Legacy Society Friends Share What Inspired Them to Remember SSJE in Their Legacy Planning

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Legacy Society Friends Share What Inspired Them to Remember SSJE in Their Legacy Planning Volume 41 • Number 3 Summer 2015 IN THIS ISSUE A LetterA Letter from the from Superior the Superior In the Superior’s letter, Br. Geoffrey Tristram shares words of thanksgiving for Geoffrey Tristram, SSJE the gifts of God, and invites us to experience Eucharistic living. The Society’s Bishop Visitor, Frank Griswold, offers his report on the past year Dear Members of the Fellowship in the life of the community: a year of growth, online and at Emery House. of Saint John and other Friends, Br. Geoffrey Tristram peers into the mystery of the Trinity to find a dance of love that involves us all. ere at the Monastery and at Emery she folded her magazine and opened her In the Annual Fund Report, the Brothers express their gratitude for all those HHouse, we celebrate the Eucharist shopping bag, and there… discovered who support their life and help spread Jesus’ message of love. every day. This daily celebration of her own unopened bag of cookies! The woman had been so angry that The Spotlight on Community Life announces the publication of Br. Eldridge the Eucharist (which in Greek means “thanksgiving”) invites us to enter the man had been helping himself to Pendleton’s biography of one of the Society’s founders, Charles Grafton. ever more deeply into that “Eucharistic her cookies. Then, when she looked in living” which can transform our lives. her shopping bag, she realized that they I love the story of the woman who weren’t really hers at all, but were a gift was out shopping on Black Friday. She – shared generously and with a smile. Update your address with us! To remove your name from was in the middle of the packed mall Seeing life as a gift is at the heart our physical mailing list and sign up for our electronic mailing list, and felt the need of a coffee break, so she of Eucharistic living. It’s about not please call 617.876.3037x55, or email [email protected]. bought herself a little bag of cookies, put forgetting, about remembering that them in her shopping bag, and got in line everything we have, everything we To follow the latest news from the Brothers, visit www.SSJE.org where you can for a coffee. She found a place to sit at are, is a gift from God. We do not listen to weekly sermons, watch videos, and view photo galleries. one of the crowded tables, across from a belong to ourselves. Our wealth, our man reading a newspaper. talents, our very life are not ours – not We would welcome hearing what you think of this issue of Cowley Magazine. After a minute or two she reached our possession – but are gifts from our Visit www.SSJE.org/cowleymagazine to share comments, ask questions, out and took a cookie. As she did, the generous God. or see Cowley in color! man across the table reached out and In order to keep before us this truth took one, too. She was a bit shocked at that everything we have has been given his rudeness, but didn’t say anything. to us freely by our good and generous A few minutes later she took another God, the Scriptures tell us quite clearly cookie. Once again, the man did so, too. – and time and time again – that the Now she got upset, but still didn’t like to key is thanksgiving. “O give thanks to say anything. the Lord, for he is good, and his mercy After a couple more sips of coffee endures forever” (Ps 107:1). Saint Paul she once again took another cookie. urges us, “Give thanks to God the So did the man. She was really upset Father at all times, and for everything now – especially as there was now only – in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” Cover image: one cookie left. Before she could say (Ephesians 5:20). But giving thanks is not always easy; we have to practice. A beautiful sketch of the Monastery Chapel by Marc anything, he took it, broke it in half, Mazzarelli. Marc visited the Chapel this winter along with offered half to her, and proceeded to eat The best time to practice thanks- Anne McGhee, a longtime friend of the community and the other half himself. Then he smiled at giving is as soon as we wake up. When professor in the Harvard Design School, who reguarly brings her and, putting the paper under his arm, the alarm goes off on Monday morning, her classes to sketch in the Chapel. rose and walked off. She was so angry. instead of groaning and allowing waves How dare he! Her coffee break ruined, of anxiety or weariness to wash over you ©2015 by The Society of Saint John the Evangelist, North America The Society of Saint John the Evangelist 3 Letter from the Bishop Visitor The Right Reverend Frank T. Griswold, III Dear Friends of SSJE, ather Richard Meux Benson, who According to the Pew Research as you think of all the things you have opportunity to express our thanks to all Ffounded the Society of Saint John Center, the number of people who to do that day, at once say, “Thank you those who have helped make it possible: the Evangelist in 1866 in Oxford, are unaffiliated with any religious God for the gift of a new day.” And then firstly to the Sisters of the Holy Nativity, England, challenged members of the body is continuing to grow at a rapid maybe think of at