Black History Month - Meet the Community

This is a republication of “Meet The Community” from 2014 in celebration of Black History Month. Like many Anglican and Episcopal churches, Black people are an important part of St. Philip's parish family. This series is offered in respectful appreciation of their esteemed place in our Parish as well as a deferential acknowledgement of the important role of Black people in churches across North America.

Black History Month (BHM) takes place in February each year and it is an opportunity for all people to celebrate those who have championed civil rights, to remember some very disturbing facts about the past and to acknowledge the social justice work that still needs to be done.

Interfaith Memorial for Coptic Christians Killed by ISIS

Members of Mississauga’s Coptic Christian community joined with Canadian leaders of other faiths and representatives all parties and levels of government in a show of solidarity for a memorial Sunday (Feb. 22) in honour of 21 Egyptian men killed by the terrorist group ISIS. ISIS, otherwise known as ISIL or the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, released a video last Sunday (Feb. 15) purporting to show the beheading of the 21 Coptic Christians on a beach in Libya.

Lenten Video Meditations: Find God's Presence in Darkness

St. Philip's Church will be using the Cowley video series and workbook for Lent this year. Here are some other resources for Lent.
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A contemplative video series is set to take viewers on a journey through the dark this Lenten season, highlighting God’s enduring presence en route to the joy of Easter morning.

Produced by the Rev. Tay Moss of the Church of the Messiah in Toronto for the Anglican Church of Canada, Like Watchmen for the Morning is a series of video meditations that use stories, poetry, images and music to evoke the dark watch leading up to the dawn of the Resurrection.

Lenten Resources 2015 from the Anglican Church of Canada

St. Philip's Church will be using the Cowley video series and workbook for Lent this year. Here are some other resources for Lent.

In the days ahead, this page will serve as the hub of information from the Anglican Church of Canada for resources to help you celebrate the season of Lent through to Holy Week.

As resources are added, we will post updates on the news section (see link at the bottom of the page).

Lenten Bible Study Resources by the Rt. Rev. Terry Dance

St. Philip's Church will be using the Cowley video series and workbook for Lent this year. Here are some other resources for Lent.

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The contextual Lenten Bible study written by the Rt. Rev. Terry Dance, Bishop of Norfolk in the Diocese of Huron, is now available on the Anglican Church of Canada website in its entirety.

An overview of the study and readings for the first three weeks of Lent were previously published on Jan. 19. The new sections, which constitute the remainder of the study, encompass the fourth and fifth weeks of Lent as well as Palm Sunday, the Crucifixion and the Resurrection.

Like the preceding sections, the concluding part of the Bible study sheds light on passages by providing fascinating literary, historical and cultural context, helping participants connect the readings to their own lives while providing a call to ministry.

Bible Studies During Lent: Cowley Video Series and Workbook

For our weekly Bible Studies group during the period of Lent St. Philip's Church will be using the Cowley Video Series and Workbook.

It’s time to...Stop, Pray, Work, Play, Love

Produced by the monks of the Society of St. John the Evangelist, it consists of a short daily video meditation and a question for reflection. 

We will gather on Tuesdays at 8:00 pm (following the Eucharist at 7:30) to watch and share our reflections.

It is also possible to watch the videos on your own or to participate in an online discussion through social media.

Letting go of a Grudge and Being Open to Grace

As happens with many of us, from time to time, we realise we’re carrying a grudge. I like this terminology – based on my own experience, carrying a grudge is just that. A burden. Something to weigh us down. Something that takes effort to maintain.

In the past few weeks, I’ve openly admitted that I’ve been carrying a grudge. At first, my hubris was “I’m carrying this grudge, and I’m okay with that.” That mentality came from a place of hurt, of anger, of mistrust. It was like I was clinging to the grudge with all that I had, tightening my grip. And so, as with anything we grip tightly, it became a focus.

The problem was that I didn’t WANT to hold that grudge. It’s not healthy. It’s not helpful. It’s exhausting. And it’s taking up headspace and heartspace that could be much better used elsewhere.

John Robertson retires from General Synod

In 1994, Archdeacon John Robertson began work with the General Synod in the area of financial development, work that would strengthen and renew the financial life not only of the General Synod, but of parishes, dioceses, and ministries across Canada, including the Anglican Foundation and the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund.

After 21 years in that work, John is retiring as of April 30, 2015, though he will continue his chaplaincy work with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and his varied ministry within the Diocese of Ontario.

“I’ve had a wonderful time all these years—met some really great people everywhere in the country,” John said of his time as national gift planning officer for the Anglican Church of Canada.

“I’ve been to every diocese except one, and most of those many times…I’ve worked very closely with bishops, clergy and laypeople in parishes and dioceses and have met some people who are very visionary, thoughtful, generous—just wonderful people, and that’s been very fulfilling.

Practical Resources for Evangelism

Children's ministry is just one form of evangelical work that Threshold Ministries will be featuring in an upcoming video series designed to serve as a practical resource for evangelists across Canada.