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April 2016

Ascension

Ascension Day

Let us pray (in silence) [that we may consciously live in the presence of the Risen Christ] pause Grant, we pray, almighty God, that we, who believe your only-begotten Son, [only-begotten One] our redeemer, ascended this day to heaven, may also in heart and mind there continually dwell; through Jesus Christ who is alive with

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cross

General Synod 2016 & Liturgy

[Updated 29 April 2016 – at the end of this post, in green. There are now three alternative ways forward suggested in this post different to the Way Forward Group proposal. Furthermore, general agreement seems to be that the hashtag be #GSTHW16 ]  If you are not interested in the (possibly-esoteric) internal workings of Anglicanism in

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Rogation Days

Rogation Days

Rogation (from the Latin rogare ‘ask’) is a solemn supplication. Rogation days appear to go back to about the fourth or fifth century, particularly associated with litanies (a long series of prayers of intercession and praise) for crops. Rogation days are days of prayer and fasting. Traditionally there was the ‘major rogation’ on 25 April,

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Pantocrator

Sixth Sunday of Easter

Let us pray (in silence) [that we grow into Christ’s new life] pause O God, from whom all good things come, grant that, by your inspiration, we may discern what is right, and by your merciful guiding may do it; through Jesus Christ who is alive with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

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Eastern Orthodox Easter

Eastern Orthodox Easter

This year Eastern Orthodox Easter Day falls on May 1. Western Easter Day was on March 27. Both East and West follow the Nicene calculation: The first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox. The Eastern Orthodox Church continues to follow the Julian calendar when calculating the date of Easter.

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Internet God

Internet Hymn

In preparing for the Eucharist celebrating 10 years online, I tweeted and facebooked seeking a hymn which acknowledges the Internet. The reactions mirror the discomfort that many Christians and many churches have with the Internet, certainly a lack of seeing it (in practice) as “good,” yet another God-given tool, and a place for mission and

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Christchurch Buildings

Architecture Affects My Soul

Above are two of the new central-city buildings going up in post-quake Christchurch – the city whose plan was that we be a “city in a garden“. Even if “soul” is a metaphor for you, I posit that our physical environment affects us. Steel, glass, tilt-slab, reinforced concrete, and the occasional planter box, with hardly

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Dinner Church

Dinner Church

In a recent post, where I argued against Christians organising their own Passover Seder, I also promised that I would blog about combining the Eucharist with a meal. This is that blog. I am indebted to the Rev’d Clare Barrie, vicar of the Anglican Parish of Saint Luke, Mount Albert (Auckland NZ). This information is

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