All Saints'

for all ages, for all times, for everyone. See yourself here.

  • All Saints'
  • Upcoming Services
  • First Visit?
  • On Sundays
  • Life at All Saints’
    • Life Events
    • Children & Youth
    • Community
    • Learning
    • Music
    • Our Ministry Team and Staff
    • Our Building’s History
  • News & Events
    • Latest News
    • Calendar
    • Prayer Life
    • Saints Alive! ~ Parish Newsletter
    • 2016 – Our 150th year in review
  • Donate
  • Contact

January 14, 2021

Epiphany: Thought & Prayer for the Day #3

Thoughts of the Day on Thursdays this month are part of a special series in Epiphanytide where members of our congregation share stories of their own Epiphany moments.

 

Today’s reflection is by Tim Ralph.

 

Thursday, January 14

They Will Know We are Christians By Our Love

Though I was raised in the Anglican tradition, like many teens in the 1970’s and 1980’s, my early Christian formation occurred in several different community church youth groups.  Not really understanding the differences between churches such as Anglican, United, Lutheran and Presbyterian, my friends and I attended where we felt the most welcome, where we knew something fun was planned and where we felt our service was deemed useful. I believe these continue to be important characteristics of successful church communities.

At that time, music, often sung at evening vespers or during youth retreats also made its mark on me and helped to forge a path for me towards my own understanding of my role in the church and is it fair to say – a deeper understanding of God.

One of many songs that I carry with me from those days is “They Will Know We are Christians by Our Love.” (Feel free to have a listen by clicking this song title).

The lyrics of this song find their origins in the Gospel of John 13:34-35.  While speaking to the Disciples during the Last Supper, Jesus gave them a new command.  “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

This verse, and the song based on it, continue to have a hold on me. I believe it provides answers to questions, such as “How do we identify ourselves as Christians?”, to the broader community?

As the pandemic continues and our bubbles become smaller, we will likely see more and more people lose their community connectedness, fall into poverty or be disadvantaged by systems already geared against them. What is our role as Christians in this time? How can we support and build bridges for those left behind?  For me, one answer is ‘They’ll know we are Christians by our love.’

As a Christian raised in the church, I continue to find great satisfaction in service and gratitude.  Being able to serve those in our community is how I demonstrate my faith.

During the dark evening of the Last Supper, Jesus explained to the disciples that when he was gone, the world would know that they were a disciple not by a uniform or badge or t-shirt, but rather by their love for one another and for others – by what they did for one another.

I acknowledge that we each approach our faith in different ways.  Some of us are thinkers, some are teachers, some leaders and others communicators.  My faith has always been geared to doing.  I can’t help, but think though, that regardless of our strengths, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

Our prayer comes in the form of song:

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord;
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord;
And we pray that all unity will one day be restored.

Chorus: And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand;
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand;
And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land.

We Will work with each other, we will work side by side;
We will work with each other, we will work side by side;
And we’ll guard each man’s dignity and save each man’s pride.

All praise to the Father, from whom all things come;
And all praise to Christ Jesus, His only Son.
And all praise to the Spirit who makes us one.

Amen.

Copyright: Words: 1966 F.E.L. Publications. Assigned 1991 Lorenz Publishing Company (Admin. by Lorenz Corporation), Music: 1966 F.E.L. Publications. Assigned 1991 Lorenz Publishing Company (Admin. by Lorenz Corporation)

 

 

Filed Under: Together Apart Written by Arleane Ralph

November 5, 2016

All Saints: Glimpses and Sketches

picture4

Filed Under: 150th Written by Arleane Ralph

September 24, 2016

The Rutledge, Goode, and Hawke Windows

window6
The Rutledge Window ~ The Road to Emmaus: This window on the west wall by the pulpit (pictured at left) is a memorial to James Rutledge, a lawyer, dedicated churchman, and mayor of Whitby. Rutledge served as Churchwarden several times in All Saints’ history, beginning in 1884. The window depicts Jesus, having joined the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, being entreated to stay the night, and rest. There are similarities in the style, energy and Scriptural theme between the Rutledge/Emmaus window and the Channen/Empty Tomb window, which is further along the west wall. During his Incumbency at All Saints, the Rev. Channen was known to base an Easter season homily on the Rutledge window. It is interesting and fitting that the Channen memorial window should complement the Rutledge memorial window in this way.

