Parish News

Dear Friends,

Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away;

For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone.

The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come.

Song 2: 10-12a

There are several more things I want to share with you today…

In-person Sunday Re-openings – Not Yet

I had hoped to be able to write that there would be in-person Sunday morning services for Pentecost Sunday. However, it’s clear that we will have to wait for a few more Sundays. As soon as we can gather safely, I will certainly let you know.

If you haven’t been vaccinated yet, I strongly encourage you to do so. That’s one thing we can all do, to be able to see one another in person again soon. (If you have doubts about the vaccine, please view the video on the St. Brice’s website – just click on the “COVID-19 Information” banner.)

A number of parishioners continue to work quietly behind the scenes. I want to express “thank you” to the parishioners who are preparing a wonderful initiative on their own for Pentecost Sunday. See what comes… 😊

“Difference”

The current Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has made “reconciliation” a priority in his ministry. There is an opportunity to learn and practice “reconciliation,” which I think will be quite exciting.

Above all else, Christians believe we are reconciled with God through Jesus Christ’s self-giving death (Romans 5: 10).

Many Christians think of “reconciliation” in a sacramental way – of speaking privately with a priest for assurance of forgiveness. (See the Anglican BCP, p. 581; BAS p. 167.) As we say, “All may, none must, some should.”

Part of family life, and parish life, and events in communities (I’m thinking of the current conflict between Jews and Muslims in Israel and Palestine as I write this), means there are often conflicts which need reconciliation.

God can use you and me to be reconcilers – to be Christians who make a substantial difference for healing in the world.

My wife Nancy and I will be offering a short on-line course about reconciliation, called “Difference,” on Wednesday nights between May 26 and June 23, beginning at 7:30pm. I strongly encourage you to come and check it out. Please leave a message at the parish office (705-474-4005), or with Nancy or me.

If you want to check out a little more about it, see https://difference.rln.global/run-the-course

Additions to Website

In consultation with the Spiritual Development Committee, we are planning to add a tab to the parish website, to help people who know nothing about St. Brice’s, or other churches, learn more about us. One proposed part will be something like, “I’ve always wondered about, but have been scared to ask…” No genuine question will be too silly or too complex to ask. Feel free to send in ideas or questions…

Uncomfortable Questions

I realize that I enjoy hearing people’s questions or comments. I hope I can help by giving a reply. In a previous parish, we had a “stump the rector” time, when people were encouraged to ask me questions. Let’s try it here, on Trinity Sunday (May 30, 4pm). Get a cup or tea or a cold drink, a comfortable chair, and your laptop or device. (Sorry; this can only work with people with internet at this time.) See if you can think of a devilishly hard question for me to answer! Details how to join will be circulated to parishioners whose email addresses we have, around May 27.

eTransfers

Many of us on-line banking these days. I’ve been asked to remind you that you can make donations to St. Brice’s by eTransfers. The email address is: deposits@stbriceschurch.com. Please specify on the “Memo” section if you want the donation sent to a particular ministry.

The Good Samaritan Corner

St. Brice’s is one of a number of local churches who want to address the issue of “homelessness” in North Bay. We are invited to view their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/compassionatecommitteeofnorthbay

God bless you all,

Peter Armstrong