Good Morning Everyone:
THANKS BE TO GOD!
Fifteen years ago today (on Sunday, Easter II) I was ordained a priest by Bishop Ann Tottenham at St. Philip’s Anglican Church, Etobicoke. I had been ordained a transitional deacon a year earlier, May 13, 2004, with five other female clergy at St. James Cathedral by the late Archbishop Terry Finlay. My last name beginning with W meant that I was the last of the 6 to be ordained. As it turned out I was the very last person Archbishop Finlay would ever ordain – he retired shortly after. The Rev. Dr. Judy Rois, then vicar of the Cathedral conducted the rehearsal for the service – she was also the preacher. She warned us that Archbishop Finlay would likely be emotional seeing our ordination was marking an ending for him; that we should be prepared to let him lead. Laying both his hands on my head, and pausing for what seemed an eternity to me as I knelt before him, the Archbishop prayed slowly and deliberately: “Send down your Holy Spirit upon your servant Claire, whom we now consecrate in your name to the office and work of a deacon in the Church.”
The Archbishop continued to pray: Almighty Father, give to this your servant Claire grace and power to fulfil her ministry. Make her faithful to serve, ready to teach, and constant to advance your gospel; and grant that always having full assurance of faith, abounding in hope, and being rooted and grounded in love, she may continue strong and steadfast in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and your Holy Spirit, belong glory and honour, worship and praise, now and for ever. Amen
I had hoped that the day chosen for my ordination to the priesthood, April 3, would be a nice Spring day but the weather did not cooperate! The day turned out to be one of fierce winds, blowing snow, and even freezing rain. My presenters were a dear friend of a different denomination, The Rev. Dr. Stanford R. Lucyk, another friend, Mrs. Dee McEnaney at whose funeral I officiated last year in Caledon East and my beloved sister Pam, who died of cancer 11 years ago. The church was packed to capacity. The bishop was joined by a number of priests gathered despite the weather who laid their hands on me, the bishop saying: “Send down your Holy Spirit upon your servant Claire, whom we now consecrate in your name to the office and work of a priest in the Church.”
And here I am, fifteen years later by the grace of God. I am more convinced than ever that it is God who calls us; it is God who equips us with the enabling power of the Holy Spirit to do God’s work in God’s church and in God’s world. As a plaque I received that day rightly said, “The will of God will never take you where the grace of God cannot keep you.”
I found a whole poem written by one of my favourite people, “good old Author Unknown”!
The will of God will never take you,
Where the grace of God cannot keep you.
Where the arms of God cannot support you,
Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs,
Where the power of God cannot endow you.
The will of God will never take you,
Where the spirit of God cannot work through you,
Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you,
Where the army of God cannot protect you,
Where the hands of God cannot mold you.
The will of God will never take you,
Where the love of God cannot enfold you,
Where the mercies of God cannot sustain you,
Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears,
Where the authority of God cannot overrule for you.
The will of God will never take you,
Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears,
Where the Word of God cannot feed you,
Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you,
Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you.
author unknown
In all things, at all times, prayer and scripture have always been my “go to”!
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1Thes 5:16-18
Thanks be to the God of Grace, on this glorious day and always.
Your Priest & friend,
Claire+
THANKS BE TO GOD!
Fifteen years ago today (on Sunday, Easter II) I was ordained a priest by Bishop Ann Tottenham at St. Philip’s Anglican Church, Etobicoke. I had been ordained a transitional deacon a year earlier, May 13, 2004, with five other female clergy at St. James Cathedral by the late Archbishop Terry Finlay. My last name beginning with W meant that I was the last of the 6 to be ordained. As it turned out I was the very last person Archbishop Finlay would ever ordain – he retired shortly after. The Rev. Dr. Judy Rois, then vicar of the Cathedral conducted the rehearsal for the service – she was also the preacher. She warned us that Archbishop Finlay would likely be emotional seeing our ordination was marking an ending for him; that we should be prepared to let him lead. Laying both his hands on my head, and pausing for what seemed an eternity to me as I knelt before him, the Archbishop prayed slowly and deliberately: “Send down your Holy Spirit upon your servant Claire, whom we now consecrate in your name to the office and work of a deacon in the Church.”
The Archbishop continued to pray: Almighty Father, give to this your servant Claire grace and power to fulfil her ministry. Make her faithful to serve, ready to teach, and constant to advance your gospel; and grant that always having full assurance of faith, abounding in hope, and being rooted and grounded in love, she may continue strong and steadfast in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and your Holy Spirit, belong glory and honour, worship and praise, now and for ever. Amen
I had hoped that the day chosen for my ordination to the priesthood, April 3, would be a nice Spring day but the weather did not cooperate! The day turned out to be one of fierce winds, blowing snow, and even freezing rain. My presenters were a dear friend of a different denomination, The Rev. Dr. Stanford R. Lucyk, another friend, Mrs. Dee McEnaney at whose funeral I officiated last year in Caledon East and my beloved sister Pam, who died of cancer 11 years ago. The church was packed to capacity. The bishop was joined by a number of priests gathered despite the weather who laid their hands on me, the bishop saying: “Send down your Holy Spirit upon your servant Claire, whom we now consecrate in your name to the office and work of a priest in the Church.”
And here I am, fifteen years later by the grace of God. I am more convinced than ever that it is God who calls us; it is God who equips us with the enabling power of the Holy Spirit to do God’s work in God’s church and in God’s world. As a plaque I received that day rightly said, “The will of God will never take you where the grace of God cannot keep you.”
I found a whole poem written by one of my favourite people, “good old Author Unknown”!
The will of God will never take you,
Where the grace of God cannot keep you.
Where the arms of God cannot support you,
Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs,
Where the power of God cannot endow you.
The will of God will never take you,
Where the spirit of God cannot work through you,
Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you,
Where the army of God cannot protect you,
Where the hands of God cannot mold you.
The will of God will never take you,
Where the love of God cannot enfold you,
Where the mercies of God cannot sustain you,
Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears,
Where the authority of God cannot overrule for you.
The will of God will never take you,
Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears,
Where the Word of God cannot feed you,
Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you,
Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you.
author unknown
In all things, at all times, prayer and scripture have always been my “go to”!
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1Thes 5:16-18
Thanks be to the God of Grace, on this glorious day and always.
Your Priest & friend,
Claire+
Everyone is welcome at St. Thomas'
Thank you for visiting our website. If you are looking for a friendly church, you have found the right place. Here, you will find a vibrant and joy-filled community of people who love God and want to share God’s love with you. We are centrally located on Winchester St. in Brooklin; easily accessible with ample parking and an elevator. We are family-friendly — there is something for every age group from the youngest child to the eldest senior. Whether you decide to drop in for a visit or to make St. Thomas your spiritual home, you will find a warm welcome among us. We invite you on an exciting journey as together we journey with our Saviour — Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Join us!
The Rev’d. Canon Claire Wade
Incumbent
The Rev’d. Canon Claire Wade
Incumbent
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CANCELLATION OF SERVICES DUE TO DIOCESAN AND GOVERNMENT DIRECTIVES
In following a directive from Bishop Andrew Asbil, of the Diocese of Toronto and government regulations; services at St. Thomas will be cancelled and the Church will be closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. You will be notified when services resume. For emergencies there is a message system on the church phone that will be answered regularly or contact the webmaster at beveridgeh@gmail.com Watch for daily messages from Canon Claire. The calendar is cancelled until further notice. |
