Greetings From Our National ACW Chaplain 2014-2015
Rev'd Ella Frank
Our Lenten journey begins tomorrow and I have some guidelines that you may be interested in thinking about as you journey with our Saviour from Ash Wednesday to the Cross on Good Friday.
In Mark 14: 38a : Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. Jesus has urged his disciples to stay awake while he was praying, yet they failed to be vigilant. Jesus was disappointed by their failure to stay awake but he was not surprised. He understood their weakness even when the human flesh is willing. What impact does knowing that Jesus understands your weakness have on you?
What is your response to the physical and emotional sufferings of Jesus?
Which of the events surrounding his crucifixion or which of his words spoken from the cross makes the deepest impression on you and why?
1 John4:10: this is love: not that we loved God, but the he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Since God first loved us, love is now no longer a mere 'command'; it is the response to the gift of love with which God draws near to us. How do we share the gift of God's love with others?
Serving others' needs can be burdensome. When have you found joy in helping another person? What can make it a source of joy?
Psalm 103: 11-12: For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. What does this say to you and to those you know who are struggling with day to day life?
What skills talents or resources has the Lord asked you to put as his disposal because he has need of them? In what areas might you be more generous and allow him to use you more effectively?
Reflecting on Matthew 17: 1-9, the Transfiguration.in biblical language 'to listen' means both to hear and to obey. God tells the disciples to listen to Jesus as he teaches them the way of discipleship on the journey towards Jerusalem. As you reflect on God's command 'to listen' to Jesus, what are you being challenged to believe or to do?
Jesus' promise to the thief wasn't the first time that he offered mercy and forgiveness to a sinful person. An example is the woman caught in adultery in John 8: 2-11. What was Jesus not saying by his unwillingness to have this woman stoned?
the world needs to believe in God's love. we must therefore start again to proclaim the gospel of God's love in Jesus Christ. If we don't do so we shall be like men who place their candles under a bushel basket.
What is one way during Holy Week that you can show God's love to others?
I do hope and pray that you will find this exercise of value and that it will bring a better understanding of what God through his one and only Son has done for each of us.
Wishing you all a very blessed journey to the cross and then a glorious celebration of his resurrection.
Your sister in Christ
Ella+
National Chaplain
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Rev'd Ella Frank
Our Lenten journey begins tomorrow and I have some guidelines that you may be interested in thinking about as you journey with our Saviour from Ash Wednesday to the Cross on Good Friday.
In Mark 14: 38a : Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. Jesus has urged his disciples to stay awake while he was praying, yet they failed to be vigilant. Jesus was disappointed by their failure to stay awake but he was not surprised. He understood their weakness even when the human flesh is willing. What impact does knowing that Jesus understands your weakness have on you?
What is your response to the physical and emotional sufferings of Jesus?
Which of the events surrounding his crucifixion or which of his words spoken from the cross makes the deepest impression on you and why?
1 John4:10: this is love: not that we loved God, but the he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Since God first loved us, love is now no longer a mere 'command'; it is the response to the gift of love with which God draws near to us. How do we share the gift of God's love with others?
Serving others' needs can be burdensome. When have you found joy in helping another person? What can make it a source of joy?
Psalm 103: 11-12: For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. What does this say to you and to those you know who are struggling with day to day life?
What skills talents or resources has the Lord asked you to put as his disposal because he has need of them? In what areas might you be more generous and allow him to use you more effectively?
Reflecting on Matthew 17: 1-9, the Transfiguration.in biblical language 'to listen' means both to hear and to obey. God tells the disciples to listen to Jesus as he teaches them the way of discipleship on the journey towards Jerusalem. As you reflect on God's command 'to listen' to Jesus, what are you being challenged to believe or to do?
Jesus' promise to the thief wasn't the first time that he offered mercy and forgiveness to a sinful person. An example is the woman caught in adultery in John 8: 2-11. What was Jesus not saying by his unwillingness to have this woman stoned?
the world needs to believe in God's love. we must therefore start again to proclaim the gospel of God's love in Jesus Christ. If we don't do so we shall be like men who place their candles under a bushel basket.
What is one way during Holy Week that you can show God's love to others?
I do hope and pray that you will find this exercise of value and that it will bring a better understanding of what God through his one and only Son has done for each of us.
Wishing you all a very blessed journey to the cross and then a glorious celebration of his resurrection.
Your sister in Christ
Ella+
National Chaplain
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Christmas 2014 - Greeting from Our National ACW Chaplain
Rev'd Ella Frank
As the Christ Child entered the world on Christmas Day, may He be the centre of your celebration this Christmas.
