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We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind

the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. Hebrews 6:19 - 20 NIV

Church of Our Lord Newsletter September 2014

Editor: Lynne Damant email: fmdamant@shaw.ca Producer: Richard Montgomery email: office@churchofourlord.org

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will go in and eat with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20)

It was these words that led pre-Raphaelite painter

Holman Hunt to paint the picture called “The Light of the World,” which was to become the most popular picture in the British Empire. Hunt began painting the picture in 1851, believing he was carrying out a divine command. The picture shows Jesus Christ standing at a closed door; it is obvious it has not been opened for a long time. There are weeds and brambles growing over it and there is an air of neglect. Christ is dressed in a seamless golden robe; upon His head is a crown of

thorns. His arm is raised as he knocks on the door, and there is a listening aspect to the tilt of His head. An air of sadness prevails, as if He has knocked and there is no reply from within. He carries a glowing lamp in His left hand. There is a beautiful light, almost celestial, filling most of the picture. Apparently Holman Hunt carried out much of the painting at night, sometimes by moonlight. One can see the symbolism in the picture. The door is the soul, and obviously Christ is trying to gain the attention of someone to whom he offers to bring salvation if He will be invited in. The glowing lamp – is it the Church? Is it the Word? It makes me think of the

Apostle John’s words in the first chapter of his Gospel, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not understood it.” Holman used glowing, rich colours of umber, gold, orange, russet, crimson and olive, with the incredible back-lighting that draws attention to Christ’s head. Three versions were produced by Holman Hunt. The first is now in Keble College, Oxford; the second in the Manchester Art Gallery; the third is in St. Paul’s Cathedral, and fittingly, this is where Hunt’s ashes were interred. This third version was painted in 1905, and Hunt required assistance because he was losing his sight. This third version was taken on a Commonwealth tour, beginning in Halifax, then Ottawa, and Toronto. Australians apparently loved it best; it was viewed by 4 million of Australia’s five million residents. It is said that a visit by this painting was as much a religious as an artistic event. It toured South Africa, and then in 1907 returned to Britain and its installation in St. Paul’s was marked by a celebratory service. In 1860, when a black and white engraving of the picture first appeared, it was called “one of the most perfect things modern art has produced,” by the Illustrated London News. It was widely copied and could be found in thousands of homes and churches across Britain. It inspired a multitude of poems and became the subject of countless hymns. Best of all, it is the subject of the glorious stained glass window on the pulpit side of our Church of Our Lord. Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 __________________________________________________

Historical facts from

The National Post, 24/12/07, Robert Fulford’s Column, LD

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MORE ABOUT ARCHBISHOP DON HARVEY’S INTERVIEW in THE ANCHOR, June 2014 Editor’s Note: In June we published a Special Edition of The Anchor devoted to an Interview with Archbishop Don Harvey, retiring Moderator of the Anglican Network in in Canada. As part of the interview, Bishop Don expressed his regrets concerning the attitude demonstrated towards ANIC and himself by the Anglican Church in Canada, Wycliffe College in Toronto, and Queen’s College Seminary, St. John’s. The Principal of Wycliffe College, the Rev. Canon Dr. George Sumner has asked The Anchor to publish his letter in which he voices his concerns about the comments Bishop Don made about Wycliffe College. Dr. Sumner’s letter follows below:

When advised of Dr. Sumner’s letter by the Editor of The Anchor, Bishop Don stated that, "he was quoted accurately throughout this article and he stands firmly behind everything he said in the interview”.

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THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA-GULL The Story of Captain Eddie Rickenbacker –

retold by Bishop Rob Badham

Some of you may have heard this story before and for those who haven’t here it is.

It happens every Friday evening just before the sun goes down. The old pier is almost deserted and Old Ed comes along the pier and in his hand is a bucket of shrimp. He stands there in a pensive moment. He is not alone for very long for out of the blue descend hundreds of seagulls. They have come to take part in a vigil, a rite of passage. Old Ed takes his shrimp and tosses it to the seagulls and as he does he whispers, “Thank you, thank you”. The bucket is soon empty but Old Ed doesn’t leave, he just stands there in wonderment. The seagulls perch on his shoulders and his hat and flutter around him. Ed doesn’t mind, he welcomes their attention. Then slowly he walks back along the pier and the seagulls leave. A person may think this is an odd ritual, but they don’t know the story behind his gesture. For Old Ed is Captain Eddie Rickenbacker and he has a story to tell of God’s Grace, Love, and Salvation.

