Episcopal Visit to 'Epiphany' for Lent V
Although Bishop John Stephens grew up in Vancouver, and has served as a priest in the Diocese of New Westminster for almost three decades, and has served as an archdeacon with 'Epiphany's' rector of 20+ years, the Reverend Stephen Rowe, Sunday, April 3, 2022, Lent V was his first ever visit to the Guildford neighbourhood parish. And he was not disappointed, as it was a great day for all involved.
With onsite worship gradually returning to pre-COVID norms the large onsite turnout at 'Epiphany' for Lent V certainly sent a signal that things are changing. The great majority of those gathered were wearing masks and as per the current diocesan policy, Communion was administered in one kind only, the Body of Christ.
Beginning in late 2013, a substantial cohort of Chaldean Christians (Catholic) began worshipping at 'Epiphany' following a Chaldean priest who was attending the Surrey church. The majority of the Chaldean diaspora are immigrants from Iraq, many were refugees. Over the years, the children have grown up in the parish and 'Epiphany' is so much the richer. Five years ago the parish received some diocesan start-up funding that allowed for the hiring of two translators, Talal Labbo and Albert Mikhael who are now leaders and play an essential role in the worship life of the parish. Although the language of liturgy in the Chaldean church is Aramaic, the Chaldeans are Arabic speakers and Albert and Mikhael provide translation services.
The Eucharist for Lent V also included Reception into the Anglican Communion of Carol Ann Brown.
The bishop took the Gospel, John 12: 1-8 for his text and explored in-depth Mary of Bethany's (the sibling of Lazarus) anointing of Jesus. He said:
"... we were told that Mary took a pound of costly perfume. A pound, a generous and expensive amount of perfume, an extravagant amount. She took it out of its carefully crafted container and gently wiped it on Jesus’ aching feet. The room filled with this beautiful fragrance, wafting, caressing the room as she slowly covered his feet with it and then wiped it off with her hair. The Bible does not say this, but I am pretty sure that the room was silent as all this was taking place. Perhaps shocked silence, perhaps respectful silence, perhaps outraged silence, perhaps affirming silence, perhaps silence which spoke to the fear and concern. But silence fell as Mary let the scent speak to what was taking place.
I wonder if everyone knew what she was doing as clearly as Jesus seemed to know that she was anointing him for his death. I wonder if everyone understood that this was something that needed doing, to affirm that Jesus was going to die because, because well, because he proclaimed that God’s love was greater than hate, that forgiveness was more important than judgment, that indeed grace and mercy should be seen and known, that death was not the end.
You see in the face of Christ’s death, Mary did what she might have felt was the only thing possible. While words, as it is for many who have been overwhelmed by grief, while words could not capture the situation or explain it or bring any relief from it, Mary did what seemed the best response in a dreaded time. While she mourned what was to happen, she affirmed that indeed death would not have the final say, that life was God-filled and God-centred. Her statement was to affirm that while she did not have the words to explain her grief or understand her dread, she took out this costly perfume and covered Jesus’ feet and the entire room with its sweet odour that named her pain but also pointed to her hope."
(Bishop John's sermon is available here on the diocesan website, video, audio and text)
Following the liturgy, Bishop John, the Reverend Rowe and translator Albert remained vested and took positions at the chancel entrance for a Q&A. Many of the questions involved items of specific interest to the Chaldean diaspora, specifically refugee ministry and an increase in liturgies available in languages other than English. There were some questions about when children and youth ministry might return with more intensity and the usual "when will things return to normal?" type of question.
There was a lunch with finger foods in the hall and after that Bishop John met with members of the Epiphany Building Committee continuing the parish's desire to sell a section of their property to help funding the building of a purpose built church that will serve the needs of the current congregation and the neighbourhood for decades to come.
IMAGES
- Bishop John blesses a younger member of the congregation during Holy Communion
- Shawkat Shammas reads the OT, Isaiah 43: 16-21in Arabic
- Nave view of Stella Inimbgba reading the Epistle, Philippians 3: 4b-14
- Deacon, the Reverend Paul Richards, deacon at Church of the Holy Trinity, White Rock proclaims the Gospel, John 12: 1-18
- Carol Ann is received into the Anglican Communion through the laying on of hands
- The congregation acknowledges each other during "the peace"
- Prayer over the Gifts
- The rector's announcements, he is attended by translator Albert Mikhael
- Bishop John finds something that the rector said, funny
- Bishop John is handed the crosier
- In place for the Q&A
- Surrey's newest Anglican and her bishop