Let His light so shine before men that they may see His good works and praise your Father in heaven.
A Blessed and joyous Christmas greeting to all my sister’s in Christ:
As I begin to write this Christmas greeting, there is a very fine snow falling with very little wind, to which we can be thankful.
It has been two months since we were altogether at the National Conference in Saskatoon, meeting new friends, renewing old friends and enjoying being with one another for a glorious and wonderful weekend and I am certain by now that it is still in the back of your minds as you prepare for the coming of the Christ Child. I find this time of the year exciting yet a bit over whelming.
Many of us are so caught up in the preparations for the Christmas gathering we loose sight of the true meaning of the Christmas. It is difficult to explain our true feelings about the coming of our Saviour Christ the King to those who rarely attend a church service during the year, but yet the excitement of the Christmas Eve mass really means a great deal to them. The setting of the church with all the candles, some have incense, the manger scene, the choir with all those beautiful Christmas carols; how can one not be caught up in the moment?
Yet each year at Christmas, people are in a very giving and caring mood, if that is the correct word to use here, they remember those who are homeless, those who are not having a joyful Christmas because of the loss of something or some one very close and dear to them, those who have no family near to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child, they open their hearts and their homes to all people in every walk of life.
In this season of Advent we are reminded by scripture to prepare the way for the coming of the Son of God; to make the rough paths smooth and the crooked paths straight as we do not know the hour or the day our Lord will appear. For the lighting of our Advent Wreath this year, we here in the Parish of the Good Shepherd, southern part of the Diocese of Qu’Appelle, for the candle of hope these are the words that we used: At Christmas, the Christ of our hope was born; on Good Friday the Christ of our hope died; on Easter Sunday the Christ of our hope rose from the dead and on the last day the Christ of hope will come again to establish his kingdom over all things.
We may be prepared for the Christmas celebration with all the glitter, but are we prepared spiritually for the coming of Christ; are we awake, are we alert and waiting with expectation for the last day. Something we should all be thinking about as we go about our daily routines, no matter what time of the year it is.
That is it your National conference chaplain to you as you prepare for the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I wish you a blessed Christmas with your family and friends. God Bless, love and prayers;
Yours in Christ,
The Reverend Isabella Frank
National Chaplain
"On life’s busy thoroughfares we meet with angels unaware"-
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Chaplain Rev. Cathy Lee Cunningham, 2013-14
Rev Jeanne Hunter, 2012-13
Rev.Reverend Lyn Oldale, 2009-10
Dear Sisters in the Risen Christ,
As Christian women we are witness to the power of the Resurrection.
We may not have traveled with the women as they made their way to the tomb early that first morning, but we are equally awe-struck by the sense of profound anticipation, loss, incomprehension and ultimate joy of the events they encountered that day and in the days that followed.
This was a pivotal moment for them – as it is for us. The death of Jesus on the cross and the release from the tomb gave way to a new experience of Christ as the Risen Lord. I can only imagine the confusion they felt that day. Yet, there is something so powerful in the message that I am compelled to make it my own.
So, how do I make sense of it all?
As Christians we witness and acknowledge the Resurrection every day of our lives as we live out our baptismal covenant, experiencing new life in events and relationships, and deepening our faith in every activity. It’s my faith that I live by, and my faith is what leads me forward. But, faith is not merely a belief in the Resurrection. It is also a dynamic force that brings a responsibility for me to act.
As Anglican Church Women we are committed and faith-filled women performing many tasks: Worshipping together; caring for others; raising funds; and bringing the Church community together. We can look back and see the strength we have brought to the Church in all that we have done. Now, at the time of the Resurrection, we are being called beyond our works, beyond even our belief in Christ. We are called, also, to live out our faith in the way that Jesus commissioned the disciples. When he appeared to them that first evening, he said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”
Our faith is more than a belief or trust. It is a gift from God and a responsibility. At the Resurrection Jesus handed over the reins to the disciples and ultimately to us. We are called to witness to the Resurrection, to proclaim the Gospel and to invite and include others in the glory of the Kingdom of God.
The life of Jesus was given to us so that we may come to understand the Kingdom of God here on earth. The Spirit of God has been given to us in our baptism so that we may have the power to continue in God’s glorious message. Now we are called to “make disciples of all nations.” I believe that’s how we live out our faith.
