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Sermon for Wednesday, February 14th – Ash Wednesday

Home > Sermon for Wednesday, February 14th – Ash Wednesday

February 14, 2023
Ash Wednesday

Friends,

I’d like to weave together a few strands of life here at St John’s.

A couple of weeks ago, Preston referred to Paul’s expression “I have become all things to all people.” He said, “Paul makes space for others; his method is sympathetic; he offers forbearance that serves the salvation of others.” In an earlier sermon, he talked in the same way about “kindness.”

At our Vestry meeting on Sunday, we were briefed with a document which ran about 80 pages, including financials. On every page, there was an opportunity to register St John’s DTK’s concern for the salvation of our community in every sense. The word for salvation, in the New Testament, harbours the sense of healing within it. It has healing at its root. And healing is an unfolding reality. Salvation is an unfolding healing reality and not merely a state of being down the road. A couple of weeks ago, we were reminded of the ACW Clothes Closet, ‘an act of love”, it was called, in DTK. Forbearance that serves the salvation of others. An act of love that serves the healing of others. Unfolding salvation.

Now that’s all about “our world and that world.”

But what about our world inside? About us and our interior world. If the emphasis of Easter might be on the world out there in every healing sense, then Lent might be about the world in here, the interior world of every person who comes under the sway of the Gospel here … and in other “heres” –other assemblies such as this one – elsewhere.

Traditionally, Lent takes us inward. It may take us inward as an assembly–preaching and the proclamation of God’s word certainly affect that communal inward journey–but I’m also thinking about the inward journey of the individual Christian. So, what sort of prep … what sort of contemplation … might be helpful for the grand Easter tour to come?

I once mentioned the time that my pastor drove me to the seminary in Waterloo to have me consider a career change that would eventually bring me to this moment. But there was something more going on with my pastor. You see, he knew that I was spending time with the Jesuits, the Loyola Fathers of Montreal, and I think he kind of wanted to keep me out of their clutches. But he needn’t have worried, because my girlfriend was doing a fairly good job of accomplishing that. Anyway, one of the things I learned about from the Loyola Fathers was about “desolation and consolation’. Those are words that are used throughout Jesuit history, Jesuit writing and Jesuit spirituality. Desolation and consolation.

Desolation speaks of interior unrest or disquiet or dissatisfaction. Dis-equilibrium. Sometimes, even, despair. Interior paralysis. “I just can’t deal with it.” “The world’s problems are so big.” “I can’t cope with it all.” I feel swamped.” Desolation is concerned about the world as it is. Desolation invites us to rummage around in our interior selves to tease out our strengths and those bits and pieces which may help us to soothe the savage beast, still our minds, to come to rest …

Consolation speaks of interior calm or stillness but the opposite of dissatisfaction is not satisfaction but hopefulness about the world as it is. Equilibrium. Hope. Outward movement. “I can do what I can do, and with others I can do more”. There’s an in-built optimism to consolation manifest as Christian hope. Concern for the world as it is yielding a vision for the world as it might be. Consolation moves us beyond ourselves. So…

How do we quiet the pangs of desolation into mere memories of disquiet?

How do we move from intimations of consolation to a full-blown exuberance toward God’s world?  Two possibilities:

Thing 1: As we pray, so we believe. Lex orandi. Lex credendi. Literally translated, it means “the law of prayer [is] the law of belief.” This axiom is an adaptation of the words of Prosper of Aquitaine, a long-ago contemporary of St. Augustine. It speaks to the power of prayer to shape our belief but not simply our intellect; but the power of prayer to shape our whole being; to shape us as persons who take on the world out there with all its woes, with its joys and sorrows, both. But it’s not just any prayer, either. It’s liturgical prayer. Communal prayer. Our liturgy, the people’s work, together, lifts us up. It assists us in holding at bay the demons of despair. Thing 1.

Thing 2: Small step approach. This is something I got from training lay people to do pastoral care, as I did, in my parish, long ago. We take on big problems, small bits at a time. We don’t try to solve the problem of world peace. We just sort out that lingering fence thing with our neighbour. We don’t feel the need to tackle all of climate change. When that fuel-burning, gas-guzzling, smoke-emitting, stench-producing, noise-making law mower of ours comes to the end of its earthly life, we don’t replace it. Small step. We let the grass go and plant wildflowers. We’ll use less water and we’ll help our neighbour Earth to breathe again. Is that a little too granola? OK, think perennials instead of wildflowers. You get my drift.

Desolation. Consolation. / As we pray, so we believe; so we live. / Small steps. A Lenten concern for the world as it is & an Easter vision for the world as it might be.

“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?

“Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?

“Then our light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.”

Concern for the world as it is, a vision for the world as it might be; from desolation to consolation; our community prayer; small steps.

Silence

May the words of my lips and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in God’s sight. And may the church say “Amen.”  R/ Amen.

André Lavergne CWA (The Rev.)
Honourary Assistant,
Church of St. John the Evangelist, Kitchener

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Baptismal Service

Creed

Celebrant
Do you believe in God the Father?

