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...]
Fifth Sunday After Easter (Sixth of Easter) Rogation Sunday
Above: Blessing of the Fields for a good harvest and walking of the parish bounds during WWII Book of Common Prayer Collect and Readings for the day and Sermon The Collect. O LORD, from whom all good things do come; Grant to us thy humble servants, that by thy holy inspiration we may think those things that be good, and by thy merciful guiding may perform the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. The … [Read more...]
The Fourth Sunday after Easter
The Fourth Sunday after Easter For an Audio webcast of The Liturgy for the Fourth Sunday After Easter (From The Church of the Advent Boston) use the following link https://soundcloud.com/mark-dwyer-2/20200510-sunday-mass-webcast Vidi Aquam – Tomás Luis de Victoria, (c1548-1611) Paschal Kyrie - John Sheppard (c1515–1558) The French Mass – John Sheppard O Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house - Thomas Tomkins (1572-1656) Domine, quis habitabit in tabernaculo tuo … [Read more...]
Prison Chaplains and the Corona Virus Pandemic – a view from London
The chapel of HMP Wormwood Scrubs a prison built in 1874 (mainly for prisoners awaiting deportation) to a design by the military engineer Edmond du Cane (c.f. https://www.culture24.org.uk/history-and-heritage/historic-buildings/art66719) PRISON CHAPLAINS AND THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC By John Plummer a member of St George's Parish, Mayfair and Coordinator of the London Prisons Mission (This article was originally published in the Parish bulletin and while not … [Read more...]
Second Sunday After Easter Sunday liturgical resources
Above: The Supper at Emmaus Rembrandt, 1648, The Dulwich Picture Gallery, London The Second Sunday after Easter Sunday For an Audio webcast of The Liturgy for the Second Sunday After Easter (From The Church of the Advent Boston) With Sermon by the Revd. Dr Jeff Hanson Click here For the Friday reflection on St Cyprian and the Early Church in a time of Plague (Canon Alistair Macdonald-Radcliff) Click here St John's … [Read more...]
Allelulia, Christ is risen…..
(The Church of the Advent, Boston above) To hear the Easter Sunday Webcast CLICK HERE Holy Week EASTER DAY AT Morning Prayer, instead of the Venite, the following shall be said, and may be said throughout the Octave. CHRIST our Passover is sacrificed for us : therefore let us keep the feast, Not with [the]* old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness : but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 1 Cor. v. 7. CHRIST being … [Read more...]
The Liturgy of Good Friday
(St George's Hanover Square) To hear the opening of the St Matthew Passion by J.S. Bach as traditionally sung in the parish on this day Click here Holy Week GOOD FRIDAY The Liturgy of Good Friday audio is available HERE A Sermon for Good Friday is available HERE (further listings are also placed below the Collects and Litany) The Collects: ALMIGHTY God, we beseech thee graciously to behold … [Read more...]
Tuesday in Holy Week — audio and video resources
Entry into Jerusalem, Pietro Lorenzetti. (Assisi, Lower Basilica, San Francesco, southern transept) Public domain Holy Week ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility; Mercifully grant, that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his … [Read more...]
Some prayer resources for these difficult days
The Prayer Book Society offers the following short selection of resources at this time of crisis, when many of the Churches across the country have to be closed. More will be provided in the days ahead. To hear a short meditation with music for the day click here St John's Parish Savannah offers links to Morning and Evening Prayer with The PBS President Fr. Gavin Dunbar here as well as a selection of prayers from The Book of Common … [Read more...]
How you can help !
The PBS: Teaching what Classical Anglicanism truly is Does anyone know what Anglicanism is? Is there even a thing – coherent and unified – which we could identify as Anglicanism? Even manyAnglicans don’t seem to know – and some even boast of it. It should be no surprise therefore that our Anglican Communion is fractured and fragmented, since our understanding of the truth is fragmented. But the Lord said, “gather up the fragments, that nothing be lost” – and as faithful … [Read more...]
Anglicans and Crisis
Some historical reflections bring out the importance of asking What is Classical Anglicanism? - the topic of the 2019 PBS Anglican Way Conference James II of England by Peter Lely (Public Domain) Reports of the collapse and incipient demise of Christianity, in one or another form, are not a new phenomenon, even if nowadays, vituperative debates in which one branch seeks gleefully to put down another is, happily, quite rare. By contrast with such ecumenical amity as we may now … [Read more...]
Human Rights and Wrongs – Further Reithian thoughts of Jonathan Sumption
Lord Jonathan Sumption (BBC) The Invention of Rights would be a tempting if extreme subtitle to add to the third of the recent Reith Lectures given by Lord Sumption. It is tempting because he makes clear that just such an activity has cone to define the work of one of the most influential courts in the field of human rights, namely that of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. This Court, established by international Treaty interprets the European Convention on Human Rights which … [Read more...]
Grounding the normative in the State: Part 1: Law’s expanding empire and human rights – notes on the 2019 Reith Lectures
(Image above: The Bench by William Hogarth, Public Domain) The rise of what is often called "judicial activism" in the United States is part of a much wider phenomenon in which the roles of democratic legislatures and lawmakers have come, increasingly, to be circumscribed by the Courts, which often perform this role citing a seemingly ever expanding domain of human rights in justification. The recent series of lectures by a distinguished British Appellate Judge and Law Lord, Jonathan … [Read more...]