing of their stories breathe in us the grace to trust in your loving forgiveness, that we may face our histories with courage; touch us through the holy gift of story that those who speak and those who listen may behold your own redeeming presence; guide us with holy wisdom to enter through the gates of remorse that our feet may walk gently and firmly on the way of justice and healing.  AMEN

*From the Anglican Church of Canada, excerpted from KAIROS, 2011-2012 (pdf) 

Reflection in (Extra)Ordinary Time -- in Music and Praise

 

For your listening pleasure -- Canadian Christian singer-songwriter, Steve Bell of Winnipeg, parishioner in the Anglican congregation of St. Benedict's Table. He is featured here with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. May it bring you joy. 😊

Service for Sunday, September 26, 2021: Worshipping "In Place" -- Again

Cooperation: The Better Path

Today's Service is presented by

Rev. Dr. Robert Sears

and members of St. John's Anglican Parish,

Olds, Alberta.

Readings for Sunday, September 26, 2021

Esther 7: 1-6, 9-10, 20-22

Psalm 124

James 5:13-20

The Gospel of Mark 9: 38-50

Thanks to Rev. Robert and volunteers for this week's service.

May it bless your day.  😊

 

Reflection in Pandemic Time: St. Matthew, Apostle & Evangelist

Matthew the Apostle (ca 1618-1620)
Artist: Anthony van Dyke (1599-1641)
Source: Wikimedia Commons

Sharing today this Morning Prayer service of reading and reflection from Canterbury's Deanery Gardens.  Dean Robert Willis and cat Tiger present prayers, readings and reflections on the Feast of St. Matthew, and on the arrival of Autumn in this hemisphere -- as well as Spring in the Southern Hemisphere.   

May it bless your day.

A Prayer for the Canadian Federal Election 2021

 

Lord, keep this nation under your care.  Bless the leaders of our land, that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth.  Help us elect trustworthy leaders, contribute to wise decisions for the general welfare, and thus serve you faithfully in our generation, to the honour of your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

AMEN.*

*From the Book of Alternative Services, Anglican Church of Canada, 1985.

Online Worship Options for Sunday, September 19, 2021: Worshipping "In Place"

Due to short notice, there is no locally-recorded Sunday service for the parishioners of St. Cyprian's, Lacombe, and/or St. John's. Olds, AB. However, the Diocese of Calgary provides these links for online services. Some would require contacting the parish for zoom links, but others are immediately available on YouTube or other live streaming options. Most start at 10 a.m. Mountain Time or later.

You can check these out HERE.

Readings for Sunday, September 19, 2021

Morning Prayer: Psalm 93, 96; 2 Kings 4:8-37; Acts 9:10-31; Collect 381

Holy Eucharist: Propers 381; Proverbs 31:10-31; Psalm 1; (or Wisdom of Solomon 1:16—2:1, 12-22 or Jeremiah 11:18-20; Psalm 54); James 3:13—4:3, 7-8a; Mark 9:30-37; Preface of the Lord’s Day

Evening Prayer: Psalm 34; (Esther 3:1—4:3 or Judith 5:22—6:4, 10-21); Luke 3:7-18; Collect 381

A return to recorded services from St. Cyprian's, Lacombe and St. John's, Olds is scheduled to begin Sunday, September 26, and will continue as long as required.

Be safe, be well, be blessed.

Worship During Pandemic Times: Sunday, September 19, 2021

 From Rev. Robert this afternoon:

