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Prayer

March 2014 Prayer Diary

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent. It is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares us for Christ’s Resurrection on Easter Sunday, through which we attain redemption.

Why we receive the ashes?

Following the example of the Ninevites, who did penance in sackcloth and ashes, our foreheads are marked with ashes to humble our hearts and reminds us that life passes away on Earth. We remember this when we are told

“Remember, Man is dust, and unto dust you shall return.”

Ashes are a symbol of penance made sacramental by the blessing of the Church, and they help us develop a spirit of humility and sacrifice.

Lenten Resources

In 2012 the Church of Scotland General Assembly received the report of the Special Commission on the Purposes of Economic Activity – A right relationship with money.

For Lent 2014, a small writers group has produced a six-session study resource based upon this report. The group was chaired by Professor Charles Munn, who was Chair of the Special Commission.  http://www.ctbi.org.uk/649

Saints’ days in March

1 David, Bishop of Menevia, Patron of Wales, c.601

2 Chad, Bishop of Lichfield, Missionary, 672

7 Perpetua, Felicity and their Companions, Martyrs at Carthage, 203

8 Edward King, Bishop of Lincoln, 1910

8 Felix, Bishop, Apostle to the East Angles, 647 8 Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy, Priest, Poet, 1929

17 Patrick, Bishop, Missionary, Patron of Ireland, c.460

18 Cyril, Bishop of Jerusalem, Teacher of the Faith, 386

19 Joseph of Nazareth

20 Cuthbert, Bishop of Lindisfarne, Missionary, 687

21 Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, Reformation Martyr,1556

24 Walter Hilton of Thurgarton, Augustinian Canon, Mystic, 1396

24 Oscar Romero, Archbishop of San Salvador, Martyr, 1980

25 The Annunciation of Our Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary

26 Harriet Monsell, Founder of the Community of St John the Baptist, 1883

31 John Donne, Priest, Poet, 1631

Prayer

January 2014 Prayer Diary

What meaning does the annual repetition of Epiphany have for our faith and for our Christian life? The feast of Epiphany is not held only as a commemoration of a historical event in the life of Jesus, not merely for theprayer-2014-01 attractiveness of the atmosphere of lights, music, and poetry. The recurrent celebration of Epiphany has a great spiritual significance far beyond either of these. It is not the mere commemoration of a historical event because in the Christian faith everything is present, here and now, for our Lord Jesus Christ is with us here and now, our inseparable Companion and Comforter. The historical event is but a motive and remembrance, for the Person of Christ is ever present, and His Grace is not merely a memory of history.

Saints’ days in January

2 Basil the Great and Gregory of Nazianzus, Bishops, Teachers of the Faith, 379 and 389

2 Seraphim, Monk of Sarov, Spiritual Guide, 1833

2 Vedanayagam Samuel Azariah, Bishop in South India, Evangelist, 1945

6 The Epiphany

13 Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers, Teacher of the Faith, 367

13 Kentigern (Mungo), Missionary Bishop in Strathclyde and Cumbria, 603

13 George Fox, Founder of the Society of Friends (the Quakers), 1691

17 Charles Gore, Bishop, Founder of the Community of the Resurrection, 1932

18 Amy Carmichael, Founder of the Dohnavur Fellowship, Spiritual Writer, 1951

22 Vincent of Saragossa, Deacon, first Martyr of Spain, 304

24 Francis de Sales, Bishop of Geneva, Teacher of the Faith, 1622

28 Thomas Aquinas, Priest,Philosopher,Teacher of the Faith,1274

31 John Bosco, Priest, Founder of the Salesian Teaching Order, 1888

Prayer

December 2013 Prayer Diary

December 2013 Prayer Diary

The first 24 days of December fall during the liturgical season known as Advent and are represented by the liturgical colour purple. The remaining days of December mark the beginning of the Christmas season. The liturgical colour changes to white or gold — a symbol of joy, purity and innocence.

THE ADVENT COLLECT

ALMIGHTY God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious Majesty, to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and ever. Amen.

