Support the 125 Challenge

The "125 Challenge" is the brainchild of Anne W.  This fundraising initiative is in support of St. Philip's tower repairs. In 2016 extending into 2017, St. Philip's is celebrating its 125th Anniversary. We have designated a number of special events to commemorate the occasion and the "125 Challenge" is our biggest fundraising campaign.

Other 125th anniversary events celebrated earlier this year include the Spring Tea and a wonderful benefit concert by Manker and Friends. We also had the honour of a visit from Bishop Mary on the occasion of our patronal feast. Upcoming events include a community BBQ in August and serving at St. Micheal's Mission in September. In October we will be holding an Open House and we will also be coming together for a Gala Dinner. For the full slate of 125 events click here.

The goal of the "125 Challenge" is to help fund our tower renovations with 125 gifts of $125. In total we hope to raise around $16,000. Our community has already raised hundreds of thousands of dollars that we have used to successfully repair the outside of our tower. This new fundraiser is intended to help make repairs to the inside of the church tower.

Anne W. came up with the idea while she was brainstorming during February's vestry meeting as we were talking about the tower fund. When asked about how she came up with the idea Anne explained her thought process this way: "It just was an inspiration, so lets do something for the 125th anniversary" she said, "so I thought $125 for 125."

Anne is a pillar of our church, she was baptized here and her grandfather helped to build the church. From Sunday school to ballet classes and dances the church has been part of Anne and her family's life for decades. Thank you Anne for spearheading the "125 Challenge" and for all your dedicated years of service to St. Philip's and the wider community.

As of the end of July we have received 37 gifts of $125 so we need 88 more donations to meet our goal. Thanks to all who have contributed so far and if you have not yet done so please support Anne's wonderful initiative and contribute to this worthy cause.

To offer your gift please contact the church office at (514) 481-4871.

Archbishop Fred Hiltz, Primate on the Synod Vote to Change the Marriage Canon

In light of decisions made at General Synod 2016 concerning the solemnizing of same-sex marriage, I pray our Church can and will take to heart Paul’s plea with the Christians living in Ephesus, “I beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”. (Ephesians 4:1-3)

Going into General Synod, the delegates knew there would be pastoral implications whether the Resolution to amend the Marriage Canon passed or not. In order to pass it would, according to the Declaration of Principles (General Synod Handbook), require a two-thirds majority in each of the three orders voting: bishops, clergy, and laity.

Christianity Anglicanism and Sexual Orientation: Bridging the Divide Through Love and Respect

This is a republication of an editorial by Richard Matthews, written in 2013. It is timely as the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada is deliberating on making changes to the marriage cannon.

Richard Matthews is the Rector's Warden, social media coordinator and member of the advisory board at St. Philip's Anglican Church, he is also a reader, sideman, and intercessor. However, this editorial does not reflect his official capacities at the church, nor does it speak for the parish, the diocese or the rector. What follows is a reflection of his personal views and is intended as a springboard for reflection.
___________________________

Message from the Primate on the Orlando Massacre: ‘Let us be gentle and then let us be bold’

As I have been travelling over the last number of days, I have watched – horrified – as once again the people of the United States of America are plunged into national mourning in the wake of yet another mass shooting. This time in the early morning hours of Sunday, the 12th of June, a lone gunman opened fire in a nightclub in Orlando, Florida. A hailstorm of gunfire has left 49 people dead, 53 seriously wounded, their families in shock and grief, the LGBTQ+ community traumatized, Muslim communities shaken, and all people of good will horror-struck.

Our hearts have gone out first to parents who lost their children, siblings who lost brothers and sisters, partners who lost their beloved and all bereft of friendships they cherished. Let us hold them gently in our prayers...

Interview with the MSO's Brian and Katherine Manker

I had the pleasure of interviewing Montreal Symphony Orchestra (MSO) performers Brian and Katherine Manker on April 11th. They are two of the three members that make up "Manker and Friends" who will be performing a benefit concert at St. Philip's as part of our 125th anniversary festivities. The trio is composed of Brian Manker on cello, his wife Katherine on violin and WeiTang Huang on piano. The concert will take place at St. Philip's church (25 Brock North) on May 27th at 8 pm. See the full interview below.

Richard Matthews, Social Media Coordinator, St. Philip's Church.
___________________________________________

Richard: Thank you very much for meeting with me today and for performing at our church at the end of May.

Richard: You both play with the MSO and you both teach music. Clearly music is an overarching theme for the both of you. How did music come to play such a central role in your lives?

Bishop Mary's Sermon at St. Philip's Church on the Occasion of our Patronal Feast

Here is a video recording of Bishop Mary Irwin-Gibson's sermon at St. Philip's Church on the occasion of our Patronage Feast on May 1, 2016. This is part of St. Philip's 125th anniversary celebrations.

Check out our forthcoming event, an evening of classical music on Friday, May 27th by the trio Manker and Friends. Click here for more information.

Classical Music Benefit Concert at St. Philip's by the Trio "Manker and Friends"

St Philip's is honoured to present an evening of classical music on Friday, May 27th by the trio Manker and Friends who will be performing works by Beethoven and Dvorak (see the full programme at the bottom of the page). The concert will start at 8 pm in the church which is located at 25 Brock Avenue North, Montreal West. Brian and Katherine Manker are members of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and they along with their friend WeiTang Huang have generously offered to perform a benefit concert to help celebrate St. Philip's 125th anniversary.  See their bios below.