One of the neighbouring faith communities has been without a shepherd, but not any longer. As of last night, the Reverend Timothy Perry has been installed as the Rector of that charge.
This writer was surprised to receive an invitation to this auspicious event a number of weeks ago, but thought it a good opportunity to meet some of the folk in the neighbourhood. When I called to accept the invitation, the respondent was equally surprised (I think) to hear from me, and even more so to hear that I was accepting. I suppose that with few exceptions there hasn't been a whole lot of interaction between the Roman Catholic clergy (at least in these parts, although I would venture to believe that it's much more widespread than just that) with clergy and faith groups of other faith traditions, much less other denominations.
Prepared not to know too many of the people in attendance (if anyone at all) I arrived and was quickly ushered (with great grace, I might add) into the vesting room. There I met one Anglican priest who I have had occasion to meet previously, and was once again warmly greeted. Others entered and greeted one another as good friends and long-separated colleagues might, and soon enough it was time for the formalities to begin.
As it turns out the Anglican Bishop of Algoma was also in attendance, to preside over the liturgy of installation. I learned last night that he himself has not occupied his current position of service for more than a few years. Also in attendance was the Archdeacon of the Sudbury-Manitoulin (Anglican) Deanery and a number of other clergy from various faith traditions. What a rare occasion indeed this was for such a gathering. It is not often that we find occasions to pray together, much less to celebrate significant moments in our lives and service.
The liturgy of Celebration of Reverend Perry's new ministry included a number of elements which are not far distant in their makeup from the elements of the liturgy that is more familiar to me. Before the beginning of the public liturgy, he pronounced an oath of office and signed the oath in presence of the Church officials and of the visiting clergy. The letter of appointment was read aloud in the hearing of the Church Wardens and clergy, and only then could we continue toward the worship space and the beginning of this particular moment of prayer.
Bishop Andrews spoke eloquently about the process which was followed in choosing this new servant for the Church of the Epiphany, and about his duty to be of service to all who enter the doors. He also spoke of the role of collaboration which will be enhanced both for the new Rector, and for the members of the congregation, to say nothing of the lives of those who may find their way to the pews and places of service within this community.
As part of the ceremony marking the beginning of his public ministry in this place, Reverend Perry received symbolic gifts from various members of the community and congregation, each accompanied by an invitation to use them for the increase of prayerfulness and faith among the people who are served. There was even a role for the newly-appointed Rector's wife and children to play. They were the ones who spoke the prayers of the faithful. For this author, the presence of wives and children strikes as unfamiliar, given the tradition of celebacy within the Roman Catholic Church, but this too was part of the festive nature of this particular evening.
What a wonderful and powerful gesture it was to be invited to take part in this celebration. I can only hope to have other such occasions to meet with, to speak with and to celebrate with these neighbours who are physically so closeby and yet, sadly because of existant differences between our respective faith traditions, still so distant. One step at a time, perhaps we can begin in prayer for the unity of those who have been for far too long separated.
This writer was surprised to receive an invitation to this auspicious event a number of weeks ago, but thought it a good opportunity to meet some of the folk in the neighbourhood. When I called to accept the invitation, the respondent was equally surprised (I think) to hear from me, and even more so to hear that I was accepting. I suppose that with few exceptions there hasn't been a whole lot of interaction between the Roman Catholic clergy (at least in these parts, although I would venture to believe that it's much more widespread than just that) with clergy and faith groups of other faith traditions, much less other denominations.
Prepared not to know too many of the people in attendance (if anyone at all) I arrived and was quickly ushered (with great grace, I might add) into the vesting room. There I met one Anglican priest who I have had occasion to meet previously, and was once again warmly greeted. Others entered and greeted one another as good friends and long-separated colleagues might, and soon enough it was time for the formalities to begin.
As it turns out the Anglican Bishop of Algoma was also in attendance, to preside over the liturgy of installation. I learned last night that he himself has not occupied his current position of service for more than a few years. Also in attendance was the Archdeacon of the Sudbury-Manitoulin (Anglican) Deanery and a number of other clergy from various faith traditions. What a rare occasion indeed this was for such a gathering. It is not often that we find occasions to pray together, much less to celebrate significant moments in our lives and service.
The liturgy of Celebration of Reverend Perry's new ministry included a number of elements which are not far distant in their makeup from the elements of the liturgy that is more familiar to me. Before the beginning of the public liturgy, he pronounced an oath of office and signed the oath in presence of the Church officials and of the visiting clergy. The letter of appointment was read aloud in the hearing of the Church Wardens and clergy, and only then could we continue toward the worship space and the beginning of this particular moment of prayer.
Bishop Andrews spoke eloquently about the process which was followed in choosing this new servant for the Church of the Epiphany, and about his duty to be of service to all who enter the doors. He also spoke of the role of collaboration which will be enhanced both for the new Rector, and for the members of the congregation, to say nothing of the lives of those who may find their way to the pews and places of service within this community.
As part of the ceremony marking the beginning of his public ministry in this place, Reverend Perry received symbolic gifts from various members of the community and congregation, each accompanied by an invitation to use them for the increase of prayerfulness and faith among the people who are served. There was even a role for the newly-appointed Rector's wife and children to play. They were the ones who spoke the prayers of the faithful. For this author, the presence of wives and children strikes as unfamiliar, given the tradition of celebacy within the Roman Catholic Church, but this too was part of the festive nature of this particular evening.
What a wonderful and powerful gesture it was to be invited to take part in this celebration. I can only hope to have other such occasions to meet with, to speak with and to celebrate with these neighbours who are physically so closeby and yet, sadly because of existant differences between our respective faith traditions, still so distant. One step at a time, perhaps we can begin in prayer for the unity of those who have been for far too long separated.
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