Author Archives: Kelli Stewart

Announcing: Monthly Quiz

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Since Anglicans in general are of a particularly questioning mode (and, thank God, are encouraged by the Church to be so), we’re instituting a monthly quiz, put together by our beloved Rene Jamieson. The first effort is about Handel’s ‘Messiah’, which is most appropriate to the season. Future quizzes will focus on the Book of Common Prayer, the life and work of Thomas Cranmer, English translations of the Bible, and eccliastical trivia of one kind or another. Enjoy!

Quiz: Handel’s ‘Messiah’

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by Rene Jamieson

Our first quiz is relatively seasonal. Ever since its first performance Handel’s ‘Messiah’ has captivated audiences around the world.
How much do you know about this classic oratorio?

Question 1:

Handel was a gifted composer, but even gifted composers can take a long time to produce their masterpieces.
How long did it take Handel to compose ‘Messiah’?

  • Just over three days
  • Just over three weeks
  • Just over three months
  • Just over three years

Question 2:

Who selected all those passages from scripture that form the libretto for the great oratorio?

  • Charles Jennens
  • Thomas Morell
  • Lorenzo da Ponte
  • Paolo Rolli

Question 3:

The first performance of ‘Messiah’ took place on April 13, 1743.
Where?

  • London
  • Dublin
  • Edinburgh
  • Cardiff

Question 4:

Handel’s ‘Messiah’ is performed annually in London, with a chorus and soloists (often numbering up to 3,000) drawn from all over the world .
Where does the performance take place?

  • Westminster Abbey
  • The Albert Hall
  • St. Paul’s Cathedral
  • Wembley Stadium

Question 5:

The scripture passages that make up the libretto for ‘Messiah’ were drawn from what source?

  • The Book of Common Prayer only
  • The King James Version of the Bible only
  • The Geneva Bible
  • The Book of Common Prayer and the King James Version of the Bible

Question 6:

Which of these composers wrote a popular arrangement of ‘Messiah’?

  • Beethoven
  • Mozart
  • Prokofiev
  • Britten

Question 7:

What restrictions were placed on the gentlemen in the audience at the premiere performance of  ‘Messiah’ in April, 1743?

  • They weren’t allowed to wear their hats
  • They weren’t allowed to wear their swords
  • They were asked to remain in their seats during the entire performance
  • They were asked not to drink during the performance

Question 8:

What restrictions were placed on the women in the audience?

  • They were asked not to flirt with the men on stage
  • They were asked not to gossip during the performance
  • They were asked not to wear hoop skirts
  • They were asked not to flutter their fans

Question 9:

How many singers made up the cast of the first performance of ‘Messiah’?

  • 20
  • 50
  • 100
  • 150

Question 10:

How old was Handel when he composed ‘Messiah’?

  • 35
  • 45
  • 56
  • 62

The answers to our first quiz will be published next month.

Readings & Prayers: December 18, 2011

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“I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to his word.” Luke 1.38

Readings for Christmas Eve

Isaiah 62.6-12
Psalm 97
Titus 3.4-7
Luke 2.1-20

Readings for Christmas Day

Isaiah 62.6-12
Titus 3.4-7
John 1.1-14

Want to know more? Join us for our Bible Study to discuss these passages.

In Our Prayers

In the Anglican Communion world-wide, we give thanks and pray for the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Rev. Rowan Williams; and for Ysabel, Melanesia -The Rt Revd Richard Naramana

In the Anglican Church of Canada, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, and the Diocese of Rupert’s Land we pray for:

all Bishops, diocesan leaders (lay & ordained), throughout Canada, especially:

  • Our Primate, Fred Hiltz and General Synod Staff
  • Our National Indigenous Bishop, Mark MacDonald
  • Our Metropolitan, David Ashdown
  • Our Bishop, Donald Phillips and his wife Nancy
  • ELCIC National Bishop, Susan Johnson
  • ELCIC Manitoba & North-Western Ontario Bishop, Elaine Sauer
  • Bishop Jackson Matovu and his wife Perusi of our Companion Diocese of Central Buganda
  • Spouses of clergy and clergy families

our congregations and communities, especially:

  • For the indigenous peoples in the Diocese of Brandon
  • For the people of the parish of St. John
  • St John’s Cathedral, The Rev Canon Rick Condo, Interim Priest
  • St John’s College, The Rev Dr John Stafford, Chaplain
  • Grace St John, Carman – The Rev Trudy Thorarinson
  • St John, Pilot Mound – The Rev Carol Guilford, The Rev Bill Blackburn, The Rev Deacon Mona Blackburn and the Ministry Team
  • St John, Fisherton, The Rev Barry Bear, Incumbent, the Rev Deacon Wesley Barrett, Honorary Deacon Assistant

Advent Candle Lighting: Fourth Sunday of Advent

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On the first Sunday in Advent, we lit a candle for Hope.
On the second Sunday in Advent, we lit a candle for Peace.
Last Sunday, the third Sunday in Advent, we lit a candle for Joy.
Today we light a candle for Love.
As this flame begins to burn, O God,
let your love warm our hearts as Mary’s love welcomed the Christ child
into the world so long ago in Bethlehem.
Let your Spirit burn in our hearts;
let your Light shine in our world;
and as our Advent time of waiting for the baby Jesus’ birth comes to an end, let the Flame of Your Love warm the place where the Christ would be born today. Amen.

Special Service: When Christmas Hurts

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Does Christmas Hurt?

Christmas time can be a difficult time of the year. Find hope and comfort in knowing that you are not alone.

“When Christmas Hurts” is a time when we can join with others in acknowledging the feelings of sadness that some folk have at Christmas time, along with the reasons for these feelings, and offer them to God.

In late December, we experience the shortest day and the longest night of the year.  This time has been called the “dark night of the soul”, “the winter of our discontent”, in which memories of past experiences and the pain of present experiences can become overwhelming.  For some, Christmas Day is most difficult; for others, Christmas Eve, or New Years Eve, or the beginning of another lonely New Year.

In this service, there will be some singing appropriate to the Christmas Season, recognizing that this is not a season of joy for everyone.  We will invite those in attendance to reflect on the pain, the loneliness, the sadness they may be feeling, and offer this to the Christ Child.  We pray that those attending this service will find hope and comfort in knowing that they are not alone.

“When Christmas Hurts”
December 18 at 4 pm

All are welcome to attend.

Advent Candle Lighting: Third Sunday of Advent

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On the first Sunday in Advent, we lit a candle for Hope.
Last Sunday, the second Sunday in Advent, we lit a candle for Peace.
Today we light a candle for Joy.
As this flame begins to burn, O God,
let the Joy and the Wonder of your Child
sing in our hearts and let our voices share the song of the Angels –
the song of heaven on earth.
Let your Spirit sing in our hearts;
let your Song of Joy fill our world;
and as we wait through the Advent season for the baby Jesus’ birth,
let the glorious Angels lead us to the place
where the Christ would be born today.   Amen.

Important Notice: Cathedral, Office & Cemetery Closures

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Friday, December 23: Cathedral, Office & Cemetery Closed @ 3pm
Saturday, December 24: Cemetery Closed @ Noon
Sunday, December 25: Cathedral & Cemetery Closed after service
Monday, December 26: Cathedral, Office & Cemetery Closed
Tuesday, December 27: Cathedral, Office & Cemetery Closed
Wednesday, December 28: Office Hours are restricted
Thursday, December 29: Office Hours are restricted
Friday, December 30: Office Hours are restricted; Cemetery Closed @ 3pm
Saturday,December 31: Cemetery Closed @ Noon
Sunday, January 1: Cathedral & Cemetery Closed after service
Monday, January 2: Cathedral, Office & Cemetery Closed