In-Person Services Suspended We have had good compliance with the COVID regulations during our in-person services this month. We have had around 13 to 18 people attending. Due to the very high active case count in the city and county as well as the modest attendance at our in-person services, the Wardens and I have decided that we should suspend in-person services again. Our plan is to return to video services starting [September] 26th* and to continue with that until such time that the active case rates in the county and city are around 250 and trending downward. Obviously video services are not the same thing as meeting in person. They are a temporary measure that reaches the most people. Many of us in the parish are being cautious and prudent. Video services enable us to worship together with familiar faces until such time that we can do so safely in person. Video services have an additional benefit of being flexible. Many have actually enjoyed the "pyjama  approach" to worship. We worship at home. We need not worry about our appearance and we can attend at a time that works for us. Video services have the added benefit of reaching into many more homes than we find folks attending in person, even on an average (non-pandemic) Sunday. Video Services Begin September 26 I would welcome your ideas and involvement with the videos. If you have liked certain things we've tried in the videos, please let me know. If you think some new tweak would be of interest, I would also like to hear of it. And those of you who can make video clips and send large files, we would love to enlarge our stable of participants in the videos. Many hands. Assessing Risk of Spread For a number of months now the Diocese has empowered parishes to consider the local COVID risks and decide for themselves whether to hold in-person or video services. I think some of the reason for this was that case rates have differed between regions. Moreover, during the third wave active COVID case rates were worse in Calgary and other large centres than in many rural areas. However, I would note again that at the beginning (or middle?) of the fourth wave, we find the opposite is the case. At least for Lacombe and Lacombe County. Since Sunday [September 12] our active case rate in Lacombe has been nearly 500 and around 700 in Lacombe County. Calgary is only in the low 300s.* Data from Geospatial data (September 15, 2021) https://www.alberta.ca/stats/covid-19-alberta-statistics.htm#data-export In Alberta we have been told that a case rate of 200 was considered high and worrisome. The introduction of widespread vaccination has considered to be super helpful, if not essential, though perhaps not an end to the pandemic. The optimism of the July government announcements has not panned out. Nevertheless, we have had a great couple of summer months. The pandemic is not dead yet. We must persevere and support one another in doing so. And we still need to assess the risk of infection, especially considering the current variant (Delta) is four times more contagious than the prior one. I have, therefore, proposed to that we use the American Centre for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for labelling and assessing COVID risk. The CDC has a four-level risk assessment for travel advisories: low, moderate, high, and very high. They advise not to travel to countries with "very high" active case rates, even if fully vaccinated.   Level 4: Very high level of COVID-19 (>500 cases/100k)   Level 3: High level of COVID-19 (100-500 cases/100k)   Level 2: Moderate level of COVID-19 (50-99 cases/100k       Level 1: Low level of COVID-19 (0-49 cases/100k) Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/how-level-is-determined.html I propose that when we are empowered by the Diocese to decide for ourselves on the level of risk of holding in-person events, that:     - if cases are rising past the midway point of Level 3, then we should look to suspending in-person services     - if cases are declining past the midway point of Level 3, then we can entertain recommencing in-person services etc... Please see the following link for particulars of church-related practices for the four levels of risk. This is obviously subject to change, but it gives us some objective thresholds to assess risk in our area. https://www.stcyprian.ca/downloads/Covid%20Thresholds%20for%20Services.pdf Diocesan Direction On Wednesday this week the Archbishop sent out a COVID update letter. He has adopted the advice of the COVID Taskforce and is calling for a suspension of services and church activities for four weeks, starting September 26th. After which time, the Taskforce will revisit the decision based on our situation. This diocesan response follows the province's September 15th declaration of a state of public health emergency. There are new temporary provincial measures. Here is the link: https://www.alberta.ca/covid-19-public-health-actions.aspx Closing Paragraph from the Archbishop's Letter (Sep 16) "In these difficult times of upheaval and uncertainty, it is even more important that we attend to being prayerful – holding up in prayer our world, especially those in countries who do not yet have vaccines widely available; for our governments, federal, provincial and municipal, as they attempt to steer a course through these troubled waters; for our brothers and sisters in the church, or work of ministry and mission in the midst of the human suffering, anxiety and uncertainty; and for ourselves that we will remain and become even more open to the Spirit's leading as we seek to live out our Lord's commandment to love God and to love our neighbour." The Rev. Robert Sears Incumbent - Parish of St. Cyprian, Lacombe - Parish of St John, Olds Regional Dean - Red Deer / Drumheller Deanery

*Editor's emphasis

Reflection in Pandemic Time: For September 11th

 Ten years ago, then Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, reflected on his experience on this day in 2001, when he was in New York City in a spot about 100 yards from the World Trade Centre.

Now twenty years after that horrific event, we continue to remember...

and to pray for our broken world.

O GOD the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Saviour, 

the Prince of Peace:

Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions.

Take away all enmity and prejudice, and whatsoever else may hinder us 

from godly union  and concord; 

that as there is but one Body and one Spirit and one hope of our calling...

one God and Father of us all, 

so may we henceforth be all of one heart and one soul,

united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and love,

and may with one mind and one mouth glorify you;

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

AMEN.*

*Adapted from the Book of Common Prayer, Anglican Church of Canada, Oxford University Press, 1959.

Worship During Pandemic Times: Sunday, September 12, 2021

 A Message from Rev. Robert

RE: This Sunday's Service

There will be an in-person church service of Morning Prayer this Sunday at 10 am.

Standard COVID protocols will be in place during the service. There will be no singing. Seating will be distanced, with individuals sitting at the ends of every other pew. There will be an empty pew in between rows in which people will be siting. There will be no coffee hour.

Masks are to be worn at all times during the service. If, for whatever reason, you are not able to wear a mask for the duration of a service, you are asked not to attend. We can look to other ways to meet your pastoral needs.

We are working on establishing exactly what our capacity is properly spaced. It may be required that we implement preregistration in coming weeks, if COVID cases do not increase out of control.