People
I believe in God,
The Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

Celebrant
 Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

People
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again
to judge the living and the dead.

Celebrant
Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?

People
I believe in God the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.

Covenant

Celebrant
 Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?

People 
I will, with God’ s help.

Celebrant
Will you persevere in resisting evil and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?

People
I will, with God’ s help.

Celebrant
Will you proclaim by word and example the good news of God in Christ?

People
I will, with God’ s help.

Celebrant
Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbour as yourself?

People 
I will, with God’ s help.

Celebrant
Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?

People
I will, with God’ s help.

Celebrant
Will you strive to safeguard the integrity of God’s creation, and respect, sustain and renew the life of the Earth?

People
I will, with God’s help.

Angus Sinclair

Angus Sinclair was appointed Director of Music of St. John the Evangelist on February 1, 2023. Having graduated in 1981 (Honours B.Mus.) in organ performance from Wilfrid Laurier University, he went on to distinguish himself as a church musician, recitalist and accompanist touring in both Canada and the UK. For over 40 years Angus has served parishes and congregations throughout Southwestern Ontario as director of music. He experiences his present appointment to St. John’s as a welcome homecoming, both spiritually and musically.

At St. John’s, Angus is able to indulge his love for Anglican liturgy and the Anglican choral tradition by directing our dedicated choir in preparing service music and masterworks from St. John’s extensive choral library. Angus’s own repertoire of organ music allows him to enrich worship at St. John’s with countless voluntaries spanning centuries of the church music tradition. Angus has also composed music in several different genres, and is an accomplished improviser.

 As our parish musician, he provides both support and leadership so that a variety of parish programs can find musical expression and attract participation. When our handbell choir is in season, he is one of our ringers. At parish dinners, he provides popular piano music for the guests to dine by. For both worship services and concerts, he will rehearse and accompany vocal and instrumental soloists from our congregation on piano, organ, or even accordion.

Audiences throughout Canada recognize Angus as the accompanist for The Three Cantors whose concerts and CDs raised over $1 million between 1997 to 2016 for the Huron Hunger Fund/Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund, now named Alongside Hope. For their outstanding service to the Church, Angus and The Three Cantors (William Cliff, David Pickett, and Peter Wall) each received Honorary Senior Fellowships from Renison College (UW) and Honorary Doctor of Divinity (DD) degrees from Huron University College (Western University).

Beyond St. John’s, Angus frequently accompanies mezzo-soprano Autumn Debassige in concert, and on the fourth Sunday of each month (September through June), he serves as the duty organist at Evensong for the Choir of St. George’s Anglican Church, London, Andrew Keegan Mackriell, Conductor. Two or three times a year, Angus is the assisting organist for concerts given by the Parry Sound Choral Collective, William McArton, Conductor.

In collaboration with our rector, Angus is responsible for the design of worship at St. John’s. His duties include programming music, service playing for regular liturgies and occasional services, and directing our choir, in addition to working with a variety of soloists, instrumentalists and ensembles.)

The Rev. André Lavergne CWA, Assistant Priest

As an Honorary Assistant, André preaches occasionally at worship and assists in various ministries as opportunities arise. André maintains a Rota of lay people to read and pray at worship, together with a schedule of people to write the Prayers of the People for Sundays and occasional services.

Ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) in 1980, André has served Lutheran parishes in Baden, Mannheim and New Hamburg. He has served as national Worship officer for the ELCIC and, for the last decade of his working career, served as Ecumenical and Interfaith officer while also staffing the ELCIC’s Faith Order and Doctrine Committee.

In 2006, André received the Eastern Synod’s Leadership Award for Exemplary Service and in 2016 he was named a Companion of the Worship Arts (CWA).

Since 2014, André and his wife, Barbara, have resided in Waterloo where they tend a garden and welcome friends and family.

The Rev. Dr. Eileen Scully, Assistant Priest

Eileen Scully was baptized at St. John the Evangelist, confirmed, sang in the choir as an adolescent, and was married here. She then went off into some ecumenical wanderings and theological studies before returning to the parish recently as an honorary assistant. She has a PhD in Systematic Theology from St. Michael’s College, Toronto and taught for a time. 

Eileen works for the General Synod, the national body of The Anglican Church of Canada, as Director of Faith, Worship, and Ministry, keeping office space at St John’s for that work during the week. She works principally in liturgical development, helping to create resources for worship, including new liturgical texts, and connects with Anglicans across the country in networks to support ministry and Christian formation. 

Eileen was ordained deacon in 2009 and priested in 2010.

The Rev. Scott McLeod

Scott is the Chaplain at Renison College at the University of Waterloo. He was ordained and started working in parish ministry in the Anglican Church in 2005 on the West Coast of Canada in Victoria, BC, in the Diocese of BC. After completing a curacy and serving in a few parishes as rector, part of a team ministry and as associate at the Cathedral, Scott and his family moved to Niagara. He continued in parish ministry and served as associate priest for seven years at St. George’s in St. Catharines, before moving to Kitchener and starting at Renison in February 2022.

