St. Thomas Mission
5375 University BLVD V6T 1K3 Vancouver, BC, Canada

ON LENT AS A LIFELINE & RECLAIMING LOST TIME It has been nearly one year since we last gathered together for worship without any COVID-19 restrictions in place. We did have an Ash Wednesday service together, but only a few weeks later we were holed up in our respective homes and celebrating Holy Week on Zoom. Our great joy at the resurrection of Christ was overshadowed by our overwhelming sadness at our being unable to celebrate our Lord’s resurrection as we would have liked:...Continue reading

Lectio & Litany Mark 9:2-9

Join us today at 12:30pm on Zoom or Facebook Live for Lectio Divina & to pray the Great Litany. Zoom Link on our website.

Have you ever asked yourself what STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE has to do with Christian hope? Me neither, but TOMORROW is our chance to do just that. Take a break from whatever else you're doing and join us on Zoom at 7pm for our first ever Star Wars film & theology watching party. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88521726624

Blessed Feast of the Presentation of Christ ('Candlemas') Almighty and everliving God, we humbly pray that, as your only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple in the substance of our flesh, so we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts by Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

COMPLINE (/kmpln/ KOM-plin), also known as Complin, Night Prayer, or the Prayers at the End of the Day, is the final church service (or office) of the day in the Christian tradition of canonical hours, which are prayed at fixed prayer times. Everyone is welcome to join us every weekday evening at 9pm for 'compline' (nighttime prayers). It takes about 15 minutes and is a great way to conclude the day. Zoom link on our website.

Lectio & Litany | Mark 1:21-28

Advent: Day 24 It Came Upon a Midnight Clear (Luke 2:8-20) Dear Family,...Continue reading

ADVENT DAY 23 Angels from the Realms of Glory (Matthew 2, Luke 2)...Continue reading

ADVENT DAY 22 A Sign of Hope Matthew 2:20, John 1:5 J.R.R. Tolkien may not have written a Christian allegory when he composed The Lord of The Rings, but the epic story is undoubtedly a Christian tale. As with all great quests, the journey of Frodo and his companions into darkest Mordor is an Advent journey. It is a mission of hope in a hopeless world and of light in the midst of utter darkness. Tolkien was careful not to draw strict Christian parallels, but we need not be so ...Continue reading

Planning to Help God 2 Kings 15 Dear Family... Today our walk through 2 Kings brings us to a chapter full of plots and conspiracies as one person after another steals the throne of the kingdom of Israel through intrigue and murder (2 Kings 15). The kings of Israel change so fast we get almost no information on who they were and what they did except for one thing: each king did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin (v 9, 18, 24, 28). This was the problem common to many of them. It goes back to the split of the kingdom after the reign of Solomon. According to God’s word to Jeroboam, ten tribes broke away to form the northern kingdom of Israel (1 Ki 11:31). Only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin remained loyal to Solomon’s son, Rehoboam in what became the southern kingdom of Judah (1 Ki 12:21). It was because Solomon began to worship other gods as a result of marrying many foreign wives in contravention of the Law (1 Ki 11:1-2, Ex 34:14). Jeroboam was not sure that God’spromise (1 Ki 11:38) could be trusted. He believed that if the people continued to worship God (YHWH) in Jerusalem, they would turn back to follow David’s descendants. Therefore, he set up two golden calves for the people to worship: one in Dan, in the north, and one in Bethel, in the south (1 Ki 12:27-29). It opened the door on rampant idolatry for most of Israel’s history. Jeroboam’s sin and its consequences were huge for the northern kingdom. It eventually led to their captivity in Assyria in 722 BC (2Ki 17) from which they never returned. (In terms of salvation history, the tribe of Judah was preserved because they were the line of the Messiah. BTW - for the etymologically curious English Jew derives from Hebrew Judah). This tragic story all began because Jeroboam’s faith was weak. He led the people astray based on his (relatively sound) political reasoning that it was too risky to let his subjects worship YHWH in Jerusalem. His worldly wisdom overruled the word of God. It is a temptation we all face regularly in our daily lives can God really be trusted? Maybe I should put in just a few extra precautions of my own to make sure. This is seriously mistaken thinking and can lead to a host of tragic and unwanted or unanticipated consequences. The golden calves were not (in Jeroboam’s mind and intention) gods other than YHWH. It was just an adaptation of YHWH’s worship to suit political necessity (Remember Exodus 32). We should be wary of the temptation to assist God with a few helps of our own. In His grace Fr Geoff

