Montreal Service Marks Centennial of Armenian Genocide

On Monday night, a representative of the Anglican Church of Canada joined the Roman Catholic archbishop of Montreal and about 2,000 other people, largely from the local Armenian community, in a worship service marking the 100th anniversary of what is remembered as the Armenian Genocide.

From 1915 to 1922, more than 1.5 million Armenians were declared enemies of the state and massacred in what was then the Ottoman Empire and now modern Turkey. Turkey has refused to acknowledge the killings as genocide.

Community Yard Sale for the NDG Food Depot

Each spring St. Philip's church stages a community yard sale to raise funds for the NDG Food Depot. This year the sale is on Saturday May 2nd, 2015 from 9 am to 2 pm. Weather permitting the sale will take place on the grounds of the Church which is located at 7505 Sherbrooke street west between Connaught and Brock in Montreal West. If it rains the event will take place in Memorial Hall (see address above).

All are welcome to attend. At this sale you will find toys, clothing, appliances, dishes, collectables, electronics and much more. Interested parties can rent a table for only $25 to sell their own treasures. Father Jim and/or one of the wardens will be onsite to sell their famous "holy hotdogs" and beverages.

Proceeds from the table rentals, BBQ and St. Philip's table will all go to the NDG Food Depot. The church is proud to support the Depot's work as they are a central part of St. Philip's mission and outreach activities. Each fall the church assists with the Depot's annual food drive by offering space and a large number of volunteers. Last June the Depot generously recognized St. Philip's for their service.

Earth Day Sermon by Rev. Elizabeth Welch

Rev. Welch is a member of the Stewardship of the Environment Committee (Anglican Diocese of Montreal) and the parish priest at St. Andrew and St. Mark Anglican Church in Dorval, Quebec. 
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Why on the 3rd Sunday of Easter are we reading all about sin? It’s almost as if after the first two Sundays of Easter we’re back in Lent. One commentator wrote: “Can’t the Scriptures cut us a break for one Sunday and give us simple ‘God is great’ good news?” It’s the 3rd Sunday of Easter after all! The commentator added: “I feel the same way about the world sometimes [thinking]: can’t the world make joy a little easier?”

The question for us at this time is: How do we be an Easter people; how do we follow the risen Christ when life does not always seem touched by the resurrection?

Earth Day Statement by the Primate and Bishop Johnson

Archbishop Fred Hiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, with the Rev. Susan Johnson, National Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

Earth Day—observed annually on April 22nd—falls this year in the midst of the Festival of Easter in which we celebrate the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created.... He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:15–17)

Generosity 101: Stewardship and Giving

As a stewardship educator, most of my time is dedicated to teaching—and hopefully inspiring—members of our congregations to embrace a life of generosity and enthusiastically commit to supporting the ministry of our church through their gifts of time, talent and treasure. All too often I take for granted that most of those who will benefit from our diocesan stewardship resources are familiar with church life, accustomed to Anglican worship and have been imbued with knowledge of a faith-filled upbringing. This is no longer the norm.

The vast majority of newcomers to our churches have never had any contact with us. They are unaccustomed to our style of worship or how our church is organized. While they may realize that the church operates thanks to the benevolence of its members, they are not familiar with how to give, what to give and how much to give – the idea of a collection plate being passed along a pew is completely foreign and perhaps a bit intimidating. In fact, it is reasonable to assume that the only donations they may have made was through a fundraising event or a memorial gift at the death of a loved one. The concept of Christian stewardship is entirely remote from their life experience.

St. Philip's Church Choir - Easter Music

The Rite of Baptism

In the early church, baptism took place annually at the first celebration of the resurrection on Easter Eve for those who had been duly prepared. As we enter into the season of Easter, having spent Lent reflecting on our baptismal vows, let us consider and celebrate the sacrament of Baptism.

History

While the Christian baptism has similarities to the Jewish purification rite of Mikvah, it is important for Christians to recognise that there are significant differences. Christian baptismal theology began evolve and become more articulate beginning in the late third century.

As Anglicans, our baptism is conferred in the name of the Trinity, and is not repeated; even though we choose to sin, the grace of the Spirit invites us “to rise again, and amend our lives.” This sacrament is one of two “ordained of Christ our Lord in the Gospel,” which sets us apart as Christians, with all the benefits and responsibilities that come from being welcomed into the family of God. (See the Articles of Religion, BCP pp 698-714)

Easter Message from Fred Hiltz, Archbishop and Primate

In those first sights, sounds, and scents of Spring – the buds, the birds, and even the mud, I take great delight. Glad to “spring ahead” for a few more hours of sunlight each day, I look forward to cleaning up the yard, turning over the garden and this year’s planting. “All nature sings and round me rings the music of the spheres”.

Bishop Barry Clarke's Easter Message

Rector's Easter Message

Because I live you also will live. 
To all life Thou givest both great and small  
in all live thou livest the true life of all 
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree 
and wither and perish but nought changes thee.

(Walter Chalmers Smith, 1 824-1908)

While God is unchanging, the same is not true of anything else. Change is a constant path of life, and, as much as some would wish that the Church never changed, it is part of the Church as well.

Christ Is Risen! Alleluia!

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

Warden's Easter Message

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

As we write this in mid-March the winter of 2015 shows no signs of abating. However, we are ever hopeful that spring will be coming soon and along with it, warmer weather.

We want to take this opportunity to thank all those who volunteer their time to the church. We especially want to thank Luc, who has taken on the challenge of chairing the Building and Maintenance Committee, and Barry, who has agreed to help him by contributing his considerable talents. Cynthia has stepped up as the People's Warden Designate, and many others (too many to mention) continue to contribute to our vibrant church life.