General Chat

Good morning :-)

So sorry to hear that kandj - this week I watched my umpteenth online funeral. Such a different and difficult situation all round sadly. <3


On Candlemas night, many people place lighted candles in their windows at home.
Like some other Christian festivals, Candlemas draws some of its elements from Paganism.

In pre-Christian times, it was the festival of light. This ancient festival marked the mid point of winter, half way between the winter solstice (shortest day) and the spring equinox.

People believed that Candlemas predicted the weather for the rest of the winter.

If Candlemas Day be fair and bright
Winter will have another fight.
If Candlemas Day brings cloud and rain,
Winter won't come again.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Yet another family death to get our heads around.
Strange times too for arranging funeral with Covid.

On a more positive note I had my first Covid 19 vaccination yesterday. All good this morning so far.

Thinking of Vera and her family at a grieving time.

Keep safe and stay well everyone.

Good morning :-)

We mentioned Simeon earlier in the week and it is from his prayer that we have the Nunc Dimittis which is often recited at funerals as the coffin is led out of church.

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace :
according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen :
thy salvation;
Which thou hast prepared :
before the face of all people;
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles :
and to be the glory of thy people Israel
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Yesterday was Candlemas, so called because this was the day that all the Church's candles for the year were blessed and it was sometimes known as the Festival of Light.

Candles were important not only because there was no electricity, but because some people thought they gave protection again plague and illness and famine. For Christians, candles are a reminder of something even more important – the light is Christ himself, our salvation and life - Jesus the Light of the World


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)



Today we celebrate Candlemas, when we remember Mary and Joseph taking baby Jesus to the Temple as was the custom. It was Anna and Simeon who received the baby Jesus in the temple – both were what we would call Senior citizens and they had been waiting many years to see the promised Messiah.
The church has a habit of wanting to desperately appeal to the younger generation but, in an article from the Church Times a while ago, I read…….

“Too many of us in the Church apologise for our congregation with words such as "I am afraid we are all elderly here”. We ought to see those in their second half of life as our natural spiritual constituency - people who have travelled further in life and have become more open to God. We should celebrate our older members, not be ashamed of them.”

It went on…
“Churches should listen more imaginatively to older people's experience and be ready to learn from them. Older people can provide a longer perspective in a time of change. They know about making mistakes, and understand human nature, work, and faith. Some older people are natural evangelists. They have time for people and for spiritual friendship. Their lives often reflect many of the virtues of discipleship: empathy, patience, and compassion. These are attractive resources for mission.”

We give thanks for our older, faithful Christian friends.

Cx :-)

Hello all

More concerns about the new SA variant now.

I continue to pray for the NHS workers, for care workers and for all those who work in schools.

I have an appointment for a Covid vaccination on Wednesday morning and I can't wait to get it done.

Stay well and keep safe everyone.

Good evening :-)

I remembered and then forgot again this morning. Sorry folks.

O God of steadfast love ,trusting you, we devote our hearts to learning and our lives to walking.
Teach us truth, that we may walk with courage.
Teach us mercy, that we may walk with humility.
Teach us forgiveness, that we may walk with compassion.
Teach us grace, that we may walk with strength.
Teach us wonder, that we may walk with praise.
Teach us goodness, that we may walk with those in need.
O God of steadfast love, learning from you, may we walk well.
Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Today we remember the Presentation of Christ in the Temple

The Collect (special prayer) for today :

Almighty and ever-living God,
clothed in majesty,
whose beloved Son was this day
presented in the Temple,
in substance of our flesh:
grant that we may be presented to you
with pure and clean hearts,
by your Son Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen

Cx :-)

Interesting wee of posts, Cynthia!

I forgot to return and tell you that OH did not even watch the online service ........... he wanted to see John in person!

Good morning :-)

Would you believe it? Last night, family & friends quiz night via Zoom, and the first question is........who is the Patron Saint of toothache!!!! ??????

Ending our week of going through a day with unfamiliar Patron Saints....

After having eaten breakfast, many people these days have time to sit down and watch some TV, so we switch on to St. Clare – Patron Saint of Television.
Pope Pius XII designated Clare as the patron saint of television in 1958 on the basis that when she was too ill to attend Mass, she had reportedly been able to see and hear it on the wall of her room.

Clare of Assisi (16 July 1194 – 11 August 1253). She is an Italian saint and one of the first followers of Francis of Assisi. She founded the Order of Poor Ladies, a monastic religious order for women in the Franciscan tradition, and wrote their Rule of Life, the first set of monastic guidelines known to have been written by a woman.

Following her death, the order she founded was renamed in her honour as the Order of Saint Clare, commonly referred to today as the Poor Clares.

