Advent Word 2019, Day 18 ‘Worship’
#AdventWord #Worship In the weeks prior to Jesus’s birth, the Magi left the familiar on a long trek to an obscure town in a foreign land. It’s a long way to go to worship the new king born in Bethlehem. It was not an easy journey. Advent is our own long journey leading us to a place where we can recognise God revealed to us and to worship him. The Rev. Richard Sewell is the Dean of St. George’s College, Jerusalem. The west window at Chester Cathedral showing the Holy Family with Saints Werburgh, Oswald, Aidan, Chad, Wilfrid, and Ethelfleda Continue reading Advent Word 2019, Day 18 ‘Worship’
Advent Word 2019, Day 17 ‘Pray’
#AdventWord #Pray It is not easy to pray. The apostles knew that. That is why instead of a lesson on preaching, they asked, “Lord, teach us to pray.” Jesus replied, “When you pray, say ‘Our Father.’” Prayer is relationship. When we say, “let us pray,” we open ourselves to a deeper and intimate relationship with God. We also open our hearts to humanity so we may intercede for the world. The Rev. Fred Vergara is the Missioner for Asiamerica Ministries for The Episcopal Church. Following the bombing of the mediaeval Coventry Cathedral in 1940, Provost Howard had the words ‘Father … Continue reading Advent Word 2019, Day 17 ‘Pray’
Advent Word 2019, Day 16 ‘Learn’
#AdventWord #Learn Isaiah encourages: Say to those of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear!” In these polarized times it is often fear that keeps us from knowing neighbors who are “not like us”. God’s Way of Love encourages us to learn from those whose culture, religion, race, way of life is different from our own, there to exchange rich gifts of God’s whole creation. Margaret Rose is the Ecumenical Officer for The Episcopal Church. Creation Window at Chester Cathedral Continue reading Advent Word 2019, Day 16 ‘Learn’
Congratulations to Isaac Chen Wei-Chieh 陳瑋杰 and his beautiful bride 羅雅馨!
On September 2, 2019, I received a very special message, and it made my day! The message said, “Hello Catherine! I am going to get married on December 14, 2019! Our wedding will be held in St. Peter’s Church (Chiayi). … Continue reading Congratulations to Isaac Chen Wei-Chieh 陳瑋杰 and his beautiful bride 羅雅馨!
Advent Word 2019, Day 15 ‘Turn’
#AdventWord #Turn I watched some children play hide-and-seek at a party recently. The little girl turned away, squeezed her eyes closed, and counted. Then, with a loud giggle, she spun back around. The look on her face when she turned was one of pure joy and excitement as she anticipated finding her friends. We are invited this day to turn our hearts towards God. May we do so with great anticipation and find joy in discovering that God is ready to be found. The Rev. Kim Jackson (VTS ’10) is an Episcopal priest based out of Atlanta, Georgia and sits … Continue reading Advent Word 2019, Day 15 ‘Turn’
Advent Word 2019, Day 14 ‘Gather’
#AdventWord #Gather The spirit of gathering is in the air-gathering with friends and family, gathering gifts to share, gathering prayers and songs for the new dawn of Jesus in our midst. Drawn together by the light of the newborn Christ, we gather at the crèche to see Jesus, and glimpse in one another his saving love. The Rev. Taylor Devine (VTS ’17) is the associate rector at St. Philip’s in the Hills, Tucson, Arizona and director of the Episcopal Service Corps site, Beloved in the Desert. Knitted Nativity at Chester Cathedral Continue reading Advent Word 2019, Day 14 ‘Gather’
Advent Word 2019, Day 13 ‘Water’
#AdventWord #Water Our living world is powerful, yet even the strongest organism needs water to live. The words of the prophet Isaiah offer images of a shoot rising from a stump and showers watering the earth. These images point us to the sustaining power of water and remind us of the cleansing power of God. In this Advent season, may we prepare to receive the water that quenches every thirst and cleanses all, may we be ready to do good. The Rev. Chris Girata (VTS ’08) is the rector of St. Michael and All Angels in Dallas, Texas and sits … Continue reading Advent Word 2019, Day 13 ‘Water’
Advent Word 2019, Day 12 ‘Harmony’
Advent is a season that calls us to learn how to live in harmony with one another as we wait together for the promised coming. In Romans, Paul speaks of the oneness of like-minded believers as a means to accomplish God’s will. But this does not mean that we abandon our individuality. We are like the single notes on a musical scale and, when we are played together in Christ, we form a musical chord. But our harmony is impossible apart from Christ who calls us to act with one accord, to speak with one voice, to be in accord … Continue reading Advent Word 2019, Day 12 ‘Harmony’
Advent Word 2019, Day 11 ‘Confess’
#AdventWord #Confess Confess: a beautiful two-sided coin. To confess is first to disclose. The work of Advent includes examining our consciences by taking a fearless look at ourselves and naming before God those actions not in order with our Creator’s call on our lives. To confess is equally to profess our deepest beliefs. This too is Advent work, for a people who live in hope, secure in the knowledge that we are forgiven and free in Christ Jesus. The Right Rev. Scott Barker is the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska and is a member of the VTS Board … Continue reading Advent Word 2019, Day 11 ‘Confess’
Catherine Lee 