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By Rev. Canon Stewart Murray, Incumbent at St. Barnabas, Ottawa
One of the great treasures of our Anglican tradition that I have rediscovered in the last few years is the Great Litany in the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) and the Book of Alternative Services (BAS). At one time it was common to find a copy of the Litany in a separate book on a prayer desk, called a litany desk, in the sanctuary or nave of most churches. The BCP suggests that the Litany be used as a form of intercession and petition “at least once a month on a Sunday”. I remember as a chorister at St. Matthew’s learning to sing the Litany and finding it both tedious and fascinating as we prayed for the world and all sorts of people, from the Queen to women laboring of child, and for all in danger, necessity or...
Read more: The Great LitanyBy Rev. Canon Stewart Murray, Incumbent at St. Barnabas, Ottawa
October is a busy time in the life of parish communities. The full schedule of activities and programmes is well underway after the hiatus of the summer and people are returning energized and even excited about what is happening in their church community. I have always found that, after visiting other parishes over the summer, I return to my own with some new ideas drawn from what others are doing and with a deeper appreciation for the uniqueness of my own community. One of the gifts that visiting other parishes gives is that I have come to appreciate the variety of church buildings that are part of our Diocese – from contemporary to traditional, with pews and without, multipurpose worship spaces to historic and...
Read more: This is None Other than the House of God and Gate of Heavenby Rev. Canon Stewart Murray, Incumbent at St Barnabas, Ottawa
Summer is fast approaching and after a long winter we are looking forward to enjoying the wonder and beauty of God’s creation in all its splendour that is summer in Canada. For many, summer is a time of holidays from school and work and of a slower pace of life. In our church communities many of the regular programmes and activities are reduced or put on hold until September. I remember well the lazy days of Summer as a child when summer seemed to be almost endless and the worries of homework and regular routines were put aside. This change of pace brings a gift of time and the opportunities to refresh our spiritual lives as well.
An opportunity that I enjoy while on holidays is going to different Churches...
Read more: Summer -- a time for relaxation and spiritual explorationHere is a complete recording of the Evensong and Solemn Benediction held April 15:
- Organ Music: Sarabande for the Morning of Easter – Herbert Howells;
- Opening Sentence; Preces and Responses: Prayer Book, p. 20 - Sarum Plainsong;
Psalm 23 (Dominus regit me) - Tone VIII.1 (BCP p. 356) - First Lesson: Deuteronomy 4: 25-40
Office Hymn: 157 “He is risen, he is risen” (All Saints) - Magnificat: Evening Service - Ēriks Ešenvalds (b. 1977)
- Second Lesson: Revelation 20
- Nunc Dimittis: Evening Service - Ēriks Ešenvalds
- Creed, Versicles, and Responses: ...
by Rev. Canon Stewart Murray, Incumbent at St Barnabas, Ottawa
in May 2018 issue of ‘Crosstalk,' the newspaper of the Angican Diocese of Ottawa
The season after Pentecost or Trinity is called by some the long season of the green. They are referring, of course, to the colour of the church year that we will use until Advent. During the Easter season, we have had almost a riot of colours – white, gold, and red – but for the next six months, it will be the Wearing of the Green!
In the wisdom of our tradition, green is seen as the colour of growth and renewal. In our part of the world, following Easter, we enter the glorious time of spring after a long and sometimes dreary winter. I know I look forward to seeing the fresh green of the budding leaves on the trees and of...
Read more: The Wearing of the GreenLatest newsletter
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