Ramblings on a Name

Ramblings from the Rector

To all God's beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed throughout the world. For God, whom I serve with my spirit by announcing the gospel of his Son, is my witness that without ceasing I remember you always in my prayers. (Romans 1:7-9 NRSV)

What’s in a name?  As you all hopefully know by now, the Parishes of Touchwood Trail and Holy Faith have chosen to move into a new relationship with each other.  Where once we were two parishes existing very near each other geographically, but separate spiritually, we are now in the process of becoming one parish, supporting each other through common stewardship of our resources whether they be spiritual, financial, gifts of time, or any other resources we may have.

One of the steps in coming together as a single parish with four churches and many communities is choosing a name which calls to us where we are and sends us into the future with a focus for our ministry in the communities which we serve.  Throughout the Easter season, we will be celebrating and talking about a number of saints and holy days which might call to us.  I have made some choices for the month of April.  I am open to suggestions for the rest of the Easter season.  Once we have finished our journey through these saints and festivals, I am praying that the Spirit will make our new name clear to us.

As a starting point, here are the dedications that already exist in this parish.  (For a more complete description go to http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4905842/Liturgy/ForAlltheSaints.pdf) When you see FAS p.---, you can get the complete entry at the site above or ask me and I will print it for you.

Christ Church – Abernethy:            A general call to Christian discipleship and living.

St. Paul the Apostle – Balcarres:     Paul was the apostle to the gentiles.  This means that he spread the Gospel (evangelised), especially to those who were not Hebrews.  Today this might mean spreading Christ’s words to those who are not Christian.

(FAS p.66, p.208)

St. Mary (the Virgin) – Cupar:        Mary accepted her place in God’s plan even though she didn’t really understand it.  She is an example of faith and devotion.  She is also seen by some as the mother of the church. (FAS p.246)

St. Cuthbert – Dysart:                      Cuthbert divided his life between times of prayer and journeys to places where people seldom saw a priest.  He made special efforts to visit those places which were hard to reach because of geography or unappealing to visit because of poverty and ignorance. (FAS p.116)

St. John (Apostle and Evangelist) – Ft. Qu’Appelle:         “A fisher for people.”  John was an early leader in the church and a spreader of the Gospel.  His tradition has him as both impulsive and carefully thoughtful. (FAS p.162)

St. George – Ituna:                            George was a Roman warrior in the 4^th century.  He was one of many soldiers who practiced their faith in secret both because Christianity was illegal and because the Christian faith of the time did not allow you to be a soldier.  (FAS p.148)

All Saints - Katepwa                         Reverence for those Christians who have come before us and done something to exemplify the message of Christ in the world.  We ask them to carry our prayers to God or to join with us in our prayers.  We look to the saints for support and inspiration.  (FAS p. 328)

Holy Trinity – Kelleher:                   Reverence of the mystery of the Trinity.  One God who is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

St. Michael and All Angels – Lipton:          The warriors and messengers of God.  In Christian art they are often depicted as gentle, protective beings.  In the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and the understanding at Jesus’ time, they were the army of God who were also used as messengers.  People were often terrified when they saw an angel. (FAS p.294)

We will be looking at:

April 7:            Epiphany (FAS p.42) and Transfiguration (FAS p.230)

April 14:          St. Simon and St. Jude (FAS p.318)

April 21:          St. Agnes (FAS p.60) and St. Vincent (FAS p.62)

April 28:          St. Francis de Sales (FAS p.64)

I would also like to look at Anglican teachers of the faith, but somehow “The Parish of Cranmer and/or Hooker” does not call to me. (FAS p.118 and p.332)