A Message from the Dean & Wardens (April 16)

Dear Friends,

Many of the readings in the early days of the Easter season have to do with explanations of the empty tomb of Jesus.  The first explanation was that his body was stolen.  Others claimed that his disciples bribed the guards and took it away to be buried. Then, finally, the true explanation – that he had risen from the dead on the third day just as he said he would.  Since that day of resurrection, Christians have been pondering what the empty tomb means to their faith and for their lives.

It is important to remember that the empty tomb is not, strictly speaking, empty. In fact, it is quite full even if there is no body present.  Because there is no body, it is full of hope.  It is full of the promise.  It is full of light, and love and peace.  It is full of assurance that God is faithful to us, loves us and will save us – all proven by the resurrection of the Lord.

These are good things for us to remember at St. James this Eastertide.  Even before the COVID-19 crisis struck we were facing some unwelcome changes based on our financial realities.  We know that change can often be a source of anxiety, even though it is an inevitable part of life.  In fact, to be alive is to change, and to be alive in Christ is to be transformed into his likeness.  What doesn’t change is the ongoing presence of the living Christ in our midst, the power of the Holy Spirit to guide us, and the healing love of the Father; neither does the mission of the church, which continues to ground us, even as various leaders in our community whom we love and who have provided strength and companionship to us move on.  Each of them has brought their special gifts for a particular season of the parish’s life for which we are thankful.  Others will bring different but necessary gifts for which we will also be grateful.  We can and should grieve that but, as St. Paul says, we do not grieve without hope.  The core of who we are, whose we are, whom we serve and what we do as church is unchanging.  Christ the same, yesterday, today and forever.

This is an important time in the life of St. James.  It is a time when we look forward in that sure and certain hope to the horizon of our future and our part in Christ’s mission to the world.  How are we being called to new life in a post-COVID-19 world?  How will we be faithful to the One who is faithful to us?  How will we be people of hope in a confused world?  How can we stand united at this time, drawn together by hope and love as the body of Christ in this place? The answers to these questions shape our calling as resurrection people: to trust in God’s goodness as we focus on the horizon of hope and follow the Light of the World.

There are a few items of news we would like to share with you this week.  But first, we want to take this opportunity to thank you for your prayers, concern for your Cathedral and ongoing financial generosity – all of which are a tremendous help as we face this challenge together.  Thank you, and please keep up the good work.  Now the news…

Please remember that contributions to the Book of Memories for Vicar Louise Peters are being compiled by Maurice Snelgrove.  If you have not yet sent a message for Louise, we ask you to please do that before April 22.  You may send contributions to wardens@stjamescathedral.ca or Book of Memories, 65 Church St., Toronto, ON M5C 2E9.

Now that Lent has ended, videos of Morning Prayer will be posted on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on our Facebook page.  There are several apps available to use on other days of the week as well as for evening prayer, many of them free of charge.  We encourage you to explore those avenues or to pray daily in whatever ways you choose.

Many of our committees have been busy at work even if they cannot meet in person.  We are pleased to report that the Visioning Steering Group is still meeting regularly and will begin engaging with the parish membership directly next month.  The timing of this process could not be more perfect.

Finally, we are delighted to announce that Bishop Andrew Asbil has appointed three new Honorary Assistants to our Cathedral:  The Most Reverend Colin Johnson, The Reverend David Danner and The Reverend Canon Douglas Graydon.  We look forward to their contribution to our life, ministry and witness.

Next week there will be more news and a financial update.  This week, we wanted to say thank you and help us all focus on moving forward in the hope of the Risen Christ, who has called us and will not fail us.

In Christ,

Dean Stephen and Wardens Don & Jayne
svail@stjamescathedral.ca
wardens@stjamescathedral.ca