The Goode Window ~ “Come Unto Me/ Behold, I Knock”:  This east-wall window (pictured at right) is in memory of Henry H. Goode,window2 1879–1966 and his wife Dana Louisa Goode, 1887–1969. Mr. Goode is remembered as a quiet man, who willingly served wherever needed. Mrs. Goode was once president of the Afternoon Guild and of the Chancel Guild. She often hosted Afternoon Tea Parties in her home to raise money to purchase altar linens. The window pairs two depictions of Christ—on one side, the humble Christ with outstretched arms, based on Matthew 11:28; and on the other, Christ the King with lantern in hand, as described in Revelation 3:20.

The Hawke Window (pictured below) is sometimes called the Ruby Window. The vivid red sets it apart from any of the others in the church. It is on the east side of the church ad when the morning sun shines through, the stained glass is remarkably bright and often paints the pews with rose-coloured patches. The window is in memory of Anthony Bewden Hawke, who was chief emigration agent for Upper Canada and Britain from 1835 onward. He died in Whitby in 1867. His initials are visible in the left window panel opposite a silhouette of an eagle, symbol of St John the Divine, in the right. In the circular window above is a verse from Proverbs: “The memory of the just is blessed.” Learn more about A.B. Hawke and the Ontario Emigrant Office.

window3-3
window3-4

 

Filed Under: 150th Written by Arleane Ralph

September 24, 2016

Historical Notes & Queries – Facts on the Font

Entering our lovely church each Sunday through the front doors, many walk right by a piece of the ecclesiastical furnishing that is used exclusively for one of the two sacraments of the Anglican Church. One sacrament is, of course, Holy Communion. So what is the other sacrament, and what item in the nave am I referencing? If you guessed the sacrament of Baptism and our beautiful baptismal font, you are correct. Well Done! Three Weatherbottom points to you!

As in many Roman and Anglican churches, our font stands at the entryway to the church. Its placement represents how one enters the faith. As we step into the church, we pass the font where Baptism allows each new Christian an entryway into the family of God.

Having survived our church’s more recent fire (albeit with some telltale discolouration), our font was carved from stone and donated by Richard Wolfenden in January of 1869. Around the outside you’ll find inscribed these words: “Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not.” The cover was not added until 1927. It was carved in oak and donated in memory of Ann Rabeth Wright, the wife of the then Rector. The brass basin for the font was donated in 1917, in memory of Ashleigh Rice who was killed in action.

Our 137-year-old font is in continuing use today. I am sometimes asked if it is permissible to use a more portable font at the front of the church. Though this is certainly quite possible, for those who are more traditionally liturgical in their approach to the sacrament, the choice is clear—baptismal candidates enter into their convenant with God in the place where they enter into God’s church.

~Bertie Weatherbottom, Notes & Queries Reporter for the 150th

w
Photo Credit: Dalton Company
Photo Credit: Dalton Company

 

 

 

Filed Under: 150th Written by Arleane Ralph

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 8
  • Next Page »

Featured Events and Services

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

No upcoming events

View the full Calendar

Visit Us

All Saints' Anglican Church
300 Dundas Street West
Whitby, Ontario
L1N 2M5
Canada

  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Facebook

Regular Sunday Services

Sunday service is presently at 10am. Please join our parish email distribution list or visit our Advent & Christmas Services to learn about options for worship at All Saints’, whether in person or by Zoom.

Donate Online

Office Hours:

Tuesday to Friday:
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Tel: (905) 668-5101
allsaintswhitby@nullbellnet.ca

All Saints’ is an LGBTQ+ friendly parish.

 

Copyright © 2021 · Website lovingly built by Carlén Communications

Copyright © 2021 · All Saints, Whitby on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in