Reaching New Generations - Lichfield Diocese

Today is set aside in Lichfield diocese as a day of prayer for the young. As I was praying this morning, and as others in our church, parish and deanery will also be doing so, I was struck by a comment I heard this week:

Some people want it to happen,

Some people hope it happens,

Some people pray it happen,

Some people make it happen!

Now I don't want you to think that I am saying that prayer is not effective, for I know that this is not the case; what I am saying is this:

All too often I meet people who have either identified or been made aware of a need and their first response is to say, "Oh, let's pray about it." Then, having dutifully prayed, they consider their part done and sit back waiting to see how God is going to do it.

I encounter far too many people who are'concerned' but are not engaged. They clearly see a need and are willing to talk about it to whoever will lsiten at the time (and do the same with God) but do not examine their church to see how it can be made effective and welcoming. They ask the questions and bemoan the fact that 'nobody is doing anything about it' and drone endlessly on about how the need is 'never' met and how they hope that one day someone will wake up and do something.

Meanwhile God looks at the situation and wonders why one earth those people who can see the need keep asking Him to do something when he's already 'something' through the Cross of the Christ and the enabling of His Holy Spirit. What He needs is for those who are asking to do the something He's asked them to do in response!

Today we are praying for 'New Generations' and this is fantastic.

But are we opening our doors to them and seeking to reach them with an old and established message in ways that are culturally and linguistically effective?

Is inculturation something we are considering?

Are we putting on Kid's Clubs and other events that will bring the 'New generations' through our doors and into relationship with us?

Can I commend Lichfield's 'Reaching New Generations' document as something worthwhile to read on this issue? (click on the words and it will download)

We will reach new generations when we leave the comfort and security of our church buildings and get out where the 'new generations' are and engage with them, putting aside the tosh that you need to be young to be effective with them, in ways that break down the barriers that false opinions and attitudes create; by seeking to find the image of the invisible God in them and leading them into a place where they can see God's hand is already on them and His Spirit working through (in, and on) them too!

Please pray this prayer sometime today (and them resolve to make rather than want or hope):

Almighty God and loving heavenly Father

Thank you for calling us by name and welcoming us into your family

Help us to reach out to new generations

so that children and young people

may find their identity as your daughters and sons.

Bless all churches and individuals meeting for prayer today;

Give us vision, faith and hope

that your kingdom may come in our Diocese

and your will be done in and through our lives.  Amen

Pax

Daily Office - Nov 30

Andrew the Apostle

Psalm 47
Clap your hands together, all you peoples; O sing to God with shouts of joy.
For the Lord Most High is to be feared; he is the great King over all the earth.
He subdued the peoples under us and the nations under our feet.
He has chosen our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob, whom he loves.
God has gone up with a merry noise, the Lord with the sound of the trumpet.
O sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises.
For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with all your skill.
God reigns over the nations; God has taken his seat upon his holy throne.
The nobles of the peoples are gathered together with the people of the God of Abraham.
For the powers of the earth belong to God and he is very highly exalted.

Psalm 147:1-12
Alleluia.
How good it is to make music for our God, how joyful to honour him with praise.
The Lord builds up Jerusalem and gathers together the outcasts of Israel.
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up all their wounds.
He counts the number of the stars and calls them all by their names.
Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his wisdom is beyond all telling.
The Lord lifts up the poor, but casts down the wicked to the ground.
Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make music to our God upon the lyre; who covers the heavens with clouds and prepares rain for the earth; who makes grass to grow upon the mountains and green plants to serve our needs.
He gives the beasts their food and the young ravens when they cry.
He takes no pleasure in the power of a horse, no delight in human strength; but the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their trust in his steadfast love.

Ezekiel 47:1-12
Then he brought me back to the entrance of the temple; there, water was flowing from below the threshold of the temple towards the east (for the temple faced east); and the water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar. Then he brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me round on the outside to the outer gate that faces towards the east; and the water was coming out on the south side.
Going on eastwards with a cord in his hand, the man measured one thousand cubits, and then led me through the water; and it was ankle-deep. Again he measured one thousand, and led me through the water; and it was knee-deep. Again he measured one thousand, and led me through the water; and it was up to the waist. Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross, for the water had risen; it was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be crossed. He said to me, ‘Mortal, have you seen this?’
Then he led me back along the bank of the river. As I came back, I saw on the bank of the river a great many trees on one side and on the other. He said to me, ‘This water flows towards the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah; and when it enters the sea, the sea of stagnant waters, the water will become fresh. Wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish, once these waters reach there. It will become fresh; and everything will live where the river goes. People will stand fishing beside the sea from En-gedi to En-eglaim; it will be a place for the spreading of nets; its fish will be of a great many kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea. But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they are to be left for salt. On the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.’

