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.

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

Download the October issue.

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:

Mabel leading a training session for Mayan health workers.

“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.”

Supplies needed for Medical Missionary Trip to Guatemala

New or used reading glasses and sunglasses
Dental products such as toothbrushes and toothpaste

Our dear sister, Mabel Ezeonwu, is collecting reading glasses (new or used) and dental products such as tooth brushes and toothpaste for a medical missionary trip to Guatemala in July. Sunglasses are also welcome. 

Mabel will be leading the trip with a team of doctors and nurses, where they set up clinics and provide health care services to the local indigenous Mayan communities. Fitting clients with reading glasses makes a difference in their lives and their functionality.

Collection baskets are located in the Narthex. Thank you for your generosity.