Welcome to week two of our Advent Calendar! This week we’ll continue to examine those delightful gems of the Anglican church as we count down throughout our Advent journey.
SUNDAY 09 Dec.: Bishops
Our beloved brothers and sisters in Christ who get to wear those beautiful purple clergy shirts, not to mention the funkiest hats around. They also wear the responsibility of being the chief pastor to their diocese (or area); they are chosen as guardian or overseer to their charge. The episcopate is an office which dates back to the very early church, and while the specific roles and duties may vary by region and circumstance, these folks remain faithful clergy who shepherd their flock. Bishops are called upon to represent their diocese or area, to reflect prayerfully on God’s call to the wider church, to consider many angles to any situation prior to responding. The Anglican tradition is a rich place that has been made richer through the presence of our bishops.
By Laura Marie Piotrowicz December 11, 2012 - 4:48 am
MONDAY 10 Dec.: The Book of Alternative Services
Released for use in the church in1985, this liturgical resource has become the primary worship book in many places. Never intended to replace the beloved BCP, the BAS was developed to provide worshiping communities service alternatives in contemporary and more inclusive language.
By Laura Marie Piotrowicz December 11, 2012 - 8:48 pm
TUESDAY 11 Dec.: The Anglican Communion
The Anglican Church of Canada is one of 38 members within the worldwide Anglican Communion. These member churches “share several things in common including doctrine, ways of worshipping, mission, and a focus of unity in the Archbishop of Canterbury. Formal mechanisms for meeting include the Lambeth Conference, the Anglican Consultative Council, and the Primates Meeting, together known as the Instruments of Communion.” (see: http://www.anglicancommunion.org/resources/acis/index.cfm) The Anglican Communion office, based in London (UK), houses departments that cover administration, finances, mission, unity faith and order, the Anglican Alliance (relief and development), theological education, communications, and the Anglican Communion Office at the United Nations.
Being part of this communion is being part of a global family.
By Laura Marie Piotrowicz December 13, 2012 - 2:29 am
WEDNESDAY 12 Dec.: The Anglican Foundation
A gem of a foundation “who raise funds and distribute bursaries, grants and loans with the objective of supporting the mission and ministry of Anglicans across the country including
See more at http://www.anglicanfoundation.org/
By Laura Marie Piotrowicz December 14, 2012 - 1:33 am
THURSDAY 13 Dec.: Wardens
Churchwardens are those people who work with the priest in a parish to ensure smooth running of a parish. One warden is appointed by the incumbent priest; one warden is elected by the people at the Annual General Meeting; some parishes also have deputy wardens. They all work together to provide leadership. Wardens’ duties do not vary based on whether they are people’s warden or rector’s warden; this simply denotes how they were chosen for this position. Wardens are members of parish council or vestry; they work with the treasurer to present financial statements and budgets; they assist with records and statistics and parish communications; they are responsible for communications with the bishop in the absence of a clergy.
As any clergy will assure you, a good warden is a true gem!
By Laura Marie Piotrowicz December 15, 2012 - 2:14 am
FRIDAY 14 Dec.: Sunday School Teachers and Youth Ministers
On this day, as we are all shocked and grieved by the horrors and devastation towards young people, I hold up the Anglican men and women who work with young people. They give up their time and energy to plan lessons and events, try to coordinate with the scriptures, sing silly songs and know 108 crafts to make with pipecleaners. They often miss out on parts of the worship service themselves to be teaching the younger folks; they can feel underappreciated as budgets are cut, they stumble through awkward and difficult questions while trying to make a lasting impression.
And impressions they make, and impressive they are. They welcome all, they love all, they help to plant seeds of faith in all – for as long or as short a time as they are able.
By Laura Marie Piotrowicz December 15, 2012 - 10:20 pm
SATURDAY 15 Dec.: Indigenous Ministries
Our beloved church is blessed to recognise and celebrate indigenous ministry as a gem.The Anglican Church has been in partnership with indigenous Canadians since 1753, and now at the end of 2012 we enjoy the ministry of the Rt. Rev. Mark MacDonald, National Indigenous Anglican Bishop, the Sacred Circle national events, the ongoing work of the Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples, the New Agape and Covenant foundational documents, the ongoing healing work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, to name just a few pieces of work under this heading. Learn more about these ministries at http://www.anglican.ca/im/