John 12:20-32
Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour.
‘Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—“Father, save me from this hour”? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to him.’ Jesus answered, ‘This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgement of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.’

The Collect
Almighty God,
who gave such grace to your apostle Saint Andrew that he readily obeyed the call of your Son Jesus Christ and brought his brother with him:
call us by your holy word,
and give us grace to follow you without delay and to tell the good news of your kingdom;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Daily Office - Nov 29

Day of Intercession and Thanksgiving for the Missionary Work of the Church

Psalm 125
Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but stands fast for ever.
As the hills stand about Jerusalem, so the Lord stands round about his people, from this time forth for evermore.
The sceptre of wickedness shall not hold sway over the land allotted to the righteous, lest the righteous turn their hands to evil.
Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, and to those who are true of heart.
Those who turn aside to crooked ways the Lord shall take away with the evildoers; but let there be peace upon Israel.

Psalm 126
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, then were we like those who dream.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter and our tongue with songs of joy.
Then said they among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’
The Lord has indeed done great things for us, and therefore we rejoiced.
Restore again our fortunes, O Lord, as the river beds of the desert.
Those who sow in tears shall reap with songs of joy.
Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed, will come back with shouts of joy, bearing their sheaves with them.

Psalm 127
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain.
Unless the Lord keeps the city, the guard keeps watch in vain.
It is in vain that you hasten to rise up early and go so late to rest, eating the bread of toil, for he gives his beloved sleep.
Children are a heritage from the Lord and the fruit of the womb is his gift.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth.
Happy are those who have their quiver full of them: they shall not be put to shame when they dispute with their enemies in the gate.

Psalm 128
Blessed are all those who fear the Lord, and walk in his ways.
You shall eat the fruit of the toil of your hands; it shall go well with you, and happy shall you be.
Your wife within your house shall be like a fruitful vine; your children round your table, like fresh olive branches.
Thus shall the one be blest who fears the Lord.
The Lord from out of Zion bless you, that you may see Jerusalem in prosperity all the days of your life.
May you see your children’s children, and may there be peace upon Israel.

Isaiah 41:8-20
But you, Israel, my servant,
Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend;
you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners,
saying to you, ‘You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off ’;
do not fear, for I am with you,
do not be afraid, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.

Yes, all who are incensed against you shall be ashamed and disgraced;
those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish.
You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them;
those who war against you shall be as nothing at all.
For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand;
it is I who say to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’

Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you insect Israel!
I will help you, says the Lord; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.
Now, I will make of you a threshing-sledge, sharp, new, and having teeth;
you shall thresh the mountains and crush them,
and you shall make the hills like chaff.
You shall winnow them and the wind shall carry them away, and the tempest shall scatter them.
Then you shall rejoice in the Lord; in the Holy One of Israel you shall glory.

When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none,
and their tongue is parched with thirst,
I the Lord will answer them,
I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys;
I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.
I will put in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive;
I will set in the desert the cypress, the plane and the pine together,
so that all may see and know, all may consider and understand,
that the hand of the Lord has done this, the Holy One of Israel has created it.

Revelation 16:12-end
The sixth angel poured his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up in order to prepare the way for the kings from the east. And I saw three foul spirits like frogs coming from the mouth of the dragon, from the mouth of the beast, and from the mouth of the false prophet. These are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty. (‘See, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and is clothed, not going about naked and exposed to shame.’) And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Harmagedon.

The seventh angel poured his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, ‘It is done!’ And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a violent earthquake, such as had not occurred since people were upon the earth, so violent was that earthquake. The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. God remembered great Babylon and gave her the wine-cup of the fury of his wrath. And every island fled away, and no mountains were to be found; and huge hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds, dropped from heaven on people, until they cursed God for the plague of the hail, so fearful was that plague.

The Collect
Eternal Father,
whose Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven that he might rule over all things as Lord and King:
keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace,
and bring the whole created order to worship at his feet;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Christmas - Our 'Busy' time! (2)

The Questions

Continuing with those wonderful folk who greet members of the clergy with those cheering words: "Christmas lights are up - must be your 'busy' time, eh Vicar?" We look at some of the other questions that attend the Christmas period. Here's a few of the 'best of breed' that I, and others, have received over the years.

Top Spot (second if you count 'busy time' as the winner) has to go to:

"So, are you going away for Christmas?"