This story has been told by Max Lucado in “The Eye of the Storm” and by American radio personality Paul Harvey in his book, “The Rest of the Story.” But they didn’t know of all the miracles that God performed for seven men lost at sea.

Captain Eddie Rickenbacker is a famous air ace of World War I. He shot down more enemy planes than anyone else in the American forces. During World War II he was instrumental in getting America involved in the fighting and after Pearl Harbour, America finally entered the war conflict. Captain Rickenbacker was used in many missions for the American nation and it was on one of those missions that God appeared to seven survivors lost in the Pacific Ocean.

On Oct. 21 1942 at Hickam Field, Honolulu the crew of a B17 Flying Fortress were getting ready to fly home. They had been in the war zones and now they were ready for some well-earned leave. They were: Captain William T. Cherry, Jr., pilot and mission commander, Lieutenant James C. Whittaker, copilot, Second Lieutenant John J. DeAngelis, navigator, Sergeant Alex Kaczmarczyk, engineer, Staff Sergeant James W. Reynolds, radio operator, and Private John Bartek, second engineer. As they were ready to board their plane, they were called in to the office and told that their leave was cancelled

and that they were to fly Captain Eddie Rickenbacker and his aide Colonel Hans Adamson on a secret mission for the War Office.Their immediate destination was Island X, about 1,700 miles southwest of the Hawaiian group.

After taking off on this mission they flew across the Pacific and when they thought they were close to their destination they found that their octant, a direction signal device, had been damaged and it had taken them off their destination course. The fuel ran out and they had to ditch their aircraft in the Pacific Ocean. They all survived this perilous and desperate measure and piled into the life rafts. Their only food was some oranges and these were peeled and each member had a slice of orange a day to eat.

On the fourth day at sea they were in desperate need of food. They said their morning devotional and “Rick” (Eddie Rickenbacker) as the crew called him, sat back with his hat over his eyes when suddenly there was a flapping of wings and a sea swallow, a member of the seagull clan, landed on Rick’s hat. Every eye was on Rick, and he very gradually moved his hand towards his hat, grabbed the bird, wrung its neck and the crew had food that night. The entrails were used for bait to catch more fish and that was how they survived for a while. The First of God’s miracles.

Again desperate for food they had a prayer meeting. John Bartek got out his Testament and they all prayed. Some of them hadn’t prayed since Sunday School days, but they prayed now, they were desperate. Bill Cherry began to pray and he addressed God as “Old Master”. He prayed, “Old Master, we know this isn't a guarantee we'll eat in the morning. But we're in an awful fix, as You know. We sure are counting on a little something by day after tomorrow, at least. See what You can do for us, Old Master." The crew then sent up a flare which fluttered and landed in the ocean and this scared two fish into the rubber rafts and they had fish for breakfast. The Second of God’s miracles.

On the seventh day the crew needed water and so they prayed during the night and Bill Cherry said, "Old Master, we called on You for food and You delivered. We ask You now for water. We've done the best we could. If You don't make up Your mind to help us pretty soon, I guess that's all there'll be to it. It looks like the next move is up to You, Old Master."

As James Whittaker said in his book, “I think now that that prayer, despite its informal wording, had just about everything in it a prayer should have”.

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Later that night a bluish curtain unrolled from the cloud to the sea. It was rain — and moving toward them! Now everyone saw the downpour, sweeping across the ocean and speckling the waves with giant drops. “Here she is!" Cherry shouted. "Thanks, Old Master!" Another minute and they were being deluged by sheets of cold water that splashed into parched mouths and sluiced the caked salt off burned and stinging bodies. They cupped their hands to guide the life-giving rivulets down their throats. The Third of God’s miracles. On the ninth day each person got sips of water and then God provided more food in the way of a small shark that Bill Chery snagged with his hook, and so they had shark for dinner. The Fourth of God’s miracles. On the tenth day Bill Cherry prayed again to God, “You wouldn't have let us live this long if You didn't intend to save us after a while, would You, Old Master? We need some more of that rain and we need it in the worst way. How's about it, Old Master?" On the next day a heavy black cloud brought more water and it was collected in every type of facility they had. The Fifth of God’s miracles. On the thirteenth day the crew were in the midst of a boiling sun. Just after 10 o'clock a rain squall blotted out the sun. The familiar blue curtain of rain moved toward them across the sea. They prayed aloud for it to reach them. It was less than a quarter of a mile off when a perverse wind shunted it away. James Whittaker prayed, "God, You know what that water means to us. The wind has blown it away. It is in Your power, God, to send back that rain. It's nothing to You, but it means life to us." As James Whittaker wrote, “There are some things can't be explained by natural law. The wind did not change, but the receding curtain of rain stopped where it was. Then, ever so slowly, it started back toward us — against the wind! It moved back with majestic deliberation. It was as if a great and omnipotent hand was guiding it to us across the water. And for my money, that's exactly what happened”. The crew had more water. The Sixth of God’s miracles. One crewman, Alexander Kaczmarczyk of the USAAF, died and was buried at sea. The U.S. Army Air Forces and the U.S. Navy's patrol planes planned to abandon the search for the lost B-17 crewmen after just over two weeks, but Captain Eddie Rickenbacker’s wife persuaded them to extend it another week. The services agreed to do so. They were spotted by a Navy patrol float-plane on November 13, off the coast of Nukufetau in Tuvalu. After 23 days at sea, all were

