The calendars ($7.00 each) are in baskets with signs and available at both entrances to the church and from the church office. In the basket with the calendars are preprinted envelopes, please place the $7.00 in the envelope and place in the collection plate or in the mailbox outside the Admin Office Door.
Preview the calendar images here (Webmaster’s note: it’s gorgeous!)
In this age of fake news, conspiracy theories and AI, which can make almost anything seem “real”, it is hardly surprising that so many people are skeptical when it comes to Christianity. For some, Jesus is viewed as a mythical figure who never existed, in the same category as the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus (although the latter, Saint Nicholas, is based upon the real Bishop of Myra, 270-343 AD). This skepticism often causes us to be hesitant to share our faith, for fear of being ridiculed by unbelievers.
Some see becoming a Christian as a blind leap of faith – the type of faith that would be needed in expecting to find a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Certainly, there is a step of faith required, but it is not a blind leap. We know that faith is a gift from God, but belief in Jesus is also based on firm historical evidence. There is a great deal of evidence for Jesus’ existence. This is not only found in the Gospels and other Christian writings, but also from non-Christian sources.
The Jewish priest and historian Flavius Josephus, born in Jerusalem in 37 AD, wrote in his “Testimonium Flavianum” about Jesus’ crucifixion, his resurrection and the presence of disciples in the years following.: “And the tribe of the Christians, so called after him, has still to this day not disappeared.” In 116 AD, the Roman historian Tacitus commented, “Christus, from whom the name (Christians) had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilate.” These are but two examples of historical evidence.
In addition to the writings of other historians of the time, virtually all scholars of antiquity accept that Jesus was a historical figure. Of course, the four Gospels present the strongest evidence of all.
More than 20,000 copies of New Testament manuscripts from 130 AD to 350 AD are still in existence. By comparison, other writings from the first millennium number 20 or less. The very fact that Jesus is worshipped more than two thousand years after he left the earth, by an estimated 2.365 billion Christians worldwide, is a miracle in itself. (This compared with 1.907 billion followers of Islam and 1.152 of Hinduism, for example).
Of course, belief in Jesus cannot be reduced to mere historical fact and figures. The mystery of faith is part of its wonder. Non-believers may accept that Jesus was a wonderful man and a great moral teacher, but we know he is so much more. As humans we are wired to seek beyond the physical world, and we yearn for things spiritual. Saint Augustine of Hippo wrote in his Confessions, “You have made us for yourself O Lord and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” All too often in the secular world there is an attempt to satisfy this itch (unsuccessfully) with wealth and power. However, nurturing a relationship with the divine is what sustains us as Christians and gives us hope. This is not simply First Aid for our souls, but a manifestation of God’s Holy Spirit at work in us, which takes us beyond life’s daily round. Through personal prayer, studying the Bible, and corporate worship we are God’s beloved children, drawn into the Christian family. Like all families, we may sometimes disagree, but ultimately, we are bonded in love. As we grieve over the agonizing brokenness of our world, we are truly blessed to be able to trust in the very real person of Jesus, knowing that not only did he exist as a man on earth, but he is still very much alive for Christians everywhere.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, let me know myself and know you, and desire nothing, save only you. Let me hate myself and love you. Let me do everything for the sake of you.
Saint Augustine (354-430)
Faith is defined as a ‘complete trust or confidence in someone or something’. It is, from a religious standpoint, a strong belief in God or doctrines based on spiritual awareness, rather than proof. We read these words of Jesus in John 20:29: “blessed are those who believe and have not seen”.
We also live every day knowing at some point that we will die, and that somehow it will be alright. But we cannot prove that, nor can we understand what really happens when we die. These are all elements of ‘having faith’.
Does faith mean we do not doubt? No! Faith does not eliminate doubt. Most people, if they are honest with themselves, will admit that they are troubled from time to time with doubts about whether what they’ve been taught is true. Even Mother Teresa wrote of her doubts in one of her diaries, saying: “But as for me, the silence and the emptiness is so great, that I look and do not see. Listen and do not hear, the tongue moves in prayer but does not speak.” Mother Teresa had doubts, yet her faith was strong. I read an article about Mother Teresa once that stated if she had a choice, she would not be doing the work she was, but she was doing it because God had called her to do it! Wow – that is a strong faith.
Doubt is defined as: ‘a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction; a hesitancy to believe; not being certain about something, especially about how good or true it is.’ Being a “Doubting Thomas” and questioning life is not a bad thing. When we ask ourselves difficult questions, we get answers that can deepen our faith and provide us with the tools we need to live a more purposeful life and have a closer relationship with God. It is all right to doubt, but we must move beyond doubt.
Jesus told Thomas that those “who believe even if they have not seen are blessed”. Guess what – We are those blessed people! We may still have doubts but when we do, we can begin to examine our lives to determine what is true, what is right. That is the human process which leads to a better understanding of ourselves, our world, and our relationship with God. And each one of us must travel that journey at our own pace and in our own time.
As we can get back to a routine here at All Saints, I urge you to take advantage of the educational offerings we will have as a way to strengthen your faith and help you work through any doubts that you may have.
Prayer:
Jesus,
We dare to believe in the things we cannot see:
In your love for us, in your love for those around us
In the hope of eternity.
We dare to believe that another world is possible
That suffering can end
That we can play a part in the kingdom to come.
We dare to believe in heaven on earth, in the light breaking through
In justice made new, in your love for us.
Amen
All Saints is journeying on a two-year mission action plan (MAP) to strive and to lean more intentionally into parish strengths and growth areas.
These areas were identified by a parish-wide planning meeting in the spring of 2024. It was a wildly constructive meeting for generating ideas and discerning the will and direction of the church. See the infographic below that shows the four primary growth areas, broken out into 2-3 general focus objectives. The general focuses were further broken down into specific target action items (not shown here). As the fall programming year begins, we can look forward to updates on the progress that has been made so far and what area objectives will be priorities for year one of the MAP implementation.
If there are areas that intrigue you and/or you feel called to support the MAP, contact Mthr Jennifer. She can advise on specific targeted action items that All Saints needs your help to achieve.
All Saints’ Anglican Church
300 Dundas Street West
Whitby, Ontario
L1N 2M5
Canada
Deacon’s Cupboard (Food Bank)
Tues & Fri 10am-1pm
Tuesday to Friday:
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Tel: (905) 668-5101
allsaintswhitby@nullbellnet.ca
All Saints’ is a 2SLGBTQQIA+ affirming parish.