The odd thing is that the person asking the question is often absolutely gobsmacked to think that the possessor of a dogcollar might be doing anything on Christmas Day. One person was surprised to think that anyone needed to go because the 'Midnight Mass' starts on the eve and finishes on 'The Day' and so surely we've already been! I usually have to explain that this is obviously what those who did the night shift think as well for few return to celebrate on 'The Day' either.

Next comes, mainly because it happens more often than the others, is:

"What time is the midnight service?"

Now I don't think this is as silly as it sounds - after all it isn't someone asking what time the ten o'clock service is (and I am still stunned that people really do ask that) - because some appear to do 23:45 whilst others go for 23:30 and many others (not the true church like us of course :-)  ) don't appear to do anything until Christmas Day itself! But we do a great job advertising our Christmas services and there are sheets, posters and notice boards proclaiming Christmas and the services around it - and yet no one (not even some of the regulars) appear to know when it is.

One of the funniest (odd not 'ha ha') questions has to be:

"When is Christmas this year?"

Dutifully I reach for my diary and look it up and then, as seriously as I can, I inform my inquisitor that it is the, "25th December this year," and 'job done' leave them before we descend into the darker places of my humour.

I am sure they really mean to ask what day (rather than date) Christmas falls on but that is never what they ask and so they get what they ask for; and as I don't usually know until much closer to the day (It is a Tuesday this year by the way!) it is probably the most accurate I can be too!

One of the most trying questions relates to conducting a marriage service on Christmas Day (and Easter Sunday too).

I have had to point out that there are other things going on on those two days and that the time (which in both cases was 11:00) that any service could be done was out of the question as the church building would be being used for other purposes (ie. the Church met there!). The response was not quite what I expected for the person asking got quite shirty every time and told me that (and I quote from an email sent to me):

"There is no legal reason for me not being married and I have been told that you are legally obliged to conduct a service when I want it. Surely the members of your church wouldn't want to spoil my big day because of them."

When I had my first experience of this I found the older clergy jumped up and made the point that their practice was not to marry during Lent or Advent (the purple periods of the Church) and that they only married on the two feast days associated with these (Easter Sunday and Christmas Day) when there were extenuating circumstances as they were busy enough and needed no more aggravation. Didn't want to spoil their day but didn't want to diminish Christmas for those for whom it meant much either - pastoral versus consumer versus inclusive or exclusive. Talk about when worlds collide!!!

I'll leave you with one of the funniest Christmas questions:

"Do you, or anyone else, do the midnight Mass earlier as I'm going to an all-night party which starts at ten. So I need one that starts at about eight so I can get back and put my make-up on?"

I invited them to the children's service (16:30) which not only had carols and stuff (we did a limerick nativity a couple of years back - it was riotous) but had a party included as well. So she could be done and dusted on the God-bothering front by about 18:30 and could even have pizza and stuff thrown in (and I recall - around too!).

Sadly this wasn't acceptable and she went (sadly) away looking for someone who could be pastorally sensitive enough to her needs to put on a full-blown communion, carols and midnight Mass-like extravaganza at eight pm. Oh yeah! It needed to be done by about half eight (quarter to nine at the latest) so she could get back to get ready.

So what questions have you been asked (or better still - asked) relating to Christmas I wonder?

Pax

ps - TWENTY-SIX days to go . . . .

Daily Office - Nov 28

Psalm 110
The Lord said to my lord, ‘Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.’
May the Lord stretch forth the sceptre of your power; rule from Zion in the midst of your enemies.
‘Noble are you on this day of your birth; on the holy mountain, from the womb of the dawn the dew of your new birth is upon you.’
The Lord has sworn and will not retract: ‘You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.’
The king at your right hand, O Lord, shall smite down kings in the day of his wrath.
In all his majesty, he shall judge among the nations, smiting heads over all the wide earth.
He shall drink from the brook beside the way; therefore shall he lift high his head.

Psalm 111
Alleluia.
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the faithful and in the congregation.
The works of the Lord are great, sought out by all who delight in them.
His work is full of majesty and honour and his righteousness endures for ever.
He appointed a memorial for his marvellous deeds; the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.
He gave food to those who feared him; he is ever mindful of his covenant.

He showed his people the power of his works in giving them the heritage of the nations.
The works of his hands are truth and justice; all his commandments are sure.
They stand fast for ever and ever; they are done in truth and equity.
He sent redemption to his people; he commanded his covenant for ever; holy and awesome is his name.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have those who live by it; his praise endures for ever.