suffering from hyperthermia, sunburn, dehydration, and near-starvation. So here we have six miracles from God, but there is a seventh one that is very important. It concerns James Whittaker, the co-pilot. The first miracle was of the gull that landed on Rick’s head. What was a gull doing so far from land? Gulls usually hug the shore, they don’t venture far from their home. James Whittaker was an unbeliever until this point in his life, but when that gull came out of nowhere to rescue a group of distressed men, his life was changed and he became a believer. You can see how he prayed to God for deliverance. Here the world was involved in a war of nations against nations in World War II and God sent a gull to save a person’s soul. That is just how good God is, He will go out of His way to save souls, because of His great Love for mankind. Isn’t it wonderful that God looks after everyone including you and me? What a wonderful God we have! _____________________________________________

The Time is Now

If you are ever going to love me Love me now, while I can know The sweet and tender feelings

Which from true affection flow.

Love me now, while I am living, Do not wait until I am gone

And then have chiseled in marble, Sweet words on ice cold stone.

If you have tender thoughts of me

Please tell me now.

If you wait until I am sleeping, Never to awaken,

There will be death between us, And I won’t hear you then.

So, if you love me, even a little bit,

Let me know it while I am living So I can treasure it.

(Author Unknown)

_____________________________________________

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MICHAEL DAMANT

FROM PEW 20 It seems to me, as I get older, that everything is harder to accomplish and takes longer. Right now for example. Time was when my brain worked like

a bolt action rifle – you know: See a target; aim, pull back the bolt, click – cartridge pops up into the firing chamber, push home the bolt, click clack – squeeze the trigger – bang! And the target falls – pull back the bolt, click – spent cartridge flies out over your shoulder and a fresh one pops up into the chamber, push home the bolt, click clack – and so on. Now it’s more like an old muzzle loader: Unscrew the ramrod and pull it out, creak back the hammer and insert a new flint - “Where are my flints? Has anyone seen my flints? Oh, here they are,” pour a measure of black powder down the barrel - “Where did I put the danged powder? Oh, yes. It’s in the storage locker in the tin trunk.” Fetch the powder, pour down the barrel as indicated. Wrap a lead ball in cloth and ram down the barrel. Raise musket to my shoulder, aim and pull the trigger – there’s a deafening explosion, a huge cloud of black smoke – and the lead ball trundles down the barrel and falls on my shoe! So, that’s more or less how these random thoughts have finally come to be written for this issue of The Anchor. I’ve actually been mulling over them since the first early weeks of Summer. And what a Summer we’ve been having, days and days of warm sunshine and gentle zephyr-like winds! Such a delight! During these delightful summer evenings, I’ve been reading the book of Revelation for the 456th time – actually, maybe five or six times – and still don’t understand it. But it’s occurred to me as I read John’s visions: I’ve always thought that he was talking about things that would happen at some distant time in the future, but what if his vision was much closer? What if some of it was now, or coming soon? Looking at the state of the world, it seems to me that the end of the world as we know it is coming fast, much faster than we think. There are already too many humans on earth and more come all the time. There are too many who are hungry, homeless and bereaved. We are destroying the environment in an unstoppable wave. The climate is becoming more and more unstable.

And all the things which Jesus warned his Apostles would be the signs of the coming end are here, all around us. Recent developments across the globe are posing enormous challenges. Even the ultimate battle between the east and the west of the globe is peeping over the horizon. Believers in Jesus Christ are being persecuted all-round the earth. The new Archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), The Right Rev. Dr. Foley Beach in Atlanta, has asked us to pray for what has been happening in the Middle East in recent months. He says we are seeing communities who date to the 1st Century with their Christian presence being totally annihilated and killed, and historic churches, holy sites and tombs totally destroyed – all in the name of Allah. And he says, “As Christians in the West, it is appalling how most of our government leaders and the secular press have been silent. It is a genocide and humanitarian crisis of the likes we have not seen since World War II.”