There is a community of 23 Poor Clares in Arundel who have recently released an album 'Light for the World' which has been exceptionally popular in the classical charts.

Oh yes. The Patron Saint of toothache is St. Apollonia! ??


Cx :-)

Hello all

Another very interesting theme. Thank you Cynthia

So far St Drogo gets my vote. I often call upon St Anthony who is the Patron Saint of lost items. This little prayer is helpful when hunting for lost things.

Please St Anthony come here and find (my car keys, house keys, my glasses???) and help me to locate them...... strangely, it usually works.

Sylvia, I can empathise with your OH as I have recently missed out on attending two very special church events in my parish.

Vera, I'm upholding you and all your family in prayer

Good morning :-)

.I see I missed a day during the week - no idea why, but apologies nonetheless. The Patron Saint I missed was St. Crispian - Patron Saint of shoes.

Leading on from yesterday and the nice cup of tea/coffee......


Coffee/tea consumed, let’s set about breakfast, and for those who like it…..mmmm…..bacon anyone?

Yes, there is a Patron Saint for bacon……Saint Anthony the Abbot.

Saint Anthony the Abbot is technically a patron saint of butchers, but since there are so many patron saints of butchers, Anthony can afford to specialize in bacon.

He was a 4th century ascetic who lived for 20 years in an abandoned fort, only occasionally performing miracles and healing people who broke in on his solitude.

He is frequently depicted with pigs, possibly owing to his use of pig fat in his healing concoctions. The measles, known as St. Anthony's Fire, were often treated by rubbing the eruptions with pork fat or bacon so, in the way these things often go, he came to be regarded as the patron of pigs and swineherds.

Lord, we thank you for the life of St. Anthony.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)



Through the day with some unfamiliar Patron Saints……..

After washing and dressing, the next thing many people want is a nice cup of tea/coffee. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a Christian saint for tea, but there is one for coffee……

Have you ever heard of Saint Drogo? He is a Flemish saint from the 12th century who was revered for his holiness and spent many years as a hermit. Oddly enough, he’s the patron saint of a beverage he never drank.

St. Drogo was no stranger to pain and difficulty. He was an orphan and deeply affected by knowing that his mother died giving birth to him. He had been a shepherd at one point; then he gave all his money away. He took several penitential journeys to Rome … and then when he came back the last time, he was very, very disfigured from a disease that he had caught. The people in the village where he lived were frightened by his appearance.

Because he was such a pious man and to protect the town from his frightening appearance, the people built a little room for him attached to the church. There was only a small window in the door from which he received Communion, some barley to eat and a bowl of warm water. And it’s because of this bowl of warm water that he became the patron saint of coffee. St Drogo lived there for the remainder of his life.

While this little-known saint connects to many people due to their love for a cup of coffee, he also connects to many on a more personal level. Throughout his life he experienced isolation and discrimination due to his disfigurement. He knew what it was to be lonely and misunderstood but still found faith and hope in the midst of his difficulties.

We thank God for the life of St. Drogo

(Whilst looking things up, I did come across something which made me smile…..the patron saint of coffee? St Arbucks. Think about it) ??


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

A day spent with some unfamiliar Patron Saints.......

After having left the bathroom, we head back to the bedroom to get dressed and it’s here we bump into…..

Saint Catherine of Alexandria, (born: 287 AD Died: 305 AD), the patron saint of lace makers and spinsters who has been honoured by the fashion and millinery industry.

When the Roman emperor, Maxentius, began persecuting Christians, Catherine travelled to Rome to rebuke him for his cruelty. At first, Maxentius was merely amused by this beautiful, hot-headed girl (she was only eighteen at the time). He didn’t really want to put her in prison or kill her, so he summoned fifty of his greatest philosophers to persuade her to give up her faith. Instead, she persuaded them, one by one, until all fifty had converted to Christianity!

Maxentius didn’t want to kill Catherine, so he offered to marry her and make her empress if only she would deny her faith. (He needed a new empress anyway, since he had killed the last one.)

“No,” said Catherine. “My heart belongs only to Christ.”

That was the last straw. The emperor ordered Catherine to be tied to a large wheel with sharp spikes on it. He thought this would surely silence this wise and stubborn young woman; but instead, the ropes miraculously fell off of Catherine, and the wheel flew apart in all directions.

Hence the firework known as The Catherine Wheel.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


I hope your OH managed to watch the service Sylvia and that it brought back happy memories. The thing with online worship is that some is very good, some is mediocre and some is downright awful. I hope yours was in the first category! :-D


There seems to be a touch of doom and gloom everywhere we look these days……so a light-hearted but informative week hopefully!