Psalm 112
Alleluia.
Blessed are those who fear the Lord and have great delight in his commandments.
Their descendants will be mighty in the land, a generation of the faithful that will be blest.
Wealth and riches will be in their house, and their righteousness endures for ever.
Light shines in the darkness for the upright; gracious and full of compassion are the righteous.
It goes well with those who are generous in lending and order their affairs with justice,
For they will never be shaken; the righteous will be held in everlasting remembrance.
They will not be afraid of any evil tidings; their heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
Their heart is sustained and will not fear, until they see the downfall of their foes.
They have given freely to the poor; their righteousness stands fast for ever; their head will be exalted with honour.
The wicked shall see it and be angry; they shall gnash their teeth in despair; the desire of the wicked shall perish.

Isaiah 40:27-41:7
Why do you say, O Jacob,
and speak, O Israel,
‘My way is hidden from the Lord,
and my right is disregarded by my God’?
Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint,
and strengthens the powerless.
Even youths will faint and be weary,
and the young will fall exhausted;
but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint.
Listen to me in silence, O coastlands;
let the peoples renew their strength;
let them approach, then let them speak;
let us together draw near for judgement.

Who has roused a victor from the east,
summoned him to his service?
He delivers up nations to him,
and tramples kings under foot;
he makes them like dust with his sword,
like driven stubble with his bow.
He pursues them and passes on safely,
scarcely touching the path with his feet.
Who has performed and done this,
calling the generations from the beginning?

I, the Lord, am first,
and will be with the last.

The coastlands have seen and are afraid,
the ends of the earth tremble;
they have drawn near and come.

Each one helps the other,
saying to one another, ‘Take courage!’

The artisan encourages the goldsmith,
and the one who smooths with the hammer encourages the one who strikes the anvil, saying of the soldering, ‘It is good’; and they fasten it with nails so that it cannot be moved.


Revelation 16:1-11
Then I heard a loud voice from the temple telling the seven angels, ‘Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God.’

So the first angel went and poured his bowl on the earth, and a foul and painful sore came on those who had the mark of the beast and who worshipped its image.

The second angel poured his bowl into the sea, and it became like the blood of a corpse, and every living thing in the sea died.

The third angel poured his bowl into the rivers and the springs of water, and they became blood. And I heard the angel of the waters say,

‘You are just, O Holy One, who are and were,
for you have judged these things;
because they shed the blood of saints and prophets,
you have given them blood to drink.
It is what they deserve!’
And I heard the altar respond,
‘Yes, O Lord God, the Almighty,
your judgements are true and just!’

The fourth angel poured his bowl on the sun, and it was allowed to scorch people with fire; they were scorched by the fierce heat, but they cursed the name of God, who had authority over these plagues, and they did not repent and give him glory.

The fifth angel poured his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness; people gnawed their tongues in agony, and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and sores, and they did not repent of their deeds.

The Collect
Eternal Father,
whose Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven
that he might rule over all things as Lord and King:
keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit
and in the bond of peace,
and bring the whole created order to worship at his feet;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Book Aid - got any old books?

Can I commend BOOK AID, a charity which works to provide Christian literature to overseas areas which are suffering from BOOK FAMINE (shipping over 1,000,000 books a year), as something that you might like to support?

They have a need for the following:

ALL kinds of Christian Books

Bibles of all and any version (except the New English Bible)

Ladybird book (religious and secular)

I know that I have many books I will never be able to let go (I know - it's an illness) 

BUT

I also have a number of books that I know I will never read again and these, along with any others I can garner, will be adding to the numbers of those reaching this charity.

So why not visit www.book-aid.org and find your nearest collector and make space for new books and bless others into the bargain.

Just so you know. They don't take books that are:

School books, secular dated, music or hymn books, dated (like reading notes - not old!).

Neither do they take CDs, DVDs, Videos or Audio Cassettes

Thanks,

V

High Days and Holidays - A church calendar

Following on from the 'Christmas Busy (1)' blog entry I thought it might be helpful to have a list of the feasts, festivals and commemorations  - those 'high days and holidays' of our church calendar posted here. 

So often I find myself having to explain to people about the tenets of our faith and the things that make us distinctly Anglican. The feasts and festivals are something we generally share with the wider church (RC and others) and help us to celebrate (and focus) on important events in the Church calendar and to consider the saints whose life (and perhaps death) make our Christian living just that little bit easier.

Some dates are fixed (ie. Christmas) whilst others (Easter) are determined by the moon (Easter being the Sunday after the third full moon of the year ie. since Christmas).

