Evensong upon the Feast of St Benedict of Nursia Abbot of Monte Cassino, c. 540 The Grosvenor Chapel, Mayfair London Officiant and preacher: The Revd Canon Alistair Macdonald-Radcliff Introit : Venite adoremus, Mode VII Psalm 27, 10-16 Dominus illuminatio ; Lessons: Proverbs 2:1-9 ; Luke 14:27–33 Preces and Responses, Radcliffe; The Magnificat and Nunc dimittis, Howells in B minor The Anthem: Lord I have loved the habitation, Tomkins Recessional Hymn: Rendez à … [Read more...]
PBS News & Events
Our most recent major events have been our two Annual Conferences in February 2017 on
Anglicanism Catholic and Reformed 1517-2017, Revisiting the Reformation Legacy
and in January 2018 on
The Prayer Book, Doctrine Liturgy and Life
Both held at St. John's Episcopal Church Savannah,
In addition, we have continued our occasional series of one conferences and colloquia
With the most recent being on Apologetics, Science and Faith at the Church of St Francis Potomac near Washington DC. on 10th February, 2018
see also http://www.pbsusa.org/2017/05/22/science-and-faith-at-the-pbs-conference-and-two-panel-discussions/#read
Earlier colloquia included:
One in Dallas at the Church of the Incarnation, on the proposed "Comprehensive Revision" of the liturgy of the Episcopal Church of which there is an initial report in the current Advent 2017 Edition of the Anglican Way.
Board Members have also attended the Nashotah House Conference on the future of Anglicanism as well as the Theology Conference in November at the Church of the Advent, Boston.
Board members also been active overseas:
--as contributing participants in the recent Pusey House Conference in Oxford on Knowing and Loving the Triune God.
--Fr Edward Rix also visited Tanzania and spoke at the invitation of the Bishop of Western Tanganyika, to several thousand at a Youth Conference in Kasulu of which a full report is in the Advent 2017 edition of the Anglican Way
We have also launched further chapters of our volume for Catechesis by Society President Gavin Dunbar, I am His.
These chapters can be accessed via the links below
(and also our pbsusa.org website http://www.pbsusa.org/catechesis-project ) and we welcome feedback which can be taken into account in future editions of this work.
I am His Chapters now available :
I am His - Table of Contents & Introduction
I am His Part 1 - A Place To Belong
A Reflection for the Feast of St Thomas
St Thomas' Basilica Cathedral Chennai A Reflection by Canon Alistair Macdonald-Radcliff for the Grosvenor Chapel in the Parish of Mayfair, for the Feast of St Thomas the Apostle, remembering also St Elizabeth Queen of Portugal and the distinguished ecclesiastics of the Venn family. The music comprises the Agnus Dei from the Missa “Delectus Meus” by the Portuguese composer Filipe de Magalhães A setting of Psalm 149 O Praise ye the Lord by Thomas … [Read more...]
Readings, Sermon and Liturgical Resources for the Third Sunday After Trinity
The Readings 1 Peter 5:5-11 All of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that … [Read more...]
Facebook decides the Devil is real & needs their protection
In a curious turn of events, Facebook blocked promotion of a post for the Feast of St Dunstan on the PBS USA facebook page Facebook blocked this on the following grounds : "it uses an image or video that contains shocking, sensational, or excessively violent content" Evidently, the problem was the mediaeval manuscript illustration above (on velum), showing the saint (in a much celebrated episode) evicting the Devil from his hermitage where he had come to tempt him, … [Read more...]
The Feast of St Bede
The Venerable Bede from a manuscript in the British Library From a Letter on the Death of the Venerable Bede By St Cuthbert (Nn. 4-6: PL 90, 64-66) On Tuesday before the feast of the Ascension, Bede’s breathing became labored and a slight swelling appeared in his legs. Nevertheless, he gave us instruction all day long and dictated cheerfully the whole time. It seemed to us, however, that he knew very well that his end was near, and so he spent the whole night giving thanks to … [Read more...]
The Feast of St Dunstan – A reflection
St Dunstan takes the Devil by the nose.... Canon Alistair Macdonald-Radcliff reflects upon the life of this 10th Century Archbishop of Canterbury and the way in which his biography later became hotly contested terrain, used and interpreted in very different ways by polemicists of the Roman Catholic church as well as the High and Low church factions of the Church of … [Read more...]