Saints – Patron saints in particular – it’s amazing how many there actually are.

Let’s take a typical day and see how many unfamiliar saints we come across.

On waking, the first thing most people do is…………head for the bathroom and yes, there is a Patron Saint for plumbers and I read this, which made me smile.

An article by the journalist, Matthew Parris Wednesday May 15 2019, 12.01am, The Times “Good news has reached the Derbyshire parish of All Saints, Elton. No more crossed legs in the pews! An email pings on to my screen. “Church Toilet Blessing (poster attached)”. St Vincent Ferrer, patron saint of plumbing, has smiled upon the efforts of the Elton flock: the village church now has its own loo and worshippers need no longer cross the road to the Duke of York’s outdoor facilities.
A ribbon-cutting moment (sadly I was not asked) will be “followed by cake”. There will also be a visiting choir from the WI in Youlgreave, to whom (from Hymns Ancient & Modern) I could perhaps recommend they sing:

If worn with pain, disease, and grief
This feeble frame should be,
Grant patience, rest, and kind relief;
Good Lord, remember me. “


Saint Vincent Ferrer, O.P. (1350 – 1419) was a Valencian Dominican friar and preacher, who gained acclaim as a missionary and a logician. He was known for his religious poverty and austerity, including perpetual fasting, and was believed to have the gift of miracles. The last two years of his life were devoted to preaching in northern France.

We give thanks for the life of St Vincent and for the example he set.

Cx :-)

Vera ............. it's lovely to hear that you have had such support and so many lovely messages about your brother xxx


The Bishop of New Westminster, our diocese, retires in about 4 weeks. Her replacement was elected Coadjutor-Elect Bishop las October ......... somehow I missed that bit of news back then.

But he was ordained yesterday, and OH discovered that he was giving the sermon from our church this morning, so he was all gung-ho to go to the service until I looked online.

Still no live services, so it will be online. OH says he might watch it ............ he was eager to see the new Bishop and speak to him because he has known him since Bishop John's first years at the university when OH coached him in Rugby . That's many years ago!!!

Bishop John is a "local" boy in that he immigrated here when a child, went through school and the local university getting a degree in zoology before changing course, and has been vicar/rector at the church in the next parish here in Vancouver.

I guess Bishop Melissa will return to her home town in Washington state after her retirement, although I haven't seen that. She has only in Canada during her time as Bishop.

Good morning :-)

Dear Vera, it's such a comfort when surrounded by the love and care of others isn't it? Your brother sounds as though he was a lovely man and will be much missed. Take heart in your memories and in the kind thoughts and loving good wishes of your many friends. God bless. <3 <3



The Collect (special prayer) for today

Almighty God,
whose Son revealed in signs and miracles
the wonder of your saving presence:
renew your people with your heavenly grace,
and in all our weakness
sustain us by your mighty power;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.



The Gospel reading for today :

The Wedding at Cana

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it.

When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

Cx :-)

Another interesting and thought provoking week of posts Cynthia. Thank you.

I have been very touched this week by the number of lovely cards, notes and emails I have received after the death of my brother. People are so thoughtful and their messages are a great comfort to me. It is clear he was very well loved and what has been mentioned time and time again are his kindness to all and sundry, his smile and his sense of humour.

I am sad but still have much to be thankful for, not least the comfort and strength I am deriving from the messages I have received. My thoughts are with those who are having to cope with a bereavement without the support of loving family and friends.

Good morning :-)

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Jesus Christ,
we desire to welcome fully the
brothers and sisters who are
with us.
You know how often we feel helpless
in the face of their suffering,
yet you are always there ahead of us
and you have already received them
in your compassion.
Speak to them through our words,
support them through our actions,
and let your blessing rest on us all.
Amen


GO AND DO

Global: Take time to engage with global news stories today. Take action in
response to the story that most moves you with compassion.

Local: Contribute in any way that you can to a foodbank, food growing
scheme or community meal initiative in your area.

Personal: Reflect on and identify who ‘the other’ is for you. How might you
connect with and offer a welcome to them in your next encounter?


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity


Blessed are you, God our Father,
for the gift of your word in Holy
Scripture.
Blessed are you for its
transforming power.
Help us choose life and guide us by
your Spirit,
so that we can experience the
happiness which you want so
much to share with us
Amen.




GO AND DO

Global: Find out more about the Just Scripture initiative and help organise
a session connecting the churches in your area with a community across
the world.

Local: What one act of kindness could the churches in your area take
together to be a unified blessing in your wider community?

Personal: Read the Beatitudes through slowly (Matthew 5: 3-11). Which of
the actions described in the passage are you encouraged to take today?


Cx :-)