Scott studied Theology at the Vancouver School of Theology in Vancouver, BC, and before that did his undergraduate studies in Toronto at UofT completing a Bachelor of Music, Performance degree specializing in Jazz music.

The Ven. Ken Cardwell, Assistant Priest

As an Honorary Assistant Ken assists with worship services and preaches on occasion.

Ken is a graduate of Hamilton Teachers’ College, McMaster University, and Huron College. Ken retired in 2003 after 34 years as a parish priest in the Dioceses of Niagara, Keewatin and Moosonee. He also served as Archdeacon of Brock. For ten years after retirement Ken served in a number of Interim Ministry positions for parishes in transition. Ken and his wife Sarah moved to Kitchener in 2013.

The Reverend James Brown, Assistant Priest

As an Honorary Assistant, James preaches and presides occasionally at worship, and chairs the Stewardship Working Group. During the six months of Preston’s sabbatical in 2024, he served as Deputy Rector.

Ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada in 1991, James served Lutheran parishes in Stratford and Waterloo until his retirement in 2015. As part of a summer exchange with the Rev. Glenn Chestnutt, he was licensed by the West Paisley Presbytery and the Church of Scotland to serve the congregation of St. John’s, Gourock, UK from 2010-2016. In 2019-2020, he served as Interim Priest-in-Charge of St. Columba Anglican Church, Waterloo.

A lifelong, self-confessed ecumaniac, James is Chair of the Steering Committee of Christians Together Waterloo Region (successor organization to the Kitchener-Waterloo Council of Churches). For 27 years, he served as an on-call chaplain at Grand River Hospital, now named Waterloo Regional Health Network @ Midtown.

James’ first career was also in the Church. For 25 years he was organist or director of music for churches in London, St. Thomas, Brantford, and Kitchener.

James and his wife, Paula, live in Baden, Ontario.

Autumn Debassige, Parish Administrator

Autumn Debassige has served as St. John’s Parish Administrator since 2023, bringing years of service-oriented and management experience to this important role. Aside from her administrative duties for us, Autumn is a professional mezzo-soprano soloist and alto chorister. Visit her website to learn more!)

Angus Sinclair, Director of Music

Angus Sinclair was appointed Director of Music of St. John the Evangelist on February 1, 2023. Having graduated in 1981 (Honours B.Mus.) in organ performance from Wilfrid Laurier University, he went on to distinguish himself as a church musician, recitalist and accompanist touring in both Canada and the UK. For over 40 years Angus has served parishes and congregations throughout Southwestern Ontario as director of music. He experiences his present appointment to St. John’s as a welcome homecoming, both spiritually and musically.

At St. John’s, Angus is able to indulge his love for Anglican liturgy and the Anglican choral tradition by directing our dedicated choir in preparing service music and masterworks from St. John’s extensive choral library. Angus’s own repertoire of organ music allows him to enrich worship at St. John’s with countless voluntaries spanning centuries of the church music tradition. Angus has also composed music in several different genres, and is an accomplished improviser.

As our parish musician, he provides both support and leadership so that a variety of parish programs can find musical expression and attract participation. When our handbell choir is in season, he is one of our ringers. At parish dinners, he provides popular piano music for the guests to dine by. For both worship services and concerts, he will rehearse and accompany vocal and instrumental soloists from our congregation on piano, organ, or even accordion.

Audiences throughout Canada recognize Angus as the accompanist for The Three Cantors whose concerts and CDs raised over $1 million between 1997 to 2016 for the Huron Hunger Fund/Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund, now named Alongside Hope. For their outstanding service to the Church, Angus and The Three Cantors (William Cliff, David Pickett, and Peter Wall) each received Honorary Senior Fellowships from Renison College (UW) and Honorary Doctor of Divinity (DD) degrees from Huron University College (Western University).

Beyond St. John’s, Angus frequently accompanies mezzo-soprano Autumn Debassige in concert, and on the fourth Sunday of each month (September through June), he serves as the duty organist at Evensong for the Choir of St. George’s Anglican Church, London, Andrew Keegan Mackriell, Conductor. Two or three times a year, Angus is the assisting organist for concerts given by the Parry Sound Choral Collective, William McArton, Conductor.

In collaboration with our rector, Angus is responsible for the design of worship at St. John’s. His duties include programming music, service playing for regular liturgies and occasional services, and directing our choir, in addition to working with a variety of soloists, instrumentalists and ensembles.

The Rev. Canon Preston Parsons, PhD, Rector

After working in youth and camping ministry in Winnipeg and Northwestern Ontario, Preston began his training for the priesthood in Berkeley California in 2001. Following his ordinations in 2004 and 2005, Preston served as a hospital chaplain in Sacramento, California; not long after, he was appointed to St. Mary Magdalene, a multi-cultural parish in the south end of Winnipeg.

In 2012, Preston moved to England, where he pursued a PhD in Christian Theology at the University of Cambridge, while serving as Priest Vicar at St. John’s College, and Director of Studies at Westminster College.

Preston moved to Waterloo in 2017 with his wife, Karen Sunabacka, who took a position as Associate Professor of Music at Conrad Grebel University College.