Tuesday, July 27

It’s the end of July  now and about that time of year when we start watching for the first utterance of that dread term — “back-to-school.”  (There I said it. It’s done.) Normally, we might already have heard this being batted around in advertising, as store shelves are being stocked with notepads and pencil cases  and locker accessories. This year of course is different—  “back-to-school” is coloured by discussions of vaccines and classroom ventilation and a cloud of ongoing uncertainty and nervousness about what this fall will look like for students and teachers.

As you read this, I am likely sitting on a deck, with thoughts of September and school terms the farthest thing from my mind. (Let’s hope so anyway.)

So why is “back-to-school” the starting point of my thought and prayer for the day?

We often get lulled into thinking that the church follows the academic calendar. And to be fair it does in many ways. We each of us — including church staff, clergy and lay leadership — take time off in the summer. I can report one of your churchwardens is right here with me now on vacation. (It’s Tim, of course, in case you were speculating.)

And yet, even though some of us are a little scarcer in July and August, the people of All Saints are worshipping, praying and sharing the Gospel all summer long.

Many years ago for a September Saints Alive issues, I wrote this:

“Much of the hype of new supplies and first-day outfits has not reached churchland. There are no September deadlines on enrollment, no schedule of tuition fees, no timetables or locker locations to be negotiated. Nonetheless, I have started imagining … What does God need from us to come back to church, whether after a summer holiday, a longer churchgoing hiatus, or a lifetime absence from religious belief?”

Now, I suggest that this year we have greater opportunity to zoom in to church from alternate locations all year long. If you pull up stakes and head to a summer home for July and August, consider coming to church still on a Sunday or two, if your cottage wifi exists or your data plan supports it. I have seen other Anglicans posting on social media: “I am a member of St. Such-and-Such, Toronto and I am worshipping today from Manitoulin Island.”  The posts usually contain a picture of a laptop or ipad nestled into beach towels or propped up on a picnic table, showing their home parish zoom or livestream on the screen.

Second, while September will see a “back-to-school”  resumption of certain ministry groups, I am reminded that seekers and people in need don’t “come back to church” on any particular schedule. The food bank operates continuously. Community advocacy and support groups still meet, and those who have moved into the Whitby area and are searching for a parish home are often doing so in August before the school year commences. And of course, spiritual crises or awakenings can happen at any time. So, while we may naturally step back a bit in the summer, we remain welcoming and engaged for newcomers, and the many generous volunteers of the church continue to work on webpages and community gardens and property repairs and intercessory prayers throughout the summer or they make arrangements for others in the parish to cover for them.

While we individually take breaks, church doesn’t close in the summer. In fact, across the Diocese churches are opening up, welcoming back worshippers in outdoor eucharists, in-person services within gathering limits, and with continued and expanded online liturgy.

I can’t completely deny that for many people September is a kind of “New Year’s Day” moment, when fresh resolutions and routines are formed. The last year and a half have taken a particular toll and many non-churchgoers and lapsed churchgoers many be longing for renewal and a “spiritual new year” in more intense ways than ever.

So, wherever you are as you read this, wherever you may zoom in from (or to) for spiritual nourishment this season, whether you are taking a Sabbath break or eagerly seeking out in-person worship, I hope you are bearing witness to the positive impact of Christ in your life and continuing to seek God through prayer and reading of Scripture or daily thankfulness for your Spirit-given riches.

A Summer Prayer:

Let’s put ourselves into the hands of the Lord, and pray that God will bless us and our families during the wonderful months of summer. May we all help make our home a place of relaxation, joy, love, peace and safety. May we be generous and considerate, not thinking only about ourselves, but helping others enjoy the blessings of summertime. Lord God, Creator of all things, guide our steps and strengthen our hearts, during these months of summer and vacation days. Grant us refreshment of mind and body. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

– Found on:  jesuitresource.org

 

“We are a sacred part of creation,”  (Richard Wagamese, One Drum)

Creation, and especially Creation Care, has been front and centre at All Saints’ for months now. First came the planning and creating of our community garden, and the exciting prospect of growing food for our Deacon’s Cupboard clients. It is not without significance that the garden is in full view of passers-by, and of the clients themselves, as they wait to be served.  Before the banner proclaiming “All Saints’ Community Garden. A Sacred space expressing love towards neighbour and caring for Creation. May God bless this garden for our food bank,” was installed, strangers would stop and ask what was happening as we worked at transporting the soil in the heat of late May. Already, before a single seed had sprouted, the Word was being sown in our neighbourhood!

Of course, as anyone who has ever attempted to grow food has discovered, there were some inevitable challenges, particularly from hungry rabbits, squirrels, and bugs. There were seeds which just didn’t germinate, but many did, and some early harvesting of herbs and radishes has been possible. Meanwhile we have the promise of a greater harvest at summer’s end, as well as the gift of our community coming together in a common purpose.

In the second week of July, Vacation Bible School also focused on God’s Creation, and our response to it. The children were shown in a practical way how God’s love grows in each of us, like a seed planted in good soil, which needs to be nurtured. The Sunday following, our 10:00 am service featured some of the videos and songs from the week, making for an upbeat and joyful time of worship.

