Many thanks from the congregation of St. Paul’s for this wonderful gesture and monetary donation. God Bless!

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“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”  Acts 2:42-47 (NRSV)

In the last article we learned the first six pastoral practices of Bible time: Contemplation, Honesty, Introspection, Journaling, and Meditation, from David Canales’s article, “A noble quest: cultivating Christian spirituality in Catholic adolescents and the usefulness of 12 pastoral practices.” In this article we look at the next six.

Music—“Singing is praying twice” (a saying from Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 AD)

A 2017 survey found that on average Canadians listen to 32 hours of music per week with millennials (ages 22-36) listening up to 40 hours per week. Music is a large part of culture and a significant part of personal expression. Music is more than entertainment; music is influences and informs. A study “Listening to Religious Music and Mental Health in Later Life” suggested that “the frequency of listening to religious music is associated with a decrease in death anxiety and increases in life satisfaction, self-esteem, and a sense of control. Christian music speaks to our personal pain and life circumstances, the issues of the world and has the power to transform and move. Christian music inspires our spiritual lives and our relationship with God. What kind of music do you play during your 32 hours per week?

Prayer—“Pray always and in all ways”(a modern slogan)

St. Paul wrote “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Jesus was a person of prayer and modelled prayer for his followers. “Prayer is a language of the heart, and prayer in its simplest form is a human being communicating and interacting with God. Teaching young people to pray and offering a variety of prayer opportunities and experiences empowers their spirituality and allows them to enter into a more personal relationship with Jesus,” writes Canales.  Prayer involves reflection and allows young people to perceive the work of the Spirit in their lives. Grandparents and parents have great opportunity to be a witness to prayer.

Retreats—“Let go and let God” (a popular Christian slogan)

Jesus retreated often. Retreats offer the opportunity of taking a break from the rhythm and routine of daily life.  Canales perceives that retreats are perhaps the greatest vehicle to help cultivate spirituality as they help to cultivate spirituality in the lives of young people as they encounter God. Retreats have the power to touch hearts and change lives. Have you considered a retreat?

Rosary—“Of all prayers, the Rosary is the most beautiful and the richest in graces.”  (St. Pius X)

While a 1,000-year Catholic tradition, many Protestants also pray the rosary. Did you know there are Anglican prayer beads?  “The use of beads or other counting devices as a companion to prayer has an ancient history. “There is a great deal of symbolism woven into the design of the Anglican rosary. There are thirty-three beads representing the thirty-three years of Jesus’ life. The Cruciform beads form the cross and can also represent the four compass points of the earth. The seven beads of the Weeks can represent the seven days of creation, the day of the Sabbath, and the number seven is often used in the Bible as symbolic of perfection. To enter into prayer there is an Invitatory bead much like we say a collect at the beginning of our services to invite us into worship. The rosary can be prayed alone or with a group. Imagine introducing a young person to this form of prayer!” writes Trinity Episcopal Church in Reno Nevada.  (Anglican prayer beads are available at the Anglican Diocesan Resource Centre, 19 King’s Bridge Rd., St. John’s; or call 576-6697)

Spiritual Direction—“If you love to listen you will gain knowledge, and if you pay attention you will become wise.”  (Sirach 6:33)

Spiritual direction is an age-old practice between students and spiritual guides in practicing holy listening. Spiritual direction with young people is an urgent endeavour. Canales quotes an article which states “One of the greatest needs of young people today is spiritual direction. Never before have I seen been more young people seeking to better understand the faith, yet at the same time I have never sensed a greater lack of spiritual direction available to them.” Spiritual direction happens when one person helps another to understand what God is doing and saying in their life through listening, reflecting and praying. Could not any of us find time to give spiritual direction to a young person who is searching?

Time Usage—“Time, is on my side” (the Rolling Stones)

Young people are busy. In addition to school, sports and other activities, “screen time” takes a huge chunk of their time; all of which interferes with seeking and developing their spirituality. Just like you and me, young people are looking for a break and to have some balance in their lives. “The use of time is a factor that must be managed effectively and efficiently if it is going to help cultivate spirituality in young Christians.”  

Using time as a virtue means learning to live in harmony with time constraints and balance time with activities, school, relationships, part-time work, and spirituality. Young people need to find time to be in communion with God. What could a young person learn if you introduced them to Ecclesiastes 3:1?  “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:” (NRSV) All time belongs to God. Shouldn’t we encourage a young person to spend some time with God?

