My Dear Brothers and Sisters of Saint Matthew’s ‘Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you”. When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the LORD.’ (John 20. 19, 20). It has been a most wonderful Lent [...]
Mike+
Rector’s Lenten Letter
February 21, 2012 – 2:36 pm
My Dear Brothers and Sisters of Saint Matthew’s ‘The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you will not despise’ (Psalm 51. 17). On Ash Wednesday (February 22nd) our Lenten journey begins. Lent is the Church’s desert season. ‘It’s tough in the desert. It’s bewildering. It’s destructive. It’s hellish. Yet [...]
Christmas & Vestry letter
December 14, 2011 – 12:30 pm
My Dear Friends ‘And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the LORD. And this will be a sign for you: [...]
Journey with us this Christmas
December 12, 2011 – 8:35 am
This Christmas we invite you to journey with us as we travel in heart and mind to Bethlehem and recall the greatest story ever told. Have you ever noticed how much travelling goes on in the Christmas story? The angel Gabriel travels to the Blessed Virgin Mary to announce that she will be the mother of Jesus. Mary then [...]
Reflections from your Rector – November 2011
November 7, 2011 – 2:50 pm
My Dear Brothers and Sisters of Saint Matthew’s ‘And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in [...]
Letter to Parish on the Feast of St. Matthew
September 21, 2011 – 12:19 pm
My Dear Brothers and Sisters of Saint Matthew’s ‘As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and He said to him, “Follow me”. And he rose and followed him’ (Matthew 9.9). Greetings on this Saint Matthew’s Day, the day in the Church calendar given to our Patron [...]
Rector’s Reflections – Sept. 8, 2011
September 8, 2011 – 1:00 pm
My Dear Brothers and Sisters of Saint Matthew`s For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3.1). I have been thinking a lot recently about the importance of seasons in creation, in our personal lives and in our life together as a Church community. As Anglicans we deeply value [...]
Rector’s Reflections, Parish Letter – August 25, 2011
August 25, 2011 – 12:22 pm
My Dear Brothers and Sisters of Saint Matthew’s And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Philippians 4. 19). One of the many things I sense God doing among us these days is that He [...]
Rector’s Reflections – July 13, 2011
July 13, 2011 – 3:48 pm
My Dear Brothers and Sisters of Saint Matthew’s You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed (Psalm 15. 13). What a day it was! Our Service of Departure, Solemn Procession to Grace Church and Holy Eucharist last Sunday (July 10th) was a momentous occasion that we shall not forget. As we [...]
Letter from Mike Stewart (July 6, 2011)
July 6, 2011 – 4:17 pm
My Dear Brothers and Sisters of Saint Matthew’s But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your Name may exult in you. For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield [...]
Letter from Mike Stewart – June 30, 2011
June 30, 2011 – 12:16 pm
My Dear Brothers and Sisters of Saint Matthew’s ‘Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert’ (Isaiah 43. 19). Plans for our departure and move to Grace Church continue at quite a pace, and [...]
Rector’s Reflections, June 20, 2011
June 20, 2011 – 2:36 pm
Dear Friends With so much going on in our Church life at the moment I have changed the tone of my reflections somewhat from ‘House of Prayer Reflections’ to Rector’s Reflections’. I hope to provide some helpful things for us to focus on in the coming weeks amidst so much emotion and upheaval as we prepare [...]
A Letter to the Parish
June 20, 2011 – 12:00 pm
My Dear Brothers and Sisters of Saint Matthew’s ‘Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for My Name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life’ (Luke 19. 29). By now you will have heard of the very saddening and disappointing news from the [...]
House of Prayer Reflection #16 – Pentecost Season. Veni, Sancte Spiritus
June 13, 2011 – 12:53 pm
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ This is the birthday season of the Christian Church! The Scriptures tell us, ‘When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place’ (Acts 2. 1). Pentecost is the moment of empowerment. It is the moment when the disciples of Jesus Christ are empowered to [...]
House of Prayer Reflection #15 – Ascension-tide
June 6, 2011 – 3:40 pm
‘Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you”. And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from [...]