For many people, myself included, a garden can be a place of peace, and a balm for the soul. In addition to my own outside space at home, I have recently discovered another place of refuge, albeit virtually. Through the wonder of You Tube, I have become part of  the Garden Congregation at Canterbury Cathedral. Every day, Dean Robert Willis says Morning Prayer in a different part of the extensive deanery garden. As you might expect, there are prayers and scripture and an insightful reflection, but there is so much more. A variety of animals often roam in and out of view, which Dean Willis deftly manages to weave into his message.

One morning it might be the family of pigs, who love to receive a scratch on their head or tummy from the Dean as he delivers his talk; another day it could be Tiger, the cat who helped himself to the milk by dipping his paw into the pitcher on the tea tray beside Dean Robert as, unfazed, he continued his talk. This cat actually received a BAFTA (the UK version of an Oscar) for bringing laughter and joy to the British people, when Covid began! Since that video went viral, Tiger lost one of his front legs to cancer but has made a remarkable recovery. In one of the Dean’s talks on New Beginnings, he was held as an example of persevering through adversity. Remarkably, that three-legged cat is still able to jump up on the table to get to the milk. In one corner of the garden there is a wide variety of birds, including a turkey, geese, chickens, a rooster, and many wild birds. There is always a lovely backdrop of trees and flowers, including a wildflower meadow and other beautiful blooms, which are a feast for the eyes.

In addition to all this, each morning Dean Robert mentions anniversaries and special events for that particular date. On July 1^st, for example, the scene was set with Canadian flags, and there were special prayers for our Truth and Reconciliation work, and for the wild- fires in the west. There is also a wonderful wealth of knowledge shared about extraordinary people, both famous and ordinary, from every era.

I have found this to be a very calming start to the day, in a place where the beauty of God’s creation is shared with people all over the world. It has truly become a global community which is especially helpful in these times of great sadness. If you would like to visit this amazing garden, go to  https://www.canterbury-cathedral.org/worship/online-worship/

Creation (from a Celtic prayer by David Adam):

God bless the earth and all living creatures; God bless the earth and its rugged features.
God created order out of chaos. God brought light out of darkness.
God made all things from nothing. God breathed life into all things.
God loves all that he has made.
God is almighty who loves you.
God is able to uphold and rescue you.
Amen

 

Thursday, July 15

by
Gary Gannon

The English language can play tricks on us. One such trick is the homonym – words that have different meanings but are pronounced or spelled the same way. For example, the wind violently blew snow across the meadow. Or, the clockmaker decided it was now time to wind the grandfather timepiece. Or, grandma was pleased when Jenny ate all her dinner. Or, eight inches of rain saturated the Gulf lowlands overnight. You get the point.

The Gospel reading for June 15^th is from Matthew 11: 28-30. It is one of my favourite passages from the New Testament. Yet, one word therein could befuddle someone just beginning to master the English language when in listening to this passage and hearing Jesus say in verse 28 “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me…”, the novice linguist may wonder why is Jesus asking her to pour egg yolk on herself? Or, what does our Lord mean when He said “For my yoke is easy…”? Our learner does recall once hearing that some people like their eggs cooked “over easy”, but can that be what is meant here! No, of course not. Rather, these mere fifty-four words offer each of us a sense of reassurance, hope and peace when we experience doubt, despair and discord in our lives.

Since March, 2020, a global pandemic has caused many of us to experience heavy burdens. We have been discouraged, and in some cases even banned, from physical contact with loved ones. For some of us, a sense of personal and family security has been threatened due to job loss and business closures. We likely know someone who was hospitalized or, in some cases, lost their life due to the COVID 19 virus. Many of us long to gather in our beautiful worship space and enjoy once again a sense of fellowship with other members of our congregation.

In today’s Gospel reading Jesus calls out to those of us who have been discouraged, threatened or experienced loss saying “Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” Oh, how we long for such consolation. Our Saviour goes on by asking us to, “Take my yoke upon you…”  A yoke is a curved timber attachment used for coupling draft animals such as oxen. Here Jesus metaphorically creates an image of His willingness to be coupled with us, whenever we are heavy laden, as He makes our burdens lighter due to the fact that He is carrying them with us, indeed taking most of the weight. Matthew continues to tell us that our Lord is “gentle and lowly in heart” and in Him “you will find rest for your souls.” In this verse we see the gentleness of Jesus and His willingness to act as a servant to ease our troubled minds and hearts.

In looking at the Sacred Space website commentary for today’s Gospel reading it notes, “Jesus invites us to come to Him just as we are. He recognizes the busyness of our lives, how we labour and are overburdened and draws us into His loving and gentle presence. He wants to listen to all of our troubles, and assures us that His yoke is easy and His burden light. When we spend time with Jesus, we find rest for our souls. He speaks to us in the silence of our hearts and gives us inner peace.”

Prayer
We come to You today in need of rest.
There is much in us that is restless.
There is much around us that brings anxiety and uneasiness.
Help us to receive Your rest today.
Give us awareness of your presence.
Allow the truth of Your love to fill our minds and hearts. Amen.

• • Deacon Intern, Todd Olberding, St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church (2020)