Feast days in December

1 Charles de Foucauld, Hermit in the Sahara, 1916

3 Francis Xavier, Missionary, Apostle of the Indies, 1552

4 John of Damascus, Monk , Teacher of the Faith, c.749

4 Nicholas Ferrar, Deacon, Founder of the Little Gidding Community, 1637

6 Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, c.326

7 Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, Teacher of the Faith, 397

8 The Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

13 Lucy, Martyr at Syracuse, 304

13 Samuel Johnson, Moralist, 1784

14 John of the Cross, Poet, Teacher of the Faith, 1591

17 O Sapientia

17 Eglantyne Jebb, Social Reformer, Founder of ‘Save The Children’, 1928

24 Christmas Eve

25 Christmas Day

26 Stephen, Deacon, First Martyr

27 John, Apostle and Evangelist

28 The Holy Innocents

29 Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, Martyr, 1170

31 John Wycliff, Reformer, 1384

Prayer

November 2013 Prayer Diary

Nov2013-PrayerIn the month of November, we have cause to remember the Dead, both of All the Faithful Departed on November 2nd, and those fallen on Active Service in War, on November 11th.

Prayer

+ Rest eternal grant unto them O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon the. May they rest in peace, and rise in glory. Amen.

This month is also the time our liturgical year ends. Traditionally in this month we consider the end times, our own as well as that of our world. It is a good time to begin to consider how we will spend Advent this year, and what preparations we should make for this. The month culminates in the feast of Christ the King.

Feast days this month

1 All Saints’ Day
2 Commemoration of the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day)
3 Richard Hooker, Priest, Anglican Apologist, Teacher of the Faith, 1600
3 Martin of Porres, Friar, 1639, Leonard, Hermit, 6th century
6 William Temple,Archbishop of Canterbury,Teacher of the Faith,1944
7 Willibrord of York, Bishop, Apostle of Frisia, 739
8 The Saints and Martyrs of England
9 Margery Kempe, Mystic, c.1440
10 Leo the Great, Bishop of Rome, Teacher of the Faith, 461
11 Martin, Bishop of Tours, c.397
13 Charles Simeon, Priest, Evangelical Divine, 1836
14 Samuel Seabury, first Anglican Bishop in North America, 1796
16 Margaret, Queen of Scotland, Philanthropist, Reformer of the Church, 1093
16 Edmund Rich of Abingdon, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1240
17 Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln, 1200
18 Elizabeth of Hungary, Princess of Thuringia, Philanthropist, 1231
19 Hilda, Abbess of Whitby, 680
19 Mechtild, Béguine of Magdeburg, Mystic, 1280
20 Edmund, King of the East Angles, Martyr, 870
20 Priscilla Lydia Sellon, a Restorer of the Religious Life in the Church of England, 1876
22 Cecilia, Martyr at Rome, c.230
23 Clement, Bishop of Rome, Martyr, c.100
25 Catherine of Alexandria, Martyr, 4th century
25 Isaac Watts, Hymn Writer, 1748
29 Day of Intercession and Thanksgiving for the Missionary Work of the Church
30 Andrew the Apostle

Synod

Deanery Synod Meeting on 15 October 2013

This meeting took place Tuesday 15th October at St. Mary Magdalene Church at 7.15 for 7.30pm.

(St. Mary’s is in centre of Richmond, very close to the bus station, and as parking is very difficult in that area, it is probably better to use the buses. The 65 from Kew calls there on its incoming journey, also the 371 from Ham and Petersham, and the 33 and others from Barnes & East Sheen for “inward” journeys., The 33 & 371 leave from outside Waitrose on homeward journeys. The 65 towards Kew calls in the main street, opposite M & S and Tescos.

 Materials for the meeting:

Minutes

Synod

To keep the Church in the bond of Peace

For immediate release                             Thursday 22 November 2012

Know then that you are beloved and valued

These words are from the homily which the Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, gave at the midday Eucharist at Southwark Cathedral on Thursday 22 November.  Bishop Christopher had invited the clergy, both women and men, from Southwark Diocese to come to pray together following the vote of the General Synod on Tuesday not to allow women Bishops.

As the service began he noted that the Revd Georgie Heskins was at the altar with him.   He said that he and Georgie had trained for the ministry together and when he had been ordained Deacon in 1983 she had been licensed as a Deaconess. She was ordained Deacon in 1987 and Priest in 1994.  We are, he said, still waiting for the completion of the journey which would allow women to be consecrated to the Episcopate.

In his homily Bishop Christopher spoke of the range of emotions with which everyone had come to this service and of the pain of rejection that this brings to many.  He said, ‘We have seen the bewilderment of politicians, press and parishioners up and down the land following the rejection’ but he said, ‘rest assured we will have women in the Episcopate.  The principle is decided and I am committed to working purposefully to find a way forward.’ He went on to say that as Archbishop Rowan said in his farewell address to General Synod, there is a real need to build trust between all in our Church.

After the service the Bishop met with members of the clergy who wished to speak with him about the vote.

The full text of the Bishop’s sermon can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/d8atzkr