least five things to be who helped us purchase the house, and Society saying, “we must be men of pace, with the number somewhere thankful for: your health, your family, a then to all those who so kindly gave us the moment.” His words continue to around one-fifth of the U.S. public and roof over your head… Name them and the many gifts of furniture. It now looks challenge the Society to this very day. one-third of adults under thirty. At the say, “Thank you God.” And before you beautiful! The fruit of prayer and monastic same time, of this unaffiliated group, know it, something has changed inside. During that day’s celebration we were life is a sensitizing of the heart and two-thirds say they believe in God. I God loves to be thanked. When we give delighted to present Brother Eldridge mind to read with accuracy and insight am not surprised that many of these thanks, God changes us; he softens our Pendleton’s new book, Press On, The the signs of the times in their varied seekers find their way to monasteries, hearts, and we become more generous Kingdom: The Life of Charles Chapman aspects: cultural, religious, historical. drawn by the rather counter-cultural towards others and towards ourselves. Grafton. It was a very apt place for the The Society, therefore, is in a stance aspect of monastic life and searching for We are converted through thanksgiving. presentation – in the house dedicated in of constant discernment of how its an authentic experience of the Divine. This issue of Cowley includes the Bishop Grafton’s honor. members might best meet the deep The Brothers continue their ministry to Annual Fund Report. As I read through This year is an important one for hungers of men and women who are this group of seekers. the names of all you who have so the Society because it marks the 100th searching and seeking, as well as those In this past year an ever-widening generously given gifts towards our life anniversary of the death of our founder, who strive to renew their experience of audience of pilgrims who may never and ministry, I am filled with enormous Fr. Richard Meux Benson. We will also life in Christ. find their way to the Monastery or thanksgiving for so much kindness. As mark the occasion by inviting Columba In this last year the Brothers have Emery House has been fed by what I well as those who are listed, there are Stewart, OSB, from St. John’s Abbey, continued in their ministry of offering might call the Brothers’ virtual ministry also many others who have shared their Collegeville, MN, to preach at our Saint hospitality and spiritual companionship of presence on the Internet and through gifts of time and wise counsel with us, John’s Day celebration. Fr. Columba is a at the Monastery in Cambridge and at other social media. Using tools and and countless others who remember us very dear friend of the community and Emery House in West Newbury. This technology that Father Benson could in their prayers. We Brothers are deeply an eminent scholar and teacher of the has been a blessing to many visitors, not have imagined, his heirs are indeed grateful. religious life. It is a joy to welcome him old and new. As well, members of the “men of the moment.” The annual Bishop Visitor’s Report back to the Monastery. community have gone forth to extend As the following pages of this report gives me the opportunity to say publi- On behalf of all my Brothers, thank the ministry of the Society to the well indicate, the community continues cally how very blessed we Brothers are by you for all your support and prayers. broader Church. I know from my own to be steady, stable, and forward-looking the ministry of Bishop Frank Griswold to We are so grateful for the gift of your experience how the presence of the in all aspects of its life – for which we us.
Recommended publications
  • We Will Always Read the Gospel Appointed for the Day So That We Can Read and Meditate on Jesus' Words and Teaching
    Welcome to Morning Prayer with the Green Mountain Online Abbey of the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont. A few notes about today’s service. Please leave your microphone on mute during the responsory portions of the service. You are welcome to unmute yourself when you are invited to offer your prayers, then remember to mute it again when you have completed your prayer. We will always read the Gospel appointed for the day so that we can read and meditate on Jesus' words and teaching. MORNING PRAYER Thursday, January 14, 2021 The Season of Epiphany Richard Meux Benson, Priest, 1915 and Charles Gore, Bishop, 1932 Opening Sentence The Officiant says the following I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth. Isaiah 49:6b Invitatory and Psalter Officiant O God, open our lips. People And our mouth shall proclaim your praise. Officiant You laid the foundation of the earth People and the heavens are the work of your hands. All Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia. Officiant Alleluia, Christ is shown forth in glory: People O come, let us adore him, alleluia. Said in unison Venite Psalm 95:1-7 Come, let us sing to the Holy One; * let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before God’s presence with thanksgiving, * and raise a loud shout with psalms. For you, O God, are a great God; * you are great above all gods.
