Justin Welby prostrate in apology at the Sikh Golden Temple of Amritsar What should the world be expected make of someone who said that they were complicit in the bombing of a city, a massacre in India, offending gay people, had inadequately responded to child abuse, has white advantage and is systemically racist? Then again, how does it affect things when he explains that he is also very very sorry about all this? Does it change anything when the person announcing these things … [Read more...]
The Overlooked Genocide: the fate of Christians in Ethiopia’s Tigray Region
Tigray Refugees, (Photo: Africa Report) Reports have been coming in since late last year of a major catastrophe leading to the mass murder of Christians in the Tigray region of Ethiopia but they have received astonishingly little attention. The horrors began last November after fighting broke out in Tigray as the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sent federal troops, with the support of troops from Eritrea, to fight the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, which he accused of holding … [Read more...]
The First Prayer Book Royal Funeral: arranged by the Catholic Queen Mary for Edward VI
The First Prayer Book Royal Funeral: King Edward VI “Edward the sixth by the Grace of God King of England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith and on earth under Christ supreme head of the Churches of England and Ireland and he migrated from this life on the 6th day of July in the evening at the 8th hour in the year of our Lord 1553 and in the 7th year of his reign and in the 16th year of his age”. So reads the inscription on Edward’s coffin as transcribed and … [Read more...]
Order of Service of the Funeral of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
FUNERAL of HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE PHILIP DUKE OF EDINBURGH Saturday, 17th April, 2021 at 3.00pm During the service, a choir of four singers (three of whom are Lay Clerks of St George's Chapel Choir) will be conducted by James Vivian and the organ will be played by Luke Bond. Music before the service - Schmucke dich, o liebe Seele BWV 654 - Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) - Adagio espressivo (Sonata in A minor) - Sir William Harris (1883-1973) - Salix … [Read more...]
Fr. Gavin Dunbar reflects on Michelangelo and the Conversion of Saint Paul
The Conversion of St Paul, Michelangelo, The Pauline Chapel, The Vatican (public domain) Scripture narratives are not just narratives. They don’t just tell us about persons and events: they are also reflections on the meaning of those events for faith; and this significance is conveyed by the way the story is told, by the selection of details, and the choice of words to describe them. A good preacher will bring out the significance of these stories for faith; and some of the best preachers … [Read more...]
New Archbishop of Dublin makes waves – on women Deacons, Priests, same-sex unions and clerical celibacy
Considerable interest has been generated far beyond the shores of Ireland by the recently announced appointment of Dermot Farrell as the new Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, in succession to Archbishop Diarmuid Martin a former Vatican diplomat. The Archbishop elect gave a long interview to the Irish Times that has occasioned alarm among traditional Roman Catholics who understood him to have stated that he is "in favor of women deacons and married priests. He does not find in … [Read more...]
The Revd. Dr. Robert Crouse remembered
The Rt. Revd Anthony Burton, of the Parish of the Incarnation in Dallas, yesterday noted the tenth anniversary of the death of the Revd. Dr Crouse with this tribute on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bishopburton The Rev. Dr. Robert Crouse, one of the most influential Canadian theologians of his generation, died ten years ago tonight in his rural childhood home on Crouse Road, Crousetown, Nova Scotia, where his family had lived for more than 200 years. He was 80. He … [Read more...]
Why follow the Anglican Way? A question answered in the writings of Dr Peter Toon
The Revd. Dr. Peter Toon (1939-2009) A long serving President of the Prayer Book Society and Editor of its Magazine WHY FOLLOW THE ANGLICAN WAY? The Anglican Way is both Ancient and Modern In religion what has been believed, taught and confessed for centuries and what has been prayed, tested and performed during two millennia is more likely to be a sound guide in our quests to find God than modern insights which pay no attention to “ancient wisdom.” In the Anglican Way, … [Read more...]
Church & Culture the true Covid Crisis of 2020
The role of Christianity in shaping the culture, laws and ultimate identity of both the United States and United Kingdom specifically and more widely of western civilization has been central to the emergent intellectual and cultural crisis that may well prove for history the most enduring legacy of the COVID virus. It sets a powerful context and agenda which the Society will be addressing in the pages of its new look Anglican Way magazine - set for relaunch in January 2021 … [Read more...]
