The Church in Canada

This week the liturgy is taken from the Anglican Church of Canada's Book of Alternative Services.

I had the privilege over the last few summers to be in class with members of that Church, and learned a great deal about the challenges and opportunities that face the Church in Canada. The man in the blue shirt in this picture is my friend Michael from Canada. It was such a joy to be with him! He could turn a phrase and was so poetic in his speech. My other good friend originally from Canada but now resident in upstate New York, Clarke, dropped out after his first year and transferred to Virginia Seminary to finish us his DMin. Between the two of them, they would throw out these phrases that are common use in Canada, but none of us had heard before.

This past summer we were joined by another delightful priest from Canada who shared with us in our Missional Liturgy and Preaching course that they conclude the Prayer after Communion with the following:


Glory to God, whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory to God from generation to generation, in the Church and in Christ Jesus, for ever and ever. Amen.


Now, we also have this prayer in our Book of Common Prayer, but not for the Eucharist. We were all surprised, but of course we knew these words by heart. It was a beautiful way to end the Eucharist -- and we will do so this Sunday.


It's funny how we "expand our horizons" listening to the stories of others and sharing in the way Anglicanism has manifested itself in their part of the world. Here we are, kissing cousins, separated by a national border -- and yet the subtle differences are there.


I give thanks to my friends from Canada, and I hope you enjoy their liturgy this weekend!