Undefeated
Christ is Risen. Alleluia
He is Risen indeed. Alleluia.
Easter celebrates that the love of God is not defeated even by death.
Our faith reminds us that we are beloved daughters and sons of God. We hear that story most plainly at Easter after our hard journey through Holy Week where destruction and death threatens to destroy the life of love.
It’s easy to allow the anti of life to become the lens we view and interpret the world. It’s also easy to allow the negative story to gain control over our past and present and to taint our future.
Easter’s Christ gifts us a clear view of who we are (loved and forgiven).
Easter celebrations brings into view the new life that looks for the good, beautiful and the peace that inhabits our world. It opens our eyes to live thankful lives and to live lives that bring new life and hope to those we encounter.
Have you noticed :
The Pascal Candle
We light the Pascal Candle as a symbol that reminds us that Christ is risen. We light it first on the morning Easter Sunday and it is then lit for each service in the season of Easter. We also light it for all baptisms and funerals.
It is a sign that the risen Christ appeared to the disciples until his ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost).
It is a sign for us of Christ's presence in our world.
We proclaim "We are the body of Christ" at the gathering for the Ministry of the Sacrament. The candle keeps burning until after the service to remind us that we are to take the light of Christ into all that we are and all that we do, so that others may find their way. Some may remember a Sunday school song about being that light in our small corner.
From the Vicar
In the Middle Ages Mary's Song inspired the Feast of Fools celebrated after Christmas usually around New year. This feast was a literal acting out of the Magnificat as a rather strange way of witnessing to God’s kingdom that inverts human power structures and raises up the oppressed to places of honour.
We are to give up our insatiable desire to consume and replace it with the expectation of the coming of Jesus.
Advent is a time of reflection and preparation for when time will end and Jesus will come in power and glory bringing our waiting to completion.
Parish Officers
Parish Governance
The executive team of Vicar, churchwardens and treasurer meet constantly on parish business.
Parish Groups
Worship leaders, lay readers, servers, ushers, greeters, flower arrangers, cleaners, counters, intercessors and cup bearers all join together to support the service.
Beginning the year, with an excerpt of a letter from Corraine Haines, from the City Mission, in regards to the Back To School programme
In the Middle Ages Mary's Song inspired the Feast of Fools celebrated after Christmas usually around New year. This feast was a literal acting out of the Magnificat as a rather strange way of witnessing to God’s kingdom that inverts human power structures and raises up the oppressed to places of honour.
Regular Summer Sunday Services
We are to give up our insatiable desire to consume and replace it with the expectation of the coming of Jesus.
Community Fair bringing affordable toys, books, china, vintage clothes and more from the Opawa - St Martins Parish.