So here's what I think is the full calendar:

Moveable Dates

The Baptism of Christ, the Sunday following the Epiphany (when the Epiphany is kept on 6 January)

ASH WEDNESDAY, the Wednesday 46 days before Easter Day

MAUNDY THURSDAY, the Thursday in the week before Easter Day

GOOD FRIDAY, the Friday in the week before Easter Day

EASTER DAY, the first Sunday after the Paschal full moon

ASCENSION DAY, the Thursday forty days after Easter Day

DAY OF PENTECOST, the Sunday fifty days after Easter Day

TRINITY SUNDAY, the Sunday after Pentecost

The Day of Thanksgiving for the Institution of Holy Communion (Corpus Christi), the Thursday after Trinity Sunday

Dedication Festival, the first Sunday in October or the Last Sunday after Trinity, if date unknown

Christ the King, the Sunday next before Advent

Fixed Dates

January

1 The Naming and Circumcision of Jesus

2 Basil the Great and Gregory of Nazianzus, Bishops, Teachers of the Faith, 379 and 389

2 Seraphim, Monk of Sarov, Spiritual Guide, 1833

2 Vedanayagam Samuel Azariah, Bishop in South India, Evangelist, 1945

6 THE EPIPHANY – may be celebrated on the Sunday between 2 and 8 January

10 William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1645

11 Mary Slessor, Missionary in West Africa, 1915

12 Aelred of Hexham, Abbot of Rievaulx, 1167

12 Benedict Biscop, Abbot of Wearmouth, Scholar, 689

13 Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers, Teacher of the Faith, 367

13 Kentigern (Mungo), Missionary Bishop in Strathclyde and Cumbria, 603

13 George Fox, Founder of the Society of Friends (the Quakers), 1691

17 Antony of Egypt, Hermit, Abbot, 356

17 Charles Gore, Bishop, Founder of the Community of the Resurrection, 1932

18-25 WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY

18 Amy Carmichael, Founder of the Dohnavur Fellowship, Spiritual Writer, 1951

19 Wulfstan, Bishop of Worcester, 1095

20 Richard Rolle of Hampole, Spiritual Writer, 1349

21 Agnes, Child Martyr at Rome, 304

22 Vincent of Saragossa, Deacon, first Martyr of Spain, 304

24 Francis de Sales, Bishop of Geneva, Teacher of the Faith, 1622

25 The Conversion of Paul

26 Timothy and Titus, Companions of Paul

28 Thomas Aquinas, Priest, Philosopher, Teacher of the Faith, 1274

30 Charles, King and Martyr, 1649

31 John Bosco, Priest, Founder of the Salesian Teaching Order, 1888

February

1 Brigid of Kildare, Abbess of Kildare, c.525

2 THE PRESENTATION OF CHRIST IN THE TEMPLE (CANDLEMAS) – may be celebrated on the Sunday between 28 January and 3 February

3 Anskar, Archbishop of Bremen, Missionary in Denmark and Sweden, 865

4 Gilbert of Sempringham, Founder of the Gilbertine Order, 1189

6 The Martyrs of Japan, 1597

10 Scholastica, sister of Benedict, Abbess of Plombariola, c.543

11 Our Lady of Lourdes

14 Cyril and Methodius, Missionaries to the Slavs, 869 and 885

14 Valentine, Martyr at Rome, c.269

15 Sigfrid, Bishop, Apostle of Sweden, 1045

15 Thomas Bray, Priest, Founder of the SPCK and the SPG, 1730

17 Janani Luwum, Archbishop of Uganda, Martyr, 1977

23 Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, Martyr, c.155

26 Saint Isabelle of France, Princess of France; Alexander of Alexandria, Roman Catholic, Pope

27 George Herbert, Priest, Poet, 1633

Alternative dates: Matthias may be celebrated on 24 February instead of 14 May.

March

1 David, Bishop of Menevia, Patron of Wales, c.601

2 Chad, Bishop of Lichfield, Missionary, 672

7 Perpetua, Felicity and their Companions, Martyrs at Carthage, 203

8 Edward King, Bishop of Lincoln, 1910

8 Felix, Bishop, Apostle to the East Angles, 647

8 Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy, Priest, Poet, 1929

17 Patrick, Bishop, Missionary, Patron of Ireland, c.460

18 Cyril, Bishop of Jerusalem, Teacher of the Faith, 386

19 Joseph of Nazareth

20 Cuthbert, Bishop of Lindisfarne, Missionary, 687

21 Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, Reformation Martyr, 1556

24 Walter Hilton of Thurgarton, Augustinian Canon, Mystic, 1396

24 Paul Couturier, Priest, Ecumenist, 1953

24 Óscar Romero, Archbishop of San Salvador, Martyr, 1980

25 THE ANNUNCIATION OF OUR LORD TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

26 Harriet Monsell, Founder of the Community of St John the Baptist, 1883

31 John Donne, Priest, Poet, 1631

Alternative dates: Chad may be celebrated with Cedd on 26 October instead of 2 March. Cuthbert may be celebrated on 4 September instead of 20 March.