As of Friday in Lacombe we have 70 active cases, which is a 372.3 active case rate per 100k. And Lacombe County has 148 active cases which is a significant 671.1 active case rate per 100k. By contrast, Calgary has only a 249.3 active case rate per 100k. Edmonton 309. There is an outbreak at the Royal Oak.

About 90% of COVID cases in Alberta ICUs are unvaccinated persons. There is also evidence of waning immunity among people who were vaccinated early. So, if you are in either of these groups, you are urged to be more cautious in deciding to attending social events.*

-- The Rev. Robert Sears, Incumbent

*Emphasis per the Editor

Reflection in Extraordinary Ordinary Pandemic Time: The Golden Rule

 

Just so you know...it spans the globe...

Reflection in Ordinary Time: Sr. Joan Chittister

 This is too good not to share.  Pour a cuppa, listen closely...and may it bless your day! 😊

Worship During Pandemic Times: September 5, 2021

A message from Rev. Robert:

September is normally an exciting time when we welcome each other "back to church" after restful family-focused summers. We look forward to easing back into our customs of worship and being in each others' company. But as you are all aware, this year will again not be normal. We are beginning the fourth wave of COVID. So let's focus on the good things around us and strive to do things that will help one another make it through the next phase of this. What we can do as a church to make this fourth wave of the pandemic easier and more tolerable for us all?   1. COVID News You will likely know that Alberta has reinstated a mandatory indoor mask policy. We have also been asked to decrease our in-person visits with those outside our households. And working from home has been advised. For more details see: https://www.alberta.ca/covid-19-public-health-actions.aspx#restrictions The Archbishop's Taskforce has also advised mandatory masks and distancing for in-person worship. We are to decrease our numbers and activities as appropriate for "adequate ventilation and air exchange." Indoor and outdoor coffee hours have been suspended. The Taskforce is meeting weekly to consider the situation and advise the Archbishop accordingly. We have been told to be prepared to offer alternatives to in-person services again, "as the requirement to suspend services is a very real possibility." The rationale for such a move is, of course, not fear, but love and prudence. We seek to reduce the risk of COVID infection among those for whom we care.   2. In-Person Service September 5, 2021 There will be an in-person church service this Sunday, September 5, 2021 at 10 a.m. Mountain Time. Masks are mandatory while in the church. So please bring a mask if you plan to come. We will be asking the typical COVID screening questions and keeping a record of attendance for tracing purposes. Please enter by the front doors. We will be seated with the proverbial hockey stick distance between all family units. This means leaving an empty pew between you and the next person both in front, beside, and behind you. The wardens will be there to help organize and remind. There will be communion by priestly intinction, received by hand. If you wish to receive the Bread and the Wine, you will be invited to come to the altar one at a time. You will be able to receive the intincted wafer by hand (between finger and thumb) or in an open palm. In either case make your hand ready and then wait; please do not reach. You will be handed an intincted wafer. There will be no coffee hour. We will exit by different doors, the wardens leading the exit out the front door starting with the back row, and the hall door from the front pew. The goal is to retain distancing. We will wait to announce whether there will be an in-person service next Sunday [September 12], after we hear from the Archbishop's task force. That will likely be on the Friday or Saturday. Yes, that is short notice, but there you go. These are not normal times. Let's face them with dignity and love for one another as we wrestle with the unpleasant but inevitable chaos and discomforts. -- The Rev. Robert Sears, Incumbent.

Reflection in Ordinary Time...During a Pandemic

Just a little musical reflection for the start of a new month...even in the midst of fire, flood, terrorism, struggle, and pandemic...for comfort and assurance.  May it bless your day.

Come Thou fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace
Streams of mercy never ceasing
Call for songs of loudest praise

Teach me some melodious sonnet
Sung by flaming tongues above
Praise the mount, I'm fixed upon it
Mount of Thy redeeming love

Here I raise my Ebenezer
Here by Thy great help I've come
And I hope by Thy good pleasure
Safely to arrive at home

Jesus sought me when a stranger
Wandering from the fold of God
He to rescue me from danger
Interposed His precious blood
(Precious blood)

Oh, that day when freed from sinning
I shall see Thy lovely face
Clothed then in blood washed linen
How I'll sing Thy sovereign grace

Come my Lord, no longer tarry
Take my ransomed soul away
Send Thine angels now to carry
Me to realms of endless days

Oh, to grace how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be
Let Thy goodness like a fetter
Bind my wandering heart to Thee

Prone to wander, Lord I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love
Here's my heart, oh take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above

Here's my heart
Oh take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above.

-- Lyrics: Robert Robertson (1735-1790); Tune: Nettleton