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Dear Friends,
Last Friday I found myself in Kitchener at St. Peter's Lutheran Church attending the ordination of a dear friend to the
Ministry of Word and Sacraments in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.
Not only was this a wonderful opportunity to celebrate with my friend and the wider church, but it was also wonderful
to see what other Protestants are doing in terms of renewing their worship life.
Let me offer a little glimpse at the service. First, the processional began with a hymn, the likes of which I have never
heard--it was absolutely wonderful. The procession was led by three altar servers vested in white albs. One was the "crucifer"
who carried a large cross on the end of a long staff. She was accompanied by two other servers who carried large candles on
long candle staffs. What a powerful symbol, being led in by the cross of Christ--following the sign of our life.
The processional continued with about two dozen clergy all vested in white albs and red stoles--the proper colour for
ordination. It was a new experience for me to see so many clergy my own age. Behind the clergy came another server vested
in an alb carrying a large banner on the end of a long staff. The banner was bright red with an image of the risen Christ
in gold. Behind this banner came the Bishop who was vested in alb, stole, and red cope. A cope is a cape-like vestment for
processionals. he also carried a crozier--a staff that resembles a shepherd's crook and symbolizes both pastoral care and
episcopal authority.
We were challenged with an amazing homily that night as the Bishop calld on us all (reminding us of the wedding at cana
in John's gospel) to remember that there is enough wine! There is enough blessing and goodness for the church and the world
if we will but open our eyes and claim it. He called on the clergy to stop being managers and start being teachers and reformers.
This message was echoed by The Rev. Dr. Douglas John Hall at Knox College's convocation.
It was even more wonderful to continue this proclamation in the Eucharist. We sang the Eucharistic prayers, we received
real wine and delicious wafers. We drank from a common cup--even the children! The Bishop blessed us all with the sign of
the cross and we claimed the joy of our faith. We saw and tasted that God is good--yes, the good gifts of God most certainly
belong to the Protestant church too.
Do you know that almost 400 people received the Eucharist in about 7 minutes.
How wonderful it was to see that renewal is happening. Indeed, it is time to deposit Puritanism in a museum and take up
the great riches of our common faith together.
What good news--what delicious news! There is enough wine, love, blessing, life, and vitality for everyone. There is enough
if we will but claim what belongs to us as baptized members of the holy catholic church.
May God's richest blessing sbe upon you always,
Shalom,
Matt+
P.S: WANT TO KNOW MORE? Check out my "SUPER LINKS" page to visit the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada's
homepage. Also, check out my main page and look at the Lutheran links at the bottom. Finally, check out my "RENEWING
WORD AND SACRAMENT" page and visit the links at the bottom. Drink up, there is plenty for everyone.
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