[edit]April

1 Frederick Denison Maurice, Priest, Teacher of the Faith, 1872

9 Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Lutheran Pastor, Martyr, 1945

10 William Law, Priest, Spiritual Writer, 1761

10 William of Ockham, Friar, Philosopher, Teacher of the Faith, 1347

11 George Selwyn, first Bishop of New Zealand, 1878

16 Isabella Gilmore, Deaconess, 1923

19 Alphege, Archbishop of Canterbury, Martyr, 1012

21 Anselm, Abbot of Le Bec, Archbishop of Canterbury, Teacher of the Faith, 1109

23 George, Martyr, Patron of England, c.304

24 Mellitus, Bishop of London, first Bishop at St Paul's, 624

24 The Seven Martyrs of the Melanesian Brotherhood, Solomon Islands, 2003

25 Mark the Evangelist

27 Christina Rossetti, Poet, 1894

28 Peter Chanel, Missionary in the South Pacific, Martyr, 1841

29 Catherine of Siena, Teacher of the Faith, 1380

30 Pandita Mary Ramabai, Translator of the Scriptures, 1922

May

1 Queen of Heaven, Philip and James, Apostles

2 Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, Teacher of the Faith, 373

4 English Saints and Martyrs of the Reformation Era

8 Julian of Norwich, Spiritual Writer, c.1417

12 Gregory Dix, Priest, Monk, Scholar, 1952

14 Matthias the Apostle

16 Caroline Chisholm, Social Reformer, 1877

19 Dunstan, Archbishop of Canterbury, Restorer of Monastic Life, 988

20 Alcuin of York, Deacon, Abbot of Tours, 804

21 Helena, Protector of the Holy Places, 330

24 John and Charles Wesley, Evangelists, Hymn Writers, 1791 and 1788

25 The Venerable Bede, Monk at Jarrow, Scholar, Historian, 735

25 Aldhelm, Bishop of Sherborne, 709

26 Augustine, first Archbishop of Canterbury, 605

26 John Calvin, Reformer, 1564

26 Philip Neri, Founder of the Oratorians, Spiritual Guide, 1595

28 Lanfranc, Prior of Le Bec, Archbishop of Canterbury, Scholar, 1089

30 Josephine Butler, Social Reformer, 1906

30 Joan of Arc, Visionary, 1431

30 Apolo Kivebulaya, Priest, Evangelist in Central Africa, 1933

31 The Visit of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth

Alternative dates: Matthias may be celebrated on 24 February instead of 14 May.

The Visit of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth may be celebrated on 2 July instead of 31 May.

June

1 Justin, Martyr at Rome, c.165

3 The Martyrs of Uganda, 1885–7 and 1977

4 Petroc, Abbot of Padstow, 6th century

5 Boniface (Wynfrith) of Crediton, Bishop, Apostle of Germany, Martyr, 754

6 Ini Kopuria, Founder of the Melanesian Brotherhood, 1945

8 Thomas Ken, Bishop of Bath and Wells, Nonjuror, Hymn Writer, 1711

9 Columba, Abbot of Iona, Missionary, 597

9 Ephrem of Syria, Deacon, Hymn Writer, Teacher of the Faith, 373

11 Barnabas the Apostle

14 Richard Baxter, Puritan Divine, 1691

15 Evelyn Underhill, Spiritual Writer, 1941

16 Richard, Bishop of Chichester, 1253

16 Joseph Butler, Bishop of Durham, Philosopher, 1752

17 Samuel and Henrietta Barnett, Social Reformers, 1913 and 1936

18 Bernard Mizeki, Apostle of the MaShona, Martyr, 1896

19 Sundar Singh of India, Sadhu (holy man), Evangelist, Teacher of the Faith, 1929

22 Alban, first Martyr of Britain, c.250

23 Etheldreda, Abbess of Ely, c.678

24 The Birth of John the Baptist

27 Cyril, Bishop of Alexandria, Teacher of the Faith, 444

28 Irenæus, Bishop of Lyon, Teacher of the Faith, c.200

29 Peter and Paul, Apostles

Alternative dates: Peter the Apostle may be celebrated alone, without Paul, on 29 June.