I see a loss of moral clarity across much of the world. Terror and hatred, anti-Semitism and anti-Christianity are rearing their ugly heads. Even here we are being persecuted though it is so far so subtle that most of us don’t even see it. Are these the beginnings of the end of the earth? Should I be going down to the tin trunk in my basement locker and fetch out the old muzzle loader and find the danged black powder and start practising my aim?!

Do I get anything uplifting from this train of thought – on these long, lazy days of summer? Well, I do. As Archbishop Foley asks, I will pray for our brothers and sisters who are being persecuted, I will pray for those doing the persecuting, and I will pray for a solution. I can pour out my heart in prayer before God on their behalf. I can pray that our government of Canada will speak out, will do something – anything in their power – to help the situation. And I can pray for the ministries who labour so hard to help the refugees – for the Barnabas Fund who supports Christians where they suffer discrimination, oppression and persecution; – for the Voice of Ishmael via Commission to Every Nation, who labour to change communities in the Middle East and North Africa; – and for Christ Church Jerusalem who are ministering to refugees of the crisis.

ALMIGHTY Lord and Everlasting Father, who wouldst have the kingdoms of the world become the kingdom of thy Son Jesus Christ; Bestow thy blessing, we beseech thee, upon all who labour for peace and righteousness among the nations, that the day may be hastened when war shall be no more, and thou shalt take the nations for thine inheritance; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, p.100)

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The Recipe for Making a PERFECT

Strawberry Tea by Sandi Gilmour

This traditional recipe has been perfected over the past 11 years at Church of Our Lord. This writer was very privileged to be offered a ‘behind the scenes’ view of what is involved in the creation of the famous COOL Strawberry Tea.

A quick meeting for the organizers just prior to the tea.

Bev Faulks, Leanne Webber, Bruce Webber, Janice Wesolowski and Nancy Turley.

Part of the kitchen crew creating perfection with

strawberries and icing: Suzanne Mikkelson, Sheila Porter, Rosemarie Hahn, Debbie Fletcher and Nancy Turley.

Roalnde Daly, Bruce Webber, Ron Corcoran, & Pam Vuckson before getting to work

1.Pick the perfect date. This year’s Strawberry Tea was Saturday, June 28th. The weather was slightly rainy in the morning, so people were not encouraged to garden or go to garage sales. Instead they were looking for something to do. Many wandered downtown and just happened to see the Strawberry Tea signs. Others said they marked the date on their calendars and looked for it every year as the official start of the summer. It was also a good date as the neighbouring Lawn Bowls Club was hosting a tournament and this added at least another 25 people. Evidently lawn bowlers and strawberry shortcake have long history together! 2. Pick the perfect people. This event was not prepared in haste! It involved many months of planning, preparation and prayer. Plus a team of 25 people. People like Leanne Webber as Convener and Bev Faulks, her Co-Convener. Nancy Turley was Kitchen Boss, and Janice Wesolowski was in charge of ‘out front’, which included the table arrangements and matching over 100 sets of china cups and saucers. And then there were countless other jobs and countless other people doing them. Dorothy McDowell delighted tea-drinkers with her music.

3. Pick the perfect ingredients. Over 70 pounds of ripe, luscious melt-in-your-mouth strawberries from Mitchell Farms; five 16 x 24 inch white slab cakes donated from James Bay Thrifty’s; and 16 litres (14 qts) of whipping cream donated from Island Farms. There were uncountable urns of real tea although coffee was also available. Even gluten free cake was on offer and it was good too! Everything was done from ‘scratch’. People even arrived at 8:30 that morning to make the strawberry drizzle that was delicately poured over each piece of cake. But what was the most important ingredient you ask? The people who attended of course! Over 156 people purchased tickets and shared in this year’s COOL Strawberry Tea.

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Deirdre Corcoran having a fun moment with

Eleanor & Ewan Baldwin

Bishop Rob Badham led tours in the Sanctuary

4. Pick the perfect surroundings. The Cridge Hall looked beautiful. There were white table cloths and real flowers as decorations. Strawberry shortcake was served on actual china dishes. No styrofoam in sight! And pictured on the title page above is the real glistening silver tea service courtesy of Pam Beecroft. Servers in white aprons kept tea cups full and the shortcake flowing. In the background was relaxing piano music. There was no sense of being rushed or hurried from your table. People were encouraged to sit and enjoy their tea.