    [Show full text]
  • The Cathedral Church of St. James Liturgical Calendar
    The Cathedral Church of St. James Liturgical Calendar Sunday Eucharists: 8:00am, 9:00am and 11:00am Weekday Eucharists: 7:30am and 12:30pm Saturday Eucharist: 12:30pm Sunday, January 12, 2020 – The Baptism of the Lord (Proper 1) (White) Preface of the Epiphany Readings at the Eucharist: Isaiah 42: 1-9; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34-43; Matthew 2: 1-12; Collects: BCP p. 119; BAS p. 348 Prayers: For the Anglican Church of Australia; In the Diocese of Toronto: Etobicoke – Humber Deanery Monday, January 13 – The Memorial of Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers, Teacher of the Faith, 367 (White) Common of Doctors and Teachers of the Faith p. 436 Preface of a Saint Readings at the Eucharist: 1 Samuel 1: 1-8; Mark 1: 14-20; Collect at Morning Prayer: BAS p. 348; Collect at Evening Prayer: BCP p. 119; Prayers: In the Church in Southern Africa: The Diocese of Lesotho In the Church in England: The Diocese of Southwark In the Diocese of Toronto: All Saints, Kingsway Tuesday, January 14 – Feria (Green) Preface of Weekdays Readings at the Eucharist: 1 Samuel 1: 9-20; Mark 1: 21-28; Collect at Morning Prayer: BAS p. 348; Collect at Evening Prayer: BCP p. 119; Prayers: In the Church in England: The Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham In the Church in the United States: The Diocese of Lexington In the Diocese of Toronto: Church of the Atonement, Alderwood Wednesday, January 15 – The Commemoration of Richard Meux Benson, Religious, Founder of the Society of St John the Evangelist, 1915 (Green) Preface of Weekdays Readings at the Eucharist: 1 Samuel 3: 1-10, 19-20; Mark 1: 29-39; Collect at Morning Prayer: BAS p.
    [Show full text]
  • A GUIDE to Ss MARY and JOHN CHURCH, OXFORD
    A GUIDE TO Ss MARY AND JOHN CHURCH, OXFORD Introduction The Parish of Cowley St John dates from 4 August 1868 and owes its origin to Fr. Richard Meux Benson (1824–1915). The foun da tion stone of this Church was laid in October 1875, and the present Deco - rat ed Style building in Charlbury stone, was designed by Alfred Mardon Mowbray and put up in instalments as the money trickled in. A memorial Calvary to Fr. Benson has stood near the Church entry since 20 November 1917. The Chancel (1875–79) was bricked across the west end to be used as a church. It is dedicated to Archbishop Longley of Canterbury, a previous Vicar of 'old' Cowley (Cowley St James) who died in 1868 and was much admired for his inspiration at .the 1st Lambeth Conference. The Nave and Side Aisles were then built so that the whole Church could be dedicated on November 6th 1883. The Tower and the South Porch were added in 1893, but the glass screen and doors were not added until 1988. The motif on the doors of St Mary and St John at the foot of the cross is by Margaret Cul- len. The clock with its three faces in the tower was put in from 1928 to 1930. The Vestries were built onto the east end behind the High Altar between 1911–1912. The First Vicar from 1870–1886 was Father Benson who not only created this Parish but also founded within it the fi rst Religious Order for men in the Church of England since the Reformation.
    [Show full text]
  • BISHOP GRAFTON 'Greatness of Heart' R.""" ,.• ' " T!