July

1 Henry, John, and Henry Venn the younger, Priests, Evangelical Divines, 1797, 1813 and 1873

3 Thomas the Apostle

6 Thomas More, Scholar, and John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester, Reformation Martyrs, 1535

11 Benedict of Nursia, Abbot of Monte Cassino, Father of Western Monasticism, c.550

14 John Keble, Priest, Tractarian, Poet, 1866

15 Swithun, Bishop of Winchester, c.862

15 Bonaventure, Friar, Bishop, Teacher of the Faith, 1274

16 Osmund, Bishop of Salisbury, 1099

18 Elizabeth Ferard, first Deaconess of the Church of England, Founder of the Community of St Andrew, 1883

19 Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa, and his sister Macrina, Deaconess, Teachers of the Faith, c.394 and c.379

20 Margaret of Antioch, Martyr, 4th century

20 Bartolomé de las Casas, Apostle to the Indies, 1566

22 Mary Magdalene

23 Bridget of Sweden, Abbess of Vadstena, 1373

25 James the Apostle

26 Anne and Joachim, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary

27 Brooke Foss Westcott, Bishop of Durham, Teacher of the Faith, 1901

29 Mary, Martha and Lazarus, Companions of our Lord

30 William Wilberforce, Social Reformer, Olaudah Equiano and Thomas Clarkson, Anti-Slavery Campaigners, 1833, 1797 and 1846

31 Ignatius of Loyola, Founder of the Society of Jesus, 1556

Alternative dates: The Visit of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth may be celebrated on 2 July instead of 31 May.  Thomas the Apostle may be celebrated on 21 December instead of 3 July. Thomas Becket may be celebrated on 7 July instead of 29 December.

August

4 Jean-Baptiste Vianney, Curé d'Ars, Spiritual Guide, 1859

5 Oswald, King of Northumbria, Martyr, 642

6 The Transfiguration of Our Lord

7 John Mason Neale, Priest, Hymn Writer, 1866

8 Dominic, Priest, Founder of the Order of Preachers, 1221

9 Mary Sumner, Founder of the Mothers' Union, 1921

10 Laurence, Deacon at Rome, Martyr, 258

11 Clare of Assisi, Founder of the Minoresses (Poor Clares), 1253

11 John Henry Newman, Priest, Tractarian, 1890

13 Jeremy Taylor, Bishop of Down and Connor, Teacher of the Faith, 1667

13 Florence Nightingale, Nurse, Social Reformer, 1910

13 Octavia Hill, Social Reformer, 1912

14 Maximilian Kolbe, Friar, Martyr, 1941

15 The Blessed Virgin Mary

20 Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux, Teacher of the Faith, 1153

20 William and Catherine Booth, Founders of the Salvation Army, 1912 and 1890

24 Bartholomew the Apostle

27 Monica, mother of Augustine of Hippo, 387

28 Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, Teacher of the Faith, 430

29 The Beheading of John the Baptist

30 John Bunyan, Spiritual Writer, 1688

31 Aidan, Bishop of Lindisfarne, Missionary, 651

Alternative dates: The Blessed Virgin Mary may be celebrated on 8 September instead of 15 August.

September

1 Giles of Provence, Hermit, c.710

2 The Martyrs of Papua New Guinea, 1901 and 1942

3 Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome, Teacher of the Faith, 604

4 Birinus, Bishop of Dorchester (Oxon), Apostle of Wessex, 650

6 Allen Gardiner, Missionary, Founder of the South American Mission Society, 1851

8 The Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary

9 Charles Fuge Lowder, Priest, 1880

13 John Chrysostom, Bishop of Constantinople, Teacher of the Faith, 407

14 Holy Cross Day

15 Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, Martyr, 258

16 Ninian, Bishop of Galloway, Apostle of the Picts, c.432

16 Edward Bouverie Pusey, Priest, Tractarian, 1882

17 Hildegard, Abbess of Bingen, Visionary, 1179

19 Theodore of Tarsus, Archbishop of Canterbury, 690

20 John Coleridge Patteson, First Bishop of Melanesia, and his Companions, Martyrs, 1871

21 Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

25 Lancelot Andrewes, Bishop of Winchester, Spiritual Writer, 1626

25 Sergei of Radonezh, Russian Monastic Reformer, Teacher of the Faith, 1392

26 Wilson Carlile, Founder of the Church Army, 1942

27 Vincent de Paul, Founder of the Congregation of the Mission (Lazarists), 1660

29 Michael and All Angels

30 Jerome, Translator of the Scriptures, Teacher of the Faith, 420

Alternative dates: Cuthbert may be celebrated on 4 September instead of 20 March.

