Here are a few photographs from past years of Easter celebrations from around the province of Newfoundland and Labrador:
Easter New Fire, Marystown, 2018
Foxtrap breakfast with the Easter Bunny, 2018
Parish of Meadows, Easter 2018
Palm crosses being made in Port aux Basques, 2017
Rose Blanche, 2016
Portugal Cove GA, 2016
The Ascension, Mount Pearl, 2016
St. Thomas in Charleston, 2015
Almighty and everlasting God,
you hate nothing that you have made
and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent:
create and make in us new and contrite hearts that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may receive from you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
God of the covenant,
in the glory of the cross
your Son embraced the power of death
and broke its hold over your people.
In this time of repentance,
draw all people to yourself,
that we who confess Jesus as Lord
may put aside the deeds of death
and accept the life of your kingdom. Amen.
Compassionate God,
your love finds full expression
in the gift of Jesus Christ your Son,
who willingly met betrayal and death
to set us free from sin.
Give us courage to live obediently in these days
until we greet the glory of our risen Savior. Amen.
Almighty and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant, that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also he made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before thee for all estates of all in thy holy Church, that every member of the same, in his vocation and ministry, may truly and godly serve thee; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
For all who bear hardships for the sake of the gospel:
that they may rely on the power of God,
who has saved us and called us to be holy.
For reconciliation between all nations:
that all leaders may know the perfect law of the Lord,
a rule to be trusted, giving wisdom and joy, light and life.
For those who live in poverty:
that they may know the immeasurable riches of the Lord,
who is full of grace and goodness.
For those caught up in political conflicts or military action:
that the leaders of the nations and all people everywhere
will be illuminated by the light of Christ to seek peace and reconciliation.
For our own communities of faith:
that through humble service and a pure heart
we may preach Christ crucified, the power of God and the wisdom of God.
God our Father,
hear our prayer which we have made from the depths of our heart
and in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Here we are at the beginning of another Holy Week. There is a huge shift in our worship service today as we begin with the triumphant entry into Jerusalem by Jesus, and then we end with the all too familiar story of his betrayal. The crowds who shouted “Hosanna!” change their minds so quickly and begin to shout “Crucify him!” with alarming ferocity. The meaning of this inconsistency—this shift from welcoming their king to demanding his death—was summed up in a sermon for Palm Sunday by the Rev’d Dr. Robert Crouse when he wrote, “The kingship of Jesus, true kingship, true liberty, true dignity, do not consist in worldly pomp and power, in worldly glory and ambition, nor in worldly grace and beauty.” Christ’s kingship does not depend on earthly power as does the power of someone like the Roman Emperor or Pilate. In fact, Jesus says that putting your trust in the powers of the world is in vain. The crowd is influenced by earthly power, and so that’s the side that they take in the end. In contrast, when questioned by Pilate, Jesus says, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” (John 18:36)
Fr Crouse concludes his sermon by writing of Jesus that, “The signs of his glory are the signs of body broken and blood outpoured. ‘He reigns and triumphs from the tree.’ That is the glory we celebrate on Palm Sunday, and that is the glory we show forth day by day in the Church’s liturgy as we break the bread and drink the cup. And that is the glory which must adorn our lives.” So enter once again into this week which is central to our faith. Set aside time to pray and watch. Fully enter into the mystery of Christ’s passion and suffering, and then you can truly rejoice on Easter with his resurrection.
On Sunday April 7th, Bishop Geoffrey Peddle installed the new Cathedral Chapter and Mission Deans for the Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador. The Cathedral Chapter includes: Archdeacon Roger Whalen; Archdeacon Samuel Rose; Archdeacon Julie Brace; Archdeacon Josiah Noel; Archdeacon Charlene Taylor; Archdeacon Gregory Mercer; Canon Amanda Taylor; Canon Gerald Westcott; Canon Edward Keeping; Canon Sandra Tilley; Canon David Bell; Canon Bradford Wicks.
The Mission Deans are: Rev’d Jolene Peters; Rev’d Jonathan Rowe; Rev’d Christine Lynch; Rev’d Eli Evans.
Here are some photos from that event:
Bishop Peddle and his chaplain, Lisa Cox
Archdeacon Whalen is vested in his cope by Archdeacon Rose
Archdeacon Whalen
Bishop Peddle anoints the hands of the newly installed Mission Deans with holy oil
The clergy of the Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador along with faculty and students from Queen’s College.