What do Scriptures say?  “We will not hide them from their children; we will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.” Psalm 78.4 – NRSV

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Five year old Billy had just finished the Lord’s Prayer at his mother’s knee the other night when he asked her, “What does God the Father look like?”

Puzzled, his mother found him a picture in an old illustrated Bible.

“He looks older than grandpa,” Billy stated. “And he doesn’t look friendly like grandpa. And does God ever smile?”

The picture Billy saw was the traditional one found in most Bibles and religious places. But is that image really what God looks like?

Nobody has ever seen God, Jesus stated. So the traditional image portrays what so many people only presumed what God the Father looks like.

Jesus also said that if we had seen him we have seen the Father. So, then, can we assume that the Father looks like a first-century, Middle Eastern male, as Jesus was?

Yes we can—when, and if, he wants to appear that way.

But, unlike Jesus, who is both human and divine (God and man), God the Father is not human. He is a spirit. So, he can, if he desires, take any form he wants to.

In a very interesting book I read, God assumes the form of a lovable, middle-aged, African-American woman—a guise entirely appropriate for that particular occasion.

Far fetched, you ask? Maybe.

While we can only guess what God looks like in our current life, there are so many things we surely know about him.

God is LOVE.

God loves each one of us personally!

Our Abba Father loves us every singe moment of our lives.

Our Father is omnipotent—able to do and and all things. Nothing is too big for God. He is a God of miracles!

How wonderfully encouraging believing in and utterly trusting, our Abba, our Father! No matter how devastating the situation may be!
And, when we eventually meet him face to face, surely we shall be overwhelmed by his magnificence, and be totally enveloped in his charm!
And, of course, we shall all feel like we’ve known him all our lives! Alleluia!

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I recently completed the Supervised Parish Internship Program through Queen’s College from September to December 2020. The three congregations of the parish of Meadows were involved in the program, plus my field supervisor and intern support team.  The three churches are: St. James, Gillams; Holy Trinity, Meadows; St. Paul’s, Summerside. Queen’s issued certificates to all three of the congregations for their participation, and also acknowledged that the three churches are now recognized as “Teaching Churches” because of their involvement with this program. Queen’s College also issued Certificates of Appreciation to all four of the intern support team members and to my field supervisor. I am so grateful for the support that I received from all involved.

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When you do read the articles on Candlemas Day, you realize that, while there are still some countries and churches that retain celebrations related to February 2nd, most of the traditions are no longer widely observed, perhaps with good reason. In some cases, Christmas decorations or the nativity set are not removed until then. According to the website “Catholic Straight Answers,” John Paul II began the custom of keeping the Nativity scene in St. Peter’s square until February 2. It seems to me that these days you are going against the stream when you leave your decorations up until Epiphany or Old Christmas Day, let alone waiting until February! This day was also when people brought their candles to the church where they were blessed and then used for the rest of the year. Since we don’t use candles for light anymore, it’s easy to see how that tradition would die out, although candles for use in the Church are still often blessed on Candlemas Day. 

I found this rhyme in an article from the Sunday Times, which bears a lot of resemblance to our modern Groundhog Day: “If Candlemas Day be fair and bright, Winter will have another flight, But if it be dark with clouds and rain, Winter is gone, and will not come again..” 

Candlemas is one of the oldest feasts of the Christian Church, dating back to the fourth century. According to Wikipedia, “there are sermons on the Feast by the bishops Methodius of Patara (died 312), Cyril of Jerusalem (died 360), Gregory the Theologian (died 389), Amphilochius of Iconium (died 394), Gregory of Nyssa (died 400), and John Chrysostom (died 407).” 

In the ‘Song of Simeon’ we read “for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:30-32 (NRSV). All peoples. The message of God’s love is for the whole world – it is not limited to any race or creed or nation. Which tells me that even if the traditions may have changed or are dated, that message from this feast is timeless.

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This uniquely Canadian tradition offers an opportunity to pause and to acknowledge Canadian contributions to poverty reduction and international humanitarian assistance in the developing world.

Canadians individuals, the government of Canada, and civil society organizations mark this week by organizing hundreds of activities across the country and abroad.

We will celebrate IDW 2021 virtually February 7th to 13th.

The theme is “Ethics, Equity, and Emergency Response.”

In October of 1988, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) introduced “Development Day.” It took place twice. CIDA created it as part of the “Education to Development Program” in order to promote global peace. CIDA is now incorporated into Global Affairs Canada. In 1990, this event evolved into what is currently known as “International Development Week” (IDW). It was first celebrated in February 1991. Since its beginning, the number of schools and organizations marking IDW grew. Each year millions of Canadians across the country gather to celebrate IDW. These efforts contributed to the longevity and success of the week over the past three decades.

