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Notes from the Rector on Spiritual Development
From the weekly e-mail letter to the parish
We invite you to subscribe to the weekly e-mail letter by sending
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Click here or scroll down for a list of articles archived on this site
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Ascension Day
Ascension Day celebrates the ancient Christian tradition that, on the Thursday forty days after his Resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven—his glorified humanity received into the place whence he came as an infant and whither all Christians through the power of his mighty redemptive acts will also be brought. We will celebrate Ascension Day with Choral Holy Eucharist on Thursday, May 1, at 6:00 pm. All are invited.
The lofty doctrinal significance of the day includes the promised coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples Jesus left behind. His departure physically means that his spirit can be present with the Church and with each believer eternally, regardless of separation in time or place. Acts 1 and Luke 24 record the story. John 14-17 anticipates it.
Following ancient custom, after the reading of the Gospel at Holy Eucharist on Ascension Day, the great Paschal Candle-lit for every service since the Great Vigil of Easter-is extinguished. That act symbolizes the completion of the earthly ministry of Jesus of Nazareth at the moment of his departure into heaven. The extinguishing of the Paschal Candle also signifies the wonderful truth that we will celebrate at Pentecost, Sunday, May 11-that the Risen and Ascended Christ now dwells in the heart of every believer, making us, in his words, “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14) as we mirror his eternal light.
—Rev. Ben Brockman
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We invite you to subscribe to the weekly e-mail letter by sending
your e-mail address to subscribe@stpaulsfairfield.org
A letter to the St Paul’s Fairfield family about the 2006 General Convention of the Episcopal Church (USA) (click here for PDF of this letter)
Rector's Writings Archived on this site in PDF:
January Weekly E-mails:
Family Album, 1/5/07
We are All Italians, 1/31/07 |
August Weekly E-mails:
Our Parish Vision in Action, 8/17/06
Blameworthy, 8/30/06 |
February Weekly E-mails:
Where to Start--Feb. 6, 2007 |
September Weekly E-mails:
Unwelcome Gift, 9/6/06
Little Miracles, 9/16/06
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March Weekly E-mails:
Finding God when God is the Last
Thing on Your Mind 3/9/06
Waiting 3/15/06
The Provision of Strawberries 3/22/06
When Words Fail 3/28/06
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October Weekly E-mails:
The Point of Belief, 10/4/06
Returning--Labyrinth, 10/11/06
Losing Your Faith, 10/19/06 |
April Weekly E-mails:
Lighthouses and Ferry Boats, 4/3/06
Farewells, 4/12/06
Resurrection Appearances, 4/19/06
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November Weekly E-mails:
For all the Saints, 11/1/06
Wine, Worship, and Song, 11/9/06
Deciding on Hope, 11/16/06
A Car that Runs, 11/30/06 |
May Weekly E-mails:
The Core Identity of a Church, 5/3/06
Plots and Narratives, 5/10/06
Praying, 5/17/06
Communion and the Gated Community, 5/24/06
The Attitude of Gratitude, 5/31/06 |
December Weekly E-mails:
In a Pear Tree, 12/8/06
Good Intentions, 12/14/06 |
June Weekly E-mails:
Mission Otherwise Routine, June 7, 2006
Touching the Holy, June 14, 2006
Acceptable Risk, June 28, 2006 |
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Sermons Relating to the General Convention of 2003
From time to time people ask me about my views on the controversial action of the General Convention of 2003. The most efficient way for me to respond is to refer the inquirer to a series of sermons I preached at that time. They follow in this archive.
The sermons present my stance on the issue that divided the Convention, as well as my perception of the path for the future for this parish and for the Episcopal Church. -- Rev. Ben Brockman, Rector
Questions for the Clergy
For a time our St. Paul's Web site had a "Questions for the Clergy" feature. A few are retained here as being of possible continuing interest to readers. -- Rev. Ben Brockman, Rector
The Role of the Virgin Mary in the Episcopal Church
The Executioner as Murderer
Reports from the Rector
Report on Sabbatic Leave, March 7- April 18, 2005
© 2003 St.
Paul’s Episcopal Church, All Rights Reserved.
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