A small portion of over 150 people who enjoyed the Strawberry Tea

Newcomers took the opportunity to look about our historic church. The Sanctuary was gleaming and inviting and many looked in and wandered around. There were tours happening and history explained and questions answered, and the organ was an additional delight.

David Vuckson demonstrated the grand organ

5.Pick the perfect “Putty Persons”. What is a putty person you ask? Think of it this way …. we use putty to fill holes to keep out the drafts around our

windows. A ‘putty person’ is someone who fills a hole. Their job may not be front and centre, but it’s important to keep things moving smoothly. In an event as large as the Strawberry Tea there are many potential holes and there were correspondingly many ‘putty people’. People who groomed the gardens, worked in the dish pit, sold the tickets and staffed the Thrift Shop downstairs. They worked hard and filled holes and kept out any drafts.

6. Mix all the perfect ingredients well and serve. Serve on a warm June day when the strawberries are the ripest, the workers are the most eager and the customers are plentiful and appreciative. After expenses almost $900.00 was raised with the funds going towards the Sanctuary and the

Malawi Mission projects. But the 2014 C.O.O.L. Strawberry Tea was worth much more than the money raised or feeding Victorians a gourmet dessert. It’s an outreach to the community. People come into the Church space and see everyone working together and enjoying themselves. It’s a method of introducing ourselves to the area each year. Plus, it’s a safe way for our neighbors to come in our door and see what we are about. I like to think that God is guiding them to Him, along the path of the lowly but magnificent strawberry. _____________________________________________

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A SUMMER VISIT TO WILLIAM HEAD INSTITUTION by Agnes Duke Four men, in turn, emerged, radiant in face, from the water of the ocean in a bay at William Head Institution. Their

baptism had just taken place on this July Sunday. Among the group of fellow prisoners watching from the shore were volunteers including Pam Vuckson and Agnes Duke who drive out from Victoria to the Chapel on a regular basis from September to end of June. Today was one of a couple of visits during the summer and an inspiring day it was to see these four men commit their lives to the Lord. Pam and I had driven out after our own Sunday Service July 27th, to participate in the William Head Chapel service led by the pastor of long standing and greatly respected by the men, Larry Duguay. The men are led in music and biblical instruction and willingly participate in reading and singing and often accompany with guitar or keyboard. Arriving unexpectedly as we do in the summer, we are greeted enthusiastically with not just a friendly hug, but with, “Where have you been? I missed you!” Another interesting turn of events happened this particular Sunday when we realised there was no immediate driver to take us to the Chapel. We asked for and received permission to use the always available emergency wheel chair kept in the guard room. Then with Pam pushing, I was wheeled down the road to the Chapel. When the time came to go to the beach area one of the men took charge of the wheelchair for my ride there and back. The Lord is a faithful provider indeed and His presence is felt in the hearts of a great many men who choose to come to William Head Chapel. _____________________________________________

I HAVE PLANNED AHEAD FOR YOU You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me with Your counsel. Psalm 73:23-24

Behold, am I a God that is afar off, and not a God that is near? For in the midst of difficulties, I will be your support. In the darkness, I am your Light; there is no darkness that can hide my face from the eye of faith. My beauty and My radiance are all lovelier in darkness. In grief, my comfort is more poignant. In failure, My

encouragement the most welcome. In loneliness, the touch of My presence more tender. You are hidden in me; and I will multiply both the wisdom and the strength in due proportion to meet the demands of every occasion. I am the Lord your God. I know no limitations. I know no lack. I need not reserve my stores, for I always have a fresh supply. You can by no means ever exhaust My infinite resources. Let your heart run wild. Let your imagination go vagabond. No extravagance of human thought can ever plumb the depths of My planning and provision for My children. Rejoice, therefore, and face each day with joy; for I have planned ahead for you and made all necessary arrangements and reservations. I am your guide and benefactor. Put you hand in Mine. -from the book, Come Away My Beloved by Frances J. Roberts

Contributed by Pam Vuckson, Thank You! __________________________________________________

An Ode to the English Plural

We'll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes, But the plural of ox becomes oxen, not oxes. One fowl is a goose, but two are called geese, Yet the plural of moose should never be meese. You may find a lone mouse or a nest full of mice, Yet the plural of house is houses, not hice. If the plural of man is always called men, Why shouldn't the plural of pan be called pen? If I speak of my foot and show you my feet, And I give you a boot, would a pair be called beet? If one is a tooth and a whole set are teeth, Why shouldn't the plural of booth be called beeth? Why is it that writers write, but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham? And hat in the plural would never be hose, And the plural of cat is cats, not cose. We speak of a brother and also of brethren, But though we say mother, we never say methren. Then the masculine pronouns are he, his and him, But imagine the feminine: she, shis and shim! If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught? Why is it that writers write, but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham? And in closing, if Father is Pop, how come Mother's not Mop?