Advent Hope
BLESSED HOPE By The Revd. Fr. Gavin Dunbar (Rector St. John’s Episcopal Church, Savannah President of the Prayer Book Society, USA) I once listened to a clergyman speaking on the theme of hope: a great theme, and he knew how to talk. It became apparent, however, that the more he spoke the less he was saying. In particular I was struck by what he managed not to say: what we might hope for, and what we should hope in. His was a vague, generic hope, without any actual … [Read more...]
What is Common Prayer – by the Revd. Dr. Peter Toon
What is Common Prayer? The word “common” is used in all kinds of ways, and so what do Anglicans mean by the word “common” when it is associated with public prayer and worship? Since we are referring to the worship of our Creator and Redeemer, Almighty God, we can dismiss quickly the popular meaning of “common” as that which is ordinary, undistinguished or even of inferior quality. The texts of the services and rites used before God to address him are surely intended to be of high not low … [Read more...]
Richard Hooker on The Book of Common Prayer:
An extract from the "judicious" Mr Hooker's Of the Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity, Book V, There is here a notably heavy emphasis upon the priority of corporate over individual prayer, of the importance of the holy place where worship occurs and of the vocation and holiness of the minister/priest who conducts the worship. Extempore prayer in comparison with the written Common Prayer is very much deprecated Private and public prayer This holy and religious duty of service towards God … [Read more...]
J. I. Packer on Revaluing the Book of Common Prayer
As we recall the great work and achievements of the late Professor J I Packer (image above from Regents College, Canada) who died in July this year, it is apposite to recall from the Society's archives this article first published in 2000: For Truth, Unity, and Hope: Revaluing the Book of Common Prayer (Comprising part of a very slightly edited version of an address first given to the Canadian Prayer Book Society It references the Canadian BCP of 1962 as well as the Book of … [Read more...]
The Church’s sacramental ministry is not an optional extra
CHURCH TIMES Thursday 05 November 2020 The precautions in place in churches mean that there is no justification for suspending public worship, argues Alistair Macdonald-Radcliff Original Photo in the Church TImes: The Dean of York, the Rt Revd Jonathan Frost, celebrates holy communion in York Minster, in July, after the first lockdown restrictions in England were eased ALL churches are, once again, to be shut, and all public worship … [Read more...]
Choral Evensong with Sermon (Feast of Ss. Simon and Jude)
St Simon whose emblem is a fish (on the left) and St Jude, with a boat (on the right) All Saints Church Carleton Rode -- Rood screen The opening anthem: "A New Song" by Sir James MacMillan the words from Psalm 96:1-2, 13: O sing unto the Lord a new song, sing unto the Lord all the whole earth. Sing unto the Lord and praise his name, be telling of his salvation from day to day. For he cometh to judge the earth, and with righteousness to judge the world and the people with his … [Read more...]
Same Sex Unions: Pope Francis and Bishop Love
Same Sex Unions: Pope Francis and Bishop Love Some reflections It has been a curious week in regard to the topic of same sex unions which has so long excited contemporary culture. It opened with Pope Francis in Rome seemingly coming out in support of civil unions, in a documentary about him called “Francesco”, in which he observes “Homosexuals [are] children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out of the family or have a miserable life because of … [Read more...]
Choral Evensong with Sermon, Commemoration of Bishop Jeremy Taylor (1613-1667)
Choral Evensong with Sermon upon the occasion of the Commemoration of Bishop Jeremy Taylor, on 12 August, 2020, for the The Grosvenor Chapel in the Parish of Mayfair. Officiant and Preacher: The Revd. Canon Alistair Macdonald-Radcliff To hear please click on the link below: https://soundcloud.com/user-140188366/evensong-sermon-commemoration-of-bp-jeremy-taylor-12-august-2020 Prelude: the Corrente from Bach’s Cello Suite no. 1 in G major_BWV 1007, transcribed for the Viola, … [Read more...]