    August 22, 2010 livingchurch.org THE LIVINGCHURCH CATHOLIC EVANGELICAL ECUMENICAL BISHOP GRAFTON 'Greatness of Heart' r.""" ,.• ' ! _" t - Imag ine if all 930 bishops of the Anglican Communion . ... read the same high~quality magazine , week in and week out, and thought of that magazirie as their own. We at THE LIVING CHURCH have decided to make this our goal, through the GIVE A BISHOP TLC project . By making a tax­ bishop . deductib~e contribution to THE LIVING CHURCH for a bishop of the Anglican Communjon, you □ 1 BISHOP==$110 can help us send this vital source of teaching and □ 5 BIS.HOP;S ==$558 encouragement to leade rs in every corner of our . □ 10 BISHO'PS== $1 ,000 □ 25 BIS,HOPS::: $2,500 worldwide family. Please lhdioate any preference far a particular bish.op , province, er region (e .g., Africa , Asia, BISHOP EngJandJ}, er indicate no prefe rence. Name '-- ---=----- ---- - Ad ciress'-- _ __ __ -=-..;_ ____ _ TLC City __ ---'----'--- --- -- - State ___ ____ _ .Zip _ _ _ _ Phone( _ )____ _ __ _ __ _ $110 Emdil _ __ ~- - --- - --- Ma k-eG::M eoks payable t0: The Living Church $550 Faundatian, P.O, Box.514036,Milwauke-e, WI 53208--3436 $1,000 □ €neck □ Mt/VISA. $2,500 Card # ___ ~--- ----- Exp. Dote ___ 3-d igit CGGie Of'rl back__ NOTE:Co st includes international postage Credit Cmd Billing Ad<:lress (if different from abo ve): We will inform you and your Addres s~ -~-------- ~ ­ bishop(s} of your connection, Cit:i,-- - --'----='------- - - - State _____ ___ Zip ___ _ so that you may hold one another in prayer.
    [Show full text]
  • The Oxford Movement and the Early High Church Spirituality in Sweden
    International Journal for the Study of the Christian Church ISSN: 1474-225X (Print) 1747-0234 (Online) Journal homepage: https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/rjsc20 The Oxford Movement and the early High Church spirituality in Sweden Oloph Bexell To cite this article: Oloph Bexell (2018) The Oxford Movement and the early High Church spirituality in Sweden, International Journal for the Study of the Christian Church, 18:2-3, 277-292, DOI: 10.1080/1474225X.2018.1547538 To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/1474225X.2018.1547538 © 2019 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group Published online: 22 Jan 2019. Submit your article to this journal Article views: 61 View Crossmark data Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at https://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=rjsc20 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR THE STUDY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH 2018, VOL. 18, NOS. 2–3, 277–292 https://doi.org/10.1080/1474225X.2018.1547538 The Oxford Movement and the early High Church spirituality in Sweden Oloph Bexell Church History, University of Uppsala, Sweden ABSTRACT KEYWORDS In the early twentieth century, Swedish priests went to England The Oxford Movement; for pastoral studies. There they met the influential leaders of the Swedish High Church; Oxford Movement and were inspired by them. They discovered a Catholicity; Charles Gore; Catholic, but not Roman Catholic, worship and High Church E.B. Pusey; John Henry Newman; John Keble; spirituality. They read Charles Gore, E.B. Pusey and others. Their German Neo-Lutheranism; great discovery was the eucharistic worship and its sacramentally Scottish Free Churches; orientated liturgy and the world-wide Catholic Church, a catho- Gunnar Rosendal; licity they recognised in the Church of Sweden.
    [Show full text]
  • Origins of Anglo-Catholic Missions: Fr Richard Benson and the Initial Missions of the Society of St John the Evangelist, –
    Jnl of Ecclesiastical History, Vol. , No. , January . © Cambridge University Press doi:./S Origins of Anglo-Catholic Missions: Fr Richard Benson and the Initial Missions of the Society of St John the Evangelist, – by ROWAN STRONG Murdoch University E-mail: [email protected] This paper investigates the origins of Anglican Anglo-Catholic missions, through the missionary theology and practice of the founder of the Society of St John the Evangelist, Fr Richard Benson, and an exploration of its initial missionary endeavours: the Twelve-Day Mission to London in , and two missions in India from . The Indian missions comprised an institutional mission at Bombay and Pune, and a unique ascetic enculturated mission at Indore by Fr Samuel Wilberforce O’Neill SSJE. It is argued that Benson was a major figure in the inauguration of Anglo-Catholic missions; that his ritualist moderation was instrumental in the initial public success of Anglo-Catholic domestic mission; and that in overseas missions he had a clear theological preference for disconnecting evangelism from Europeanising. Benson’s approach, more radical than was normal in the second half of the nineteenth century, was a consequence of envisaging mission’s being undertaken by a religious order, an entirely new phenomenon for Anglican missions. The Oxford Movement and mission he original Tractarian leaders were not much interested in overseas mission. As an Evangelical the young John Henry Newman did exhibit some interest in the area, serving as secretary to Oxford’s T branch of the Church Mission Society for a year from to . But as a leader of the burgeoning Oxford Movement from he was SPG = Society for the Propagation of the Gospel; SSJE = Society of St John the Evangelist; UMCA = Universities’ Mission to Central Africa The letters and diaries of John Henry Newman, ed.