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HOW SHALL A MAN KEEP HIS SPIRIT YOUNG? “I think you have seen at least seventy summers?”

“Nearer eighty.”

“Then you are an old man.”

He shook his head. “Five hours and a bit,” said he after

consulting a large silver watch.

“Five hours and a bit? How old is that?”

“I was up just before six this morning,” said he,

“and, as my custom is, I knelt down by my bed, and I

prayed, and the Lord made a new man of me, repairing

the same I’m repairing this old fence.”

“Then you are not old.”

“Not I. My body is old, and half filled with aches and

pains, for sciatica plagues me now and then. But, bless

your life, sir, a man isn’t his body. That’s only the

earthly temple of the spirit, and no matter how old the

clay may be, a man is young if his spirit never grows

old.”

“And how shall a man keep his spirit young?

“By repairing it continually as I am repairing this

fence.”

“And how are you doing that?”

He smiled. “Why, Sir,” said he, “surely you know how

to repair a fence? There be two things to do, and two

things only. I take out the worn timber and replace it

with sound stakes. I change the old for the new.”

“But how does a man repair his life so that even at

eighty years of age he is still young?”

“For myself, sir, why every day I take out of my

mind whatever is unwholesome – or should I say, I

have it taken out of me.”

“How?”

“By prayer. Every night I am still for a bit.”

“But it is not easy to be still. I have little time for

doing nothing.”

“Ah, but a man isn’t doing nothing if he is waiting on

the Lord. That is praying, and God can do anything with

a man on his knees. He can do anything with any of us

if we’ll let him.”

“You let him?”

“To be sure. A man cannot go through the day

without a bit of himself rotting, so every night I ask that

the rottenness may be cut away. As I cut away the

rotting wood in this fence.”

“And in the morning?”

“In the morning, sir, I go down on my knees again –

except when the sciatica’s very bad and won’t let me

do it. – and I pray for a right spirit to be renewed within

me. I ask for new power to serve. And to do right. And

for new grace, and new and stronger faith, and a new

vision of God in place of the old one that sometimes

grows dim. It always comes. I am born again every day,

and tho’ the outward body decay, the inward spirit

keeps young – aye, younger now than half a century

ago, and a man may say continually that it is good to be

alive.

So he talked, this simple, old fashioned, God fearing

man, and I wondered greatly that in the twentieth

century this simplicity should still be found. I suppose

one of my clever friends who had argued religion and

prayer out of life could knock this old man’s logic into

nothing in five minutes. The psychologists would make

short work of his devotions–merely self-induced

consciousness, they’d say.

This one thing I know, that whereas I was blind, I

began to see, for this old man with his radiant youth

lent me a bit of sunshine, and sent me on my way one

hair’s breadth nearer a Christian. (Author Unknown)

_____________________________________________

PRAYER OF SAINT RICHARD OF CHICHESTER Thanks be to thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits which thou hast given us, for all the pain and insults which thou hast borne for us. O most merciful Redeemer, Friend and Brother, May we know thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, and follow thee more nearly, now and for evermore.

This much loved prayer has survived well over 700 years. So appealing is it, it was set to music as part of a 20th Century rock opera, Godspell, and sung all over the world. Still today it is amongst the best loved of some famous Christian prayers. Richard de Wych was born in Droitwich, England in 1197, son of a yeoman farmer. He was able to study at Oxford, Paris and Bologna. Returning to Oxford in 1235, he was appointed Chancellor by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Edmund Rich. Five years later he decided to become a priest and studied with the Dominicans at Orleans. He was ordained in 1242, and two years later was elected Bishop of Chichester. Near the end of his life, he took up the cause of the Crusades, not as a political expedition, but seeing this as a call to a new life, which would also reopen the Holy Land to pilgrims. In 1253, at the age of 56, he became mortally ill and died. In art he is represented with a chalice at his feet, in memory of his having once at Mass dropped the chalice, which remained unspilt. ______________________________

