In preparation for the Episcopal election on September 26th 2020, we encourage you to enter into a day of prayer and fasting for our diocese and for those who have offered their service on behalf of Christ's body, the church.
Schedule for the 25th
Morning Prayer: 9 am (either at home or in-person - attached)
Possible Scriptures: John 15:16, Luke 4:18-21, Mt 20:27-30, Philippians 1:9-10, Jn 13:12-14, Luke 1:38, Romans 12:2
Candidate videos: 10-11 am
at home or streaming from the church building (Review the written information again)
https://bc.anglican.ca/episcopal-transition/candidate-information
Watch each video (perhaps in a different order if this is your second time through). Take a few minutes between each video to pray and note where you feel resonance or dissonance, do you sense the Holy Spirit’s encouragement and prompting? Based on your understanding of the deep needs and vision of the church here in this place, how do you see this call to serve the body of Christ in all its diversity embodied in the candidate's presentation? What other questions, reflections come up as you watch/read?
Pray for each candidate, their family and church community and for this Diocese and all of the delegates, staff and people throughout these islands and inlets.
Holy Eucharist (spoken) 12pm
Zoom check-in/debrief: 1:30pm
(email: admin@emmauscommunity.ca or incumbent@stmatthiasvictoria.ca for the link)
Closing prayer: 2pm (either at home or in-person at the church - attached)
Our Senior Diocesan Administrator, The Very Rev. Ansley Tucker implores us to pray as she writes: "Dear people of God, please pray. Pray for the Church. Pray for the candidates. And remember that regardless of whom we elect, we have been and continue to be deeply blessed by the ministry of all our candidates".
We enter into this day, having read and prayed and discussed the candidates and the future of our church in this specific time and place and now we come together, knowing that there is something powerful in our collective faith turned toward God in this time of discernment.
In a resource for such a time as this, the Diocese of Toronto writes: "There is great blessing and power in unified prayer. Throughout the centuries, God’s people have gathered in times of need, seeking God’s will to be known and accomplished. These prayers have often been given focus and clarity through the spiritual discipline of fasting, voluntary and temporary abstinence (primarily) of food. Fasting helps in deepening our attentiveness to God and God’s will by turning from the desires of the body and towards the life-giving desire of serving and knowing Jesus Christ. In prayerful fasting, we are brought closer to the humble reality of our dependence upon God for all things, drawing from God as the Bread of Life, and are often given a sense of spiritual clarity which further helps hone our prayers and discernment. This discipline of fasting can also include withholding any contemporary behaviour or practice that represents a significant aspect of one’s daily “diet of life,” such as an intake of internet/TV/media. This is especially relevant for those whom restricting food is not medically advisable."
Answering this call to fast and pray, I have included a sample timeline for how Sept 25th could be structured. This could happen in your own home, with your bubble or at the church building in a socially distanced way. No matter how we gather, we are invited to engage the day in a prayerful and discerning way, putting aside our own preconceived notions and staying open for the leading of the Holy Spirit.
The church building at 600 Richmond will be open from 9 am-2 pm for socially distanced prayer.
The Electoral Synod will take place On Saturday, September 26th starting with a Eucharist that will be live-streamed from the Cathedral at 9 am. The electronic vote will begin around 11 am.
May the Holy Spirit breathe life into our Diocese and prepare our hearts for this time of discernment and prayer.
For more information on the Electoral Synod, contact your Synod rep or local clergy or check out our Diocesan Website. https://bc.anglican.ca/collections/episcopal-transition
Prayer for Synod
written by Herbert O'Driscoll
Lord Jesus,
May your Wisdom be our wisdom;
Your Vision our vision;
Your Will our will:
That we may seek, find, and call one who will Shepherd your people,
Nurture reconciliation,
Love your creation,
And speak Hope to the Church and the World
In Your Name.
Amen