    [Show full text]
  • Roland-Allen-Vol1-Ch1.Pdf
    1. Formation of an Anglican Missionary Familial Legacy: Evangelical Anglicanism When Hubert John Brooke Allen, the grandson and biographer of Roland Allen (1868-1947), was ‘about twelve years old’, he asked his grandfather (‘Granfer’) when he would be allowed to read the books that his grandfather had written.1 His grandfather told young Hubert: ‘Oh, yes, you can read them by all means – but you won’t understand them; I don’t think anyone is going to understand them until I’ve been dead ten years. ”2 Later in life, Hubert decided to honour his grandfather’s legacy by writing a biography of his life entitled Roland Allen: Pioneer, Priest, and Prophet (1995). Interestingly, shortly after Roland Allen’s death, various missionaries and missiologists began to engage with his ideas through their publications on mission work, as well as to apply his methods on the mission field. However, Hubert indicated that, of these writers, ‘almost all of them have been well-intentioned and fairly accurate’ yet the biographer argued that: ‘many of them have portrayed a rather dry theologian, rather than a warm and kindly – if rather austere and argumentative – human being.’3 These characterizations of Roland prompted a familial response to clarify the narrative. Hubert’s informative biography tells the rest of the story from his own personal interaction with his grandfatherSAMPLE while living in East Africa, his ‘inquisitive’ analysis of Roland’s books and archives, and further disclosure through ‘family memorabilia preserved by Grannie, which came to light . [Hubert says] after my wife and I took over my parents’ home in Marston Village, near Oxford’.4 Missiologists are indebted to Hubert Allen for providing clarity about his grandfather’s life.
    [Show full text]
  • Anglican Spiritual Tradition and Practical Theology
    Anglican Spiritual Tradition and Practical Theology Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary – Jacksonville Spring 2019: Jan 25 (9am-5pm), Feb 22 (9am-5pm), and April 26 (9am-5pm) Instructors: Justin S. Holcomb E-mail: [email protected] This course meets at 1017. E. Robison Street, Orlando, FL 32801 COURSE DESCRIPTION This course seeks to develop spiritual formation by studying the historical development and content of spiritual theology and leadership, focusing particularly on the resources of the Anglican tradition and it’s relationship with the broader Biblical, historical, and ecumenical context. We will explore the integration of the Anglican spiritual tradition and practical theology. The course concerns both the individual's spiritual life and the special responsibilities of the ordained person for assisting in the spiritual development of others. Consequently, the course contains both academic and experiential elements meant not only to foster in participants an intellectus fidei (a faithful understanding), but also to assist in developing a habitus fidei (a faithful character) that is embodied in a personalized praxis fidei (a faithful practice). COURSE OBJECTIVES The primary goal of the course is to become acquainted with the breadth and riches of the Anglican spiritual tradition in order to use them personally and in ministry. Participants in this course will: Become more deeply familiar with the major figures and traditions of Anglican spirituality Learn and practice a selection of spiritual disciplines Continue their
    [Show full text]
  • A Pastoral Letter to Vestry 2018 January 25, 2018 the Conversion of Paul My Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Grace and Peace
    The Right Reverend Jenny Andison The Incorporated Synod Area Bishop of York‐Credit Valley of the Diocese of Toronto 135 Adelaide Street E. Toronto, ON M5C 1L8 Telephone: 416‐363‐6021 Toll‐free: 1‐800‐668‐8932 Fax: 416‐363‐7678 www.toronto.anglican.ca A Pastoral Letter to Vestry 2018 January 25, 2018 The Conversion of Paul My sisters and brothers in Christ, Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Cor 1:2) This past week, the Anglican Church of Canada remembered the ministry of Richard Meux Benson, the founder in 1865 of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist, the first order of monks in the Anglican Communion since the Reformation. In his letter to one young man who was considering a monastic vocation, Fr. Benson wrote that he and his brother monks in the SSJE were “living on a truth and loving it!” York-Credit Valley includes a wide variety of parishes, each with a unique history and with particular gifts to share. But one characteristic that our parishes have in common with each other is that all of them were founded by women and men who were living on a truth – the truth of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ – and loving it. This shared reality explains why each of our parishes was planted in the first place: the new life that flowed out of the redeeming knowledge of Christ is what propelled our forebears to start new churches, prayerfully engage with their neighbourhoods, and seek to be the hands and feet of Christ for the poor and those on the margins of society.