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OLIVES: MORE PRECIOUS THAN GOLD The olive tree was one of the principal tree crops of ancient Palestine. Mentioned in the

Bible more than 50 times, the olive tree’s uses and meanings are many. Olive trees are amazingly durable. They can survive droughts and floods and have been known to live more than a thousand years. Cut them down and they’ll sprout again; if insects attack, they can overcome. For six thousand years the Mediterranean basin from Spain to Syria has grown and relied on olive trees and their products. Olive trees convey stability, endurance and prosperity. Olive oil can be used for many purposes. And edible oil, it contains no cholesterol and is relished for cooking and as salad dressing. Olives are a great adjunct to festive occasions and are a staple at almost any meal in the Middle East. Olive wood is hard and heavy and makes the hottest fires. And in the carver’s hands, olive wood can be made into objects of great beauty. References in the Bible include: The olive branch in the beak of a dove was the sign to Noah that the flood was over that life would go on. From this story the olive branch has become a symbol of peace and reconciliation. Hosea prophesies that the people of God will be beautiful like the olive (14:6). Jeremiah (11:16) tells his listeners: “The Lord once called you, ‘A green olive tree, fair with goodly fruit.’” In the Book of Judges (9:8-9), on learning that his brother Abimelech was plotting to be crowned king, Jotham exhorted the citizens of Shechem with a parable of the trees: “One day the trees went out to anoint a king over themselves. So they said to the olive tree, “Reign over us.” The olive tree answered them, “Shall I stop producing my rich oil by which gods and mortals are honoured, and go to sway over the trees?” Used in medicine, olive oil was an antidote for poison and an agent for cleaning wounds, as recounted in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37).

Olive oil was used by the wealthy to clean themselves and for anointing the head. This practice is referred to in the story of the woman in the house of Simon (Luke 7:46; also Psalm 23:5). As a base for fragrant ointments, olive oil was used to anoint kings (1 Samuel 10:1), setting a man apart for special office and indeed was used to anoint Jesus at the beginning of Holy Week. The women who gathered on Easter morning wanted to anoint Jesus’ body with a similar oil-based perfume, but could not do so, because the body was not in the tomb. So olive oil played a part in the beginning and the end of the great events of Holy Week. Olive oil has been used in clay lamps to provide light in homes for at least six millennia. Jesus urges his disciples to boldly proclaim the good news: “You are the light of the world. … No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house” (Matthew 5:14-15). A flame fuelled by olive oil is the image Jesus had in mind when he announces himself as a light in the darkness: “I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in darkness (John 12-46).”

-The Nazareth Jesus Knew by Joel Kauffmann Miracle of Nazareth International Foundation

-Eerdmans’ Handbook to the Bible 1973 Lion Publishing _____________________________________________

A Prayer for Families Dear Father, we ask that you bless the families of this Parish. Watch over all the children, and by Your Holy Spirit give to each home a burning desire to want to know You more. Help each of us as teachers, parents, grandparents, and god-parents to remain faithful to our promises to uphold them in their prayer, encourage them in their faith, and show them the love of Jesus each day. Amen _____________________________________________ "If you want that splendid power in prayer, you must remain in loving, living, lasting, conscious, practical, abiding union with the Lord Jesus Christ.

C. H. Spurgeon _____________________________________________

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A TIME TO LEAVE

Extracted from Pastor Ron Corcoran’s Sermon in the Church of Our Lord, Sunday, September 14, 2014

This past week I submitted my letter of resignation as a Parish Priest to our Moderator, Bishop Charlie and our Western bishop, Bishop Trevor. I have also spoken with Bishop Don, who has also given me his blessing. It is my intention to step down as a Parish Priest at the end of February 2015 by which time I will have completed 21 years of service in Victoria. I am giving you this much notice as I have been the Pastor for many of you for over 20 years and we all need the time to say a proper farewell. I have done my very best to be the best Pastor, Preacher, Teacher and Shepherd that I could be to all of you. As a Parish Priest I have had the joy of mentoring, disciplining, and seeing a group of individuals grow into a mature body of Christ, spending their resources, their time and their energy not focused inwardly on themselves but outwardly in furthering God’s Kingdom. In February 2015 I will have completed 21 years as the Pastor to many of you. 21 years is a long time in a pastorate and I believe that God is calling me now to let go, and to entrust you, your future and the future of the Church of Our Lord into God’s care. I am leaving with the belief that God has something else for me to do. At this moment I have no idea what that will be, but I am confident in the One who holds all of our futures in His hands. For those of you who want to know if I am retiring let me be very clear and I ask you to be clear with others, ‘No, I am not retiring.’ What I am doing is moving on to the next thing that God has for me. One of the people I sought counsel from was my United Church Minister brother who reminded me of a writing of C.S. Lewis who said: "Sometimes God can't give us too much or anything at all because our hands are too full." For the last 35 years, my hands have been full of lambs and sheep; it’s time for me to let them go and let them respond to the voice of another Shepherd.