Fifth Sunday After Easter – Additional Liturgical Resources
Above: Colonel John Lemon, MP of Truro (1754 - 1814) (Composer of the Psalm Chant heard in the Evensong linked below) https://soundcloud.com/mark-dwyer-2/20200513-choral-evensong-webcast Here painted by Gilbert Stuart (North Kingstown, Rhode Island 1755 - Boston 1828), circa 1780. Date circa 1780 - 1793 Colonel Lemon was educated at Truro Grammar School and Harrow. He became a lieutenant colonel in the Horse Guards before being elected to Parliament as a Whig MP Lemon was an amateur … [Read more...]
A Reflection on the Occasion of the Feast of St Monica, the mother of Saint Augustine of Hippo
Above: St Monica, the mother of St Augustine of Hippo by the Spanish mannerist painter of Toledo Luis Tristán de Escamilla 1585-1624 (The Prado) A Reflection by Canon Alistair Macdonald-Radcliff with the Choir of the Church of the Advent Boston In recent days, as we follow the Church Calendar through the Festal season of Easter we have had occasion to think quite a bit about the early church in North Africa, with Cyril of Carthage coming up in my last reflection, as he grappled so … [Read more...]
If a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully….
Christ the Good Shepherd c.1540 Lucas Cranach the Younger Angermuseum, Erfurt A Sermon for the Second Sunday after Easter (Good Shepherd Sunday) 26th April 2020, at Saint John’s Church in Savannah From the FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL OF SAINT PETER THE APOSTLE 2:19 i . In the ancient world slaves supplied needed muscle in mines and fields, skilled labor in workshops and households. They occupied positions of responsibility as managers, doctors, … [Read more...]
The First Sunday after Easter
For an Audio webcast of The Liturgy for the First Sunday After Easter with Sermon By Canon Alistair Macdonald-Radcliff (From The Church of the Advent Boston) Vidi Aquam -- Mode VIII Kyrie in D –– Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872–1958) Communion Service in D Major, Sir Edward Bairstow (1874–1946) as also the motet, Let all mortal flesh keep silence The Gradual: Psalm 114, Festal Setting and the setting of the Regina coeli à 8, by Tomás Luis deVictoria … [Read more...]
Good Friday Sermon
Good Friday Sermon by Alistair Macdonald-Radcliff My God, my God, look upon me; why hast thou forsaken me… Psalm 22, 1 In the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost…. AMEN Today we come to the darkest point in the church’s liturgical calendar In a bare and somber church intentionally emblematic of the utmost earthly desolation --as is uniquely appropriate to that terrible moment which we have just heard narrated in the Gospel, namely the … [Read more...]
Choral Evensong – at such a time as this….
The Church of the Advent, Boston, (Photo: jonathunder GNU Free documentation) Choral Evensong for the Wednesday following the The Third Sunday of Lent To listen click here At this time of profound stress and dislocation both here and around the world, it is timely to be called back to the contemplation of the eternal verities of our faith which are so powerfully conveyed in the Anglican liturgical heritage of the Prayer Book It is a deeply poignant loss currently that,in the … [Read more...]
The 2019 Conference Program in full:
What is Classical Anglicanism? The PBS Anglican Way Conference 2019 St John’s Church Savannah, 24-26th October 2019 SOME SPACES ARE STILL AVAILABLE ! To book go to https://bpt.me/3900248 Thursday 24thOctober Arrivals and Registration from 12.30 p.m. (Cranmer Hall Ground Floor) 1.30 p.m. Official Opening of the Conference Opening remarks by The Revd. Fr. Gavin Dunbar, Prayer Book Society President and Canon Alistair … [Read more...]
Topics and Speaker Biographies for the 2019 PBS Anglican Way Conference
The following entries provide short summaries of the Papers being given and brief biography of those presenting (more will be added). Bishop C. FitzSimons Allison The Elusiveness of Freedom The Anglican Way Lecture 2019 Bishop Allison, 12th Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina (retired) was born in Columbia, S.C. and later attended the University of the South before and after serving with distinction in the United … [Read more...]
An Outline Schedule for the PBS Anglican Way Conference 2019
The following sets out an overview of what is currently scheduled for each day, but it remains subject to some degree of likely revision (most particularly in terms of the exact order of the presentations). Thursday 24thOctober Arrivals and Registration from 12 noon. 1 p.m. Official Opening of the Conference and Presidential Address By the Revd. Fr. Gavin Dunbar “Goodness had nothing to do with it” Classical Anglicanism à la Elizabeth I to Mae West, & … [Read more...]
The PBS Anglican Way Conference 2019
Midday on Thursday 24th October through to Saturday 26th October at St. John's Episcopal Church Savannah Register NOW ! https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3900248 SPEAKERS AND TOPICS IONCLUDE The Presidential Address, Gavin Dunbar, PBS President The Anglican Way Lecture: The Elusiveness of Freedom Fitzsimons Allison, Retired Bishop of South Carolina; "Goodness had nothing to do with it" Classical Anglicanism à la Elizabeth I to Mae West, & … [Read more...]
