December Shepherd’s Staff
The Shepherd’s Staff, our provincial newsletter, is filled with news and photos from parishes around the country. Here are a few of the articles in this month’s issue:
- Seminary opens registration for spring on-line classes
- An Advent homily from Bishop Ashman
- New Deanery established in Arizona
- Intercessory prayer at St. George’s NV
- Good News Clubs underway in Las Vegas elementary schools
- Diocesan ACW plans for 2024 Synod
Photos from Father Rick Gregory’s Ordination
By the grace of God, on 10 December, the Second Sunday in Advent, the Rev. Rick Gregory was ordained to the Priesthood of Christ’s One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Diocesan Bishop Donald Ashman was joined in the laying on of hands by Bishop Scott Mitchell (Suffragan).
A joyous and delicious luncheon reception followed the liturgy.
Congratulations, Father Gregory!
(Tap on any thumbnail to see the full size photo.)
[Thank you, Robin B., Nancy J., and Alexander C. for the lovely photos]
Deacon Rick’s Ordination Date Set
God willing, on Sunday, December 10 at 10am, The Rt. Rev. Donald Ashman will ordain Rick Gregory to the Priesthood of Christ’s One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. We invite all friends and members of St. Bartholomew’s to join us for the joyous occasion.
A luncheon reception will follow the liturgy. If you plan to join us for the meal—and we hope you will—please RSVP to Kellie Robertson as soon as possible. Her contact information is listed in the invitation below.
The Advent Season
Advent is a season of waiting and expectation for Christmas – the birth of Christ, the Nativity of Our Lord. We prepare our homes and hearts for four weeks before Christmas. Advent is also the beginning of a new liturgical year – it concludes the long season of Trinity and leads us into the new church year with hope and patience in preparation for Christmas.
This season was likely first celebrated in the fifth century, originating from the tradition of fasting several times a week, beginning on St. Martin de Tours’ Feast Day (November 11) and concluding on Christmas Day.
In modern times, Advent begins on the Sunday closest to November 30 (the Feast Day of St. Andrew) and concludes on Christmas Eve. This year, Advent begins on December 3.
The Advent Wreath
The use of the wreath and candles during Advent is a longstanding Anglican tradition that was originally adopted by Christians in the Middle Ages as part of their spiritual preparation for Christmas. The practice of lighting the candles each evening can be a helpful spiritual practice. This Liturgy for Lighting The Advent Wreath comes to us from the Province of Christ the King.
Sarum Use
St. Bartholomew’s uses blue vestments and altar paraments during Advent. This is a recovery of an ancient English tradition stemming from Salisbury Cathedral, and so it is referred to as sarum blue. (Sarum being the ancient Latin name for Salisbury.) While the deep blue
conveys a feeling of solemnity, because of its association with the Blessed Virgin Mary, it also conveys the Advent themes of hope and expectation.
November Shepherd’s Staff
The Shepherd’s Staff, our provincial newsletter, is filled with news and photos from parishes around the country. In this issue:
- Blessing of the Animals
- A Homily by Bishop Ashman
- ACW Notes
- Episcopal Visitations and Confirmations
- Requiescat in Pace
- 2024 Ordo Kalendars
Children’s Sunday School
October Shepherd’s Staff
The Shepherd’s Staff, our provincial newsletter, is filled with news and photos from churches around the country. In this issue:
- The Ordination of Fr. Darius Gasatura
- Bishop Ashman’s Trinity XVI Homily
- News from St. Joseph’s Seminary
- Why Study the Bible?
- Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at St. George’s
- St. Luke: Doctor, Writer, Companion, and Friend
- 2024 Ordo Kalendars
September Shepherd’s Staff
The September issue of the Shepherd’s Staff, our provincial newsletter, is filled with news and photos of celebrations from around the province:
- a century of ministry at Church of Our Savior
- the 50th anniversary of Bishop Peter and Gigi Hansen
- the baptism of Shima James Gasatura
News from Medical Mission Trip
Mabel Ezeonwe extends her thanks to everyone who donated reading glasses and dental care supplies for her recent medical mission trip to Guatemala:
“I sincerely appreciate all the donations and supplies from everyone. By God’s grace, we did wonderful work with the villages in the Rio Dulce area, in the NE part of Guatemala.
We worked primarily with the native Mayan communities, assessing and treating acute and chronic conditions in pop up clinics. We also spent a significant amount of our time and energy on teaching patients and families about practices to prevent diseases and illnesses such as malaria prevention, cervical cancer screening and prevention, prevention of sexually transmitted infections, and hygiene practices. We also trained local health workers — health promoters and lay midwives, who are the critical points of health care contact for the villages on important care skills. For example, the lay midwives deliver most babies born through vaginal births in the villages, and we trained them on newborn resuscitation skills based on the World Health Organization’s Breathe Baby Breathe protocols.”