    [Show full text]
  • Global Theological Perspectives, 1322-1922
    Global Theological Perspectives, 1322-1922 Title Author Year Published Language General Subject A Bible History of Baptism Baird, Samuel J. (Samuel John); 1817-1893. 1882 English Baptism A Brief Compend of Bible Truth Alexander, Archibald; 1772-1851. 1846 English Theology, Doctrinal A Brief Discussion of Grace and Good Works, or, of the Divine and the Human Agency in the Work of Human Milligan, R. (Robert); 1814-1875. 1889 English Salvation Redemption A Brief Introduction to the Study of Theology Foster, R. V. (Robert Verrell); 1845-1914. 1899 English Theology A Brief Text Book of Moral Philosophy Coppens, Charles; 1835-1920. 1895 English Christian ethics A Brief Treatise on the Atonement Kephart, Ezekiel B. (Ezekiel Boring); 1834-1906. 1902 English Atonement A Catalogue of Books and Manuscripts Presented to the Wesleyan Theological Institution in the Year 1859 English Theology MDCCCLIX by James Heald, Esq. A Catalogue of English and Foreign Theology, Sermons, Discourses and Lectures 1852 English Theology A Catholic Atlas, or, Digest of Catholic Theology: Comprehending Fundamentals of Religion, Summary of Grafton, Charles C. (Charles Chapman); 1830-1912. 1908 English Theology, Doctrinal Catholic Doctrine, Means of Grace, Perfection With Its Rules and Counsels, Worship and Its Laws A Child's Life of Christ Dearmer, Mabel; 1872-1915. 1906 English Jesus Christ A Chronological and Geographical Introduction to the Life of Christ Caspari, Chrètian èdouard; 1840-1919. 1876 English Jesus Christ A Church Dictionary Hook, Walter Farquhar; 1798-1875. 1877 English Theology A Comparative View of the Doctrines and Confessions of the Various Communities of Christendom: With Winer, Georg Benedikt; 1789-1858.
    [Show full text]
  • First Sunday After the Epiphany, January 10, 2021 the Collect
    First Sunday after the Epiphany, January 10, 2021 The Collect: Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. Old Testament: Genesis 1:1-5 read from the God's Word Translation 1 In the beginning God created heaven and earth. 2 The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep water. The Spirit of God was hovering over the water. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light!” So there was light. 4 God saw the light was good. So God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God named the light day, and the darkness he named night. There was evening, then morning—the first day. Hear what the spirit is saying to God's People Psalm 29 read from The Episcopal Church Book of Common Prayer 1 Ascribe to the Lord, you gods, * ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his Name; * worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. 3 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders; * the Lord is upon the mighty waters. 4 The voice of the Lord is a powerful voice; * the voice of the Lord is a voice of splendor.
    [Show full text]
  • Oct 2020 Chronicle Pages 15-28
    NOTABLE PEOPLE & CHARACTERS OF COWLEY Fr. RICHARD MEUX BENSON (Part One) DECEMBER 1950 A hundred years ago this month – to be exact, on 23rd. December, 1850 – the Reverend Richard Meux Benson, Student (or Fellow) of Christ Church, was instituted as Vicar of Cowley, an event which proved to be of great significance to Church life both in East Oxford and throughout the Church of England. Cowley was in those days a parish small in numbers (probably only about 500) but large in area, extending right down to “The Plain” at Magdalen bridge; but houses were beginning to spring up along the Cowley and Iffley Roads, at a considerable distance from the little old church of St. James’. It was Father Benson who was instrumental in building the “Iron Church”, as it was called, in that area, in 1859, and later the church of Saints Mary & John, on the Cowley Road; - and it was he who procured the separation of the parish of Cowley St. John , and he became its first Vicar in 1870. At the same time, after several years of study and prayer at Cowley, Father Benson became the founder of the first religious community for men to be formed in the Church of England since the Reformation. He began to live a community life in Cowley with two other priests, Father Grafton (afterwards Bishop of Fond du Lac in the U.S.A.) and Father O’Neill. After a year of preparation together, they took their vows on December 27th (St. John’s Day), 1866, and their society was called The Society of St.
    [Show full text]