My decision to leave at this time was not decided overnight. It has taken months of sleepless nights and great wrestling in my soul. It has forced me to seek the advice of my Bishop, wise Counselors and Spiritual Directors to help me discern God’s voice from my own. My biggest concern was that I didn’t want to do anything without God’s blessing on my plans. I firmly believe that I have heard His voice and out of obedience to that voice, I am placing my hand in His and stepping out into the future trusting that He will take me where He wants me to go and give me whatever new task He has in mind.

I want to assure you that Deirdre and I will not be disappearing from your lives. In our wrestling in the past several months, we have concluded that God wants us to remain in Victoria and trust me, I am very, very grateful. Bishop Trevor has asked me to remain on as the Archdeacon of Vancouver Island and I have consented to do so. As part of my duties as Archdeacon I will be visiting parishes, preaching when invited and celebrating the Sacraments. My colleague Rod has graciously consented to permit me to come back to the Church of Our Lord to perform funerals, weddings and baptisms as I am invited. I will be leaving mid-week, taking my normal five-week vacation, hoping to finish a book I have been working on for 20 years, followed by 10 days of study leave. After my vacation and study leave, I will go to Ottawa for our Annual Synod and after Synod I will be staying in Ottawa for a few days to conclude my work with the Time to Build Campaign. I will be back in mid-November.

Let me conclude as I began from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8:

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”

And allow me to be bold enough to add to Solomon’s words – though it will not be as poetic! “There is a time to leave a community you love and a time to embrace new things; there is a time to leave as a Parish Priest and a time to take up a new mantle; there is a time to place your hand into the hands of a God and Father who loves you and a time to walk out into the unknown.”

By His Grace, that is what I will do.

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THANK GOD FOR LAUGHTER

The Woodpeckers May Have To Go!

Everything I need to know about life, I learned from Noah’s Ark.

• Don't miss the boat. • Remember that we are all in the same boat. • Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark. • Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big. • Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done. • Build your future on high ground. • For safety sake, travel in pairs. • Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs. • When you're stressed, float a while. • Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals. No matter the storm, when you are with God,

there's always a rainbow waiting. _____________________________________________

When You’re Next in a Hospital! – Remember this Ploy!

A sweet elderly woman telephoned Victoria General Hospital. She timidly asked, "Is it possible to speak to someone who can tell me how a patient is doing?" The operator said, "I'll be glad to help, dear. What's the name and room number of the patient?" in her weak, tremulous voice the woman said, “Norma Findlay, Room 302.” The operator replied, "Let me put you on hold while I check with the nurse's station for that room."

After a few minutes, the operator returned to the phone and said, "I have good news. Her nurse just told me that Norma is doing well. Her blood pressure is fine; her blood work just came back normal and her physician, Dr. Smith, has scheduled her to be discharged tomorrow." The woman said, "Thank you. That's wonderful. I was so worried. God bless you for the good news." The operator replied, "You're more than welcome. Is Norma your daughter?" The reply was: "No, I'm Norma Findlay in Room 302. No one tells me nothing!" (Thank you, Michael Morres)

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Wanted — A Rector for St. James Church. He must possess all Christian graces and a few worldly ones; must have such tact and disposition as will enable him to side with all parties in the parish on all points, giving offence to none; should possess a will of his own, but agree with all the vestry; must b socially inclined and of dignified manners– affable to all, neither running after the wealthy nor turning his back upon the poor; a man of high-low church tendencies is preferred. Must be willing to preach first-class sermons and do first-class work at second-class compensation– salary should not be so much of an object as the desire to be a zealous labourer in the vineyard; should be able to convince all that they are miserable sinners without giving offence. Each sermon must be short, but complete in itself– full of old-fashioned theology in modern dress– deep but polished, and free from the eloquence peculiar to newly-graduated theologians; should be young enough to be enthusiastic, but possess judgment of one of ripe years and experience. Only he who possesses the above qualifications need apply. To such a one will be given steady employment for a term of years.

Milwaukee Sentinel, June 16, 1875