A group of faculty and students from Queen’s College
The full story and photographs by The Rev’d Steven Maki will be in the May issue of Anglican Life:
Over the past few months, the Parish of Pasadena/Cormack has studied the book of Esther from the Hebrew Scriptures. To celebrate this story of redemptive love, we hosted our very own Purim celebration on the holy day on which Jewish communities around the world pause to rejoice.
From the 30-31 of March, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in St. John’s was turned into a Pysanka workshop as Ukrainian Easter eggs were made. Two workshops were held under the direction of Jan Buley. Jan has been making Ukrainian Easter eggs for many years, and was pleased to once again pass along her knowledge to a new group of students. The participants ranged in age from early elementary school students to senior citizens. The full story and photographs will appear in the May issue of Anglican Life.
We’re fast coming up on the fourth Sunday of Lent, often called “Mothering Sunday” in Anglican churches. This title is taken from the Epistle that was traditionally read on the fourth Sunday of Lent from the Book of Common Prayer lectionary, which is written in the Epistle to the Galations. Part of it reads, “But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.”
In the secular world, it became a day for honouring mothers, and for giving them gifts, and is thus still “Mother’s Day” in many countries.
As a special treat, many churches continue the tradition of making a simnel cake for Mothering Sunday, 
which is blessed at the main Sunday service, and then distributed afterwards. The cake dates back to medieval times, and is decorated with marzipan balls, usually twelve to represent the twelve apostles (or the eleven apostles, minus Judas, and the twelfth for Jesus). For this reason, the Sunday is also sometimes called “Refreshment Sunday.”
An article by Kathy Peddle from the April issue of Anglican Life: an important message to all Godly Play people of Newfoundland and Labrador:
In 2009 Godly Play arrived on the shores of Newfoundland, and in a place rich in stories, wondering and church affiliation it was a natural fit. Godly Play will once again arrive on our shores—this time in the form of the North American Godly Play Conference. 
We are excited and honoured to be hosting this year’s conference and to welcome guests and fellow Godly Play enthusiasts from around the globe. We look forward to welcoming people from Canada, the US, the UK, Europe, and South Africa. It will be a time for all participants to deepen their understanding of the art and practice of Godly Play in the natural beauty of Newfoundland.
The theme of this year’s conference, called “Come from Away—Come to Play” is to be held at the Sheraton Hotel in historic downtown St. John’s from June 20-22. It is inspired by the name of the hit musical “Come from Away” which was inspired by a traditional Newfoundland expression for those not from the island, and also portrays our hospitality. It also references the importance of play in Godly Play’s faith formation of children.
Participants will have the opportunity to share in worship, seminars, addresses, and storytelling while experiencing our genuine hospitality. There will also be opportunities to see more of St. John’s, the oldest city in North America, located just a few miles from the most eastern point of North America, Cape Spear.
Featured speakers for the conference include Dr. Elaine Champagne from the University of Laval who will explore Children’s Spiritual Journeys; the Rev’d Canon Dr. Andrew Sheldon (Godly Play Advocate for International Development), who will address our readiness as Godly Play practitioners from emotional, theological, pedagogical and spiritual perspectives; Dr. Rebecca Nye, a specialist in children’s spirituality, and the Rev’d Peter Privett, Chair of the Godly Play International Council, who will discuss their common interest and work in children’s spirituality and international training. In the spirit of play and learning there will be opportunities to hear familiar stories in unfamiliar languages (French, German, Spanish, and Afrikaans), to attend workshops and presentations on a multitude of topics including the use of Godly Play stories of God at Home, the theological significance of storytelling, using Godly Play in Vacation Bible Schools, Deepening Response Time…and so much more!
I wonder what part of this is about you?
The North American Godly Play Conference in 2019 will be a wonderful opportunity to experience firsthand all that is happening in Godly Play, to meet old friends and make new friends, and to share and learn together in our beautiful island home.
Are you ready?
To see the brochure and to register, go to Godly Play Canada: https://godlyplay.ca
article by The Rev’d Fred Marshall—the full article will be in the April issue of Anglican Life!
On September 7th 1958 Clyde Hapgood began his ministry as a lay reader in the Parish of St. Andrew’s, Sunnyside. On January 27th, 2019 at St. Paul’s Church in Come By Chance the parish celebrated the Conversion of Saint Paul, their patron saint, with Bishop Geoff presiding. At this service Bishop Geoff presented Clyde with a certificate recognizing his 60 years of faithful and dedicated service.
Clyde continues faithfully and dutifully in answering his call as a lay reader. But that is not the end of the story. Clyde has a partner in ministry, his wife Rowena, who has been an organist for sixty-three years. Imagine, a couple with over 120 years of combined ministry.