In 2013, CIDA merged with what is now Global Affairs Canada (GAC). GAC continues to coordinate IDW. They collaborate with hundreds of Canadian civil societies to organize IDW celebrations.

In 2020, IDW celebrated its 30th anniversary. The theme was “Go for the Goals.” Referring to the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, this theme illustrates the idea of moving forward in a collaborative and positive way toward a better world.

This way forward is the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This agenda is a global plan of action aiming to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. In other words, it is a path that seeks to shift the world toward a less wasteful, less destructive, and more sustainable and equitable mindset. One where no one goes hungry, no one feels unsafe, and no one is left behind.

While this agenda involves ambitious goals, we can achieve them if we #GoForTheGoals together.

The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) is the Anglican Church of Canada’s agency for sustainable development and relief. With the support of Anglicans across Canada, PWRDF partners with organizations working to increase healthy pregnancies and births, reduce gender inequality, relieve hunger, and break the cycle of poverty in the world’s most vulnerable communities. Against a backdrop of climate change, PWRDF strives to address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.

PWRDF wants to work with partners who share our commitment to a more just and equitable and peaceful world. We share Anglican Church of Canada financial and human resources to support the relief, development and justice initiatives of our partners.

We also see development as involving whole communities and networks in processes of social transformation. While individuals are important participants and beneficiaries of all community development, we work best with them and help them by focusing on the communities where they live as a whole.

If you would to see examples of how PWRDF promotes and shares in IDW, please visit the links below:

https://pwrdf.org/film-festival-in-honour-of-international-development-week

https://pwrdf.org/pwrdf-supports-international-development-week/

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Many of you might see the fact that many of these same people don’t go to church as a problem. I hear a lot of people complaining, and wondering (often at church meetings), “What can we do to get the young people back?” I have to tell you that I am finding that an increasingly tedious question. 

Those of us with young families know all too well that our lives are hectic. What many people are craving is not the commitment of the institutional church as somewhere to spend Sunday mornings, but they do want an encounter with the divine. People are finding that in all kinds of different ways. Institutional Christianity is on the decline, but the message of the Gospel is just as powerful today as it was 50 or 100 years ago. Sometimes those on the outside, not bogged down with the Church, see that more clearly than we do.

We look at the institution that we have inherited—not the Gospel, and not the worship of God (which is beautiful), but the way that we run a parish—and how we want to cling to what’s familiar and safe. What’s more, too often church membership today is layered with feelings of guilt that those of us who are left, both the clergy and the laity, are somehow having the church “go down on our watch.” Feeling this guilt isn’t helping anyone. Besides, who would want to join up with a group of sad, guilt-ridden, frightened people?

Our buildings are too plentiful. One congregation having a huge building to themselves, sitting empty for much of the week, is kind of criminal. The constant fundraising to allow for it is even crazier, and a waste of our resources. 

Our clergy are over worked and underpaid, and they have completely unreasonable expectations put on their shoulders; the same can be said for all our church staff, from musicians to office administrators. The mental strain of this is becoming acutely obvious during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it’s been there for years and years.

As I see it, the ship is not going down—it’s just changing course. We need to let the ship change course, and let God be the guide. Lots of people out there who are full of kindness, love, and generosity do believe in some kind of higher being. Even if they don’t, working with them might give us fresh insight. Finding a way to work with them, without compromising our own beliefs, is the key. That can be through working together on a community outreach project; it can be through sharing beautiful sacred music, which is appreciated by many outside of the church. The “young people” aren’t missing—they’re the ones who are writing songs about kindness. We should listen.

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Recently, the Rt. Rev’d John Watton, Bishop of the Central Diocese, announced that Glenn Freake of Port Union had been granted Licenses in Lay Ministry and Eucharistic Assistant Ministry in the Parish of Catalina. On the third Sunday of Advent, December 13th, 2020, the Rev’d Eli Cross presided at an induction worship for Glenn at St Peter’s Anglican Church, Catalina. Glenn received his two licenses from his wife, Roxanne, and mother, Doris, both of whom were a motivational force in his vocation.

A side note: Glenn’s mother, Doris, was the organist for the service. She takes her regular turn (alternating weeks) at this musical ministry, and shows no sign of slowing down: she is in her mid-eighties!

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