Evensong On the occasion of The Commemoration of John Mason Neale
(Photo from the Richard Mammana collection) https://soundcloud.com/user-140188366/choral-evensong-with-sermon-commemoration-of-j-m-neal Evensong On the occasion of The Commemoration of John Mason Neale, 7th August, 2020 for the Grosvenor Chapel, Mayfair Priest in Charge, The Revd Dr. Richard Fermer Officiant and Preacher, The Revd. Canon Alistair Macdonald-Radcliff https://soundcloud.com/user-140188366/choral-evensong-with-sermon-commemoration-of-j-m-neal Opening Hymn: Of … [Read more...]
American Independence began with an act of free speech.
The Declaration of Independence by John Trumbull, 1819 June 6, 1756 – November 10, 1843, “The Painter of the Revolution” Born in Lebanon, Connecticut, to Jonathan Trumbull and Faith (née Robinson) Trumbull. His father served as Governor of Connecticut from 1769 to 1784. He entered the 1771 junior class at Harvard College at the age of fifteen and graduated in 1773. After services as a soldier in the American Revolutionary War, he travelled to London, where upon an introduction from … [Read more...]
A Reflection — from the Grosvenor Chapel
Above: The Holy Roman Emperor Frederic II with Al-Kamil the Sultan of Egypt This short reflection: https://soundcloud.com/user-140188366/meditation-for-evening-of-26th-june-grosvenor-chapel by Canon Alistair Macdonald-Radcliff features music performed by the Choir of the Grosvenor Chapel and opens with one to the Chandos Anthems by Handel: "In the voice of Praise and Thanksgiving". The reflection itself touches upon the life of St Edmund of Abingdon (1175-1240), who was … [Read more...]
First Sunday after Trinity – Readings for the day and Sermon
The Rich Man and Lazarus, Hendrick ter Brugghen (1588-1629) A Sermon for the First Sunday after Trinity 14th June 2020, The Revd. Fr. Gavin Dunbar Rector, Saint John’s Church, Savannah O Lord, my trust is in thy mercy, and my heart is joyful in thy salvation: I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt so lovingly with me. Ps 13:5,6 We are just past the midpoint of the Christian year. From Advent to Trinity we have rehearsed the story of the Son of God’s becoming … [Read more...]
Audio Recording of Liturgy for Whitsunday
Liturgy with Procession for The Day of Pentecost Whitsunday Missa “Dum complerentur" Tomás Luis de Victoria (c1548-1611) at The Church of the Advent, Boston / May 31, 2020 With music from the Sound Archive https://soundcloud.com/mark-dwyer-2/20200531-sunday-mass-webcast The Rev’d Douglas Anderson, Celebrant The Rev’d Jay C. James, … [Read more...]
Sermon for Pentecost, Whitsunday – St John’s Savannah
A Sermon for the feast of Pentecost, or Whitsunday Sunday By Fr Gavin Dunbar, Rector, and PBS USA President 31st May 2020, at Saint John’s Church in Savannah ... with many other words did [Peter] testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 2:40 Pentecost bursts on the disciples of Jesus with the sound of a mighty rushing wind – the power of the storm-wind, the untameable hurricane, terrifying and exhilarating all at … [Read more...]
Soothsayers, Magic & the end of Fanaticism: the case for Bishop Butler
Canon Macdonald-Radcliff reflects upon a week that began with the Feast of St Augustine of Canterbury and considers the relevance of Bishop Butler's thought to the current pandemic and our responses to it. Please use the link below: https://soundcloud.com/mark-dwyer-2/20200529-daily-meditation-webcast Please follow this … [Read more...]
Sermon for the Sunday after Ascension Day
Hans (Suess) von Kulmbach, 1513 (born c. 1480 in Kulmbach, Franconia, died. c. 3 December 1522 in Nuremberg), He was the artist who created the Kraków St John's Altar. Preacher: The Revd. Fr Gavin Dunbar St John's Church Savannah If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.1 … [Read more...]
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