ADVENT DAY 21 O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Proverbs 3:13-20, 8:1-31, 1 Cor 1:18 2:13)...Continue reading

ADVENT CALENDAR DAY 18 December 18: Philippians 2:5-11; John 1:1-4 Luci Shaw, Kenosis... In sleep his infant mouth works in and out. He is so new, his silk skin has not yet been roughed by plane and wooden beam nor, so far, has he had to deal with human doubt. He is in a dream of nipple found, of blue-white milk, of curving skin and, pulsing in his ear, the inner throb of a warm heart’s repeated sound. His only memories float from fluid space. So new he has not pounded nails, hung a door, broken bread, felt rebuff, bent to the lash, wept for the sad heart of the human race. In this poem Luci Shaw invites us into a deeper imagination of Christ’s incarnation, his coming to earth. A wise person once said, poetry isn’t poetry until it’s incarnated, which means spoken not read. If you haven’t read the poem out loud, go ahead and do so. Anyone who has held a newborn baby knows the sensation of awe and wonder and young lifecompounded, as a parent with overwhelming love. At the beginning of this poem, we see described this infant Christ, tying our real world experience with the historic birth. But in the next stanza, I think we’re drawn in to ponder Mary. Her experience, holding God incarnate, her physical state, weak after labor but still giving herself as food for the Christ child. In those intimate moments of mother and child, I can’t imagine Mary loving anyone else in the world more than her Child, the Messiah. Mary has often been called the proto Christian. She was the first person to say ‘yes’ to Jesus. Her response to Gabriel, let it be to me according to your word, (Luke 1:38 KJV) is a model prayer for all of us who follow God. Where Mary physically bears Christ into the world, we are invited to be the ‘Christ bearer’s’ in our own life. So what does this have to do with Advent? Well, as any mother can tell you, pregnancy is a type of advent. It is a season of waiting, preparing, hoping, expecting. In that sense, Mary was the first to ‘celebrate’ advent, while waiting for the birth of Jesus. It’s during that pregnancy too, that we have the ‘Magnificat’ (Luke 1:46-55) written. If Mary is the kind of woman to sing the Magnificat over Christ in the womb, then I imagine, as a good mom does, she helped raise her son to be the one who will weep for the human race. Peace, Rachel Image: Mother and Child J. Kirk Richards

http:// Feast of St. James of Jerusalem // Grant, O God, that, following the example of your apostle James the Just, kinsman of our Lord, your Church may give itself continually to prayer and to the reconciliation of all who are at variance and enmity; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

ADVENT DAY 19 Little Drummer Boy (Matthew 2:1-12) Dear Family,...Continue reading