Christ died so that we may have the power of the Spirit born of our faith in the Risen Christ, bestowed on us by our baptism and lived out in our daily events and encounters.
Christ is Risen, Alleluia!
Reverend Lyn Oldale, Chaplain
As Christian women we are witness to the power of the Resurrection.
We may not have traveled with the women as they made their way to the tomb early that first morning, but we are equally awe-struck by the sense of profound anticipation, loss, incomprehension and ultimate joy of the events they encountered that day and in the days that followed.
This was a pivotal moment for them – as it is for us. The death of Jesus on the cross and the release from the tomb gave way to a new experience of Christ as the Risen Lord. I can only imagine the confusion they felt that day. Yet, there is something so powerful in the message that I am compelled to make it my own.
So, how do I make sense of it all?
As Christians we witness and acknowledge the Resurrection every day of our lives as we live out our baptismal covenant, experiencing new life in events and relationships, and deepening our faith in every activity. It’s my faith that I live by, and my faith is what leads me forward. But, faith is not merely a belief in the Resurrection. It is also a dynamic force that brings a responsibility for me to act.
As Anglican Church Women we are committed and faith-filled women performing many tasks: Worshipping together; caring for others; raising funds; and bringing the Church community together. We can look back and see the strength we have brought to the Church in all that we have done. Now, at the time of the Resurrection, we are being called beyond our works, beyond even our belief in Christ. We are called, also, to live out our faith in the way that Jesus commissioned the disciples. When he appeared to them that first evening, he said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”
Our faith is more than a belief or trust. It is a gift from God and a responsibility. At the Resurrection Jesus handed over the reins to the disciples and ultimately to us. We are called to witness to the Resurrection, to proclaim the Gospel and to invite and include others in the glory of the Kingdom of God.
The life of Jesus was given to us so that we may come to understand the Kingdom of God here on earth. The Spirit of God has been given to us in our baptism so that we may have the power to continue in God’s glorious message. Now we are called to “make disciples of all nations.” I believe that’s how we live out our faith.
Christ died so that we may have the power of the Spirit born of our faith in the Risen Christ, bestowed on us by our baptism and lived out in our daily events and encounters.
Christ is Risen, Alleluia!
Reverend Lyn Oldale, Chaplain
CHAPLAIN’S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE – 2010
Rev. Lyn
“Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)
As I prepare for Christmas in this season of Advent, I find myself reflecting on the story of Mary...
We often romanticize Mary and the story of the birth of our Lord. We place nativity scenes around our homes among other pretty decorations of the season. We watch cute little children in pageants in our churches. We reflect on the joy of new birth. We give gifts with festive anticipation like the shepherds and magi did so many years ago. However, we often fail to remember the struggle and suffering that brought Mary from Nazareth to that stable in Bethlehem. It was a harsh time, and Mary’s journey was very different from anything we would experience today.
The part of the story that I find most compelling is the very beginning – the stirring of the life of Jesus within Mary. “… The angel, Gabriel, was sent by God…” (Luke 1:26) and the angel said to Mary, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.” (Luke 1”30-31)
I can only imagine the confusion Mary felt. On the one hand she would have experienced joy and excitement. After all, she was the one chosen. On the other hand, she would have felt the fear of the enormous responsibility and many doubts about the impossibility of a virgin conception and birth. Yet, even with all those mixed feelings, Mary responded with something that we can all learn from. She said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38).
As I reflect on these words, I’m always struck by the fact that Mary didn’t say, “I’ll do whatever you want.” Rather, she said, “Let it be with me.” So often I get caught up in doing what I think God wants of me, when what God wants is for me to simply be and let God work in me.
I believe this story of Mary speaks for all of us. I believe God is bringing Christ to life in each of us. The symbolism of Mary’s story is rich and the message is profound. So, how can I let it be with me according to God’s word? How can we let it be with us?
I wish I could say that letting it be would be easy. It won’t. As we know, Mary had a long and difficult journey ahead of her. When she returned to the town of her ancestors she gave birth, not in the comforts of a home, but in the humble surroundings of a stable. Yet, in that humility and vulnerability came the birth of our Lord and the Light of Christ came into the whole world.
So, the story shows us what our response to God will be – even knowing the struggle that lies ahead. It tells us that we will be led to a place of humility and vulnerability where we will experience the Light of Christ.
How can we, then, say to God, “Let it be with me according to your word”? How can we endure and accept the difficult journey and let God bring us to that vulnerable place of humble surroundings birthing Christ within us?
Gracious God, let it be with me according to your word. Amen