Two Interesting Resolutions from ACC ‘17 in Hong Kong
Two Interesting Resolutions from ACC ‘17 The Anglican Consultative Council Meeting in Hong Kong As yet the full list of resolutions in their final form as actually passed at the meeting of recent days in Hong Kong has yet to emerge. However, two of the resolutions passed at an earlier stage are in their final form and are set out below. In each case it is arguable that they could have wide ranging implications for the Communion and the place of the ACC within it and as … [Read more...]
Lent and Easter — Letter from the President
What does it mean to be Christian in the Anglican tradition? What does it mean for Anglican unity and mission? Amid confusion and discord about those questions today, the witness of classical Anglicanism, embodied in the Prayer Book, Articles of Religion, and classical divines like Richard Hooker, remains at the core of any answer. That’s why, as we draw near to Easter, and to the season of renewal and regeneration, we are pleased to announce the Prayer Book Society’s next theological … [Read more...]
The Way of the Cross & the Way of Salvation
Image above by Dimitris Vetsikas from Pixabay Words from the Gospel of John 19: 16 – 17 So they took Jesus, and he went out,bearing his own cross, to the place called “The Place of a Skull”,which in Aramaic is called Golgotha A Sermon 19thApril 2019 AMR In the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost….. AMEN Having just heard in the uniquely striking way (that happens only on Good Friday) the Passion narrative of St John’s Gospel -- we should perhaps remind ourselves just how distinctive St … [Read more...]
The origins of Anglicanism – about so much more than a divorce…
A short reflection suggesting the need to widen and reframe the historical context and not reduce it merely to a desire for an annulment which Henry had every reason to suppose would in fact be granted The current Pope has stated that “most Catholic marriages are invalid”[1]an observation which, not unreasonably, has attracted a degree of attention. Whatever is to be made of the implications for the current state of the Roman Catholic church, his comment can help us … [Read more...]
Thomas Cranmer, His Life and Martyrdom (21st March, 1556)
In the week when we recalled the anniversary of Cranmer's execution, it is fitting to cite a short biography (as set out in the celebrated 11th Edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica of 1910-11) THOMAS CRANMER (1489-1556) Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, born at Aslacton or Aslockton in Nottinghamshire on the 2nd of July 1489, was the second son of Thomas Cranmer and of his wife Anne Hatfield. He received his early education, according to Morice his secretary, from “a … [Read more...]
An Address of 1845 to the Bishop White Prayer Book Society
An Address to the Bishop White Prayer Book Society (of 1845) by Joseph Reed Ingersoll Introduced and transcribed by Richard J. Mammana The Bishop White Prayer Book Society (BWPBS) is one of the few survivors of the multitude of local American organizations formed in the nineteenth century to promote distribution of the Book of Common Prayer. Based in Philadelphia, and affiliated closely with the Diocese of Pennsylvania, the BWPBS was established in the year 1834 “with the view … [Read more...]
Jesus in the Synagogue at Nazareth – A Sermon in the Season of Epiphany
The Fourth Sunday after Epiphany Sermon Notes: Alistair Macdonald-Radcliff For an audio version: https://www.theadventboston.org/sermon-by-fr-macdonald-radcliff-january-27-2019/ In the name of God the Father Son and Holy Ghost…. AMEN The joy of the Lord is your strength (from the Book of Nehemiah from the First Lesson The full texts are appended) I can but be mindful today that we are in this Mass, on the recovery side so to speak, of the Annual Parish meeting. I am … [Read more...]
The Centenary of the Armistice ending The First World War, A Sermon Preached upon Remembrance Sunday
The Grosvenor Chapel Mayfair REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 11th November 2018 Commemoration of the Centenary of the Armistice ending the Great War Requiem (Setting by Gabriel Fauré) With Choir and Orchestra Directed by Richard Hobson The Service opened with the gathering in silence of the Congregation and the entry in procession of the Sacred Ministers and the laying of a wreath of Flanders Poppies to the recitation of the traditional words of Lawrence Binyon taken from his poem For the Fallen. … [Read more...]
Papal toe kissing and the Chinese kowtow…
(European emissaries kowtow before the Chinese Emperor c. 1800) Has Pope Francis too rashly kissed the proffered toe of President Xi Jinping ? When it comes to extravagant postural gestures from those seeking to treat with them, the Papacy and the Imperial Chinese Court have long histories replete with a perhaps surprising degree of symmetry. Chinese Emperors were honoured with the kowtow (kau tauin Cantonese or koutouin Mandarin) which was a form of prostration in which … [Read more...]