FROM THE DESK OF BISHOP MARK

December 1, 2023

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I have been keenly aware of changing seasons in recent weeks. A sunny, warm, late autumn has turned into a wet, chilly (approaching) winter. This past Sunday, I worshiped in a service of Holy Closure with Christ the King Kokomo minutes after the news arrived that our first grandchild Matthew Robert Engel had been born. Today, I held the 5-day-old next generation of Engels, remembered holding our three babies nearly 4 decades ago, and marveled at God’s goodness throughout the years. In 31 days, I will face the challenge of remembering to write “2024” on checks (something this Boomer still does occasionally!).

I find it fascinating that God created seasons as the context in which He does His work. This truth revealed throughout His written Word helps to “keep me on my spiritual toes” in prayer, humility, holy curiosity, wonder, and teachability. A life of listening/ contemplative prayer is enlivened by questions such as…

• “Lord, how has all of this been forming and preparing me/us ?”

• “Lord, where are you leading me/us in the days to come?”

• “Lord, what do I/we need to let go of to fully engage in the new thing you are doing?

Long ago, Daniel prayed:

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, To whom belong wisdom and might.

He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings…”

Daniel 2:20-21b

As this new season of Advent begins to unfold reminding us that God has “set up THE King”, I invite you to once again take up the spiritual posture of humility, holy curiosity, wonder, and teachability. May our hearts and minds be freshly attentive to the joyous revelation that Christ has come, Christ comes, Christ will come again!

May the sights, sounds, and smells of this Advent season (liturgical readings and actions, wreaths, candles, and incense, voices praying the Great Litany and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs) all fill us with joyful gratitude, expectant hope, grace-filled longing, and childlike wonder.

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training

us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled,

upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, 

the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ…”

Titus 2:11-13

Your servant for Jesus’ sake,

+Mark

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BISHOP’S VISITATIONS

St. Christopher’s Anglican - Wooster, OH

The Rev. Clay Huffman, Priest-In-Charge

VOCATIONS AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

EMBER DAYS

Part Two

What is the etymology of the term, ‘Ember Days? According to the Prayer Book Dictionary, “The name is probably derived, through German, from quatour tempora, which simply means four times, but a derivation has been proposed from Ang.-Sax. ymbren, ‘recurring.’ Although these days are not well known, it is a helpful spiritual practice to observe such days to pray for our common cause of fulfilling God’s plan and mission.  

In the Anglican Diocese of the Great Lakes, postulants and candidate for holy orders are required to observe Ember Days by reporting to the bishop during the Ember Weeks, informing him of their academic, personal, and spiritual development. For others, observance of the Ember Days is not required but is an opportunity for Christians to offer collective thanks to God through prayer and fasting, especially for those preparing for ordination. Though there are no specific rules, setting apart Ember Days once each season for prayers of thanks can be an edifying and fruitful exercise.  

The four cycles of Ember Days are a good time for the whole church to engage in intentional and deep prayer for its entire ministry: for the mission of the Church, for the ministry of the Church, for peace, and for the unity of the church. In the Anglican Church, Ember Days are days for prayer, fasting and abstinence, and acts of penitence, embodying the contrition found in Psalm 51. In addition to these spiritual practices, pray to thank God for the gifts of nature, learn to steward them and make use of them in moderation, and assist those who may be in need. The color of Ember Days is violet except for Pentecost Ember Days, which are red. The 2019 Book of Common Prayer provides collects for Ember Days on page 634, 650, and additional information on page 689. 

The first Ember Days of the liturgical year are celebrated on the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after the feast of St. Lucy on December 13th.  Prior to calendar reforms, her feast was connected to the shortest day of the year and is known as a celebration of light. The celebration of St. Lucy’s Day has also become part of the season of Christmastide, especially in Scandinavian countries. It points us to the coming of the Light of the World on Christmas Day. 

During the next cycle of Ember days, please pray for the strength, fortitude, and continued growth in holiness of all our postulants and transitional deacons, especially those preparing to take their Canonical Exams.

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NEXTGEN MINISTRIES

Winter Youth Retreat - Register by December 15!

CONGREGATION HAPPENINGS

Congregational Leadership Searches

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The Gregory C. McComas Irrevocable Special Needs Trust
The Ven. Allen Kannapell, Archdeacon of West Mission Area

Our beloved Fr. Greg McComas continues to recover from the stroke he suffered at the end of November 2021. He is home now and working hard at outpatient therapy! As we look to the future, the McComas family has set up a trust for Fr Greg’s long-term financial needs. Alice McComas says in her latest update: “Insurance has been wonderful, but for those things not covered by insurance, this provides a means to help with those costs. We are most indebted to you for your prayers on our behalf!”

We encourage everyone to continue to pray for Fr Greg's progress in therapy and encouragement in the Lord, but if God has put it in your heart to contribute to financial needs as well, here are the practical details about how to do so:

** Please make sure all checks are made out to The Gregory C. McComas Irrevocable Special Needs Trust. ** You can send your check, made out as described, to Alice McComas directly at 31090 Franklin Road, Franklin, MI 48025.

Thank you for your prayers, your love, and your desire to give! And as we give, may we lift up the One whose generosity to us knows no bounds - for as we know, to see Jesus lifted up is the great desire of Fr Greg’s heart.

SPIRITUAL LIFE RESOURCES

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STAY CONNECTED

Are you passionate about protecting life at all ages? If so, you should attend Anglicans For Life’s Life SUMMIT 2024 conference. This year’s conference will be held in-person and virtually January 18-20, and focuses on “Life Beyond Dobbs.” While the overturning of Roe last year was encouraging, the fight to end abortion and euthanasia is far from over. Now, it’s up to individuals and churches to equip their communities for Life-Affirming ministry in states that may or may not believe in the Sanctity of Life. Participants can expect to connect with leaders and individuals across the nation and gain the latest and greatest resources that will replace outdated Life-Affirming tactics. Register online at AFLlifeSUMMIT.org and be sure to register by Dec. 4 at 11:59 pm ET to secure significant early-bird discounts!

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