Faithfulness in a Political World 2 Kings 11 Dear Family... 2 Kings 11 is an interesting story to consider as both British Columbia and the USA face elections in the next two weeks. How should we view politics, and what role should we play? In around 8.30 B.C., Johoshaphat (a good king of Judah, 2 Chron 17:3) was succeeded by his son, Jehoram (2 Ki 8:16ff). King Jehoram (of Judah) married, Athaliah, a daughter of King Ahab & Jezebel (of Israel). She led him astray just as Jezebel had done to King Ahab. She was the mother of the next king of Judah, Ahaziah, and our story begins as King Ahaziah dies (v 1). Athaliah, makes a grab for power (v 1). She executes the entire royal family (most of whom were her grandchildren), but one of her daughters, Jehosheba (also called Jehoshabeath), rescues one baby boy, Joash. She hides him with his nurse (v 2), first in a bedroom, and then in the house of the Lord (v 3), where her husband, Jehoiada, is a priest (2 Chr 22:11). Joash is safe in the house of the Lord because Athaliah (a brutal and evil ‘queen’) worshipped Ba’al and therefore never went near the Lord’s Temple. When Joash is 7, Jehoiada makes careful preparations to announce his existence and proclaim him king. Athaliah had ruthlessly executed a coup de’etat and it was no use if she managed to get hold of the boy and kill him now. Jehoiada gets an oath for his protection from the captains of the guard units and the mercenaries (Carites were from southern Turkey). The plan goes like clockwork: Joash is proclaimed king and Athaliah is executed. For a season the worship of YHWH [God] is restored in Judah (2 Chr 24:8-12). Sadly, once he is gone, King Joash goes astray (2 Chr 24:17-19). By a series of events over which he has no control Athaliah’s coup and his wife’s intervention Jehoiada becomes a key player in the politics of the Kingdom of Judah. He has one goal: restore the worship of YHWH. As the plot begins, he has the captains swear an oath in the house of the Lord (v 4). When Joash is proclaimed king, Jehoiada ensures that he swears an oath to the Lord (v 17). He also has the people swear that they should be the Lord’s people (v 17). Jehoiada is the one who ensures the due rituals of coronation are enacted. Joash is crowned and given the testimony (v 12, see Deut 17:18-19). While he is alive, Jehoiada, who is also the king’s uncle, instructs him in the ways of the Lord (12:3). He never sought power for himself but actively worked to promote what was best for the people following the Law of YHWH under kings who did the same. Like Jehoiada, we should engage in the political process to promote Godly justice and peace, complex as that may be in a pluralistic society! Whatever role we have citizens or politicians we should ponder Jehoiada’s courage and selfless example as we make our choices. In His grace Father Geoff

"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy." How are we as Christians to understand and practice sabbath? How should those of us who are students practice sabbath rest? This is the topic for our Tuesday Nights gathering tonight. Come by The Scriptorium at 6pm for a simple soup meal and a conversation on Sabbath, rest, and time. See you tonight! ... If you have not attended yet this term, please sign up to let us know you are coming: https://docs.google.com//1FAIpQLSfomd995pi_aTOmV/viewform See you tonight!

Come study at The Scriptorium this afternoon between 1 and 6pm. Serving up coffee, tea, and not-too-distracting tunes all afternoon. Don't forget your mask!

http:// Blessed Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist // ALMIGHTY God, who calledst Luke the Physician, whose praise is in the Gospel, to be an Evangelist, and Physician of the soul: May it please thee that, by the wholesome medicines of the doctrine delivered by him, all the diseases of our souls may be healed; through the merits of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

