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Welcome to St. Catherine's!Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Do your friends despise and forsake you? Are you tempted to despair? All words taken from the hymn What a Friend We have in Jesus. Although we are not singing this hymn on Sunday, words from this hymn are going arounds in my head as I reflect on the readings for this week. Beginning with our first reading from the Hebrew scriptures/Old Testament 1 Kings 19:1-4, 8-15a. Elijah has just had a run in with the (false) prophets of Baal, 450 and fifty of them, and is now on the run because of that evil Jezebel who was tight with the prophets of Baal. In a scene worthy of a movie directed by Quentin Tarantino, Elijah challenged the false prophets to make a sacrifice but not to set light to it themselves, instead they were to call on Baal to send down fire from heaven. Of course, nothing happened. They ranted and raved, but no fire from heaven. Then Elijah’s turn came. He set up the altar for the sacrifice, dug a trench all around it and filled it with water (a fire precaution, I guess), and then called on the LORD to send down fire from on high. You know what happened. They certainly needed those protective trenches! Then Elijah had the people arrest the prophets of Baal (450 of them) and led them down to the river where Elijah executed every last one of them with the sword. You see what I mean about Tarantino. Then comes the reading we have this week where Elijah in on the run because Jezebel has promised to do the same to him. He is afraid, despondent, perhaps despairing, wondering maybe if he has overplayed his hand (I have been very zealous for the Lord), full of self-doubt, depressed. Cumbered with a load of care. He wanders in the wilderness, literal and figurative. He comes to Horeb (Sinai), the mountain of God, and “the word of the Lord” comes to him – an angel? A voice in his head? – and tells him to go out and stand on the mountain while the Lord passes by (echoes of Moses and his experience on that very mountain). You probably remember what happens next: a mighty wind (but God was not in the wind); an earthquake (but God was not in the earthquake); fire (but God was not in the fire); then sheer silence. The still small voice of calm. The Lord speaks. Our psalms this week are Psalm 42 and 43, As the deer longs for water brooks, so my soul longs for you, O God. Which, like the reading about Elijah, seems to me to be about times for challenge, especially to do with our metal and emotional well-being, times of discouragement, despondency, despair even, and depression. My tears have been my food day and night (grief, sorrow); where now is your God? (doubt). Why so full of heaviness, O my soul? Why so disquieted within me? I don’t know about you, but I have often felt like this. It could almost be a song that Elijah had been singing in the wilderness – Elijah’s On-the-Run-Wilderness-Blues! But the message of the psalm is to put your trust in God. A message of encouragement. St. Paul seems to take a different tack with the reading from Galatians 3:23-29 in his argument for being justified by faith (rather than by fulfilling the law). But really it is also a message of encouragement in that what he is saying is that it is through faith that we realize (i.e. make real) our identity as children of God. A realization that will lift our hearts out of the despondency and despair, the depression and self-doubt, that perhaps we are sometimes prone to fall into. What a friend we have in Jesus! Lastly, in our Gospel reading from Luke 8:26-39 questions of mental health and healing are again writ large in the story about the Gerasene demoniac who was possessed by a “legion” of demons and went about stark raving and stark naked among the tombs by the lake. What a lot of words! Time for some silence! But hopefully they provide a little background for our readings on Sunday, words that may prepare our hearts to enter into the sound of sheer silence and so hear the word of the Lord! Please come and join me as we explore the silence on Sunday! Before that, a reminder that this Saturday at 2 p.m. we will be celebrating the life of long-time parishioner Pym Dye who passed away at the end of April. All are welcome to come and participate in this celebration of her life. Please keep her husband Laurie and son Dave, daughter Alyssa and their families in your prayers at this time. Blessings+ Angus
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This Sunday June 22, 2025 will hosting a Traditional Service Here is the link to the downloadable bulletin: Presider and Preacher: Rev. Angus Stuart To access the livestream, click on the button below. Image: Anonymous, Vanderbilt, 20th century |
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Bishop's New AppointmentWelcome, Sarah Lehman!As you are aware, the past months, under the solid and ever-so-capable leadership of Rev. Angus, have also included some uncertainty about “who will come next?” You all should have received notice last week of the process that led to our acceptance of a “Bishop’s Appointment”. This is a candidate whom Archbishop John was particularly impressed with and thought would be an excellent fit for our parish… and we agreed! Archbishop John has expressed his intention to ordain Sarah Lehman to the sacred order of Deacons on Saturday, June 21st, 2025 at Christ Church Cathedral. He has appointed Sarah to be Curate and Deacon-in-Charge of the Parish of St Catherine’s, Capilano, beginning July 1st, 2025. Sarah is a non-profit executive turned Anglican ordinand, bringing deep experience in liturgical leadership, pastoral care, volunteer management, public engagement and non-profit finance, fundraising and executive leadership to the full time service of the Body of Christ. Sarah brings with her 25 years of not-for-profit leadership, including roles as Vice President of Napa Valley Community Foundation, and heading all fundraising for the Episcopal Community Services of San Francisco. She has served on the Council of General Synod’s Planning and Agenda Team, served as a Lay Administrator, Intercessor and Server at Christ Church Cathedral (Vancouver), St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Vancouver, St. Gregory’s of Nyssa, San Francisco and completed an internship at St. John the Divine in Squamish. Born and raised on the North Shore, Sarah is delighted to be returning to lead the parish of St. Catherine’s. We are very happy to finally be able to formally announce the imminent arrival and ministry of Sarah Lehman. Her first Sunday service with us will take place on July 6th at 10am. We hope you will join us in warmly welcoming her on that date and in the months to follow. Sarah will become “ The Reverend Sarah Lehman” at her ordination this Saturday, June 21st at Christ Church Cathedral. The service begins at 10:30 am. All are invited to attend. |
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Celebration of Life for Pym DyeAll are welcome to gather on Saturday, June 21st, at 2pm to remember and give thanks for the life of Pym Dye. Light snacks and refreshments will follow. |
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First Garden Party of the SummerYou’re invited to…
The First Garden Party of the Summer
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