Fr. Sean Templeton
Rogation Processions: Proclaiming Jesus to our ...

Too often we think of evangelism as a sale job pushing a disembodied belief (or system of beliefs) on another person’s mind rather than the scriptural model of discipleship bringing the enlightenment and sanctity of God’s personal presence to another person. We know that from the Scriptures to “believe” in Jesus is far more than just acknowledging Him but loving Him personally and asking the Holy Spirit into each area of our lives. What better way to witness the embodied personal presence of Christ than to walk around our neighbors in His name?

Rogation Processions: Proclaiming Jesus to our Neighbors
Fr. Sean Templeton
Jesus Eclipses All: Proclaiming the Risen Jesus ...

 According to a Pew Research Study published in December of 2023 56% of “Spiritual but not Religious” people “feel a deep sense about the universe monthly.” And I would bet that this past week that jumped up greatly.

Jesus Eclipses All: Proclaiming the Risen Jesus by Name
Fr. Sean Templeton
A Sermon on Charles, Saint and Martyr

You and I too can have that meaning life and death. Both the king and the begger have equal access to the King of the Universe. If you have not yet accepted his kingship, you can. If you have fallen down in your service, he is there to forgive and restore. You too can run the race and by God’s grace receive the incorruptible crown.

A Sermon on Charles, Saint and Martyr
Fr. Sean Templeton
How do Anglican Christians Observe Fasting?

n accordance with this instruction, early Christians fasted on Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the year; this has evolved and changed over the years. In addition to regular fasts on Wednesdays and Fridays, (and then just Fridays), it became regular for Christians to fast during days preceding feasts and seasons of pentience. The Protestant Reformation retained fasting as well.

How do Anglican Christians Observe Fasting?
Fr. Sean Templeton
Momento Mori Part III: Prepare for Death, ...

For the Christian the church is the center of life and place where communion is had with the Body of Christ in Word and Sacrament, so it is fitting that in death, here the Christian returns before being commended to God and committed to the earth in “sure and certain hope of the resurrection.” It is not a small thing that the deceased and his or her loved ones join together one last time in Church, for if they too are Christians that is where they will meet again after the General Resurrection.

Momento Mori Part III: Prepare for Death, Include Your a Body

dedication

Church Dedication? Institution of a Rector? What Is This All About? - Part 1

This upcoming Sunday marks a doubly special day for our congregation and the diocese. It is also a big day, personally for me too!

Parish Dedications/Consecrations are rare things today. I have only ever been to one in my lifetime. Partly this is because starting new mission congregations is difficult enough, but developing them into parish churches is especially challenging. Yet here we are, by God’s grace, dedicating St. Anselm Anglican as a “Parish” Church – a financially independent fully functioning congregation. Like all liturgy, the upcoming 2 o’clock service is not just fancy ceremony without meaning. Rather, it is ceremony that dramatically enacts a story in celebration. Whether you were there at the first living room meetings or just began attending this tells our story together. It is a story that has gone on for centuries as God’s kingdom grows. This week I will be publishing a series of small articles to you about the liturgy you will be attending with the goal of helping you understand and take in this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

WE BEGIN OUTSIDE OF THE CHURCH IN THE COURTYARD

PROCESSIONS INTO THE CHURCH (Yes, there are two!)

We begin outside the building (weather permitting). The incense and cross lead the way along with all the attending members of the clergy. First the oldest holy order of deacons followed by those ordained into the holy order of the presbyterate (priests), followed by high ranking church officials such as canons, deans, and the archdeacon. (Some of you may recall that it was an archdeacon who dedicated Lakewood Anglican as a mission in October 2014) The laity follow this procession into the Church singing. The doors are then closed.

The second procession made up of the bishop, the rector-elect and his wardens comes to the church doors and the bishop knocks three times with his crozier (pastoral staff). The Wardens (elected heads of the Vestry and therefore the laity) hand him the keys and open the doors. He blesses the building thus beginning the dedication. The symbolism here is inescapable and shows the reality of 1 Corinthians 12:24-27.

God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. (Corinthians 12:24-27, ESV)

The parish church is not owned by the bishop, nor is it independent of the larger church and controlled by the Vestry or unilaterally led by the pastor, rather, it is the work of all together called and ordered by the hand of Almighty God.