From Fr. Geoff Hearing what we want to hear (Part 2) 1 Kings 22... Dear Family Last week I looked at the story of King Ahab, Micaiah and the false prophets (1 Kings 22) and noted the courage it took for Micaiah to say unpopular things against the sycophantic advice of the other ‘prophets.’ While I marvel at Micaiah’s faithfulness (and hope I would do the same), I don’t see myself in his shoes. My natural tendency is to be more like Ahab wanting what I want and in a world that strongly emphasizes personal indulgence, doing it my way, and getting whatever I desire, the temptation is strong. Ahab had personal reasons for wanting to take back Ramoth-gilead from the Syrian King: It was a part of his kingdom which had been taken by force (v 3); it would strengthen his alliance and friendship with the king of Judah (v 4); and it would be great for his status and prestige. He could also spiritualize it: It was their land. God had given it to them in the time of Joshua; it was an affront to God’s glory that a pagan king (and his gods) had taken a piece of the promised land from Israel; and 400 ‘prophets’ had confirmed that it was the right thing to do (v 6). Surely it was his destiny and duty to recover Ramoth-gilead for the glory of God? If I could find so many personal and spiritual reasons to do something I wanted, I would be up and busy in an instant. If anyone asked me what I was doing I could make myself sound so spiritual and humble, I’m just doing what God wants me to. So, how could King Ahab know that it wasn’t God’s will? We’ve just listed all the reasons why it might be, but there is something he specifically did not do. He did not willingly and earnestly seek the counsel of the known prophet of the LORD (YHWH), Micaiah. He only consulted the prophets that he knew would tell him what he wanted to hear. There is a fundamental heart attitude here. In the Old Testament God’s will was made known by his prophets. In the New Testament, we have the promise that God will give us wisdom (James 1:3) and that the Holy Spirit will guide us (John 16:13). However, we are also told that to know the will of God we must present ourselves to Him as living sacrifices; we must not be conformed to the world but rather be transformed; our minds must be renewed, and we must test and discern what his will is (Rom. 12:1-2). At essence, we must truly desire to know God’s will, and we can only do that if we live our lives as living sacrifices. If, like Ahab, we just seek to justify what we want to do, we will find many confirmations to go ahead, but when our hearts are set on God and our deepest desire is to know and do His will, He will guide us. In His grace Fr Geoff

Blessed Feast of St. Teresa of Avila (BCP 2019) "O God, your blessed Son became poor for our sake, and chose the Cross over the kingdoms of this world: Deliver us from an inordinate love of worldly things, that we, inspired by the devotion of your servant Teresa of Ávila, may seek you with singleness of heart, behold your glory by faith, and attain to the riches of your everlasting kingdom, where we shall be united with our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen."

The Scriptorium is a study centre in progress in the basement of University Chapel. We know that during the COVID-19 Pandemic many students are struggling to find adequate spaces to take online classes, study, and complete assignments. Our hope is that The Scriptorium would be your go-to place for a study space just off campus. Many of you will know that in the past we opened up The Burrow as our study space for students. Unfortunately, due to the limited space of The Burrow, we are unable to invite students to study there during the Pandemic.

Hearing what we want to hear 1 Kings 22 Dear Family...Continue reading

This week at St. Thomas Mission: Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind film Night, Tuesday at 6pm // Scriptorium Study Centre open 1-5pm on Tuesday and Thursday

http:// THE SCRIPTORIUM STUDY CENTRE // Looking for a space to study away from home that is FREE, and has good wifi? The Scriptorium is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-5pm. Located at University Chapel (5375 University Blvd). Follow the signs on the northeast side of the building. Masks are required, and we will sign you in when you arrive. Come on by tomorrow!... "Scriptorium" is latin for 'a place of writing' and was the space set aside in a medieval monastery for the scribes to work on manuscript copying.

Welcome to the first installment of 'Deacon's Corner.' If you live in Vancouver, you may know that Deacon's Corner is the name of a little diner in Kitsilano. Now it's also the name we're giving to these short video reflections with Deacon Paul. In this first video, we read a short selection from Ben Myers' book, "The Apostles' Creed: A Guide to the Ancient Catechism," and reflect upon the value and worth of words that have been given to us and upon the communal and Christ-centered reality of the personal confession, ‘I Believe.' In the next installement we will read from the first few paragraphs of 'The Confessions' of St. Augustine and consider his famous phrase, "our hearts are restless until they rest in you, in light of the infinity of God.

http:// FILM NIGHT // TUESDAY OCT. 6 // 6PM Join us at University Chapel next Tuesday for our first film night of the year. We will be watching Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind in the sanctuary. Lots of space for social distancing and on the big screen! Please remember your mask :) ... We will have everyone register at the door, but if you can sign up ahead of time, we would appreciate it: https://forms.gle/VHKKLzvAnvjwNJrH6