October

1 Remigius, Bishop of Rheims, Apostle of the Franks, 533

1 Anthony Ashley Cooper, Earl of Shaftesbury, Social Reformer, 1885

3 George Bell, Bishop of Chichester, Ecumenist, Peacemaker, 1958

4 Francis of Assisi, Friar, Deacon, Founder of the Friars Minor, 1226

6 William Tyndale, Translator of the Scriptures, Reformation Martyr, 1536

9 Denys, Bishop of Paris, and his Companions, Martyrs, c.250

9 Robert Grosseteste, Bishop of Lincoln, Philosopher, Scientist, 1253

10 Paulinus, Bishop of York, Missionary, 644

10 Thomas Traherne, Poet, Spiritual Writer, 1674

11 Ethelburga, Abbess of Barking, 675

11 James the Deacon, companion of Paulinus, 7th century

12 Wilfrid of Ripon, Bishop, Missionary, 709

12 Elizabeth Fry, Prison Reformer, 1845

12 Edith Cavell, Nurse, 1915

13 Edward the Confessor, King of England, 1066

15 Our Lady of Walsingham, Teresa of Avila, Teacher of the Faith, 1582

16 Nicholas Ridley, Bishop of London, and Hugh Latimer, Bishop of Worcester, Reformation Martyrs, 1555

17 Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, Martyr, c.107

18 Luke the Evangelist

19 Henry Martyn, Translator of the Scriptures, Missionary in India and Persia, 1812

25 Crispin and Crispinian, Martyrs at Rome, c.287

26 Alfred the Great, King of the West Saxons, Scholar, 899

26 Cedd, Abbot of Lastingham, Bishop of the East Saxons, 664

28 Simon and Jude, Apostles

29 James Hannington, Bishop of Eastern Equatorial Africa, Martyr in Uganda, 1885

31 Martin Luther, Reformer, 1546

Alternative dates: Chad may be celebrated with Cedd on 26 October instead of 2 March.

November

1 ALL SAINTS' DAY

2 Commemoration of the Faithful Departed (All Souls' Day)

3 Richard Hooker, Priest, Anglican Apologist, Teacher of the Faith, 1600

3 Martin of Porres, Friar, 1639

6 Leonard, Hermit, 6th century

6 William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury, Teacher of the Faith, 1944

7 Willibrord of York, Bishop, Apostle of Frisia, 739

8 The Saints and Martyrs of England

9 Margery Kempe, Mystic, c.1440

10 Leo the Great, Bishop of Rome, Teacher of the Faith, 461

11 Martin, Bishop of Tours, c.397

13 Charles Simeon, Priest, Evangelical Divine, 1836

14 Samuel Seabury, first Anglican Bishop in North America, 1796

16 Margaret, Queen of Scotland, Philanthropist, Reformer of the Church, 1093

16 Edmund Rich of Abingdon, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1240

17 Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln, 1200

18 Elizabeth of Hungary, Princess of Thuringia, Philanthropist, 1231

19 Hilda, Abbess of Whitby, 680

19 Mechthild, Béguine of Magdeburg, Mystic, 1280

20 Edmund, King of the East Angles, Martyr, 870

20 Priscilla Lydia Sellon, a Restorer of the Religious Life in the Church of England, 1876

22 Cecilia, Martyr at Rome, c.230

23 Clement, Bishop of Rome, Martyr, c.100

25 Catherine of Alexandria, Martyr, 4th century

25 Isaac Watts, Hymn Writer, 1748

29 DAY OF INTERCESSION AND THANKSGIVING FOR THE MISSIONARY WORK OF THE CHURCH

30 Andrew the Apostle

December

1 Charles de Foucauld, Hermit in the Sahara, 1916

3 Francis Xavier, Jesuit Missionary, Apostle of the Indies, 1552

4 John of Damascus, Monk, Teacher of the Faith, c.749

4 Nicholas Ferrar, Deacon, Founder of the Little Gidding Community, 1637

6 Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, c.326

7 Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, Teacher of the Faith, 397

8 The Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

13 Lucy, Martyr at Syracuse, 304

13 Samuel Johnson, Moralist, 1784

14 John of the Cross, Poet, Teacher of the Faith, 1591

17 O SAPIENTIA

17 Eglantine Jebb, Social Reformer, Founder of 'Save The Children', 1928

24 Christmas Eve

25 CHRISTMAS DAY

26 Stephen, Deacon, First Martyr

27 John, Apostle and Evangelist

28 The Holy Innocents

29 Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, Martyr, 1170

31 John Wyclif, Reformer, 1384