Large services seek to lift up hearts

Feeling a bit overwhelmed by things? Looking to refresh your spiritual life?

If so, consider going to one – or both – of the two large diocesan worship celebrations planned for this month. The first will be held on March 22 at 2 p.m. at St. James Cathedral and the second will be held on March 29 at 2 p.m. at Trinity Church, Streetsville.

The Eucharistic services are the first of five that will be held around the diocese this year as part of the Season of Spiritual Renewal. The theme of the services is “Lift Up Our Hearts.”

Each service will include music, preaching, a lay witness talk, an opportunity for prayer and anointing, and a celebration of the Eucharist. They will be followed by receptions that will offer food and time to reconnect with friends from other parishes.

The Rev. Molly Finlay, incumbent of St. John the Baptist, Norway, will preach at the service at St. James Cathedral and the Rev. Canon Stephanie Douglas, incumbent of St. Paul on-the-Hill, Pickering, will preach at the service at Trinity Church. Both are excited about the events.

“The purpose of the services is to provide a time of renewal and revitalization for the people of God in the Diocese of Toronto, and I think that is going to be a wonderful thing for all of us, both clergy and laity,” says Rev. Finlay.

“I’m looking forward to gathering together as a diocese to worship God, to give thanks for God’s faithful provision in the past and to look forward to God’s faithful provision for our Church in the future,” says Canon Douglas.

Both are hoping that the services will lift up the hearts of Anglicans.

“I think so many of us are caught up in the day-to-day work of parish life or our jobs or our family commitments and we can start running on empty, and this provides us with a time away to be together and experience God’s renewal,” says Rev. Finlay.

“I’m hoping that people will leave encouraged and hopeful about God’s faithfulness to the Body of Christ, and also that we can be faithful to God’s call to us as a Church, no matter our parish’s circumstances,” says Canon Douglas.

Although neither has preached at a diocesan service before, they are both looking forward to it.

“I’m at a regular-sized church that by the grace of God is experiencing renewal, and my prayer is that it will be a sign of hopefulness and encouragement for others,” says Rev. Finlay. “Witnessing what I’ve seen here at St. John’s, I’m really encouraged about the Church.”

“I used to serve in Brampton and Mississauga, and I’m looking forward to seeing some familiar faces and being back in that part of the diocese again,” says Canon Douglas. “I’m really looking forward to it. I love the theme and have great confidence in all the clergy and lay people who’ve been leading the Season of Spiritual Renewal.”

The other three services will be held at 2 p.m. on May 31 at All Saints, Whitby (the Rev. Gerlyn Henry preaching), 2 p.m. on Sept. 27 at St. James, Orillia (the Rev. Dr. Rob Hurkmans preaching) and at 2 p.m. on Oct. 25 at St. Paul, Bloor Street (the Rev. Dr. Alvardo Adderley preaching). More information about those services will be published in future issues of The Anglican.

Bishop Andrew Asbil, Bishop Riscylla Shaw and Bishop Kevin Robertson encourage all Anglicans to attend at least one of the services. “We hope you will plan to join us for one or more of these marvelous gatherings,” they write in their pastoral letter to vestries. “Come on your own, bring a friend, or hire a bus! We will see you there!”